The second edition of BikeAsia will be held on a different date to avoid clashing with the Motorcycle show of China and Taiwan. It is dedicated to both bicycles and motorcycles that encompass the entire 2-Wheels industry in Asia. The duration of the event however will be decreased from 4 days to 3 days and the first day will be devoted to the people involved in the Trade, while the remaining two days will be open to the public.

The first edition itself attracted 1,482 business professionals and over 15,000 visitors. 103 companies from over 17 countries displayed a wide range of motorcycles and bicycles alike and also accessories, apparels and services related to the 2-wheels.

The governments are taking a more pro-active and eco-friendly approach to 2-Wheels due to the growing popularity of the motorcycles and bicycles. Hence comes the rationale and fervor for the creation of BIKEASIA to garner even stronger support and awareness for the flourishing 2-Wheels industry.

This is a must for all motorcycle fanatics as you can find most of the brand names of motorcycles at this event. For those who like to appreciate 2-wheeled vehicles, you can also go there to see and admire the different designs and types of motorcycles/bicycles there. Custom designed motorcycles that can't be found anywhere else are right here! So start packing your stuff and prepare to come to the BikeAsia 2009 now!

VROOM VROOM....

Spent your fabulous new year with Singapore!

beautiful fireworks colored the sky

finally... the highlight of the night!

Day1 (1 Nov)

Night Safari: Halloween HorrorVenture into the wild and weird realm of ghouls and goblins this Halloween. Take photo at the Haunted Photo Wall and go around the Haunted Rainforest where Creature of the Night will emerge unexpectedly. Vampires, ghouls and ghosts await you at every corner!
Deepavali Celebrations in Little India: Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is the most important festival in the Hindu calendar. Celebrate the victory of good over evil by lighting the oil lamps to thank Gods for happiness, knowledge and health received.

Day 2 (2 Nov)

Korean Flavour Fiesta: VivoCity Amphitheatre (L3)Enjoy the taste of fresh Korean food in Singapore at reasonable prices!
Arise - Contemporary Chinese and European Art:Connoisseur Art GalleryConnoisseur Art Gallery proudly presents a myriad of amazing contemporary Chinese and European artworks by its pool of stellar artists. The works allow the viewers to be exposed to a wide range of contemporary Chinese and European Art at the same time.

Day 3 (3 Nov)

Masriadi: Black is My Last Weapon-Singapore Art MuseumThe exhibition presents a striking portrait of Masriadi through the displayed works and the exhibition design. It translates four thematic sections that provide a different angle of understanding different façades of Masriadi's personality, his commitment to painting and the theme of his works.
Avenue Q- Esplanade Theatre: One of the longest and running contemporary musicals on Broadway is here!It opened in London’s West End in 2006 and has since won the Tony Award and Laurence Oliver Award for the Best Musical.So sit back and enjoy the show which is largely inspired by Sesame Street.

Day 4 (4 Nov)

K-Pop Concert: 4 Nov, 2008; Singapore Indoor Stadium
Christmas in the Tropics: Orchard, Marina BaySingapore's most famous shopping belt gears up for the season of joy by turning into the most beautiful fairy tale land of all sorts. From Orchard Road to Marina Bay, the streets and shopping centers get festive with dazzling lights and decorations as well as special window displays.

Day 5 (5 Nov)

Korean Traditional Dance Performance: 5 Nov, 2008; University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore (NUS)
The Tooth Fairy -DBS ARTS CENTRE - Home of the Singapore Repertory Theatre: The Tooth Fairy is The Little Company's latest year-end extravaganza.Don't miss this fun-filled magical musical and find out what happens to Ruthie's tooth in this timeless tale featuring memorable and uplifting songs and dance routines, colorful set and costumes, and performed by our dynamic troop of actors.

Deepavali which is known as the Feastival of Lights in english is actually a five-day Hindu festival. This New Year festival takes its name from a Sanskrit word meaning a “row or cluster of lights”.

This festival takes place in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October/November in the English calendar.

It marks both a new moon and a new year and is celebrated in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune and consort of Vishnu. It is celebrated with worship, ceremonial displays of lights, and fireworks to chase away the spirits of the deceased.

The Indians in Sinagpore celebrate this festival in great style with the whole of Little India street being colourfully lit with lights.


Families taking oil bathes in the morning,visiting temples and their loved ones giving one another money as well as exchanging gifts. Childrens just love the festival as they get to eat their favourite sweets and play with fire crackers while visiting their loved ones!



Deepavali has always been the time for me to reunite with my family and friends. I always look forward to our deepavali shopping periods. This is the time where my family and I go to little India together to pick up some clothes for the auspicious event. The entire Little India would be very different from how it is on normal circumstances! The entire place would be lit with beautiful colored lights, which would be different every year!My sisters and I always look forward to my family’s shopping times as we get to go to Little India together with my cousins and family member. We will all eagerly enter the clothing stores to choose the most stylish and latest clothes, which we like the most. Also shopping for house decoration items would be done at this time. Specials greeting cards for the special occasion would be bought. These cards would then be delivered to relatives and dear ones to wish Deepavali greetings. Although this may seem like a weird thing especially in a high-technology world, people still continue this practice.

Deepavali is a time where all the relatives, far and near, would spend their time together with my family and I. Also the speciality of celebrating Deepavali in Singapore is that different race and religious friends would also be able to take part and celebrate this festival as one. My Chinese friends have also been part of my family by celebrating this auspicious occasion with me! Amazing isn't it?

Hari Raya Puasa is a public holiday in Singapore.

Some of Hari Raya traditional costumes on display!

The celebration of this festival extends to a month where importance is placed on the first three days. During the three days, Muslim homes have a "open house" policy where friends and relatives visit one another.

It is also customary during this period that graves of departed souls are visited and are remembered in prayers. Seven days prior to Hari Raya Puasa a small oil lamp is lit in front of every Muslim home. Each day an additional lamp is added and finally by the seventh day there are seven lamps lit in a complete row. These lamps are meant to welcome the souls of the departed who are supposed to be visiting their families in the night. This ceremony is known as Malam Tujoh Likur , meaning "all soul's night".

Hari Raya feast!

credits for images: By Kirk Siang, MyLifeStory on Flickr and Yahoo Images

One of the places you shouldn't miss!

CHINATOWN!

So you must be wondering why of all places, TWK recommends you to Chinatown? The reason is simple, take a short walk in Chinatown and you will be able to catch a glimpse of how the early Chinese settlers lived and toiled. You will also easily spot the difference between the buildings: Imagine an old pre-war shop house standing side by side to a renovated one. The sights of the old and renewed intermittently appearing in random along the streets is actually part of our efforts to preserved the history of our Great ancestors and to constantly remind ourselves of their contributions to our nation.

Simple decorations all over the city for this festival.

A small boy dressing up in this traditional outfit!

Fast and Furious- The Dragon and his Fireball

The Dragon serves as a symbol during the Chinese New Year.

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HELLO TO ALL! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

(Chinese New Year 2008- The Year of Rat!)

Before we know, Chinese New Year 2009 -The Year of the OX, will be arriving very soon! Starting on the Monday, 26th of January in 2009, the celebrations usually lasts about 42 days, depending on the Chinese calender.

As for me, another year has gone by, and i personally feel that there has not been much changes going on for the past 1 year. As the new year comes, I will have to carry out the usual CNY routine of clearing my stuff and helping my mother to clean up the house. It is not impossible fpr me to spend a whole weekend just to put up the decorations and lay out the new year goodies for me to eat! I always look forward to the reunion dinner with my family as I get to see all my younger cousins (I'm the oldest in both my father's and mother's side of the family) and the have a sumptuous meal.

Based on the previous 16 years of my life, I doubt my family will change their sequence of visiting my relatives. First stop is at my grandmother's house all the way in Chua Chu Kang (I live in Tampines) and we have to be there in the morning (this means getting up early in the morning for me). It's worth it though as my grandparents are usually quite generous with the red packets they give. This is followed by some relatives on my mother's side whom I can never remember how I'm supposed to address them. Next would be the relatives on my father's side and some of his friends. The night is usually wasted away by me trying to ignore the noise from the "washing" of the mahjong tiles. And of course, once the celebrations are over, I think I will end up with sore throat due to all the barbeque pork, pineapple tarts and chocolates I'll be eating. Sometimes, temptation does have a price to pay. :X

In actual fact, all the CNY bustling actually takes place weeks before the day itself, where all families gear up in preparation for the time when their relatives come knocking on their doors. It will not be surprising to see the streets of Chinatown being flooded with people rushing to buy their New Year's goods in anticipation of their guests. Take a walk in Chinatown 1 week before the New Year. You will be overwhelmed with the different scents and sounds in the air, like the smell of roasting chestnuts, the smell of different fruits and dried pork and the shouts of the store keepers trying to reel in customers. An experience you won't forget.

Also during the CNY period, festivities take place all over the city. This include the spectacular Chingay Parade, consisting of stilt-walkers, lion dancers, samba dances and floats. Be bombarded by the wide variety of colourful and vibrant performances! Simply fabulous!

Besides Chingay, another activity that should not be missed will be the yearly Chinese New Year Celebration held at Chinatown. Light-up ceremony, countdown party, fireworks, firecrackers, how can you possibly miss all the fun in this action-packed festive celebration?

Cai Shen dao~

-THE GOD OF WEALTH-

has been and is still the main attraction during the Chinese New Year Festival!

" Take a candy from him and it is believe to be able to bring you luck for this Chinese New Year!"

All these festivities are a great opportunity for everyone on this island to have a huge gathering and totally indulge themselves in the jubilant atmosphere during this festive season!

So remember, during the CNY period, do join in the festive crowds!

Till Later,

TWK! (Travel with Knowledge)

Credits for images: By Tracee on Flickr & Yahoo Images