Events & Festivals of Sunny Singapore

Monday, November 30, 2009

Wondering where to go to spice up your holidays? If you are finding somewhere where you and your family can chill and have fun at the same time, Singapore is the right place for you!

Singapore Zoo will be hosting a week-long programme of events in January next year in celebration of the beginning of the New Year.

The events, which also celebrate the Year of the Ox, will take place at the zoo from Saturday January 24th 2009 until Sunday February 1st .

A wide range of family-friendly activities will be held including fortune telling sessions with the God of Fortune and entertainment from the Big Head Doll, who will treat guests to fun performances. There will also be a set of twin lions performing death-defying stunts on three metre-high poles and an Ox calf present in homage to the Year of the Ox!

Of course, there are much more to see at the Zoo!

I went down to the Singapore Zoo on Saturday and was so shocked to see the huge change made to the Zoo ever since the last time I came, which was a few a year ago. This time round, the Singapore Zoo has arranged a wide range of activities just for you and your family!

Upon purchasing the tickets, we were given a brochure containing the programme for the day. We did not manage to get there in time for the breakfast though. What's so special about having breakfast in the Zoo? The most special thing is that you can have breakfast up close and personal with those adorable orang utans, elephants and snakes!

There are over 3000 animals inhabiting in these tropical rainforests, and more than 40 animal feeding sessions, photo shoots, shows and rides!

Elephants of Asia
We caught one of the shows, which is Elephants at Work and Play! This is one thing you definitely should not miss! The surprising thing is that the elephants had such a close bond with the Mahouts that the elephants listens to him! The elephant presented skills like picking up a 400kg log as well as splashing water at a very long distance, which is something no human can do.

Lucky visitors can get to go on the platform and engage in activities with the elephants!

Look at how close the elephants are!

Not only that, elephants rides are also available for your family to enjoy. However, for the well-being of the elephants, rides are only limited to 30 people per session. I managed to get the tickets for the elephants ride, and i agree that this is something one should not miss! This is definitely one-in-a-lifetime experience! Kids are able to ride too as safety precautions are also taken.

Other rides such tram rides and boat rides are also available!

With unlimited tram rides, this 28-hectare zoo can be easily explored!

An animal wonderland, which is known as Rainforest Kidzworld is also available for your children to enjoy! One can enjoy a never-ending list of fun activities ranging from pony rides, animal contact sessions and obstacle course!

Look at how big the wet animal wonderland is!

Enjoy local cuisine at Ah Meng Restaurant when you are hungry! This restaurant serves local food such as Chicken Rice, Nasi lemak and Laksa! There is also KFC and Ben & Jerry's available!

Here is a short video about these adorable orang utans in the zoo. In this video, you will also be able to hear about the plight of orangutan in the Indonesian rainforests. Enjoy!

The following slideshow is a compliation of photos I have taken during my trip to the Zoo.

For more information, you can visit the main website for the Singapore Zoo at http://www.zoo.com.sg/

Location:80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826

Transport: http://www.zoo.com.sg/l2_t2.aspx?l1=2&l2=11&langid=1
Map & Driving Directions: http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_8273/travel_site_122344/

Book your airline tickets fast and come down to visit the Singapore Zoo!

Labels: family, fun, kids, Singapore, vacation, zoo

7:58 AM

Thursday, November 12, 2009

EDO-KIMEKOMI DOLLS EXHIBITION @ SPM

Looking for something interesting to do in Singapore, well, why not go on down to the Singapore Philatelic Musuem (SPM) and check this out. Only exhibited from the 12 to 15 November, SPM & Traditional Edo-Kimekomi Dolls Sachiei-Kai (Society) presented a joint exhibition of Edo-Kimekomi dolls. What's more is that this is the first time that Singapore is having such an exhibition.

"What is it about?" or "What is Edo-Kimekomi Dolls?" you ask?
Well...

Edo-Kimekomi Dolls are historic Japanese dolls that depict Japanese festivals, folklore and traditions. They date back to 370 years ago and are certified as a traditional artwork by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

The dolls are clear and simple expressions of Japanese history and culture. This high artistic skill is known only to a limited number of people within Japan. Today, many Kimekomi dolls of 20th century origin can be found at temple fairs and antique markets.

It is said that these dolls were invented by a high-ranking shrine priest named Tadashige Takahashi some 300 years ago in Kyoto (old capital city of Japan). The technique was then spread to Tokyo at the end of the Edo era (1603-1867).

The main exhibit was The Mouse's Wedding. It illustrates one of the scenes from a Japanese children's classic of the same title. The exhibit depicts the happy ending to the tale with a wedding exhibition. Here are some pictures to get you excited!

Aren't they amazing? It took 2 years and 38 Edo-Kimekomi Dolls Sachiei-Kai Party members to complete everything. In addition, EVERY single one of them are handmade.

The other part of the exhibition is of the Seven Lucky Gods or Shichifukujin. The Seven Lucky Gods have been an important part of the Japanese culture since the Muromachi Era (1333-1573). The origins of the seven gods can be traced from different parts of Asia (China, India and Japan).

And here are pictures of some of the other exhibited dolls.

There is a section of Kimekomi dolls that were made to represent the 12 Zodiac animals. What you see above is just of the monkey and ram.

In addition, you can join in on the workshops being held and make your very own doll! There's nothing better than making your very own souvenir to remember the event by. The materials are imported from Japan so you can't get them anywhere else in Singapore if you miss this.

So, want to see more?

Although the exhibit period is until the 15th of Nov, the dolls will still be on display until January 2010.

So why wait?

Come on down now and see them for yourself!

Don't miss out on this chance!

Singapore Philatelic Musuem (SPM)

23 B Coleman Street

Singapore 179807

Republic og Singapore

Tel: (65) 6337 3888

Fax: (65) 6337 8958

E-mail: nhb_spm_adm@nhb.gov.sg

Getting There:

* MRT

A 10-minute walk from City Hall or Clarke Quay stations.

* Public Bus

The nearest bus-stop is outside the Armenian Church at Hill Street.

SBS Transit : 2, 12, 32, 33, 51, 62, 63, 80, 197
SMRT : 61

Musuem Hours:

Monday : 1 pm - 7 pm

Tuesday to Sunday : 9 am - 7 pm

Admission:

$5.00 for Adult

$4.00 for Child (3-12 years)

- Phoebe -

Info taken from exhibit explanation boards.

Labels: Culture, Edo-Kimekomi Dolls, Japan, Phoebe

4:36 PM