Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Maritime Xperiential M useum, Equarius Water Park, six hotels, confer ence facilities, a
kids' club, a world-class spa, plus shopping, dining, and enter
tainment. This complex
will open in stages starting in 2010.
Singapore's tireless drive for growth is contrasted by Malaysia's laid-back atmosphere,
where in some places it can seem as if time stands still. I n fact, many Singaporeans look
to their northern neighbor for the perfect vacation, exploring its rich national forests and
marine parks, unwinding on picture-perfect beaches at sophisticated resorts, taking in the
down-to-earth culture of its small towns, shopping for inexpensive handicrafts, and eat-
ing some of the most delicious food in S outheast Asia. But despite its exotic and world-
class holiday offerings, M alaysia lacks the hoar ds of tourists that beat feet for S ingapore
and Thailand. Because Malaysia remains comparatively quiet, it's easy to enjoy a holiday
without the tacky trappings of the tourist trade.
My favorite part of Malaysia, however, is the warmth of its people. I have yet to travel
in this country without collecting remarkable tales of hospitality, openness, and generos-
ity. I've found the M alaysian people to be genuine in their appr oach to foreign visitors,
another fine byproduct of the underdeveloped tourism industry. For those who want to
find a nice little corner of paradise, M alaysia could be your answer.
I've crept down alleys, wandered the streets of cities and towns, combed beaches, and
trekked jungles to seek out the most exciting things that Singapore and Malaysia have to
offer. In this topic I've presented the sights and attractions of these countries with insight
into historical, cultural, and modern significance to bring y ou a complete appr eciation
of all you are about to experience. I' ve peeked in ev ery shop door, chatting up the local
characters inside. I' ve eaten local food until I can 't move. I've stayed out all night. I' ve
done it all and written about it here. I can only hope you will love Singapore and Malay-
sia as much as I do.
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1 FROMMER'S FAVORITE SINGAPORE
EXPERIENCES
• Sipping a Singapore Sling at the Long
Bar: Ahhhh, the Long Bar, home of the
Singapore Sling. I like to come her e in
the afternoons, befor e the tourist r ush.
Sheltered by long jalousie shutters that
close out the tropical sun, the air cooled
by lazy punkahs (small fans that wav e
gently back and for th above), y ou can
sit back in old rattan chairs and hav e
your saronged waitress serve you sticky
alcoholic creations while y ou toss back
a few dainty crab cakes. Life can be so
decadent. O kay, so the punkahs ar
Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, or Charlie
Chaplin would be sitting at the bar sip-
ping Slings and spinning ex otic tales of
their world travels. Drink up, my friend;
it's a lovely high. See p. 179
• Witnessing Cer emonial G ore: By
midnight, the air surrounding Sri Peru-
mal Temple is thick with burning
incense. A sea of people is lit b y bar e
bulbs. Family and friends gather around
men who ar e bar e-chested and rigid,
with eyes focused for ward. They are in
deep spiritual meditation follo wing 40
days of a strictly guided diet and prayer
regimen to pr epare their bodies for
physical torture all night long.
e
electric, and, come to think of it, the
place is air-conditioned (not to mention
that it costs a small fortune), but it's fun
to imagine the days when S
omerset
 
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