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The magical extravaganza ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ returns to Singapore from 17 November 2007 to 2 January 2011 with a host of exciting events including festive performances, entertainment events, shopping specials, concerts and dance parties, as well as the popular brilliant display of lights at Orchard Road and Marina Bay.
A key favourite of the annual Christmas in the Tropics celebration is the Christmas Light-up, themed “A Fairytale Christmas” this year. Scotts Road and the Orchard Road stretch from Tanglin Road to Plaza Singapura and the Marina Bay area from Hotel Rendezvous to Raffles Avenue will be transformed into a bewitching Crystal Forest decked with magnificent chandeliers, magic harps, glittering jewels, dazzling lights in red, gold and white, and even a magical carousel.
Prabang is the oldest religious centre of the eastern Asian country and giving alms to the monks is a time-honoured tradition among the town's residents.
Plenty of tourists get up early to witness the spectacle and they buy rice from local peddlers in order to stand at the roadside and donate a small amount to each passing monk.
Daily life in Luang Prabang is just as tranquil. A late-morning cup of coffee at the Sala Cafe is fresh and invigorating and from under the green fronds of the roof, visitors can gaze over the Nam Khan river wending its brown and sluggish way before embarking on the next temple tour.
It is easy to navigate around the streets of the old quarter of this town on the isthmus between Mekong and Nam. The promenades run parallel to the rivers and in between are rows of gabled temples and monasteries.
Back in 1995 UNESCO awarded the architecture of Luang Prabang and its natural surroundings the status of a world cultural site.
The oldest and arguably the most handsome monastery complex hereabouts is Xieng Thong. The sweeping roof is reminiscent of bird plumage and the glass stones in the famous tree of life mosaic on the back wall glint in the sun.
Yet however remarkable the architecture may be, the most lasting impression of Luang Prabang is the friendliness of its residents and their smiling faces.
The novices from the monasteries are keen to try out English phrases on visitors and there are plenty of opportunities for doing so. Around 100,000 tourists a year visit the town of 40,000 people, most of them from other parts of Asia.
The streets become noticeably more busy in the afternoons when villagers from the outlying villagers flock to the town on their spluttering mopeds, usually with several people perched on the pillion.
Before long the streets under the Phou Si peak are alive with shoppers and hawkers and the daily market opens for business. On sale are Buddha figures in all shapes and sizes, home-woven blankets, pillows and bags along with scarfs made of silk.
The prices vary widely, but there is something among the varied wares to suit every holiday budget.
Success comes to those who sweat and toil, say the gods - a thought which must have been shared by Buddha himself. A total of 328 steps lead to the golden stupa of That Chomsi on top of Mount Phou Si, past the carved figures of fire-breathing dragons and huge snakes.
Those who make the effort are rewarded with a commanding view of the royal place and the roofs of the many Buddhist temples. The Mekong and Khan rivers are clearly visible against a dramatic mountain backdrop.
The ascent is especially popular in the evening when the golden orb of the sun bathes the town's old quarter and the green hills beyond in a gentle reddish glow. When that moment arrives, time in Luang Prabong seems to stand still.
The magical extravaganza ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ returns to Singapore from 17 November 2007 to 2 January 2011 with a host of exciting events including festive performances, entertainment events, shopping specials, concerts and dance parties, as well as the popular brilliant display of lights at Orchard Road and Marina Bay.
Christmas in the Tropics is one of the key tourism drivers for Singapore, being a season that our overseas visitors look forward to. With a programme packed full of shopping, dining and entertainment options, it’s little wonder that one in five visitors surveyed last year planned their trips to coincide with Singapore’s Christmas celebration.
A key favourite of the annual Christmas in the Tropics celebration is the Christmas Light-up, themed “A Fairytale Christmas” this year. Scotts Road and the Orchard Road stretch from Tanglin Road to Plaza Singapura and the Marina Bay area from Hotel Rendezvous to Raffles Avenue will be transformed into a bewitching Crystal Forest decked with magnificent chandeliers, magic harps, glittering jewels, dazzling lights in red, gold and white, and even a magical carousel. This fantasy land is the setting for the unfolding of a fairytale inspired by the Nutcracker Suite, which tells the story of handsome Prince Noel who goes in search of his missing true love, Princess Ballerina, through the Crystal Forest.
Apart from the Light-Up, another key highlight is the Celebrate Christmas in Singapore event, with the theme ‘Christmas – It’s All About Love’. Visitors can look forward to Christmas-themed performances nightly at various locations along Orchard Road as well as a colourful parade of floats from 15 to 24 December.
There is also an interactive Nativity Village at Plaza Singapura. The festivities culminate in a Grand Christmas concert on Christmas night. Other entertainment highlights during Christmas In The Tropics include performances such as ‘Scrooge – The Musical’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, ‘The Nutcracker – Xmas Fairytale on Ice’, ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘A Crazy Christmas’; the popular ZoukOut outdoor dance festival on Sentosa; The Jewel Christmas Musical Light Show and ‘Snow’ Show at Mount Faber’s Jewel Box; Classical Greece at the Louvre showcasing priceless pieces from the famed Louvre Museum in Paris, displayed for the first time outside the museum at the National Museum of Singapore, as well as myriad countdown parties across the island to ring in the New Year.
Shopping Specials Santa’s Gift Bag: The season for giving would not be complete without the associated pleasures of shopping. For an added element of surprise, pick up Santa’s Gift Bag. Inspired by the Japanese New Year’s “Fukubukuro”, or “lucky bag”, each bag contains items of mystery at a price less than the sum of all the items. Lucky shoppers may also find their bag filled with special bonus gifts. Santa’s Gift Bags range in price from Sin$20 to Sin$408. Please refer to the Christmas In The Tropics brochure for a list of selected retailers and range of products.
Christmas in the Tropics Souvenirs by RISIS: For the first time, STB is partnering with RISIS to launch special limited-edition Christmas in the Tropics souvenirs including Prince Noel and Princess Ballerina phone charms, key chains and pendants.
Extended Shopping Hours: Last minute Christmas shoppers can look forward to Saturday nights for late night shopping with an added touch of dining and entertainment. Especially for the Christmas season, selected malls will also extend their shopping hours on Fridays and even Sundays. Check details with participating malls Central, Centrepoint, Marina Square, Paragon, Tangs@Orchard, Vivocity and Wisma Atria.
Visitor Promotions Free Christmas Light-Up Tour: Visitors to Singapore will be treated to a visual spectacle of lights, colours and fantasy on the special Free Christmas Light-Up Tour from 17 November 2007 to 2 January 2011. Each tour on the open-top HiPPO Bus starts at the Animal Farm on Orchard Road. There will be up to 12 rides each night from 7pm to 9.30pm at 15-minute intervals.
Shopping Promotions – Watches & Gadgets: Funan DigitaLife mall is offering special promotional prices on Skype and mobile phones, sound systems and other computer peripherals while Epicentre@Wheelock is offering good deals for iPod buffs. Visitors will also get to enjoy gifts with purchases at e-life@suntec. Watch enthusiasts can look forward to special promotional prices for Nautica, Marc Ecko, Guess and Victorinox Swiss Army watches at major participating malls.
DHL Tourist Express: Visitors can shop to their heart’s content and ship home their buys without hassle. DHL is offering special discounts of up to 75% off in the shipping rates for its specially designed 2kg and 5kg festive boxes. For added convenience, visitors can drop off their items at a convenient location at Tangs. Special rates also apply for larger 10kg and 25kg boxes from 15 October 2007 to 29 February 2011.
Community airline, Firefly, has introduced a new service that will allow its customers to book their flights and hotel accommodation at its website.
Firefly Holidays would complement the company's flights in providing customers the ease of making their travel plans.
With links to almost 140 hotels in Malaysia and Thailand as a start, Firefly Holidays is offering options to the customers in finding accommodation that best suit their needs and wants.
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