Let’s Visit Asia

As you all recall, I’ve just relocated back to Asia in June this year, and this is the first time I’m spending Christmas holidays here, after so many years. Hm, while I do enjoy living and traveling in the region, I have to admit it feels strange to be celebrating Christmas at 30 degrees Celsius. It might have been different had I been in a largely Christian country such as the Philippines, but here in Singapore, it just feels a wee bit… unusual, to say the least.
On the other hand, I know of a …read more

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If you can’t travel all the way to Europe, you can get experience a German-style Christmas market at Roppongi Hills.

From traditional German Christmas pyramids, to Käthe Wohlfahrt gifts and trinkets, to Christmas fare such as stollen, gluehwein (mulled wine) and bratwurst — German tradition, right in the heart of Tokyo.

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Am I glad to note that the Manila Peninsula is back to normal operations and is welcoming guests once more, after the being the center of the recent coup attempt in Manila. The Manila Peninsula is by far my favorite hotel in the Philippines.

If you find yourself in the megacity this holiday season, check out the Peninsula’s holiday season programs: concerts, lunch and dinner buffets, gala ball… everything you need to make it a truly festive holiday season!

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Bali is one of Travel+Leisure’s top recommendations where to spend Christmas this year.
Why Go:
-Miles of terraced rice paddies
-Instead of carols, the haunting sound of the gamelan gong
-Watching Christmas Eve sunset at the island temple of Tanah Lot.
If you’re after a totally different and untraditional Christmas, then this destination is for you. Personally, much as I love Asia, I still prefer snow, pine trees and a warm eggnog during Christmastime.

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Well, it’s the first day of December and Christmas holidays are, as they say, just around the corner. If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, here’s a gift idea suitable for someone who either travels frequently in the region or simply gaga over Asia (like me): a DestinAsian magazine subscription.

I’m sure I can get a copy from my favorite newsstand, but I’m thinking of ordering a subscription as a gift to someone else. If you’re interested, too, just fill out the form here (upper right) for more info.

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Christmas arrived early for me. I’ve been lucky to receive a copy of the Globetrotter’s Logbook for review!

If you’re the type of traveler who’d like to keep track of the places you’ve visited and keep small memorabilias of the trips all in one place, this logbook is for you. Aside from a souvenir space for the current 193 independent countries and their 58 Dependencies & Territories, what I love best about this little notebook is that section where you can glue on tickets, receipts, photos, or perhaps an autograph from somebody famous you’ve met while on travel! It’s more than …read more

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I’m still searching for that apparently now-rare December flight to Manila. Everyday, I troll the airline websites, hoping for some good news, but still have nothing to show for my efforts. Absolutely frustrating! Obviously October isn’t early enough to be thinking of Christmas holidays. Perhaps I might have to concede and take Melissa’s advice to wait for a better (meaning: cheaper) time to travel, possibly after the New Year, but before the Chinese Lunar Year celebrations.
Time. Read more time-related travel entries form this month’s theme day from the travel and culture channel of b5media.

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If you’re looking for a place in Asia where the true religious and traditional meaning of Christmas is celebrated, your best bet would be in the Philippines. The archipelago, having been colonized by the Spaniards for 300 years is largely Catholic and Christmas is a big event. Although it has also become commercialized, particularly in the big cities, traditions and family-focused festivities still prevail. I should know; I just spent the holidays with the rest of the clan.
For more on Philippine culture, have a look at b5media’s FilipinaSoul, particularly these posts on Christmas celebrations:

Pasko Na!
You know it’s Christmas in the …read more

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Those who will be stopping over the Hong Kong International airport during the next few days, you can enjoy lots of shopping premiums until the 8th of January. Get free gifts for purchases starting at HK$800, and enjoy lots of discounts and other freebies.
For example, men might want to know that you can get a free 200ml bottle of JohnnieWalker Blue Label with purchase of HK$2,000 on JohnnieWalker Blue Label products. For the women, various discounts and surprises await you at the jewelry, perfumery and accessories shops.
Check out what goodies you can bring home — a belated Christmas gift, or …read more

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In a few days, I’ll be off to Manila. My reason for going is not exactly a happy one, as I received news that my father has taken ill. Although I will be spending the Christmas holidays there, I expect it’ll be a bit somber than usual for us. I’ll try to keep this blog updated as much as possible, but if it’s a bit less often than usual, you know why.

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