Samantada said-We must go for it.Jayanta said-what is it all about?Samantada said-It is something you have never experienced.Jayanta said-Is it a Zoo?-No-Samantada said-It is unique here.I said- Let us go and experience it.

We started as usual.On a Saturday evening we met at Ang Mo Kio MRT station.As we came out of the MRT station,we saw an old Chinese man,who  was calling -Night safari ...Night safari.He was standing beside a matador type station wagon.We approched him and came to know that he can take us tonight safari at a price which includes the ticket and tram ride as well.We readily agreed and entered the van. It was already almost full with some Indian tourists.

We started our journey.The main way is through Mandai road,which in fact is quite near my house.I came to know it  just then.Mandai road is a lonely road with rain forest on both sides.It was quite thrilling.It took around 45 minutes to reach.As we got down from the car,we could hear drums beating in a rythm.Tom- Toms of Africa.As we approached the entrance,we were overwhelmed.The whole set up was like an African Bush village,with African tribal songs and  drumming of Tom Toms was in the air.The entire path was lit with fire torches.You can suddenly notice the logo of the Night Safari-two big green eyes of an animal-a  large cat family....very hypnotising.

It was about to become dark.The place was having various souvenir shops ,all with the safari theme or jungle motives.T-shirts,mugs,artifacts,shirts,bags,slippers,caps,soft toys and what not.A vintage old Glider is hung with the roof as if it will fly just over you.There are resturants also serving all kinds of Cuisine.The toilet is unique.At first you feel as if it is just an Aquarium-actually it's a facade to the toilet.At a corner,on an elevated ground stands a Safari Jeep,with a few staff members dressed in safari dress and hat.They are holding with them an Barn Owl,a Leopard Cat and a Python.One can take photographs with them in lieu of a few doller.

Suddenly we heard a battle cry sort of thing .A group of Javanese/Surinamese Tribal war dancers jumped into the courtyard from nowhere with war cries and drum beats.They started dancing with fire eating.We gradually walked towards the Tram station.Already trams were standing there with big line of tourists waiting patiently.The trams are painted in zebra,leopard or yellow and black stripe paints.Each tram has two interlinked cars.We got up in one of them.It was open the on both sides.Each tram has a guide with mike.As we were about to start,we could see ata distance in falling daylight,on a cliff-some himalayan wild goats-Thars,Bharals and Markhars ,grazing nonchalantly.

As we started our thrilling journey through the jungle seeing various animals at various nook and corner,we sometimes went over short streams with an warning from the guide that -we should be careful, as the crocodiles are nearby.Order was-total silence and no sticking out of our limbs lest they are lost unnecessarily.The whole forest was divided into Himalayan jungle,African jungle,Tropical rain forest,South American jungle,Indian jungle and Malayan jungle.Some of the close contacts were worth remembering such as Indian Lions,Malayan Tigers,Hynahhs,Tepirs and Bisons.We saw a number of animals in open ----free and wild.

The Tram then stopped at the only Halt,at East Lodge.We were told that those who would like a walk in the jungle can go for a Forest trail called Leopard trail-a 20 minutes walk.We can catch a tram,after the trail, back again.We three Bongs were always forthcoming for the adventure thrills.We had a cup of coffee in east lodge atmidst African songs and Drums.We could hear the roars of lions at a nearby distance.The toilets here were again unique,set atmidst a forest with one side having no wall and looking to the forest,directly.It really gives a creep.You can distinctly hear the roars clearly.

The Leopard trail started with going through big iron meshed gates,two at a time.Once you enter the first,it automatically gets locked and the other one opens before you.I can't describe the trail-it was so thrilling with sighting of various animals, by walk, and suddenly you find the big cats-Leopards resting under a tree.Your heart skips a heartbeat.

We came back from the trail and caught another tram.At base station ,we witnessed an unique Animal Show called Creatures of the Night show.Beautifully trained animals performed before us with a theme on conservation of animals and nature.I specially can't forget the feats of a Puma-a South American lion and the escape of a very big and thick Python amongst the spectators.But that is another story.....

It was really an unique experience in life.

------88888-----