Malaysia's cultural hot spots

The next time you want to get a taste of Malaysian arts and culture, just head to any one of the eight cultural hot spots that have been identified in the city as mini cultural centres.

In line with promoting Kuala Lumpur as a cultural centre, visitors are encouraged to visit these hot spots to get a better understanding and view of the country's culture and customs.

The cultural hot spots will feature a variety of cultural events throughout the year and will be promoted as tourists attractions.

Visitors and locals had a chance to witness what happens at these cultural hot spots at the launching ceremony on Sunday held at Central Market, which is one of the cultural hot spots.

KL's cultural hot spots are located at Jalan Petaling, Lanai Warisan Seni Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Semarak Dataran at Dataran Merdeka, Semarak Kraf in Jalan Conlay, Semarak Bangsawan in Panggung Bandaraya, Semarak Seni Brickfields in KL Sentral, Semarak Seni Titiwangsa in Titiwangsa Lake and Semarak Pasar Seni at Central Market.

For details, call 03-2052 3600

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Jeddah, Dubai hotel occupancy rates soar in June - Travel & Hospitality

Well, am not surprised, as many visitors are from nearby countries and they find no reason to travel so far to enjoy their holidays. Many years ago one cannot find facilities to enjoy their holiday either in Dubai or Jeddah. But I will refer more to Dubai, Once no much hotels choices to choose from, less shopping malls, no major attractions, less road networks and public transportation.
But

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AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Manado

AirAsia is to launch flights between Kuala Lumpur and Manado, a province in Indonesia, with three direct weekly flights from 12th September 2011.

Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi is the main gateway to the Indonesian archipelago comprising of Minahasa, Bolaang, Mongondow and the island of Dangihe Talaud.

Scuba diving and snorkeling on the nearby island of Bunaken are the most popular attractions. Other places of interest are nearby Lake Tondano, Lokon Volcano, Klabat Volcano and Mahawu Volcano.

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White Sandy Beaches in Malaysia

Just the sight of a long, soft, sandy beach fringed by clear azure water and lit up brilliantly by the tropical sun is enough to put many people’s minds at ease with a heavy sense of peace. Malaysia beaches act as such catalysts catapulting thoughts of home and work far into the distance.

Things to do appeal to many kinds of people who enjoy doing absolutely nothing to enjoying many water sports and beach activities.

A great place for relaxing is the Mine Malaysia Palace Beach Spa. Though located in the bustling capital center of Kuala Lumpur you will feel as though you’re a million miles from everything during your Malaysia holiday.

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The Singapore Sun Festival

The Singapore Sun Festival is back! Touted as Singapore’s Premier Music and Lifestyle Festival, it is bringing in over 250 international artists and celebrities in more than 90 events in 10 days to celebrate the art of living! Performing artistes include Kiri Te Kanawa, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, and the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir.

And of course, there will be visual arts events, film screenings, literature workshops, Wine & Cuisine stuff, and of course, Wellness events, comprising of yoga workshops.

Visit www.singaporesunfestival.com for more details

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Speaking Thai today

For those of you that want or need to speak the language of love in Thai here’s a small dictionary of Thai love phrases that are sure to impress and excite your new Thai girlfriend. I guarantee she will be amazed and impressed. If you’re having trouble with pronunciation you can ask her for help too which will help to make your relationship more concrete.

Beginning Your Relationship
I am single. (pom yung sot)
You are very beautiful. (koon suay mak mak)
You are very cute. (koon na-ruk mak mak)
I like your smile. (pom chorp roi yim kong koon)
Can I see you tomorrow? (proong nee jer gun dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”
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Simple itinerary to visit Vietnam

Day 1 - The Old Quarter

Walking around Hanoi is similar to walking around Bangkok – you don’t know where to look first. You need to have every sense working overtime to keep up with its pace. The noise of the traffic, the smells from the foodstalls and the constant view of people and moving frantically around you will do nothing else but astound you upon touching down for the very first time.

The best known area of the city among travellers is the city’s Old Quarter, an area divided up into 36 different streets. In the 13th Century when the area established, each street designated to one of the 36 trades practised in the city. Some of these streets include Bat Dan meaning wooden bowls, Gia Ngu which means fishermen, and Hang Trong which stands for drum. Today there are over 50 streets in the area.

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Simple itinerary to visit Vietnam

Day 1 - The Old Quarter

Walking around Hanoi is similar to walking around Bangkok – you don’t know where to look first. You need to have every sense working overtime to keep up with its pace. The noise of the traffic, the smells from the foodstalls and the constant view of people and moving frantically around you will do nothing else but astound you upon touching down for the very first time.

The best known area of the city among travellers is the city’s Old Quarter, an area divided up into 36 different streets. In the 13th Century when the area established, each street designated to one of the 36 trades practised in the city. Some of these streets include Bat Dan meaning wooden bowls, Gia Ngu which means fishermen, and Hang Trong which stands for drum. Today there are over 50 streets in the area.

The Old Quarter is where everything is situated – it is where the majority of hostels are, as well as a vast selection of cafés and restaurants serving tasty cheap food. Due to the high number of tourists which descend upon this area there are stalls selling anything and everything and all this comes together to make the Old Quarter a melting pot of life.

Day 2 - The city of lakes

There aren’t many cities in the world that have as many lakes as Hanoi does. Walking around the different parts of the city you find you are never far from one. Hoan Kiem Lake can be found right in the centre of the Old Quarter. There is something fascinating about walking from some of the busiest streets in South East Asia to stumble across a wide open lake.

West of the old city is possibly the city’s number one attraction (with Vietnamese tourists anyway), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, just south of Ho Tay (West Lake). This chamber is where the body of Ho Chi Minh, the first president of the independent republic of North Vietnam, has been laid to rest. Seeing his body is, as you would expect a somewhat sombre experience but it is still quite unique and shouldn’t be missed when in the Vietnamese capital.

Built on a huge complex, beside the mausoleum is the Ho Chi Minh Museum which is dedicated to his life. There are wide open parks here also in this traffic free area making it that more pleasant to visit than other parts of the city.On the southern banks of the West Lake are some of the city’s top restaurants. This doesn’t mean that you will pay gastronomical prices. It just means you will get some top quality food at a price far, far cheaper than in the western world.

If you are the type of traveller who is always looking for new experiences that you will find nowhere else other than in the country you are visiting, try and visit Pho Nghi Tram. This street 10 kilometres north of the city centre has a strip of dog-meat restaurants, something which you don’t find every day.

Day 3 - Vietnam's ancient capital

While Hanoi has only been the capital of Vietnam since 1945, 95 kilometres south of the city is Hoa Lu. This ancient city was the capital of Vietnam from 968-980 under the Dinh dynasty and then until 1009 under the Le Dynasty.Hoa Lu’s two foremost points of interest are the two temples there – Dinh Tien Hoan and Le Dai Hanh.

Both are two commemorate the two dynasties which ruled there in the past. At the front of the first temple is a statue of Emperor Dinh Tien and the second is quite different with a collection of weapons, candles and more artefacts.

From Hoa Lu you are brought to Tam Coc. Meaning ‘Three Caves’, the scenery around here is awe inspiring and it is how it became known as ‘Halong Bay without the water’. You can watch the locals row their boats down the river here before visiting the caves.Organised tours visiting these sites depart from Hanoi around 7.30am on most mornings and return at 5.30pm that evening.

A type of puppetry which originated in Northern Vietnam is water puppetry. Hanoi is the best place to see this ancient art is in the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre in the Old Quarter. Two performances take place in this theatre on the north eastern shores of Hoan Kiem Lake and is an absolute must for any visit to Hanoi, the city where the artform originated.

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Learn speaking Thai today

For those of you that want or need to speak the language of love in Thai here’s a small dictionary of Thai love phrases that are sure to impress and excite your new Thai girlfriend. I guarantee she will be amazed and impressed. If you’re having trouble with pronunciation you can ask her for help too which will help to make your relationship more concrete.

Beginning Your Relationship
I am single. (pom yung sot)
You are very beautiful. (koon suay mak mak)
You are very cute. (koon na-ruk mak mak)
I like your smile. (pom chorp roi yim kong koon)
Can I see you tomorrow? (proong nee jer gun dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”
Are you free tonight? (keun nee koon wang mai) - For yes the reply is “wang” and for no the reply is “mai wang”
Do you like me? (koon chorp pom reu blao) - For yes the reply is “chorp” and for no the reply is “mai chorp”
Can you go out with me? (bai tee-o gup pom dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? (koon mee faen reu yung) - For yes the reply is “me” and for no the reply is “yung mai mee”
What kind of men do you like? (koon chorp poo-chai bap nai)
Can you tell me your phone number please? (kor ber tor koon dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”
Do you want to go and eat with me? (bai gin kao gub pom mai) - For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai”
Do you want to go to watch a movie? (bai doo nung gup pom mai) - For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai”
Your eyes are so beautiful. (duang dtar kong koon suay mak)
Can I hold your hand? (pom kor jub meu koon dai mai?)
Have a nice dream. (fun dee na)
Take care of yourself. (do lae dtua eng duay na)

Taking it to the Next Level
Love at first sight. (ruk raek pop)
I still remember the first moment we met. (pom yung jum krang-raek tee row pob gun dai)
I want you to be happy. (pom dtong gan hai koon mee kwarm sook)
You make me happy. (koon tam hai pom mee kwarm sook)
I miss you. (pom kit teung koon)
I miss you all the time. (pom kit-teung koon dta-lod way-la)
Can you be my girlfriend? (ben faen gub pom dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”
You are my girlfriend. (koon ben fan kong pom)
You are my sweetheart. (koon keu yot -ruk kong pom)
You are the one I have been waiting for. (koon bpen kon dieow tee pom ror koi)
I am serious about you. (pom jing jai gup koon)
I think about you all night. (pom kit teung koon tung keun)
I want to meet you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak pop koon)
I want to hug you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak got koon)
Can I kiss you? (pom kor joop koon dai mai)
I want to be with you. (pom yaak yoo gup koon)
Do you miss me? (koon kit teung pom baang mai)
I won’t forget you. (pom ja mai leum koon)
When do you want me to come back? (koon dtong gan hai pom glup ma muea rai)

When You’re Ready to Marry Your Thai Girlfriend
I think I have fallen in love with you. (pom kit wa pom long ruk koon) / (pom kit wa pom dtok loom ruk koon)
My heart is yours. (hua jai kong pom ben kong koon)
You are my angel. (koon keu nung fa kong pom)
I love you. (pom ruk koon)
I will be faithful to you. (pom ja seu-sut dtor/gub koon)
I don’t want to let you go. (pom mai dtong-gan hai koon bai)
Can I meet your parents? (pom ja bai pob por gub mae kong koon dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”
I want to see your face every day. (pom yaak hen na koon took wan)
I want to marry you. (pom dtong-gan dtang ngan gub koon)
I can’t live without you. (pom yoo mai dai ta mai mee koon)

If There’s Trouble
I hope I can see you again. (pom wang wa ja dai pob koon eek-krang)
Can you give me one more chance? (hai aow-gat pom eek-krang dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”
I will never cheat on you (pom ja mai nork jai koon)
Your love is very important to me. (kwarm ruk kong koon sam kun dtor/sam-rap pom mak)
Please speak to me. (dai brot poot gup pom)
You hurt me so much. (koon tam pom jep-bpuat mak)
Please trust me. (brot chuea jai pom)
I want you to trust me. (pom dtong gan hai koon chuea jai pom)
I never lied to you. (pom mai koie gor hok koon)
Don’t leave me. (ya ting pom)
I will always be on your side. (pom ja yoo kiang-kang koon sa-mer)

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