The name Singapore comes from the Malay words Singa and Pura, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit words singa ("lion") and pura ("city"). According to the Malay Annals, this name was given by a 14th century Sumatran prince named Sang Nila Utama, who, landing on the island after a thunderstorm, spotted an auspicious beast on the shore, which his chief minister erroneously identified as a 'singha' or lion. Recent studies of Singapore, however, indicate that lions have never lived there, not even Asiatic lions; the beast seen by Sang Nila Utama was most likely a tiger, probably the Malayan Tiger.
Attractions In & Around:
Underwater World
Singapore is one of Asia's most exciting tropical oceanarium (Large aquarium). Tourists will have the opportunity to admire the amazing sea lives from this part of the world together with endangered underwater animals. This place offers visitors the chance to look at different ocean creatures which are sure to captivate you and you do not need to dive into the water and get yourself wet. These creatures, native to Australia, have the natural camouflage of leafy and frilly appendages. This large aquarium features a long walk-through tank where you can experience sharks and rays swimming right over your head; especially liked the little sea dragons, relatives of the sea horse.
DUGONG
The main attraction is DUGONG, sea cow that entertains visitors with its acrobatic movements. You may observe them through a series of interactive, feeding and training sessions specially designed to demonstrate their natural abilities of tail-walking synchronization.
The Night Ocean Discovery
Programme begins at 7pm daily and is your chance to view a totally different world where nocturnal sea creatures come to life as night falls. See brightly colored fish amidst the coral life or watch seahorses anchored to plants. The rare and exotic marine mammal, the Dugong will intrigue visitors with its graceful movements. Catch a glimpse of deadly sea creatures like the Moray Eel, the Stone Fish, Lion Fish, Porcupine Fish or the Leopard Shark. Many marine species, such as the black tip and white tip sharks, eagle rays and big-belly seahorses, breed and thrive in the Underwater World.
Open: Underwater World Singapore: 9.00am - 9.00 pm (last admission at 8.30 pm).
Night Safari:
This is the world's premier night zoo. The twilight holds many surprises and more so at Night Safari, where you can look a rhinocerous in the eye or hear the howls of a pack of striped hyenas. There are over 1,200 animals of over 110 exotic species to watch out for. The animals are in 8 zones that recreate various geographic regions like the Southeast Asian rainforest, African savanna, Nepalese river valley, South American pampas and Burmese jungle.
Strike out on your own along the walking trail or relax in a tram ride - whichever you choose, Night Safari is a wild adventure not to be missed. Winner of the Tourism Awards 2000,1999, 1997 and 1996 - Leisure Attraction of the Year.
Open: 7.30pm to midnight (daily)
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