Destinations, Travel tips, Festivals and Public Holidays
Singapore Holiday
River Hongbao At Marina Bay 2010
Feb 11th
Singapore
In spirit of 2010 Chinese New Year celebrations, The Float@Marina Bay will be transformed into a fairyland of lantern displays and decorations with the God of Fortune and twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals.
See also: Chinese New Year 2012
Look out for the firing of firecrackers and fireworks against the spectacular skyline. Join in the Chinese Lantern riddle-guessing and other onsite competitions while savouring an array of mouth-watering local cuisines, specialty food from Chengdu (China) and beverages.
There will also be onsite cooking demonstrations, handicrafts and specialty products for sale. Visitors can also look forward to line-up exciting performances from Chengdu, Taiwan and local groups.
Dates: 12 Feb 2010 to 20 Feb 2010
Time: From 12 noon to 2330 hrs
FREE Hotel Pick Up Time: 13:00, 15:00 or 18:00
Except for CNY eve (13 Feb 2010):12 noon to 1.00am.
Price: S$19.90 (Adult) / S$15.90 (Child)
Package includes:
A) FunVee City Attractions Hopper Pass
B) FunVee Ethnic Attractions Hopper Pass
C) FunVee Marina Attractions Hopper
D) Complimentary Sentosa Attractions Hopper
E) Complimentary Marina Bay Walking Tour (worth S$12)
F) Complimentary Drink at Hard Rock Cafe
G) Complimentary Drink at Manchester United Cafe & Bar (worth over S$35)
Tel Citytours : (+65) 6738 3338 | (+65) 8188 6000
Email : [email protected]
Website : www.citytours.sg
Big Shopping At Little India
Feb 11th
Singapore
During vacation, when you are still in Singapore, there is one unique place with India nuanced. Visit a “street shopping” that offer a lot of cheaper products. The location is Little India namely. From its name, Little India, you can guess that this area is dominated by Indian culture & heritage. In Little India, people still keep a lot of traditions to be preserved.
Using public transportation, train, you can stop at Little India MRT Station. Little India is one of shopping centers that known with its cheapness. And most important things is that this area is opened 24 hours a day! Satisfy yourself with some jewelry – silver engraving, bridal jewelry, bracelet, anklet cheap and colorful, and other jewelry. See also special sheets of India and a giant photograph of Indian movie stars.
Visiting Little India will not be complete without seeing the two main interesting place, Tekka Center and Mustafa Center. Tekka Center on Buffalo Road, known as street market by the locals. It provides full of vegetables, fish, meat, spices and fresh flowers. For small souvenirs, look to the store for brass or other small shops. At the other end of Serangoon Road, in Serangoon Plaza there is Mustafa Center, a department store with emporium and Aladdin cave that is open 24 hours. When you go inside , there is classical and you’ll find all sorts of things with the cheapest price in Singapore. This department store is a popular shopping center for electronic goods and household goods. Buyers can find all kinds of items from its collection that reaches more than 120,000 products.
Other places that is still interesting is Little India Arcade. It’s like a tunnel that contains the vendor offering a variety of ethnic Indian collection. In addition, in this place is also filled with a variety of outlets that offer the most unique clothing of India, “Sari”. And for you who love the art you can visit Chellas Gallery specializes in paper boxes and other objects collections from Kashmir.
The Amazing Fountain Of Wealth In Suntec City
Feb 11th
How big a water fountain have you seen? There is a huge one in Singapore. The fountain is located in Suntec City, a place that is designed to be a “city within a city”. Suntec City is a shopping and office complex located in Temasek Boulevard, not far from City Hall and the Esplanade. This monumental complex consist of a shopping mall, cinemas, restaurants, hypermarket, conference center, offices and works of art, including a giant fountain.
Suntec City, which was built in the 90′s, the architecture really thought through and very expensive. Moreover, this is the place designed to cool off the tropical from the outside. At Suntec City we will find a shopping center building and trading as high as 181 meters with 45 floors and 5 Suntec City towers. Fountain of wealth located in the middle 5 Tower, a stunning sight. In 1998, the Fountain of Wealth was recorded by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest fountain in the world. Made of copper, fountain pipe dots with lines forming around 66 meters placed on the area of 1683 square meters. If the four buildings Suntec City Tower and a rather low building near the symbolism four fingers and thumb left hand, then the court where the fountain is a symbol of the palm.
According to Feng Shui, Fountain of Wealth is a circle symbolizes perfection and unity. Fountain of Wealth is the center of the 5 Tower and Suntec City Mall. 5 Tower itself symbolizes the 5 basic elements, Iron (Metal). Wood (Wood), Water (Water), Fire (Fire) and Earth / Soil (Earth). If all the elements that combined to create a positive energy. Again according to Feng Shui, Suntec City’s position really fit for luck and success. Many people believe that if someone who had visited Singapore and arrived at the fountain, then three times around it as they touched the water, then the provision will increase, and life will be prosperous. If you arrived there, you also see dozens of people around the Fountain of Wealth.
RED DOT MUSEUM, THE OLD RED WINE BUILDING
Feb 11th
Singapore
Built in 1929, the old building with red wine color is a museum, known as Red Dot Museum. This museum that consists of three floor and covering 1200 square meters, is still very solid, clean, modern and no less with the buildings around it. One thing that makes it look different is a striking color. Shade trees that grow thick along Maxwell Street make this building not as old as its age and became more beautiful and elegant.
The collection of Red Dot Museum is not ancient artifacts solely. The goods are ready for use in the form of a contemporary, stylish and full of style, and even futuristic design concept. The collection of museums is about 250 pieces. Some have the shape of finished goods ready for use as a pencil, pens, furniture, shelves, ovens, office chair, bath, waterless urinal for the stewards. Furthermore, many photographs of a design concept such as the design of robots and sports car is stuck on the wall as gallery.
As a design museum, Red Dot Museum is well known as exclusive place for the winners of Red Dot Design Award in the world. This place meets style with substance, brands and products. In the world there are only two museum that reflect these elements, the first is in Germany that has existed since 1955, while, the second is in Singapore which was inaugurated in 2005.
The museum display not the collection but this place also gives space and time for the creative process, as well as celebrating the outcome of the process. This place can be rented for various events associated with the launch of technology products and creative industry. So, for all you, the creative people who interest in art and style, you can visit Red Dot Museum during staying in Singapore.
Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2010
Feb 11th
Singapore
Firecrackers and pyrotechnics display during these three main events:
- Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2010 Official Light-Up & Opening Ceremony
23 January 2010 | 6pm-10pm - Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2010 Countdown
13 February 2010 | 9.30om – 12.30am - Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie
28 February 2010 | 7pm – 10pm
Chinese New Year Celebrations Package
Dates: 23 Jan 2010 to 28 Feb 2010 Tour Starts: 18:30
Hotel Pick Up Time: 18:00
Price: S$32.90′ (Adult) I S$29.90 (Child)
Package includes:
A) Chinese New Year Light-Up Tour (worth S$23.00)
B) FunVee City Atttractions Hopper Day Pass and
C) FunVee Ethnic Attractions Hopper Pass (worth over S$35)
D) FunVee Marina Attractions Hopper
E) Complimentary Sentosa AttractionsHopper
F) Complimentary Marina Bay Walking Tour (worth S$12)
G) Complimentary Drink at Hard Rock Cafe
H) Complimentary Drink at Manchester United Cafe & Bar
Tel Citytours 
+65) 6738 3338 | (+65) 8188 6000
Email : [email protected]
Website : www.citytours.sg
Interesting Shopping Destinations At Orchard Road
Feb 9th
When you go to Singapore’s Orchard Road for shopping, you might be confused because of many high and large building as shopping malls in this one-way street. To make your shopping more comfortable, its better to know what kind the shopping mall is. You also better to know the situation and condition of shopping mall including products offered. These are description of several famous shopping mall at Orchard Road:
- Tangs
This is the first shop in this area and built in in 1934 and established on Orchard Road in the 1950s. Tangs establish itelf as an Asian lifestyle store with international appeal. Tangs distinguishes itself from other stores by carrying exclusive and special, from beauty products, international fashion brand, shoes, accessories, electronics to household appliances. - Ngee Ann City
It take more than a day to see this huge complex mall with Takashimaya as the main department store. Ngee Ann City won the Tourism Awards 2002 (in the category for Best Shopping Experience – Shopping Center). There are more than 100 specialty stores that sell sporting goods, stationery, electronics, jewelry and designer clothes. Famous brands such as Guess from US, Hugo Boss Woman, Zara and Mango from Spain and Country Road from Australia are just some of the many international boutiques here. In here, you can go to Kinokuniya, the largest bookstore in Southeast Asia. There is also a sports center complete facilities, art galleries and cultural centers that you can visit. - Centrepoint
The other winner of Tourism Awards 2002 is Centrepoint that is also known as one of the biggest shopping centers and most famous in Singapore. It ready to meet all the needs of tourists and local residents. Here you will find the legendary Robinsons & Co. There are also stores that specialize in classical music, casual clothing, optical equipment, electronics, furniture, Oriental rugs, sporting goods, art, antiques and Asian artifacts, books and lots of others. This complete complex also has various of restaurants and fast food outlets. - The Shopping Gallery at Hilton
During you stay in Hilton Hotel, in here you can still shopping. This shop provides favorite place for designer goods – the gallery is offering exclusive brands such as Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Paul Smith and Valentino. At bridge that connect this hotel to The Four Seasons Hotel Shopping Gallery provides a more sophisticated choice for the shopper, particularly in the Notices. The Gallery, a collection of art and paintings from around the world.
Affordable Shopping At Bugis Village
Feb 9th
Why is this area called Bugis Village? In 1950, this place was the destination of the Bugis sailors who want to trade with local people of Singapore.
During 1950 to 1980, Kampong Bugis or Bugis Village has been well known because this area was established as local nightclubs. After that there are many changes. This area turned into a market area with permanent buildings without changes even if surrounded by large buildings. The interesting thing about this area is still maintaining and keeping some form of existing buildings, and this area became the main attraction for tourists.
Bugis Village, today, is the market that sells all kinds of goods such as souvenirs, with lower price. T-shirts, bags, ornaments, knick-knacks, paintings, and even sex stores can be found here. We still able to make an bargain with traders based on the type and condition of goods. So if you are going to shopping here, do not forget to always make bargain in order to get reasonable price. Besides souvenirs, we also can find fresh fruits as well as juice. We also can visit the coffee shop and eating house usually located in the outside before we entered the street in the form of hall and corridor.
Still in Bugis Village areas, we can also visit the Parco Bugis Junction. Uniquely, this shopping place is built using glass cover and this architecture style is the first in Singapore. So even in the spray of hot sun, visitors who walk in the Parco Bugis Junction still feel the shade and coolness. In this shopping center, visitors can visit the various shops that sell all kinds of electronic goods , clothes, including accessories. Especially for those who love the variety of clothing specially labeled such as Astro Boy-themed products to Superman, they can find them at Parco Bugis Junction.
If you still have time, you can also see the two places of worship of different religions, namely Krishnan Temple and Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple. These places are built very close to each other and only a few meters apart. Around this area there are a few stores that sell the tools of worship for Buddha and souvenirs for tourists.
Near Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, you can find a variety of lotus crysant flower that usually sold one dollar per stem. So it can conclude that Bugis Village not only provide the market with cheaper price but interest also place with its own unique.
Sightseeing In Orchard Road Singapore
Feb 4th
You have never really been to Singapore if you have not visited the Orchard Road, the South East Asia’s center of fashion, retail and entertainment. There are more than 40 shopping malls in that 6 miles stretch of the Orchard Road, aside from landmark buildings and and other futuristic and unique buildings right in the heart of Singapore’s commercial activities.
These shopping paradise provide and fulfill the needs of people to be handsome, beautiful and stylish with variety of exclusive products and world famous luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Zara and others. With a large pavement for pedestrians, take a long slow stroll along the street, or take a seat shaded by large trees if your shopping appetite has been taken care of.
Even Great Singapore Sale (GSS) which is always considered as a fixed agenda make its own appeal, especially for shopping in this area. Various objects and lifestyle needs are there, ranging from high-end class of goods made in Paris to cheaper goods made from China.
There are many popular malls such as Delfi Orchard Road, ION Orchard, Midpoint Orchad, OG Orchard Point, Orchard Emerald, Orchard Plaza, Orchard Tower. Tucked in the middle of the Orchard Road, Orchard Central Mall is the highest malls in this area with a height of 12 floors. The mall also has the highest escalator in the Orchard that can make your heart pounding when you try the escalator. Each level of this mall has different interior concept. The place namely Discovery and the Rooftop Garden Walk is open for 24 hours. The mall also has the highest climbing wall in the world, challenging enough adrenaline of visitors to try.
Orchard Central Mall
Another attraction is that Orchard Central positioned itself as a center of innovation from new retail concepts, new brands, shapes and designs of new buildings, new shopping style. And these are all intended to provide a new nuance with a new lifestyle, too. In relation to life style, the mall that reflect life style for young generation combines eight world-class artwork permanently displayed in the mall. One of them, for instance, Tall Girl or tall women with high heels holding a shopping bag as the result of German artist work, Inges Idee. This statue is 20 meters in height, equivalent to four-storey building.
It’s the time for you to begin planning a vacation in Singapore with many special surprises in Orchard Road. So save you money now and plan to visit Orchard Road.
Why Singapore Holiday?
Feb 4th
Why holiday in Singapore?
In Singapore not only we can experience a rich cultural heritage but also enjoy a lot of amazing place for holiday. Singapore is an island-country that inherit her culture from the whole South East Asia. Singapore’s multi-racial heritage give it a rich culture while its efficiency and modernity ensure comfort.
Singapore population is a mix of mainly Chinese, Malay, and Indian. Other cultural strands include Arab and Eurasian. English is the lingua franca, or the main communication language. The costumes and customs of all these races give this country a unique character.
Multi-racialism then brings another benefit. Food for example, in Singapore is varied and wonderful. From local favourites like Malay’s nasi lemak, Indian’s roti prata, or Chinese’s hainam chicken rice to international delicacies, including those from Egypt and South Africa, Singapore has it all to make any epicurean’s dreams come true.
This culinary paradise also offers one of the most exciting shopping experiences in Asia. From luxurious malls, suburban town centres to old-fashioned shop-houses, you will find a wealth of irresistible shopping. Look out for year-round sales at various shopping centres and shops- a sure way to stretch those shopping dollars.
The daily activities provides a lot of events and beautiful scenery. From day to night, Singapore has an array of activities to entertain you during your stay. From museums to historical sites, cultural areas and thrill-seeking spots, Singapore has it all. At night, relax at one of our many cafes for a brewed cuppa or dance the night away at a heart-thumping disco. With an extensive range of special pubs, you are sure to find one typically Singaporean or close to your heart.
Providing the comforts of home and the excitement and adventure of an ever changing destination. Where were you and wherever you are, Singapore awaits you….
Hari Raya Puasa 21 September 2009 Holiday
Aug 8th
Hari Raya Puasa / Hari Raya Aid Il Fitrj falls on 20 September 2009. Due to 20 September 2009 is a Sunday, the holiday is substituted to 21 September 2009 Holiday.
Holiday date is based on Islamic Calendar, every thus year the date is different. Due to shorter year (with approximately 355 days) in Islamic calendar, generally every year the holiday will falls on earlier date than the year before.
This is slightly different from Chinese calendar. Eventhough both are using lunar (moon) movement for calculation, in Chinese lunar calendar there are leap years, where one of the month will be calculated twice. Example, this year 2009, in Chinese calendar the fifth month happen twice.
Hari Raya is the most important religious festival for Muslims around the world. It celebrates the end of Ramadan (or fasting month), signifying the triumph over evil.
After prayer at the mosque, people will pay visit to each other, especially more for young people to visit the elder. The common greeting is “Selamat Hari Raya” (Happy Eid) and “Mohon Maaf Zahir Batin” (I seek your forgiveness). Many also greet “Min Al Aidin Wa Al Faizin”. This last greeting, originated from Arabic words, was commonly thought to mean the same as “Mohon Maaf Zahir Batin”, but actually it has different meaning. Loosely translated, it means “People who return and people who are triumphant”.
In this region, Hari Raya Puasa is a public holiday celebrated in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
