Ipoh is a town in the midddle of Peninsular Malaysia and is the capital of the state Perak. Ipoh residents love to eat and drink, and the town is famous for its food. Among it specialities is the Ipoh White Coffee.
Ipoh White Coffee is a coffee unique to Ipoh, Malaysia. Its name stem from the fact that it was first roasted and drank by tin miners in the 19th century in Ipoh.
Usually, Malaysia black coffee is produced by roasting the coffee beans with sugar and magarine laced with 60% burnt caramel. The Ipoh White Coffee on the other hand is produced by roasting the beans with only magarine and no sugar and roasted to a lighter degree, resulting in a coffee that is less dark. The species used is often the Robusta species. Swettened and evaporated milk is often added to the coffee.
There are many coffee shops in Ipoh selling Ipoh White Coffee. There is one famous one - Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong which is popular for just that. The other 2 coffee shop are Xin Yuan Foong and Xin Yuan Hoong which is which is popular for a bit of breakfast and a cup of Ipoh White Coffee.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Turtle Conservation Centre in Penang
Pretty soon a turtle conservation centre in Penang will be open to the public. The Pantai Keracut Turtle Conservation Centre located within the Penang National Park (TNPP or Taman Negara Pulau Pinang) will open in October or November 2006, and visitors to TNPP will be able to see 2 turtle species - the Chelonia Mydas (or green sea turtle. They are called green turtles because of the color of the flesh) and the Lepidochelys lay eggs on the Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Ketapang and Teluk Kampi, all of which are located within TNPP.
The State Fisheries Department director Mohd Najib Ramli said 74 turtle nests had been recorded this year with 17,345 baby turtles hatched so far.
The TNPP operates from 8:00am - 6:00pm daily.
For more information, contact:
Superintendant
Taman Negara Pulau Pinang
Jalan Hassan Abas,Teluk Bahang,
11050 Pulau Pinang
Tel : +604-881 3530/ 04-881 2016
Fax: +604-881 2016
E-mail : tnpp@streamyx.com
The State Fisheries Department director Mohd Najib Ramli said 74 turtle nests had been recorded this year with 17,345 baby turtles hatched so far.
The TNPP operates from 8:00am - 6:00pm daily.
For more information, contact:
Superintendant
Taman Negara Pulau Pinang
Jalan Hassan Abas,Teluk Bahang,
11050 Pulau Pinang
Tel : +604-881 3530/ 04-881 2016
Fax: +604-881 2016
E-mail : tnpp@streamyx.com
Sabah, Malaysia Borneo - An Emerging Tropical Island Vacation Capital Of The New Millennium
Sabah, Malaysia Borneo - An Emerging Tropical Island Vacation Capital Of The New Millennium
by: E-borneo.com
The Malaysian state of Sabah, located at the northeast corner of the island of Borneo, is well positioned to offer a unique tropical island vacation flavor with a difference.
In fact..., with a very big difference.
There is more to Sabah than the sunny tropical weather, beautiful white sandy beaches, tropical island setting, clear crystal waters, and rich ocean and marine life.
Unlike the Caribbean islands or most tropical island vacation destinations in the world, Sabah offers a complete array of activities from adventure and nature to wildlife on top of a world class tropical beach vacation.
What makes Sabah, Malaysia Borneo a unique tropical island vacation spot?
Given its unique geographical advantage where within 76,115 square kilometers (or 29,388 square miles or slightly smaller than the US state of South Carolina), you can...
* laze around in white pristine and unspoiled tropical beaches
* conquer the highest peak in South East Asia
* encounter wildlife in their natural habitat
* admire the largest flower in the world
* lay back and enjoy the sun and water at international standard and luxurious tropical resorts
* appreciate the culture of the colorful indigenous peoples
* rough it out in controlled adventure vacation sites
* brave the river rapids on a white water rafting adventure
* be one with nature in the world of million years old rainforests
* dive into some of the world's best underwater wonderlands
* explore the underwater cave of the world's only mushroom-shaped world class dive spot
On top of the above, traveling around Sabah is also easy and relatively cheaper, and the locals are helpful and friendly.
Most of the tropical wonders of the world, from ocean deep to mountain high, can be found right here in sunny Sabah. You don't have to travel far and wide to savor the best tropical attractions, saving you invaluable time and money to stay put in just one tropical vacation destination.
You can actually experience Sun, Sea and Sand, Forest and Mountain in less than ONE hour - that is, if you utilize a helicopter service.
If you are planning for your next tropical island vacation, or thinking of exploring a new and exciting tropical vacation destination, please explore Sabah personally to find out why it is an ideal choice for your dream tropical island vacation.
About The Author
E-borneo.com ( E-Borneo ) is a leading Borneo travel gateway, trip advisor, and tour intermediary for the best custom/full-package vacation deals to Malaysia Borneo. Check out some of Sabah’s top tour packages at Sabah Tours or for more info on Sabah, please Borneo Tropical Vacation
by: E-borneo.com
The Malaysian state of Sabah, located at the northeast corner of the island of Borneo, is well positioned to offer a unique tropical island vacation flavor with a difference.
In fact..., with a very big difference.
There is more to Sabah than the sunny tropical weather, beautiful white sandy beaches, tropical island setting, clear crystal waters, and rich ocean and marine life.
Unlike the Caribbean islands or most tropical island vacation destinations in the world, Sabah offers a complete array of activities from adventure and nature to wildlife on top of a world class tropical beach vacation.
What makes Sabah, Malaysia Borneo a unique tropical island vacation spot?
Given its unique geographical advantage where within 76,115 square kilometers (or 29,388 square miles or slightly smaller than the US state of South Carolina), you can...
* laze around in white pristine and unspoiled tropical beaches
* conquer the highest peak in South East Asia
* encounter wildlife in their natural habitat
* admire the largest flower in the world
* lay back and enjoy the sun and water at international standard and luxurious tropical resorts
* appreciate the culture of the colorful indigenous peoples
* rough it out in controlled adventure vacation sites
* brave the river rapids on a white water rafting adventure
* be one with nature in the world of million years old rainforests
* dive into some of the world's best underwater wonderlands
* explore the underwater cave of the world's only mushroom-shaped world class dive spot
On top of the above, traveling around Sabah is also easy and relatively cheaper, and the locals are helpful and friendly.
Most of the tropical wonders of the world, from ocean deep to mountain high, can be found right here in sunny Sabah. You don't have to travel far and wide to savor the best tropical attractions, saving you invaluable time and money to stay put in just one tropical vacation destination.
You can actually experience Sun, Sea and Sand, Forest and Mountain in less than ONE hour - that is, if you utilize a helicopter service.
If you are planning for your next tropical island vacation, or thinking of exploring a new and exciting tropical vacation destination, please explore Sabah personally to find out why it is an ideal choice for your dream tropical island vacation.
About The Author
E-borneo.com ( E-Borneo ) is a leading Borneo travel gateway, trip advisor, and tour intermediary for the best custom/full-package vacation deals to Malaysia Borneo. Check out some of Sabah’s top tour packages at Sabah Tours or for more info on Sabah, please Borneo Tropical Vacation
Malaysia, an emerging top real estate markets for 2006
Successful real estate investors are well aware that one of the fundamental keys to building a successful property portfolio is the careful timing of market entry; therefore investors always seek to buy ahead of an emerging trend and often take a national or international perspective when looking for the next big thing in terms of real estate.
For 2006, Malaysia is one of the top countries that stand head and shoulders above all other nations worldwide in terms of the potential their real estate markets present property investors.
This article offers you an overview of the country so that you can choose where to make your next real estate purchase.
Economically speaking Malaysia is built on very solid foundations and is benefiting from closer export ties to China, low inflation, a small external debt and good foreign exchange reserves.
The country also has a growing tourism sector and a vibrant city based young executive market - either of which a property investor could target for rental income. Real estate in Malaysia is affordable and economic indicators suggest that property prices will continue to rise steadily over the medium to long term giving an investor the chance to reap capital growth from any investment made as well.
About The Author
Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose articles about property investing and emerging real estate markets have appeared in publications around the world. She is currently working on a brand new property investment resource Amberlamb
For 2006, Malaysia is one of the top countries that stand head and shoulders above all other nations worldwide in terms of the potential their real estate markets present property investors.
This article offers you an overview of the country so that you can choose where to make your next real estate purchase.
Economically speaking Malaysia is built on very solid foundations and is benefiting from closer export ties to China, low inflation, a small external debt and good foreign exchange reserves.
The country also has a growing tourism sector and a vibrant city based young executive market - either of which a property investor could target for rental income. Real estate in Malaysia is affordable and economic indicators suggest that property prices will continue to rise steadily over the medium to long term giving an investor the chance to reap capital growth from any investment made as well.
About The Author
Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose articles about property investing and emerging real estate markets have appeared in publications around the world. She is currently working on a brand new property investment resource Amberlamb
Cheap Airfares – Air Asia - Malaysia success story
Malaysia has the most successful cheap airfare airline in Asia - Air Asia. Air Asia has a famous bylne - Now everone can fly.
Generally, to get the cheapest airfare, you have to book early with Air Asia. If you book late, the airfare will be higher, but it will still be cheap.
The general impression of a budget airline is that the flights are frequently delayed. Flights can be punctual, but do not depend too much on it, for example, if you have to make international connection. If flights are delayed, it is common for them to give you meal vouchers for the airport canteen, or even McDonald or Burger King vouchers.
The cabin crew are friendly, helpful, attentive and efficient. While you are not allowed to bring your own food, the snacks are good and the prices are OK.
Check-in staff are strict with baggage and carry-on luggages. The check-in baggage allowance is 15kg. and the carry-on luggage allowance is 7kg. If you go over these limits, you will likely have to pay for them.
Seats are usually comfortable, depending on the age of the plane. It is free-seating, so sometime boarding can be a bit chaotic.
Now, with the new LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) air bridges are no longer used and you will have to walk to the terminal or take the bus.
Air Asia check-in counter open 2 hours before boarding, not a moment sooner.
Common feedback from the passengers - airfare value for money and they would fly Air
Asia again.
Other ways is to take the Komuter train to the KTM Station in Nilai and then take a bus to the LCCT. The fare from KL Sentral to Nilai Komuter Station is RM4.70 and the fare to LCCT is RM2.00 one way.
Other ways are to travel to KLIA and then take the feeder bus to the LCCT. The LCCT terminal connects with the Main Terminal Building with a green-coded NadiKLIA bus for RM1.20. A future transit rail connecting both buldings is under consideration.
From KL Sentral, the ERL KLIA Express and KLIA Transit depart to Salak Tinggi Station and KLIA respective, and from there, Feedeer Bus is available to the LCCT.
UPDATE 8 November 2006: The Malaysian government has approved in principle the construction of a railway track between KLIA main terminal and LCCT. Travelling time will then be reduced from the current 20 minutes by bus to 11 minutes by rail.
Fares for the KLIA Transit to Salak Tinggi Station is RM12.50 for adult and RM6.00 for children. ERL Transit Salak Tinggi Station to LCCT fare is RM1.50 one way.
Fares for the KLIA Express to KLIA is RM35.00 for adult and RM15.00 for children. From there, you will have to take the feeder bus to LCCT.
There are also AIRPORT COACH from Hentian Duta to KLIA. Fare is RM20 one way. The first trip is 5.00am and the last trip is 12.30am. Frequency is every 45 minutes. From KLIA, you will have to take the feeder bus to the LCCT.
UPDATE 15 November 2006: Air Asia will be expanding its fleet, add more routes and tie up with Armadeus which provides distribution solutions for the travel industry. With this tie up, 26,000 travel agents and corporate customers world wide using the Amadeus distribution system can book seats on AirAsia, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia.
Generally, to get the cheapest airfare, you have to book early with Air Asia. If you book late, the airfare will be higher, but it will still be cheap.
The general impression of a budget airline is that the flights are frequently delayed. Flights can be punctual, but do not depend too much on it, for example, if you have to make international connection. If flights are delayed, it is common for them to give you meal vouchers for the airport canteen, or even McDonald or Burger King vouchers.
The cabin crew are friendly, helpful, attentive and efficient. While you are not allowed to bring your own food, the snacks are good and the prices are OK.
Check-in staff are strict with baggage and carry-on luggages. The check-in baggage allowance is 15kg. and the carry-on luggage allowance is 7kg. If you go over these limits, you will likely have to pay for them.
Seats are usually comfortable, depending on the age of the plane. It is free-seating, so sometime boarding can be a bit chaotic.
Now, with the new LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) air bridges are no longer used and you will have to walk to the terminal or take the bus.
Air Asia check-in counter open 2 hours before boarding, not a moment sooner.
Common feedback from the passengers - airfare value for money and they would fly Air
Asia again.
How to get to the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT)
The most direct way to get to LCCT from Kuala Lumpur is to take the SKYBUS shuttle service. Thw SKYBUS operates a bus shuttle service between KL Sentral and the LCCT. The pick-up point is at the Lower Ground Floor KL Sentral, and the bus drop off passengers at the LCCT Bus Station. The first trip at KL Sentral is at 3.30am and at the LCCT is 7.15am. The last trip at KL Sentral is at 7.30pm and at LCCT is at 12.30am. Frequency is every 15 - 30 minutes. The fare is RM9 one way.Other ways is to take the Komuter train to the KTM Station in Nilai and then take a bus to the LCCT. The fare from KL Sentral to Nilai Komuter Station is RM4.70 and the fare to LCCT is RM2.00 one way.
Other ways are to travel to KLIA and then take the feeder bus to the LCCT. The LCCT terminal connects with the Main Terminal Building with a green-coded NadiKLIA bus for RM1.20. A future transit rail connecting both buldings is under consideration.
Ways to travel to KLIA
From KL Sentral, the ERL KLIA Express and KLIA Transit depart to Salak Tinggi Station and KLIA respective, and from there, Feedeer Bus is available to the LCCT.
UPDATE 8 November 2006: The Malaysian government has approved in principle the construction of a railway track between KLIA main terminal and LCCT. Travelling time will then be reduced from the current 20 minutes by bus to 11 minutes by rail.
Fares for the KLIA Transit to Salak Tinggi Station is RM12.50 for adult and RM6.00 for children. ERL Transit Salak Tinggi Station to LCCT fare is RM1.50 one way.
Fares for the KLIA Express to KLIA is RM35.00 for adult and RM15.00 for children. From there, you will have to take the feeder bus to LCCT.
There are also AIRPORT COACH from Hentian Duta to KLIA. Fare is RM20 one way. The first trip is 5.00am and the last trip is 12.30am. Frequency is every 45 minutes. From KLIA, you will have to take the feeder bus to the LCCT.
UPDATE 15 November 2006: Air Asia will be expanding its fleet, add more routes and tie up with Armadeus which provides distribution solutions for the travel industry. With this tie up, 26,000 travel agents and corporate customers world wide using the Amadeus distribution system can book seats on AirAsia, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia.
Sepang Formula One Racing Circuit
Formula One Racing Car
The circuit occupies a total area of 90 hectares with 30 units of pits, track length 5.542km with 5 left turns, 10 right turns and 8 straights with the longest straigth at 928 metre. The race distance is 54 laps, 310.4km or 192.9 miles. Its main grandstand capacity is 80,000 while the general admission is 80,000.
Other than the Formula One Malaysia Grand Prix, it also host the A1 Grand Prix, MotoGP, kart racing, motorcross facilities and other major motorsport events.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Singapore, Introduction To Asia
Singapore, Introduction To Asia
by: Gareth Powell
Although Singapore is no longer part of Malaysia, it used to be once upon a time, and it is separated from Malaysia by just a short causeway. Singapore is at the southern tip of Malaysia and is only a short hop away
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.
by: Gareth Powell
Although Singapore is no longer part of Malaysia, it used to be once upon a time, and it is separated from Malaysia by just a short causeway. Singapore is at the southern tip of Malaysia and is only a short hop away
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.
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