by Roy -

This article is written by Srinidhi Hande. Srinidhi is a Business Analyst by profession and a Blogger by passion.

Of the few international airports I had explored in recent past (including Dubai, JFK, Colombo, Sau Paulo and Santiago), I find Changi international airport in Singapore more equipped to engage passengers. The reason I say so is because while all airports are loaded with duty free supermarkets trying to sell stuff, Changi offers lot of value added (most of them free) services to enable passengers make their wait a pleasant experience.

Below are some of the provisions at Changi airport, which I couldn’t find in other airports I’ve been to.

  • Free leg massage chairs: Enjoy nice massage to your knees and foot at various massage chairs. No charges. In other airports, this service will be chargeable
  • Free big screen display: Enjoy favorite game at some of the big screens. No charges- killing couple of hours is not an issue
    • View aircrafts from up close (few other airports also facilitate this)- you can get close view of aircrafts landing and taking off. I clicked below picture while observing the landing and take offs
    • Kids play zone: free playing materials for kids to kill their time
    • Free internet- many airports offer this. But I found very few kiosks in Dubai and Colombo. Changi has considerably large number of kiosks to access internet, so you’ll not have to wait for long
    • Sky trains for inter terminal moves. (JFK had Air train connecting terminal to city though)
    • Clear Signages- In Dubai, I found an Indian restaurant in terminal 1 purely by luck. In Changi, restaurants and other facilities were easier to find due to adequate sign boards indicating what is where.
    • Changi airport authorities are very active on social media, responding to comments and concerns.

    Changi on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fansofchangi
    On twitter : @FansofChangi

    Below: Casino counter at Changi Airport… 30SGD for a ticket

Changi also offers free city tours to those passengers who have couple of hours to spare before their connecting flight. If only I had this option in Dubai, I could have explored Dubai twice by now.

No wonder Changi is rated as one of the best airports in the world.

Srinidhi Hande

23 June 2012

http://www.enidhi.net/2012/06/changi-international-airport.html

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 296 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Anuradha Goyal, an IT professional  & consultant and a travel writer, based in Hyderabad, India

From the time I landed in Malaysia, from every local person I heard that Malaysians love to eat and they must have a minimum of six meals a day. Some of them were so skinny that I kept wondering where do those six meals go, but it was true that there was always ample food in sight.

At the MITBCA, we used to reach the venue after a heavy breakfast, only to be greeted by piles of colorful tempting food. They were not just serving snacks, but a whole range of meals. Then at mid morning break there was more food. At lunch food is expected, but the morning routine repeated at the afternoon tea, after which I was told there would be supper and dinner. Hmm…that makes it six meals a day.

In the evenings I went walking around China Town and Bukit Bintang and all I saw was food and food. Carts full of food, some lined in an inviting way, some raw, some cooked and some semi-cooked. In the most basic setup, the focus was just food, the aesthetics were provided by the way food was arranged, the way the colors were played with and the way the aroma filled the place.

The presentation of food was interesting in both the formal places and the streets. I found the concept of a rotating set of bowls in a formal table very unique. Fruits always came in various shapes and sizes that made us pick up the camera before picking up the fork but they would call for another post to do justice.

In Melaka, I had this soup that was served in the raw coconut and you can eat the pulp of the raw coconut after you have finished the soup. For a vegetarian like me, it was a sheer delight to get these dishes. In my 6 days of stay I had more Tofu than the rest of my life. Though I must say on the street there are limited options for vegetarians.

Since we were all bloggers and social media experts, people would first click and tweet and then eat the food. A case of tweet before you eat. In fact a tourism Malaysia official joked that at KL airport we weigh you as you come in and you are not allowed to go back if you have not gained at least 5 kgs and with the amount of food we got to eat, that’s not too much.

Moral of the story is that when in Malaysia you can get lost in food. If you are a foodie, Malaysia should be on top of your list of to-be-visited places.

Anuradha Goyal

17 June 2012

http://anuradhagoyal.blogspot.in/2012/06/malaysia-marvel-v-food-more-food.html

Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 214 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Lakshmi Sharath. Lakshmi is a media professional , a traveller, a travel writer and consultant .

Its tough to touch, feel and see any country in a few days , especially if you are a traveller like me. But if you are visiting Singapore as a tourist or on business and you have anything between a few hours to three days in hand, you can still get to experience the country based on your interests. There are no must sees – it just depends on what you want to see .

For instance, while we were at Changi airport on transit, we decided to go over to the orchid garden and then an airport official recommended a visit to the butterfly park in Terminal 3.  A friend recommended that I go over to the Changi beach while the information desk asked me if I was interested in a free city tour . I find Changi one of the friendliest international airports and here, you can even get a foot massage for free or you could visit a spa after duty free shopping.

Average Rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 246 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Justin Rabindra. Justin is a Manager with an Advertising Agency in Delhi. He is also an avid traveler and photographer.

I saw this tiny cafe through half closed doors when we were wandering in Macau on a day trip from Hong Kong. It’s funny how something so mundane can trigger memories from childhood. We used to drive from KL to Penang through palm estates and crossed rivers on ferries along the way. We’d stop for a drink in one of the chinese cafes along the way. They used to be smoke filled and packed mostly with chinese men in sweaty white t-shirts chattering away noisily. I remember learning that you can’t make more Coke come through the straw by tilting the bottle up, drenching the front of my shirt.

They were cafe’s like this one. I remember my feet didn’t reach the floor sitting on one of those chairs. I doubt you see any more of those cafe’s in Malaysia, at least not with cane woven chairs and marble top tables.

A friend from Bombay remarked that the cafe looked like Irani restaurants, also fast disappearing. Who knows where the designs originated and how they are connected.

Justin Rabindra

9 Nov 2008

http://justinrabindra.blogspot.in/#!http://justinrabindra.blogspot.com/2008/11/cafe-in-macau.html

Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 201 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Shantanu Ghosh.

KL can be an exciting place for foodies with its incredible variety of street food and cuisines – brought together by the different ethnic groups that make up this interesting country. I had a chance to sample a selection of foods, some for the very first time. There are three distinct sets of cuisines associated with the major ethnic groups: Malay, Indian and Chinese, but there are also some lesser known ones such as Nyonya (of the Straits Chinese ethnic group) and Sarawak (a community that lives on the island of Borneo).

Madam Kwan’s is a restaurant on the 4th level of KLCC that offers local Malay cuisine. The popularity of this place during lunch was easy to see: there was a long line of people outside waiting for seats. Malay food has a lot of similarity to that of its neighbours, Thailand and Indonesia, but with some unique twists.

Belacan and Assam are probably the most common ingredients you will find in their dishes. Belacan is made from fermented baby shrimp which is then dried and formed into small cakes. A tiny amount is added to most Malay dishes to add that special ‘kick’. Assam is essentially tamarind paste commonly added to fish and vegetable dishes to make them more tangy – probably a practice that came from South India many years back.

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 170 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Meenakshi Bhalla, a Businesswoman  and a travel writer, based in Mumbai, India.

A person gets used to being alone but break it just for a day and you have to get used to it again, all over from the beginning ~ R Bach

The Andamans

Isolated, untouched and far from the madding crowd…the beaches is where we spent our max time, clearly looking to escape the world- couldn’t have asked for a better haven. Beach view villas, sun shimmering off the waters, coconut trees swaying in the breeze. An eternal love affair with nature, where harmony was alive in larger than life size.

Radhanagar Beach

Laid back, not partying (other than  some few spontaneous one’s we chanced upon) Andaman n Nicobars are a world class eco friendly destination. Spread across 500 some islands dotted like a pearl neckpiece in the Bay of Bengal, showing off hilly green topography, crystal clear water and silvery sand beaches. Our flight reached us to Port Blair a cosmopolitan harbor town, where, we snorkeled and spotted coral reefs of Wandoor. The magic of nature is so alive and dancing in this part of the world, that it lures you, to come discover it more.

Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 288 user reviews.

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by Roy -

If you looking to enjoy natural splendor these holidays then the beautiful city, Cebu City in Philippines is perfect for these holidays. Lying in between two canals, Cebu city well deserves the title of “Queen City of the South” and is the core city of Philippines. It is quite right to say that Cebu city is a perfect tourist destination with all its features like numerous exotic beaches, amusement parks, lush vegetation, stunning scenic views especially of snow-capped mountains and crystal clear blue water of the sea. Being the second largest city of the nation, Cebu is well connected with the rest of the world through airways. The best time period to explore Cebu is between March to May.

Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 271 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Shivya Nath. Shivya is an India-based writer who loves to seek out offbeat travel destinations that few have been to and fewer have written about.

For the almost half a dozen years that I lived in Southeast Asia, Malaysia was one of those next door neighbors that provided respite with its pristine blue waters, forest-covered expanses and inviting mountain peaks, all under the same roof, and more importantly, all under the same visa.

I came to love it as a country that has everything a traveler could want, sans vegetarian food perhaps. Here is a collection of three unique experiences spanning beaches, mountains and forests, that you probably can’t find anywhere in the region other than Malaysia:

1. MOUNT KINABALU: Climbing the world’s 20th highest mountain.

An outdoor treat for adventure lovers, Mount Kinabalu in Borneo is an amateur climb with gorgeous landscapes,  that peaks in a breathtaking sunrise. The first half of the climb takes you through high-cut steps, with the surroundings gradually transforming from tall trees to small shrubs, and typically takes 5-6 hours.

The more grueling second half starts at 2 am in the morning, when you set out on bare, sometimes vertical rocks, a torch fixed on your forehead to light the way, and ropes clutched in both your hands. You only know you’re heading up, oblivious of the straight fall below, because there’s no way turn your torch around.

At sunrise, you reach the Low Peak, 4, 095 meters, and feel like you own the world. You never forget the first rays of the sun that promise to keep you warm.

And if you’re a beginner at climbing, you never forget the adventure that is descending the vertical slopes, either. An overnight stay at Laban Rata to break the climb is compulsory, as is hiring a guide.

2. TAMAN NEGARA: Exploring the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.

If you’re game to get your hands (and feet) dirty, the jungles of Taman Negara National Park will charm you with their ancient canopies and unique biodiversity. You can seat yourself in a quiet corner of the jungle and fascinate yourself with hours of birdwatching. Or you can set out deep into the wilderness, where no one can promise what (who) you might find.

The limestone caves of Taman Negara aren’t for the faint-hearted. You could be a dodging a giant insect or caressing a bat on the roof of the cave, with only the dark protecting you. The Orang Asli tribes that live in the jungles of Taman Negara may not be easy to interact with directly, for more reason than the lack of a common language, but their nomadic settlements might inspire your wanderlust.

3. Pulau Perhentian: Snorkeling with sharks.

The more popularly known Malaysian beaches of Pulau Tioman & Pulau Redang might have waters almost as azure and underwater life almost as beautiful as Pulau Perhentian, but neither of the two offer you the chance to snorkel alongside black-tip sharks or smoke shisha on the beach on a night lit only by the moon and the stars, with the waters receding into low tide.

Your boatman will tell you that the sharks are not man-eaters, not until they’ve tasted human blood. You’ll believe him, cross your fingers that no human blood seeped into their territory while the boatmen were gone, put on your snorkeling mask, and begin your chase. You’ll feel your hair stand in the water when you catch your first glimpse, and be glad you survived to tell the tale.

Shivya Nath

29 Oct 2011

http://theshootingstar.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/malaysia-travel-adventures-blog/

Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 202 user reviews.

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by Roy -

Blend of modernization and archaism can be seen in Baguio of Philippines the popular holiday destination.  Lush vegetation and top-level cleanliness are the main reason for its popularity. The city is not only famous for tourism but it is also one of the main commercial core cities of Philippines. Baguio is a great holiday destination with the cool climate throughout the year. Stunning scenic views and lots of historical places made Baguio the most popular tourist spot of Philippines.

Burnham Park is one of the top parks in Baguio. This park is so popular among tourists as well as local people just because of its calm and peaceful environment. This feature of Burnham Park allures lots of people to organize picnics and also concerts. To entertain its visitors, there is a football field, athletic oval, an Orchidarium and also tennis and basketball courts.

Baguio Cathedral is quite majestic to capture the heart of its visitors. Its prime location on the top of the hill is also one of the main reasons of its popularity. The charming twin-spire structure also throws a great impression on the tourists.

Baguio Country Club is one of the most popular attractions for tourists in Baguio. This club has fantastic tennis court for the visitors as well as for its members.

Botanical Garden is another amazing attraction in Baguio. This garden has wonderful huts in its premises completely built up in Cordilleras’s architecture.

Camp John Hay is the prime attraction for tourists in Baguio. It was supposed to be the main recreational hub for US personnel but nowadays it is open to all the public. This astonishing place comprises of a swimming pool, a six lane bowling center, basketball and volleyball courts, seven food outlets and also six tennis courts.

The list of attractions in Baguio not ends here. Lourdes Grotto is one of the major religious landmarks in Baguio. This authentic place has an idol of the Lady of Lourdes. Grotto can be reached by climbing up about 252 steps. After reaching its top, one will sure forget his tiredness just by viewing a marvelous scenic beauty of the city.

Bell Church is famous for its outstanding architectural style and is situated on the border of Trinidad Valley and Baguio city. This clustered temple is the only place where all the different religions like Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism is worshipped together.

Mansion House is another attraction in Baguio to make place in the heart of its visitors. This house is good example similar to Buckingham Palace with its architectural style. Mines view Park is also the must-see place in Baguio. This park has lots of attractions for tourists but the main attraction is its Benguet’s gold and copper mines. Other destinations that can be explored and enjoyed in Baguio are Aguinaldo Museum, Bued River Gorge, Philippine Military Academy, Bridal Veil Falls, Tam-awan Village, Kennon Road, Mount Santo Tomas, Wright Park and Asin Hot Spring. But lots more are waiting for you!!

24 Dec 2011

http://blog.gohoto.com/

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 193 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Danielle Sharma

We had such a fun time in Tokyo, bit of a blur to be honest! was a bit of a nocturnal existence going out late and coming home at around 6am most mornings! we were with lots of people from the hostel which was so friendly with a bar downstairs.. went to karaoke and lost my voice the first night but it was so much fun! we had our own booth (6 of us) with drinks included so you just phone through drinks orders and they bring them up to you and you just stay in there all night selecting cheesy songs and singing your heart out! it was hilarious.. just like lost in translation. It had to be done. another great night we went to this huge club with a big group of people and danced outside on this huge open air terrace as the sun came up over the river, it was stunning. there was a pool and all these crazy japanese characters were dancing around the edge of the pool – two of the guys we were with ended up diving in (one had stripped down to speedos!) it was just a hilarious night anyway seeing as me and perry are not the biggest clubbers. just met some really fun people.

We also did quite a bit of shopping in tokyo – just great fun to people watch because there are so many cool looking young people wearing such crazy outfits. we stayed there for 6 nights in the end but it was like a time warp – felt like you’d all been there for years because your first drink in the bar was free if you were staying in the hostel so everyone was in there every evening!

Anyway bit of a contrast the last couple of days as we have been living the high life on this tiny island called naoshima where there is this huge art project. the hotel and galleries were all designed by tadao ando (amazing and really famous contemporary japanese architect). the island is so small everything is right by the beach. there are art installations and sculptures scattered all around the landscape. most amazing things have been three james turrell installations and the architecture itself really. we have also seen work by hockney, pollock, dan graham, walter de maria, monet, richard long… for those of you who are interested! anyway it has been such a luxury staying in this gorgeous hotel after all the hostels! lovely big soft bed, great shower, big fluffy white dressing gown… will be hard to go back to reality tonight! last night in japan tonight though which is really sad. back on the ferry to china tomorrow. another 48hr journey! don’t really have a plan for china but i guess we can use the 48hrs to come up with one! hope you are all well. miss you – keep in contact, everyone is being lame! Its always really nice to hear news from home. lots of love dan xxxxx ps i put a few photos on facebook xx

Danielle Sharma

Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 295 user reviews.

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