Travel To Singapore

History of Singapore

The first time Singapore was mentioned was a 3rd century Chinese account in which Singapore was described as "Pu-luo-chung" which means the island at the end of a peninsula. But there is little known about the history of Singapore.

In the 14th century, was part of an empire and known as Temasek which means seatown. Singapore is located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula and therefore an important meeting point for sea craft, Chinese junks and Indian vessels.

Singapore's official history dates from the 11th century, but the island was little known to the West until the 19th century, when in 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived as an agent of the British East India Company. In 1824, the British purchased Singapore Island and a year later Singapore has become a major port with trade exceeding all the surrounding countries together. Over the years it became more and more prosperous. Through the demand of rubber from Southeast Asia which was used for the packaging industry's needs for tin helped Singapore to become one of the world's major ports.
From 1959 to 1965 Singapore was a self-government and in 1965 it became an independent republic.

Demographics of Singapore

Singapore is an own State and has a population of about 5 million. Singapore is one of the most populated independent countries in the world. Singapore is a multiracial country with a majority population of Chinese, with a substantial Malay population and Indian minorities. In this small country are living in peaceful harmony Mahayana Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and no religion at all. It is surprising how many religions can leave together in a small country without having
major problems.

The country has four official languages, whereas Malay is the national language and English is the working or business language.

Where to Go in Singapore


Singapore is for travelers an exciting place to go. You still can buy cheap electronic products, clothing and many other things. There are so many places to visit that you need actually a few vacations to see them all. If you are an animal lover you can visit the Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, Jurong Bird Park or you can go on a Night Safari, you have the Singapore Zoo and the Underwater World.




You can take a look to Little India with his strong smell of spices and jasmine garlands, and the treasure of silverware, brass ware, and the colorful silk saris. You better travel to Singapore with an empty suitcase otherwise you have to buy to get all the stuff in you'll buy.






Chinatown is worthwhile to visit. It goes back to 1821 when the first Chinese arrived to Singapore. Chinatown is located around the Singapore River.

Geylang Serai is the cultural heart of the Malay community in Singapore. In this village you will go back in time and watch the traditional lifestyle of the Malay community in the 1950s to 1960s.

Or you can walk through all the museums that Singapore offers to the visitors like the Army Museum of Singapore, Art Retreat Museum (founded by Indonesian collector which is the first private museum with modern Asian and European art). The Asian Civilizations Museum (focuses on the heritage of Asian cultures), or you can walk through the Changi Chapel Museum (the inspiration of hope for the hopeless),
Or you can go to the Chinatown Heritage Center. You see there are such a variety of places to go to that you can spend weeks in this beautiful town.




Singapore has an excellent cuisine you'll just love. If you like exotic food you are at the right place. You better look for a good hotel with fitness facilities that you won't come back with a few kilos overweight.
Through the variety of cultural groups you have such a great selection of food that you just will love it to try the different taste and smell of exotic food. So, let’s finish for today and talk later on about this beautiful, exotic and colorful town called Singapore. If you plan travel to Singapore get to your nearest travel agency and look up for a great package for an unforgettable Singapore holidays. Have a nice trip.

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What To Be Aware Of If You Drive While Vacationing In Mexico

Driving your own vehicle through Mexico or renting one to drive while on vacation is not as problematic as they tell you. And driving your own car or rental car provides a wonderful, go-at-your-own-pace type of experience. It gives you a sense of freedom. But there are several things about traveling in Mexico you should know about. Knowing theses tips can avoid you a lot of trouble in Mexico.

When driving in Mexico with your own car or rental car is very important to have you own insurance. First of all insurance in Mexico in no obligation. So everyone who drives in Mexico should have his or her own insurance to avoid major problems or expenses. An accident, even if you are not at fault, will not be just an inconvenience, but could affect the rest of your vacation. There are many companies who exclude coverage in foreign country and a policy supplied by your insurance company may not be valid in Mexico. Just be careful of the insurance vendors on both sides of the border, because they sell you insurance that don’t cover all the expenses.

You should have insurance that covers also lawyer costs etc. because you never know in what problems you can be involved in your travel. It is always better to investigate in your own country what coverage you have with your own insurance. Sometimes it is much cheaper to have a complimentary for your insurance that includes coverage in a foreign country. That will cost you most of the times less many then have a new insurance somewhere else. And most importantly you will start your travel more secure from the beginning.

In case you drive your own vehicle across the border you will need to be aware of regulations regarding bringing more than $300 of merchandise into the country. What the border guards are looking for are items that could be easily sold in the country. You can avoid most trouble if you take the tags off of new clothing, anything in a box should be opened and taken out and the packaging discarded, and don't have any new supplies in shopping bags. Distribute anything new among your baggage and you should be fine.

Driving on the highway systems will probably remind you of many roads back home as they are, for the most part, modern and well signed. Most of the roads are toll roads, because, in Mexico, tolls pay to keep the roads maintained instead of taxes. It is always good to have a lot of cash for this "pay as you go" system. But the cost of tolls is definitely worth it because the highway roads are much better than the pothole ridden two lane roads you would have otherwise used.

It is also advisable to avoid driving at night in Mexico because of the bad lightning system on the highways or federal streets. Many of the smaller two-lane roads will have livestock issues that could be dangerous and most assaults that would happen on the roads would certainly happen at night. Be also aware that most tourist deaths that happen in Mexico involve automobile accidents. Be also aware that the signs are not always accepted by every automobile driver so even if you have preference always keep looking everywhere before crossing some intersection.

That means that is better to practice defensive driving while in Mexico. Mexican drivers, especially truck drivers and bus drivers are very polite and will let you pull out or pass them. But other drivers, especially in the cities can be aggressive. You don't want to get into an accident if you can avoid it because, if an accident causes an injury, all cars will be impounded until the situation can have a complete accounting. This could turn into quite an ordeal, even if you are innocent in the matter.

Make sure that you obtain insurance that will protect you while driving in Mexico. Try to stay on the main toll roads and avoid rural areas where livestock might be a dangerous hindrance. Avoid driving at night whenever possible for safe driving and for security from possible assaults. Don't forget practice always defense driving at all times. All these tips will help make your vacation safer and easier while on vacation in Mexico.

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Get Back To Nature In Mexico: Explore Sian Ka'an Biosphere

There are 27 United Nations World Heritage sites in Mexico and only three of them made the list primarily for their natural significance, as opposed to historical. The most beautiful and diverse is Sian Ka'an Biosphere, a 1.3 million acre ecological park filled with lagoons, forests, marine habitats, and wetlands. It is the largest marine protected area in Mexico and offers one of the few natural treasures of the Yucatan peninsula that is accessible to tourists.

Added to the UNESCO list in 1987, Sian Ka'an translates as "Origin of the Sky". It provides a habitat for a diverse population of flora and fauna, as well as over 300 species of birds. There is a small ecotourism and education center there that serves as a model for sustainable development in sensitive tropical ecosystems. The center is funded by the various tours, fishing, accommodation on-site, and various other activities offered there. Some of the ecologically responsible techniques the center uses are rainwater collection, using wind and solar power, and employing systems for wetland waste management. It also provides educational outreach and biological research opportunities.

Accommodations at Sian Ka'an consist of tents that are raised off the ground to allow ecological and hydrological processes to continue. They have gorgeous views from private patios, as well as plenty of shade and cooling breezes. Bathrooms are shared, but they are always clean and also have stunning views over the water. The dining areas and kitchens are designed to maximize comfort while minimizing impact on the surrounding environment. The menu for the restaurant is wide and varied, but the best choice would be the fresh seafood dishes that are offered.

Activities in the park include fishing excursions, kayaking, or taking one of several tours that will highlight the canals and the Mayan ruins, abundant flora and fauna, and the history of the reserve. There is also a sunset tour that centers on bird watching where you will float along in an open-air boat through beautiful lagoons while viewing birds, plants, and diverse ecosystems. The tour then culminates in watching the sunset over the mangrove forest and lagoon.

The kayaking tours are designed to give visitors a more intimate access to the natural splendor of the park. Single or double kayaks are available and expert guides, who speak both English and Spanish, can accompany you through the reserve to bird watch and explore the wetlands. Free basic training is provided if you have never kayaked before. If you would like to explore alone, the guides can give you directions and information on where to go to use ancient trading routes through the park used by the Mayans. This is an excellent option for experienced kayakers, but an additional fee can give someone basic training to undertake this more advanced tour.

Sian Ka'an is a beautiful ecosystem to visit and learn about history, ecology, and sustainable technology that will open your mind to possibilities you may never have otherwise known about. At the very least it will give you an appreciation of conservation and natural beauty that should stay with you forever.

Talk to you soon

Anton

Planning A Great Golf Vacation To Mexico

If you are a passionate golf player and planning a golf vacation to Mexico you definitely are alone. Mexico is the world's number two golf destination for U.S. golfers. And without any doubt Mexico is planning on taking the number one place away from Hawaii as soon as it can. And at the rate they are going it probably might take too long before they realize that goal. The country is different geographically and there are gorgeous courses located all over Mexico.

The best travel time to Mexico might be before or after the rainy season, which is from June through September. Nonetheless, most of the courses you'll find are well made and will drain quite well.

Therefore the rainy season isn't that much a problem at all. And since it usually rains in the afternoon or night you can avoid the heavy shower by booking morning tee times. The mornings are the best time to golf in Mexico anyway because of the heat. Furthermore, if you travel during the low season you can save hundreds in lower hotel rates and greens fees.

One of the next decisions will probably be selecting where you want to spend your golf vacation. You can find a wide range of golf courses across the nation, although you might find it difficult to golf in Mexico City. The courses in Mexico City are all private and belong to Clubs and almost impossible to book playing time unless you are a member. But other resort areas will have several choices of links and you can make the decision to whatever other activities or ambiances you like to discover especially if you are not traveling alone.

You have too many places to choose from like Cancun, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, or Acapulco that are popular places known to golfer insiders. These are also places and homes to several championship style courses. Or you might prefer a laid-back beach front like Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan. You have a variety of choices to choose from and you will enjoy like never before your golf vacation.

Or maybe you might consider a golf vacation with a specialized travel company that arrange for an escorted tour of outstanding courses that would include your lodging as well as other side tours that center on the history and culture of Mexico. The advantage of these tours is that they can be designed especially with your desires in mind and can offer you like two vacations in one.

And if you are accompanied with a partner who is not that passionate about golf he or she might be grateful for your consideration. You can for example golf in the morning, dine in the jungle for lunch, and then take a tour of a tequila factory. With a one day's itinerary like this you filled in space and time. There are so many things you can do and make your golf vacations one of your best experiences.

Be prepared that many golf courses in Mexico will have caddies instead of golf carts. But you are going on vacation so you will make exercises anyway and what can be a better exercise then walking a whole golf course.

Just think it this way you will help to keep the environment clean. Anyway this makes most rounds of golf there more enjoyable because the caddies will have local knowledge of what hazards lay ahead out of sight, or what the wind usually does on certain holes, and all sorts of valued information that can keep you from making a big score. Just be aware that the caddy will charge you a certain amount and naturally expect an appropriate tip.

For people who enjoy golf, travel to exotic lands with championship style golf courses always represent the ultimate get away. Mexico, with all of its myriad resort areas and complement of all different types of golf experiences can be the place you are looking for.

Mexico can provide you a great golf vacation without any doubt. And with comparable prices to a golf trip to Hawaii, traveling to Mexico for your next golf vacation can give you an affordable good time. And if you enjoy good tequila it is more pleasantly in Mexico anyway.

Talk to you soon

Anton

Travel Alert

Dear Reader and Friend

Today I received the following communication: In virtue of the pandemic caused by the human influenza A-H1N1 (swine flu) in different countries of our globe including Mexico and according the alert of the World Health Organization which is still in phase 5, there are some recommendations for the countries to adopt specific measures with the purpose to attack the disease. Some countries have developed measures which are against the free movement of persons and merchandize even so it is against the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Mexican citizens and foreign citizens living in Mexico who have programmed to leave the Mexican territory should take in count that they will face some controls arriving airports in other countries in order to prevent, stop or to slow down the development of the disease.

The imposition of measures which restrict the free movement as quarantine and other forced isolation from the health organization of your destination is not compatible with the World Health Organization.

In case you have some problems you can go to the Mexican Embassy or Consulate of your destination. It is always good to have the information of the Embassies of your destination. You can find the information of the different Embassies at http://www.sre.gob.mx/representaciones/representaciones.html
You can get information according the measures you will have to face when arriving at your destination.

Until now there has been unfair treatment only in Mexico, in case you are aware of injustice in other countries you can leave a comment.

In case you have programmed travel to China it is recommended to cancel your visit until the situation is better. But in case you cannot cancel your travel it is recommended that you have all the information you need to contact the Embassy or Consulate.

Or you can contact directly the Embassy or Consulate of the country you intent to travel to before your leaving the country.
You can find all the representations which are accredited in Mexico at
(http://www.sre.gob.mx/acreditadas/default.htm).

If you go to China please take note of the addresses of the Mexican Consulate in different parts of China.

Embajada de México en China
San Li Tun Dongwujie 5, Chaoyang 100600 Beijing, República Popular China
Tel: (8610) 6532-2574, 6532-2070, 6532-1947 Conm.
Fax: (8610) 6532-3744
Correo electrónico; embmxchn@public.bta.net.cn

Consulado General de México en Shanghai
Qi Hua Tower 9A & B, 1375 Huai Hai Zhong Lu,Qihua Tower 9 A &B, Distrito de
Xuhui, 200031 Shangai, República Popular China.
Tel: 86(21) 6437-3451/9585 Conm
Fax: 86(21) 6437-2397

Consulado General de México en Guangzhou
183 Tianhe Bei Lu, Metro Plaza Tower, Units, 1402 & 1403, Tianhe District,
Guangzhou, República Popular China 510620
Tel.: (8620) 2222-0980/81conm
Fax: (8620) 2222-1006
Correo electrónico: conmexgz@sina.com conmex@sina.com

Consulado General de México en Hong Kong
3004-06 Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China
Tel.: (852) 2511-3318
Fax: (852) 2845-3404
Correo electrónico: consulmex@mexico.com.hk

The 7Wonder Of Our Globe

The 7Wonder Of Our Globe

Dear Reader and Friend,

Let's do something for our nature. The Canyon tells you the story of the prehistoric times.

You have to see it to believe it. The "Sumidero Canyon" is full of Life where your forget all of your problems and live as in a past age.

It is a treasure you'll never forget.

Vote for this Sumidero Canyon.

Regards

Anton