The world is indeed full of unique tourist sites

The world is indeed full of unique tourist sites . In addition to the seven most favorite tourist region in 2013 , the five cheapest tourist city in the world , and five of the most unique theme park , there are also tourist attractions most bizarre .Not long ago , the Huffington Post featuring the seven most bizarre tourist sites . Not only unique and fun , some of these attractions are also creepy and disgusting .Here are seven of the most bizarre tourist locations in the world :

Fujiya Spa ResortSoaking in warm water containing sulfur was used , but in Hakone Fujiya Kowakien Hot Springs Amusement Park & Spa Resort , you can soak and swim in your favorite beverage . Not only providing regular jacuzzi pool , the resort also provides a pool of sake , green tea , coffee , and red wine .

Island of DollsIsla de las Munecas in Mexico is filled with hundreds of old dolls hanging in the trees . The dolls are hung to remember a girl who died here . By afternoon , hundreds of these dolls can be quite attractive sight : but when the night would be a scary sight .

 

Gum AisleSince the 1970s - until now - wall narrow alley located in San Luis Obispo , California is used as a stick of chewing gum . Colorful gum stuck here looks very interesting . Not only that , you can become part of the tourist attractions here to put gum that you chew .

Hair Museum of AvanosMuseum located in Turkey is probably one of merupakamn weirdest museums in the world . The museum was created in a dark cave and contains more than 16,000 pieces of human hair . Opened since 1979 , the museum is included in the Guinness world record book .

Capuchin catacombsLocated in Palermo , Italy , Capuchin catacombs contain the remains of 8,000 full-dress that hung along the walls of the cemetery . Until now , the tourists can stroll through the rows of bodies . You dare ?

 

Karni Mata TempleTemple is in Deshnok , India is also known as the Rat Temple . This temple is dedicated to Goddess Karni , who believes his family members will never die , but reincarnated into mice . Thousands of rats in this temple is considered sacred , so often the pilgrims drink old milk these mice .

Sewers MuseumMuseum in the belly of Paris is made to proclaim and explore the importance of the underground sewer system . History buffs will certainly enjoy a different experience , but for the little balls would be frightened .

10 Countries Most Beautiful Place in the World Tourism

Of the many tourist attractions in the world there must be the best , most beautiful , most popular , favorite , according to the version of each appraiser . After a long time we share information on the Indonesian tourist attractions and some of the popular tourist abroad , this time we wanted to share the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world .
Let's go way out of the country if only just to see the beauty of the virtual world . But for you who want to visit the most beautiful sights in the world , the following is a list of 10 most beautiful sights in the world who take yoshiewafa.blogspot.com accordance with 10 the most beautiful countries in the world according to ucityguides.com .
Each country must have its own wonders and stunning scenery , but the country has ten outstanding natural beauty and man-made wonders and increase that became their territory with everything from beautiful towns for a timeless villages , magnificent gardens and scenery pure . Countries that offer a variety of scenery and an abundance of human and natural inspiration .
1 . AMALFI COAST - ITALY / ITALY
A City of the world's most beautiful , most inspiring cultural treasures , as well as the amazing scenery . You will find so much beauty here . such as Venice , Florence and Rome with the typical architecture of each varied , stunning works of nature with beautiful rolling hills , vineyards and snow peaked mountains .
And here too there is a perfect naturalist paintings like the Amalfi Coast or Lake Maggiore and the Alps and you'll also get the sense that no other country on earth that offer great beauty wherever you look like Italy .
2 . Jaen ( Andalusia) - SPAIN / SPAIN
The most common hallmark of Spain is a beautiful building from the top starting from the Costa del Sol or the coastline of some Balearic Islands , Spain but is actually much more than that . Maybe Spain is included in the category of the most diverse countries in the world , with all sorts of things from white Mediterranean village to urban centers are highly sophisticated .
You will not be able to find a city with a greater taste than Barcelona , and from the Pyrenees toward Andalusia , Spain can serve as a background for any type of movie , book or painting .
The country is also the world's most seductive , passionate about life which is very well reflected in every major plaza in the small towns and even , in the centers bersejarahpun building well maintained , and the smallest village perched on a hilltop . And to top it all off , there are several places of the grandest , most powerful and unmatched architectural treasures of the world, of Alhambra heading to the Great Mosque of Cordoba .
3 . Château de Chenonceau ( LOIRE VALLEY ) - FRANCE / FRANCE
Paris has the most perfect radiant atmosphere and grandeur of French culture despite the nation's capital is getting a lot of attention , France offers more beauty . The village has a charm that abound in the old world , of all the splendor Loire Valley heading into verdant Provence . Then there are the glamorous Riviera and if you want to see the largest palace in the world like ( Versailles ) and museums ( the Louvre ) , it's here .
France is also a world-class country , in cities perfectly manicured and in the wine -producing regions such as Bordeaux and Champagne . If that alone is not enough , you can see the majesty of Mont St Michel , a wide variety of countries around the castle with spectacular panoramic view of the valley of Chamonix .
4 . Uluru- Kata Tjuta National Park - AUSTRALIA
Australia is more than a country , Australia is also a continent and still more than that . A world of its own , from the interior and Tjuta National Park Uluru -Kata with stone monoliths the world famous Kakadu National Park .
Actually this is a wild garden and a wide variety of landscapes that make Australia so remarkable , ranging from the Mornington Peninsula National Park overlooking the open sea heading to the Great Barrier Reef which is one of the natural wonders of the world , and continue to pristine tropical Whitsunday Islands , then No Sydney and its harbor , which is one of the most beautiful urban areas and also iconic . Australia has it all , to be admired before or after a trip to the Great Ocean Road .
5 . SANTORINI - GREECE / GREECE
Greece is located in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea which is a home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world . They were the first images of the country then there is also the magnificent Mt . Olympus, Meteora outstanding , and there are many ancient ruins all over the country . While it was a disappointing Athens them to find aesthetic inspiration , Greece is a country that really has fulfilled all the senses and it is understandable how the emerging ideas can come from so many gods here .
6 . ALGARVE - PORTUGAL / PORTUGAL
Pristine natural wonders of the volcanic Azores , Portugal will be included in this list . And here too there is " floating gardens " that Madeira , coast lines are dramatic as well as the mystique of the land , the quiet plains of the Alentejo begin with spectacular views located a white medieval village of Marvao and Monsaraz , Peneda - Gerês National Park , a perfect collaboration of man and nature in a magical fantasy that have Verdant Lisbon and Douro Valley .
And while it is no longer centers of Lisbon and Porto are mysterious and stubbornly ignored , it is difficult to look for a match of scenic beauty with a great river setting them . Everything is included in a small scale , but when it's all put together is impressive and so many very diverse beauty somehow in a small country that seems to be the favorite of the sun .
7 . THE GRAND CANYON - USA / UNITED STATES

America has a lot of growing city and is connected by road shopping malls and fast food joints , a lot of cars , billboards , cheap and soulless suburb (population deluded obliviously living nightmare in America ) .
But when you come to nature , America is really very beautiful . There are islands of Hawaii , the epic scale of the Grand Canyon , an incredible water Lake Tahoe , California Big Sur , existing wildlife in Alaska , very beautiful scenery of Monument Valley or Yellowstone , Yosemite national park along with other large , forest of the Great Smoky Mountains . List of natural wonders that seem to go on forever , and then there is San Francisco to save the country that offers urban beauty .
8 . RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZIL
Brazil has one of the most beautiful cities in the world ( Rio de Janeiro ) and one of the most ugly ( São Paulo ) but Brazil is truly blessed by nature . The Amazon is unsurpassed, it is impossible to imagine the size , and the waterfalls of Iguaçu horseshoe shaped who regularly supervised by a rainbow is also one of the most stunning scenery in a world .
Baroque architecture of the colonial northeast mixed with gold interior with a single tradition of giving one soulful atmosphere in the world other cities in this great country are not so bland ( Brasilia , Belo Horizonte , Curitiba , Fortaleza , Manaus , etc. . ) Brazil really going to gain a higher ranking in the list .
9 . TABLE MOUNTAIN - SOUTH AFRICA / SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the Kruger National Park to give you the most memorable experience on the planet for anyone who visit it . South Africa also offers a diversity of epic landscapes , ranging from Blyde River Canyon to the Drakensberg Mountains .
10 . BAVARIA - GERMANY / GERMANY
Germany . Maybe this underrated country in the world , Germany is an architectural gem and a fairy tale . Not always found in the largest cities such as ( Berlin , Frankfurt , Hamburg , Cologne or more dynamic than beautiful ) , but Munich has appeal and small towns like Dresden , Leipzig and Potsdam which has been preserved or restored to the eye candy fairy tales .
But the real story of the German book can be found along the Romantic Road in Bavaria has a wealth of incredible castle , in the beautiful lake and the Alps , in the magical land of the Rhine with vineyards dazzling as the Black Forest .
Begin the tour in this country and you will find a land of constant surprises , from the university city of Heidelberg , Bremen old or Bamberg , leading to the medieval towns that have preserved awesome Regensburg and Rothenburg .

How do you think all the readers of Travel 10 Countries Most Beautiful Place in the World in 2013 ? Not amazing at all ^ _ ^

Gold Bars Investment

The gold bar price of course changes daily with the price of gold. Large gold bars are a useful safe haven for storing assets for the long term in economic uncertainty, while the smaller gold bars can be easily bought, stored, transported and sold for the short term.

Here are some basic principles you can use to ensure you get the best deal and the best gold for your buck.

1. Buy the biggest gold bar or bars you can afford. The bigger the bar the smaller the premium you will pay per ounce. This will reduce the gold bar price per ounce.

2. Pick established or accredited gold dealers and mints.

3. If you are going to take delivery, ensure you understand the cost of shipping and, importantly, insurance. Check with the gold bar dealer to find out the shipping costs and ensure that they provide insurance (which you will be expected to pay) this should be figured in the gold bar price.

4. Do due diligence on the gold bar dealer or person or company you are buying gold from. Who are they? Are they easily contacted? Are they accredited? Do you know friends or associates that have dealt with them before?

5. Lastly it is prudent to have a good understanding of gold and gold bars. How they are produced and in what form. The weights, fineness and all other aspects of gold bars. How much premium will you pay?

Taking some time to understand your gold bar investment will pay off in that you can ensure you get as much gold for you money as possible and that you do not pay a heavy gold bar price while doing it!

François Hollande’s reported mistress denies pregnancy rumours as president visits first lady in hospital

Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press | January 17, 2014 | Last Updated: Jan 17 9:47 AM ET

President François Hollande has visited France’s first lady for the first time since she was hospitalized late last week after a gossip magazine reported he was having an affair with an actress.
An official at the presidential palace said Friday that Hollande visited Valerie Trierweiler the previous evening.
The 48-year-old journalist was admitted a week ago to Paris’ Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital for rest. His office said she had experienced a “crisis of nerves” upon learning of the report in Closer magazine last week that the 59-year-old president has been having an affair with Julie Gayet, 41.
Patrice Biancone, a spokesman for Trierweiler, told The Associated Press on Thursday that her condition was improving, and that until then only one person from her family – a son – had visited her.

In its initial report on the matter, Closer published photos that it said show Hollande, wearing a motorcycle helmet with darkened visor, was sneaking into an apartment near the presidential palace to meet Gayet. Gayet is suing the magazine, accusing it of invasion of privacy.
The report dented a tradition among French media of ignoring the private lives of public figures.

Vanessa Tasquetto

Vanessa Tasquetto, a 24-year-old Brazilian DJ who has been rumoured to be dating Samba legend Ronaldinho, has hit the headlines for a new piece of artwork she has added on her body.

Tasquetto, who isn’t bashful about taking her clothes off while performing, appears to have cemented her relationship with the buck-toothed wonder by getting his commercial moniker inked on her inner thigh.

Pictures are going around of Ms Tasquetto showing off her new R10 tattoo.

Ronaldinho, 33, have yet to comment on his relationship with Tasquetto, however the playmaker will be staying close to his female admirer after committing his future to Atletico Minerio last week by signing a new deal at the club.

Military Tourism

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It consists of five major islands and about 30 smaller groups. The archipelago is on a crossroad between two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian, and bridges two continents, Asia and Australia. This strategic position has always influenced the cultural, social, political, and economic life of the country which has achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949.
Current issues include: implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Irian Jaya.

Geography:
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
Largest islands: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi (Celebes), New Guinea.
Area: 2 million km² (736 000 sq. mi.).
Terrain: More than 17 000 islands; 6 000 are inhabited; 1 000 of which are permanently settled. Large islands consist of coastal plains with mountainous interiors.

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; cooler in the highlands.

People:
Nationality: Indonesian(s).
Population: 238 million (2010 census)
Ethnic groups: 45% Javanese, 14% Sudanese, 7.5% Madurese and 26% other ethnic groups.
Religions: Islam 87%, Protestant 6%, Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist and other 1%.
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, akin to Malay), English, Dutch, plus 583 dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese.
Literacy: 88.5

Natural resources: Petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver.

Agriculture products: Rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra, poultry, beef, pork, eggs.

Industries: Petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism.
 

Raja Ampat Islands

Located off the northwest tip o Bird’s Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesia’s West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau. Raja Ampat Regency is new regency which separated from Sorong Regency at 2004. It encompasses more than 40,000 km² of land and sea, which also contains Cendrawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia. It is a part of the newly named West Papua (province) of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. The islands are the most northern pieces of land in the Australian continent. The name of Raja Ampat comes from local mythology that tells about a woman who finds seven eggs. Four of the seven eggs hatch and become kings that occupy four of Raja Ampat biggest islands whilst the other three become a ghost, a woman, and a stone.


History shows that Raja Ampat was once a part of Tidore Kingdom, an influential kingdom from Maluku. Yet, after Holland invaded Maluku, it was shortly claimed as a part of the kingdom of Holland. The main occupation for people around this area is fishing since the area is dominated by the sea. They live in a small colony of the tribes that spreads around the area. Although traditional culture still strongly exist, they are very welcoming to visitors. Their religion is dominantly Christian.


The oceanic natural resource around Raja Ampat makes it significantly potential as a touristic area. Many sources place Raja Ampat as one of their top ten popular places for diving whilst it becomes number one in terms of underwater biodiversity.


According to Conservation International, marine surveys suggest that the marine life diversity in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on Earth. Diversity is considerably greater than any other area sampled in the Coral Triangle composed of Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Coral Triangle is the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, making Raja Ampat quite possibly the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world.


The area’s massive coral colonies along with relatively high sea surface temperatures, also suggest that its reefs may be relatively resistant to threats like coral bleaching and coral disease, which now jeopardize the survival of other coral ecosystems around the world. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans.


The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the two oceans. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal make it a global priority for marine protection.


1,309 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleractinia recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands and 75% of all species that exist in the world), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering. Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs.

Although accesing the islands is not that difficult, it takes some time. It takes six hours flight from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia to Sorong. Then, taking boat to reach the islands is necessary. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Ampat_Islands

 

If you wish for fantastic and unforgettable travel experience throughout your lifetime, then you are now on the right web page. Raja Ampat is a tour destination for all reasons to visit. From the highest point in the sky down to the ocean floor, Raja Ampat has the fascinating beauty for everyone. If there is a tour destination you must visit at least once in a lifetime, Raja Ampat is one of them.

the Best of Phuket

Paradise regained: the best of Phuket

Kate Morgan 8 March, 2013

Long tail wooden boats on a beach near Phuket, Thailand

Drazen Vukelic © Copyright Lonely Planet Images

Surrounded by the aquamarine waters of the Andaman Sea in the south of Thailand, the quintessential tropical island of Phuket is a long-time honeymooners’ favourite.
The 40km stretch of sandy coastline snaking its way along the west coast is peppered with exclusive resorts and day spas, while high-end restaurants perch on rocky hilltops overlooking blinding beaches. It may not be a secret, there are many reasons why Phuket attracts millions of newlyweds each year.

Where to find the best beaches

Kata, Phuket sunset by mst7022. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Just minutes from the airport in the north of the island are some of Phuket’s most pristine beaches, and it’s here that you’ll find some seclusion and tranquility. Part of the Sirinat National Park, Hat Mai Khao is a stunning 17km stretch, Hat Nai Yang is a pleasant sheltered bay and Hat Nai Thon is a peaceful arc of sand void of any jet skis or hordes of beach-goers.
Following the coastline south brings you to Ao Bang Thao’s quiet stretch of powder-white sand and peaceful waters, where you’ll find fishing villages, food shacks, a few ambient beach clubs and not much else.
If you’re after a bit more action, your best bet is Kata (bypassing party central and sleazy Patong). Kata Beach is split into two areas: Kata Yai (the main beach) and Kata Noi, which curves around the bay. Both offer a range of upmarket dining, bars, spas and resorts.

How to spend your days

Explore hidden lagoons at Koh Hong by starlight

Long-tail boat inside Koh Hong by Jim Winstead. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Explore hidden lagoons enclosed by 360 degrees of limestone rock on a starlight kayak trip at Koh Hong near Ao Phang-Nga. With just the gentle swish of your kayak’s paddle in the water, sit back and enjoy the tranquil confines with your loved one.

Beach clubs

A number of beach clubs are popping up on the island, providing the perfect excuse to laze around beachside infinity pools, lounge on deckchairs, dine on gourmet cuisine, drink cocktails and swim all day. Our picks are The Catch Beach Club (Surin), Up Beach Club (Hat Nai Thon), Bliss Beach Club (Ao Bang Thao) and Re Ká Ta (Kata).

Viewpoints

Lever by Nicolas Mary. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Phuket’s craggy coastline offers some incredible viewpoints where you can cosy up together and watch the flame-red sun set into the Andaman Sea. The island’s most famous spot, Laem Promthep (Rawai), attracts a large gathering at sunset but don’t let that deter you; it’s not to be missed. Also try a romantic lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking Phuket Town at Khao Rang.

Spas

Pamper and preen to your heart’s content at some of the island’s sexy spas, where couples can indulge in aromatic baths, massages and treatments in their own private rooms. We love Sala Resort & Spa (Hat Nai Yang), The Spa (Karon) and Palm Spa (Surin).

Where to eat

• Blue Elephant, Phuket Town - Set in a restored Sino-Portuguese mansion on manicured lawns, this is one of the most romantic dining experiences in Phuket, and definitely worth the trip into town.
• Boathouse Wine & Grill, Kata - French cuisine, candlelight, red roses on the tables and a beachfront location make this a solid honeymoon spot.
• Mom Tri’s Kitchen, Kata - Intimate and upmarket, Mom Tri’s overlooks Kata Noi and the Andaman Sea and is a great choice for that special night out.
• Batik Seafood, Hat Nai Yang - For those who like it more casual, Batik, nestled on the southern end of Hat Nai Yang, specialises in fresh seafood served under private thatched gazebos right on the beach.

Where to drink

• White Box, Kalim Bay - Up the hill from Patong, this hip and minimalist bar comes with sea views where you can toast each other in style.
• Ninth Floor, Patong - Escape Patong’s streets at this swanky NYC-style restaurant and bar, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows open up to the twinkling of lights down below.
• Royal Phuket Yacht Club, Rawai - A large open-air decked patio with a classic yacht club feel, this is the place to sip contemporary cocktails with bay breezes and island views.
• On the Rocks, Kata - Sink your toes into the sand at this blissfully simple hideaway shack that lies at the end of Kata Noi beach among the rocks.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/themes/honeymoons/paradise-regained-the-best-of-phuket/#ixzz2qpt2jj66

Geylang , SINGAPORE

Geylang is a neighbourhood in the city-state of Singapore east of the Central Area, Singapore's central business district. It is located to the east of the Singapore River, an area that locals have associated, from the days of Sir Stamford Raffles, as a Malay kampong opposite facing two islands Batin and Rokok (where the former National Stadium used to stand), reclaimed to make space for Singapore's first commercial airport opened in 1937. The airport control tower has been preserved that served, in its day, as an observation deck and is today used by the People's Association. The location of Old Airport Road bears witness to the fact that Geylang, under the British administration, was thought to be outside the limits of the city proper and, therefore, suitable for the siting of Singapore's first commercial airport. The hangars for repair for the light aircraft can still be seen today that have been slated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for redevelopment into commercial and shopping precincts linked by the nearby Kallang MRT station.


The development of Geylang through the next 50 years through to the contemporary era can best be observed along the main trunk road that leads eastward toward Paya Lebar (military) Airbase, in a straight line that terminates at Changi (International) airport. Micro-businesses founded by Malay, Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs seized start-up opportunities as mechanics in bicycle or motor repair workshops, suppliers of wood for making boats, houses, furniture and as merchants in iron, of floor and roofing tiles, in rubber and later plastics for all kinds of marine, industrial, factory and home use, including the mosaic of temples, mosques and churches in Geylang that have its roots serving local worshippers in search of spirituality and the divine. One of the distinctive hallmarks of Geylang architecture is the preservation of its shophouses used by the clan (kinship) associations, set up as a (first) point of contact for newcomers in the migrant wave between 1840 and 1940 for the purpose of integrating the newcomers into the ways and customs of locals. At present the Geylang neighborhood accurately reflects demographic changes in Singapore (2011) where out of every four Singaporeans, one is a foreigner (Goh, Mar, 2011 paper on PRC Immigrants', Social Work Dept, National University of Singapore). As a strategic and military outpost for the British, the sea lanes off the Straits of Malacca were important to be kept free from pirates and open for shipping. As the British expanded in influence and power, so Singapore stood in the gap between East and West interests as a natural deep-harbour destination that played host to the French, Portuguese, Dutch and other European navies and their men. Other seaports in Asia, from Shanghai to Calcutta, also played a role in the traffic of women and girls for prostitution. James Francis Warren has studied the death (coroner's) reports in that colonial era that attest to the lives of the Hokkien, Teochew and Hakka and other dialect groups cast out of the Chinese mainland due to famine and abject poverty. His research tells the story of illiterate Chinese migrants working as coolies and rickshaw pullers and gives an accurate description of what life might have been for the poorest of the poor living in Singapore under the British and immediately before the Japanese Occupation. In his 2008 edition of Pirates, Prostitutes & Pullers, the author traces the roots of prostitution in Singapore and gives an explanation of the eastward shift of Singapore's red-light district from Chinatown that was east of the Singapore river, toward the Hylam Street– Beach Road locality where many Chinese, Japanese and European girls were pimped, and finally across the Kallang river to its present location. Warren's research gives an accurate[citation needed] ethno-social background to prostitution of the young men and women who came to Singapore a hundred years ago, having little or no education, who could not converse, read or write in English and resorted by any and all means to survive the ravages of war, hunger and privation back in the country of origin. After the war, the heart of the city centre expanded rapidly outward with residential shophouses, hotels and restaurants making their mark on the history of this area including the Gay World amusement park situated just outside the main gate of the old Kallang airport. Remnants of this pre-war history survive to this day that can be seen in the stereotypical Singapore shophouses along and just off the main Geylang thoroughfare. It is in this context of the Asian settlers that stumbled off boats and sampans into mosques, temples and churches to give thanks for journey mercies, that the history of Geylang's red-light district must be[according to whom?] read and understood. Peter Neville, British author of The Rose of Singapore (Monsoon, 2006) writes a novel of Lai Meng, a once famous prostitute in the Geylang area, that falls in love with an R.A.F. serviceman and through marriage crosses over and out of the street communities that were off-limits to the British troops stationed in Singapore during the second world war. The detailed account of life in Geylang during and immediately after the war, the visits to Haw Par Villa, the types of food and services available among the main truck road toward Changi and all of its varied businesses (including the sex trade) stands at back of the reasons why prostitution, while officially illegal and outlawed in the Singapore constitution, is nevertheless seen as an accessible, public expedient and necessarily so in view of the large numbers of single male foreign workers and expatriates on the island.