Backpacking Information on Thailand

Population: 64.1 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Bangkok
Area: 513,115 sq km (198,115 sq miles)
Major language: Thai
Major religion: Buddhism
Life expectancy: 66 years (men), 74 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 baht = 100 satangs

Thailand is one kingdom of beautiful places and smiling faces. Up until the onslaught of the Red Shirts that caused uproar of travel alerts prohibiting travel to these parts, Thailand has been one of the ultimate destinations of South East Asia, the "backpackers" Gateway to the South East. "In fact, the land of smiles, people with one of its most difficult years whizzed Pearlies flashing their teeth and everything. And how hard and violent political situation is under the earth must speculate if the smile is still real. Like home the Phad Thai, Muay Thai, satay and Lady Boys, have every reason to smile. Despite the sensationalism of Thailand, and the secret beauty masksEntertainment, the basis for the "final destination" for the award and famosity remains, even in Pattaya, Koh Lipe, in the Chao Phraya, Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai. The Kingdom of Thailand, the heart of Asia-Pacific region is a country of interest in culture, or price range with its magical balance between ancient and modern world.

GEOGRAPHY

Thailand (15 00 N, 100 00 E) points to its coordinates in the geographic heart of Asia-Pacific region, sothe aviation hub of SEA. The Kingdom has total area 513,120 km 2, slightly smaller than France, but big enough for thick green forests and crystal blue seas and everything in between. The terrain is generally mountainous, particularly to the north of the country with the highest point the Doi Inthanon at an altitude of 2,576 m. To the centre, the land is mostly flat and low, the Chao Phraya River Valley, but overall roughly diverse regional topography features.

CLIMATE

The climate is a peculiar tropical wet and dry Savannah climate with seasons that range from warm to hot and hotter, with a quick cool to 19°C from November to December. Expect roasting temperatures in big urban cities, and cooler ones at the highlands. The overall climate in Thailand is a very important consideration for travel specifically because if it's too hot, travel is stressful, if too wet, a little more dangerous, pertaining to water activities at least. Notably, the best time for travel is during the generally cooler months from November to mid of March, the peak season unfortunately. Whatever the weather, a visit to this sin paradise is of the utmost necessity.

PEOPLE

And here are 65,998,436 more reasons to come visit, the Thai population who probably invented the word "party crashers" - a concept with positive connotation that is if anything, a proof of their hospitality. Theravada Buddhism is the primary religion, the religion of the state that is practised by a really big 94.6% of Thais. Muslims and Christians are a tiny minority standing in comparison to the Buddhist demographic.

LANGUAGE

THAI, a Kradai language like Lao, is the official language of the state, accounting for the 75% of Thai population in the kingdom. ENGLISH is the secondary official language and is a compulsory subject and language to learn in school as early as preschool, although CHINESE, Teochew in particular, is more widely spoken by more than 14%, the Chinese population here in Thailand. On the other hand, YAWI is the primary language of the 4.6% of Malay Muslims living in the south near the Malay border, while the remainder of the population in outlying provinces in the north speak Lao and Thai dialects.

ATTRACTION

Thailand has been as widely infamous for its beach paradises as its alternative sex travel attractions. And for the former, the latter, or both, Thailand has loads to offer like Phuket and Ko Lipe with its four more than awesome, Pattaya, Sunrise, Chao Ley, and Karma beaches. However, as the 17th in the world by number of populations with HIV/AIDS, the traveller needs some caution and lots of protection. Bangkok has for so long offered the best introduction to the traveller with a boat ride up the Chao Phraya, the bloodline of the city, where one can marvel at the intricate opulence of the temples that lay not asunder but very much intact.

But the City of Angels may have been evacuated for the time being by these heavenly creatures with what political chaos plagues the great city of Bangkok. Had it not been, as sure and hopeful as most are that peace is not a far goal, BKK also makes an incredible haven for shopping, counterfeits need it be said, either in modern JJ Market (Chatuchak), MBK, or Ampua for tradition's sake. Why not Patpong for a little bizarre ping pong show for the different kind of visitor? Muay Thai is also a huge tourist magnet for travellers, who can be either play spectators or students.

While nothing beats Chiang Mai in terms of culture and temples with around 300 wats sprawled all over town, Kanchanaburi is the nature-lovers haven and nowhere can superior water fun be had than here. Erawan, Pha Thad, Huai Khamin, and Saiyok waterfalls are surely worth an entire day's visit each, no doubt a different experience each time. The ultimate way to travel is explore what has not been applied once on an adventure of life discovered Thai, and of course the time spent with the locals, in more ways than one, the main attraction ... and then there's the food.

FOOD

You can not enjoy a visit to the maximum in the Kingdom does not know the food culture. Thai food is suitable for powering a king. Thai food is more than enough reason alone for a holiday in these parts. We say that Thai cuisine is a feastFusion of Indian, Chinese, Cambodian, and all Asian and well, and it all starts in the streets. Rice is a staple food in many forms and is sprinkled with rice noodles and sticky rice with mango dessert. Khao Suai is the generic term for white rice is usually consumed with meals, while the Khao Phat is a basic fried rice with pork or chicken mixed with street food culture is an integral part of Thai identity as a group of people with a natural inclination to food, cooking andeating both. The streets are a cultural and culinary crossroads where people can offer their home-cooked specialty to the rest of the world for a very small cost. In doing so, the Thais don't mind making a modest profit for, at the end of the day, cooking is what they love to do. A modern Thai would eat 9 times a day from a THB 25 phad thai off the street or a $100 10-course meal-anything that involves putting something edible or nearly edible to the oral cavity.

Thai cuisine is highly regarded all over the world for its special flavor that anyone from anywhere enjoys, and this can never be better represented than by the national dish, phad thai. This healthy noodle dish with a great combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy is the epitome of Thai cuisine because it is light, healthy, balanced, spicy, flavorful, and aromatic. Tom yam and Tom Kha Gai are favorite soup dishes while som tam (papaya salad), sticky rice, and kai yang (grilled chicken) are a favorite meal combo. Indian culinary influence is quite strong especially with its curry dishes like green curry, although Thai cuisine has its distinctive quality now more than ever, take pandan chicken for example. Pandan is a flavorful leaf, which works like spice to Thai desserts, similar to vanilla, but more versatile as it also gives a wonderful flavor to meat, in this case, as the chicken is cooked wrapped in these leaves. Chiang Mai, the ancient capital, is the foodie wonderland of Thai and world cuisines from British fish and chips to Italian pizza and pasta delights.

Thais love things that are all nice and sweet, especially for dessert, but the Thai concept of dessert is not like the western after-meal dessert model. As it is in general Asia, dessert may pertain to a sweet snack eaten as a small meal per se. Inasmuch as it can be eaten after a meal western-style, this is more for preference than a custom. Desserts like khanom (cookies or snacks), khao nio ma-muang (sticky rice with mango and coconut milk drizzle), or waan yen, a heap of shaved ice on a bed of "toppings" like corn and kidney beans drizzled with syrup and coconut cream, are desserts that are mostly consumed as a snack or fill-upper. Yes, they snack on bugs and roaches too, which without a doubt is an acquired taste.

Backpacking Information on Laos

LAOS

Population: 5.9 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Vientiane
Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles)
Major languages: Lao, French (for diplomatic purposes)
Major religion: Buddhism
Life expectancy: 53 years (men), 56 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 new kip = 100 ath

The Lao People's Republic is one of the, if not the least modernized countries of the Southeast Asia region isolated by the communist government, so poor it makes Cambodia look industrialized. As such, the small country prides on rich culture and heritage as much as its pristine surroundings and solemn traditions. Why Laos? Why now? Why not? This is a place so mysterious, outsiders know next to nothing about it, and it is this potential that makes it so alluring. Travellers who have the privilege to explore this exotic and generally unexplored frontier enjoy this simplicity and solemnity while it lasts until the waves of industrialization taints the truth and ingenuity that is Lao, as it slowly becomes a sought-after tourist destination for the backpacker culture- the details will come soon.

GEOGRAPHY

Laos (18 00 N, 105 00 E) is a 236,800 km2 small landlocked nation sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam. The country is the mountainous former Kingdom with thick, plush, and high forests and jungles that shroud the majority of the land. Laos is mostly rugged mountains with the Phou Bia standing atop Laos at an altitude of 2,817 metres above sea level, while the Mekong River, the artery, the lifeline of Laos and of the greater SEA region, sits as the lowest point of the Lao terrain at 70 metres above sea. Lao also comes with only a few plains and plateaus, hence the serpentine rice paddies all across the land hill side.

CLIMATE

The climate here is generally tropical monsoon with three seasons: hot from March to May, rainy from June through October, and dry from December through February. The dry season is the high season for travel to Laos simply for the absence of extreme heat or precipitation that can obstruct whatever the traveller's plans. The extreme heat on April spirals the beyond tolerable temperature to 104 °F, unless the traveler will head up to the mountains.

PEOPLE

Laotian or Lao people are good-natured and generous people who are nice to foreigners for no apparent reason, it is an eye opener, even to, say Americans who are responsible for the 266 million bombs that have taken lives in this war-neutral country over the past 30 or so years. There are around 78 million bombs left unexploded that continue to threaten the lives of locals, where only 400,000 were found and detonated in the last 10 years. That is enough bombs to consistently explode every 9 minutes in 24 hours for 10 years. As an especially peaceful Buddhist nation, none can vex them. Kindness is a more familiar feeling than anger for these people, no BS. The kind of Buddhism in this country which accounts for the religion of 67% of the 6,834,345 population is Theravada, while Christianity is but an incomparable minority with less than 2% of the Laotians. In over 100 ethnic groups, the Lao have the most sizeable 55% or so demographic, then the Khmous and Hmongs, and de facto, LAO is the official language of the state. ENGLISH is growing more priority than the colonial language, FRENCH at the same, a few too many ethnic languages or dialects.

CULTURE

Situated and locked in the middle of the Indochina peninsula, Laos has beheld "crossroads" status. Romantic and mysterious, nice and cool, pristine but very adaptable, terrible past but bright future, simply breathtaking and gets more beautiful by the second, add very low maintenance- could have just described the "ideal" girl, but this is Laos. So if you want to keep coming home to this kind of girl, then Laos is the place for you.

The Lao culture is rooted on immense spirituality, particularly Theravada Buddhism with influences extending from architecture to daily living, as goes with the communal practice of alms giving every morning upon sunrise. But Laos, with its recently acquired accolade as the Ney York Time's best tourist destination in the World, a slow modernization is taking place posing great danger to the solemnity of some rituals such as the aforementioned daily alms giving to monks. For now, the Laotians' simple life is in control, in balance with the times in absolute no hurry to match the pace of its SEA neighbours.

ATTRACTIONS

Coming to Laos, no travel experience is complete without spending ample to excessive times in historical and sacred edifices. Not to be redundant or cheesy, Laos prides on these imperial and colossal structures that tell the great Lao tale of how it has become. The Pha That Luang, the Great Stupa, the national monument of Laos covered in gold is unprecedented and truly royal. The Buddha Park is also breath-taking and magical with but one phrase to describe it, "out-of-this-world". Hoi An is perhaps one of the places with the strongest resistance to change, thus its appeal to travellers with the taste for the old and authentic. Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage City, has more adventures in store with tremendous alternatives for fun and information for the independent traveller. The Plain of Jars are also a sought after place, esteemed to be as enigmatic as it is dangerous, for it is a site of undetonated bombs. River Mekong is a natural wonder beyond necessity and importance, it's downright fun. Lastly, home and paradise to the backpacker culture, there is Vang Vieng, so phenomenal, this, for many, can be the place they see on earth, and to some it happens, for it is the land where the waters are high, and the alcohol flows free. Tubing is, to many travellers one of the ultimate adventures in Laos, and is ultimately dangerous as well with 2 deaths reported and several other casualties from a simple gash to broken skulls- doesn't make the experience any less unless of course it happens to you.

FOOD

Food, food, Lao food- this is cuisine for foodies in search of new flavours. To a lot of insiders looking in, Lao or Khmer food is much a mystery as this whole country has been. Although its relatives are Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese food, imagine these marrying together. Lao or Khmer cuisine is perhaps the best vehicle to establish Lao connection. Lucky enough, Lao cuisine has not been side-swept by the wave of Western food chains, but to be sure, the streets will offer that most authentic Khmer cuisine from the Kingdom. A bowl of Kao Piak off the Daily Market, which is a bowl of steaming noodle goodness complimented by chicken, duck, and pork and condiments...lots of it from ginger paste, chilli, fish sauce, lemon, pepper, sugar, etc, is reminiscent of Pho. Khao jii pat-te is Laos' Bahn Mi, and tam maak hung is a doppelganger to Thailand's som tam. The fundamental characteristics of the cuisine are meat and fish are used sparingly, at least in contrast to the liberal use of fruits and vegetables. The use of coconut milk in cooking is adopted from Thai and Cambodian influences. Desiring something authentic? You want some Lao lao, that traditional home brewed rice whiskey? How about a little exotica- some crispy ant egg omelettes perhaps?

This place is a beautiful secret gem, which won't stay that hidden too long. Laos amongst all is a country the traveller will love for the sights and more so the smell that says "home".

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Backpacking Information on China

Population: 1.3 billion (UN, 2005)
Capital: Beijing
Area: 9.6 million sq km (3.7 million sq miles)
Major language: Mandarin Chinese
Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism
Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Renminbi (yuan) (Y) = 10 jiao = 100 fen

The People's Republic of China - one of the world's oldest and thriving civilizations consisting of states and cultures dating back to more than 6 millennia, outpacing the rest of the world in arts and sciences. Ancient China is the master creator of four of the most critical innovations in our modern world: paper, compass, gunpowder, and printing, says British biochemist and scholar Joseph Needham. Besides, who does not know of the Great Wall, Jackie Chan, or the Peking Man who used fire 300-780 millennia ago?

China's cultural sphere has extended to the tiny corners of the world from Southeast Asia, East Asia, America, Australasia, to Europe. CHINATOWN contributes significantly to this mobility with its presence celebrated in the whole of Asia, Middle East, Oceania, North America, Latin America, Europe, and even Africa. The first Chinatown was established in Manila, but this is more of a commerce and trade hub nowadays, than as ethnic enclaves for overseas Chinese. This is mostly the world's (AND our) orientation to Chinese culture; however, Chinatown is apparently a part and parcel of this greater culture.

GEOGRAPHY

China, an East Asian country on coordinates 35 00 N, 105 00 E, is the 4th largest country in the world after Russia, Canada, and the U.S. with a total area of 9,596,960 km². It has a terrain of mostly plains, hills, and deltas in the East, and mountains, plateaus, and deserts in the west, with rivers flowing from West to East, i.e. Yangtze and Huang Ho (main rivers), emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Elevation extremes comprise of Turpan Pendi, the lowest point (-154 m), and Qomolangma (Mount Everest), the highest point (8,850 m). China currently deals with ecological concerns of air and water pollution, water shortages, deforestation, and trade of endangered species.

CLIMATE

With an extremely diverse climate brought about by a vast territory, China experiences frequent typhoons, floods, tsunamis, land subsidence, earthquakes, and droughts in some regions.

Northern Zone: Summer-30 ° C; winter- sever arctic

Central Zone: Temperate continental

Southern Zone: Subtropical

PEOPLE

China ranks as the most heavily populated country in the world with 1,336,860,000 people, comprising 19.62% of the world's population as of April 10, 2010, not even including Hong Kong, China, and Macao. Of this population are 56 ethnic groups with the Han Chinese taking the cake as the largest single ethnic group in the world with 92% of the PRC population. Nonetheless, all Chinese, regardless of ethnicity, have equal national rights and privileges.

LANGUAGE

MANDARIN is Modern China's official language spoken by 850 million Chinese. The Standard Mandarin is of the Beijing dialect and one of the six official languages designated by the United Nations. ENGLISH is the nation's language for business and education with a growing demographic of 20 million speakers produced annually. A majority of China's 55 ethnic groups have their own varieties and dialects, like Cantonese, Fukien, and so on.

RELIGION

China's social values are rooted on Confucianism and Taoism. The nation respects multi-religiosity with Taoism practiced by 400 million of the Chinese population (30%), whereas Buddhism is practiced in harmony with Taoism. Freedom of religion and activities relating to belief are protected by the constitution, hence the presence and acceptance of Christianity and Islam in the region as well.

ATTRACTIONS

In China, "attractions" is an understatement, but the most famous are the majestic Great Wall, out-of-this-world Tibet, the unmatched Silk Road, the mystifying Terra-Cotta warriors, the imperial Forbidden City, and the grand Yangtze River. Hainan Island, a Special Economic Zone, remains a total backpacker destination for its natural grandeur coupled with a mild climate and favourable environment the whole year round. Tagged as "The Oriental Hawaii" for its unmatched beach landscapes, this is China's sweet winter escape where young people like to chill and old people prefer to live.

Natural or man-made, China takes pride in them all. Indeed, Chinese architecture is greater than just its wall. From China's temples to palaces, the traveller will note of the principle of balance and symmetry smeared from its ornate roofs to the infinitesimal design details. In modern architecture, China has the largest number of high-rise buildings in the world.

FOOD

Every single human being has an established concept of "Chinese food" such as rice or noodle toppings in a box, but it really is a general term as "European cuisine" as food is diverse as the regions in China. Rice is the staple in the South, while wheat noodles, in the North. We're talking Guang Dong's Dim Sum, Shanghai's spring rolls and pulled noodles, and Szechuan peppery dishes to cite some. Beijing may be the home of the Peking duck, but Cantonese food is the most popular to the world. Food trip alone will be a good reason to take a trip to China for its enthusiastic gastronomic culture. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Chinese gourmands on and off the street ensure fresh and clean food. For "dog lovers", they also serve dog meat, camel's paw, snake, shark's fin and other bizarre exotica.

ODD-BALL HABITS

Spitting ubiquitously (hotels, hospitals, banks, supermarkets, etc.);
Slurping noodles (compliments to the chef!);
Staring incessantly due to curiosity;
Shoving in queues and accepted negligence to laws and regulations i.e. driving, smoking zones, etc.;
Shouting or loud speech is simply vivacity and interest in conversation (not anger) and is very standard.

A Travelogue - Backpacking in Laos, Southeast Asia

Singapore and Hong Kong may be first world destinations but these places are the equivalent of a summer spent with a cross-stitching-fanatic grandmother. A trip to Laos, on the other hand, is like a sizzling summer fling - new, exotic and ultimately unforgettable. Crowned by globetrotters as the new queen of Asia, it is a hip destination on the verge of discovery. You might want to get there fast before everyone finds out about it.

Laos, known as the Land of a Million Elephants, is a country seemingly untouched by time and globalization. Yes, there is no smoggy metropolis, aggressive entrepreneurialism and Starbucks - yet. The main attraction of this former French colony is natural and cultural. There is an abundance of picturesque rice fields, jagged limestone mountains, that hide sprawling caves.

Strolling monks with bright orange robes who serenely walk barefoot on the pavement is mesmerizing to watch. You can even stop by a temple and hear them chant. The hilltribe people who still wear their ancient costumes and about five pounds worth of metal jewelery will give you a visual feast. French influences communed with 3rd world charms results in a progeny of quaint architecture and amazing food. The typical Lao street food is a French baguette with tandori barbequed chicken, fresh tomato and cucumber topped with cream cheese. Drink a cup of that strong Lao coffee to wash the meal down.

Many say that Lao is "one of the last quiet countries on earth". But just like lovers, on a summer rendezvous, you know that romance won't last forever. So hurry and fall-in love with this beautiful country before it loses its blush.

CITIES TO VISIT

1. Luang Prabang
A UNESCO World Heritage site and every photographer's dream location. This city, where time stands still, is framed by lush mountains and amazing waterfalls. Navigate the serene Mekong river with a kayak tour.

2. Vang Vieng
The party city with loads of backpackers from all corners of the world. Relax with a beer Lao while floating in a rubber tire through the Nam Song River.

3. Vientiane
The capital of Laos and the center of arts and traditional herbal massages.

GASTROME'S DELIGHT
Sticky rice, fish sauce and a ginger-like ingredient called galangal are Laos' staple food. Try them with:

Tam Mak Houng - spicy papaya salad
Foe - noodle soup
Som moo - ubiquitous pork sausage sold everywhere

GETTING THERE
There are no direct flights from Manila to Laos. Fly to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh then grab a plane to Luang Prabang or Vientiane via Lao Airline.

Backpacking Information on Singapore

Population: 4.4 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Singapore
Area: 660 sq km (255 sq miles)
Major languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Major religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Singapore dollar = 100 cents

The Republic of Singapore sure has gone far from a sparsely populated fishing village without a trace, to an economic powerhouse of Asia- the fourth wealthiest in the world GDP in terms of per capita. Obviously, Keynesian principles are working and should be adapted. Singapore is a country of true and natural fusion as a pit stop for East-West trade, with contemporary culture of strong Malay, Chinese, Indian and British Influences. This is as close to East-meets-West one can get- a microcosm of Asia some say, but quite arguably. In the absence of traditional cultures, Singapore is basically a stage where world cultures are performed, and a buffet table where all world eats are splayed out. The novelty of this country is in its tight observance of cleanliness, order, and regulation. And while it is not exactly drug-or crime-free, as per Tony Bourdain's claims, what he might be getting at is that people strictly adhere to the laws and the constitution. Gum is just as equally revolting as drugs, for this is that country with the ban-a seriously sensible one. A lazy Friday, skimming through the news, but the news is lazier in this city state.

Seriously, nothing bad relatively happens here. The bulletin talks of more jobs in demand, world-renowned musicians to mentor young prodigies. Where else does that happen? Singapore is 100% urbanized, thus absolutely close to none natural resources, and yet it is squeaky clean. It has an economy that relies heavily on immigrant labour. The near-invisible dark side of Singapore reveals issues of servitude and slavery, horrible treatment of people, particularly labourers not their own such as maids, and classic racial discrimination based on skin lightness. But racial and culture variety and fusion is basically the "pride" they always talk of in the first place. That being said, behind this ultramodern and chic-city-state-facade, there are scores of exciting things in Singapore hidden to the traveller's eye that require personal experience and discovery.

GEOGRAPHY

Singapore (1 22 N, 103 48 E) is a wee little 704 km2 territory, one of the smallest by size in the world, is 5 times smaller than Rhode Island, but has increased landmass since being only 581.5 km2 back in1960, and will continue to get bigger by demand of industrialization and population to an estimated 100 km2 more in 20 years. The Singapore Strait is the small nation's lowest point, and, rid of most of its original terrain, the highest elevation is Bukit Timah, 166 metres-high. As aforementioned, Singapore consists mostly of low rolling lands that contain very minimal forest cover nature preserves (23%), most of which have been eliminated. As possibly the most globalized country in the world, industrial pollution is a major concern, limiting its only natural resource, freshwater and fish. Land reclamation projects also decrease their water resources, and just recently, haze from forest fires in Indonesia is causing some health problems with the normally sterile nation.

CLIMATE

Singapore is hot and humid with sweltering and steaming temperatures ranging from 22-34°C, the latter, in the hottest months of the year, May and June, with a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive season onset or end. The climate, though, has generally two distinct monsoon seasons, the northeastern monsoon from October to March, and the southwestern monsoon from June through to September. The wettest months are November and December.

PEOPLE

Singapore, the second most densely populated in the world after Monaco, is modest set of islands home to almost 5 million people of diverse racial and cultural origins, almost 50% of which are foreigners. There are more or less 3 million Singaporean citizens or "residents", making it the 6th country with the highest percentage of foreigners as well. The Chinese are the most predominant population, locals and foreigners alike with 74.2% of the population, Malays, 13.4%, Indians 9.2%, and the remainder 3.2% are Arabs, Eurasians, and so on.

RELIGION

Singapore is kind of like a miniature Hong Kong, similarly without the religious identification. Nonetheless, Buddhism is the primary religion of the state owing to the large Chinese demographic, 42.5%, while Islam has a strong hold on a little less, 14.9%. Christianity is practiced by 14.6% of the population, Taoism, 8.5%, Hindu, 4%, and a tiny 0.7% are devout to some minor religions, while a solid 14.8% choose to remain strictly unaffiliated.

LANGUAGE

MANDARIN, is inarguably the official language due to the large Chinese enclave in the country with a demographic of 35%, while ENGLISH is just as well an official language. MALAY or Bahasa has 14.1% of speakers, and TAMIL has 3.2% of Indian descent. The majority that are the Chinese speak, besides Mandarin, other dialects that constitute 23.8% of the population.

ATTRACTION

The main attraction of the city state is the city itself-its shopping malls, parks, entertainment centers. This year alone 2010, the Integrated Resorts, which are two colossal casino complexes in Sentosa and Marina Bay in goals of increasing by 100% the 10 million of annual tourists visiting and possibly boom the population of the permanent residents. But if nature's your flavour, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, probably the only primary rainforest reserve left, is a wonderful spectacle. The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 67.3-hectare botanical garden that is home of the National Orchid Garden blossoming with over 3,000 orchid species. It is still the ethnic enclaves that give the country its flavour. Singapore also boasts of a collection of fauna, but in a zoo. The Singapore Zoo is the closest the traveller will get to the proboscis monkey or animals, in general, as well as the Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. The zoo is a great place for kids, but better for people with time to kill.

Singapore is generally perceived as but a bizarre sterile community perhaps like those in futuristic movies. It is ultramodern that its advancement may take 20 years for New York to pull off. But 23% of forest and eco-parks is quite good. And regardless of water pollution and mammoth-scale wastes of a dense population in a small slab of land, Singapore deals with their environment with bravado. There are other non-touristy options to enjoy the nature and nurture of people of Singapore like visiting art expos at the Asian Civilisations Museum (free admission for kids 6 and younger) or learning a thing or two on history at the Bras Basah area east of Orchard Road or something physically challenging like trekking, cycling, and water sports at Sentosa's beaches or somewhere on the East Coast. Tail a local who will always be a delighted to give some unsolicited advice and time.

FOOD

Singapore is a country with a determined food culture- the only culture Singapore boasts to have that is central to their identity. The Singaporeans are a not merely foodies, but food addicts and are food specialists in their own right. Singapore is an ethnic triad, and this manifests nowhere else than on the table where the traveller is sure to enjoy the best of Malay, Indian, and Chinese specialties. And the Hawker Centres, like Maxwell Road Food Centre and Golden Mile Hawker Centre, are an institution and major aspect of the Singaporean food culture is where it all comes together-the cultural crossroads. Even from blocks away, the aroma of fresh, savoury and robust prawn soup base and stir fries would have the visitor's salivary glands and stomach acids on overdrive. This is perhaps one of the scant few places in the world where fast food is good for you, and where a too much of the good stuff, is good. We're talking a haven of dish specialists who perfected their signature dishes for generations, for decades. These are the hawker centres, very cheap and easy to find, and the perfect introduction to Singapore. Besides these cuisines, traces of Western traditions, Middle Eastern, and Thai gave the local cuisine more depth.

Singapore is the best place on earth for the chicken rice, the national dish that is very much notorious in these parts. Singapore also packs a mean fish and chips, prawn noodle soup hae mee, chilli crab, satay, and roti prata. There are also delicacies like the bone soup swimming in sauce of red dye 5. Ethnic specialties include char kuay teow, curries, tandoori, nasi goring, and nasi lemak, while cross-cultural fusion dishes like laksa and satay bee hon. Malay-Indonesian desserts dominate the sweet scene like the cool ice kacang and red rubies. At the same time, Western treats are also delighted by the Singaporeans like gelato. Simple reminder: Chinatown for Chinese delights, Kampong Glam for Malay pleasures, and Little Indian, obviously, for the ultimate Indian culinary indulgence.

Backpacking Information on Uzbekistan

UZBEKISTAN

Population: 26.9 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Tashkent
Area: 447,400 sq km (172,700 sq miles)
Major language: Uzbek, Russian, Tajik
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 70 years (women)
Monetary unit: 1 Uzbek som = 100 tiyins

The Republic of Uzbekistan- a land hidden in shadows the world knows next to nothing about. This is certainly not your run of the mill travel destination. This is a landlocked nation strange to quite a many, and is the place for the traveller who possesses an insatiable curiosity for new experiences and, technically speaking, the unknown. Is it that country where the U.S. government sends people to disappear? But what ought to be known is Uzbekistan stood in the middle of the great Euro-Asian trade with the Silk Road, situated at its crossroads. Hence, the traveller will find that there is a little bit of everything here. In the history of this one of a kind nation, the Turks, Mongols, Russians, Persians, Indians, and Chinese have stamped their influences on the city facade, the faces, and on the dining tables. The place has quite a history that Uzbekistan has shared with us all as we sat during our history classes and lulled off to the mighty feats of one of the greatest warrior statesman the world has ever seen, Tamerlane The Great (Amir Tamur). However, it is yet to be made known if Borat Sagdiyev's animosity towards this noble country is one of jealousy, or of the society's repulsive treatment of women.

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

Uzbekistan, with a total area of 447,400 km2, is one of only two double-landlocked nations that lies just north of Afghanistan on geographic coordinates 41 00 N, 64 00 E. The geographical features of the country is distant from most other Central Asian countries and takes more similarity of mountain, flat, and desert terrains to the south, Afghanistan. The perfectly irrigated grasslands of Amu Darya, Syr Darya, Zarafshon, and Fergana Valley in the east endures semi-arid climates while the mid-latitude region, a desert climate. The majestic mountains that surround the valleys are in the bordering Tajikistan and Kyrgyztan, the highest point elevated 4,301 metres, the Adelunga Toghi, and the lowest point, thus, is Sariqarnish Kuli at -12 metres. The country suffers lengthily extreme hot summers, and eventually soothes to the calm cool of winter.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Uzbekistan, even with a history of so many invaders from east to west, north to south that has shaped the Uzbekistanis for 2000 years in terms of face food, paradoxically has a significant population of ethnics. In fact, of the population of 27,606,007 as of late 2009, about 80% are Uzbeks, while only 5.5% are Russians and 5% are Tajiks, whereas the remainder are Kazakhs, Karakalpaks, Tatars, and so on. UZBEK is the national language with a 74.3% demographic, while RUSSIAN is also widely spoken by 14.2%, which reflects the immense Russian influence in the country. ENGLISH is a flourishing language in the region commonly spoken by those in the tourism and hospitality industries.

As a Muslim nation, 88% are Muslims, mostly Sunnis, while the Eastern Orthodox who you'd mostly find at the vodka waterholes succeed at 9%. Christianity is firmly encouraged against by the government, hence the less than 1% demographic in the country. Apart from this, Uzbekistan is a man's world, as in you won't see many women out. To the femme traveller, the man-centric traditional society of the Uzbeks is not woman-friendly with traditions that equal women to a pack of meat always and ever responsible for work and chores. Worse, women are restrained to spend time in public for relaxation and leisure. Massage houses, hamam, are for men, to say the least.

ATTRACTION

The charms of old city and capital of Tashkent are unprecedented but with a government high in corruption, Tashkent possesses some of the beautiful and the ugly of architectures in the world. But, the three winning cities are Samarqand, Bukhara and Khiva- the great trading cities on the Silk Road. Uzbekistan tourism is roughly promoted and is nowhere near an economic cash register as its natural gas industry, so much better for the modern-day Columbus might that be said. While camel trekking in Lake Aidarkul, rafting in Syr Darya, skiing and simple bird watching seem like fun plans, still the traveller is bound to ask, what are they really good here? The answer: food.

Uzbek gastronomy is the biggest and the baddest adventure in the republic with clashes and marriages of international influences resulting to a palette of flavours that anyone from anywhere will appreciate from Chinese noodle soups, Persian kebabs or shashlik, rice pilaf, ravioli/dumplings or chuchvara, and so on brought by traders from Europe and Asia crossing the Uzbekistan cities to and back. Uzbek cuisine is fundamentally meat-centric, rarely any stand-alone vegetable dishes, and varies from hot and sizzling to raw and funky like raw brain and gizzards, that when offered, the traveller must be careful not to offend.

FOOD

Plov, the national dish is made of rice, carrots, onions, raisins, peas and mutton, versions varying essentially by region. Bread, like plov, is a staple and can be bought anywhere for no more than 400 Uzbek som. Regions hand down their own rendition of making breads or non, but Samarqand's clay-baked obi-non is the bread of champions. Uzbek confections is no myth ladies and gentlemen. They also love simple sugars in Uzbekistan and some the traveller may want to try are khorezm baklava, kholvaitar, and shakarli bodom-truly mouth-watering, simple recipes with a sophisticated taste. This insight is definitely unchartered territory to the outside world attributing to Uzbekistan's geographical trait of being doubly-landlocked, but endearing no less.