Singapore – Sales and Sails

A holiday in Singapore will include for many a ‘shop-till-you-drop’ experience that will probably begin in Orchard Road where the iconic Lucky Plaza is located but should also take in Little India (great for spices), Chinatown (silk and satin clothes) and the Bugis Street flea market with over 800 stalls selling a huge range of goods, from sunglasses to souvenirs.
These budget friendly shopping forays (don’t forget to bargain) also present opportunities to savour the culinary delights of a range of regional Indian and Chinese specialties and at Bugis Street, safe-to-eat Singaporean street food.

Meanwhile, those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life might consider renting a yacht in Singapore from Simpson’s fleet for a daytrip out to one of the islands to the south of Singapore to enjoy the snorkelling and a picnic or a longer cruise to experience a little bit of life at sea.

Exploring The Rainforest

One of Singapore’s neighbouring countries, Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, consisting of more than 17,000 islands, offers many unique experiences for the tourist looking for a holiday with a difference. A very special one is that of Kalimantan’s (aka Borneo) Tanjung Puting Camp Leakey Orangutan Jungle Treks.
The final part of the journey to the camp, which provides rehabilitation training for orphaned and ex-captive orangutans, is made by river houseboat, which also serves as accommodation base for the three, four or five-day rainforest safaris. For those who require something more luxurious, there are the air-conditioned rooms and hot and cold running water of the Rimba Lodge. Situated as it is in the heart of the rainforest, its power is supplied by eco-friendly solar electricity.

Biking and Twitching in Bali

Another out-of-the-ordinary holiday experience of a lifetime is participation in a weekend mountain cycling trip offered by Bali Rides, run by a pair of Balinese brothers who have a passion for cycling. Taking part in these trips requires some off-road cycling experience and a certain degree of fitness so would not suit all members of a family holiday in Bali but there are plenty of other attractions for them to enjoy, including the Bali Bird Park, which does not put all heaven in a rage as its denizens are not in cages but spacious aviaries planted out with vegetation that mirrors that of their natural habitats.

A Healthy Mind and Body

Another holiday that could involve some cycling is to be found in Jaipur, capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Combining yoga, meditation and spiritual get togethers, the organisers invite participants to join Roads Queen – a cycling club they founded – on rides to suit cyclists of every level of ability from novice through to competitive riders. The rides include city tours, taking in temples, shopping trips for vegetables from local markets and off-road rides along forest trails.

WHO knows!

Whatever the chosen destination for a holiday, it would be wise before finalising plans to check on the current status in the country with regard to the pandemic. A good place to begin to do so is on the WHO Corona virus dashboard website, using the Search facility to identify the specific country.