World Venture Travel

The cuisine of Singapore has many influences.  Located off the tip of Southern Malaysian, Singapore in 1819 was a humble fishing village, subsisting on the fruits and produce provided by the jungle, no rice nor wheat.  They existed by trading with the gypsies, pirates and merchant seaman.  Prior to the arrival of British, this is as life had been for about 400 years.  Very little archaeological evidence has been found about past history and just the small amount recovered suggests that at one time in the 1400′s there were vibrant and thriving ports.  But that time did not last, and no reason for it has been confirmed.   Now however, the city-state is a thriving metropolis of over four million inhabitants.  Many a result of the mix of Malaysian, Chinese, East Indians and British, a mix of the cultures and of the heritage that each region brings to the pot.

Culinary traditions have combined, making living and luxury travel in Singapore, a very spicy and eclectic experience.  Many flavors gather together traditional Chinese herbs such as galagal , chillies and lemongrass.  Migrants arriving in the past, brought with them their fare, most often without grandeur and aristocracy, rustic and robust.  Humble beginnings reflected in the food, combine with exotic spices of the here and now.  Most often this type of meal, is enjoyed by stopping off at a hawkers stand.  A one plate meal, that combines the hearty with the subtle, combining the flavors of their history. Indian influences are in the slow cooked saucy dishes, while the Chinese most often prefer the quick time, high heat of the wok.  One thing in common, however, is that neither employ the use of the oven.  All is prepared stove top, stir fry, boiled and stewed.  The British influence has added another element, canned meat and fish, most often sardines.  Fish sandwiches in Singapore provide a bit of a different kick than one may experience with a sardine sandwich in the United Kingdom.  Ketchup, brown sauce, toast and milk have added yet one more ingredient to the pot.

There are two alternating art shows that happen every other year in Singapore, one being the contemporary and international festival, the Singapore Biennale, and the other, Showcase Singapore.  While the ‘Biennale ‘ symbolizes the successful inclusion of Singapore in the global art world, some have criticized the most recent show in 2008 for excluding many Asian artists in exchange for attracting more business minded ideas, exchanging the cultural diversity and the enriching value that art has for any society, for sales.  However, art is international andmulti -cultural which is a beautiful aspect, that it brings people from all over the world together with sole purposes of painting, or making music or doing theater.  There seems, for some in Singapore, that the identity and the meaning has been lost in the brief run since the show began 2006, that there is not enough of Southeast Asian talent represented in the exhibits.

In Contrast, Showcase Singapore is a show that features, as the name implies, the best, the new, the hip new talent of SE Asia’s artists.  Many invited to participate are unknown and come from Asian countries such as China, Japan, Vietnam, to mention just a few.  And of course Singaporean artists as well.  Galleries gather up the work and bring together some of the most exciting pieces of work being produced to date.  The pieces are hung or exhibited at the City Hall, as well as on the walls of the galleries in the art district.  There are guided tours that occur daily throughout the run of the show, and although this features the works of Asian artists, the audience it draws are international and travel from all parts of the world in hopes of gaining pieces of work, produced by those artists that will become famous one day.  Many businesses, such as cafes and some of the top hotels in Singapore, participate in the events as well, hosting receptions and parties for the artists as well as the attendees.  These two alternating shows have provided Singapore with a position in the global art world, and the respect of the Singaporean artists.

The 4th Laguna Phuket International Marathon is scheduled for June 14, 2009 at Laguna Phuket in Thailand.  Early bird registration for the five events is available through the end of March.

Known the world over for its fabulous white sand beaches and vibrant nightlife, Phuket is slowly gaining a reputation amongst serious runners for its beach marathons.  Where better to endure a grueling race than in this idyllic South Asia paradise?

This will be the fourth running of the marathon. In addition to the traditional marathon, there will be a half-marathon, a 10K Run and a 2K Kids Run.  Walkers can take part in the 5K Walk.

Look for summer deals at the various Phuket best hotels, as the event’s sponsor hotel will likely be full well in advance of the event.

While in Phuket, be sure to check out some of island’s many wonderful attractions and recreational activities. Spend a few days on the beach or diving the waters around the islands. Visit the waterfalls in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Check out Sirinat National Park or simply relax at an oceanside restaurant. And don’t forget to visit at least one of the trendy Phuket nightclubs where you might glimpse a celebrity or two enjoying their own holiday.

The largest luxury yacht in the world recently departed from Dubai. Much of the world is struggling with the global economic downturn, Dubai, UAE included.  However the Emir of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum does not seem to have been adversely affected. He is the owner of the $350 million (USD) super yacht, which is named the Dubai.

The super yacht measures 551 feet long and is comprised of eight decks. It can accommodate 115 people and features a helipad as well as the requisite pool, restaurants, jacuzzi, and a spacious owner’s suite that encompasses and entire deck.

Dubai has recently developed a reputation as a playground for the super rich. The recent Dubai International Boat Show featured a stunning display of super yachts and mega-yachts. And it’s becoming easier to find a luxury hotel in Dubai that has yacht berths available for its guests.

The new yacht, which was originally commissioned by Brunei Prince Jefri, may not hold the world’s record for long. It is reported that Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire who owns the Chelsea football club, has ordered a luxury yacht that will measure 555 feet.

A first-time visit to New York City can be an exciting and memorable experience.  Vacationers and business travelers alike can’t help but be impressed by this incredible metropolis.  NYC is a leading center for everything from finance to fashion, food to film, art to diplomacy, and so many other areas. There’s no possible way to see everything the city has to offer in one visit, so it’s best to try to focus on a few key sites and plan to return for additional visits in the future.

The first step is to secure the right lodgings.  There are a number of NYC five star hotels as well as 4 star hotels New York for those looking for a luxury experience.  There are also theme hotels, world-recognized chains, and charming B&B to choose from. If you’re flying into the city, all three major airports have convenient lodgings. Choose a good New York airport hotel to save on time.

Next, decide what your focus will be. Do you want to visit historic landmarks? Take a business or finance tour of the city? Experience New York as a New Yorker? Perhaps you want to soak up the art and culture of the city. Maybe you’re a film buff or a theater fan. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going the generic tourist route either.

Some highlights of the city’s many sites include the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square.  New York is also the home of the UN headquarters, the Empire State Building, and the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center.  Don’t forget to go window shopping on Fifth Avenue, take in a Broadway Show, see a concert at Carnegie Hall and eat at any of the many street vendors or one of the city’s 25,000 restaurants.

If that’s not enough to choose from, remember that New York has some of the greatest museums and galleries in the world.  It also has famous neighborhoods like Harlem, Greenwich Village and Chinatown.  There’s the New York Stock Exchange, the Chrysler Building, and the World Trade Center site.  Make sure to ride the Staten Island Ferry and the infamous NY subway system as well as take a carriage ride through Central Park to sample the city’s transportation.

And that’s just the most well-known sites.  New York is filled with speciality museums, interesting neighborhoods, architectural wonders, great libraries and universities, parks, gardens, and zoos. Not to mention professional sports, major television studios and countless performing arts venues.  It’s easy to see why it can take multiple visits to even scratch the surface of the “NY Experience!”

Two poets of many, are connected to the beautiful city of Madrid.  From the times before five star Madrid hotels and fashion shows, from a time that makes these times now, possible.  For what is music or art or avant garde fashion or dance or painting or culinary delights, if there is no poetry standing behind it all, and holding it all up?  Antonio Machado was born in 1883 in the town of Seville.  After some childhood years spent there he moved to Madrid where he lived for quite a while.  And to ease financial restrictions, became an actor for a short time.  Now days, actors must find other ways to ease financial strife.  During this time he came into contact with writers, poets mostly, and after working with them and their publishers and being in their world, decided to move to Paris.  ‘Soledades’ was his first book of poetry published in 1903, and he continued to edit the book for a time.  While in Paris he studied philosophy and French literature, and wrote poems of social realism.  He became a member of the ‘Generation of 1927′.  This was a collection of writers promoting the avant garde in literature, the performance artists of today have much to thank and respect this man for.  He died just three days before his mother, on February 22, 1939, and in his pocket was a poem.  One only wishes to die with a poem in the pocket.

Garcia Lorca remained in Madrid, and joined with Pablo Neruda the Residence de Estudiantes.  In the college town these men held public readings, performances, and this led to Lorca becoming famous before he had had a bit of words published.  During this time, 1920′s, the artists as well as all the people, were hiding from armed forces.  Much like Michelangelo being held prisoner and painting the walls of his cell with angels, poets will not be stopped by military invasions.  Pride, violent death, love and passion are themes during this time, as well they should be.  As well they should be now.  While in hiding, he was being followed.  This poet, writing of love and mythology and beauty, was dragged from his flat.  The Nationalists shot him, without a trial, in 1936.  The Spanish Civil war led by the right wing, had him dig his grave, in which he was buried once they carried out their intentions.  He was an adversary to their purpose, so the men with guns shot the man with a pen and a piece of paper executed for his thoughts. Perhaps he had a poem in his pocket as well.

The popular Indian state of Goa is facing a decline in tourism as a result of the ongoing global economic recession.  One of the most exotic and popular tourist destinations in Asia, Goa is hoping to woo back the chartered tourists that are so vital to their local economy.

Comparing early 2009 numbers to the same period in 2008, chartered flights to the region were down by over ten percent, according to the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa.  While some attribute part of the drop to the terrorist attack on Mumbai last November, the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Pacheco, insists that the initial drop in flights in November had rebounded later in the season.

With only two months left in the annual tourist season, Goan officials hope to lure more visitors at upcoming international trade fairs.  The strategy is to solidify existing markets rather than trying to reach new audiences.

Goa is home to some incredible beaches, wonderful food, and has a great club scene.  The many five and four star hotels Goa offer luxurious accommodations and the state is filled with beautiful historic architecture, traditional villages, and other appealing attractions.

Outdoor performances are quite common and well attended in the city of Singapore.  When travelers visit the island they are many options for experiencing the local flavor of this island that is steeped in tradition and culture.  Whether it’s in the many food hawker squares, to the gardens, to the five star hotels in Singapore, one is in for a memorable trip.  A very specific type of festivals are the puppet festivals.  Each year, various companies travel through Singapore, or are from the city itself and put on shows, offer classes to the public.  And what is specific to many performing arts festivals is the tendency to acknowledge and attempt to change society through the exposure to those who may have never had the opportunity to attend the performances or to take the classes.  In countries all over the world, the arts seem to be fading into a thing of the past.  Fading, in the way that they are pushed aside through budget cuts.  Tradition and ritual and cultural heritage is a driving force behind the arts.  And it is not different for the Singapore International Puppet festivals.  Most of the festivals and the people involved, are intent in exposing those otherwise in the dark, in opening up a world of expression and opportunities not otherwise accessible.  The classes offered are geared towards promoting social awareness and the integration of cultures.

One such festival, originating in 2002, started in Africa.  Within two years, the festival had grown to include countries from around the world.  France, the USA, Austria, Germany and Singapore have joined and perform, offered workshops and promoted healing through the arts.  Theater has a reputation for acknowledging and illustrating and questioning society, and the troubles and joys involved with being a human being in general.  Necessary for world well being is cooperation and understanding.  And the performances and classes provide a means to express, a way to enjoyment, to forget or to emphasise that which is most important.  These festivals are collaborative, involving people from various countries, the performers and writers and the public.  One such example, which keeps traditions alive, is focused on honoring the dead.  This is known as the Hungry Ghost Festival and is practised and participated in China, Malaysia and Singapore.  Long time superstitious beliefs suggest that the dead pay visits to the living.  This festival, that occurs in the seventh month of every year, pays homage to those who have passed.  Through feasts, and music, and shows the ghosts are acquiesced and honored.  The hungry ghosts, and those alive as well, are fed and tributes and sacrifices insure that the remembrance and honor is paid to those due.  Traditional performances of the Teochews and Hokkien are participated in and attended, much like the South American tradition of ‘Dia de los Muertas’.  This event is a joyous one, not macabre or sad, and is an event that anyone traveling to these regions will appreciate and be able to relate to their own lives, regardless of their belief system or homeland traditions.