Outline: Is Jurong Bird Park worth every penny?

The journey from Orchard Road to the Jurong Bird Park was a long bus ride. As I look on both sides of the expressway and roads, I found them flanked with a mixture of high and low rise concrete buildings.

“How on earth can one have a bird park amidst all these buildings? Won’t the birds get confused?” exclaimed my friend, Jean, who has never been to Jurong Bird Park with me.

Tucked in the corner of the western, industrial area of Singapore, Jurong Bird Park is a sight for sore eyes. Amongst the concrete jungle, one would be amazed to find a lush, green environment, even the structures are made to incorporate the “green” theme.

In Singapore, where land is scarce, a hefty 20.2 hectares was allocated to the Jurong Bird Park. The Jurong Bird Park houses 9000 birds from 600 species and specializes in birds from Southeast Asia, making it one of the largest in the world.

The mission state of the Bird Park is to conserve, research, educate and recreate.

As I entered the park, I was pleased to find myself being transported to another world, a world with beautiful flowers, plants and the different calls of different birds. However, the downside was the honking of huge vehicles emitting from the main road.

As we crossed the entrance, we found a map indicating where the rest of the attractions were located as well as the timings of the different bird shows.

We walked further into the park and saw the African Wetlands exhibit. The design was to stimulate wetland with tall grasses and aquatic riverside plants. Aptly named, most of the birds originate from the African wetlands. As I spoke to an Indian tourist, he was amazed at how the birds believe that they are in their homelands and not some man made environment.

Venturing further, we went into the “World of Darkness”. As we entered, we overheard a tourist guide explaining the concept of the place.

“The design stimulates night sky in the star-lit jungle path bypassing a mangrove swamp. There is also an icy mountain patch for the Snowy Owls. Please bear in mind that flash photography is not allowed in the exhibit and do wait for awhile before entering so that your eyes would get adjusted to the darkness.”

As we walked into the exhibit, I was fascinated to find a vast variety of owls. Personally I liked the barn owl. At first glance, I thought that it was just an ornament until it blinked and swooped down to catch its prey.

I asked a care-taker when do the owls rest and she told me that after closing hours, there would be bright lights in the exhibit. This is to stimulate the day sky and to give them a chance to rest.

Leaving the “World of Darkness”, we went to catch the “Birds ‘n Buddies” show. It was a treat for the young and old alike. One never knows where to watch out for the birds.

Presenters were emphasizing that the birds were trained professionally and no one should try this at home. The message that one should be kind to animals was put across subtly.

As the show ended, we proceeded to the Southeast Asia Aviary to catch the mock thunderstorm that happens once a day at noon.

The board outside the aviary read as this is where we could watch the birds in action, trying to hide so as to not get wet.

Unfortunately, most of the birds were in hiding thus only fluttering and the calls were heard. We got wet as there was a slight drizzle during the thunderstorm.

As we walked out of the aviary, one could see that the place is children-orientated. From the playgrounds, to the baby pool and the shows organized, the place has become a learning ground for children.

As we walked past the pool, watching the children play in the water half-tempted us to join them. The thought of us being soaked through was a relief against the humidity.

However, we stopped ourselves as the thought of wet clothes sticking to our body throughout our journey home disgusted us.

Proceeding on to the Penguin Parade, “an exhibit that should not be missed” according to tourists and locals alike.

Stepping into the exhibit, I was not prepared for the extreme temperature drop. It was about 10 degrees compared to the 31 degrees outside. The penguins seemed oblivious they were on display and we caught a pair of penguins engaging in the act of “recreation”.

A group of young children saw it and were screaming, “Mummy!!!! They are fighting.” Parents turned pink and ushered their children out with the promise of an ice-cream each.

Ironically, the exit of the Penguin exhibit is the entrance of the gift shop where parents were seen haggling with their children on which toy to buy and which is the cheapest.

I would suggest to patrons to buy food and drinks before coming to the park. Everything is over-priced. For two dollars, one would get 1.5 liter bottled water but at the park, you would get a 500ml bottle. An ice-cream that would cost a dollar cost nearly three dollars.

We then heard another rumble. It was no bird but our tummies beckoning us to have our lunch.

Walking towards the exit, we found ourselves in another gift shop. It was as though the park was telling the visitors to stock up on what they have bought or to buy more.

Exorbitant prices stopped us from getting anything. Some of the items, for example a jumbo pencil were going for twelve dollars, when we could get it for five dollars at a discount store with a free sharpener thrown in.

Walking towards Bongo, the exterior reminded one of prehistoric times. The stoned exterior and the rough cut furniture reminded me of exhibits I see at the museum. As we walked in, there was a contrast. The interior reminded me of Mexico, with the smell of salsa, and the cactus as well as the sombrero.

Staff were cheerful but impatient as we took sometime to decide what to have. The restaurant was nearly empty and yet they looked as though they had to be somewhere. We ordered a Bongo Burger as well as Fish and Chips. They cost us thirty dollars. Shocked, we decided to wait for our meal.

The meal arrived half an hour later. Apparently they have punished us for being indecisive. The Bongo burger was a normal cheeseburger and the Fish tasted as though it had been fried twice. The fries that came along were plump and moist.

The plus factor would have been the mugs that they serve the drinks in. they look like bottles with handles. We wanted to siphon the mugs if not for the hawk-eyed staff.

In all the dining experience would be better if only the food was less expensive and there would be variety of restaurants available.

Children will find this place as a learning centre due to the many plagues around the sites that can be read by their care-takers or parents.

However, the place is equally commercialized. The strategic positioning of the gift shops as well food counters makes one unable to avoid. Adults would ignore, on the other hand, children get agitated and start to throw tantrums until they get something to stop thinking about the heat.

Overall, visiting the Jurong Bird Park was an eye-opener. As a Singaporean, I never knew that there were so many different things to do at the park. The color of the background as well the colorful birds brings one into another realm. It’s a calming but expensive experience.