Cruise from Singapore deal by Costa Atlantica Cruise ( Singapore - Malacca - Penang - Singapore)

Are you looking for a getaway from Singapore but you do not want to get tired to travel to your holiday destination? Then why not your destination departs from Singapore and travels around. A cruise in this case is what you need and what we are talking about. You check-in your floating integrated resort in Singapore and while it sails around you enjoy your travel free holiday.

Back in September 2012, Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s number 1 cruise company has announced that Costa Atlantica sailed into Southeast Asia for the first time in May 2013 with Singapore as its home-port. To cap off these new offerings, Costa Cruises is partnering the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) to tap on the growth potential in Asia by developing the passenger source markets for cruises out of Singapore. By working together, Costa, STB and CAG expect to increase the impact of their joint efforts in the development of the Asia cruise industry. The company already has Costa Victoria in the region. The dual positioning of Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica in Asia demonstrates the continued commitment of Costa Cruises in the region, boasting a combined daily passenger capacity of 5,074, which represents a 90% increase in Costa’s “Italy at Sea” inspired cruises.

Built in 2000, Costa Atlantica is a Spirit-class cruise ship owned and operated by Costa Crociere. Atlantica generally divides her time between Caribbean cruises in the winter months and Europe based cruises during the summer months.

There is a limited time offer deal now for 57% off for 4D3N Costa Atlantica Cruise from Singapore with various price options available:

• Option 1: 4D3N Inside Classic Quad Cabin with Bonus of USD200 onboard credit per cabin (for 2 Adults & 2 Children): Sailing at 22 May / 5 Jun 2013 – Only $269 per pax instead of $325 (Min 4 Pax)
• Option 2: 4D3N Inside, External or Balcony Classic Quad Cabin (for 2 Adults & 2 Children): Sailing at 8 / 15 / 22 May 2013 – Only $206 per pax instead of $412 (Min 4 Pax)
• Option 3: 5D4N Inside Classic Quad Cabin with Bonus USD200 onboard credit per cabin (for 2 Adults & 2 Children): Sailing at 1 / 8 Jun 2013 – Only $337 per pax instead of $412 (Min 4 Pax)
• Option 4: 5D4N Inside, External or Balcony Classic Quad Cabin (for 2 Adults & 2 Children): Sailing Date 4 / 11/ 18 May 2013 – Only $272 per pax instead of $544 (Min 4 Pax)

You can also either choose 4D3N Singapore - Malacca - Penang - Singapore or 5D4N: Singapore - Phuket - Langkawi – Singapore. 4D3N cruise from Singapore departs on May 22, Jun 5 and 5D4N cruise from Singapore departs on Jun 1, 8.

57% off for 4D3N Costa Atlantica Cruise from Singapore

Package includes USD200 Onboard Credit on Selected Sailing and endless entertainment and onboard activities.

Departing from Singapore, Costa Atlantica Cruise is the ideal ship for people who love design, elegance, symmetry of shapes and muted colours. Fully refurbished, the ship has an unmistakable style that combines a traditional nautical look with minimalist design, high value finishes and works of art. If you're someone who loves night-time fun and entertainment, you'll find a casino, disco, numerous lounges and bars, the two-storey Festival Theatre and five restaurants, including the intimate Club il Magnifico where you can dine in a peaceful environment.

If you want to cruise your way to a much needed getaway, follow its web site and do not forget to read the fine print.

Boy threatens to bombs in Marina Bay Sands in his Facebook

UPDATE: The 13 years old boy is arrested who allegedly threatened to plant bombs in Marina Bay Sands. Police said the case is classified as a Breach of Prohibition Against False Threats of Terrorist Acts. He cannot be named as he is a minor.

2012 will be remembered by a lot of things in Singapore but it will also be remembered as the year some foreign talents or "Boyforeign talents to be" gone wild year. We have opened the year with a Chinese "foreign talent to be" Sun Xu who called Singaporeans "dogs" on his Weibo account and was closing it with a Filipino foreign talent named Carlos Pestano The Third, who called some Singaporeans "rotten locals" on Facebook. But then this came: According to Singapore media, a boy claims to be from New Delhi, threatened to take "big revenge" on Singapore by planting bombs in Marina Bay Sands and spitting everywhere before he leaves the country. He also made derogatory remarks about the country.

These comments that a boy posted on Facebook have drawn flak from netizens, prompting one of them to lodge a police report after seeing a screengrab of the post on The Real Singapore's Facebook page last Saturday. According to his Facebook profile page - which was taken down yesterday afternoon - the boy claims to be from New Delhi, and received his education at Global Indian International School in Queenstown. 

The school's website states that it takes in students from primary- school level to junior college. From his profile photo, he looks to be in his teens.

Source :  Boy threatens to bomb Marina Bay IR 

Baby SPA in Singapore

We adults like SPA, swimming and massage. What about the young ones? I men the very young ones. If there is a chance, wouldn't be good for them to enjoy swimming and massage. If you have a 1 to 24 months old baby, you live in Singapore or visiting Singapore, you can take him/her to Baby SPA in Singapore.

Baby SPA, as the name suggests, is a SPA for babies up to 24 months old. There are baby SPA's in various locations in Singapore: Northpoint Mall, Plaza Singapura, NEX Mall (Serangoon), Harbourfront Centre, Changi Point City Mall and Marine Parade Central. The branches offer baby swimming (in individual pools for 1 to 12 months old or big pools for up to 4 babies aged 1 to 2 years old), baby massage and baby haircut. The demand must be good because they are opening one branch after another in the past few years.

They have several packages to try. A non-member trial/one time for baby swimming is $38 and baby massage is $17. For members, they have 10 and 20 sessions packages for baby swimming and a golden card which secures 1 year unlimited pool fun for your baby.

We have actually tried Baby SPA in Dhoby Ghaut. Unfortunately, we have brought our then 3 months old daughter to the SPA when she was hungry and she has spent most of her time in the water crying. I think, 3 months is also quite young to try. Anyway, the handlers are quite friendly, professional and the one helping us particularly seemed to have a honest love for babies.

If you worry about the cold, Baby SPA uses warmed water in their tanks and each baby swims in their own small pool. They also say that the pool water are sterilized.

BabySPA is quite popular in Singapore. According to theasianparent.com, 10,000 babies have been trained in their BabySpa since it was opened in October 2008. They are expanding fast with recently opening two new branches : Katong V #03-18/17 @ 30 East Coast Rd (opp. Parkway Parade) and Westgate #04-34 @ Jurong East.

Look mommy I am swimming! (This floaty neck ring
is a good idea even for some adults :))

Yes, a little up!

Current BabySPA branches in Singapore are:

• Plaza Singapura (via Dhoby Ghaut MRT) #03-30 Tel: 6238 6003
• Harbourfront Centre #03-11 Tel: 6272 0061
• Changi City Point (opposite Expo MRT) #02-08/09 Tel: 6636 4076
• Katong V (opposite Parkway Parade) #03-18/17 Tel: 6348 6659
• Northpoint Shopping Centre #02-52 Tel: 6754 7949
• Westgate (via Jurong East MRT) #04-34 Tel: 6465 9459
• Warehouse (24 Sin Ming Lane Midview City) #07-106 Tel: 6659 0292

From London to Chengdu China by British Airways

British Airways, the flag carrier of United Kingdom, has announced its new route to Chengdu in China which will start on September 22, 2013. With the start of these flights, British Airways will be the only UK carrier to offer a direct service between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and London Heathrow. The thrice-weekly service will be served by a four-cabin Boeing 777 with First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) and the tickets are on sale since December 19th 2012. To celebrate the launchand reflecting the Chinese belief that eight is an auspicious number, flights to Chengdu are available from just £508 if booked between today and January 6, 2013.

Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG, who announced the route in Chengdu, said: “I have visited China on many occasions and last year went to Chengdu to see for myself the progress that has been made at the airport.  It is truly impressive and shows vision and ambition. “I am delighted to announce this new route which demonstrates the importance of mainland China to British Airways and our commitment to grow our presence here. Economic growth in China is continuing to outstrip that of most other countries, and Chengdu is not only the capital of Sichuan Province in the South West of China but one of the country’s largest cities.

“Since 1990, Chengdu’s economy has expanded rapidly, consistently delivering double-digit rates of growth. We are confident that the new route between Chengdu and London will prove popular with customers travelling between the two major economic hubs. China is also a fascinating venue for leisure travellers, and the region is famed for its giant pandas, rich culture and excellent cuisine.”

British Airways will operate Boeing 777 between London and Chengdu.

In Summer 2013, British Airways will also be increasing frequencies on services from London Heathrow to Amman, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jeddah, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Toronto.

Top 25 cities for nightlife chosen by Agoda customers

Agoda.com, Asia's leading and fastest growing online hotel reservation service, has released a list of the top 10 cities that offer the best nightlife excitement, as chosen by its customers. And with New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, these cities are perfect for a quick getaway if nothing’s been planned yet.

Since Agoda.com is used mainly to book hotels online in Asia, top 10 and top 25 is not suprisingly dominated by Asian countries. So based on feedback from over 113,000 respondents provided at the end of their stay, Agoda.com customers had the opportunity to rate the nightlife on a scale of 1-5, 1 being “poor”, and 5 being “excellent”. The top spot was taken by South East Asia's tourism hub Bangkok.  Thailand’s energetic capital known for its tuk-tuk’s, temples and street food, followed by Dubai, the gleaming desert city in the United Arab Emirates, and Boracay/Caticlan in the Philippines, famous for its white sand beaches and swaying palm trees.

Thailand placed again with Pattaya, the seaside town widely known for its raucous Walking Street and massive influx of tourists looking to blow off some steam, followed by Tokyo, Japan’s neon-lit mega-city that’s home to 13 million people. Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, was next, followed by China’s Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, the former known for its vibrant architecture and world-class food, and the latter famous for its massive casinos and Portuguese/Chinese cuisine.

Rounding out the list were Taiwan’s modern capital of Taipei, and Bali, Indonesia’s perpetually buzzing island paradise.

Check out the full list of the top 10 cities below:

1.      Bangkok
2.      Dubai
3.      Boracay / Caticlan
4.      Pattaya
5.      Tokyo
6.      Phuket
7.      Hong Kong
8.      Macau
9.      Taipei
10.    Bali

Thailand’s energetic capital Bangkok offers the best night life according to Agoda customers.

And here continues top 25:

11.    Osaka
12.    Shanghai
13.    Seoul
14.    Singapore
15.    Sydney
16.    Samui
17.    Chiang Mai
18.    London
19.    Taichung
20.    Kuala Lumpur
21.    Jakarta
22.    Manila
23.    Kaohsiung
24.    Paris
25.    Siem Reap

Malaysia among World’s Top 10 Tourism Destinations

Malaysia is listed among World’s Top 10 Tourism Destinations by international tourist arrivals of United Nations World Trade Organisation (UNWTO) Tourism Highlights 2012. It has also been the only country in South East Asia to make the top 10, scoring surprisingly better than Thailand. UNWTO ranks countries according to the two key tourism indicators – international tourist arrivals and international tourism
receipts. Although Malaysia was ranked in top 10 for international arrivals, in terms of international tourism receipts it was 14th.

The ranking did not change a lot compared to last year, except Turkey climbed one place to 6th in World’s Top Tourism Destinations List pushing UK to 7th position. World’s Top 10 Tourism Destinations By International Arrival


1 - France (79.5 million)
2 - United States (62.3 million)
3 - China (57.6 million)
4 - Spain (56.7 million)
5 - Italy (46.1 million)
6 - Turkey (29.3 million)
7 - United Kingdom (29.2 million)
8 - Germany (28.4 million)
9 - Malaysia (24.7 million)
10 - Mexico (23.4 million)

Malaysia offers something for every traveler from luxurious to budget hotels, great samples of Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisine, shopping to relaxed tropical island getaway.  The country has a high-tech infrastructure and things generally work well and more or less on schedule. And prices remain more or less reasonable.

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur

But there is one lucky factor which is inflating Malaysia tourist arrival numbers: Singapore. The residents of this small and rich island nation makes up majority of international tourist arrivals to Malaysia. For example, A total of 11,632,483 tourists visited Malaysia for the first six months of 2012 and 5,832,330 or almost 50% came from Singapore. Since Singapore is a very small city state, many residents regularly travel to Malaysia, especially to Johor for food, shopping, entertainment and sometimes holiday (some people goes there every week to fill-up the tank and are probably counted as international arrivals again and again). The arrivals to Malaysia from Singapore in first 6 months of 2012 are more than the population of Singapore!

British Airways Top 13 destinations to visit in 2013

"If 2012 was about East London, then 2013 is about the Far East – as holidaymakers seek the natural unspoilt beauty, charm and good-value that Asia has to offer", says British Airways, the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom in its announcement of top 13 destinations to visit in 2013.

“Undoubtedly consumers will continue to be driven by value-for-money next year, with routes such as Dubai, Cape Town and Bangkok already proving popular. We’re also experiencing a real growth in Asia right now and responding to demand with a number of new routes, including Seoul and Sri Lanka”, quoted Richard Tams, British Airways head of UK & I sales.

In a recent poll on the airline’s Facebook page, over 2,660 users nominated the overseas destinations they most want to visit next year. New York topped the list (22 per cent), followed by Australia (eight per cent), Hong Kong (seven per cent), Rio de Janeiro (five per cent) and Dubai (three per cent).

Compiled by a panel of experts and using company data, British Airways’ top 13 for 2013 features new destinations and popular favourites, as follows:

1. Sri Lanka
The ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, the tropical island of Sri Lanka has seen a recent boost to tourism, becoming the must-visit destination for intrepid travellers.

Ash van Wensveen, British Airways’ destination manager, said: “There’s a real buzz about Sri Lanka right now. For a small island it offers a lot, from endless beaches, to elephant treks and several UNESCO world heritage sites to visit – it’s hard to think what Sri Lanka doesn’t offer.”

British Airways launches flights to Colombo in April, starting from £721 return.

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If the afterglow of the London 2012 Games has left you longing for more, then its next host Rio is the place to visit, as it gears up to 2016 Games, the 2014 Brazil World Cup, and FIFA Confederations Cup next year. With its famous sun-kissed beaches to enjoy by day and fun parties at night, there’s a lot to love about one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Flights to Rio start from £797 return.

3. Seoul, Korea
Gangnam style may have awakened our senses to Korea, but there’s a lot more to Seoul than ‘K-pop music! Mike Rock, British Airways commercial manager Seoul, said: “There’s a lot happening in Korea right now, business is thriving and it’s a tourist destination on the up. The mega metropolis is home to some 10 million people, and is attracting a fresh new audience.”

Flights to Seoul start from £691 return.

4. Croatia
The jewel of the Adriatic ocean, Dubrovnik continues to appeal to holidaymakers from far and wide, including many high profile celebrities. 2013 will be a big year for Croatia, as the country joins the EU in July.

One-way flights to Dubrovnik start at £59.

5. Vietnam
Vietnam has become one of the most talked about destinations in recent years. Its capital Ho Chi Minh City is rapidly attracting a crowd of adventurous travellers, looking to soak up the local culture of which there’s plenty. Not mainstream enough to be a tourist trap, many compare it to Thailand twenty years ago – making now the perfect time to visit. British Airways operates flights to Hong Kong, with connecting flights to Ho
Chi Minh City using OneWorld partner Cathy Pacific, for £832 return.

British Airways Top 13 destinations to visit in 2013

6.  Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Nestled in the Spanish Caribbean Punta Cana is earning itself a reputation as a great value destination for family holidays.

Ash van Wensveen, British Airways’ destination manager, said: “People are really waking up to Punta Cana. There’s a real buzz from holidaymakers creating word of mouth on its affordability, fabulous hotels and beaches that dip into the Caribbean Sea.”

Flights to Punta Cana start from £676 return.

7.  Derry, Northern Ireland
Voted as the City of Culture for 2013, there’s never been a better time to visit Derry. Just over an hour from Belfast, it’s a great destination for a city break, especially to enjoy the many celebrations and cultural events taking place there next year.”

Flights to Belfast start at £81 one-way.

8. Las Vegas, USA
The classics never go out of fashion, and with more services to Sin City than ever before, tourists hoping to party like Prince Harry need look no further! Top-end hotels, theatrical shows, exquisite restaurants and all-night entertainment continue to draw the crowds.

Flights to Las Vegas start at £575 return.

9. Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia’s capital has enjoyed a makeover, with a number of new restaurants and hotels opening.
British Airways’ head of UK and I sales, Richard Tams, said: “With its scenic walks, charming town, vineyards and local wine and cognac to enjoy, Tbilisi is perfect for a cultural weekend away and is already attracting couples and grown up stag nights!”

Flights to Tbilisi, from £399 return.

10.  San Diego, USA
In the year that San Diego’s Ron Burgundy returns to the big screen with Anchorman 2, the city reminds us why it’s still classy. Great for golf, excellent for eating, brilliant for barhopping, California’s best kept secret is a great place to visit any time of year.

Flights to San Diego, from £677 return.

11. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town offers everything you could want from a holiday. Good food, great wine, day trips, stunning views, vineyards, beaches, sunsets and much more!

Ian Petrie, British Airways’ commercial manager South Africa, said: “Once you visit Cape Town, you’ll want to come again and again. One day you could be watching the Springboks, the next visiting vineyards. Its attractions pack a cultural punch, and its always great value for money, making it one of our most popular destinations.”

Flights to Cape Town start from £917 return.

12. Alicante
The Spanish do fiesta like no one else, and Alicante is a great city for those who prefer to fiesta than siesta! The Old Town offers dozens of bars and restaurants for after dark, and is also host to a growing number of festivals. During the day the local markets are buzzing, and sandy beaches welcoming.

Flights to Alicante start at £80 one way.

13. Dubai
Ever-popular Dubai continues to attract travellers with its Middle Eastern charm. It recently launched a ‘Hello Kitty’ spa, and boasts its own indoor ski slope.

Ash van Wensveen, British Airways destination manager, said: “Dubai has become more affordable over the past few years, yet still offers super high-end hotels and unrivalled luxury.”

Flights to Dubai from £472 return.

All fares stated are for January 2013 and available on ba.com.

Source : British Airways Press Office - Hot to Globe Trot for 2013…

Is this Delhi rapist Ram Singh on TV show Aap Ki Kachehri?

The identities of horrific Delhi rape-torture and murder case has been revealed a few days after the incident. One man named Ram Singh seems to stand out as the mastermind. Who is the alleged rapist Ram Singh? According to various reports, he is a school bus driver, according to his neighbours a dark man called "mental" and according to some media sources he is the man in the below video! Ram Singh has been in  the news way back in 2011. According to  Daily Pioneer , appeared on Kiran Bedi’s popular show Aap Ki Kachehri, Season III where he has demanded compensation for an arm he lost in a bus accident in 2009.

At the end of the show, Ram failed to get the compensation he was demanding from his employer Ganga Dutt, who has tagged him a habitual offender and a rash driver. “He was drunk and driving and injured his left arm. He now drives with one hand only,” Ram Singh’s neighbour tells you at the Ravidas Camp in RK Puram from where four of the six offenders in the bus rape case live:

“Ram Singh and his family, his neighbour adds, were infamous in the settlement as trouble-makers. Ram had earlier run away with a neighbour’s wife who was mother to three daughters. The woman died mysteriously soon afterwards and no one has heard of her daughters ever since. Another neighbour said it was surprising that a man with only one functional hand was allowed to drive a school bus.

Source :  Neighbours not surprised at what Ram Singh did

The Episode called Ram Singh vs Ganga Dutt is on YouTube and the man in the video is allegedly the rapist Ram Singh. The neighbour is quite right: If this is the rapist, despite his involvement in a serious accident and serious disability in arm, how the hell he was let to drive a school bus!

According to the uploader, Ram Singh, the bus driver, who is shown in this episode  is involved in Delhi Gang Rape and reported as the main accused

The Police says that the alleged rapist showed no remorse and their body language tells that they do not seem to think they did something wrong. This makes police to think that this may not be their first case but may be the first time they have been arrested on rape:

"An investigator said that despite the fact that they were involved in torture, they are not showing any remorse or regret. They appear to be normal, as if they have done nothing wrong. Their body language and the behavior during sustained interrogation has stunned the investigators who now suspect their involvement in other criminal activities.  “First timers never behave like this,” he added.

It is more likely that some cases may have never been reported and that had emboldened them. Investigators said the accused were insolent, behaving as if the crime has not affected them. Ram Singh, the main accused who was arrested Monday, goes about his routine unmoved by the plight of his victim, policemen said.

Police have yet to come across a case lodged against Ram Singh, but investigators say they will not be surprised if it turns out that the man has a criminal history. Ram Singh’s elder brother Rajesh was convicted in a robbery case and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail; his younger brother, Mukesh, is a co-accused in the case."
Source : Remorseless rapists acting like hardened criminals say police.html

India gang-rape victim dies in Singapore

A young Indian woman who was beaten, tortured and gang-raped by 6 animals died today in Singapore. She has been in critical condition since Christmas Day and with was flown to Singapore more than a day ago. She "passed away peacefully" with her family and officials of the Indian Embassy by her side, Dr Kevin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth hospital, said in a statement (Peacefully ?!? Are you sure about it?).

After the brutal attack, 23 years old woman suffered a brain injury, had to have both her small and large intestines removed, and was battling an infection in her lungs. She had three abdominal operations and a heart attack following the gang rape and was described as “practically dead” when she was admitted into the hospital. After 10 days at a hospital in the Indian capital of New Delhi, where the attack occurred, the victim was brought on Thursday to Singapore's Mount Elizabeth hospital. Since arrival, the woman had remained in extremely critical condition and unfortunately by late Friday her condition had taken a turn for the worse and her vital signs had deteriorated.

India is the forth most dangerous place to be born as a woman (top 5 are Afghanistan, Congo, Pakistan, India and Somalia!). In fact before birth, it is a very dangerous place to be fertilized as female in the womb where sex selective abortion is a real problem. In fact this rape culture in some man is probably an extension of not valuing the woman at all.

Addressing this cultural issue is an urgent thing to do for Indian government. But minds will not change overnight even in a generation. So until the minds change, the government should ensure that the rapist will know their lifes will be raped if they rape a woman. Both of these are missing now. According to media, after the horrific incident, the rapists (the bus driver Ram Singh, his brother Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma (an assistant gym instructor), Pawan Gupta (a fruit seller) and a so-called minor Raju) obviously had no regrets since the minor prepared tea after he and Akshay cleaned up the bus in Noida after the rape. So they even did not behave like they did something wrong. Second, they were so sure that they will get away with this murder, most of them returned to work the next morning, the two spent the rest of the night watching music channels on television.[1]

Bus driver Ram Singh, known as "mental", also shoved no remorse and was cold in custody according to the police:[2]

"The six men, who allegedly gang-raped a young girl in a moving bus here on Sunday, were apparently so confident they will not be caught that the assailants carried on with their routine chores the next day while one brought back the vehicle to his house. But luck ran out for the men within 24 hours as police, who were aided by the description provided by the victims about the vehicle, zeroed in on them and even arresting one from Rajasthan where he was in hiding.

Rapist Ram Singh told police that when the victim resisted and bit his hand while being assaulted, he lost his cool and went berserk. A drunk Singh picked up an iron rod and hit the two wherever he could. The other accused just followed him. According to the investigating team led by Inspector Anil Sharma, Singh is a cold and remorseless man. "Initially, he denied everything. But when he began to open up, he chose to divulge each detail, with no repentance. Such brutality does not affect him. He tried to destroy evidence by washing the bus with confidence and told his accomplices to not worry, and lie low for some time. He stayed calm when he went and parked the bus in RK Puram, and then took it back to the owner in Noida. The confidence he shows is not of a novice definitely," the officer said, reported TOI.[3]

Until now, Indian government handled the incident very badly. After the rape instead of rolling some official heads (which was not hard given the fact that the bus driver had previously been stopped for illegal passanger pick-up and bus passed 6 polis locations with curtains down or just because of the simple fact that someone know as "mental" and a ticking time bomb was ferrying little kids every other day), they have chosen to supress the protesters.


According to some sources, Delhi rapist Ram Singh first made news way back in 2011 when he appeared on Kiran Bedi’s popular show Aap Ki Kachehri, Season III, demanding compensation for an arm he lost in a bus accident in 2009. At the end of the show, Ram failed to get the `12 lakh compensation he was demanding from Dutt who tagged him a habitual offender and a rash driver. “He was drunk and driving and injured his left arm. He now drives with one hand only,” Ram Singh’s neighbour tells you at the Ravidas Camp in RK Puram from where four of the six offenders in the bus rape case live.[4] And this person was driving school kids every day before his rape!!!


They may at least now punish the rapists severely.

According to the media, their questioning has revealed how most of the accused had a disturbed past which turned them into remorseless human beings. So what? Millions live with disturbed pasts and mental problems on this planet and bravely face the life and they do not group rape a girl and then remove her intestines with an iron rod! Nothing, mental illness, troubled past, alcohol, drug, whatsoever should be mentioned or used as an excuse for these criminals! Their troubled past is as irrelevant to this case as their hair color!

[1] - Accused had tea, watched TV after rape
[2] - Delhi rape suspects showed no remorse: cops
[3] - Delhi gang-rape accused Ram Singh not remorseful; family says good riddance
[4] - Neighbours not surprised at what Ram Singh did

Emirates flight deals 2013

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, is offering very attractive fares for quick-acting customers to welcome 2013. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to spend more time with family and friends or visit a dream destination Emirates’ Economy Class deals, currently available for early bookers, offer something for everyone.

The special fares apply to all 128 destinations across the Emirates’ network when booked between 26th December 2012 and 10th January 2013 - for travel from 18th January to 10th June 2013.Emirates Holidays, the airline’s tour operating arm, is also offering great savings on all land arrangements including tours and excursions, hotels, transfers and car hire for bookings made during the same promotional and travel period. The Emirates Holidays offer is for travel out of Dubai to over 100 destinations.


“With our excellent on board product and a long list of exciting destinations - from Buenos Aires and San Francisco in the west to Tokyo and Auckland in the east – there are already many reasons to experience Emirates,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ Executive Vice President – Passenger Sales Worldwide. “Now, we are injecting even more value into Economy Class fares, while giving a warm welcome to 2013. We urge customers to move quickly to secure seats at the best price,” added Mr Antinori.

Economy Class fares from this region start at AED 1,530 to Europe, AED 1,850 to the Far East and AED 1,400 to Africa. Emirates’ world has grown rapidly in 2012, with the launch of 15 new destinations, bringing new countries, cultures and experiences for customers to explore.

The list of new points began with Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires on 3rd January 2012 and includes Dublin, Dallas Fort Worth, Seattle, Lusaka, Harare, Ho Chi Minh City, Barcelona, Lisbon, Erbil, Washington DC and Adelaide. Services to Lyon and Phuket started earlier this month.

Emirates, now flying under the banner of “Hello Tomorrow,” operates an impressive, fuel-efficient fleet of 193 aircraft, including the world’s largest fleet of double-decker A380s. Customers taking advantage of the special 2013 fares now have even more chance of flying on the airline’s flagship A380 with the introduction of a double daily A380 service to both New York and Paris starting from 1st January 2013.

Emirates Airbus A 380 mid-air

This follows on from an all-A380 service to London Heathrow effective 10th December 2012, the launch of the A380 to Singapore and Moscow from 1st December 2012 and A380 flights to Melbourne from 1st November 2012. In all, Emirates’ 29-strong A380 fleet reaches 21 destinations.

With more than 130 nationalities of highly-trained cabin crew, Emirates on board service is known the world over. Customers can relish the superb gourmet chef prepared on board cuisine and lose themselves in the enthralling in-flight entertainment, offering up to 1,400 channels of movies, television programmes, music and games.

Emirates also takes the worry out of doing a little shopping by offering Economy Class passengers a generous luggage allowance of 30kg. In 2013, Emirates’ ambitious expansion plans will be supported by the opening of the world’s first purpose-built A380 concourse in Dubai.

From Europe to Xi´an and Hanoi by Finair

Finnair, the flag carrier and largest airline of Finland, will be the first airline to fly to Xi´an from Europe. Finnair will begin flying to Xi´an in summer 2013, further deepening the airline’s network of Asian destinations. The airline will begin offering the service to Xi´an from its hub in Helsinki with three frequencies per week starting 14 June until the end of the summer season on 26 October 2013. The first direct connection between Xi´an and Europe is Finnair’s latest step toward its goal of doubling Asian revenue by 2020.

“I’m very excited and pleased to announce Xi´an as our fifth destination in China,” says CEO Mika Vehviläinen. “The fast-growing Chinese economy continues to fuel rapid growth in demand for air travel to and from Europe, and to open up new opportunities for Finnair. We have a history of pioneering better connections between Europe and China going back to 1988, when we began flying to Beijing. We look forward to building on that history and offering the quickest and smoothest itineraries between dozens of European destinations and Xi´an.”

Located in central-northwest China, Xi´an is a metropolis of about 8 million people and a growing centre in the development of China’s aerospace and software industries. The city is also an ancient imperial capital and an historic cradle of Chinese civilisation. The world-famous Terracotta Army, the vast collection of burial sculptures found around the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, is located about 40 km to the east of the city centre.

Earlier this year, Finnair became the first airline to directly connect Europe with Chongqing, another fast-growing inland megacity. Elsewhere in China, Finnair also flies to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. A further eight destinations round out Finnair’s Asian network: Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo.

Finair will fly to Xi'an (China) and Hanoi (Vietnam) from Helsinki in 2013.

Finnair earlier announced a new summer connection to Hanoi from 15 June, also with three frequencies per week. Finnair will open flights to Hanoi Vietnam in summer 2013, continuing the airline’s strategic focus on traffic between Asia and Europe. Subject to regulatory approvals, Finnair will become the only European airline to offer a direct connection from Europe to the dynamic capital of Vietnam with a population of 6.5 million.

Finnair earlier announced a new summer connection to Hanoi from 15 June, also with three frequencies per week. Starting on June 14, Finnair will begin service to Hanoi from its hub in Helsinki with three frequencies per week. From Helsinki, Finnair offers connections to more than 60 European destinations. The Hanoi route will be operated during the summer schedule season, which lasts until Oct 27. Finnair is represented in Vietnam by its partner East Sea Travel & Air Service Group.

Finnair will operate to Hanoi with A330 aircraft. The flight time is 10 hrs 10 min from Helsinki to Hanoi and 10 hrs 55 minutes from Hanoi to Helsinki. Finnair does not add its capacity with this route, but will make small adjustments to summer schedules as we start operating the three weekly flights to Hanoi.

Chinese New Year 2013 Room and Dining Packages from Fullerton Hotels

Between 1 to 17 February 2013, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore offers luxurious Lunar New Year room packages. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore's Chinese New Year room package starts from S$338 (applicable for single or double occupancy) per night for a Courtyard Room which includes complimentary American Buffet Breakfast for 2 persons at Town Restaurant, complimentary Internet connectivity and a dining credit of $30 nett per stay to enjoy Jade restaurant’s Lunar New Year culinary offerings. You can call call (65) 6222 8088 or email reservations@fullertonhotel.com for reservations and enquires.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore's Chinese New Year room package starts at S$408 (applicable for single or double occupancy) per night for a Deluxe Room. You can take pleasure in the hotel’s stylish surrounds and your own private balcony along with a sumptuous Breakfast for 2 persons at Clifford restaurant, complimentary Internet connectivity and a dining credit of $30nett per stay which is valid for use at Jade restaurant.  Call (65) 6533 8388 or email reservations@fullertonbayhotel.com for reservations and enquires.

See this article for other Chinese New Year 2013 Hotel Packages.

For Chinese New Year 2013, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s elegant Jade Restaurant offers CULINARY FEASTS AT JADE between 18 January to 24 February 2013:

"The Lunar New Year celebration is only complete with traditional delights and auspicious symbolism Indulge family, friends, business partners and colleagues with a hearty meal to welcome the Year of the Snake at Jade restaurant as our award-winning Chef Leong Chee Yeng presents authentic and nostalgic flavours in his new as well as signature creations. His new dishes reveal flavours that are rooted in Chinese tradition while at the same time, healthy and creatively presented. They include Individual Fortune Treasure Pot, Poached Pork and Seaweed Dumplings with Spicy Vinaigrette and Red Bean Wrapped in Peanut Wheatgrass Glutinous Rice Roll Accompanied with Oven-baked Nian Gao Tart.  His well-loved  Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng with Champagne Jelly  and  Eight Treasures Pen Cai will return to feature on the menu. Sumptuous reunion set menus which consist of a variety of these dishes are priced from S$68* per person.[1]

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (Fullerton Hotel Singapore can be seen on the upper left side)

Jade restaurant’s a la carte highlights include: 

-  Individual Fortune Treasure Pot

The thoughtful culinary team from Jade restaurant understands that small families and couples love the sumptuous and lavish ingredients in the traditional Pen Cai. As the dish usually caters to a minimum of 6 persons, Jade restaurant is specially introducing a petit Pen Cai,  Individual Fortune Treasure Pot, this year. This fortune pot features 8 precious ingredients including Abalone, Dried Scallop, Fish  Maw, Sea Cucumber, Fish Maw, Dried Oyster, Black Moss and Flower Mushroom – all braised to perfection in quality stock. Priced at S$88* per person.

-  Poached Pork and Seaweed Dumpling with Spicy Vinaigrette

Dating back more than 1,800 years, the Chinese dumpling is historically one of the most important Lunar New Year dishes. Resembling the gold or silver ingot, it is believed that the more dumplings one eats during the spring festival, the more fortune it will bring. Jade restaurant’s dumplings feature seaweed which is healthy and nutritious. Priced at S$16* for 8 pieces and S$38* for 20 pieces.

-  Braised Shredded Eel with Chinese Wine in Superior Chicken Broth

In honor of the Year of the Snake, Chef Leong introduces a comforting tonic soup with eel in a superior chicken broth which is boiled for over 8 hours and served with a dash of Chinese wine. Priced at S$28* per person.


-  Red Snapper in Two Ways – Sautéed in Spring Onion Ginger Sauce and Sautéed in Spicy Pumpkin Puree

What would a Chinese New Year meal be without the symbolic fish which represents ‘abundance’ or ‘surplus’? Beautifully presented for the reunion dinner, the Red Snapper is deep-fried with the head and tail intact with the fillet crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. One portion is coated with a classic homemade spring onion and ginger sauce and the other with sweet pumpkin puree that has a hint of spiciness from freshly grounded peppercorns. Priced at S$10* per 100 gram.


-  Red Bean Wrapped in Peanut Wheatgrass Glutinous Rice Roll Accompanied with Oven-baked Nian Gao Tart

Chef Leong has specially created a combination of sweet treats that will not only delight the little ones but people of all ages. His glutinous rice rolls that are made of wheatgrass and filled with red bean paste and crunchy peanuts resemble spring rolls which symbolize wealth. Chef Leong also presents the traditional Nian Gao in a delicate pastry tart which can be eaten in one bite. They are freshly-baked daily and have a well-balanced sweetness. Priced at $8* per portion for dine-in only, also available in a box of 8 Nian Gao Tarts at S$28+.

-  Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng

A Jade restaurant signature, Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng is a delectable creation with salmon, homemade Champagne Jelly which features edible gold leaves, olive oil and apple plum dressing. The shimmering Champagne Jelly symbolizes wealth and prosperity, accentuates the Yu Sheng aesthetically, and provides a delightful bite. Unique to Jade, the Gold Leafed bubbly Champagne Jelly Yu Sheng will heighten the celebratory mood with a touch of luxury. In addition, guests will relish the thrill of searching for the glittering Champagne Jelly after tossing the Yu Sheng. Available in small, medium and large servings priced at S$48*, S$78* and S$118* respectively; available for takeaway as well.

-  Eight Treasures Pen Cai

Another signature and lavish dish of Jade restaurant, the Eight Treasures Pen Cai is packed with 19 precious ingredients including succulent Six Head Whole Abalones, Fish Maw, Premium Sea Cucumbers, Dried Scallops, Pork Trotters, Dried Oysters, Black Moss, Flower Mushroom, Chicken Wing stuffed with Chinese Ham, Roasted Duck, Prawns, Fish Roll (Red Garoupa meat delicately handmade into the shape of  an adorable miniature fish), Goose Web, Yam, Lotus Root, Chinese Cabbage, Carrot, Leek and Chestnuts with quality stock in a casserole pot. Priced at S$788* for 6 persons or S$1,288* for 10 persons; orders a day in advance are needed and available for takeaway as well.

For dining enquiries or reservations, please call (65) 6877 8188 or email jade@fullertonhotel.com.

[1] - USHER IN SPRING WITH TRADITIONAL LUNAR NEW YEAR DELIGHTS AND A REJUVENATING STAY AT THE FULLERTON HOTEL SINGAPORE

Orchard Cineleisure attack

Update: Less than a year after this incident, another Cineleisure slashing occured in June 2013 where an NSF man in his 20s was badly injured.

Update: Two men have been arrested for the attack that took place outside Orchard Cineleisure. After their identities were established, Singapore Police have arrested the men, aged 22 and 23, on Saturday and Sunday during a series of raids. The Police is still investigating if there are others involved in the assault.

It is believed no weapon was used and that the incident was not gang-related.

Thursday night, a man in his 20s was attacked near Orchard Cineleisure's main entrance on Grange Road. The incident took place just outside the mall's 7-Eleven convenience store. The man, who has head injuries, was admitted to Singapore General Hospital and he is in the intensive care unit.

According to a netizen who has witnessed the attack and written on Stomp, the man was attacked by four "well built and heavily tattooed" youths, one of whom was armed with a knife.

"The guy was limp on the ground," said Miss Brenda Ng, 19, who witnessed the incident. "He looked like he was barely breathing. His friend came running dramatically and tried to keep him awake. The friend was shouting something in Malay." It is believed that the youth had been attacked by four others, who were described as being 'well built and heavily tattooed', and one of whom witnesses claimed had a knife. [1]

A witness wrote on yahoo sg: "I was there it was terrible the guy stable the young and skinny guy on the floor
It too terrible, and after he hitter the guy he just walked away like nothing happen,..."[2]

Slashing and attacks among youths are rare in Singapore but they still occur. Back in 2010 in an incident known as 2010 Downtown East slashing, a violent clash between gang members claimed the life of a 19-year-old polytechnic student named Darren Ng.

Orchard Cineleisure attack

[1] - Cineleisure attack
[2] - A man was injured in an attack at Orchard Cineleisure on Thursday evening.

Santa having his Marilyn Monroe movie moments

After we have met China’s Next Top Model, an old dude who modelled with a a wide range of women’s clothing styles for his granddaughter's online-shop, now we have this: Santa made a brief but memorable appearance at a shopping mall in China to show everyone his new and unfortunate outfit.

The 2.5 m statue depicts Santa reenacting a very famous Marilyn Monroe movie moments from Seven Year Itch where Marilyn's dress blows up as she walks over a subway grate. In front of Dongguan Nan international city mall, a Marilyn Monroe version of Santa Claus has attracted many passers-by. Santa depicted with wind up dresses, exposing white thighs and Blue color small underpants.

The most embarrassing Santa ever! But at least we now know that he is not that fat but his outfit shows him fat.

Chinese have created the most embrassing Santa statue ever.
Source - http://www.lkwww.net

Singapore staycation deals 2013

UPDATE : This post is old. For an updated Singapore staycation promotion post, please go to our Singapore staycation deals 2017 post.

Are you looking for Singapore staycation 2013 deals? Many Singapore hotels offer staycation packages which provides getaway from your typical Singapore without even leaving Singapore. Yes hotel rates are much expensive compared to hotel rates of South East Asian tourist hubs and Singapore does not offer beaches to sunbath or crystal clear waters to swim. But staycation can say a lot of money on travel, especially for families, which may make a staycation in a 5-star Singapore hotel cheaper than traveling to another country and staying in a 3-star hotel. Besides many high end Singapore hotels offer great facilities such as large swimming pools, and activities which will fill in your days in staycation. Many hotels are also in lush green environments which will make you forget that you are still in Singapore.

Here we will list some of the staycation deals in Singapore which are valid until dates in 2013. Staycation in Singapore is becoming increasingly popular so expect more attractive packages in 2013.

Resorts World Sentosa 3D2N Staycation - With 8 price options among 4 different RWS hotels (Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Equarius Hotel) and 65% discount, this is the staycation deal of the year. It comes with 3D2N 5-Star Sentosa hotel stay, 2 adult tickets to S.E.A. Aquarium and 2 adult tickets to Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Resorts World Sentosa 3D2N Staycation 65% OFF

2D1N Staycation at Le Peranakan Hotel for 2 - It is rather amusing how people stinge on daily living to pay for that vacation overseas when some have not even fully experienced certain locations in Singapore itself. A cheaper alternative for a staycation with friends or the special someone could come true with a 2D1N stay at Le Peranakan Hotel. This is a Boutique hotel housed in a row of conserved shop houses and uniquely furnished in the Straits Chinese style. Surrounded by sumptuous dining places and located near the East Coast Beach, whatever the reason for a getaway; romance or rest could be easily fulfilled with this DEAL!

Only $79 nett for 2 instead of $130.

2D1N Staycation at Le Peranakan Hotel for 2

Weekend Getaways Grand Park City Hall - Centrally located 5-Star hotel Grand Park City Hall offers weekend getaway promotion for a relaxing weekend stay. From SGD 243++ (Superior Room) the staycation promotion comes with complimentary buffet breakfast, late check-out till 3pm (subject to availability), complimentary upgrade to Deluxe Room when you book Superior Room (subject to room availability), complimentary upgrade to Crystal Club Superior Room when you book Deluxe Room (subject to room availability), 20% off a la carte menu at Spa Park Asia, 20% off F&B purchases and complimentary extra-bed arrangement for child below 12 years old (subject to availability).

Pan Pacific Staycation Package - Valid until 30 Dec 2013, Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore offers a 5-star staycation in their deluxe room starting from $$318 per room per night or in City Suite starting from S$378 per room per night (single or double occupancy). This Singapore staycation package includes breakfast at Edge for two, complimentary Internet access, two complimentary parking coupons daily, S$40 hotel credit (excluding in room dining, Rang Mahal, Mink and Royal Room) and complimentary late check out until 3:00 pm. A third person charge will be at additional S$40 per room per night.

M Hotel Singapore Weekends Away Promotion - M Hotel Singapore offers Weekends Away in its Premier Loft and Studio Loft rooms with with breakfast and wifi. Simply go to Agoda.com page of the hotel and extend the available room types (press Show more room types) to access the deal.

If you spend 19 May (Sun) 2013 $380 on a minimum of 3 same-day accumulated receipts in Orchard Road, you can have a chance to Win a Staycation at W Singapore at Sentosa Cove. First prize will be a 3D2N Stay including breakfast for two at W Hotel Marvelous Suite (worth $2580) and 2nd Prize will be a 3D2N Stay including breakfast for two at W Hotel Wonderful room (worth $980 each) X 3 winners. For details see Win a Staycation at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.

20% OFF Qool Weekend - 108-room all-inclusive boutique Quincy Hotel is located at the prime Orchard district of Singapore (near Far East Plaza). Valid till 31 March 2013, Quincy Hotel a weekend staycation package named 20% OFF Qool Weekend for locals (Singapore Residents, Singapore PR or Foreigners residing in Singapore). From just S$286.40++ (UP: S$358++) you can stay one night at The Quincy Hotel Studio Room with three complimentary Meals (buffet breakfast, set lunch & dinner for two), complimentary internet access, wired and wireless, complimentary evening cocktails, complimentary mini bar and one complimentary bottle of red wine. Late check-out till 3 pm subject to availability.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel Staycation Package - Put away your passports and bring the kids for free to Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Marina Bay Sands staycation package is for 2 adults and 2 children and includes 1-night stay in The Club Room, Grand Club Room or Orchid Suite, giant cookies, one Sampan Ride, one hour at the Skating Rink, S$50 destination credit to spend at select outlets and complimentary valet parking.

Special Weekend Deal by RiverView Hotel Singapore - The Hotel Weekend Singapore Promotion by RiverView Hotel offers a perfect weekend staycation and relaxation on Singapore riverside. The hotel is in a very nice location in Singapore and offers great shopping and dining options at the nearby Great World City Shopping Mall, Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay and Chinatown, and within 5 to 10 minutes’ bus and car ride to the popular Orchard Road shopping belt, a hotel weekend stay in our riverside hotel will never be short of fun and excitement.

Weekend Deal also includes:

• Free car parking in hotel (subject to availability, first-come-first-serve basis)
• Free usage of gymnasium and swimming pool
• Free coffee/tea-making facilities
• Free shuttle bus service to Orchard Road and Chinatown

Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore Time to Getaway Weekend Staycation Package - Valid January 1 through 31, 2013 and March 1 through 31, 2013 and starting at SGD $480 per night Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore offers weekend stay-cations tailored to guests’ needs and schedules at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore with check-in times that guests can personally choose.

Peninsula Excelsior Hotel Singapore Staycation Room Package - Peninsula Excelsior Hotel Singapore has a staycation room package valid from 10 October 2012 to 28 February 2013. Package starts from $180.00++ for weekends and $235.00++ for weekdays and includes breakfast, free Wi-Fi internet access,
20% discount at our F&B outlets, 20% discount at Urban Spa and late check-out at 3.00pm (subject to availability)

Swissotel Merchant Court Weekend City Staycation / Endless Weekends - Available on agoda, Swissotel Merchant Court offers a weekend City Staycation to relax and rejuvenate in its luxury premises.Also available year around, Swissotel Merchant Court offers a weekend getaway to relax and rejuvenate in its luxury premises. The Endless Weekend package comes with breakfast, late check-out (available until 14.00) and complimentary use of the swimming pool and 24-hour gymnasium. There is also a 20% discount on total food bill when you dine in at any of their food and beverage outlets.

Fullerton Hotel Weekend Escape - Valid for check-in on all days of the week till 30 December 2013 (date inclusive), for single or double occupancy, Fullerton Hotel Weekend Escape comes with daily American buffet breakfast for two persons at Town Restaurant, dining credit of S$88 nett per night, complimentary Internet connectivity and complimentary late check-out at 3 pm (subject to availability).

Fullerton Bay Hotel Weekend Pleasures - Valid for check-in on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only till 30 December 2013, luxurious Fullerton Bay Hotel offers Weekend Pleasures deal in a Deluxe Room and includes breakfast for two persons at Clifford restaurant or in-room, choice of room upgrade or Afternoon Tea for two persons at The Landing Point per stay and complimentary Internet connectivity.

Hotel Fort Canning Weekend Room Deal - Surrounded by the greenery of Fort Canning Park, the luxurious Hotel Fort Canning will make you forget that you are still in Singapore. Their Weekend Room Deal weekend staycation package price starts from $245++ (usual price $370++) per night for single and double occupancy in Deluxe Room. The deal is valid until 12 pm on 1 February 2013!

Carlton Hotel Singapore Exclusive Weekend Deal - Starting from $195++, Carlton Hotel offers you a well-deserved weekend break without having to leave the city and have all the time in the world to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. Exclusive Weekend Deal at Carlton includes complimentary breakfast and internet access, complimentary usage of gym and swimming pool and a complimentary yoga class (available only on Saturdays from 8 am to 9 am). An extra bed can be added to the deal at $100++.

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore Rejoice In The New Year Promotion - Available from 3 Jan 2013 to 31 Jan 2013, luxurious Shangri-La Hotel Singapore offers "Rejoice In The New Year" promotion. Starting from SGD 500 per night and with minimum of a two-night stay, you can enjoy the luxurious environment in the contemporary Tower Wing, tropical Garden Wing or ultimate sanctuary Valley Wing. The package includes:

• Complimentary breakfast at The Line, Waterfall Cafe and Summit Room for guests of Tower Wing, Garden Wing and Valley Wing respectively,
• Evening cocktails from 5pm to 7pm in the Garden Wing Lounge for Garden Wing guests
• Complimentary champagne and cocktails at the Valley Wing Champagne Bar for Valley Wing guests SGD 200 Food and Beverage credit per stay
• SGD 200 CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La credit per stay
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and broadband Internet access
• Complimentary welcome amenities
• Complimentary scheduled shuttle bus services to Orchard Road
• Complimentary use of the pool, pitch-and-putt golf course and Health Club facilities

JCube ice skating: The Rink

Ice skating in Singapore is not something you would think of something to do in this tropic country but there is a large olympic-size ice scating facility you can use to escape the never ending hot weather. Rink @ JCube, the first and only Olympic-size ice rink in Singapore, is in a malle named JCube which is located at the western part of Singapore. The Rink offers a 460 seat gallery and Singapore’s only rink-side dining experience.

Where is The Rink?
Rink @ JCube is at 2 Jurong East Central 1, which is walking distance away from Jurong MRT Station.

Prices

Admission to the ice skate rink is 21.50 SGD per 2-hour session per adult with rental skalte boots, gloves and socks. The different prices are listed below.

Rink @ JCube

Public Skating (Per 2-hour session)	Adult	Child
With rental skate boots, gloves & socks	$21.50	$19.50
Without rental skate boots, gloves & socks	$14.00	$12.00
Admission to Viewing Gallery	$3.50	$3.50
Admission to Viewing Gallery	$3.50	$3.50
Skate Rental Gloves Socks Penguin Skating Aid Rental	$3.50 per pair for 2-hour $2.00 per pair $2.00 per pair $10.00 for 2-hour

You can also learn ice skating in Rink@JCube. 5 lessons of Learn-to-Skate Class is $171.20 and introductory walk-in lesson is for $25. Advance Learn-to-Skate Class is $214.

Cool hotel deals in Asia's cooler regions

Would you like to give a break from Asia’s often warm and humid winter weather and take a getaway to Asia's cooler regions? Then the cool hotel deals in some of Asia's most temperate regions announced by Agoda.com, Asia's leading and fastest growing online hotel reservation service, may be just for you.

No matter if it’s someone who lives in any number of Asia’s steamy capitals, or one of the many visitors from colder regions who aren’t quite ready for the jump in temperature and humidity, spending time in Asia can be a wearying experience. Excursions in low-lying areas, capital cities, islands or beaches can often be an exercise in endurance, as even during the Asian “winter” temperatures can hit 30 Celsius or more.

But there is a way to take a break from the sweltering environment – leave the sweaty markets and concrete jungles behind and escape to destinations that enjoy cooler, more comfortable temperatures.

After all, Asia is home to some of the world’s most imposing mountain ranges – from the Himalayas in Bhutan and Northern Myanmar to Indonesia’s giant Sudirman peaks to the lush, jagged heights of the Hoang Lien Son range in Vietnam, and many of them are dotted with relaxing, scenic towns and villages.

Cameron Highlands

Thanks to the dramatic geography, anyone staying in these areas will wake up to misty valleys and cool mountain air, with temperatures averaging 15-25 degrees Celsius. Most mountain destinations offer a wide variety of activities on top of visiting local tourist spots, including bird watching, trekking, biking, rock climbing, or simply just strolling around the town checking out markets and making friends with locals.

The Agoda.com specials on the hotels below make a trip to one of Asia’s many mountainous regions an especially easy decision to make. A short stay in any of the towns listed below will be welcome relief to those who live in Asia, and make the temperature difference between home and that island paradise with white sand and blue water a bit easier to take for high-season visitors.

Sapa, Vietnam Hotel deals

Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa - 4-star
Stay at least 2 nights and enjoy a 30% discount. Expires 28 February, 2013

Sapa View Hotel - 3.5-star
Enjoy a 10% discount on your stay. Expires 28 February, 2013

Chiang Rai, Thailand Hotel deals

Laluna Hotel and Resort 4-star
Enjoy 50% off your stay. Expires 31 October, 2013.

Phowadol Resort & Spa 4-star
Stay a minimum of 2 nights, enjoy a 16% discount on your stay. Expires 28 February, 2013

Luang Prabang, Laos Hotel deals

Villa Maly 4-star
Enjoy a 50% discount on your stay. Expires 31 January, 2013

Sala Xangkeo Hotel 3-star
Enjoy a 25% discount on your stay. Expires 28 February, 2013.

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia Hotel deals

Equatorial Cameron Highlands 4-star
Enjoy 10% off a stay of 2 nights. Valid between 2 January 2013 – 30 March 2013.

The Lakehouse 4-star
Early bird special! Enjoy 10% off your stay when you book 14 days in advance. Expires 31 December 2013.

Puncak, Indonesia Hotel deals

Novus Puncak Resort & Spa 4-star
Enjoy Agoda.com’s Best Price Guarantee.

Palace Hotel 3-star
Enjoy Agoda.com’s Best Price Guarantee.

ZUJI presents twelve great holiday deals to celebrate twelve days of Christmas

Online Travel Agent for cheap flights, hotels & holidays, Zuji, presents twelve great holiday deals to celebrate twelve days of Christmas! Receive up to $300 cashback and 15 percent coupon code discounts. Valid until 5 January 2013, and starting with these four holiday deals below for grabs immediately from 24 Dec 2012. You can get into the holiday mood now :)

Holiday Deal #1 : 15% off all hotels worldwide.

Holiday Deal #2 : Sydney & Melbourne $200 discount off + get $100 hotel promotion code for every Sydney and Melbourne flight booking.

Holiday Deal #3: Seoul $200 discount off + get $100 hotel promotion code for every Seoul flight booking.

Holiday Deal #4: Shanghai $150 discount off + get $100 hotel promotion code for every Shanghai flight booking.

8 more Zuji Christmas Holiday gifts to be unvailed. Check the link below.

 

Twelve travel holiday gifts from ZUJI. Receive 

up to $300 cashback and coupon code 

for extra 15 percent off hotels. Ends 5-Jan.

Zuji is the sister site of Travelocity,  sixth-largest travel agency in the United States and the second-largest online travel agency, in Asia.

Osaka Hotel offers natural hot spring water in all rooms

3-Star Hanshin Hotel in Osaka Japan (located across the street from Fukushima Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line) may look like your ordinary Japanese business hotel at first sight. Hanshin Hotel is a Western-style Japanese hotel. It is not designed to cater to tourists but to business travelers. But the hotel offers one speciality which will be also very interesting for tourists: all 289 rooms in the building are equipped with exclusive hot spring bath, a bath running natural hot spring water! Yes, in Hanshin Hotel, you can have a nature hot spring bath in your room with a fog free mirror!

When you open the tab in the bathroom of this hotel, your typical white porcelain bathtub will be filled with sulfur-colored water. No need to call the reception, the water according to the hotel management is "pure natural hot spring water with low tonicity and low alkaline levels". Just enjoy your night of personal relaxation.

According to Rocket News 24, the water is perfect and you can find yourself taking several baths in the same day :)

exclusive hot spring bath in Hanshin Hotel
Photo - Rocket News 24

Hanshin Hotel is in Fukushima, one stop, 10 minutes walk, from the JR station in Umeda - at the heart of Osaka. Room prices are from upwards from ¥17,325 per night for a single and ¥20,790 per night for a double room.

Motorcyclist hits woman at crossing video

Last Saturday, a motorcyclist beats the red light and hits a woman which is caught on video. The video clip of the incident went viral in Singapore since it was uploaded on internet. Luckily the woman, who is in her late 40s, did not die and is recovering at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.  The incident occurred at the junction between Woodlands Avenue 6 and Avenue 7, near Admiralty MRT station.

A video clip of the pre-dawn accident that happened at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 6 and 7 showed a rider beating a red light and hitting her, flinging her some distance. The motorcyclist later returned to the scene.The motorcyclist was arrested by police for riding dangerously and investigations are ongoing. Source : TodayOnline

Below, you can watch the video of the motorcyclist beating the red light and hitting the woman. A Stomp contributor, Thunderbird sent in the video. He has published it with the following comments:

"Trust that green man no more! "Make sure that ALL vehicles stop FULLY before crossing the road. Be safe. "Please help to alert local authorities."
See Shocking video shows biker ram pedestrian at red light then speed off.

The video is dated Dec 22, 2012 and the incident apparently happened at 6.05am. The woman, Mrs Ang, 46, is badly injured and is left with broken ribs, a fractured hip and a punctured bladder. The motorcycle that hit Mrs Ang is a black Suzuki GSX-R 1000 sports bike with a Singapore licence plate. Its 20 years old driver is arrested for dangerous driving.

Biker slams into pedestrian at crossing (Singapore)

Sori’s Nude Photos Leaked

On December 21st, 2 nude photos of Korean pop singer Sori (소리) lying down on the bed with no top on were revealed on an online community portal site. The photos are allegedly taken from her cell phone, which she lost 2-3 weeks ago.

Initially Singer Sori’s agency has began to take action against the individual who leaked nude photos of the singer:

Sori’s agency announced, “It’s sad and distressing that such an event happened at a supposed happy time of the year. Through internet investigtion, we found out that the pictures were taken from a phone that has been reported missing for about 2 to 3 weeks. We are currently finding out the IP to find the location of the computer the photos were uploaded with. We will take further action when we find it.”
Source : Sori’s Agency To Take Action against Leaker of Nude Photos

It is later reported that the person who first released the nude photos of Sori has been caught:


On December 24, a representative from her company stated, “The original circulator contacted the company first this past Saturday night. We met the person (gender not specified) and the parents and received her lost phone along with a written apology of the leak.”

The same individual continued, “After finding out the person who leaked her private pictures is an underage student and has sincerely apologized, she is not planning to take further legal action.”
Source : Perpetrator who released Sori’s naked photos has been caught


Kim Sori, known with her stage name Sori, is a Korean pop singer represented by JS Prime Entertainment. She is known for her lead role in the popular musical "Ballerina Who Loved A B-boy" and has since become a solo singer after being rejected to be in the girl group Jewelry in 2006.

Sori nude photos leaked from her cellphone which she has lost a few weeks ago.

Jetstar Jolly January Sale Promotion

Jetstar has a promotional offer for you to start 2013 with a holiday. Valid until December 28th 2012, unless sold out prior, you can enjoy very cheap fares for flights in January 2013 under Jolly January Sale promotion. They have got some great cheap flights from Singapore to some great destinations on sale now.

Below is just a selection of destinations on sale. You can check out all the sale fares here. Sale fare prices quoted below are all one way Economy Starter fares and in Singapore dollars.

Routes on Sales under Jetstar Jolly January Sale Promotion
From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur - $28
From Singapore to Phnom Penh - $58
From Singapore to Bali - $78
From Singapore to Manila - $78
From Singapore to Taipei - $148
From Singapore to Beijing - $168

Jetstar Economy Starter fares come carry on baggage only. You can choose between 15kg to 40kg checked baggage for an additional $15-$80 per passenger, per flight. Seats are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or days.

Travel Dates

Economy Travel Dates:
Singapore - Kuala Lumpur: 8 Jan - 31 Jan 2013
Singapore - Phnom Penh: 9 Jan - 31 Jan 2013
Singapore - Bali: 8 Jan - 31 Jan 2013
Singapore - Manila: 8 Jan - 31 Jan 2013
Singapore - Taipei: 9 Jan - 31 Jan 2013
Singapore - Beijing: 8 Jan - 25 Jan 2013


Jetstar Asia is an Australian low-cost airline with sister companies Jetstar Asia Airways and Valuair in Singapore, Jetstar Pacific Airlines in Vietnam and new upcoming carriers in Asia Jetstar Japan and Jetstar Hong Kong.