Uber http://www.trifter.com//Uber. New posts by Uber Vatican City http://www.trifter.com/Europe/Vatican-City/Vatican-City.49313 The Vatican City is a minute 44 hectares (440,000 square metres), and it is the smallest independent country in the world! The Vatican City was created in 11 February 1929 by a treaty. The microstate, though governed by Pope Benedict XVI, it is a monarchy, which means that the ruler, or the person governing the country, has no definite term unlike Singapore where one term is 4 years.

It is estimated only 1000 people live in the Vatican City and it is second last in the list of countries by population after the colony Pitcairn Island which is claimed by the United Kingdom. The population density of the Vatican City is 1,780/km squared.

If you are visiting this interesting and cultural microstate, there's places you wouldn't want to miss! The Sistine Chapel contains many pieces of works by famous artists such as Botticeli, Bernini and Michelangelo, and this chapel is also the official residence of the Pope! The conclave of this chapel is where a new Pope is selected. Some other notable places in the Vatican City are the Vatican Library and Museums. Interestingly, the Vatican City is the first and only country to be added by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to the list of World Heritage Sites.

Don't forget, if you are visiting this microstate, the Vatican City, that speaks mainly Latin or Italian, be sure to brush up these languages!

]]> Sun, 30 Sep 2007 06:07:32 PST Christmas in Singapore http://www.trifter.com/Asia-&-Pacific/Singapore/Christmas-in-Singapore.49304 Suntec City on Christmas Eve was filled with people rushing to do thief last minute Christmas shopping, lost in the huge maze of stores, food outlets and supermarkets. The whole shopping centre was littered with signs shouting “Sale!” or “Half-Price!” Adding to the festive cheer was a gargantuan statue of Santa Claus situated in the middle of the shopping centre. All around it were beaming children who took pictures with Santa, toddlers who were salivating and producing sounds of delight, and of course, the annoyed parents who followed. They did not feel the cheer, though. Every few minutes, the statue would turn and bow mechanically, and a voice emanating within would sing Christmas carols.

Hordes of people thronged the store, so cramped that people felt they were in a prison cell. Teenagers armed with tokens that jingled as they raided the video game arcade, coin after coin was inserted into the console, their eyes carefully focusing on the screen. Mothers brought their young to the children's section at Carrefour, scouting the area for bargain buys, some of them heaving a sigh of relief after making their purchase Women both young and old thronged the cosmetics departments eager to buy cheap products. A myriad of smells some pungent, some sweet smelling, filled the air. The once empty ice-cream store outside had also not been forgotten! People were patiently queuing up for ice cream to escape the blistering heat.

The busiest spots in Suntec City were probably the toy stores. Children dragged their parents along as they rummaged through for their favorite toy. They would force their parents to buy it and when it was denied, you know what would happen? Yes, the tears.

Each hour and every minute flew by as night approached. The children were already yawning by 8 or 9 o' clock, their energy drained, and soon, few of the stores were already closed. Only Carrefour and several others were open for the “Late-Night Sale”. Close to midnight, after the countdown, many of the weary people began to leave the shopping centre. One by one, the stores became empty as the happy owners called it a day.

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