Singapore Zoo

Yesterday we explored the world acclaimed Singapore Zoo, known for its "open zoo" concept featuring animals in their natural habitat. It feels like you're in a rainforest with sidewalks. What a fabulous day out! We spent the entire afternoon there and still probably only covered around 60% of the place.

As we are very much into the "when in Rome" mode (plus we need to save a buck or two), we decided to go by MRT (subway) and then bus 138. It took us approximately one hour to get there but it felt right to use public transport when it's so reliable as it is here.

The zoo is spotless and beautifully landscaped. It is a huge place and large parts of it are surrounded by a lake, which makes it even more spectacular. Most of the animals are not caged so you can see them from a short distance which adds to the whole experience. At times we felt very small, especially while watching graceful but deadly white tigers. And we tried to be on our best behavior when we visited the elephants, because they don't forget you know. We also gazed at a jaguar, were up close and personal with a giraffe and starred eye to eye with a playful sea lion at the zoo's amphitheater. We also saw a jackass but that was a human and a completely different story.

Another favorite was the orangutans and chimpanzees. They looked like they were enjoying the day in the sun, chatting with each other, not far from what we humans prefer doing on a lazy afternoon actually. It was very touching to watch orangutan mothers taking care of their small children, giving them their entire attention with a loving look in their eyes.

Chasing dolphins

We are so lucky! Check this out, last week when we took a cruise with Eva we ended up on Capricorn, a boat she chartered. Beautiful boat sure but it's not Damai Indah, Eva's own boat. We had a great time on Capricorn but Eva super generous as she is felt bad that she couldn't offer us the cruise she wanted to, so she told us (and all other guests on board) that if we were still in Langkawi when Damai Indah is back from repairs we could take the same cruise again for free!

Obviously that's an extremely kindhearted offer and we just had to jump on it, so yesterday it was time to chase the sunset again, and as it turned out we even got to chase some happy dolphins. Eva spotted them first and as soon as she did she maxed the music volume, cause according to her dolphins love music, especially Boney M. Damai Indah did a couple of eights in the water, we all applauded the show the dolphins put on for us, and it was magical. It was the first time we've ever seen dolphins in their natural habitat.

There's something unusual about Eva, she's a brave woman who has chosen to live her dream in a business occupied mostly by men. You can't stop wondering how many people she has inspired to make a change in their life, and to take a step towards their childhood dream.



It was not only a beautiful day with view like a screensaver, but also the day we got to meet Anna and her family from Tasmania. Sometimes it just happens - it clicks from the start and you know that you can be great friends. We realize that there's quite a distance between Sweden and Tasmania but if we made it here, we are going to make it there!

After sunset we reached shore and wrapped the day up with drinks at Casa del Mar together with a young couple from Västerås, Sweden. Finally we stumbled into a cab that drove us home.

Many thanks to Eva, Anna and everybody else we shared laughs with during this amazing cruise.

100% Dundee

Today all 3 of us paid Taman Buaya Langkawi a visit. It's Malaysia's largest crocodile park. So this post is croc galore if that's your type of thing. We mostly found it nerve-wracking to tell you the truth.

For one thing they have this bridge that crosses a pond. And that small... puddle really, is home to 400 hungry crocodiles. It's exiting and absolutely terrifying at the same time, mostly the later.

Then after crossing the bridge it's time to check out the crocodile show. Paul Hogan get bent! What you get to see is 3 courageous but foolhardy Malaysian mini "dundees" who does various death defying tricks with 4 big crocodiles. And when we say big crocs, we ain't talking about the Bambi cute version depicted on this sign.



No, we mean 4 x 1 ton predators, each with more teeth than the tooth fairy at their disposal. Apparently these beasts don't appreciate being poked in the eye with a stick. But somehow our brave mini dundees didn't read that signal cause that's exactly what they did to the crocs, just to provoke them to show their deadly teeth for the amazed tourists.

We have to say the whole thing left us with a bitter taste in our mouth. We felt guilty that we with our entrance money contributed to the mini dundees salary. Cause really we think they would be way better of even as unemployed. No one should have to put their arm inside a crocodiles mouth just to pay the rent, but that's exactly what they did, for our amusement's sake.

The Life Aquatic

Yesterday we took the car to Underwater World Langkawi located right in the middle of the tourist delta Pantai Cenang. It's about a 30 minute ride from our place. It was fun to see real live versions of everything from our Finding Nemo DVD. My favorite character the seagulls were not present, but then on the other hand, if Nelly could speak she would fill that void in a second going "Mine, mine, mine" all the time.