SINGAPORE

Singapore consists of the main, low-lying Singapore Island and 63 smaller islands within its territorial waters. Its intricate cultural basket is woven with the fibers of traditional Chinese, Malay and Hindu cultures that have established themselves on this tiny island. The name Singapore is derived from the Sanskrit term Singa Pura which means a Lion City. This island nation offers visitors a tantalizing range of attractions from cultural, natural, and culinary delights. The Island often referred as City of diverse cultures, The Garden City, The Fun City, City for the Arts and the Gateway City. The main city area is in the south, built on the shores of the Singapore River.

 

THE MERLION

The Merlion was designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964. The designer was Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium. The Merlion has a lion head and a fish body Merlion Park, Singaporeresting on a crest of waves. The lion head symbolizes the legend of the rediscovery of Singapura, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek, a Japanese word for sea. In the 11th century A.D, Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire rediscovered the island. When the Prince first landed on Singapore's shores, he sighted a mystical beast which he later learnt was a lion. The Prince then decided to name the island "Singapura" which in Sanskrit means Lion (Singa) City (Pura). The fish tail of the Merlion symbolizes the ancient city of Temasek and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village.

There are five official Merlions statues in Singapore. Two of them are located at Merlion Park, adjacent to the promenade of One Fullerton. A third Merlion is 37 meters high and is found on Sentosa island. The fourth Merlion is located at the headquarters of the Singapore Tourism Board at 1 Orchard Spring Lane. The fifth Merlion is located at Mount Faber.

Climate:

Singapore has a pleasant, tropical climate year round, varying from an average of 28 - 32 degrees Celsius during the day to 23 - 27 degrees Celsius in the evenings. It is not unusual to have intermittent showers on a sunny day but the showers rarely last long and they provide a cool respite. The rainy season in Singapore is from November till February.

Clothing: Singapore has a warm and humid climate throughout the year with a daily average temperature range of 24 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. Light and summer clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton is best for everyday wear. Casual dress is acceptable for most situations and occasions but some establishments may require a more formal dress code. It is always advisable to check beforehand on dress regulations, if any.

Amazing Facts - Do u know?

• Singapore consists only of one main island and 63 other tiny islands. Most of these islands are uninhabited.
• Singapore is among the 20 smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of only 682.7 square kilometers. The USA is about 15,000 times bigger.
• Night Safari,SingaporeThe flying fox, the world's largest bat with a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters, can be found on Pulau Ubin, one of the islands off mainland Singapore.
• Singapore is a stopover point for thousands of migratory birds travelling the East Asian Flyway.
• The world's first night zoo, The Night Safari, is located in Singapore.
• The world's highest man-made waterfall, standing at 30 meters, is located at the Jurong BirdPark.
• More Singaporeans are born in the month of October than any other month of the year.
• Singapore has more than 3,000 kilometers of roads. Stretched end to end, they can cover the distance from Singapore to Hong Kong.

The Singapore Sling was first served in 1915 at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel. The ingredients are gin, Cointreau, cherry brandy, Dom Benedictine, pineapple juice, Grenadine, Angostura bitters and limes.

MALAYSIA

Tourism Industry is booming in Malaysia because of the ever increasing number of tourists considering it to be an ideal holiday destination. In Malaysia a tourist will surely be bestowed with great hospitality of the friendly natives. This gastronomical paradise attracts tourists from across the world for it natural beauty, famous tourist attractions, colorful festivals, happening nightlife, international shopping experience, skyscrapers and first world infrastructure. While touring Malaysia one should not miss out the great experience of visiting Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and other tourist destinations like Melacca, Georgetown etc.

KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur is famous as an 'Asian tiger' city. Over the ages, it has grown from a pastoral setting to a busy city inhibiting about over a million people. The city is known universally as KL. It appears the visitors as a just another cosmopolitan Asian city, which nestles sky kissing skyscrapers and other towering edifices.

But apart from its modernity, even today KL still retains and cherishes quite a big part of its fundamental temperament and local various hues that are on an edge to be wiped out in other Asian cities, which are booming in today's world.

The chief attractions of Kuala Lumpur lie in the historical twin Petronas Towers-the tallest building in the world-that are located on the west coast, plenty of its colonial structures in its center, a vivacious Chinatown with street vendors all across, sparkling night markets, and a lively Little India. The city has an interesting mix of elegant architecture decorating the whole city; KL has elegant colonial buildings, in contrast with soaring modern edifices.

MELACCA

Melacca is a delightful old town located in the south of Malaysia. It is a town that is immersed in history. It presents an interesting combination of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British cultures. This city with a sleepy backwater offers the tourists great vivacious activities, like wandering in the historical ruins, gazing at the ancient junks sailing on the flowing river water, permeating the waterfront with an eternal charm. The city can be seen full of maze-like Chinese streets, temples antique shops, and nostalgic parts of the European colonial era. Tourists can surely enjoy the dominant relic of the Dutch period in the oldest Dutch building in Asia, which is turned into an excellent Ethnographic Museum, which would tell you about the historical and cultural aspects.

If you are desperate to witness the multi-hued display of religious architecture in Melacca, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is a must visit for you. It is one of the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. The other fascinating area to be is the old part of Melacca. Here, you can find many of Melacca's famous antique shops for excellent shopping and collection of souvenirs.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS

Located in the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, Cameron Highlands comprises of a series of hill stations. It is a fertile area and thus it is the center of Malaysia's tea industry and the place where locals and tourists arrive to chill out far away from the heat of the plains. Attractions of Cameron Highlands include waterfalls, jungle walks, tour of tea plantations, plenty of wild flowers and beautiful gardens.