Mandai Rainforest Resort Review

After lots of hype, we decided to make our way to the Mandai Rainforest Resort too. It was located right in the heart of Mandai Zoo, with lots of greenery, away from the bustling city life. First impression wasn't too bad. We were welcome by random monkeys. Check-in was very prompt and service was top-notch. Kids amenities/ room slippers were provided. You could even loan a stroller from the concierge. 

Our room was the Family Sanctuary. It was well decorated and spacious, and could possibly sleep up to 4A + 2C comfortably. The children were particularly excited about the bunk bed. For me, it was about the thoughtful, tiny details in the room that made it memorable. Plus, the room was really new :)

Each night cost a whooping S$400+ and we could only afford 2D1N on staycation budget. The first place we checked out was the pool. I thought it was pretty disappointing. It has an infinity pool but there isn't much to see. There was a half-hearted lap pool and kids pool. At 5pm, there was free ice cream distributed. But that was pretty much all. The kids had fun, but I expected more. 

There was a good amount of eateries within walking distance, but the queue could be really long during dining hours. I thought there should be at least discount for hotel guests. But nope, the same went for Mandai tickets (apparently, Singaporean citizens could get better prices if you buy via the websites.) During our 2D1N, we visited the Night Safari (read our review here). By the time we were done, it was nearly 10pm+ and the kids were dead tired. I was so relief that we only lived nearby. 

There is a kids club within the resort, but I thought it was ridiculous that they were charging S$10 per child per day given the limited and quite off the mill activities they had for them to do. (This should really be a free service). The playground look great, but couldn't really entertain the kids more than an hour, half an hour if you are lucky.

For those who wonders what is the catch, I think it is the complimentary breakfast. It was super impressive. The variety was huge (and the biggest I have ever seen in all my vast hotel/ staycation stays), including machines for you to create your own juice concoction, pancakes etc. There was even alcohol. Apart from that, non-typical breakfast menu such as ice-cream, chocolate fondues were available. I was so stuffed by the end. S$400+ is still quite a stretch for me, and I didn't even went for the most extravagant treehouse. Great for an one-time experience, but my pocket just can't do it again. 

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Mandai Rainforest Resort: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/hotels/detail/1752819-mandai-rainforest-resort-by-banyan-tree/

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5%  Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

SG 60 at the Zoo

SG60 sure has many perks, one of which is discounted tickets to the local attractions - one of which is the zoo. The elderly in the family bought the discounted annual passes and we tapped on the discounts to make another trip in. By now, we are quite familiar with the offerings of the zoo. But it is still a great place to go because the area is pretty big and we can break the visits to focus on different areas. 

Also, the children really enjoy it. Apart from checking out the animals, they would spend most of the time at KidzWorld at the petting zone. They will be showing lotsa love to the rabbits, guinea pigs and grooming goats. Even for the adults, it is pretty enjoyable if you are a lover of furies - I was feeling all warm and fuzzy when a rabbit came to me to be petted. There is also a dry and wet playground within the area. 

This time round, we didn't managed to get any feeding sessions. Note: If you are going on a weekend or during the school holidays, be sure to book for these sessions ahead. Otherwise, they will be fully booked. One new event that caught my eye was the Hello from the Wild sessions. My friend went for it and it seems really cool. But it was definitely more expensive as compared to the feeding session. Each pax cost an additional ~$50 and a family of 4 would cost nearly $200. For me, this is more a special occasion than a normal day out. 

My daughter, being pretty excited also dressed herself as a ranger and attracted the attention of the real rangers. We went to some of the sharing sessions and learnt about the fossils/ bones of the animals. The whole Mandai experience has always been wholesome. Can't wait to check out the latest additions - Rainforest Wild Asia and to try out Colugo Camp and Mandai Rainforest Resort (both waiting for the price to drop and service to stabilise!)

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Zoo (For Singaporeans, please check Mandai site to compare prices): https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/141-singapore-zoo-singapore/

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Back at the zoo again for the Zoolympix

If you are badge collector like me, this is sure to be something that is up your alley. For clarity, we didn't go there because of the Zoolympix, it just happen to be going on while we were there. But it was a really great event because it always feels great when you get some extra goodies and it was a nice goal to work towards for the adults. (We went with the extended family so the adults may get bored when the little one hang around too long with the animals.)

When we registered, we also got a packet of Milo and Coco-crunch which made the kids really happy. The route for River Safari was quite straight forward. We actually completed it first and took our own sweet time. For the Zoo portion, there was a specific path to take. Because we had less than 2 hours there, we made a mad dash - my brother was eager to complete the Zoolympix so that we can get 3 badges instead of 1. (You get an extra 1 batch for completing both.)

While we were there, we also enjoyed the Champion meal. It was decently priced but very diabetic. LOL! Like most of the Mandai operated F&B, the food quality is pretty decent. If you are very competitive, you must make your way to the Champions Village at the Zoo. There is a bouncy castle (which deflated right before my #1 eyes. He was crushed.) and there are way more events there, which we all missed cos we landed there pretty late in the day. 

Since the kids arrived, we have been the Zoo/ River Safari for multiple times. River Safari if it is rainy and Zoo if we are game to walk. We try to avoid going for both in a day because honestly, the kids have their own opinions and they are more curious and patient to observe than the adults. Also, they can stop very, very long at play areas. Hehe. This was probably the first time we conquered both. 

We also finally managed to catch a show at the River Safari. I was so blown over by how interactive and cosy it was. Definitely the best Mandai show ever, somebody give the hosts a promotion please! I was a walk-in so don't give up if you didn't manage to book any slots. Many times, I give up too early. Truly, good things go to those who wait. *winks* 

Definitely worth a visit this June holidays! 

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Zoo (For Singaporeans, please check Mandai site to compare prices): https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/141-singapore-zoo-singapore/

River Wonders (For Singaporeans, please check Mandai site to compare prices): https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/124-river-wonders-singapore-tickets/

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Day out at the Zoo - New Kidzworld

There have been some poor reviews on the "new Kidzworld"...but my kids really enjoyed it. I think it might be because I never experienced the old Kidzworld before so to me everything is new. The reviews are true to describe the water play area to be basically sprinklers with very little structures. But I really like how clean the bathing/ changing areas were. 

The toddler did play at the dry playground which was more impressive in terms of structure but the weather was really warm and humid so he didn't last long there. (Sorry for the lack of photos cos I went to the petting area with the baby.) As for the petting area, we could only pet the animals at the end of the show. We spent really long at the free petting range with the goats :)

I really love petting animals. But it would be great if we could pet more than just the goats. This was probably the area we stayed the longest. It is true...when they say the kids will never leave it. My tip is save the Kidzworld as the last stop so that the children can enjoy other parts of the zoo. To set expectations realistic, my children don't really look at each animal for a really long time. 10 mins max at each animal with random babbling and questions. 

The longest arena we stayed was for the reptiles, maybe because it is air-con. Or my toddler really like the cold-blooded creatures...*shudders*. Another highlight would be the tram just for the ride experience. You can't really see much animals on the tram. I won't advise it to the mode of transport if you have a stroller because folding and unfolding the stroller to load on the stroller is exhausting. 

We did catch a show with the children. It was not amazing. The animals were really small so we could barely see anything and we are seated halfway away from the stage. And it was so hot :'( I am quite surprised the kids manage to sit through the whole show. For food, we chose to have it at Ah Meng Cafe. The food was very reasonably priced (20% off for Wildlife Reserves Members - free to sign up by the way) and the portions were huge!

The food at Kidzworld is more expensive by the way. Haha. But the reason why we chose Ah Meng was because it is on its way and I am quite tempted to give Breakfast it the Wild a try in future. Hope this review helps. You can read my past review here on other Zoo tip!

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Ticket to Zoo: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/141-singapore-zoo-singapore/

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

We went to the zoo (Covid Edition)

Decided to do this post because there are probably many parents out there who are contemplating to bring their kids out and are hesitant. Some tips from us to you so that there are at least some things to look forward to during this Covid.

Dressing our little one in the classy and simple Polo Bodysuit in Beige ($39.90) from The Baby Closet

1. To minimise the risk, go during a weekday. That's what we did, we took leave to do that (but oh wells so many days and nowhere to spent it on anyway) There was barely anyone, the most people we saw was during the feeding session and everyone was scattered around quite safely. 


2. Packing list: We brought a lot of food, snacks, milk and water for baby. (There is a water refill station near the Ah Meng Restaurant). For the adults, we only brought water and an umbrella haha, so much difference!


3. In terms of baby travelling tools, we used a stroller and and the carrier. On top of that, we just bring along our diaper bag (read our review here) and our food bag. We actually took a grab (for parents without car), that's how we travel "light".





4. Shows: To be honest, I have no idea how to book any of them. It is limited to 50 slots. Even though I was there trying to book 20 mins after the session opens, I still fail to book them. So no tips from me cos I am unsuccessful. 


5. Feeding time: I had a bit more success in that, maybe because you needa pay for the sessions. Still, you needa book ahead online. We failed to get any slots to feed the giant tortoises which were scary by the way. We ended up feeding the goats which were really fun (video is up on our IG)


6. Carousell ride: The rides were still available. We ended up taking it 3 times because it was 1 for $4 and 3 for $8. No brainer which one is better right? Haha. You even get your choice of animals because you have the carousell to yourself. Shiok. 





7. Don't be disappointed. Our little one didn't react to the bigger animals (which we thought were more fascinating) maybe because we never exposed him to them. He was only interested in the penguins, dogs etc.), basically on the animals he have seen in books.


8. Duration: We stayed from about 10am to 4pm (6 hours). Pretty long for a baby standards. Baby took a nap at around 11am (He needs 2 naps daily) and another after we left. So depending on your child, you can plan accordingly the items to do based on their nap time. Won't advise to stay too long if you have a fussy baby.


9. Things to pack: We packed an additional set of clothes and 2 diapers. Lots of wet wipes and a hand sanitiser! Psss...the toilet near Ah Seng Restaurant is the cleanest and most baby-friendly.

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Note: Laptop is down, so posts won't be as frequent!

Updated: Singapore's Young Zoologist

We are going to the Zoo Zoo Zoo
How about you, you, you?
You can come too, too, toooooo
We are going to the Zoo, Zooo~~~~

If you are not a local reader, you may not know that the Singapore Zoo is one of the fanciest in the World. My friend got free tickets to the zoo and I really need a break from all the books. Guess that's where I am going too! She actually had tickets to all the other nature parks, but I have been there before.

I really wanted to go to the Bird Park though but it was during an exam day. Guess I will be going myself some time after. By the way, the Bird Park is undergoing a revamp. So soon, it will be congregated with the other parks. That's why I am going before this change happen. And you should too.

Do zoom in on the pictures, cos some of the animals are camouflaging with their little ones. It was a very hot day. So most of the animals are hiding in the shade. Although I act like a National Geographic photographer (waiting and staring for the moment), I don't have their camera equipment to zoom Hahaha.

Every part of the looks awesome by the way if you are hoping the zoo can boost your Instagram photos. But yea as a collage, it does lack colours, looking kinda of green, brown. I really enjoyed the shows so do get the map and plan your time wisely there. Sadly, I didn't manage to catch most of the shows.

If you are not into live animals, there is an exhibition are extinct dinosaurs too. I was kinda of overly excited by it and got chided by the BF for being more interested in the real attractions. Oops. I was also overly happy petting farm animals too. Haha, I really got my priorities wrong didn't I?

But if you were to visit, don't make the same mistake as me. The Singapore Zoo though not very huge contain a lot of animals. You can definitely finish the whole park (if you don't have kids) within a day and just in time for River Safari and the Night Safari. The price of the food in the Singapore Zoo is considered expensive even for a Local, so we went out for a late lunch after we were done.

Here's a video tour of the Singapore Zoo. Sorry but due to time constraints, the editing is grossly terrible. And the song is not very appropriate for the zoo. But it is nice to bop too. Do love our animals too. I manage to catch some footage of their feeding time. Yea! Lucky!