Next time you’re in Jakarta or the Manila, you may want to ask around for the Civet Coffee or Kopi Luwak. Ey, don’t underestimate this, as it’s touted to be the most expensive coffee in the world! At $30 a pound, this one’s just for the truly discerning, and appreciative of the… er… extensive processing this coffee goes through.
Find out more from the Escape Blog or order here.
I came across this article on venous thrombosis, where blod clots form usually on the legs, and hamper circulation. It’s a condition commonly associated with long air travel, but recent data shows that no matter what mode of transportation you use– by car, train, or plane– you are increasing your risks of suffering from this condition particularly if you’re on the go for a long period of time (long = about 4 hours).
Of course, some people are more prone than others. I’ve travelled 12-14 hour flights and drives without any complaint, other than tiredness and a numbed backside. Apparently, …read more
When we think of Chinese food, we automatically think of stir-fried noodles or rice. In reality, the chinese cuisine is more than the stir-fry veggies and carbo you find in take out boxes.
In China, the diversity of the cuisine reflects the enormity of the country. From the lamb kebabs of the west, to the pan-fried cheese of Yunnan, to the searing spices of Sichuan, the provinces’ flavors are as unique as they are varied.
And you can sample the cuisine in each of the 22 provinces and five autonomous areas (yes, including Mongolia!) without ever leaving Beijing. Where? At the …read more
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Salivating after a good prime rib in Hongkong? Starting September 18th, there’s a place you can head to at The Lee Gardens, along Causeway Bay. Lawry’s The Prime Rib is coming to Hongkong!
Seating 240, the focus of Lawry’s Hong Kong will be on classic beef dishes, with signature menu items including roasted prime ribs of beef. Signature accompaniments include classic Yorkshire Pudding and the Original Spinning Bowl Salad, spun on a bed of crushed ice, and tossed with the exclusive Lawry’s Vintage Sherry Dressing. Guests will also be able to choose from additional a la carte items.
American fine-dining in Hongkong. …read more
Tiger Airways is celebrating its 2nd anniversary and aside from discounted and 2-for-1 tickets, they’ve also launched a “Click & Win” online contest where you could win daily and weekly prizes of cash, vouchers for flights, hotels or car rentals, mobile phones and more! You’re eligible to join the game if you’re a resident of Australia (Northern Territories), Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, South China (Guangzhou and Hainan), Macau and Hong Kong SAR.
All you have to do is click here to enter the game, and answer a few questions about Tiger Airways. Goodluck!
Warm waters, white sand, reliable sunny weather. A lifetime will probably not be enough to explore all the wonderful beaches in Asia. But if you press me to narrow it down to 5, here are the top five beaches, in alphabetical order, which I would like to see and visit in the next few years (not that I have any intention of dying anytime soon):
Bali, Indonesia: Despite chronic terrorism issues and natural disasters, I just have to see the Travel & Leisure’s Best Island Resort.
Boracay, Philippines: Rated one of the finest beaches in the world, Boracay is probably the first …read more
AirAsia is celebrating its 20 million passenger milestone (honestly, these budget airlines are celebrating just about anything!) and is offering another ticket for free for every flight you book until the weekend, Aug. 20. You and your companion (yes, the two tickets should be for 2 passengers flying together) must travel between Aug 21 and Oct 18, 2006.
Check out AirAsia’s list of destinations and corresponding airfares. Fares quoted exclude airport taxes and fees, fuel surcharges and indicate one way travel only.
Hm, so who’re you taking with you?
If you’re headed to places like the Philippines, Singapore and India, you’d be pleased to know that english is widely spoken and most people you meet on the road are pretty fluent. If you’re a tourist, it’ll make your meanderings much easier. At the very least, you’ll have less difficulty asking for directions if you get lost. If you’re on business travel, I’m sure you’ll find it convenient to be able to conduct your meetings and dealings in English in these countries, and in other big cities in Asia.
However, you should prepare yourself for the accents. Sometimes, although some Asians’ …read more
Whereever in the world you travel, there are schemers. Wretched people intent on pulling a trick on you. Be prepared. Know what you’re up against, and you’re already one step ahead. Here are some of the most common scams to look out for (in Asia or elsewhere):
Pickpockets, thieves, snatchers. Beware of people who try to distract you, asking for directions or the time. Keep an eye on your pocket and keep your bag close to yourself when in crowded places (a money belt is practical, comfortable and secure way to keep cash, cards and important documents safe). Remember, your skin …read more
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How do you react when you see Western fastfood joints in Asia? I just came across this article from CNN about Krispy Kreme’s expansion into Asia, first in Hongkong and then to South Korea, Tokyo Indonesia and the Philippines.
On one hand, it’s a welcome development. Asians get a taste of Western cuisine (if it can be called that), and don’t we all love to try everything that’s novel, unchartered, unfamiliar? I can imagine that to a certain extent, for the less-adventurous tourists at least, the sight of a McDonald’s or Burger King restaurant means there’s a place they can seek …read more
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