5 Heartwarming Experiences at Singapore Zoo

Planning a memorable trip to Singapore Zoo with your beloved children? Look no further! We have curated a guide to help you create cherished moments at this extraordinary family-friendly destination.

Get ready to embark on a journey of emotions as you explore the following five exciting activities:

#1: INDULGE IN A FEEDING SESSION

Prepare to have your heart filled with joy as you witness animals delicately nibbling food from the palm of your hand. Participating in our token feeding sessions allows you to forge a profound connection with these beautiful creatures. Not only will you create lifelong memories, but your contribution will also support wildlife conservation efforts in the region.

Please keep in mind that feeding sessions operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. To secure your spot, we recommend booking the feeding session online and arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled time. We kindly request your understanding that once the capacity is reached, we won’t be able to accommodate additional guests. Reserve your feeding session now at this website.

Choose from a variety of feeding options, including elephants, giraffes, goats, tortoises, and more. Prices start at SGD 8.

#2: MEET THE ZOOKEEPERS

Ignite the curiosity of your little ones or satisfy your own inquisitive nature by immersing yourselves in the world of our dedicated zookeepers. Engage in captivating “Keepers’ Chit Chat” sessions where our knowledgeable staff will share intriguing insights and captivating anecdotes about your favorite animals. From elephant keepers to white tigers, the expertise and passion of these caretakers will leave you with a deep sense of admiration.

For session timings, please visit our website and schedule a listening experience. It’s an opportunity not to be missed!

#3: EXPERIENCE WHIMSICAL DELIGHTG

Take a moment to rejuvenate and immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of the Wild Animal Carousel. As you embark on a whimsical animal-themed ride, feel the joy radiating through every fiber of your being. This vintage merry-go-round is not only a delight for children but will also awaken the inner child within you. To avoid waiting in queues, we recommend booking your carousel ride online.

Ticket prices for the Wild Animal Carousel are as follows:
– Single Ride: $4
– Three Rides: $8

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: ENJOY CAPTIVATING SHOWS

If you find yourself yearning for the presence of your beloved pets at home, rejoice in the Rainforest Kidzworld Amphitheatre for the Animal Friends Show. Witness the talent of a remarkable cast of domestic animals as they showcase their entertaining skills. After the show, seize the opportunity to collect autographs or capture treasured photographs with these incredible performers. And for those seeking wet and wild amusement, the Splash Safari Show features the delightful antics of the California sea lion.

To find out more about the Animal Friends Show, please visit: mandai.com
For information on the Splash Safari Show, please visit: mandai.com

#5: JOIN AN EXCITING TOUR

If strolling through the vast expanse of Singapore Zoo with young children seems daunting, we invite you to embark on the Wild Discoverer Tour aboard a comfortable tour buggy. Allow yourself to relax and be chauffeured through the captivating animal exhibits while immersing yourself in tales of their care and conservation. Moreover, seize the unique opportunity to feed the rhinos and giant tortoises, fostering a profound connection with these magnificent creatures.

For an extraordinary and unforgettable experience, indulge your child’s dreams by treating them to a behind-the-scenes adventure as a zookeeper for a day. Our exclusive hands-on program allows them to work alongside our dedicated keepers, learning the art of animal care and conservation. We offer two options: one for children aged 6 to 12 and another for older children and parents, ensuring that everyone can participate in this magical experience.

Tickets for the Wild Discoverer Tour are priced at S$380 per person.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

These five activities offer a diverse range of heartwarming experiences for families visiting Singapore Zoo. From creating connections with animals through feeding sessions to engaging with passionate zookeepers, enjoying captivating shows, and embarking on immersive tours, there’s something for everyone to cherish. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create lasting memories. Book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable day filled with wonder and joy!

Sources: 1

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Exciting Things to Experience in Japan

Oh, the Land of the Rising Sun! I recently returned from my trip to Japan, and I’m still overflowing with emotions.

From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, Japan captured my heart with its fascinating culture and friendly people. I found myself constantly mesmerized by the blend of traditional and modern attractions, and each day offered a new adventure.

The thrill of trying new foods and exploring vibrant neighborhoods left me feeling excited and curious, while visiting historic sites filled me with a sense of awe and wonder. Japan truly is a captivating country, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for every visitor.

If you are visiting Japan, anytime soon, here are some activities that you must consider.

#1: GO AMUSEMENT PARK HOPPING

Discover the excitement of Tokyo’s amusement parks! Disneyland, DisneySea, Universal Studios Japan, Sanrio Puroland, and Tokyo Dome City offer rides and attractions for all ages.

I couldn’t contain my joy as I rode each thrilling attraction, watched the vibrant shows, and indulged in delicious treats. I highly recommend arriving early to avoid long queues and to maximize your time at each park. My personal favorites were the magical Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Japan and the unforgettable Journey to the Center of the Earth at Tokyo DisneySea. Don’t forget to enjoy the delicious treats at every park.

#2: VISIT SHRINES & TEMPLES

As you search for things to do in Japan, you will undoubtedly come across pictures of tourists posing in front of the vibrant facades of Fushimi Inari Shrine. This shrine is renowned for its thousands of striking red torii gates, which symbolize vitality and protection against evil in Japanese culture. In addition to the shrine, be sure to visit the Kinkaku-ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

During my visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, my family and I had to seize the opportunity to capture the perfect pictures, even during the busy Golden Week period.

#3: EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF MT. FUJI

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan. The magnificent mountain appeared before us in all its majestic beauty, and I couldn’t help but feel in awe. We were so lucky to see some of the Sakura trees there too.

A cable car ride to the summit of Mount Hakone provides breathtaking views, while the Chureito pagoda or any of the five surrounding lakes offer equally stunning panoramas. Visiting Mount Fuji is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s a must-see for any Singaporean traveler. From the picturesque views to the refreshing breeze, it’s an unforgettable destination.

#4: SHOP TILL YOU DROP

Japan is renowned for its exceptional shopping experience, with popular areas like Tokyo’s Ginza district, Shibuya Center Street, Osaka’s Shinsaibashi and Umeda areas, and Kyoto’s Shijo-dori and Teramachi shopping arcades.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you’re a shopping enthusiast, you’ll love exploring the discounted luxury items at Gotemba Premium Outlets and the second-hand luxury items at BOOKOFF. And to top it off, most of the shopping outlets offer tax-free shopping, making it a budget-friendly experience. From luxury brands to traditional Japanese crafts, electronics, and unique souvenirs, you’ll find a wide range of shopping options that will make you go crazy. We certainly did!

#5: FEED THE DEERS

Nara is a city renowned for its stunning parks and friendly deer population. The city’s centerpiece is Nara Park, which is home to over a thousand deer that roam freely. While there, be sure to visit the Todai-ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. I was in awe of how huge it was up close!

Don’t forget to bow respectfully before feeding the deer, as they will often bow back in appreciation.

#6: INDULGE IN GOOD FOOD

Japan’s incredible food culture left me immensely satisfied. As a tourist, you can indulge in a wide variety of delicious dishes, including sushi, ramen, udon, tempura, wagyu, okonomiyaki, and yakitori. I couldn’t resist trying matcha in different forms every day, from matcha tiramisu cake to matcha ice cream.

Don’t forget to sample the delectable street food such as takoyaki, mochi, and Kobe beef skewer. Japan’s diverse and unique food culture is a must-try experience for any Singaporean foodie.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and book a flight to Japan!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Southeast Asia Welcomes Back Chinese Tourists

Now that China’s borders have reopened, Chinese tourists are ready to take flight! Domestic and international travel by Chinese citizens boosted in the recent months. Not to mention, the processing for passport applications began last January.

Despite the increase in international travel, the travel patterns of these tourists have changed. The usual top destinations for Chinese travelers such as Australia, Paris, Canada, and Madrid no longer pique their interest. Deterred by strict entry requirements and visa issues, many Chinese tourists have veered towards their neighbors down south.

Travel website ly.com found that Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have become the most popular travel destinations for these tourists.

GRADUAL INCREASE IN TRAVEL

According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Chinese tourists made nearly 170 million outbound trips in 2019. The United Nations’ World Tourism Organization added that these trips amounted to approximately US$255 billion (S$340 billion), accounting for almost one-fifth of the global tourism spending.

Image Credits: unpslash.com

What is in store for 2023? Chinese Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) forecasted that Chinese outbound travel will recover around two-thirds of those 2019 highs. This covers about 110 million border crossings from China, this year.

CHANGE IN THE TRAVEL PATTERNS

COTRI Founder Wolfgang Georg Arlt said: “The Chinese tourists we will welcome this year and in the coming years are very different from those who came before.”

He believes that major tourists attractions focusing on more nature-orientated, more outdoor-orientated tourism will win the hearts of many Chinese tourists. He highlighted the gravity of trends such as family-focused trips as well as camping/glamping.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE MORE EXPLORED

Countries that can accommodate the shifting needs of Chinese travelers have emerged as clear winners. For instance, Thailand offers visas-on-arrival to fully vaccinated Chinese tourists who have travel insurance. Fliggy’s Chief Strategy Officer Simeon Shi noted that “Thailand welcomed 180,000 Chinese tourists from January to mid-February”. Fliggy is Alibaba Group’s online travel platform, which serves Chinese consumers.

Image Credits: unpslash.com

Southeast Asian countries including Singapore can capitalize on their unique offerings such as Singapore’s plethora of authentic local food. Our local coffee shops, shophouses, group tours, and other cultural offerings can attract more Chinese tourists in the coming months.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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12 Cheap Thrills to Enjoy this Weekend

Living a frugal life does not have to be dull and boring! Keep yourself entertained while maintaining your budget by checking out these free or cheap things to do this weekend.

#1: READ A BOOK OR TWO

Dive into the mysteries and magical adventures of your favorite book. If nothing on your bookshelf strikes your fancy, you can take a trip to the local library to borrow one. You can also download free eBooks online.

#2: WATCH A MOVIE

Movies like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Black Adam are now streaming in cinemas. You can either watch a movie there or go to the public library to check out a film that you can rent. Netflix has a selection of newly released films too! Take advantage of your subscription with this streaming service.

#3: PLAY INDOOR GAMES

Invite your loved ones for a friendly game of cards or puzzles. If video games are more your speed, check out the free or cheap games available at the app store or other free gaming websites.

#4: PLAY OUTDOOR GAMES

Searching for an athletic endeavor? Grab your basketball or volleyball and head to the park. Join the recreational sports groups in your community. Some are free and others can cost you a registration fee.

#5: GO TO THE THRIFT SHOP

Hunt for bargains at the local thrift or flea shops. Remember, you do not have to buy anything. Browse around and watch out for great deals. It is more fun to try things on!

#6: TAKE A HEALING WALK

Smartphones, podcasts, and earbuds have transformed a walk around the neighborhood from mundane to entertaining. Even if you do not have access to good audio, stepping out for a stroll can help boost your mood. Check out this list of the best nature trails in Singapore.

#7: TAKE A LONG HIKE

Immerse yourselves with the sights and sounds of the natural world. Check out Singapore’s list of trails and parks and choose a beautiful long trail. Then, pack lunch and a water bottle to complete your hike.

#8: CYCLE AROUND

If you have a bike, ride around the neighborhood, and explore your surroundings. Do not have a ride? You can rent a bike at the East Coast Park Bike Shop.

#9: LISTEN TO PODCASTS

Your smartphone is the perfect podcast player! Use it to browse the various categories of free podcasts. Whether you are listening through Spotify or Apple Podcasts, you can keep it playing during a solo walk.

#10: TEACH YOURSELF TO KNIT

A lot of homes have yarns and a couple of knitting needles stored somewhere. If you do not have these, you can find a friend who will lend you a knitting set. Or you can head to the nearest Daiso to grab some supplies. The basics of knitting are easy. Here’s a great “getting started” tutorial that you can watch.

#11: TEACH YOURSELF ORIGAMI

Make origami decorations to beautify the Yuletide season. For example, you can create paper snowflakes or butterflies. You can aim to learn this skill and make decorations for future events.

#12: TEACH YOURSELF TO DANCE

Use your radio, speaker, or TV to dance to your favorite tune. You can invite your partner for a romantic dance. Who knows? It might become one of your top fun things to do on a Saturday.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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6 Extraordinary Life Lessons from Attorney Woo

The smashing courtroom Korean Drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” broke its own ratings record with its final episode, which aired in South Korea on August 18. The 16-part series’ finale had an average nationwide rating of 17.5% – the highest in ENA’s program history.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a heartwarming series that gives us a glimpse of what it is like for a person to go through the shifts of life while being on the Autism Spectrum. Structured around the realistic cases she handles, Attorney Woo showed how she was able to navigate through her struggles at work, including a budding romance.

Apart from Attorney Woo, the series’ characters have shown their professional and personal growth with each episode. Here are six life and financial lessons you can get from watching this series on ENA or Netflix.

#1: INVEST IN GOOD EDUCATION

Despite not being born with a silver spoon, Attorney Woo’s father gave up everything because he believed in her brilliance. He worked hard to invest in his daughter’s education. He knew that a good education would help improve her quality of life. It was revealed that she graduated summa cum laude from Seoul National University’s law school.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Can you imagine how different Attorney Woo’s life would be if she never went to school or never completed her university education?

#2: STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

As a person living with Asperger’s Syndrome, Attorney Woo experiences challenges in comprehending societal norms and circumstances. Even so, her job as an attorney requires her to interact and communicate with diverse types of people.

She chose to overcome her fears and step out of her comfort zone (such as a revolving door) to achieve greater heights and eventually win cases. What is an aspect in your life that you can overcome to achieve your goals?

#3: FIND TRUE FRIENDS

Faithful friends like Dong Geu Rami will stick with you through thick and thin. In this series, we see how Attorney Young Woo and Dong Geu Rami’s friendship grew in time. Gue Rami stood by her side through good and tough times. As a friend, she is honest, understanding, fun-loving, and kind. More importantly, she always wants what is best for Attorney Woo and she pushes her to reveal her most authentic self.

People like Geu Rami are rare. Cherish those people!

#4: ACCEPT THAT NOT EVERYONE WILL BE HAPPY FOR YOU

While Attorney Woo’s colleagues celebrate her success that led to them to win difficult civil and criminal cases, Attorney Kwon Min Woo sees her as a rival. In reality, not everyone will be happy to see you achieve success and accomplish remarkable things. This is okay!

Remember, you cannot please everyone no matter how hard you try. It is not your job to get their approval either. So, focus on your own journey and do your best.

#5: LOVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Attorney Woo grew up having only a few people in her life, but these people remained constantly present. They may not have much money, but they helped each other overcome challenges such as family property feuds and life-threatening conditions. They loved each other like family.

In life, people will come and go. If you are fortunate enough, you will be able to love the right people, and this is more than enough. You do not need to have an abundance of material things or thousands of social media followings to make you feel loved. The loyalty and love of just a few people is enough.

#6: SACRIFICE A LOT AS A PARENT

Jeon Bae-Soo plays Attorney Woo’s father Woo Gwang-Ho. Woo Gwang-Ho is her biggest fan and loyal supporter. He always thinks about her well-being and does his best to keep her safe from all the cruelties of the world. Throughout the series, his father gradually opens to the idea that her brilliant mind will let her achieve growth and independence. He lets her pursue her dreams of becoming a lawyer and hopes for the best.

If parents could have their way, they would shield their children from the harsh truths of life if possible. As a parent, you will sacrifice and give up a lot to help your children achieve happiness and success. It helps to be prepared. Be prepared by establishing a childcare plan or an educational fund for the years ahead.

Image Credits: facebook.com/channel.ena

The Extraordinary Attorney Woo K-Drama shows how Attorney Young Woo can be bright, bold, and just as worthy of love as everyone else. Its beautifully written script and inspiring characters led to its popularity in Singapore and other parts of the world. Let us just wait for what Season 2 has to offer!

Sources: 1 & 2

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