SilkAir: All-in Return Promo Fares to over 40 Desinations fr S$169 (20 Jun – 13 Jul 16)

silkair promo 20 Jun 16

Fly with Asia’s most awarded regional airlines.

SilkAir has released the latest promo fares, with price for all-in return fares starting from S$169.

Travel to destinations such as Phuket, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Chennai, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Shenzhen, Darwin and more.

Travel Period: 01 August 2016 – 18 November 2016

 

 

Destinations Min/ Max Stay All-in return fares (from) Search availability
Kuala Lumpur 2 Days/ 14 Days S$169 Search availability
Langkawi 2 Days/ 14 Days S$199 Search availability
Surabaya 2 Days/ 14 Days S$209 Search availability
Bandung 2 Days/ 14 Days S$209 Search availability
Medan 2 Days/ 14 Days S$229 Search availability
Penang 2 Days/ 14 Days S$239 Search availability
Phuket 2 Days/ 14 Days S$239 Search availability
Pekanbahru 2 Days/ 14 Days S$239 Search availability
Yogyakarta 2 Days/ 14 Days S$249 Search availability
Palembang 2 Days/ 14 Days S$249 Search availability
Semarang 2 Days/ 14 Days S$249 Search availability
Hanoi 2 Days/ 14 Days S$279 Search availability
Kota Kinabalu 2 Days/ 14 Days S$279 Search availability
Denpasar Bali 2 Days/ 14 Days S$279 Search availability
Makassar 2 Days/ 14 Days S$279 Search availability
Davao 2 Days/ 14 Days S$279 Search availability
Cebu 2 Days/ 14 days S$289 Search availability 
Yangon 2 Days/ 14 Days S$299 Search availability
Phnom Penh 2 Days/ 14 Days S$309 Search availability
Kalibo Boracay 2 Days/ 14 Days S$309 Search availability
Siem Reap 2 Days/ 14 Days S$329 Search availability
Chiang Mai 2 Days/ 14 Days S$349 Search availability
Lombok 2 Days/ 14 Days S$349 Search availability
Manado 2 Days/ 14 Days S$399 Search availability
Mandalay 2 Days/ 14 Days S$399 Search availability
Koh Samui 2 Days/ 14 Days S$419 Search availability
Shenzhen 3 Days/ 14 Days S$519 Search availability
Kochi 3 Days/ 14 Days S$529 Search availability
Thiruvananthapuram 3 Days/ 14 Days S$539 Search availability
Visakhapatnam 3 Days/ 14 Days S$559 Search availability
Coimbatore 3 Days/ 14 Days S$569 Search availability
Chennai 3 Days/ 14 Days S$589 Search availability
Kunming 3 Days/ 14 Days S$589 Search availability
Xiamen 3 Days/ 14 Days S$589 Search availability
Hyderabad 3 Days/ 14 Days S$599 Search availability
Kolkata 3 Days/ 14 Days S$599 Search availability
Darwin 3 Days/ 14 Days S$599 Search availability
Chongqing 3 Days/ 14 Days S$599 Search availability
Wuhan 3 Days/ 14 Days S$609 Search availability
Changsha 3 Days/ 14 Days S$619 Search availability
Chengdu 3 Days/ 14 Days S$619 Search availability
Bangalore 3 Days/ 14 Days S$669 Search availability

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Is It Time To Embrace The Rise Of Digital Red Envelopes?

 

First comes Snapchat’s Snapcash then there was MasterCard’s Selfie Authorization, and now we make way for the digital Ang Baos.

Yes! You read that right.

As we usher in the Year of the Monkey, China’s three Internet giants namely Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent (developer of WeChat messaging app) offered their own versions of digital red envelopes. Even the Chinese government weighed in as they gave away a total of 300,000 RMB or about S$63,000 through Alipay – Alibaba’s digital payment service. However, the most impressive of them all was Tencent’s WeChat app.

WeChat‘s red envelope scheme started in January 2014 in support of its digital payment service called WeChat Payments. Its functions include sending virtual money, withdrawing cash, and checking the transaction history.

Its popularity spread like wildfire since its inception. In fact, last February 8 marked a milestone as over 8 billion of digital red envelopes were sent through WeChat’s gifting scheme. That signifies an eight-fold increase from the previous year.

The types of WeChat’s red envelopes are as follows:

a. REGULAR RED ENVELOPE – upon availing this, the user can specify the amount of money he or she wants to give.

b. RED ENVELOPE LUCKY DRAW – upon availing this, the user will allocates a lump sum of money to a “group red envelope” wherein a number of small red envelopes are inside it. After posting this on a group chat, WeChat will randomly assign an amount for each recipient’s red envelope.

Although these all sounds fuss-free and convenient, you must consider its disadvantages. For instance, digital platforms are susceptible to cyber crimes. In 2015, a user who claimed to be the billionaire Chen Guangbiao deceived many WeChat users and ended up receiving a significant gain from them.

Also, digital Ang Baos may take away the family re-connection that the tradition entails.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

So ask yourself: “Do you want focus on strengthening relationships or on monetary incentives?”

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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26 Smartest Companies: Leading In Innovation, Technology, And Success Worldwide

Some say that there is nothing left to be invented as humanity reached its outpouring potential. But various technology companies begged to disprove that statement! This is why MIT Technology Review did an extensive research of global companies that are smart in terms of their innovative technology and business model. Said business model must be both practical and ambitious.

From renewable energy products to saving lives of people with lung cancer and landing unmanned rockets, these are the World’s 26 Smartest Companies to date:

26. Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb, from New York City, took a leap at immunotherapy by selling a drug called Opdivo. Opdivo helps save lives of people who are suffering from lung and skin cancer.

25. Universal Robots

From Denmark, Universal Robots sell user-friendly and relatively affordable robots.

24. Freescale Semiconductor

Its pioneering technology is planned to be used in cars’ advanced computer vision systems.

23. Sakti3

Sakti3, from Michigan, makes solid-state batteries that store more energy than lithium-ion batteries.

22. SpaceX

SpaceX, progressing in landing and reusing unmanned rockets, had completed 9 missions in the last year.

21. Baidu

All the way from China, Baidu is an Internet company that reached undeniable results in speech and facial recognition.

20. Aquion Energy

Interestingly, Aquion Energy’s novel batteries can store solar energy and surplus wind.

19. Amgen

California’s Amgen has an Icelandic gene database that helps it decide which drug to develop.

18. IDE Technologies

IDE Technologies of Kadima, Israel offers more inexpensive water desalination.

17. Voxel8

After creating the world’s first 3-D electronics printer, Voxel8 is promising to make new materials such as conductive ink.

16. Apple

This list would not be complete without the creative minds of Apple. Its Apple Pay technology and new smart watch had its consumers in awe.

15. Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences from California had over US$3.6 billion in the first three months of sales for curing most cases of Hepatitis C.

14. AliveCor

AliveCor created a heart monitor that connects to a Smartphone, which automatically detects irregular heartbeats.

13. Amazon

With about US$89 billion sales in 2014, Amazon use robots to make its facilities more productive.

Image Credits: Carlos Luna via Flickr with Creative Commons License

Image Credits: Carlos Luna via Flickr with Creative Commons License

12. Google

Another company from California, Google’s loon balloons are designed to widen the access of Internet.

11. OvaScience

OvaScience’s stem-cell treatment help conceived its first baby.

10. Netflix

A crowd favorite, Netflix had created original content and distribution deals with cable companies.

9. SolarCity

SolarCity is manufacturer of solar panels that served about 177,000 United States citizens.

8. Juno Therapeutics

Seattle’s Juno Therapeutics had raised US$304 million to test cancer treatments using one’s immune cells.

7. Tencent

Tencent from Shenzhen, China is China’s most-used Internet service portal.

6. SunEdison

SunEdison had been expanding its renewable energy products and building technology to provide electricity to several developing countries.

5. Counsyl

Its relatively cheap DNA tests aids in parental planning. Furthermore, they are now selling cancer screens.

4. Alibaba

A household name, Alibaba is considered as the world’s largest online retailer. More than half of its regular transactions are made through its Alipay digital wallet.

3. Illumina

Another biomedical company, Illumina developed quick DNA-reading machines for hospitals and cancer clinics.

2. Xiaomi

Xiaomi from China is one of the fast-growing Smartphone retailers that are obviously more affordable than Apple products. Its most recent valuation is about US$45 billion.

1. Tesla Motors

Top on the list is the Tesla Motors from California. Its adventurous ideas include electrical cars and battery technologies that are applicable for cars, homes, and commercial infrastructures.

Image Credits: Maurizio Pesce via Flickr with Creative Commons License

Image Credits: Maurizio Pesce via Flickr with Creative Commons License

Will a Singaporean company emerge to the top of the list someday? I certainly hope so. 🙂

Source: 1

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Hey Globetrotter! How Much Is Your Money Worth Around The World?

Has your strong desire to travel been itching you these past several weeks? Is your schedule free enough for you to travel at least 3 days away? If all your answers point to “YES” then, it is time to give in to your wanderlust!

As you let your heart decide which country you shall go next, it is paramount to understand the value of your money and the cost of living dynamics. These said information would help you build the travel fund that is suited best for your trip. Furthermore, you can carry a little more pocket cash in case an emergency rises.

Looking into the globe through a microscope, a few of the countries you may visit are Australia (Continent: Australia), Italy (Europe), China (Asia), South Africa (Africa), Canada (North America), and Peru (South America). Hooked to the globetrotter idea already?

Then, browse through the things that you can buy with S$2.50, S$52.50, and S$1,500…

S$2.50

In Australia, or Commonwealth of Australia, you can buy 1 liter of milk for S$1.53 or a 1.5-liter of water for S$2.48.

Are you a salad enthusiast? Try the lettuce (1 head) from Italy for S$1.35. The 1.5-liter of water there costs S$0.76 only!

If you love imported beer, get a 0.33 liter bottle for S$1.59 in China. Otherwise, conquer your thirst with the very affordable S$0.65 1.5 liter of water.

Image Credits: takuki via Flickr

Image Credits: takuki via Flickr

In South Africa, you can purchase 500 grams of white bread loaf for S$1.31. And, their 1.5-liter of water retails for S$1.47.

Going up to Canada, you may purchase a kilo of tomato for S$1.90 that is otherwise S$2.66 in Singapore. The 1.5-liter of water? It costs about S$2.43.

Lastly, Peru offers friendly priced domestic beers (0.5 liter bottle) for S$1.84 while their 1.5-liter of water is priced at S$1.16.

S$52.50

You can ride a cab (normal tariff) with an hour of waiting for S$51.31 in Brisbane, Australia.

And, if you are a sucker for cheese, get 2 kilos for S$46.14 in Milan, Italy.

There is nothing but pure regard for your money at Zhuhai, China where a three-course meal at a restaurant can cost about S$43.38 for 4 people!

However, in Johannesburg, South Africa it is a tad pricier as the three-course meal at a restaurant can cost about S$48.74 for 2 people.

In Cold Lake, Canada, chain store (e.g., Zara) dresses are priced cheaper at S$43.78 whereas it retails for S$63.60 in Singapore. That is saving you S$19.82!

In the capital of Peru called Lima, you can enjoy 3 hours of playing tennis on a weekend (S$35.94) plus catching a flick on its international release (2 seats for S$15.76). Talk about an ideal date!

S$1,500

With this larger amount, you can rent an apartment for a month (inclusive of Internet services) at all these countries discussed. For instance, in Australia, you can rent a 1-bedroom apartment on the outskirts for S$1,187.62.

While in the world’s eight largest economy, an Italian 1 bedroom apartment outside the city costs S$1,034.54.

Image Credits: Julia via Flickr

Image Credits: Julia via Flickr

For an incredibly cheaper price, visit China where you can rent a 3-bedroom apartment at the city for S$1,030.15.

Or go to South Africa where a 3-bedroom apartment at the city is about S$1,409.27.

And, if you have a month long business trip in Canada, consider renting the 1 bedroom apartment in the city for S$1,340.63.

Finally, Peru’s 3-bedroom apartment at the city will cost you approximately S$1,107.23.

Image Credits: blog.absolutvision.com

Image Credits: blog.absolutvision.com

Oh! By the way…all these data were collected from Numbeo. It is a website that stores the world’s largest database of user contributed information about global living conditions. It has been mentioned in internationally renowned newspapers and magazines such as BBC, Forbes, The Economist, and New York Times among others. See for yourself! 🙂

 

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What stocks to invest in 2015?

New York Stock Exchange

It is just like the eternal question every year again – what stocks to buy and what to ignore. The question is simple, but the answer is somewhat complex, as there isn’t any easy and straightforward way to respond to it. Investors can choose however different strategies. Like every year there are always certain companies that will grow no matter what the state of the economy does. These rather save investments are perhaps one of the best strategies to follow. But there are also sectors and industries that will be particularly flourishing in 2015.

Certain stocks have been climbing for four years in a row. Better judgement might suggest that there is an end to it. However, certain companies are simply not giving in. Furthermore, the December sell-off is the perfect opportunity for investors to enter the game. Companies like Apple (APPL) have been trending and created nothing but revenue for investors. The Apple stock has generated profits for five consecutive years and there isn’t any indication that 2015 will be different. The reputation of the company’s iOS operating system is better than ever and iPhones are leading the smartphone market. Apple appears to be a no-brainer.

The same holds for other IT stocks. The social media platform Facebook (FB) has enjoyed a 40% increase in the last year alone. Instagram, which is part of Facebook Inc., just reached 300 million active users and is said to have a vast potential for growth. With potential video ads launching on Instgram this year, the Facebook stock is set to climb further. Next to Apple and Facebook stands another giant, which has similar prospects – Google (GOOGL). The market share of the company is beyond belief and easily surpasses the ones of the competitors. No matter whether mobile phone market, online search or services and applications – the sails are set into one direction. Investing in any of these IT brands could be a risky undertaking considering their extremely long runs up the market ladder, but they are clearly not finished yet. Therefore, any of them should be a save investment for 2015.

However, these are not the only stocks, which are predicted to go up. Many other information technology stocks are said to behave similarly. Even the famous heavyweight Goldman says that investment in this sector will bring favourable profits. The growth predictions for this particular industry are set around 9%. This will ensure decent returns for shareholders.

Another investment tip given by many important financial institutes are the big global stock market indices. At least within the first half of 2015 the major indices are expected to grow. Especially the S&P 500, the American stock market index, is according to the forecast of the financial institute Goldman Sachs continuing to increase in value. Since the crash in 2009, the index has doubled in points and even climbed over the value it has had before the crash. Analysts calculate with at least another 5% increase in the first few months of 2015. Also the TOPIX, the Tokyo Stock Price Index, is on an upward spiral and estimated to be even steeper than the American index. Although the Japanese economy has suffered various setbacks in the last years, the predictions for the second most important Japanese stock market index are positive.

Investments not to make are material stocks. As the Chinese economy is experiencing stagnation, the demand for raw materials is going back. The stocks have increased in the last years, however the prediction for 2015 is dim. Most likely the stocks fall deep before they will increase and stabilise again. One should wait until they fall though. The moment when they will fall is unclear, but the fall itself is almost certain. Once the material stocks have considerably decreased, one should consider investing again.

No matter whether coal, oil or base metal – the price is weak. The oil price hit a five-year low and the coal price even went below its 10-year average. The wheels of the commodity super-cycle seem to be stuck in the sand. With oil and coal having increased up to a ten-fold in the last 15 years, the growth has been cut. China and other emerging nations had been responsible for a massive demand of materials. However, slow economies and decreased demand, especially in China, are now creating the halt.

Although major economies, such as Russia and China, are slowing down for different reasons, the Asian market is expected to grow in 2015. The emerging markets of China and India as well as South Korea and Indonesia are not to be underestimated in the next twelve months. Reforms and different policy chances have reduced bureaucracy and enable so economic growth. Furthermore, through policy changes unproductive and ineffective industries and sectors will be more exposed to the order and self-regulation of the markets. One of the best performers of the Asian markets in 2014 was the Deutsche X-Trackers Harvest CSI 300 China (ASHR), which increased by 47%. The steep trend increased especially in the last two months of the year and is therefore a top contender to watch and invest in for the first few months of the New Year.

While still in trouble is 2013, India and Indonesia have stabilised their currencies in 2014, while Korea, Taiwan and Singapore had suffered compared to the US dollar. This however has helped India and Indonesia to push reforms and growth their own markets. The Indonesian iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (EIDO) grew by over 21% and the Wisdom Tree India Earnings Fund (EPI) could improve by more than 27%. Both of them can be interesting for investors in the next six months. Although both experience occasional setbacks, one could consider them as a long-term investment, as their potential growth could be up to 20% for the next two years.

In general 2015 isn’t looking bad at all. The US market as well as different Asian markets, such as the Indian and Indonesian markets, are expected to grow further, although some have already been growing too long in the opinion of some analysts. Investing in information technology stocks will be the safest bet though.

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