Chinese New Year Cookies

2008 is also called the Brown Rat year. Chinese New Year this year falls on 7 February, 2008.

For travellers to Singapore and Malaysia, take note that 7 and 8 are public holidays in both Malaysia and Singapore. Small shops are usually closed but big department stores are open. Chinese restaurants.

Singaporeans and Malaysian are busy preparing New Year cookies this month or buy them for the New Year. The most important cake is the Niangao/ Nian Gao/ Nian Kueh or in Penang Hokkien tnee kueh. Other traditional cakes and cookies are kueh kapit (love letters), kueh bangkit, kueh bulu and peanut biscuits.

• Learn more about Chinese New Year here.
• Free Chinese 2008 calendar

2008 Public Holidays in Malaysia and Singapore

There many celebrations in Malaysians and Singaporeans (more in Malaysia) because of the cultural and religious diversity of the population.
National celebrations are: National day (Malaysia and Singapore) and Birthday of the King and Sultans in Malaysia. The major cultural and religious events celebrated are:

• Hari Raya Adilfitri (religious - Muslim)
• Chinese New Year (cultural - Chinese)
• Deepavali (religious - Hindu)
• Wesak (religious - Buddhist)
• Christmas (religious - Christian/Catholic)
• Hari Raya Qurban (religious - Muslim)

Get 2008 calendar, listing of public holidays for 2008, printable calender at myMalaysiabooks

Tips on flying to and from Singapore

Compare and choose airlines and discounted fare before booking. If you are travelling within Malaysia and Singapore, travel by one of this local airlines of the two countries:

Malaysia - Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, FAX, Berjaya.

Air Asia and Fire Fly are low cost budget airlines where you can book cheap air tickets if you book early. ...more at Transport in Malaysia

Singapore - Singapore Airlines, Tiger Air, Silk Air ...more at Transportation in Singapore

Check last minute air deals or discounted air fares from or to Singapore at Zuji.com

Travel advice: Malaysia Airlines and Singapore airlines have several daily shuttle flights between the two countries. However flights are always full during peak seasons.

Peak seasons in Singapore (and Malaysia) are during the school holidays, Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year holidays. So be sure to book your flights very early. Many travelling between Singapore and Malaysia have already book flights for Christmas 2007 and Chinese New Year 2008! If you are planning a visit during these periods, be sure to book flights and hotels for your vacation early.

By road or ferry from Singapore to Malaysia

The easiest route to Malaysia is by road. You can drive across to Malaysia through the causeway or through the second link. However, it is a hassle to drive from Malaysia into Singapore if you do not know the many road payment requirements in Singapore. Singapore requires some payment to be made by prepaid cards, etc., so be prepared. It is easier to take a taxi into Singapore, though rather costly.
From Singapore, the causeway take you into the heart of Johor Bahru city while the second link bypasses the city JB and takes you in into the toll/ PLUS expressway that passes through the length of the Malaysian peninsular and goes up to the Malaysia-Thai border.


However, some options yo may try is by sea. There are daily ferries going into Malaysia from Singapore into the state of Johor. Its a good option if you want to go to the eastern part of Johor, such as Desaru. ........more at From Singapore to Malaysia

What's new in Singapore

Get to Singapore's newest attraction - the largest retail and lifestyle destination is Vivocity, 10 minutes from Orchard Road. Travel to HarbourFront Centre (Where you take the cable car to Sentosa Island) - Get there by MRT North East line, taxi or bus.

>> Transport in Singapore.

Planning your holidays in Singapore or Malaysia?

>> Compare hotel rates from many websites before you book!

From Singapore to East Malaysia

Flying to East Malaysia (Sabah or Sarawak)
The most economical flight daily to Labuan, Kuching, Sibu, Miri or Sandakan in Sarawak or Kota Kinabalu in Sabah is by Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia. Most flights depart from KLIA. There are direct flight from KLIA or Singapore to Kuching on Malaysia Airlines or Singapore Airlines. Direct flight also depart from Brunei, Seoul, Guanczhou, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, etc to Kota Kinabalu (sabah).
You can also catch flights on other airlines from KLIA or Changi Airport, Singapore. Domestic airports in Malaysia are served by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and FAX (FlyAsiaXpress) and Batavia Air (from Indonesia)
...details at myMalaysiabooks (transport pages).

By ferry to Johore, Malaysia

By sea from Singapore to Malaysia and Indonesia
You can travel by sea from Singapore and Indonesia to Johor, Malaysia, daily. The Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal, located in the Zon duty free complex is about 2 km east of the JB-Singapore causeway. Check out other parts of Johor you can visit and where to catch the ferry in Singapore (ferry terminals) at myMalaysiabooks.

By bus to Johor

Many buses ply the route Malaysia-Singapore daily, you can probably find a bus every 15 minutes. These buses crosses the causeway into Johor Bahru.
Singapore Bus Service (SBS) buses and the Malaysian Causeway Link Yellow buses are available almost every 15 minutes. These buses takes you across the causeway to Johor Bahru (JB) or to the Larkin Bus Terminal, Johor.

The Causeway Link Yellow Bus picks passengers at the bus stop opposite the Kranji MRT Station in Singapore. This bus takes you to Sentral Kotaraya (City) Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru (JB) in Malaysia. Alternatively, take the SBS Transit Bus (a Singapore bus service) from Karanji or Queen Street in Singapore to the Sentral Kotaraya Bus Terminal, JB.
Other express buses crosses to Johor via the second link.
.............More at myMalaysiabooks.

Shopping and tips on travel

Get some insider shopping tips at our Singapore shopping guide.
If you are planning a visit to Singapore check out offers of great hotel rates by our affiliates here

Learn how to travel econonically from Singapore to Malaysia.
and how to travel from Malaysia to Thailand.

more travel tips at myMalaysiabooks

Food and Recipes of Malaysia and Singapore

Malaysia and Singapore Food
Nonya Cuisine is a blend of Chinese and Malay cooking styles, that originates from the Peranakans or Baba & Nyonya (Nonya) of Malaysia and Singapore. Nonya food from Penang, Melaka (Malacca) and Singapore differ somewhat in tastes due to other cultural influences.

myMalaysiabooks brings to you some of the many cuisines and flavours of Malaysia. Savour and try out the unique taste of tradition cuisines.

Check out some typical Nonya (Nyonya/ Peranakan) recipes here.

(Note: Baba and Nyonya: early Chinese migrants who came to the Malay peninsular from the 19th century that has assimilated many cultural practices of the Malays into their Chinese culture - details in myPenang travel guide).

My Singapore

Welcome to Singapore!
Singapore is a “unique” city state rich in contrast and colour - a blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture that is uniquely Asia.

Total land area - 682.7 square kilometers
Population: 4 million
Ethnic groups: 77% Chinese, 14% Malays, 8% Indians and 1% Eurasians and people of other descent

myMalaysiabooks - shares you you the best of Singapore linking you to all you want to know, what to do, where to eat, where to shop and much more ..... at My Singapore

>> Links to travel information on Singapore
>> Links from Asia to Singapore

When in Singapore, just hop over to Malaysia. Its just a few minutes away...
>> Learn how to travel to Singapore from Malaysia
>> Read about Malaysia
>> Visit the Pearl of the Orient - Penang, and enjoy a unique urban experience
>> Visit the state of Johor, Malaysia - the southern gateway to Malaysia
>> Venture further to the other states in Malaysia

More on Malaysia at myMalaysiabooks