When planning a holiday in Asia, one really doesn’t know where to start and what places to visit. Asia is so rich and diverse in culture, history and people, that selecting places to see can be quite daunting. Japan, with its sumo wrestlers, geisha girls, cherry blossoms in spring, and bullet train taking one to view the awe aspiring Mount Fuji, can be quite an experience. With their sense of purpose, the hard working and friendly Japanese people will make any trip to Tokyo memorable. One can watch sumo wrestlers display their skills, in the afternoon be a guest at a traditional tea ceremony, and dine out at night and taste Japanese cuisine while sipping their famous saki wine. Riding the bullet train to Mount Fuji and watching this awesome snow-capped extinct volcano rising to its tremendous heights reminds one of the mysterious powers of nature.

After Japan, which remains a leading place with tourists, the next stop would be Hong Kong. It’s amazing to see the tall buildings and teeming markets of this special place. This island city is a showcase of what people can achieve in development, all the while in keeping with tradition. Yes, there are buildings with holes in them to let the imaginary Chinese dragons pass through without hindrance. Dining out at the 66 revolving restaurant in Hong Kong, which is located on top of one of the tallest buildings, is a pleasant way of getting a bird’s eye view of Hong Kong by night. A stroll through the famous Temple Street Night market and then a boat ride in a Chinese junk is a pleasant way of spending an evening in Hong Kong.

Cambodia, with its famous Angkor Wat temple, is worth a visit. Buddhism still flourishes across the major countries of East Asia, and the Angkor Wat temple is listed as one of the wonders of the world. The next stop after Cambodia would be Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. A visit to Bangkok is always memorable, as a visit to the Grand Palace Complex that houses the famous emerald Buddha is worth seeing. The morning boat market, with women selling fruits and fresh vegetables, adds a sense of colour, and makes Bangkok one of the most exotic and vibrant cities in Asia. Where else can one ride on an elephant than in Thailand. There are plenty of places that offer elephant rides, so finding somewhere should not be too difficult. If time permits, a visit to the famous bridge on the river Kwai and to Phuket Island would be time well spent. Thai food is very inviting, but has a variety of spices in it so one needs to careful when trying it.

Malaysia has developed into a haven for tourists, and from its capital Kuala Lumpur to Genting highlands and its plenty of seaside resorts, there is plenty of opportunity for relaxing on the white sandy beaches or indulging in water sports in Malaysia.

Singapore is a hop away from Malaysia, and the Raffles hotel, with its old bar where Earnest Hemingway had his favourite seat, is one place steeped in history. A stay at Raffles is experiencing the exotic luxury of yesteryears, as this hotel has not changed much since its inception. In Singapore, a trip along the undersea walkway allows a close look at the undersea world.

For a relaxing end to an exotic trip, a visit to Bali would be in order. There are so many places to visit in Asia that one would really need a lot of time to see them all.

David R HUghes

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/things-to-do-on-a-luxury-holiday-to-asia-679855.html

Technorati Tags: Asia vacation, luxury holiday in Asia, luxury vacation in Asia, malaysia vacation

Want a vacation with a difference? Try the Malaysian part of Borneo and experience some great adventures. Read the article below and decide for yourself…

Borneo Malaysia Vacation – Top 10 Wildlife Destinations
By Rick Gregory

Are you thinking of going to Borneo?

A Borneo Malaysia vacation offers endless excitement for wildlife adventures and awesome scenery on the world’s third largest island. The island is home to exotic and endangered species such as orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, tarsiers and other wild animals.

Tropical rainforests are dense entanglements that give cover to wild animals. Unlike an African safari, where the open Savannah easily exposes large groups of wildlife, observing wild creatures in Malaysia takes a bit more effort. But that’s also part of the fun.

The states of Sarawak and Sabah make up Malaysian Borneo or East Malaysia. The two key gateway cities are Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Here are some of the parks and sanctuaries to visit for the best chance to see some of Asia’s most endangered species and a diversity of wildlife not found elsewhere in the world.

Sabah, Borneo

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary – Take a ride on the Kinabatangan River for a wildlife outing in one of Malaysia’s best nature experiences. If you’re lucky you can observe Asian pygmy elephants grazing along the river bank, long-nosed proboscis monkeys sitting in treetops, hornbills and kingfishers flying by and enjoy this easy floating safari.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve - As a primary rainforest, this wildlife reserve protects important habitats for many of Malaysia’s large mammals – elephants, rhinos, orangutans.For birdwatchers, hundreds of species are found in the jungle and swamplands, including hornbills, owls and eagles. Take a night safari to enjoy the sights of wild animals on the prowl. And don’t forget to visit the mud volcano during the day for a splash in the muddy pools.

Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary - If you want to see orangutans up close, then do not skip a trip to this lowland rainforest reserve famous for rehabilitating former pet animals into wild residents. Walk on the boardwalk through towering tropical trees to observe these wonderful endangered primates that are under threat from deforestation and conflicts due to the expansion of plantation agriculture. Go to Sepilok for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to view one of the planet’s most interesting species.

Sipadan Island – For those seeking an underwater adventure, Sipadan is rated as one of the world’s best dive spots. An unending parade of marine biodiversity displays everything from schools of barracuda to reef resting green turtles. Nature explodes with diverse coral structures and a technicolor panorama of triggerfish, anemones, sea fans and angelfish… just for starters. As Malaysia’s only oceanic island, a vertical cliff descends 600 meters to showcase an encrusted sea wall of plant and animal life.

Turtle Islands Park – Protecting the traditional landing and nesting grounds for Green and Hawksbill turtles, a visit to the park offers a chance to observe these ancient mariners returning to shore to start the next generation. Learn about the plight of sea turtles and local conservation efforts to save them from extinction.

Danum Valley Conservation Area – A research center amid some of the best lowland rainforest in Asia, Danum Valley is a trekker’s paradise for birdwatching, wildlife observation and nature photography. If you want to get a real feel for the jungle, head over to Sabah and spend a few days on the forest trails.

Sarawak, Borneo

Bako National Park – If you go to Kuching, this park is just a few hours away for a great day trip to see a spectacular coastal reserve. A mixture of mangrove swamps, sandstone cliffs and seaside forests, wildlife abounds with proboscis monkeys, pit vipers, flying lemurs and other wild creatures. Enter the park from the sea and capture the gorgeous scenery of this pristine habitat.

Gunung Mulu National Park – Rugged limestone formations surrounded by dense tropical rainforest provides for fantastic scenery outside and cave exploration inside. Watch millions of bats emerge at dusk from some of the largest cave chambers in the world or trek through the jungle to mountaintops to explore the unique blade-sharp Pinnacles rising from the forest floor like daggers.

Niah National Park – Gigantic caves are home for millions of bats that exit each night to forage on hoards of insects, while swifltlets make edible nests on cave walls. Jungle trails traverse through lowland and hill rainforest to expose an assortment of wild animals such as monkeys, monitor lizards, flying lizards, hornbills and other rainforest birds.

Batang Ai National Park – Located in pristine interior jungles next to a wildlife sanctuary, the park is an oasis of wildlife set against a lake reservoir formed by a hydroelectric dam. Orangutans, gibbons and hornbills provide good opportunities for wild sightings in excellent rainforest habitats. Visitors can also learn about traditional Iban lifestyles by spending time in a longhouse and going into the jungle with an Iban guide.

About The Author:

Living in Malaysia, Rick Gregory explores the jungles, tropical islands and rainforest habitats of the country and showcases these great nature vacation destinations on his website Nature Escapes.

Discover more information on great Borneo vacation getaways.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Gregory
http://EzineArticles.com/?Borneo-Malaysia-Vacation—Top-10-Wildlife-Destinations&id=3217162

Technorati Tags: Borneo, Malaysia vqacations

http://letztravel.blogspot.com

During our last Malaysia vacation, when we went to the Malaysia massage therapy center for a Thai massage, they included the washing of feet before the actual massage as seen in this short video.

Duration : 0:0:38

Technorati Tags: malaysia massage, malaysia vacation, massage therapy center, wash feet, washing of feet

A city in Malaysia that is rich with a diverse array of attractions, Penang holds the distinction of being known as the food paradise of Malaysia. The city is also home to some of the best beaches in the country.

In addition to this fact it is also one of the most multi-culturally diverse areas in Malaysia that showcases European, Indian, Malay and Chinese influences giving the entire city a unique feeling and atmosphere.

Georgetown is both the capital of the Island and state of Penang and it is here that visitors will find a host of attractions that cater to a variety of different tastes and needs. Browse through everything from historical buildings, religious sites, as well museums and various other types of attractions.

Malaysia is most famous as a shopping destination and in this regard it most certainly excels especially when considering the number of shopping malls and their size. Examples of these impressive shopping complexes are Bukit Jambul Complex, Guerney Plaza and KOMTAR.

Markets and other shopping areas are also on offer providing guests with an array of different shopping options in which to indulge in. Little India is one such market that offers an array of goods that are come from the Indian region. Purchase all kinds of Indian wares such as trinkets, saris, handicrafts, sculptures, houseware and much more at this fantastic Indian marketplace.

The Batu Ferringhi Market is another interesting market that offers guests the chance to purchase a diverse range of goods. Buyers should beware that a great deal of haggling is required before making a purchase as for those who are easily identifiable as tourists will be charged a significantly higher price.

Cuisine in Malaysia is also renowned around the world though it might be considered a little too spicy for some. Once again reflecting the diverse nature of the culture in the country various different cuisines can be found from Malay, Chinese and Indian affording guests a diverse array of choice.

Getting around Penang can be achieved via the bus, taxis, walking or by hiring a motorcycle or car. It should be noted however that taxi drivers will all most certainly refuse to use their metre and so travellers will have to negotiate a suitable fee before they travel.

Staying in a Penang hotel that offers a range of amenities and comforts in addition to an ideal location such as Parkroyal Penang provides guests with an ideal accommodation option. Guests who choose to stay at this hotel will discover Penang hotel accommodation that offers all the comforts that they could ever need ensuring that their stay is as comfortable and productive as possible.

Naveen Marasinghe

http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/penang-a-city-that-has-it-all-702362.html

Technorati Tags: malaysia vacation, penang vacation

Malaysia has numerous base jumping events being held every year. But first what is Base Jumping? Base jumping stands for Buildings, Antenna, Span and Earth, this describes the platforms from which Base jumpers would take off from. The first Base Jump was held in Malaysia in 1999, when Aziz Ahmad obtained authorization to jump from the Menara Kuala Lumpur. He together with Capt. Abdul Rahmat Omar and Martin Dumas, a Canadian, took off from the Menara Kuala Lumpur from the Broadcast end of the Tower at a height of 300 meters on Sunday the 3rd of October, 1999. This event is listed as Malaysia’s first Base Jump in the Malaysian Book of Records.

The first Base Jumping event to be held in Malaysia was on 1st February 2001. 50 jumpers took off from the Menara Kuala Lumpur completing 434 jumps inline with the Federal Territory Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur. The event gained recognition from around the world and was the first major Base jumping event off a building to be hosted by any country. There are now many base jumping events being held in Malaysia attracting tourists and international base jumpers from around the globe.

In 2008, The Kuala Lumpur International Base Jump Merdeka Circuit 2008 included six buildings from five different states in Malaysia. 40 international and 10 local base jumpers participated at the event, completing over 1200 jumps in three weeks. The buildings were the Menara Pelita in Sarawak, Menara Tun Mustapha in Sabah, Menara Alor Setar in Kehah, Menara Komtar in Penang, Menara in Kuala Lumpur and Menara Telekom Malaysia.

Many tourists come to witness this event eagerly anticipating the base jumpers’ to leap off the top of the buildings. The event provides the tourists with a chance to see many of the prominent buildings in Malaysia. Each visitor is attached to safety cables on the deck of the towers for safety and security reasons. Visitors wanting to make their stay can find the Citrus Hotel Kula Lumpur useful. The Citrus Hotel Kula Lumpur is a Discount Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Naveen Marasinghe

http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/base-jumping-in-malaysia-704554.html

Technorati Tags: malaysia, Malaysia Vacations

Malaysia is a very fascinating country; modern yet engrossed in old traditions and culture. Malaysia is moving on towards modernization but yet at its own pace keeping the tradition and culture still alive among its people. Malaysia is a country that exhibits great values, culture and tradition just like other Asian countries. It offers great blend of Asia’s three oldest civilizations- Malay, Chinese and Indian.

Malaysia is admired by international tourist for its excellent beaches; number of marine parks where dazzling corals and many aquatic species like the moray eels, the clown fish, black-tip sharks etc are in profusion. Malaysia tourism bestows a lot to its travelers.

Taman Negara National Park of Malaysia is one of the world’s oldest rain forests and is a World Heritage site. There are numerous other rain forests in various parts of the country that have been declared as National Parks and are worth watching. Bako National Park is relatively than Tama Negara but is popular for its beautiful beaches, waterfalls, park and dense forest areas.

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia is a cosmopolitan city and the home of world’s tallest twin building ‘the Petronas Twin Towers’. Another amazing, must see tourist spots in the city are House of Parliament, incredible mosques, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Putra World Trade Centre, Dataran Merdeka, Tugu Negara. For nature lovers and adventurers the states of Sabah and Sarawak is another fabulous destination to visit.

Fabulous beaches along the Malaysia’s long coastline and many coral-fringed islands are a great tourist spot. Islands like Langkawi. Tioman and Pangkor are among world-renowned destinations. Penang Island is famous for its history, relaxing beaches and cultural mix. To the south, Malacca is known for its history, museums and the unique Baba-Nyonya community.

Malaysia is also famous for medical tourism and is among top few countries.

Medical tourism refers to the combination of healthcare with international tourism. Malaysia is emerging as forerunner in offering world class medical tourism. High skilled professionals trained in various specialized disciplines offer impeccable services and treatment to patients.

So if you want to take a break from hustle bustle life then, Malaysia is the best destination that you can think off. For a truly Asian experience Malaysia is the right destination which bestows not only culture and tradition, monuments and tourism but also a great night life, mouth watering delicacies and array of shopping delights. It has something for everyone!

Jason born

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/malaysia-tourism-great-holiday-experience-698149.html

Technorati Tags: Malaysia holidays, Malaysia tourism, malaysia vacation

You’re on one of your Malaysia vacations. You’ve been at the beach, enjoyed the sun, let yourself be enveloped by the warm waves of the sea. And perhaps you’ve also said hello to the corals and fish when you were snorkeling or diving. You’ve done some shopping, and now, it’s time for some fun.

Malaysia Vacations offer more than just relaxation. Well, relaxation is good. You can take time out from your job, from your home. But Malaysis vacations can also be fun. And different.

Have you ever rolled down in an inflatable ball, full of water? You can here. Why not read this story I found the other day in the Malaysia Star… It’s hillarious, I got dizzy just reading it. It will definitely be my next adventure.

And if this isn’t enough to get your adrenalin going, you go bungee jumping off KL Tower. Aaahhhh…. good luck…!

Of course, if you’d rather have more laid-back Malaysia vacations, Malaysia offers you many islands where you can relax and recharge your batteries. Island vacations in Malaysia can be the ultimate vacation. Try it… and you will see.

Technorati Tags: adventury vacations, Asia, Malaysia Vacations, travel

Which is better for shopping? For beaches? Thanks . & info on where in these places would be nice to know.

Definitely Singapore! It’s a shopper’s paradise and the food is fantastic.

As far as beaches go, I would recommend Thailand over both Singapore and Malaysia.

Technorati Tags: malaysia, Malaysia Vacations, singapore

Technorati Tags: Malaysia Vacations

http://malaysia.visahq.com/requirements/Philippines/

Here is the contact info if you have other questions:
Malaysia Embassy , Philippines
107, Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village
P.O. Box 2948 Makati Central Post Office, Makati City
Makati City
Metro Manila
Philippines
Phone:
00(632) 817-4581/ 585, 817-4551/ 553
Fax:
00(632) – 816 3158
Email:
mwmanila@indanet.com

Malaysia Consulate , Philippines
3rd Floor, Florantine Building, A. Bonifacio Street
Postal Code:
8000
Davao City
Davao City
Philippines
Phone:
(6382) 221 4050/ 221 1368
Fax:
(6382) 221 4014
Email:
mwdavao@skynet.net , malcg@dv.weblinq.com

Technorati Tags: Malaysia Vacations, Malaysia visa