Singapore - Country in Asia

The attraction opened on 27 June 1973 as the Singapore Zoological Gardens with 272 animals across 72 species. Nowadays, the Singapore Zoo has over 4,200 animals of over 300 species. 

And, at a time when many zoos around the world had exhibits with animals in cages, the Singapore Zoo stood out for its open layout concept.

Animals were and still are, displayed in enclosures that resembled their natural habitats. Instead of cages and bars, the exhibits make use of barriers like moats or glass panes to allow visitors to a clear view to the animals. 

Orangutans are great apes native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are now found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra, but during the Pleistocene they ranged throughout Southeast Asia and South China. 

Classified in the genus Pongo, orangutans were originally considered to be one species.

You can also see the free-ranging Orangutans.

Love a wet and wacky time? Then the high-energy antics of the mischievous California sea lion is sure to make a splash! Witness this sea lion gracefully glide on water, effortlessly balance a ball on its nose as well as many special moments that will tickle your funny bone and tug at your heart strings at the same time.

Wonder what's it like to be up-close and splashed on by a sea lion? Then be sure to come down at the end of the presentation for a big, wet goodbye wave from our Splash Safari star!

Besides a stunning 5-star hotel with over 2,500 rooms, other highlights include a luxury shopping mall with faux-canals and Italian gondola rides, Singapore’s largest ice-skating rink, 2 nightclubs, a host of fantastic restaurants, and one of the world’s most expensive casinos.

The 3 skyscrapers have – what seems to be – a cruise ship balancing precariously across the top. This is one of the highlights of Marina Bay Sands Hotel: a huge rooftop pool with sweeping views of Singapore, with an observation deck and a fancy rooftop club at one end.

The Merlion is a statue impersonating a mythical creature with the body of a fish and the head of a lion in Merlion Park near the Singapore CBD. It is a well-known tourist icon of Singapore.

Iconic, 8.5m-tall statue with the body of a fish & head of a lion, shooting water from its mouth.

With elevated views of the city and situated right in the heart of Orchard Road, lies JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La, with so much to see, eat, shop, and do.

Explore the Lion City at ease with unmatched direct connectivity to public transport and a wide array of shopping and entertainment options right at your doorstep. 

My window was over the beautiful waterway looking out over the city and watching all of the boats floating down the waterway.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state in the northern part of the island of Borneo. Often referred to as KK, it’s a coastal city partly surrounded by rainforest.

Nestled besides the Penampang River are the many traditional buildings that make up the Monsopiad Cultural village, a living museum.

It's the only living museum in Sabah commemorating the life of infamous Kadazandusun and fearsome head-hunter warrior “Monsopiad” who lived in Kuai village 200 years ago. 

Drop by the House of Skull where skulls are being hanged to show Monsopiad’s eminence and a way to defend their village.

"In the house, a collection of 42 skulls hang from the rafters, those who had met their fate in the hands of the fearsome warrior, largely belonging to marauding thugs and pirates who had attacked, or tried to attack the village at that time. These skulls were once displayed on tall bamboo poles, then left to dry before being placed above the granary, as a warning to those thinking of raiding the village."

The walk across the hanging bridge is over a waterfall is about 25 feet down. The other side has a narrow concrete walkway. 

It's a perfect city to gain insight on Sabah's heritage in the form of cultural villages. One of the popular and unique cultural village we visited was Mari Mari Cultural Village.

The cultural performance at Mari Mari Cultural Village is one of the most anticipated highlights of the tour. Featuring traditional music and dances that was very entertaining.

A video of their great performance is included in our 30-Minute Movie/Download for your enjoyment!

It's the highest mountain in Malaysia and Borneo. With a height of 4,095 metres, it is the third-highest peak of an island on Earth, the 28th highest peak in Southeast Asia, and 20th most prominent mountain in the world. The mountain is located in the West Coast Division of Sabah, Malaysia.

This tourist destination is known for its beautiful scenery, unique culture, and friendly people. With its many kid-friendly attractions, stunning beaches, and cultural highlights.

The Waterfront, the city's premier entertainment and dining center.

Contrary to popular belief, Borneo is not a country. The Asian isle is shared between three countries – Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. Indonesian Borneo, called Kalimantan, accounts for three quarters of the island. The remaining quarter, belonging to Malaysia, is split into the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

The Borneo Marketplace, a one-stop e-commerce marketplace that features products solely made in Borneo by local artists, homemakers, and entrepreneurs.

This market is a hidden gem for food lovers and culture seekers. From authentic delicacies to unique amazing Bornean crafts, this market offers an unforgettable experience. Join us as I take you on a tour of the best Malaysian street food and local specialties on our 30-Minute Movie/Download.

Aside from its beautiful city, mountain and islands, Kota Kinabalu is a perfect city to gain insight on Sabah's heritage in the form of cultural villages and waterfront paradise.

 Colloquially referred to as KK, is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is also the capital of the Kota Kinabalu District as well as the West Coast Division of Sabah.

Puerto Princesa is a coastal city on Palawan Island in the western Philippines. It's a base for boat trips through the massive limestone caves and underground river of the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Dive sites are dotted around Puerto Princesa Bay, home to long-nosed dolphins, turtles and rays. 

We experienced the elegance of the bridge in Puerto Rico – a stunning architectural highlight perfect for photography and a careful leisurely stroll.

It's an engineering marvel that offers stunning views and a glimpse into the region's rich heritage.

Habal-habal is a local dialect for motorcycle taxis which means “sitting close to each other”. Habal-habal passengers, who usually range from two to three persons, sit behind the driver, close to each other and this is a Honda!

Trek to Batak Tribe Village.

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

We also enjoyed the lunch that was provided  - was delicious !

Batak, meaning "mountain people" in Cuyonon, are known for their traditional way of life, including hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation.

The Batak tribe in Palawan are one of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, primarily residing in the rugged northeastern part of the island. They are also called Tinitianes and are closely related to the Aeta of Central Luzon. 

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated bayside city on the island of Luzon, which mixes Spanish colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers. Intramuros, a walled city in colonial times, is the heart of Old Manila. 

Metropolitan Manila encompasses six cities and 12 towns. Located on Manila Bay in the South China Sea, and bisected by the Pasig River, the capital of the Philippines is historic and modern, rich and poor. A popular sight is the walled area called Intramuros. 

From the salt curing process, the salted duck eggs have a briny aroma, a gelatin-like egg white and a firm-textured, round yolk that is bright orange-red in color.

Motorcycle taxis, commonly known as habal-habal, are a popular and traditional form of public transport in the Philippines. They are usually two-wheeled motorcycles with passengers riding behind the driver. 

In the Philippines, horse-drawn carriages, often called kalesas, are primarily a tourist attraction and a form of traditional transportation, rather than a modern-day taxi service. While they can be found in places like Intramuros in Manila and other historical areas, they are more for sightseeing and experiencing a piece of Filipino history.

We experienced a horse-drawn carriage ride enjoying a 

clip-clop through Chinatown.

 Roman Catholic church under the auspices of the Order of Saint Augustine located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila, Philippines.

It's home to the baroque 

16th-century San Agustin Church.

Also a Museum with a collection of artifacts & artwork in a former monastery adjacent to a landmark church.

Kaohsiung is a massive port city in southern Taiwan. It's home to many skyscrapers, such as the 248m-tall Tuntex Sky Tower, and is known for its diversity of parks. Its focal point is the Love River, with walking paths and cafes along its banks, and cruise boats navigating its waters. Shopping options range from high-end malls to the Liuhe and Ruifeng night markets.

Koxinga Ancestral Shrine is a family shrine built in West Central District, Tainan, Taiwan in 1663 by Zheng Jing, to worship his father Koxinga.

Today the official name is "Ancestral Shrine of Koxinga". The complex is traditional and elegant. There is an old well in front of the gate and this is all that remains of the original shrine.

Hao Ji Dan Zai Mian, Historic Taiwanese Restaurant

It is a celebrated dish in that part of the world, and, although vendors aren’t slinging noodles on poles anymore, there are quite a few danzai specialists in the south of Taiwan. 

Also known as the Datianhou or Great Queen of Heaven Temple, is a Taiwanese temple to the goddess Mazu, who is the Goddess of Sea and Patron Deity of fishermen, sailors and any occupations related to the sea.

The original building was constructed in 1664, the Mazu temple wasn’t actually established until a couple of decades later to this three-and-a-half century old building.

Obviously, as one of Taiwan’s oldest places of worship, it would be difficult to write out a concise history of all of the important events.

The temple claims that the Mazu statue in the main hall is the largest in Taiwan at 5.45 meters in height and dates back to the Qing Dynasty.

Kaohsiung 85 Sky Tower, the main Landmark of Kaohsiung City.

The 85 Sky Tower, formerly known as the T & C Tower or Tuntex Sky Tower, is an 85-story skyscraper in Lingya District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The structure is 347.5 m high. An antenna increases the pinnacle height to 378 m.