Stop over and play

Singapore is a gentle first step into Asia’s cultural, historical and culinary riches, writes Jill Worrall.

Spectacular.

River Safari

Next up was River Safari – the newest addition to the Singapore Zoo and Night Zoo complex. We had one special aim here – to see our first giant pandas. I’d read that Kai Kai (the male panda) and Jia Jia his mate (so far however, the pair have not been successful in producing a cub) were so popular with visitors the queues could be enormous and the viewing time short.

So, I was surprised to find I was entirely on my own watching Kai Kai munching his way steadfastly through a pile of bamboo. I was, I admit, thrilled… Oliver a little underwhelmed but we both enjoyed the Amazon River boat ride, which took us close to a jaguar. What did entrance both of us was the huge pool filled with weirdly beautiful West India manatee that could be viewed from above and below water-level

Joint verdict: Worth the train and taxi ride to get there no matter if it’s pandas, weird fish or manatees that float your boat.

Hop-on hop-off bus

We did a circle of Singapore on the double-decker buses, stopping off at Little India for lassi and samosas and in Chinatown, where Oliver shopped up large for his family and friends back home before we retreated from the humidity to eat Mongolian dumplings.

A good way to give Oliver a snapshot of Singapore’s cultural diversity.

Verdict: The bus ticket was not good value for money; learn to master the underground system and get to where you want to be quicker and more cheaply.

The giant wheel dominates the water’s edge and sparkles among the skyscrapers at night.

PHOTO: JILL WORRALL The Supertree Grove in Singapore is spectacular after dark.

AJ HACKETT SENTOSA The AJ Hackett Sentosa Giant Swing – the first and only dual Giant Swing in the world – meaning there are two swings that can run at the same time. Each swing can hold up to three people.

PHOTO: JILL WORRALL The Sea Aquarium features jellyfish that are illuminated.

PHOTO: JILL WORRALL Kai Kai the giant panda munching his way through a heap of bamboo.