Good morning....so my question is who are you sharing breakfast with this morning? We were sipping orange juice with the orangutans in the Singapore Zoo. So this blog is for Charlie, Reggie and everybody who is a kid at heart.

I am not a huge fan of zoos...but the Singapore Zoo has received upon occasion the title of "One of the Best Zoos in the World." It is built on a piece of land almost totally surrounded by water...and for the rest, barriers are kept minimal with the use of moats. The orangatuns swing freely over your head. It is lush and of course clean as a whistle. We thought it was fabulous...and we would return.

We set off early to have breakfast with the orangatuns (recommended by Barb and Dan and we agree). I had seen orangatuns in Sabah, Malaysia 45 years ago. The continued logging there has reduced their habitat and there are many fewer now than 45 years ago. (Hard as it is to fathom today, I was there as the CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) project officer responsible for an expert from BC advising on logging and forestry practises...Duh) my point is that I think we all know what terrible results have come about from clear cut logging...in BC and in Malaysia.

I think there are 31 orangatuns in the Singapore Zoo...the largest family group in a zoo in the world. Raising money for the protection of the indigenous habitats seems to be a major fund raising drive of the zoo. As is, probably, the breeding program.

We left our group after breakfast to wander the zoo ourselves. It was 30 degrees and 80% humidity...so we hit the highlights for a few photos, stopped on the way out for three tee shirts for three kids...guess who?...a light refreshment...guess what?...and back to the ship in a lovely air conditioned taxi. Whew...Singapore is HOT and HUMID.

We happened on the Asian Elephant show...which was really well done...the elephants of course sprayed the kids with water for an opener, then balanced, pushed logs into and out of the water, picked up small objects and then all lay down...as if taking a bath or sleeping. And amazingly....got back up!

We also checked out the poor forlorn polar bear who was swimming about...now I really feel badly for him in this Singapore heat. Not a place for polar bears.
 
 
 
We skipped the kangaroos after seeing many many last year in Australia; we checked out the lions and giraffes...remember Charlie they have blue tongues, the rhinoceroses and the hippos. Some sleeping and not posing. So I include images of a few of the animals we saw.

As a tip...air conditioned cab out for $20.00 is great, plan on at least 4 hours or repeat visits...it is hot for a lengthy visit. Look out for the strollers. Enjoy. Early in the day... you can book the breakfast on line and it is before the zoo opens to the public. If you are in Singapore, after seeing all the rest and having your Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel....then go to the Zoo!

For Singapore history and how terrific it is to wander along the waterfront in Singapore you need to go to the Dashboard of this blog and check out April 3, 2015 of my Down Under blog. That is the last time we were here. If we are back we will check out Jurong Bird Park, maybe the National Orchid Garden and probably for sure the WW II war sites. Still have those on our list...you have to pace yourself in Singapore.

Oh yes, we did stop at Phuket, Thailand...zipped into the town, bought some silk shirts, drank some beer under a cooling fan. Much black and white bunting and many black tee shirts for sale mourning the passing of the King. The sail away was the best part for me!

Cheers...on now to greet all these new people who have just joined the next leg of the cruise from Singapore to Sydney.

Oops...we were suppose to sail away some time ago but....some passengers didn't attend the safety drill...repeat for them...19 passports unaccounted for (serious for the Singaporeans) and now awaiting an ambulance for a medical emergency. The pilot and the tugs are awaiting our departure. We think it will be some time yet. The Captain may have to up the knots and burn more fuel to get us to the next port on time. Well I could skip Ko Samui...was there last year...it will be a tendering in port and I already know how efficiently that happens with 3,000 people. Yup the ship is full to the brim with Aussies who have flown up to Singapore to be on the Emerald Princess...it is her first time to Australia and New Zealand.

Well we did finally sail away at 8:15, three hours after our planned departure...but night had fallen...what a lovely sail away from one of the busiest ports we have been in...harbour was full of waiting vessels...double or more than we see in Vancouver. Another reverse, turn to the port, sweep the bow around and away we go. I am getting impressed with these Captains and navigators...this is not a small ship to manoeuvre.


Cheers

Doreen