Hongkong city tour by "Ding Ding" Tram

The "DingDing" are Hong Kong Tramways. Hong Kong people call them after the double bell ring trams use to warn pedestrians of  their approach. Belief it or not, only Hong Kong has the fully double-Decker tram fleet in the world. Most of the trams in operation were re-bodied in the late 1980s or early 1990s. They are equipped with sliding windows. Since the early 2000s, these trams have been upgraded to provide better operating performance and safety. The tram system is powered by electricity and has a maximum speed of 50 km/hours. The maximum capacity of each tramcar is 115 people.

Ding ding,  double-decker bus and Taxi 

The fare is HK$2.30 for adults, HK$1.20 for children under 12, and HK$1.00 for senior citizens 65 and above. Unlike most other forms of public transport in Hong Kong, there is a uniform tariff regardless of the distance travelled. Passengers pay by either depositing the exact fare in coins or using the Octopus card. Payment is made at the end of one's journey. You pay at front door, while get it in trough rear door.

Chinatown - Singapore - Restored shophouses full of strange little shops selling everything!

Singapore's Chinatown's primary attraction is the town itself, composed as it is of restored shophouses full of strange little shops selling everything from plastic Buddhas to dried seahorses. Wander at random and see what you can find!

Souvenir shop at Chinatown Singapore

Chinatown is the traditional Chinese quarters of town, and while the entire city is largely Chinese these days the area does retain some of its own charm. The area is also known as Niu Che Shui (牛车水) in Chinese and Kreta Ayer in Malay, both names meaning "bullock cart water", a reference to the carts that used to haul in drinking water.

sign at Chinatown Singapore

The area between Pagoda Street and Smith Street has been tarted up considerably for tourists, but workaday Chinatown continues south and east, merging seamlessly into the Central Business district.Tanjong Pagar is the unofficial home of Singapore's gay community, with many watering holes in restored shophouses, while Club Street caters more to the expat and yuppie crowd with small, intimate eateries offering excellent Western fare.

Where to go?  

The KL Monorail connects the Kuala Lumpur Sentral transport hub with the "Golden Triangle"

The KL Monorail is an urban monorail system in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  It serves 11 stations running 8.6 km (5 mi) with two parallel elevated tracks that links areas of inner Kuala Lumpur.  It connects the Kuala Lumpur Sentral transport hub with the "Golden Triangle".

It was integrated too with the Ampang Line light rail transit when the "paid-up" or restricted areas of the Hang Tuah monorail and LRT stations, and also at the Titiwangsa monorail and LRT stations, were physically linked up, allowing transfers without the need to buy new tickets for the first time since the system became operational.

monorail train at Bukit Bintang

The stations are designed as elevated structures with ticketing facilities on either the ground level (as seen in the KL Sentral station) or the first-floor level. The platforms are on the top floor, separated from the monorail lines with fencing and covered with a large canvas roof. Certain stations are situated above roadways, or are slightly longer than others. Each station is also designated with a sponsor, with route maps associating each station with a particular product brand.

The Story of Lion Dance

Lion Dance - (Barongsai)  is believed to have existed since thousands years ago. In fact there is literature that says that Barongsai has been around since the third century BC, which is in the Chin Dynasty. The dance is usually performed on the Cap Go Meh celebration, which falls annually on the 15th calendar China. When that moment arrives, Barongsai will be around the village. People would normally stand in front of their houses to welcome the Barongsai. They will give money wrapped in red envelopes, which we know as "hong pao/ang pao".

Gold Dragon Statue at Causeway Bay Hong Kong

It is said that the ancient times, there lived an evil beast named Nian. He used to come in late winter to eat the crops. His arrival brings terror to the whole village, because he did not hesitate to destroy the houses too. This condition lasts for a long time, until one day, the people knew the creature's weakness. Apparently, the Nian was afraid of red color, dance of Barongsai and firecrackers. So, since then, people were flocking to light red lanterns, ring the gong and drum, then start dancing of Barongsai (Lion Dance). Those make Nian scared and ran deep into the woods.

It is said that since then he never again returned to the village. The villagers then live in peace. Since then, people always dance Barongsai when new year comes, so Nian would never return to their villages. All of that was a tradition when the new year arrives.

Jalan Surabaya - The well known antiques goods flea market at Jakarta

Jalan Surabaya is a flea market that well known for the antiques goods.  Along the Surabaya Street,  you can see many kiosks and shops sold the antiques goods. It has been existed since 1974 and there are about 180 or so stalls in a 500-meter line on left side of the narrow street. It sells various items that usually attract collectors, historians or those who simply want an extra touch of authenticity in their living room.

Jalan Surabaya Market sign

Jalan Surabaya itself is located at the Menteng residential area, at the Central of Jakarta. The Menteng area is a new urban design developed in the 1910s to become a residential area for Dutch people and high officials. This area has become one of the most expensive  for residential real estate in Jakarta. Several important people such as former president Suharto take up residence in Menteng. The President of the United States Barack Obama spent his childhood in Menteng, attending local schools including Besuki Public Schooland St. Francis of Assisi School.

Mustafa Center - Singapore - A popular shopping place for tourists.

Mustafa Centre is one of Singaporean's 24-hour shopping malls. It is located on Syed Alwi Road in Little India, just a walking distance from Farrer Park on the North East Line. The place is huge and you need a couple of hours to cover all the departments.

Jewelry and accessory area at Mustafa Center Singapore

Mustafa Center is a retail hub which caters mainly to the budget market. It is not the most sophisticated and classy place to shop in Singapore but it surely sells almost everything at a reasonable price and also open 24 hours, thus making Mustafa a popular shopping place for tourists.

The department store at Mustafa Centre consists of two shopping centres: one retailing jewelry and household appliances, and has a supermarket in it; and the other selling books, CDs and DVDs, watches, electronic goods, footwear and clothing.  The business concept of offering other services such as Foreign Exchange, VISA Processing, Travels Booking, Gold Mart,  GST refund counter and all kinds of shopping item available under one roof.

S.E.A Aquarium Singapore, the world’s largest aquarium by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™

S.E.A Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium accredited by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™. It has a collection of manta rays, including the only giant oceanic manta ray in captivity. It also houses scalloped hammerhead sharks, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, the Japanese spider crab, including the guitarfish, the chambered nautilus, enormous goliath grouper, napoleon wrasse, and other gentle giants of the sea

sea aquarium Singapore

You can find over 200 sharks and uncover the of myths about these ocean predators. Sneak a peek at a moray eel in a rocky crevice or tour an underwater reef community. Discover and unfold the endless wonders of our blue planet at S.E.A. Aquarium.

S.E.A Aquarium contains a total of 45,000,000 liters of water for more than 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species. The aquarium comprises 10 zones with 49 habitats. The centerpiece of the Aquarium is the Open Ocean tank with more than 18,000,000 and 50,000 animals. It has the world's largest viewing panel, 36-metre wide and 8.3-metre tall, which is intended to give visitors the feeling of being on the ocean floor.

Looking for an affordable and more fashioned item? Go to Bugis Street Singapore

Bugis Street  houses about 800 shops, which makes Bugis Street the Largest Street Shopping Location in Singapore. You will find affordable items here, it range from Tshirt to work wear, sneakers, boots, posters calendar, Mobile Accessories, Bags & Accessories, and anything related to fashion.

inside the Bugis street market

Bugis Street is located opposite Bugis Junction & conveniently features an MRT station (Bugis).  You can easily find it or you can browse The Bugis Street website to find a maps & direction to get there.

What is the story of Song Of The Sea - Singapore

Song Of The Sea is multimedia / musical fountain that located at Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, near Beach Station. It is a multi-million dollar sea spectacular that showcases a lively display of pyrotechnics, lasers, water jets that could shoot up to 40 meters, flames, computer animation, captivating music and performance by a 'live' cast. The show has run twice a night at 7.40 pm and 8.40 pm, and lasted 25 minutes.

water jets at Song of the ses

The beach and the sea are the stage for the show. A stretch of wooden houses was built across the shoreline to create a Malay Kampung, or more commonly known as a kelong. It is actually a work of art that is 120 metres (390 ft) long, while the rest of the equipment (water jets, water screens, lasers and projectors) are being hidden at the back of the kelong. There are a total of 69 water jets capable of reaching a height of 40 m (131 ft) and flames leaping up to a height of 20 m (66 ft).

Jatujak Market - 1 in 1,000 places to see before you die.

The Chatuchak (or Jatujak; Thai: : จตุจักร) weekend market in Bangkok is the largest market in Thailand and the world's largest weekend market. Frequently is called J.J. It has reached a landmark status as a must-go place for tourists. Its sheer size and diverse collections of merchandise will bring any seasoned shoppers to their knees. This is where you can literally shop ‘till you drop’. The local brochure says 1 in 1,000 places to see before you die.

lady and colorful flower decoration

The Chatuchak  market covers over 35 acres (0.14 km²) and contains upwards of 15,000 stalls. It is estimated at the market receives 200,000 visitors each day. Most stalls only open on Saturdays and Sundays though Jatujak Plaza, the western section is open daily.

The Chatuchak Market is definitely a worthwhile experience for those looking to buy just about anything from household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, live animals, to souvenirs for folks back home. You name it and you can find it here. For tourists, there are a number of onsite companies who will send purchases abroad.

The Four faced Buddha - Erawan Shrine

The Erawan Shrine (Thai: ศาลพระพรหม, San Phra Phrom) or Thao Mahaprom Shrine is a Hindu shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, that houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu creation god Brahma, who is regarded in Thai culture as a deity of good fortune and protection.

Worshipers of Phra Phrom

Worshipers of Phra Phrom usually offer incense, candles, jasmine flowers or jasmine garlands and young coconut milk (with water in them) in their worship, usually placing these offerings before all four heads of Phra Phrom, each head representing a different aspect of the deity; it is believed each side of Phra Phrom offers different blessings. Another common way of worship is to place wooden elephant statues on the altar to honor him.