Gong xi fa cai or Happy Chinese Lunar New Year (in advance)!

Hi there! Imran here with a brief 'hello' from sunny (and often rainy) Singapore! 

Greetings from Singapore! It's your friendly host from the Little Red Dot (aka Singapore)! Welcome to the second edition of my newsletter. You are receiving my newsletter as you have either been on a tour with me (earlier this century) or we are connected via LinkedIn. If this intrusion is not to your liking, fair enough, it is easy for you to unsubscribe. Simply use the unsubscribe button in the footer of this email. Singaporeans are well adjusted to the multiracial character of our city-state. Schoolchildren are taught about the main ethnicities living in Singapore, i.e. Chinese, Malay, Indian and 'others' in an effort to promote interracial harmony. However, with almost three out of four Singaporeans being of Chinese descent, the Chinese community makes up the lion's share of Singapore's population. (Lately this overwhelming Chinese majority has sparked a debate about the idea of 'Chinese Entitlement' in a multiracial state. But let's leave controversies out of this newsletter!) Therefore, one of the most important dates in Singapore's annual calendar is the Chinese Lunar New Year (CNY). The city, especially Chinatown, will be decked out to ring in the lunar new year which happens on February 1. February 1 is the day we leave behind the Year of the Ox and welcome in the Year of the Tiger. Out with the Ox and in with the Tiger! If you want to read some tea leaves about your own fortunes in the Year of the Tiger check out these predictions. The twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac Chinese New Year is a period of family, festivities, food and firecrackers (careful: setting off firecrackers without permission may land you afoul of the law in Singapore!). Festivities generally last two weeks and highlights include a CNY family reunion dinner as well as the exchange of Red Envelopes between friends and family. Traditionally, the CNY period is also a time to honor deities and visit the graves of ancestors. A red envelope - hongbao in Mandarin and ang pow in Hokkien (a Chinese dialiect widely spoken in Singapore) - is a gift of money inserted into an ornate red envelope. In Chinese culture the color red symbolizes energy, happiness and good luck. Year of the Tiger red packets Despite not being Chinese (was it my name which gave that away?), I am looking forward to the upcoming CNY celebrations. The celebratory spirit and cheerful mood are infectious! Do you have friends or family who celebrate CNY? Make it a point to wish them "gong xi fa cai" in the lunar new year. Let's hope that whatever else the Tiger may bring, the new year will once and for all take away this darned COVID-19 virus – variants and all!  Best wishes in advance for a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Tiger! Imran January 2022 PS - To arrange a (Singapore focused) customized live virtual tour please get in touch by WhatsApp (+65 9786 7210) or email (imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com). Also, please feel free to forward my newsletter to interested persons.  PPS – You may visit the last edition of my newsletter here. Singapore: the story of a church, a mosque, a temple & Michelin starred street food in old Chinatown   Though ethnic Chinese comprise almost three quarters of Singapore's population, the city-state is religiously and ethnically diverse, and this live tour along the Street of Harmony, Telok Ayer Street, is a great way to see Singapore's multiculturalism.  Along the route we'll also see a street food hawker center and colorful shophouse architecture. Book now» Sights and sounds of Singapore's Little India: from Hindu temples to UNESCO recognized street food   Singapore's Indian community - though small in numbers - is an integral part of Singapore's food, culture and architectural landscape. At the heart of the community is the Little India district where all this and more are on display. Join me as we stroll through the streets and side lanes of Little India and take in the sights and sounds (not the aromas!) of this vibrant district. Book now» Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Copyright © 2021 Singapore Locally La, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Singapore Locally La 363 B Sembawang Crescent #03-727 Sun Natura Singapore 752363 Singapore Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Season's greetings from tropical Singapore!

Hi there! Imran here and no this is not just another marketing pitch but rather a brief 'hello' from sunny (and often rainy!) Singapore! 

Greetings from Singapore! Remember me - your friendly host from the Little Red Dot (aka Singapore)! My apologies for crashing unannounced into your inbox. You are on this list as you have either taken a tour with me (earlier this century) or we are connected via LinkedIn. If this intrusion is not to your liking, fair enough, then it is easy to unsubscribe. Simply use the unsubscribe button in the footer of this email. 2021 has been an unusual year to say the least. Despite the arrival of vaccines and a better understanding of the virus, the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated. However, we are slowly but surely moving towards a 'modus vivendi' with the virus; or as is said here in Singapore, becoming a COVID Resilient nation. For tour guides, resiliency is more than just a word. As the travel industry collapsed, guides were forced to rethink tried and tested business models. In Singapore, many opted out of the guiding industry and became Safe Distancing Ambassadors enforcing safe distancing in public places or other roles associated with managing the pandemic, e.g. working at quarantine centers, monitoring entry / exits at malls, etc. Guides remaining in the industry adapted in remarkably creative ways. Many of us (including yours truly!) started offering live virtual tours to a global audience.  In hindsight, it's a wonder we didn't start live virtual tours earlier. Clients sitting at home (anywhere in the world!) using much improved Internet connectivity  – virtual tours were an 'accident' waiting to happen. Sights and sounds of Singapore's Little India: from Hindu temples to UNESCO recognized street food In my case, a virtual tour effectively means I walk around in Singapore's blazing heat and humidity (or rain!) entertaining guests with the city's sights and sounds while guests are ensconced in the comfort of their living room! Not a bad deal I'd say.  Hopefully, 2022 will be a more normal year – whatever that means. For some, I guess greater normalcy means more recreational travel under less strained circumstances. In other words, travel for fun and without the fear of catching COVID-19 in distant exotic locations! Despite Singapore's inherent cautious conservatism (inherent cautious conservatism – how's that for a phrase?) we too are reopening to the world. We hope to welcome you back to our shores in person in 2022! Yes, it has taken a pandemic to force me to get my act together and reach out to my friends. However, I promise to be in regular – but not so regular that I become an irritant – contact from now on. Until then please stay safe ... Merry Christmas and season's greetings from Singapore! Best wishes, Imran December 2021 Singapore: the story of a church, a mosque, a temple & Michelin starred street food in old Chinatown   Though ethnic Chinese comprise almost three quarters of Singapore's population, the city-state is religiously and ethnically diverse, and this live tour along the Street of Harmony, Telok Ayer Street, is a great way to see Singapore's multiculturalism.  Along the route we'll also see a street food hawker center and colorful shophouse architecture. Book now» Singapore's Marina Bay after dark: mythical sea creatures, helixes and casinos   Singapore's Marina Bay reservoir is surrounded by the city's iconic architecture. At night, the area presents a fascinating melange of water surrounded by light, color and lines. This Experience starts at the "Merlion Park" where Singapore's mythical sea creature the Merlion proudly stands and ends in the colonial Civic District. Book now» Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Copyright © 2021 Singapore Locally La, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Singapore Locally La 363 B Sembawang Crescent #03-727 Sun Natura Singapore 752363 Singapore Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.