Singapore: My Trip to the Zoo with My Parents

 

Along Night Safari’s Leopard Trail, peer into the often hidden world of our Sri Lankan leopards in their forested habitat.

Just before my nephew was born in December 2000, my parents came to visit me at work. I was living on a “Renaissance Cruises” ship amidst a fifty-day sailing from Athens, Greece to Bangkok, Thailand. Being the senior assistant cruise director, passengers had seen me on television, on stage, in the halls and in port various times. My parents’ arrival as new cruisers was akin to a royal sighting. Everyone wanted to meet them and inform them my antics.

There were many highlights and a few dreary moments during the fifty-day sailing packed with different ports; we were in Oman during Ramadan, had troubles with the local seaman in Qatar, and some evening performers showed up hours late or not at all on several occasions.

I was thrilled to have my parents visit me and could not wait to share amazing sites with them on their first visit to Asia. Singapore was one of my favorite places on the sailing. I loved when my mom and dad took me to the Singapore Zoo. We participated in the Jungle Breakfast program with the orang utans and enjoyed each other’s company.  

The quirky yet enchanting Malayan tapirs will captivate you during your Night Safari tram ride.

Because of responsibilities onboard, I regretfully missed the Night Safari  that my parents later raved about. During my seven years at sea and two sabbatical years in Asia, I have had very few regrets except missing out on viewing the animals at the nocturnal zoo. George and I will take advantage of discounted accommodation to see the sights and enjoy the shopping in Little India and Arab Street. Don’t miss out! travelmob Facebook Fans only:   

CLICK HERE for the 10% discount which ends May 31 along with the Great Singapore Sale. Want to meet us there?

 

All photos courtesy of Wildlife Reserves SingaporeBelow: The magnificent bull elephant, Chawang, salutes visitors as they enjoy a tram ride in Singapore’s Night Safari. 

Chawang, the park’s largest resident, is one of five Asian elephants that calls this attraction home.

 

 

Lisa Ellen Niver

Lisa Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 102 countries on six continents. This University of Pennsylvania graduate sailed across the seas for seven years with Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Renaissance Cruises and spent three years backpacking across Asia. Discover her articles in publications from AARP: The Magazine and AAA Explorer to WIRED and Wharton Magazine, as well as her site WeSaidGoTravel. On her award nominated global podcast, Make Your Own Map, Niver has interviewed Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalists, and numerous bestselling authors, and as a journalist has been invited to both the Oscars and the United Nations. For her print and digital stories as well as her television segments, she has been awarded three Southern California Journalism Awards and two National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and been a finalist twenty-two times. Named a #3 travel influencer for 2023, Niver talks travel on broadcast television at KTLA TV Los Angeles, her YouTube channel with over 2 million views, and in her memoir, Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.

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