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

During your visit to Asia, you get a chance to enjoy not only the spectacular sights but also the great cuisines of the various Asian cities. Singapore tops the best Asian restaurants list because of the innovation they offer in the form of providing the diners a chance to see the kitchen action, and thus communicate directly with the chef. Iggy’s in Singapore is the restaurant that is renowned to be the best in Asia. Other great restaurants in Singapore are Les Amis, Gunther’s, and Garibaldi.

The L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Hong Kong is a great restaurant. The restaurant is very casual in its ambience, and allows the diners to see the preparation of their dishes. Moreover, the people are also allowed to compose meals in accordance with their appetite. Another very good restaurant in Hong Kong is Bo Innovation. Old Chinese methods of cooking are used in the restaurant. This restaurant offers great ambience with its chopstick shaped lamps and a cosy kind of lighting.

The Mozaic Restaurant in Bali, Indonesia is also a great one. It has a unique setting that is elegant, enjoyable and charming. The chefs are popular for their changing culinary creations all over the world. There are some very good restaurants that you can visit in Tokyo. For example, the Tempura Mikawa is a restaurant where seafood is prepared in the classic Edomae style. Other great restaurants in Tokyo are Bird Land, Ginza Harutaka, Nihonryori Ryugin, and the Teppanyaki Ukai-tei.

There are some restaurants in Beijing which are very popular all over Asia. The one considered best is Made In China which is in the Grand Hyatt. The dining room is in the open kitchen, and people can watch the preparation of their orders. Another very good restaurant in Beijing is the Ding Ding Xiang which has banquets that are concealed with beaded curtains.

Some very good restaurants are situated in Hanoi. The one that is considered best is Bun Cha. Another very good restaurant in Hanoi is Green Tangerine which has a terrace with alfresco setting. Verticale is another very good restaurant which offers very skilfully prepared French-Vietnamese cuisine.

Bukhara is a restaurant in Delhi that is considered not only the best in India, but is also one of the best in Asia. If you want to have a truly Eastern experience, you should go to Bukhara where you would have to eat your food with hands instead of utensils. Moti Mahal and Smoke House Grill are other very good restaurants Delhi.

Almost all the hotels that are amongst the best in Asia have open kitchens which enable the customers to see the chefs in action. The Blue Elephant in Bangkok is a restaurant that offers classis Thai cuisine. China Town and Chote Chitr are two other very good restaurants in Bangkok.

For authentic Malay cuisine, go to Bijan in Kuala Lumpur which offers traditional cuisine in an alfresco setting. The Senses is another great restaurant in the Hilton Kuala Lumpur. Other restaurants that are considered amongst the best in Asia are Robuchon a Galera and Antonio’s Fine Dining in Philippines.

David R HUghes

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/top-10-restaurants-in-asia-704898.html

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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

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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.

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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

During the year end in the month of December, Buskers come from all corners of the world to invade upon the streets of Kuala Lumpur. Visitors will be able to get in on the action and witness some amazing displays of talent and prowess, as the buskers provide free entertainment to the crowds that gather along the streets of Kula Lumpur.

Buskers come from all across the world to busk here in the streets of Kula Lumpur. The buskers perform juggling, knife-eating, acrobatics, comedies, dances, mimes and just clown around, including many more entertaining performances. World famous buskers hailing from countries such as Australia, Canada, Mexico, USA, Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand to name but a few of the countries represented here at the Kuala Lumpur International Busker Festival.

The entertainment is free for all, but you can make some donations for the performances if you like. The function is a charity event and all monies collected go to charitable organizations. The event is an annual one and takes place every year end on the streets of Malaysia since its inception in 2006.

Busking is the ancient art of street performance; many world popular buskers have been specially selected for this event. All most all of them have made their career in busking and are respected amongst the busker community.

The festivity kicks off with the Grand Buskers’ Parade at Dataran Merdeka, with Malaysian flower displays, marching bands and giant inflatable statues. One must not forget to see the Buskers Late Nite Madness Bash. The event usually runs for nine days and is the second largest street festival event to be held in Asia. Economic accommodation can be available at the Citrus Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The Citrus Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Naveen Marasinghe

http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/the-busker-invasion-704555.html

Technorati Tags: buskers, Kuala Lumpur, kuala lumpur vacation, malaysia, malaysia vacation, music, performer

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

Night bazaars also called as night markets are very popular in many Chinese communities. These are markets are in fact street markets and are more inclined towards light walking, food and shopping. Night markets can be found in almost all Chinatowns. The main night markets can be found in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. One such night market that is located in Malaysia is in Pakroyal Penang.

Some night markets in general are either purpose built night markets, much of the bigger night markets are like this, although the smaller markets are put up on street ways or roads. Certain night markets maybe specialized towards particular foods but most of the night markets are generalized. These mixed night markets sells apparel, consumer goods, drinks and food. The food is called xiaochi in the Chinese language; this can mean snacks or fast food in English.

Almost all night markets are congested and crowded. Hawkers would shout trying to attract crowds, attention and possible customers. High speed, high tempo music is usually played in the night market via loudspeakers. The night markets usually open at around 6 pm and could be even working well beyond midnight. The earliest Chinese markets can be traced to have arrived at around 836 AD. This was during the Tang dynasty. At the time of the Song dynasty these markets had gone thought out all of China. Thought the modern version of the night markets are generally attributed to have started from Taiwan.

Of course Malaysia has wonderful night markets, with low priced goods. The Pakroyal Penang night market is a must visit if one is in the area. One should find for some Penang accommodation since most of the markets will be open till late in the night. A good place to stay would be a Penang hotel. Penang hotel accommodation apart from providing with accommodation will also provide the visitor with other amenities as well.

Naveen Marasinghe

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/night-market-visiting-one-is-well-worth-the-experience-747143.html

Technorati Tags: Asian markets, malaysia vacation, night market, penang vacation

America, Australia, Dubai, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, and many more are the worlds famous tourism places where everybody wants to go. Intention may vary; it may be for pleasure, may be for adventure or may be for relaxation. But most of travelers are first time visitor; it is very difficult to them to find cheap and good accommodation, air lines, etc. To overcome these difficulties there are many online travel agents who serves you on every step of your journey.

The role of a travel agent is crucial in making your vacation the most hassle-free and pleasurable one. They handle all the travel arrangements – right from the smallest arrangement like a taxi booking to booking your theater tickets, hotel room, airlines and even amusement park tickets. All online agents will have functional, useful and informative websites so that their customers can gain insights into their practice and their services. Only you have to choose from various travel packages which best suits you for your entire holiday. Travel agents will do all the necessary homework on your behalf and will find out what are best deals available depending on your budget. Online travel agents are not only convenient but they are also very cost effective.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO MAKE YOUR TRIP DELIGHTFUL:

Check validity of Passports & Visas.

Make two photocopies of your passport and ticket; leave one with family or friends in case of an emergency. Take the other one with you and keep it in separate from your passport. If your passport gets lost or stolen, you can use the copy to exit the country and it will also facilitate the replacement process.

Note down ticket number in your diary or mobile phone.

Check validity of your credit card and make sure you have enough credit limits for your whole journey. Notify your bank of the countries you will be traveling in so they won’t refuse credit bills as they come in, thinking your card has been stolen.

Research places to visit in the country before you go so you can make the best use of your time there and with some history of the places you will visit it makes it much more interesting.

Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the country to which you are traveling.

Learn some local language phrases, especially greetings. They will appreciate your effort in using their language and will give you good service.

Know what the weather condition will be during the time you visit there so you can pack accordingly. Try to make your luggage lighten; so that you can enjoy your trip effortlessly.

Take a travel first aid kit; include a few basic items such as antiseptic cream, insect repellent, painkillers, anti cold, anti pyretic and anti diarrhea tablets. Take your every day medicines & its prescription.

Check your insurance policy and confirm whether it is in force or not. Many insurance companies providing travel insurance with great extension and low premium. Get one for you.

Buy security money wallet for holding your extra cash and passport.

Check your supply of batteries for your gadgets like, cell phone, camera and ipod and don’t forget to pack any power cables you might need. For your digital camera, check memory card supply.

Activate international roaming on your mobile phone.

Arrange to have your newspaper & milk supply stopped. Ask a neighbor to collect mail for you.

HAPPY JOURNEY!!!

Find More information on http://search4site.page.tl/travel.htm

Asif Shaikh

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/travel-and-tourism-tips-717175.html

Technorati Tags: Malaysia tourism, Malaysia travel, malaysia vacation

Malaysia has become one of favorite tourist’s destinations due to various attractive locations that are there in Malaysia. Some of the most unequaled beauties can be witnessed by seeing the natural splendors of Malaysia. A number of national parks and beautiful islands add to the beauty of the Southeast Asian nation. In this part of the Asian continent Malaysia possibly is one of the most rapidly growing nation that has come up as a major tourist destination. What makes Malaysia so much fascinating is a number of incredible islands that it comprises of. Langkawi Island has lovely beaches like Pantai Cenang and Pantai Kok, Penag beach, Pangkor Island, Port Dickson, Pantai Cenang and Pantai Kok, Pan, Desaru, Tioman, Cherating, Terengganu Islands and Beaches, Sabah Islands and Beaches.

Malaysia is enriched with many beautiful islands. These islands consist of tropical rainforest which are must for nature lovers. It fascinates various international tourists as they can enjoy and indulge various fun games such as boating, sailing, river rafting and paragliding etc. you can easily enjoy various water sports and those who are not so sporty can definitely try fishing on the islands of Malaysia. You can even spot many tourists taking sunbath or just enjoying swimming.

Malaysia islands tour enables you to dine in some of the best restaurants and enjoy mouth watering delicacies. You can try Chinese cuisine or you can even expect some of authentic Indian food as well.

The south East Asian nation is swamped with some of the top class hotels on the islands of the country. So while being on Malaysia islands tour you can get to stay in the various luxury beach resorts and hotels that offer you with great services. On these islands there are a number of other attractions such as museums, national parks and even marine parks. If you are in the planning to enjoy an adventurous vacation then the diving spots on the islands can please you.

To plan your trip conveniently and make it good you can easily consult a travel dictionary or itinerary that offers maximum information about this holiday destination. Also the information provided is reliable and can help you plan according to your budget.

Jason born

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/malaysia-islands-tour-a-great-holiday-spot-731304.html

Technorati Tags: langkawi vacation, Malaysia holidays, Malaysia tours, malaysia vacation, Malaysian islands