Dec 9, 2013

A Night of Enchantment

Media Invite
(Daddy blogs)

With the school holidays in full swing, it is inevitable that the kids will be demanding to go to bed at a later time than usual. Or at least that's what my boys are have been doing. So if you are facing a similar predicament and looking for somewhere to bring the children at night, how about Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo?

And to further up the FUN factor, Mystica 2013 - the dazzling Wildlife Wonderland - will be making a return to Night Safari for the third year running.


From 13 to 31 December 2013, the Night Safari transforms into an enchanting wildlife wonderland called Mystica which is filled with mythical forest creatures and friendly fairy folks!


Considering our last visit to the Night Safari was 2008, I surmise there would be minimal persuasion required when I told the monkies that we will be paying all the nocturnal animals a well-overdue visit. But as it turned out, NONE was required. I highly suspect that they must have stolen a peek at Mystica's website beforehand and seen all the cool activities lined up.


And because normal face-painting is so yesterday, the Face Painting Booth at the Night Safari Entrance sports neon fluorescent prints! The monkies chose instead to have the colourful paints imprinted onto their arms and they loved it. In fact, Ash and Ayd were so especially enamoured by their neon tattoos that they wanted to cover their arms with a plastic bag come bath time when we got home!


But what fun is there if you cannot admire your own neon painting? We stepped into the Glow-in-the-Dark Photo Booth beside the Neon Face Painting Booth and the monkies went all posing crazy... helped by some of the luminous props.


With that, we were all ready to begin our Night Safari adventure.

The story of Mystica goes something like this: Night Safari’s clumsy resident Forest Fairy accidentally unleashes powerful magic, transforming the deep, dark rainforest of Mandai into a Wildlife Wonderland where things and animals don’t seem to be the way they are supposed to be…

So expect to mingle with animal friends of a different kind, who will be roaming the premises of Night Safari.


I loved the Venus Flytrap costume (above photo, extreme right) the most while Ale seemed to just about love every single mascot as she went around requesting to snap photos with them.


Oh and speaking of costumes, turn up at Night Safari in the most peculiar costume imaginable for a chance to win an attractive prize. There will a Best Dressed Award winner every night!

Of course, the real stars of Night Safari remains the nocturnal animals and should you and the kids want to find out more about some of the quirky habits of these animals, be sure to join a guided tour of the Animal Enrichment Trails with a Night Safari Trail Guide! There are 4 guided trails available, with their details and timings at the end of this post.

The boys chose the Fishing Cat Trail which simulates a nighttime trek through the jungles of Singapore. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the trail is the fishing cat which is a patient hunter and spends long periods stalking fish by the water edge. A bonus when embarking on the various trails with a guide is that visitors will get a chance to see some of the animals receive presents (read: food) as part of their enrichment activity.


As much as the monkies adored the Neon Face Painting and getting all silly with poses in the Glow-in-the-Dark Photo Booth, I believe they enjoyed the Walking Trails the most. Even then, their energy levels did not dip as we ended the night with the fantastic Creatures of the Night show.


Useful Information

Mystica 2013: Wildlife Wonderland
Dates: Weekends of 13, 14, 20, 21 Dec 2013 AND 27-31 Dec 2013
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Night Safari
Cost: Festivities are free but admission charges apply - Adult S$35 | Child S$23 | Senior Citizen S$17.50 

Highlights

Glow-in-the-Park Face Painting and Black Light Photo Booth
For a spot of fun you can bring home, spin over to the face painting booth and turn yourselves fluorescent before popping into the black light photo booth.
Dates: 5 – 31 December
Time: 6pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Night Safari entrance plaza
Note: Token donation to Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund is welcome.

Mingle in the Jungle
Be captivated by a host of whimsical creatures and friends of the forest as you take in the bewitching lights around the park.
Dates: 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 December 2013
Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Night Safari entrance plaza

Dress In Your Best Contest
Attractive prizes await those who dive into the festivities and dress to impress the mystery judges. Turn up in the most outlandish costume you can think of and make sure you’re noticed by strutting your stuff at the entrance plaza. The best dressed each night will walk away a winner!
Dates: 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 December 2013
Time: 6.30pm - 11.30pm
Venue: Night Safari entrance plaza

Animal Enrichment Trail
After meeting the creatures of fantasy, discover the real animals of the night along the walking trails. Witness the spirited side of the frisky otters, feisty fishing cats and prickly porcupines as they unravel creatively decked out enrichment goodies. The curious can ask questions and learn more about the animals from the friendly trail guides.
Dates: 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 December 2013
Venue and time:
1. Fishing Cat Trail at 7.30pm
2. Wallaby Trail at 8.30pm
3. East Lodge Trail at 9.00pm
4. Spotted hyena Exhibit (East Lodge Trail) at 10.00pm



Email to a friend

No comments :

Newer Post Older Post
................... Home ...................
TOP