ASEAN
SINGAPORE (DECEMBER 1996)
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Lying almost on the equator, Singapore is a thriving city-state that has overcome its dearth of natural resources to become one of the juggernaut economies of Asia. A city of concrete, glass and steel, renowned for its hi-tech wizardry, Singapore also offers a taste of the great Asian cultures in a small easy-to-manage package. In the crowded streets of Chinatown, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. In Little India, you can buy the best sari material, freshly ground spices or a picture of your favourite Hindu god. In the small shops of Arab St, the cry of the imam can be heard from the nearby Sultan Mosque. Sentosa Island is considered the granddaddy of Singapore's parks. It is the city-state's most visited attraction, especially on weekends. It has museums, aquariums, beaches (with imported sand), sporting facilities, walks, rides and food centres. And if a day isn't enough to take in all the sites and activities, the island has a camping ground, hostel and luxury hotels. Selamat Datang.
WELCOME TO THAILAND
BANGKOK, THAILAND (FEBRUARY 1991)
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Bangkok proper seethes on the east side of the Chao Phraya River and can be divided into two by the main north-south train line. Old Bangkok glitters in the portion between the river and the railway and it is here that most of the older temples and the original palace are located. The new Bangkok is east of the railway, covering many times more area than the old city. It incorporates the main commercial and tourist districts, which give way to a vast residential sprawl. For a city of this size, Bangkok is surprisingly full of quiet escapes. Just step out of the street noise and into the calm of one of the city's 400 wats (temple-monasteries) or take a river taxi on the Chao Phraya River. Must sees include Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Traimit. This latter is the Temple of the Golden Buddha, home to the impressive 3m tall, 5 1/2-tonne solid-gold Buddha image. Silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson's House manages to avoid being a touristy nightmare by virtue of the singular vision which created this haven of traditional Thai art and architecture. An expat American, Thompson was a tireless curator and promoter of Thai culture until his mysterious disappearance in 1967.
SUBIC BAY, PHILLIPPINES (DECEMBER 1996)
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The story of the Subic Bay Freeport started as early as 1971, when Richard J. Gordon, the youngest member of the Constitutional Convention at 26, conceptualized the idea of a Freeport, anticipating the impending withdrawal of the US Navy. But at that time this idea was unnoticed by the Philippine government. In June 1991, Mt.Pinatubo erupted, burying the City in 12-18 inches of ash fall. In September 1991, the Philippine government rejected the renewal of the US Military Bases Agreement. Shortly thereafter this Mayor Richard J. Gordon and thousands of Olongapo residents rallied for Congress to create the Freeport. In March 1992, RA7227 was passed creating the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the country's first Freeport. "Some people call it a miracle, but for the people of Subic Bay, it's simply hard work" Today, men and women regardless of age are involved one way or the other in the many volunteer activities in the City and in the SBF area.
BROMO, INDONESIA (MEI 1992)
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PUNCAK, INDONESIA (JUN 1993)
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West Java map
PUNCAK, INDONESIA (JUN 1993)
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