Archive for June, 2006
Vietnam Airlines has recently announced its flight schedule up until August 2006 that offers more flights on domestic routes.
From earlier this month, Vietnam Airlines introduced one more flight per day on the Ho Chi Minch City - Danang route. It will also add four flights per week on the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (Hue stop-over) route, starting from July 01 2006. All new flights will depart in the evening on Airbus A320/321 aircraft.
Source: TTR Weekly
June 26th, 2006
Another great eatery place in Siem Reap. The minimal list white (If you have been to Bed Bar in Bangkok - its quite the same) of Blue Pumpkin (across the road at the end of the Bar Street in the old market area of Siem Reap). The restaurant is famous for its excellent fresh baked breads, croissants and pastries as well as juicy burgers, selection of ice creams. There is a full bar on the 2nd floor. Stop by if you have time - you will surely love it! By the way - it is open from 6.00 a.m. until midnight.
June 25th, 2006
I have been asked by one of our guests on the current rate (as of June 23 2006) for Myanmar (Burma). Here is the answer:
US$ 1.00 = Kyat 1,320.00
Source: http://www.ihttp://www.irrawaddy.org/
June 25th, 2006
Any of us have at one time or another found the toll of living in the modern world hard to bear. Stress, depression and disillusionment are some of the diseases of modern times that leave us yearning for a solution, a cure, so to speak. More and more people are turning to meditation as they fail to find the answer through worldly paths.
Are you one of these people?…..
Meditation is found in some form or other in all major religious traditions. Even those who are not religious use it to focus the mind, to hone it, so that it works better. In Buddhism, meditation is the intergral to the eight-fold path to enlightentment. One trains one’s mind so that it can see four-point Supreme Truth to that end. Even if you are not interested in Buddhism, meditation is valuable training that can be applied to daily life, for it helps with concentration and when done correctly, can lead to a state of peace and calmness thats beyond worldly joys…
If you are keen to know more about meditation, please check out this blog again soon as more details will be added shortly….
June 25th, 2006
You’ve arrived at the ‘Shopper’s Paradise’. The first piece of advice would be to purchase extra luggage. You’ll need it to carry home the plentiful cultural collectibles and handicraft bargains. Even avid shopaholics admit that the vast range of products available in Thailand is overwhelming and the prices, in most cases, competitively low. An outstanding inventory for your selection.While some Asian countries are concentrating on mass-producing souvenirs, Thailand is rapidly becoming known worldwide for its strength in well-designed, distinctive products encompassing traditional techniques. Shoppers can now choose, not only fine traditional handicrafts, but also an expanding variety of beautifully styled and crafted contemporary items including textiles, clothing, jewellery, accessories, furniture, soft furnishings, ceramics, basketry, metal-ware and paper products.
Prices may vary dramatically on similar items. Bargaining for prices is a common and expected part of purchasing from most vendors. As clever shoppers know - shop around, compare prices and, in Thailand, rarely pay the first price unless it is pre-marked. Even then, it may be worth bargaining (unless its in the department stors) . As a cash society, you are better to go to the nearest Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) for a cash advance as you will generally pay more by using a credit card.
Many smaller shops are certainly as reputable as large recognisable department stores, however in any case, be sure to obtain receipts for your purchases. If jewellery is your passion, you should receive a certificate of guarantee as well.
If you are leaving Thailand, remember that many antiques and Buddha images of Thai origin fall under the government’s Fine Arts Department’s watchful eye. In addition to an authenticity certificate from the vendor, be sure to enquire with the department, not just the seller, what other paperwork may be required for export purposes.
With your chosen treasures, a richer understanding of Thai culture and pleasurable memories will linger with you long after your stay in Thailand. It is a world constantly awakening to finely designed and executed works of art.
Awaken your world by enhancing it with Thai treasures.
June 25th, 2006
The 2nd International Hong Kong-Nha Trang Sailing Regatta will start from Hong Kong on October 26 and finish in Nha Trang on 28. Then the racing yachts will perform in the coastal city of Nha Trang and come back Hong Kong on November 4.According to Saigon Tourist, thousands of foreign visitors are expected to come to Nha Trang for the regatta.
Saigon Tourist and the Hong Kong Royal Yacht Club and Goodman Marine International Overseas (GMI), a professional international sailing organizer of Singapore, Khanh Hoa Tourist Company organized the first regatta on October 26-November 3, 2004. The organizers hope to organize the race every two years.
Meanwhile, Da Nang International Sailing Regatta 2006, organized by GMI, will take place from September 01-10 2006, with the competition of 15-20 super yachts from many countries in Da Nang. Tourism Department of Da Nang expects to welcome 3,000-3,500 local and foreign visitors. (Sources TT, Khanh Hoa Newspaper– Compiled by Kim Khanh)
Those of you who are the big fans of the events - do not miss them!
June 25th, 2006
You got to be an early riser to see this! If not - you’d better try to as this will be once-in-your-life-time scene!
At dawn (6.00 a.m. in the morning - can be earlier or a bit later depending on the season)…as the mist swirls, the Laotian people (old and young) as well as tourists do gather to give alms to a procession of nearly 500 monks who walk through the street in the orange saffron robe offering a chance to devout Buddhist to offer sticky rice for making their merit of the day. Its absolutely stunning sight when you see hundreds of monks walk gracefully and silently at that moment.
One of the best places to see is in front of the Royal Palace. There are also some vendors on the street selling the sticky rice (some also selling some food too but I do not recommend you offer food to the monks as according to Laos tradition, food should be given to the monks after they return to the temples not when they are in the morning alms). It should cost you around US$ 1-2 for a bowl of sticky rice. With that basket of sticky rice - you will have to pick up some of it by using your clean hands to take it out from the basket - I always do a small portion enough for one bite for each monk so you can offer as many as 20-30 monks from the whole basket that you buy).
As soon as the sun comes up - all the monks will disappear into their monasteries to pray and study before eating their first meal of the day.
If you are 100% awake by now (after seeing this sight - am sure you are!), finish your morning with a walk through the local market near the Nam Khan River front. Here you will see the real life of the Laotian people selling and buying fresh produce from vegetables, fruits, rice, snacs to even snakes (some people do eat that - ugh!). Try the local coffee (extremely good taste!) and some French baquette for breakfast (there are several small restaurants near the market). What a nice end for your morning tour!
June 22nd, 2006
If you are done with your sightseeing all day long and still want to go out and see the night life of Vietnam - here is the recommended places:
ACOCALYPSE NOW
2c Thi Sach. It’s entertaining if you are in the mood for a noisy crowd of tourists and local Vietnamese people!
ENIGMA
20 Thi Sach (around the corner from Camargue Restaurant). This is a new wine bar with a great choices of vintages by the glass.
Q BAR
7 Cong Tuong, Lam Son Square (opposite the Caravelle Hotel or Continental Hotel). This is the city’s hippest bar in Ho Chi Minh City, where expats and fashionable Vietnamese hang out! This is my favorite one!
ROOFTOP BAR AT THE REX HOTEL
SAIGON SAIGON BAR AT THE TOP OF CARAVELLE HOTEL
Both are great for a panoramic view of the city at night!
There are many more places to enjoy a nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City especially in Dong Khoi Street. Take a walk through the street - you will surely find one or two more for a night cab before going to bed!
June 22nd, 2006
Tired of Thai food and feel like having ”Farang” food for a change?
My favorite home-made Mediterrean-Food restaurant is “Mediterreneo” which was just opened in November 2005. The restaurant was recommended to me by a Farang (westerner) friend of mine who visits Bangok regularly for business purpose. After visiting the place for the first time in November - I never hesitated to put this restaurant on my first choice for a top-notch farang-food restaurant on my list!
My recommendations for the food and dessert are:
Fried Brie with Mediterranean Fruit Chutney (so rich in taste but its so tempting that you simply forget to watch your weight at that moment!)
Carrot Sweet Corn Celery Chicpea Barley & Basil Salad (healthy food for a healty body!)
Spaghetti with Spicy Sausang, Rocket and Sweet Peppers in olive oil - OR - Seafood Spaghetti with dried chillies (both are absolutely cannot be resisted for me!)
Mediterreneo Sundae (caramelized orange layered with vanilla or chocolate ice cream, crunchy ginger biscuits, garnished with orange peel glace - awesome!)
The restaurant has a great wine list (not many choices but honestly - all of them are really good!). If I dine with my business clients - I have to choose the good ones only but going friends is another story! I simply choose their house wine “Terra Matter”. Both red and white do very well with all my food!
Where is the restaurant?
Its located at the ground floor of Somerset Suwan Park View, 9 Soi Tonson (opposite
Central Chidlom), Tel: 02-6585678-9
Dont take my word for it - go and prove it to yourself!
Bon apetit!
June 22nd, 2006
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