Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is located to the south of Singapore city. Unlike the other atolls that make up the island country, Sentosa is a man-made theme park like island where tourists and locals gather to unwind and enjoy quality time. The island is famous for its many resorts, beaches and rainforest.

Location and topography of Sentosa

The word Sentosa means ‘peace and tranquility’ in Malay dialect. The island covers an area of 5 sq km. It lies half a kilometer away from the southern coast of Singapore.

Around 70% of the total area of the island is covered with rainforest which plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of the area. A 3.2 kilometer long white sandy beach that surrounds the island is one of the greatest tourist attractions of the place.

Attractions of Sentosa Island

It only takes 12 minutes to reach Sentosa Island from Vivo city. The journey to the island is an interesting one and you will be taken there on a cable car. The island is full of recreational facilities and resorts. The many hangout places of the island have turned it into a large amusement park. Some of the major attractions of the island are as follows:

• Resorts World
• Universal Studio
• Carlsberg Sky Tower
• Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom
• Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon
• Imbiah Lookout
• Siloso Point
• Serapong
• Sentosa 4D Magix
• Megazip Adventure Park
• Sentosa Nature Discovery
• Fort Siloso
• Sentosa CineBlast
• Siloso Beach

The Merlion is a very popular landmark of the place. It is a mythological animal and also the mascot of Singapore. It has got the head of a lion and the body of a fish.

Marine Bay-Singapore

Beautiful Marine Bay lies to the east of Downtown Core and is near Central Area in the South of Singapore .It attracts many tourists and provides them the options of exchanging new ideas and information for business.

The underground “common services tunnel” is built at this place only.

Marine Bay is famous for  three E’s Explore,Exchange and Entertain.One can explore the new options of living in Singapore. From the Mercer’s cost of living survey in 2011, Singapore has been declared the 8th most expensive city in the World.

Second E is for Exchage which tells that there are many business opportunities available in Singapore.Because of Marine Bay,Singapore is regarded as Asia’a largest financial center.

The third E is for Entertain i.e. It has many shopping places like Raffles City shopping center,Marine Square,Suntec City and Esplanade.

The Common service tunnel,water management and transportation services are commendable developments at Marine Bay and hence makes this place worth to visit when any one comes to Singapore.

Laws in Singapore

Singapore is one of the top tourist destinations in Asia. It is the ‘shopper’s paradise’. Moreover, it is also the business hub of the continent. As a result, Singapore experiences thousands of footfalls round the year from different corners of the world. If you too are planning to visit Singapore in the near future, here is a brief summary of the laws of the country that citizens and tourists alike are required to abide by. Laws in Singapore are quite stringent.

To maintain law and order in the country, the Government of Singapore has introduced some strict regulations which are followed uniformly across the island nation. Breaking laws can lead to serious punishment, such as fine, incarceration and even expatriation. However, as a tourist you are less likely to commit a crime serious enough to get yourself into trouble. But here are few laws and their consequences that you may find useful to keep in mind. Check out the following rules:

Chewing gum ban: Chewing gums are prohibited in the country and chewing, selling and possessing gum are punishable offenses in Singapore. First time offender will be fined 500 Singapore Dollars or U.S.$ 375.

Littering: Singapore is an extremely clean city and laws are strictly imposed against offenders littering streets and public places. If you are found littering streets with even a small thing like a receipt, cigarette butt or chewing gum you will be fined S$ 300 or U.S.$ 225. The amount will be more for larger items.

Singapore also has a law in place which compels a three-time offender to clean roads on Sunday wearing a bib that says “I am a litterer”.

Spitting in public will attract a hefty fine of S$ 500 or U.S$ 375.

Ban on smoking: Entering the country with cigarette is a punishable offense in Singapore. Also, one can’t smoke in public places such as air-conditioned shopping malls and offices, theaters and cinemas, swimming pools, sports ground, parks, bus stations and other shelters. You can only smoke in permitted areas and restricted dining centers. You will be fined S$ 200 or U.S.$ 150 if you are caught smoking in Singapore. For carrying cigarettes, you will be charged with S$ 500 or U.S.$ 375 for each packet.

Jaywalking: Singapore has strict laws imposed against jaywalking. These laws will be applied for walking through the middle of a street, and crossing a pedestrian walkway during red signal. The police are very strict in following the rules and they will promptly hand out a fine of S$ 500 or US$ 375 to the lawbreaker.

Eating in public bus: If you are hungry, you may wait to get off the bus before eating. Otherwise, you will be fined S$ 500 or US$ 375.

Few more important laws to keep in mind

In addition to the above mentioned laws, here are few more rules to keep in mind:

• Drug abuse and possession of illegal substances may attract jail terms and even death penalty.
• Corporal punishment will be imposed for possessing drugs, rape, extortion, visa offenses, vandalism and the like.
• Death penalty is awarded for murder, abduction and possessing illegal weapons.
• Shoplifting is considered a serious offense and may lead to incarceration.

Every year, thousands of tourists visit Singapore. It is considered as one of the safest locations in the world for visitors. Serious crimes against tourists are rare. So, if you can keep the laws of Singapore in mind, you can certainly enjoy a magnificent time in this vivacious city.

Singapore Fashion

Singapore has been recently adjudged as the 8th most fashionable country in the world. With the economic advancements taking place, people of Singapore have become more concerned about dressing right. Furthermore, Singapore is a shopper’s paradise with its countless malls and fashion stores. No wonder that Singapore will enjoy an exclusive status in the fashion world.

Global Language Monitor, which has recently conducted the survey to find the top 10 stylish cities in the world, has ranked Singapore in the 8th place. The city has crossed seven positions to improve its rank from 15th in 2010 to 8th in 2011.

Singapore’s love for fashion is obvious from the presence of many international fashion brands in the country. You can now shop here for fashion houses like Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Valentino, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Versace, Donna Karan, Marks & Spencer, Paul Smith, Trussardi and many more.

Traditional dresses of Singapore

Although people of this place have embraced comfortable dressing, which often comprises shorts, singlets and slippers, but the traditional outfit of Singapore is equally vibrant. The festive season is considered the best time to witness the multi-ethnic culture of the country when various traditional dresses are worn by men and women alike.

Nyonya Kebaya: The Nyonya Kebaya is the traditional outfit of the Peranakan race who are the descendants of Chinese and Malay parentage. This traditional cloth bears the influence of both Malay and Chinese culture. The Kebaya consists of an embroidered, figure-fitting, long sleeved garment worn over an undershirt. The lower part of the dress consists of a sarong.

Cheongsam: Traditional Chinese costume is widely worn by the women in Singapore. Cheongsam means long garment. Modern Cheongsam is available in various lengths and flattering colors and are quite popular with young women of both Malay and Chinese ethnicities.

Sari: Many Indians reside in Singapore and they can be seen wearing their traditional dress of Sari. Sari is also worn by the women of Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Nivi style of sari draping is most popular among the women in Singapore.

Baju Kurung: The Baju Kurung is a dress worn by many conservative Malay women. The dress covers the hair and neck of the wearer. Since its origination, the dress has undergone many changes to become a modern and stylish outfit. Baju Kurung is still worn by many Malay women in their daily lives.

Fashion in Singapore: Modern trends

Singapore has emerged fast in the world’s fashion map. Singapore Fashion Week and the Singapore Fashion Festival are now two of the most prestigious fashion events in the world. The events offer a platform for aspiring fashion designers to showcase their creations.There are many brands in clothes in Singapore.

Shopping in Singapore

Shopping and eating are regarded as national pastimes in Singapore. Shopping in Singapore is an absolute pleasure with a diverse range of products from designer clothing labels to hi tech electronic equipment. You would be bowled over by the sheer variety of shopping establishments available.

The ethnic shopping enclaves in Singapore comprise the local shop-houses and markets. On the other hand Orchard Road has the state-of-the-art shopping malls. Some other parts of Singapore such as Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street are also known for their products like knickknacks.

You can also visit the suburban locations in Singapore such as Holland Village, Tampines and Katong. The shops in Singapore remain open from late morning till 9:30 pm to 10 pm at night. During the festive season shopping hours can extend till midnight.

The Great Singapore Sale is a much anticipated event. It normally happens during the middle of a year and there is substantial reduction in prices of all products. Most of the shops in Singapore accept charge and credit cards, which is of great convenience for shoppers.There are many Shopping malls in Singapore that are great places for shopping.

Shopping in Orchard Road

Tourists to Singapore make it a point to visit Orchard Road as it has the finest hotels and shopping establishments in the region. Christmas is the best time for some shopping in this part of Singapore as it becomes a stunning exhibition of festive ornamentation!

When it comes to shopping Orchard Road is comparable to Tshimshatsui in Hong Kong and Oxford Street in London. It boasts of several international and local departmental stores such as Plaza Singapura and Tangin Mall.

Bargaining in Singapore

It is advisable that you bargain properly in Singapore even when a sale is not on offer. This is applicable especially for electronic stores at the leading shopping malls in Singapore such as Lucky Plaza, Far East Plaza and Sim Lim Square.

The basic rule for bargaining in Singapore is to start from 70 to 75 percent of the price that has been quoted to you. Also be ready to compare prices of similar products in different shops.

Following is a list of best shopping destinations and the finest shopping establishments in Singapore:

Marina Bay – CityLink, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Marina Square, Suntec City Mall and Millennia Walk

Chinatown – Chinatown Complex, OG Department Store & People’s Park Complex, Chinatown Point & Singapore Handicraft Center and Yue Hwa Emporium

Clarke Quay & Riverside – Central, Liang Court, Great World City and Riverside Point

Harbourfront Precinct – HarbourFront Centre and Vivo City

Singapore Lifestyle

Singapore has been ranked in the second position on a global scale with regards to quality of living. The South Asian country is reputed for providing several facilities that make life a better experience for its residents:

a. safe environment
b. top of the line medical services
c. diverse range of housing options
d. exceptional education

Some Important Aspects of Singapore Living

An integral component of the Singapore lifestyle experience is its global accessibility. It is also blessed with a diverse telecommunications network that is well supported by up-to-date computer systems.

The public transport in Singapore features Mass Rapid Transiting services and buses that connect every part of the island nation. Despite its multiethnic nature English is used as the main language. It can be called a cosmopolitan entity in the truest sense of the term because of the substantial international community that now calls Singapore its home.

Singapore has a distinct advantage over the other major cities in Asia such as Hong Kong in offering improved lifestyle facilities to its residents. Singapore offers better lifestyle at lesser expense to working professionals than Hong Kong although the salary scale is higher in the latter city.

Singapore is also located at a strategic point in Southeast Asia, helping it gain equal access to the best in both west and east and creating an ideal combination of both.

European Interest in Singapore

Of late professionals from Europe, especially from London have been showing an avid interest in Singapore. Bankers from Switzerland have also shown eagerness in working in Singapore following the commendable performance of its wealth management sector.

Singapore Climate – consistency personified

The climate in Singapore can be described as a tropical rainforest one. It does not have any clear season as such and the temperature normally stays the same throughout the year. Other common features are high levels of humidity and lots of rainfall throughout the year.

The temperatures in Singapore normally fluctuate within 23 to 32 degrees Celsius. On an average the relative humidity of the Asian nation hovers close to 79 percent during the morning.

In the afternoons the average humidity levels come down to 73 percent. This can reach 100 percent during months when the country experiences high rainfall. The western part of the country receives more rainfall than its eastern counterpart due to the rain shadow effect.

This makes the eastern part drier and warmer than the western part of Singapore. At times this has also caused disparity in weather patterns across the various parts of the island nation. It has often been seen that Bukit Timah, a smallish hill in Singapore plays a major role in determining its weather trends.

Often a certain part of Singapore receives rainfall but the other part gets sunshine – this is a rarity given the small size of the country. The hottest months in Singapore are May and April, while the months between November and January experience the maximum amount of rainfall.

Singapore never has a uniform year round weather because it has two separate periods of rainfall. The Northeastern Monsoon is the earlier one to occur – it takes place within December and March.

The Southwestern Monsoon happens from June to September. The months without rain are normally characterized by weaker winds and lesser rainfall. The Northeastern winds are common during the first period of rainfall and the southeastern/southwestern monsoons are seen at time of the Southwestern monsoon.

During December and January cloudy conditions are prevalent with regular showers during the afternoon and wind speeds reach maximum speeds of 20 kilometers per hour. There are 1-3 days spell of moderate or heavy rainfall that occurs on a widespread basis during this time. However, during southwestern monsoon season rainfall happens during early afternoon or late morning.

Haze is a common feature during July to October – this happens primarily because of the bush fires that take place in Indonesia, which lies next to Singapore. Much of this small Asian nation’s climatic patterns result from its location with respect to the Equator. The maritime exposure is a major contributor in this regard. On an average, Singapore experiences almost 2,340 millimeters of rain per year.

Hospitals in Singapore – options abound

Healthcare is an important part of Singapore’s economy and overall set-up and this is evident from the sheer volume and variety of hospitals in Singapore.

One of the major names in this regard is Alexandra Hospital – it is situated in south-western part of the city and is equipped with 400 beds. It occupies almost 110,000 sqaure meters. Built during the later half of 1930s the hospital was reduced to shambles during the Second World War.

Communicable Disease Center is located at Moulmein Road, Novena. It is presently a part of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which is situated nearby. It is basically used to tend to patients who suffer from communicable and potentially fatal ailments like SARS.

Adam Road Hospital is among the leading psychiatric hospitals of Singapore that are privately owned. The hospital has a wide range of professionals to deal with these issues – psychiatrists, counselors, clinical psychologists, family therapists, occupational psychologists, marriage therapists, psychotherapists and sex therapists.

Ang Mo Kio – Thye Hua Kwan Hospital and Camden Medical Centre are regarded as some of the prominent Singaporean hospitals with private ownership. Changi General Hospital is the biggest of its kind in eastern Singapore – it was officially inaugurated on 28^th March 1998 and created after the merging of Toa Payoh Hospital and Changi Hospital.

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospitals is at present the biggest of its kind in the South Asian nation when it comes to healthcare services for children and women. It started out in 1858 with 30 beds and primarily dealt in maternity services but presently has 827 beds.

The hospital has also expanded its operations to include obstetric, neonatology, gynecology and pediatric services. It also has immense significance as it is the birthplace of more than 50 percent of the national population.

National University Hospital was set up during 1985 and is the only one of its kind in the country. It operates as a clinical training set up in addition to being a tertiary hospital. It also doubles up as a dental and medical faculty for National University of Singapore.

John Hopkins Singapore International Medical Centre is a part of the National Healthcare Group of Singapore. It is situated within Tan Tock Seng Hospital and was inaugurated during 2000. Outside USA it is the sole facility, which is maintained and owned by John Hopkins Medicine International.

Parkway East Hospital is situated in Telok Kurau and is fitted with 123 beds. It was inaugurated by Dr. Charles Joseph Pemberton-Paglar during the 1930s and was named Paglar Maternity and Nursing Home to start with.

Interesting Places to See in Singapore

Singapore offers an aesthetic blend of rich heritage and vibrant present day traditions. The lush green city state is well complimented by various parks and nature reserves. With several places to see the south Asian nation is really a tourist’s paradise.

Changi Chapel and Museum: Changi Chapel and Museum brings alive the time spent in the prison by at least 50,000 soldiers and civilians through a commendable collection of letters, drawings, photographs and paintings.

Singapore Zoo: More than 3000 species of mammals, reptiles and birds call Singapore Zoo their home. This zoological marvel was inaugurated during 1973 and is well known for its open environment provided for the inmates.

Jurong Bird Park: Jurong Bird Park has been built on lines similar to the Singapore Zoo. It has at least 8 thousand birds belonging to 600 different species. The visitors to this site can be guaranteed of being able to see rare birds from South America and Africa.

Sentosa: Underwater Island: Located in Sentosa Island Underwater Island houses at least 2,500 marine creatures such as white sharks, giant stingrays, eels and dainty damsel fishes. The best aspect of this facility is that the creatures can be watched from up close.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has an unparalleled collection of trees – it is said that it has more types than the whole of North America put together. From a global perspective it is also one of two rainforests that are located within a city.

Night Safari: Night Safari is finest night zoo of the world. This facility allows visitors to watch the animals in their natural surroundings during the night. Special lighting techniques are used in order to replicate the effect of moonlight.

Following are some of the finest tourist attractions in eastern Singapore:

• East Coast Park

• Maylay Village

• Singapore Crocodilarium

• Original Singapore Walks

• Granite Island

Tourists visiting the northern part of the city can get a glimpse of the following sites of tourist interest:

• Bright Hill Temple

• Republic of Singapore Navy Museum

• Kranji War Memorial

• Sungei Buloh Nature Park

• Mandai Orchid Garden

• Twin Groves of the Lotus Temple Monastery

The major tourist attractions in Orchard Road are Istana Negara Singapura, Singapore Botanical Gardens and Peranakan Place. Following are the leading tourist destinations in Western Singapore:

• Chinese and Japanese Gardens

• Mount Faber

• Haw Park Villa/ Tiger Balm Gardens

• Royal Selangor Pewter Museum

• Jurong Reptile Park

• Singapore Discovery Centre

• Ming Village

• Singapore Science Centre

• Mint Coin Gallery

Singapore is at an encouraging economic phase with both local and international companies looking to hire freshers in various capacities.There are many jobs in Singapore. Indian company Satyam Computer Services Limited is presently offering engineering jobs for freshers in Singapore. The post is that of a software engineer who will be responsible for testing and developing software.

Encore Technologies is looking for freshers who have commendable knowledge of Mandarin. This job is primarily available for local candidates. Responsibilities include hands-on monitoring and management of performance of customer networks. Candidates will also be looking to satisfy customers’ demands and perform systematic diagnosis and analysis of various shortcomings in networks.

Among other interesting job options for freshers in Singapore are the Marine Design Engineer jobs. Applicants with knowledge of AutoCAD will be preferred. OMG Consulting Pte Ltd is looking for freshers in the IT sector. Candidates would be required to work in confined spaces and the job shifts will stretch from 9 am – 6 pm.

Gumtree Singapore is offering DeskSide Support jobs. The jobs are primarily meant for professionals with a couple of years’ experience in IT support. However, graduates of polytechnic institutes in Singapore can apply as well.

Xcellink Pte Ltd is looking for IT technicians with prior experience in service sector. Applicants need to be able to follow and understand written and verbal scripts and instructions. The company is looking for freshers who are ready to work part time.

U3 Infotech Pte Ltd is looking for software engineers who are well aware of banking operations. They need to be able to learn quickly and have proper communication skills and attitude to work. Freshers who have necessary qualifications and experience can apply for the job. Applicants need to provide details of their employment history while submitting their resumes.

QUESTEX ASIA PTE LTD is offering openings in the post of Project Executive – Audience Development. The company is looking for candidates who have previously worked in hectic environments – in call centers and conference and telemarketing industry. Applicants are required to have commendable telephone etiquette and lots of confidence to talk with clients including directors of well known establishments.

There are some SAP jobs for freshers in Singapore as well. The most commonly offered job profile is the one of SAP Consultant and the average salary for these professionals ranges between $3500 and $5000. Job responsibilities include helping important users with re-engineering of business documents and create customized settings that suit their preferences.