#mandai

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Scan your e-ticket at the gate and you will be at the Orchid Garden. Work your way to the air-conditioned Penguin Cove to watch the King, Gentoo, Northern Rockhopper and Humboldt penguins flying underwater. In the area where the penguins are housed, the water and air temperature are maintained at a low of 8°C with special lighting that mimics the changes in day length in the different seasons - all to simulate the natural habitat of the penguins. Also remember to watch documentaries on the penguins at the Theater.

If you are not interested in the birds in tuxedo, maybe have a Penguin Bao (S$3.90+) to munch on. This is just your average tau sar bao (red bean paste bun) selling at marked up rate. If you have spare moolah, by all means buy one or a box of 4s to try.

Selected picture courtesy of Mandai Bird Paradise.

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The Amazonian Jewel aviary has this orange coloured Andean Cock-of-the rock which I spotted from afar but my lousy point and shoot camera could not afforded a decent closeup shot. So you have to settle for this Toucan (or maybe not) and Hyacinth Macaw which was actually found in the Crimson Wetlands avairy.

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The Crimson Wetlands has two separated wetland areas, one reserved for the American Flamingo and the other for Scarlet Ibis. If you looked at the photos closely, you would see there is a grey flamingo chick all by itself. I wonder where its parent is.

There are barely any big trees in this Walk In Aviary, so try to visit it during the early part of the morning when it is cooler. There is also a Cascading Waterfall where you can take shelter behind the cool misty water if our hot and humid climate is getting to you.

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As I made my way to the top of rice terraces, there is a Stone Dragon standing guard at the peak. Looking down, there are many water birds in the water or on the shore. Spied a male Pied Imperial Pigeon trying to impress the girl among the trees.

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In the Mysterious Papua walk in aviary, a Nicobar Pigeon or dove was nesting right next to the walkway just out of reach to the human hand. A few of its feathery friends are pecking at plates of what look like fresh salad.

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Next up, Songs of the Forest where you listen out for the melodious songs of the beautiful songbirds of Southeast Asia. There are quite a few species of them in here but all I heard are their calls as they are pretty elusive having grown wary to humans poaching them for the bird trade in the wild.

This Green Broadbill was so well hidden among the tree leaves, if not for another visitor with a huge telephoto lens aiming at it, I would not have even noticed it among the greenery.

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It is almost noon as I made it to the Wings of Asia aviary. Here, you see Bali’s tranquil bamboo groves and serene rice terraces replicated as the birds adapted to live in man-made habitats. Spotted a pair of Southern Rufous Hornbill perched high up in the tree canopy.

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Now looking back at the map, I see that I have missed exploring the Heart of Africa aviary as I was rushing to go for lunch at the Egg Splash Cafe so I can attend the animal presentation later at 12.30pm.

Guess what I ordered for lunch? Smoked Salmon & Egg Benedict Toast (S$15.90) using omega eggs with hollandaise sauce on onion bread. The poached egg yolks are just viscous enough without being too raw that the yolks get drained onto the plate. The salty smoked salmon with the creamy sauce and egg were so good that I wished the toasts were bigger so I can mop up the sauce.

There is just enough time before the next event is due. The Treetop Play area lets the kids bounce on the trampolines and scale the nets. There are also two shuttle stations which provide Complimentary In-park Shuttle Service. However, this tram ride is not a sightseeing tour but to fetch visitors from near entrance area to the centre of the park. There isn’t anything to see along the way though there are tons of pandan plants (Pandanus amaryllifolius) growing on both sides of the road and they smelled so nice.