Asian Paradises

— S i n g a p o r e — – 141 – www.paradises.com Lying virtually on the equator, at the centre of South-East Asia, Singapore is a gateway for the millions of tourists who visit the region each year and an exciting destination in its own right, its colonial past not lost to modern development. The people There is a diversity of races and a variety of religions in Singapore. Chinese make up the majority of the population and the remainder is a blend of Malay, Indian and ethnic groups including Eurasians, the descendants of families from the former Portuguese colonies of Malacca in Malaysia and Goa in India. There are also small Arab, Armenian and Jewish communities. The four official languages of Singapore are Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. English is widespread and is the language that unites the various ethnic groups. Nature Singapore island measures only 42 kilometres from east to west and 23 kilometres from north to south. Despite its dense population, over 40 percent of the land is covered with parklands and four percent is forest. Minutes from Orchard Road, Singapore's Botanic Gardens sprawl over 54 hectares, with manicured gardens, primary jungle and a huge variety of native and exotic plants. Cultivating orchids is big business in Singapore, and National Orchid Garden at Botanic Gardens provides a year-round colourful collection, showcasing the largest display of tropical orchids in the world. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, just 12 kilometres from the city, is a tropical rainforest and wildlife haven. The 163-metre Bukit Timah Hill is the highest point in Singapore, and a popular summit walk. Comprising 87 hectares of conserved wetlands, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is home to a myriad of plants and animals, and a stop for migratory birds. The sights The Merlion (a lion's head with a fish tail), a water-spouting statue, has become the symbol of the nation and now stands at its new location at the head of the Singapore River. For a great view of Singapore, head to Fort Canning Hill. Worth visiting is the Asian Civilisations Museum at Empress Place and the Singapore Art Museum with its collection of contemporary Singaporean and ASEAN art. The Singapore National Museum is also a must, telling the history of Singapore and her people in cutting edge interactive multimedia displays. The sprawling, sinister-looking Changi Prison was built by the British, used by the Japanese in World War II and is still a prison today. Long before the Europeans arrived, Arab traders plied the coastlines of the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, bringing with them the teachings of Islam. The Arab District remains a Malay enclave. There are few cars, tiny shops, and a slower pace of life. Chinatown is a busy place full of restaurants, shops, temples and herbalists, squeezed into an area of two square kilometres. The Chinatown Heritage Centre gives visitors an opportunity to see how the Chinese immigrants of yesteryear lived and worked in Singapore. Little India is also a hive of activity. Sit back on a trishaw and soak up the atmosphere as you pass ubiquitous gold and sari stores, or even have your fortune told by a parrot. Less known by visitors is Singapore's Peranakan culture–a mixture of Malay and Chinese traditions. Visit Katong and view the beautifully restored shophouses, traditional ornate jewellery and clothing before dining on traditional dumplings. The beautifully landscaped open-concept Singapore Zoo is a highlight of any trip to Singapore. As well as elephant, chimpanzee and sea lion shows, you can enjoy a jungle breakfast with animal stars. The nearby Night Safari is the world's S I N G A P O R E

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