The first electric model of scooters will be available in to Singaporeans in April. While they are not legal for use on the highways and expressways, they will make traveling around the city streets easier and much more cost efficient. The top speed is just about 60 miles an hour, and as they have no gears, noise pollution is expected to be reduced as well. Not only is this perfect for the environmentally conscious consumer, an electric scooter owner will spend just around sixty dollars a year to charge their battery. Distributors have received eight orders for the scooters so far, and expect them to appeal to many on the island once they hit the sales lots in April. Projected numbers for the year are between five hundred and one thousand sold and on the roads by 2010. Zeco Scooters is the company responsible for bringing this green technology to the island, and the director states that alternative forms of motorized transportation have become quite popular over the last few years with hybrid and electric cars being offered at prices that people can afford. Scooter travel around the island is quite popular, and with the cost, and the green vehicle rebate of up to five hundred dollars, these scooters have become a viable and a wonderful option.

In the coming years many parking lots will be equipped with green-lot sections, providing those with the scooters the ability to charge their vehicles outside their homes. Three companies are ahead of the times however. Ikea has installed the lots in two of their stores parking lots, and soon the company INSNEAD and the college, Republic Polytechnic will have their lots completed. Many more lots are scheduled to open and provide charging stations in the downtown business district and the parking lots and garages in Singapore luxury hotels this coming year. The scooters can run for close to 140-150 miles before they are in need of a charge, and to charge a battery takes just under 3 hours. Perfect for downtown travel, and perfect for recharging while at work, school or a night out. All the lots in the companies listed previously, offer the charge at no cost to the driver of the scooter. The support of these major businesses has given the makers of the scooters encouragement, as not only will owning one of the scooters reduce pollution and become soon the most cost effective mode of travel in Singapore, it will be convenient as well.

In spite of the state of the global economy, tourists are finding their way to Dubai which is one of the seven United Arab Emirates. While it is a major Middle Eastern metropolis, Dubai also has wonderful beaches, exciting desert excursions, and traditional markets as well as numerous historic landmarks.

Visitors may prefer to stay at a great Dubai beach resort, a theme hotel, or rent a private apartment for an extended stay. The variet of accommodations available should suit just about any budget and preference. Some hotels are thoroughly modern while other feature traditional Middle Eastern architecture to give guests the feel that they have stepped into a past era of glamour and beauty. However, even the more ancient-looking lodgings are likely to have modern conveniences.

One of the more popular attractions in the city is a Dubai Creek tour. These offer a look at Old Dubai’s historic sites, including well-preserved ships and architecturally stunning structures. The city has a number of museums to further explore the region’s history and culture. Visitors can also shop at a tradition Arab market that is known as a souk. There are a number of popular souks throughout Dubai.

Any trip to Dubai should include a visit to the beach. The emirate is so proud of their coastline that they have built artificial islands to increase the beach area available for recreation. Visitors can go surfing, deep sea fishing, sailing and boating. The waters near Dubai are filled with reefs and shipwrecks making it a premiere spot for scuba diving.

For a more adventurous tour of the area, try a desert safari which takes visitors dune bashing in the desert outside Dubai. For those who aren’t afraid of heights, helicopter tours are popular as are hot air balloon rides over the desert.

Dubai hosts numerous world-class sporting events throughout the year in cricket, tennis, golf, horse racing, and rugby. The city is also a popular concert stop for international performers and has been expanding its offering of festivals celebrating art and culture. They now boast international festivals in jazz, literature, poetry, and film.

Not many companies, much less large cities, can say that their position during these economic times is one of strength. But that is just how is was stated by the executive chief of the Singapore Tourism Board, Aw Kah Peng, this past February at a convention aimed at protecting the tourist driving sector of the economy. The Board along with the government of the island have proposed a stimulus plan of initiatives that top 90 Million dollars, offering deductions and financial help in the most successful, stable and promising businesses in the tourism and service sector. This plan was developed before the loss of jobs, attacking the future and insuring that those in the Singapore luxury hotels, travel agencies, resorts and tourist attractions will remain to enjoy not only job security, but growth as well. An aggressive and pro-active approach as the people in the world right now, are spending less money on things such as travel, for business or for holiday. Singapore’s reputation as one of the premier destination sites for travel has been extremely well established over the years. Entertainment in the form of festivals and celebrations have brought millions to the city for vacations, and the strong sectors in technology, medical research and business practices of the city, have attracted many international conventions.

Travel habits have changed for most of the world’s population over the last few years, with many traveling shorter distances for shorter amounts of time. Still needing or wanting to ‘get out of town’ and still doing so, just in a manner more cost efficient. Part of the incentive plan is a change in the marketing of tourism, providing means and enhancement and special rates that would make Singapore an attractive option for this. Businesses from different sectors are combining forces to come up with commercial marketing campaigns, as the continued influx of travelers benefits all those involved. The goal for 2009 is to continue the growth and the strength of viable and long standing businesses and the continued growth and strength of the island of Singapore on the whole.

What does it feel like when you are approached by strangers? For any reason, for directions or for the time of day, or night. Well, how would that change should you become known for putting your heart and soul and everything out there. Yeah, those not involved in the public arts or entertainment scene seem to find it easy to say, ‘…well, they asked for it, that’s what they get’. It is this writer’s opinion that responses such as those are jealous driven, by people not going after their dreams, much as the familiar phrase by those not trying to ‘make it’ or quite frankly, those not really trying to anything, in Los Angeles. In reference to those making their bills and being responsible by way of waiting tables, meanwhile working double time to follow their dreams. Lee Tzu Pheng is one such celebrity, gaining notice and notoriety by her writings. Because of her inspirational writings, the public approaches her on the street, needing and wanting those words of wisdom and inspiration. Which makes her uncomfortable, I mean really..when you consider how uncomfortable it is for a stranger to ask for directions to Singapore luxury hotels, consider when you are asked directions, for all intents and purposes, to your heart or to the exact center of what you believe and what you hold to be true. It’s a calm on the surface, while feet are frantically duck-paddling underwater.

Pheng offers herself up through various public readings and her dedication to the youth of today. Artists of the now, owe it to the artists of ‘soon’. And Lee’s foundation in collaboration with the Old Rafflesian Assoc. has offered scholarships to those talented who are also in need, and to be honest, in this economy, what artist isn’t in need of support. Well, perhaps Ron Howard or Steven Speilberg, but for those still in the streets, and those that are young with dreams of what could be possible, this is an incredible testament to the dedication of the written word and the lyrical way words express what everyday conversation is incapable of doing. Pheng illustrates what is possible with the written word, in one simple way of her words being set to music by symphony conductors and by having broadcast stints on BBC Radio. There are entire courses of study now in universities around the world, studying just what she has written, she’s become and artistic, a social and a feminine icon, from a country not super well known for their support of free speech and expressionism.

Karnataka is the proud home of Bannerghatta National Park. Located just south of Bangalore (official name: Bengaluru), the park was established in 1974 and is one of the richest zoological reserves in India. It stretches for 25,000 acres or over 100 square kilometers. Much of the park is dense forest or scrub land and houses a variety of species.

Most of the park is a natural preserve, with animals roaming free. Visitors tour the park safari-like in caged mini-buses. Animals are segregated into special sections such as Carnivores and Herbivores. There is a zoo that houses birds, amphibians and reptiles as well as endangered species.

One of the special preserves in the park is the Bannerghatta Tiger and Lion Reserve which protects white tigers, Indian tigers, lions and other mammals. There is a reptile park with a small theater and a recently opened Butterfly Park – the first in India.

Other attractions at the park include the extensive Zoological Garden and a snake farm. The climate of Bangalore makes visiting the park a pleasure any time of the year.

Visitors staying in the city will find a number of 5 star hotels Bangalore to choose from as well as resorts and hostels in all price ranges. The park is about thirty minutes south of the city.

Kerala is a union state of India located on the Arabian Sea. Famous for its beaches, food, and culture, this region of India calls itself “God’s own Country” — a reference to the gorgeous and varied landscape. From sparkling waters and sandy beaches to tropical forests, from coastal plains to the Western Ghats mountain range, Kerala is a wonder of natural beauty and relative political quiet.

The area is proud of its multicultural heritage. Immigrants from Portugal, Syria, China, and Europe have settled here over the centuries and influenced the architecture, arts, and culture of the region. Kerala is home to Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Jews. There are a number of beautiful mosques, temples, and churches that reflect this diverse spiritual heritage.

Visitors to Kerala face a staggering array of choices with regard to lodging. The best hotels Kerala range from theme resorts to beachside hotels. Homestays are especially popular here as are private rentals of beach cottages.

Kerala has a number of modern cities filled with modern shopping and dining options. Likewise, the larger beaches are home to trendy restaurants and clubs and filled with interesting shops for bargain hunters. However, those venturing into the “wilds” of Kerala will be able to appreciate the true beauty of the area. There are national parks that include a rain forest, the Kerala backwaters area, and even a tiger reserve.

Recreational activities in Kerala range from hiking through the forests or cycling over the plains to boating and kayaking off the beaches. Snorkeling, lagoon diving, and scuba diving are also popular. Kerala’s coast features some breath-taking reefs teeming with marine life. Deep Sea fishing tours are also available.

Whether dozing on a beach or enjoying a delicious meal of the freshest seafood, Kerala is an amazing place to relax and escape from the everyday world.

Last month, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board had good news to announce – the overall teen drug abuse rate in the United States has dropped by 24 percent since 2001. The report also said that in all young adults (defined as between the ages of 18 and 25) the abuse rate fell in all drug categories with the exception of pain relievers.

It’s unfortunate that news of this improvement had to be tempered with the distressing information that teenagers in America do not have enough drug treatment options to serve their needs. A Forbes.com article today reported on the national deficiency in the number of treatment centers that specifically treat adolescents. The article cites a recent study that claims “Only about 10 percent of the 1.4 million American teens with substance abuse problems receive treatment.” It’s humbling to realize that even though drug abuse among teens is going down in numbers, there are still over a million American teenagers out there who are suffering from substance abuse.

The reason why most teens don’t get the help they need is that there are few treatment centers that offer services to teens, and of those facilities only a percentage accepts people with a dual diagnosis or co-disorders. The article mentioned that compared to the number of treatment centers for adults, teens only have about 1/3 of the services that adults have. Without enough centers to service young adults, the problem may begin to grow again.

Quality of service is a major concern, as only 30 percent of over 150 centers that were evaluated managed to score as establishments of “high-quality”. The majority scored as only mediocre facilities. According to the research in the report that appeared in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, high-quality drug rehab centers tend to be those with longer term, residential programs. The reason given is that residential treatment often offers a wider variety of services that meet youthful needs.

Three quiet and quaint towns lie along the coast and on the outskirts of island of Ibiza, Spain. Long known as a favorite destination for tourists throughout Europe, travelers come to the island for the peace and tranquility and beautiful weather, and notably for the parties. Ibiza has quite rightfully gained its reputation of party capital of Europe for over the years visitors have danced and partied their nights away and then relaxed on the beach during the days. However fun this is when one is young and single, it is not the best environment for a family vacation. The towns of Santa Eulalia, Es Cana and Puerto de San Miguel offer a much more tranquil option to those traveling with children.

The quiet town of Es Cana lies along shallow water, making this a great place for young children to experience the beach and the ocean. There are still opportunities for any number of the water sports so popular, scuba diving or wind surfing or sailing, but parents can rest easy and relax concerning the safety of their kids. Various restaurants, shops and Ibiza boutique hotels line the streets of this quaint town and every Wednesday there is an open air market where one can take in the local flavor at the many food stands or purchase hand-made souvenirs or gifts from one of the many local artists.

Puerto de San Miguel is another such town. A bit more out-doorsy of and atmosphere as there are mountains and pine forests dotting the coast, making this an ideal location for those looking for hiking or mountain bike trails. Oh there are many opportunities for in town fun as well, such as sitting in one of the cafes sipping espresso or taking in the various options of a tapas menu. And should one really desire to get out and experience a bit of the nightlife before returning to the peacefulness, a bus runs on the weekend that stops off at the various, and quite famous nightclubs.

Santa Eulalia has many activities and options for parents traveling with children needing entertainment. This small town has a long history of pirates and trading ports as the only river on the island runs through it. There are museums and historical points of interest, providing afternoons of education as well as fun for families on vacation. This is the wealthiest town on the island due the trade industry and offers a variety of choices for entertainment, be it the museums or shops or the culinary delights of one of the many top restaurants on the island.

First-time visitors to Kuala Lumpur will find that the locals affectionately refer to their city as “KL.” The charm of Malaysia‘s capital city is difficult to describe. There is a near-perfect blending of Malay tradition, modern city life, and the mixture of cultures and languages that one can only find in a multi-cultural global city. It all comes together to create an exciting and memorable experience for tourists.

Many in the West only know of Kuala Lumpur because of the Petronas Twin Towers. For years, it was the tallest tower in the world and still holds the title of the world’s tallest twin towers. The image of the two towers has become inrevocably intertwined with the city. It is used as an official symbol on many items. However, the entire skyline of Kuala Lumpur is stunning. Check out the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Putra World Trade Centre. The city is also building even more skyscapers, with several major projects in various stages of construction.

As a growing city of over 1.5 million Kuala Lumpur has all the modern conveniences a savy traveler expects to find in a global capital. There are restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, shopping malls and centers with designer boutiques and food courts, and a wide variety of Kuala Lumpur Malaysia hotels so that tourists can find just the right lodgings for their personal taste and travel budget.

First-timers will want to spend time visiting the Instana Negara, which is the official residence of the Malaysian King as well as the Masjid jamek, the Masjid Negara and the Istana Budaya. They may also want to check out the House of Parliament, the various KL museums, and, of course, explore the Petronas Tower which has a recreational and retail complex at its base. The city also has it’s own zoo and a separate aquarium for animal lovers.