| Singapore has been known to some as the | | | | than 9,000 birds from 600 species is among |
| Garden City. Singapore's strategic position | | | | the largest in the world. The Park |
| has helped it grow into a major center for | | | | specialises in birds from Southeast Asia. |
| trade, communications and tourism. From | | | | This is where you can be a falconer for a |
| Singapore to Malaysia, you can take a bus or | | | | day, learning to handle trained birds of |
| train ride or even walk across one of the two | | | | prey. This is your chance to practise |
| causeway bridges. Not only that, it is just a | | | | falconry - a sport, which traditionally had |
| quick ferry trip to the key islands of the | | | | been associated only with royalty and |
| Riau archipelago of Indonesia. Thailand and | | | | aristocracy. For more information on the |
| the Philippines are a short plane journey | | | | Jurong BirdPark: |
| away. Singapore, with an airport served by | | | | |
| more than 69 airlines, is very much the | | | | After all that excitement, it's time to relax |
| gateway to Southeast Asia. | | | | with some light shopping at Bugis Street - |
| | | | Singapore's largest permanent street bazaar. |
| Singapore has a population of about 4 | | | | Besides unexpected bargains, you can also |
| million, which comprises of 77% Chinese, 14% | | | | find interesting sights like the co-existence |
| Malays, 8% Indians and 1% Eurasians and | | | | of a Buddhist and an Indian temple |
| people of other descent. It certainly is a | | | | side-by-side. Also, stop by Bugis Junction, |
| dynamic city rich in contrast and color as | | | | the only shopping mall in Singapore with a |
| you'll find a harmonious blend of culture, | | | | glass-covered and air-conditioned shopping |
| cuisine, arts and architecture here. | | | | walkway, on top of a rich historical |
| | | | background and interesting shophouse |
| Moving around Singapore is easy not only | | | | architecture. |
| because of the good transportation system, | | | | |
| but also because English is the language of | | | | For a different view of Singapore, proceed on |
| business and administration, and is widely | | | | to Clarke Quay and have a go at the Reverse |
| spoken and understood in Singapore. | | | | Bungy Jump. Feel your heart drop to your feet |
| | | | as you are flung up at great speeds and then |
| If you are an adventure seeker, this could be | | | | jerked back down to earth. This experience is |
| the things you can do in Singapore. | | | | certainly not for the faint-hearted! |
| | | | |
| First, visit the Underwater World, which is | | | | The day's activities should have worked up |
| Asia's first and largest tropical fish | | | | your appetite and imagination. Join the |
| oceanarium with over 2,500 marine specimens | | | | Magical Makansutra Food Safari, where you |
| including the World's Largest Display of Sand | | | | will be able to sample some of Singapore's |
| Tiger Sharks! It is located in Sentosa, one | | | | finest street food. Each safari lasts about |
| of the 63 Islets of Singapore. Sentosa is | | | | three hours and features five food types. We |
| easily accessible by a cable car ride, the | | | | guarantee that our local food like Bak Kut |
| new train system that link the islet directly | | | | Teh (Pork Ribs in Tea Soup); one very unique |
| to the mainland. For more information on | | | | food that you must definitely try. Laksa |
| Sentosa: | | | | (noodles in a spicy coconut broth); this is |
| | | | one of the Singaporeans' favorites. Roti |
| If you have survived the heart-stopping | | | | Prata (Indian pancakes) will leave you |
| experience with the sharks, reward yourself | | | | wanting more. |
| with lunch at Holland Village, an enclave of | | | | |
| charming shops, cafes and restaurants. | | | | After dinner, it's time to walk off those |
| Holland Village is popular with expatriates | | | | calories... if you dare. Go on the unique |
| and yuppies. You may also want to do a spot | | | | walking tour of the historic Kampong Glam |
| of shopping for Asian arts and crafts at the | | | | area where you will be spooked by |
| Holland Village Shopping Centre and the | | | | little-known supernatural stories of Sultan |
| Holland Village Complex. | | | | Mosque, Old Istana, Kris shop, perfume shop |
| | | | and the royal graveyard. Embrace thousands of |
| After lunch, proceed to the Jurong BirdPark, | | | | years of Malay folklore and discover |
| which is a 20.2 hectare open-concept park. It | | | | forgotten places - places that still haunt |
| is the largest in the Asia Pacific and the | | | | the memories of some in eerie twilight. |
| best in the world. Its collection of more | | | | |