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The Art of Tanjung Aru

Malaysia is a fascinating country, with a complex blend of cultures that is in a constant state of evolution.  Kuala Lumpur, or KL as the locals call it, might be the most concentrated part of this evolutionary energy, and it’s certainly one of the most exciting cities in the world to visit.  This is perhaps why, when visiting Kuala Lumpur, hotels are such an important part of the planning.  They are the center of your journey, the place where you rejuvenate your body and spirit so you can see the city with fresh eyes.  Our hotels are carefully selected to offer you the best accommodation experience around.  There is a sumptuous combination of the practical and the decorative here, so that you have access to all the latest technologies and conveniences, but are constantly resting in world class style.

The splendid sense of design here is perhaps most visible and obvious in the food.  Inside the hotels, and also all through the streets and in every neighborhood, is a fantastic array of smells that speaks to the multiple cultures contributing to the way the city eats here.  KL offers some of the most delicious foods in the world, with rich and complex flavors that will leave you wondering how good life can get.  Food is an excellent way to enter into the culture, because it’s one of the easiest way for nuance to find its expression in the world.  Visual art is another splendid way to begin an understanding, and KL has a sensational reputation for art in the international scene.  It’s film scene is also on the rise, with new pictures, and new companies, such as Tanjung Aru, presenting works from Malaysia by Malaysian artists.

Tanjung Aru is a relative newcomer to the global film market.  They have released only a few small films, but the care and attention is meticulous, and the future looks very bright.  They focus on experimental and documentary works that advance the form in some significant way.  One of their future projects, Compound, will be a stunning installation where the insides of a building are projected on gallery walls, and the spectator becomes the world outside.  Their most recent project, Karaoke, is a bittersweet story of homecoming.  These works are very ambitious, and represent a large scope that is looking at the international film scene as well as interpreting the local into art.

Tags: hotels, Kuala Lumpur, Tanjung Aru

Eunice de Souza, Goa Roots

Of all of India’s splendid five-star hotels, Goa has a flavor unique to the country.  With its famous beaches, that have attracted counter-cultural adventurers for the past few decades, there is a sonic culture here that lives in a vibrant and inviting night life.  There are also forests for adventurous hikers and wildlife sanctuaries for families, reflecting the enormous biodiversity of the region.  There are places where the Portuguese influence is more keenly felt, and also areas that predate this, reflecting the city’s continuous inhabitation for over two thousand years.  Our hotels, then, offer the same high standards that reflect the best in the industry, with local differences that will delight guests of all ages.  We also proudly offer splendid extras, providing amenities to help facilitate the rejuvenation of the body and spirit.

Goa itself is a fascinating study in cultures.  With a large expat community and the diversity of the local communities in Goa’s neighborhoods, one can hear multiple languages and experience multiple points of view.  There are a number of musicians, visual artists, and writers that have connections to Goa, and one of these is poet Eunice de Souza.  She was born Pune, in 1940, to parents who came from Goa, and she currently lives in Mumbai.  Educated in Mumbai and at Marquette, in the U.S., she recently retired from her post at St. Xavier’s in Mumbai, where she was the head of the Department of English for twenty-five years.

Eunice de Souza has written several books of poetry, as well as serving as editor for multiple poetry editions.  She has also been active in theatre, as an actor and director, and has written literary criticism as well as books of children’s literature.  She is known primarily as a poet, however, and her work is exceptionally evocative of the space between cultures, languages, and geographies.  Her voice is an extraordinarily musical one, and the complicated rhythms and cadences can only be appreciated in its oral rendering.  It is also an extremely intellectual literature, moving seamlessly between doubt and belief, cynical observation and emotional catastrophe, making it a work that is pleasurable on multiple levels.

Tags: Eunice de Souza, Goa, hotels

Rock Bridges

Rock bridges are fascinating geological formations. Occurring in various locations around the world. Special circumstances set up eons ago and acted out over time sculpt the earth in a way leaving a piece of rock suspended in the air only supported on two sides. In Utah USA this occurrence isn’t as unusual as it is in other parts of the word. The largest rock bridge in the world, Rainbow Rock Bridge on the Navajo reservation, is in southern Utah. In Utah there is Arches National Monument with OVER 2000 natural sandstone arches is the place to see many of them in a small area. The wind and water over time eroded away softer stone under the remaining stone thus leaving these wonderful formations. Natural arches too can be found on the island of Ibiza, Spain. Here just a stones throw from 5 star Ibiza hotels you can find natural rock bridges. These bridges are rough the water and wind erosion has left the rocks rough and textured unlike the smoothness of the rock bridges in Utah and the American southwest that have been polished smooth by the wind and the sand. Other natural bridges exist in Arizona. The Tonto Natural Bridge near the Mogilian Rim outside of Payson, AZ is an amazing place. The natural travertine bridge exists due to a stream eroding away the land under it. There are natural rock bridges in Victoria, Australia along the coast of England in the deserts of New Mexico and anywhere else the conditions were right to create this unusual formations. These bridges begin with deep cracks in sandstone. Erosion wears away the exposed rock creating a larger crack. Frost and thaws further the process eventual causing chunks to dislodge. This process continues until the enlarged crack becomes a hole and continues to erode into an arch. Nature is amazing all the forms and shapes that can be created with some wind, water, rock and sand.

Tags: bridges begin, hotels, Rainbow Rock Bridge, Rock Bridges

World Trave

Wile surfing the net I cam across this web site by a guy named Chris Guillebeau, his web site is about the art of non-conformity his goal is to visit every country in the world by his 35th birthday, he has two years to go. His site is about breaking the mold and living freely, unconventionally. To achieve his goal he can’t hold a ‘real’ job. On his site he shares how he makes a living through his unconventional style, he gives travel advice from packing and preparation to the cheapest tickets you’ll find anywhere and how to get them. Much of the information is free, in fact enough of it is free that you can begin your unconventional life just by reading the free material. And you don’t have to travel like a worrier to lead an unconventional life. If you need more assistance he offers a number of down loadable information packets giving detailed information regarding topics like Break Out of 9 to 5, Fly More Spend (much) Less, Art and Money. This guy travels by the seat of his pants sometimes sleeping on the floor of an airport terminal, staying in modest, to say the least, guest houses to 5 star dubai hotel. He has been in and out of countries not very friendly to western visitors. Where ever he goes he meets the locals and reports on his experiences there and getting there. The weekly updates are always entertaining. From the debacles in Saudi Arabia to grueling overland treks in remote back countries across frontier borders. Live vicariously through reading these adventures. On his web site he encourages, those of a like mind, to think differently about how to make money, question how much money do you need and what do you want to do with your time. Its all about finding the enjoyment in living and not living for a job and trying to find time to enjoy. He explores the concept of creating business that are not location based, therefore they can be operated from anywhere in the world on the road, from the air or the sea. This is worth exploring further.

Tags: dubai, hotels, non-conformity

In and Around Bangalore

Step out of any of the hotels Bangalore India has to offer and you’re bound to find wonderfully cheap and delicious food. Start with chaats tasty snacks, often spicy and always delicious. Here in Bangalore, the IT capital of India, the streets are a cacophony of honking horns. I tried to ask what all the honking was about, as much of it seemed unnecessary, but in a way it made the place kind of lively and heightened your attention.

We made our way to Bangalore Palace, a Tudor style structure with turrets and fortified towers. It was built in 1887 (AD), and stands in the middle of the city, surrounded by gardens. The grounds host concerts and cultural events. Visiting here, with its ceiling relief paintings, moldings and floral designs, reminds one of England.

One gets hungry looking at such things so a trip for food was in order. We skipped the pubs at first this time, even though Bangalore is known for its pubs, and stumbled into a restaurant called Tandoor which felt rather rustic, with its big chandelier and sumptuous furnishings. We had the mulligatawny shorba and their famous kabobs. This north Indian food place features naan, tandoori chicken, of course, and is a favorite if many. Breads from tandoor ovens are spectacular, with heat approaching 900°F. These ovens are found throughout the world and used to make breads like roti and dishes like chicken tikka.

Later we went to Pecos, a nice pub with a painting of Jerry Garcia welcoming us to its 1960′s vibe, roof top seating if the other three floors are crowded. You even get free popcorn with your beer. Not far is Le Rock Pub Cafe, with its funky oxygen bar and big screen TVs. They serve coffee, food, beers like Kingfisher and opens at 10am.

Tags: Bangalore, Bangalore Palace, chaats, hotels, Tandoor

Africa Day

South Africa has a rich musical tradition and it is incorporated into many aspects of residents’ lives. This year’s Africa Day celebrations will present a unique blend of African rhythms. Many of the sounds this year have an almost hypnotically lifting element that will be sure to captivate audiences. The event will feature popular and well known African artists. Among them are Asa, the internationally renowned vocalist. Africa Day is popular among residents who not only love music but strongly support their artists. For tourists who are staying in one of the hotels Johannesburg, they also have the unique opportunity to see some of the greats perform live.

Other performers on the line up include Senegalese hip-pioneer Awani, as well as Yuri da Cunha and Gang’ be. Local musicians will also be present and the Gang of Instrumentals will be among them. The Johannesburg music scene is large and diverse. Other local performers include the Gospel Choir and TheParlotones. The Parlotones are known for their upbeat melodies and will be an inspiring and fun aspect of the event. It is being hosted by the city, the Department of Arts and Culture andSABC2.

This year’s Africa Day will prove to be an incredibly diverse sound experience and will showcase performers from across the continent. Admission is free and it will be broadcast live onSABC. The purpose of this musical extravaganza is to commemorate the establishment of the Organization of Africa unity, OAU in 1963. The founding took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and leaders from 30 independent African states where there to sign the founding charter. The developers of the OAU were all driven by the common intention of decolonising Africa and working toward liberation, equality and unity. African heritage is celebrated on this day, which has become a holiday in many countries.

Tags: hotels, Johannesburg

Arthur Yap, Singapore Poet

When it comes to luxury, Singapore hotels are remarkable for anticipating the guests’ needs and wants. In a city with urban verve and gorgeous views, the hotels offer a place to call home in between all the adventures and excitement that the city offers.

One of the more international cities in the world, with its closeness to Taiwan and to China, Singapore is a source of inspiration to a host of writers. Arthur Yap is, many would argue, the most important and influential writer out of Singapore. His poetry is extremely delicate and precise, and contains an enormous sense of playfulness and poise. He has the same preference that e. e. cummings had for using all lower-case letters, and his work contains a certain ambiguity of place that inspire a sense of universality among readers. His work also contains a deep sense of irony and uncertainty, which reflect an attitude toward modernity and tradition. There is a sense of pull between these forces, and the tension is one that never quite reaches a conclusion. The result is a potent memory that rests like an uneasy bird in the consciousness of the careful reader.

Educated between Singapore and Leeds and Singapore again, Arthur Yap split his time between writing and teaching, demonstrating a dedication to continuing the Singapore letters tradition for the next generations. Arthur Yap argued for a kind of autonomous literature, one that could stand on its own without reference to other disciplines. His books of poems have won the National Book Development Council of Singapore Award a couple times, and he’s won the Cultural Medallion for Literature, as well as the South-East Asian Writer’s Award. After a long bout with throat cancer, he died in his sleep in Singapore in 2006.

Tags: hotels, luxury, singapore

The Myth of Shiva

Bangalore , India’s third most populous city, is home to over five million Bangaloreans (or Bengaloorinavaru in Kannada). It is known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its predominance in the global IT field, with a very strong presence in computers and technology. This makes it an excellent place to do business, and with the attractions that are numerous enough to suit any traveler, it is an ideal spot to stay at luxury hotels Bangalore . The amenities and hospitality will refresh the most weary traveler, readying the guests for days of business and pleasure.

Bangalore is not only known as a bustling city that is rich in industry; it is also very well known for music and dance. One of the most interesting times to visit is during the week-long Ganesha Chaturthi festival, which typically falls somewhere between August and September. This festival coincides with the birth of the mythic Ganesh. Ganesh is the son of Pavarti, wife of Shiva .

The story goes that Shiva was away at war, and Pavarti wanted someone to stand guard outside her door to protect her while she bathed. She conceived Ganesha out of a bar of sandalwood. When Shiva returned, he did not know who Ganesh was, and cut off his head. Pavarti was enraged, and ordered her husband to replace her son’s head with the first head he could find. Shiva’s army set out, and came upon an elephant, and cut off its head and returned it to the body of Ganesh. Pavarti was still angry, and demanded that the elephant-headed son be the first to be honored in every ceremony, and the custom of honoring Ganesh first is still practiced today.

The famous Bollywood model and actress, Deepika Padukone, spent last year during the festival with her family in Bangalore, her birthplace. This highlights and illustrates the popularity of the festival, where its significance is still held in high esteem, and travelers lucky enough to be visiting during this time can observe time-honored tradition in a rich urban setting.

Tags: Bangalore, hotels, luxury

Singapore Business Protocol

Singapore is a city that is steeped in protocol and etiquette. This is perhaps the most important aspect of conducting business on the island. International business, is big business in Singapore. Many who travel to the country and stay in the best hotels in Singapore, may not be aware that this is a much more formal culture that that of Western countries such as the United States. One must realize that as it is true for the family unit in Singapore, it is also true in business, that the group or company success as a whole, is much more important than the individual. Singaporeans do not respect those that conduct business in a self-serving manner. There is a strict command chain, those who are in charge are, those who are in charge and their decisions should never be called into question.

In Singapore business, the personal relationship that one establishes becomes very important for the business relationship down the road. Good networking and ties to the right people will provide one with success in any given business venture. The culture is oriented in the group, and once one becomes part of the group, working in the city becomes much easier. These relationships are not created overnight. Patience is required as trust must be gained. It is necessary for the leaders to know that their people truly are in it for the long haul and not just simply the quick personal gain. Singaporeans are of a gentle nature, and the aggressive nature of some on Wall Street may not fair well in the Singapore business world. The calm and peaceful approach, is always the approach.

Most appointments and meeting are scheduled in writing, although in this day and age, many are now being accepted via the telephone or email. Punctuality is one of the many virtues Singaporeans believe that carries the weight of indicating a person’s character. Small talk and conversation is appropriate and expected before any meeting gets underway. Again, is it very important to refrain from criticism or disagreement with those that are senior in rank, as this may destroy the relationship. There are many things to consider when conducting international business, and the cultural expectations are among the top considerations.

Tags: best, hotels, in, singapore

Shimmering Copper Fish

The redeveloped seafront from the Moll de la Fusta to the Olympic Port area has many top Barcelona hotels and has become one of Barcelona s’ most popular spaces for recreation and leisure. At the base of two landmark towers marking the beginning of the Olympic Port, lies the Frank O Gehry copper lattice fish. This installation which he designed for the 1992 Summer Olympics, is an example of the public art that he has become so well known for.

The scale of the fish is enormous 35m x54m, and as its copper color shines in the bright sunlight or and even on an overcast day. As tempting as it may be to find out what’s going on inside the fish, there’s no interior access, just a shimmering copper skin.

An award winning architect based in Los Angeles, Gehry is very much inspired by fish. In an effort to distance himself from the pervasive “postmodern” architecture during the 1980’s, Gehry became fixated on finding ways to incorporate a sense of movement and emotion in his work. As part of that search, he began to sketch various kinds of fish and then over time to add fish shapes to his buildings. Adding the fish to his formal repertoire also marked the beginning of his exploration of curved surfaces. Figuring out how to construct the fish in three dimensions made it easier, later on, to develop the high spirited organic style he and his firm are now known for.

The copper fish in Barcelona is just one of many that Gehry has created. Standing Glass Fish, in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, is a gigantic glass structure with the internal supporting structure of wood and steel clearly visible. It soars above a reflecting pool in a glass building built especially for it. Another huge Gehry fish sculpture dominates a public garden in front of the Fishdance Restaurant in Kobe, Japan.

It’s quite possible to say that the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall are direct descendants of the l fish sculptures Gehry designed many years ago.

Tags: Barcelona, hotels, top

Cape Town Theatre By The Bay

Cape Town South Africa is rich in its cultural history, geographical beauty and landscapes. The arts also play an essential aspect in the daily life of residents and serve as a major attraction for tourists. The theatre scene in Cape Town is alive and thriving with its diverse offerings suited for a variety of interests. The productions include world-class mainstream options, as well as the more edgy, experimental groups. The Theatre on the Bay is a perfect example of this. A multiple functioning facility, the theatre offers great entertainment and dinner to tourists who are staying in the best Cape Town hotels and flock to this South African institution.

Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay has its main stage theatre and also a restaurant, Act 1 Theatre Café which offers lunch and dinner options for theatre goers. And, as if the theatre couldn’t be more audience friendly, there is also a bar, Dietrich’s, to round out the evening. The productions from the 2009 season include For Generations, which is currently running, The Insatiables, Bigger Better Faster, and Travels with My Aunt, among others. For Generations, written by Kurt Egelhof, is a story of comic beauty, tragic truth and a triumphant return. It was directed by Nic Fine, who had his apprenticeship in Cape Town at The Space Theatre (now known as The People’s Space). He spent time in London before returning to South Africa.

Act 1 Theatre Café is a comfortable and informal restaurant that reminds one they are attending the theatre. There are newspaper reviews and previews positioned under the glass tabletops and production posters on the walls. The menu changes with the seasons and makes this the perfect compliment to a show and offers a full evening’s entertainment at one easy location. The theatre has an excellent subscription package which means up to a 50% savings on their productions.

Tags: best, Cape Town, hotels

Valencia: Rich in Historic and Contemporary Architecture

Valencia, Spain experienced a dramatic increase in tourism and outside interest beginning in the mid 1990s. This former industrial city has quickly become known for its interesting history, culture and beaches. In 2007 it gained greater prestige by hosting the renowned America’s Cup, an international sailing competition. The city has many monuments, which attract visitors, such as the City of Arts and Sciences and the World Heritage Site. The Serrano Towers and the Quart Towers are amazing relics of the medieval city that have been restored for contemporary appreciation. Malvarossa Beach remains a favorite destination for travelers who are staying in one of the 5 star hotels Valencia.

The City of Arts and Sciences, “Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, in collaboration with Felix Candela. It is an amazing example of contemporary architecture and consists of 5 areas or buildings. These include an opera house, which is also a performing arts center, the L’Hemisferic which has a planetarium and an Imax theatre, a beautiful garden walkway, an open air oceanographic park and a science center. Each of these offers a breathtaking view of incredible avant-garde architecture and design.

The World Heritage Site, “Lonja de la Seda” is an amazing example of late Gothic architecture and is one of the premiere tourists attractions of the city. It was built between 1482 and 1548 and served as a civil building. The secular nature of this incredible building was uncommon in a time when most great structures were created for spiritual worship and services. This illustrates the great power and wealth held by this major Mediterranean mercantile town. Valencia’s prominence dates back further than the mid 15th century and the construction of Lonja de la Seda. Previously there had been another building in this location, and it also served secular or mercantile purposes. The Oil Exchange, “Lonja del Aceite” was the location of great business activity, including more than the name imply’s. Toward the middle of the 15th century the city had become so prosperous that the new building needed to be constructed, which is the one that remains today

Tags: 5, hotels, star, Valencia

Cubbon Park, Bangalore

Bangalore is one of the most beautiful cities in India, if not around the world. One of the aspects of this city, is that there are the gardens and parks throughout, and that most of the city streets are lined with flowers as well. Some have been growing for as long as the city has been here. As with many large cities, the buildings and the concrete seems to be becoming more abundant. This happened in one US city, Chicago. Mayor Daley stepped in and made certain requirements of businesses, that flowers must be planted. Now, more flowers grow down the center lane of Lake Shore Drive, than are found in some entire cities elsewhere. The government of Bangalore has also stepped in, and provides communities and businesses such as four star hotels, Bangalore and all her residents, with the plants and flowers to continually supplement their neighborhood gardens and parks. Restrictions have been placed on the use of fertilizers and pesticides and those taking care of the landscaping throughout the city are taking extra effort and care to becoming more and more eco-friendly.

Gardens and parks are a necessary element in big, urban cities. They provide space for outdoor activities such as running and bicycling, and they are just places for the young and old to escape the hectic pace of the city in which they live. The parks are designed with water-ways, fountains and curving pathways, beds of multi-colored flowers, and lotus and fish ponds. Cubbon Park, one of the favorites of Bangalore, has an extensive collection of sculptures. They are placed throughout the entire spread of the park, adding to the colorful, Colonial architecture and the Neo-Classical, red painted library the sits in the center of the park. The bandstand hosts outdoor theater and concerts, and the park even offers classes such as pottery and instruction on the various kinds of plants and flowers that decorate the park. All of this is set under the shade trees and amongst the art, a most incredible way to spend an afternoon, every afternoon.

Tags: Bangalore, four, hotels, star

Rule of Thumb

It is said, that in the United States, according to an out-dated, but never up-dated book of laws, that it is still legal for a husband to use a whip on his wife provided the welts left by the whip do not exceed the width of his own thumb. Hence the saying, “Rule of Thumb”. No doubt this is an urban myth, but in the city-state of Singapore whipping with a cane is legal, in the judiciary system as well as domestically. It is outlawed by the United Nations Convention Against Torture, however, Singapore has never signed to the Convention. And although much press has been given to cases in the past, and Amnesty International has condemned the legalized practice cruel and inhuman, it is still a widely used form of corporeal punishment.

Caning is legal in the home, in schools-private, reform, public and military. However the most severe forms, and one of the sad things that Singapore is widely known for around the world, is the practice of caning in the judicial and prison systems. Caning is a punishment reserved for the male population. Domestic and scholastic canings are carried out on younger children of either sex, but for the corporeal punishment sentenced by the courts, the requirement is that the subject be a male between the ages of 18 and 50, and must be proven to be in good physical health. Far from the Singapore luxury hotels, in a court room a judge will sentence caning, concurrent with a jail term, as no caning is sentenced to those that in the end to not go to jail. Sentences of caning are handed out to those who are convicted of robbery, rape, assault and prostitution. The famous case of the American student, Michael Fay, created outrage as he was struck with the cane four times, for spray painting cars. Vandalism yes, but he received the same kind of punishment as one who is convicted of rape.

There are precautions taken, padding to protect vital organs and specified areas on the body where one is allowed to cane another. Most often times the punished are caned across the buttocks. Medical attention is provided afterward, but this practice often mutilates the area and leaves permanent and sometimes horrific scars. All canings take place in one session, unless the one receiving the blows is deemed medically unfit to continue. In that case, the remaining strokes are delivered at a later date.

Tags: hotels, luxury, singapore

Cheong Soo Pieng

Cheong Soo Pieng was born in China in 1917. He began studying art at the Xiamen Academy when he was just sixteen years old. He was the last of seven children and was not discouraged in his pursuit to become an artist by he family or more specifically his parents, but they did not encourage him either. His self motivation is obvious as he graduated from the fine art academy in just three years. He went on to further his studies in Shanghai, however his time there was cut short as the academy he was attending was destroyed during the Sino-Japenese war. So he decided to return to home and to the school of his youth to become a teacher there and to work on his own pieces. For he was known to be an incredible and an inspirational teacher, his own work and his own art making is what drove him. His first one man show was there at the school in 1942 and at the time, he worked in watercolor. Tubes of oil paint where extremely difficult to get a hold of in China at the time.

In 1945, after spending some time in Hong Kong, he decided to move to Singapore. He began teaching at the Nanyang Fine Art Academy. He was a well respected and admired teacher there for more than twenty years. And while he loved teaching, as stated earlier his true passion was in creating his own work. And just before he turned 50 he was able to retire and become a committed full time artist. His innovative and modern way in the school of NanYang Style, has him recognized even today, as one of Singapore’s most revered and influential painters. He continued to paint in watercolor, but became well versed in the use of oil painting and sculpture as well. In galleries, in businesses including the best hotels in Singapore, his works hang on the walls and continue to inspire those who view them, and to influence those who study painting and art. He was recognized for his life time of achievements by the National Museum and was scheduled to hang a retrospective show in 1983. His show was hung, however he passed away four months prior to the opening. His work lives on and he will continue to influence the world of modern art for all of time to come.

Tags: best, hotels, singapore

Sustainable Living in Singapore

The government of Singapore has stepped in again. However, in ways that will benefit the rest of the world as well as the country, in terms of the environment. The belief is that it is now the responsibility of everyone to come together and fix the sick environment. There are government mandates as well as government reimbursement programs available. This is a long term program, with the realization that these problems of the pollution and energy usage cannot be fixed overnight. The people involved will need to endure and persevere in the continued care of the environment. The technology has become so advanced that to turn away from the possibilities now is not only a ridiculous notion, but quite a dangerous one as well. And some of the technology has become so advanced that at this point it is becoming less expensive for consumers to take advantage of and utilize the means of alternative energy. One of the government mandates requires big business such as resorts, restaurants and five star hotels Singapore to install water conservation devices in the toilets, urinals and taps. Not only has this cut down on the water usage in the city, but the continued incentive has been a noticeable reduction on the water bills for these establishments. Research and development has been underway for many years, on creating a viable means of desalination plants, thus furthering conservation and making the most of natural resources. Also a mandate for these big businesses as well as large apartment buildings and condominiums is a mandatory recycling program, which will be in effect by the end of 2009. Many of the landfills on the island have already been converted into eco-parks, wherein scientists and researchers are discovering new ways of recycling and new forms of renewable energy sources.

The government reimbursement programs include funding for the installation of the water saving devices as well as the installation of solar panels. Companies using air conditioning for big buildings will need to insure that they are using the most current and ecologically friendly models of air conditioners, and the government will provide rebates for this as well, sometimes picking up at least 80 percent of the cost to the consumer. Hybrid cars, the rebate program for those choosing to purchase alternative means of transportation has been extended to run throughout 2011. Giving people time to save up to buy these energy efficient vehicles, and then giving them a little bit back for their effort and continued dedication to the protection and care of the earth and her environment.

Tags: five, hotels, singapore, star