Spend a weekend ride at Pulau Ubin, Singapore

Shaped like a boomerang, Pulau Ubin is situated just off the north-eastern corner of mainland Singapore. The 1020 hectare island was once a cluster of 5 smaller one separated by tidal rivers, but the building of bunds for prawn farming has since united these into a single island. Two small island, Pulau Sekudu (Frog island) and Pulau Ketam (Crab island) , lie to the south side of Pulau Ubin.

Ubin is largely of a series of undulating, granite hills. In the early days, granite mining supported a few thousand settlers. Much of the original vegetation was also cleared for the cultivation of rubber and crops like coffee, pineapple, coconut and jasmine. Nowadays, abandoned granite quarries remain as picturesque residue of Ubin's memoirs, while grasslands and forests have recycled to cover up the ruins of the past.

Ubin provides a much-needed escapade from the hustle and bustle of city life in Singapore. Its natural and rustic charm draws about 250,000 visitors each year. The idylc settling is ideal for outdoor activities.

Rent a bicycle, or bring your own, to visit villages scattered round the island. Ride through the rubber and coconut plantations, or pause at fruit orchards, perhaps you will chance upon a few durians or mangosteens.

Bring your tents and head out for beach campsites at Jalan Jelutong, Mamam and Noordin. Try your hand at fishing, or gaze at the myriad stars of Ubin's night sky. For a more comfortable stay, try the lodge and resort in the island. Facilities such as an assembly area, seminar room and workroom are available for booking. Feel free to contact the NParks Helpline at 1800-471-7300.

If you like being close to nature, join the guided tours and discover Ubin's amazing diversity of plants and animals.

Taiwan Night Markets

When one thinks of Taiwan, one unavoidably reflects of night markets. There are a few famous and the visitors like the most are namely Shilin, Huaxi, Roahe and Tonghua night markets. You can ramble while shopping and at the same time enjoy yummy food in these markets. These are an especially remarkable variety of local eats (called 'xiaochi'). Prices are reasonable and portions are pretty small, hence you can visit from stall to stall tasting as many as you wish.

Some of the typical and representative foods are intestine and oyster pancakes,danzai noodles, milk fish rice porridge, fried oodles, fishcakes, hot grass jelly, and cuttlefish soup etc. Xiao Chi also includes a variety of desserts, such as sweet tofu pudding, milk tea with tapioca and papaya milk, and these are popular among women. The prices are low, but the food quality is as good as high class restaurant served.

In fact, you can distinctive the choice of foods by their unique aromas. Each night market has it own unique atmosphere and its own exclusive food products and local civilization, which will enrich your knowledge in the travels.

Every day, the crowds start flowing into the market as the street lights are turned on. Two years back, the public-health program was launched by the authority to promote the use of eco-friendly chopsticks. Hawker booth staff are also encouraged to wear color uniforms to eliminate hygiene issue and enlightening the overall visual appearance of the markets.

Visit South East Asia - Information Good to Know

When to go
Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia fall entirely within the tropical zone, these countries have a hot and humid climate all around the year, with temperature hovering around 30 celcius and rarely dropping below 25 celcius. Visitors that keen to lie around on a beach or keen to join in adventure sports should avoid the monsoons. The rainy season have an effect on the west coast of the peninsula between mid April and October.
 
On the east coast and the Malaysia Borneo, the monsoon falls between November and end of February. It is worth timing a visit to coincide with one of the country's major festivals, such as the Rainforest World Music Festival. Chinese and Hindu festivals in Singapore take place at the beginning of the year (i.e. January and February).

Visitor Information 

Anyone plan for a visit to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia will find useful information on the official website of Tourism Malaysia (www.travelmalaysiaguide.com), Singapore Tourism Board (www.stb.gov.sg) and Indonesia Tourism Board (www.indonesia-tourism.com). The website provide details of festival, interesting places, resorts and hotels. The tourism boards, aided by their resourceful network of local and offshore offices, offer a wide range of pamphlets on the most attractive tourist destinations. For East of Malaysia, both Sabah Tourism Board (www.sabahtourism.com) and Sarawak Tourism Board (www.sarawaktourism.com) have detailed websites. Most hotels operate daily tour arrangement while backpackers' lodges are generally provide outstanding sources of local information.

Social Customs
The majority of the South East Asia populations is conservative, but travellers will find most social customs adaptable and generally easy to comply with. Loud behaviour is considered rude. As a rule, do not point at someone or substance using the index finger; instead imply with the thumb or the whole hand. Also note that in Muslim community it is considered bad-mannered to touch people with the left hand or on the head. Public displays of affection such as hugging and kissing are also frowned upon. Topless sun-bathing and nudity on beaches are prohibited.

Before entering a Muslim home, visitors should take their shoes off. Never relieve yourself to food without it being offered first and avoid having the meal with the left hand.

While most modern cities have an advance outtook in terms of fashion,  Muslim women still dress conservatively. Attention must be taken to dress appropriately, with arms and legs covered, especially when visiting rural areas, temples, mosques, and other religious place. In the some Muslim countries, Non-Muslim women may be forbidden to enter mosques according to the local rules and regulations.

Premier Holidays in Malaysia

Malaysia have an amazing range of attractions for visitors, offering experiences and activities that appeal to all tastes. Malaysia's national parks, with their superb landscapes and unusual animals, are a magnet for nature lovers, while its islands fascinate divers eager to explore the mysteries of the deep. The major cities of this territory, particularly Kuala Lumpur, offer the chance to see historical monuments, witness cultural shows, shop for local crafts, and sample the delights of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cookery. This page present the highlights of some of the Malaysia's most captivating destinations.

Historical City of Malaysia "Malacca"
Malacca is famed as the place where the memoirs of Malaysia formed. Filled the events of the past, Malacca is not unlike a large museum brimming with artifacts, walkways, handicrafts, buildings, corridors, and gardens. It is a story of legendary sultans,  heroes and princes and also the tale of war, of downfall and of independence.
Key itinerary include Cheng Hong Teng temple, Jonker Street,  A' Famosa, Dutch Square.

Putrajaya - Garden and Intelligent City
Putrajaya is a city with a forethought and heritage for the country's present and future initiations. Sprawling over 5,000 hectares Putrajaya possess numerous attraction. Putrajaya Lake is also the venue of the F1 Powerboat World Championship. Modern infrastructure include Putra Mosque, Prime Minister's Office, Government complex and Prime Minister's Residence.

Port Dickson - Fun in the Sun
Port Dickson is the most well-liked beach in Negeri Sembilan has an almost unbroken shoreline up approx. 20km. Its sunny beaches, lined by Tall Palm and Coconut Trees and shady Casuarinas are washed by the Gentle Waves of the Straits of Malacca. It is interestng to learn about ostriches while having fun at the Ostrich Farm. Enjoy a spray in the lovely water of delight in the sea activities.

Magical Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands is well known as "City of Entertainment". The one stop destination of adventure, fantasy and excitement, set amid cool misty mountain lures  guests by the droves for is non-stop entertainment. Genting Skyway is the longest cable car in South East Asia. With over 15-million visitors, visit Genting Highlands annually. For children, don't miss the indoor and outdoor theme park in the highlands.

A 'Famosa Safari Malacca
The 150 acres A 'Famosa Animal World Safari is an amazing wildlife safari that is come to more than 100 of the wild species from the animal empire. The safari pride yourself on exciting rides where visitors can view the creatures at close distance. Whereas the A Famosa Water Park offers a variety of games and water sports programmes such as boating, canoeing, wave surfing and water skiing.

Green Bowl of Malaysia - Cameron Highlands
There is a lot to see and so in the Cameron Highlands. The largest Malaysia's highlands resorts situated 1,500 meters above sea level. Feel free to walk through lovely small villages and charming strawberry, honey bee and butterfly farms or pay a visit to  Tudor styled country inns and tea plantation, this resort will hold your interest with its bucolic charm.

Hot Springs in Taiwan

Taiwan is rich geothermal resources. Several types of springs can be found, including cold springs, hot springs, turbid springs, and seawater springs. Hence one can enjoys various types of natural springs without leaving Taiwan. All the hot spring spots are coordinated with the activities of Taiwan Travel Year.  Therefore many tourist routes with special offers are arranged.

Natural landscapes, culture, arts, and tourism are linked with local features. Diverse hot spring journeys, accompanied with famous products, health-preservation food, bath houses, and scenic spots, are certainly worth visiting.

While enjoying the therapeutic effects of the springs, you can also enjoy the scenery. Hot springs houses along the Tang Gin Highway and Taichung suburbs are recommended.

The exceptional combination forms an incredible scene of Fire-water in one, attracting thousands of tourists from different part of the world to Guanziling each year. Guanziling’ water also helps treat neuralgia, skin disease, and gastrointestinal illness and is also said to be helpful for curing alleviating exhaustion, skin allergies, and beautifying the body.

Taiwan Sihchongsi’s (四重溪) famous Hot Spring is located a convergence of snaking rivers. The water is carbonic acid and lime, with temperature of 40-50 degrees,; it can be sed in drinking, bathing, treating neuralgia, gastroenteritis, skin disease and boosting the metabolism.

10 Popular Local Food in Singapore

Singapore’s filled with a plethora of restaurants and hawker centers that offer different dining experiences. Delicious and extremely economical local food can be found in everywhere island wide. All you need to do is grab a fork or some chopsticks and take your tastebud on a unique culinary tour.

Below are some of the recommendations that even locals can’t get enough of. Try these out..!

1. Char Kway Teow

Flat rice noodles stir fried with sweet dark sauce, eggs, bean sprouts, chives, Chinese sausage, prawns or sliced fish cake an cockles.

2. Chilli Crab

Crabs cooked in a chilli and tomato gravy, served with fried bread rolls. Dunk the bread into the gravy for a uniquely Singapore taste.

3. Fish Head Curry

A whole fish head cooked with okra, eggplant and tomatoes in a spicy curry. Best served with steamed white rice and ice-cold lime juice.

4. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Steamed chicken accompanied by rice cooked in chicken stock. Served with cucumber slices, minced ginger, chilli sauce and dark soy sauce.

5. Laksa

Rice noodles in a spicy coconut broth with fresh cockles, bean sprouts and sliced fish cakes.

6. Murtabak

An Indian pancake stuffed with minced mutton or chicken, pan fried to a chewy, crunchy texture and served with spicy curry.

7. Nasi Lemak

Steamed white rice accompanied by a variety of Malay meat, fish, vegetables and curry dishes.

8. Rojak

A salad of fruits, vegetables and fried crullers tossed in prawn paste and sprinkled with peanuts.

9. Satay

Skewered meat grilled over coal fire. Served with rice cakes, onions, cucumber and a spicy peanuts gravy.

10 Bak Kut Teh

Chinese soup consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in herbs and ingredients such as mushroom, fried tofu puff for hours.

Discover Chinatown Singapore during Chinese New Year

One of Singapore’s oldest ethnic districts, Chinatown has so much to offer those craving culture. Only in Chinatown you can find a unique bend of new and old, as remnants of its colorful past still and old traditions still endure. The best times to visit Chinatown are when any of a myriad of Chinese festivals are taking place and the streets are awash in a kaleidoscope of color, lights an special shopping deals.

Here, Chinese merchants and craftmen still hawk their wares in quaint pre-war shop houses, from delicate bales of silk and gold jewellery to traditional crafts. One place worth visiting and don’t miss is China town street Market were a dazzling array of stalls selling traditional Chinese goods like calligraphy, opera masks and food open by late morning till evening.

Chinese New Year symbolizes a new beginning for the Chinese and is one of the biggest and most widely celebrated festivals in Singapore. Immerse yourself in the entire Chinese Culture experience and soak up the festive hustle and bustle simply by walking through the streets of Chinatown which will be lit up with spectacular fairy lights, bustling Lion Dances, cultural performance and festive street bazaars where you can find traditional culinary treats like cookies, roasted meats and Chinese New Year ornaments.