Monday, July 13, 2009

Places to visit in Singapore


Some of the places are there that should not be missed while in Singapore. Some of them are randomly selected and mentioned below.

Jurong Bird Park: Singapore Jurong Bird Park is the real break from materialistic world in Singapore. After visiting lots of restaurants and shopping malls in Singapore this bird park will really leave you a refreshing mood. This is the largest open-concept bird park in the Asia Pacific. Here you can see not less than 600 species of birds. Air-conditioned Panorail is there to take you to a joyful ride of the park. A fantastic Penguin Exhibit can be enjoyed along with an underwater viewing gallery. World class bird show can be viewed in this bird park.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens: Singapore Botanic Garden is the most interesting and also most visited place. The scenic and lush park spread over almost 52 hectares of land right in the heart of the Singapore city.

You can access the garden from the Cluny Road and also Holland road. This park is a great spot for people where excellent picnic can be arranged. Exotic variety of flora can be enjoyed which are present from different climatic conditions.

The Singapore Zoo: Most of the tourists in Singapore are attracted to the Singapore Zoo. Mostly kids enjoy the place like anything. The open landscape and spaciousness is really worth enjoyable. Various animals are kept in good condition in this zoological garden. You can see polar bears, white tigers and Asian elephants, etc. Another tourist attraction of this place is Singapore Night Safari. The Night Safari is the world’s first such attraction. You can watch wildlife on a 45-minute tram ride in the zoo.

Sentosa: This is a island situated at eth south of main Singapore island. This is also a worth visiting place where Sentosa beach resort is present. This is ideal place to spend a good time like reading a good book.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Exotic destinations in Singapore

Singapore is a lovely place where you can enjoy a lot. Whether you have come for a business trip or a family vacation Singapore has everything to attract you. Some of the places are there which are highly recommended to visit when you are here. Singapore has headquarters for many multinational companies and that is why the country organizes various meetings and conferences. Singapore also arranges fashion shows every year where various glamorous people come and enjoy the show. Because of all these and much more Singapore is regarded as an important tourist’s destination. Here I am mentioning about one of the important destinations where many people love to go and enjoy the beauty.

Mount Faber Park: Mount Faber Park is one of the oldest parks in Singapore. The beauty of this place is awesome. You can enjoy the picturesque view of the busy city skyline and also harbour view from here. This park is also a favourite spot for the lovers who want to spend some quality time together. They just linger and whisper nothings to each other. If you want to spend some serene time this is the right place for you.

Sometimes you might have to trek up and do a little bit of workout to get those good dark look-out spots for a romantic escape. But overall it is an excellent experience spending time with your loved ones. If you see the mural wall that portraying scenes of local history, you will feel historical. Trek up a little to the top, you could see the first plant which was planted during the very first Tree Planting Day. The view is good and you are really going to enjoy it.

You can see fireworks from one of the new and beautiful buildings in Singapore. The Jewel Box is located here at Mount Faber. The Jewel Box resembles a musical jewel box that offers you the best and wonderful variety of restaurants and bars. The ambiance is cozy and perfect for the couples. If you like thrills and excitement, take a cable car ride to Sentosa Island. You can also sky- dine while you enjoy the view with wonder.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Lover’s spots in Singapore

Singapore can boast of some excellent lover’s spots. Two spots are mentioned below where you can take your partner and I am telling you, you won’t repent for choosing the locations.

Roaming in glass top boats along Singapore River: The white Glass Top Boat is waiting for you. Just cruise down the Singapore River. Spend some excellent moments with your loved ones on the historic river of Singapore. You can treasure it in your lifetime. This is an exciting and reviving ride which no one can forget ever. You can see some modern high skyscraper buildings, along with many shop houses. Government buildings with a tinge of the colonial legacy will remind you of Singapore’s past. You can have a look to Singapore’s very own water-sprouting Merlion from close. You can also enjoy a nice meal in the boat. According to me spending time with loved ones is very important and here you can get the opportunity with so many other attractions.

The glass top boat is fully air conditioned. Yummy traditional cuisines will be served to you that include a nice buffet dinner with a glassful of wine. Usually it could cost up to a price of S$75 nett per person. The more exciting part is you can gaze at stars while sailing on the Singapore River.

Anderson Bridge: Anderson Bridge is opened since 1910. This was to replace the congested Cavenagh Bridge as it was unable to manage the increasing traffic. Lovers love to be there as they can spend some serene time just by gazing at the moon or look at their reflections on the waters. There are some popular dating spots present along the river. In earlier days, when lovers got tired, they used to seat on beaches and have some hawker food sold along the Singapore.

On ‘Chap Goh Mei’, i.e. the last day of Chinese New Year that also represents the Chinese Valentine’s Day, the ladies throw some oranges into the river and likewise, men throw some apples. This is done in order to search of a good partner. This tradition is still flourishing in some parts of Malaysia. They also attach along their names and mobile numbers to these oranges.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Some romantic location in Singapore

Singapore is the place which you can choose as your honeymoon destination. Honeymoon is something which you want to remember in the rest of your life. This is the time when you know your spouse from the core. So choosing destination for honeymoon is really tough. You should be careful enough and think about both of yours choice and likings. In my opinion Singapore could be your choice. You will get different opportunities to get closer to your partner. You can choose to spend time in a cozy corner in your hotel room or you can also go out to see the mesmerizing beauty of the city. I am sharing one of my unique experiences while in Singapore.

Just think that you are above 70 metres sea level. Try to think something crazy, think that you are having dinner with your loved ones in the cable car there. How would you feel? I am telling this would be the unforgettable moment of your life. The location is extended from Mount Faber to the sunny island of Sentosa, which could be the ideal location for you to show love for your partner.

The dinner menus can have a dear starting price of S$88 to over S$160. This is just for 2 adults. If you are planning the kids to accompany you it would be little costly. Children menu are available at S$20. Some excellent dishes prepared by some expert chefs will be served to you. If you are vegetarian, some unique dishes are waiting. You would just love to dine at this place and remind me. You can make your dish customized. The chefs are very friendly and very famous for their continental and western cooking.

The sky dining will be available only from 6.30pm to 8.30pm from Monday to Sunday. It is advisable to book one day advance for weekday dining session. In case it is weekend packages please try to book two days in advance.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Singapore Profile

In earlier days Singapore was a British trading colony. Singapore is known as one of the world’s most well-to-do countries. Its ports are the busiest in the world. It can also be mentioned that its per capita GDP is larger than those of the leading nations of Western Europe. Singapore is actually an island situated in southeastern Asia. This is located between Malaysia and Indonesia the area of which can be measured as 42 km by 23 km. The country has a tropical climate with a relatively uniform temperature in the whole year.

The total population of Singapore can be noted as 4.2 million. This is growing at a rate of 3.54 percent. The majority has been occupied by Chinese people and the rate is 76.9 percent of the total population. This is followed by Indians, Malays, and other ethnic groups as well. In Singapore, the official languages are Tamil, Malay, and English. English is the official language of administration in the country. In schools also English is must language.

Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system of government and also an elected president. The business environment is remarkably open and also free of corruption in Singapore. The market can boasts of stable prices and the fifth highest per capita GDP in the world. The economy of Singapore is mainly driven by exports and services. In education and technology, the government invests heavily in Singapore.


Singapore is positioning itself as the region’s high-tech hub which is financially strong in an increasingly global future. The success of Singapore’s economy depends on a number of factors. These are political and social stability, strategic location, a pro-business government, thrift and industry, and investment in infrastructure. In Singapore you can get regional headquarters of many multinational corporations. They use the country as the home base to hit nearby emerging markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Singapore identification details

Some of the common points are there which are really useful if someone is interested to know about Singapore. These are listed below:

Identification: The name of the place ‘Singapore’ has been derived from Singa-pura i.e. ‘City of the Lion’. This has become a commonly used term since the fourteenth century. The main cultural traditions are Indian, Malay, Chinese, and to some extent Western or British. The different communities living in Singapore do not believe in sharing their culture. Rather they consider themselves parts of a whole. This nature can be illustrated by giving a reference to a popular local dish, Rojak. This is actually a salad in which the various ingredients are covered up with the same peanut sauce. The peanut sauce is Singaporean and the other ingredients are from the different cultural traditions.

Symbolism: Political stability and economic prosperity are associated with the national culture. In Singaporean concept this is called kiasu. Kiasu means ‘afraid to lose’ and this refers to the wish to come in first and should be in lines, negotiations, competitions, and so forth. Some people say kiasu keeps standards high, while some other claim it leads to a graceless society.

Linguistic Affiliation: Singapore is a multilingual state. The national language is Malay. The other four official languages are English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), and Indian (Tamil). English is the administrative language and also the medium of instruction in schools. Pupils choose one of the ‘mother tongues’ from Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. Some sub dialects are also there.

The flag is divided into equal red and white horizontal sections. This symbolizes unity and purity. A white crescent moon and five stars in a circle symbolize a growing nation and the ideals of peace, democracy, justice, progress, and equality as well. The national anthem and national motto are in Malay. Some other symbols are there that draw the distinct ethnic traditions.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Point of reference on Singapore Culture


Singapore can be recognized by many aspects and these are mainly the unique nature of the country.

Location and Geography: The location of Singapore can be described as the place lies at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. The borders are Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Singapore’s total area is measured as 248 square miles i.e. in actual 642 square kilometers. The total area includes the main island and around sixty islets. The main island of the country is flat. But in the middle part there is a hilly region. The highest point is Bukit Timah. This is placed at 206 meters high above sea level. The climate is usually tropical with very high humidity. Abundant rainfall can be seen and especially during the northeast monsoon i.e. in December to March. The period of the southwest monsoon i.e. in the month June to September is usually the driest.

The main island of Singapore is fully urbanized. To the south to it, there is a dense commercial city center. Around the city center there are new townships. These townships house about 86 percent of the population. The townships are self-possessed and have high-rise apartment blocks along with shops, medical stores, amusement parks and social service buildings. You can also get religious buildings i.e. temples, schools and community halls in those townships. They are well connected by the Mass Rapid Transport System i.e. MRT. This circles the island with good frequency.

Demography: Singapore has inhabitants of about three million. Out of which 2.7 million are citizens and also permanent residents. Foreign workers are counted as the other three hundred thousand. The Chinese constitute about 78 percent, the Indians 7 percent, the Malays 14 percent, and others comprise 1 percent of the population. The ethnic composition of the population has been moderately steady.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Experience to travel to Singapore


Singapore offers various attractions to the visitor. Cultural melting pot is the real reason for region’s economic successes. First time visitors find the place very interesting for its exquisite beauty, wealth and many other attractive aspects. Singapore can be called as a city-state in Southeast Asia. This was founded as a British trading colony in the year 1819. But since independence it has become one of the world’s most affluent countries. This part of the world also sports the world’s busiest port. Singapore is the abode of high-rises, exotic food, vibrant nightlife, interesting shopping, and tropical climate. This city is the combination of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences. This city is usually called as the garden city which is a great stopover for the travelers.

The previous British trading placement and colony has imprinted a unique niche for itself in its two short centuries of existence. Even today it offers a vivid blend of ultra-modern buildings, remnants of tropical rainforest and also colorful ethnic urban areas. Each of these is very typical to Singapore. Singapore is very famous for its cleanliness. Sometimes the place is also criticized for its petty regulations e.g. banning of chewing gum. This can also named as the world’s one of the safest places to visit. But if you can forget the sanitized reputation of Singapore for sometime, Singapore is anything but dull. Travelers have enough choice to make them happy. The rich cultural mix of the place is real worth to see. Planet’s best culinary experiences can be shared. Singapore is a heady mixture of the familiar and the exotic and also veritable feast for the senses. The place suits all strata’s budget and presents a happy collision of opposites. You can have grand and expensive accommodation at the famed Raffles Hotel, whereas low-key and cheap can be enjoyed in the food markets of Bugis Junction and Clarke Quay. But of course these are also very good as well as comfortable.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Points to keep in mind while reaching Singapore


You don’t need to have a visa to enter Singapore. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority can show the guidelines and it includes a list of the thirty plus nationalities and they required to obtain a visa in advance. In most of the cases entry permit duration is 14 or 30 days and for US citizens it is 90 days. We can say that it depends on nationality and entry point. Singapore has extremely strict drug laws. Often it is seen that the drug trafficking carries a compulsory death penalty. Foreigners also includes in the list. The capital punishment is same if you are just transiting like changing flight without the need to clear passport control and also customs. Bringing in explosives or firearms without a permit is also regarded as capital offence in Singapore. The travelers should take care of his or her luggage.

If you are in any medical treatment carry your prescription. In Singapore, it is an offence even to have any drug substances in your system, even if they were consumed outside Singapore. Customs give little extra attention to the hippies. But getting a shave and a haircut is no longer a condition for entry. Duty free allowances for alcohol are 1 L of wine, 1 L of spirits, and 1 L of beer per person. If you are entering from Malaysia, the process is different as there is no duty free allowance. Alcohol may not be brought in by any person if he or she is under the age of 18. The point should be noted that cigarettes cannot be brought in duty free. One opened packet, I mean just a packet not a carton is acceptable. But anything more than that will come under taxation. In Singapore you can feel free if maintaining little rules and regulations.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Rules to be maintained in Singapore


While visiting Singapore, you have to keep some points in mind and these are very useful. Visa is not that important but the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority will clarify you whether you need a visa or not because they have a list of the countries which do require a visa in advance. Adult people i.e. aged more than eighteen can carry alcohol and that too one liter of wine, one liter of beer and one liter of spirits per person. Person coming from Malaysia will not get this facility.

You can also bring cigarette but this is not duty free. You can carry only one packet. More than that is taxable in Singapore. Foreigners have to pay tax in every case. They can opt to pay the tax or let the customs officers keep the cigarettes until the next departure. Locals sometimes get to choose between paying and witnessing the cigarettes being destroyed. You should also note that bringing in chewing gum is illegal in Singapore. But sometimes it is noted that customs officers are not bother with a few sticks for personal consumption as long as you are discreet about it.

From Singapore, you can buy electronic goods in cheaper rate than in Western countries. Laptops, camera, mobile phones are really cheaper in Singapore. Pirated goods, pornography, and publications by the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Unification Church may not be imported to Singapore, and baggage is scanned at land and sea entry points. Theoretically it can be said that all entertainment media including movies and video games must be sent to the Board of Censors for approval before they can be brought into Singapore. But in actual it is rare in practice if ever enforced for original or non-pirated goods.