Category Archives: Far East

Night Safari, Singapore: Take your Wildlife Fantasies to a New High!!

The Night Safari, opened in 1994, is one of the best tourist attractions in Singapore and attracts more than a million visitors every year. Here, one gets the chance to see around 2,500 wild animals in wonderfully simulated natural habitats. Guided safari tours are offered in the night, promising visitors a peep into the world of some of the planet’s most fascinating wild animals.

Night Safari by Greg Walters/ CC BY

Night Safari by Greg Walters/ CC BY

Attractions

Perhaps, the biggest attraction here is the guided tram ride that takes tourists to 7 different artificially created geographical zones of the world, including the rugged foothills of the Himalayas and plains of Equatorial Africa. While traversing the varied landscapes and vegetations, you may spot an array of enchanting animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. The tram guide shares fascinating facts about the landscapes and wildlife of different geographies. Besides spotting and admiring the unique wildlife, you may enjoy a meal in a traditional village ambiance at their Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant. The thrilling Thumbuakar performances, entertaining animal shows, and adventure-packed walking trails are some of the other attractions.

Night Safari by Alexander Baxevanis/ CC BY

Night Safari by Alexander Baxevanis/ CC BY

Opening Hours and Tickets

Night Safari is open every day of the year and the timings are 7:30pm-12:00pm. The first ‘Creatures of the Night Show’ begins at 7:30pm. Ticket prices, as shown on their official website, are 42 SGD for adults and 28SGD for children. Admission for kids less than 3 years of age is free of cost. Admission fee usually covers entry to the park and a tram ride.

Night Safari by Allie_Caulfield/ CC BY

Night Safari by Allie_Caulfield/ CC BY

Useful Tips

•    Don’t forget to apply mosquito repellent to protect your skin from mosquitoes and other insects.
•    Wear comfortable footwear, especially if you plan to explore the walking trails.
•    Don’t share your food with animals. It’s strictly prohibited.
•    Maintain an adequate distance from the animals. Be with your group while trekking across the trails.

Top Shopping Malls in Singapore for an Exotic Retail Therapy

singaporeEnjoy a huge range of lifestyle offerings at some of Singapore’s most famous shopping malls. These properties are not just popular with shopaholics, but also draw hordes of movie buffs and foodies. After all, few can resist the charm of numerous upscale stores, cinema halls, and eateries under one roof. Check out our list of some of the most prominent shopping malls in Singapore.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

This sprawling 800,000-square-feet luxury mall is an excellent retail and dining retreat. You can experience a refreshing mix of international luxury brands and emerging labels. The Shoppes is home to numerous celebrated brands including Chanel, Gucci, Burberry, Cartier, Dior, Guess, Miss Sixty and Banana Republic. If hunger pangs set in, head to the leading celebrity-owned restaurants here such as Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali and Guy Savoy.

Suntec City

Designed with great focus on feng shui, Suntec City symbolizes harmony among the various races in Singapore. This 830,000-square-feet property is segregated into four distinct zones, each showcasing its own character. Suntec City features 150 luxury stores, ranging from exclusive boutiques to international chains. The mall is even home to five soaring office towers and an international convention and exhibition centre. As far as the food goes, prepare to get spoilt for choice by more than 50 big and small restaurants that promise a gratifying dining experience.

Mandarin Gallery

The Mandarin Gallery of Singapore, with its perfect blend of aesthetics and elegance, presents an exclusive shopping experience, which is hard to find elsewhere. The ground level of this boutique style mall lures shoppers with high-end brands like Vertu, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Mulberry and Montblanc. The upper floor is stocked with products from Hansel and a few other local fashion labels. Mandarin Gallery also features restaurants such as Wild Honey, Jones the Grocer, and the immensely popular and usually crowded, Ippudo Ramen.

VivoCity

One of the largest shopping malls in Singapore, VivoCity is a one-stop solution for all your cravings for entertainment and shopping. The convenient location (near the Sentosa Island) makes it a beautiful place for a relaxed and fun-filled shopping experience. The property is also home to an open-air playground for the young ones, and a rooftop amphitheatre. There are many bars and restaurants, including open-air dining along the promenade and a large hawker centre-style food court.

Top Events and Festivals of Malaysia to Attend this April

malaysiaThe events’ list of Malaysia for April 2015 is packed with numerous celebrations that include an international music festival, a water festival, and a lot more. Also, April is the best time to visit Malaysia as the weather is perfect for enjoying the outdoors.

Penang World Music Festival

Music buffs can look forward to the Penang World Music Festival which will be staged at the Esplanade in George Town on 11th and 12th April, 2015. The carnival features an incredible amalgamation of lively performances that range from traditional to fusion. Some mind-blowing performances are expected from international artists of Germany, India, Spain, South Africa and more. Besides the musical extravaganza, visitors may well look forward to scrumptious culinary preparations.

Labuan National Water Festival

The Labuan Water Festival will be held from 24th to 26th April, 2015. It is one of the most popular festivals of Malaysia. With some exciting fun activities such as the Cross Channel Swimming Challenge, Labuan International Deep Sea Fishing Tournament, Round Island Kayak, and Kayak Sprint, the festival is a true haven for sports buffs. You may even participate in adrenalin-fuelled beach tug-of-war competitions or test your strength and endurance by trying to climb slippery poles.

Regatta Lepa

Regatta Lepa by Tom Rungitom/ CC BY

Regatta Lepa by Tom Rungitom/ CC BY

The Regatta Lepa is an annual boat race of Malaysia, which pays homage to the Lepa, the single-mast traditional boat of the Bajau people of Semporna, Sabah. To be held from 24th to 26th April, 2015, the festival will feature a fleet of multi-coloured Lepas anchored on the coast of Semporna. Unique cultural performances are among the key highlights of this three-day carnival. Make sure you don’t miss the Lepa Beauty Pageant and the colourful fireworks!

Some Weird but Bewitching Museums from around the World

Some-Weird-MuseumsA collection of art, historical objects or well-preserved literature is what comes to mind when we talk about museums. How about museums dedicated to death, the occult and parasites? Sounds bizarre? Yes, there are some museums around the world that exhibit such eccentricities and even draw huge crowds. Check out this list of some of the weirdest museums in the world.

Museum of Witchcraft, Cornwall

Dedicated to the occult, this museum gets its fair share of visitors in Cornwall. It has the world’s largest collection of witchcraft-related artefacts, many of which were once owned by proclaimed or self-proclaimed witches and wizards. There is a warning on the museum’s portal, which reads ‘People with children of a sensitive disposition are warned that some of the exhibits are controversial.’ Do we need to say more?

Museum of Bad Art, Boston

Pay a visit to MOBA, as the museum is popularly called, and feel proud of your artistic ability! Aimed at collecting, preserving and exhibiting the ‘art too bad to be ignored’, the museum’s ever-changing exhibits feature some of the world’s most ‘wrongly-gone’ artworks across an array of themes such as Poor Traits, Unlikely Landscapes and Out of Proportion Figures to name a few.

Siriraj Medical Museum, Bangkok

Not the most obvious crowd puller in Bangkok, Siriraj Medical Museum has a unique display of human body parts, skulls, dead bodies and much more related to physiology. Dubbed as ‘Museum of Death’, it is not for the faint hearted, as many of its displays are disturbing. However, if you like quirky things, the collection is definitely worth exploring.

Parasite Museum, Tokyo

This museum is dedicated to parasites. The repository consists of about 300 species of parasites including tapeworms, head lice and many others. The highlight of the collection is a 30-foot tapeworm pulled out of a woman’s stomach. There is a detailed display of the creatures, complete with a research facility.

Soothe Your Mind and Find Solace at the BaliSpirit Festival, Ubud

baliFind that lost spirit with yoga, meditation, music and a lot more at the BaliSpirit Festival. The eighth edition of this spiritual event is scheduled from 31st March to 05th April, 2015 at Ubud, a beautiful township on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Venues

ARMA Open Stage and Museum and Purnati Center for the Arts are the two locations where workshops, concerts and seminars will be held. The former will host night-time programmes whereas the latter is reserved for the day time activities.

Purnati Center for the Arts: Get up early in the morning to be here and be a part of healing and wellness workshops. This venue also features few healing bungalows and a swimming pool. The hillside temple is among the most prominent highlight of this property.

ARMA Open Stage and Museum: In the evenings, music enthusiasts would do good to head to ARMA or Agung Rai Museum of Arts. The outdoor stage is going to be the podium for One World Stage Concert Series. The line up comprises names like Desert Dwellers, Toni Childs, Farafi and Tarun Nayyar. The venue will also have a splendid night market.

Bhakti Night

The final day i.e., 01st April is dedicated to spirituality. Close your eyes and listen to the devotional chanting by popular, globally acclaimed devotional singers. Australian singers Kevin James Carroll and Murray Kyle will create a magical environment with their heart-touching hymns. Peia and Ajeet Kaur from the US will work their magic too. The latter has even been featured on Billboard. Fans of Persian melodies should buy tickets for Ali Ghamsari’s session.

Four Vintage Tramways around the World that Becharm Even Today

We are headed towards a world where magnetic levitation and Euroduplex rails are all set to radically evolve train-transportation. However, very few modern wonders can beat the old world charm of riding a tram. Navigating through the city’s busy locales, the trams run slowly at their own leisurely pace, as if beseeching us to take it easy in life and enjoy what we have all around. Listed below are some vintage trams or streetcars as they are known in many cities, operating on some age-old tracks.

Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways by Fabio Achilli/ CC BY

Hong Kong Tramways by Fabio Achilli/ CC BY

Snaking through Hong Kong’s bustling streets, panoramic harbours and colourful neighbourhoods, this tramway is perhaps the best way to peep into the city’s real essence. The exclusivity lies in the fact that it ranks among the first few networks of double-decker trams. The style of the 1950s still remains intact in some of the trams.

Melbourne Tram

Melbourne Tram by David Maciulaitis/ CC BY

Melbourne Tram by David Maciulaitis/ CC BY

A visit to Melbourne is incomplete until you experience the world’s third largest tram network. It connects many key tourist attractions in Melbourne, including those in the suburbs, and is highly popular among tourists. Dating back to 1884, it remains among Melbourne’s earliest means of public transport. In the old days, horses used to draw the trams.

Wellington Cable Car

Operating for over a century now, this funicular railway has become a symbol of Wellington. While Wellington has transformed into a global metropolis, the network still has a historic feel that tempts tourists. At the same time, its present day significance also cannot be overlooked, given the fact that it connects some of the most prominent commercial and tourist spots in Wellington such as Lambton Quay and Kelburn.

San Francisco Streetcar

Fondly dubbed as “museums in motion”, San Francisco’s cable cars are the best way to explore the US metropolis at a slow pace.  The heritage wagons run on three different lines and will take you through many historical and tourists spots in the city. Some popular ones include Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, the Castro district, Chinatown, Nob Hill and Jackson Square.

Singapore Beckons Music Maniacs with the Future Music Festival Asia 2015

Asia’s two-day cross-genre music festival is just around the corner and hardcore music buffs who have not yet booked their flights to Singapore should pull up their socks and hammer the Internet for last minute ticket deals. After all, the event is none other than the Future Music Festival Asia 2015. This lively carnival is all set to transport people to a glorious world filled with fun, frolic and entertainment from March 13th to March 14th, 2015. The festival is expected to attract thousands of fans from different parts of the world and is set to feature its biggest line up till date.

music festival by Olga Kruglova/ CC BY

music festival by Olga Kruglova/ CC BY

Venue

This year, the festival is all set to be hosted at Singapore’s Changi Exhibition Centre, one of the most celebrated venues in the country. This superb 140,000 square-metre giant convention centre is a popular tourist attraction in itself. This humongous place is almost as big as 14 football fields. There are stunning views of the sea from the Changi Exhibition Centre.

Line-Up

Unlike other music festivals in the region, Future Music Festival Asia maintains its great position as a thrilling Electronic Dance Music (EDM) performer and is amongst the biggest names in Pop, Hip Hop, Indie and Rock. Take a look at some of the most popular international performances.

Friday 13th March 2015: Sancer Van Doorn, Avicii, Prodigy, New World Punx, Giorgio and Moroder.

Saturday 14th March: Afrojack, Fatboy Slim, Ferry Corsten, Knife Party, Marcus Schulz and Public Enemy.

Other Events: Art Department, Bassjackers, Blasterjaxx Darude, Example, Gorgon City, Nero, Protoculture, Robin Schulz, Sigma, Tenishia, Terence C, Thelioncityboy, Wdtfaa, Xu And Ya5th.

With all this and much more, the festival is bound to be a great entertainment for travellers having interest in some great live music.

Tickets

Visitors can buy tickets for the different events of this festival online through its official website. Tickets can be bought in different categories namely – Single Day, Weekend 2 Day Pass, VIP First class and FMFA Groupie.

Two Lovely Resorts Assuring a Sybaritic Stay in Phuket

PhuketWith its incredible weather, pristine beaches and an extensive list of wonderful attractions, Phuket certainly lives up to its nickname of ‘Pearl of the Andaman Sea’. Many find that the best way to explore and experience this spellbinding paradise on earth is by staying at one of the lavish resorts that dot the destination. Feast your eyes on scarlet sunsets, dip your toes in azure waters and experience a newfound world for rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul. Here are a few popular luxury resorts in Phuket.

Amari Coral Beach Resort

Featuring its own small sandy cove and an impressive view of the bay, Amari Coral Beach Resort is one of the most sought after places on Patong Beach, Phuket. The resort boasts over 180 stylish rooms, five plush restaurants, and a sophisticated open air spa among other thoughtful amenities. All this go a long way in making Amari a popular choice of accommodation among the well heeled set disembarking flights in Thailand. Guests may even try some thrilling adventure activities like scuba diving and snorkelling at the resort’s private dive centre. The wonderful experience of visiting this opulent property truly justifies the value of money spent on air tickets for the island.

Paresa Resort

Perched on a seaside cliff of Kamala, Phuket’s western coast, Paresa Resort is another incredible accommodation alternative, promising the best of coastal charm and unrivalled hospitality. Precisely designed, this marvellous property impressively blends in with the surrounding natural beauty to offer an experience, which is hard to find anywhere else. Guests may choose from amongst six different types of accommodation options – Cielo, Dima, Cliff, Aqua, Talay, and Grand Villa, all facing the beautiful sea. Some basic features and amenities of the rooms include a private infinity pool, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, private living and dining pavilion, sun bathing space, luxury bedding and much more. Paresa also features a fine dining restaurant Diavolo, which offers great Thai and international cuisines.

Book Flights to Thailand for Songkran this April!!

Apart from its soul-soothing natural beauty and sassy nightlife, Thailand is globally applauded for its rich cultural heritage and perhaps the best way to absorb it is to partake in any of the country’s colourful cultural fests. For those planning a visit to Thailand in mid-April, one such cultural extravaganza – the famous water festival ‘Songkran’ – awaits with loads of fun and merrymaking. A nation-wide celebration of the traditional Thai New Year, Songkran Festival allows travellers to combine their holidays in Thailand with unlimited fun, food, cultural festivity and a lot more.

How

It’s fundamentally a water fight, purely for fun. Heaps of locals and tourists alike come out on the streets with water-guns, buckets and other water-containers to drench each other. Only clean water is thrown, which is a symbol of purity. It is much like the Holi Festival in India and La Tomatino in Spain. But Songkran is not just about splashing water. It is a day of great spiritual significance. People pray at Buddhist temples and pay homage to the Lord Buddha. The markets offer delicious Thai cuisines, leaving foodies gloating about their decision of picking this time to board flights to Thailand.

When

Traditionally, the fest is the New Year Eve celebration that takes place in mid-April in Thailand. In 2015, it will be celebrated from April 13 to 15.

Where

Bangkok hosts one of the most boisterous cultural celebrations in Thailand. The conviviality takes a whole new meaning, with scores of international tourists flocking to the Thai capital to celebrate this amazing fest with the locals. Chiang Mai is another place where Songkran festivities engulf all major tourist spots. People in the province of Ratchaburi use herbal coloured water to make the festival more special.

More on Thai Holidays in April

April is a great time for a sojourn to Thailand’s sprawling islands and beaches. Buy tickets to Hua Hin for a serene escape or choose Pattaya or Phuket to enjoy enthralling water sports and the colourful Thai nightlife! Bangkok itself offers an abundance of tourist delights that make your trip worth much more than what the flights and holiday packages to Thailand cost.

The Bay Regatta – A Sailing Event to Admire the Beauty of Southern Thailand!

How would it feel to be in and around the waters for four days while sailing through the refreshing waters of Southern Thailand? Great, of course! If you are game for an invigorating adventure, book tickets aboard Phuket flights to be a part of the Bay Regatta. This annual race allows you to excurse through three prominent destinations in Southern Thailand, namely Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

Schedule

The Bay Regatta 2015 is scheduled from 04th to 08th March. Every day, you will find yourself at a new resort to revitalize your senses. Also, with an impressive range of parties and presentations, you will get a slice of quintessential Thailand!

Venues

Here’s a list of venues where you would be staying at during your sailing stint in Thailand.

Chandara Resort and Spa

After disembarking flights at Phuket, you can reach Chandara Resort and Spa, one of the most popular resorts in Phuket, in around 20 minutes. The resort is peppered with 49 villas including family villas and villas for private pool parties. You can register for the Bay Regatta between 1200hrs and 1730hrs. At the end of the registrations, attend Skippers Briefing to get details on this event. Briefing is followed by party where you can drink and dance before embarking on a sailing trip to Phang Nga.

The Paradise Koh Yao

This splendid venue is the starting point of the race. At 0900hrs, you will hear the first party signal. After race, you will be back at the resort to join the party. When it comes to facilities and amenities of this resort, the rooms depict the resort’s elegance. You can choose from hilltop pool villa, Jacuzzi studio, plunge pool deluxe studio etc. Yoga and spa are the two activities that should be on your list.

Arayaburi Resort

This resort makes for an interesting option for honeymooners buying air tickets to Krabi. This romantic haven is located by the captivating waters of Andaman Sea. Take your pick from Deluxe Villa and Grand Deluxe Villa to enjoy your stay here. Beach is just few steps from your room. One must also consider dining on the sands at beachfront restaurant, located in the property.