Let’s Visit Asia

Nope, it’s not a pun, but the Asia Travel Blog will move. If you’ve been following the developments of the merger between the Aboutweblogs and the b5media blogging networks, you’ll know what I mean. The merger would mean a lot of work for us, behind the scenes, but hopefully, you won’t be aware of it. What it means for you, readers, though, is that this blog will move to another url address, so you might have to change your bookmarks and links. But, I’d be sure to give you a heads-up before this blog finally migrates. We’re also trying to …read more

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Yet another five-star hotel opens in Pattaya: the Garden Cliff Resort & Spa which is managed by Sofitel will “soft-open” on Dec 1. To celebrate its opening, the hotel is offering a promotional rate of 4,000 baht (US$97) ++ a night double occupancy in a Deluxe Sea view Room including breakfast until 31 March, 2006 (except during the peak season from 24 Dec 2005 to 10 Jan 06).
Because of its relative proximity to Bangkok, Pattaya is gaining popularity among companies as a venue for meetings and conventions. It has a high-tech business center and the hotel ballroom can accommodate up …read more

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I’m toying with the idea of featuring other Asian travelogues and travel blogs in this blog. First hand accounts of recent Asian trips and adventures. Of course, I have been doing that already before, linking to other striking Asian blogs out there, but this time, I’d like to make it more regularly. So if you’ve recently been to Asia, or if you’re currently based in Asia and has discovered something really cool or experienced something really extraordinary you think would be interesting to other Asian travellers, tell us all about it and share your story! Whether you had a blast, …read more

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Does being the host of an international event influence the result of a competition? Unofficial tally of the ongoing SEA Games show the Philippines sweeping a total of 70 medals, 33 of which are golds. Vietnam and Thailand both have 58 medals in total, with Vietnam having 4 more golds than Thailand.
For the latest, unofficial medal summaries, see the official website of the 2005 SEA Games, or click here for the results in individual sport category.

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One would think that when a country hosts an international event, it would boost tourism as well. Isn’t that the reason why countries compete to host the Olympics or beauty pageants? But when it comes to WTO meeting, the same formula doesn’t seem to apply.
From December 13 to 18, thousands of overseas visitors will flock to Hongkong to participate in the WTO meeting. But fears of trouble and protests arising from the political groups and other organizations are driving tourists away. According to a China Standard article:
Overall bookings for the period of the meeting are worse than expected, notably in …read more

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In a previous post, I’ve reported that JAL reduced flights to Bali and Jakarta, as people hesitate going to Indonesia for fear of terrorist activities. But it seems that JAL is expecting a change of minds… during the holiday season, at least.
Over the New Year vacation period, JAL will resume full operation of the three daily direct services it normally offers passengers between Japan and Indonesia. From December 22, 2005 to January 9, 2006, passengers will be able to travel daily from Tokyo (Narita) to either Denpasar (Bali) or Jakarta direct.
Daily service between Osaka (Kansai) and Denpasar will once …read more

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Ah…spa! I need to visit one soon. A dip in a pool, a few sessions in the sauna… or maybe the steam bath…perhaps a massage. The knots on my shoulders are already easing just thinking about it.
And then I come across an entry about this Hongkong health spa from the BWG’s blog in Hongkong:
The Life of Life Healing Spa says it can trim down any body part with its fire treatment, where the client is massaged, smothered in Chinese herbs and wrapped in wet towels before being set alight.
Set alight. As in fire, flames, barbeque?!? Here’s something more graphic:
Clients are …read more

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If plans push through, ground tranportation in the biggest country in Asia will be speeding up. China hopes to get bullet trains running from Beijing to Shanghai by 2008. In addition to 60 ICE trains from Germany’s Siemens AG’s InterCity Express (ICE) trains, Shinkansen Hayate trains made by a consortium of six Japanese firms are also contracted to run along the tracks.
Source: Daily Yomiuri Online

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Even for Asians who have never seen snow, Christmas evoke visions of snow capped Christmas trees… even if those trees would be made of plastic leaves and branches have been screwed together (but hey, they look nearly authentic, and at leave they don’t shed their needles!). Christmas carols speaking of snowmen and chestnuts and frost will be heard over the buzz of busy shoopers nd the ka-ching of cash registers in the malls.
This year, as Hongkong Disneyland celebrates its first Christmas, those in Asia (especially those in the warmer tropics) will have the opportunity of experiencing a magical Christmas only …read more

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Although there are various ski resorts nowadays in the Indian side of the Himalayas, most are in the Kashmir region, an area that is relatively more infamous for its insurgency problems than as a place for winter sports. But that’s about to change.
The state government of Himachal Pradesh has given preliminary approval for the construction of Himalayan Ski Village, a $500 million resort in the Dhauladhar Mountains that would be designed to the standards of resorts like Aspen and St. Moritz, but in local style. Initial plans include 300 villas and 700 five-star hotel rooms built over 20 hectares, …read more

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