Travelers have different objectives when they travel.  Itineraries will always be different and people would have different preferences:  a) mode of transportation - by air or by land  b) level of luxury – first class, business class or
economy class c) food choices –  conventional or exotic d) type of activities – slow paced or extreme and e) places to visit – beaches, temples or galleries.

If you are the artsy type and in the lookout for great art finds then you will not be disappointed if you decide to choose Malaysia as your travel destination. There are quite a number of galleries to visit that will surely keep you
busy for a full day or more.

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Posted in Malaysia, Things to do |

Singapore River was important to the former British colony from the very beginning, when it served as a trade route to the inner parts of the island. By the late 20th century, it became polluted, and efforts were made to clean up the waters. Today, the river has given up its value in trade to become a vital tourism spot, serving as a scenic backdrop to heritage sites, fine dining, and party places near the city center.

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Posted in Attractions, Singapore |

LAN KWAI FONG HONG KONG – Any party animal who suddenly finds himself or herself in Hong Kong on Christmas eve surely would not want to spend those party dollars anywhere else other than in those chic and hip bars in Lan Kwai Fong.

Lan Kwai Fong is located in Central and part of the Western side of Hong Kong.  It is actually an L-shaped area of cobblestone with two ends adjoined by D’Aguilar Street.  It is the most popular street in Hong Kong when it comes to drinking, partying, dining, and clubbing.  A lot of occasions are celebrated here such as the annual Julyfest Beer and Food Festival, the Lan Kwai Fong Street Carnival, festivities like the Rugby Sevens, Halloween, Christmas and New Year celebrations.
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Posted in Hong Kong, Things to do |

Esala Perahera is one of Asia’s most spectacular festivals, with all the colors and dressings of Mardi Gras but without the drinking and sex. Held for 10 days during late summer’s full moon (around July to August), this Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition attracts a major portion of Sri Lanka’s population to the lakeside capital of Kandy. The procession includes fire-juggling acrobats, banners, decorated and neon-lighted elephants, traditional dancers, musicians, palanquins, whip crackers, torch bearers and thousands of barefoot pilgrims and swordsmen. And it all centers around the sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.

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Posted in Events, Sri Lanka |

The mighty river Ganga which is also known as the River Ganges is greatly revered in all of India. I recently had a chance to witness this reverence first hand as I visited two holy towns Haridwar and Rishikesh both of which are located in the foothills of the Himalayas through which this mighty river flows on its way towards the plains. Much of India’s rich civilization and culture has in fact developed along the banks of this great river as a result of which the river is worshiped and held in high esteem by the Hindu population of India.

The Ganga which is responsible for the fertility of nearly forty percent of India’s agricultural land begins its journey in the higher Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh at the Gangotri glacier which is a vast expanse of ice situated 14000 feet above sea level. This glacier is the source of the River Bhagirathi which continues to join the River Alaknanda whose waters are formed from the melting ice of several Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi, the Kamet and the  Trishul to form the River Ganga at the town of Devprayag. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in India, Things to do |

PRACA PONTE, MACAU – It was New Year’s Eve and I just got off the ferry that brought me from Hong Kong to Macau after about fifty five minutes of rocky sea sailing.  Good thing I came prepared and armed with my warm jacket, gloves and thick socks – ready to brave the cold December weather of Macau.  I wasted no time and with a map on hand headed to the town centre to start my tour of the Macau Churches near famous Senado Square.

Macau got its Christian influence when it was colonized by the Portuguese in 1557.  Priests, who were the first settlers, named the place “City of the Name of God, Macau.”  Churches were built by priests who belong to the Jesuits and monastic orders and these were named after known saints.

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Posted in Attractions, Macau, Things to do |

Japan is notorious for having a high standard of living, but if you are wealthy, then there won’t be a lack of pricey meals to feast on. Some of the world’s most expensive dishes are served on Japan, where the lack of arable lands mean that only the high-end food items can afford to be grown inland whereas staples and commodities are cheaper if they are imported from nearby China and the South East Asian countries. But meals that do survive in this tough market are very good indeed, a combination of rare ingredients infused with a Zen-level attention to detail and beauty. And beyond the bento meals that are shaped into visual artforms and sushi that are served on a naked woman’s body are cuisine that are meant to impress visitors and clients, the culinary equivalent to a membership in a Japanese golf course.

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Posted in Food, Japan |

Kuala Lumpur, the bustling capital city of Malaysia, would always have a surprise or two in store for any tourist who would take time to visit and stay a while.  But of course, staying “a while” usually extends to a week, to two weeks, to a month or far longer than expected.  How could anyone resist Kuala Lumpur’s rich culture, exquisite cuisine that are guaranteed to tickle even the pickiest of taste buds, endearing lovely people and endless list of thrilling attractions that just keeps on getting better and better each time.

I’m sure that your travel itinerary would be bursting at the seams, so to speak, because of the adventures that you can challenge yourself with.  For a great bonding time with your loved ones, make sure that you include a visit to the Sunway Lagoon in your itinerary.

The Sunway Lagoon Resort is located in the town of Bandar Sunway in Petaling Jaya just outside of Kuala Lumpur.  You can get there through a number of ways.  You can always bring your own rented car and drive yourself to the water park. Alternatively, there are available forms of public transportation that includes taxi cabs, buses, trains like the commuter trains at the Putra Kelana Jaya LRT where you can take a Rapid KL bus T623 that will take you straight to the Sunway Pyramid. The Sunway Lagoon park promises a unique experience to all guests.  What more can you expect from a luxurious 5 – star resort that offers state-of-the-art amenities presented in a splendid environment.

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Posted in Attractions, Malaysia |

Most people associate the word Tet with the military offensive of the communist North Vietnamese against US and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War in the 1960’s. Tet, in fact, is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and is short for Tet Nguyen Dan, and is held between late January and early February. Also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important of the Vietnamese holidays, which the Vietnamese celebrate like it was Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and New Year all rolled in one event. Indeed, as the time between harvest and sowing, it is one of the few rest periods that many families can enjoy, and so they take every advantage to rejoice with relatives and friends.

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Posted in Events, Vietnam |

I’m sure that at one point or another, you have come across a picture of Hong Kong whether in a book, postcard or in a particular website that you are surfing.  These photos are usually captures of the big, bold, neon signs with hordes of tourists appearing on the foreground.  More often than not, photos like these were either taken along the famous Nathan Road or taken in colorful Mongkok, a popular night market in Hong Kong and one of the highly populated districts in the city.

Mongkok actually means “busy corner” in Cantonese and Mongkok is exactly that.  True enough, this place is always packed and full of vibrant activities that are happening at every turn.  Aside from neon lights, it is also characterized by towering skyscrapers that will leave any first-time visitor open-mouthed in awe.

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Posted in Hong Kong, Things to do |