Maiden Airbus A380 commercial flight from Singapore to Sydney

The A380 Airbus is the largest passenger airliner in the world manufactured by EADS (Airbus S.A.S.). It is a double-deck, four-engined airliner. upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage. This allows for a cabin with 50 percent more floor space than the next largest airliner, the Boeing 747-400. The A380 Airbus can seat 525 people in standard three-class configuration or up to 853 people in full economy class configuration. There are 2 models, the passenger model A380-800 and is the largest passenger airliner in the world, bigger than the Boeing 747. The A380-800 has a design range of 15,200 km which will allow it to fly from Hong Kong to New York nonstop. It has a cruising speed of Mach 0.85 (about 900 km/h or 560 mph at cruise altitude.

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) will have the honor of flying the A380-800 maiden Airbus A380 commercial flight on 25 October 2007. The maiden flight will be from Singapore to Sydney. SIA is offering seats on this historic maiden flight for bidding on eBay and it has obtained bids of almost 2 million Singapore dollars (USD 1.32 million) and has only 24 seats left as reported on 13 September 2007.

Singapore Airlines said a record Singapore Dollars 153,000 was paid for a "Singapore Airlines Suites Package" for this Singapore-Sydney maiden flight.

A search on eBay today (14 September 2007) revealed 10 outstanding bids for seats ranging from the highest bid of USD5,600 for 2 Business class seats to USD 1225 for 2 Economy class seats with 8 to 9 hours remaining before the bidding close.

Singapore Airlines said proceeds from the sales will go to charity. That will be a lot of money for charity. Lucky Singapore charities. Wonder which one will get to benefit.

Opportunity for Singapore's Vacation Rentals Owners

There is a website which list vacation rentals both for rentals and for purchase, and its site for Singapore is Singapore Vacation Rentals. Unfortunately, at the time of publishing, there are no vacation rentals listed for Singapore, so for those who are looking for places to rent for a vacation in Singapore, you may have to check back again. But not all bad news is all bad. It can also spell opportunity, an opportunity for Singapore's vacation rental owners to list their properties. There is a link on the site for you to click to register your property. There will be no referral fees, only an annual fee to pay. And for that you get your own web page where you can put description of your property including pictures, rates and contact information and a link to your personal website. You can also log in anytime to edit your page.

Singapore is a small country very short of land. I would guess the average Singaporean in this crowded city country will yearn to travel to other places in the world for a pleasant vacation. I am sure they will enjoy traveling to places like Florida where there is Epcot's Mission Space where you can enjoy (if you don't suffer from motion sickness) a simulated mission to Mars which uses centrifugal force to give the sensation of lifting off into space. You will see other things related to space there. You will of course need accommodation if you plan to temporarily leave land starved Singapore to visit Florida and for that you can try Florida vacation rentals.

Perhaps the most attraction is the famous theme park, Walt Disney World which your children will love visiting. Walt Disney World is located in Orlando together with Universal Studios and SeaWorld Adventure Park. For accommodation in Orlando, to to Orlando vacation rentals

Or perhaps you may enjoy a cruise. Miami is host to the "Cruise Capital of the World", the Port of Miami. It can accommodate the largest cruise ships and the major cruise lines are represented here. This can be your starting point for a most enjoyable cruise. But perhaps the most famous Miami is Miami Beach which most Singaporeans will be surprised to find out that Miami Beach is not part of Miami, but two separate cities, and the beach part is South Beach. Miami has been made famous by that TV show featuring the Miami Beach Ocean Rescue team rescuing swimmers in trouble. It is also popular spot for photo shots, so it will not be uncommon to see models in skimpy clothing if that is what your are interested in. It also have a very lively night life. You can find accommodation at Miami Beach vacation rentals.

The Switzerland Of Asia Shines

By Carl Delfeld

In many respects, Singapore is the Switzerland of Asia.



Begun in 1819 as a British trading colony, the Republic of Singapore was founded in 1965 under the leadership of the current Prime Minister’s father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. While it is only 1/5 the size of Rhode Island and three times the size of Washington D.C., it is perhaps the most strategically important global trading, finance and service nexus in Asia.



Here is why you should consider investing in Singapore.



While Hong Kong and Shanghai will argue, Singapore is the busiest port in Asia situated next to the vital trading channel, the Straits of Malacca.



Unlike South Korea and Taiwan, which are heavily dependent on the cyclical electronics industry, Singapore has a well-diversified economy. 70% of its GDP is attributable to finance and services.



Singapore’s accounting rules and regulations are amongst the most conservative in the world. For example, its rules on inventory accounting and the expensing of stock options are more conservative than those in the United States.



Trade Surplus



Despite only 1.6% of its land being suitable for agricultural activities and having to import almost everything including water, Singapore manages to have a trade surplus.



Singapore has a balanced budget, a stable currency and still manages to allocate 5% of GDP for defense.



It represents a multi-ethnic society with 77% Chinese, 14% Malay and 8% Indian.



Singapore has a parliamentary form of government, an English common law judiciary system and is corruption and drug free. Slowly but surely, a freer political climate is developing with a Speaker’s Corner instituted in 2000 and the ability to express one’s views freely anywhere with the exception of the sensitive topics of race and religion



Singapore’s educational performance is legendary. The fact that it has twice as many Internet users as television sets is telling.



Singapore’s New Resorts



Singapore is also changing with the times. To generate more investment, tax revenue, and add a bit of sparkle, Singapore recently approved the development of two large casino resorts. It is part of a strategy to reduce the country’s dependence on manufacturing and to position itself as a livelier tourism destination. Of course, there will be restrictions. Singaporeans will have to pay a $60 entry fee and the gambling areas will be restricted to just 5% of the resort. According to projections, the resorts will lead to $4 billion in investments, $3.5 billion in annual revenues, 35,000 jobs and $350 million per year in taxes and fees.



Singapore has also made great strides in patching up misunderstandings with its neighbor to the north, Malaysia, from whom it split in 1965. Tax issues, water supply agreements and transportation arrangements are all moving much more smoothly.



Singapore is adept at holding on to its manufacturing base even as several large semiconductor manufacturers such as National Semiconductor announced plans to move plants to China and Malaysia. For thirty years, Singapore has relied on electronics as the backbone of its manufacturing sector but is making the transition to a more service and R&D economy. Electronics is about 40% of manufacturing output but accounts for only 5% of employment. Surprisingly, some firms are moving manufacturing centers from China to Singapore due to its infrastructure, logistics and laws protecting intellectual property. Exxon Mobil, Shell and Sumitomo are expanding petrochemical facilities and Singapore added 27,000 manufacturing jobs last year by moving up the food chain.



After 8.4% GDP growth in 2004 and a weak start early this year, Singapore’s economy posted 12% plus growth in the second quarter and should be a solid performer over the next few years. Continued strong global demand for transportation, communications and logistics services, increasing IT spending, rising consumer spending and property prices and expanded tourism all point to continued growth.



An easy and smart way to invest in Singapore is through the Singapore iShare (EWS) which tracks the Singapore Straits index. It is up 26% over the past year and up 9.4% year to date. Its largest positions are in Singapore Telecom, United Overseas Bank and DBS Bank. Even better, it is tax efficient and has an annual expense ratio of only 0.59%. Trading at 14 times projected earnings, the Singapore market is still attractive. By comparison, the Switzerland market and iShare (EWL) is trading at 18 times earnings.



The epitome of quality and increasingly creative, Singapore is a great core holding for any global portfolio.



About the Author: Carl Delfeld is head of the global advisory firm Chartwell Partners and is editor of the “Chartwell Advisor” and the “Asia Investor Intelligence” newsletters. He served on the Executive Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank in Manila and is the author of The New Global Investor (iUniverse: 2005). For more information go to http://www.chartwelladvisor.com or call 877-221-1496.




Source: www.isnare.com

Increase traffic: feed for your blog

Blogger Buzz: Attention FeedBurner Fans

Feed

Feed is a way of getting updates on your website without having to visit it by subscribing to the feed either through an online feed reader or by subscribing to the feed via email. In practice, feed can be set to full or short. If set to short, the feed is supposed to display the first few lines, and if this attract the attention of the feed reader, then he/she will surf over to the actual site to read the full content. However, I have noticed that when I set my feed to short, in many cases, what is displayed is only the post title, so for it to be meaningful, you will have to use a very descriptive post title.

If you are trying to keep track of what is going on in many sites and have no time to keep visiting them to see what is new, this is a great way to keep updated. You can read the feed online with sites like
www.google.com/reader (Google Reader)
(to be continued)

You can also chose to subscribe to feed by email.

Previously, Blogger only offer Atom feed. Many have been hankering for the more popular RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed, and in New Blogger, they have added RSS feed. You probably have come across the familiar icon or the less common button. Other common feed subscription button includes the "Add to Google Reader button , "Add to My Yahoo" button , "Add to Bloglines" button , "Add to Newsgator" button , and a whole lot more.

Adding a feed subscription button to your blog

I will first deal with the popular Feedburner subscription button. You will first have to go to "burn" a feed for your blog. Go to
http://www.feedburner.com/
and type in paste your blog URL. Click "Next" and Feedburner will look for available feed for your blog. For Blogger, there will be Atom and RSS. I normally chose RSS.

Blogger and Feedburner

Recently, Google have bought over the popular Feedburner and now you can integrate your Blogger feed with Feedburner. The advantage of doing this is that you can get statistics about your blog subscribers via Feedburner.

Putting links for visitors to subscribe to your blog

(to be continued)

Adding a feed email subscription form to your blog

(to be continued)


Blogger previously only offer Atom feed

Official Google Blog: Adding more flare

Singapore Airlines flights to Spain

My former statistics lecturer in university was Dr. Cheong Choong Kong (better known as Dr. C.K. Cheong). He left University of Malaya to become the CEO (Chief Executive Office) of SIA or Singapore Airlines. SIA was split off from Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) when Singapore was kicked out of the Federation of Malaysia because of differences between Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and the then Prime Minister Tengku Abdul Rahman of Malaysia. Its Malaysian counterpart became MAS (Malaysia Airline System). MAS had to be rescued from bankruptcy by the Malaysian government while SIA went on to become one of the most successful, if not the most successful, airlines in the world. I understand Dr. C.K. Cheong, like me, is retired now. It will be interesting if I can find out if he has gone on to do something else.

SIA air hostesses, better known as the Singapore Girl, is world famous for their great services and hospitality and is one of the main contribution to SIA success. Their success is symbolised by the creation of a wax figure of the Singapore Girl at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London since 1994, which was the first figure to represent a commercial undertaking. They have also won the 'World's Best Cabin Crew Service' by the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards for 17 consecutive years.

SIA have regular flights from Changi Airport to Barcelona Aeropuerto El Prat, Spain. If I ever plan to go to Spain, SIA will be my preferred airline. However, Barcelona is only the second largest city of Spain. The largest is Madrid, the capital. It is easy to get to Madrid from Barcelona though. You can travel by road, train or fly. If you chose to travel by train, it will take you anything between 5 and a half hours to 9 hours. Flying will get you there within just over an hour in comparison. Plus check-in time is normally short.

Air Europa fly from Barcelona airport, terminal B to the new terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas airport daily from 7.00hr. to 23.50hr. The fare will vary from between 94 Euro to 320 Euro return. There will be a 12 Euro service charge. Flight time is just 1 hour 15 minutes and food will be served on board.

It is highly advisable to book your accommodation ahead of your arrival for you do not want to be frantically hunting for suitable accommodation on arrival. That will be stressful and take up much precious time which can be used more productively. This in now easy with the ubiquitous Internet. One site you can try is España Hoteles (Hotels in Spain). If you are looking for hotels in Barcelona in particular, you can go to Hoteles en Barcelona. I can't read Spanish, so I will have to go to Hotels in Barcelona. For hotels in Madrid, there is Hotels en Madrid. For its English version, go to Hotels in Madrid. Book your accommodation in advance. That is my advice.

Singapore, Germany and Austria

Germany and Austria are neighbours, and both speak German. And there is something available in Germany and Austria which I am sure many Singaporeans will miss greatly - snow. I can still remember the first snowfall when I was a student in Ghent, Belgium 30 years ago. The awe and feeling of "wonder" (can't find the exact word to describe the wonderful feeling) I can never forget. And my stay in Grindelwald, a mountain ski resort in the Alps in Switzerland, that was a wonderful vacation that is etched in my memories.

And snow is something you can never get in tropical Singapore. Well, perhaps not exactly correct, because there is the Snow City at Jurong. But there is nothing like the real thing you can get in Germany and Austria.

But snow will not be the only excuse for Singaporeans to travel to Germany and Austria. With a share of approximatly 30% of its trade volume and about 900 German companies registered in Singapore, Singapore is Germany's most important economic partner in the ASEAN area. Total bilateral trade in 2005 stood at Euro 8.18 billion and total German direct investments in Singapore up to 2004 was more than Euro 5.271 billion. Germany ranked 10th in Singapore's exports and 9th in imports in 2005. With various trade organizations like the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry, Commerce, the Singapore Economic Development Board and International Enterprise Singapore maintaining offices in Frankfurt to help to facilitate trade in both directions, Singapore businessmen have plenty of reasons to go to Germany.

And there are educational ties between the two countries as well. Included are 28 bilateral cooperation projects between German institutions of higher learning with 3 Singaporean universities. The German Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Singapore, the first branch of a German university, began operating in July 2002.

If you want to go to the 2 neighbouring countries to experience the real snow, for business or educational purposes, travelling between them is very convenient. The 2 capital cities Berlin and Vienna is well connected. They are served by Germany's full service national carrier, Lufthansa, which have direct flight from Berlin to Vienna. And if you book your tickets online, sometimes they have special deals and you may be able to get your ticket cheap. They also have the so called 'happy hour' where you can bid for flights. In addition to such full service airlines, there are also budget airlines operating between the countries. For example, Air Berlin have flights to Vienna from Dortmund, Hamburg and Duesseldorf, Germanwings have flights to the Austrian capital from Cologne-Bonn while Sky Europe gives a good deal on flights from Stuttgart to Vienna via Bratislava. The distance between Bratislava to Vienna is only 50km and you get there riding the SkyShuttle bus for just an extra 10 Euro.

When I was touring Europe 30 years ago on my own (not package tour), I had to contend with hunting for accommodation on arrival. A risky proposition especially if you are travelling in cold winter. What would have happened if the hotels are fully booked? Sleep in the railway station? Now you can book ahead of arrival online with sites like Hotels Deutsche (German Hotels). If you are looking for hotels in Berlin, you can try Hotels in Berlin. Can't read German? Then go to Hotels in Berlin. For Vienna, there is Hotels in Vienna and its English version is at Hotels in Vienna. Now you don't have to worry about having to sleep in the railway station in the middle of winter or something just as unpleasant.

Jobs, business and vacations in Jersey City for Singaporeans

There are some similarity between Jersey City and Singapore. Both are commercial and industrial center, a port of entry and a manufacturing center, many in electronics. So for the seasoned Singaporean businessmen, there should be plenty of business opportunities there There is also a large Asian population in Jersey City. The big difference is the cost of living and the crime rate, both of which are much higher in Jersey City, depending on the district, and of course the weather.

Apparently, there are lots of job vacancies in Jersey City for non-US residents, including Singaporeans. A search "similarity Singapore 'Jersey City'" produced links to mostly sites offering jobs. In fact, one Singaporean was offered $68K a year as a Project Manager in Jersey City and he planned to bring his wife and 2 kids whom he planned to send to International school. Many told him he would be hard pressed to survive on that salary in Jersey City based on what he planned on that salary. He may be able to get along fine if he is alone though. There are a few of different opinions. Some said he will not be living in luxury, enjoy the same standard of living in Singapore, the security and he wouldn't be able to move around as easily with public transport as in Singapore, but with proper management, he should be able to manage OK. He was keen to go as it will help his career and for the international experience, so he went but sent his children back to Singapore. He seem to be doing fine.

As a destination for vacation, there is the famous Statue of Liberty which is easily accessible via a Circle Line ferry at Liberty State Park. There are also dinning and cocktails outlets, art and entertainment centers and parks and recreation. Like Singapore, Jersey City have fine and diverse shopping district. I haven't been there myself, but I would certainly expect shopping to be much more expansive than in Singapore.

Singapore, Introduction To Asia

Singapore, Introduction To Asia
by: Gareth Powell

To understand Singapore you need to realize that it is the extension of one man's intelligence, dream and drive. And that man is Lee Kuan Yew, the original prime minister of the Republic of Singapore. Yes, it is true he was aided in his task by the people of Singapore. It is interesting to ponder on what would have happened to Singapore if Lee Kuan Yew, one of the remarkable men of his century, had not been present.

Lee Kuan Yew is a nonya. That is he can claim both Malay and Chinese heritage. He was born in 1923 and was prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. And during his rule, as a simple statement of fact, Singapore went from being something of a backwater to becoming the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.

Lee Kuan Yew went to Cambridge University where he got a double starred first which is not something that is given out with the rations. He became a lawyer and was admitted to the English bar but returned to Singapore to work, as a committed socialist, with the unions.

In 1963 Lee took Singapore into the newly created Federation of Malaysia.

This created all sorts of problems. In Singapore 75 percent of the members of the PAP were Chinese and there was much tension between Chinese and Malays. There was communal rioting in Singapore and in 1965 Lee Kuan Yew was told by his Malaysian colleagues in the federal government that Singapore must leave the federation.

Singapore had to secede and it then became a sovereign state with Lee Kuan Yew as its first prime minister.

It is fair to say that in return for a mildly authoritarian style of government that sometimes infringed on civil liberties Lee Kuan Yew brought Singapore honest and efficient administration and spectacular prosperity.

Lee Kuan Yew resigned the office of prime minister in November 1990.

It is, perhaps, sad that such a great man who did not believe in inherited power has appointed his children in just such a manner. Does not affect the tourist. Possibly affects the future of Singapore.

Singapore is not a big place. It sits at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula 137 km north of the Equator. The main part is Singapore Island and there are also about 60 very small islands.

The main island is connected to Peninsular Malaysia by a road and rail causeway which bridges the Johor Strait.

Singapore does not depend on tourism for a living. It is the largest port in Southeast Asia and one of the busiest in the world.

Singapore is not just a small island. It is also a very flat island. Most of it is less than 15m above sea level and its highest point is Timah Hill which soars to 162m.

Climate

Singapore is near the equator and in the monsoon region. The average monthly temperature varies from about 27 degrees C in June to 25 degrees C in January and the difference is not noticeable. The wettest time of the year is November-March and the period with the least amount is May to September. Not that it makes very much difference.

Rain falls somewhere on the island every day of the year. Which is why it is very green. Do not let the rain worry you. In the constant warm temperature you very quickly dry out.

There is not much left of the original Singapore. There is a fragment of evergreen rain forest preserved around catchment areas and some mangrove vegetation survives in the Kranji area on the northwest side of the island but otherwise it is all cultivated in one way or another.

The city is in the south of the island but, in truth, most of the island of Singapore has now been built up and over. At one time it looked as though every old building in Singapore would be knocked down and replaced with a new and shining skyscraper. Eventually the penny dropped and the government decided that refurbishing rather than demolishing the once-common Chinese shop-house would not be a bad idea. And keeping the Raffles hotel operating in its old premises but with a new style was part of the campaign.

Nevertheless the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has changed forever the face of Singapore and has housed a staggering four-fifths of the population high-rise HDB flats located in housing estates and new towns.

Language

About three quarters of the population of Singapore is Chinese with Malays next and Indians the third.

But it does not break down as easily as that. Nearly half of the Chinese originate from Fukien province and speak Amoy; a third is from Swatow and speaks Teochew and most of the rest are Cantonese. That is three different dialects which are not understandable by all although, of course, written Chinese is a unifying force.

The Malays are pretty much one group although some of them speak Indonesian dialects which although very similar to Malay have some vocabulary differences. The Indians are the biggest mixture of them all. The majority are Tamils but there are also Malayalis and Sikhs as well as Pakistanis and Sinhalese.

There are four official languages - English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. And there is a fifth which although not recognized officially, is distinct enough to be the subject of several learned papers. This is Singaporean which is Singapore's very own version of the English language.

It contains words and grammatical from all the languages of Singapore. Therefore "Must be, lah" is an affirmative declaration while, "What to do now, lah?" is an expression of helplessness in the face of fate. It is a lovely and expressive language based totally on English. If you speak English you will never have language problems in Singapore.

Singapore is a singularly pleasant place to visit. It is the ideal destination for someone making their first foray into Asia.

The chances of your being robbed in Singapore are pretty close to nil. And if you are, the local constabulary will move heaven and earth to fang the wretched miscreant and return your goods.

The roads are spotlessly clean - drop a bus ticket and you will very probably be fined. The road crossings are safe - go jaywalking and once again your wallet will be lightened. The roadside food stalls are the cleanest in the world. No one gets gippy tummy in Singapore.

The developers are something else again. Sadly, like developers all over the world their motto is 'nothing exceeds like excess'. Almost everything that was old and worthwhile and interesting came under the wrecker's ball.

Singapore eventually saw the folly of this and you can still find parts of the old Singapore.

The Tourist Promotion Board maintains a flood, a deluge, an inundation of brochures telling of the wonders of the city state. But it bridles madly at the sign of any criticism.

Despite this nonsense Singapore is a most attractive place to visit - for one reason. The people. Singaporeans are joyous, intelligent, friendly. In the restaurants you are served with pleasure.

Singapore need never run a politeness campaign. Its people are the politest and the warmest in Asia. Partially this has something to do with the racial mix. Within Singapore, Malays, Chinese of several varieties, Tamils and Europeans get on in the most amazing racial harmony.

This harmony spills over to the visitor. In Singapore, I promise you, the people positively love having you as an honored guest.

Pretty much all of the attractions in Singapore are man-made and of relatively recent origin. It is astounding that on this flat little island so much has been created to keep the visitor entertained.

What are the main attractions of Singapore? This is my list. Yours will almost certainly be very different.

Food. You can eat yourself silly with 100 different cuisines and still not have scratched the surface in Singapore.

My own view, formed after spending a lifetime in the area, is that the food in Singapore – because of its wide range of styles - is arguably the best in Asia.

You can eat very cheaply by sticking to the open air restaurants that abound. They are all squeaky clean and serve ambrosia at discount prices. The first place to try is the Satay Club on Elizabeth Walk and then make your own discoveries.

The Jurong Bird Park. When I have business in Singapore I make it a point to keep half a day clear to go and sit on my own in the Jurong Bird Park. This has the largest aviary in the world. What they have done is net off a valley so that there is a waterfall inside the aviary. It brings balm to the soul.

Visit The Off-Shore Islands. It is easy to think that Singapore is just one diamond shaped island for that is the way that it appears on most maps. In fact there are several smaller islands that you can visit.

Boats can be hired from Clifford Pier which is just across the road from Change Alley. On the islands you will find an older, more peaceful Singapore. One where Stamford Raffles - the man who founded the place - would feel very much at home.

Visit The Tiger Balm Gardens. This place is truly a nonsense - but a most enjoyable nonsense. Full of statues and grottoes and buildings all garishly painted. They are, as I understand it, intended to give you an idea how heaven and hell look in the Taoist religion. Incidentally, Tiger Balm ointment, which provided the funds to build this place, does cure what ails you.

Wallow In The Luxury Of An Up-Market Hotel. My theory is that the local towkays - the millionaires - have all tried to one-up each other in the construction of hotels. The result is that in Singapore you can stay in a hotel with appointments and service you could simply not afford anywhere else in the world.

Spend Time In One Of The Many Gardens. My favorite is the Japanese Garden, again in Jurong. A well-designed Japanese garden always gives me a special sense of peace. This is almost certainly the best Japanese garden outside Japan.

And so it goes. The average visitor spends 3.7 days in Singapore which is enough time to get the feel of the place, to go shopping, to eat yourself stupid and to make instant but lasting friendships with the local Singaporeans.

Then you can nip across the causeway to Malaysia. This is where the real Asia begins. Singapore is but a foretaste. For the first time visitor it is difficult to think of a better introduction.

About The Author

Gareth Powell

This article is by Gareth Powell who runs Travel Hopefully. It can be edited, cut, localized, and given a different heading. Just keep the link to the site intact. Gareth Powell has been travel editor of two metropolitan newspapers, has written (and had published) eleven books and has published many travel magazines.

Hawaii, a tropical paradise

Singapore is a tropical island, but is a city state while Hawaii, also in the tropical zone, is more subtropical because of the moderating effect of the surrounding ocean. What you see in Singapore will be mainly buildings, but you will see more of nature in Hawaii. That is why some consider tourism to Hawaii as ecotourism. However, travel involves burning of fossil fuel and CO2 emission contributing to global warming, but if you are environmentally conscious, there are sites that offer carbon offset for your travels. One such site is Carbon emission offset directory.

If you have enough of the "concrete jungle" and wants to go to Hawaii to enjoy more of nature, go for a Hawaii Trips for assistance for extended stay. It will be wise to book accommodation ahead of your trip. Hawaiian Beach Rentals is a convenient site to select and book online your accommodation. You can book hotels, condominiums, vacation packages at Hawaiian Beach Rentals. You can also book car rental before you go.

What can one do in Hawaii? You can go snorkeling and scuba diving to see the beautiful tropical fishes and reefs, go kayaking with a glass-bottom kayak if you don't want to get wet, experience the thrill of parasailing, gawk at volcanoes, explore the flora and inhabitants of the tropical jungles, listen to Hawaii music, etc. You will not have a dull day at Hawaii.

Free pixel advertisement for Singapore

Who doesn't want something for free? Here is this website offering both free and paid pixel advertisements. The site probably picked up the idea from the immensely successful Million Dollar Homepage of Alex Tew.

I got a button with the word "Singapore" on it, generated by this Tomaweb Free Button Generator and uploaded it to . Let's hope gets more popular, so more people will see the "Singapore" button their and visit this site.

Shop-Till-You-Drop At The Great Singapore Sale

Shop-Till-You-Drop At The Great Singapore Sale
By: Manoj Gursahani

Tempting discounts, rock-bottom prices and an amazing travel destination…I’m back home from an incredible Asian shopping fiesta- the Great Singapore Sale!!

If you are looking out for that ‘must-have’ bag, latest laptop or the hottest mobile phone and are planning to take a break in the near future, then take my word- the trip to Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale is the place to be! For this year’s mega sale, from 26th May to 23rd July, you can expect slashed prices from 20-30% upto 70% that include all the big shops across the island.

I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the shopping madness that spills out from the central shopping belt of downtown Orchard Road and Marina Bay to the city fringes and neighbourhood centres like Marine Parade and Toa Payoh, till the point you leave the country, at the Changi Airport.

As I found out myself, the discounts at the ongoing Great Singapore Sale are even more tempting this year with the Singapore Tourism Board launching massive promotions for the Indian tourists, with special airfares and attractive tourist packages during the Sale; including the added lure of a privilege card for the Indian shoppers entitles us to further discounts at the mammoth Suntec City mall.

If you want to be at the heart of the shopping excitement, I suggest you stay at the Oriental hotel or the Marina Mandarin- an arm’s throw from the Marina Square and the Suntec city mall. You can try the Fortuna or Claremont Hotel in Little India, for those slightly budget-conscious.

Delight in a bargain off the street-side shop, pick up a curio or two as you walk through colourful ethnic quarters, or cocoon yourself in one of the 12 air-conditioned shopping malls across the island that will take turns to extend shopping hours as far back as 12 midnight each weekend.

Bossini, Esprit, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger… or trendiest in electronics, jewellery, watches and cosmetics; to IT gear and techno-gizmos, in this sale you’ll find it all.

Simply flash your Visa or American Express credit cards and you’ll find some amazing bargains, not just from select shops but also from a variety of food outlets. Be sure to do your homework to take the maximum advantage of these on-going credit card promotions.

If you want to stay connected, but dread the colossal roaming bill when you come back, just buy a local simcard from any of the 7/11 shops. With simcards starting from 10 Singapore$ denominations and refills available easily, I think its the cheapest way to get connected.

What bugged me at times though, were the huge queues was getting a taxi, especially when you are lugging your armful of shopping bags. The only way to avoid this is to dial for a taxi (65221111), which would charge you about 10% more than the actual tariff, but it’s a real convenience for those willing to pay a little extra.

And if you are weary from the hours of shopping, don’t worry, you can even enjoy a free body and foot massage at the tourism board's visitor lounge in downtown Orchard Road along with some free entertainment and lucky draws!

For me, the best way to take a break from shopping was to enjoy a delicious Indian meal served on banana leaf at Sammy’s Curry at the Marina Square Food court around the Suntec area (priced at max 8 SD, it’s a must-have treat) or a sit back and relax with a classy Indian dinner at the Ras Restaurant on the Clarke’s Quay.

When you are finally through with shopping, don’t forget to walk through plexiglass underwater tunnel aquarium or take the night-safari at the Singapore Zoo. With a backdrop of colourful ethnic Asian community, tall gleaming skyscrapers of downtown Singapore, excitement of the Sentosa Island and the wilderness of the Jurong Bird Park, Singapore offers you a spectacular value for money.

And for the hardcore shopping enthusiasts there’s always some last minute duty-free shopping at the Changi Airport with the refund of the 5 percent sales tax on receipts of purchase of more than 100 Singapore$ during the Sale.

So arm yourself with sturdy shoes, recharged mobile phones and Credit cards, and get ready to fill your shopping bags with unbeatable bargains at the sale of the year. Indulge in 60 days of shopping carnival, shop-till-you-drop at the Great Singapore Sale!

Copyright (C) Manoj Gursahani

Article Source: http://www.articlebazaar.net

Manoj Gursahani is the Chairman of India's first ecommerce travel portal- TravelMartIndia. Visit the blog for more travel related issues, travel tips and destinations.

What’s Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A Family Holiday Maker With Kids

What’s Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A Family Holiday Maker With Kids
by: Jaffa Matt

You chose to travel to Southeast Asia as your next holiday getaway. You decided Singapore as your next travel destination. However, you have few problems that bothering your mind. You are going there with your kids. In addition, you have not been in Singapore before. But, your friends or other relatives have told you how great Singapore is as holiday destination. You believed them and that you decided to go to Singapore no matter what.

Are you in that situation? Relax, that a deep breath. This article will tell you what is worth doing when you are in Singapore with your kids. Which attractions kids enjoy most? Which places kids would love going to? Below are my suggestions…

Singapore Zoological Garden ( Singapore Zoological Garden )

The Singapore Zoological Garden or simply the zoo adapts the “open zoo” concept. Which means, no oppressive cage are in sight. Instead, animals are separated from visitors by means of wet or dry moats concealed with vegetation. Landscaped glass-fronted enclosures are used for certain animals such as jaguars and leopards. You should not miss this one place when you visit Singapore with kids.

Do come in the morning and have breakfast with the most celebrated orang utan in Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife at Jungle Flavours. I am sure you will get your family amused to start the day. Take memorable photographs with the orang utan or snake to add more fun.

After that, catch the Wonders of The Wild Show at 10:30 AM. Let the spider monkeys, macaques, humongous pythons and splashing sea lions be the stars of that morning.

Then, you can roam around the zoo to visit other animal exhibits namely the Orang Utan, White Tiger, Wild Africa, Cat Country, Elephants of Asia, Primate Kingdom, Hamadryas Baboons, Polar Bear, Reptile Garden, Fragile Forest and Australian Outback. In addition, do not forget to go for the elephant or pony rides before you leave.

Night Safari ( Night Safari )

Night Safari is next to the Zoo but operated from 06:30PM onwards. It is the world’s first wildlife park built for visits at night. Yes, explore wildlife in the tropical jungle at night! Superb lighting technique create a moonlight effect and recreated the jungle atmosphere in this 40 hectares of lush secondary forest, which houses over 1000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast, naturalistic habitats.

The tram-stop-walk-tram like tour will bring you to various stops and trails where you can view animals that you sometimes do not think they exist.

Have you ever seen a screw goat? This is makhor, which is the largest goat in the world and considered “King of Wild Goats”. Why screw? Because, its horns twist into a spiral resembling a corkscrew. Look out for them at Himalayan Foothills. Other animal exhibits are Nepalese River Valley (Otter, Wolf, Greater Asian Rhino, Jackal and Sambar Deer), Indian Subcontinent (Striped Hyena, Gir Lion and the Sloth Bear), Equatorial Africa (Giraffe, Serval, Spotted Hyena, Bongo and the Hippo ), Indo-Malayan Region (Hog Deer, Bearded Pig and Tiger ), Asian Riverine Forest (Tapir, Red Dhole, Asian Elephant and Banteng), South American Pampas (Maned Wolf, Capybara and Giant Anteater) and Burmese Hillside (Guar and Thamin).

To add the thrills there are also animal trails namely Fishing Cat Trail, The Leopard Trail and Forest Giants Trail. And not forgetting, the Creatures of Night Show where the star casts includes otters, binturongs, raccoons, owls, wolves, hyenas and servals. Well, this place is a must for added kids’ excitements.

Jurong Bird Park ( Jurong Bird Park )

Jurong Bird Park is the next place you should not miss. Its 20.2-hectare open-concept park is the largest in the Asia Pacific and probably the best in the world. It has more than 9000 birds from 600 species in its collection. It specialises birds from Southeast Asia.

The African Wetlands:- Shoebill, Storks, Egyptian Goose, the Blue Crane, White-faced Tree Duck, White-breasted Cormorant, Crested Guinea Fowl, Great White Pelican.

Birds Of Paradise: - Red Bird of Paradise, Lesser Bird of Paradise, 12-Wired Bird of Paradise.

Hornbills and Toucans Exhibit: - Toco Toucan, Black Hornbill, Southern Pied Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill.

Parrot Paradise: - Dusky Lory, Hawk-Headed Parrot, Blue and Gold Macaw, Eclectus Parrot.

World of Darkness: - The Night Herons, Fish Owls, Snowy Owls, Barn Owls

And many more. Also, do not forget to experience the world’s largest walk-in aviary with the tallest man-made waterfall where you can enjoy a close-up view of free-flying birds from Africa and South America.Not forgetting the bird shows, Birds ‘n Buddies Show and Birds of Prey Show.

Sentosa Island ( Sentosa Island )

This 500-hectare island is where you and your family will experience a unique mixture of leisure and recreational events. It has loads of attractions, water sports, sandy beaches, golf courses and hotel resorts. In fact, you can spend the whole day here if you have the time. However, for family with kids, here are my suggestions…

Carlsberg Sky Tower: - Have a scenic and breathtaking experience as you go atop Singapore’s tallest observatory tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of Singapore, Sentosa, Southern Islands and Malaysia and Indonesian islands.

Underwater World: - This oceanarium housed more than 2500 fishes from 250 different species. Have a ‘hands on’ experience with starfish, stingrays and baby sharks. Then, venture into the ocean depths via a moving travellator, which spread through 83 metre long with fishes such as sharks, stingrays, eels all around you.

Dolphin Lagoon: - Included in your ticket price is the entrance to Dolphin Lagoon. Catch the “Meet the Dolphin” sessions at 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm & 5.30pm daily.

Sentosa 4D Magix: - Do not miss this spectacular and mind-blowing interactive experience. Enjoy the visual effects, surround sound, individually controlled motion seats and get wet with special “live” environmental effects water spray and many surprises.

The Flying Trapeze: - Fear of height? Try this. This fantastic entertainment let you experience as a flying trapeze. It helps develop one’s mind, body and coordination. For kids 4 years and above but not for pregnant women.

Sijori Wondergolf: - You do not need to have Tiger Woods talent to play this golf. Because, this is a miniature golf park. Fifty-four creative landscaped green set in three different 18-hole courses will put your kids’ fun and excitement to become the next Tiger Woods.

Escape Theme Park ( Escape Theme Park )

Keep your kids occupied in this amusement park. There are rides for kids, big kids and families. Lookout for the Daytona Go-Kart, it’s exciting. Other attractions you can find there are Bumper Boats, Central Pavilion, Coca Cola Pirate Ship, Family Coaster, Ferris Wheel, Inverter, Revolution and many more.

Wild Wild Wet ( Wild Wild Wet )

This waterpark located just next to the Escape Theme Park. You can even buy combo ticket for both entrances together. Here, you and your family can get wet with flumes, twisty slide, wave pool namely Ular-Lah, The Waterworks, Wall’s Tsunami and many others. In fact, you can spend the whole afternoon here.

Well, of course there are much more to explore with your kids in Singapore. These are my personal suggestions so that your mind is not blank once you step on our beautiful Changi International Airport (Changi Airport ).

Copyright © 2006 Jaffa Matt

About The Author
Jaffa Matt is an independent Freelance writer who was born and lives in Singapore. His website My Singapore provides ideas & informative articles about his country, Singapore.

Things To Do In Singapore

Things To Do In Singapore
by: Ong Hui Woo

The best way to explore Singapore is to do what the locals do. That’s right, do things that are ‘non-touristy’. I have compiled a list of places and things to do in Singapore that are mostly free, other than a bottle of drink and transport fares. Hope you will find them useful and have fun!

1. Grab your 20 mega pixel camera and head down to Chinatown .... ok, ok, 2 million pixel is just as good. Take some pictures of the old shops and their almost 90 degrees staircases. If you like taking pictures of elderly people, there are many sitting around the wet market doing nothing.

2. Go to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for mountain biking or walk around and smell the green. Bring a bottle of water and shades.

3. Take a ferry (cost only $2) to Pulau Ubin and explore the island. You can also rent a bike or worn out motocycle. Try taking a taxi if you can find one, they can climb rough terrains better than jeeps. Explore some of the Malay kampungs and prawn farms.

4. Visit the Changi Prison. It's free entrance for both tourist and inmates. Drop by the museum and chapel for some WW2 history and photos.

5. Visit the Siang Lim Si temple at Toa Payoh. Watch people get blessed. For the non-believers, you can count the number of deities inside ... it should occupy you for one hour.

6. Go to the East Coast Park for a swim and followed by satay-bee hoon at the hawker centre.

7. Take a train to Changi Airport. Buy two cups of coffee, find a comfortable pillar in the departure hall viewing gallery, watch planes take off and ask yourself why you are not on the plane heading for a vacation.

8. Take a map and walk through MacRitchie Reservoir.

9. Go Sim Lim Square and check out the latest laptops and hardware.

10. Go jogging from Kallang River to Benjamin Sheares Bridge.

11. Take a train from the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. You can go over to Malaysia and back within a day.

12. Try water skiing at Pungol.

13. Make your own kite and fly them at the Marine South open field. After that, you can have a delicious steamboat dinner at the many steamboat restaurant nearby.

14. Go to the Flea Market at Sungei Road. Some people called it the Thieves Market because most of the things sold there are not bought by the merchants.

15. Go cycling at the Sembawang Park. Quiet and nice even on the weekends. Cycle to the end and you can see some of the big ships refuelling.

16. Bring your own pit and barbeque along the Upper Pierce Reservoir. But if you feel oily, don't jump into the reservoir, you may end up in Point no. 4.

17. Visit the Tekka Market at Serangoon Road for a variety of fruits and vegetables. There is a stall selling one of the best Bryani Chicken Rice I have ever tasted.

18. Go fishing at Pasir Ris Park.

19. Visit the Kinokuniya Bookstore.If your are dizzy after browing the library size bookstore, sit down for a cup of tea at the cafe inside the bookstore. If you feel like a bookworm that day, then head for the Borders bookstore for a second helping.

20. Visit the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. Bring binoculars and do bird watching. After that, you can buy some hydroponic vegetables home at the nearby farms.

copyright : Platimum Books

About The Author
Ong Hui Woo
Singapore Citizen
Platimum Books

What Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A World War II Veteran

What Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A World War II Veteran
by: Jaffa Matt

Well, what do World War II veterans have in common with Singapore? Very long lasting, unforgettable memories that you can share with fellow family members and friends. Especially those who had survived or had served in Singapore back in the year between 1942 to 1945.

So, if you travel to Singapore again with your family or friends or loved ones, would you like to walk down the memory lane? (Some memories are painful but some still brought back a smile. Do you agree?)

Well veterans, if you happen to travel back to Singapore in your next holiday, make your travel a memorable one. These are some places worth visiting to bring back those dark years.

The Battle Box

The Battle Box is the largest underground command center of the British Malaya Command Headquarters in Singapore during World War II and tucked into the hillside of Fort Canning.

This bombproof complex comprises of 22 rooms linked together by a corridor and capable of recycling its own air supply.

Today, the Battle Box has undergone extensive restoration. Visitors will be able to relive the morning of February 15, 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese.

Reflections of Bukit Chandu
Bukit Chandu

Back in 1942, 1400 soldiers of the Malay Regiment fought with courage against 13000 Japanese soldiers. They chose death over dishonour.

Pepper’s Ghost will bring you through the Battle of Pasir Panjang and you will be able to walk through the Galleries displaying maps, photographs and information regarding the Malay Regiment and the Defence of Malaya.

Fort Siloso
Fort Siloso

The British built Fort Siloso in the 1880s to protect Singapore harbour’s western entrance. During the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), it became concentration camp for POWs.
Fort Siloso serves as an important window to Singapore’s colonial past and as reminder of the war years.

Changi Chapel & Museum
Changi Museum

This place, called a beacon of hope for the hopeless. Built by Changi Prison inmates, the Changi Chapel stands as a monument to those who maintained their faith and dignity during the Japanese Occupation.

More than 50 000 civilians and soldiers were imprisoned during those days. Some exhibits that you can find and relate to their agony are letters, photographs, drawings and their personal effects. However, their main attraction is a replica of The Changi Murals, a series of wall painting recreated from the originals painted by Stanley Warren.

Old Ford Factory
Ford Factory

On February 15, 1942, Lt Gen A.E.Percival then Commander of the British Forces in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese Army. The ‘ceremony’ took place here, the Old Ford Factory.

On February 16, 2006, Singapore Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean officially opened Memories at Old Ford Factory. Here, you can find the exhibition ‘Syonan Years: Singapore Under Japanese Rule, 1942-1945’.

Kranji War Memorial

Kranji War Memorial honours the men from Britain, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, the Netherlands and New Zealand who gave their lives for freedom in World War II.

Here you can find 4000 servicemen’s graves stand in neat rows. For about 24 000 soldiers and air force men, whose bodies were never recovered, their names were inscribed on 12 columns. Besides that, it is also a burial ground for Singapore’s first two presidents.

Civilian War Memorial

Located in the Padang, the Civilian War Memorial is dedicated to all those who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore between February 15, 1942 to September 12, 1945. Every year on 15 February, a memorial service is held here to remember the victims of the war.

Here you can find four identical vertical pillars rise to a pinnacle of 92.5 metres, symbolising the shared experiences of the four major races of Singapore - Chinese, Malay, Indian and other races. The remains of the unidentified war victims are buried beneath the monument.

Copyright © 2006 Jaffa Matt

About The Author
Jaffa Matt is a Freelance writer who was born and live in Singapore. His website My Singapore provides ideas & informative articles about his country, Singapore.

Destination Singapore. A fine city for all the right reasons

Destination Singapore. A fine city for all the right reasons.
by: Matthew Lawson

You may have heard the saying “Singapore is a fine city.” You get fined for this, fined for that… you could even get fined for chewing gum (it caused a major door drama that stopped the MRT subway running). While there’s no doubt that Singapore takes a tough stand on fines for anti-social issues and basic public behaviour, Singapore is also fine city for a tourists on a stopover or vacation break.

In fact, Singapore is one of the world’s most popular destinations. A tiny island with mighty appeal, lying between Malaysia and Indonesia. Just 14 miles from north to south and 26 miles wide from east to west, it’s slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Singapore lies in the heart of exciting Southeast Asia, a bridge between east and west and a place that buzzes 24/7.

It offers visitors a world of fantastic possibilities. Its ultra-modern skyscrapers and towers of glass contrast with the colonial charm of historic buildings, secret laneways and Chinese shop houses.

It’s a confusion of culture with slick style and business energy. A melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian races. Safe, fun and friendly, the perfect place for a break. Singaporeans are super helpful to visitors and just about everybody speaks English as this is the main language of business and everyday life.

Singapore is also just a few degrees from the equator, so it’s always a hot and happening place literally. Tip: dress for the tropics with light comfortable clothing.

Seven great things to do and see.

Singapore Shopping. A buyer’s paradise.

The number one attraction is undoubtedly shopping. Stroll down the main boulevard of Orchard Road and you’ll find plenty to tempt you and your credit card, but window shopping costs nothing. Each side of the road is lined with glossy designer boutiques, big stores and fabulous malls, not to mention shops displaying the latest digital wizardy.

Don’t miss exploring the other side of Singapore either. It’s fun to spend a day wandering the different locales and historic backstreets of Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street.

Enjoy a Singapore Sling at Raffles.

“When in Singapore, feed at Raffles”, that was the advice of the renowned English author, Rudyard Kipling, and it still holds true today. The legendary Raffles Hotel is consistently voted as one of the top hotels in the world. It attracted a bevy of literary talent to its doors, from Joseph Conrad to Somerset Maugham to Noel Coward who were inspired by its unique atmosphere. First opened in 1887, Raffles has undergone extensive restoration over the years but today it’s still as stylish as ever.

Now film celebrities, royalty, sports stars and anyone who’s anyone, chooses to stay Raffles. Even if your budget doesn’t allow an overnight booking, you could probably stretch to a refreshing Gin Sling in the Long Bar – it was invented here. Bartender Ngiam Tong Boon created this deliciously different cocktail close to a century ago.

Food glorious food.

Making money is not the only things on people’s minds in Singapore. The subject of food is a national obsession. After breakfast has finished, where to have lunch and dinner are the big topics of the day. As a visitor, your taste buds are spoiled for choice with plenty of food halls, stalls, cafes and upmarket restaurants.

Nonya or Peranakan food is the closest Singapore has to a “national” cuisine. It combines Chinese, Malay and other influences into its own unique blend. The resulting dishes are imaginative, tasty and often extremely subtle.

Travel tip: If you’re heading this way in the month of July, the annual Singapore Food Festival is in full swing. A gastronomic feast of workshops, places to eat, amazing recipes and things to try are all on the menu.

Singapore Zoo Night Safari.

Forget a typical zoo experience, this is an “open” green environment where animals are allowed to roam in acres of lush jungle and parklands. Oppressive cages are absent.

The animals are actually kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures, separated from visitors by dry or wet moats. The moats are concealed with vegetation or dropped below the line of vision.

At night, Singapore zoo takes on a totally different feel with the famous Night Safari. A unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through subtle lighting, you can view over 1,000 nocturnal animals from 100 species in their habitat. It’s well worth spending an evening out here. Show time starts at 7.30 as the sunset in this part of world is very reliable, thanks to the position, close to the equator.

Sentosa. Singapore’s premier island resort getaway.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Singapore, you’ll find the resort getaway that is Sentosa Island. A stunning blend of leisure and recreational facilities, sea sports, golf and peaceful retreats. Get there by cable car (fantastic views) or bus, taxi and car.

A canopy of secondary rainforest covers 70 per cent of the 500-hectare island and it’s home to monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots as well as other native fauna and flora. With is long stretch of white sandy beach, this is the only place in Singapore with real beachfront accommodation, such as Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort. You’ll find this property (and many more choices all over Singapore) at sites like http://www.hotel.com.au/singapore

Clarke Quay. Night moves and grooves.

When the sun goes down, Clarke Quay, on the Singapore River, comes to life. During the 19th century, this was a commercial waterfront area, bustling with merchant vessels. The rich heritage is alive and kicking. The Quay been restored to create a colorful and stylish meeting place, filled with cosy cafes, bars, music and restaurants. Trendy night spots attract a big crowd, especially at the weekend.

Reflexology. Traditional Foot Massage.

Transport-wise, Singapore is easy to get around, by subway, bus or taxi, but you’ll probably pound the sidewalks taking in the sights and sounds of this great Asian destination. Make time for some pampering.

Reflexology or foot massage has long been part of Chinese tradition and culture - a superb way to relax after a tough day bargain hunting. You’ll find plenty of places to enjoy a massage, at exclusive Hotel spas, or the more reasonably priced specialty outlets all around Orchard Road, in shopping centres and Tanglin Road.

Singapore hotels to match every budget.

Singapore is one of the world’s top travel destinations, especially for stop overs. (U.S. citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa.) Accommodation-wise, you’ll find a wide range of hotels to suit your budget – from major 5 star international names to smaller hotels offering great value rates. Book online and see the deals you can find.

During holiday time, Chinese New Year and during special festivals, it pays to book ahead because Singapore is always a fine experience.

Web sites such as www.hotel.com.au/singapore have dozens of choices, in the shopping, business and nightlife districts.

About The Author
Matthew Lawson heads up www.hotel.com.au and is an avid traveler.

Tax Exemption for New Singapore Companies

Tax Exemption for New Singapore Companies
by: Alvin Tan

Singapore government has recently come up with some good news for entrepreneurs planning to incorporate a company in Singapore.

For newly incorporated Singapore companies, full tax exemption will be granted on normal chargeable income of a qualifying company up to $100,000, for any of its first three consecutive years of assessment (YA) that fall within YA 2005 to YA 2009.

To qualify for the tax exemption for a relevant year under the new scheme, a company must:

* be a company incorporated in Singapore
* be a tax resident in Singapore for that year
* have no more than 20 shareholders throughout the basis period relating to that year; and
* have all shareholders who are individuals throughout the basis period relating to that year.

A Singapore Subsidiary of a foreign company does not qualify for this tax exemption since the shareholder is a foreign company and not an individual.

Any Singapore company that does not meet the qualifying conditions for any of its first three consecutive years falling within 2005 to 2009 may still be eligible for partial tax exemption.

The Singapore tax system is territorial. Income tax is levied on the net income of companies from sources within Singapore and on foreign source income if remitted into Singapore. Non-resident Singapore companies and businesses are taxed on the same basis.

The company income tax rate is currently 20%. There is no capital gains tax imposed in Singapore. Singapore does not levy a withholding tax on dividends. Interest, royalties or rental of equipment payments to non-residents are subject to a 15% withholding tax.

Income tax for foreign-sourced income is applicable only if the income is remitted into Singapore. A Singapore company can enjoy tax exemption from its foreign-sourced dividends, foreign branch profits, and foreign-sourced service income that is remitted into Singapore if the following conditions are met:

* The highest corporate tax rate (Headline tax rate) of the foreign country from which income is received from is at least 15% in the year the income is received; and

* The foreign income had been subjected to tax in the foreign country from which they were received

About The Author
AsiaBiz Services Pte Ltd is a leading Singapore based firm that specializes in Singapore company incorporation, foreign company registration, and related corporate services. For more information, please visit us at www.asiabizsetup.com

Whats and Hows of Singapore Entrepreneur Pass

Whats and Hows of Singapore Entrepreneur Pass
by: Alvin Tan

Overview

Are you a foreign national who would like to move to Singapore and start a new business? Or perhaps you are currently on an employment pass working for another company in Singapore but would rather quit and incorporate your own business here?

If the answer to any one of the above is 'yes', the Singapore Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) is for you. With Singapore’s desire to become a regional business hub, it plans to attract a good number of entrepreneur minds into the country from overseas. The EntrePass is a type of Singapore Employment Pass that is designed to facilitate the entry and stay of foreign entrepreneurs who are ready to incorporate and launch a business in Singapore. EntrePass was introduced in 2004 and is aimed at attracting foreign entrepreneurs into the country.

Two categories of foreign nationals are eligible for the Singapore Entrepass:

• A foreign national who is an entrepreneur ready to start a company/business and be actively involved in the operation of the company/business in Singapore.

• A foreign national who is an existing shareholder/partner in a Singapore registered company/business and who wishes to become actively involved in the operation of the company/business.

The EntrePass allows global value-creating entrepreneurs and innovators to establish and run their business ventures in Singapore.

You don't need to have a Ph.D. from top-notch school or have millions in the bank to get started. All you need is a good business plan and some investment to cover your startup expenses and support yourself in the early stages.

Important Facts about EntrePass

• Application for EntrePass should be made prior to incorporating your business in Singapore.

• Along with EntrePass application, you will need to submit a 10 page long business plan. The details of preparing a good business plan are described in the subsequent sections of this document.

• Businesses not of entrepreneurial nature for example, coffee shops / food courts, foot reflexology, massage parlours, karaoke lounges, money changing / remitting, newspaper vending, and tuition services etc will not be considered for an EntrePass.

• The application processing time is usually 2-3 weeks.

• If your application is successful, you will normally be issued an EntrePass that is valid for two years. You do not need to incorporate your business in Singapore until the successful outcome of your EntrePass application.

• Your EntrePass allows you to bring your immediate family members to Singapore to live with you.

• The EntrePass is renewable for as long as the business remains viable. You are also eligible to apply for a permanent residence in Singapore in due course.

Importance of Business Plan for EntrePass Application

Preparing a good business plan for your new Singapore business is one of the most crucial aspects of applying for EntrePass. The Good news is that the business plan is expected to be relatively concise i.e. no more than 10 pages long.

In addition to its importance in applying for EntrePass, another important value lies in the process of researching and thinking about your business in a systematic way. The act of planning helps you to think things through thoroughly, study and research if you are not sure of the facts, and look at your ideas critically.

A well thought out business plan will not only improve your chances of getting a Singapore EntrePass, but it will also help you clarify your mind and better prepare for your entrepreneurship journey. The well-known fleas-in-the-box analogy applies to your plan as well; if you put a lid on the box, the fleas will learn to jump to that height only, but if there is no lid, they jump as high as they are capable of doing. Your plan should set that lid higher. At the same time you must be confident that figures in business plan are achievable. You must strike a good balance between optimism and realism.

Make sure business plan EntrePass is impressive in presentation. Your plan must get across to readers what is interesting about your business. Stress your marketing and sales strategy and include a break-even analysis. Be sure to include tax payments, payments to local accountants and other service providers and the fact that your business funds will be kept in a Singapore bank!

How to prepare a good business plan for EntrePass?

So are you ready to prepare your business plan and apply for Singapore EntrePass? The guide below will help you to get a better understanding of the various sections and contents that are expected in the business plan.

1. Executive Summary (Approx. half-page)

Write this section last and keep it to half-page. Provide a brief summary of product(s)/service(s), target customers, owners, and the future for your business and industry in Singapore.

2. Business Concept (Approx. half-page to one page)

In this section you should include brief description of the proposed business and industry, a mission statement, company goals and objectives, business philosophy, strengths and core competencies of the proposed venture, critical success factors, and legal form of ownership. (To find out more about possible legal forms, see Singapore Business Structure Options for Entrepreneurs).

3. Product(s)/Service(s) (Approx. 1 page)

This is the place where you need to describe your product(s) or service(s) in detail. How will you differentiate your product(s)/services(s) from the competition? What will be your competitive edge?

4. Marketing Plan (Approx. 2-3 pages)

No matter how good your product and/or service, your business venture will not succeed without effective marketing. And it begins with careful research and planning upfront. Talk about the size of your market, current demand, and future growth prospects, and opportunities for a business of your size. What barriers will you face with your new venture and how will you overcome them? Write about your targeted customers, their characteristics, and their geographic locations, otherwise known as their demographics. Write about your direct and indirect competition: who, their size, position in the market. How will your offerings compare with your competition? Use a competitive analysis table to compare your new Singapore Company with the two most important competitors. Include factors such as price, quality, selection, service, reliability, technical and management expertise, sales and marketing strength, etc. Make an honest assessment of your company’s strong and weak points again!

st the competition. Outline your marketing strategy. How will you identify potential customers? How will you create awareness of your offerings? How will you advertise? What is your marketing budget (startup and ongoing)? What image do you want to project? What is your plan for creating marketing collateral (logo, website, business cards, brochures, etc.)? How will you retain customers? Write about distribution channels. How do plan to distribute your products/services? What will be your pricing strategy?

5. Operational Plan (Approx. 1-2 pages)

Explain the operations and resource needs of your new Singapore business venture. How and where your product(s)/services(s) will be produced? What equipment do you need? What is your procurement plan? Explain production, delivery, and quality control processes for your product(s)/services(s). Describe your location and space requirements? Who will be your suppliers? What will be the proposed credit, delivery, and quality control policies? What are the legal requirements for your business? Business licenses? Other regulations that apply to your industry? Insurance coverage needs? What are personnel requirements? What type of workforce (skills and experience) do you need? Pay structure? Job descriptions? Duties & Responsibilities? Organizational chart? HR policies? Recruitment plan? What services do you plan to outsource and to whom? What are your inventory needs and how do you plan to manage it? How do you plan to manage your accounts receivables and accounts payables?

6. Financial projections (Approx. 2 pages)

Provide projected sales and net profit before tax for three years, startup expenses, cash flow projections, and breakeven point, key assumptions. The intended startup capital for your new Singapore business must be able to cover your startup expenses and keep you afloat for the first 6-months. Many startup businesses fail because they run into cash flow problems soon after they start. The person who will be evaluating your Singapore EntrePass application will definitely be paying close attention to this.

7. Management Team (Approx. 1 page)

Talk about your past employment and business experience, achievements, key competencies, and roles & responsibilities. Identify weak areas and how you plan to address them.

8. Supporting Documents

Here you can provide any supporting documents that you have to backup the information you provided in your business plan. This might include customer leads, written articles, awards, certifications, etc.

Although it requires some effort and research, preparing a good business plan is not as difficult as you might think. Writing a business plan is just capturing your longer-term goals, objectives, estimates, and forecasts on paper. It typically takes couple of weeks to complete a good plan. Most of that time is spent in research and re-thinking your ideas and assumptions. So make time to do the job properly. Those who do, never regret the effort.

About The Author

Alvin Tan

Our company AsiaBizSetup can help you in preparing a comprehensive business plan and applying for your Singapore EntrePass. We are based in Singapore and provide a complete range of corporate services under-one-roof. For more information about our services and starting a business in Singapore, please visit our website www.asiabizsetup.com.

Singapore, Introduction To Asia

Singapore, Introduction To Asia
by: Gareth Powell

To understand Singapore you need to realize that it is the extension of one man's intelligence, dream and drive. And that man is Lee Kuan Yew, the original prime minister of the Republic of Singapore. Yes, it is true he was aided in his task by the people of Singapore. It is interesting to ponder on what would have happened to Singapore if Lee Kuan Yew, one of the remarkable men of his century, had not been present.

Lee Kuan Yew is a nonya. That is he can claim both Malay and Chinese heritage. He was born in 1923 and was prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. And during his rule, as a simple statement of fact, Singapore went from being something of a backwater to becoming the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.

Lee Kuan Yew went to Cambridge University where he got a double starred first which is not something that is given out with the rations. He became a lawyer and was admitted to the English bar but returned to Singapore to work, as a committed socialist, with the unions.

In 1963 Lee took Singapore into the newly created Federation of Malaysia.

This created all sorts of problems. In Singapore 75 percent of the members of the PAP were Chinese and there was much tension between Chinese and Malays. There was communal rioting in Singapore and in 1965 Lee Kuan Yew was told by his Malaysian colleagues in the federal government that Singapore must leave the federation.

Singapore had to secede and it then became a sovereign state with Lee Kuan Yew as its first prime minister.

It is fair to say that in return for a mildly authoritarian style of government that sometimes infringed on civil liberties Lee Kuan Yew brought Singapore honest and efficient administration and spectacular prosperity.

Lee Kuan Yew resigned the office of prime minister in November 1990.

It is, perhaps, sad that such a great man who did not believe in inherited power has appointed his children in just such a manner. Does not affect the tourist. Possibly affects the future of Singapore.

Singapore is not a big place. It sits at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula 137 km north of the Equator. The main part is Singapore Island and there are also about 60 very small islands.

The main island is connected to Peninsular Malaysia by a road and rail causeway which bridges the Johor Strait.

Singapore does not depend on tourism for a living. It is the largest port in Southeast Asia and one of the busiest in the world.

Singapore is not just a small island. It is also a very flat island. Most of it is less than 15m above sea level and its highest point is Timah Hill which soars to 162m.

Climate

Singapore is near the equator and in the monsoon region. The average monthly temperature varies from about 27 degrees C in June to 25 degrees C in January and the difference is not noticeable. The wettest time of the year is November-March and the period with the least amount is May to September. Not that it makes very much difference.

Rain falls somewhere on the island every day of the year. Which is why it is very green. Do not let the rain worry you. In the constant warm temperature you very quickly dry out.

There is not much left of the original Singapore. There is a fragment of evergreen rain forest preserved around catchment areas and some mangrove vegetation survives in the Kranji area on the northwest side of the island but otherwise it is all cultivated in one way or another.

The city is in the south of the island but, in truth, most of the island of Singapore has now been built up and over. At one time it looked as though every old building in Singapore would be knocked down and replaced with a new and shining skyscraper. Eventually the penny dropped and the government decided that refurbishing rather than demolishing the once-common Chinese shop-house would not be a bad idea. And keeping the Raffles hotel operating in its old premises but with a new style was part of the campaign.

Nevertheless the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has changed forever the face of Singapore and has housed a staggering four-fifths of the population high-rise HDB flats located in housing estates and new towns.

Language

About three quarters of the population of Singapore is Chinese with Malays next and Indians the third.

But it does not break down as easily as that. Nearly half of the Chinese originate from Fukien province and speak Amoy; a third is from Swatow and speaks Teochew and most of the rest are Cantonese. That is three different dialects which are not understandable by all although, of course, written Chinese is a unifying force.

The Malays are pretty much one group although some of them speak Indonesian dialects which although very similar to Malay have some vocabulary differences. The Indians are the biggest mixture of them all. The majority are Tamils but there are also Malayalis and Sikhs as well as Pakistanis and Sinhalese.

There are four official languages - English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. And there is a fifth which although not recognized officially, is distinct enough to be the subject of several learned papers. This is Singaporean which is Singapore's very own version of the English language.

It contains words and grammatical from all the languages of Singapore. Therefore "Must be, lah" is an affirmative declaration while, "What to do now, lah?" is an expression of helplessness in the face of fate. It is a lovely and expressive language based totally on English. If you speak English you will never have language problems in Singapore.

Singapore is a singularly pleasant place to visit. It is the ideal destination for someone making their first foray into Asia.

The chances of your being robbed in Singapore are pretty close to nil. And if you are, the local constabulary will move heaven and earth to fang the wretched miscreant and return your goods.

The roads are spotlessly clean - drop a bus ticket and you will very probably be fined. The road crossings are safe - go jaywalking and once again your wallet will be lightened. The roadside food stalls are the cleanest in the world. No one gets gippy tummy in Singapore.

The developers are something else again. Sadly, like developers all over the world their motto is 'nothing exceeds like excess'. Almost everything that was old and worthwhile and interesting came under the wrecker's ball.

Singapore eventually saw the folly of this and you can still find parts of the old Singapore.

The Tourist Promotion Board maintains a flood, a deluge, an inundation of brochures telling of the wonders of the city state. But it bridles madly at the sign of any criticism.

Despite this nonsense Singapore is a most attractive place to visit - for one reason. The people. Singaporeans are joyous, intelligent, friendly. In the restaurants you are served with pleasure.

Singapore need never run a politeness campaign. Its people are the politest and the warmest in Asia. Partially this has something to do with the racial mix. Within Singapore, Malays, Chinese of several varieties, Tamils and Europeans get on in the most amazing racial harmony.

This harmony spills over to the visitor. In Singapore, I promise you, the people positively love having you as an honored guest.

Pretty much all of the attractions in Singapore are man-made and of relatively recent origin. It is astounding that on this flat little island so much has been created to keep the visitor entertained.

What are the main attractions of Singapore? This is my list. Yours will almost certainly be very different.

Food. You can eat yourself silly with 100 different cuisines and still not have scratched the surface in Singapore.

My own view, formed after spending a lifetime in the area, is that the food in Singapore – because of its wide range of styles - is arguably the best in Asia.

You can eat very cheaply by sticking to the open air restaurants that abound. They are all squeaky clean and serve ambrosia at discount prices. The first place to try is the Satay Club on Elizabeth Walk and then make your own discoveries.

The Jurong Bird Park. When I have business in Singapore I make it a point to keep half a day clear to go and sit on my own in the Jurong Bird Park. This has the largest aviary in the world. What they have done is net off a valley so that there is a waterfall inside the aviary. It brings balm to the soul.

Visit The Off-Shore Islands. It is easy to think that Singapore is just one diamond shaped island for that is the way that it appears on most maps. In fact there are several smaller islands that you can visit.

Boats can be hired from Clifford Pier which is just across the road from Change Alley. On the islands you will find an older, more peaceful Singapore. One where Stamford Raffles - the man who founded the place - would feel very much at home.

Visit The Tiger Balm Gardens. This place is truly a nonsense - but a most enjoyable nonsense. Full of statues and grottoes and buildings all garishly painted. They are, as I understand it, intended to give you an idea how heaven and hell look in the Taoist religion. Incidentally, Tiger Balm ointment, which provided the funds to build this place, does cure what ails you.

Wallow In The Luxury Of An Up-Market Hotel. My theory is that the local towkays - the millionaires - have all tried to one-up each other in the construction of hotels. The result is that in Singapore you can stay in a hotel with appointments and service you could simply not afford anywhere else in the world.

Spend Time In One Of The Many Gardens. My favorite is the Japanese Garden, again in Jurong. A well-designed Japanese garden always gives me a special sense of peace. This is almost certainly the best Japanese garden outside Japan.

And so it goes. The average visitor spends 3.7 days in Singapore which is enough time to get the feel of the place, to go shopping, to eat yourself stupid and to make instant but lasting friendships with the local Singaporeans.

Then you can nip across the causeway to Malaysia. This is where the real Asia begins. Singapore is but a foretaste. For the first time visitor it is difficult to think of a better introduction.

About The Author

Gareth Powell

This article is by Gareth Powell who runs www.travelhopefully.com. It can be edited, cut, localized, and given a different heading. Just keep the link to the site intact. Gareth Powell has been travel editor of two metropolitan newspapers, has written (and had published) eleven books and has published many travel magazines.

The Singapore Taxi

The Singapore Taxi
by: Ieuan Dolby

Fast, easy and efficient could describe life in Singapore. You don’t stroll along the streets in a world of your own with time to spare and you definitely do not walk when a taxi is waiting nearby. Life in Singapore is geared towards the making of money and any spare moment given is put to that task. So if one should need to get to work or get to the office, go shopping or attend the cinema (because the children insist on it) then transport is essential.

Private cars are good and super efficient. The MRT or underground system is also a perfect feat of Engineering: fast, clean and cheap for the average punter, but life also seems to include an inordinate number of taxis. They seem to be required and used whether one owns a car not and even when one is standing right next to the entrance to an MRT station. In an average week one can use a taxi about seven times and that in anybody’s books is a lot.

Three companies tend to run the Cab business and all are large and modern, consisting of the latest cars with satellite navigation and instant booking services by a frightening voice box and pushbutton accept system that flashes possible messages at the driver: as if he is not confused enough with the fast flowing and interchanging traffic that is going on around him. Singapore is not a place where once you get into lane you are okay for half an hour so. This is a place where once you have settled into your lane – it is time to change to another, time to enter the tunnel or cross a bridge, go round a roundabout or exit up the ramp. A plate of Spaghetti has nothing on the road system here but it does flow smoothly, it is extremely well designed and it is safe – if drivers do not talk too much and check their flashing job screen every other minute!

To catch a cab one can do a variety of things. The usual one of going outside and flagging one down, another of calling one up on the booking service or joining a long queue at a taxi rank. The first one is the most amazing and also one of the most frustrating methods of trying to catch one: not that there are none available but the drivers have a strange way of picking up punters. There you are outside your apartment and this blue cab with its light on comes floating towards you. Stopping beside the pavement the driver will lower his window and ask you where you are going.

And the strangest thing is that if you are not going in his direction or to where he wants to go, then he will not pick you up. Amazing but true! Taxi drivers are very obstinate and although Singaporeans like to make money above all else the taxis do not follow that rule. For them food and sleep is more important and so if they are coming towards the end of their shift or feel like dinner then they will not pick you up unless you want to go where they are going. It is quite possible to stop five or more cabs in a run only for the drivers to shake their heads and zoom off leaving you stranded and confused. A very frustrating time indeed!

The other method of calling a taxi is probably the most efficient and stable one. Simply by calling up the company a taxi can be on its way to you in a matter of minutes and mostly all works well. The third method can also be extremely annoying and frustrating as one usually has to stand for about twenty minutes in a long queue whilst suffering from the heat of the day. But by using a taxi rank you are assured of being picked up – by law the driver cannot refuse to take you wherever you want to go if the pick-up point is at a taxi rank.

Life though is more interesting than trying to catch a taxi. Life gets more active when one is inside and on the way to their destination. The average driver in Singapore is good. The average taxi driver in Singapore is definitely in need of help. Psychological help in some cases and others just need some basic lessons in driving. The roads in Singapore can be awkward as the forward momentum of the vehicle is constantly disrupted as another stop sign looms up, as another intersection needs to be navigated or another accident causes the whole system to falter. But the taxi drivers even with a smooth road ahead of them constantly apply the break and then the gas causing the passengers heads to hit the seat in front of them and then to be thrown backwards against the rear window.

This action on the part of seventy percent of the drivers may not be totally due to bad driving. An unusually high proportion of drivers suffer from sleep deprivation! They will tell you that this is because of the extra long hours that they have to work (to get a tip from you) but many do certainly nod off whilst you are sitting behind them. In one taxi I was sort of trying to read my newspaper with my head waggling backwards and forwards when all of a sudden I noticed that I could read my newspaper. I mean that all of a sudden I was not being thrown around as the driver applied the gas and break in rapid succession. This was weird and unusual but I accepted it as another quirk of the industry.

It was when we where zooming along at way past the speed limit, that I looked closer at my driver. He was asleep and soundly so and we where heading straight for the oncoming lane. I acted instinctively and jumped across my prospective killer and adjusted the wheel and thus the cars’ direction to suit an accident free journey. Whilst doing that I jabbed my elbow into his shoulder (well, it turned out to be his face) to wake him up. A lucky save and if I had not been aware or had fallen asleep …… pancake time. I never fall asleep in a taxi after that experience.

Signs of the driver falling asleep are quite noticeable should one look for them. The constant opening and shutting of the window and the drivers’ constant changing of the air conditioning settings is a good one. Another is the drivers’ desperate scramble for the plastic bottles that he has stashed under his seat. I would question the manufacturers of these drugs as however many a driver takes they never seem to aid him in keeping awake. Oh and the most important thing to watch out for is when your head no longer jerks back and forth – this means that the driver has fallen asleep and his foot is still.

I normally hate making small talk. I would rather read a newspaper or stare out of the window. But in Singapore Taxis I prefer to keep the driver in conversation as this undoubtedly and without fail will keep him wide-awake. To start off the conversation just say something stupid like, “hot day today” as if Singapore is any different from one day to the next. He will invariably turn the conversation around to asking where you are from and then talking about football and Liverpool or he will turn to the state of the economy. “No profit in taxi driving anymore, no customers and cars cost more to buy than ever before”. This should keep him going for a half an hour or so, more than enough for the trip.

I think these drugs may have alternative side effects. I have noticed on some occasions that drivers are a bit high spirited. Now whether this an effect of the drugs that kicks in a couple of hours later or due to something that is completely removed I know not. I am just trying to make a connection as when the drivers take their “keep awake pills” nothing happens. Anyway, I have often climbed into a taxi and been surprised at the activity of my driver. One memorable trip started off okay until he found out that I was from Scotland. I spent the next twenty minutes of the journey listening to bagpipes and a donkey heehawing whilst being thrown violently against the drivers seat and the rear window in turn. No, it was not music or anything like that but the driver whilst jumping up and down in his seat, imitated the bagpipes and in between breaths became a horse. He used to say “Scotland” at frequent intervals as if to reassure me that he knew where I came from.

Weird! I had another bad occurrence in a taxi when he started to get aggressive against a football team and he spent more time trying to clamber over the rear of his seat, to reinforce his opinion than looking where he was going. I got extremely worried about him and decided that I should leave his taxi as quickly as possible. I jumped out at an intersection and decided that I would not pay for such a ride. I could hear him shouting as I ran away down the hard shoulder – but I don’t want to pay to be harassed!

Apart from all of the above the typical taxi journey passes without note. Some of the drivers will seriously annoy you or make you feel sick when they open their door and spit a big gob of mucus onto the road side. But this is the way that they do it. I have asked one driver not to do that again – and he didn’t. But generally just try and ignore that. They also tend to get a bit vocal inside of the car if involved in a near miss with another car or have to sit for any length of time due to an accident up ahead. This is due to the fact that if a driver gets out of his car and shouts at another driver then he can quickly and without question be hauled off to jail. The government does not tolerate drivers making a scene in public and so drivers just do not do it, ever. This is all-and-well, unless you happen to be the poor passenger that has to take the brunt of his “road rage” whilst pretending that you are not sitting in the back seat of that particular cab.

Sorry, I seem to be putting them down. The taxi system and the drivers are quite excellent and safe in Singapore and no less than any other town or city the world over. When hiring a taxi in Singapore you are ensured of a rapid and free journey to your destination and the cost is not prohibitive, you are safe and looked after at all times. One thing does puzzle me though, that of why the drivers constantly ask the passengers which way they would like to go. Having just arrived in Singapore I pick up a taxi at the rank just outside the airport. I give him the name of the hotel and off he sets. After five-minutes this driver will invariably turn around and ask me whether I would like to go by the PIE or by the East Coast Road. Stupid question really as the average person arriving at Singapore Airport and especially one who is going to a hotel would not have a clue about the transport system in Singapore.

I used to think that the drivers where testing their passengers as to their knowledge of Singapore and that if they showed ignorance then they would be carted off on a tour of the city without knowing any difference. But this has not been the case as I have often put it to the test. The driver has asked me and I have given him no inkling as to my knowledge of the city – and he has taken me the quickest route! Such is life!

Listen everybody: the Taxi Drivers in Singapore are of excellent quality and any prospective passenger is assured of an easy, safe and smooth-drive to their destination – don’t listen to me.

Just keep your eyes open and the drivers as well if you can!

About The Author

Ieuan Dolby, from Scotland is an Engineering Officer in the Merchant Navy. He has been travelling the world for 15yrs on an endless tour of cultural diversification. Currently based in Singapore he writes various articles for magazines and newspapers and is working on a marine glossary.
ieuandolby@lycos.com