Merlion Park - "Home" of the Unique Icon

You must be familiar with this unique statue. The lion statue with a fish tail, the Merlion, a special icon for Singapore, the smallest country in Asia.

You may wonder, "but why Lion with a fish tail??"

The answer is, the lion's head describe the Lion that Prince Sang Nila encountered, when he found Singapore. Fish tail is the symbol of the ancient city of Temasek (in Javanese language means sea). The name "Singapura" itself is given by the Prince. "Singa" because he saw a lion, "Pura" in Sanskrit means city. So that is the story about the origins of the Merlion, back to the topic...

Merlion Park located on the banks of the Marina Bay. The Main Sightseeing that must be visited if you go for vacation in Singapore. Because Merlion is the icon of this country, so it does not complete if we do not take a picture here.

One of the most important is to go to Merlion Park does not need admission, it is free. So, do not be surprised if in the holiday season so many people with various tribes, nations, languages, skin color, we met here. Looks like not only in the holiday season, even on the weekday, there is so many tourists comes visit the Merlion.

Actually there is not a special attraction that we can see here. So, it is just a fun place to take pictures plus see the sights of the bay and the buildings around the Merlion Park.

Anyway, do not be surprised if sometimes you see couples dressed in wedding party and take pictures here, because the Merlion Park sometimes is also used as a shooting location for the pre wedding.

Jurong Bird Park - Birds World & Show

Jurong Bird Park is the most suitable place for animal lovers, especially for bird lovers.

Various species of birds exist here. The birds species from Africa, until Penguin from Antarctica. The most tame bird, until the most ferocious Eagles. All gathered together at the Jurong Bird Park (JBP).
In this JBP, not all the birds confined in a cage. there are also some birds left free outside the cage but still limited in one area. so, we can interact directly with the birds that roam free.

What type of birds that gather at the JBP?

The most famous is Ostrich, the largest bird species which can be up to 2.5 meters high. The black feathered bird with famous big yellow beak, Toucan. Various types of Eagle, Parrots, Lory, and Owl. The birds in the water, such as Pelikan, Flamingo, Swan and Penguins that have been mentioned at the beginning. And much more.

At a certain hours, there is a show with the birds as the star. There are also a special show just for the Eagle species. We are also given the opportunity to feed certain of birds species directly, and take pictures with the birds, of course.

The JBP Area is approximately 20.2 hectares. the time required to circling the entire area of JBP on foot is about 4 hours, plus take a picture with the birds. If we do not want to get too tired, we can also ride Panorail to see the entire area of JBP. Panorail is similar to the monorail. But surely there is a separate fare to ride this Panorail. To enter the JBP is not free. The admission fee is S $ 18 for adults and S $ 12 for children. Furthermore, for all the attractions within the area is free.

Walking Around Chinese-Japanese Garden.

Chinese-Japanese Garden is a park with the nuances of Chinese and Japanese. 

Actually, the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden are two separate parks in one area of ​​13 hectares. The easiest way to go to the Chinese-Japanese Garden is used the MRT and alight in the Chinese Garden station. From this station we can see the top of the Seven levels Pagoda that would ‘greet’ us near the entrance of the park that connected to the station.

Near the park entrance, there is a map showing the location of the attractions within the park area. Next is up to you, where do you want to go first.

The attractions in the ​​Chinese Garden include the Stone Lion, a bridge that follow the style of the 17-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace in Peking, a Main Arch Building which houses courtyards and a fish pond, and a Pagoda with striking architectural beauty.

Other attractions include a bonsai garden, the Garden of abundance which has 100 year old Pomegranate trees from Shantung-China, a Turtle and Tortoise Museum, the Ixora Garden which boasts of a collection of more than 15 varieties of Ixora spp and 8 Legendary Heroes Statues also a Sundial.

If you want to see the entire area around the Chinese Garden, it takes about 2-3 hours, on foot. Depend on your speed, of course. My experience, it took about 2.5 hours, regular walking, plus a short break and also took a picture at each location of attractions.

The interesting part is the admission of this park is FREE, free without cost a penny. Except, if you want to enter the Turtle and Tortoise Museum, just pay on it. I'm just looking for a free.

When you go to this park, do not forget to bring an umbrella or hat, also bring your own water. Actually, there is a Vending Machine, but only in a few locations within the park area, so quite rare.

Now, go to the Japanese garden. From the Chinese Garden there is a bridge connected to the Japanese Garden. Japanese Garden area is smaller than the Chinese Garden, and the attractions even less attractive if compared to the Chinese garden. But, the scenery here also nice. So, it is not too bad. My experience, the time for circling the Japanese Garden area is about 1-1.5 hours, regular walking, plus a short break and also took a picture.