It’s vacation time and each member of the family has his/her own plans of a holiday destination. Clothes and accessories make up much of the wardrobe and these are places where you should not go wrong especially if you like to stay fashionable when you are on a vacation. Here are some tips on what’s in, based on where you’re headed!
Misty mountains

Getting to the hills is a great way to beat the heat! Summer on a mountain top is most likely cool and pleasant, so get your heavy jerseys on!  Try to keep it layered rather than heavy since that always gives you the option of extra coverage over the changing temperature during different parts of the day! A nice neck wrap is a must-have or a regular shawl hanging off the shoulder when it’s not cold enough yet. Get shoes with heavy duty treads for those long hikes and treks.
Adventure

Get the lycra on! Again, more emphasis should be placed on comfort and functionality rather than looking fashionable. Lycra is the most comfortable fabric to wear for adventure sport and related areas of holiday interest.  Whether it is deep sea diving, skiing or rafting, lycra offers you the best in comfort and durability and has excellent breathability.  There are various categories to choose from for specific sports so choose right!
Forest

A rendezvous in the jungle can be quite a unique experience… what you wear should be more functional than presentable in this case. Wear good heavy cotton cargos or shorts to go with a comfortable tee and a photographer’s vest for storage. Keep the colours earthy! Forest holidays are never fun without a bonfire…So simple printed skirts and mono tone spaghetti tops would be most appropriate… And woody natural and handcrafted jewellery is certainly fun!
Sun, sand and sea

If you’re the type that wants to escape to the calm and white sands far away from home, here are some trends for beach shopping! Don’t mind wearing a bikini? Then there is a big return of the retro, both in terms of prints, as well as stomach sculpting high waist rises this season. Clustered straps and asymmetric neck lines are also really in! Neatly done subtle block printed beach kaftans would be a great idea for those who are not up to a swimsuit. Large hats and chic glasses would add to the glam appeal.
Dia Mirza

Travel: Must-haves

• Two warm jackets
• Summer dresses
•   Beachwear
• One bikini, sarong
• Comfortable pair of jeans
• One salwaar and saree
• Three pairs of flats (strappy ones double-up for semi-formal/casual events)
• One pair of sneakers (to run/walk/shop in)
• One pair black stilettos

As told to ARCHANA SUBRAMANIAN

It’s been featured in many romantic comedies (think the evergreen “Roman Holiday” or the more recent “When in Rome”), its cuisine is well-known (count the number of Italian restaurants in any metropolitan city), and it’s the *in’ place for fashion and style (heard of Armani, Prada or Fendi?). But what really sets apart this magnificent metro apart is the historical and cultural significance. Sure, New York and Mumbai are important metros too, but are their streets lined with quaint little pizzerias and cobblestones? Can one see beautiful sculptures along major crossroads and piazzas? No, it is only in Rome where these are daily sights.

Since there’s so much to see, here are a few do-not-miss sights:
The Colosseum

About 1900 years ago, Emperor Nero, the much hated monarch, built an artificial lake of about 300,000 square feet. After his death, the pool was covered up and in its place was built the large amphitheatre we now call the Colosseum. At its peak (during the time of gladiators), it could seat about 75,000 spectators (about 1.5 times the capacity of Chennai’s cricket stadium). But what really strikes the viewer is the aging grace of the structure. Even after having been half-broken down by the invaders, it serves as a symbol of the grandeur once associated with the Roman Empire.
Food and Fashion

Rome contains the headquarters of fashion brands like Valentino and Bulgari and has the distinction of being the hometown of pasta!For food, stick to the small pizzerias by the street sides. They may seem a bit cramped as everything seems to be in Rome, where lack of space is a huge issue, but the mouth watering food makes up for it. Pizza, traditionally associated with Italy, first originated in Naples. When the citizens of Naples showed their invention to the city-dwellers of Rome, they were laughed upon… Guess the joke is on them, now! Don’t miss out on Roman specialities: Pomodori con riso (Baked tomatoes filled with rice and potatoes) and Gnocchi alla Romana (potato dumplings doused in butter and melted cheese).

Fashion-wise, things might be expensive, but don’t be afraid to splurge a little. The Via de Condotti is home to top designer stores such as Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and other global brands. Once upon a time, store-owners used to charge up to €10 for customers to just walk through the doors! Thankfully, now we can window shop and dream about these luxurious products without having to pay a penny.

St. Peter’s Basilica

It’s true that the most famous structure in the Vatican City is the Sistine Chapel, but the St. Peter’s Basilica is not something you can miss! The interiors are just as impressive as its exteriors. St. Peter’s is vast and spacious, leaving a lot of room for visitors to wander and explore different parts of the church. Inside, one can see statues by artists such as Michelangelo of popes and figures who played a crucial role in the construction and maintenance of the basilica.
Fountain of four rivers

Rome boasts of a collection of public fountains unmatched by any other city. They were once used as a way of distributing drinking water to the poor. Rome’s greatest fountain, the “Fountain of Four Rivers” is found in Piazza Navon and depicts Gods of the four great rivers in the four continents then known to geographers: the Nile in Africa, the Ganga in Asia, the Danube in Europe and the Río de la Plata in America. Each sculpture is enhanced by decorations of flora and fauna of the respective regions. To top it all, a giant Egyptian-style obelisk towers over the whole piece. People were originally worried that the obelisk would cause the whole structure to tip over, but it has held strong.
Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, actor

Last August, I visited Rome for the first time. It was one of my best trips. It is the food that really made my trip great. I ate everywhere possible, from street food joints to luxury hotels and I wasn’t disappointed anywhere. The gelatos were particularly special. Also, a discussion about Rome would be incomplete without a mention about its splendid architecture. Vatican City is beautiful. What I feel is that we may take photographs to relive moments but witnessing the breathtaking landscapes there in real is a different experience altogether.

As told to Payal Chhabria

Samvitha is a student of American International School. 

1. What are the names of the main characters who do not appear together in even a single scene?

A. Lorax and Audrey

B. Once-ler and Ted

C. Lorax and Ted

2. Which actor has lent his voice to Ted’s character?

A. Zac Efron

B. Robert Pattison

C. Daniel Radcliffe

3.The characters of Ted and Audrey are named after:

A. Zac Efron’s niece and nephew

B. The late Mr. and Mrs. Seuss

C. Nobody

The winners get to watch a special screening of Lorax 3D at Escape on Thursday evening. Winners have to pick up their tickets from The Hindu office by 4.30 p.m.

Congratulations to the winners of last quiz: Nataraj R, Chozhan T, Rajan Jacob, Kamalakkannan, Mohamed Jalaudeen, Yasasweni, Jayasuriyan A, Savitha Vittobah, G. Narasimhan, Rumi Meeran.

Jog falls

India’s highest falls are not too far from Manipal. The best time to visit is from August to September as the flow is restricted by the dam during the rest of the year. The Sharavati jumps from a height of 875 ft forming a glorious waterfall, splitting into four different tracks. In summer when the water level is low, one can actually walk down to the bottom of the falls. One must also visit the Linganamakki Dam; about six km away from Jog Falls has a major hydro electric power plant in Karnataka. The height of the dam is 1819 ft above sea level. The dam is constructed across the Sharavathi river.

Info: About 175km from Udupi. Many package tours are available from Udupi.
Honnemaradu

Honnemaradu is for the adventure seekers. Situated on the backwaters of the Sharavathi, it is famous for kayaking, surfing and other watersport. Note: alcohol, gutka and non-vegetarian food are banned.

Info: About 125 km from Manipal
Murdeshwar

Murudeshwar can be visited on the way to Gokarna or Goa and is famous for the huge statue of Shiva. The sea surrounds the temple on three sides. Two life-size elephants stand guard at the steps leading to the temple. The Murudeshwar temple dates back to a few centuries.

Info: About 100 km from Manipal
St. Mary’s Island

The group of islands are accessible by ferry from Malpe. The islands are just a few scattered projections of rock rising out of the Arabian Sea around Malpe. It’s a place to relax with facilities for swimming, boating or fishing.

Info: Malpe is about six km from Udupi
Kaup Beach

Not very far from Manipal, this is not a very crowded beach. The lighthouse is the main attraction here. Built by the British in 1901, it is constructed on a rock with an 89 ft tower. Info: About 15 km from Manipal; 10 km from Udupi
KudremukhSome 30 km from Karkala is Kudremukh. The name, meaning “horse face”, is derived from the mountain ranges that resemble a horse’s face. This is the largest tropical evergreen forest in Karnataka. A hilly region situated 1894 m above sea level, it overlooks the Arabian Sea. The drive through the forest can be both intriguing and exhilarating.Info: About 160 km from Manipal
Agumbe

Agumbe is a hill station and is one of the highest peaks of the Western Ghats and can be reached by road. The best part of the trip is the beautiful scenery enroute. Plenty of waterfalls — the more popular being Onaki Abbi, Barkana , and Jogigundi — can be seen once you enter the forests. If you enjoy driving, then the drive can be exhilarating as you need to negotiate 18 hairpin curves. You can also spot lion tailed black macaque. The more adventurous can try river rafting on the Sita, a 30-minute drive from Agumbe.

Info: About 45 km from Manipal and 60 km from Udupi
Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is just a beach resort but if you go a little ahead on the highway, there is a beautiful stretch of road with the sea on one side and backwaters on the other. The scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea, the calm backwaters of the Sowparnika, breathtaking nature walks, treks along the scenic coast, clean water for snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming; that about sums up what Turtle Bay is all about! The resort gets its name from the sea turtles that inhabit the beach during the nesting season from October to December every year.

Info: 150 km from Manipal
Gokarna Falls

Located on the way to Goa just a few kilometres off the highway is the beautiful *OM’ beach. The name comes from its shape. With narrow streets, traditional houses and temples, Gokarna is the favourite haunt of Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars and beach buffs. Literally meaning “cow’s ear”, this village is formed by the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers. Four other beaches lie towards the south of Gokarna. Kudle and Omam and are around six km from Gokarna along a muddy hill. They are accessible by rickshaw or by foot. Half Moon and Paradise are beyond Om beach and are accessible only by foot or boat.

Info: 170 km Manipal.
Karkala

Karkala is a famous Jain pilgrim centre. The single stone 42-foot statue Gomateshwara is located close to the centre of the town. Located atop a huge 300-feet high granite rock, the statue overlooks a picturesque little lake. Just opposite is a Jain *Basadi’ known as Chaturmukha Basadi. It is also built of granite. The monolith formed the nucleus around which Jain maths and basadis developed. They draw three kinds of visitors: devotees, students of history and art lovers.

Info: About 40 km from Manipal.
Arya, Actor

In and around Chennai, Puducherry and Mahabalipuram are the places I head to when I want to unwind over the weekend. Though I personally prefer taking trips abroad, I feel that it is really during these short trips that I get the chance to connect with friends; that is the element that enhances our experience.

As told to Payal Chhabria

Harinee Ravimaran is pursuing MS Communication at Manipal Institute of Communication.

I set out on a heritage walk in search of the lost waters of Delhi (the Baolis or step-wells). Organised by Breakaway (an initiative that organises off-beat and customised tours), the walk was curated by Himanshu Verma, founder of a New Delhi-based arts organisation Red Earth. It was a fine autumn afternoon when three employees of a store, a hotel owner, a social worker and I, a student of History, walked down lanes that took us from the 21** century into the 14** century.

Retracing routes

We gathered at the centre of the city (Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place). I was no stranger to this area as my friends and I often visited a popular burger joint. But I was astonished to see an almost-invisible lane off the posh Hailey Road. We walked into a different era and the Agrasen ki Baoli.

A rusty old gate, a crumbling stone boundary wall cordoned off a step-well that had lain there for centuries. We were informed that the 105-step Baoli used to be the epicentre of cultural life in Delhi. The city relied on the groundwater from these Baolis. The Agrasen ki Baoli, named after Raja Agrasen of the Mahabharata, is believed to have been built during the 10** century BC. But historians feel the Baoli was built in the 14** century AD by the Agarwal community. The well was surrounded by cool corridors where the locals lounged on hot summer afternoons. The Baoli is now dry but it is easy to imagine it being full of water. Of course, back then, sitting on the top stairs of the Baoli, they would not have the view we were enjoying: the skyscrapers of Connaught Place in the backdrop.
More to come

Three more Baolis awaited us. So from the 14** century we headed into the Delhi Sultanate era and the crowded and noisy Nizamuddin basti. We passed the butchers and flower vendors to join the stream of visitors to the dargah. The Baoli lay a short distance behind the tomb. We could hear shrieks of laughter and the splash of water. This is the only Baoli in Delhi that still has water.

The construction of this step-well began at the same time as Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq began building his massive Tughlaqabad fort. The emperor wanted all the masons in the land to work on his fort alone. They could not undertake any other project. However, Nizamuddin was keen on having the Baoli built at the same time. So the masons worked on the fort during the day and on the Baoli by night. In a fit of pique, the emperor cut off the supply of oil to Ghiyaspur (present day Nizamuddin) so that there would be no light to work on the Baoli at night. The story goes that Nizamuddin lit the lamps with water and cursed the emperor, saying that his fort would remain deserted on completion.

We re-negotiated the noisy basti, passed by the elegant bungalows of Lutyens’ Delhi (feeling like we were going back and forth in time) and headed to Mehrauli where the Gandhak ki Baoli and the Rajon ki Baoli waited for us.The Gandhak ki Baoli was built by Iltutmish for Bakhtiar Kaki (a Sufi mystic responsible for establishing the Sufi order in Delhi).

The Gandhak ki Baoli got its name from the smelly sulphur springs that fed the well. All that remains today are some carved pillars and the sulphur spring has given way to stagnant water.We had to walk through the Mehrauli archaeological park to get to the Rajon ki Baoli. The park is strewn with remnants of tombs and old pavilions. I learnt that there was so much more to Mehrauli than the Qutub Minar.

Remaining relics

The Rajon ki Baoli was simply grand. Of all the Baolis, it was the most ornamental. Built by Sikander Lodhi in the 16** century, *Rajon’ refers not to the kings but to the masons. Unfortunately, in the name of restoration, the carved walls and columns are being plastered over. All the detailing is being smothered by paint and plaster. We sat there for a while sadly contemplating the remains of an era that may soon vanish altogether.
Agrasen ki Baoli: Located off Hailey Road. Nearest metro station is Barakhamba Road.

Nizamuddin Baoli: Located next to the Nizamuddin police station. Nearest metro stations are Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium or Jangpura.

Gandhak ki Baoli: Located in Mehrauli. Nearest metro station is Qutub Minar.

Rajon ki Baoli: Located in the Mehrauli archaeological park. Nearest metro station is Qutub Minar.

No entry fee required for any of the Baolis.

Sudarshana is a History Honours student in Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi

We left for Cu Chi tunnels — 70 km north-west of Ho Chi Minh — in the morning. All I knew was that the Vietnamese had used these tunnels during their war against the U.S. Reading up about it, I found that the underground tunnels of Cu Chi are a complex network that stretches from the gates of Ho Chi Minh City (earlier Saigon) to the Cambodian border.

By the time I brushed up on its history, the guide announced that we were nearing the entrance of the tunnels. We were first shown the model of Cu Chi tunnels in a bunker, which led me to wonder if a tunnel with so many layers could actually exist. By the time we came out I had some idea of the tunnel network.

Resourcefulness
As we walked along, our guide suddenly stopped and asked us to identify a tunnel entrance. We looked around but couldn’t find it. Finally he gave a broad smile and pointed to the door just below his foot. It was covered by some leaves. Then he asked, “Who will go through this entry?” While we looked at each other, a small girl volunteered to get in. The size of the entrance is smaller than a manhole. We were shown the different kinds of traps that were laid around the entrance. Booby traps were assembled from scavenged American ordnance duds and pointed bamboo sticks.

“Tell me what that is,” asked the guide, pointing to a termite mound on the forest floor. “A termite mound,” I replied immediately. It turned out to be a ventilation hole disguised as a termite mound. Bamboo and a man-made termite mound were used to supply air through the tunnels. Malaria was rampant during the war and the Vietnamese only ventured out under the cover of darkness. Cooking was a problem but the ever-resourceful Vietnamese worked out ways of concealing the smoke while cooking meals.

The next stop was a bunker that housed the different kinds of shells and bombs used by the American troops; some weighed about 250 kg but they were unable to destroy the tunnels. The passages were neither straight nor “snakelike”, but they zigzagged at angles between 60° and 120°. This was because even if the enemy detected the entrance and set off mines or pour chemicals, it would not have much effect inside the tunnels.

The communicating passages were not wider than 1.2 meters, not narrower than 0.8 meters, not higher than 1.8 meters, not lower than 0.8 meters. The minimum thickness of the roof was to be 1.5 meters-this was “to avoid vibration caused by the explosions of bombs and shells and the sounds of tanks and other vehicles moving above. The enemy was sitting just above their head. About all this digging he asked “How was it done?” Many in our group, mostly students, gave different answers about using machines but again with a broad smile our guide said it was done using hoes and bare hands; it was “amazing”. Someone in our group asked whether any special material was used in creating these tunnels so that it should not crumble, but our guide answered in the negative as the earth in Cu Chi is sticky.
Venturing in
“Ready for the tunnel visit?” he teased all of us; initially there were no takers but I asked him how long we would have to move inside the tunnel. When he said, “about 30 meters and you can come out, but you can continue and come out of some other exit point, if you wish”, many were suddenly interested.

For the tourists’ sake the entrance was made a little bigger and inside the tunnels we had to sit and move and could not stand at all. Just after a few short minutes in the tunnel, it felt too hot. I couldn’t understand how people could live in them braving the heat. After getting a big cheer from the guide we proceeded to the souvenir shops at the exit point for shopping. While boarding the bus for my return trip to Ho Chi Minh I offered my tribute to the 45,000 lives lost defending the tunnels.

The history

During the Vietnam War of the 1960s, these tunnels connected villages, districts and various Viet Cong guerrillas support bases and consisted of living quarters, do-it-yourself ordnance factories, kitchens with concealed chimneys, hospitals, cleverly designed conical bomb shelters, theatres and movie halls.

The tunnels in Cu Chi were originally dug as hiding places for the Viet Minh, the nationalist guerrillas who fought France, in the 1940s and 1950s. With the ceasefire in 1954, Vietnam was provisionally divided into two; the North ruled by the Communists and the south being an independent republic established with American aid.

When the war between the two halves began in 1960, the first thing the Viet Cong did was that to start expanding the tunnels. The Republic of South Vietnam could not cope with the guerrilla assaults and so in 1965 the American army arrived to fight the Viet Cong. Despite its devices, intelligence inputs and manpower, the U.S. had to retreat in 1973. The Viet Cong troops took control of Saigaon in 1975 and Vietnam was united.

The author is from MGM College, Udupi.

A beautiful morning welcomed us as we drove to Point Calimere sanctuary at Kodikarai, Nagapattinam district. An auto driver advised us to take a left from Velankanni. Slowly we began to see less vegetation, the roads became narrower and soon we were surrounded by water and wetlands on the either side.

The road became even rockier and finally, after a 40-minute drive, we found an arch that said “Point Calimere Sanctuary, Kodikarai”. A nearby sign warned us to drive slowly as deer and other herbivores crossed the roads.
Warm welcome

The sanctuary is a hotspot for black buck. It was declared a sanctuary in 1967. Apart from black buck, the other animals found here are spotted deer, wild dog, wild boar, pony horse and bonnet macaque. The wild dog is the only predator; there are no other carnivores in this sanctuary.

The workers in the Forest Department guest house welcomed us warmly and allotted rooms for us. Being a government guest house, I thought it would not be neat and clean but was glad to be proved wrong. After a bath and breakfast, we set out for the sanctuary. We sighted a group of male black buck gazing around.

Usually the male is black and white and the female brown in colour. We also spotted wild boar, spotted deer, bonnet macaque and other common animals. Snakes are common and the fragrant screw pine was the most common vegetation. We had lunch in the anti-poaching squad tents and enjoyed our meal. In the afternoon we spotted a wild dog chasing a black buck.

Despite the heavy wind in the evening, we set out for the sea shore. We saw some pony horses gazing around but they galloped away once they saw us.

Finally we reached the shore and stood at the meeting point of the Bay of Bengal and the Palk Strait.

Day two was meant for bird watching. The first bird we spotted was the Brahminy kite; later we saw pelicans, little egret, flamingos and others. Our guide was extremely helpful running from place to place spotting the birds with his binoculars and then showing them to us. Then we found something unusual. It was blue in colour and its hands and legs looked cream. We were all excited to find a new bird; then it rose from the water and turned out be a human. It was a woman catching fish in the backwaters!
Sunder Ramu, Photographer/Actor

On a trip to Mudumalai, my friends and I spent three days frantically looking for wildlife but our efforts were futile. When we were heading back to Bangalore, we stopped by a tea shop. Just then, we spotted a leopard in broad daylight down the slope, drinking water from the river. What an experience it was! Another interesting encounter was with some wild elephants. On a trekking trip in Bangalore, we were setting up our tents when a bunch of wild elephants came our way. We had to pack up immediately, rush towards the hills and even climb a few rocks to save ourselves. It was as exciting as it was terrifying.

As told to Payal Chhabria

That archaeological sites could employ someone specially to let children connect with their ancient heritage was something I had not imagined. My recent trip to Thessaloniki in Greece changed my perception.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece after its capital Athens. Like Athens, Thessaloniki or Salonika too is replete with ancient ruins. Roman Agora or the ancient market place on Filipou Street is one largest of such sites. Stepan, whom I thought was a guide, showed me around the place. Later I learnt that his job was to educate school-children about their heritage through these sites. With a doctorate in Archaeology, Stepan’s job includes devising games in cyberspace as well.

Social hub era

The Roman Agora or market square, which flourished under Roman rule in 3** century BC, was a kind of modern day plaza which people used to visit for shopping, dining, debating on political matters, enjoying a steam spa in a public bath, watching musical performances, poetry recitals… all in one area. It was thus a hub of political, social as well as economic life.

The entire site is painstakingly excavated and preserved. A walk behind rows of shops leads to a closed passage-way meant for warehouses. Later, citizens started using it as reservoir for storing water, which had become almost a scarcity during Turkish invasion in the 15th century. From small ducts on the upper side of the wall water used to be poured inside. To the right of the passage outside is a large ground with an open air auditorium in one corner where plays and poetry recitals were performed. The auditorium is still functioning and used for the same purpose. The performers use the same Green Room that their counterparts used in 3** century BC. The only change is the introduction of lights and mikes.

Rotunda, to the west of Melenikou Street, is yet another 4** century BC structure built by Roman emperor Galerius who intended it to be tomb but later converted into a church and then a mosque under Turkish invasion. The dome is unique for the golden mosaic work from inside.

Of the Byzantine churches scattered around the city, the St. Dmitrios and the Metropolis Church stand out for their beautiful mosaics. At St. Dmitrios’ Church at Ag. Dmitriou one can find candles 3-4 meters long priced at €7, €10 or €15 per candle depending on the length and width. The Metropolis Church on Mitropoleos Street is a feast for the eyes. Huge paintings depicting stories from the Bible cover its walls, pillars and ceiling.

White Tower or Lefkos Pyrgos on Nikiforis Street was actually a prison built by the Turkish invaders in the15** century. Located at waterfront, to its right is the sea and on the left the sprawling city. The walkway connecting White Tower is accessible from any square or by lane.

Nargis
The experience of being a tourist was great. People are friendly and supportive. The only thing was the language; not many people speak English.

But most shops had *Made in China’ labels on everything from jewellery to electronics! Looking for something Greek in Greece was the biggest pain! The biggest surprise was Nargis: the only Indian restaurant in the town. Nargis was Google’s gift to me. Snuggled quietly at the back of A. Svolou Street, it feels like home! The ambience is Indian; from curtains to decoration, brass utensils, icon of Hanuman, Amar Chitra Katha books and, surprisingly, pictures of Nargis. The owner is a Greek who seems to be great fan of Nargis whose pictures are in every nook and corner. A Bangladeshi cook and Indonesian waitress serve spicy Indian food in a restaurant owned by a Greek! The food was good and affordable!

Gagan is a Research Scholar, IIT Bombay, and a freelance writer.

“Nature at its best” is your first thought when the clean, fresh air and a pleasant climate with lots of greenery greets you in Singapore. The island city is just 272sq miles (about 704 sq km), yet has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment, shopping and much more…

Here are some of the must-dos in Singapore.

Food and shopping

Singapore has a diverse population of Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians. Hence various types of cuisines are found here. Little India, towards the east of the river, is the go-to place for Indian food from Saravana Bhavan to Punjabi Dhaba. Looking for great buys? Right from fashion clothing to electronics this place is one of the best for shopping.

The next stop for trendy but cheap shopping is Chinatown; a 24-hour market with rows of shops that include items such as souvenirs, accessories, bags, clothing and much more. Orchard Road is a popular shopping enclave flanked by pedestrian malls, coffee shops, nightclubs and hotels. Here are the world’s top labels.
Marina Bay

 

Visit the Merlion, a mythical creature with the body of a fish and head of a lion. The Merlion Park is a famous tourist spot near Marina Bay. The other big attraction here is the Singapore Flyer. A giant Ferris wheel, it consists of 28 air conditioned capsules that give you an extraordinary aerial view of this amazing city.

Universal Studios

This is south east Asia’s first Hollywood-based theme park with seven major themes: Madagascar, Far Far away, Ancient Egypt, Lost World, Sci-fi city, New York City and Hollywood. Each has theme-based rides and shows. Don’t miss the Mummy ride, Transformers and Cylon. The Shrek 4D adventure and Waterworld are mindblowing shows. You need practically an entire day at each of these places to get the maximum from them.
Sentosa

A man-made island in the south of Singapore, Sentosa is a resort with tons of entertainment. For a breathtaking experience take the cable car to this resort. The Underwater World, with an array of marine life like the coral reefs, sharks, various fishes, is a definite must-not-miss experience. The pink dolphins and sea lions will entertain you at the dolphin lagoon where you can click photos along with them and even feed them. At 7.00 p.m. is a spectacular laser show “Songs of the Sea”.
Jurong Bird Park
A 30-minute drive from the zoo will take you to avian world filled with flamingos, penguins, different species of parrots and many other birds. A ride on the panorail gives an overall aerial view of this magnificent park.
The Mandai Zoo

Home to about 315 species of animals, of which 16 per cent are threatened. A tram takes you around the zoo to watch a variety of shows that showcase the animals. The popular night safari is the world’s first nocturnal zoo. The theme in all the shows throughout Singapore is “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”.

Pavithra is a Final Year engineering student.

What was your first impression of the Once-ler?

Well, my first impression was of a man cutting down a tree. I didn’t notice much else. In case you haven’t figured it out, cutting down a tree is NOT a way to make a good first impression with me. But once I talked to the Once-ler a little bit, I could see he was just a normal, skinny kid, a little jumpy and not so bright.

Did you know the Once-ler still had a truffula seed?

I did know that he still had the truffula seed. But I also knew that only he could decide to plant it. I couldn’t magically force the Once-ler to do anything. I could try to convince him, but ultimately he had to decide for himself.

Where you excited when the Once-ler gave Ted the last truffula seed?

Yes! As Guardian of the trees, it was a chance for me to get back in my element. For the people of Thneedville, it was a ticket to a world they never knew. For me, that little seed was like a ticket home.

Have you always had that moustache? How long did it take to grow the moustache?

I didn’t always have the moustache. Like a tree, a moustache takes time for growth and nourishing. Growing this moustache has basically taken my whole life up till now. You don’t grow something this glorious overnight. What’s all the more remarkable (and no one ever gives me credit for this) is that I’m a creature essentially covered in fur who also manages to have a moustache somehow. That’s like being a hairless cat with a bald spot.

Is your favourite colour truffula tree?

I couldn’t choose a favourite. The truffula trees are like my children and I look over them like a worried mother hen. Don’t make me choose, I tell you! I won’t do it!

Why did you not stop the Once-ler before he chopped down the last tree?

I can only speak for the trees. I can’t stop people from doing what they choose to do. That’s not how it works. Only the Once-ler could have stopped the Once-ler. That’s the way things are. In life, you have to take responsibility for your actions. And unfortunately, the Once-ler didn’t take responsibility until it was too late.

What is your favourite animal in Truffula Valley and why?

I have a soft spot for the Humming Fish. The tunes they hum are catchy! Gotta say I’m a much bigger fan of their earlier stuff though. I was actually a fan of the Humming Fish before everyone knew about them. Now EVERYONE hums their tunes.