The month of June is coming soon! Don’t miss out on important holidays, festivals and events.

JUNE 1

International Children’s Day - Cambodia, China, Laos, North Korea, Vietnam, Australia

There’s a day for the little ones all over the world! Other countries celebrate International Children’s Day during different days but many do on June 1. On this date, there are a lot of fun activities especially held for the young. Have fun, kids!

Dayak Festival - Malaysia

This is a time of celebration because the rice harvest has been completed. In merriment, marriages and unions are forged and events like shows, dancing, music, food and drink are held.

National Tree Planting Day - Cambodia

This is a good day for environmentalists, people with a love for planting, the Cambodian residents and of course the trees.

Reconciliation Week - Australia

Reconciliation Week starts from May 27 and lasts until June 3. This is a week to commemorate the historical events where the Australians make their apologies towards their indigenous brothers, the Aborigines, whom they have treated unfairly during the past.

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Posted in Asia, Events |

Amazing Asia is home to over 400 species of edible fruit. Want to send your tastebuds on a journey? Gathered from the forests and farms of beautiful Asia, these savory fruits are ready for the tasting!

MANGO

By now, you may have tasted a luscious mango because this is one of the most widely eaten fruits from the tropics. Asian mangoes may range from yellow to pale green, and what’s likeable about this fruit is that it’s yummy when both ripe and unripe. To eat, cut the mango into three tasty parts by slicing lengthwise around the big seed. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

LYCHEE

Eaten from the can or fresh from the tree, lychees are guaranteed to tickle your tastebuds. With its unique flavor, it isn’t a surprise that China treats this as one of its most beloved fruits. In fact, legend has it that an emperor of the Tang dynasty lost his throne because he regularly gives his concubine fresh lychees at great expense from his people! Eat like royalty: choose a lychee with rosy looking skin, remove the stem and the rough skin, pluck and munch the fruit and spit the round seed out with flair.

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Posted in Asia, Food |

There has never been a better time to travel on a budget in Asia. The continent with the largest population in the world now has the highest concentration of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the world. LCCs are “no-frills” airlines which offer travelers a fraction of the usual ticket prices by eliminating the standard amenities like in-flight food and entertainment. But in some airlines, these amenities are available to passengers for a fee.

Passengers for some of these LCCs should make ample time allowances for connecting flights, as budget airlines are prone to land much later than the scheduled time. And they should travel light, or the excess baggage fees can make them end up paying as much as if they booked on a “non-budget” airline.

Here are the Asian LCCs as categorized by country destination. With this list, getting your dream vacation in Asia would be easy on your wallets. For Part 2 and 3 of Fly the Low-Cost Skies of Asia, we shall discuss each airline and what are their good and bad points to look out for.

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Posted in Airlines, Asia |

In less than two days, people all over the world from different cities will be celebrating an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove what human beings are capable of to take care of the Earth and make a difference in the fight against global warming.

On March 29, 2008, from 8 to 9 in the evening, lights will be turned off for the whole 60 minutes, thereby, the Earth Hour. Each individual can do a lot to contribute. Aside from doing a ‘lights-out’, invite family, friends and the whole community to do the same.

The first ever Earth Hour was initiated by the city of Sydney in Australia last March 31, 2007. By turning off its lights for one hour, Sydney has made a powerful statement leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. Their stand against global warming has been noticed all over the world so now in 2008, more than 24 global cities will be participating too.

Are you ready to do your share?

Posted in Asia, Australia, Events |

Some years ago, that title would not have existed. There were few tourists packing up for a trip to China – but Chinese tourism is booming! In 2005 more than 120 million foreign visitors visited China – and experts have predicted a growth rate of 10% every year. Last year 49 million people flew into Beijing !

As always, start with the “how to visit”, then the “when to visit” and follow that up with the “where and what to visit”.

Your choices on the how to visit is an escorted tour, a hosted tour, a river cruise, an independent trip or a combination of these. The escorted tour will provide the biggest bang for your buck. You will be able to choose the itineraries that please you and then you really have nothing else to worry about. Work with a travel professional who can guide you to a reputable tour company and match your wishes and personality with that of the tour. These tours will provide you with your accommodations, some of your meals, handling your luggage, your sightseeing and moving you from one place to the next. It is wonderful no hassle- no worry way to travel!! Remember, this is a country with at least 6 very different languages of its own. And while approximately one fifth of the population is learning English – in a country this size that’s not a lot of people able to answer your questions!

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Posted in Asia, China, Things to do |

As Valentines Day grows closer, everyone is planning what to do for their special someone or parents or siblings or friends. Simple gifts from flowers to chocolates to valentines cards cost a little more extra. If you’re on a limited budget but still want to impress your loved ones, why not tell them how much you love them? A heartfelt ‘I love you‘ goes a long way, but you can even impress them more by saying I love you in different languages.

Here is a list of how to say ‘I love you’ in different languages. Click on ‘listen to audio‘ and practice saying the words out loud until you have perfected it.

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Posted in Asia, Events, Language |

We all see them do it and you’re sure to see a lot more of these poses if your off to Beijing next year. Photos for Asian tourists are just not the same without the usual peace sign.

If you’re planning on seeing more strange people posing in Beijing for the Games, you better get the Beijing Olympics 2008 book.

Posted in Asia |

The best way to overcome con artists anywhere in the world is to use common sense. Don’t be afraid to go with your instincts when placed in an odd or even uncomfortable situation. Another solution is to try not to appear so naively “touristy” – that can be difficult in a foreign locale, but casually strolling about in a far-off metropolis with expensive jewelry dangling from your wrist is equivalent to putting a bull’s-eye on your back. Leave the diamond tennis bracelet at home and keep your expensive digital cameras tightly secured. There are plenty of con artists out there who make a living by picking tourists out of a crowd and preying on them with their tried and true methods.
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Posted in Asia |