River Safari

9th of April marks one of my busiest day.
From meeting up with my training buddies in the morning for a good run, and what's next after a good workout is a good breakfast.
Really lucky to have started this running routine and now finding more people to join in. Here to my new year resolution getting strike off.
It's always those random text from a good friend that says 'want to run tomorrow?'. And it just hit off from there.

After that it was a rush home to grab a shower and a quick lunch, before running out of the house again. Another driving session and today I'm learning about slopes, how to drive off from a slope. Still a little wobbly on that part, but with more practice, I'm sure I will get it right.

Finally I'm off to my final destination, which is the main topic of this post.
Visiting Singapore's newest attraction - River Safari.
'River Safari is the newest addition to Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s portfolio of award-winning parks. Nestled between Singapore’s two award-winning wildlife parks – Singapore Zoo and Night Safari – River Safari offers an unforgettable adventure inspired by eight of the world’s most iconic rivers. This $160-million attraction features state-of-the-art exhibit design, Southeast Asia's largest panda exhibit as well as the world's largest freshwater aquarium. Housing one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater fauna, the park features over 5,000 animals representing over 500 species. And that includes Singapore’s resident giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia.'

And just right in front is the super long queue for Ben&Jerry's Free Cone Day! Wanted to get one cone before heading into the River Safari, but my aunt & uncle weren't interested in waiting for me to get that one cone.

If you visit the attraction now, for an adult ticket, it would be $25, student would be $23 and senior citizen is $12.50. It's still awesome to be a senior citizen.
The adult ticket is a $10 discount, mainly because the river cruise attraction isn't fully opened, which mean about 1/3 of the park isn't fully open to the public. Although it also mean that you get less for what you paid for, but then again, I definitely would visit it again once the park is fully opened and operating.
And perhaps the next time with friends. Hopefully they would open in July, though I'm still guessing they would open it by June for the every students on holidays to visit the attraction.

Venture through the Mississippi River and get a rare inside-look at the home of the beavers. Go nose-to-snout with the rare Mississippi paddlefish and primitive alligator gar.

And there it is, the cute adorable, fast-swimming beaver. At first I thought it was an otter, but once I read the description and see the cute swimming creature, it was definitely a beaver.
If only I could see it in action chewing the pieces of wood. The cute little fellow was busy in the water doing laps and making me chase after it for a picture.
Unfortunately one thing I notice about the attraction, is the reflection on the background. Maybe it's my camera setting as well, but I couldn't get nice pictures with my camera that day, perhaps to decrease the exposure.

Here are the paddlefishes.

The River Nile is about 6,670 km (4,160 miles) in length and is the longest river in Africa and in the world. Although it is generally associated with Egypt, only 22% of the Nile’s course runs through Egypt. 
In Egypt, the River Nile creates a fertile green valley across the desert. It was by the banks of the river that one of the oldest civilizations in the world began. The ancient Egyptians lived and farmed along the Nile, using the soil to produce food for themselves and their animals.

'From one African river to another, flow down to the River Nile where the sharp-toothed tigerfish and the many-finned birchir reside. When you find yourself at the temple facade by the Ganges River, watch out for the crocodilian Indian gharial resting by the sandy shore. Here, you’ll also see the peculiar-looking softshell turtle and the goonch catfish. Head south of the Pacific Ocean to Australia’s Murray River to meet the barramundi, the Australian lungfish, the robber crab, and the Murray cod – Australia’s largest freshwater fish – which can reach 1.8 metres in length.''

By far, the only animal that I love taking picture of, pretty much it doesn't move.
Just that it doesn't face me either. Lol.
It's still a wonder how Singapore does it, moving the animals from one part of the country to another. Although at times you do have to pity the poor animals who get moved from their home country and stay in a foreign land, entertaining us (somewhat, if they stop showing us their butt) and smiling (okay, not exactly smiling) for the pictures.

 

The Mekong River beckons with one of the world’s largest freshwater aquariums, which houses the magnificent Mekong catfish and the giant freshwater stingray. The Mekong catfish can grow up to 2 metres long and the giant freshwater stingray, an awe-inspiring 600 kilogrammes in weight!

Shhhh... Kissing in process.
Caught by my camera.

Another huge tank to put the 'aw' in your mouth.

These gigantic catfish are really magnificent. Although I really couldn't find the stingray in the tank. How hard is it to miss a big stingray swimming in a tank full of catfish, but just no matter how much I search, it was nowhere in sight.

Next, make your way down to the Yangtze River, home of the world’s largest amphibian – the giant salamander. Just around the corner, enter the Giant Panda Forest, home of Kai Kai and Jia Jia. Observe these adorable envoys from China as they roam around their naturalistic habitat. Spot the golden pheasants and red pandas that share this remarkable climate-controlled biodome.

The Red Pandas are definitely the eye-catching, most adorable and my favorite animal to see. Spotted munching on an afternoon snack, the little one refuse to tilt its head up for a smile or to look at the camera.

Finally when it's full and ready to move again, it then meet up with its twin to give us a playful sticking out of tongue. How adorable is that!

I really want to cuddle one on the spot then! Hahah. Still debating what pet I would like to keep next, and whether my parents would allow, especially when the pets that I want to take care of require quite a bit of attention and space.

My most disappointing picture of Kai Kai. First it was there looking at me, and when I adjust my camera to focus on Kai Kai, this is what happened.

IT SHOWED ME ITS EFFING BUTT INSTEAD.

I was just W.T.F. I want to see your cute panda eyes, not the white butt. LOL.

A long time ago, all giant panda were white. 

One day, a hungry leopard attached a cub. A Shepherdess tried to save the cub but was killed by the leopard.

The pandas were very sad. As a custom, they wore black armbands at the funeral. They hugged each other, wept and wiped their eyes with the armbands. 

They covered their ears to block the sound of crying. The armbands blackened their fur and they became black and white.

After that it was time for a short rest at their panda cafe.
In which they were promoting the panda 'pau' aka bun. Just to add humor, at the counter I asked them what is inside bun, is it filled with panda meat. Lol.
But obviously no, it was red bean inside.

The bridge that connect one side of the attraction to the other. And enjoying the view of the river, and spotting any wild creature that might be swimming past. 

How many times during secondary school that we learnt about the Amazon Rainforest and how deforestation is taking place?

 From the river to shore, step into the Squirrel Monkey Forest. Short-furred and adorable, these monkeys are known to be highly intelligent primates that live together in social groups. 

Was kind of trying to take picture of this little fellow chewing on the tree bunk when..

 

It tried to grab my camera to take a self-shot. Freaked me out for that moment.

So here the picture that was snapped instead. Indeed they are fast learners about camera.

The most touching moment when it grabbed my fingers.

Was wondering whether it would like bite me or something, but instead it started pressing my fingers and kind of massage it. Super adorable to the point I was thinking of kidnapping it home as my pet. Lol.

Only thing I didn't want was to pet its head or try to carry it. 

The Amazon Flooded Forest is another must-see ecological showcase. It is an immerse re-creation of the Amazonian rainforest, which gets submerged in up to 15 metres of water every year during the rainy season. Wander into the depths of this multi-level exhibit to witness an amazing underwater habitat for creatures such as the arapaima and the giant river otter.

Just like the S.E.A. Aquarium, they save the best for last.

Sitting in awe and watching the ten dugongs swimming gracefully in the water, occasionally reaching up to the floating platform for some lettuce. 

I feel like I should caption this picture as 'SOON'.

It is said that the oldest dugong is 20 years old, and it's already a grandmother! She has three children and four grandchildren. 

And here I am, being 21 and single. Hmmm. 

After that its off to queue for my Free Cone Day. To think it is my first time eating Ben&Jerry's ice cream. Managed to queue twice and tried their Toffee and Strawberry Cheesecake flavor.

Their lemonade sorbet is so good though upon stealing some from my aunt. Perhaps in future I might purchase a tub but still not worth the price for the ice cream. 

Until, the next free massive day.