World Of Tourism

Having undergone a spectacular facelift as a national heritage site, CHIJMES (pronounced “chimes”) is now a popular dining, shopping and entertainment site. CHIJMES Hall, the restored chapel, provides a breath-taking backdrop for musicals, recitals, theatrical performances and weddings.

Formerly one of the last few cloistered convents in the world, the fine gothic architecture is a favourite theme among photographers.


Open
Food and beverage outlets: 11.00 am till late (daily)
Shops and boutiques: 11.00 am - 10.00 pm (daily)

Location
30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996

Tel
(65) 6336 1818

Fax
(65) 6334 3801



Getting There
Take the MRT to City Hall Station (EW13/NS25). Walk along Stamford Road and turn right at the junction of Stamford Road and Victoria Street. Click here to view MRT route map.


Accessibility for the physically disabled
The following information is obtained from Access Singapore.



1. Entrance facing Victoria Street - Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
2. Entrance facing Raffles City - Access by kerb ramp. Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
3. Entrance facing Bras Basah Road - Accessible to ambulant-disabled. Steps/Kerb (No ramp provided).
4. Reserved disabled car park lot - Basement 2. Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
5. Accessibility within the premises - Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may be required.
6. Lifts - Located at the Gallery with access to Basement 1, Level 1 and 2. However, the Gallery is not accessible to the disabled. Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
7. Public toilets for the disabled located at Level 1 (East Manor) - Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
8. Public toilets for the disabled located at Level 1 (West Manor) - Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
9. Public toilets for the disabled located at Basement 1 (West Manor) - Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
10. Eating outlets - Kerb at the entrance is found at most restaurants. Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
11. Public telephone - Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
12. Taxi stand - Nil

Care to meet the President in his home? If you’re lucky, you just might! The Istana (or “palace” in Malay) is the official residence of the President of Singapore and just five times a year, its gates are open to members of the public.


Built on an old nutmeg plantation, the Istana was the former official residence of the representative of the British Crown. Classical in style, the Istana is a magnificent building with multiple design influences, from the ornate Victorian Renaissance to the Roman Classical, with Gothic, Chinese and Malay touches. The sprawling grounds and manicured gardens contain rare plants lovingly cared for by superintendents of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

In computing, a JAR file (or Java ARchive) file used to distribute a set of Java classes. It is used to store compiled Java classes and linked metadata that can constitute a program.

* WAR (file format) (Web Application aRchive) files are also Java archives which store XML files, java classes, Java Server Pages and other objects for Web Applications.
* EAR (file format) (Enterprise ARchive) files are also Java archives which store XML files, java classes and other objects for Enterprise Applications.
* RAR (file format) (Resource Adapter aRchive) files are also Java archives which store XML files, java classes and other objects for J2EE Connector Architecture (JCA) applications.

JAR files can be created and extracted using the "jar" command that comes with the JDK. It can be done using zip tools, but as WinZip has a habit of renaming all-uppercase directories and files in lower case, this can raise support calls with whoever shaped the JAR or the tool authors themselves. WinRAR, on the other hand, retains the original case of filenames.

A JAR file has a manifest file located in the path META-INF/MANIFEST.MF. The entries in the manifest file determine how the JAR file will be used. JAR files which are intended to be executed as standalone programs will have one of their classes specified as the "main" class. The manifest file would have an entry such as
Main-Class: myPrograms.MyClass

Such JAR files are typically started with a command similar to

java -jar foo.jar

These files can also include a Classpath entry, which identifies other JAR files to be loaded with the JAR. This entry consists of a list of absolute or relative paths to other JAR files. Although intended to simplify JAR use, in practice, it turns out to be notoriously brittle as it depends on all the relevant JARs being in the exact locations specified when the entry-point JAR was built. To change versions or locations of libraries, a new manifest is needed.

San Sebastian is the undisputed queen of Basque resorts, with its chic La Concha Bay resort. The deep and sparkling still aqua of the bay and beautiful beach area bounded by lush, rolling hills has drawn celebrities and sun lovers to the mild winters and hot summers for generations.

The Basque cuisine is famous within Spain and arguably it is where you will find the best food. Much of this fame comes from San Sebastian and its bars and restaurants. Although tapas were invented in Andalucia they became perfected in San Sebastian and a walk through the old town before lunch time with its many bars shows why. Each bar is bursting with tapas and they look very delicate. Tapas are generally enjoyed together with a glass of wine or a small beer, and the Spanish tradition suggests to have one tapa and a wine in one bar and move on to the next bar. A lot of people will substitute dining out on a main meal for Tapas. A Tapa Crawl allows you to enjoy as many plates as you want and most possibly in different bars and restaurants subsequently enjoying a more varied culinary experience. If you want 'real' food then that is where San Sebastian can be very very good. You can find several different cuisines such Chinese, German, Galicien, Italian and of course the obvious Basque cuisine. A great place to eat out is around the harbour area, specially if fresh sea food is to your taste, there are also more simple harbour taverns to enjoy.

Gary

http://spainguides.com/

Singapore - Activities

Shopping
A favourite pastime for residents and visitors alike. There are masses of modern malls and shopping cities as well as the more unusual ethnic shops in Chinatown and Little India with their street stalls and markets.

Bowling
Singapore has over 200 bowling centres. Most bowling centres are open until the early hours, some are 24-hour centres.

Cycling
Cycle paths link many parts of the island. Bikes can be hired at East Coast Park and on Sentosa Island, mountain bikes are available on Pulau Ubin.

Water sports
Water-skiing, windsurfing and sailing are widely available and equipment is easily hired. The Kallang River to the east of the city has hosted international water-skiing tournaments. Round-the-island canoe trips are popular starting from Changi Point, East Coast Park and Sentosa Island. A number of diving schools run courses and offer day and night diving in local waters and nearby Malaysian waters.

Beaches
The most popular beaches are at East Coast Park and on Sentosa Island. There are lots of activities on offer, but they do get busy. There's a smaller beach at Changi Point from which kayaks can be rented. Kusu and St. John's Islands offer quiet swimming lagoons and the cleanest beaches.

The night boat
An interesting way to see the city at night is by taking a boat trip on the Singapore River. Trips which run from Clarke Quay and Raffles Place include a commentary on the history of places passed.

Exploring Malaysia
Singapore makes a good base for exploring the mainland to which it's linked by a causeway. There are regular bus and train services to many of the large cities.

Singapore - The Facts

Area: 255 square miles
Population: 4 million
Language: There are four official languages. Malay is the national language, English the official government administrative language, Mandarin and Tamil are also spoken. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and English is widely understood.
Currency: Singapore dollar.
Weather: Hot and humid. The daily temperature is between 23 and 31 degrees centigrade and the average humidity is 84 %.

Chewing gum cannot be brought into Singapore, even for personal use. It was banned because of the mess it creates. Eating on public transport, dropping litter and smoking in public places are all fineable offences. This is a clean and well ordered place.

The Singapore Sling is made up of are gin, Cointreau, cherry brandy, Benedictine, pineapple juice, Grenadine, Angoustura bitters and limes. It was first served in 1915 at the Raffles Hotel.
More babies are born in October than any other month of the year.
English is the most commonly used language but the national anthem 'Majulah Singapura' is sung in Malay.

Visitor Information

The long arm of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) reaches many overseas audiences through its branch offices, which will gladly provide brochures and booklets to help you plan your trip, and through its website, at www.visitsingapore.com.

After you arrive in Singapore, several Visitors' Centres are staffed to assist, beginning with information desks at the Arrival Halls in Terminals 1 and 2 at Changi Airport, open daily from 6am to 2am. Other Visitors' Centres are located in the city as follows: at the junction of Orchard and Cairnhill roads (cattycorner from the Meritus Mandarin Hotel), open daily from 8am to 10:30pm; on the first floor of Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd. (near Ghoby Ghaut MRT), open daily from 10am to 10pm; and on Level 1 at the Liang Court Shopping Centre, 177 River Valley Rd. (near Clarke Quay), open daily from 10am to 10pm.

STB operates a 24-hour information hot line that is toll-free within Singapore at 1800-736-2000. By in large STB has up-to-date information, but if you need accurate information about travel timetables, I recommend you call respective airlines, ferry services, bus companies, or train stations directly.

Online Traveler's Toolbox

Veteran travelers usually carry some essential items to make their trips easier. Following is a selection of online tools to bookmark and use.

Cybercafes.com (www.cybercafes.com) or Net Café Guide (www.netcafeguide.com/mapindex.htm). Locate Internet cafes at hundreds of locations around the globe. Catch up on your e-mail and log onto the web for a few dollars per hour.

Foreign Languages for Travelers (www.travlang.com). Learn basic terms in more than 70 languages and click on any underlined phrase to hear what it sounds like. Note: Free audio software and speakers are required.

Intellicast (www.intellicast.com) and Weather.com (www.weather.com). Give weather forecasts for all 50 states and for cities around the world.

Mapquest (www.mapquest.com). This best of the mapping sites lets you choose a specific address or destination, and in seconds, it will return a map and detailed directions.

Universal Currency Converter (www.xe.net/currency). See what your dollar or pound is worth in more than 100 other countries.

U.S. State Department Travel Warnings (www.travel.state.gov). Reports on places where health concerns or unrest might threaten U.S. travelers. It also lists the locations of U.S. embassies around the world.

Visa ATM Locator (www.visa.com) for locations of Plus ATMs worldwide, or MasterCard ATM Locator (www.mastercard.com) for locations of Cirrus ATMs worldwide.

When to Go

A steady supply of business travelers keep occupancy rates high year round in Singapore, however, some hotels report that business travel gets sluggish during the months of July and August, when they target the leisure market more aggressively. This is probably your best time to negotiate a favorable rate. Peak season for travel falls between December and June, with "super-peak" beginning in mid-December and lasting through the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls in January or February, depending on the moon's cycle. During this season, Asian travel routes are booked solid and hotels are maxed out. Favorable deals are rare, because most of Asia takes annual leave at this time.

The Chinese Lunar New Year presents problems and opportunities for travelers. On the one hand, it's the biggest holiday for the Chinese, who make up the majority of Singaporeans, so you'll get a chance to see fun street markets, festive decorations, curious traditions, and the popular Chingay Parade. On the other hand, in the weeks leading up to the holiday, prices for everyday items are grossly inflated -- don't shop before Chinese New Year! -- and Chinatown turns into a swarming sea of panic stricken last-minute shoppers. Then on the first day of the holiday, virtually everything Chinese closes -- eateries, shops, businesses. Forget about it! Most reopen on the third day of the holiday, but many choose to stay closed for the full 2 weeks, the traditional amount of time for Chinese to observe this holiday. Not to fear! If you're in Singapore for the holiday, your hotel will still be serving meals, and you can always trek down to Little India or Kampong Gelam for some tasty Indian or Malay eats.

As for weather, because Singapore is 137km (82 miles) north of the equator, you can pretty much guarantee that it's hot. In terms of seasonal variations, you've got some months that are not as warm as others, but for the most part, they're all still hot.

What does vary greatly is rainfall. Singapore lies between two monsoon winds. The Northeast Monsoon arrives the beginning of November and stays until mid-March, when temperatures are slightly cooler, relatively speaking, than other times of the year. The heaviest rainfall occurs between November and January, with daily showers that sometimes last for long periods of time; at other times, it comes down in short heavy gusts and goes quickly away. Wind speeds are rarely anything more than light. The Southwest Monsoon falls between June and September. Temperatures are much higher and, interestingly, it's during this time of year that Singapore gets the least rain (with the very least reported in July).

By in large, year-round temperatures remain uniform, with a daily average of 81°F (27°C), afternoon temperatures reaching as high as 87°F (31°C), and an average sunrise temperature as low as 75°F (24°C). Relative humidity often exceeds 90% at night and in the early morning. Even on a "dry" afternoon, don't expect it to drop much below 60%. (The daily average is 84% relative humidity.)

Holidays

In recent years Singapore has also been building up the Chingay Parade, a colorful procession of floats, marching bands, acrobats and dancers, martial artists, and stilt-walkers who perform en parade through the downtown area. Contact the STB to find out which day they will host the parade during your visit. There are 11 official public holidays: New Year's Day (Jan 1), Hari Raya Haji (Jan 10 and Dec 31, 2006; and Dec 20, 2007), Chinese New Year (Jan 29, 2006; Feb 18, 2007) or Lunar New Year (2 days), Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day (May 22, 2005; May 12, 2006; and May 1, 2007), National Day, Hari Raya Puasa (Nov 3, 2005; Oct 24, 2006; and Oct 13, 2007), Deepavali (Nov 1, 2005; Oct 21, 2006; and Nov 9, 2007), and Christmas Day (Dec 25). On these days, expect government offices, banks, and some shops to be closed.

Ringing in the New Year, Chinese-Style--Chinese New Year, a 15-day celebration of the new year according to the lunar calendar, is the most important festival of the Chinese culture and a huge occasion in Singapore. It was originally called Chun Kie, or Spring Festival, to celebrate the passing of winter and spring's promise of a fertile and prosperous growing season. In modern times, it's still seen as a chance to put the past behind and start afresh, with new hopes for prosperity, health, and luck. During the celebration, homes and businesses display large red banners with the characters Gong Xi Fa Cai, which mean "Wishing you great prosperity." You'll also witness lion dances outside businesses to attract good luck, staged by troupes of young men who don the traditional lion costume and perform an age-old dance to accompanying drum and cymbal clashes.

Outside private homes, the Chinese hang the character fu, which means luck. The fu is usually hung upside down because in Chinese the words for "luck upside down" sound similar to the words "luck arrives." Red, the most auspicious color according to the Chinese, is predominant in banners and is the color of hong bao, packets of money given to children and single young adults by parents and married friends. Oranges and tangerines are given as gifts, symbolizing gold and luck both in their colors and according to Chinese puns. Also important are noisy firecrackers, which are believed to ward off evil spirits and serve (through their noise) as a sign of life. Unfortunately, firecrackers are banned in Singapore, so you won't find much of that going on.

New Year's Day, the first day of celebration, can fall anywhere between mid-January to end of February. In preparation for New Year's Day, the Chinese pay off old debts, because debt is believed to lead to bad luck in the coming year if not taken care of, and clean their homes, sweeping the floors in a symbolic clearing away of old misfortunes. All cleaning is done before New Year's Day because to sweep on this day would be to clear away good luck. Most go so far as to hide the broom. New Year's Eve is the night of the Reunion Dinner, where family members put on bright new clothes (red colors are best), get together, and invite the spirits of deceased ancestors to gather for a meal. The central dish of the feast is the yu sheng, a raw fish salad. Once placed on the table, everyone gathers around the yu sheng, digs in with their chopsticks, and tosses the salad high -- the higher you toss the better your luck.

If you are visiting Singapore around Chinese New Year, there are a few things to note. Shopping leading up to the holiday is insane. The streets of Chinatown are a mob scene, with people chasing last minute holiday goodies. Crowds are thick and queues are long. Prices are also inflated for things like haircuts, clothing, traditional foods, and decorations -- not a good time to come looking for bargains.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, most businesses let their staff off early to prepare for the Reunion Dinner -- this is when crowds are thickest. However, expect Singapore to be a ghost town on the first and second days of the new year, when almost all local businesses, including restaurants, are closed tight. Although folks spend the first and second days visiting friends and family, the third is considered unlucky for socializing, so most return to work. Still, many "Mom and Pop" businesses use this time to take annual leave and will close for a full 15 days. If you find yourself in Singapore during this time, don't panic. Hotel restaurants are always open, and, if worse comes to worst, there's always the ethnic Indian and Malay enclaves at Little India and Kampong Gelam for good food and shopping!

Malaysia Vacation guide is your one stop source of trusted updated information to Visit Malaysia.
Seamless Experience • Endless Choices

Your 'Uniquely Singapore Transit Adventure' awaits you!

A seamless transportation network and an efficient immigration clearance will allow you to reach the city from the award-winning Changi Airport within minutes so as to begin your exploration of Singapore. Best of all, you won’t need to pay airport taxes. An endless blend of modern world and rich cultures beckons and the diverse range of possibilities will leave you enriched, recharged and craving for more! If you prefer to stay within Changi Airport, there will be an abundance of rewarding food, shopping and entertainment experiences. Bring home timeless memories and you’ll be sure to come back for more.

TRANSIT UNDER 4 HOURS TRANSIT MORE THAN 4 HOURS TRANSIT OVER 6 HOURS



A seamless transportation network and efficient immigration clearance will put you in the middle of the action within minutes! Best of all, there are no airport taxes to be paid when you leave the airport to tour Singapore.

Can’t wait to use your time in transit to discover more of Singapore? Visit the Singapore Visitors Centres located at the airport to check out the various travel options to explore Singapore - hop on the Free City Shuttle to town, book a Free Singapore Tour or book a Taxi Tour Guide to show you the sights of the city.

Free City Shuttle to town
If you have at least six hours to spare in transit, hop on our Free City Shuttle to town to discover Singapore's ethnic heritage or opt for the ultimate retail therapy at one of the shopping malls:

Little India - Little India is a centre of Indian culture, commerce and leisure. Try a sari, watch spice grinders mill aromatic spices or have your fortune told by a parakeet, all in a day. Or, visit Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour emporium-cum-department-store which stocks everything — from jewellery and clothes to foodstuffs and electronics — under one roof.

Suntec City – Shopping in Singapore is a truly enjoyable adventure. You can find everything from fashion apparel, consumer electronic items, and computer software at the
popular Suntec City, Marina Square, Millenia Walk, Raffles City and CityLink Mall. The superb connectivity brings miles of uninterrupted shopping and dining under one roof.

Bugis Street - Care has been taken to preserve hints of this area's old-world charm which is inspired by the nostalgic nature of "pasar malam" or night market. This night market atmosphere with sheltered walkway and air-conditioned zones set this ambience abuzz. Experience an eclectic mix of trendy street fashion, cafe, hawker food and services as the street bustles at all times of the day. There is always something for everyone.

Check out the free shuttle schedules to the above places at our Singapore Visitors Centres.


Whisk off on an adventure with your personal licensed taxi tour guide (TTG). Let our dedicated TTG show you the wonders and sights in the city – the way you want it to be! Simply call 6472 7351 to book or approach our Singapore Visitors Centres for assistance.

* Booking of a TTG with normal 3-litre taxi (carries up to 4 pax) : S$35 per hour
* Booking of a TTG with Mercedes LimoCab (carries up to 4 paxs) : S$45 per hour
* Booking of a TTG with MaxiCab (carries up to 6 paxs) : S$45 per hour
* Minimum booking of three hours per TTG

If you have at least five hours to spare in transit, book a free two-hour city tour that brings you around Singapore for a glimpse of what’s in store for you. Simply approach our Singapore Visitors Centres for more information. These tours are run daily at regular timings. Pre-registration is required. Choose from the following tour options:

Colonial Tour
Retrace the fascinating footsteps of Singapore’s colonial past and witness its transformation from a quaint fishing village to a bustling metropolis. See how the past links seamlessly with the future, and the old with the new, as you take a bumboat ride along the scenic Singapore River.

Cultural Tour
Experience a fascinating potpourri of sights, sounds and smells as this tour takes you to the ethnic areas of Chinatown, Kampong Gelam, Little India and Katong to learn about Singapore’s distinctive cultures and custom.

Nutrition is a science which studies the relationship between diet and states of health and disease. Dietitians are Health professionals who are particular in this area of expertise. They are also the only extremely trained health professionals able to provide safe, evidence-based and accurate dietary advice and interventions.

Between extremes of optimal health and death from starvation or malnutrition, there is an array of disease states that can be caused or alleviated by changes in diet. Deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in diet can produce negative impacts on health, which may lead to diseases such as scurvy, obesity or osteoporosis, as well as mental and behavioral problems. Moreover, excessive ingestion of elements that have no apparent role in health, (e.g. lead, mercury, PCBs, dioxins), may incur toxic and potentially lethal belongings, depending on the dose. The science of nutrition attempts to understand how and why exact dietary aspects influence health.

Moonlight HiPPO Adventure offers a 2-in-1 night adventure. It combines Sentosa’s magical musical fountain experience and City Tours. Included in this adventure are thrilling night scenes of Bugis Village, Chinatown, Orchard and Clarke Quay within the 4 hour guided tour.

Open 6 pm to 10 pm (Daily)
Admission SGD $23 (Adult), SGD $13 (Children 3-12 yrs)
Approximate Touring Time 4 hrs duration (guided tour)
Boarding Sentosa, SVC@Suntec City , Animal Farm@Orchard
Ticket Available at Sentosa, SVC@Suntec City, Animal Farm@Orchard, Tourist Information’s Kiosks @ Singapore River, Little India, Chinatown; selected travel agents, hotels and on HiPPObus.
Tel (65) 6-33-TOURS (868-77)
Fax (65) 6-339-3536
Email sales@ducktours.com.sg
Website www.tourist.com.sg

The problem with underfunded short trips to Singapore is they reinforce just how many bars there are that need to be added and after 19 were added on this trip, plenty more supping options presented themselves for future visits.

So a board meeting was called, a budget allocated low on dollars, nil on sense, and Soppy packed his toothbrush and sent on his way with the explicit instruction of get drinking. Which commences in Surabaya where the not so discerning one gets so ratted in a bout of rapid fire elbow bending he gets home late from Jatim Club and in the rush to the airport forgets to take his contact numbers for the city state...

He does manage to take his plane tix and passport so we can be grateful for that and Saturday afternoon sees him in Seah Street entering the Lot Stock and Barrel where the punters are transfixed by the egg chasers on the wall mounted TV. Mostly English fans in watching the game, Soppy finds a quiet corner and nurses his beer and fading hangover, talk of hookers goes over his head and he refrains from commenting about the Leeds United memorobillia on the walls.

Next up is the uninspiring SportzBallz a couple of doors down. The LSB is your Sporting Life, a packet of Woodbines, flat caps, fish n chips with fart enducing mushy peas and lashings of ginger pop while SportzBallz is a glitzy Tatler wannabee where even the punters seemed embarrassed and wished they were elsewhere. The neon lit, back lit bar seemed incongrous on what is effectively the tradesmans entrance to the plush Raffles and sits apologetically among the admittedly tastefully renovated, but decidely low key, shop houses on this narrow street.

It had been a good while since Soppy had last darkened the door of Muddy Murphys,and given the number of cyber suppers visiting the bar on this site it was high time another visit was in order. It was from here that all started to go down hill.

The MRT to Orchard was fine, super effecient, clean, all the cliches you want about Singapore but Soppy managed to misread the signs on the way out and got himself lost in the interminable alleyways of these multi story souks that act as a magnet to credit cards around the world. The exit signs seemed to lead to yet more shoe shops and pokey little outlets selling handphone accessories...how many different press on pads can you buy for one model?

He began feeling positively claustrophibic as his frantic efforts to escape came to naught and the humiliation was too great to seek assistance. As he contemplated a life within the confines of shite piped music and bawling brats yelling 'ai yah' he was finally vomitted out into an Orchard Road that prided itself on it's non Asianess.

Singapore of course is a small island hanging off the sole of the South East Asian peninsula and within easy reach of the Indonesian archipeligo stretching across the ocean out to the Pacific.

The people in the main in this area are Muslim, trading links with Arabia got back a mighty long time, but Singapore, a state built on trade bucks the trend. The vast majority of the population are Chinese. An island in a sea of Islam, Soppy's visit coincided with the final weekend of the fasting season of Ramadhan with the eid ul Fitri festival up coming, a holiday on a par with the Christian Christmas - a time to be with the family etc...

A time of fasting and donating zakat, a kind of charity for the poor, has great significance in the Muslim calander but all is suspended on Orchard Road as Mammon replaces Allah and the Prophet Mohammed is usurped by image consultants and advertising agents dreaming up novel ways of extracting the plastic from your back pocket.

This was the world Soppy, gagging for an ale, found himself, buffeted back and forth like a small dhow in a tempest as people of all hues and shapes elbowed past without so much as a by your leave, intent only in their own little sms world...one little begger propped against a wall, arms outstretched seeking alms but receiving just the cooling draught of thousand shoppers with eyes elsewhere.

Humanity had gone on vacation, the last thing Soppy really wanted was 3 Monkeys on the ground floor of the 4 floors, where ladies of the nite conspire to empty a man's gonads and open his purse strings in a sleazy cocktail of dark lights, cold beer and loud music.

With relief, he stumbled down the steps into Muddy Murphys. Straight into a battlefield! The game long over, England victorious, a few bedraggled stragglers told the tale...mucho chest chest thumping, swing low sweet chariots rent the humid night as beer gathered in cracks on the ground. The tables smelt of stale ale but the Barmy Army cared not one iota. And Soppy did not begrudge them their moment. Having done his bit for England's football and cricket teams on overseas tours, it was nice to actually see a team bloody win something.

Thus ended the aperetif if you will. A few hours later and the research would begin in ernest. For now, it was time for somezzz's...

Which is great if you are with - oops best not go there huh...

Well its definitely hot and humid in Singapore and I believe this is a seasonal occurance, just it starts on the first of January and ends on the 31st December, this isn't a place I would want to come and work in - I think my credit card company will be glad of that.

Anyway, from my last journal entry, I can let you all know (as I know you are dying to find out and even if you aren't, this is my journal) that my luggage has arrived, dirtier than I checked it in, but it has long since been pristine looking which is expected after 3 months of travelling so far.

Now that isn't all the good news it would seem, since I had already spent all their nice Singaporean "emergency" dollars on new clothes.

Why I hear you ask, is this not good news?

Well it's simple, my backpack is now 1.5kg heavier (well at a guess) so even more to carry round in hot countries - still it could be worse, I met someone that was carrying round 23kg + a day pack with about 6kg in, madness I tell you, and for once it wasn't mine.

Hmm what can I tell you about Singapore, well it's a shoppers heaven and when you are bored of shopping, you can eat and eat oh yes and eat....you need to really work hard at shopping to burn off the calories so that you can partake in the eating, but it's very cheap meaning it really isn't worth trying to cook for myself.

That's the excuse that I am sticking to, but an evening meal from a hawker centre, well any meal from a hawker centre cost between 1 and 1.50 pounds ($2.3-$5 NZ dollars/$2-3 US dollars - and no I am not converting it to Euros for the rest of you).

I seriously think that if "aliens" landed in Singapore, then they would think that we lived to shop and eat, and although I am beginning to like shopping, it really is too much, I think that you could eat/shop for a full 18 hours each day assuming you had the credit card and the stomach to do so!

Take for example the Geeks paradise, aka Sim Lim Square and Sim Lim Tower, I think between those 2 places, you can get anything electrical you want, from soldering irons to state of the art video surveillance and everything in between.

Oh and Doc, that computer case of yours, the one I called a boys toy, its a childs toy from some that I saw there, and yes, that means I went for a visit, so maybe I am a little geeky, or maybe, I was just educating myself with Singapore geography via air conditioned malls to cool down in, you decide on the reason ;-)

So I did all the typical tourist things, went to Little Malay, went to Little India and Chinatown, took a bum boat ride, walked around the Colonial district, saw the mad ex-pats playing a game of Cricket and finally went to Raffles.

Well, should I say, I tried to get in the main door of Raffles hotel when I was told "Madam, I am afraid those shoes aren't allowed in here", huh, did this man not know that Flip flops are the king of shoes?

So I offered to take them off instead but he didn't seem to see the funny side of that remark - ah well, relegated to taking a drink in the long bar with the rest of the tourists.

Since I was confined to the tourists bar, I decided I had to be a tourist, and so consumed my first Singapore Sling; all round the bar people were sat there making the most of their overpriced drink by eating the free nuts and dropping the shells onto the floor.

You could even buy one of their "snack menu's" which is basically a menu attached to a fan, I guess they used to lose a few, but if you thought the food was overpriced, the menu is more expensive than some of the food options.

Ahh well, it's good to be a tourist :-p

The only gripe about Singapore is the pavements are tiled in alot of places, now it may be a pretty thing to see, but the problem is that when it rains (daily while I was there) the pavements become ice rinks when I am in my favourite, but well worn flip flops.

Now I can see a few options here to solve this:
They can redo the pavements with a more sensible covering for all us well worn flip flop wearers out there I could wear a new pair of flip flops and throw these away (I am a hoarder and they are really comfortable ...) I can buy a new pair of shoes that have a grip.... I can wear the walking shoes and have hot smelly feet... yuck

Well I will let you guess which option won, but I am at serious risk of having more shoes when back packing than I regularly use at home...

Finally, if you ever get to Singapore, remember that one of the best times to see it is at night, the city lit up at night has a whole different feel to it, its less humid, cooler and of course, the shops and hawker centres are still open - so sleep the day away and hit the streets at night is my recommendation.

So on that note

Only 3,000 miles away from Tokyo lies a little island, inconsequential for much of its history. In later years, however, it has become a Mecca of sorts for businessmen and tourists alike. Why visit Singapore? This article will tell you.

Singapore is a small island, just over 400 square miles, located on the end of the Malaysian peninsula. Much of its early history is unknown. It wasn’t until the early 19th century that it came into significance. Sir Stamford Raffles, a British diplomat, was appointed the task of finding a safe harbor near China that the British could use as a halfway point for their military and merchant vessels. He realized that Singapore, being an island distanced from land wars that occurred frequently in Asia, would be an ideal place for ships to continue on from England to China. He struck a deal with the reigning sultan and made the island into a port for the East India Trading Company. Within five years the population had grown fourfold. Since Singapore was a port of free trade, merchants of all nationalities came, bringing with them bits and pieces of their culture. Immigrants also poured in with the growth in size. Malays, Chinese, Arabs and others flocked in for work as loaders, errand runners and servants. By the 1900’s, Singapore was a flourishing port with many different cultures living side by side, and a undeniable center for trade between the East and the West. Singapore was taken over by Japan during the Second World War, and life there was hard for the extent of the conflict. When the war was over, Singapore was made a British Crown Colony, and in 1965 became an independent nation.


Singapore’s history is what makes the nation so particularly unique. The country is an especially complex mix of many cultures, unlike any other in the world, primarily because its Eastern-Western combination is so unusual. You can visit a Hindu temple, then jump next door to see a Buddhist shrine, after which sitting to sip a cup of tea at a British hotel before examining wares in Arab Street. It is arguably one of the only places in the world where so many different cultures can be experienced in such a small area. Here are some of the attractions the country of Singapore has to offer:

Downtown Singapore is centered around Orchard Road, a long street with over fifteen shopping malls right off the sidewalk. If you like shopping, they have everything. Designer boutiques, less expensive department and fashion stores, books, stationary shops, you can find anything. The National Gallery and History Museum are also on Orchard Road, as is beautiful Raffles Hotel, the original, fully renovated hotel where legends like Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad once stayed. On Saturday’s, Raffles offers a high tea, British style, giving you the opportunity to sit and gaze at the original architecture and the vintage décor. Across Orchard Road from Raffles is CHIJMES (pronounced “Chimes”), an old abbey that has been converted into a dozen different restaurants and shops, all overlooking a courtyard where live musicians and dancing troupes often perform. If you stay anywhere in Singapore, stay on Orchard Road. There are many beautiful and affordable hotels right on the avenue.

Branching out from Orchard Road are three distinct ethnic areas, Little India, Arab Street, and Chinatown. Each has their own distinct flavor and people. Little India looks alive with the brightly colored sari’s of the Indian women flashing in the sun. There are many shops full of bolts of silk and sparkling jewelry as well as a few different Hindu shrines. Make sure you sit down and try some Indian cuisine; the curry here is fantastic. Arab Street is dominated by a beautiful mosque. Off from the mosque is a collection of shops, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean café’s, and benches under palm trees to sit and cool off. Chinatown is a collection of different stores and restaurants for the large Chinese population. Great food and interesting temples are good to see here.

On the far side of the inner city, next to the business sector is the Merlion statue, a Singaporean landmark. When a Sri Lankan prince landed in Singapore in the 15th century, he thought he saw lion with a fish’s tail on the shores of the island, and thus dubbed it “Singa-pura”, or “lion city”, hence the name Singapore. The Merlion statue is about 30 feet tall, and out of the lion’s mouth comes a shooting stream of water that falls into the harbor. Near the statue is the Boat Quay, a collection of delectable restaurants that overlook the Singapore River, where you can sit and watch the boats go by.

Outside the city, to the south, lies Sentosa Island. A short ferry or taxi ride away, the island has three beaches, an aquarium, and several resorts and museums. It is a great day trip, perfect for traveling families. Most people come for the white sand beaches, which can’t be found easily on the main island, but the other attractions of Sentosa are a lot of fun as well.

Up to the north of Singapore is what some call the best attraction in all the country, the Zoological Gardens and Night Safari. Here you can see animals up close and personal, many with no fences at all. There are a number of free ranging monkeys you can see swinging on branches all over the zoo. Inside an atrium there are butterflies that will land on your finger, as well as lemurs and fruit bats. A walk through the “outback” takes you by wallabies and kangaroos that you can feed. Everywhere there are helpful guides, interactive activities, and tons of animals waiting to be seen. The zoo is also a center for conservation and environmental study. Right next to the zoo is the Night Safari, where you can see animals in their habitats at night. Flying squirrels, bush babies and other nocturnal animals can be seen swinging in the branches. The big animals like lions and tigers are there as well. A tram takes you through the park, but you can also get off and walk the park by yourself. This park also offers a fire dancing show and several restaurants, and is only open after dark. The Singapore zoo in quite possibly the best zoo in the world, so don’t miss it if you are in the country.

The main languages in Singapore are English and Chinese, so the language barrier is not a problem for Americans. It is hot, so bring cool clothes. Taxis and the MRT (the subway system) are both very cheap, making getting around the island easy. Food can be inexpensive or very expensive, depending on where you go, but it is said to be the best in all of Asia. Getting to Singapore isn’t hard; both JAL and ANA offer reasonable flights every day of the week. For military members, Space A travel is also an option. The Yokota AMC terminal will have more information. For more information on anything Singaporean, go to visitsingapore.com, the official tourist website.

Singapore is such a unique and fun place to visit, a must for anyone living in Asia. If you have a vacation coming up, take it in Singapore.

Singapore Tourist Guides — Introduction
Fort Siloso

Singapore may be small, but packs in quite a punch. Only about 655 square kilometers in area, it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with about 6430 people per square kilometer. Although it is one of the 20 smallest countries in the world, its economy is a world leader, and has the world's busiest port in terms of tonnage handled.

Today the financial and technological hub of South East Asia, Singapore was once a sleepy Malay fishing village, which came into its own as a British trading colony in the 1800's. The population is a mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians with a smattering of other ethnic nationalities. There are four official languages in Singapore - Mandarin, Tamil, Malay and English. The Chinese ethnic population is originally from South-east China from the provinces of Fukian and Guangdong. Immigrants from the Malaysian peninsula, Sumatra, Java and other islands of the Malay Archipelago have thronged the state. About two-thirds of the Indians are Tamil, with a smattering of Malayalis, Punjabis and Gujratis.

Singapore consists of one main island, and 58 smaller ones. The terrain is flat lowland, the highest point being Bukit Tima Hills, standing at 164 meters. Its climate is hot (ranging between 22 and 30 degrees centigrade) and muggy (humidity remains at 75%). The rainy season is from November to January, although being near the equator, intermittent rains occur throughout the year.

Although about 50% of the land is occupied by vertical urban settlements in modern skyscrapers, Singapore has a thriving agricultural economy specializing in rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables, poultry, eggs and fish. It is the world's largest exporter of ornamental fish. It has thriving industries of electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing, food processing, ship repair and other industries, with the economy heavily dependant on its electronics and manufacturing exports.

With typical Singapore control and determination, the government has made up for its lack of natural flora and fauna by building gardens and zoos, waterfalls and underwater parks. Singapore has one of the best zoos in the world, and has the world's highest man made waterfall in Jurong Park, standing at 30 meters. The Bird sanctuary in Jurong even has simulated tropical thunderstorms.

* Location: South East Asia, at the tip of the Malayan Peninsula
* Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
* Terrain: Lowland, gently undulating central plateau with water catchment area and natural preserves.
* Religions: Buddist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucians
* Country Name: Republic of Singapore
* Government type: Parliamentary republic

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Latest News for Singapore

Singapore 21:26 May 22, 2007
# Oil prices steady at mid-$65 a barrel
Crude oil supplies were forecast to drop by 200,000 barrels, and distillate stocks, which include heating oil and diesel fuel, were expected to increase by an average of 900,000 barrels.
# IBM, Chartered, Samsung, Infineon and Freescale Expand Technology Agreements
The joint development agreements between these companies will now include 32-nanometer ( nm) bulk complementary metal oxide semiconductor ( CMOS) process technologies and joint development of process design kits ( PDKs) to support that tech

What's New
STB Industry Conference on May 14
Partners from the tourism industry attended the Singapore Tourism Board's closed door industry conference on Monday. Industry partners may download conference materials from this website... more

STB and Buena Vista International Jointly Launch Global Pirates 3 Marketing Blitz
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Buena Vista International (BVI) have teamed up in a world-wide marketing effort to tie in with the premiere of the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, where fans of the movie stand a chance to win a trip to explore Singapore’s wild side...more

More Malls, Retailers Join Friday Late Night Shopping Following Best Response To Date In March
Friday Late Night Shopping at Singapore’s prime retail district, Orchard Road, launches into its fourth month this year with two additional shopping malls joining the programme, making a total of over 300 retailers who will extend their operating hours up till midnight on the last Friday of each month...more

Inaugural Singapore Business Events Awards To Recognise Outstanding MICE Players
The Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB), a group of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), has launched the Singapore Business Events Awards to recognise the contributions of the business events industry players that have galvanised Singapore’s standing as a premier business travel and MICE destination. The inaugural Awards ceremony will be held some time in early August 2007 and thereafter, it will be held annually... more

Singapore To Host Asian Edition of The World's Largest Travel Trade Show
Messe Berlin, organiser of the world’s largest travel trade show, ITB, and the Singapore Tourism Board today inked a deal that will see Singapore host the show’s first-ever Asian Edition annually from October 2008 onwards... more

Tourism Awards 2006 Honours The Stars Of Singapore's Tourism Industry
Some 36 individuals and organisations in the travel and tourism industry who have excelled with outstanding concepts or extended exemplary service standards were honoured at the prestigious Tourism Awards 2006 presentation ceremony... more

Survey Reveals Singapore 2006 Delegates Give Strong Endorsement For Singapore's Service Standards
A survey commissioned by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to solicit feedback from the overseas delegates who were here to attend the Singapore 2006 series of meetings and events revealed that the majority of them were impressed by the level of service standards in Singapore... more
Tourism Sector Performance For March 2007
In March 2007, Singapore welcomed 835,000 visitors, registering a 1.9% growth over the same period a year ago. This was a record high for the month of March. Visitor days were estimated to reach 3.0 million days, an increase of 12.6% in comparison to March 2006...more

Tourism Sector Performance For January to December 2006
Singapore posted an estimated S$12.4 billion in tourism receipts from January to December 2006, representing a 14.5% increase over January to December 2005. This is a record high for Singapore and has exceeded the S$12 billion tourism receipts target set for the whole of 2006 by 2.9%... more

The Columbia River is a river located in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It is the biggest river in volume flowing into the Pacific Ocean from North America, and the second largest in the United States. It is the largest hydroelectric power producing river in North America. From its headwaters to the Pacific Ocean it flows 1,270 miles, and drains 258,000 square miles.

In sociology "organization" is tacit as planned, synchronized and decided action of human beings to construct or compile a common tangible or intangible product. This action is usually framed by official membership and form. Sociology distinguishes the term organization into planned formal and unplanned informal organizations. Sociology analyses organizations in the first line from an institutional viewpoint. In this sense, organization is a permanent agreement of elements. These elements and their actions are resolute by rules so that a certain task can be fulfilled through a system of coordinated the division of labour.

An organization is defined by the rudiments that are part of it, its communication, its independence and its rules of action compared to outside events. By coordinated and planned cooperation of the elements, the organization is able to solve tasks that lie beyond the abilities of the single elements. The price paid by the elements is the restriction of the degrees of freedom of the elements. Advantages of organizations are enhancement, addition, and extension. Disadvantages are inertness and loss of interaction.

A belt is a flexible band, characteristically made of leather or heavy cloth, and worn around the waist.belt supports trousers or other articles of clothing, and it serves for style and decoration.Historically, a belt was also used by educators for spanking children, and by masters for spanking servants. This use has frequently declined in the Western world, as it is viewed as too barbaric and uncontrollable a form of corporal punishment.At one end of the belt is a belt buckle that is shaped onto the other end of the belt. The other end of the belt contains several holes, into which a prong (which is part of the buckle) is inserted into it for the purpose of securing the belt. Sometimes, there is a clamp system so that no holes are wanted. In Western civilizations, men usually insert the belt through the pant loops in a counter-clockwise manner, while women tend to insert the belt through the pant loops in a clockwise direction.Since belts must be drawn firmly around the waist in order to hold up the pants, they may be less comfortable than suspenders, which allow trousers to hang loosely about the body.

Paint is any liquid, liquifiable, or mastic composition which after application to a substrate in a thin layer is transformed to an opaque solid film.
Paint is used to protect, decorate (such as adding color), or add functionality to an object or outside by covering it with a pigmented coating. An example of protection is to retard corrosion of metal. An example of decoration is to add festive trim to a room interior. An example of added functionality is to alter light reflection or heat radiation of a surface.
As a verb, painting is the application of paint. Someone who paints creatively is usually called a painter, while someone who paints commercially is often referred to as a painter and decorator, or house painter.
Paint can be applied to almost any kind of object. It is used, among many other uses, in the production of art, in industrial coating, as a driving aid, or as a barrier to prevent corrosion or water damage. Paint is a semifinished product, as the final product is the painted article itself.

A lightning rod is a metal narrow piece or rod, typically of copper or similar conductive material, used as part of lightning security to guard tall or isolated structures from lightning damage. Its formal name is lightning finial. Sometimes, the system is informally referred to as:

A lightning conductor,
A lightning arrester, or
A lightning discharger.
However, these terms really refer to lightning guard systems in general or specific mechanism within them.

Lightning rod dissipaters make a structure less nice-looking by which charges can flow to the air around it. This then reduces the voltage between the point and the storm cloud, making a strike less likely. The most common charge dissipaters appear as slightly-blunted metal spikes sticking out in all information from a metal ball. These are mounted on short metal arms at the very top of a radio antenna or tower, the area by far most likely to be struck. These devices diminish, but do not eradicate, the risk of lightning strikes.