Whose Battleground Is This Anyway?

The Big Apple

Love it or hate it. New York City is one of the most recognizable cities in the world. It is known as the fashion capital of the world. It's well-known for its international cuisines. It has more Broadway shows play at anytime than any other cities. It is the place movies like 'Spiderman' and 'Batman' call home, and  it is 'Sex And The City' that put it in the world map as the place to be for guys and girls with dreams to succeed. With world class museums, galleries, and theaters, it is the most visited tourist destination in the United States, and it is constantly ranked among the top ten cities in the world.

I have lived and worked in New York City for the last eight years. The city that never sleeps is constantly evolving. 

Known as the crossroad of the world, Times Square is the official site for the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. It is intensely lit with megawatts of animated neons and signboards. It's made into a traffic free zone a few years back, and most recently, it is also made into a smoke free zone. The Radio City Music Hall is located here. It is home to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular since 1933, which features the women's precision dance team - the world famous Rockettes.

Of course there is Central Park, which receives approximately 25 million visitors annually. Its 843 acres of artificially created lakes and ponds, walking tracks, the Central Park Zoo, a Conservatory Garden, wildlife sanctuary, swimming pool in the summer and ice-skating rink in the winter, is the most visited urban park in the United States. And, not forgetting Strawberry Field: Central Park's dedication to the late John Lennon, is another popular tourist destinations here.

Close by is 5th Avenue, which has one of the highest retail space at cost per square foot in the world. It is home to well-known designers' boutiques and high-end departmental stores, and it is constantly ranked among the most expensive shopping streets in the world. Many of these stores feature spectacular window displays during Christmas Seasons – some of the bests in world.

New York City is the world's 'melting pot'. It has a high population density and is exceptionally diverse with a multitude of different ethnic groups. People come here from all over the world. There are more than 150 languages spoken in the city and today, more than 40% of the city population is foreign-born like myself.

Take a walk down Chinatown in lower Manhattan, and you feel like you are somewhere in Asia. Or take a train to Jackson Heights, Queens and you think you are in Central America. Or further down Williamsburg in Brooklyn you might think you are in a tiny town in Poland. What makes the city so great is that its inhabitants are very tolerant of each other's religion, culture, and race, although every once in awhile you might find someone who is not. 

Getting around the city is very easy and inexpensive. The Mass Transit System is one of the few in the world that runs 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The subway system is the fourth busiest transit system in the world. Its 'one price fits all' system is one of the cheapest in the world; it does not matter how far or short the distance is, you can go anywhere in the five boroughs for just one price! 

Love it or hate it, everything about New York is one of the bests in the world. No matter where you are, if you said you live in New York, it seems like people have a lot of respect to the ones living here cause if you can survive in the Big Apple, you can survive anywhere in the world. And, I'm proud to say I am a New Yorker.

2011 Destinations and Beyond: Singapore in a (less than) day

2011 Destinations and Beyond: Singapore in a (less than) day: "What can you possibly do if you have less than 7 hours in Singapore? Not much. That's how much time I had when I decided to take an early mo..."

Singapore in a (less than) day

What can you possibly do if you have less than 7 hours in Singapore? Not much. That's how much time I had when I decided to take an early morning bus from Kuala Lumpur to Larkin, Johore Bahru. Then I took a Singapore Causeway bus at Larkin to Bugis Street. Bugis Street was once famous for its nightly gathering of transvestites, a phenomenon which made it an iconic tourist destination in Singapore in the 1970s. Today, it has turned into a retail complex of modern shopping malls, restaurants and nightspots mixed with roadside vendors. 

From there, I took the MRT to Orchard Road. Orchard Road has an extensive underground infrastructure, including underground pedestrian walkways between shopping malls running underneath the street. The air-conditioned walkways between shopping centers is the way to cool off in the hot steamy condition in Singapore. As I alighted from the Orchard station, I went straight to ION Orchard, a new addition to Orchard Road's list of shopping malls in 2009. It has upmarket flagships such as Louis Vuitton as well as affordable options like Uniqlo.  

With only two hours left before I met some friends that I have not seen in almost ten years, I decided to try some local food in the food court at Takashimaya. I had a pulut (glutinous rice) in brown sugar with coconut. It was delicious. I tried the fruit rojak (salad) as well which turned out pretty good too. 

Food is becoming an important part of Singaporeans' lifestyles today. From local food fares at hawker centers to high-end international cuisines at 5-star hotels, there is an endless list of different cuisines to suit your taste and budget. Char kway teow, chicken rice, and fish head curry are local favorites while French and Italian are served at posh classy restaurants for the ones who like to be pampered.

However, the city-state has a lot more to offer besides being a food and shopping paradise. If you are a nature lover, there are lots of parks to choose from. Two come out tops among tourists - The Jurong Bird Park and Night Safari. The Jurong Bird Park is the largest bird park in the world, and it has more than 8,000 birds from 600 species. The Night Safari is nestled in 40 hectares of lush forestry, reputed as the world's first nocturnal zoo.

If you are feeling lucky, and you're yearning for some Ka-Ching, you might like to visit the Resorts World Casino and Marina Bay Sands, two gambling casinos legalized by the government in Singapore in 2005. Integrated between these two casinos are world class hotels, Universal Studio Singapore, Marine Life Park, Maritime Xperiential Museum, FestiveWalk and many other world-class attractions.

In most Asian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Bangkok traffic during rush hour are horrendous. This is not the case in Singapore. In fact, it is home to one of the world's best airports, and it has one of the best public transportations in Asia. Its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has more than 75 stations, and there are more than 300 bus servicing all parts of Singapore operated by SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation. Its average daily ridership is almost 2 million and rising.

As my clock on my ipod hit 6.00 pm I knew I had to hurry to meet Siou Ling, an old friend. A text message came from her, and there she was waiting at the information counter at Ngee Ann City. It seemed like we just met a week ago. We decided to go for a bite at one of the cafes in the mall. Erni Susanto, another friend of ours joined us later. Siou Ling and Erni Susanto came from Malaysia and Indonesia respectively. Both got their permanent residence a few years ago. They are very happy with their work, and most importantly, they are very happy with life at their adopted country. I could see why.

Singapore is one of the most enjoyable cities in Southeast Asia. It is one of the four Asian Tigers. It has one of the busiest ports in the world and it is the world's fourth largest foreign-exchange trading center. The World Bank ranks Singapore as the world's top logistics hub. It is a popular travel destination, totaling more than 10 million in 2007. Where else in the world can you dip into cultures of China, India, and Malaysia all in one day, against a backdrop of ultra-modern Western commerce?

Time was ticking away and I had to leave for the bus in Bugis Street for my bus (again) in Larkin, Johore Bahru to Kuala Lumpur. I managed to get the last bus leaving Kuala Lumpur at midnight. It was really wonderful to see my friends again after so many years, and please do not attempt to see SIngapore in (less than) a day. The city-state has so much to offer in such a small place. It has a bit of everything other cites in Asia have just like the rojak I had earlier at Takashimaya.

S(e)oul City

Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world with a population of over 10 million people. It ranked third among the top tourist destinations for year 2010. I was told that the Koreans do celebrate Chinese New Year, and in fact, I was pretty excited to go there on the 6th day of the 15 day celebration. 

But I was disappointed. There was not a trace of Chinese New Year festivities in the city. Ms Sun, who runs the hostel that I stayed at said that in Korea, the New Year is celebrated for only three days. And this is not my only disappointment.

My first full day in Seoul begins with a stop at Gyeongdong Market. It specializes in traditional Asian herb, dried and fresh food, and ginseng, lots of them. There are outdoor and indoor markets, and also stalls that sell cooked food. As I do not read any Korean, I pointed at a picture to the person who took my order in one of the stalls. I had wanted a bowl of spicy soup but instead I've got a bowl of soup with pig's blood jelly! This is not for those who are unfamiliar with exotic Asian cuisine. After my meal, I take the train to City Hall, and make a visit to Deoksu Palace, which served as the king's residence twice during the Joseon Dynasty. Located at the center of Seoul, it is very popular among visitors for its beauty and tranquility.

Weather turns out to be nice on my second day in Seoul. I make a visit to the Royal tombs of King Seongjong, and his second Queen Jeonghyeon and King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty. The stone figures of civil and military officials are over three meters tall, while the other objects of animals are symbols of strong sovereign power. Unfortunately, I am able to get up close and personal with King Seongjong's tomb only, while the other two are off limit. As the sun sets, it casts shadows off the tree branches onto the ground in the park. It is a pretty solemn sight indeed. Like most major cities, rush hour in Seoul begins at 4 pm. The subway can be pretty crowded, and here in Seoul, the experience can be quite cold. There is not even one trash reciprocator around as I enter the station for Insadong, another popular shopping district. The station is so clean, and the service is so efficient that it is an impossible task for the New York's subway to achieve. And, everyone just whisper to one another. Just a bit too clean and quiet for my taste -- it's like living in a perfect world, a little too prefect for me though.

I had Korean dumplings and rice cakes in Insadong. Delicious! Things are a little pricey, but quality are certainly better.  I make a quick stop at Itaewon. I suggest that you walk away from the main road and head to the alleys. Small family run businesses are a common sight, and I could feel the old charm and tradition surrounding the area.

Back in the hostel, I have five LOUD Chinese women in my dormitory room. Oh my gosh! 

I visit Changgyeong Palace the next morning. It's a half hour walk from Jonggak station. The palace was added during the reign of King Seongjong to provide comfortable living space for queen dowagers. Back to the Jonggak station, I head to Namdaemun market. This place is huge! It is a traditional day and night retail and wholesale market with underground arcades. Even more, the classy departmental store, Shinsegae is just nearby. You can bargain at Namdaemun from anywhere between ten to twenty percent lower than the asking price. There are some very good quality quilted blankets (queen size) selling for $30 which might be worth considering if you happen to go there. However, you might come across lots of products coming from China which you might want to reconsider before buying.

The weather in Seoul got colder on my last day. I meet up with SungJin, a very good friend of mine. He takes me to his favorite place to eat. We have cold soba noodles, steamed dumplings, and rice in hot pot. Another delicious and satisfying meal! We parted  and I head to Insadong again. I see a few more interesting shops this time around. I've got a pair of dragons handcrafted in glass, and a couple of North Korean dolls. Then it is time for me to go back to the hostel to pick up my bag, and head to the airport.

I came to Seoul to experience the market squares which I did. I came to Seoul to experience the food which I did. I came to Seoul to experience the lifestyle which I did.  The city is full of charm and tradition but yet, its people seemed monotone; as the city progresses to become a major economic power, I would rather see a more at ease society, and a less structured city, one that is not so driven by perfection.

The Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is about the size of West Virginia, but it proudly owns seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These places have emerged as the hub for tourists from across the globe fascinating them at the very first glimpse of their beauty and mystery. I have to admit that when I decided to visit the country I was drawn by the raw beauty of Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka.

Bandaranaike International Airport is 22 miles north of Colombo. It cost $20 for a taxi to the city. Or you can take a free bus transfer to the bus station where tuk tuks are plenty. It cost me 1,000 rupee (about $9) on a tuk tuk to my hostel, which is a private accommodation located at Colombo 10 (the city is divided into 15 numbered areas). After checking in, I decided to go to Pettah market, which is famous for its open air bazaars and markets. If you like shopping, this is the place to go to when in Colombo. It seems that each street has its own speciality; it kind of reminds me of the French Quarter in Hanoi.

Private buses or the regular ones to Dambulla are available at the Central Bus Station. I chose the private bus (cost 280 rupee or $2.50) the next morning. Surprisingly, the condition of the bus was better than I thought; velvet red seats with a cool air-conditioner that worked. It took three and a half hours to reach Dambulla. I had a meal of Sri Lankan rice and curry at Benthota Bake House, which serves realIy good local food. After my meal, I head to The Rock Temple, one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. I purchased the ticket from a lady sitting in a tiny room with minimal lighting and bare furnishing. The walk up to the temple can be slippery when wet (it had rained earlier) with occasional steps in certain places and sloping rock face.

Shoes are not allowed in as you enter the temple, and I was asked to leave them to an attendant for a 25 rupee fee. "I can put the shoes in my bag" I said. But no, it's disrespectful to bring the shoes in with you. I don't think so! Nevertheless, the caves are gorgeous with endless paintings from wall to wall, and the ceiling as well. History suggests that the place was used as a place of worship when KIng Valagamba was driven out of Anuradhapura, and he carved the place into rock temples after he regained his throne. It started to rain again as I began to walk back down. I rode the tuk tuk to Sigiriya Holiday Inn, which is about 20 minutes ride from downtown Dambulla (cost 700 rupee).

The next morning started with the rain. Luckily it stopped before my tuk tuk arrived. An entire day with petrol cost me 2,800 rupee ($27). Sigiriya takes about 45 minutes from the hostel. The road to the site was still wet and muddy from the rain as I approached the entrance, but I could see the ancient rock fortress standing majestically from afar. I was mesmerized as I walked toward the rock. It took me an hour to reach the Lion's Paw, a reminder to devotees ascending the rock that Buddha was Sakya-Simba and his spoken words were as powerful as the sound of a lion's roar. Reaching the top means clambering up across a series of grooves cut into the rock with the handrail as an assistance.

What's left today is just a foundation, and as I gazed across the surrounding jungle, it's just a reminder of the Buddhist monks probably did over 1,500 years ago.

As I began to enjoy myself on the way to Polonnawura, it rained again. "Climate change" said the driver. "So much rain since last week!", he said with frustration. Tell me about it! Luckily, it stopped when I got to Polonnawura after two and half hours ride. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned Archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. You need to spend at least 5 to 6 hours in Polonnawura. Unfortunately, this is not the case for me, and with the rain coming and going, I had to practically run in and out from one site to another. The Royal Palace, Watadage, Alahana Pirivena Complex, Rankot Vihara, and Lankatilaka are just some of the sights worth spending your time there. Soon the heavy downpour and night sky had made it impossible for me to stay any longer in Polonnawura. I was lucky that I had a wonderful driver who knew where he was going.

I woke up the next morning with the bathroom filled with bugs! It was then I decided to leave a day early back to Colombo. I spent my last day in Colombo walking around Pettah. This time I had more time to surround myself with the hustling and bustling of the heartbeat of the city.

I came to Sri Lanka because I had wanted to see Sigiriya. Now I leave the country not just remembering Sigiriya, but also Dambulla, Polonnawura, Colombo, and especially the friendly people. The country is definitely a place worth visiting again and again. Hopefully, next time I am able to visit Anuradhapura without the rain.

Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur

I was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur. The city is constantly evolving; changing as Malaysia is on track to a fully developed nation by the year 2020. It is one of the finest cities in South East Asia although traffic is also one of the worsts in the region. However, Kuala Lumpur has a lot to offer to tourists (both locals and foreigners) making it the fourth most visited city in the world in 2009. Tourists have the options to choose from budget hotels to luxury boutique hotels; high end local designs to international famous designers; local food fare to international cuisines; and the list goes on.

Chinese New Year falls early in the beginning of the year. 2011 is the Year Of The Rabbit, and it is supposed to create visibility of an energetic and carefree year ahead. With the New Year less than a week away, anything red are adorned in most shops and malls across the city. The best place to visit around this time is Petaling Street or Chinatown. It is infamous for pirated clothes and accessories along with bootleg DVDs and CDs. Haggling is a common sight here and the place is usually crowded. It is definitely the place to be to capture the essence of the coming New Year with waxed ducks, and Chinese sausages, Mandarin oranges and pomelos all trying to outshine each other . Not too far away from here is the Central Market, located at Jalan Hang Kasturi. It is a one stop shopping centre for Malaysian products such as handicrafts, art, kebaya, songket, batik and a wide variety of Malaysian cuisine.

Two other major shopping areas are surrounding the Golden Triangle and Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), which is also the location of the tallest twin tower in the world.

Although Kuala Lumpur is not famous for its arts and museums, it still has a lot to offer. A mix of cultures, KL is a salad bowl of Chinese, Indian and Muslim and more. Diverse cultures intertwined making this cosmopolitan city of 2 million inhabitants well worth visiting. Visits to its mosques, temples and other places of worship can be interesting although one may have to adhere certain rules before entering. 

Other places of interests in Kuala Lumpur include Dataran Merdeka, Taman Negara, and Royal Selangor.

The rapid development in recent years has exhausted the roads and its mode of pubic transportation in the city. Public transportation in Kuala Lumpur is not well integrated, and this has made it quite impossible for the KLites to get to work on time without a car. Therefore, it is no surprise that each household owns more than one car. Taxis can be a hassle at times. As a tourist, one will encounter unscrupulous cab drivers who will take advantage of any inexperienced tourist. Sometimes, this can happen to locals as well. 

Malaysian cuisines are beginning to gain popularity among the world of culinary arts, and rightly so. From its roti to pulled tea, fried kuey teow and assam laksa, nasi lemak and satay, foodies are taking notice. Food may be comfort to the stomach, but in Kuala Lumpur, it is part of the conversation. People talk about lunch even before they finish their breakfast. 

Despite its shortcoming, Kuala Lumpur is still a delight. And, if you happen to be in Malaysia during Chinese New Year, don't forget to try 'Yee Sang' - raw fish with a variety of shredded vegetables and sauces - which is only serve during this time of the year, and it's a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigor for the coming New Year. As for me, being in Kuala Lumpur for the Chinese New Year is a great way to begin the New Year!