Venice of Asia

II

I

A: It there anything you are planning for the coming weekend!

B: I haven’t made up my mind about anything yet. In fact I leave it to you.

A: What would you say if we went to Arga?

B: That’s splendid idea. To be honest I’ve been looking forward to this invitation. I’m told the Taj Mahal is a “must” for all visitors of India.

A: There are actually several sights to be seen in Arga’s Fort from which a grand view of the Taj Mahal opens up. We could also visit the Dead City some 40 km away. It dates back to the 15^th century.

B: Incidentally, Mr. Singh, is Arga a long way from Delhi?

A: About 180 km. It’ll take us from 3 to 4 hours by car. The road is picturesque, and there are several ancient temples on the way.

B: All this sounds very exciting. I’ve heard so much about Taj Mahal, but they say it is better to see it once than to hear a lot about it.

A: Exactly so. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the visit.

Interviewer: So where do you sent your clients?

Travel Consultant: Well, those who go abroad go to the Orient, that’s the most popular destination; then to Mexico and then to Europe, in the order.

I: Where in particular in the Far East?

TC: To Thailand, Singapore, Bali and India mainly, though we are getting quite a few for Shri Lanka and Maldives, and some to go to China or Hong Kong.

I: And what do they do when go so far a field? Do they go for sightseeing?

TC: Some sightseeing, yes, but also the beach. Until recently the holiday maker was content with just spending two weeks on the beach, but this is no longer so. Now they want not only the sea, but to see something, to appreciate the culture, the art and architecture, to learn something about the way of life.

I: That’s why the Orient is so popular because you can have a beach holiday and link it with an excursion or a tour of the area.

TC: It very usual so for people to have a seven day tour following by a beach centered holiday.

I: What do you consider to be the most exotic places for Russians to go?

TC: Bali, without a doubt. You can find everything there: arts, colours, good people, good places to have sun and very good food.

I: For how long has Bali been so popular?

TC: For a long time. I’ve worked here for 6 years now and it has always been popular. However over the last three years the demand has been growing quite steadily.

Ex. 39. Complete the sentences.

1. Ankara is the capital of …

2. Tel Aviv is the capital of …

3. Caikro is the capital of …

4. Seul is the capital of …

5. Bankok is the capital of …

6. Buenos Aires is the capital of …

7. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of …

8. Dehli is the capital of …

9. Beijing is the capital of …

10. Riagh is the capital of …

Ex. 40. Give instructions.

You work Exotic Destinations. Your Managing Director has decided that all your clients traveling to India will need to receive a set of instructions about the way to dress while on India subcontinent.

Look at the pictures and captions below. Give a set of instructions for clients.

Prompts: need, needn’t, must, mustn’t, you‘d better, should.

It’s advisable.

You   You It

must need needn’t do mustn’t 'd better is

advisable

e.g. You’d better wear cotton not synthetic while you are in India.

It is advisable to….

Ex. 41. Read the text and render it.

Singapore is a modern equivalent of medieval Venice. Both cities are built on islands and have become wealthy by trade like medieval Venice. Singapore is an independent city-state and is governed by a small group of politicians and businessmen.

The story goes than in 1299, a prince of Sumatra (now part of Indonesia) was hunting a lion. It disappeared on an island, which means Singa (lion) pura (city). Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, the British Governor of Sumatra. He saw the island was in key position for trade with Asia, a gateway to the East. Its deep water harbour was ideal for refuelling large steamships with coal.

In the 1920s Singapore became Britain’s main naval base in Asia. During World War II, the Japanese took the British by surprise; they invaded from the land side and took the city in 1942. After 1945 Singapore joined independent Malaysia, but there were tension between the Malay and Chinese communities. Independence from Malaysia was agreed only in 1965 but the small Chinese city-state was dominated by too large Muslims neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Singapore was modernised quickly. Transport, housing and education were improved. Foreign investors built hi-tech factories, oil refineries and banks. The old city was redeveloped so that Western tourists could visit a clean, safe part of Asia, with drinkable tap water. Business boomed and is still growing fast, local companies, such as Singapore Airlines and Times Publishing have helped to make Singapore the second richest country in Asia after Japan. English is the most important of four official languages in Singapore.

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