Bali's claim to fame is its beaches and temples. And there is the Balinese love for art and culture which makes it exotic.
Let the sun work its magic on you at the many beaches. Come armed with sunscreen and sink into the loungers on Kuta beach. If the sun starts getting to you, splash around in the ocean and collect the pretty shells that are washed ashore. Eat at the warungs or make a beeline to the kafi lima vendors for some snacks with the Balinese stamp on it. Shop along Seminyak beach and stop by a restaurant for a hearty dinner. Conquer the waves off beaches in Bulkit with your surfboard. Make a getaway to Gili Island or Nusa Lembongan for their more peaceful and picturesque beaches.

Culture is so tightly woven into the tapestry of Balinese life that it is inescapable. Art is in their blood and evident in the Canang Sari (flower offering) in native homes and establishments. Joining them are miniature sculptures and paintings. Art Zoo and museums nearby, cultural shows like shadow puppet theatre, classical dances and music, and some fantastic restaurants make Ubud a must on your itinerary.

Other than trekking the volcanic mountains, there's mountain biking, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, white water rafting and bungee jumping to keep your blood pumping.

Places to See

Kuta beach is one of Bali's best beaches. One world on one beach is what it is with many foreigners coming here. The Bali Bomb Memorial is a sad reminder of the terrorist attack at the Sari Club nearby. The black sand on beaches is a result of volcanoes. There are quite a few white sand beaches too.

Nusa Dua beach and Sanur beach are perfect to relax and for leisure activities like strolling, swimming or sailing. Wander along the shores of Legian beach, and Jimbaran beach stopping to taste scrumptious street food. Echo beach is another good one for surfing. Catch sight of seaweed farming at Geger and Tamarind beach. Pantih Pasir Putih nails the image of the perfect beach. Close on its heels are the beaches on Gili Island. Another getaway is the Nusa Lembongan which has pretty beaches and water sports.

Bring out a sarong and sash or rent them before entering the Balinese temples. Most of the temples are built near water and each village is required to have at least three temples on its soil. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a water temple on Lake Bratan with many shrines around. Rising up on the edge of a cliff, Ulu Watu is another spectacular temple, a nine directional temple. It is pure drama with waves crashing against the cliff. After visiting the temple, head to Balangan and Bingin beaches in Bulkit.

The Pura Besakih or the Mother Temple is different from other austere temples. It is bigger and is at the base of the majestic Mount Agung, a volcano. The mountain is believed to be a part of Mount Meru. Also visit the hot springs like Air Banjar near Lovina and Toya Bungkah near Lake Batur. You can bathe at the public bath in Toya Bungkah and let the volcanic minerals' healing touch cure you. Go to the nearby Trunyan, a Bali Aga village.

Things to do

Sit through a six hour narration of Hindu epics at the Wayang Kulit, shadow puppet theatre. For those with a shorter attention span, there are shorter shows in Ubud. New to the scene are Wayang Sadat which focuses on Islamic teachings, Wayang Wahyu which is Biblical, and Feminist Wayang.

A Balinese spa is as exotic as it is rejuvenating. Let the traditional massage relax you. Try the lulur scrub that was used by Javanese princesses and brides. The cream bath sounds luxurious, doesn't it? It is a hair spa. Cream is worked into your hair and you get a neck rub. Don't forget to try their traditional healing system, Jamu that uses herbal concoctions that claim to have a solution for everything.

Going on a midnight trek up Gunung Agung for an incredible view of the sunrise or a Bird Walking around Ubud with Victor Mason is a great way to admire Bali. Birds apart, keep your eyes peeled for dainty blue water lilies that sit pretty in ponds and the unusual Golden Tortoise Beetle, which looks like a translucent jewel.

Places to eat

A meal is not a meal without rice. Traditional Balinese dishes are Babi Guling (roast suckling pig), Bebek Betutu (roasted duck with herbs and banana leaves), Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Gado-Gado (salad with peanut sauce). Krupuk Udang, deep fried prawns and shrimp crackers, is a great snack.

Take a cue from the locals and eat with your hands after washing it in a Kobokan, a bowl of water scented with a small slice of lemon. Bumbu Bali Restaurant and Ibu Oka are some good eating joints. Ubud and Kerobokan are foodie havens. Mineral water is the way to go or you can go to an air putih which serves you filtered water.
If food is on your mind, there's plenty to explore: Biku for the atmosphere and Sardine for seafood, and making a name for themselves are Kokoma in Gili, Cafe Wayan, Cafe Luna and The Beach House. In Jimbaran, select a fish, freshly caught, and have it grilled and eat it. It is like a live counter.

Padang Restaurants that serve Sumatra food are good places to go to if you prefer halal food. Some specialties include Rendang (meat stew) and Soto Padaang (beef soup). Buy Bakso (meatball and noodle soup) from a kaki lima, a mobile vendor. Warungs (roadside eateries) around the beaches are great places to tuck into some yummy food. Made's Warung in Seminyak and Warung Sulawesi are well-known.

The local brews worth a sip are Bintang, Anker and Bali Hai beer, Storm ale, Hatten rose wine and liqueurs. Arak is hooch that might be toxic. Tuak is palm wine and Brem is rice wine packaged attractively. Another delicious, non-alcoholic drink is avocado which is blended with ice, sugar and chocolate syrup. A cup of gooey Kopi (coffee) jolts you from your stupor.

Shopping

Shopping in Bali is a pleasure. You can have your pick from trendy clothes, arty products, crafts and jewellery. Continue to savour the rich flavour of its coffee by taking home a few packets. If you have money to burn buy one of the world's most expensive coffees, Kopi Luwak made from coffee beans which are fermented and excreted by Civet Cats. It has a rich flavour and tastes divine. Bukit Mungsu near Bedugul is a good place to pick them up along with spices.

For the more boho batik try Batubalan. Pair them with jewellery. Stay with the ocean theme and choose shells or go for contemporary silver. You can wear or display conical Asian hats. Oleh Oleh Khas Bali and Sukawati Art Market have a few treasures. Authentic Barong masks carved in wood are a must buy.

Futuristic, self-assured, sleek and spanking new, that is Singapore's skyline for you. The skyscrapers and architectural wonders in this country that is fast consuming its countryside reflect a state of progressive mind. Your date with style begins at Changi Airport.

The bumboats still crawl at a snail's pace giving you a chance to see the past and present of Singapore in its buildings. The Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands and Sentosa are fantasies. A walk around Emerald Hill will give you another surprise. A pleasant one, painted in candy colours: the Peranakan shophouses.

The nights give you more than just a shimmering skyline. There is a nightlife that is nothing less than chic. Zouk is the hands down winner and is the club to dance away to pulsating music. For those who prefer something quieter and sophisticated, the bars around Emerald Hill and Mohamed Sultan Road are perfect.

But for a real taste of Singapore, its history and multi-ethnic culture, take your eyes away from the sky and to the food and shopping districts. The festivals and the local language Singlish are other reminders of its culture. Sift through Peranakan slippers and clutches in Katong, the high end designer stores around Orchard Road, and the chaos in Chinatown, Little India, and Geylang Serai. Electronics and computers come cheap.

Places to See

Singapore's sole raison d'etre seems to be to entertain and make your jaw drop every step of the way. There are parks built around nature and amusement, as well as gleaming buildings.

The Jurong Bird Park has penguins, pelicans, pink flamingoes and more. The 30 metres artificial waterfall in the water aviary is the highest artificial waterfall in the world. The World of Darkness inverses day and night so that you can see the nocturnes getting busy at night during the day. Look at the white rhino, polar bears, white Bengal tigers and fruit bats at the Singapore Zoo. On an electric tram, get close to carnivores like tigers, lions and leopards, and antelopes during the Night Safari. For more birds and monitor lizards, make your way to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

For those seeking some fun, try the luge (a three wheeler) and skyride (a tamer version of the GMAX Reverse Bungy) at Sentosa. The National Youth Centre Skate Park is a great place to don skates and practice your moves. Go bowling at the Marine Cove Recreation Centre. It doesn't matter if the sun is shining, ski, snowboard and have a snowball fight at the Snow City. Lose yourself in a maze, ride a horse or rollerblade at the Pasir Rih Park. Trek around the Bukit Timal National Park. Shriek your way down the highest flume ride in the world at Escape Theme Park.

Sentosa, a resort unrivalled, needs more than a day to explore. Every inch of the island is packed to thrill. It has everything: beaches, nature walks, an oceanarium, butterfly park, dolphins, spas, restaurants, golf, casino and Resorts World Sentosa with the theme park, Universal Studios. There are many multimedia shows and events too.

The Esplanade Theatre is quite a sight and locals call it the Durian. There are art and cultural shows all through the year, be it jazz, dance, classical music, opera, theatre and puppetry. The Raffles Hotel built in 1899 and featured in novels by Conrad and Maugham has a lot of history in it and you can drink the Singapore Sling at Long Bar where it was first created.

Things to do

While the rest of Singapore looks spanking new, the architecture of Peranakan shophouses on Emerald Hill and Koon Seng Road is easy on the eyes, painted in fresh pop colours. Take a look around and say yes to an offer by a resident to show you around. Some bars have now taken over these shophouses and you can absorb their essence that still lingers while drinking a beer.

Scream your lungs out as the GMAX Reverse Bungy, something of a futuristic swing that soars over 195 ft high, and makes you see a blurry Singapore skyline.

A river cruise lets you take in the ancient and the modern faces of Singapore. The bumboat, a traditional cargo boat, moves slowly across the Singapore River. On land, enjoy a trishaw ride around Chinatown. The Singapore Flyer, a ferris wheel whose highest point is 165 metres, and the DHL Helium Balloon are two other brilliant ways to see the city.

Places to eat

Here's the thing about multi-ethnic countries. You get to experiment with an assortment of cuisines. Singapore is no exception. Chinese, Malay and Nyonya (combo of Chinese and Malay) lead the pack with scrumptious delicacies.
Nyonya cuisine specials include the super hot Chilli Crab, Pepper Crab, beef, mutton or chicken Satay with chilled beer, and noodles with coconut milk and lemongrass that makes up Laksa. Rojak is a fusion of flavours. The salad uses a combination of fruits, sprouts and is topped with prawn paste. Choose between black or white Carrot Cakes. It is a radish dish served with shrimp or mushroom. Fried with soy sauce it is black, else white. Ice creams give you the choice of untried flavours like red bean and durian. Burbur Cha Cha, a mixture of coconut milk, yam, sweet potato and sago is a tempting dessert.

Go to a nasi padang restaurant to experience the spice-rich Malay cuisine. Start with their chicken soup called Mee Soto. Mee Rebus is egg noodles that are on the sweeter side. Nasi Lemak is a rice dish mostly eaten at breakfast.

The dessert selection uses a lot of coconut and palm sugar. Chendol is a green dessert which also has pea noodles and kidney beans in it. Ice Kachang is sweet red beans decorated with shaved ice with many other ingredients thrown in like grass jelly and palm seeds. It can overwhelm you at first sight. Kueh are rice and coconut cakes that are either steamed or baked. Kueh Pie Tee, made with vegetables and shrimp, at Guan Hoe Soon is fantastic. Singapore has its own fast food joints like BreadTalk, Jollibean and Old Chang Kee.

Shopping

It doesn't matter what you are after. Clothes, watches, antiques, electronics and more are available in Singapore. The unlimited choices at varying prices and low taxes mean you can splurge and still have some to spare.

The main shopping areas are Orchard Road, Little India, Chinatown and Geylang Serai, bursting at the seams with malls and shops. Some of the popular malls are Mustafa which is open 24/7 all year round and great for budget shopping. The others are the classy Holland Village Shopping Centre and Vivocity with the largest cineplex in Singapore.

The extraordinary Spellbound weaves irresistible magic with tarot readings, spells, wands, crystal balls and charms. For another kind of magic, go to Jamal Kazura Aromatic, a traditional perfumery. There are attar oils, non-alcoholic perfumes and they also customise scents for you within an hour.

There are branded, designer labels and quirky boutiques for those looking for clothes. Ngee Ann City, Paragon, Bugis, Far East Plaza, Heeren have some fabulous clothes. For fabrics, scour the shops in Little India and Haji Lane. There are excellent branded watch retailers around Peninsula Plaza.

For electronics, computers and cameras, head to Sim Lim Square, Funan IT Mall, Mustafa or Harvey Norman Superstore. Browse through the book collection at Kinokuniya in Orchard Road, said to be the biggest book store in South East Asia, or try Page One in Vivocity and Books Actually.