Lumos Maxima

Anshika Nagar Thought a Visit to Singapore Zoo Couldn’t Get Any Better Till She Checked Out Its 45thanniversary Attraction— Rainforest Lumina

Vines glittering off an arch lead me to an ethereal forest. I walk under the canopy and across a bridge with a stream gently flowing beneath. It may seem like I am dreaming, but in fact, I am at Rainforest Lumina, Singapore Zoo’s latest seasonal attraction.

Upon reaching the centre of a circle, I am surrounded by the posters of the stars of the show I’m here for—the Creature Crew. Each member represents a certain quality—courage, creativity, playfulness, etc. You are supposed to choose the one you relate to the most. So, I take a wristband from a basket in front of the poster which I think represents me the most.

Even if you have been to Singapore Zoo before, at night, when the animals have retreated and the one kilometre stretch is transformed by lights and music, it feels alien. Divided into 11 sections, the multimedia walk projects the Creature Crew at some of the exhibits. The walk features no real animals and the zoo ensures they are not disturbed.

Though one can tell where technology meets an installation, I would suggest you unsee it. Believing everything is real makes the journey magical. Believe the flowers are shimmering and the pathways are filled with real fireflies, and not strategically positioned, flickering beams of light.