We're friends of the zoo!
Yes, now that Asher's older we figure he'll appreciate the zoo a lot more and decided that we'll probably be going back there quite often. Also, with the membership you can take your time to view the animals and not feel like you have to rush to see them all. Anyway, in case you don't yet know, the friends of the zoo privileges have changed. Previously under the family package, parents, 3 children, 2 grandparents and 1 helper could enter together. But now, only the parents and 3 children are allowed under the pass. Since Asher is still under 3 years old, it's free for him. So Jon and I decided to get individual memberships instead since it worked out to be cheaper.
So far, we've been there twice, just a few days apart :) The first trip there was on Hari Raya Haji. It was raining at our house, but we decided to risk it and head up to the zoo anyway. When we got there the weather was holding up, although dark clouds were starting to gather. Nevertheless we pressed on and went in to check out the animals. I haven't been to the zoo in such a long time, and it was exciting for me to see all the animals too :)
One of our first stops was to see the zebras! Asher was intrigued and watched them as they walked about and grazed. But the animals that really made him sit up were the lions! I think it was because he had never been so near to such big cats before. When he saw the lions behind the glass his eyes literally lit up, and he smiled so broadly! He then started to wave excitedly and laugh, so much so that I was unable to catch a clear shot of him :)
Besides these two animals he also saw the rhinos, flamingos, gibbons, cheetahs, polar bears, snakes, jaguars, etc. The funniest encounter, I thought, was when he met the giant tortoise. The tortoise was interested in Asher and started moving to him, and even tried to squeeze (of course unsuccessfully) through the poles to get out and get nearer to Asher. Asher, on the other hand, was disinterested in the tortoise's advances. In fact, he seemed almost oblivious to them, looking everywhere but at the tortoise!
Checking out the leopard
The other animal that really got Asher excited was the Orang Utan! I myself had never seen such a HUGE one! He was hanging with his back to the glass, displaying his long, shaggy coat. Then he turned and we saw his very big and round face. And then, Asher beamed, and waved at supersonic speed!! =) The Orang Utan leaned forward a little and looked at Asher, "who is this little young 'un?" Anyway, I couldn't help waving and waving at the Orang Utan too. He was just so...intriguing! I think I've (re)discovered the joys of watching Orang Utan's interact :)
Anyway the dark clouds won, and eventually it started to rain quite heavily. So we walked quickly from one shelter to another, and finally when the rain stopped, headed back for the car.
Today was trip number 2! This time when we got there we decided to take the tram, skip the sections we had done previously, and head straight for the rainforest kidzworld to take a look. We had heard about the water play area and how fun it was. An indeed, it was really a very fun place! I'd like to run around in there myself! :) Children were running everywhere, screaming, laughing, yelling. It was wonderful mayhem! The biggest attraction was the huge elephant bucket that was filled up by a constantly flowing stream of water, and before it tipped over a bell would ring faster and faster to build up the anticipation. When it finally tipped over, a huge torrent of water would gush down onto all the eager bucket-worshippers below. Yes, the way they gathered below and stared up at the bucket looked very much like a congregation of devotees :)
Just tipping...
...gushing out....
....SPLASSSHH!
We had brought Asher's swimming things, but didn't bring extra clothing for ourselves so decided to give it a miss. That, plus we thought Asher just might get trampled over given that he was still quite small. But, there were still plenty of things to attract his attention at kidsworld.
Leading Daddy over to see...
...see what?
...a goat :) Baaaa!
Asher waved and waved!
"Tsk...why doesn't it come nearer??"
Baby and baby goat
Staring at the goats, wanting to go in and play with them
Asher was really quite taken by the goats. First, there were just so many of them. And second, he saw, for the first time, animals trying to mate hahaha. There was a ram chasing a poor doe around, and Asher just watched them running all over the place. The doe was acosted by several other rams even as she dodged the initial pursuer.
I then picked up some strands of hay from the ground and showed Asher how to feed the goats, and he caught on really quickly. When I passed him the strand of hay, he would even rearrange it in his hand such that a long bit of it was sticking out. He'd then wave it at the goats, and when one came by, he'd offer it by holding it up to their nose. The instant they caught hold of the hay strand in their mouths, he'd let go :) After a while he didn't even want to wait for me to pick up hay for him to feed the goats and started to squat down to pick up the hay himself :) He was doing a brisk business until the zookeeper came with a branch full of fresh, juicy, green leaves for the goats.
Anyway, other animals that I like there were the horses! This is Buddy (on the left), and King. King is passionate about food, while Buddy apparently like carrots, and likes bossing King around :O) So much for being a king!
After so much excitement, it was time for a milk and raisin break to replenish energy levels :) Using our Friend privileges of free unlimited tram rides, we then went for a ride around the rest of the zoo to see what else we can look forward to seeing the next time we come. I think the elephant walk is definitely something we should go for next! Till next time!
