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| Free to roam turtles |
We purchased our tickets along with a bunch of long beans ($2) and entered the garden. As Kate approached the pond, the turtles seemed to know she was bearing food and started climbing out of the pond towards her. Seeing an army of turtles advancing, she ran away terrified!
Relating the story to the older kids at dinner, they were amused, “What kid is afraid of turtles? Kate, as-slow-as-a-turtle, you know?”
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| Hungry turtles |
We moved away to the tortoises kept in the enclosures and she felt much safer. She fed them by dangling the beans and dropping them when they opened their mouths.
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| First time feeding tortoises |
There are many different species of turtles housed in the tanks, and several strange looking ones like this pig-nosed turtle that I pointed out, but she was hardly interested in the amazing facts I was reading out to her.
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| Pig nosed turtle |
She much preferred the open garden, and went back to look for the bigger turtles and tortoises. I encouraged her to go nearer, but she kept a good distance, thinking they might crawl to her very quickly like the small ones in the pond.
I demonstrated how to stick the long beans out, and we watched the turtle chomp on it.
Kate tried to be brave, and edged closer and closer, but chickened out and threw the beans from a safe distance before backing off. I was amused watching her doing that repeatedly.
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| “Here, for you!” |
It was rather hot at 4pm, but Kate thought we were on an adventure and gayly explored the place. She found a (really) little cave and called out to me excitedly to come explore with her. City kids.
She asked to buy another round of beans and spent the rest of the time simply watching the turtles, as they climbed on top of one another to get to the food.
We spent more than an hour there and I’m happy that she is still at the stage where it does not take much to keep her entertained. I’m sure the older kids would have walked one round, fed 1 or 2 turtles, and ask to leave after 10 minutes complaining that it is “too boring”.
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| Live Turtle Museum |
In fact, Kate loved the experience so much that we went back to feed her “turtle friends” 2 more times!
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| Getting braver.. |
She managed to face her fears, and hung on to the beans instead of dropping them quickly. On our third visit, I was surprised when she wanted to challenge herself and finally dared to touch the ambling tortoise.
She was exclaiming jubilently, “I touched the shell! I touched the shell!”
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| and braver! |
We bought a cold ribena from the auntie manning the entrance (she sells drinks and ice-cream) and sat here enjoying the silence and serenity.
Just what my soul needed, to wind down from a hectic week.
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| Great spot for ‘me time’ |
The Chinese Garden is now top on my list of favourite outdoor spaces to unwind with the kids. They even have lovely picnic spots!
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| Garden picnic |
The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum is located within the Chinese Garden, near the entrace. Just walk up this slope and it’s housed in the pavillion in the background.
Do check out the Japanese garden that is next to Chinese garden. There is a tree full of egrets nest. Watch out for monitor lizards while you are there!
Oh really? That would be interesting for Kate to see. Yes, the Japanese garden is somewhere on my list of gardens to visit. Thanks for the tip!