Singapore - Day 8: Zoo and Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Chocolate Bar

Tuesday, June 12th

Today was an early morning.  We got up at about 7:00 am to be ready and out the door at 8:00 to leave to go to the Singapore Zoo.  The reason we had to be there early (other than to avoid the heat) was because we had Breakfast with the Monkeys!!!!  I have to say (being a zoo animal lover), this was ONE OF THE COOLEST things I have ever done in my life.

The zoo breakfast is one of the best breakfast's on the island (after the Hyatt Hotel buffet according to Ernie).  There was a lot of food to choose from: a select few Indian dishes, scrambled eggs, waffles, french toast, fruits, hash browns, vegetables, cereal, yogurt, breads, and the list goes on.  We began eating our food and at about 9:30 the zookeepers and trainers came on the microphone to tell us what to expect.  On command, Orang utans came down on ropes from their "cage area" and sat literally right in front of my table on these logs.  The trainers gave them food.....there were about 6-7 in all...to keep them steady and calm in front of us.  There were 2-3 adults and the rest were kids, a couple of them being very tiny.  (They were the cutest thing ever.)

The zoo lets you get up close to the Orang utans to take pictures.  You can't touch them but you are definitely right up next to them.  It was such a neat experience to be so close to the animals.  It was amazing to me how much personality each of them had.  You could tell they had a neat relationship with their trainer. After we got to take lots of pictures of the Orang utans, the zoo keepers end them back to their home cage and off we went to explore the zoo.

The Singapore Zoo is one of the best zoos I have been to. You really get to be right up close to the animals.  Monkeys jump around the park all around you, from the second you walk in to the second you leave.  All of the animal exhibits are open and you can get really great pictures.  It was surprising to me how many of the animals were out and about, walking around.  (In the Houston Zoo, you hardly ever see them out!!)

We got to see a Sea Lion show (in Singlish of course), the Elephants (which are my favorite), Meerkats, Warthogs, Cheetahs, Jaguars, Lions, all kinds of Reptiles, Birds, Giraffes, and so much more!!  I love this zoo in general so this was great to see one in another country.

On the Zoo Tram.

The ultimate Jacey gift....the Panderelephant.

After being hot and tired and sticky from the zoo, we came back and showers and snacked.  We made Velveeta queso and had some Fritos to go along with it.  Patrice recorded the Bachelorette for me and Jenna so we sat on the couch and ate our snack and watched some TV.  It was funny to be doing something we would normally be doing at home 12, 000 miles away!!

In the early evening, we took cab to Morton's Bar in the Mandarian Oriental Hotel.  This hotel was very lavish....which explains why there was a Morton's there!  We met the EPE ladies for drinks to celebrate a few people who were moving back to the states.  This group of ladies is made up of (mostly) Exxon ex-Pat wives who get together and hangout (or commiserate) in different areas of Singapore.  Most of them originate from the States so it was neat to hear their stories of living over seas.  One lady we met has traveled all over Asia since lying here and just got back from a trip to Mongolia.  I am so happy that Patrice has found a group of people that she can spend time with here!!

Inside the hotel.

We left Morton's for the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where we had reservations at the Chocolate Bar on the ship at the top of the hotel.  This bar (and others) have some of the most amazing views of Singapore, especially at night.  The bar is located on the 57th floor of the hotel (the very top).  When you walk outside, you are greeted by city lights for miles.  The central business district is right near the hotel so it feels like you are standing in the middle of all the big buildings.  On the other side, you can see the view of the port and the MANY ships that are docked in the water.  You can also see the lights of Jakarta and more Indonesian islands in the distance.  It was absolutely breathtaking to be so high up and see the city from that view.  The hotel has an infinity pool that overlooks the city side which is stunning.

Central Business District

Port and close islands.

After being awed but he view, we went to the Chocolate Bar, which is a small restaurant that serves desserts only made with variations of chocolate.  You get to sit and admire the view and enjoy delicious chocolate desserts!! It was overwhelming the amount of chocolate that was there.  I only had a few items on one plate, and that was enough to do me in!

We walked around and admired the view some more before leaving.  We took a cab home and were surprised at how funny our cab driver was.  He was telling us how he would take us home......the CPE to the KPE to the PIE to the CTE....or something like that....In Singapore they use letters to name their highways.  I was telling them that we use numbers for ours.  He says he wishes Singapore would do that....then he went into this huge rant (all in Singlish) about how Singapore is an arrogant country that just likes to show off (true).  He said, "Look at the road...Do you see any old cars??"  There really aren't any older cars here.  He said that's because people like to show off and put themselves in debt for their entire life just to buy a car that is considered luxury.  He told us many interesting facts and culture things about Singapore the entire way home. He was so funny so Jenna and I got a picture with him.

It was a very long day and I fell asleep as soon as we got home.....this is why my post is so late and all the picture aren't up!! Lol.  Check back and I will post more pictures when I get back from today's activities.

It is 8 am here and we are leaving in a bit to head to Little India.  More about that this afternoon/evening!!!