Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination not only for Asian tourists but people from the world over. It is not only known for its sumptuous Cantonese cuisine, pocket-burning sales & discounts, and breathtaking sites like the Victoria Peak or Ocean Park. Aside from all these, Hong Kong also has something exciting to offer when it comes to Movies!

There is no better way to experience and learn more about the glitzy and glamorous Film Industry of Hong Kong than to take a walk along the Avenue of the Stars.

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Posted in Hong Kong, Things to do |

As a judo enthusiast, I decided to pay a visit to the Kodokan Judo Institute during my first visit to Tokyo, Japan. I got off the correct Tokyo Metro station at Suidobashi Station along the JR Chuo line, when I spotted a huge domed stadium. And right besides it, straddling across city streets, is a towering roller coaster. If this weren’t Japan, a world leader in engineering and construction, I’d be nervous about any place that puts an amusement park right on top of a busy intersection.

The Institute can come later. I knew I had to try this roller coaster.

It was easy to locate the ticket booth; all I had to do was follow the tracks to the lowest part of the structure. As I approached the booth, signs indicated the roller coaster was called The Thunder Dolphin. I would never associate a fierce thunderclap with a frolicking dolphin, but this being Japan…

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Posted in Attractions, Japan |

I still remember those days when a lot people from my country, the Philippines, have gone mad over watching so many Korean soap operas on TV like Dae Jang Geum (or also known as Jewel in the Palace), My Girl, Lovers in Paris (also known as My Sweetheart in Paris), etc. I have to admit, though, that I also joined the bandwagon and always looked forward to my evening dates with all those Korean television shows which are dubbed in our local language.

You could just imagine my excitement then when I found out then that I was to be sent to Seoul on business. So I rode my Korean Airlines flight to Seoul with a suitcase filled with my personal stuff and a heart bursting with excitement and anticipation of what’s to come.

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Posted in Attractions, Korea |

Last time, I talked about Tokyo Disneyland, the first Magical Place in Tokyo. I also briefly mentioned the second magical place before but now I’ll explain it in more detail. I am talking about the Tokyo DisneySea, where adventure and imagination set sail. Opened in 2001, Tokyo DisneySea has become one of the world’s most-visited theme parks and one of the most popular Disney Parks in the world. One of the park’s symbols is the DisneySea AquaSphere, a water fountain with a large model of the earth, which is located at the entrance plaza and the gigantic volcano, Mount Prometheus, located in the center of the park. The volcano and Cinderella Castle in Tokyo Disneyland, the other park in the resort, are exactly the same height as the two in Tokyo DisneySea.

Like Tokyo Disneyland, there are also seven theme areas in Tokyo DisneySea. After going through the front gates of Disney Sea Plaza, where people can see the Disney Sea Aquasphere, you find yourself in a part of the park called the Mediterranean Harbor, the starting point of your Disney Sea adventure.

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Posted in Attractions, Japan |

Hong Kong is a city that is always struggling with its past and present. Buildings built in the 1950’s still line up along Mongkok and are obviously worn down, but merchants attempt to hide the decay with ground-level artsy facades and billboards. The famous Victoria Harbour, where Hong Kong get its name (“fragrant harbour”) is shrinking as demand for real estate result in land reclamation. And despite the presence of the MTR system and road tunnels, one historical means of transportation is still plying its route all-year round: The Star Ferry. For much of the former British colony’s modern history, the Star Ferry has transported commuters across the harbor, providing a scenic and affordable trip between Kowloon and Central.

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Posted in Hong Kong, Things to do |

Without a doubt, Singapore is one of the best places to explore in Asia.  The Singapore Tourism Board made sure all avenues (and foot paths and rivers) are exhausted for the delight of first-time and repeat visitors. Not only has it preserved its heritage sites and developed events, but it has also partnered up with local entrepreneurs to give sightseers multiple means to lap up the spectacles of Singapore.

BY FOOT:

The Original Singapore Walks - Choose from 9 different trails exploring the lesser-known sides of the Lion City. Whether visiting a 14th century tomb or the red-light district of Chinatown (no kids!), this unique experience designed by Journeys will reveal aspects of Singapore that you won’t get through books.

BY BUS:

SIA Hop-On - a tour bus service that offers unlimited air-conditioned rides to over 20 of the most popular attractions. Get down from any pre-selected point, visit as long as you like, then get hop on back up the next incoming bus.

Free City Tours - Exclusively for transit passengers who have at least five hours to spare, this two-hour city tour operates daily at regular intervals. There are two fascinating choices:

• The Colonial Tour retraces the momentous footsteps of the island’s colonial past, from its days as a quaint fishing village to a metropolis on the go.
• The Cultural Tour takes you around the ethnic cultures and architectural wonders of Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, and Katong.

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Posted in Singapore, Things to do |

Thailand, a Kingdom that lies strategically in the heart of Southeast Asia, is another interesting destination that is a favorite among tourists in Asia. The capital of this amazing country is Bangkok and it is also the center of political, business, and tourism-related activities. Thailand’s lovely tropical climate, rich history and culture and the hospitality of its people attract thousands of tourists to flock to this place each year.

I can still vividly remember my first trip to Thailand. I cannot wait to leave my things at my lodging place and grab a cab to experience the exotic Thai culture. I was excited to try as many things as I can in my short stay. Since I was not only concerned with shopping, I asked my hotel’s concierge for recommendations on what places I’m supposed to visit. The concierge highly recommended the Safari World Bangkok.

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Posted in Attractions, Thailand, Things to do |

Every first week of February, a place in Japan becomes a venerable winter wonderland. I’m talking about the Sapporo Snow Festival. This festival is one of Japan’s largest winter events and attracts a numerous number of visitors from Japan and abroad every year.

Sapporo is the capital and largest city in Hokkaido, Japan. One of Japan’s nicest cities, Sapporo has lovely open boulevards filled with trees to enjoy in summer and excellent snow in the long winter. This city is particularly crowded in the winter because it plays host to a number of well known ski resorts and the Sapporo Snow Festival.

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Posted in Events, Japan |

The Philippines festival held in the middle of May every year is probably your only chance to see an oiled, shaved and ornamented buffalo parading down the streets. As with other festivals in the country, this too celebrates a saint that marked the country’s history - San Isidro Labrador is the patron-saint of farmers and the star of this celebration.

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Posted in Events |

Visitors may ask, ‘If Singapore is such a food paradise, why aren’t there more reports of obese Singaporeans in the same proportion as obese Americans?‘ That’s because Singapore is a walking city. With all the shopping and sauntering to and from public transports, offices, and residences, Singaporeans not only burn off the calories from their last meal, they also get appetites for their next.

If you ever visit Singapore, find out for yourself why this island-nation acquired the reputation of being a food paradise, with the following must-try dishes.

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Posted in Food, Singapore |