Peranakan Museum at Singapore
Posted by Admin | Filed under Culture
The recently opened Peranakan Museum showcases the culture and heritage of Straits-born Chinese, descendants of traders from China who settled in South-east Asia as early as the 14th century and married local women. Peranakan culture is essentially a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European influences.
The Museum is said to house the world’s most comprehensive and finest collection of Peranakan artifacts, with its 10 galleries featuring more than 1,200 items, including porcelain, silver, jewelry, textiles and special-occasion finery.
Highlights include the largest Peranakan beadwork tablecloth in existence, painstakingly had-embroidered with more than one million beads; a gilded wedding bed from Penang, Malaysia, and a re-creation of a Peranakan wedding street procession.
Expect vibrant colors’, rich displays and an opportunity to learn about this unique culture through interactive experiences, food, sampling and shopping.
Life in Munich
Posted by Admin | Filed under Culture
Yet despite having all the accoutrements of a cosmopolitan city, Munich is surprisingly laid back. Named the most liveable city in the world by International affairs and business magazine Monocle, Munich boasts a winning combination of investment in infrastructure, high-quality housing, low crime, liberal politics, strong media and the general feeling of Gemutlichkeit that makes the city one that should inspire others.
Work-life balance seems to be the city’s mantra; its people are adept at working hard and playing hard. It’s almost impossible not to, what with the city’s picturesque lakes, fairytale castles, majestic mountains and rich cultural offerings. The architecture, music, theatre, art galleries, restaurants, shopping all contribute to making Munich an attractive place to live and work. Leading a charmed life in a top notch city, however, usually come with a hefty price tag. Apartment rentals alone are priced at one of the highest in Europe. But though the cost of living in Munich is steep, this is out-weighted by the substantive salaries of its workers, who are paid higher than elsewhere in Germany. In fact, working in Munich has been compared with working in New York City, as it brings along it status symbols, glitz and glamour.
Yes Munich continues to be incredibly down-to-earth, possessing none of the big city attitude and brashness. Much credit should go to the city’s topography. Central Munich is compact, and the best way to explore it is on foot. Long pedestrian streets run from the main railroad station and from Karlstor, one of the main city gates, to Marienplatz, the square at the heart of the Old Town. The famed River Isar, which is fed rushing water by the Alps, serves as a major attraction for both residents and visitors alike. Its key location makes it ideal for sunbathing, picnicking, fishing, rafting, studying and countless other activities, inevitably creating a convivial atmosphere throughout the city, especially during the summer months. With this, Munich can’t help but exude a village-like atmosphere with its great outdoors and pedestrian only center that gives it the easy-going feel of a Mediterranean town.
With so much going for it, don’t be surprised if Munich, Germany’s third largest city, grows to overshadow its better knows sister cities. But for now, she is happy to bask in the honor of being one of the premier business hubs in both Germany and Europe - because a strong business proposition goes a long way.