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Bali, Indonesia and Singapore

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Bali, Indonesia

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Bali is an enchanting vacation destination located in Indonesia. White-sand beaches stretching for miles, lush mountains with waterfalls and raging rapids, relaxing hot springs and the sparkling ocean are all part of the beauty that is Bali. The capital city of Denpasar is full of attractions, ranging from interesting cultural museums and ancient Balinese temples to bustling shopping centers, night clubs and restaurants. The outskirts of Denpasar are dotted with rural fishing and craft villages, ideal for a quiet getaway from the city.

Travelers looking for a cultural experience will delight in Bali's many museums, art centers and temples. The Bali Provincial State Museum showcases the various styles of architecture present throughout Bali and displays prehistoric artifacts alongside common Balinese items from religious artifacts to traditional dance costumes. There are more than a thousand temples scattered across the landscape, some of them built against impressive natural backdrops. The most magnificent of these is the Besakih, known as the "mother temple", consisting of twenty-two separate structures built high on the slopes of Mount Agung.

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Bali's terrain is ideal for a multitude of outdoor activities. Towering mountains are home to rivers that flow past ancient rice paddies, waterfalls and rainforests and are perfect for kayaking and white-water rafting. Hikers will enjoy the slopes of Mount Batur where you can see hot springs, lava rocks, farms and a fantastic view of Lake Batur. Out in the open ocean you can learn to surf or go on a snorkeling expedition. Skydiving and paragliding are thrilling options for fans of aerial adventures. For those seeking a quieter outing, take a sunset dinner cruise, go on a tour of the Bali Botanical Gardens or watch a traditional dance performance at a temple.

Dining in Bali is an entertaining and relaxing experience. Many restaurants and eateries double as clubs or hang out spots, featuring art galleries, billiard tables and live music. Several offer splendid vistas to their patrons; beach side cafes look over the ocean and vast rice fields are visible from several inland establishments. The types of cuisine in Bali are varied and abound with international fare including Japanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Thai and Indonesian. For the seafood lovers, visit the village of Jimbaran in the south and stop at one of the traditional sand-floored food stalls that offer grilled fish, prawns, squid, clams and lobster served with spicy sautéed water spinach.

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The night life of Bali is alive with music and dancing. The Hard Rock Café in Kuta is a popular gathering spot for young people. Other night clubs in the area include an Irish pub that caters to lovers of disco and a reggae bar that hosts live performances. Several dance clubs and pubs line the streets in Seminyak and are typically host to disc jockeys or live music. A few select clubs have additional amenities for their patrons such as a swimming pool, a large open-air dance floor or a bungee jumping facility. Bars located in hotels typically play host to a more subdued crowd and are ideal for a quiet location to have a nightcap.

Kuta is again the place to go when satisfying your urge for shopping. You can find a large number of stores that sell apparel, ethnic arts and crafts, jewelry and collectibles. Many street-side shops and art markets are located along the main thoroughfares, but you will often end up haggling with the proprietor. To escape the ceaseless bargaining, retreat to a Western-style shopping complex like the Legian Arcade in Kuta or the Bali Mall in Denpasar for a stroll through a large selection of modern and contemporary shops.

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Bali is a vacation spot full of a limitless number of opportunities. Hiking up a dormant volcano, snorkeling in the ocean, dining in a beach front café, exploring one of thousands of temples and sunbathing on a beach with resplendent white sand are only a few among the innumerable amount of activities to choose from. From the capital city pulsing with energy to the tranquil countryside, everyone will find something to enjoy in this magical destination in Southeast Asia.

Travel Advisory: In recent years, American and Western citizens and their interests have been the target of violent terrorist attacks in Indonesia. On October 1, 2005, suicide bombers attacked the busy nightlife district of Legian in Kuta, killing 20 and injuring over 100. Several other terrorist attacks claiming dozens of lives have occurred since 2002. Terrorism is a serious and continuing threat and the possibility of future attacks in Bali or other parts of Indonesia cannot be ruled out. All travelers into Bali should be advised of the possible dangers of entering Indonesia and should check with a consular office prior to travel. The level of preventative security practiced at any hotel, beach, restaurant, entertainment venue or recreation site should be considered before including it on your itinerary.

Singapore

Although Singapore is only a little over 241 sq. miles in area, it is home to the second busiest port in the world and is one of the world's economic giants. East meets West in the architecture of Singapore, blending colonial era style with traditional regional designs. The three major ethnic groups are Chinese, Malay (the original settlers of the island) and Indian which accounts in many ways to the unique way of life that is found in Singapore. It's a country that has little racial tensions and you can find churches right next to a mosque or a temple. And while you might find the most modern of high rises in the city, you'll also find beautiful temples that date back hundreds of years.

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Traveling around Singapore is easy with their efficient public transportation network of taxis, buses and their very modern MRT rail system. Not only is it an easy way to travel throughout the island, it is also extremely affordable. Ethnic areas to visit include Little India, with its treasure trove of spices, ethnic jewelry and colorful silk saris; Chinatown, a fascinating place to visit, eat and shop; and the area of Gaylang Serai, considered the cultural heart of the Malay community. There are also small islands off the coast that are worth visiting by ferry including Kusu Island, with a beautiful temple and Malay shrine; Lazarus Island & Sisters Island with sandy beaches and good snorkeling and scuba diving; Sentosa, a themed attraction and nature park; and St. John's Island, a favorite of locals with swimming lagoons, trekking routes and more.

There are so many things to see and do in this marvelous city, but a few highlights not to miss would include their world renowned Singapore Zoo with its Night Safari; a visit to one of the world's most famous hotels, Raffles, built in 1887 and one of the last of the great 19th century hotels; a walk in the Chinese Garden where you might feel you're in ancient China with its imperial style of architecture and landscaping; or a hike in the MacRitchie Reservoir, located in the heart of Singapore and featuring a treetop walk that connects two of the highest points of the reservoir with a fabulous view of the forest canopy.

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It has been said that Singaporeans are passionate about eating and food. In this very multicultural and cosmopolitan city, you will experience food and flavors from around the world. Some great dining areas in the city include Boat Quay, perfect for al fresco dining and a popular hangout for expats, locals and tourists with pubs, cafes and designer galleries. Clarke Quay is considered a riverside festival village with antique shops, Sunday flea markets and many restaurants with great food options. Robertson Quay offers a more relaxed atmosphere for dining and entertainment and features many dining spots. Chijmes, a former cloistered convent, has undergone a spectacular facelift (as a National Heritage Site) and is now a popular dining, shopping and entertainment site.

The Quay area and Chijmes are also great for night life as well as Club Street and Far East Square with many bars and cafes; Thumper at Scotts Road with late night dancing; the elegant New Asia Bar & Grill at Raffles City; the underwater themed Indochine Wisma; and for partying till the wee hours, check out what is considered by many to be Singapore's premier clubbing zone, Mohamed Sultan Road.

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Shopping in Singapore is some of the best in all of Asia. As a visitor to Singapore, you can get a refund of the 5% Goods & Services Tax you pay on purchases that you are taking home if you spend $S100 (about $64 US) or more in a single establishment. Ask for a Global Refund Shopping Check, have it stamped at the airport, then turn in to receive your refund before departing.

Little India boasts Singapore's only 24-hour shopping mall, Mustafa Centre, a combination of emporium, department store and Aladdin's cave featuring everything you could possible want at some of the lowest fixed prices in the city. There are many modern shopping centers throughout the island, but there are also many unique shopping venues such as Kampong Glam and Arab Street. They offer bazaar-style shopping with hole-in-the-wall shops where you can bargain to your heart's content.

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Singaporeans speak of their city as unique. And it certainly is unique in so many ways - its clean, it's safe, there is little crime, they have a rain forest in the middle of the city, they have ultra modern building and they have gardens throughout. It is definitely a city-island to visit, to explore, to enjoy.