Singapore Things to Do Tips by Hewer

The night safari is one of the best things you can do in Singapore. One activity that is definitely worthwhile is the `Creatures of the Night Show`. It`s part entertainment, part information with a shocking twist at the end (if you want to be surprised instead, don`t read the rest of this tip;-)

In the show you can witness the jumping ability of pumas and the power and vision of owls among others in a series of neat interactive demonstrations. Towards the end of the presentation, a 20 foot python is drawn from the unsuspecting audience (in a long trunk under the seats). This results in very loud screaming, panic or laughter, depending on how you feel about snakes (for those that want to know, it`s about ten rows back, just to the left of the center if you`re facing the ampitheatre).

If you stay after the show, the friendly staff will let you hold some of the animals in the show (The best time to go is after the last show in my opinion, it is far less rushed....) .

It runs at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm daily an lasts just under an hour.

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Phone: (65) 6269-3411
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Directions: Below is the website for the Night Safari (www.zoo.com.sg is for the `Day Zoo` only)
Website: http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/

This is the traditional centre for Singapore`s Muslim community. Along Arab Street you can find seemingly endless stores selling textiles, carpets and jewellery. You can also find money changers, prayer mats, camel skin products and a number of restaurants and cafes.

The Sultan Mosque looms large from the adjoining block and this makes for a unique stroll in this district of Singapore.

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Directions: Take the MRT to Bugis and take exit B. Walk up Rochor Road and turn left onto north Bridge Road. Walk straight for five minutes and you`ll come to Arab Street.

It`s pretty clean by `World Chinatown` standards, but definitely a Singapore experience not to be missed. The sights and scents of China are unmistakeable as you wander the streets here.

There are tea houses, grocery stores, enthusiastic vendors, restaurants and endless trinket shops. `$4 each or 3 for $10` is the most common sign you will see in Chinatown shopfronts. It is certainly one of the cheapest places to buy Singapore souvenirs, and bargaining is acceptable.

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Directions: Chinatown MRT station, on the North East (purple) line. Exit the station, walk past `Hotel 81` and let the adventure begin....

I went to the Zoo for the `Wild Breakfast`, which takes place every day at 9am. Unfortunately, it wasn`t to be. It rained all day, and for this reason many of the outdoor shows were cancelled.

The highlight of the zoo is the primates area. They have really done a great job creating a realistic environment. As in the night zoo, some of the non-dangerous animals roam free too. You never know what might come along if you are sitting on a bench(!).

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Phone: (65) 6-269-3411
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Directions: A taxi from Orchard will cost about S$12.

Or, take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio and then bus 138 to the Zoo. When returning, you have to walk up the road (towards the night zoo) to get the bus.
Website: http://www.zoo.com.sg/

This is an important part of Singapore`s cultural landscape. Singapore`s Islamic population comes from a wide area - this is reflected in the street names around the mosque - Muscat, Kandahar and Baghdad Streets - named after prominent cities in the Islamic World.

The Sultan Mosque is quite welcoming to visitors. This is what you should do if you want to visit:

1. You have to register at the Tourist Register Counter (near the main entrance).
2. You should be appropriately dressed. If you aren`t, there is clothing available at the Tourist Register Counter. You should also remove your shoes and be quiet.
3. Taking photos is ok, but you should check first if you have a video camera.
4. You can`t go into the prayer hall unless you are going to pray.

Admission is as follows:
Friday: 2:30pm till 4pm
All other days: 9am till 1pm and 2pm till 4pm.

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Address: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore
Directions: Take exit A at Bugis MRT station. Walk up Victoria Street with Parkview Square on your right. Turn right at Arab Street and after a couple of minutes you will see the mosque on your right.

Even if you`re not into birds, you`ll have an enjoyable time at Jurong Bird Park. I was half-hearted about going but it ended up being a great day out.

There are numerous shows and demonstrations throughout the day. The two most popular shows are the "Birds of Prey Show" (10am and 4pm) and the "All Star Bird Show" (11am and 3pm).

One thing not be missed is the "Lory Loft", where you can walk out on a platform among 1000 lorikeets inside a massive aviary. There`s a neat little cafe beside it too....

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Phone: (65) 6265-0022
Address: 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925
Directions: Take the MRT to Boon Lay Station, then take SBS bus 194 or 251.
(The taxi back to Orchard is about $12 if you can`t be bothered with public transport after walking all day ;-)
Website: http://www.birdpark.com.sg/