Archive for June, 2006
If you are planning to visit Hanoi in November this year and only 5-star hotels are your only choice of accommodations - then you’d better avoid the following dates:
November 17-19 2006 (together with a few days before or after these dates)
since the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam this year. We have already been experincing the difficulting in getting the rooms at many of the 5-star hotels!
If you really cannot avoid the dates - then we suggest you reroute the itinerary to go to Halong Bay or Sapa or even go to Ho Chi Minh City first and put Hanoi as the last leg of your trip.
June 30th, 2006
Burmese food has a variety of tastes combined from Indian, Thai and Chinese. Although it draws on its’ neighbors, it is neither as hot as Thai, as spicy as Indian nor does it assemble Chinese cooking. Eventhough it is not one of hte most notable cuisines of Southeast Asia but if you are in Myanmar (Burma) and have the ample opportunity to taste Burmese food - we suggest you should try it!
Rice is the staple food of Burmese cuisine normally served steamed to complement vegetable, meat and fish dishes.
Where is the best place to try Burmese food?
Green Elephant RestaurantThis is the only place you get the best of home-cook Burmese food in Yangon!
This is the only place you get the best of home-cook Burmese food in Yangon!The restaurant was firstly set up since 1995 with only 30-seating decorated in a very charming and local bamboo and thatch concept. Setting up the dining tables in international standard with simple bronze cutlery, with some serving dishes from Thailand and mixing with rattan and lacquerware table top items. In the year 2000, the present Green Elephant Restaurant was opened in Yangon. Building on an open area 2-storey wooden building so that customerss can enjoy the garden effect in a small, limited area. It has 300 seatings with indoor and outdoor areas for all visitors to enjoy the same authentic food and ambience.
The restaurant was firstly set up since 1995 with only 30-seating decorated in a very charming and local bamboo and thatch concept. Setting up the dining tables in international standard with simple bronze cutlery, with some serving dishes from Thailand and mixing with rattan and lacquerware table top items. In the year 2000, the present Green Elephant Restaurant was opened in Yangon. Building on an open area 2-storey wooden building so that customerss can enjoy the garden effect in a small, limited area. It has 300 seatings with indoor and outdoor areas for all visitors to enjoy the same authentic food and ambience.
Here is the address:
No. 519 (A), Pyay Road, Thirimingalar Lane
(Attia/Augustine Road), Kamayut Tsp.,
Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Tel: (+95-1)535231, 720375
Tel/ Fax: (+95-1)537706
Again - dont take my word for it! Please go and prove it to yourself and see if you agree with me!
June 30th, 2006
It is always best to be aware of what you should pack prior to entry the country to avoid all the hassles!
My advice is to select modest and practical clothing for traveling to Myanmar (Burma). Dress is very informal in Burma. People in Burma are not accustomed to revealing clothes - shorts are acceptable but it is best to have conservative shorts (i.e. not short shorts but rather cut at the knee). Lightweight clothing is recommended - cotton or cotton/synthetic mixtures are the most comfortable. If you travel during November through to February, a sweater or light jacket might be useful for mornings or evenings (especially if you travel to Inle Lake area). Laundry services are available at all hotels. Some concentrated detergent such as Travel Wash is useful for doing small laundry items.
As you will be doing a lot of walking, a sensible pair of shoes (two pairs is actually better in case one gets muddy or damaged) is essential.
Please note that when visiting Buddhist temples, you MUST remove your shoes - this often include a portion of the ground immediately in front of the temple itsel - very often you MUST remove your socks as well. Therefore, slip-on shoes are strongly recommended especially when visiting Pagan (Bagan) and Mandalay due to the many temple sites in both areas.
June 29th, 2006
Further to our previous post on first 3 commerical flights from TG on June 26 2006, here are more details on the other 5 more airlines which will also be joining the test flights on that day. Here’s the details on Orient Thai’s One-Two-Go:
Orient Thai’s One-Two-Go: 6 Test Flights
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Don Muang Airport - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Don Muang Airport at 11.09 a.m.
Arriving at Souvarnabhumi Airport at 11.39 a.m.
Aircraft used: no details are given at this stage
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Don Muang Airport
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 4.39 p.m.
Arriving at Don Muang Airport at 5.09 p.m.
Aircraft used: no details are given at this stage
* Flight number: OX# 130
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Chiang Mai
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12.29 p.m.
Arriving at Chiang Mai Airport at 1.40 p.m.
Aircraft used: no details are given at this stage
* Flight number: OX# 131
Routing: Chiang Mai - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Chiang Mai Airport at 2.40 p.m.
Arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3.49 p.m.
Aircraft used: no details are given at this stage
* Flight number: OX# 266
Routing: Phuket - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Phuket Airport at 12.30 p.m.
Arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1.50 p.m.
Aircraft used: no details are given at this stage
* Flight number: OX# 269
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Phuket
Departing Souvarnabhumi Airport at 2.35 p.m.
Arriving at Phuket Airport at 3.55 p.m.
Aircraft used: no details are given at this stage
Bangkok Post today (June 29 2006) report says the airfares for TG and all other domestic airlines are fixed at THB 999.00 per person and all revenue from sales of the tickets would be presented to His Majesty the King.
Source: TTR Weekly - June 28-July 04 2006 and Bangkok Post - June 29 2006
June 29th, 2006
Further to our previous post on first 3 commerical flights from TG on June 26 2006, here are more details on the other 5 more airlines which will also be joining the test flights on that day. Here’s the details on Thai Air Asia and PB Air:
Thai Air Asia: 2 Test Flights
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Udon Thani - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Udon Thani Airport at 8.10 a.m.
Arriving at Souvarnabhumi Airport at 9.05 a.m.
Aircraft used: no news announced yet
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Narathiwat
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.35 a.m.
Arriving at Narathiwat Airport at 11.10 a.m.
Aircraft used: no news announced yet
PB Air: 2 Test Flights
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Lampang - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Lampang Airport at 5.10 p.m.
Arriving at Souvarnabhumi Airport at 6.00 p.m.
Aircraft used: no news announced yet
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Narathiwat
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 7.00 p.m.
Arriving at Nakorn Panom Airport at 8.10 p.m.
Aircraft used: no news announced yet
Bangkok Post today (June 29 2006) report says the airfares for TG and all other domestic airlines are fixed at THB 999.00 per person and all revenue from sales of the tickets would be presented to His Majesty the King.
Source: TTR Weekly - June 28-July 04 2006 and Bangkok Post - June 29 2006
June 29th, 2006
Further to our previous post on first 3 commerical flights from TG on June 26 2006, here are more details on the other 5 more airlines which will also be joining the test flights on that day. Here’s the details on Nok Air:
Nok Air: 2 Test Flights
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Chiang Mai - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Chiang Mai Airport at 7.50 a.m.
Arriving at Souvarnabhumi Airport at 9.00 a.m.
Aircraft used: B737-400
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Hat Yai
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.30 a.m.
Arriving at Hat Yai Airport at 11.00 a.m.
Aircraft used: B737-400
Bangkok Post today (June 29 2006) report says the airfares for TG and all other domestic airlines are fixed at THB 999.00 per person and all revenue from sales of the tickets would be presented to His Majesty the King.
Source: TTR Weekly - June 28-July 04 2006 and Bangkok Post - June 29 2006
June 29th, 2006
Further to our previous post on first 3 commerical flights from TG on June 26 2006, here are more details on the other 5 more airlines which will also be joining the test flights on that day. Here’s the details on Bangkok Airways:
Bangkok Airways: 4 Test Flights
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Phuket - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Phuket Airport at 9.40 a.m.
Arriving at Souvarnabhumi Airport at 11.00 a.m.
Aircraft used: A320 (162-seat)
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Phuket
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12.00 noon
Arriving at Phuket Airport at 1.20 p.m.
Aircraft used: A320 (162-seat)
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Trat - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Trat Airport at 9.50 a.m.
Arriving at Souvarnabhumi Airport at 10.40 a.m.
Aircraft used: ATR72 (70-seat)
* Flight number is not yet available
Routing: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Koh Samui
Departing Souvaranbhumi Airport at 12.00 noon
Arriving at Koh Samui Airport at 1.30 p.m.
Aircraft used: ATR72 (70-seat)
Bangkok Post today (June 29 2006) report says the airfares for TG and all other domestic airlines are fixed at THB 999.00 per person and all revenue from sales of the tickets would be presented to His Majesty the King.
Source: TTR Weekly - June 28-July 04 2006 and Bangkok Post - June 29 2006
June 29th, 2006
One of our customers had just returned from a 7-day trip to Vietnam with us. They had ended the trip in Ho Chi Minh City and she found this great “spatropic” to have her hair done, manicure and pedicure as well as massage treatments etc and she said it was VERY good and highly recommended to me to pass on this place to other guests who will be traveling to Vietnam. Ms. Thuy, the owner, once lived in the U.S. so she knows exactly what the foreigners want
The place is open daily from 9.30 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. advance reservation is recommended.
Here’s the address:
187B, Hai Ba Trung, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: 848 5813
Website: http://www.spatropic.com
June 28th, 2006
They say “when in Singapore - stay at the Raffles” and the same with Myanmar (Burma) - “When in Burma - stay at the Strand Hotel”! Well - if you can afford to stay here - its fantastic but if not - dont worry - just drop by as its certainly well worth a visit for just a few drinks in the bar or an afternoon tea in the lobby lounge. The staff are extremely nice and helpful eventhough you do not stay at their hotel.
June 28th, 2006
Thai Airways International have announced that they will operate three commercial flights to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 29 2006 as follows:
* Special flight TG# 1881 : Suvarnabhumi Airport - Phuket
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.19 a.m.
Arriving at Phuket Airport at 10.39 a.m.
Aircraft used: 747-400
* Special flight TG# 1882 : Phuket - Suvarnabhumi Airport
Departing Phuket Airport at 11.29 a.m.
Arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12.59 p.m.
Aircraft used: 747-400
* Special flight TG# 2772 : Chiang Mai - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Phuket
Departing Chiang Mai Airport at 11.19 a.m.
Arriving at Suvarnbhumi Airport at 12.29 p.m.
Departing Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1.29 p.m.
Arriving Phuket Airport at 2.49 p.m.
Aircraft used: 747-400
THAI says it is a good opportunity for passengers and the general public to experience the services at Suvarnarbhumi Airport, Thailand’s newest airport and the pride of all Thais.
Tickets on the above flights are available for purchase at special prices. For more information, you will have to contact THAI’s office on:
+66 2 3561111
+66 2 6282000
I heard the special fares for these special flights will be at THB 999.00 per person but no confirmation was made for how many seats are allocated for this fare (and the rest will be at normal fare of TG!). Will keep you posted once further news are available.
June 26th, 2006
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