Streets of Macau

The last time I went to Macau was ages ago. At the time it was considered the backwaters to Hong Kong - famous for the Lisbao Hotel and Casino and not much else. Most people would make a side trip there if they are in Hong Kong, spend a few hours and then rush back to the big city and bright lights. But actually Macau has lots more to offer. As a Portuguese colony, Macau has its share of colourful history and heritage.

Recently we spent a few days in Macau on a family holiday. Being a compact city, Macau is quite family-friendly. Most of the historical attractions are on the main island, and it is quite easy to walk everywhere. They also have an excellent bus service which circles the island, making this the best option to get around. Taxis are also convenient and cheap compared to Hong Kong. Just get a good map and you are all set to explore the city.

Although Macau has seen lot of new developments in hotels and casino, the main parts still feel and look the same. It always remind me of Kowloon with its endless highrise tenaments and small shops. Most of the buildings are very old and shabby, but you can feel the life and pulse of the city coursing through the streets, and that is what am most interested in.

Life goes on in the streets of Macau.


Parts of the city haven't changed much.


These tenaments are where most Macanese live.


The best way to see Macau is to walk around. There are still many unknown little corners waiting to be explored.

Eating in Kuching - Lunch at Bamboo Leaf Cafe

The old Chia Heng Restaurant used to be an institution in Kuching. The restaurant was originally located at Carpenter Street, and it was one of the most highly regarded and popular Chinese restaurant in town. I remember my grand father used to bring back the excellent chicken in galangal almost every week. Till today I can still remember the wonderful aromatic taste.

The restaurant subsequently moved to another location in Pending, and most recently transformed itself into more of a casual dining cafe at the Jalan Song Commercial Centre. It has gone through its ups and downs, and I think the most recent incarnation is more in sync with the current food trend in Kuching - more modern and casual settings instead of stuffy formal Chinese style eateries.


I am glad to see that they have kept most of their popular dishes on the menu, and have added some new ones. The old chicken with galangal is still there, and so is the oyster omelette. But they have added a new crispy version which is excellent. The omelette is fried separately to retain the crispness, and the oysters with sauce served on top, with lots of fresh coriander. Seriuosly yummy !


The chicken with galangal - still one of my favourites. The simple combination of tender chicken pieces and the aromatic spiciness of galangal is a great match. I especially love the deep-fried bits of galangal, very addictive ! Haven't seen this great dish in any other restaurants, so this could be one of Chia Heng's original inventions.


The soy sauce chicken is another very nice dish. The chicken is tender yet with a slightly firm bite. The soy sauce seasoning done just right - not too salty.


Other dishes are quite standard and no different from other restaurants. Sweet and sour chicken.


Long beans with minced pork.


Braised tofu.


I think the best way to dine here is to order the set lunch or dinner which comes in different combinations for various group sizes. You can request for some of the pre-fixed dishes to be substituted, and order additional a la carte dishes that you like. It is good to see an old establishment able to transform itself for new tastes.

THE BEAUTY AND UNIQUENESS PACITAN

Nowadays, in the early 2010, Pacitan become well known in sudden due to Jupe or Julia Perez was announced as candidate of Bupati or Leader in District Pacitan. Julia Perez is the sexy model, singer, actress, who always perform controversially and sesationally.

Pacitan (Indonesian: Kabupaten Pacitan) is a regency located in the southwestern East Java Province, with Central Java Province on its west border. Located between 7.55° - 8.17°S and 110.55° - 111.25°E. The borders of Pacitan Regency are: Wonogiri Regency (Central Java) in the west, Ponorogo Regency and Wonogiri Regency in the north, Trenggalek Regency in the east, and Indian Ocean in the south. The capital of Pacitan Regency is Pacitan.

Pacitan has many beautiful and unique places to be visitedm such as Gong Cave, Tabuhan Cave, and Teleng Ria Beach, and others.

Teleng Ria Beach

Teleng Ria beach is the nearest from Pacitan, it is about 5 minutes from the city. This beach faced to ‘Pantai Selatan’ with extent of white sand along about 3 km length. The distance from the Capital of Pacitan regency to the location is only 3,5 km, and it is easily reached with various vehicle.

The wave is medium and enjoyable for swimming and also to have a picnic with family. It has white sand and beautiful panorama guarded by limo mountains.

Various supporting facilities which have been built are; Watch Tower to enjoy the south sea wave, swimming pool and play ground, a stage for cultural event for Bonggo Budoyo and camping area, fishing area, hotels, and traditional food of Pacitan.

This beach is also applied for Fish Auction Place (TPI) so that the visitor can buy fresh fish.

 Gong Cave

Gong Cave has stalactite and stalacmite that is said become the beautiful one in South-east Asian. It has about 256 m depth, beside that it also has 5 polls; Rogo Pool, Panguripan Pool, Jiwo Pool, Kamulyan Pool, and Ralung Nisto Pool, which have magical value to heal disease. The beauty of stalagmite and stalagtite is hardly make surprise immortalized by Selo Cengger Bumi named, Cello Giri, Selo Citro Cipto Agung, Cello Pakuan Bomo, Cello Adi Citro Buwono, Cello Bantaran Angin and Cello Susuh Angin.

On certain days every Friday, there is a sound of traditional music called “Jaranan” gong (traditional gong) is the instrument which sound hardest than others. Up to now, sometimes its sound still can be heard, that is why this cave is about 256 meters underground, has 12 rooms, 7 springs and one natural bath.

This cave is located about 30 km west of Pacitan precisely in Bomo village, Punung district and it is easily reach with all types of vehicle about 45 minutes. This area also available some facilities, such as; souvenir shops, restaurants, parking area, Mosque, etc.

 Tabuhan Cave

Tabuhan Cave is on the southwest coast East Java, is the emmense interior of Tabuhan cave. This cave called Tabuhan because it sounds like local musicians play tunes by striking lomesone stalactites that resound in perfect pitch to the music. 

According to the public story around, Tabuhan cave has found by Kyai Santiko who lost his ox but finnaly the ox was come to a cave. His ox didn’t want to out from the cave, because it save many water from the root on it. After the brushwood has cleaned, the cave was taken care by Raden Bagus Joko Lelono and a princess Raden Ayu Mardilah.The cave it self is spectacular, its varilored stalagmites reaching upwards as high as 50 meters toward pendant stalagtites formed by water dripping from the roof.

It is called as Tabuhan cave because if lapped will yield sound like rhythm of Javanese music (gamelan). Tabuhan cave is initialy known as Tapan cave because since ahead applied by the chevaliers for some meditation like; Sanggargenu, Bambang Trigo. Wareng village is recognized caused the legend of Banteng Wareng which is descendant of Sultan Yogyakarta. It is told also in 1825 happened war Diponegoro, Raden Banteng Wareng show his patriotic soul opposed the colonized with Diponegoro.

This cave is located in Wareng village, Punung district about 40 km from west pacitan. The facility like Musholla and souvenir shops.

  Source: eastjava.com

Hanoi Vietnam

Vietnam's bustling capital may be a 1,000 years old, but it's a thriving metropolis with a French colonial soul. A cultural center littered with pagodas, temples, and historic monuments, Hanoi offers plenty for the traveler seeking an authentic yet eclectic Asian experience. The eating scene is colorful with excellent meals available at both street-side stalls and fine eateries. Nightlife won't disappoint with the labyrinthine Old Quarter and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake housing dozens of bars from Western ex-pat establishments to disco-infused nightclubs -- plus the legendary Minh's Jazz Club. There's also a cool and contemporary art gallery scene showcasing young artists along Pho Trang Tien. And if you love to shop, try the funky boutiques on Nha Tho, or Cho Hang Da, the huge Dong Xuan market that transforms into a night bazaar on weekends.
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi

Copenhagen Denmark

Denmark's capital rarely gets the attention it deserves, so it's been quietly focused on sensible city planning with comprehensive bicycle paths, free bikes, and a new metro line in the works to deal with the expanding city center. Residents are also trying on a host of new public buildings -- an opera house, a cutting-edge library, and a concert hall -- and an environmental program that's turning the rest of Europe green with envy. And despite the often gloomy northern climate, residents are routinely rated as some of the happiest people in the world. They'll have the opportunity to show off their city when it hosts the COP 15 Climate Change Conference in December 2009, a high-profile, international assembly of politicians looking for ways to reduce greenhouse emissions. They won't have to look much further than the host city for compelling ideas.

Copenhagen City

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Travel To Tunisia

While northern Tunisia is a hot spot for European tourists, it's still new to Americans, who tend to visit Morocco instead. Tunisia -- and especially the areas around the capital Tunis -- are a microcosm of North Africa's charms: Islamic culture mixed with Mediterranean spirit and beauty, modern colonial remnants from the French and ancient colonial remnants from the Romans. The capital Tunis has the best of both local architecture, exemplified by its sprawling and bustling medina, and colonial remnants of wide boulevards and straight lanes that stretch eastward from the Porte de France.

Tunisia

Tunisia heritage

Tunisia heritage

tunisia beach

tunisia beach

Holidays in tunisia

Cinque Terre Riviera the most popular tourist destinations in Italy

A local train from La Spezia to Genoa connects the "five lands". The tracks run most of the distance in a tunnel between Riomaggiore and Monterosso. The train occasionally emerges from the tunnel along the way and there are quick glimpses of the Mediterranean sea.

A passenger ferry runs between the five villages, except Corniglia. The ferry enters Cinque Terre from Genoa's Old Harbour and La Spezia, Lerici or Portovenere.

A walking trail connects the five villages. The trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell'Amore ("Love Walk") and varies in difficulty from an easy stroll to a rough and physically challenging hike. The stretch from Manarola to Corniglia is the easiest to hike, although the main trail into Corniglia finishes with a climb of 368 stairs. The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza is steep at certain places. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is by far the steepest. It winds through olive orchards and vineyards and is rough in places, but offers the best view of the bay and the spectacular approaches to both Monterosso and Vernazza.

There are fees to use the more popular walking trails, but the less frequently traveled (and most arduous) are free of charge. All of the trails are relatively narrow and are usually crowded in high tourist season. Experienced travelers know that short rains will clear the trails, and will jump back on the path after one has passed. The Park has trails that can take hikers up into the steep hills. Casual travelers should look at one of the park maps, which will give some idea of how difficult a trail is to travel. Although more challenging and strenuous, these high paths offer different sights from the main trail.

All the villages have small hotels or inns and there are many bed and breakfasts throughout the area, many with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and the surrounding hills. There is a youth hostel located at the top of the town of Manarola (Hostel Cinque Terre). Also, many small apartment owners in some of the villages have banded together and offer use of their apartments through small, locally-owned hospitality businesses. The quality of these accommodations varies greatly, from great to something less than ideal for some. There are usually beds to be found even in the highest part of the tourist season.

 Cinque Terre Riviera the most popular tourist destinations in Italy

Chittorgarh the largest fort in India

Chittorgarh  pronunciation (help·info) (also Chittor, Chittaur, or Chittaurgarh) is a city and a municipality in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgharh District and a former capital of the Sisodia clans of Rajputs of Mewar.

Fiercely independent, the fort of Chittor was under siege thrice and each time they fought bravely and thrice Jauhar was committed by the ladies and children, first lead by Rani Padmini, and later by Rani Karnavati. Chittorgarh is home to the Chittorgarh Fort the largest fort in India.

Chittorgarh the largest fort in India

Chittorgarh is home to the Chittorgarh Fort the largest fort in India.

PARIS: THE MOST VISITED CITY IN THE WORLD

Paris is the capital and primate city of France. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (or Paris Region, French: Région parisienne). Paris is the most visited city in the world with over 30 million visitors per year. Today Paris is a leading influence in fashion, gastronomy and the arts and its accumulated cultural wealth of museums, monuments and architecture makes it an attraction for visitors all over the world. The Eiffel tower is Paris' most famous monument. There is also the Louvre Paris' most famous museum and and the Mona Lisa described in the book that most people read the da vinci code. And also Jardin du Luxembourg, the well known and beautiful park.

Paris, also known as the City of Light, is the world's most popular city destination. Paris is the second-largest city in Western Europe, and possibly the city with the most things to see. While there are many must-see places in Paris, make sure you spend at least a day strolling off the beaten path, as this is the only way to discover the real Paris: a lively cosmopolitan but undeniably French city.

The center of Paris is divided in 20 arrondissements in a sort of spiral with the first arrondissement in the middle and the higher numbers on the outer circle. Most of the arrondissements have their own characteristics.

Sure and shortly, that Paris has more familiar landmarks than any other city in the world. As a result, first-time visitors often arrive in the French capital with all sorts of expectations: of grand vistas, of intellectuals discussing weighty matters in cafés, of romance along the Seine, of naughty nightclub revues, of rude people who won’t speak English. If you look hard enough, you can probably find all of those. But another approach is to set aside the preconceptions of Paris and to explore the city’s avenues and backstreets as if the tip of the Eiffel Tower or the spire of Notre Dame wasn’t about to pop into view at any moment.

Most attractions in Paris are:
Eiffel Tower
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Arc de Triomphe
Louvre
Sacré-Coeur
Champs-Elysées
Centre Pompidou
La Défense
Jardin du Luxembourg
Place de la Concorde
Orsay Museum
Place des Vosges
Sainte-Chapelle
Opéra Garnier
Pont Neuf
Panthéon
Hôtel des Invalides
Jardin des Tuileries
and more.....

Dubai Mall New Pictures

Trust Dubai to take shopping malls to a whole new level. Shoppers at The Dubai Mall can now ditch their street threads for a wetsuit to dive with sharks at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo within the complex.
Lurking in the 10-million-litre tank are sand tiger sharks, reef sharks, leopard sharks, giant groupers and stingrays, as well as your less scary, regular-size fish. Mall spokesman Arif Amiri says: "Visitors have been fascinated by the sight of our staff divers, who dive underwater to feed our sharks and fishes every day. Now, with the launch of shark dives, we are offering the opportunity for all to have an incredible diving experience in an aquarium environment."

Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall