With a population of more than three million living in an area of 600 square kilometres, Singapore is one of the worlds most densely populated cities. Housing is expensive due to the scarcity of land, and most Singaporeans today stay in high rise apartments that cost as much as a bungalow in nearby Malaysia. This translates to expensive lodging.
Interestingly, however, the number of hotels has been snowballing and occupancy rates average more than 80 per cent. Visitors to the island can choose from a good range of accommodations. Hotels prove the popular choice, and they are concentrated in two main areas the Colonial District and the Orchard Road shopping belt.
When you come to Singapore, do what the locals do and eat what the locals eat if you have the stomach for it, that is. The cheapest of meals available come from neighbourhood coffee shops an open air floor space with tables and chairs where customers order from the stalls and wait to be served or take it with them and hawker centres large open spaces with built-in tables and chairs where customers give the stall operator their table numbers and their order is served.
Singapore Zoo, hailed as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, takes visitors on jungle journeys where they can admire the flora and fauna of the various regions of different Countries for a total ecological and Cultural experience.
In the far north of the island, Singapores world class zoo has 3,600 animals, representing 410 species including the endangered white rhino, Bengal white tigers and even polar bears. Wherever possible, moats replace bars, and the zoo is beautifully spread out over 28 hectares of lush greenery beside the Upper Seletar Reservoir. As far as zoos go, this is one of the best in the world. Some of the animal displays might be a little circus like, like the elephant rides and the sea lion performance, but most are magnificent particularly the white tiger, elephant, crocodile and, best of all, baboon enclosures. Feeding times are well staggered to allow you to catch most of them as you walk around.
Its also possible to get up close to a number of animals, including an otter, a reticulated python and one of the zoos famous orangutans at the Jungle Breakfast or Tea at 9am and 4pm respectively.
The zoo has plenty of decent food outlets and the even boasts award winning, clean and creatively designed outdoor toilets.
Warm and fairly humid summer temperatures throughout the year approximately 30 during the day and 23 in the evening. There is no distinct wet and dry season. Most rain falls during the northeast monsoon November to January and showers are usually sudden and heavy.
