in PDF - New Shan Travel

Issue No. 11 | Mar - Apr 2013
Free & Easy
Getaways
+ My Kyushu
Self-Drive
Adventure
Maldives
Vientiane, Laos
Cebu, Philippines
Contents
02
MY KYUSHU SELF-
DRIVE ADVENTURE
08
LOMBOK, INDONESIA
10
CEBU, PHILIPPINES
08
12
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
14
VIENTIANE, LAOS
16
MALDIVES
20
5 STEPS TO YOUR
12
FREE & EASY HOLIDAY
21
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
24
HOTEL DEALS
14
COVER PHOTO:
Angsana Ihuru, Maldives
Photo by Angsana Ihuru
E3 is the Online Travel Magazine of
New Shan Travel Service Pte Ltd.
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part
without permission is prohibited.
16
Editor’s Note
Most of us often travel on group tours because
of the convenience it brings. Everything is
planned for you – flights, hotels, meals, transport
and sightseeing. All you have to do is pay, turn
up at the airport and enjoy your holiday. But for
the stressed-out urban office worker that we
mostly are, the sometimes punishing pace of an
arranged tour may tire you out even more.
That’s where the Free & Easy option comes in. We
take care of the logistics for you – flights, hotels,
airport transfers – and the rest of the time is yours
to be spent in any way you want. Want to laze
in bed for another 10 minutes in the morning?
Sure. Want to shop the entire day? No problem.
The options are simply endless. See how you can tailor
your very own Free & Easy trip in just 5 easy steps.
Not sure where to head to? How about nearby
Southeast Asia? The rich cultures of the ten
Southeast Asian nations make for an interesting
holiday every time. With their close proximity
to Singapore and inexpensive offerings, there’s
no reason to pass up that weekend getaway. In
this issue of E3, we feature four of these cities:
Lombok in Indonesia, Cebu in the Philippines,
Siem Reap in Cambodia and Vientiane in Laos.
Or if you prefer to just lay by the beach and
hear the sound of the waves, then head to the
Maldives, where the clear waters and pristine air
will clear your mind and rejuvenate your body in
no time.
Flip the page now and see where your next trip
might take you!
Joe
1
The glittering night
view of Nagasaki from
Mt. Inasa.
ntributed
co
d content
Photos an
g
n
o
by Andy W
The rental cars on our self-drive trip.
W
hen tourists think of holidaying in Japan, they usually think of
Honshu (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto etc.), and Hokkaido. Few people
would have heard of Kyushu, let alone consider Kyushu. In recent
times, I have heard so much of Kyushu being an “Undiscovered
Gem”. People who had been there highly recommended Kyushu as
a holiday destination and regaled me with exciting adventures of
self-drive trips. Therefore, when the invitation came to embark on a
self-drive trip to Kyushu, I grabbed it with both hands.
DAY 1. On 14 December 2011, I landed at Fukuoka Airport at
11.35am. There, we were welcomed by our guides and tourism
authority officials. We were led to our three rented cars. I was
assigned a Toyota Wish for the first day. The friendly rental
company staff explained to us how to use the GPS set. All the
driver had to do was to key in either the map code or the phone
number of the destination. Our first stop was Beppu, a two-hour
drive away. Beppu is famous for its onsens.
2
Some facts on Kyushu: Kyushu is located at the
southern end of the Japanese archipelago and
includes seven prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki,
Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima.
Compared to Honshu and Hokkaido, Kyushu is
slightly warmer. You can find plenty of excellent
onsens and fresh seafood everywhere. Kyushu is also
a relatively inexpensive place, and that contributes to
its attractiveness among tourists. With the opening
of the Kyushu Shinkansen or bullet train, traversing
from Fukuoka in the north to Kagoshima in the south
takes a mere 80 minutes.
We visited Beppu Umijigoku (“Beppu Hells”). You will see
spectacular hot springs that are more for viewing than for
bathing, because the water is boiling hot. Each hot spring has its
peculiar features and names, such as “Sea Hell” and “Blood Hell”.
The latter is the most visually arresting and scary, because the
minerals in the water make the water red.
DAY 2. After a sumptuous breakfast of grilled salmon, mackerel,
and an assortment of fresh grilled fishes, we lined up the cars
for a photo shoot. My car on the first day, Toyota Wish, was the
one on the left. However, we were supposed to change cars
and passengers every day so that every driver could experience
different cars and there would be more interaction amongst
different people.
First stop of the day was Kokonoe “Yume” Suspension Bridge.
At 390m long and 173m high, it is the largest pedestrian
The steam rising from Beppu Umijigoku.
Explaining the origins of the “Sea Hell”.
suspension bridge in Japan. It hangs 777m above sea level across
the Kyusui Ravine. The bridge offers spectacular views of the
Shindo Falls, comprising o-daki (“male”) and me-daki (“female”)
waterfalls, of which the former has been chosen as one of Japan’s
top 100 waterfalls. It was very windy when I crossed the bridge.
The bridge swayed a little, but it was built this way to counter the
windy conditions and it felt reliable and solid. With the winds, it
felt like sub-zero temperature. Luckily, there were friendly vending
machines waiting at both ends of the bridge, where I bought a can
of warm Pokka sweet red bean drink!
Minerals causing the red waters of “Blood Hell”.
handsome horses. I was assigned a white one, albeit the oldest
among them. Two Japanese cowboys taught us how to mount and
control the horse. It was all too easy: a soft foot-tap on the horse’s
belly would be to tell the horse to move forward; a left tug of the
leash would be to turn left, and a soft pulling back of the leash
would be to slow down or stop. The two cowboys led us on a ride
of the countryside and we admired the farms and nature. Initially,
the horse was not used to my riding style. After a while, we gelled! I
felt like I could gallop down the fields like a champion jockey.
Today’s drive was especially therapeutic. We drove on the Yamanami
Highway, a scenic route that connects Aso with Beppu. The roads
were very wide. I felt like I was driving across continental Australia.
On the way to Mt. Aso, we enjoyed sweeping views of rolling hills,
great plains, snowy mountains, and the occasional deer and cows.
One important stop was the Daikanbo Peak. It is situated on the
caldera rim of the north of Aso Caldera. It is a vantage point to look
out to the Aso Valley, the Aso Five-Peaks, and all the northern rims
of Aso Caldera. The Aso Five-Peaks resembles a sleeping Buddha
and is admired by many.
We hit the Yamanami Highway again to set off for Mt. Aso crater.
To get to the smoking crater of Nakadake, one has to take the
Mt. Aso Ropeway to the top. Nakadake is an active crater with
turquoise-green water at 60°C at times of moderate activity. The
water turns grey as its temperature rises. I saw many emergency
shelters made of solid rock, and they served to protect visitors
from the volcanic rocks that might suddenly fly out from the crater
during unexpected volcanic activity. There were many sensors and
alarms installed around the crater to warn visitors of an increase in
volcanic activity. The area was filled with sulphuric fumes and the
crater lake was incessantly bubbling.
Next stop, El Rancho Grande. It is a Western-style horse-riding
ground where you can rent a horse for 20 minutes or more for a ride
around the surrounding fields. I counted five horses on standby,
of which some were white and some were brown. All were very
The ‘Mysterious Road’ phenomenon does not only appear in
known places such as Korea and Shenyang. It also appeared along
the Yamanami Highway! As I was driving, the tour guide suddenly
told me to stop the car and asked me if I could detect a phenomenon.
The Kokonoe “Yume” Suspension Bridge.
One half of the Shindo Falls.
The active crater lake at Nakadake.
3
The awesome views at Daikanbo Peak.
Learning to be a cowboy for a day!
The handsome horses at the El Rancho Grande.
To my surprise, our vehicle appeared to climb uphill in the neutral
gear! Drivers of many vehicles around ours were also testing out
the phenomenon. If you were to be on the opposite side, your
vehicle would apparently be rolling backwards even though the
down slope was in front of you! Mysterious indeed.
At nightfall, we arrived at Kumamoto City, a beautiful city known
for its Kumamoto Castle. After returning our car at the rental
shop, we took a tram to our dinner place, which offered a fantastic
view of Kumamoto Castle. Kumamoto Castle is a major landmark
of Kumamoto City, and is regarded as one of the most impressive
castles in Japan, together with the white-walled Hijemi Castle
and the black-walled Matsumoto Castle. In addition, Kumamoto
Castle is considered a most impregnable fortress even until today.
Its main defensive features include very high stone walls with
wooden overhangs (originally designed as protection against
ninjas), and a wide moat. There are many escape passageways
within the castle. At night, the castle is illuminated and the view
is breath-taking.
DAY 3. We drove our cars to Kumamoto Port to take an express
ferry to Shimabara Port en route to Nagasaki. We drove into the
ferry, parked and went onto the ferry deck to feed the seagulls! It
was an exhilarating experience. You hold up the bread crumbs,
and the nearest or fastest seagull would grab the crumbs within
the next few seconds without hurting your fingers! I was hesitant
of being bitten initially, but after seeing my fellow traveller use
his lips to hold the crumbs up and a seagull swooping in for the
kill with nary an injury, my fear dissipated. The view of Shimabara
Bay was fantastic. We reached the opposite shore in half an hour,
and drove off the ferry.
We drove up the mountain to Nita Pass (1,080m above sea
level), where we took a ropeway to the summit of Mt. Myoken.
On a clear day, one can enjoy a commanding view of Shimabara
4
Kumamoto Castle, one of the
most impressive in Japan.
Peninsula and Bay. However, it was snowing that day and the
summit was fogged. At the Nita Pass, we could see the lava dome
of Heisei Shinzan. It had been newly created in 1990 when Mt.
Fugen erupted.
Next stop was Unzen Hell. There were many pools of bubbling
springs dotted around the area, and the whole area was covered
with white clay. The white clay is called ‘solfataric clay’. The clay
had been altered and decolourised by fumarolic gas, hot spring
heat and acidic water. The energy source is assumed to be the
magma reservoir under the seabed of the Tachibana Bay. The
highest temperature of the fumarolic gas, blown out with hissing
noises, can be 120°C. White and light yellow sinter deposits were
attached on the ground around the fumaroles. We bought hardboiled eggs cooked by the bubbling water and ate them with a
dash of salt. More delicious than usual!
We drove on to Nagasaki. Nagasaki, capital of Nagasaki Prefecture
and the fifth largest city in Kyushu, is an important port city with
more than four centuries of history. It prospered as Japan’s sole
“window” to Western culture during its 300 years of national
isolation. Nagasaki has thriving shipbuilding and fisheries
industries and is especially noted for its marine products, such
as cultured pearls, tortoiseshell and coral works. To the world,
it was also known the second city in Japan, after Hiroshima, to
experience an atomic explosion during the Second World War.
We headed for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace
Park. The Atomic Bomb Museum was built to show the world the
horror of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki and the need to
eliminate all nuclear weapons. The Peace Statue in the Peace Park
was constructed in 1955 by donations from all over the world,
and is highly symbolic. The right hand pointing skyward warns
about the threat of the atomic bomb. The left hand stretching
out horizontally symbolizes world peace. The gently-closed eyes
represent a prayer for the repose of the souls of all atomic bomb
victims. At the Hypocenter Park, a memorial monolith marks the
exact spot below the center of the atomic bomb explosion, which
occurred at 11.02am, August 9, 1945. Looking at the exhibits, I
could not help but felt stunned by the horrific nature of wars and
was deeply saddened by the plight of the innocent victims.
to the shrine is lined with teahouses selling ‘umegae-mochi,’ a
local specialty rice-cake that is believed to ward off illness. There
are many shops selling food. We went to a particular shop famous
for its red bean desserts and matcha. The venerable boss was at
the shop front busy making red bean cakes. His dedication to
perfection was there for all to see.
Next, we headed for Mt. Inasa to enjoy the night view of Nagasaki
City, the spot proclaimed to be “One of the top three night views
of Japan”. We took the Nagasaki Ropeway, an all-transparent
gondola, to the summit of Mt. Inasa (333m above ground). The
journey up was spectacular. The sweeping views from Mt. Inasa
Lookout were even better. I could see why it lived up to its name;
the amazing glittering lights of Nagasaki City that is situated on
undulating mountain slopes. At the Lookout, you would see many
triangles lit up on the ground, and amongst the hundreds of
triangles, there was a love-shaped symbol. According to a popular
saying, one would find love if one could find the symbol. I found it
in 3 minutes. A good sign indeed!
At the shrine, there was a blessing session going on. The devotees
were immaculately dressed in suits or kimonos. A new-born baby
was being blessed by the priest. Good luck charms were sold at
the stalls. For lunch, our tour guide led us to a secluded path off
the main thoroughfare into a small residential neighbourhood.
Suddenly, she turned into a huge compound that looked like
a residence, only to discover that it was actually a Japanese
restaurant nestled in a Japanese garden setting. This restaurant
specializes in serving many variants of tofu dishes. We sat tatamistyle and were fussed about by a kimono-clad waitress, whilst
enjoying the Japanese garden setting and delicious food.
DAY 4. After breakfast, we headed back to Fukuoka. It was going to
be a two-hour drive. Our first stop was Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine.
Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine enshrines Sugawara Michizane (845903) as the god of academic achievement. Before the entrance
examination each year, young people from all parts of Japan come
to the shrine to pray for success in the examination. The approach
Driving into the ferry at Kumamoto Port.
We headed to Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. Formerly, Hakata
was an independent city. From Heian period (AD 794-1185) to
Azuchi-Momoyama period (AD 1568–1600), Hakata’s merchants
traded with Chinese, Korean, and other overseas merchants. The life
and culture of Hakata, mainly of the Meiji and Taisho eras (AD 1868–
1926), are introduced from various perspectives at this Museum.
The Nita Pass en route to Mt. Myoken.
The formation of the Heisei Shinzan lava dome.
A replica of the bomb that
exploded over Nagasaki,
nicknamed “Fat Man”.
The bubbling waters
of Unzen Hell.
Pray for success in your studies at the
Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine.
The Peace Statue at the Nagasaki
Atomic Peace Park.
A blessing session taking place at Dazaifu Shrine.
The entrance of the superb tofu
restaurant off Dazaifu Shrine.
5
The shop owner making red bean cakes.
Authentic matcha with red bean dessert.
A model of old Hakata city at the
Hakata Machiya Folk Museum.
A craftsman at work in the museum.
Kushida Shrine was just across the road. Kushida Shrine has
a long history as the village shrine in Fukuoka City. Shrines for
each of Shinto’s three gods (Amaterasu Omikami, Ohatanushi noOmikami, and Susano no-Omikami) were built in 757 AD and 941
AD. The shrine is fervently revered as “Okushida-sama” or “God of
Immortality and Success in Business”. It is also the starting point
of Fukuoka’s most famous festival, “Hakata Gion Yamakasa”, which
is held on 1st to 15th of July. You will see tens of men carrying a
float or “Oi-Yama” weighing as heavy as one ton racing down the
roads in the early hours of the morning on the 15th day.
Next stop is the Canal City Hakata. Most ladies will like this
place. Other than the Tenjin shopping area, Canal City Hakata
is the place to be for food, shopping and entertainment. On the
fifth storey, you can find cinemas and many restaurants. There is
a Ramen stadium on the sixth storey serving different types of
Ramen from all parts of Japan. At the basement, you can find
open areas to relax and admire the musical fountain as the water
sways to the music. The recently-opened annex contains a huge
Uniqlo store and several international brands. I find the quaint
cafes especially interesting. One can literally spend a whole day
in Canal City. After shopping, you may walk along the Naka River
The Kushida Shrine, God of
Immortality and Success in Business.
Enjoy the numerous onsens in Yufuin.
6
One of the floats used for the Hakata
Gion Yamakasa festival.
situated just beside Canal City and enjoy the romantic scenery.
You can even try the “Yatai”, which are standalone sheds dotted
along the riverside and serving authentic Fukuoka cuisine.
After wrapping up our shopping at Canal City Hakata, we took
the Velotaxis, a form of human-peddled modern trishaw, for a
tour around the city. Many shoppers were amused by our mode
of transportation and waved at and posed with us. It was thirtyminute ride and we alighted at the Tenjin shopping area.
DAY 5 to 7. I extended my trip by another 3 days to take in more
sights of Kyushu and to visit and relax at some of the best onsens
in Japan. No more driving from now on. However, I did miss all the
driving because it felt so therapeutic to drive on such wide roads and
be accompanied by wonderful sights, not to mention the utmost
courtesy and driving etiquettes displayed by Japanese drivers.
I visited Yufuin, one of the best-known onsen towns in Japan.
From Tenjin station, I took a two-hour bus ride to eastern Kyushu.
I have heard so much about this place from the locals. Yufuin is a
quiet little town situated in a valley and blessed with numerous
onsens. The main thoroughfare is located 5 minutes away from
The sprawling shopping complex
of Canal City Hakata.
The Velotaxi, a human-peddled
modern trishaw.
Like a screen grab out of the show “Japan Hour”.
Delicious onsen-boiled eggs for sale.
The quaint entrance to the onsen.
Vending machine at Matsuya. The
vending machine’s options are mindboggling, isn’t it?
Tucking in to a sumptuous lunch after a bath.
Pig intestines with miso soup! A Fukuoka delicacy.
Beef portions were more generous
and tastier than those in Singapore!
Three types of raw chicken meat!
the bus terminal and is lined with many shops selling food, gifts,
local produce and drinks. If you are tired, a café is never more than
a stone’s throw away. I asked the Tourist Information Centre to
recommend an onsen, and they recommended one that required
a fifteen-minute walk. The onsen has two pools, and both
overlook a mountain. The outdoor temperature was 10°C and the
skies were clear, perfect conditions to relax in an open-air onsen.
I had both the pools to myself. Water in one pool was really hot,
and water in the other was more acceptable to a less-seasoned
onsen-goer like me. After 30 minutes of soaking and enjoying
the mountain scenery, I felt thoroughly detoxified. With renewed
appetite, I headed down to the main thoroughfare in search of
food and desserts. Along the way, I experienced “Japan Hour” –
picturesque mountains surrounding me, crystal-clear fresh water
gushing down the stream on my left, refreshing mountain air
oxygenating my mind, living in my own world. Surreal.
To me, visiting Japan means going to onsens, eat, and going
to more onsens, so I visited another the following day. A friend
recommended this onsen called 清渑, located in the suburbs of
Fukuoka. There is a complimentary hourly shuttle bus that picks
you up in the city near Tenjin Station. The ride took 50 minutes,
and you would probably sit next to an obasan (‘auntie’ in Japanese)
or ojisan (‘uncle’ in Japanese). Elderly Japanese and retirees are
probably the most frequent visitors to onsens. Upon reaching the
destination, it gave me another “Japan Hour” experience. 清渑 is
located in a valley and is blessed with excellent hot spring waters.
The sprawling complex consisted of several traditional wooden
structures interlinked together. Facilities include separate hot
spring baths for men and women, a restaurant serving delicious
Japanese food, massage services, sleeping area and bathing
facilities. For the male onsen, there were six different types of hot
springs, including a waterfall, cold water pool, hydrosonic pool
and mini electric-current pool. I felt reinvigorated and hungry
again. I took a refreshing bath and napped a bit before tucking
into a sumptuous lunch. The whole experience lasted a little less
than 3 hours, and I boarded the shuttle bus back to the city.
I will like to wrap up this article by sharing some delicious
food pictures, and other non-food pictures which I think are
interesting. After this trip, I was left in no doubt that I would go
back again and do another round of self-drive. The next time, it
shall be Southern Kyushu, leading to Kagoshima. E3
Yi-Lan Ramen, one of the most
famous ramen chains in Kyushu.
The booths typical of ramen stores.
Fukuoka Tower, the tallest structure
in Kyushu at 234m.
View of Fukuoka city from the top of
Fukuoka Tower.
That’s me taking a break from driving and
posing with the Aso mountain ranges.
*The views and opinions expressed in this article are that of the writer and do not represent the views of New Shan Travel.
7
Lombok
The awe-inspiring
Mount Rinjani,
one of Indonesia’s
highest active
volcanoes.
Lombok is situated in the province of West Nusa
Tenggara, located to the east of the more wellknown Bali. As one of the many islands that
make up the vast Indonesian archipelago,
Lombok is rapidly becoming one of Indonesia’s
most popular destinations. Easily accessible
with its new international airport and direct
flights from Singapore, Lombok offers a myriad
of activities on both land and sea. You can go
for a trek in Rinjani National Park and come
face-to-face with the iconic Mount Rinjani –
one of Indonesia’s highest active volcanoes
at 3,726m – or swim and snorkel on the natural
white sand beaches of the mainland.
The famous tourist beaches of Senggigi and
Kuta Beach boast the best unspoilt beaches of
the world, while renowned surfing breaks like
Desert Point, Gerupuk and Bangko Bangko
attract keen surfers from around the world. The
diving options are noteworthy too, with worldclass diving sites such as Gili Nanggu in the
southwest of Lombok and the three islands of
Trawangan, Meno and Air north of Senggigi,
also famously known as the Gili Islands.
Lombok is a craft lover’s dream too, where
gifted artisans weave and throw pots of export
8
quality. Lombok is also world-famous for the
outstanding quality of the pearls offered in
specialist shops. On top of the many activities
available, the people of Lombok are warm
and hospitable, the scenery is gorgeous and
the pace of life is relaxing, great for a break
from the urban life every time.
Intricate designs
on Terracotta
Hot Pots.
Indonesia
The magnificent scenery at Kuta Beach.
The clear waters
off Senggigi
beach.
Enjoy worldclass diving at
Gili Nanggu.
Hop on to a small horsedrawn carriage, called a
Cidomo, on the Gili Islands.
Photos credit to PHRI Lombok – Sumbawa
9
Cebu
Lapu-Lapu Monument, erected in honour of Lapu-Lapu,
a famous chieftain who defeated Spanish soldiers.
Cebu is a province in the Southern Philippines,
comprising of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding
islands. Named the 7th best island destination
in the Indian Ocean-Asia region in 2007 and
4th best Asian-Pacific island destination in 2009
by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, Cebu is a
long strip of land spanning 225km from north
to south, and is one of the most developed
provinces in the Philippines. Its capital Cebu
City, the oldest city in the Philippines, is the
main focus of business and education in the
Visayas.
Also the epicentre of colonial civilization in the
country, Cebu City has the richest history, as
showcased in the many museums exhibiting
Filipino culture from centuries back. Other
landmarks not to be missed in the city are
the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Fort San
Pedro, Lapu-Lapu Monument, Magellan’s
Cross, Cebu Tops Lookout and Cebu Taoist
Temple. In addition, make time to visit the
churches that line the city’s well-known streets
as Cebu is the seat of Christianity and religion
plays a significant part in the daily lives of the
Cebuanos.
10
For the nature lovers seeking adventure,
there’s the House Close to Nature built by
Nestor Archival – an eco-house advocating
sustainable environment living – and the 24ha
Highland Farm by Rene Mercado in Agsungot,
a 45-minute drive from the city proper. For
beach lovers, head to the northern part of the
island or the southwest coast, where beaches
with the whitest sand and the most amazing
diving can be found. On the southern end,
Moalboal Panagsama Beach is a focus for dive
centres, while off the coast in the north, the
tranquil islands of Bantayan and Malapascua
make for a pleasant excursion. You can also
visit the other nearby islands on an islandhopping tour.
The Cebu Taoist
Temple, built by the
Chinese community
in 1972.
Philippines
Basilica Minore del
Santo Niño, the oldest
Roman Catholic
church established in
the Philippines.
Fort San Pedro, a
triangular fort built
by the Spanish.
Magellan’s Cross,
planted by the famous
explorer Ferdinand
Magellan upon landing
ashore Cebu in 1521.
The skyline of Cebu City.
Photos credit to Adamdaley, Mike Gonzalez, Editor999999 / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0, Carl Frances Morano Diaman / CC-BY-SA-3.0
11
Siem Reap
The breathtaking
view of Angkor Wat.
The capital city of Siem Reap Province in
north-western Cambodia, Siem Reap’s claim
to fame is no doubt the gateway town to the
magnificent Angkor Wat. A temple complex at
Angkor region built for King Suryavarman II in
the early 12th century as his state temple and
capital city, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved
temple at the site.
But besides the must-see Angkor Wat, the
Angkor region has other offerings as well:
Angkor Thom – the last and longest lasting
capital city of the Khmer empire, Ta Prohm
– a photographer’s favourite with its temple
ruins peeking out of massive tree roots, Phnom
Bakheng – one of Angkor’s oldest temples,
but better known for its panoramic beauty at
sunset, are all worth a visit while you are there.
Back in Siem Reap, take a walk down the Old
French Quarter and around the Old Market
to admire the colonial and Chinese-style
architecture. Set sail on a cruise on the Tonle Sap
Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast
Asia that has been designated an UNESCO
biosphere since 1997. Visit Artisans D’angkor
to discover the traditional Khmer techniques
used for stone and wood carving, lacquering
12
The enigmatic
smiling faces of
Avalokiteshvara
at Angkor Thom.
and gilding. Discover and understand the
whole silk production process at the Angkor
Silk Farm. Watch the traditional Aspara dance
performances, visit rice-paddy country sides,
fishing villages and even a bird sanctuary near
the Tonle Sap Lake. The activities are endless.
Gigantic roots of
trees covering
the temple at Ta
Prohm.
Cambodia
The amazing sunset view at Phnom Bakheng.
Silk cocoons
drying out in the
sun at the Angkor
Silk Farm.
Relax with a boat
ride on the Tonle
Sap Lake.
Learn how silk
is spun from silk
cocoons.
13
Vientiane
Pha That Luang stupa, the national symbol of Laos.
View of Vientiane
from the Patuxay
Monument.
Unlike other bustling capitals in Asia, Vientiane
gives off such a relaxing vibe that the city
almost feels like a small town, when in actual
fact, it is the largest city in Laos and its
capital. With a blend of Lao, Thai, Chinese,
Vietnamese, French and American influences,
this captivating city is both charming yet easygoing. Be sure to visit the national symbol
– Pha That Luang. You will be dazzled by the
magnificent golden exterior of the Buddhist
stupa which is considered as one of the most
sacred Buddhist temples in Vientiane. The
city’s most important festival, Bun That Luang,
is held here in November on the night of the
full moon.
Wat Si Saket is another must-visit temple, being
the longest-standing in Vientiane. Built in 1818,
14
it houses hundreds of Buddha statues in all sizes
and made of wood, stone, silver and bronze.
If you’re curious about the history of Laos, the
National Museum is the place to go. One of
the highlights of the museum is the people’s
struggle against foreign occupation to achieve
freedom. Don’t forget to take some pictures
of Vientiane’s very own Arc de Triomphe, the
imposing Patuxay Monument.
Sightseeing aside, you should visit the Talat Sao
morning market. It has practically everything,
from food to non-edibles, wooden crafts
to electronic goods. After a whole day of
exploring the city, the next best thing to
do is to stroll along the river and take in the
mesmerizing sights of sunset, with a Beerlao –
the Laos national beer – in hand.
Laos
The Siamese-styled
Buddhist temple
Wat Si Saket.
Vientiane’s
Arc de
Triomphe,
the Patuxay
Monument.
Hundreds of Buddha
statues within the
compounds of Wat
Si Saket.
Photos credit to Wikimedia Commons – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / CCBY-2.0, Tim Wang / CC-BY-SA-2.0, Benh Lieu Song / CC-BY-SA-3.0
15
Maldives
Spend the day trailing between the sun, the sand and the sea with the magnificent Indian Ocean
right at your doorstep. This mere thought of heading to the Maldives is enough to create a sense
of excitement in many. The journey is an adventure in itself – the view of the endless ocean as the
plane lands, the sea plane or speedboat transfer to your resort and the walk along the jetty to
your blissful holiday.
The Maldives is a chain of 26 atolls, spread over an estimated 90,000 km2 in the Indian Ocean.
While the administrative centre of the country is in Malé, most of the resorts in Maldives each
occupy an island itself, so you are guaranteed exclusivity and privacy. From here on, we let the
pictures speak for themselves, as we showcase three of the resorts in Maldives.
The jetty to bliss
– Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
The splendid view of
Vabbinfaru Island from the air.
16
The Beachfront Pool Villa (Left) and the Oceanview Pool Villa (Right), both measuring 110sqm, is an intimate enclave
of tropical living, with unparalleled privacy in a walled garden, which comprises a sundeck, pool, jet pool, outdoor
and indoor shower and a recessed sitting area perfect for a lazy afternoon lounging on the sundeck.
Maldives
Watch the turtles and stingrays
being fed in the evenings at the
Marine Lab, which also offers
weekly marine biology classes.
Wedding Celebrations: Tie
the knot with your beloved
on a secluded sandbank
surrounded by turquoise waters
under the clear Maldivian sky.
Adventurous couples can opt
for an underwater celebration
to seal their union surrounded
by the vibrant marine life.
Sunset Jetty: Lounge in style at the
jetty and watch the sky light up in
brilliant colours as the sun sets.
Escape to a world of your own with
the Sandbank Dining experience.
Arrive by speedboat and be
ushered to a table of gourmet
delights and champagne, with
only the moon and torches
lighting your feast.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Located within the North Malé Atoll, Banyan
Tree Vabbinfaru is a 20-minute speedboat ride
from Malé International Airport. Surrounded
by a white powdery beach are 48 elegant
villas, nestled on the coral atoll. Each villa has
a bedroom with an open terrace, landscaped
garden and a private sundeck. Other features
include an outdoor pool and jet pool in a
private garden, outdoor and indoor showers,
an outdoor living pavilion, 32” flat screen TV,
entertainment system and much more. If space
and privacy are on the top of your wish list, the
Vabbinfaru Pool Villa is highly recommended
with its extended sundeck and additional
outdoor jet pool near recessed sitting area,
perfect for a lazy afternoon.
When you manage to pluck yourself away
from the creature comforts of your villa, there
are other facilities around the resort for your
enjoyment as well. There’s retail therapy at
the Banyan Tree Gallery, which showcases
indigenous arts and crafts, body and beauty
treatments at the Banyan Tree Spa, indoor
games such as volleyball and table tennis, and
outdoor diving and water sports activities at
the PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Dive Centre.
Angsana Velavaru
Affectionately known as the “Turtle Island”, the
113-villa Angsana Velavaru is located in the
pristine South Nilandhe Atoll and is accessible
by a 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé
International Airport. Set amidst the Velavaru
Lagoon with spectacular views and direct
access to the Indian Ocean are 79 Island Villas,
with private beachfronts at your doorstep and
34 InOcean Pool Villas, an exclusive cluster of
two-storey overwater villas positioned at the
edge of the reef, one kilometre away from the
island of Velavaru, a first in the Maldives.
With a “101 things to do, no lagoon like
it” tagline, you will be spoilt for choice the
moment the seaplane touches down on
Velavaru island. But if you can’t decide on
which activity, there’s the list of choice picks
The Island Villas,
featuring private
beachfronts.
The spectacular view of Velavaru
Island from the seaplane.
17
by satisfied guests that you can consult. For adults,
you can ride above the waves on the newest
water sport Sit-Down Hydrofoil or try your hand at
Big Game Fishing. For the kids, introduce them to
diving through the Bubble Maker diving lesson in
a shallow lagoon, bring the whole family out to
sea and look for dolphins, or learn about Marine
Life Conservation from the experts. For the loveydovey ones, dine on the private island of Maagaa
in a Castaway Dinner or enjoy a Romantic spa
package for newlyweds at the award-winning
Angsana Spa. But don’t forget to squeeze in some
time to do absolutely nothing – other than lie on
the luscious white beach and soak in the incredible
beauty of Angsana Velavaru.
The InOcean Pool
Villas, a cluster of twostorey overwater villas.
Over 100 activities for your picking
at Angsana Velavaru, including
canoeing and other water sports,
dolphin watching out at sea, fun at
the Kid’s Club and a relaxing beauty
treatment at the Angsana Spa.
Bungalows sitting
on stilts spread
throughout the island
at Club Med Kani.
18
Maldives
From Top Left to Top Right: Resort-themed
bathrooms with his and hers wash basins;
sheer indulgence in the overwater Lagoon
Suite with all-round ocean views; more room
for everyone when you choose the Superior
Connecting Room with garden and beach
views.
From Mid Left to Mid Right: Chill out with a
drink at the Iru Bar; Lounge by the sea and
enjoy the breeze at the Manta Lounge; The
brilliant colours of sunset at Club Med Kani.
Club Med Kani, the giant
palm tree spreading out
in the lagoon.
Club Med Kani
From a distance, Kani emerges like
a garden island poised on turquoise
waters. This tiny paradise in the
Maldives archipelago, exclusively
reserved for Club Med guests, has 75
Suites on Stilts which, when viewed
from above, resemble a giant palm
tree straddling the lagoon.
Just imagine: Holidaying on Club
Med’s own private atoll, swimming
together in a turquoise lagoon, lazing
on a white sand beach, enjoying
the secluded privacy of the new 5Ψ
Luxury Space in a 70sqm Suite on
Stilts, exploring underwater life on the
coral reef and dining on grilled fish at
the speciality restaurant, the Kandu.
Are you smiling yet? Life doesn’t get
better than this.
You’ll love this diver’s paradise, ideal
for modern-day Robinson Crusoes.
Set between lush vegetation and a
magnificent immaculate white sand
beach with crystal clear waters, the
bungalows seem to rise from the
middle of the Indian Ocean, dotted
throughout the island.
As an all-inclusive resort, there’s
certainly no shortage of activities.
Indoors,
there’s
badminton,
basketball, volleyball and table
tennis, just to name a few, or head
out to the beach for some beach
soccer and beach volleyball. Of
course, there are water sports such
as water polo, kayaking, sailing,
aqua-fitness and snorkelling as well.
And for those who prefer to rest
and relax, there’s yoga and beauty
treatments aplenty at the Club Med
Spa by Mandara.
Photos by Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Angsana Velavaru and Club Med Kani.
19
5 Steps to
Your Free &
Easy Holiday
Planning your own holiday is not as terrifying as it
seems, it just takes some time and effort. Besides, a
customised holiday will guarantee you maximum
satisfaction, in terms of comfort, pace, activities
planned and meal options. Here’s how to get started.
STEP 1: Book your flight
The first order of the day is to secure seats on your preferred
flight. Besides choosing between full-service airlines versus
budget “no-frills” airlines for cost consideration, take note
of the number of stopovers and transit time at each stop
as well. You don’t want to end up spending 6 hours in an
airport transit area just to save that few tens of dollars. Also,
pay attention to the arrival time of the flight. To maximise
sightseeing time at your destination, choose an early
morning flight, or an overnight flight that arrives first thing
in the morning. But do note that your hotel room might not
be ready for check-in, so you have to leave your bags at the
hotel or left-luggage facilities at the airport or train stations
in some cities. On the contrary, if you want to check-in to
freshen up before beginning your day, then time your flights
to arrive after 1 or 2pm. Plan similarly for your departing
flight.
STEP 2: Choose a hotel
Choosing the hotel’s location pretty much depends on
your itinerary. If you are going budget and taking public
transport, choose a hotel next to a subway station, so that
you don’t have to lug your bags all around town. Or say you
have an early morning train to catch to your next destination,
then choose a hotel near the train station, so that you do
not risk missing your train due to the morning traffic. If you
are planning to do some major shopping, pick a hotel on
the main shopping street to allow for frequent pit stops to
drop off your shopping bags and freshen up. Sometimes,
rather than fork out good money for a town hotel, it may be
cheaper to stay near the airport where hotel rates are likely
to be lower and you can commute to town. Once you have
nailed down the location, then it’s easier to sieve through
the different hotels on offer and pick one to your liking.
20
STEP 3: Make a list of the
sights you want to see
Do your research beforehand, on websites, travel portals,
guidebooks, and make a list of the sights that you want
to see. Note down their opening hours (especially for
museums), subway stops, bus services and websites. Check
out the attraction’s website for more information, like what’s
on offer, special promotions, extended opening hours or
closure dates. If you would like to venture out on day trips,
note down which days the trips are operating and if there are
different prices for different days. List down the restaurants
and local foodstuff that you want to try in the same way.
Finally, complete the list with the “errands” – chocolates for
the co-workers, souvenirs for the family, time for submitting
the tax refund at the airport. This will give you a complete
picture of what you intend to achieve on your holiday.
STEP 4: Group the sights and
activities; Allocate time
Group attractions and meal plans in the same area together
and visit them on the same day, so that you can save time
and money on travelling and see more. Decide how much
time you are going to spend at each location. For example, if
there is a huge museum on your list, allocate a good half or
even one day for it, so that you do not have to rush through
the exhibits. If you have certain must-sees, schedule them
at the start of your trip. In case of unforeseen circumstances
like bad weather, you would still have other days to attempt
them. For your day trips, alternate them with your city
sightseeing, so that the coach or train journey can double up
as a break from all the walking.
STEP 5: Plan transportation
To get to and from the airport, first of all, check if your hotel
offers a complimentary airport shuttle. Otherwise, hailing
a cab is the most convenient way. But there are other costfriendly options as well, such as city shuttle services, airport
express trains or shared hotel transfers. You can usually find
this information on the airport’s website. To get around the
city, most urban cities would have a comprehensive subway
network that you can depend on, with many offering day
passes or tourist passes which are usually a good deal.
However, do take note of limited express trains which only
call at certain stops and keep a map of the subway system
with you for easy reference. Buses might be a tad more
complex to navigate, but you can always plan your route
beforehand and consult the friendly bus driver when in
doubt.
Now that you have everything thought out, type them down into a day-by-day itinerary, together with your
flight details and a map to your hotel. Include emergency numbers such as the airline customer service number,
hotel contact number and embassy contact number. And you’re done!
Our Recommendations
5 Day 3 Night Fukuoka Free & Easy
5 Day 3 Night Osaka Free & Easy
Package Includes
Package Includes
Package Price (Valid from 01Mar2013 – 30Sep2013)
Package Price (Valid from 01Mar2013 – 30Sep2013)
 Return economy air ticket on Singapore Airlines
 3 nights’ accommodation of your choice
 Daily breakfast (for selected hotels only)
 Excel Hotel Tokyu Hakata from S$1,099*
 Hilton Sea Hawk Fukuoka from S$1,099*
 Hotel Monterey from S$1,069*
 Hotel Nikko Fukuoka from S$1,199*
 Hyatt Regency Fukuoka from S$1,099*
 KKR Hotel Hakata from S$959*
 Lasoeur Fukuoka from S$1,069*
 Return economy air ticket on Singapore Airlines
 3 nights’ accommodation of your choice
 Daily breakfast (for selected hotels only)
 Best Western Hotel Kansai from S$1,049*
 Cross Hotel Osaka from S$1,219*
 Hotel Granvia Osaka from S$1,149*
 Hotel Nikko Kansai from S$1,179*
 Hotel Plaza Osaka from S$1,049*
 Hotel Sunroute Kanku from S$1,049*
 Hyatt Regency Hotel from S$1,219*
 Osaka Daiichi Hotel from S$1,119*
 Osaka Shinhaykyu Hotel from S$1,129*
SEE MORE DETAILS
3 Day Lombok Free & Easy
SEE MORE DETAILS
3 Day Cebu Free & Easy
Package Includes
Package Includes
Package Price (Valid from 01Feb2013 – 31Oct2013)
Package Price (Valid from 01Feb2013 – 30Jun2013)
 Return economy air ticket on SilkAir
 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice
 Daily breakfast
 Return airport / hotel Seat-In-Coach transfer
 Holiday Resort from S$439*
 Jayakarta Beach Resort from S$419*
 Senggigi Beach Resort from S$439*
 Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort from S$499*
SEE MORE DETAILS
 Return economy air ticket on SilkAir
 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice
 Daily breakfast
 Return airport / hotel transfer
 Cebu Parklane International from S$449*
 Cebu White Sand Beach Resort from S$479*
 Costabella Beach Resort from S$459*
 Crown Regency Hotel & Tower from S$439*
 Marco Polo Plaza from S$489*
 Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort from S$459*
 Movenpick Resort & Spa from S$609*
 Radisson Blu Hotel from S$489*
SEE MORE DETAILS
21
Our Recommendations
3 Day Vientiane Free & Easy
3 Day Siem Reap Free & Easy
Package Includes
 Return economy air ticket on SilkAir
 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice
 Daily breakfast
 Return airport / hotel Seat-In-Coach transfer
Package Price (Valid from 01Feb2013 – 30Sep2013)
 Angkor Paradise from S$409*
 Angkor Riviera from S$399*
 Angkor Miracle Resort from S$459*
 Angkorland from S$389*
 Borei Angkor Resort from S$509*
 City Angkor Hotel from S$389*
 Le Meridien Angkor from S$649*
 Princess Angkor Hotel from S$399*
 Ree Hotel from S$409*
Package Includes
 Return economy air ticket on Lao Airlines
 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice
 Daily breakfast
 Return airport / hotel transfer with Englishspeaking guide
Package Price (Valid from 01Jan2013 – 30Apr2013)
 City Inn from S$498*
 Green Park from S$728*
 Lao Plaza from S$648*
 Mercure Hotel from S$458*
 Sabaidee from S$498*
 Salana Boutique from S$598*
 Settha Palace from S$798*
 Vientiane Plaza from S$568*
SEE MORE DETAILS
SEE MORE DETAILS
4 Day Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Maldives
Package Includes
 Return airfare on Singapore Airlines
 3 nights’ accommodation at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
 Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner provided (Full Board)
 Return airport transfer by speed boat (combined transfer)
Benefits For Honeymooners
 Partner Massage Lesson with a trained Spa Therapist (30 minutes lesson)
 Special turndown and complimentary bottle of wine and fruit basket upon arrival
 Stay 7 consecutive nights and receive additional complimentary Spa treatment
(60 minutes session) and one Romantic Villa Dining (“Vabbin Grill”) prepared
and served on the villa terrace by a private chef and butler
 20% discount on 90 minutes session ala carte Spa treatment
Stay Validity: 01 March 2013 - 30 April 2013
from
S$3,199*
(Tax: S$360)
22
SEE MORE DETAILS
Our Recommendations
4 Day Angsana Velavaru, Maldives
Package Includes
 Return airfare on Singapore Airlines
 3 nights’ accommodation at Angsana Velavaru
 Daily breakfast provided
 Return airport transfer by Sea Plane
from
S$2,299*
(Tax: S$360)
Benefits For Honeymooners
 A special Angsana Gallery gift delivered on turn-down
 A bottle of wine and a platter of tropical fruits set in the villa on check-in
 20% off listed 90- or 120-minute body massages at Angsana Spa
Stay Validity: 01 March 2013 - 30 April 2013
SEE MORE DETAILS
4 Day Angsana Ihuru, Maldives
Package Includes
 Return airfare on Singapore Airlines
 3 nights’ accommodation at Angsana Ihuru
 Daily breakfast provided
 Return airport transfer by speed boat (combined transfer)
from
S$2,149*
(Tax: S$360)
Benefits For Honeymooners
 A special Angsana Gallery gift delivered on turn-down
 Champagne with canapés at sunset
 Complimentary bottle of wine and welcome fruit basket on arrival day
 20% off listed 90- or 120-minute body massages at Angsana Spa
Stay Validity: 01 March 2013 - 30 April 2013
SEE MORE DETAILS
5 Day 3 Night Club Med Kani, Maldives
Package Includes
 Return economy class ticket on Singapore Airlines
 Accommodation (with choice of room categories)
 Return speedboat transfers from airport to resort (approx. 30mins)
 Sumptuous Buffet Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 Free-flow of red / white wine, beer and beverages during Lunch & Dinner
 All day unlimited Bar and Snacking at selected times
 All sport activities
 Unique nightly entertainment
Stay Validity: 01 November 2012 – 30 April 2013
from
S$2,335*
(Tax: S$370)
SEE MORE DETAILS
* T&Cs apply. Information correct as at 01 March 2013. For more tours, please visit www.newshan.com/tour or call 6481 1181.
23
Hotel Deals
Fukuoka, Japan
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Hakata Excel Tokyu from S$111*
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Monterey La Soeur from S$110*
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Villa Sayang from S$80*
Osaka, Japan
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Namba Oriental Hotel is located in
Osaka’s Namba neighbourhood,
close to Nanba Grand Kagetsu, Osaka
Castle, and Shinsaibashi Shopping
Arcade. Nearby points of interest
also include Tsutenkaku Tower and
Shitennoji Temple.
Cebu, Philippines
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Waterfront Cebu City from S$132*
Villa Sayang is a boutique hotel
and spa in the suburbs featuring
14 guestrooms with patios offering
mountain or garden views. The hotel
serves a complimentary cooked-toorder breakfast and has an outdoor
pool and sauna.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Sutton Hotel Hakata City is located
in central Fukuoka, close to Kushida
Shrine, Hakata Machiya Folk Museum,
and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.
Nearby points of interest also include
Fukuoka Art Museum and Hakata-za.
Namba Oriental from S$130*
Hotel Monterey La Soeur Osaka is
a business-friendly hotel located in
Osaka, close to Panasonic Square,
Osaka Castle, and Shinsaibashi
Shopping Arcade. Additional points of
interest include Umeda Sky Building
and Shitennoji Temple.
Lombok, Indonesia
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Sutton Hakata City from S$70*
Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu is located in
Fukuoka, close to Fukuoka Asian Art
Museum, Kushida Shrine, and Hakata
Machiya Folk Museum. Nearby points
of interest also include Fukuoka Art
Museum and Fukuoka Yahoo Japan
Dome.
Osaka, Japan
Fukuoka, Japan
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Apsara Holiday from S$52*
Apsara Holiday Hotel is connected to
the airport and close to Cambodian
Cultural Village, Lucky Mall Super
Market, and Royal Garden. Other
points of interest near this hotel
include Angkor National Musuem and
Psar Chaa Market.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
is a family-friendly hotel located in
central Cebu, close to Cebu International
Convention Centre, Ayala Centre, and SM
City Cebu. Additional points of interest
include Magellan’s Cross and Philippines
Taoist Temple.
Vientiane, Laos
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Vientiane Plaza from S$106*
Vientiane Plaza Hotel is 1 km
from the city and located within
5 minutes walking distance from
Morning Market, Mekong River, the
Centre Cultural et de Cooperation
Linguistique, That Dam and That Dam
Pagoda.
* T&Cs apply. Information correct as at 01 March 2013. Prices quoted are average per room per night and are subject to change
without prior notice. Pictures shown are for reference only. For more hotels, please visit www.newshan.com/hotel
24