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Koh Samui - must visit when visiting Thailand

Situated in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea, about 90 km east of Surat Thani and roughly 750 km south of the capital city, Bangkok.

Occupying an area of about 250 square kilometers, Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand, after the Ko Chang and Phuket islands. Koh Samui is actually an Amphoe or district of Surat Thani province, and has been categorized into seven sub districts or tambon, such as, Angthong, Bophut, Lipa Noi, Maenam, Maret, Namuang, and Taling Nam.

Situated in the Gulf of Siam and surrounded by more than 50 islands, Koh Samui is also sometimes referred to as the Coconut Island because its harvest of more than two million coconuts every month. The destination is truly a tropical retreat, with beautiful white sandy beaches, azure-blue sea, lush green forested hills, unique limestone and granite formations, and picturesque coves and bays, and above all, little traffic and presence of warm as well as amicable people.

Hence, it is not a wonder why people from across the world, especially westerners, flock to this tranquil destination year-round. Much of the glory of the island lies in its magnificent shoreline, bestowed with long curve of palm fringed white sandy beaches with turquoise waters. Most prominent among the beaches in the area is Chaweng Beach, which is one of the busiest in the area. A variety of beachside cafes, disco bars, and cocktail bars, can be seen here.

Another popular beach in the area is Lamai Beach, which is packed with an array of restaurants as well as entertainment centers. It is less crowded when compared to Chaweng, and hence a stroll along this beach is truly soothing and comfortable. For those seeking tranquility and peace, then Maenam Beach would be the best, which is an ideal venue for backpackers as well as well-heeled.

This beach area is home to some of the best deluxe resorts and hotels in the region. A great place to chill out, Bophut is also a great beach in the area, which is a home to a serene fishermen's village filled with relaxed eateries, trendy boutiques, and ancient wooden homes Other popular beaches in the area are Big Buddha Beach, Choeng Mon Beach, and Lipa Noi Beach. Each of the beaches in the area provides opportunities to enjoy an array of activities such as diving, snorkeling, swimming, and sea canoeing.

Aside beaches as well as its activities, things to see and do in Koh Samui are truly limitless. In other words, Koh Samui has something for everyone. For nature lovers, nothing would be better than a visit to Na Tian Butterfly Garden, where you can see a large array of different species of vividly colored lepidopterans. Also, found here are a bee house and an insect museum with some rare species of insects.

Likewise, for animal lovers, some best options are available in the form of Crocodile Farm, where you can see crocodile species like Caimans and saltwater crocodiles; Samui Aquarium and Zoo, featuring scores of fish varieties as well as specialties like Asian tigers, sea hawks, and parrots; and Snake Farm, which is home to some rare as well as most poisonous snakes in Asia.

If you are interested in sightseeing, then Koh Samui provides a multitude of refreshing attractions. Just few among them are Big Buddha, the most renowned landmark in the island and whose centerpiece is a 12 meters high golden image of Lord Buddha in sitting posture that can be seen from several miles away. Hin Ta Hin Yai, stunning rocks which are also known as Grandfather and Grandmother rocks and are believed to be the origin of the Mui race; Magic Statue Garden, an incredible garden located deep in the forest and which can be reached by journeying through steep cliffs and forested rivers and hills; and Overlap Stone, which is quite challenging to reach this impressive boulders.

Not to miss attractions in Koh Samui also include temples in the area such as Hainan Temple, Hin Lad Waterfall Temple, Laem Sor Pagoda, and Pagoda Khao Chedi. In addition, things to see in Koh Samui also cover Buffalo fighting, Monkey Show, and traditional Thai Boxing. Well-linked by water, land, and air, Koh Samui renders its visitors superb accommodation options, ranging from stunning beachside villas and bungalows to upscale resorts and hotels.

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2011 Calender of Malaysia

Malaysia Year 2011 Public Holidays

01/Jan - New Year's Day
10/Jan - Awal Muhram
07-08/Feb - Chinese New Year
20/Mar - Prophet Mohd's Birthday
01/May - Labour Day
19/May - Wesak Day
07/Jun - Agong / King's Birthday
31/Aug - National/Merdeka Day
01-02/Oct - Hari Raya Puasa
27/Oct - Deepavali
08/Dec - Hari Raya Haji
25/Dec - Christmas Day
29/Dec - Awal Muharam

Malaysia School Term Holidays 2011

1st Mid Term Break = 08/Mar-16/Mar
2nd Mid Term Break = 24/May-08/Jun
3rd Mid Term Break = 16/Aug-24/Aug
Year End Break = 15/Nov-04/Jan/2011

Singapore School Term Holidays 2011

Semester 1 Term 1 Break = 08/Mar-16/Mar
Semester 1 Term 2 Break = 24/May-22/Jun
Semester 2 Term 1 Break = 30/Aug-07/Sep
Semester 2 Term 2 Break = 15/Nov-31/Dec

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Christmas in Hanoi

Christmas in Hanoi is familiar, but also strange.

Believe it or not, it was the Vietnamese version of Wham’s Last Christmas that first got me into the yuletide spirit this year.

There I was, sitting in a hotel lobby with my sister who was visiting, and we both looked at each other wide-eyed. We were watching dozens of parents and their excited children, milling around a Styrofoam Santa’s workshop, posing with his elves.

The wintry ambience was created courtesy of snow-in-a-can and wispy white cotton. We simply couldn’t resist joining in the chorus – in English, of course.

Christians make up 8% of the population, and Christmas is one of the four important festivals in the Vietnamese calendar – the others being the Buddha’s birthday, Tet (or the Lunar New Year) and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

However, Christmas seems to be a big deal. Those who have witnessed celebrations in the more Catholic Ho Chi Minh City claim that the Hanoi version pales in comparison. I personally think it’s remarkable how many non-Christians celebrate the season with their Christian countrymen.
It says more than some countries that constantly trumpet their supposed religious tolerance, yet behave otherwise.

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MAS offers First Class services at business class price

Malaysia Airlines, one of only five carriers in the world with a five star ranking, is offering a complimentary first class upgrade to business class travelers flying to Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and other destinations in Southeast and South Asia. Effective immediately, full-fare business passengers may upgrade to first class, subject to seat availability, on long-haul flights originating in Los Angeles. Tickets are valid for one year from date of outbound travel.

First class travel aboard Malaysia Airlines is the ultimate in luxury and hospitality. Newly designed cabins feature high tech seats with a massage feature and convert to comfortable, flat-bed sleeping pods. A large wooden dining table and buddy seat, allows passengers to dine together. Dining is รก la carte and served whenever the passenger desires. An array of ethnic and continental menu items is available and a must-try is the airline's award-winning signature dish, grilled satay with a spicy peanut sauce. Fine china and Italian glassware, and an extensive wine and spirits offering, make dining a pleasure. Modern in-flight entertainment features audio and video on demand, with 350 options viewed on a 15-inch LCD touch screen. Mood lighting in the cabin, automatic window shades and an extra large lavatory with full-length mirror are just some of the features available for first-class passengers.

Business First tickets may be purchased by calling the Malaysia Airlines Premiere Desk at 888-627-8477 or through a travel agent. For more details log onto http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/main_US.aspx

Sample roundtrip fares for Business First tickets from Los Angeles (LAX):

$4,730 Business Class Taipei
$6,800 Business Class Kuala Lumpur or Singapore

Details:

Offer is good anytime, based on availability. Valid only on Malaysia Airlines flights and applies on sectors where there are first and business class cabins (long-haul sectors). Unlimited stopovers are allowed on route, where applicable. Children and infant discounts apply. Can be used for one-way or round-trip journeys. Travel must originate from Los Angeles. Commissionable to travel agents at five percent. Booking class is "A." Other restrictions may apply.

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Sandakan Harbour Square Hotel open on Dec 23

Sandakan’s first boutique hotel, the RM40-million @ease waterfront hotel — located within the RM450 million Sandakan Harbour Square — will be opened on Dec 23.

The hotel, which overlooks the Sandakan Harbour, has 138 deluxe rooms and suites, business centre and banquet facilities and it is targeting corporate clients, businessmen and tourists.

It would be the first hotel within the Sandakan Harbour Square and fourth hotel under the three-star category in Sandakan.

Sandakan has many attractions to offer including the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, the Kinabatangan river and eco-tourism.

Source: The Edge

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Laguna Holiday Club





On the tide of an economic boom, Phuket is awash with private villas and mixed-used developments, and the Laguna Holiday Club belongs to the latter. It is a small property located within the lush Laguna Phuket–launched in 1987 as the first integrated resort in Asia–and features hotel rooms and private apartments.

The main life of the resort is the scenic swimming pool, which gains its pristine views because of its adjacent propinquity to a lagoon and the wide expanse of the Laguna golf course. As an attraction to families with children, the pool comes with a tube slide.

Service is generally brisk and efficient, and the hotel is good for a weekend jaunt, but not much more beyond that.

Source : So Journey

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MAS increase its flights to Delhi

Effective 07th January 2011, Malaysia Airlines the national carrier of Malaysia will increase its flight frequency from Delhi gateway. The airline will now fly two additional flights on Delhi - Kuala Lumpur routes. With this flight addition, Malaysia Airlines will now operate 9 weekly flights from its current 7 flights per week.

The new flights will be operational every Monday and Saturday at 1215 Hrs respectively. With this addition, the total seat capacity operational on this gateway will be 2549 seats from earlier 2030, comprising of 378 seats in business class and 2171 seats in economy class.

The additional flights will be serviced by A-330-300 / A-330-200 aircrafts. Malaysia Airline is also offering a promotional airfare on Penang, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur sectors. The Delhi – Kula Lumpur sector is competitively priced at INR 10,530.

In India market, Malaysia Airlines has already enhanced its flight frequency from South Indian gateways of Chennai and Bangalore. The airline has also launched its travel arm - Golden Holidays. Targeting the India leisure travel segment, Golden Holidays is being promoted and marketed by Kuoni Holidays.

With Malaysia Airlines new flight enhancement from Delhi gateway, the airline will now operate 32 weekly flights from its present five gateways in India comprising of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The airline will offer 9 flights per week from New Delhi and Chennai, 7 weekly flights from Mumbai, 4 flights from Bangalore and 3 flights from Hyderabad. Internationally, Malaysia Airlines is recognized as one of Asia's largest, flying passengers to some 100 destinations across 6 continents everyday.

The airline holds a lengthy record of service and best practices excellence having received more than 100 awards in the last 10 years. The most notable ones include being the first airline to win the "World's Best Cabin Crew" by Skytrax UK consecutively from 2001 until 2004 and also in 2007, "5-star airline" for three consecutive years, 2005-2007, as well as No.1 for "Economy Class Onboard Excellence 2006" also by Skytrax UK.

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Maria Sharapova and Anna Chakvetadze is coming to Singapore



It has been confirmed today — Maria Sharapova and Anna Chakvetadze are scheduled to play an exhibition match on December 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The tickets will probably cost from about $150 up to a few thousand dollars!

Sharapova will arrive in Singapore two days prior to the match because of a few public appearances she is supposed to make.


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Great hotel discount for 2011 Malaysia F1 race

In conjunction with the coming 2011 Malaysian Formula One Race, The Saujana Kuala Lumpur is offering special rates on all of its rooms and suites.

Starting now, travelers to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia can avail of the discounted rates when they book any of the rooms and suites at The Saujana KL Hotel for the period of March 19 to 23, 2011. The 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix is scheduled on March 21 to 23, 2011.

These special rates are inclusive of Continental breakfast and evening cocktails at the hotel’s Bayu Lounge. The hotel is only 45 minutes away by car from the Sepang International Circuit – the venue of the Formula 1 Race 2011.

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The Saujana Kuala Lumpur offers great discount for F1 race 2011

In conjunction with the coming 2011 Malaysian Formula One Race, The Saujana Kuala Lumpur is offering special rates on all of its rooms and suites.

Starting now, travelers to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia can avail of the discounted rates when they book any of the rooms and suites at The Saujana KL Hotel for the period of March 19 to 23, 2011. The 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix is scheduled on March 21 to 23, 2011.

These special rates are inclusive of Continental breakfast and evening cocktails at the hotel’s Bayu Lounge. The hotel is only 45 minutes away by car from the Sepang International Circuit – the venue of the Formula 1 Race 2011.

The Saujana is a premier hotel in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with a unique, low-rise styled structure nestled in sprawling green surroundings. This Kuala Lumpur hotel offers three selections of plush rooms – from Standard and Deluxe to Executive Suites. Each room is furnished with abundant amenities like private bathroom, mini-bar, hair dryer, Internet access, cable TV, telephone, coffee/tea maker, and many more.

To view the special rates, visit the hotel website: www.thesaujana-kualalumpur.com.

The Saujana Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS
40150 Shah Alam, Selangor
Malaysia

Phone Number: 603 7843 1234
Fax Number: 603 7846 2789

About The Saujana Kuala Lumpur Hotel

The Saujana Kuala Lumpur is a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia offering elegant and comfortable accommodations for vacationers as well as business travelers. The hotel is set amidst rolling greens ideal for a peaceful hideaway.

If you need further information on this topic, please leave in the comment. I will revert back in the same comment column. To ensure that you don't miss any valuable travel tips to Malaysia, make sure you subscribed to our newsletter feed for FREE.

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Taman Wana Villas, Bali

Taman Wana Villas is located at the mountainside location at the edge of the Palasari Irrigation Dam, near The West Bali National Park.

Taman Wana Villas & Spa is only 90 kilometers, or 55 miles drive from Bali ’s International Airport. Built on 8 hectares or 20 acres of naturally landscaped rain forest land, Taman Wana Villas & Spa is reached by traditional canoes from Greeting Post or by buggy from the mainland.

Taman Wana Villas & Spa overlooking the irrigation dam, lagoon, mountainous valley, terraced paddy fields and the sea.

Taman Wana Villas & Spa, Bali Taman Wana Villas & Spa, Bali Taman Wana Villas & Spa, Bali

In Bali, ” Nyegara Gunung ” means living in a way that is in a natural balance, and Taman Wana Villas & Spa incorporate this important philosophy, bringing the positive aspects of tourism’s effects back to the natural environment that has given so much.


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Phuket secret beaches

Phuket's beaches are world-renowned and tourists flock from across the globe to visit the famous beaches at Patong, Karon, and Kata. So much so that many people complain these beaches have lost their charm. They say Phuket can no longer claim to be an idyllic tropical island getaway. The beaches are too crowded. Sun loungers line the entire length of the beaches, sometimes in rows three or four deep. Jet skis, banana boats and parasail boats plough through the water while vendors ply their wares up and down the beach. They say Phuket is finished as an island getaway destination and only caters to the party crowd.

These people have not spent enough time exploring Phuket. There are more than 40 beaches around Phuket Island and there is something to suit all tastes. If you want a beach with good holiday facilities but not too crowded then Nai Harn, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Yang all have good hotels and restaurants yet do not draw big crowds. If you really want to get away from the crowds then Nai Thon and Mai Khao beaches in the north of the island are usually very quiet.

Still all these beaches are well known in Phuket and firmly in the tourist travel guides. In this article, we will look at some beaches that still remain undiscovered to most tourists. We will not even include Laem Sing or Yanui in this list. They are both charming beaches but they have become well known and usually have plenty of visitors. Some of the following beaches are not even known to many of Phuket's residents. These are Phuket's secret beaches. (If you want more details about how to find these beaches see our Phuket Beach Guide.)

Banana Beach

This beautiful beach is in the northern half of Phuket between Bang Tao Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a lovely two-hundred meter strip of sand, studded with rocks in the middle and ringed with trees. It is a good swimming beach and there is some great snorkeling. There is no accommodation and just a single beach restaurant with a handful of sun loungers at the southern end.

There are usually only a handful of visitors at this beach. The majority of them arrive by longtail boat from other beaches but in fact, you can see the beach from the coast road above and there is a trail down.

Pansea Beach

Right at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach is beautiful and peaceful Pansea Beach. There are two up-market resorts here yet the location retains its refreshing tranquility. Just offshore is Kala Island (or Kata Island depending who you believe) which shelters the shallow bay from waves so it is always calm. The waters are too shallow for swimming and when the tide is out you can walk to the island. It is a great beach for paddling and ideal for children to play. There are no refreshments here so it is a good idea to bring a picnic.

Pon Beach

This secluded little beach is in the headland north of Patong. The locals know it as Nai Yair Beach. It is amazing how few people find this beach considering it is located so close to the hordes at Patong. There is nothing here but a couple of rural shacks and a few grazing cows. It is a sandy beach but not good for swimming due to the rocky seabed. There is some good snorkeling.

There are usually a couple of locals renting sun loungers and selling refreshments. They can also provide you with a small barbecue to cook your own. There may be a small charge for crossing the private land to reach the beach.

Paradise Beach

In the headland south of Patong, there are two beautiful beaches that remain relatively unspoiled. They are not as undiscovered as the other beaches we mention on this list but still a break from the heaving masses at Patong. The first is Paradise Beach. Right at the tip of the headland, you can reach it by road (track) or boat.

It is a beautiful beach with overhanging trees. There is no accommodation but there is a restaurant and there are plenty of sun loungers. The beach is not the best for bathing due to the rocky seabed close to shore but there is some excellent snorkeling. There are usually plenty of people around but still it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Freedom Beach

You can only reach this stunning beach by boat. It is in the headland south of Patong all the way around and back towards the Karon Beach side. Still it is well worth the boat ride with fantastic bathing and snorkeling.

There are a couple of restaurants and plenty of sun loungers under the trees. The locals take great care of the beach and it is always pristine. Plenty of people do make this a day trip from Patong but the beach is never crowded and again it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Nui Beach

This beach is most known for how difficult it is to reach by land. Located between Kata and Nai Harn, the only way to reach it by land is down a two-kilometer dirt track that is almost impossible to traverse in a car. You can just about do it on a motorbike but it is better to walk or let one of the locals take you down on their ATV for a small fee.

It is also known as the most expensive beach in Phuket because you have to cross private land to reach it and they charge 250 baht for the privilege. This fee does get you a sun lounger and drink. When you do arrive, it is a beautiful secluded spot with good swimming and snorkeling. There is a rustic restaurant overlooking the beach but no accommodation. It is never crowded.

Ao Sane Beach

This beach is in the headland at the north end of Nai Harn Beach. You need to go through Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club's car park to reach it but they do not stop you. There is a restaurant here and some budget bungalows by the beach. There are usually a few people around but it is never busy.

It is actually a series of three small beaches split by little rocky headlands. None of them is good for swimming due to rocks and corals close to shore. There is some excellent snorkeling.

Laemka Beach

This little beach is at the southern end of Phuket between Rawai and Friendship Beach. It is not signposted and a little difficult to find but a beautiful spot. The Evason Resort and a small bungalow resort are nearby but still the beach remains quiet. It is one of the few southern beaches where you can have a swim and there are nice views out to the southern islands.

Ao Yon Beach

Nestled deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach. This is the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. Although it is well developed with residential property, there are no hotels or restaurants by this beach. It is home to Phuket Yacht Club and there are always plenty of boats moored in the bay.

It is a beautiful stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is usually very quiet and a real getaway.

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Hanoi - Must Visit in Vietnam

Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the center of culture, politics, economy and trade of the whole country.

Hanoi hosts more cultural sites than any city in Vietnam, including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples....Historians liken the life-giving Red River with its banks crowded with green rice paddies and farms to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; a cradle of civilization. The city boasts more than 1,000 years of history, and that of the past few hundred years has been well preserved.

Under French rule, as an administrative centre for the French colony of Indochina, the French colonial architecture style became donminant, many examples remain today: the tree-lined boulevards (e.g Phan Dinh Phung street), The Grand Opera House, The State Bank of Vietnam (formerly The Bank of Indochina), The Presidential Palace (formerly Place of The Governor-General of French Indochina), The cathรฉdrale St-Joseph, Hanoi University (formerly University of Indochina), historic hotel Sofitel Metropole...

Hanoi also characteristically contains 18 beautiful lakes such as Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake..., which are the lungs of the city, with their surrounding gardens and trees providing a vital source of energy.

Many traditional handicrafts are also practiced in Hanoi including bronze molding, silver carving, lacquer, and embroidery. Hanoi has many famous traditional professional handicraft villages such as Bat Trang pottery village, Ngu Xa bronze casting village, Yen Thai glossy silk...

Some others prominent places are: The Temple of Literature (Vฤƒn Miแบฟu), site of the oldest university in Vietnam; One Pillar Pagoda (Chรนa Mแป™t Cแป™t); Flag Tower of Hanoi (Cแป™t cแป Hร  Nแป™i); The Old Quarter and Hoร n Kiแบฟm lake.

The Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem lake, has the original street layout and architecture of old Hanoi. At the beginning of the 20th century the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. Each street then comprised of merchants and households specialized in a particular trade, such as silk traders, jewelery, etc. The street names nowadays still reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce. The area is famous for its small artisans and merchants, including many silk shops. Local cuisine specialties as well as several clubs and bars can be found here also. A night market (near ฤแป“ng Xuรขn market) in the heart of the district opens for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening with a variety of clothing, souvenirs and food.

Hanoi is also home to a number of museums; including The Vietnamese National History Museum, The National Museum of Ethnology, The National Museum of Fine Arts and The Revolution Museum.

Highlights of Hanoi:
  • Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, House on stilt, fish pond..
  • Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
  • West Lake, Truc Bach Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
  • Grand Opera House
  • Old Quarter and Dong Xuan Market
  • The Temple of Literature
  • Army Museum and Flag Tower of Hanoi
  • Bat Trang pottery village
  • The Vietnamese National History Museum
  • The National Museum of Ethnology
  • The National Museum of Fine Arts
  • The Revolution Museum.
  • Hoa Lo Prison
  • Water Puppet Show

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Vietnam-Laos travel routes to improve

Viet Nam and Laos have agreed to strengthen transport capacity on the route linking the two countries’ capital cities to meet the growing demand for passenger and cargo transport. The agreement was signed during an annual meeting between the two countries’ transport officials in Lao’s Savannakhet province.

The pact aims to develop international-standard transport services on the route, responding to a recent increase in local and international travellers using the route. It also outlines opening new routes from Vientiane to Ha Noi.

New co-operation deal
Director of the Vietnamese National Assembly Office Tran Dinh Dan and his Lao counterpart Thongteun Sayasen signed in Ha Noi yesterday a co-operation deal. The two sides agreed to further co-operation to improve their efficiency in managing operations of the two parliaments.
They will regularly exchange information, delegations and experiences.

They also agreed to regularly exchange their view points on international issues of mutual concerns at regional and international inter-parliamentarian forums. The Vietnamese National Assembly Office will consider helping the Lao National Assembly Office to upgrade the information and data base centre and library, and training cadres and build a working establishment for the latter. — VNS

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2007 Landmine Monitoring report

Landmine Monitor has published its 2007 report, which contains some interesting facts and figures about landmine use around the world.

You can read the full Landmine Monitor report by following this link:
www.icbl.org/lm/2007

Cambodia remains one of the worst landmine-affected countries in the world, with around 43,000 landmine survivors in need of support so they can participate in society. The Cambodia report can be found here:
http://www.icbl.org/lm/2007/cambodia.html. The Cambodia Trust is mentioned in the section: Survivor Assistance Strategic Framework.

Some key facts:

Cambodia is one of the countries most severely contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), including conventional and cluster bombs, artillery shells and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO), as a result of nearly three decades of war.

Clearance by Cambodia’s three (landmine clearance) NGOs continued to increase in 2006, albeit at a slower rate than in 2005, and land release increased greatly, spurred by official encouragement. CMAC, HALO and MAG cleared 35.4 square kilometers of land, 15 percent more than the previous year, but they released a total of 303 square kilometers, more than triple the amount in 2005. RCAF reported it demined 70 percent more than in 2005.

In 2006 there were 450 new mine/ERW casualties in Cambodia (61 people killed and 389 injured) in 272 incidents. This decrease of nearly 50 percent from 2005 (875 casualties) prompted a survey to identify the reasons, as the casualty rate had been relatively constant (averaging 846 per year) since 2000. The survey, conducted from October to December 2006, found that the reduction was mainly due to favorable seasonal conditions improving agricultural production and, more generally, greater economic opportunities through farming and construction, such that the economic reasons for risk-taking behavior had reduced; the survey noted that poverty is “a defining factor in increasing the vulnerability of people to mine/UXO risk.” It also noted that increased community involvement in mine action planning and prioritization had addressed the socioeconomic impact of mine/ERW contamination more efficiently than before. Nearly 90 percent of survey respondents said that scrap metal trade in ERW in their villages had ceased. However, the proportion of ERW casualties remained constant between 2001 and 2006.

The cost of managing (Cambodia’s rehabilitation) centers is around $4.6 million per year and the current level of donor funding “would need to continue if present service levels are to be maintained.” However, the evaluation believed that donor funding is likely to decrease. In 2006 the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation contributed $100,000 to running the centers. The evaluation noted, “the rehabilitation sector is not a [government] priority and its funding will continue for a long time to massively depend on external assistance.”


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The 3rd Internasional Ecotourism Business Forum 2007

ECOTOURBIZ 2007 invites you to attend the conference, which will be held at Wonosobo, Central Java on 30th November to 3rd December 2007, The three-day conference will bring together ecotourism associations and networks from around the world, along with each other interested organizations and individuals. tourism academics, tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, officials of tourism associations, tourism offices, and NGOs.


Third International Eco-Tourism Business Forum

PLANNING, MANAGING & MARKETING ECOTOURISM

TENTATIVE PROGRAM
30 November - 3 December 2007
Gallery Hotel Kresna, Wonosobo, Central Java - Indonesia
Day 0: Friday, 30 November 2007: ARRIVAL

Arrival & Registration
Time Description Remarks

09:00 – 18:00 Arrival of all delegates Venue:
Registration for buyers, Sellers, Speakers Kresna Hotel
Participants & Exhibitors

Day 1: Saturday, 1 December 2007 PRE-TOUR, WELCOME DINNER
Arrival & Registration
09:00 – 18:00 Arrival of all delegates Venue
Registration for Buyers, Sellers, Speakers, Kresna Hotel
Participants, Media & Exhibitors
- Familiarization Tour of Ecotourism Organized by:
Destinations Central Java
- Exhibitors set up booths Province Government
19:00 – 21:30 Welcome Dinner Venue:
Hosted by Governor of the Central Java Tentative Province, Drs H.Ali Mufiz,MPA

Day 2: 2 December 2007 ECOTOURISM FORUM
VENUE: Gallery Hotel Kresna Ballroom
Morning Session: Ecotourism Forum

07:00 – 09:00 Final Registration Venue:
Pringgodani Ballroom Foyer
09:00 Opening Ceremony
09:00 – 09:10 Report Speech by International Promotion
Director, Department of Culture and Tourism,
Tatang Rukhiyat
09:10 – 09:20 Welcome Speech by Head Of Wonosobo Regency, HA Kholiq Arif
09:20 – 09:35 Opening Speech by Director General of Marketing, Department of Culture and Tourism,
Thamrin B. Bachri
09:35 – 10:00 Keynote Speaker:
Joop Ave, Former Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication of The Republic Of Indonesia. (confirmed)
10:00 – 10:30 Coffee Break (Held in Exhibition area) . Venue:
Pringgodani Ballroom Foyer
11.00 – 13.00 PANEL PRESENTATION 1 :
Theme planning: Managing and Marketing ecotourism
Moderator : Prof.Dr.Wiendu Nuryanti, M.Arch
Executive Diretor, Yogyakarta Tourism Development
Board Indonesia
11:00 – 11:15 Speaker 1: Mr Jose Ma Lorenzo (Lory) Tan
Vice-Chairman, World Wide Fund (WWF) Philippines
“Planning Ecotoursm” (tba)
11:15 – 11:30 Speaker 2 : Ari Suhandi
Director INDECON (Indonesia)
“Managing Ecotourism in Indonesia” :
Opportunity & Challenge (tba)
11:30 – 12:45 Speaker 3: I.B Ngurah Wijaya
Head Of Bali Tourism (Indonesia)
Marketing Ecotourism (tba)
11:45 – 12:00 Speaker 4: Dwi Windari Widyastuti
Director of Tlogo Plantation (Indonesia)
“Planning, Managing, Marketing Ecotourism:
Tlogo Plantation Cases (tba)
12:00 – 13:00 Question and Answer/ Discussion Moderator
12:30 – 12:40 Conclusion and Recommendations Conclusion Team
12:40 – 12:50 Conference Closing Session by Head Of Banjarnegara Regency,
Drs. H.Djasri, MM
12:50 – 14:00 Lunch Break
Certificate Distribution at Committee Desk Venue :
Maespati Restaurant

AFTERNOON SESSION: ECOTOURISM MART
13:30 – 14:00 Buyers & Sellers briefing in Exhibition area – Venue :
Compulsory session Kendalisdo Room
14:00 – 16:30 TABLE TOP:SELLERS MEET BUYERS Venue
Exhibition area only for Buyers & Sellers Ballroom Free Function
Coffee available in the exhibition room

Evening : Free program to explore Wonosobo

EXHIBITION OPEN FOR PUBLIC: 10 am – 17 pm
10:00 – 17:00 Exhibition Open for Public Venue :
Pringgodani Ballroom Foyer

DAY 3: Monday, 3 December 2007 BUSINESS SESSION & DEPARTURE

VENUE : Kresna Hotel

EXHIBTION OPEN FOR PUBLIC: 10:00 am – 17:00 pm Committe

08:00 – 10:00 Follow up Business Session Venue :
(buyers and sellers only) Pringgodani Ballroom Foyer
(Individual optional basis)
10:00 – 17:00 Exhibition Open for Public
All Day Hotel Check Out by 12:00 noon
Departure of Delegates

Contact :
Ecotourbiz - International Ecotourism Business Forum

Jl. Lingkar Utara 234
Yogyakarta - Indonesia 55281
Phone: (62 274) 520 907
Fax: (62 274) 583 783
e-mail: ecotourbiz@gmail.com


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Village of Bali


The idea of balance is central to Balinese philosophy and way of life. Nature and Man meet and complement each other.

The villages are a study in order. Hidden behind the same mud walls, there will be the same red tiles of the same family pavilions with, again thirty meters apart, the same thatched puppet houses: the family temples (sanggah/merajan). Then, there will be a big tree, two slit logs hanging from its branches, with a couple of shrines under its shade and a nearby hall: the banjar (neighbourhood) community hall. An atmosphere of calm, order and collective belonging prevails.

The basic Balinese territorial unit is desa (village), whose surface covers both the wet land of the ricefields, and the dry land of the compounds and related gardens, temples and roads. To the wet land, correspond the irrigation units or subak, and to the dry and inhabited land, the community wards or banjar, each with their temples and organisations.

The Balinese desa (village) is typically host to a set of three village temples, the kahyangan tiga, each related to a focal aspect of the village's symbolic life: the origin with pura puseh (navel temple) located mountainward, where the tutelary gods of the village and its founders are worshipped; the territory itself with the pura desa, located in the centre of the village, where meetings of the village assembly and the rituals of fertility are held; the temple of the ded (pura dalem), located down ward, where the forces of death and the netherworld are worshipped, and near which burials take place. Besides these territorial temples, there is also a temple for each banjar (bedogol or pura banjar), a temple for each subak, and the various temples of the local sub - clans (pura dadia or pura panti), each of which with its own calendar of festivals.

All temples of the kahyangan tiga are of paramount importance in the local rituals. Most ceremonies, at the level of the household or of other local temples, cannot take place before a "notification offering" (pejati) of the kahyangan tiga. The most important though, is arguably the pura desa, or village territorial temple, as evidenced by the honor shown to its god, the Batara Desa, who is usually given the forefront position during the village processions of gods. The village community (desa pekraman) corresponds in practise to the congregation of the pura desa, whatever the other affiliations. It is headed by the bendesa adat.

Much of the ritual work at the village level is shared among the various banjar, for example, one banjar may look after the pura desa for the upcoming festival and another banjar for the next one. Each banjar redistributes the work entrusted to it to its vision of the kelian banjar or neighbourhood headman. No ritual activity can normally take place without the latter's involvement and participation.The banjar is a grouping of anything between fifty and two hundred individual compounds. The word banjar originally referred to a row of houses, thus to the physical clustering of compounds into a neighborhood, with a temple and a community. Nowadays, most of these banjars have split, and the banjar community is no more strictly territorial. Two banjars can occupy the same territory, and banjar members sometimes live kilometres away from the core of community.

The banjar makes up an association called the "banjar suka duka" or "the association for the sharing of joy and pain" This refers to the function played by the group in the performing of specific social services or work the ayahan within the larger structure of the village (desa). These bonds are arguably the most important of all found in the network of village associations.

The basic social unit of the banjar is the couple (pekurenan). Only married couples are full banjar members and subjected to the banjar rights and obligations. The decisions are taken by the assembly (sangkep) of the banjar's male members, the krama banjar, which usually takes place every 35 days. The decisions are taken on the basis of unanimity, The banjar is now, since 1979, the lowest administrative structure of the national administration, directly under the authority of the perbekel / lurah (supra - village head) and beyond the traditional village headman (bendesa adat).

There are also two types of kelian banjar, the kelian dinas, who is in charge of the administrative aspects of the banjar life, and the kelian adat, who looks after the customary aspects in collaboration with the bendesa adat. They usually work hand in hand, unless the two roles are assumed by the same person.

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Fabulous new chef in Bangkok


Italian born, Francesco Greco was raised in Sardinia, with a passion for gourmet cuisine strongly engrained in his heritage.

With creative flair and a nose for quality, he has been cooking professionally for over 20 years and holds several sommelier qualifications, making him a bonafide food and wine connoisseur!

His wealth of experience coupled with his natural charm, Chef Francesco is delighted to bring his culinary traditions and expertise to La Gritta Italian Restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 19, Bangkok.

To savour authentic Italian cuisine from an extensive menu, to peruse over choices from an excellent wine cellar and to feel the warm hospitality from Chef Francesco and his delightful team, take a fresh new look at what’s cooking at La Gritta Italian Restaurant.

For reservations, call +66(0) 2255 7350 or email: lagritta@boulevard.amari.com

For more information on this press release and hi-res images, please contact: Nikki Busuttil Director of Communications Telephone: +66(0) 2255 3767 Amari Hotels and Resorts Fax: +66(0) 2255 3718 847 Petchburi Road Email: email@amari.com Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

Website: http://www.amari.com/

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Malaysian International Batik Festival




MIBF is held in conjunction with Kuala Lumpur International Batik (KLIB) Convention and Exhibition 2007.

24 Nov Children’s Batik Fashion Contest25 Nov Family Batik Design Competition & BatikFun Walk

1 Dec Family Batik Hunt2 Dec Children’s Batik Painting ContestThese events will be held at Esplanade, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) except for BatikFun Walk.+603 8024 6500

24 Nov - 2 Dec Malaysian Batik FestivalThis event brings batik producers and designers from around Malaysia to the capital to showcase their products and services.

30 Nov - 1 Dec ConventionSpeakers and experts from around the world to Kuala Lumpur to share their knowledge and expertise.

24 Nov - 2 Dec 5th Piala Seri Endon24 & 25 Nov Heats: Round 22 Dec Grand Final of the Piala Seri Endon

Launched in 2003, the aim of the Piala Seri Endon batik design competition is to provide a platform for Malaysia’s batik making talent.The entry forms are available @ Penyayang - Malaysia Batik Crafted for the World [PDF]. There are 3 categories:Fashion CategorySoft Furnishing CategoryHandicraft Category

Exhibition 30 Nov - 2 DecFor details, contact Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia / e-mail: yabpm@tm.net.my

Organiser: Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia+603 8946 0222

If you need further information on this topic, please leave in the comment. I will revert back in the same comment column. To ensure that you don't miss any valuable travel tips to Malaysia, make sure you subscribed to our newsletter feed for FREE.

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Top 10 reasons to visit koh Samui

Your destination for water sports, adventure activities, shopping and fine foods Koh Samui or Samui is one of the top travel destinations of Thailand. Its an island in the Gulf of Thailand, about 80km from the eastern coastline of southern Thailand.

The Thailand's second largest island has numerous lures, such as thick green forests, incredible coconut fringed white sand beaches, coral reefs, temples, gardens fantastic waterfalls, and remarkable rock formations, but the top 10 reasons to visit koh Samui are as follows:

  1. The Big Buddha Beach is one of the major attractions of the Koh Samui. Sited 15 minutes from Chaweng, the stunning beach is the place full of entertainment and pleasure. The exotic beach offers perfect setting for partying long during nights and relaxing during the day times.
  2. Wat Phra Yai temple attracts you with its sheer size and beauty. The temple is a great marvel famous for its 12 meter tall Buddha sculpture. It is Samuis major tourist attraction, which is on Route 4171 near the airport.
  3. The Ancient House is an amazing and the oldest house at Ban Thale on the island. The house built around 150 years ago, has all the parts fitted together without any nail. It is made of teak planks and shows off several beauteous woodcarvings.
  4. The Hin Lat Waterfalls are probably one of the finest expressions of the scenic beauty. Located 2 kms south of Na Thon, these waterfalls are astounding to observe and you can even take a dip in a big rock pond made at the underside of the falls. The Hin Lad cloister is also close at hand that is worth visiting too.
  5. Undoubtedly, Snake Farm is one of the top lures on the island. It is sited in the region of Taling Ngam in the south of the island and of Nathon. There are 2 daily shows at 11 am and 2 pm showing snakes living on Samui, and some of Asia's most vicious species plus centipedes and scorpions.
  6. Aquarium & Tiger Zoo attracts you to watch its lot of fish and coral species, among others sharks, catfishes, turtles and various others that lived in the local underwater ocean deeps. It also offers you opportunity to see tigers in their cages, and watch birds, such as parrots, falcons, sea eagles and others.
  7. Situated at the south of the beach of Lamai, Hin-Ta and Hin-Yai is surely one of the most desired tourist attractions as they bear close resemblance to the male and female genital organs. These two rock formations are also called Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks.
  8. Two Crocodile Farms on the Koh Samui Island are also great tourist traps. Located behind the airport and on a 7000 square meters area, one of the farms has over 100 animal species including Siam and sea water crocodiles, caymans, snakes, lizards, apes and many more. The other one is in the south of the island, at Namuang Waterfall II.
  9. You can really have some nice time at Tamarind Spa, which offers excellent massages in a calm and green setting. The prices here are affordable and well worth it. You can also have all type of massage therapies, and other natural treatments at the best possible prices.
  10. Accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from Ban Thong Krut, the Naga Pearl Farm is also a great tourist attraction. Here you are shown how pearls are cultivated. There is also a big shop on the premises where different kinds of pearls and pearl products are sold that include pearl shells and unique handicrafts

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Christmas in Singapore

The magical extravaganza ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ returns to Singapore from 17 November 2007 to 2 January 2011 with a host of exciting events including festive performances, entertainment events, shopping specials, concerts and dance parties, as well as the popular brilliant display of lights at Orchard Road and Marina Bay.

A key favourite of the annual Christmas in the Tropics celebration is the Christmas Light-up, themed “A Fairytale Christmas” this year. Scotts Road and the Orchard Road stretch from Tanglin Road to Plaza Singapura and the Marina Bay area from Hotel Rendezvous to Raffles Avenue will be transformed into a bewitching Crystal Forest decked with magnificent chandeliers, magic harps, glittering jewels, dazzling lights in red, gold and white, and even a magical carousel.

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Luang Prabong, Laos

Prabang is the oldest religious centre of the eastern Asian country and giving alms to the monks is a time-honoured tradition among the town's residents.

Plenty of tourists get up early to witness the spectacle and they buy rice from local peddlers in order to stand at the roadside and donate a small amount to each passing monk.

Daily life in Luang Prabang is just as tranquil. A late-morning cup of coffee at the Sala Cafe is fresh and invigorating and from under the green fronds of the roof, visitors can gaze over the Nam Khan river wending its brown and sluggish way before embarking on the next temple tour.

It is easy to navigate around the streets of the old quarter of this town on the isthmus between Mekong and Nam. The promenades run parallel to the rivers and in between are rows of gabled temples and monasteries.

Back in 1995 UNESCO awarded the architecture of Luang Prabang and its natural surroundings the status of a world cultural site.
The oldest and arguably the most handsome monastery complex hereabouts is Xieng Thong. The sweeping roof is reminiscent of bird plumage and the glass stones in the famous tree of life mosaic on the back wall glint in the sun.

Yet however remarkable the architecture may be, the most lasting impression of Luang Prabang is the friendliness of its residents and their smiling faces.

The novices from the monasteries are keen to try out English phrases on visitors and there are plenty of opportunities for doing so. Around 100,000 tourists a year visit the town of 40,000 people, most of them from other parts of Asia.

The streets become noticeably more busy in the afternoons when villagers from the outlying villagers flock to the town on their spluttering mopeds, usually with several people perched on the pillion.

Before long the streets under the Phou Si peak are alive with shoppers and hawkers and the daily market opens for business. On sale are Buddha figures in all shapes and sizes, home-woven blankets, pillows and bags along with scarfs made of silk.

The prices vary widely, but there is something among the varied wares to suit every holiday budget.

Success comes to those who sweat and toil, say the gods - a thought which must have been shared by Buddha himself. A total of 328 steps lead to the golden stupa of That Chomsi on top of Mount Phou Si, past the carved figures of fire-breathing dragons and huge snakes.

Those who make the effort are rewarded with a commanding view of the royal place and the roofs of the many Buddhist temples. The Mekong and Khan rivers are clearly visible against a dramatic mountain backdrop.

The ascent is especially popular in the evening when the golden orb of the sun bathes the town's old quarter and the green hills beyond in a gentle reddish glow. When that moment arrives, time in Luang Prabong seems to stand still.

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Christmas in Singapore


The magical extravaganza ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ returns to Singapore from 17 November 2007 to 2 January 2011 with a host of exciting events including festive performances, entertainment events, shopping specials, concerts and dance parties, as well as the popular brilliant display of lights at Orchard Road and Marina Bay.

Christmas in the Tropics is one of the key tourism drivers for Singapore, being a season that our overseas visitors look forward to. With a programme packed full of shopping, dining and entertainment options, it’s little wonder that one in five visitors surveyed last year planned their trips to coincide with Singapore’s Christmas celebration.

A key favourite of the annual Christmas in the Tropics celebration is the Christmas Light-up, themed “A Fairytale Christmas” this year. Scotts Road and the Orchard Road stretch from Tanglin Road to Plaza Singapura and the Marina Bay area from Hotel Rendezvous to Raffles Avenue will be transformed into a bewitching Crystal Forest decked with magnificent chandeliers, magic harps, glittering jewels, dazzling lights in red, gold and white, and even a magical carousel. This fantasy land is the setting for the unfolding of a fairytale inspired by the Nutcracker Suite, which tells the story of handsome Prince Noel who goes in search of his missing true love, Princess Ballerina, through the Crystal Forest.

Apart from the Light-Up, another key highlight is the Celebrate Christmas in Singapore event, with the theme ‘Christmas – It’s All About Love’. Visitors can look forward to Christmas-themed performances nightly at various locations along Orchard Road as well as a colourful parade of floats from 15 to 24 December.

There is also an interactive Nativity Village at Plaza Singapura. The festivities culminate in a Grand Christmas concert on Christmas night. Other entertainment highlights during Christmas In The Tropics include performances such as ‘Scrooge – The Musical’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, ‘The Nutcracker – Xmas Fairytale on Ice’, ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘A Crazy Christmas’; the popular ZoukOut outdoor dance festival on Sentosa; The Jewel Christmas Musical Light Show and ‘Snow’ Show at Mount Faber’s Jewel Box; Classical Greece at the Louvre showcasing priceless pieces from the famed Louvre Museum in Paris, displayed for the first time outside the museum at the National Museum of Singapore, as well as myriad countdown parties across the island to ring in the New Year.

Shopping Specials
Santa’s Gift Bag: The season for giving would not be complete without the associated pleasures of shopping. For an added element of surprise, pick up Santa’s Gift Bag. Inspired by the Japanese New Year’s “Fukubukuro”, or “lucky bag”, each bag contains items of mystery at a price less than the sum of all the items. Lucky shoppers may also find their bag filled with special bonus gifts. Santa’s Gift Bags range in price from Sin$20 to Sin$408. Please refer to the Christmas In The Tropics brochure for a list of selected retailers and range of products.

Christmas in the Tropics Souvenirs by RISIS: For the first time, STB is partnering with RISIS to launch special limited-edition Christmas in the Tropics souvenirs including Prince Noel and Princess Ballerina phone charms, key chains and pendants.

Extended Shopping Hours: Last minute Christmas shoppers can look forward to Saturday nights for late night shopping with an added touch of dining and entertainment. Especially for the Christmas season, selected malls will also extend their shopping hours on Fridays and even Sundays. Check details with participating malls Central, Centrepoint, Marina Square, Paragon, Tangs@Orchard, Vivocity and Wisma Atria.

Visitor Promotions
Free Christmas Light-Up Tour: Visitors to Singapore will be treated to a visual spectacle of lights, colours and fantasy on the special Free Christmas Light-Up Tour from 17 November 2007 to 2 January 2011. Each tour on the open-top HiPPO Bus starts at the Animal Farm on Orchard Road. There will be up to 12 rides each night from 7pm to 9.30pm at 15-minute intervals.

Shopping Promotions – Watches & Gadgets: Funan DigitaLife mall is offering special promotional prices on Skype and mobile phones, sound systems and other computer peripherals while Epicentre@Wheelock is offering good deals for iPod buffs. Visitors will also get to enjoy gifts with purchases at e-life@suntec. Watch enthusiasts can look forward to special promotional prices for Nautica, Marc Ecko, Guess and Victorinox Swiss Army watches at major participating malls.

DHL Tourist Express: Visitors can shop to their heart’s content and ship home their buys without hassle. DHL is offering special discounts of up to 75% off in the shipping rates for its specially designed 2kg and 5kg festive boxes. For added convenience, visitors can drop off their items at a convenient location at Tangs. Special rates also apply for larger 10kg and 25kg boxes from 15 October 2007 to 29 February 2011.

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Fireflyz now offers hotel services

Community airline, Firefly, has introduced a new service that will allow its customers to book their flights and hotel accommodation at its website.

Firefly Holidays would complement the company's flights in providing customers the ease of making their travel plans.

With links to almost 140 hotels in Malaysia and Thailand as a start, Firefly Holidays is offering options to the customers in finding accommodation that best suit their needs and wants.

Here are some of the list of hotels and rates:

Phuket
from
Patong Lodge Hotel
MYR138
Kata Poolside Resort
MYR169
Karon Sea Sands Resort and Spa
MYR235
Club Bamboo Boutique Resort
MYR258
Baan Krating Phuket Resort
MYR338

Penang
from
The Merchant Hotel
MYR90
Hydro Majestic Hotel
MYR210
The Gurney Hotel And Residences
MYR247
Hotel Equatorial Penang
MYR334

Kuantan
from
Best Western Suria Cherating Beach Resort
MYR174
Swiss Garden Resort Kuantan
MYR245

Kota Bharu
from
Juita Inn
MYR108

Koh Samui
from
Baan Samui Resort
MYR456
Paradise Beach Resort
MYR626
Bo Phut Resort and Spa
MYR877

Langkawi
from
Langkasuka Hotel
MYR73
Eagle Bay Hotel
MYR100
Langkasuka Beach Resort
MYR118
Langkawi Lagoon Resort
MYR408

K.Terengganu
from
Best Western Merang Suria Resort
MYR174
Perhentian Island Resort
MYR243

Kuala Lumpur
from
Citrus Hotel Kuala Lumpur
MYR180
Swiss Garden Hotel Kuala Lumpur
MYR226
Cititel Mid Valley
MYR231
Boulevard Hotel Kuala Lumpur
MYR238

More hotel, check out their website Fireflyz.com.my

If you need further information on this topic, please leave in the comment. I will revert back in the same comment column. To ensure that you don't miss any valuable travel tips to Malaysia, make sure you subscribed to our newsletter feed for FREE.

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Cambodia - Latest South East Asian Tourist stop

Cambodia is witnessing a resurgence as a South-east Asian tourist destination. And its not just the temples of Angkor that are fuelling this, although the complex is noted for being one of the great archaeological sites in the world.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, is like any modern bustling Asian city, but is visually striking, being on the confluence of two rivers and with its wide boulevards and colonial buildings that hark back to its French colonial history. Indians will feel right at home with the pedalled rickshaws that still ply the streets. You can revisit the ghosts of the ousted Khmer Rouge regime by visiting the Killing Field of Choeung Ek, and the Tuol Sleng, Pol Pot’s torture centre.

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Ilocos Norte, Philippine - The best of culture and nature

Long before the coming of the Spaniards, there already existed an extensive region (consisting of the present provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union) renowned for its gold mines.

Merchants from Japan and China would often visit the area to trade gold with beads, ceramics and silk. The inhabitants of the region believed to be of Malay origin, called their place "samtoy", from "sao mi toy, which literally meant "our language".

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Thung Buatong, Thailand - Wild Sunflower field

Thung Buatong (Wild Sunflower Field) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Mae Hong Son Province. Its significant character is the area is largely decorated of yellowish wild sunflowers, located on high mountain where you can see scenery of vivid wild sunflower mountain range. The weather is cool throughout the year and there’s fog covered in the morning.

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Welcome to Laos

Here then, are my top suggestions for sites to take in during your holiday in Laos.

When you visit Laos you will notice immediately how important the culture, heritage and Buddhism are to its inhabitants. Laos is located between Vietnam and Thailand in the south east of Asia. It is a beautiful country with many rivers, rugged mountains, forests, plains and plateaus. Laos has been isolated from outside influences so the tourist gets a unique view of traditional Southeast Asian life. With its fertile lowlands of the Mekong River valley and the rugged Annamite highlands, Laos has got to be one of the highlights in Asia.

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with the rainy season during the months of May to November and the roads can become washed out & the dry season starting from December to April. The weather is not too hot and there is less rainfall between November and February. The most popular time that tourists actually visit Laos are December to February but the good thing is there are not too many during these times.

For trekking or visiting the mountains, May and July are good, warm, dry months to experience them.

One of the most beautiful places in Laos is Luang Prabang and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is a magical ancient city that seems to have stood still in time surrounded by its mountains.

In the centre of the city of Laos is Mount Phousi. From this amazing standpoint you will witness stunning views of the hills and temples that surround it.

Khone Phapheng is considered to be the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia and with this in mind makes it an amazing place to experience. You will find this waterfall at the southern end of Si Phan Don home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

The Pak Ou Caves are an absolutely spectacular sight to behold. One of the caves is filled with hundreds of statues of the Buddha which can be seen through a rugged hole in the cliff face. If you want to see this amazing scene up close then it is possible to climb out onto the dock where the beautifully carved stones will lead you up to the entrance of the cave. There are statues of Buddha's absolutely everywhere that you look, balancing on stone shelves, lining the stairs and in the nooks and crannies in the cave.

Pilgrims and kings have gone to the caves to worship for at least the last 500 years. Pha That Luang is a Buddhist temple in Vientiane, Laos which was built in the 16th century. The temple was destroyed by a Thai invasion but has since been restored to its former glory. There are some people that believe that relics of the Buddha are housed in this temple. This temple has become a symbol of Lao nationalism due to the architecture including the Lao people's culture and identity.

There is a wonderfully unique place known as the Plain Of Jars, located in the remote north east of Laos, where you will find hundreds of huge stone urns. These stone jars cover an area of several square miles and have become a great crowd puller. The urns are one of the most enigmatic ancient sights in Asia. To this day the many jars have kept their secret from the many historians who have tried to date them and discover what they actually signify.

In the province of Champasak you will find an amazing mountain Temple dating back to the 5th century which is known as Wat Phu, is an impressive ruin of Khmer style. There are a number of carved rocks above the temple site, each of them resembling different animals including a cobra, an elephant and a crocodile. Some believe that these rocks may have been used for human sacrifice in times gone by.

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LIMA 2007 in Langkawi

Visitors to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2007, from Dec 4 to 8, have been promised a show like never before.

A huge fleet of ships and planes would be on display at the biennial event. The maritime exhibition areas, have been extended to 10,000 square feet from the previous 7,000-odd square feet. It is confirmation that 85 aircraft from 20 countries, including France, Russia and Germany will be involved in the exhibition,” he said.

There are many highlights in store at Lima, such as battlefield simulation of an airfield seizure, the Royal Australian Airforce's Red Arrows aerobatic display and the presentation of the recently acquired Sukhoi aircrafts. A submarine from India has also been slated as a major attraction.

If you need further information on this topic, please leave in the comment. I will revert back in the same comment column. To ensure that you don't miss any valuable travel tips to Malaysia, make sure you subscribed to our newsletter feed for FREE.

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Aria Luxury Villas & Spa - luxury villas in Bali Indonesia


Aria Luxury Villas & Spa is a new set of luxury villas designed for the discerning travelers. Make a choice, as each of our villa is differently set up to better cater for your individual needs and priorities. Choose from luxury bathroom expericence, luxurious swimming pool, or spacious living and dining area. These are the combinations provided in our modern villas style.

The villas & spa is located at Jl. Peti Tenget, Kuta - Bali, just 5 minutes drive to Peti Tenget Beach 15 minutes from the center of Kuta, the center of shopping Mecca in Bali and 25 minutes drive to Denpasar the capital city of Bali. Each villa has own swimming pool, living room, Kitchennet and massage tables.



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Facts to know before visit Indonesia

Climate
Upon arrival and disembarking from the plane, one immediately notices the sudden rush of warm, wet air. Indonesia is a warm place. It has no spring, summer, fall, or winter, just two seasons: rainy and dry, both of which are relative (it still rains during the dry season, it just rains less). While there is significant regional variation, in most of the country (including Java and Bali) the dry season is April to October, while the wet season is November to March.

In highland cities/resort the temperature is somewhat cooler. In Papua island, there are snow covered peaks: Jayawijaya Mountains: Peak Trikora (Mt. Wilhelmina) - 4730 m. Sudirman Mountains: Peak Jaya (Mt. Carstensz) - 5030 m.

Time
Since the country is very large, Indonesia is divided into three time zones:
GMT +7: Western Indonesian Time (WIB) Sumatra, Java, West/Central Kalimantan.
GMT +8: Central Indonesian Time (WITA) Bali, South/East Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara.
GMT +9: Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT) Maluku Irian Jaya.

Visa
American can get a visa on arrival for US$10/25 at most common points of entry (Java, Bali, etc) Transit visa is 7 days maximum stay and Tourist visa is 30 days maximum stay.
Please be advised that Visa On Arrival may only be extended upon approval from the Director General of Immigration of the Republic of Indonesia in case of natural disaster, illness or accident, but cannot be transferred to another type of visa. Overstay visitors incur to pay a penalty of US$20.- per day/person (for under 60 days stay) whilst over 60 days stay will be a 5 (five) year prison sentence or a fine of IDR25.000.000 (local currency).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA)

Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months as from the date of entry into Indonesia.

Please note that these regulations do not apply for foreigners/expatriates (including members of their family) who are assigned/based in Indonesia.Visa is required and should be applied for before hand.

Changing money
Banks and money exchangers are widely available on Java, Bali and Lombok, but can be a major headache anywhere else, so load up with rupiah before heading off to any outer islands. Money exchangers are very picky about bill condition, pre-1999 dollar bills or imperfect bills (ripped, wrinkled, stained, etc) will often be rejected. Banks frequently won’t change any 1996 dollars. Counterfeit US dollars are a huge problem in the country and as a result the older your dollars are, the lower the exchange rate. You will get the highest exchange rate for dollars issued in 2001 or later and the exchange rate drops for 1999 and 1996 dollars. There are even different exchange rates according to the serial number for dollars from 1996. Banks and money exchangers on outer islands are sparse and frequently offer drastically reduced exchange rates of 10-20% or more.

In the reverse direction, moneychangers will be happy to turn your dirty Rupiah into spiffy dollars, but the spread is often considerable (10% is not unusual). Be very careful dealing with moneychangers, who are very adept at distracting your attention during the counting process and short-changing you as a result. As a precaution, consider bringing a friend along to watch over the transaction very carefully.

ATMs
ATMs are common in the larger cities on the islands of Java, Bali and Lombok and are generally reliable. They are non-existent on most other islands.

Credit Cards
Be careful when using credit cards, as cloning and fraud are a major problem in Indonesia. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but American Express can be problematic. At smaller operations, surcharges of 2-5% over cash are common.

Eating by hand
In Indonesia eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four fingers to pack a little ball of rice, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There’s one basic rule of etiquette to observe: Use only your right hand, as the left hand is used to clean yourself in the bathroom. Don’t stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. Needless to say, it’s wise to wash your hands well before and after eating.
Eating by hand is frowned on in some “classier” places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint.

Indonesian Food
Rice is the basis of many Indonesian meals, seafood is also prominent in many dishes, and often restaurants offer a wide array of fresh seafood. There is a strong Chinese influence in many foods especially meat dishes in Indonesia. Pork is not commonly used in Indonesian cuisine due to the country’s population being largely Muslim. Indonesian food is generally rich in flavour and heavily spiced. Hot peppers feature in many dishes or as a condiment at many meals. Each province of Indonesia has its own cuisine some areas have a strong Chinese influence, others Dutch or Japanese, or a combination of the three. Javanese food is thought of as the most palatable.

Javanese cuisine uses a variety of fresh spices that give the dishes a wonderful aroma. Javanese cuisine consists of vegetables, chicken and fish with rice. Padang food originally from the Northern region of Sumatra, is severed in many restaurants throughout the archipelago. Nasi Padang is cold rice served with a variety of dishes mixed in one plate. Sumatrans tend to eat more beef than the other provinces of Indonesia. Fried rice and noodles are common as is satay and gado-gado, a dish that consists of bean sprouts, various vegetables and spicy peanut sauce, throughout Indonesia.


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Palembang's events for 2011

Palembang is the capital city of South Sumatra. It's famous by the Musi River and the Bridge. To celebrate the Visit Indonesia Year 2011, Palembang has a program to attract the domestic and foreign tourist and come to Palembang all the 2011 year.

Sungai Musi/Musi River is the main area for this program, each month there will be at least two or three program to be launched.

January:
5; Grand Launching Visit Musi and Visit Indonesia Year 2011 at Benteng Kuto Besak
10 & 20; Islamic decorated car parade to celebrate 1 and 10 Muharram (Islamic New Year)
25-27; Folk Song Festival at SMB II Museum

February:
7; Imlek Festival
18-21; Barongsai Festival & Cap Go Me celebration
24-29; Holtikultura Exhibition at Kenten

March:
2-3; Nusantara Dishes Festival at Plaza BKB
16-20; International Information Communication Technology Exhibition
21-22; Gambus Music Festival & Beduk Parade at Plaza BKB

April:
1-3; Egg Painting Competition
7-9; International Speed Rally II & Speed Rally I
20-22; Traditional Media Exhibition
International Aeromodeling Championship at Jakabaring Stadium

May:
15-21; Sriwijaya Fair in South Sumatra Anniversary at Plaza BKB
16-17; Indonesia Bercahaya at Sport Hall
20; National awakening celebration
21; Waisak 2561 celebration at TPKS Museum

June:
16-23; Sriwijaya Festival XVII at Plaza BKB
17; Decorated Boat Competition, celebrating Palembang anniversary in Musi River
20-22; International Fishing Turnament in Musi River
National Offroad
National Time Rally
Miss Indonesia Election

July:
1-3; International Ijtima
12-18; SMEs Exhibition
15-17; Wisata Rally SERIE IV
19-23; National Kite Festival at Jakabaring Stadium
21-24; Art Festival at Plaza BKB

August:
19; Kemilau Sumatra
28-31; Nusantara Dress Festival
International Motocross
International Triathlon, Para Sailing, Water Ski and Jet Ski Championship, Sky Diving Exhibition in Opi Lake and Plaza BKB

September:
1-3; Gebyar Wisata Budaya Sumatra Selatan
12; Musi River Painting Competition at Plaza BKB
National Agro and Food Expo

October:
Indonesia-China Energy Forum III
9-12; International Dragon Boat Race in Musi River

November:
1-5; Melayu Dance Festival
17-18; Traditional Theater Festival
25-30; Suara Pesona Bintang
AMI Award Presentation

December:
19; Silk Air Memorial
31; New Year Celebration

Detail information at http://www.visitmusi.info
or visit Palembang's official website: http://www.palembang.go.id, you also will find Palembang City Map on that website.

Extracted from : http://visit-indonesia-euy.blogspot.com

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Cambodia - Latest South East Asian tourist spot

Cambodia is witnessing a resurgence as a South-east Asian tourist destination. And its not just the temples of Angkor that are fuelling this, although the complex is noted for being one of the great archaeological sites in the world.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, is like any modern bustling Asian city, but is visually striking, being on the confluence of two rivers and with its wide boulevards and colonial buildings that hark back to its French colonial history. Indians will feel right at home with the pedalled rickshaws that still ply the streets. You can revisit the ghosts of the ousted Khmer Rouge regime by visiting the Killing Field of Choeung Ek, and the Tuol Sleng, Pol Pot’s torture centre.

The country’s south coast, heralded for being the next Thailand (or Goa), which sweeps down along the Gulf of Siam and is studded with picture-postcard beaches and stunning offshore islands, is certainly worth a visit. The seaside towns of Kep or Koh Tonsay are particularly popular. And instead of staying in mass-market holiday apartments, you’re more likely to find yourself staying in stilted homestays or atmospheric little guesthouses.

However it is still the mighty stone faces of the Bayon temple, the moated sanctum of Angkor Wat and the great walled city of Angkor Thom that remain the country’s prime attractions. The best way to get to Angkor Wat is to take a scenic boat cruise up the Tonle Sap lake, the world’s largest inland freshwater lake, to the town of Siem Reap, near Angkor. You get to see the paddy field-dotted countryside and the villages populated by ethnic Vietnamese.

The weather currently, clear, dry and cool, is perfect to book a Christmas trip. The only hitch? No direct flights. Okay, so a weekend in Thailand on the way out won’t hurt.

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The Angkor National Museum

A national museum designed to display the Khmer culture will be opened next Monday in the capital town of Cambodia's Siem Reap Province.
The Angkor National Museum, covering 20,000 square meters and built with the Khmer architecture style, will highlight the cultural heritage of the Khmer nationality through a rich collection of artifacts and multimedia exhibition.
Siem Reap province, where the world-renowned Angkor Wat temples are situated, is the kingdom's top tourism destination. The museum is expected to become another cultural landmark for the province.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is scheduled to preside over the museum's inauguration ceremony.
It will function as a complete tourism facility and education site for future generations to know about the kingdom's history.

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New Food Court - Popular food spot


This is Singapore's popular food haunt. The Newton Food Centre. It has been around for ages and is widely popular with locals and tourists alike. It opens till late or till the early hours in the morning. This place has been revamped in the last couple of years. It used to be this dingy looking food court with lots of touting by the hawkers.

Touting is illegal in Singapore. Hawkers caught touting their goods will face punishment, fine and may have their stalls closed for a certain period of time. Now, u still get the occasional touting still but the place certainly deserve better credit now. You can sit under the parasol for alfresco dining or the normal fast food style seating located everywhere.

For those of you, who have never been here, would be useful for you to understand that the business here is so competitive that as soon as you are seated down, the drinks-seller and seafood hawker will put their menus down.. The speediest one usually gets the business though you have a choice to tell them, No, Thank You, and go on to order from your favourite stall.

In this food centre, you can find same kind of dish every few units of stalls away. Some of the customers prefer to just order from whoever that comes to them with the menu. These hawkers set their eagle hawk eye on new customers. You can feel them moving close to you as you search for your seats! They set their territory and they are pretty aggresive too. So if you intend to eat at a certain stall, try to sit as close as you can, to the stall you are ordering from to avoid unpleasant or ugly trouble..

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Travel guide links - 14 November 2007

Sam presents Hiking the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff Arizona. Surfer Sam. posted at Surfer Sam and Friends, saying, "Hiking the Grand Canyon, an Arizona vacation. Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, five friends, five days and a taste of Eden."

Sagar Satapathy presents Travelhacker » Top 100 Blogs for Vacationers posted at Travelhacker.

Andrew Erickson presents Taking the Long View - Are You In Business? posted at WebSite Werx.

Mary Jo Manzanares presents Winchester Mystery House: 38 Years & Still Not Finished posted at Flyaway Cafe, saying, "It's not just for Halloween!"

travel

Andrew Edgington presents Cyprus Villas with Private Pool An Ultimate Luxury posted at Cyprus Informer, saying, "Explore the wonders of Cyprus using this greay blog as your guide."

zenofeller presents Xenophillia - zeno globetrotter posted at zenofeller.com.

Sagar presents Sensual Vacations: 25 Kinky, Fun and Sexy Getaways posted at Travelhacker.

Kristie presents Lithuania - The Food & Drinks posted at Norway - An American In Oslo.

Charles H. Green presents Ruining Trust by Taxing Mistrust: the False Negatives Scam posted at Trust Matters, saying, "Be careful what credit card you use when using. Mastercard, for example, tends to think that overseas charges are fraudulent and will block them, again and again."

beta mum presents Dreaming of Lapland posted at Keir Royale, saying, "topical piece re day trip to Lapland"

Lucy Baldwin presents 5 Things I Learned From Moving 17 Times posted at Moving Help Central.

Sagar presents Top 25 Vacation Destinations Where a Nerd Can Get Laid posted at Travelhacker.

Kristie presents Lithuania - Kaunas posted at Norway - An American In Oslo.

Christopher Michael presents Seeing the Sites posted at Travel Europe- where to go, what to see and how to get there, saying, "This article contains a useful list of websites for those who are planning or are on a trip to Europe"

AJ Block presents Using Public Transportation in Santiago posted at The Real Santiago, saying, "For anyone visiting Santiago, Chile, this guide to getting around the city is a must."

Charles H. Green presents Americans, Travel and Rushing to Judgment posted at Trust Matters, saying, "Mark Twain said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness." Yet only something like 20% of Americans have a passport. Absurdly few of us speak another language—usually poorly at that. But we could use more of the perspective that experience and contact with the world brings."

Christine presents French cinema, French Cafes, French People: Living in France, Strasbourg posted at Me, My Kid and Life: An American Single Mom Living in France, saying, "A day in the life of an expat living in France."

Meg presents Fabulous! Festival - Travel Edition posted at Une femme d'un certain age, saying, "If a blog carnival linked to another blog carnival would the fabric of space-time rip -- or just make a fabulous dress? We at the Fabulous! Festival had a great turn out for our travel edition. I'm submitting this on behalf of the edition's host, Deja Pseu. (I'm the festival maintainer.)"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of !# travel guide, tips, maps using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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