#newly open

Seeing a small crowd ahead of us, we took a shortcut by walking over the bouncy nettings to the other side. Two male Red-shanked Douc Langurs 🐒 (Pygathrix nemaeus) were sitting on the railing posing for the cameras and handphones. They looked like old men in grey suit, brown pants and white sleeve.

Before we make our way into the dark cave interior, remember to look up and check out the silhouette of the Sun Bear Profile Rocks. There were also underground lakes and limestone pools teeming with Soro Brook Carps (Neolissochilus soroides) and Blind Cave Fishes. 🐟

A little further inside, Cave Racer Snakes (Elaphe taeniura) or beauty rat snakes 🐍 might just fall from the ceiling onto you! Wander through captivating sections like the Drunken Forest and Racer Cave, and uncover the geological magic of flowstones, mineral deposits, and formations shaped over millennia!

Me and my two colleagues decided to explore the new attraction together. Scanning the QR code from our e-ticket at the entrance, we were greeted with a mist filled Entrance Gorge. At the other end is a pond with Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus) and Southern River Terrapin in it.

Immediately, we were presented with two choices, Elevated Walkway on the left or Forest Treks on the right. We decide to venture off the beaten path and proceeded onto the Log Crossing Trek which is approximately 100m long. Trekking into the undergrowth, we soon discovered that there were no animals to be seen if we stay on the forest floor so we headed upstairs.

Even though we were holed up in the food court due to the rain, there were snake, squirrels and birds to be seen from within. The Prevost’s Squirrels or Asian tri-coloured squirrel 🐿️ (Callosciurus prevostii) were actively jumping from the tree and running along the rope. Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) on the other hand were taking cover under the leaves of the tree. Was stranded in the food court for close to an hour before I rendezvous with the other “lost” group of colleagues who were in the other bus. By then the sky had cleared up and we continued with the exploration.

As we have decided to go for lunch, we just follow the pathway toward the restaurant. On the way, we spotted one tired Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) sleeping peacefully from the elevated walkway above. In Singapore we have had a few sightings of wild tapir swimming over from Malaysia and running about. These illegal immigrants toured the country for a few days then swam back across the strait.

Bird's-eye view of the Saltwater Crocodile 🐊 (Crocodylus porosus). Males can grow up to a weight of 1,000–1,500 kg (2,200–3,300 lb) and a length of 6 m (20 ft) and is the largest living reptile. We didn’t go over the suspended bridge as it means taking a different route.

Along the way to see the tigers, we also spotted deers but they were kind of elusive and hidden under the trees and shrubs. We mistook the sleeping Dhole (Cuon alpinus) for a fox. Also known as the Asiatic Wild Dog 🐕 or Indian Wild Dog, they are highly social animal living in a pack comprising 6 to 17 animals.

At the Rock Cascade display area, one can go up the Predator Trek or continue along the elevated walkway. If you are lucky, one can spot a Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) walking inside the netted path next to you. In the tiger 🐅 enclosure, there are bodies of water and cascading waterfalls.

Two people ordered the Stone Age Burger (S$20++) with angus beef patty, cheese, red onion, pickles and coated straight-cut fries. Although I did not get to try the burger, I was given some fries and it was well flavoured and crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.

Both my two colleagues next to me had the Stone-Cut Schnitzel (S$28++) which is deep-fried tenderized pork loin cutlet with sour potato salad, cranberry compote and lemon. They finished every bit on the plate, so must be good.

Colleague’s family had this Cave Smoked Rib (S$36++) to share. 500 grams of pork rib barbecued to perfection and glazed with BBQ sauce. Came with a side of pickled cucumbers. She told me it was very good so you will have to take her words for it. :D.

My Charcoal-Grilled Spring Chicken (S$28++) was the last to be served, but it was worth the wait. A juicy and succulent whole spring chicken grilled to a mouthwatering goodness, covered in lightly spicy peri-peri sauce. Gave the lemon a squeeze to release the juice which helps to cut down the greasiness and add acidity.

Since we still have more than a hour to waste before the bus will arrive to ferry us back, colleagues suggested we go have a drink. We had exited the park and wander around the vicinity looking for a place to hang out. One colleague said she wanted to drink Masala Tea so we went to an Indian Restaurant. Other than the two of us who ordered Masala Tea, the others did not enjoy their tea which is either too sweet or tasteless or both. No tea pictures to show but we found many Torch Ginger Flowers (Etlingera elatior) blooming along the way and Waterfall.

And just in time for lunch as we stepped into the Cavern Restaurant, Singapore’s first and only restaurant in a cave setting inspired by the Mulu Caves in Sarawak. The place is already packed with diners but kudos to the wait staff for getting tables for our big group of nine people. The dining hall is dimly lit with LED table lamps so ordering took some time to complete as some of us cannot see clearing in the dim lighting.