SINAGPORE

(taken from http://www.mymalaysiabooks.com/images/Flag_Spore.jpg)

Not forgetting sunny Singapore! The capital of Singapore is Singapore! Singapore's closest neighbour is Malaysia. Singapore used to be a Malay fishing village, but due to the large migration of Chinese, the main race in Singapore now is Chinese. Singapore used to be part of Malaysia, but she gained her independance in 1965. On 9th August every year, Singaporeans celebrate Singapore's national day. Singapore used to be a British colony. Sinagpore is a Multi-racial society, and the 4 main races in Singapore are Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian.

(taken from http://itclub.vs.moe.edu.sg/cyberfair2005/images/esplanade.jpg)

One of the most famous tourist attraction in Singapore has to be the Esplanade (Singapore's performing arts venue), which is shaped like a durian. isn't it cute?:D

LAOS

(taken from http://www.faqs.org/docs/factbook/flags/la-lgflag.gif)

The capital of Laos is Vientiane, which is also the largest city. Its official language is Lao. It is bordered by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Laos traces its history to the Kingdom of Lan Xang or Land of a Million Elephants, which existed from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century(Some information from Wikipedia)

EAST TIMOR

(taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Flag_of_East_Timor.svg/800px-Flag_of_East_Timor.svg.png)

The capital of East Timor is Dili, which is also the largest city. Its official languages are Portugese(as it was colonized by the Portugese before) and Tetum. The country is rather small, and it is located above Australia. 97% of the population are Roman Catholics.

MYANMAR/ BURMA

(taken from http://www.britannica.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/myanmar-flag.gif)

Myanmar's/ Burma's capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon. The national language is Burmese. Myanmar/ Burma is the largest country in SEA geographically. The main religion in Myanmar/Burma is Buddhism

A Burmese traditions:
It is an insult to touch someone on the head as the head is considered the "crown".

Some Buddhist celebrations that are celebrated in Singapore include:-
1. Water Festival (Thin Gyan)
-This Myanmar New Year celebration normally falls around 13-17 April every year. During this festival, people devote themselves to offer and bath Buddha images with scented water. They pay homage to the elders with cool water and other offerings. Splashing water at passers-by may be interpreted as symbolizing the washing away of the immoral stains accumulated during the past year,

2. Vesak Day
-This festival occurs on the full moon of May.

Buddhism was actually split into two different vehicles-the smaller vehicle and greater vehicle. The greater vehicle believed in helping devotees to achieve enlightenment, however the smaller vehicle does not do that.

PHILIPPINES

(taken from http://members.shaw.ca/gthemidwife/images/800px-Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg)

The capital city of The Philippines is Manila, and The Philippines comprises of many islands, just like Indonesia, except that The Philippines has more islands. The Philippines is a multi-ethnic country.The national language is Tagalog.

INDONESIA

(taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Indonesia_flag_300.png)

The capital city of Indonesia is Jarkata. Indonesia consists of many different islands. The currency of Indonesia is Rupiah. The main religion in Indonesia is Muslim. The national language is Bahasa Indonesia, which is rather similar to Bahasa Melayu.

Sometimes, I really wonder why our domestic helpers are mainly from Indonesia. Why not Malaysia, or Thailand? These two countries are closer to Singapore, wouldn't it be more pratical to get domestic helpers from these countries instead of Indonesia, which is further?

BRUNEI

taken from http://www.world-flags-symbols.com/_img_nations2/brunei_flag.png

Brunei is located in the island of Borneo. Borneo consists of Sarawak and Sabah too. Both of them are states of Malaysia. Since Brunei and Malaysia are so close to each other, it is no surprise that the main race of Brunei is also Malays!