“Dim dawn behind the tamerisks — the sky is saffron-yellow –
As the women in the village grind the corn,
And the parrots seek the riverside, each calling to his fellow
That the Day, the staring Easter Day is born.”

So begins Rudyard Kipling’s “Christmas in India“, a poem which exalts the glories of Jesus’s birth in the subcontinent. Indeed, Christmas is a national holiday in India, despite the larger population of Hindu and Muslims in the country. December 25th is also known as Bada Din (the big day) since this day marks the start of the period when each day lengthens compared to previous days. Each state in the sub-continent of India celebrate Christmas in its own unique way.

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Posted in Events, India |

Finding an aquarium or marine life exhibit in major cities around the globe is no longer as uncommon as it used to be. People from all walks of life flock to aquariums, where they can catch glimpses of some of the world’s most incredible marine life - most of which they would never otherwise have an opportunity to see. Thailand is no exception, and Siam Ocean World is quickly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area.

About Siam Ocean World

Siam Ocean World first opened for business in December of 2005. The aquarium boasts 10,000 square meters of space holding more than 4 million liters of water. Within these waters you’ll find over 30,000 different marine life species, ranging from fish and crabs to sting rays and penguins.

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Posted in Thailand |

I love Thailand! I love the food, culture, the people, and all its interesting places. I also enjoy staying in their nice hotels like Banyan Tree Hotel Bangkok located at South Sathorn Road.

But this country is not only known for all these exciting things. It also has a notorious reputation when it comes to congested roads and pesky traffic jams.

This is why it important to know the various means of transportation that you can take in Thailand so that you can maximize your visit. First of all, keep in mind that there are so many ways to get around Thailand and that the key to appreciating the “real” Thailand is not to be confined to see only the popular tourist areas but also visit roads that are less travelled. This is where the different modes of transport can come in as some roads are accessible only to selected vehicles.

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Posted in Thailand, Transportation |

The Fall is a 2006 independent movie by director Tarsem Singh which features picturesque locales and colorfully dressed characters. It is about a patient who weaves a tale about a masked bandit and his group in order to entertain a little girl in the same hospital. The amazing thing about the movie is its use of natural settings all over the world in 18 countries, as opposed to the heavy use of computer-generated imagery in mainstream films.

For those who’ve seen the movie and wish to visit its fanciful locales or just wish to learn the history of each site, keep on reading. For those who haven’t, check out this trailer:

Video Courtesy of roadside07

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Posted in Attractions, India |

The posh Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building at 508 meters, opened its doors to the eager public in soft opening that was held in November 2003 and completely opened in 2004. President Chu Shui-ban cut the ribbon for the opening of the Taipei 101 Shopping Mall inside the skyscraper. Chen said during the opening that “Taipei 101 is not only the world’s tallest building, it also symbolizes that Taiwan is in step with the world.”

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Posted in Taiwan, Things to do |

Yes, yes, Japan is filled with ancient temples, feudal castles, profound gardens, and upscale sushi bars. That’s not the Japan that’s been broadcasting on our anime cable channel, blaring on the J-Pop Radio Station, and leveling up on our Playstation. Every geek in the world knows a land filled with humongous mecha (robots), cat girls, beautiful boys, thousands of manga publications, gun swords, and fast-paced heart-pounding soundtracks. And every geek dreams of visiting that side of Japan at least once in their lives. So if you ever saved enough money for a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, here is a guide to a geek’s pilgrimage in Japan.

Ghibli Museum - an exhibit, theater, and playground devoted to the works of Studio Ghibli and beloved director Hayao Miyazaki. A giant robot, a stuffed catbus, ornate Victorian-style metalwork, and other delightful features make the Ghibli Museum a favorite among tots and a must for Ghibli die-hards.

Sanrio Puroland - an all-indoor theme park in Tama-shi, Tokyo, that is operated by Sanrio Co., Ltd, the company behind the globally known Hello Kitty and her other cuddly friends. This is ground zero for all things Sanrio, and attracts 1.5 million enthusiasts every year. The main event is a musical parade featuring the most popular characters who sing and dance while being accompanied by professional dancers. Kawaii!

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Posted in Attractions, Japan |

Nepal has long been a destination for travelers seeking adventure. Whether you’re a spiritualist looking for enlightenment or simply a die hard trekker looking for the next peak to conquer, Nepal has a wide variety of paths for you to follow.

Perhaps you are simply looking for a day trip off the beaten path, or maybe you desire a hiking path you can follow for days on end. Nepal has a variety of outdoor adventures that will not only serve your adventurous needs but benefit the environment as well. Here are a few of our favorites:

Nepal’s New Mai Valley Trek

Travelers with a bit of time to spare will appreciate a 10 day hike through the foothills of the Himalayans. This particular trek was developed by a nonprofit group known as the Red Panda Project, working in conjunction with a tour group known as Sea and Sky Tour. Your path will take you throughout the Mai Valley in eastern Nepal while following the Singhalila ridgeline.

This is the perfect trip for anyone looking to for a unique travel experience. The trip involves at least 4 to 8 hours of hiking each day with overnight stays in tents, teahouses, and sometimes the homes of Nepali villagers. The tour guide company will cook hot meals each day, served in a heated tent and featuring both Western and Nepalese cuisine.

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Posted in Nepal |

Kuala Lumpur or more popularly referred to as KL is such a vivacious city that comes alive because of the number of tourist destinations and admirable structures that you will find in the city.  This is home to hundreds of expats and is visited by thousands of tourists each year. If you are more of an animal lover and would choose a trip to the zoo over a trip to the shopping mall then it is a good idea for you to head to the Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana) at Jalan Perdana.  Escape the bustling city and make your way to the serene Lake Gardens that occupy about 60 hectares of land and was established in 1888.  You can ride a boat and enjoy the gardens while rowing on the water, have a picnic, or visit other interesting parts of the gardens like the Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Deer Park etc.

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Posted in Malaysia, Things to do |

Hello! Kitty, the mouth-less feline icon recognized the world over, has started greeting new fans in Taiwan right after their birth. The 30-bed Hau Sheng Hospital in Yuanlin, central Taiwan, has claimed to be the only maternity hospital in the world with authorization from the beloved cartoon cat’s Japanese parent company Sanrio Co, Ltd. Hau Sheng was built for T$100 million (US$3 milion) by Director Tsai Tsung-chi, who hopes the cuddly feline will help assuage the fears and difficulty of childbirth among its patients. Tsai expresses his hope that young mothers suffering from illness and birthing will smile and relax when they see the images of the adorable cat. He specifically chose Hello Kitty as the theme due to her popularity within his own family; namely, his mother, his wife and his daughter.

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Posted in Airlines, Attractions, Japan, Taiwan |

The air is becoming colder and nights are getting longer. Truly, Christmas is just around the corner. During this festive time, one of the busiest places on earth would have to be airports! People are always excited to either go home for the holidays or the opposite, which is to get away from “home” and spend one’s vacation in another country to relax and have a great time.

Maybe some would prefer to Have a Merry Ho Ho Ho in Hong Kong and celebrate with Mickey and the rest of the gang at Hong Kong Disneyland. But if you feel that you’ve already spent too much time in Hong Kong and prefer another country then you might want to check out what Singapore has in store for all its visitors for the yuletide season.

Christmas is always fun in the Lion City. For this year, visitors will be treated to a multitude of great shopping bargains, first class performances, festive events and the traditional New Year countdowns when Singapore celebrates Christmas in the Tropics 2008 which will run from November 15, 2008 up to January 2, 2009.

Read on to get updated on what to expect from Singapore this holiday season:

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Posted in Singapore, Things to do |