When introverts want to get away, they want to really get away. However, you’re unlikely to find them playing a drinking game by a cruise-ship pool, or crammed on a bus with their fellow tourists. Good time travel for introverts allows space and time for quiet contemplation of the many wonders of the world. With that in mind, we present to you eight introvert-friendly travel destinations.

1. Finland

If there’s a place where an introvert is going to feel at ease, it’s definitely Finland. You don’t need to agonize about making small talks in this Nordic country, since Finns appreciate silence and respect one’s personal space. While in Finland, you won’t feel judged when you dine alone or thoughtfully wander around the beautiful capital of Helsinki – and you certainly can’t leave without letting loose in a steamy sauna where you can relax and reflect in silence.

2. New Zealand

For introverts who are in search of a good adrenaline rush, New Zealand is the place to be. The place is a well-known destination for solo or small group travels, so grab your closest friends for some skiing, bungee jumping, or wild water rafting adventure. If you ever find yourself in need of some alone time, however, ditch your pals for you camera and head to Kaikoura for one great whale watching, dolphin show, or seabird spotting experience.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

The wonderful Copenhagen is another gorgeous and safe vacation spot for independent travellers like you. In fact, the place is even known as one of the most bike-friendly countries in the world. Take a ride to tour the old port Nyhavn, see the colourful houses, laze by the canal, or sit in a café with some good jazz music. To escape the busy crowd, find a patch of green in one of Copenhagen’s many gardens, such as the Botanical Garden or the King’s Garden.

4. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is every introvert’s haven. It’s safe, and has a wealth of national parks that introverts can explore. You can roll around on Costa Rica’s many beaches and practice yoga, or hike through the rainforest and kayak along the mangrove forests of Damas Island’s estuaries.

5. Bhutan

Bhutan’s a country that’ll surely pique the interest of every curious introvert, and allow them to escape from technology and the busy city streets of Singapore. The country has only been open to tourism for 40 years and has a low volume of travellers, making it an ideal destination for an introvert who’s looking for a peaceful travel. When you arrive at the place, visit the sacred Buddhist temple Taktsang Palphug Monastery located in the cliff side, or trek through the Druk path to see the inspiration Himalayan scenery.

6. Iceland

In search for a vacation spot that offers a tranquil escape? Then plan a trip with your closest friends to Iceland. Unwind in the warm waters of the blue lagoon geothermal spa, or hike one of Iceland’s many waterfalls like Gullfoss. Better yet, take a load off your feet by going on a horseback trek in the countryside.

7. Rome, Italy

Introverts love exploring and learning topics in-depth. Rome, the capital city of Italy, is the perfect vacation spot for ditching your map and wandering the streets alone, only trusting your observant eyes to seek out the city’s hidden gems. If you want, tour popular attractions like the Vatican City or the Coliseum on your own sweet time. With Rome’s wealth of ruins, old churches, and monuments, it’s easy to submerge yourself into the rich culture and history of the place.

8. Canada

There’s no better way to enjoy your own company and daydream without any interruption than taking a long train ride. Sit back with a good book, or thoughtfully gaze out the window while taking in Canada’s breath-taking sceneries on a cross-country train ride. If you don’t have the time to embark on a full journey, board the Rocky Mountaineer instead, and be dined and wined as you chug your way through the majestic Rocky Mountains of Canada.

Now that you know the perfect places that introverts like you can visit, it’s now time to book a flight on any of the aforementioned destinations, and marvel at the world’s greatest wonders.

Fancy visiting London? This is the right time to consider it. Though it is a bit expensive, the experience that you will have will surely beat it all. Travelling to London from Singapore is a long journey. You should not worry though. As long as you speak English, you will never get lost. The only thing that you need to prepare is your itinerary.

The typical itinerary of Singaporeans visiting London includes going to The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum and the like. Some consider London for shopping. You can consider these places but if you want a different experience, you have to visit London’s best streets.

To submerge yourself from London society, you should never miss the following streets:

• Seymour Place: Perhaps you know Chiltern Street since it is famous but its neighbouring street also offers the same glory of Chiltern Street. Seymour Place is a genteel street with its charm. The street lacks shops but it makes up for offering gastronomic delights. There’s The Lockhart, Sandy’s, Vinoteca, Donostia and many more establishments to try.
• Lambs Conduit Street: After the learnings from the British Museum, you can head to Lams Conduit Street and experience eclectic shops. The street offers establishments like Folk, Oliver Spencer, Persephone, Darkroom and Knockbox.

• Marylebone Lane: For an air of bohemian, Marylebone Lane is the perfect place to be. Though narrow, the street offers exceptional and independent shops and boutique. People walk by the entrance of the street because they are enticed by Marylebone High Street’s bright lights. You can see establishments like a jewellery shop by Alex Monroe and Laura Lee and fashion shop by Second Female and Bruno Athe.
• Formosa Street: Formosa Street is near the famous Warwick Avenue. The street prides in its row of neighbourhood restaurants and other establishments like beauty parlor, homeware shop and a pub.
• Acton Mews: If you want to enjoy London’s hipster vibe, you have to head to Haggerston Acton Mews. In the past, the street only features brick railway that bring the East London Line. Now, the street nestles interesting hot spots like Berber & Q.

Of course there are more streets to discover in London. One day is not enough to scour the streets of London. London offers hospitality and gentility so it will not be a waste to visit it. When in London, do what the English would do – that is how you will enjoy the place. After all, you do not know when you can return.

The advent of smartphones made communication easy and convenient. There is no reason now not to get connected. If we want to be in the know, smartphones are the answer. Its benefits surely outweigh its price. In fact, there are some Singaporeans who do not leave the house without smartphones and even when sleeping, it is within arm’s length.

We often hold our smartphones, put it in our mouth and even let our kids play with it. We do not realize the threat it poses since studies reveal that it can house bacteria. In fact, smartphones are one of the dirtiest things next to our toilet. Some are well-informed that they wash their hands after using their phones but there are other Singaporeans who are unknowing.

The good news is that there is a smartphone company in Japan who knows this dilemma and attempted to resolve it. In fact, they are manufacturing a washable smartphone. At last, our smartphones could use good washing. Now this is interesting. Here are some things that you need to know about this washable smartphone:

• The premise: Manufacturers thought about the possibility of a washable smartphone because there are people who use their phones while cooking or taking a bath. In the event of dropping the phone, it can still be functional even it soap and water are used. Water-resistant phones are not new however, washing it with soap is not. The soap can be harmful for touchscreens and the phone itself if ever it gets inside the device.
• The model: The new smartphone is manufactured by Kyocera, a Japanese company. The smartphone is called The Digno Rafre. According to sources, this phone will be launched within December. Rafre proudly presents a device that is airtight and durable – these characteristics will keep the soap away and will keep the device safe no matter how you wash it.

• Features: Compared to your typical smartphone, the Rafre doesn’t have a speaker. The speakers were removed so no water and soap can enter inside the device. The company instead used Smart Sonic Receiver. This is a new technology that utilizes vibrations on the phone’s screen to create audio. As if it is not enough, the company also offers rubber duck stand to hold the phone whilst enjoying a bath. The phone can handle more than washing because its back can “heal” scratches. The touchscreen guarantees it can handle wear and tear.

The phone is just exclusive to Japan and is available in cashmere white, coral pink and marine blue color. Given its benefits, it might interest the manufacturers to consider worldwide release. The phone costs ¥57,420.

You do not hear this often but cities with population of more than ten million people are called megacities. If you already know the top ten (Tokyo, Jakarta, New Delhi, Manila, Seoul, Shanghai, Krachi, Beijing, New York and Guangzhou) megacities in the world, it can benefit you if you know the rest of the list.

The World Urban Areas Index released its newest edition of the top twenty megacities. The Index was made possible by Demographia. Here’s the other ten megacities in the world:

• Sao Paulo: Sao Paolo is the number eleventh megacity in the world with 20.3 million people.
• Mexico City: Mexico is the number twelfth megacity in the world with 19.4 million people.
• Mumbai: Mumbai has now 17.7 million people making it the thirteenth megacity in the world.
• Osaka: Osaka has 17.4 million people making it the fourteenth megacity in the world.
• Moscow: The capital of Russia is becoming richer and with plenty of opportunities, it is now the fifteenth megacity in the world with 16.1 million people.

• Dhaka: Dhaka is the sixteenth megacity in the world with 15.66 million people.
• Cairo: Cairo is the biggest metropolitan in Africa with 15.6 million people making it the seventeenth megacity in the world.
• Los Angeles: Lost Angeles if the eighteenth megacity in the world with 15 million people.
• Bangkok: The capital of Thailand housed 14.9 million people making it the nineteenth megacity in the world.
• Kolkata: Kolkata is another Indian city and was the capital of British India way back 1912. The city nestles 14.6 million people making it at number twenty.

Singapore is a small country with manageable population that is why you never made it to the list.

When you were young, your parents used to tell fairytales about princesses, prince charmings, villains and happily ever after.  Of course when it comes to characters, your sympathies go to the protagonists of the story – princesses and prince charmings and to happily ever after.

You remember the good times but you fail to remember who contributed to the strength of character of the princesses and prince charmings. You should give credit to villains if only at this time. Here are some villains in Disney’s films worth remembering:

1. Hades: Who would ever like Hades from ‘Hercules’? He feasts on the miseries of Hercules.
2. Ursula: You know Ursula from ‘The Little Mermaid’. She also tried so hard to make the life of Ariel a misery.
3. Captain Hook: You know Captain Hook, the Crocodile and Peter Pan. His abominable character made Pan strong.  
4. Gaston: Many people only remember the Beauty and the Beast but not Gaston.
5. The Evil Queen: The most famous story is that of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The Evil Queen sought to kill Snow White because all she ever wanted is to be the “fairest of them all”.
6. Maleficent: Now you know the story of Maleficent and how she came to be. She is from ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

Villains are characters in stories that do bad things. They should not be followed but you can learn something from them – that evil doings will never go unnoticed. Your kids need to understand this so they will not do evil things.

Singaporeans love fairytales and when it is time to tell your children about it, you have to include villains as well but leave them with morale at the end of the day.