Category: Cultural

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Singapore – A Unique Blend Of Cultures And Big City Action

Singapore is all about the bright lights, the lively nightlife, the intricate culture, and the gorgeous tropical atmosphere in which you can experience all of these things. Singapore used to be a very important British colony, and since then, an influx of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures have combined to make it a unique cultural city and exciting place to visit. If you are looking for a big city vacation packed with culture, head to Singapore, but don’t forget your passport. Online passport services can help customers get their first passport, replace a stolen passport, and more.

If you’d rather not deal with the stress and hassle that comes with the traditional passport process, go online instead. This drastically reduces the time it takes to get a passport, thanks to official passport expediting services. All you need to do is spend a few minutes online, and you can have your new passport, expedited damaged passport replacement, or passport renewal on its way.

Asian Civilizations Museum

The culture of Singapore plays a vast part in city life, and if you are interested in coming across a little bit of this culture, there’s no shortage of places to look. The Asian Civilizations Museum is a great place to start. All sorts of things – including Islamic art, beautiful textiles, a 9th century Buddha statue – can be seen inside. The National Museum of Singapore is another good one. Even though it’s the oldest museum in the country, their exhibits are presented in revolutionary new ways. They are also known to put on events and festivals.

Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is an experience not to be missed, as it is a zoo endorsed by Steve Irwin and a favorite of the Animal Planet when they’re shooting documentaries and shows. This 220-acre zoo is special in that it’s completely free-range and also has the largest population of captive orangutans in the world. This means that all the animals roam in a natural sort of environment, and there are no ugly walls or fences separating them. Instead, they are separated by moats. Come back at night to visit the part of the zoo only open after the sun goes down and go on the Night Safari.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Massages are an experience not to be skipped during your stay in Singapore, and there are various spas around the city to choose from, such as Bath Culture. These spas are serious about providing customers with total relaxation in a traditional cultural atmosphere, ensuring you are rejuvenated for more city adventures. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are another amazingly relaxing experience, as it’s full of beautiful flowers, clear lakes, birds and animals, and a completely tranquil environment. Inside the Botanic Gardens is the National Orchid Garden, something you don’t want to miss out on. It costs a separate entrance fee to get inside, but the gorgeous array of colorful orchids make it absolutely worth it.

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Water Sports, Sun, and a Special Culture Is Key West, FL

If you want to go to a place with interesting culture, warm weather and beaches, and are really an “away from it all” place, think Key West, Florida. It’s about 150 miles from Miami, and will take approximately 3.5 hours to drive from there. That makes it much closer to Cuba which is only 90 miles distant. But it will truly seem like you’re in a different world, as there is no place in the United States like it.

Key West is a city on the island of Key West, which is about four miles by two miles. Until 1912 it was very isolated, when the Overseas Railway extension of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) opened. The Labor Day hurricane of 1935 destroyed the railroad, and the FEC decided not to rebuild it. The U.S. government then rebuilt the route as a highway, opening it in 1938 as an extension of U.S. Highway 1.

When you get there, provided you’re a sun-lover and like the water, this will be the place for you. Here are some of the things you can opt to do:

1. Fishing. You can get a great deep-sea fishing experience, as there are several private boats in addition to party boats to use. Flats’ fishing is also very popular in the Florida Keys. It involves no special equipment of skill-set. You don’t even need a boat. Just wade out in shallow water and cast your line, and you can catch bonefish and tarpon, as well as other fish that are normally found in shallow water. You’re not going to catch any trophy fish, but there will be decent fishing in those shallow waters. Or many people choose to use a flatbed skiff.

2. Beaches. Of course there are plentiful beaches, most of them on the south side of the island. Lifeguards are not present on the beaches, so swim at your own risk. But although you will not find some of the best beaches in Florida, as they are farther up the west coast, the calm blue waters and offshore reefs make it popular for snorkeling and swimming.

3. Diving and snorkeling. The waters around Key West offer excellent diving and snorkeling experiences. There are several charters that take both snorkelers and divers, and certification courses can be scheduled in many locations.

4. Golf. Key West has an 18 hole public golf course that is set in beautiful tropical scenery. There is a driving range, pro shop, restaurant and clubhouse.

5. Cultural experience. This is what most people think sets Key West apart from other vacation places. There is a lot of history of the area, and museums to tell you about it. You can experience the city on one of the tour trains or trolleys, or cruise out to the reef to experience the island from a different perspective. Key West has always attracted artists, and there are multiple art galleries displaying local and international talent.

When you are looking for sites to see in Florida, if you are into a laid-back vacation, the keys is certainly a spot to consider. It will take you a while to drive there, but you will think your hundreds of miles from the hectic cities.