tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61643486872805523602024-02-21T10:25:11.456+08:00Swarnabhumi Nusantara - Travel Blog on Southeast AsiaA glimpse and where to travel to in the exotic world of South East AsiaStorytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-36530454826031600792019-03-19T19:06:00.001+08:002019-03-19T19:06:23.549+08:00Coffee Trail - Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi .✫*゚・゚。.★.*。・゚✫*.: Holi Malaysia 2019 - Colours Bringing Cultures Tog...<a href="https://www.reachingdelphi.com/2019/03/holi-malaysia-2019-colours-bringing.html?spref=bl">Coffee Trail - Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi .✫*゚・゚。.★.*。・゚✫*.: Holi Malaysia 2019 - Colours Bringing Cultures Tog...</a>: Have you heard of an event called Holi Malaysia ? Well, my friends—Vim, Kavitha, Sharan, Richie, and Alysha—and I were at a fun-in-the-sun e...<br /><br />
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Excellent blog post! And the pani poories look very enticing.. Must check it out the next time.Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-58044338136192688162011-09-27T16:10:00.001+08:002011-09-27T16:10:36.713+08:00Koh Tao - Dive Central, Gulf of Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Want
to learn how to snorkel or dive at one of the easiest dive spots and clearest waters
around?<span> </span>Then head for <a href="http://g.co/maps/9td9d">Koh Tao</a>, the l<a href="http://www.asiadivesite.com/thailand-dive-sites/koh-tao/">ittle island</a> in the Gulf of Thailand with over 30 dive operators, 20 <a href="http://www.master-divers.com/dive_sites_marine_life.htm">dive spots</a> and
<a href="http://youtu.be/IfTNtlYIv5I">visibility</a> of up to 40 meters on a good day.<span>
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koh_Tao">Koh Tao</a> is one of the <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/lower-southern-gulf/ko-tao">cheapest places</a> to get dive certified.<span> </span>If you are lucky, besides the reef sharks,
turtles and stingrays, you may bump into the whale sharks that occasionally
drop by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There
are several <a href="http://www.master-divers.com/blog/2011/09/21/the-histroy-of-shipwreck-diving-on-koh-tao-thailand/">wrecks</a> to sniff around, among them the USS Lagarto and the spooky Tottori
Maru from the Second World War and the Seacrest Drill Ship hammered down by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Gay_(1989)">Typhoon Gay</a> in November 1989.<span> </span>Be aware that <a href="http://www.journaldatabase.org/articles/tropical_cyclone_disasters_gulf.html">storm season</a> in the Gulf of Thailand is usually in the month of October thru November.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Not
only is <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Ko_Tao#b">Koh Tao</a> a little remote from its popular neighbour Koh Samui, its
also much quieter, just nice to get away from it all to its secluded beaches,
or go hiking, abseiling or biking.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This short video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/photographic75">photographic75</a> shows off glimpses of<span> </span>Koh Tao.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And this video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MasterDiversKohTao">MasterDiversKohTao</a> may inspire some to go diving soon.</span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-4763486316658854122011-09-23T16:21:00.000+08:002011-09-23T16:21:28.087+08:00Desert Point – Surfers Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/indonesia/lombok/">Desert Point </a>or Bangko Bangko beach is in the remote south west of <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/lombok-travel-to-tropical-islands.html">Lombok</a> Island.<span> </span>Desert Point was voted as the <a href="http://www.lombok-network.com/surfing.htm">best surfing point</a> by most surfers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As
<a href="http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indonesia/Lombok/desert_point/">described by surfers</a>, the wave quality is totally epic, great barrels, with a thrilling 300
meter hollow ride, best when the tide is low and rising.<span> </span>Because of this and that there is a shallow
reef with razor sharp corals, <a href="http://www.tracksmag.com/201108113536/ASP-World-Tour/Interviews/Exclusive-Interview-with-Owen-Wright-Reef-Head-Butt-Ahead-Of-Teahupoo.html">only seasoned surfers risk</a> the ride.<span> </span>The <a href="http://magicseaweed.com/Desert-Point-Surf-Report/567/">swells</a> start at 1.5 meters, and holds up
to 2.5 meters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Besides
surfing at Desert Point, one can go diving, snorkelling, hiking and a host of other activities
in this relative quiet <a href="http://www.desertpointlodges.com/">away from the crowds</a> from the other touristy areas of
Lombok.<span> </span>There are <a href="http://www.divezone-lombok.com/en/resources/about-lombok/accommodation/">several nice lodges</a>
around Bangko Bangko at Pelangan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/aznness">aznness</a> shows off the fun and the tubes of Desert Point Lombok.</span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-86522773852608622812011-09-21T17:05:00.001+08:002011-09-23T16:27:32.719+08:00Lombok - Travel to Tropical Islands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://g.co/maps/ykndh">Lombok</a>, part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_Sunda_Islands">Lesser Sunda Islands</a>, is east of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali">Bali</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia">Indonesia</a>. For ecology buffs, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Line">Wallace Line</a> is here at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombok_Strait">Lombok Straits</a>, separating the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indomalaya_ecozone">Indomalayan biome</a> at Bali and the start of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia_ecozone">Australasian biome</a> from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombok">Lombok</a>. An active volcano, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rinjani">Mount Rinjani</a>, the third highest mountain in Indonesia, dominates the <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/lombok">Lombok</a> skyline and is a National Park. <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/gili-islands-ibiza-of-east.html">Gili Trawang</a> and its two tranquil sister islands are off the northern tip of Lombok Island. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Lombok#b">Lombok</a> <a href="http://www.lombok-network.com/">offers</a> jungle trekking, beaches, scuba diving, surfing, snorkeling and some historical sight seeing. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Senggigi#b">Sengigi</a> beach is just north of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mataram_(city)">Mataram</a>, en route to Gili Trawangan. Sengigi beach has four focus areas namely Mangsit with its long and tranquil beach, Kerangdangan Bay, Sengigi town and the Batu Bolong hotels. <a href="http://www.lombok-network.com/kuta/">Kute beach</a> on the southern end of Lombok is an area popular with surfers for its clean beaches and high waves. A well hidden surfers gem is <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/desert-point-surfers-challenge.html">Desert Point</a>. You can even hop off Lombok to GIli Trawangan or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumbawa">Sumbawa</a> for a get away from it all feel.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For sightseeing you can go see the <a href="http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indonesia/Lombok/tanjung_aan/">Tanjung A'an</a> beach to see its unique pepper shaped sand, <a href="http://blog.baliwww.com/destination-and-resort/1620">Sukarare</a> to watch local artisans at work on handicrafts or for a spirit of adventure, trek up Mount Rinjani to see its <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/baliwwwdotcom/2811018598/">beautiful lake crater</a>. <a href="http://lombokparadiso.blogspot.com/2011/07/narmada-park.html">Narmada park</a> and <a href="http://www.triptouch.com/indonesia/nt/senggigi/photos/2472">Brahma's Throne</a> offers some historical insights and the many waterfalls offer cooling dips from the tropical heat of Lombok.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/bali0range">bali0range</a> shows what Lombok has to offer.</span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-1592527906354266092011-09-19T17:23:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:58.826+08:00Si Phan Don – The 4,000 Islands of Adventure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://g.co/maps/azgqw">Si Phan Don</a> is a collection of 4,000 islands and islets on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekong">Mekong River</a> on the
<a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/laos">Laos</a>–<a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia">Cambodian</a> border and is great for backpacking.<span> </span>Half of these
islands are submerged when the Mekong floods. The main island at <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/laos/southern-laos/si-phan-don-four-thousand-islands">Si Phan Don</a> to travel to is <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/laos/southern-laos/don-khong">Don Khong</a> and to a lesser extent, Don Det and Don Khon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The main activity to do is boating, swimming, clambering around the rapids and watching the locals at play and at work.<span> </span>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khone_Phapheng_Falls">Khone Phapheng</a> waterfalls are a great
place to go sightseeing and to take a dip.<span> </span>It is the biggest
waterfall and rapids in <a href="http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/asia/southeast-asia-on-a-shoestring-travel-guide-15">Southeast Asia</a>.<span> This is where the Mekong River falls down through the rapids to continue on to Cambodia. </span>Here we can see the remains of the narrow gauge railway that the French
built to enable transportation along the Mekong by passing the Khone Phapeng falls.<span>
</span>It is these falls that prevent direct navigation from Vietnam to China.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mekong-river-dolphins.html">Irrawady dolphins</a> can be spotted here and <a href="http://youtu.be/kvz6gs5nWBY">the giant catfish</a>, the largest freshwater fish
in the world can also be spotted here.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Both
are highly endangered, especially <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plabuck">the giant catfish</a> which is rarely caught now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
is not much else in entertainment nor electricity.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So be prepared for romantic candle lit nights at the guest houses when
the generators switch off.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Most of the accommodation are kind of rustic little stilt huts by the locals, just nice for backpackers.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not to worry, civilisation is just 3 hours
away to <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Pakse">Pakse</a>, the third largest city in Laos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Here
is a video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/swsanderson">swsanderson</a> on the adventures at Si Phan Don in Laos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-26192803056091118602011-09-18T01:17:00.002+08:002011-09-22T14:59:58.960+08:00Kenyir Lake – Serenity in the Rainforest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the Eastern border of Malaysia’s <a href="http://www.pahang-delights.com/taman-negara.html">National Park</a>, <a href="http://g.co/maps/dqfpw">Kenyir Lake</a>, a man-made lake, sits serenely within a 130 million year old rainforest. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenyir_Lake">Kenyir River</a> was dammed for a hydropower station and hilltops and highlands in the area became islands as the Kenyir Dam was filled to create the lake.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia is now an <a href="http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/spotlight/view.cfm?ID=358C959D-188B-76AA-005286AC8929AD50">ecotourist</a> destination. There is a host of <a href="http://www.tasikenyir.webs.com/index02.htm">things do</a>, from fishing, jungle trekking, island hopping, caving, bird watching and taking a dip at the many streams and waterfalls on the islands and shores. And do give Snakehead fishing a shot. Its
quite an adventure as narrated by <a href="http://www.gulliblestravels.co.uk/Malaysia3.htm">Andy Pearson in his blog</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/thestaronline">thestaronline</a> shows the sights of Kenyir Lake.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-5908268898572892011-09-17T19:18:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.369+08:00Diving in the Gili Islands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ndonesia
is host to 25% of the world’s reefs with<a href="http://www.lombok-network.com/gili_islands/dive_sites.htm"> 3,500 marine species</a> living in its
seas and reefs. The <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/gili-islands-ibiza-of-east.html">Gili islands</a> offer a
good sampling of sea fauna such as sharks, manta rays, cuttlefish, eels, crabs,
turtles and fish. There are 15 to 17 <a href="http://www.manta-dive.com/divesites-gili-islands">dive spots</a> around the Gili Islands.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Gili Air Wall is covered with soft coral, and shines yellow orange in the
sun. The coral block at 22 meters is
surrounded by shrimps, pipefish, glass fishes and in the deeper parts, white
tip sharks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shark Point at Gili Trawangan has different levels at 24, 20 and 18
meters. It is home to the Hawksbill and Green
turtles and a wide variety of marine life such as Napoleon fish, White Tip
sharks, manta rays and eels. There is an
undersea 'golf course', </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the ‘Volker Golf Course’</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, so called because of its green color, east of Shark Point. This dive is best tackled by the pros for its very strong currents.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another
dive for the pros is the 20 meter long Japanese wreck south of Gili Air,
sitting upright on the sandy bottom at 45 meters. It is home to huge frogfish, lionfish, scorpion
fish and much more. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">And don’t forget to check out the Biorocks, the manmade reefs by the
dive schools at Gili.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
video by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/cacchionegiovanni">cacchionegiovanni</a></span> shows of the wonders of the waters around the Gili Islands.</span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-83547769028033674792011-09-17T19:17:00.002+08:002011-09-22T15:00:43.272+08:00Gili Islands - Ibiza of the East<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Fancy
going to a place where there are no cars and motorcycles? Just laze on the
beach, go snorkelling or scuba diving and then later just party and forget the
weight of today? There is a name for
such a dream; the <a href="http://g.co/maps/mey9s">Gili Islands</a> in Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
<a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Gili_Islands#b">Gili Islands</a> are just off the northwest point of <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/lombok-travel-to-tropical-islands.html">Lombok Island</a>, east of Bali.
There are three islands in the group, Trawangan, Meno and Air. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/jan/03/gili-trawangan-new-ibiza">Trawangan</a> is the happening island, with white beaches, dive schools, resorts and a <a href="http://www.gili-paradise.com/gili-island-nightlife.php">party scene</a> complete with throbbing beach bars and an Irish pub. Meno and Air are rather laid back, for sun bathing, snorkeling and diving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Once
catering just for backpackers, <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/nusa-tenggara/gili-islands">the Gili</a> now beckon the hip and wealthy too. There
are no motorized vehicles on these tiny islands. Only bicycles, horse carts and your own two
feet to get around. And the boats to
travel to the other islands and civilization.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
are six dive centers, with great dives to see sharks, turtles and seahorses with
the stunning coral. Powdery white
beaches, clear waters and a brilliant sun with the unpolluted air clean of
fumes give one a feel of a tropical paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
video by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mariekevangameren">mariekevangameren</a> </span>showcases a relaxing day at the Gili Islands</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And this video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sir0">sir0</a> gives a glimpse of a beach party.</span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-33457779444631563452011-09-17T12:27:00.000+08:002011-09-22T15:00:43.157+08:00Hua Hin – Clear Waters and Strong WInds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Fancy
something different in Thailand? <a href="http://g.co/maps/hwz6z">Hua Hin</a> is great for <span id="goog_1079064898"></span><a href="http://www.northkiteboardingclub.com/thailand-kitesurfing-spots">Kiteboarding</a><span id="goog_1079064899"></span> and <a href="http://www.thailandtraveltours.com/thailand-windsurfing-thailandwindsurfing.htm">Windsurfing</a>
with winds up to 20 knots. The PKRA (Professional Kiteboard Riders Association)
managed the <a href="http://www.prokitetour.com/news.php?id=79">Intercontinental Hua Hin Kiteboarding World Cup</a> last year.<span> </span>Great Sun, Sand and Wind!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Unusual
for a Thai beach town, <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/upper-southern-gulf/hua-hin">Hua Hin</a> has a relatively tame <a href="http://www.huahin.bangkok.com/hua-hin/nightlife.htm">nightlife</a>.<span> </span>This can be attributed to the fact that this
town is where the royals come to unwind from city life.<span> </span>South of Bangkok on the Malay Peninsula, <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Hua_Hin#b">Hua Hin</a> by itself is on the tourist map for its 5 kilometer long and very wide and
clean beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If
you want to unwind with a little nightlife, Soi Bintabahn in Hua Hin is the place
to go to.<span> </span>For jungle adventures such as
trekking, the nearby Sam Roi Yot Park has limestone mountains, caves, swamps,
and beaches to go explore.<span> </span>There are also
the Namtok Pa Lau waterfalls to go splashing about and a little ways away, <a href="http://www.thailand-blogs.com/2010/11/11/dan-singkhon/">Dan Singkhon</a> is the border town with Myanmar, where you can see or buy Myanmarese
nature products.<span> </span>After your stopover in Hua Hin, you can continue on to <a href="http://g.co/maps/mx5ct">Koh Samui</a>
and the rest of the sun soaked country down south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/asiatraveltips">asiatraveltips</a> shows a teaser on the kitesurfing action at Hua Hin.</span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-38624874536856770072011-09-16T17:26:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.107+08:00Mulu Caves – Trepidation Awaits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There
is a spectacular secret lying hidden deep in the jungles of the land of the Head-hunters. Mulu National Park in Sarawak
is a <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1013">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a>, an evolutionary history of 1.5 million years
with wild rivers, rainforest covered mountains, spectacular limestone
pinnacles, cave passages and deeply incised canyons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
has the largest known cave chamber in the world, the Sarawak Chamber (<a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/malaysian-borneo-sarawak/gunung-mulu-national-park">estimated to be as big as 16 football fields</a>), and has at least 295km of explored caves
with remains of prehistory.<span> </span>Highly
craggy and mountainous, keep your eyes peeled for the Swarm of Bats, the Pinnacles
and the Head-hunters’ Trail.<span> </span>You leave
civilization behind as you enter this park as there are no roads and no
residences. Only rivers and jungle paths.<span>
</span><span> </span>But be careful, the Head-hunters
still have their hunting rights.<span> </span>Who knows
what or who they will be hunting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AsiaTravelTV">AsiaTravelTV</a>
gives an excellent overview of the sights of Mulu Park.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-65117648415902894392011-09-16T16:47:00.000+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.466+08:00New Niches for Travel and Tours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
is a new thinking on niches in the travel and tourism arena such as edu-tourism,
clustering and swapping packages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
edu-tourism, tourists learn about a place, its culture and history via homestay
or similar programs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
clustering, specific themes like sports tourism or wellness tourism can be
formed. For example, as Australians like
sports in summer they can visit Cebu for summer sports and Japan and Korea can
offer winter sports. Malaysia and Indonesia can focus on wellness and health
programs as these countries are best known for these. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">More
details at this <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/59759/%E2%80%98edu-tourism%E2%80%99-a-new-way">news site</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
a sampler of what Cebu can offer, a video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/pyroworksinc">pyroworksinc</a>, the Cebu Annual
Sports Festival:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-45110160413822982372011-09-15T15:52:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.215+08:00Mahamuni Paya – Holiest site in Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahamuni_Buddha_Temple">Mahamuni Paya</a> in <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mandalay-soul-of-myanmar.html">Mandalay</a> is one of the holiest sites in Myanmar. It contains the four meter high bronze image
of the Buddha, called the Mahamuni image.
This image is believed to be the
original image of the Buddha, when he granted King Sanda Thuriya of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhine_State">Arakan</a>’s wish for an image for people to worship. Legend has it that there are only five likenesses
of the Buddha, this being the fifth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
<a href="http://www.worldisround.com/articles/34866/photo4.html">Mahamuni</a> is constantly being covered with gold leaf and over the centuries, has
increased in weight and has obscured some of the features.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/k1985p26">k1985p26</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">shows the Mahamuni Buddha and how devotees apply the gold leaf.</span><br />
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-10184116400135736722011-09-15T15:45:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:58.671+08:00Kuthodaw Paya – World’s Largest Book<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_largest_book#cite_note-lda-0">The world’s largest book</a>, is a collection of 729 slabs of stone with each slab housed
within a stupa. All these stupas are enclosed
within the grounds of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuthodaw_Pagoda">Kuthodaw Paya</a>.
Kuthodaw Paya sits at the foot of<a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mandalay-soul-of-myanmar.html"> Mandalay</a> Hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Kuthodaw
Paya was the brainchild of King Mindon who wanted to protect and ensure the continuity
of the Buddhist teachings under threat of conquest by the British. It was a masterpiece of art complete with gold
inscriptions and jewel encrusted stupas. All the original jewels and gold were
lost when the British entered Mandalay and used this pagoda as troop billets. Today the white painted stupas are still a sight to behold lined up in rows within the perimeter of the Kuthodaw Paya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Wagaung">Wagaung</a> gives us a picture of Kuthodaw Paya.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-12290529146069417672011-09-15T15:39:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:58.771+08:00Shwenandaw Monastery - Sole Survivor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
Golden Palace Monastery, <a href="http://www.myanmar2day.com/places-to-visit-in-myanmar/2009/06/mandalay-travel-guide-shwenandaw-monastery/">Shwenandaw Monastery</a>, is one of the oldest buildings in
<a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mandalay-soul-of-myanmar.html">Mandalay</a>. It was part of the royal
palace when it was at Amarapura, and followed the move of the Amarapura Palace to
Mandalay. The Shwenandaw was then detached from <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mandalay-palace-last-home-of-royals.html">Mandalay Palace</a> and moved to its current site to
become a monastery. Today, the Shwenandaw Monastery building is the sole surviving wooden structure from the palaces of Mandalay and Amarapura.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/myanmar/mandalay/shwenandaw.php">This teak building</a> preserves and shows of the traditional Myanmarese art and
woodcraft. It is a multi-tiered building
with four distinct Zeitawun roof levels.
The Shwenandaw has many carved panels showcasing stories from the Buddha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Wagaung">Wagaung</a> shows off almost all the details of this old wooden building. Look out for the boy monk as he deftly wraps his robe around him with Houdini like moves.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/X8XaMPAfSN8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-82957681289780157322011-09-15T15:32:00.000+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.598+08:00Mandalay Palace - Last Home of the Royals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay_Palace">Mandalay Palace</a> is a citadel with a collection of buildings in a square, with two
kilometer long walls and surrounded by a moat. Badly damaged in the Second
World War, this royal citadel has been rebuilt.
The Shwenandaw Monastery building, moved out of the <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mandalay-soul-of-myanmar.html">Mandalay</a> Palace in 1878, is the
sole surviving structure of the original teak buildings of the Mandalay Palace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
Mandalay Palace was actually an older palace from Amarapura. The old palace at
<a href="http://g.co/maps/mh4ye">Amarapura</a> was dismantled and moved by elephants to Mandalay. The new Mandalay Palace was completed in 1859.
This palace is a prime example of Myanmarese traditional palace design and is a
delight to view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today,
the <a href="http://myanmartravel.org/mandalay/palace.html">Mandalay Palace</a> is a primary symbol of Mandalay and a major tourist
destination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/chalitacbuff1">chalitacbuff1</a> shows Mandalay Palace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/V-sojRGS8SE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/novaskosia">novaskosia</a> shows period pictures of the last Queen Myanmar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KTF7w4DjLTE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-19695871295337276082011-09-15T15:21:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:58.884+08:00Mandalay - The Soul of Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Make
the decision to go to <a href="http://www.allmyanmar.com/">Myanmar</a>. The <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travelblogs/10/54675/Impressions+of+Burma?destId=357092">money you spend</a> on the ground in Myanmar genuinely goes direct to the local people. The government gets its funds from other governments
friendly to it anyway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://g.co/maps/a5fw2">Mandalay</a>,
along the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrawaddy_River">Ayeyarwady River</a>, was the
royal capital of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar">Myanmar</a> just before the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Burma">British conquest</a>. It is only about 160
years old. Bombed heavily in the Second
World War, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay">Mandalay</a> today it is modern
Myanmar’s cultural and religious center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
<a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mandalay-palace-last-home-of-royals.html">Mandalay Palace</a>, <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/shwenandaw-monastery-sole-survivor.html">Shwenandaw Monastery</a>, <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/mahamuni-paya-holiest-site-in-myanmar.html">Mahamuni Paya</a> and <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/kuthodaw-paya-worlds-largest-book.html">Kuthodaw Paya</a> are some of
the notable places to visit.
There are many <a href="http://www.bicycle-adventures.com/mandalay.html">other sights</a> to see in and around <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Mandalay#b">Mandalay</a>. And if you have the time,
go up Mandalay Hill to have a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, plus see the all the sights on your way up and at the foot of the hil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/video123x">video123x</a> gives us a perspective of modern Mandalay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5SktWDzIv80?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/imageplayer">imageplayer</a> gives us another insight to Mandalay.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WPlXi0JErxg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And this video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/RussellMalcolm">RussellMalcolm</a> on Tayside Opera's brilliant rendition </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">of Rudyard Kipling's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay_(poem)">Road to Mandalay</a>. For the politically correct, do note the disclaimer at the end of the show. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-26552128043653166922011-09-14T19:28:00.001+08:002011-09-22T15:00:43.140+08:00Scuba Diving at Boracay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There
are over fifteen dive spots around <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/boracay-sun-sand-and-adventure.html">Boracay</a> Island with eighteen plus dive
operators..<span> </span>Most of the <a href="http://www.boracaydiver.com/scuba.shtml">dive spots</a> are
off <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/white-beach-boracay-slice-of-paradise.html">White Beach</a> and the rest are scattered around the North and Southeast
points of Boracay.<span> </span>The currents are
moderate to strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
<a href="http://www.intas-travel.com/diving/dive_locations/boracay_1.html">best dive spot</a> is Yapak Dive which has two walls and a chimney at its southern
end. Yapak goes from 30 meters to 70 meters deep.<span> </span>Grey and Whitetip Reef Sharks are common here
along with schools of barracuda, tuna, surgeonfish and many more.<span> </span>Hammerheads and Mantarays have been spotted
in this area too. <span> </span>Great spot for the
pros.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Start
depth are mostly at 5 meters for the dives in front of White Beach.<span> </span>The Beach Night Dive is 5 meters deep and
close to White Beach.<span> </span>Camia Dive’s start
depth is 18 meters.<span> </span>It is a wreck sank
to be an artificial reef.<span> </span>For beginners,
Angol Point Dive is great starting point, with various types of coral and
fishes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/beachbum32">beachbum32</a> shows the dive at Angol Point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-47531681263354726742011-09-14T17:36:00.005+08:002011-09-22T15:00:43.177+08:00Ariel’s Point – Live to Tell the Tale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.arielspoint.com/">Ariel’s Point</a> at Buruanga on nearby Panay Island, is about half an hour’s boat ride
from <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/boracay-sun-sand-and-adventure.html">Baracay</a>. This isolated spot is
famous for cliff jumping, paddling around in a boat, swimming and snorkelling
as well as exploring the surrounding area. And great food and drinks too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ariel’s
Point is a must do if you have no health issues (think short <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungee_jumping">bungee</a> jumping
without the bungee). The highest of the
5 jump points is 45 feet from the sea. And
the deep waters will take you in nicely.
A must do to add onto your to do life list, next to marathon running perhaps. And
an awesome tale to share back home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/beachbum32">beachbum32</a> shows the thrills of cliff jumping at Ariel’s Point.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/OMHI4V-a_cY/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMHI4V-a_cY&fs=1&source=uds" />
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-79443178138804391452011-09-14T17:36:00.002+08:002011-09-22T15:00:43.254+08:00Bulabog Beach – Kite Boarding Cental<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tripsiders.com/destinations/ph/akl/boracay/bulabog-beach">Bulabog Beach</a> on the eastern side of <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/boracay-sun-sand-and-adventure.html">Boracay</a> is a beautiful sun soaked beach with a pristine clear lagoon protected
by a coral reef. The lagoon is windy and shallow, making it ideal for beginners
trying out their hand at water sports. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
its no surprise that Bulabog Beach is famed for its windsurfing and
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing">kiteboarding</a> activities and has hosted international windsurfing meets. Besides these sports, you can get jet skis, go
parasailing and boating besides swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. The Kite Resort WIndpia even has a kite
school for the beginner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ExtremeElementsTV">ExtremeElementsTV</a> shows off the action at Bulabog Beach.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-52003868985191373272011-09-14T17:35:00.001+08:002011-09-22T15:00:43.197+08:00White Beach Boracay – A Slice of Paradise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.myboracayguide.com/beacheshotels/resortslist/stationOne.html">White Beach</a> on the western side of <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/boracay-sun-sand-and-adventure.html">Boracay</a> must have been the reference for the exotic beach life that
guidebooks talk about. Beautiful soft
white sandy beach with a gentle surf, shady trees and coconut trees hanging out
over to the water, contemplative spots and party spots, and great food and
drink at an easy reach. And with its multi-hued
long sunsets and English speaking fun loving locals, it is indeed the closest
to your own piece of paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">White
Beach is sectioned into 3 stations. Station 1 is where the luxury resorts are located. You can have your pick from over 31 upscale
hotels with matching prices to boot.
Station 2 is the commercial and most happening area on White Beach. The D’Mall which holds the tourists shops, bars and
restaurants is here along with a mixed bag of 31 luxury and budget hotels. Station 3 has recently seen new developments. It offers mostly budget with some luxury hotels in their midst. So take your pick, check yourself in and
start walking or lounging. Just be aware
to book directly with the hotels to get the best rates, if you are not going
through a brand name tour agent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/dedek321">dedek321</a> shows the best of what White Beach has to offer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-9971321904139402492011-09-14T17:33:00.003+08:002011-09-22T15:00:43.327+08:00Boracay – Sun, Sand and Adventure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://g.co/maps/fbyyn">Boracay</a>
is a little island in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visayas">Visayas</a>, just south of Manila in the Philippines. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay">Boracay</a>'s azure waters, beautiful sun drenched white
sandy beaches and its host of activities from partying, sunbathing and swimming to
<a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/bulabog-beach-kite-boarding-cental.html">kiteboarding</a>, parasailing, windsurfing and <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/scuba-diving-at-boracay.html">diving</a>, will fully occupy even the
most active person. It’s also a great
base camp to hop off for water and jungle adventures at nearby islands and
lagoons. And Boracay is one of top beach destinations in the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
land at <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Boracay">Caticlan Airport</a> (small aircraft) or at Kalibo Interantional, both on
the nearby Panay Island. Then you’ll hop onto one of the boats at Caticlan
jetty to get into Cagban on Boracay proper. And on Baracay, you will be spoiled
for choice for accommodation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
is the <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/white-beach-boracay-slice-of-paradise.html">White Beach</a> stretch which is subdivided into 3 stations. Station 1 is upscale,
Station 2 the most happening and Station 3 for the reflective mind. On the northen end of Boracay, Puka Beach
sits isolated and is postcard perfect.
<a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/bulabog-beach-kite-boarding-cental.html">Bulabog Beach</a> is the water sports beach on the opposite side of the
island from White Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For
the adventurous, you can sign up for outrigger cruises to <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/ariels-point-live-to-tell-tale.html">Angel’s Point</a> on
Panay to go cliff diving, boat paddling and jungle trekking on the Antiqe coast. Or just take the many outrigger round island
cruises for stopovers at the isolated and quiet beach spots on Boracay. And while in Baracay, do try out the skimboarding!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/alan78p2">alan78p2</a> shows off the delights of a Boracay vacation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-60890038760953127802011-09-13T22:01:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.407+08:00Buddha Park - Fusion Philosophy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Park">Buddha Park</a> is the vision of a Hindu Buddhist fusion philosophy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Pu_Bunleua_Sulilat">Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat</a>, and materialised in 1958 near <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/vientiane-phoenix-of-laos.html">Vientiane</a>. It’s a rough sculpture garden
filled with unusual sculptures from Buddhist and Hindu Pantheons. Bunleua
Sulilat moved across the Mekong into Thailand following the communist takeover
of Laos in 1975.<span> </span>He then built a similar
park in Thailand called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sala_Keoku">Sala Keoku</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This video from
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/geobeats">geobeats</a> gives a snippet of what this park looks like.</span><br />
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-60009774828832919242011-09-13T21:40:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.390+08:00Patuxai - Gate of Victory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patuxai">Patuxai ( previously known as Anousavali)</a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_de_Triomphe">Arc de Triomphe</a> of Laos, located in <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/vientiane-phoenix-of-laos.html">Vientiane</a>.<span>
</span>Completed in 1968, the Patuxai is a monument to the war of independence
from France. <span> </span><span> </span>It has intricate designs representing Buddhist
and Hindu philosophies. <span> </span>Tourists can go
up into the monument to browse the museum inside and to get souvenirs. The top
floor is accessible and has a viewing platform with a telescope for a great
view of Vientiane city.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/nicko7054">nicko7054</a> gives an idea of how the Patuxai looks like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-42146806392597219052011-09-13T21:32:00.000+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.159+08:00Pha That Luang - Golden Symbol of Laos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pha_That_Luang">Pha That Luang</a> is an imposing golden Buddhist Stupa in the center of <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/vientiane-phoenix-of-laos.html">Vientiane</a>. It is said that a Buddhist Relic, the
breastbone of Lord Buddha is housed in this stupa. It is a national monument and
a symbol of Laos and its culture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Destroyed
by raiding parties from Burma, China and Thailand many times, the stupa has
been rebuilt time and again, most recently by the French.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/nfsutton">nfsutton</a> gives an idea of how this majestic golden landmark and shrine
looks like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164348687280552360.post-6179317988512916072011-09-13T21:28:00.001+08:002011-09-22T14:59:59.443+08:00Vientiane - The Phoenix of Laos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://g.co/maps/pk4xe">Vientiane (Viang Chan)</a>, on the Mekong River, is the capital of Laos. It is about a
thousand years old and has survived attacks by its neighbours, Burma and Siam many
times over the years, the last being the Siamese destruction of 1827. The French, on taking
over the city from Siam in the 1890s, rebuild the city and its temples from the
encroaching jungle. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vientiane">Vientiane</a> today is the economic centre and the largest city
in Laos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/pha-that-luang-golden-symbol-of-laos.html">Pha That Luang</a>, <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/buddha-park-fusion-philosophy.html">Buddha Park</a>, <a href="http://swarnabhumi.blogspot.com/2011/09/patuxai-gate-of-victory.html">Patuxai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Si_Muang">Wat Si Muang</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Si_Saket">Wat Si Sake</a>t are some of the
notable sights to see. There is a wide
range of food and you can try the night market and the stalls along the river
to get that Vientiane atmosphere with a BeerLao in hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
are excursions to the rural areas nearby including the <a href="http://www.laosjunglefly.com/">Nam Lik Jungle Fly</a> for kayaking,
rope walking, to the forest reserves and many other day eco tours. Just check with the local tour agents on what
are available.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/wezluntungan">wezluntungan</a> gives a good feel of Vientiane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942954752766922793noreply@blogger.com0