Let’s Visit Asia

This week, the World Heritage Committee added 19 cultural sites and eight natural sites to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Among these additions were some sites from Cambodia and Malaysia.
Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)
Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia) have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications, …read more

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Starting July 2008, Jetstar Asia will be offering daily flights between Singapore and Phnom Penh in Cambodia, either with four non-stop flights weekly or via Siem Reap thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
That means you can now fly from Singapore to Siem Reap, stop there for a few days, dive and take a peek into Cambodia’s past (and see where Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider was filmed). Then you have the option of either heading back, or flying further to Phnom Penh for more gallivanting.
This makes booking your flight to see more of Southeast Asia just a few clicks easier!

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In the last several months, tourists have been flocking to these cities. Alas, there’s more to Asia that lures the tourist than just the stunning tropical beaches. So yes, if you can make it, go and explore before they truly become Asia’s lost gems.
Read Bangkok Chief of Bureau Denis D. Gray’s observations and lamentations on how tourists have taken over these places.
A fusillade of flashing, jostling cameras and videocams is triggered the moment Buddhist monks pad barefoot out of their monasteries in a serene, timeless ritual. A forward surge breaks into the line of golden-yellow robes, and nearly tramples kneeling …read more

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Been to Siem Reap? If ever, most likely you’ve been there to visit the Angkor Wat. But if you’re a golfer — whether a casual weekend player or a professional, you might want to try out the new Nick Faldo’s Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap.
Have a look at the list of their partner hotels for discounted accommodation packages. The Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa for example, offers the 3D/2N Nick Faldo Golf Package, which includes an 18-hole round of golf with caddy and return transfer between hotel and golf course or a half-day spa package for non-golfers.

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Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or just wanted to treat a special someone to a truly romantic experience, check out Orient Express’ list of Romantic Getaways in South-East Asia. Among their top-picks:
1. Road to Mandalay, Myanmar
2. Jimbaran Puri Bali, Indonesia
3. The Governor’s Residence, Yangon
4. Napasai, Koh Samui
5. La Résidence d’Angkor, Cambodia
6. Eastern & Oriental Express
7. Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali
8. La Résidence Phou Vao, Laos
February 14 or not, I hope you get the opportunity to discover Asia’s most romantic destinations, rekindle romance and spend love-ly time together with your significant other soon!

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International Herald Tribune columnist Denny Lee listed 52 places to go in 2008 and number 1 on his list is Laos. He says:
Vietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina’s next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Wat Phou temple complex and the capital city of Vientiane are drawing culture seekers. Luxury teak houseboats are cruising down the Mekong. And global nomads are heading to Luang Prabang to sample the Laotian tasting menu at 3 Nagas or hang out by the infinity pool at the seriously upscale Résidence Phou Vao.

The 3 Nagas Executive …read more

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Visiting the legendary temples of Angkor Wat? Take advantage of these travel packages from Le Meridien Angkor:
Cultural Explorer – includes an Apsara Dance culture show for two with international buffet dinner. Rates start from US$159++ per night.
Angkor Weekend Break – airport transfers, breakfast and late check-out. Rates start from US$139 per room per night
Angkor Wat Splendor – includes a one day tour for two of Angkor Wat Temple with an English speaking guide, transportation and temple pass fee.
Khmer Spa Indulgence – includes a one hour traditional Khmer massage which is “based upon the concept of meridians or invisible lines of …read more

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Four Points by Sheraton Angkor, Cambodia is scheduled to open in 2009.
The hotel will feature 150 rooms, 8,500 square feet of meeting space, 3 restaurants, a health club, spa, swimming pool and a business center. The hotel will be located on Road No. 6 which links Siem Reap international airport to Siem Reap town. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the airport, a 5-minute drive to the city and a 10-minute drive to the heritage site of Angkor temples.
The Four Points by Sheraton brand is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and is a popular …read more

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Particularly when you travel to countries within the same region (East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia), you’ll encounter sights, food and local behavior that is shared among the different countries. They may have some local twist or flavor to spring rolls, for example, but it’s basically the same. Different localities would adorn their temples and other places of worship differently, but the habits and traditions are quite similar.
Hyo, traveling across the countries along the Mekong River, phrases it jocularly, but they’re quite true:
The locals will reassure that each song you’ll hear is a different one, but how can …read more

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Phnom Pehn, Cambodia finds its way to the International Herald Tribune’s travel section recently, with author Stuart Emmrich describing the city as full of contrasts, a mix of old and new, traditional yet nearly
cosmopolitan.
At this moment, Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, seems frozen in time, as the scene in front of you plays out much the way it must have 70 or 80 years ago, when Cambodia was part of French-controlled Indochina and the city was known as the Pearl of Asia. But then you notice the bank of ATMs in the nearby storefronts, the Internet cafés crammed with fashionably …read more

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