Around The World ( 1956 ) - CONNIE FRANCIS .
The Thai economy is the world's 20th largest by GDP at PPP and the 27th largest by nominal GDP. It became a newly industrialised country and a major exporter in the 1990s. Manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism are leading sectors of the economy. It is considered a middle power in the region and around the world.
Dec.15_2010 Bangkok, Thailand
The.King.and.I.1956 -Movie : The King And I (1956) _In this film adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, widowed Welsh mother Anna Loenowens (Deborah Kerr) becomes a governess and English tutor to the wives and many children of the stubborn King Mongkut of Siam (Yul Brynner). Anna and the king have a clash of personalities as she works to teach the royal family about the English language, customs and etiquette, and rushes to prepare a party for a group of European diplomats who must change their opinions about the king.
- Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, sometimes referred to as the Lion City, the Garden City or the Little Red Dot, is a sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia. Singapore's territory consists of one main island along with 62 other islets.
Stamford Raffles founded colonial Singapore in 1819 as a trading post of the East India Company; after its collapse and the eventual establishment of the British Raj, the islands were ceded to Britain and became part of its Straits Settlements in 1826. During the Second World War, Singapore was occupied by Japan. It gained independence from the UK in 1963 by federating with other former British territories to form Malaysia, but separated two years later over ideological differences, becoming a sovereign nation in 1965. After early years of turbulence, and despite lacking natural resources and a hinterland, the nation developed rapidly as an Asian Tiger economy, based on external trade and its workforce.
Singapore is a global commerce, finance and transport hub. Its standings include: the most "technology-ready" nation (WEF), top International-meetings city (UIA), city with "best investment potential" (BERI), second-most competitive country, third-largest foreign exchange market, third-largest financial centre, third-largest oil refining and trading centre, and the second-busiest container port. The country has also been identified as a tax haven.
Singapore ranks 5th on the UN Human Development Index and the 3rd highest GDP per capita. It is ranked highly in education, healthcare, life expectancy, quality of life, personal safety, and housing. Although income inequality is high, 90% of homes are owner-occupied. 38% of Singapore's 5.6 million residents are permanent residents and other foreign nationals. There are four official languages: English (common and first language), Malay, Mandarin, Tamil; almost all Singaporeans are bilingual.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, also known as the Esplanade Theatre or simply The Esplanade, is a 60,000 square metres (6.0 ha) performing arts centre located in Marina Bay near the mouth of the Singapore River. Named after the nearby Esplanade Park, it consists of a concert hall which seats about 1,600 and a theatre with a capacity of about 2,000 for the performing arts.
Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. At its opening in 2010, it was billed as the world's most expensive
standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including the land cost.
The complex is topped by a 340-metre-long (1,120 ft) SkyPark with a capacity of 3,900 people and a 150 m (490 ft) infinity swimming pool, set on top of the world's largest public cantilevered platform, which overhangs the north tower by 67 m (220 ft).
standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including the land cost.
The complex is topped by a 340-metre-long (1,120 ft) SkyPark with a capacity of 3,900 people and a 150 m (490 ft) infinity swimming pool, set on top of the world's largest public cantilevered platform, which overhangs the north tower by 67 m (220 ft).
Merlion Park, is a Singapore landmark and major tourist attraction, located at One Fullerton, Singapore, near the Central Business District (CBD). The Merlion is a mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish that is widely used as a mascot and national personification of Singapore. Two Merlion statues are located at the park. The original Merlion structure measures 8.6 meters tall and spouts water from its mouth. It has subsequently been joined by a Merlion cub, which is located near the original statue and measures just 2 metres tall.
Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island, Singapore. The resort started on 19 April 2007. It is the second Universal Studios theme park to open in Asia (Japan being the first), and the first in Southeast Asia.
At the Statue of Merlion on Sentosa Island_The giant, 37-meter-high Statue of Merlion – a mythical creature with lion head and fish body that became the tourist symbol of Singapore long ago – is one of the most notable sights on Sentosa Island. It is a modern copy of an 8-meter-high Statue of Merlion, installed in the namesake Park on the Marina Bay Quay.
-Top 10 Places to Visit in Singapore :
-Singapore Vacation Travel Video Guide :
- Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy located in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories and has a total landmass of 330,803 square kilometres (127,720 sq mi) separated by the South China Sea into two similarly sized regions, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Malaysian Borneo).
Peninsular Malaysia shares a land and maritime border with Thailand and maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. East Malaysia shares land and maritime borders with Brunei and Indonesia and a maritime border with the Philippines and Vietnam. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. With a population of over 30 million, Malaysia is the 44th most populous country. The southernmost point of continental Eurasia, Tanjung Piai, is in Malaysia. Located in the tropics, Malaysia is one of 17 megadiverse countries on earth, with large numbers of endemic species.
Malaysia has its origins in the Malay kingdoms present in the area which, from the 18th century, became subject to the British Empire. The first British territories were known as the Straits Settlements, whose establishment was followed by the Malay kingdoms becoming British protectorates. The territories on Peninsular Malaysia were first unified as the Malayan Union in 1946.
Malaya was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948, and achieved independence on 31 August 1957. Malaya united with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore on 16 September 1963 to become Malaysia. Less than two years later in 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation.
The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in politics. About half the population is ethnically Malay, with large minorities of Malaysian Chinese, Malaysian Indians, and indigenous peoples.
The constitution declares Islam the state religion while allowing freedom of religion for non-Muslims. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and the legal system is based on common law. The head of state is the king, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He is an elected monarch chosen from the hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years. The head of government is the prime minister.
Since its independence, Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with its GDP growing at an average of 6.5% per annum for almost 50 years. The economy has traditionally been fuelled by its natural resources, but is expanding in the sectors of science, tourism, commerce and medical tourism.
Today, Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, ranked third largest in Southeast Asia and 29th largest in the world.
-The Year of the Dragon (2012).At the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur.
At the MASJID PUTRA MOSQUE - PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA.
THE MASJID PUTRA MOSQUE - PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA.
- Perdana Putra built in Mogul style, Malaysian Prime Minister's office.
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MASJID PUTRA MOSQUE - PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA
@ The King's Palace_Kuala Lumpur_Malaysia.
@ The King's Palace_Kuala Lumpur_Malaysia.
The Malaysian National Monument In Kuala Lumpur.
Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Dataran Merdeka is a square located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Literally Independence Square, it was formerly known as the Selangor Club Padang or simply the "Padang" and was used as the cricket green of the Selangor Club (now Royal Selangor Club). It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight (time: 12:00 AM) on 31 August 1957. Since then, Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for the annual Merdeka Parade (National Day Parade).
- Dataran Merdeka is a square located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Literally Independence Square, it was formerly known as the Selangor Club Padang or simply the "Padang" and was used as the cricket green of the Selangor Club (now Royal Selangor Club). It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight (time: 12:00 AM) on 31 August 1957. Since then, Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for the annual Merdeka Parade (National Day Parade).
The Petronas Towers house the headquarters of the national oil company Petronas and are the tallest twin-towers in the world.
-Malaysia Vacation Travel Video Guide :
-Photo Album_In Malaysia :
Malacca, officially Melaka _"The Historic State" is a state in Malaysia and located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca.
Although it was the location of one of the earliest Malay sultanates, the local monarchy was abolished when the Portuguese conquered it in 1511. The head of state is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or Governor, rather than a Sultan.
The Stadthuys (an old Dutch spelling, meaning city hall) is a historical structure situated in the heart of Malacca City, the administrative capital of the state of Malacca, Malaysia in a place known as the Red Square. The Stadhuys is known for its red exterior and nearby red clocktower. It was built by the Dutch in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor.
The Stadthuys is known for its red exterior and nearby red clocktower.
Christ Church is an 18th-century Anglican church in the city of Malacca, Malaysia. It is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia and is within the jurisdiction of the Lower Central Archdeaconry of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia.
-Heavily decorated cycle rickshaw in Melaka.
St.Paul's Church (1521)_Malacca_Malaysia.
-St. Paul's Church is a historic church building in Melaka, Malaysia that was originally built in 1521, making it the oldest church building in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It is located at the summit of St. Paul's Hill and is today part of the Melaka Museum Complex comprising the A Famosa ruins, the Stadthuys and other historical buildings.
-In 1952, a statue of St. Francis Xavier was erected in front of the ruins of the church in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of his sojourn in Melaka. A day after the statue was consecrated, a large casuarina tree fell on it, breaking off its right arm. Incidentally, the right forearm of Xavier was detached in 1614 as a relic.
St Francis Xavier with a cutting-off right hand.
St Francis Xavier died off the coast of China and his body was buried in Malacca for six months before going on to its final resting place in Goa, India. In 1614, the Pope requested the right arm of Saint to be severed from his corpse and sent to Rome. Blood was shed and gushed out of the arm even though he had been dead for 62 years. Immediately after Fr Francis Xavier was canonised a Saint in 1622 what remain of the right arm in Rome was merely skeleton. But the body in Goa remains incorrupt minus the right arm. In 1952 the Bishop of Macau decided to put up a statue in front of the St Paul's Church. A marble statue was ordered from Italy and was sculptured by the famous Italian sculpture, G.Toni and was ready for the fourth centenary celebrations on the 22 March 1953. One quiet night a huge tree fell, burying the statue. On clearing the branches, the statue was found to be intact except for the right arm which had broken off. This is yet another miracle of St. Francis Xavier to show that his incorrupt body in Goa today is without the right hand. Until today visitor to St Paul's hill can still witness this phenomenon with the statue standing without the right hand.
A Famosa Portuguese fort in Malacca
-Built 1511 By Portuguese Empire.
-Photo Album_Malaysia_Malacca :
The Murugan statue.
Standing at 42.7 m (140 ft) high, the world's tallest statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity, is located outside Batu Caves.
Climbing up 273 steps.
Lord Murugan Temple inside Batu Caves.
- IN GENTING HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA
At the Resorts World Genting.
Inside First World Plaza.
Chin Swee Caves Temple.
At the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
- Kuala Lumpur Vacation Travel Video Guide :
- SAIGON_Vietnam :
There are many citations to the birth of Saigon (Sài Gòn) city in Vietnam and the origin of its name.
In the 15th century, this area were swamps, marshes and thick forests.
By the early 17th century, a small township was formed.
According to one theory, Saigon or Sai Con has its root in a Khmer word Prei Kor (Kapok Tree Forest).
1960 Saigon VIETNAM Fine Original Vintage Travel Poster LINEN Pre-US WAR Period
Saigon before 1975
Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập) before 1975.
2012_03_05_At the staircase of the Saigon Tax Trade Centre.
- The Grands Magasins Charner was not the first department store in the city – that honour went to the Au Nouveautés Catinat, a store founded in 1887 on place Francis Garnier (Lam Sơn square) by Corsican entrepreneur Lucien Berthet. But following its grand opening in 1924, the Grands Magasins Charner became the place to shop in Saigon.
-VIEW :Date with the Wrecking Ball – Saigon Tax Trade Centre, 1924.
-The Saigon Tax Trade Center Mosaic Staircase: A Forgotten Moroccan Masterpiece:
Saigon heritage – the 1924-built French department store housed one of the world’s great pieces of mosaic art.
One of the most important examples is the great staircase of the Grands Magasins Charner (GMC), now the Saigon Tax Trade Centre.
Photo via Dona Đỗ Ngọc.
The Société des Grands Magasins Coloniale purchased the land on the corner of boulevards Charner and Bonard in Saigon in 1921, and in the following year they began construction of the GMC store, which was similar in design to the company’s existing Grands Magasins Réunis department store in Hà Nội. According to an article of 14 June 1925 in Les Potins de Paris, the GMC was built over a period of two and a half years, from 1922 to 1924. In this way, almost exactly 90 years passed between its inauguration day on 26 November 1924 and its closing day on 25 September 2014.
Furthermore, the particular design of the mosaic staircase, with its predominant blue colour, shells and fish motifs, seems to bring to mind the great maritime history of Saigon, making the whole staircase an “invitation to the sea.” It’s thus entirely appropriate that in 1925 the French authorities installed a siren on the roof of Grands Magasins Charner to announce when the courier ship from France had docked with its mail and passengers!
Saigon Opera House,built in 1897 by French architect Eugène Ferret as the Opėra de Saigon, the 800-seat building was used as the home of the Lower House assembly of South Vietnam after 1956.
The Hôtel Continental built in 1880 .
Enjoying an unforgettable night sailing down the Saigon River.A delicious dinner was served while cruising along the Saigon River , to enjoy dinner and traditional music show by the most famous musicians of Vietnam.
Saigon River Dinner Cruise and Musical Show.
Saigon River Dinner Cruise and Musical Show
Saigon River Dinner Cruise and Musical Show
-Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon(Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saïgon) the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet).All building materials were imported from France. The outside wall of the cathedral was built with bricks from Toulouse.
- At the Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập). It was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ ( a Vietnamese architect who won the First Grand Prize of Rome (Grand Prix de Rome) in 1955, the highest recognition of the Beaux-Arts school in Paris. He was also a laureate of the Rome Architecture Award) and was the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Vietnam.
-The Independence Palace was inaugurated on 31 October 1966 by the chairman of the National Leadership Committee, General Nguyễn Văn Thiệu.
-Photo Album_In Saigon ,Vietnam
- DaLat :
- Nha Trang :
Po Nagar is a Cham temple tower founded sometime before 781 and located in the medieval principality of Kauthara, near modern Nha Trang in Vietnam. It is dedicated to Yan Po Nagar, the goddess of the country, who came to be identified with the Hindu goddesses Bhagavati and Mahishasuramardini, (Thiên Y Thánh Mâu).
At the Long Sơn Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chùa Long Sơn) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nha Trang.
A large white concrete statue of Gautama Buddha. The statue was built on the site of the original temple and the statue was cast in 1964 _(Long Son Pagoda).
-Vietnam Vacation Travel Video Guide :
