The lure of cities
Beautiful snowy peaks! green hills! Sunny days! Friendly people! Local organic food! Locally brewed alcohol sipping with herb marinated organic hen. Be in the lap of nature. Relaxing environment. Away from the noise and crowd of vehicles of the city and people. Anything more…
This is the perfect travel or holiday in the Himalayan nation of Nepal. Fly to Kathmandu from Europe or Asian cities. You can catch a flight from Gulf or Qatar direct from London to Heathrow or if you are flying from other Asian cities then there is the direct flight from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul. Or you can fly from New Delhi or other cities of India to Kathmandu. Stay one night or two in Kathmandu then take a taxi to Pokhara or fly there.
Then you can have an enjoyable trek to Kagbeni in Mustang district bordering with Tibet. Take a fun trip either riding in the horse or mule. Or you can enjoy the ride donkey if you are not so heavy. Only people of small size like me can enjoy the donkey ride.
Then comes the heaven of the earth. You will reach Kagbeni, a small local market with beautiful scenes. Small traditional hotels provide local food and you can also get the taste of continental food if you cannot change your eating or drinking habit.
Relax in the wooden chair just outside the hotel which were known as Bhatti, tavern, in the past. Drink a glass of locally brewed Jand, beer. The mighty snowy Himalayas are in your side. Big hills are there everywhere.
The snowy mountains seem to be very close to you. You will think that it can be reached within a few minutes walking distance, however, it is not so close. It may take a few days walk to reach and touch the snow.
And look at the menu. What you want to eat and drink. Cold or hot drink or some alcoholic drink. It is there in your service. Relaxation. No noise. No sound. No pollution. No hectic and stressed life of the cities. You will think that you are not in this earth- somewhere in another planet or in the dream. It is the perfect heaven, the paradise of the earth.
Then comes the snacks of locally prepared organic food. Bread, noodle, momos,rice or whatever you like.
Local hen is being prepared for you. You will be smelling the naturally gifted herbs. Sandheko Kukhura,chicken marinated in the local herbs. The mouth watering food and drink is coming towards you. You will certainly forget your days in the big cities and think that you want to be there forever.
Cheap but healthy food and naturally gifted beautiful place of the world. Relax, smile and dive into the depth of happiness with your friends.
Where To Stay in Bangkok
Finding a Thailand hotel is super easy these days. Do a search
at google, and you’ll have some pretty good idea of where you
want to stay. Plus, you can just go ahead and book for a Bangkok
Thailand hotel right online.
If you plan to find a Bangkok hotel, you have tons of choices.
Stay at Kaosan road if you’re a backpacker. If you’re not one,
then stay close to the skytrain if you love shopping. If you’re
into good atmosphere and don’t care much about getting around
the city, then stay close to the Chao Phraya river, which is the
main river of Bangkok.
If you want to stay at Kaosan road, you don’t even need to book
in advance. You can just walk around to see the guesthouse you
like, and then just walk in. They always have a vacancy.
If you prefer to stay in the city center in order to get around
easily for shopping, (and let me tell you, Bangkok is shoppers’
paradise — Hong Kong isn’t cheap… but Bangkok is) then I
suggest you check out Patumwan Princess hotel. It’s right in the
MBK shopping center (fake jeans, watches and bags) and also
right at the Siam Square skytrain station. Erawan hotel, Le
Meridien and the Four Seasons hotel are more luxurious. They’re
right at the intersection where you can see Zen and Isetan
shopping malls right across the street. The Siam Square (where
they sell funky clothing) and the Chidlom (Central shopping
mall) skytrain stations are within minutes away.
A lot of tourists like to stay at the Asia hotel, which is right
at a Rajdevi skytrain station (one station away from MBK
shopping center). It may be cheap, but it’s kind of old. Well,
very old actually. I don’t recommend it. But it’s totally up to
you.
If you don’t care much about shopping in Bangkok, then I’d
really suggest you stay at the Sukothai hotel. It’s a classy and
luxurious Thai-styled hotel –but you’ll have to take a taxi if
you want to go anywhere. Or even better, stay by the Chao Phraya
river if you can. It will give you a different feel of Bangkok,
especially at night. It’s rather expensive though, especially if
you want to stay at the world-renowned Oriental hotel or the
Peninsula hotel. If these two are too expensive for you, try
Shangri-la hotel. It may be a little bit cheaper. And don’t
forget to book a Bangkok river cruise dinner at your hotel. The
Chao Praya river is glamorous at night — with a view of
well-lit Wat Arun.
To get around town from your Bangkok hotel, you can ask the
hotel’s doorman to help you get a taxi. It’s not expensive at
all.
Where to Stay in Bangkok?
Bangkok offers a diverse choice in accommodations to match every taste and budget. A visitor can afford to stay royally in an elegant hotel or live peacefully in a guest house on a moderate budget.
Since lot of hotels are often completely booked during the peak season from November to March, it is advisable that visitors go for advance reservations if they are contemplating to visit during this period. Accommodations cost lesser compared to Hong Kong and Singapore and inexpensive by Western standards, specifically because of the degradation of the Thai currency due to the Asian economic crisis of 1997.
The major hotel districts are based around Siam Square and Ploenchit Road; close to the Chao Phraya River, along Silom Road, Suriwong Road and Sukhumvit Road. There are other places such as Banglampoo for modest guesthouses accessed by backpackers, along the river where some modern high-rise hotels are expected to come up; and Chinatown, which is among the most energetic and typically Asian parts of Bangkok.
Around Siam Square, you will discover some very admirable places to live in. You can also find variety of shops, restaurants and nightspots. The less costly places are centered on Soi Kasemann 1 and near Jim Thompson’s House and Museum. These places, such as Bed and Breakfast, provide a guesthouse atmosphere coupled with hotel comfort.
The areas of Chao Phraya River, Silom Road and Suriwong Road enclose some of the older sections of Bangkok. The area around Silom Road and Suriwong Road is recognized as the financial district, and has numerous hotels and restaurants. You can find enough entertainment and shopping options in the Patpong Night Market. You can also find centrally placed top-class hotels suitable for both business and leisure. The luxury establishments, characterizes a distinctly Thai character and boasts an elegant design.
If you travel further towards the west, you will arrive at the riverbank, where some of the outstanding hotels in Bangkok are to be discovered. Hotels here deliver riverfront luxury biased toward tour groups. Most hotels here offer you world-class facilities along with exceptional views from its rooms. There is a handful of other hotels overlooking the Chao Praya River.
Sukhumvit Road is another area popular for shops and nightspots. The area also boasts of some extremely attractive bars. There is good enough presence of mid-range hotels and inns here. But the better four-star and five-star hotels cater more for business travelers than tourists. Even if they lack in character, they more than compensate for that in the facilities they provide.
There are some brand-new hotels oriented toward the business traveler and also possesses most modern fitness centers. There is no shortage for luxurious hotels either on Sukhumvit, while there are also old hotels having their own tradition to show for. People who love modern-sized, unpretentious topnotch accommodation are not disappointed either. Some of the hotels also have rooms affording you nice views of the Bangkok skyline.
No matter wherever you decide to stay in Bangkok, the hospitable people here in the “Land of Smiles” will provide you everything needed to relax and enjoy your time in this fantastic city.
Phuket, Post Tsunami
With the negative media coverage that wrongly portrayed the post tsunami situation on the island of Phuket, people assumed that the property industry would crash, prices would fall and demand dwindle. Quite the contrary has happened.
The reality is just 5% of the coastline was damaged and educated investors realized it was a freak of nature and an unprecedented natural occurrence. In 2005 prices remained stable and in 2006 they continued to grow again on the same level as pre-tsunami – 100% every three years (according to local property industry sources). The statistics are almost identical to that of Bali after the bombing. In the longer term there is a lot more potential in Phuket than Bali to, as there are more facilities and choices of accommodation. Phuket is more advanced in terms of getting there than Bali too.
The market in Phuket is very buoyant and demand for luxury holidays on the island is growing significantly. Lured by the attraction of a strong economy, Phuket being the wealthiest province in Thailand, an International airport that has direct flights to Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia and Europe and an abundance of beautiful natural features, people from all over the world are renting out lavish dream properties, which cater for their every need.
Marinas, world class golfing and excellent shopping all adds to appeal of this island. Hong Kong and European markets continue to drive demand; however there is a strong increase in American visitors. Positive images of the booming property market are filtering through the worlds media, combined with the coverage of Phuket just after the tsunami means that Phuket is firmly on the world map.
Currently demand for luxury villas is equally mixed between families, honeymooning couples, and retirees, however the older age group is set to become the most significant market in the industry and this is being shown with new developments centered around golf courses and marinas, with the East coast in particular seeing a lot of development as this is the site of the Royal Phuket Marina. The developments in this area are set to rival that of popular resorts in Spain, popular with the older age group, not just in terms of excellent amenities and accommodation but the relative costs too. Why rent out a hotel room in Spain when you can rent out a luxury secluded villa in Phuket?!
Property style various tremendously, Europeans in particular are fond of the traditional look with quality local natural finishes, traditional Thai roof designs, but like incorporating this with every modern amenity one could desire. Other properties offer sleek aluminum and glass finishes giving an ultra modern feel. From Phuket’s north-west coast to the length of the east coast, private villa estates are increasing in popularity, with international variations of villa design attracting a discerning guest. There is a desire to have a holiday of a lifetime in a unique property, totally distinguishable from everything else and Phuket has this in abundance.
Each beach resort in Phuket has it’s own distinctive atmosphere which is reflected in the property design. As 2006 comes to an end, property developments of note drawing to a close are around Cape Yamu on the east coast and another upcoming area, Chalong Bay at the North East point again demonstrating the incredible choice for visitors to have an incredible Phuket vacation.
Learning Rugby
Rugby Football believed to have originated in 1823 when William Webb Ellis took the football in his hands and ran with it to the goal post, has matured in to a game of skills and masculine power. Although this is not confirmed as one hundred percent true, the story is given credence due to the fact that the Rugby World Cup trophy is named “William Webb Ellis Trophy.”
In Asia, ASIAD Rugby tournament supposed to have originated in mid nineties is a grand event. The twentieth ASIAD Rugby Football tournament that was to be staged from the 18th to 25th of November in Sri Lanka now stands postponed due to participating teams, particularly, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan expressing concerns over the prevailing security situation in Sri Lanka. However, the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, the Sri Lanka Olympics Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have assured VVIP level security at the host hotel Galadari, Colombo and at the three venues for the twelve participating teams. It was also pointed out that no sporting event in Sri Lanka had come under attack during the two decades or more of conflict and foreigners are never a target in this war.
The tournament was to have got off the ground with the first fixture to be played on the 18th November at the Royal Complex between China and Chinese Taipei. The Chairman of Singer Sri Lanka the principal sponsors of this tournament said in an interview that rugby could attain a similar status as cricket in the country during the forthcoming twentieth ASIAD to be staged in Colombo from November 18-25. Incidentally, it was Singer Sri Lanka that was the sponsor of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team when it won the World Cup in 1996.
Participating countries like Thailand, China, Chinese Taipei, India and Kazakhstan have pledged their support and confirmed their participation in the tournament. In fact the Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan had already bought their air tickets to come to Colombo. Meanwhile, the International Rugby Board is yet to announce a new host city for the Asian qualifiers. The top team will qualify for the Rugby World Cup to be held in France next year.
It is a shame that conflicts have endangered the sporting activities of peace loving people. Sporting activities or tournaments are promoted to bring out the best in individuals and/or a group of individuals playing together as a team while promoting friendship and discipline among teams and individuals. However, vested interest fighting for narrow ideologies disregards moral values in sports. This affects the very fabric of society.
Kazakhstan Casinos
Landlocked Kazakhstan has remained a mystery to the western traveler for centuries, unknown save from the pages of Marco Polo or Kipling. Few outsiders have experienced the charms of this central Asian country, other than the merchants who plied the Silk Road. Yet since Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991 and especially under the farsighted and benevolent presidency of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country has flourished. As the nation flourishes, so do Kazakhstan casinos. Flushed with oil money, it’s boom time in the gambling establishments of this former soviet republic. There are seven cities that have within them legal casino facilities of which there are exactly twenty-eight such places. Indeed if you are hungry for a bet, the tables are the only game in town, as Kazakhstan casinos are the only gambling operations permitted there.
Most notable to the dedicated gambler must be the former capital and largest city in the country, Almaty, that veritable Las Vegas of central Asia, boasting no less than 18 casinos and counting. With a soaring nine percent growth per year, the Kazakh economy has expanded enormously in the last ten years and with it the Kazakh appetite for the gaming tables. The cosmopolitan, multiethnic, multinational city of Almaty is unrecognizable from its previous existence as the principal city of a grey Soviet satellite state. New wealth has brought glamor and excitement to the place, a fact best embodied by the city’s largest casino, Casino Viva. One of a chain, this fabulous Kazakhstan casino hotel can claim twenty-six games tables and ninety-three slot machines. What’s more, the craze for Internet poker has not gone unnoticed in Kazakhstan casinos with the innovation of video poker fast becoming a favorite. Outside of Almaty, the intrepid gambler is also served; for example, the capital Astana has five casinos, chief amongst them being one of the Casino Zodiak chain that enjoys no less than twenty card tables. If that is not enough for any man, casinos are also to be found further afield in the cities of Aktobe, Kokshetau, Pavlodar, Shimkent, and Ust-kamenogorsk. It is clear, however, that the Kazakh fondness for the green baize and clink of chips is not sated, since the vice-foreign minister recently visited Macao and Hong Kong. The visit was reported to be a “short but fruitful” trip designed to study the gambling industries of these towns and encourage interest in Kazakhstan’s nascent casino business. In fact, a possible direct air link has been touted between Almaty and Hong Kong or Macao, which should bolster enthusiasm for this once exotic place soon set to become the choice of the in-crowd.
Chinas one child policy
I really had no opinion about China prior to my visit there last week. Having recently stayed in one of the most industrialized and polluted areas of the planet, Guanjou on the Eastern coast of China and close to Hong Kong, I can report some observations about China and it’s people.
My view on the one child policy has been formed unusually by my stay in a 5 star hotel in the area of Dongguan. Initially I was impressed with the lavish surroundings and excellent service in the hotel. I took advantage of the in house executive foot therapy center, however I had a strange feeling in the place – I don’t believe their main business there was foot therapy but largely servicing their client’s sexual needs.
Later in the week my supplier insisted I have a massage in the hotel and I was escorted to a 3 story building adjoining the hotel itself. The uniformed masseurs showed me to a beautifully appointed room with sauna, huge double bed, glass enclosed shower and strangely a completely mirrored ceiling. It was clear that the opportunity for paid for sex was on offer. Further to the massage and in the corridor I encounter the girls in skimpy uniform of chiffon skirt and underwear of their choice.
At first I was appalled that a 5 star hotel should be entering into this sort of trade and believe me it was very busy. A man here had to pay the equivalent of 2 weeks wages for an hour with a girl and there was no shortage. The rather casual attitude of the staff to all this going on and the professional way in which it was carried out made me think hard about why this was happening.
Later in the week I chatted to various people about the hotel and they said there was a huge demand and sadly I realised that it is caused by years of the one child policy, aborting female foetuses and killing new born girls thereby causing a grave shortage of women. Men at all levels have to resort to paying for sex as the likelyhood of finding a girlfriend becomes ever more remote. I left feeling quite sorry for the men in China and the misguided parents that have caused all of this distress.
What to know about traveling in China – Part 1
Traveling in China can be a great and worth while experience. But what do you do when you go to the bathroom at a restaurant and find yourself without toilet paper?
That’s just one of the quirks in China. When you go to a restaurant – excluding McDonalds – then you’re bound to have to bring your own toilet paper. For some reason, Chinese don’t supply customers with toilet paper. If they do supply it, it’ll be outside the stalls, not inside. Be prepared!
Another aspect to look out for is the treatment you’ll receive being a foreigner. Be prepared to get stared at A LOT, especially if you go to a small city (Not Beijing or Shanghai or Hong Kong). Tourism in smaller cities is very rare, so when a tourist does show up, they are amazed and astonished. They flat out stare. So get used to feeling like a celebrity!
Staying in hotels can be tricky. In larger cities, the water doesn’t tend to shut off as often as it does in smaller cities. The same goes for electricity. If you’re in a larger city, you can expect the electricity and water to be on and running for the majority of the time. However, in smaller cites, you’ll need to be aware that you may be without electricity or water at some point during your trip.
Speaking of water, all water in China is UN-DRINKABLE. That means you have to buy bottled water, no matter where you go.
Finally, haggling is a very important part of Chinese life. Local Chinese grocery stores and fruit stands will require haggling. Learn how to haggle! Or do all your shopping at modern day convenient stores and Wal-mart.
How to Discover a Whole World of Fun and Save Big on a Disney Family Vacation Package
Not only is every child’s dream but also every adult’s dream to discover the world most famous theme park and explore the world of magic at Disneyland. This is the place where every child will get to meet at least one of their favorite Disney character.
Not only every kids get to enjoy but also every adult’s dream to discover and explore the wonderful world of Disney magic. They will get to be mesmerized by this wonderful place.
So, what are the alternative options to get there.
#1 There will be lots of promotion, especially holidays, they offer a lot of promotions for everyone.
Some of the promotion you can find in the travel section of the newspaper, they are offering a contest, a most-look-a like family contest, all you have to do is just send in your family photo and you can win a free trip to Hong Kong Disneyland.
#2 Your child will get to have a free ticket at the Disneyland Resort Park, if it is Disneyland 50th year anniversary. This is another way to return back to the society for what they have achieved so much till today.
#3 There are some programs also, for example the Special kids fly and play free program, but you have to check first if this program is part of the travel arrangements of that particular airline. You will notice this if you can see a logo in the left of the flight information.
#4 There is also a Mid-year promotion which is specially cater to the whole family. The package includes a wide variety of choices that you can choose from, it is up to you, which you prefer: such as 4 days and 3 nights a return economy airfare, return airport transfer, 2 nights city hotel stay, 1 night stay in a Disney’s Hollywood hotel (Garden View – regular season), “stay and play” for two days Disneyland Park ticket.
Your whole family will get to see many surprises if it is Disneyland 50th anniversary, then what are the highlights:
#1 Space Mountain: Both Kids and adults will experience the wonderful journey of Disneyland Park, as if that you are flying through the Milky Way. This park is classical with its new effects that offer a lot of attraction.
You can experience the different glazing colors in the sky, during a special fireworks display, as if that you can see the different kinds of stars.
#2 The theme parade of Walt Disney’s, the Parade of Dreams promises a load of fun for the whole family. What you get to see many of their favorite characters.
Disney characters you can see, and witness the wonderful and amazing performance of the different kind of performers like ice skating, one of the performers are the best international skaters in the world. Dazzling and colorful kinds of floats and many more.
In conclusion,
A Disneyland family vacation package is a wonderful experience, not only for the kids, but for adults also, all the events that took place in Disneyland reminds us of our childhood. Discover a lot of wonderful and exciting things, a place that you can explore a lot of magic and adventure.
That’s why, Eddy believe he can help you find the most affordable family holidays and to enjoy most of your vacations.
Gift ideas for Chinese culture enthusiasts
With the holiday season approaching, if you have Chinese friends, you’ll need to decide what gifts to give them. Also, you may also have non-Chinese friends who’d enjoy similar gifts. Your guidelines for such gifts should be a basic knowledge of Chinese culture, because it may have a different set of customs on gift giving than Western countries.
I’ve worked with Chinese-Americans in my corporate job, as well as studied for my master’s degree in a class that included several Chinese exchange students. I also consider myself somewhat of an advocate of Chinese culture, although a very amateur one, after visits to Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Assuming your gift will be within the $50 range, here are my choices. My most simple … maybe simplistic … suggestion is to give certificates for dinner for two at the recipient’s favorite Chinese restaurant. Very easy. It doesn’t involve searching for shops that feature Chinese knicknacks, ordering from overseas, nor worrying about breakage in shipping. In most towns in the US, that amount should pay for a modest dinner for two.
I happen to love Chinese food, and have sought out all kinds in my travels throughout the US and the world: China, Japan, Hawaii, Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain and Russia. And, of course, San Francisco.
However, if you want to be extra generous, and maybe raise the gift value to $500 and above, make your gift a paid all-expense flight, hotel and dining certificates to the largest Chinese city community outside of Asia … beautiful Grant Avenue in San Francisco. If you’re lucky enough that your friends already live in or near the City by the Bay, maybe you could get away with just the $50 gift, although not in the many upscale Chinese dining palaces there.
If your Chinese friend is Christian and longtime US resident, the usual gifts and traditions for the Christmas holiday are appropriate. However, if the friend is Buddhist, and not familiar with US customs, you should check resources about what is appropriate and what is not. For instance, some Chinese people believe strongly in superstition. A gift of a clock or watch on the recipient’s birthday could be interpreted as a death omen. A parasol or umbrella indicates a farewell, which could be thought of as your way of rejecting your friend.
A fruit basket may be very pretty and practical, but if your friend counts an odd number of apples in the basket, it could be another omen, one of wishing him bad luck. Do some research
