Leaving his wrecked ship behind, a prince from Palembang landed on the shores of a Southeast Asian island. There he saw a lion, resting lazily on the beach. The prince named that island Singapore; City of the Lion. Singapore is one of the 22 smallest countries in the world, located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands. When you arrive in Singapore, you will immediately notice the various architectural styles in which the city's gigantic skyscrapers were built. The variation in appearance and culture is not confined to buildings; it shows better in Singapore's population. As it is the case in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore's population is a homogenous mix, formed of several different ethnic groups. The country's population is 4.68 million, of whom 3.7 million are Singaporean citizens and permanent residents. As of September, 2007, 75.2% of Singapore's residents were Chinese, 13.6% Malays, and 8.8% Indians, with Eurasians and other groups forming the remainder. Still, communicating won't be a problem; English has been the country's language of administration since independence with Malay as the national language. You can visit Singapore at any time of the year. The country has a tropical rain forest climate that gives no heed to seasonal changes, and there are a variety of festivals throughout the year for you to choose from. In February, for example, Thaipusam is a spectacular Hindu festival. Shopping and dining out is especially good in April, and if you are looking for a great sales season then June is the time to visit. The festival seasons are many and you might want to obtain a guide book before you go. There are also many places of entertainment. For first time visitor, a ride on the Singapore Flyer, the world's largest observation wheel, is a must. Standing at a stunning 165m from the ground, the Flyer offers you breathtaking, panoramic views of the Marina Bay, island city and beyond. As the wheel turns, you will be treated to a visual 360° feast of iconic and historical landmarks and views from the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang. There is no other place in Singapore that offers such breathtaking, panoramic views. Taking a ride on this S$240 million dollar wheel is a one-of-a-kind experience you won't want to miss. The country is comprised of 63 islands, largest of which is Singapore. Sentosa, one of the many smaller islands, is the most beautiful. It is hard to imagine that the island was once a fishing village known as Pulau Blakang Mati. Sentosa was a British military fortress until 1967 when it was handed back to the newly independent Singapore Government. In 1968, the Government decided to develop the island into a holiday resort for local visitors and tourists. The public was invited to suggest names for the island and “Sentosa” – meaning peace and tranquility in Malay - was eventually chosen for the island resort. Today, Sentosa is Singapore's premier island resort getaway with multi-faceted appeal, teeming with events all year round. Just 15 minutes from the city, it is a unique blend of leisure and recreational facilities including family attractions, sea sports, golf as well as hotel accommodation and retreats. A canopy of secondary rainforest covers 70 percent of the 500-hectare island and is home to monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots as well as other native fauna and flora. Sentosa has a 3.2-kilometer stretch of white sand beach, and is the only location in Singapore to offer beachfront accommodation and over 670 hotel rooms with full facilities. Accessed by cable car, bus, taxi or car, the island is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Offering a variety of experiences for all ages, Sentosa is a must-visit destination for tourists and a popular recreational playground for local residents. GETTING THERE: Going from Jeddah to Singapore isn't that hard nowadays, with Singapore Airlines providing flights from Jeddah to Singapore every Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday. WHERE TO STAY: Orchard Scotts Residences, designed by world-renowned architect, Bernardo Fort-Brescia, is a 206-apartment residential development set in 2.5 hectares of landscaped grounds with open spaces and lush gardens right in the heart of the city. __
