It’s my time to go a-travelin’ and this blog will be going on a short sabbatical. Unfortuantely, nowhere exotic and not as near Asia as I would like to. But keep this page bookmarked; as any traveller would know, two weeks wil be over before you know it. Just two weeks, and this blog will again be ablaze with hot news, stories and tips on Asian travel! Watch out!
Meanwhile, check out these titles on my wishlist:
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Singapore is celebrating its 40th Birthday on 9 August 2005 with festivals, carnivals and concerts:
Carnival@Marina
What: Concerts, family rides, military shows, highlighted by the grand ‘live’ National Day countdown party.
When: 6 – 14 August, 10am to 11 pm
Fireworks Festival
What: Firework displays produced by temas from Singapore, France and Protugal
When: 8, 9, 14 August
National Day Parade at Padang
What: Themed 40 Years of Nation Building, highlighted by a March-Past by various sections of the military, a 21-gun salute arriving the arrival of the President, and a fly-past by the Singapore Air Force
When: 9 August
Skydiving Festival
What: Exhilarating aerial displacs and tandem jumps from …read more
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Getting sick while travelling is a nightmare. It might necessitate a trip to the pharmacy where medicines are sold under labels you’re not familiar with, or worse, a trip to the hospital and a consultation with a doctor you don’t know, who doesn’t know your health history, and possibly doesn’t even speak your language. So when possible, getting the jab back home for illnesses prevalent in your destiantion is a lot better option than risking it once you’re there.
One of the common highly recommended immunizations to Asian travellers is that against Hepatitis A. Prevalent in Asia (categorized by the …read more
When I think of Japan, all that comes to mind are visions of metropolitan Tokyo: tall skyscrapers, business people walking briskly along busy streets: a picture that’s comparable to New York or Frankfurt.
However, thanks to Walk Japan Ltd., ‘off-the beaten track’ holiday tours of Japan are now available. Currently, there are three trekking tours that are being offered:
The Nakasendo Way: Starting from the ancient capital of Kyoto, this 11-night tour explores one of the old highways of Japan, the Nakasendo, or the ‘road through the central mountains’. The tour provides a fascinating insight into the world of feudal Japan, the …read more
By now, my sis-in-law, J, will be deep in slumber, recuperating from a long-haul flight from Frankfurt to Manila. And here I am, still wishing I could have been on the plane, too. The only thing I don’t envy is having to endure such a long flight with a nearly-2-year-old toddler. I’ve been that route last year, and it’s an experience I don’t want to re-live. J opted to fly Cathay, which means she’ll have a very long haul from Frankfurt to Hongkong, stop-over for half an hour or so, before they fly the last 2 hour flight to …read more
How about spending winter in Asia instead of freezing this winter (at least for those in the Northern hemisphere)? Well, if you plan early enough, here’s a chance to see six versions of Asian Christmas holidays without having to max out your plastic! Tiger Airways, a Singapore-based low cost airline, is to offer nearly half a million low fare seats on sale starting today on all its 10 points in six different countries for the year-end holiday season stretching from 30 October, 2005 to 25 March, 2006. Tiger Airways currently flies from Singapore to Thailand, Vietnam, Macau, The Philippines and …read more
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Did you know that Google has a built-in currency converter? Whether you’re comparing internet hotel rates or have already touched down in Asia, this Google feature will make your currency conversion a breeze. If that online travel agent asks for, say, 4000 Philippine pesos (PHP) for a double room in a four star hotel, find out just exactly how much that translates to in US dollars (USD), or any other currency. Go ahead and try it: Just type 4000 PHP in USD below and click search:
Now, if you want to compare that to a hotel in say, Malaysia, and …read more
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Yesterday, I was walking along our local shopping street and browsing through the shops, and I can’t help but notice the Asian influence in the current fashion trends here in Europe. Cotton tunics are so in, in all colors and beading intricacy! Makes me remember my wide, flowing white tunic I bought–was it 9 years ago?– in Bangkok. The Chatuchak Market is probably the world’s largest weekend market, with thousands (!) of stalls, offering wares ranging from food, clothes, computers, native crafts, (pirated CD’s), and even pets! You’ll find possibly the lowest prices and best baragins in all of Bangkok …read more
Daydream for a while and imagine you’ve saved money and leave-credits for a 90 day holiday. Where would you head to? I am sure I am only one of the millions who’d zigzag across the Asian continent, and sample the various holiday experiences Asia has to offer.
Guess what? I’ve found people who are turning that dream into reality just as I sit here typing and looking at a gloomy weather outside my window. Nate and Aimee’s 90 Days in Asia blog chronicles their 3-month backpacking trip across Asia: Hong Kong, mainland China, South East Asia, Himalayan North India, …read more
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With or without promotions, Singapore Airlines is still my personal favorite, especially when flying long hauls. But never has it been more worth to fly via SIA than this summer, until Sept 30, 2005. By presenting your boarding pass within 7 days after your arrival, you get big, big discounts at hotels, shops, car rentals, restaurants, and more. For example, you can get up to 72% of the published rates when you check into Millennium Hotel Sirih in Jakarta or a 20% off the admission to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium.
Arrrgh! Wish I was there.
More info here.
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