Singapore, Lion City

it is a real jewel of economic success, which is the result of exemplary relationships that exist in this kaleidoscope of races, cultures and peoples inhabiting the island- country .    Maybe  in terms of area it takes to Singapore is a “David” among “Goliaths” like China and India. But with pride the success of its statehood, the strip of the equator of the Globe , normally associated  with poverty, dirt, disorder, and politico-economic chaos  , Singapore  rapidly  turned  with  new challenges of contemporary problems into  Garden City, how often Singaporeans  call , this  incredible city . Here  in  metropolitan area with the biblical concepts  of  “Gardens of Babylon,” where among the tropical greenery, in a fever of tropics, you can always find plenty of places for relaxation and entertainment.     This island, city-state, nation, civilization and culture with their specific  attractive cocktail of skin color and ethnic genealogy of residents is joy to visit .
Singaporeans  together in a disciplined rhythm of economic success, at a time when the world is facing a financial crisis, build a modern metropolis, Singapore, whose symbol is the “Lion”, proudly looking at his “garden” of joy.   Not only the parks and gardens of the city, but also the success of socio-economic governance system in which the rhythmic pace of implementing the socio-political structure of this country, may be a recipe for political and economic model of contemporary, modern State.
Orchard Road, Singapore is an elegant boulevard. Here you can find elegant shops, the huge so-called “shopping centers, great restaurants and some of the best hotels that present themselves in Asia. In addition to modern architecture, among the thicket of magnificent high-rise, you can still explore the exoticism of “enclaves” of small habitats of colonial Singapore. Emerald Hill, from the bustle of Orchard Road, which is a hill climb up the narrow streets, introduces us to the world of the nineteenth century.   A walk through the alleys, narrow strips of streets winding among the terraced houses, give us a real taste of true adventure. Authentic experiences atmosphere, exotic Singapore to “yesterday’s day.” Originally the owner of Emerald Hill region was William Cuppage, who from his position of Head of Post Singapore  in 1840, created a plantation of nutmeg . However, when disease destroyed the plantations, the area is used, this time on the plantation of orchids. But when that plantation also fell victim to the disease, it was decided to subdivide this land into small plots of land into 38 residential properties  .Now we see  in the area  of  so-called “Terrace” homes, modern, often gigantic, aluminum and glass “skyscrapers””, a great attraction for the eye and imagination, presenting the architectural diversity of the city.
During his stay in Singapore visit LAU PA SAT , wonderful place, where the octagonal roof, with beautifully decorated  cast-iron construction, the all delights  of Asian cuisine are presented . Rich stews and exotic dishes all   cheap, tasty  served  in a graceful atmosphere of the south-east Asia, where races, cultures live in harmony . The mood of social symbiosis of Singapore , provides  tremendous economic benefits to the island-state  and as well to all these culinary magicians , Chefs of  the City . One  can eat in a coconut sauce, prepared on open fire  meats served on wooden  sticks  called “satay”  or Indian curry  , Indonesian  “nasi goreng “ . And all customers  in a fever of tropical evenings sipping a cool, well-known throughout the world Singaporean  beer “Tiger.” Lau Pa Sat history dates back to the beginning of 1800-th century  In this place, at one time was housed a large market called the Telok Ayer. Reached  by the river it  was the place ,    where  on the back of the porters ‘coolies’  splendor  of Asian  region like  brocades, spices, fruits of the amazing tastes  and origin were delivered . This was  important crossroads of trade routes in  tropical Southeast Asia . Some of the goods , partly remained in Singapore, but many  materials and objects of desire in the region, were sent by JUNKS  ,  to other regions of South East Asia to delight  the  consumers. Singapore currently provides the same roles for the World . . Here in  Singapore commodities,  sent from all over the world , like  petroleum, electronic equipment, cameras, watches, perfumes, including cars and other luxury goods on the huge ships  like  “RO-RO”, from China, Japan, South  Korea through the transit port of Singapore, are shipped  to meet the world markets., “hunger” for the  goods produced in the region .
In 1991 this market, called the Lau Pa Sat  , commonly called by Singaporeans ” old “market is also called “Festival”  market . The atmosphere here is really one endless festival of colors, smells, sounds and night light illumination. Combination of  rhythmic melodies of local musicians and artists to create unforgettable moments Singapore assist to enjoy great  food feasts.
One of the important moments in the history of Singapore, is the Second  World War. Drama of the concentration camp, convict labor, set up by Japanese occupiers during the cruel, recent global conflagration, you can learn in the Changi Museum. Changi prison originally formed at the initiative of the British administration of the region, “Straits” – “Straits Settlements” in 1936. It was a penitentiary center for the civilian population. However, after the fall of Singapore and the occupation in 1942 during the Second – World War, it became  the Japanese prison . Designed for 600 prisoners , Japanese occupants  imprisoned in terrible conditions of 3000 inmates . In addition to Changi, the Japanese invaders  used  old  British barracks  Selarang to hold , 50,000 prisoners in this horrible  jail .  These  were  mostly British and Australian soldiers.

Another important aspect of the presentation of the past and the history of Singapore, is a “China Town Heritage Centre.” A visit to this museum is a wonderful history lesson, Chinese influence on this island being kind of small addition to elongated  Malay Peninsula.

Of course, clean and neat, well-known Bugis Street, as usual, attracted by the great mass of tourists. Until recently, this street and the area was a typical urban area of south-east Asia. Full range of exotic flavors of roots and spices sold in stalls, vehicular traffic , where the trumpets and bells of  rickshaws along with honking horns of  inefficient cars,  composed cocaphony of  incredible sounds, in this  chaotic  mood . This street in the city’s history was an important bridge in the urban-ethnic city’s development. As history indicates, in the era before the British influence in this region, there was a large channel where the Bugis, sailors from the south of Sulawesi island, the pirates, in  their boats  conducted trade with merchants of the old  Singapore.     In the first half of the twentieth century journey from Bugis Street, along the well-known “North Bridge Road “ to the city center, modern for those times means of transportation which was the tramway, enable excellent communication and close liaison between the city of the Malay community and the XIA PO.  So that was history of BUGIS Street  now we see here elegant , clean , well presented shops and restaurants .

Modern, bright clean modern Singapore  awaits  all adventure seekers as well as these who search for the luxury  of great  hotels and  restaurants .  Singapore Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines   members  of  “ Star Alliance “   present the travelers with great  range of airfares .

Singapore  WMIG  2011

The atmosphere of emotions  is felt at every possible  situation.  In this mighty City . One does not  needs  to be  Nobel Prize laureate , to appreciate the concept that these words , “ These  who are able to ask right question , not these who provide the answers , should be awarded the Nobel Prize.    This concept of the idea represents the context of Beijing’s massive urban complex and the questions coming with it to one mind . . What is this  city,  the capital of China?? .

Called by the inhabitants of this country Zhongguo – ‘The Middle Kingdom “, in the context of the creation of new directions of development of the global economy and the impact on the formation of new ideas for solving human problems, such as food  ,whether , transport or social affairs ,  intrigues visitors to  Beijing .

Beijing also known as Peking , the 14 million urban agglomeration, which dates back thousands of years, and the year 1045 BC, was a breakthrough in principle. Beijing in the Middle Ages, even  then fascinated travelers. The famous Marco Polo in 1275 visited Beijing, where he  learned about the richness of culture of  “Cathay “. As the legend says we owe him  “ pasta “ , which today , .being often  essence of the wholesome  meal  can be found on the tables of many world nations .
Architecturally Beijing is a blend of various styles .  So-called “concrete “ plate “ concept from the 50’s and 60’s, squeeze  , “Hutong’s” – the old districts with low, single-storey houses with clay tiles, where the tea aroma mist  accompanies  visitors to enjoy the mood and by the atmosphere of historical era of the Qing Dynasty.   However, around a central Beijing, on the outskirts one sees  extend to rings and “satellites” of  modern, robust construction of glass and steel, inhabited by a new, social class, the wealthy members of society in China.    Here the world-renowned architects give vent to his imagination. They create a residential and commercial centers of the futuristic vision. For example, in one of them  there is installed  the largest movie screen. It is suspended over a square with its gigantic size of 250 meters to 30 meters.  Here  one can  watch, with  dizziness film programs and television broadcasts .

Of course, Beijing is a fascinating historical buildings and monuments. Most vital of these is “Forbidden City” – “Forbidden City”. Here  under the shiny glazed  shingles, for hundreds of years from 1420 to 1911, often in an atmosphere of intrigue, brutal fighting  history of China was shaped . Here in this  imperial place  Emperors ruled China.
Temple of “Heaven” and Lama Temple is also historically important places of the city. During the prayers and visits to them, residents of Beijing, are encountering  emotional richness of spirituality  and the positive shape of their ethical and moral personality. Buddhism, Zen philosophy , Confucius ideas played and still play an important role in the minds of the citizens of Beijing and throughout China.
Temple of Heaven and Earth,   was created during the reign of Emperor Yongle, who in the same period between 1406 and 1420, erected a “Forbidden City”.
“Lama Temple (Yonghegong), also called” Palace of Peace and Harmony ‘of the  Lamaism “Yellow Hat”  sect ..

After exploring and discovering the abundance  of fascinating attractions of Beijing’s buildings and structures , the Beijing  beautiful parks provide wonderful relaxation.  Here in greenery  inhabitants of this very busy city , full of life, noise, traffic , they find a place to relax and unwind. Tourist  find here chance  to experience charming contact with the Chinese. You can watch them walking with a happy smiles  while greeting  the newcomers, observe the their concentration in  full-time Tai Chi exercises ,   see the  in elegant dance to the sounds of European rhythms  and the variety of games in which youth integrates with the elderly community of the city. Here in the parks one sees  young couples in love,  grandparents playing with their grandchildren , humanity at peace . As the example Bahai Park, with its 800-year history of Jin Dynasty, Yuan, Ming and Qing, with a beautiful lake  is where  atmosphere of rest, joy and spontaneity  is  express unpretentiously by  residents of Beijing..   Ritan Park well worth a visit too . It’s a great complex where emperors used to worship at one time all aspects of nature and directed their prayers towards Universe .Here in the vast, centrally located elevated platform, the marble altar of prayer to the Sun is positioned .

Well it would be not a real visit to Beijing, without tasting Chinese culinary delights.   One of them is “Peking duck.” Of course, only in Beijing, you can get it in the traditional style. Well, duck served in restaurants are especially Beijing’s ducks  are fattened by  mysterious karma,  plus  special  ,based  on corn-soya blend , feed . . Duck slaughter after plucked  feathers, is covered with an appropriate varnish from molasses. Then, after drying, and baking in the heat of the fruit trees is given full series of cyclical feast ceremonies. Thus, the initial course is meat, of course, no dice, then the crispy skin is served with plum sauce  on   “ crepe”   and  followed by soup cooked on  rest of the duck. At the end of the meal you can drink, to better digestion ,  snake wine  or  Mijiu – rice wine. Snake wine  as experts argue, strengthens the whole organism and inserted appetite for further specialties of Chinese cuisine.
In Beijing you can  find many other culinary delicacies. Spice  Sechuan  cuisine ,  great dishes of dumplings, or any type of meat, and stews with the “fruits of the sea.”  , all other rarities of foods   await  tourists  in Beijing .

Beijing is, of course, stepping ground to  many other wonderful attractions like a great wall of Chinese in Badaling , but it is a separate adventure and an opportunity for the next visit .  To reach  Beijing one can  use services of  AIR CHINA member of Star Alliance .  One needs to visit Beijing to appreciate the greatness of this nation  people, its history and input of China towards development of humanity .

Beijing May 2008
WMIG