Category: Asia

Australia’s Red Centre – Ayers Rock, The Olgas and Beyond

kelvinlls | August 2, 2011 | Comments (0)

Australia’s Most Celebrated Icon – Uluru (Ayers Rock)

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Uluru Ayers Rock

One of the images that many people associate Australia with is this huge red monolith that looks like a plateau in the middle of the dead flat outback. It’s what most people know as Ayers Rock, but the traditional Aboriginal name of this natural rock formation is Uluru. Since I moved to Australia, I’ve always wanted to visit this great natural wonder, and just over the Easter period, I went to the middle of Australia (known as “The Red Centre”) to see it.

Getting to Ayers Rock

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Virgin Australia plane

While many people think they have to fly to Alice Springs to get to Ayers Rock (Uluru), this isn’t necessarily the case anymore. Ayers Rock has its own airport, and flights have become more reasonable in the past few years, with the introduction of flights by Virgin Australia.

The airport is 18 kms from Ayers Rock itself, and is much closer than the extra 6-hour drive from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock itself. Both Qantas and Virgin Australia fly direct from Sydney to Ayers Rock. Qantas also has flights into Ayers Rock airport from Alice Springs, Cairns, and Perth. Landing into the Ayers Rock airport is also quite scenic, as you get to take in the view of the Rock and the Olgas as you land.

Transport – Do We Ride On Camels?

Yes, there are camels around, but you won’t get very far with them! Kidding aside, there are 2 options for you to go about going around Ayers Rock: by tour bus or by self-drive. Tour packages tend to come out cheaper as a whole, but when it comes to flexibility of where to go and what time, tour groups always don’t have that choice. Hence, my friends and I decided to hire a car between 5 of us, and it ended up costing us around $80 each person for the 4 days we were there (this already includes petrol and insurance). If you can get discounts on the car rental companies, it can come out cheaper than this.

Ayers Rock (Uluru) – The Magnificent Rock

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Uluru at sunrise

Ayers Rock is in every way a very fascinating natural wonder. It looks like a plateau or a small mountain from afar, and prior to seeing it, I thought that people just called it “Rock” as a carry-on from a misnomer when it was first discovered. BUT, it IS truly a big piece of rock that just sits in the midst of the vast flat Australian outback!

Ayers Rock itself is enormous, and doing the Base Walk around the entire Rock can take between 3 to 4 hours! And if you’re a keen photographer, it might take you even longer, as there are some really cool rock formations and wildlife around! One thing to note though, there are some spots that are sacred to the local Aboriginal people, and they would not allow for people to take photos of them.

Ayers Rock radiates with various colours and shades throughout the day. Check out Uluru at different times of the day, particularly sunrise, midday and sunset, as you will find that the colours are vastly different. Below are some more photos of Ayers Rock (Uluru) at various times of the day.

When in Uluru, you have the option to climb the Rock itself. However, if you want to respect the locals, you would not do it. It is a sacred ground for them, and climbing it is offensive for them. You will still see people climbing it and choosing to ignore the local customs, but I would highly suggest that you follow the local customs and NOT climb the rock.

Apart from Ayers Rock (Uluru), What Else is there?

The Red Centre is more than a barren piece of land. It has so many interesting sights and natural rock formations to marvel at. So apart from Ayers Rock (Uluru), here are some of the other places you need to check out while you’re there:

The Olgas (Kata Tjuta):

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The Olgas Kata Tjuta at sunset

The Olgas are rock formations located roughly a 45-minute drive from Uluru, and like Uluru, changes its colour at different times of the day. However, unlike Uluru, The Olgas have interesting shapes or mounds, and walking around the rock formations can be more challenging than the Uluru base walk.

There are about 3 different walks you can do around the area. The most famous (and longest one) is the Valley of the Winds. It’s a 3-hour walk that goes through the valley between the big rock formations, and has really fascinating wildlife and rock formations around. Towards the end of the walk, you can get a good view of the rest of the rock formations. It’s well worth seeing, and with the hilly terrain, the walk can be more interesting than at the base of Uluru.

Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park, a 4 hour drive from Ayers Rock (Uluru). Being a 4-hour drive means it’s not that close to Uluru, but close enough considering the vast distances between towns and stations around the Outback.

Kings Canyon has 2 walks that you can do, one at the bottom of the Canyon called Kings Creek Walk (and this takes roughly 45 minutes return) and the longer but more spectacular 6-km walk above the canyon called Kings Canyon Rim Walk. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a must for those who are reasonably fit and walk for 3-4 hours. The vwalk takes you to the top of the canyon and offers some spectacular views. About half way through the walk, you will get to a place called the Garden of Eden, where you will find something like an oasis in the middle of the dry landscape. Native palm trees thrive in that area and a series of rock pools can be found as well, where people can go for a swim on a nice warm day.

Kings Canyon has 2 resorts you can choose to stay from, but the closest one to the Kings Canyon walks is the Kings Canyon Resort. It offers almost everything you need in that resort, and has a bar, a restaurant, pool and good standard accommodation. But, be warned that there are no shops or village in this area, unlike in Uluru.

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The Best Whitewater Rafting In The Philippines

kelvinlls | April 20, 2011 | Comments (2)

Whitewater Rafting In The Philippines

The Philippines is best known for its many islands and beaches. Not many people consider the inland areas like the lush mountain regions, full of rainforest trees and rivers that meander down the valleys. Some of the bigger islands of the Philippines have rainforests that are as rich and diverse as those in Borneo, and have rivers that flow rapidly down the valleys. If you’re one of those adrenaline junkies or even if you just want to have some adventure, you have to try white water rafting in the Philippines.

I grew up in a city where the river cuts through the middle, and was a vital part of the founding of the city by the Spaniards in the 1600s. For years, Cagayan de Oro City was just a main commercial hub in the northern part of Mindanao, and the Cagayan river was overlooked as just a river that formed part of the city’s feature. Until a few years ago, when whitewater rafting adventures have been introduced to harness the big rapids of the Cagayan river.

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Cagayan de Oro Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting on the Cagayan river is one of the latest tourist attractions in the Philippines. Since its small beginnings, whitewater rafting business has grown and inspired more people to look at other adventure sports or activities to be setup around Cagayan de Oro. It has transformed an otherwise-sterile business hub/city of Cagayan de Oro into an adventure capital of the Philippines. Soon thereafter, ziplines over the forest canopy and gorges have been setup, and a dirt bike track has opened in the nearby town in Bukidnon.

Taking that exhilarating trip down the Cagayan river is something that a tourist to the Philippines must now consider. It’s a refreshing change of scene to the usual white sand beaches on the many islands around the country. I’ve only been on a couple other whitewater rafting trip in other parts of the world, and I can say that this is by far the best and most exciting whitewater rafting trip I’ve ever done! There are more rapids on the Cagayan river and it caters to various levels of confidence of people. The river also offers a great scenery of the lush green tropical rainforest, and the gorge that surrounds parts of the river. There’s also some interesting wildlife along the river.

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Cagayan de Oro River

Several companies now operate guided trips for whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro. The famous one is called Kagay Whitewater Rafting. They have the best rafting equipment and well trained guides who are very familiar with the river. The trip generally starts from the centre of town in Divisoria, where Kagay has its own jeepney loaded with the rafts at the top of the vehicle. From the city, it is a 45 minute journey to the start of the rapids.

There are 2 options with the rafting trip: a beginner option and an advanced option. The beginner option involves going through 14 rapids, and offers a taster of the river rafting experience without the massive current. This is suitable for those who are not very confident but just wants to sample or experience whitewater rafting. The advanced option covers all the 21 navigable rapids, with the first 7 being the biggest rapids on the course.

Whitewater Rafting in Cagayan de Oro is an absolutely exhilarating experience, and one that must not be missed if you ever head down to the Philippines. Getting to Cagayan de Oro is easy, with many domestic flights available from Manila, Cebu and Davao. A range of airlines fly into Manila and Cebu from various international destinations, and from there, you can take a domestic flight to Cagayan de Oro.

Hope you have a Fabulous Journey to Cagayan de Oro, the City of Golden Friendship!

Maayong Pagbiyahe (Bon Voyage)

Tokyo Tokyo..24 Hours In A 24-Hour City

kelvinlls | April 7, 2011 | Comments (0)

The Bustling Metropolis of Tokyo In 24 Hours

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Tokyo - Shinjuku at night

With the recent tsunami and disasters that have hit in areas near Tokyo in the recent weeks, I thought it was time that I relive my experience exploring Tokyo, the bustling metropolis full of neon lights and vibrant energy. While the horrifying images of the tsunami and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima has been on everyone’s lips lately, I’d like to remember the great time I had in this fascinating city. I went to Japan thanks to having discovered an awesome cheap deal from Expedia. I just couldn’t resist the temptation and went ahead to see what people have been raving about.

Tokyo is not like any other city in the world. The intricate fusion of deeply-rooted tradition, culture and modern society tightly woven into the fabric of everyday life makes this dynamic Asian city totally out of this world. From geishas, castles and centuries-old temples to tall modern office building, vending machines and the high-speed Shinkansen, Tokyo can entice your senses in so many ways.

Many people would opt to explore the city longer than 24 hours. After all, there is so much to see in this 24-hour city! A day is definitely not enough to see Tokyo. But, with the ever-changing, time-constrained situation that people these days are in, you can take in some of the best bits of Tokyo in 24 hours. Here’s a suggested itinerary:

1.) Fishmongering and Sushi Breakfast at Tsukiji Fish Markets

The Tsukiji Fish Market is the biggest wholesale fish market in the world, with hundreds of varieties of seafood for sale and auctioned each day. The exciting part is witnessing the fish auctions in the morning at 3AM, where local restaurants, as well as restaurants from different parts of Japan come to bid for 300kg slabs of frozen tuna and other fish varieties on offer. The sheer size and range of seafood on offer is astounding! Just outside the fish market, there are several sushi bars and small eateries that offer the freshest sushi and sashimi for breakfast. You simply can’t go wrong with having a fresh and truly authentic Japanese sushi to start your day!

2.) A Royal Visit to Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace of Tokyo is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan and sits right next to Tokyo’s financial district. The palace sits on a large park land surrounded by a moat, and further surrounded by tall skyscrapers. Some of the buildings date back to the 1800s, when the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. Fires have destroyed some of the palace buildings, but some have survived through the centuries. The gardens inside the palace are very beautiful, and a must see when visiting Tokyo Imperial Palace.

3.) Visiting Asakusa Temple

Asakusa Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, and is one of the more significant temples in the city. It started out as a buddhist temple and later on, a Shinto shrine was setup beside it. At the entrance of the temple are 2 massive wooden statues that look to guard the temple from evil spirit. In front of the temple, you will also find a stretch of small shops selling street food, souvenir items and other things that it kind of resembles a small market. Apparently, the shops have been around for nearly a hundred years now.. It’s quite a beautiful temple, and the one most people recommend seeing when in Tokyo.

4.) Gadget shopping at Akihabara

Akihabara is Tokyo’s tech city. Anything and everything about electronic and technology will most likely be available in this district. With Japan being known the world over for its leading-edge technological innovation in many aspects, this place will definitely dazzle you with all the gadgets and gizmos you can think of. Be aware though, if you intend to shop for gadgets, you need to check if the particular item you want to buy is compatible overseas. Japan has developed some technology that is only available for local consumption and will not work in other countries. I was very keen on buying external hard drives and was told that they all only work with Japanese PCs and not for anything else. And warranties is another thing to think of, as some of them only offer local, Japan-only warranties. But, having said that, there are some tech gadgets you can buy that will work outside Japan.

5.) Ginza at night

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Ginza Tokyo at night

The Ginza is considered to be one of the most expensive streets in the world (at one point, it was THE most expensive). Property prices in this area is astronomical, and as such, it attracts only the finest and best shops. Many great labels, hotels, restaurants setup shop in Ginza and make it a very vibrant street. It’s a must-see place when in Tokyo.

With 5 things to do in 24-hours, I’m sure it will be more than enough to keep you busy. Tokyo is a fast-paced metropolis with everything on the go, and you will never run out of excitement whilst in the Japanese capital.

And just to be prepared for your trip to a non-English speaking country, it is worth investing in a decent guidebook and perhaps a phrasebook to help you with your journey. It certainly helped me communicate with the bus driver and in asking for directions from the locals who aren’t necessarily English speakers. I would recommend Lonely Planet’s range of books as they’ve been excellent with its tips and depth of information on Japan.

Enjoy and have a Fabulous Journey ahead!

Life By The Lake In Myanmar

kelvinlls | November 30, 2010 | Comments (0)

Life By The Lake In Myanmar

Originally uploaded by kelvinlls

Travel Photo of the week – Life By the Lake In Myanmar.

I have been fortunate enough to have travelled to the country of Myanmar (Burma) in September, 2 months before the country held its first elections in 20 years. Myanmar has been under a military junta which had a tight grip of the country and has been notorious for oppressing its people. Just a few weeks ago, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and a strong advocate of democracy for her country, was finally released from her 15-year home detention. The world is still being cautious on what happens next to this beautiful country in Asia.

Because of the military junta, the country has spiralled into poverty over the last 20 years. Many western nations have imposed trade embargos, which have badly hurt the local economy. Tourism has become one of their main sources of income, but even then, not a great deal of people have discovered this country as a tourist attraction.

This photo to me depicts a day in the life of a Myanmar citizen. This mother and child live by Inle Lake, one of the most beautiful places in Myanmar to visit. People use the lake for nearly all aspects of their daily life, including bathing. The mother in this photo is washing her daughter with the lake’s waters on a makeshift jetty near their loosely-built shack. I accidentally caught this photo while cruising down the lake on a motorised boat.

Kota Kinabalu sunset

kelvinlls | November 1, 2010 | Comments (0)

Kota Kinabalu sunset

Originally uploaded by kelvinlls

I was looking at the images I had in Flickr, and I found this collection of sunset photos I took over the years. This one from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is one of the best ones I took. I love the colour of the sky and the lighting of this shot. This is a trial post for me as well, as I’m composing this brief blog about my Kota Kinabalu sunset photo from Flickr itself.

The Golden Land (Part 2) – Yangon (Rangoon)

kelvinlls | October 20, 2010 | Comments (0)

More of Yangon – Attractions, Shopping And Food

shwedagon night2 The Golden Land (Part 2) Yangon (Rangoon)

Apart from the golden temples, Yangon has a lot of charm and character. Most of it, you may find, is the roughness and antiquity of the city. You will find that the road, and especially the footpath needs to be fixed up. The taxis are possibly one of the ugliest taxis in the world (and this is not just one taxi or taxi company, it’s many of them!) And of course, there is the old colonial Rangoon, with the myriad of colonial-style buildings. You can really imagine back in its hay days that it would easily be one of the wealthiest cities in Asia!

Below are some more things I got to experience in Yangon:

The Strand Hotel

strand yangon The Golden Land (Part 2) Yangon (Rangoon)

There is one hotel in Yangon that is considered one of the best small hotels in the world, and this is not just another 5 star hotel. The Strand hotel was built in 1901 by the Sarkies Brothers, who are known for building remarkable hotels in Southeast Asia like the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the Eastern& Oriental in Penang. The Strand is truly one place that tourists must check out while in Myanmar. This hotel has hosted several well-known historical figures and modern day celebrities like Mick Jagger, Somerset Maugham, Oliver Stone, Rudyard Kipling, and Pierre Cardin.

strand yangon2 The Golden Land (Part 2) Yangon (Rangoon)

A high tea at the hotel’s cafe is a MUST! Try the Myanmar high tea, which comprises of a tea leaf salad, vegetarian spring rolls, a banana stew, sticky rice cake, and a couple other local delicacies. Very delicious! Truly worth trying out!

The great thing about The Strand is that it is comprised of only suite rooms and no other types of room. There are only 32 suites on offer, and it comes with a 24-hour butler service. It is absolutely luxurious, and one that many tourists only dream of staying. While I was there, I started inquiring on prices, just out of curiosity. I found out that a one-night stay at this hotel will normally cost US$550, BUT, if you go during the off-peak season (May-September), the hotel offers a heavily discounted rate of US$180! This is absolutely an awesome deal, considering it also includes a buffet breakfast and the 24-hour butler service! It costs about the same as some standard 4-star hotels in other parts of the world!

Of Monsoon and Biryani

yangon biryani1 The Golden Land (Part 2) Yangon (Rangoon)

Now let’s talk about food! Food glorious food! I love trying out different cuisines. It was my first taste of real Burmese cuisine, as you could hardly find Burmese restaurants outside Myanmar. Aside from Burmese cuisine, Myanmar is also known for having good Indian and Chinese food. This is due to the fact that Myanmar has a good number of Indian settlers who were brought in by the British to work in the farms and mines. They stayed on and kept their culture and cuisine, and has now formed part of Myanmar’s culinary repertoire.

I managed to try an Indian restaurant in the heart of Yangon. This restaurant is quite basic, but it is clean and very efficient. In fact, it can easily beat McDonald’s hands down when it comes to service! The Indian restaurant is called Nilar’s Biryani, and their specialty is, of course, Biryani! It was quite a different biryani from what I have tried before, but I think it must be based on a recipe from a different region in India, perhaps the southern part or somewhere near Kolkata (Calcutta). The Biryani at Nilar’s Biryani shop was the cheapest meal I had in Myanmar, and one of the tastiest!

Another great restaurant I tried there was the much-rated Monsoon Restaurant, which is considered one of the top restaurants in Yangon. It offers typical Burmese dishes, as well as dishes from other parts of Indochina, particularly Thai and Vietnamese dishes. The ambience at Monsoon Restaurant is certain great, and while it may not be the cheapest place to eat in town, the price is very reasonable and still very cheap for Western standards. The food was excellent, and I would recommend it to people who would want a good restaurant to go to in Yangon that looks clean and has airconditioning.

Both these restaurants were also recommended by Lonely Planet’s Myanmar guidebook

Shopping at the Scott Market

yangon scottmarket The Golden Land (Part 2) Yangon (Rangoon)

Yangon has one big market that is a must visit if you want to shop for souvenirs, crafts and jewellery. This market is known as Bogyoke (pronounced Bo-joke) Market (formerly known as Scott Market). Myanmar is known for its abundant supply of jade and precious gemstones like sapphire, ruby, turquoise. My mom wanted some jade jewellery and I found so much jade that market! I was spoilt for choice! It also sells things like the traditional longyi, clothing, footwear, cosmetics, jewellery.

This is also a great place to change your US Dollars to local currency (called kyat – pronounced as “chat”). The one thing that you will find strange though is that there are no money changer or foreign exchange counters in this market. It’s all black market when it comes to currency exchange in Myanmar. The government banks have terrible rates so don’t bother with them. Most people opt to go to these “money changers” who would approach you and ask “Excuse me sir, change money?” Do not be afraid of these people, but canvas and negotiate on the rate. And more importantly, get the kyat from them first before handing over your US Dollar or foreign currency (just to be sure that they actually have the money).

City Views from Sakura Building

yangon sakurabuildingview The Golden Land (Part 2) Yangon (Rangoon)

The Sakura Building is Yangon’s tallest building, and it offers great views of the city. The 20th floor has a restaurant called Thiripitsaya restaurant, which serves traditional Myanmar dishes as well as Western-style food. At night, they have Happy Hour from 5pm-11pm, and beer is only $2. You can see the Shwe Dagon on one side, and the Sule Pagoda and Yangon River on the other side. You will also get a view of the cityscape of Yangon, mainly the look of the crumbling colonial buildings and rusted roofs. Admittedly, they give a distinctive character to the city.

Walking on Broken Footpath, Riding On Rusty Taxis

yangon taxi1 The Golden Land (Part 2) Yangon (Rangoon)

One thing you will notice as you go around Yangon’s central city is that the footpath is not as smooth as other places. Sure, a lot of Asian cities would have the same problem, but the degree of degradation of Myanmar’s footpath is more evident in that you would kinda need to hopscotch your way on the pieces of cement and stones.. Watch out for manholes that have been left uncovered. There are some that have a bamboo pole sticking out with a plastic bag tied to one end to mark that there is a manhole there.

Aside from the broken footpath, you will also notice that a good number of Yangon’s taxis are very old and ill-maintained. So much so that sometimes I feel like those cars are going to just fall apart in the middle of the road! Such is the degree of poverty there that people can’t afford to fix up old cars. In their credit, most people in Myanmar drive gently, and I haven’t really seen or experienced a driver that made my heart skip a beat! So despite their rundown conditions, the taxis in Yangon are quite safe. Being in one of them is one of those experiences that you will remember just because of the sheer horror of the look of their vehicles.

Yangon is not so much a touristy city from my experience. It has a certain rustic charm that will definitely appeal to those who seek out adventure and get a feel of what Asia was like 50 years ago. Not much of the infrastructure has changed, and life in Yangon is still quite laid back and simple.

More stories on Myanmar coming your way, so watch out for it!

Have a Fabulous Journey ahead!

The Golden Land (Part 1) – Yangon (Rangoon)

kelvinlls | September 29, 2010 | Comments (1)

A Journey to the land of Golden Spires

shwedagon night1 The Golden Land (Part 1) Yangon (Rangoon)

If you have read classic novels about adventures to the Far East, you would have heard of Burma and Rangoon mentioned.. But whatever happened to Burma now, you might ask? The country has changed its name to Myanmar, and Rangoon, the former capital, is now called Yangon. For the few who have ventured to this Southeast Asian nation, you will have found a treasure that much of the rest of the world have yet to discover. The country is under strict military rule, and getting in is part of the excitement. The rules for visas can change very quickly from time to time, and it is always wise to check with the nearest embassy what the rules are.

When I was about to embark on this trip, I read somewhere that Visa on Arrival is now available in Myanmar, starting 1st of May 2010. I initially presumed it was all good, until I just had to ask a local travel agent in Myanmar about this visa on arrival scheme. Luckily I did ask early on, as apparently the government decided to scrap the Visa On Arrival scheme because the country’s elections are happening in November. The military regime wants to restrict the number of foreign visitors into the country for their security reasons. I won’t go into the politics side of things, and I should not mention Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and her quest for democracy in this country (oops, I just said it, tough…) but in short, the government has its own ways of making rules, and you just have to adhere to them in order to be safe.

Why Myanmar?

bagan day1 The Golden Land (Part 1) Yangon (Rangoon)

“So why Myanmar?“, my friends asked me. Well, it’s mainly 2 things that drew me to go there: Firstly, I have always been fascinated by the temples in Myanmar, particularly Bagan and the Shwe Dagon. The stories of Shwe Dagon, even from the first explorers in the 16th Century, have captivated my imagination of the grandeur and splendour of the temples of Myanmar. Secondly, I hardly know of anyone who has been to Myanmar apart from my brother-in-law, and it gave me a sense of excitement to visit a place that not many people have visited.

Is it safe to visit Myanmar?

yangon streetscene1 The Golden Land (Part 1) Yangon (Rangoon)

This is one question I asked before I left, and I have read a number of travellers who have said that it is one of the safest places they have ever been. And I would have to agree totally! I felt safer in Myanmar than in other Southeast Asian countries. It may sound surprising considering what you hear on the news about the government’s oppression of the people, but in reality, life goes on like normal there, and perhaps the harsh punishment for crimes committed in Myanmar have played a big part in ensuring people’s safety. People are genuinely nice and helpful, and it’s really reassuringly safe there.

Should Tourist Visit Myanmar?

yangon streetscene2 The Golden Land (Part 1) Yangon (Rangoon)

If you are one of the many people who are against the oppressive military junta ruling Myanmar, then you may have second thoughts of going there and supporting their country. Aung San Suu Kyi, the enigmatic Nobel Peace Prize winner and outspoken opposition of the regime, has been discouraging people to visit Myanmar to stop the flow of money into the government’s coffers. However, at the end of the day, the millions of ordinary and innocent citizens of this country also end up suffering if the tourism industry suddenly dies down. It is a much more difficult situation if the innocent citizens would lose their source of income and further cause them pain. I’m of the opinion that so long as you buy something direct from the people and not from a government institution, that I’m helping poor people get through the tough times and alleviate them from poverty.

How to Get To Myanmar

yangon intlairport The Golden Land (Part 1) Yangon (Rangoon)

The easiest way to enter Myanmar with less restrictions (in terms of where you can go in the country) is by flying into the former capital of Yangon (Rangoon). Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city and commercial centre, has the main international airport of the country, and is serviced by flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Chiang Mai and Kunming. Mandalay has the only other international airport, but the only international flight it handles is to Kunming in China (there used to be flights from Chiang Mai, but it got cancelled).

Flying into Yangon is a lot better than what it used to be. They now have a more modern international airport, and have turned their old crumbling international terminal into a domestic terminal. From Sydney, I found a flight via Silk Air and Singapore Airlines through the Zuji website. Though many airlines (even budget airlines like Air Asia and Jetstar) now flies to Yangon, I found that Silk Air offers the most number of flights to Yangon via Singapore. The other airlines that service Yangon are Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines.

Yangon at a glance

yangon cat The Golden Land (Part 1) Yangon (Rangoon)

The picture above is of a cat sitting on the second hand books of one of the many roadside bookstand vendors. I just can’t resist taking a photo of this cute cat.. I’m tempted to call it a Burmese cat (since I found it truly in Burma!). Anyway, Yangon, though it’s a slowly decaying city, has a lot of charm to it. The vendors on the street selling food, fruits, and second hand books (it is a book collector’s paradise for second hand hard-to-find books!) make the city so unique and colourful.

The city of Yangon is situated at the banks of the Yangon River. It has a busy port, and was one of the most important ports of the British Empire in the 17th-19th century. You will notice the great deal of old imposing colonial buildings around the city, a sign that Yangon was full of glory during the British colonial era. Some of the best attractions in Yangon are actually the golden stupas and pagodas that dot the city. There are 3 amazing pagodas that you must visit while in the city (and this is also according to Lonely Planet’s Myanmar travel guide, which happens to be the only travel guidebook I can find about this country):

1.) Shwe Dagon Pagoda

This is the MUST SEE of all the pagodas in the entire country of Myanmar. It is Myanmar’s most sacred site, and truly a sight to behold! The Shwe Dagon pagoda is stuff of legends. It’s been mentioned by a 15th Century British explorer as the most beautiful structure ever seen on earth. Even Rudyard Kipling is so impressed by this towering golden structure. Its imposing spire glistens by day and radiates with great luminescence at night. The Shwe Dagon pagoda is 98 meters tall and sits on a hill near Kandawgyi lake. It towers above all structures, and can be see from a distance in the city centre. The huge complex where the pagoda sits has so many spires and small temple buildings around, that you can easily spend half a day just wandering around the temple complex. The best time to visit this temple is at sunset, when you get great lighting from the sun, and also a spectacular view of the setting sun behind the temple.

2.) Botataung Pagoda

The Botataung (or Botahtaung) Pagoda is regarded as the second most important Buddhist site in Yangon. This pagoda literally means “1,000 military officers”, as historically, a thousand military officers of the King were drawn up to welcome the arrival of Buddha’s relics from India to this riverside site. The pagoda was completely destroyed during the Second World War in 1943, but was rebuilt in 1948 when Burma (as the country was then known) gained independence from Britain.

The unique thing about the Botataung pagoda is that it is the only pagoda where you can actually go inside the dome to view the relic. Most, if not all, pagodas in Myanmar are enclosed and you cannot enter into them. The pagoda is by the banks of the Yangon River, and it is next to the jetty, where you can see some locals taking the ferry across to the other side of the river.

3.) Sule Paya/ Sule Pagoda

The Sule Paya (or Sule Pagoda) is located right in the heart of Yangon’s CBD. It is in the middle of a roundabout along the Sule Paya Road, and acts like a centrepiece of the central city. This pagoda is thought to be built before the Shwe Dagon pagoda. It has become an important part of the economic and political life in Myanmar, as protests in 1988 and 2007 against the government have started at this point. As with all the other pagodas, you are required to take off your shoes before entering the Sule Pagoda complex. There is a US$5 entrance fee for tourists with cameras.

I will break this post for now, but watch out for more information about Yangon and the rest of my experience in Myanmar.

Til then, have a Fabulous Journey ahead!

Skiing In The South Island of New Zealand

kelvinlls | August 25, 2010 | Comments (0)

Fabulous Skiing Down Under

MtHutt1 Skiing In The South Island of New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its adventure sports, and particularly in skiing. Many people who come down to the Southern Hemisphere winter would generally go to New Zealand to try out the white powder on the slopes, many of them offering a fantastic scenery. The biggest attraction with New Zealand ski fields is the quality of the snow and the price. It has one of the cheapest ski lift passes in the Southern Hemisphere, and the snow is more consistent and deeper than some of the ski fields in Australia (and this is according to many people, so Aussies, please don’t take offense.. ).

I had my first taste of snowsports in the South Island, as I was living in Christchurch for 5 years. Christchurch was an excellent base to numerous ski fields around the Canterbury region. Though, having said that, I did learn my skiing in Wanaka, when I went with a bunch of friends and stayed in a cottage for a week just to go skiing. There is so much variety with the different slopes and fields around, that it is totally worth to come skiing in the South Island of New Zealand.

I’ve only been to a few ski fields in New Zealand, but here is a list of my favourite ski fields in the South Island of New Zealand:

1.) Mt Hutt

MtHuttTrailMap Skiing In The South Island of New Zealand MtHuttView Skiing In The South Island of New Zealand

This is probably one of my favourite ski fields in the South Island. Mt Hutt only 90 minutes away from Christchurch, and has the best facilities amongst all the ski fields in the Canterbury region. It’s also the biggest skifield in the Canterbury area, and offers a wide range of ski runs for the different levels of expertise. Being someone in between a beginner and intermediate, I’ve managed to find an enjoyable run, mainly traversing along the long green run called “Highway 72″. If you are ever going to ski in Christchurch, I would say this is the best ski field in terms of variety, accessibility and facilities that is also close to Christchurch.

2.)Porter Heights

Porter Heights is actually the closest ski field from Christchurch. It claims to be only 80 minutes away from the city. Porter Heights started out as a club field, but has now been developed into a full-size ski field. The facilities at Porter Heights have now improved since I first visited back in 2003. They have replaced their pommers with T-bars, but they have yet to install a chair lift. The field in Porter Heights is not as big as Mt Hutt, and it is more catered to intermediate to advanced skiers. There is a tiny beginners run, but otherwise, not much option for those still learning to ski or snowboard. Nevertheless, it’s a great option for those who love to challenge themselves with blue and black runs.

3.) Cardrona

PICT0617 Skiing In The South Island of New Zealand

This is the ski field where I actually learned to ski. Cardrona is a 40 minute drive from Wanaka. It offers a great range of green and blue runs, as well as a wide variety of black runs. Cardrona is actually one of the bigger ski fields in New Zealand. It even has a snow park where people who are into freestyle skiing can have a go at the half pipes and jumps. Many freestyle skiers and exhibitionist display their talent here, and some World championships have taken place in the snow park.

4.) Treble Cone

IMG 2634 Skiing In The South Island of New Zealand

Treble Cone is a 30-minute drive from Wanaka, and offers a great view of Lake Wanaka and the Mount Aspiring National Park. This is the nearest ski field to the town of Wanaka. Treble Cone has a decent stretch of learners and green runs, but it has a better selection of black and blue runs than Cardrona. Most advanced skiers prefer Treble Cone over Cardrona, but those who want an easy but fun time on the snow tend to go to Cardrona. Facilities are fantastic in this ski field. I also learned to ski in this ski field, though I only managed to do a lesson.

There are other ski fields like Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown, but I haven’t yet explored them. A lot of tourists who come to the South Island to ski would go to Queenstown, and hence, would have tried skiing in either Coronet Peak or Remarkables. I’ve generally avoided Queenstown during that time, as it can be too crowded and accommodations can be overpriced. Christchurch maintains good value for money as a base for skiing, and there is more variety in terms of ski fields.

Ski season in New Zealand generally starts on the 2nd weekend of June and finishes on the 3rd weekend of October each year. I hope you can venture out to the South Island of New Zealand for the ski season, be it this year or the next!

Getting There:

If you’re coming from Australia, you can fly direct to Christchurch from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast, and direct to Queenstown from Sydney. Check out great deals for your flights and accommodations with Expedia or Zuji. Christchurch is the main gateway to the South Island, and has direct connections to Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Tokyo and Fiji.

If you have been to New Zealand before and just loved the scenery and lifestyle of the place, moving there is not a bad idea. I certainly have lived there, and would consider retiring there in the future. If you want to know how to move to New Zealand, check out this website here.

Insider’s Guide To Auckland

kelvinlls | July 21, 2010 | Comments (0)

Auckland – City Of Sails

Auckland

It’s the largest Polynesian city in the world, and it’s often called “City Of Sails”. Auckland is the biggest city of New Zealand, and holds one-third of this nation’s population. It has a very proud maritime history, having hosted 2 America’s Cup events and being the home base of the first America’s Cup team outside the US to win the championship and defend it. Most people who arrive into New Zealand would land in Auckland and explore a little bit of this harbour city before moving on to lush New Zealand countryside and the spectacular views that this great country has to offer.

Many people don’t spend enough time to explore this city to know it well enough. I haven’t lived in Auckland, but I had the good fortune of having visited this city a few times and seeing different parts of it. There’s definitely more to it than the Skytower and the harbour. Here’s my list of places to explore outside the CBD of Auckland:

1.) Devonport

IMG 6862 300x200 Insiders Guide To Auckland

Devonport

This seaside suburb is on the North Shore area, across the harbour from the Auckland CBD. It offers great views of the city over the harbour, and a nice seaside promenade to stroll on. There are also a few unique and quirky shops and cafes around its centre. You can have good coffee or high noon tea at one of its cafes, or just have a relaxing stroll through its main centre. There’s a great view of the harbour if you go up to the top of Victoria Road. The best way to get to Devonport is via ferry from Auckland CBD, near the Viaduct Basin on Quay St.

2.) Parnell

New Zealand’s oldest suburb, Parnell is just a stone’s throw away from Auckland CBD. The quaint Victorian-style houses along Parnell Road have been converted into boutique shops and cafes, and have become the creative quarters of Auckland. One place that I love visiting is The Chocolate Boutique. Being a choco-holic, I can’t resist stopping by this delectible shop. A number of boutique and upmarket shops offer great shopping to those who love to shop. Some of New Zealand’s top designers have a shop in Parnell. You can take a bus from Auckland CBD and in 10 minutes, you will reach this interesting suburb.

3.) Mission Bay

IMG 9203 300x200 Insiders Guide To Auckland

Mission Bay, Auckland

This seaside suburb of Mission Bay is only a 10-minute drive from Auckland CBD. It has great beaches that is close to the city centre and has lots of cafes and restaurants. Across the water, you have a view of Rangitoto Island. I always love coming to this suburb, especially on a nice sunny day. It’s possibly Auckland’s answer to Bondi Beach in Sydney in terms of proximity to the city and the lifestyle (though admittedly, it is not quite as good as Bondi). Regardless, it is one of the best places to explore while in Auckland.

4.) Ponsonby

Another one of the suburbs near Auckland CBD that has great options for restaurants and cafes. Ponsonby is one of the trendy suburbs in Auckland, and the young and hip love to be in Ponsonby. Nightclubs also abound, and the party continues here at night.. The arts scene is alive, and many upper-middle class people reside in this suburb. Ponsonby Road is the heart of all the activity in the suburb. Apart from the trendy and upmarket shops, Ponsonby has some historical heritage, as this has been one of the first areas to be settled in Auckland.

5.) Remuera and Mt. Hobson

Mt Hobson, Auckland

Remuera is another suburb that is close to the city, and can be accessed by bus or train. Over the years, many affluent Aucklanders have resided in this suburb and has become synonymous around the country for its wealthy population. A few well-known New Zealanders like Sir Edmund Hillary live in this area, and you can get the sense of the affluence from the big houses and manicured lawns around. On Remuera Road, you will find an entrance to Mt. Hobson, a park that offers great views of the city and out to the harbour and Rangitoto Island. On the other side of the hill, you will see the view towards One Tree Hill.

6.) One Tree Hill

IMG 9130 200x300 Insiders Guide To Auckland

One Tree Hill

Views from One Tree Hill are like no other in Auckland. It offer great views of Rangitoto Island, Auckland CBD, and all the way to the southern part of the city. This volcanic peak is an important place for Maori, as it used to hold a Maori pa (fort) when the European settlers arrived. There was a tree planted on this site, hence the name One Tree Hill. However, that tree became the subject of attack by Maori activists who protested on the injustices done to the Maori people, and the tree was eventually chainsawed by the activists. Today, an obelisk with a bronze statue of a Maori warrior stands on this site, and offering magnificent views of Auckland city.

Auckland has been named one of the top 10 most liveable places in the world by a survey conducted by Mercer in 2010. It’s definitely a charming harbour city that has a vibrant multicultural yet easygoing feel. If you’ve been to Auckland and moving to Auckland is something on your cards, you can check out this website for more info on migrating to New Zealand.

Visiting Auckland? Download Lonely Planet’s New Zealand – Auckland Region (Chapter)

Vivid Sydney 2010 – More Photos (Part 2)

kelvinlls | July 21, 2010 | Comments (1)

Vivid Sydney is over, and it won’t be on again til the next year. This may be delayed, but as promised, here’s the next instalment of photos for Vivid Sydney 2010. I will be making this post brief, so you can enjoy more of the photos from this colourful festival of lights. Make sure you try and catch next year’s Vivid Sydney event and book your next holiday to Sydney with the world’s largest travel booking website

IMG 7876 300x200 Vivid Sydney 2010 More Photos (Part 2)

Sydney Opera House

While the Sydney Opera House is one of Sydney’s most recognizable icons, there is more to Sydney than this distinctive landmark. Explore the beautiful harbour city of Sydney, and it will definitely leave you wanting to stay.

Have a Fabulous Journey ahead!

Expedia.com.au Top 10 Destination: Sydney