Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

Everywhere you look there are birds roaming freely. It is amazing to walk through this exotic landscape. It is hard to believe you are in an aviary. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

We climb higher, and it is possible to see the net which encloses the aviary. They have a huge area to fly in.

 

 

 

 

In this photo you can see the net in the top right hand corner which keeps the birds in the aviary. 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Parrot Paradise and the Spix Macaws

 

From quite a small baby my little grandson was obsessed with Rio and Rio 2, those amazing animated movies about a family of Spix Macaws. He would become highly animated whenever it was played, and would kick his legs in time to the music. 

 

In the movie of course, Blu and Jewel fall in love, have a family and it all ends happily, but the reality is that the beautiful Spix Macaw is now extinct in the wild, although some birds survive in breeding programmes around the world. 

 

 

So we cannot resist seeing these beautiful birds in real life. Their colouration is such a vivid blue. 

 

Breeding these macaws in captivity is not easy. Not only does it take the adults longer to mature, so that instead of reproducing at age 2, it can take up to 10 years, but many of the eggs produced fail to hatch. 

 

Most newly hatched chicks are now hand- reared as they are so precious, due to the fact that only about one in 10 viable eggs actually hatch. 

 

Ultimately, there is hope that one day some of these beautiful birds can be repatriated into the wild in Brazil. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Parrot Paradise is a small area which is home to several species of parrot, including cockatoos and conures, as well as all three species of blue macaw, the Hyacinth, the Lear's and the Spix's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

We hop back on the tram and en route to arena where we will watch a bird show, we see Pelican Cove, home to eight species of pelicans.

 

They are experts at scooping up fish in their huge beaks, using their elastic throat pouches to sieve out the water, using it like a fishing net. They are among the heaviest flying birds.

 

There is an underwater viewing gallery (the world's first!) where you can watch them as they feed underwater, but unfortunately we don't have time for that today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

The King of the Skies Show

 

The tram drops us beside the Hawk Arena, where the show, The King of the Skies, is performed. We are a little late, so have missed some of the birds of prey. 

 

 

We are in time to see the vultures as they perform in front of us. In return for scraps of meat these formidable birds execute a number of tricks for their trainers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are extraordinary birds, with their bald heads and absurdly fluffy necks, scavengers, who seek out the wounded, the sick or the dead. They gorge themselves on the carrion and pick the bones clean.

 

But in reality they do a very valuable job as, due to their exceptionally corrosive stomach acid, they can safely digest carcasses which are infected with diseases such as botulism, cholera and anthrax. In this way they remove harmful bacteria from the environment. 

 

 

Now here's another piece of useless information just right for all you trivia fans - did you know that a group of vultures is called a committee, a kettle or a wake?

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Breeding and Research Centre - New Chicks on the Block.....

 

An important aspect of the Jurong Bird Park is their work  on the conservation of endangered species. Each year about 150 birds are hand reared and we can see the work that goes on to incubate the eggs and how the chicks are looked after. 

 

 

 

There is a special room which houses the incubators and we can look through glass screens to see what is going on. The incubators are kept at a constant temperature and the room is darkened to replicate the way the parents shield them from light when they sit on them. 

 

Automatic egg turners ensure that the eggs are regularly turned, in the same way that the parent birds would have done, keeping the eggs warm evenly, and ensuring that the embryonic membrane does not stick to the shells. Temperature and humidity are controlled at all times.

 

 

 

Here is where the young birds are kept when they first hatch.

 

This is a food preparation area.

 

Some of the older birds being cared for.

 

 

 

These babies are snuggled up together. With few feathers they aren't the prettiest, but I'm sure their mother loves them! After they hatch the chicks may need hand feeding between 3 and 7 times a day. Once they are on solids they scatter insects in their cages every few hours. They are weighed and their progress tracked regularly.

 

Once they are grown they will be transferred to their respective aviaries. 

 

 

Some huge eggs on display from an Emu, a Rhea and a Cassowary. 

 

It's been a fascinating glimpse into the way the staff at the Jurong Bird Park care for the eggs and the chicks at the Breeding and Research Centre. Hope you've enjoyed this little tour. 

 

[ellie1145]

Flamingo Pool and Flamingo Lake

 

 

 

Finally, we walk across from the Breeding and Research Centre to see the flamingos. 

 

These stunning wading birds have pinkish plumage and long graceful legs, which look too thin to support their weight. They can often be seen standing on one leg, with the other leg tucked underneath the body.

 

When feeding, it lowers its beak, which is hooked, upside down into the water to filter out different sized food. It may hold its head under water for long periods of time, which means that it must hold its breath. Their bills are ideal for separating mud and silt from the food they eat. Their diet consists of molluscs, small insects and crustaceans. Their pink colour comes from the carotenoids in their diet. 

 

 

Flamingos have long necks and their tracheas may be longer than their body length. 

 

 

 

[PaulS]

Singapore seems to have it all. I would love to go there someday and your tours have told me the sights to see. Again, many thanks for this thread.

[ellie1145]

11 minutes ago, PaulS said:

Singapore seems to have it all. I would love to go there someday and your tours have told me the sights to see. Again, many thanks for this thread.

 

For such a small place Singapore certainly has a myriad of things to do. We have been 3 times now and there is still so much more that we want to see. 

 

I hope that you, like us, will someday visit Singapore. Fingers crossed. 🤞

[ellie1145]

Our visit to the flamingos over, it is almost time to leave. But there is just time for a last look as we walk back to the entrance. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This area is called Birds of Play, and it is for children. There are lots of fun activities to do in this bird themed playground. There are wet and dry play zones, a games room for older children, and for the adults, a cafe and a shop.

 

In the dry area there are things to climb and explore, like slides and swings and see saws, and when it gets hot there is an area where they can splash about under water sprays or get soaked under the huge water filled tipping bucket in the splash zone.  

 

 

These penguins are in Penguin Coast near the entrance to the park. Unfortunately we don't have time to go inside but there is a 1630 sq metre exhibit area kept at a constant 10-15 degrees C. There are over 100 penguins, from 5 species. We just manage to catch a glimpse of these little penguins. 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Time to say goodbye to the Jurong Bird Park.

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little adventure. 

 

I’m sure you are all ready to get back to the ‘plane.

 

Or are you?

 

I have one last adventure up my sleeve if you are up for it - we could do a more extensive visit to the wonderful Gardens by the Bay Flower Domes....but it’s up to you!  😉  🤣

[ellie1145]

19 hours ago, Aussie Gal said:

Here are the photos of the mini suite on the side of the ship. As you can see there are two rooms, one with the lounge and one with the bedroom.  Same bathroom though with the door leading from the lounge area into the toilet and wash basin and the door from the bedroom leading into the spa bath and separate shower. 

Great photos of the mini suites, thank you Jennie for posting them.

[ellie1145]

Great to have you back, azbirdmom.

 

I guess you enjoyed seeing the birds? I’ve been puzzling over your forum name as I am guessing that you are Arizona BIrd Mom and that you probably keep birds? 

 

If I’m right then do tell us what sort of birds you have please 😊

[azbirdmom]

1 hour ago, ellie1145 said:

Great to have you back, azbirdmom.

 

I guess you enjoyed seeing the birds? I’ve been puzzling over your forum name as I am guessing that you are Arizona BIrd Mom and that you probably keep birds? 

 

If I’m right then do tell us what sort of birds you have please 😊

 

You are correct!  My little one is my avatar and she is a Black Headed (or capped) Caique.

 

And if you go divert to Gardens by the Bay, I do have some photos to share.

[Aussie Gal]

We last visited the Jurong Bird Park back in 1978 so I think it may be time to revisit it again as it looks so different to what we saw all those years ago.  We will keep it up our sleeves for the next time we spend a few days in that lovely city.  

Thanks to you Ellie, I booked the Crowne Plaza for one night in the new area yesterday.  We are hoping to be there in June next year all being well.  We will drop our cases into our room, after our flight back from Phuket,  and then go and explore Jewel or else get up very early next morning and visit it before our flight back to Melbourne.  We always take the day flight home which leaves Singapore around 11am and arrives back at around 8pm.  We prefer to fly during the day than at night.

Jennie

[cnd crsr]

Hi Ellie,

Your pictures from the bird park are absolutely beautiful, thank you.

I for one am game on a side trip back to the Garden of the Bay, along with you and azbirdmom. When you are ready I will be waiting in the Tardis.😉

.

Gail

[ellie1145]

22 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

You are correct!  My little one is my avatar and she is a Black Headed (or capped) Caique.

 

And if you go divert to Gardens by the Bay, I do have some photos to share.

 

Ah, that’s what I surmised. Do you have a photo of your little bird - can’t really see it in the avatar? It looks cute. 

 

I think we may well divert to the Gardens by the Bay if I can reprogrammed my Tardis. So I will look forward to your contribution in due course. Thank you. 

[ellie1145]

23 hours ago, Aussie Gal said:

We last visited the Jurong Bird Park back in 1978 so I think it may be time to revisit it again as it looks so different to what we saw all those years ago.  We will keep it up our sleeves for the next time we spend a few days in that lovely city.  

Thanks to you Ellie, I booked the Crowne Plaza for one night in the new area yesterday.  We are hoping to be there in June next year all being well.  We will drop our cases into our room, after our flight back from Phuket,  and then go and explore Jewel or else get up very early next morning and visit it before our flight back to Melbourne.  We always take the day flight home which leaves Singapore around 11am and arrives back at around 8pm.  We prefer to fly during the day than at night.

Jennie

 

Great news, Jennie. I’m glad you were able to book a new room. Now all we have to do is keep our fingers crossed! It will be a perfect opportunity to see the wonderful Jewel (I think I accidentally called it the Vortex for some unknown reason! Must be old age creeping on....🥴)

 

 

Edited October 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

2 hours ago, cnd crsr said:

Hi Ellie,

Your pictures from the bird park are absolutely beautiful, thank you.

I for one am game on a side trip back to the Garden of the Bay, along with you and azbirdmom. When you are ready I will be waiting in the Tardis.😉

.

Gail

 

Great, I will see if I can reprogrammed the Tardis to take us on a final adventure. 😉

 

Glad you enjoyed the pictures, Gail. It is a stunning setting and there were bits of the park we didn’t have time for, hence we will definitely need to revisit it when we are able to. Can’t wait! 

Edited October 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Sorry I’ve been AWOL!

 

Have had a busy couple of days with my daughter staying over. But I will try to reprogrammed the Tardis tomorrow if any more of you want to join us for another adventure. -  our last, I’m afraid.😪

[TeaBag]

Yes, yes, please do.  And if you have nothing to do, could you please just take a short flight over there to where  Mein Schiff is and take a short cruise on her so you could keep entertaining us?  BTW Miaminice is on her at the moment and he is posting pictures etc on the Celebrity board.  Such a beautiful ship and I always thought TUI was maybe a little lower than Celebrity.  Wow, was I wrong.  I'd have to learn German though, to understand all that goes on and I'm too old for that now!

[ellie1145]

19 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Yes, yes, please do.  And if you have nothing to do, could you please just take a short flight over there to where  Mein Schiff is and take a short cruise on her so you could keep entertaining us?  BTW Miaminice is on her at the moment and he is posting pictures etc on the Celebrity board.  Such a beautiful ship and I always thought TUI was maybe a little lower than Celebrity.  Wow, was I wrong.  I'd have to learn German though, to understand all that goes on and I'm too old for that now!

 

Good, glad to have you along for our next adventure. 

 

That's interesting to know. I think my main problem with a German ship is the amount of smoking onboard. We've become accustomed to less and less smoking on cruise ships and don't think we could adapt to the number of German (and other European) smokers. 

 

But I'd love to be a fly on the wall, so after we finish this adventure I may have time to take a look at that thread. Thanks for the heads up! 👍

[TeaBag]

There's another one written my German cruiser and he is now on his second cruise since the COVID ban.  I follow him too as we did meet him once on a cabin crawl on Celebrity Constellation.

Here's the URL for Miaminice's review to make it easy for you to find.  Time for me to do something for you in return for all the wonderful entertainment you gave me.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2760901-liveish-report-first-real-cruise-this-year-greece-with-tui-cruises-mein-schiff-6-927/

 

[ellie1145]

23 hours ago, TeaBag said:

There's another one written my German cruiser and he is now on his second cruise since the COVID ban.  I follow him too as we did meet him once on a cabin crawl on Celebrity Constellation.

Here's the URL for Miaminice's review to make it easy for you to find.  Time for me to do something for you in return for all the wonderful entertainment you gave me.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2760901-liveish-report-first-real-cruise-this-year-greece-with-tui-cruises-mein-schiff-6-927/

 

 

Thank you so much for the link, TeabBag, I had a quick look last night and it was very interesting.👍  Now I'll have something to read when I finish this! 🙂