A Singapore story: this equatorial island nation offers an exotic change of pace in sightseeing, hotels, and food that is enchanting

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), July, 1995 by Laurel F. Lehrer, Christine Hachiya

This is a jewel of a bird refuge within almost 50 acres of verdant land. For a small fee of about $6 U.S., a visitor is in for an educational, entertaining, funfilled day. Over 7,000 birds representing 600 species live here. Migratory birds such as the Javan tree duck, green little heron, and the black-crowned night heron make seasonal stops here before continuing on their journey.

Some 1,500 birds of 80 different species are housed in the Waterfall Aviary, the world's largest walk-in attraction. The nearly 98-foot-high waterfall splashes on charcoal-colored bricks, rippling into pools, creating the gentle stream that flows alongside the path. Water is filtered and recycled and pumped to the top of the waterfall, conservation b one of the primary objectives of the BirdPark. The aviary netting is so high that you never have a feeling of confinement.

A second walk-in aviary, housing 100 species of Southeast Asian exotic and endangered birds, features a man-made thunderstorm at noon daily, and it is interesting to see how some species hide, while others frolic in the "rain." Birds that are "social" and not shy or territorial share the main aviary, while the other exotic and endangered species are housed separately in adjacent, spacious cages.

Conservation, research, education, and recreation are the objectives of the Jurong Birdpark, which opened in 1971. Seventeen trainers are responsible for the birds appearing throughout the park's shows, including the All-Star BirdShow, Fuji World of Hawks Show, and Kings of the Skies Show. Each trainer has total responsibility for his or her wards, including the feeding, grooming, cleaning of cages, and teaching bird tricks.

Breakfast with the birds is a fun way to start the day. Surrounded by 16 melodious songbirds, I enjoyed a simple buffet that provided eggs, hash-brown potatoes, pancakes, toast, bacon, pork soup, noodles, fried rice, rice porridge, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee, or tea. Marlon, the parrot, selected my fortune for the day, after which I posed for photos with several other large parrots--all this plus breakfast for a small surcharge (about $8 U.S. .

I was invited to hand-feed crickets to the leafbirds within the Southeast Asian Aviary. However, I screamed when trying to hold a cricket, thus scaring away a bird from having a snack.

Take advantage of the Panorail to traverse the entire park. You'll get a great aerial view of the various sections, which are identified with large lettered signs so you can return and explore at your leisure. Pelicans, penguins, lories, bee-eaters, and starlings have scheduled feedings by trainers, giving visitors the opportunity to observe closely these interesting and colorful birds.

RELATED ARTICLE: SPLENDOR AND SERENITY IN Shanri-La

WHEN ENTERING the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, you are instantly captivated by the tranquility and beauty in this oasis of peace just a short two blocks from busy Orchard Road, the main shopping and business district. Reflecting the hospitality and graciousness of its namesake in James Hilton's Lost Horizon, the Shangri-La makes every effort to accommodate weary travelers, heads of state, newlyweds, and anniversary celebrants. This is one of Southeast Asia's top-rated hotels--and justifiably so.