Ashley Madison in Singapore

Ashley Madison,  a dating site for people already in relationship, has recently announced its plans for a launch in Singapore in 2014. The Canada-based website (whose slogan is "Life is short. Have an affair.") is already in Asia with launches in Japan and Hong Kong.

The reaction for plans, which may well be publicity stunt because it seems like nobody in Singapore knew its existence until the news broke, were naturally negative. Many people would be cheerful indeed but they will naturally not celebrate the news openly.

The news created buzz on the net and on Wednesday "Ashley Madison" was the most searched term in Google Singapore with 10,000+ searches. Today, Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing has posted his opinion on the dating site on Facebook:

Saw media reports on Ashley Madison, a dating website targeting married spouses, which has plans to launch in Singapore next year. 

I do not welcome such a website into Singapore. I’m against any company or website that harms marriage. Promoting infidelity undermines trust and commitment between a husband and wife, which are core to marriage. Our marriage vows make it clear that marriage is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. This includes staying faithful to one another.  

I’m heartened by the responses of many Singaporeans who also spoke up against such website. This reflects the significance we all place in commitment and fidelity in marriage. 

Previously a Singapore based Facebook group called "Block Ashley Madison - Singapore" was formed which has gathered 11,300 likes up to now. Trish McDermott, a consultant who helped found Match.com, accused Ashley Madison of being a "business built on the back of broken hearts, ruined marriages and damaged families". Biderman responded by stating that the site is "just a platform" and a website or a commercial will not convince anyone to commit adultery.

Ashley Madison slogan : "Life is short. Have an affair."

By the way, if you wonder who Ashley Madison is, the answer is no one. The name was created from two popular female baby names "Ashley" and "Madison".

iPad Air in Singapore

Apple has announced its new iPad line of tablets. iPad Air, the 5th generation of iPad, will be equipped with new A7 processor and is just 450 gram. iPad Mini Retina Display, 2nd generation of iPad Mini, will be equipped with A7 processor and retina display.

iPad Air release date in Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan is November 1st 2013. Although Apple kept iPad as a pretty expensive tablet, expect long lines of queues for the new device and an overwhelming demand.

iPad Air Specifications and Prices
240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm iPad Air will weight just 469 grams and come in silver, space gray and aluminum colors. 9.7 inch and 2,048 x 1,536 pixels screen will hide a 64-bit A7 processor behind and a battery powering the device for 10 hours on Wi-Fi. iPad Air still comes with 5 megapixels camera.

iPad Air prices for only Wi-Fi version are US $499 for 16 GB, US $599 for 32 GB, US $699 for 64 GB and US $799 for 128 GB models. For Wi-Fi plus cellular iPad Air prices are US $629 for 16 GB US $729 for 32 GB, US $829 for 64 GB and US $929 for 128 GB models.

iPad Mini Retina Display Specifications and Prices
200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm iPad Mini Retina Display will weight just 331 grams and come in silver, space gray and aluminum colors. 7.9 inch and 2,048 x 1,536 pixels screen will hide a 64-bit A7 processor behind and a battery powering the device for 10 hours on Wi-Fi. iPad Mini 2 comes with 5 megapixels camera.

iPad Mini 2 prices for only Wi-Fi version are US $399 for 16 GB, US $499 for 32 GB, US $599 for 64 GB and US $699 for 128 GB models. For Wi-Fi plus cellular iPad Air prices are US $529 for 16 GB US $629 for 32 GB, US $729 for 64 GB and US $829 for 128 GB models.

Sentosa Hotels

Singapore's Sentosa Island is the most expensive island in South East Asia to stay according to TripAdvisor’s TripIndex Island Sun 2013. According to findings, a one-night stay in a four-star hotel, a two-course meal, beers, massage as well as rental of bicycles and snorkel equipment for two on Sentosa will cost US$856. Hotel rates make up the lion’s share of the TripIndex basket items.

On the other hand, if you can afford, Sentosa Island offers some very nice and quiet resort island stay options which is also very near to Singapore's busy central business district.

Resort World Sentosa Hotel
Resort World Sentosa is a large casino sugar-coated with attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Water Park and SEA Aquarium. The "integrated resort" also offers high end 5-Star hotels inside.  Festive Hotel is perfect for family with young kids. Hard Rock Hotel has fantastic facilities with a very large pool. Equarius Hotel is scenic, tranquil and a wonderful place to stay. And Resorts World Sentosa Beach Villas offers beach-front villas without a beach on Sentosa Island. The facilities also have Ocean Suites which has floor-to-ceiling glass wall to view SEA Aquarium.

Other Luxuries
Capella Singapore Hotel offers great romantic stay amid lush tropic vegetation which will make you forget that you are actually right next to one of the most densely populated city centers on the planet. W Singapore - Sentosa Cove is one of the newest additions to Sentosa Hotels and introduces the famous 5-star "wow" factor of W-Hotels to Singapore.

Capella Singapore Hotel on Sentosa Island

Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is for guests who wants a clean nice beach in addition to 5-Star facilities.

Other Sentosa hotels are Moevenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa, ONE15 Marina Club, Amara Sanctuary Resort, Siloso Beach Resort Sentosa and The Sentosa Resort and Spa. 

Qatar Airways Promotion : Buy one Business Class ticket and get the second one free

Qatar Airways is celebrating its 10 years of service in Singapore by flights to Europe starting from 1010 SGD and several special deals. With Buy one Business Class ticket and get the second one free promotion, your joy of flying Qatar Airways Business Class just doubled. Fly between 10th October 2013 and 31st March 2014 and your companion flies with you for free.

The sales period for the promotion is 6th November 2013 and the offer is valid for travels from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait,  Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, and Yemen.

The passengers must travel together to enjoy the deal and the final destination should not be Doha, Qatar Airway's hub and center.

Qatar Airways, partnering with American Express also offers exclusive savings on flights out of Singapore for American Express Card members.

Qatar Airways Promotion : Buy one Business Class ticket and get the second one free

For more promotions and latest fares and deals visit Qatar Airways deals from Singapore. Qatar Airways was recently voted as “Best Middle Eastern Airline” at the TTG Asia Travel Awards held in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, 3rd October.

Cruise to Boracay Island by SuperStar Aquarius

On 4 November 2013, Star Cruises' cruise ship SuperStar Aquarius will cruise to Boracay, one of the best islands on the planet earth. She will cruise from Kaohsiung (Taiwan) to Hong Kong and then Manila before arriving to Boracay.

Boracay offers white sandy beaches which are among the best of the world, plenty of swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and water sports activities as well as very nice hotels and a colorful night life. In this unique cruise excursion to Boracay, Star Cruises offers a Boracay Land Tour visiting Mount Luho D’ Talipapa seafood market (from where you can buy fresh sea food and go to a restaurant to make it cooked for you) and a visit to D’ Mall, the largest shopping center in the area. The cruise also offers an Island Hopping Tour visiting Crocodile Island and Crystal Cove and A Leisure Day at Shangri-la Boracay Resort & Spa One of the first deluxe resorts to open on the island. This last tour package includes access to resort facilities (beach & pool), round-trip speedboat transfers between Cagban Jetty and Shangri-la Resort, 2-hour international barbecue buffet lunch at beach area from 12:00 Noon to 2 P.M.

After Boracay Island stopover, SuperStar Aquarius will end its journey in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia on 6 November, 2013. SuperStar Aquarius is currently home ported in Keelung Taiwan, will embark on a this 8D7N special cruise. Cruising from Kaohsiung on 30 October, 2013, she will stop in Hong Kong, Manila and Boracay before arriving in Kota Kinabalu on 6 November, 2013.

The cruise ship itself offers  a multitude of gourmet cuisine, world-class entertainment and great relaxing options that appeal to a whole range of holidaymakers be it families, honeymooners, senior citizens and even incentives and business groups.

Below is a short promotional video introducing Star Cruises' SuperStar Aquarius cruise ship.

Cheap flights to Krabi by AirAsia

Budget airline AirAsia is adding direct budget flights to Krabi from Singapore starting from 25 November 2013. With these new flights departing from Singapore, AirAsia will be the second airline offering cheap flights to Krabi from Singapore after Tiger Air. These daily Krabi flights will depart daily from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 1.25pm.

AirAsia is also offering all travelers an introductory fare of only S$10 base fare, one way, on any of its daily flights into Krabi.  The promotion is available for booking until 20 October 2013 for travel from 25 November 2013 to 5 August 2014.

New Krabi - Singapore flights are response to the increasing demand for destinations in Thailand among Singaporean travelers, the AirAsia said in a statement on Thursday.

Known for its beaches and islands, Southern Thailand province of Krabi  abounds with countless natural attractions that never fail to impress tourists. White sandy beaches, crystal clear water, fascinating coral reefs, caves and waterfalls, as well as numerous islands draws many visitors to the province and is one of the most popular destination in Thailand.

Krabi International Airport is about 10 km from the Krabi Town limits, 15 km from the city centre, 40km from Ao Nang and 23km from Had Yao.

60-year-old Freddie Aguilar dates16-year-old girlfriend

One of the most talked about person in Philippines is music icon Freddie Aguilar. 60 years old has admitted he is dating a 16 years old teenager according to a report by Ervin Santiago, INQUIRER Bandera entertainment editor. Freddie Aguilar was seen with the girl while attending the 5th Star Awards for Music on Sunday at Solaire Resort & Casino in Pasay City:

The news started when he was seen with the girl while attending the 5th Star Awards for Music on Sunday at Solaire Resort & Casino in Pasay City, wherein he was given a special recognition for his contribution to local and international music. 

He admitted to the media present that indeed, the girl is his girlfriend. Aguilar had a disclaimer that he didn’t know the age of the girl when he courted her. It was too late because he already fell in love with her when he learned of her actual age. He requested the media not to mention the name of the girl. 

But Aguilar said there’s nothing to worry about since the parents of the girl have approved of the relationship, only with a warning that she should be careful because Aguilar is known to be a ladies’ man.
Source : Freddie Aguilar courts controversy with 16-year-old girlfriend

The news, especially his plans to marry the girl, was greeting by mostly negative comments. Some said Freddie Aguilar's most famous song, Anak, can be dedicated to the girl. Anak means child or more accurately my son or my daughter in Tagalog.

Meanwhile photos of Freddie Aguilar and his girlfriend showing the couple kissing found their ways to internet:

Freddie Aguilar kissing16-year-old girlfriend

Amid the social media frenzy over Freddie Aguilar’s admission that he is deeply in love with his 16-year-old girlfriend, photos of the legendary folk singer and a young woman who may or may not be the unidentified girlfriend (see above) surfaced online on Thursday.

 Two of the photos show the 60-year-old singer and the young lady kissing. The third has them looking directly at the camera.

Source : Photos of Freddie Aguilar and young lady who may be 16-year-old girlfriend surface online

Tiger Air Ticket Promotion 2013: Bangkok & Phuket Air Tickets 30% off

Singapore based budget airline Tiger Air and DEAL.com.sg are collaborating for this latest Tiger Air promotion. For travel period between 1 November 2013 to 4 November 2013, Bangkok and Phuket air tickets are offered with 30% discount. You can either choose Singapore-Bangkok-Singapore Tiger Air flights for only $245 instead of $350 or Singapore-Phuket-Singapore Tiger Air flights for only $275 instead of $550. These ticket prices are taxes included and comes with 10kg hand-carry luggage.

Be it a vacation with family, friends or your better half, Phuket and Bangkok have always been the top picks. The decision to get that deserved vacation is usually stunted by hefty air fares. With today's DEAL, you can make that decision at the blink of your eye as the fares just got a lot cheaper!

Booking must be done latest by 22 Oct 2013. For more details and fine-print visit Tiger Air Pro Page on DEAL.com.sg.

Below are the Tiger Air flights you can choose from:
Singapore - Bangkok - Singapore
TR2106  01Nov  SINBKK  1240/1410
TR2113  04Nov  BKKSIN  1940/2310

Singapore - Phuket - Singapore
TR2152  01Nov SINHKT  0925/1010
TR2159  04Nov HKTSIN  2000/2245

Tiger Air Ticket Promotion 2013: Bangkok & Phuket Air Tickets 30% off

For more travel deals from Singapore, visit DEAL.com.sg Travel deals page.

Takashi Yanase manga artist behind Anpanman passed away

One of Japan's most beloved cartoon characters, Anpanman, lost his father renowned manga artist Takashi Yanase. Takashi Yanase has passed away at the age of 94 because of heart failure. Anpanman is not widely recognized abroad as other Japanese characters like Hello Kitty but it is one of Japan’s most widely beloved children’s characters. Created in 1973, its anime adaptation Soreike! Anpanman (それいけ!アンパンマン?, Let's Go! Anpanman) is one of the most popular anime series amongst young children in Japan.

Takashi Yanase, who served in an artillery unit during the Second Sino-Japanese War, says that the hellish conditions he faced during the war directly inspired his most beloved character. Yanase has said that, while he was never in danger from enemy combatants, he was often on the brink of starvation during the war and would dream about eating anpan. Much later in life, he would parlay those dreams into the creation of the benevolent superhero, Anpanman.[1]

Anpanman is a superhero with the head made of anpan, or bread filled with red bean paste, a typical snack in Japan. In the cartoon, the round-faced, smiley hero, clad in a red suit and long cape, fights his archrival Baikinman, or a germ man, while rescuing the weak.[2]

The self-sacrificial hero, who even allowed starving people to bite into his head, rose to stardom in Japan in a picture book series that started in 1973, racking up sales totalling 68 million copies over the past 30 years. The Anpanman television cartoon series started in 1988, and has spread across Asia, where is also popular in places like Hong Kong and Taiwan.[2]

Takashi Yanase manga artist behind Anpanman.

Takashi Yanase is known for his pacifist messages. He also wrote poems and lyrics for children's songs.

[1] - Anpanman creator Takashi Yanase dies at age 94
[2] - Takashi Yanase, creator of Japanese cartoon character Anpanman, dies at 94

Bangkok Holiday - 1 Day Itinerary

I had a day free in Bangkok recently so I tried to do some compact Bangkok tour in a single day. I have been to Bangkok many times but most in the last 4 years were for business and I have not visited any attractions in Bangkok.

I have checked some guides online and I have found this One Day in Bangkok article in WikiTravel and I have decided to follow it. But since I am quite familiar with Bangkok, I did not closely follow the advises.

First step is to take a canal boat to Bangkok's old city center, Rattanakosin Island. Many arrive to Rattanakosin by a combination on train ride and boat ride on main river or taxi, but few knows that there are also boats running in smaller canals of the city. It is a relatively short ride on a speed boat but an authentic experience to try. These speed boats are heavily used by locals to travel around Bangkok.

The first step is to reach SkyTrain Ratchathewi station. I stayed in Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 Hotel on Sukhumvit Road so I took BTS Sky Train from Nana station to Ratchathewi station.

I took exit 1. Just walk down and turn 180 degrees and walk down the street. There is a bridge over Saen Saeb canal and when you are walking on it you will probably see the boats and the pier. You should walk down the stairs near elephant heads sculpture and then reach this small pier called Saphan Hua Chang. You will take a boat which is heading left as you stay on the pier and your face is pointing the canal. Quickly jump to the next one. It is only 10 bahts and you will witness backyards of Bangkok while riding on the smelly waters of a canal.

Step 1 - Klong ride in the backyard canals of Bagkok 

I have disembarked at the Phan Fa Lilat pier (this is the last pier) near the Golden Mount. Just simply walk through any "helpful" locals and "tourist police" to not start your Bangkok old city tour with a scam!

To your left, you'll see a small bridge with oncoming traffic, and a large bridge with multi-lane traffic. Cross the large bridge, pass the white Mahakan Fort. Now original itinerary guides you to the Wat Ratchanaddaram. This is one of Bangkok's unappreciated temples according to the article and it says climb into the tower for a bird's-eye view of Rattanakosin. I have followed it but I would advise you to head to Golden Mount which is much more interesting and offers a better view from its roof!

Step 2: Golden Mount

After Wat Ratchanaddaram the original article advises to take taxi to Wat Pho. The distance is walkable but since you will walk a lot around Wat Pho, Grand Palace and Wat Arun, it is better to take a taxi. I have not seen Khaosan Road for ages and it is quite near to Wat Ratchanaddaram. So I have walked first to Khaosan Road and then from there I have walked to Grand Palace.

The original itinerary has skipped Grand Palace but it is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Bangkok and you should definitely visit there. Ok, the entrance is expensive in Bangkok standards but there are many things to see inside.

Step 3 : Grand Palace

Ok Grand Palace then Wat Pho is a little a lot of walk but doable.Wat Pho houses the world's largest Reclining Buddha and the rest of the large complex is also interesting, I suggest you first to go to Grand Palace and than wat Pho because there is a very famous and good massage school at the eastern side of the temple grounds and it is a definitely must. Lie down there for half an hour plus to recharge while enjoying Thai Traditional Massage at its best.

Step 4: Wat Pho

I have exited through the west gates behind the Reclining Buddha and went to pier of Tha Tien to cross the river to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). A little ferry will take you there for 3 baht. I have climbed up Wat Arun for a bird-eye view of  Rattanakosin Island. The last part of the climb is very steep and climbing down is more difficult then climbing up.

Step 5: Wat Arun

After crossing Chao Phraya river to Rattanakosin side I have headed to the Chao Phraya Express Boat dock. Once upon a time these boats were relatively unknown and offered a very relaxed and nice ride on the river. But thanks to online sources, they are extremely popular and as crowded as Tokyo Metro cars! I could not board the first Orange Boat and had to wait 15 minutes plus under sun on the dock to take the next one!

The original itinerary also recommends to stop by famous Bangkok riverside hotel Mandarin Oriental and enjoy a drink on its riverside bar named Bamboo Bar. You can do this but after a long day like this, I preferred to head to my hotel (the boat will take you to  Saphan Taksin BTS station) and drink there after a shower.

Step 6: Chao Phraya River Express

Since I have added Grand Palace to my itinerary I did not have time to shop in the afternoon. Anyway, I had 2 more days there.

In the night, I took a taxi to the State Tower (the riverside building with the golden dome) and went to Sirocco and Sky Bar, the world's tallest rooftop bar/restaurant with mind-boggling nighttime views of Bangkok below. Drinks are 400 baht and up, with a live jazz band for free. There is a dress code: no shorts or sandals. Eating there is very expensive so eat before heading to there.

and view from State Tower