The only Travel Guide site you need for all your holiday requirements. No need to trawl through the internet - let this be your one stop info with full knowledge that all your holiday needs are taken care of. Check details of your destination and book holidays insurance through our Travel Information or simply give us feedback on anywhere you have been through our Holiday Feedback section.
The Kinabalu Park covers a staggering area of 754 sg. km (300 sq.mile) from the Park Headquarters area all the way to Poring Hot Springs 40 km (25 miles) away and northwards to Mandalon, almost reaching the Kudat Hoghway. It is bigger than Singapore Island!
Established as a state park in 1964, this botanical paradise is blessed with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna that ranges over 4 climate zones, from the oak, rhododendron; the coniferous forests, to the alphine meadow plants and to the stunted bushes of the summit zone. Kinabalu Park has probably one of the richest flora collections in the world.
Pramuka island is parts of thousand islands - Jakarta. This area has about two thousand residents and is a good conservation for the hawksbill turtle, one of six types of sea turtles who reside in.
For more information, the hawksbill turtle is protected by Indonesia government. Beside Pramuka Island, these few islands near here has served as places to breed for hawksbill turtle.
You are walking along Patpong Road and some pathetic looking tout invites you to an a go-go bar upstairs performing ping-pong, darts and horny snake shows. You are told a beer is a 100 baht, but when you get the bill it is for 1,500 (tout downstairs forgot to tell you there was a huge cover charge).
The scammers in there are violently dangerous, don’t get into a fight (a Japanese guy was murdered a few years ago in one of those bars). Tell them politely that you need a receipt to get your money back from the company (entertainment expenses).
Being one of the most charming capital cities in Asia where past, present and future are all bended so well in one single place, Hanoi truly deserves a several days stay. And, make sure you go these places to have best experience of Vietnam's capital city.
1. Ho Chi Minh complex, visiting his Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and his old houses. The Mausoleum is where the body of the greatest president of Vietnam is kept in a glass coffin. The Presidential Palace is a beautiful French building that was originally built for the French General Governor of Indochina, later on Ho Chi Minh worked in the building.
Vietnam will host the 28th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Hanoi from January 5-12, 2011. The theme of the forum “ASEAN Tourism – Striving for a New Height” aims to boost the ASEAN tourism industry and promote ASEAN as a single tourism destination at a time of fierce global competition.
During ATF 2011, there will be dialogues between ASEAN Tourism Ministers, the ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), travel seminars and exhibitions.
Vietnam is expected to welcome nearly 1,500 foreign visitors for ATF 2011 with 400 travel agencies from potential markets such as North America, West and East Europe, North-east Asia and Australia.
Year 2011 will be the last year for ASEAN to achieve full integration as the region moves closer to becoming the ASEAN Economic Community. The ASEAN tourism industry has made significant contributions to the integration process by strengthening exchanges and consolidating peace in the region.
Being one of the most charming capital cities in Asia where past, present and future are all bended so well in one single place, Hanoi truly deserves a several days stay. And, make sure you go these places to have best experience of Vietnam's capital city.
1. Ho Chi Minh complex, visiting his Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and his old houses. The Mausoleum is where the body of the greatest president of Vietnam is kept in a glass coffin. The Presidential Palace is a beautiful French building that was originally built for the French General Governor of Indochina, later on Ho Chi Minh worked in the building.
2. One Pillar Pagoda: Built in the 11th century as a memorial to the Goddess of Mercy. The whole pagoda stands on a column and it shapes like a lotus flower, erected from a little pond.
3. The Temple of Literature: the once biggest education center of Vietnam and also the most beautiful temple in the country dedicated to Confucius- the founder of Confucianism.
4. Museum of Ethnology: Biggest one in town displaying exhibits and lives of 54 groups of people living in Vietnam. The place has an exotic collection of traditional houses of peoples in Vietnam.
5. Old Quarter: Trading part of the city, most populated and flourish place in town. Thousands of tiny shops selling cheap things. Ideal to look for clothes, fake watches, fake Lacoste T-shirt and nice painting galleries. Every last 3 evening of the week, part of the Old Quarter is only for the pedestrians (traffic is banned). Local shops are the set up in the middle of the daytime-busy streets to sell local thing. Pretty good for going out having a look. Watch your language once you're here, just to be on the safe side.
6. Ngoc Son temple: A nice little temple dedicated to one of the 10 best generals in war history. The temple was built in the 18 century. Make sure you see a turtle (maintained in a glass coffin) to the small roof next to the temple, which used to be living in the water of the lake.
7. Cheap clothes and watches: Go to Hang Dao street (near the Sword Lake). This is where you can find a 4$ Lacost T-shirts or a 3$ Swiss watch. I'm sure they're not really bad comparing to a the genuin.
8. For a traffic experience? Spend around 3-4$/hour renting a cyclo, you will be cycled around the Old Quarter, be a part of the amazing traffic. After that, first thing you're gonna say is: I have survived.
9. Wanna taste a bit of the local culture? Go to cafe Lam (91 Nguyen Huu Huan street) where you taste nice Vietnamese coffee, but seeing the local is more interesting for those who expect)
10. Heard of the Water Puppet show? It originated in Vietnam and the ticket is about 2.5$ where you see 1 hour show of the stunning art takes place on the water. The Puppet theater is on the bank of the Sword Lake. Can't miss it.
You are walking along Patpong Road and some pathetic looking tout invites you to an a go-go bar upstairs performing ping-pong, darts and horny snake shows. You are told a beer is a 100 baht, but when you get the bill it is for 1,500 (tout downstairs forgot to tell you there was a huge cover charge).
The scammers in there are violently dangerous, don’t get into a fight (a Japanese guy was murdered a few years ago in one of those bars). Tell them politely that you need a receipt to get your money back from the company (entertainment expenses).
Act dumb and play it nice, like it’s not your money they are ripping off. Outside, go straight to the tourist cops, there is a good chance you will get your money back.
Anyway, if you do want to see such a sinful show (or any a go-go bar that is) only go into one that is managed by King’s Group Co. Ltd.
All there bars have a huge plaque outside saying so. King’s Group upstairs a go-gos are the only non-scams on Patpong. Their downstairs a go-go are also by far and away the best.
Pramuka island is parts of thousand islands - Jakarta. This area has about two thousand residents and is a good conservation for the hawksbill turtle, one of six types of sea turtles who reside in. For more information, the hawksbill turtle is protected by Indonesia government. Beside Pramuka Island, these few islands near here has served as places to breed for hawksbill turtle.
In here, the eggs of the beach are taken, then stored in buckets which are buried to 50 cm in the sand as a semi-natural hatchery. In 40-60 days, the eggs hatch and 2 days small baby turtles will begin showing on the sand at the surface.
Half of baby turtles will then be removed in large buckets depending on their age, while the other half goes directly into their natural habitat. If you come to visit, you can join to release the baby turtle to the ocean. Since the beach are very amazing, try snorkling here.
To go to Pramuka island, there are some transportation alternatives.You can go from Muara Angke or Marina Ancol Beach. If you like traditional trip, choose starting point from Muara Angke, you can join with traditional ship with cost Rp 25.000,- once walk. If choosing from Marina, you will use motorboat, with cost Rp.35.000,- once walk.
Hotel Villa Lima, Rp. 200.000 - Rp.250.000 a night
The Kinabalu Park covers a staggering area of 754 sg. km (300 sq.mile) from the Park Headquarters area all the way to Poring Hot Springs 40 km (25 miles) away and northwards to Mandalon, almost reaching the Kudat Hoghway. It is bigger than Singapore Island!
Established as a state park in 1964, this botanical paradise is blessed with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna that ranges over 4 climate zones, from the oak, rhododendron; the coniferous forests, to the alphine meadow plants and to the stunted bushes of the summit zone. Kinabalu Park has probably one of the richest flora collections in the world.
Highways and sealed roads have made the Park easily accessible. It is an easy 2 hour scenic drive from Kota Kinabalu and is a popular getway from the hustle and bustle of the city where visitors can enjoyed the cool invigorating air. In 2004, more than 415,000 visited the park with more than 43,000 climbers. While the focus of the park is the mountain, about 80% of visitors don't climb all the way to the peak but come simply to enjoy the serenity of this place.
Most of the Park facilities located at the HQ including accomodations, restaurants, exhibit centres and etc. A minimal entrance fee is imposed at the entrance of the Kinabalu Park.
