Garuda Magazine December 2011

THE MAGAZINE OF GARUDA INDONESIA | DEcEMbER 2011

YOUR PERSONAL cOPY

Tranquil

Toba

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north maluku, bali, ranau, shanghai

www.garuda-indonesia.com

www.garudaholidays.com

contents 136 Travels

eastern empyrean E The eastern & Oriental express, the asian queen of the rails, offers passengers a breathtaking tour of South-east asia, from Singapore all the way to Bangkok.

Travel Notes

66 | Toba’s Temptations E indonesia’s deadly volcanic trio of Toba, Tambora and Krakatau has rocked the world, however, of these three, only Toba was completely obliterated and no longer resembles a volcano at all.

eastern & Oriental express, “ratu kereta” di asia, siap membawa anda mengeksplorasi interior menawan asia Tenggara, dari Singapura ke Bangkok.

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indonesia pernah mengguncang dunia lewat letusan tiga gunungnya—Toba, Tambora, dan Krakatau. dari ketiganya, hanya Toba yang nyaris sepenuhnya hilang.

Sebuah danau vulkanis terbesar sejagat kini mengisi tanah yang ditinggalkannya.

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Photo Gallery

78 | chiang mai E Jerry aurum is a Jakarta-based photographer and the author of, “Femalography” and “in my room”. in this issue, Jerry showcases photos taken during a recent trip to Chiang mai in Thailand.

Jerry aurum adalah fotografer Jakarta yang pernah menerbitkan buku bertajuk Femalography dan In My Room. di edisi ini, Jerry menampilkan sebagian koleksi foto hasil dari perjalanannya di Chiang mai, Thailand.

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Cover: Lake Toba Photograph: Fadil Aziz

insightshanghai

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8 Reasons to Visit

Shanghai Shanghai. The old and the new. East meets West. Past and present. Let us not play the cliché game and instead see Shanghai for what it truly is: a giant, glittering, twentyfirst-century melting pot offering anything from levitating vehicles to old-fashioned but ruthlessly efficient scam artists.

Arvada Haradiran recommends 8 reasons for paying a visit to Shanghai. I Shanghai yang sering disebut Paris di Timur adalah "ruang pamer" yang menggambarkan kemakmuran Cina. Kota ini memiliki segalanya, mulai dari kereta yang dapat melesat 300 kilometer per jam hingga tukang ilusi andal. Arvada Haradiran merekomendasikan delapan alasan untuk mengunjunginya.

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China’s premier shopping street, Nanjing Road, effectively represents the success story and wealth of The Middle Kingdom. Stretching 5.5 kilometres in length, Nanjing Road is packed to the brim with all manner of stores stocking everything from luxury brands to local curios. Oh and there are people everywhere, lots and lots of people, as the stores here largely cater to domestic tourists. However looking on the bright side this means that the prices are surprisingly affordable. Solo travellers (especially male) beware though, as the scam artists here (usually female) are masters at befuddling even the wariest of Jedi Masters.

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Nanjing Road adalah sentra belanja Shanghai dan simbol kemakmuran Negeri Tirai Bambu. Ia juga merupakan salah satu ikon megapolitan abad 21 yang tidak bisa dilewatkan.

Barang-barang yang ditawarkan sangat beragam, dengan harga yang bersahabat. Waspadalah terhadap ”seniman” penipu yang bertebaran di kawasan sepanjang 5,5 kilometer ini.

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PhotograPhs: PhOTOgraPhS: getty geTTy images imageS

a Chinese woman performs a fan dance | Seorang wanita Cina memeragakan tari kipas. OPPOSiTe Page: The bull sculpture in nanjing road | Patung kerbau di Jalan nanjing.

Nanjing Road

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02 Shanghai Ocean Aquarium E Travelling with kids and need to occupy them for the day? Then head to Shanghai Ocean aquarium (www.sh-soa.com), one of the largest aquariums in asia, which is located just next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. Covering an area of 20,500 square metres, SOa is divided into nine different thematic zones and is home to a collection of over 450 species of aquatic animals drawn from five continents and four oceans. also home to an Oranda goldfish named Bruce (after Bruce Lee—well, what do you expect?), which measures an amazing 17.129 inches (43.507 cm) from snout to tailfin, the Shanghai Ocean aquarium features the longest underwater tunnel in the world into the bargain.

I melancong bersama anak-anak?

Kunjungilah Shanghai Ocean aquarium (www.sh-soa.com), salah satu akuarium terbesar di asia yang terletak persis di samping menara TV Oriental Pearl. dengan luas dua hektare lebih, SOa menampilkan sembilan zona tematik dengan koleksi lebih dari 450 spesies hewan air dari lima benua dan empat samudra. SOa adalah juga rumah bagi “Bruce”, ikan mas oranda dengan panjang 43,507 centimeter. Shanghai Ocean aquarium juga memiliki terowongan bawah laut terpanjang di dunia.

03 Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar E Yuyuan garden & Bazaar, as its name implies, features both a garden and a bazaar, the latter of which is significantly more appealing to tourists. The garden isn’t bad, in fact it’s considered one of the most lavish and finest Chinese gardens in the region and boasts six scenic areas. However, the bazaar, with its maze of the old time streets and alleyways filled with shops selling everything from antiques to souvenirs to local food stuffs and snacks, seems to attract tourists like moths to a flame.

Located just minutes from the southern end of the Bund, this popular draw is open from 8.30 am until 5 pm daily. avoid Sundays if you’re claustrophobic!

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I Seperti namanya, Yuyuan garden & Bazaar adalah taman dan pasar. Tamannya disanjung sebagai salah satu yang tercantik di Cina, sementara pasarnya diminati turis lokal dan asing. ditata seperti pasar Cina tempo dulu, Yuyuan menjajakan segala macam barang, mulai dari suvenir, benda antik, makanan, hingga segala macam tetek bengek.

Tempat ini berlokasi di tengah kota, hanya beberapa menit dari The Bund, dan beroperasi dari pukul 8:30. Hindari datang pada hari raya dan libur nasional.

E nicknamed “the museum of buildings”, the Bund is by far the most popular tourist attraction in Shanghai. its european-style buildings date back to the 1920s and sit next to modern skyscrapers built no earlier than the 1990s, offering a strong contrast between modern Shanghai and the old city.

Perennially popular with lovebirds, the area’s after dark atmosphere is nothing short of mesmerising.

I disebut sebagai persimpangan antara Shanghai lama dan Shanghai baru, The Bund mengoleksi gedung-gedung kolonial tua tahun 1920 di satu sisi, dan gedung pencakar langit di sisi lain. dari atas tanggul Sungai Huangpu, kita dapat menikmati kedua kontras tersebut. Tak heran, The Bund dengan pemandangan malam yang menggetarkan menjadi pilihan favorit pasangan kekasih.

04 Oriental Pearl Tower E Just across from the Bund, in the “new” Shanghai, the Oriental Pearl Tower rises a full 468 metres tall. Local people will proudly tell you that this TV tower is uniquely Shanghai and no visit to the city can be considered complete without a trip to its summit via double-decker elevators that shoot up at a rate of seven metres per second.

You’d do better, however, to avoid the tower during major holidays and

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The iconic Oriental Pearl Tower | ikon kota, Oriental Pearl Tower. TOP: a 1937 photograph of Shanghai's financial district | Foto tahun 1937 yang menampilkan distrik finansial Shanghai.

weekends, as it’s hugely popular.

The pearl at the very top of the tower contains shops, restaurants (including a rotating restaurant), and a viewing floor.

I Bagi warga Shanghai, Oriental Pearl Tower merupakan simbol kota yang tak bisa ditemukan di manapun. di puncak menara TV setinggi 468 meter ini kita akan disuguhi toko-toko, restoran (termasuk yang bisa berputar), dan ruang observasi. dari ruang inilah, di

ketinggian hampir setengah kilometer di atas bumi, kita dapat menikmati panorama kota. untuk sampai ke lantai puncak, sebuah lift bertingkat ganda yang melaju dengan kecepatan tujuh meter per detik, siap melayani anda.

06 Plaza 66 and Three on the Bund E if you’ve got your mind set on some high-end fashion labels, then Plaza 66 (www.plaza66.com) on nanjing road

West in Jing’an district is the place to go. Plaza 66 is widely regarded as the leader of the fashionista pack in Shanghai and stocks labels such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Cartier and Prada. There is also a department store between the first and fifth floors.

Three on the Bund is another high-end shopping centre and features giorgio armani’s flagship China store, as well as several critically-acclaimed restaurants.

I Jika anda hanya tertarik dengan label fesyen papan atas, maka Plaza 66 (www.plaza66.com) di nanjing road West, kawasan Jing’an adalah tempatnya. dinobatkan sebagai yang terdepan dalam keriuhan fashionista Shanghai, Plaza 66 menawarkan label premium sekaliber Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Cartier, Prada, dan lain-lain.

Terdapat juga department store dari

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lantai satu sampai lima. Pertokoan “3 on the Bund” merupakan pilihan mewah lainnya, tempat kita dapat menemukan butik giorgio armani dan sejumlah restoran yang dipuji-puji para kritikus kuliner.

Pavilion Bridge at West Lake in hangzhou | Jembatan Paviliun di West Lake, hangzhou orang mengerumuni lapan LeFt: shanghai's maglev rapid transit system | maglev, kereta super cepat shanghai.

07 Shanghai Maglev Train the shanghai maglev train (www. smtdc.com) is one of only two commercially available levitating maglev systems in the world, so now that you’re in shanghai you should really hop aboard and take it for a spin. a oneway ticket only costs rmB 50 (approx. usd 7.27) and the fare drops to rmB 40 if you show your garuda indonesia airline ticket. the line runs from Pudong international airport to the centre of the city (Longyang road station) and the train takes just 7 minutes and 20 seconds to complete a distance of 30 km (18.6 miles). inside, you’ll barely feel a thing, since the train essentially levitates and flies over the tracks.

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shanghai’s residents, at the very first chance they get, like to burn out of town in order to escape the city’s endlessly monolithic concrete and neon jungles, and often head down to hangzhou and suzhou; two different but equally accessible regions flush with rolling-green hills that stretch for miles on end. there are tea plantations, gardens, mountains, forests, lakes, temples, pagodas and plenty of refreshing greenery to enjoy here and, thanks to the recently built high-speed train link, getting to either hangzhou and suzhou from shanghai now takes less than an hour (compared to three hours by bus).

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hangzhou and suzhou bagi orang shanghai mirip Bandung atau Puncak bagi warga Jakarta.

Perkebunan teh, bukit hijau, udara sejuk, danau, gunung, dan pagoda adalah pemandangan jamak yang mengukir lanskap kedua tempat tersebut. menaiki kereta super cepat, kedua dataran hijau yang melegakan itu dapat dijangkau dalam tempo satu jam dari shanghai, atau tiga jam jika naik bus.

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PhotograPh: getty images (6).

shanghai maglev train (www.smtdc. com) merupakan kereta tercepat di dunia saat ini. meskipun kecepatannya hampir menyamai pesawat udara, jangan khawatir akan terguncang karena maglev sanggup melayang halus di atas rel medan magnet. dengan tiket hanya rmB 50 (sekitar usd 7,27 dan akan didiskon menjadi rmB 40 jika anda menunjukkan tiket pesawat garuda indonesia), anda bisa menikmati satu dari hanya dua sistem kendaraan melayang komersial di dunia.

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Hangzhou & Suzhou

insightbali

New Dining to Die for

By Arvada Haradiran EVO The former Blossom restaurant has undergone a seductive transformation of late and been reborn as the recently-opened eVO. Helmed by executive Chef Bill Collier, this handsome new eatery devotes itself to fiercely authentic italian cuisine, but with a savvy contemporary edge. This mission statement is also reflected in the eVO décor and interior, which has a nostalgic, vintage italian restaurant feel to it while also being both sleek and in-vogue. The dishes at eVO (which is an acronym of “extra Virgin Olive Oil”) are all made from scratch and whipped up with sophistication and restraint in order to appeal to the modern palate. eVO highlights include the delectable lobster crema crostone with basil and olive oil and Chef Collier’s clay pot meatballs with grandma’s Sunday ragu, which are slow cooked to perfection with healthy portions of Chianti, red onions and tomatoes imported from San marzano that melt like butter when they hit the tongue.

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Setelah direnovasi, restoran Blossom menjelma jadi restoran italia seksi bernama eVO, akronim dari “extra Virgin Olive Oil”. maklum, minyak zaitun adalah elemen yang menempati kasta ningrat dalam dunia kuliner italia. dipimpin oleh executive Chef Bill Collier, eVO menyajikan masakan italia yang simpel namun autentik, dalam konsep ruang makan glamor yang memancarkan romantika restoran-restoran italia vintage. Beberapa hidangan yang tidak boleh dilewatkan adalah Lobster Crema Crostone with Basil and Olive Oil, serta Chef Collier’s Clay Pot meatballs with grandma’s Sunday ragu yang dimasak dengan metode slow-cooking dan dijamin akan lumer di mulut anda.

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> Jl. Pura Telaga Waja, Petitenget, www.balisentosa.com.

SIP Sunset Grill & Barroom SiP Sunset grill & Barroom is proprietor Christian Vanneque’s second Bali venue and an attempt to cement his position as the island’s king of French dining in the wake of the huge success of the first SiP, which is doing a roaring trade in Seminyak. The original SiP, which opened back in 2008, has now become something of an institution and continues to attract gourmands from all over the island, who come to enjoy the eatery’s great wine list and honest, French-bistro food. The second SiP opened in august and is already attracting much buzz and media fanfare, which has been helped, in no small part, by Christian’s feverish obsession with fine wine. The SiP kitchens serve up French-inspired fare with a Southern twist, and there’s an emphasis on value-for-money treats, which include various cuts of australian red meats; a selection of warm and cold appetisers (none of which exceed idr 75,000); main courses that start at idr 95,000; and desserts that are capped at idr 55,000.

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Bagi penggemar kuliner Prancis, nama SiP Wine Bar mungkin sudah tidak asing lagi. restoran yang berdiri pada 2008 ini memiliki reputasi sebagai penyedia masakan bistro Prancis yang jujur dan autentik, dengan harga menu yang masuk akal dan daftar wine yang impresif. agustus tahun ini, cabang barunya telah berdiri dengan nama SiP Sunset grill & Barroom. interiornya terlihat lebih edgy layaknya loft di new York City. daftar menunya berbeda dari SiP Wine Bar, namun tidak kalah menarik. Koki asal Prancis, Karim Hassene, menawarkan masakan bistro Prancis yang lezat namun terjangkau.

Tengok saja promosi “Let’s Break Bread, Not The Bank!” yang menawarkan lunch set menu seharga idr 85.000 (dinner set menu idr 125.000), mencakup appetizer, hidangan utama berupa 200 gram sirloin steak, serta menu penutup.

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> Jl. Sunset road 88X, Seminyak. www.sip-bali.com.

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Swept Away E The newly opened The Samaya ubud is built right into the hillside of the ayung Valley and offers guests some superb views, especially if they try a spot of lounging down at Swept away, whose deck is a stone’s throw away from the roaring ayung river. Comfortable banana loungers combine with a cooling breeze from the river to create the perfect ambiance for a cocktail or two, or simply an ice-cold beer. This is also a great location for an informal lunch, an afternoon snack, a slow dinner or a nightcap and offers some stiff competition to Samaya ubud’s other dining venue, Scene. Try the asian Tapas menu for some playfully lighthearted and delicious morsels.

I The Samaya ubud menawarkan pengalaman romantis menikmati makanan di tepi Sungai ayung lewat restorannya yang bernama Swept away. dari deknya, anda bisa menikmati gemericik air sungai sembari menyeruput sampanye, wine, atau koktail. Cicipi pula hidangan-hidangan lezat seperti asian Tapas yang jadi favorit tempat ini. menu-menu yang lebih berbobot bisa dinikmati di Scene, restoran lain di The Samaya ubud.

> Banjar Baung, desa Sayan, ubud, www.thesamayabali.com.

Mama San E rebel chef Will meyrick, the original founder of the long-time Bali favourite, Sarong, is at it again, this time taking it one notch higher with his latest venture, mama San Kitchen Bar Lounge. This restaurant-cum-bar-cum-lounge boasts an interior reminiscent of a British gentlemen’s club of yesteryear, with a dose of twentieth-century South-east asia thrown in for good measure. in a word, fabulous! The playful mama San takes its food very seriously however, and offers refreshing takes on indonesian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, indian and malaysian fare, all of which is served up with the utmost attention to detail. mama San’s forte is its vast selection of South-east asian noodle dishes.

I Will meyrick adalah otak di balik Sarong, salah satu restoran legendaris di Bali. Tahun ini, ia beraksi lagi dengan meluncurkan mama San Kitchen Bar Lounge, restoran dengan interior yang menyiratkan atmosfer kolonial, perpaduan elemen desain inggris dan asia Tenggara abad ke-20. mama San menyajikan hidangan-hidangan autentik indonesia, Vietnam, Kamboja, Thailand, india, and malaysia. menu unggulan mereka adalah beragam mi dari negaranegara asia tersebut.

> Jl. raya Kerobokan 135, Banjar Taman, Seminyak, www.mamasanbali.com.

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E ubud has always been populated by an eclectic cross-section of humanity, and they all need somewhere to go to ponder the answers to life, the universe and everything. enter Localista, a brand-new café that’s already making a splash, not only for its great espressos and celebrity-favourite cupcakes, but also for its creators: veteran Balinese writer-photographer, rio Helmi and his filmmaker daughter, Soma. Located just off the main road in ubud, the café connects to the rio Helmi Photo gallery, however that’s not the only

Tulip decent Turkish food on the island of the gods? Bet you didn’t see that one coming. although its name makes it sound like a dutch restaurant, Tulip actually serves up what is surely the best Turkish food to be found on Bali. diners here will be treated to a rich palate of herbs and spices and a variety of dishes that simply cannot be found anywhere else in Bali. Former Hilton Kayseri Turkey executive Chef Fahri Karatas is the main man at Tulip, which isn’t afraid to break the mould: the restaurant forgoes the all-too-ubiquitous “++” (tax and service) charges which run rampant in this country, replacing them instead with caring and detailed run downs of whether certain dishes contain gluten, nuts, eggs, dairy products or shell fish. Finally, a restaurant that pays a little attention to its diners’ wellbeing!

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Walaupun namanya terdengar seperti restoran Belanda, Tulip sebenarnya menyajikan masakan Turki. Tulip merupakan lambang nasional dari Kekaisaran Ottoman Turki, simbol yang sakral tentunya bagi restoran ini. mantan koki Hilton Kayseri Turki, Fahri Karatas, akan memanjakan lidah anda dengan hidangan yang sarat bumbu dan rempah dan yang dibuat secara saksama. Berita baiknya, Tulip tidak mengenakan biaya pajak dan servis seperti di restoran lainnya, dan buku menunya merinci informasi allergen untuk tiap menu, seperti gluten, kacang-kacangan, telur, serta produk susu atau ikan.

attraction on offer down here. diners also come for Localista’s lip-smacking, gluten-free cupcakes, special teas, juices, lassies, quiches and croissants, as well as its legendary gaya gelato; each of which is perfect brain food and should have you contemplating life’s mysteries in no time at all. if the iconic painter Walter Spies were alive today, you’d probably run into him sipping a cup of cappuccino down here.

I Penulis dan fotografer kondang rio Helmi bersama putrinya, Soma, meluncurkan coffee shop bernama Localista di ubud. Selain menjajakan kopi berkualitas prima, tempat ini menawarkan cupcake yang walaupun terlihat sepele, namun sudah mencapai status selebriti di Bali. Pemilik Localista mengatakan, gerainya mengusung moto “Go Local”—sebuah komitmen untuk mewadahi bisnis lokal di sekitar ubud guna memajukan perekonomian masyarakat setempat. Salah satu aplikasinya adalah, Localista menggunakan sebanyak mungkin produk lokal. “Tidak hanya ramah lingkungan, tapi rasanya pun lebih enak,” jelas rio Helmi.

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> Jl. Petitenget 69, Seminyak, tulipbali.com.

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> Jl. Suweta 5, ubud, Bali, www.localistacafe.com.

PHOTOgraPHS: COurTeSy OF SiP SunSeT griLL, TuLiP, SenTOSa PrivaTe viLLaS and SPa, THe Samaya, LOCaLiSTa CaFé, mama San.

Localista Café

Let the Countdown Begin Unlike those gloomily apocalyptic Mayans, the Chinese believe that 2012, the year of the dragon, will bring both health and wealth.

Here's a round up of 12 top hotels where you can celebrate New Year’s Eve in style.

Casa de la Flora Everybody knows where Phuket is, but have you ever heard of Khao Lak? Exactly!

And this is precisely why the just-completed Casa de la Flora hotel, comprising of 36 contemporary, grey, cube villas set amid lush vegetation, may just afford you your best New Year’s retreat ever, if you’re the escape-thew-big-city type that is. The beautiful beaches of Khao Lak in the Khao Lak National Park, which lies a one-hour drive from Phuket International Airport, are worth every effort to get to, and once you arrive here there’s no better place to stay than at Casa de La Flora E

Phuket identik dengan pesta, pantai, dan kerumunan turis. Tapi cobalah berkendara satu jam dari bandara Phuket, menuju Taman Nasional Khao Lak, maka Anda akan menemukan persinggahan yang juga menawarkan pesta dan pantai, tapi minus kerumunan.

Resor butik Casa de la Flora menawarkan 36 vila yang didesain minimalis-modern dengan panorama pantai dan kawasan konservasi.

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> 67 / 213 Moo 5, Khuk Khak, Khao Lak, Thailand, www.designhotels.com/ casadelaflora.

By Arvada Haradiran.

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04 W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak The hotly anticipated W retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak has finally thrown open its doors and the initial consensus amongst islanders and visitors alike is that it has been worth the wait. The W brand has always been popular for its edgy, youthful, trendy vibe, and the W Bali is no different.

The 237 guestrooms and villas layer poleng-patterned mother-of-pearl panels and headboards embossed with green stingray skin, while a resin pagoda-style lobby bar glows with Led lights at night. Come december 31, W retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak will burst into life with a dizzying array of parties and celebrations from a starting price of idr 1 million.

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resor di tepi pantai ini sepertinya mendominasi pergunjingan seputar properti baru di Bali. Suka atau tidak pada desainnya, yang jelas W Bali jelas sukses mengguratkan warna segar di Pulau dewata lewat suguhan konsep penginapan yang eksentrik dan energik.

WooBar, W Lounge, Fire, dan Starfish Bloo adalah wadah-wadah milik W Bali yang siap menampung hasrat pesta di malam tahun baru, dengan paket-paket menarik berharga mulai dari rp 1 juta.

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Hotel 03 Palace Cipanas

East Hong Kong Just when you thought Hong Kong couldn’t get any classier, what with such legends as the Langham Place, the Four Seasons and the mandarin Oriental already delighting guests, the perennial party town drops a bomb with the opening of east. Positively dripping with style, east’s 345 chic, neutral-toned rooms are decked out in natural materials such as bamboo and marble. Sugar, east’s slinky, 32nd-floor, open-air bar, is the perfect killer spot to ring in the new Year.

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Hong Kong, kota yang identik dengan gedung jangkung, makanan enak nan murah, lampu neon, dan penduduk yang selalu tergesa-gesa, telah menambah koleksi penginapannya dengan mendirikan east. Hotel bisnis ini menaungi 345 kamar yang dibalut dengan bahan-bahan alami seperti bambu dan marmer untuk memancarkan nuansa netral dan chic. Sugar, barnya yang terletak di lantai 32 dan menawarkan pemandangan kota 360 derajat, adalah sarana ideal untuk menyaksikan aneka pesta kembang api di malam Tahun Baru yang digelar warga Hong Kong.

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> 29 Taikoo Shing road, island east, Hong Kong, east-hongkong.com.

recently refurbished, this legendary old timer now features 185 refreshed rooms and suites sporting modern facilities and living spaces that are much larger than anything else available in Puncak, a less than two-hour drive from Jakarta.

Located next to the Presidential Palace, within walking distance of Cipanas market, the best accommodation options are the hotel’s three exclusive cottages and the President Suite, which offers maximum privacy.

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ada dua “palace” di Cipanas, tapi hanya satu yang bisa anda masuki, termasuk untuk merayakan Tahun Baru. Palace Hotel Cipanas adalah hotel legendaris yang baru saja diperbarui. Bertengger di dataran tinggi dengan jarak sekitar dua jam dari Jakarta, hotel ini layak dipertimbangkan oleh mereka yang mencari kesejukan dan kedamaian. Jika datang bersama teman atau keluarga, sewalah cottage eksklusif atau President Suite yang ukurannya sangat megah.

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> Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak , Bali, indonesia, whotels.com/baliseminyak

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> Jl. raya Cipanas, Puncak, West Java, indonesia, www.palacehotel.co.id.

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05 The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Angsana Laguna Phuket if you’re a party animal, then you will definitely find your natural habitat in Phuket. Be warned, though: although Phuket is considered a paradise on earth by many, Thailand’s perennial party town can sometimes become a little overcrowded and wild, especially over the Christmas and new Year period. Thankfully though, the newly opened angsana Laguna Phuket offers respite from Phuket’s ever-frenetic tourist scene. a part of the Banyan Tree Hotels and resorts group, the lower-priced angsana brand still features all of the pomp and luxury of its illustrious sibling, only without the bank-breaking prices.

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don’t be fooled: the monstrosity that is the marina Bay Sands casino complex may claim to be Singapore’s preeminent landmark, however the real crown jewel lies hidden just across the bay on a historic 1930s pier. The soothingly elegant and understatedly chic 100-room Fullerton Bay Hotel has enamoured discerning travellers from across the globe with its personalised service and effortless class. Party hard at Lantern, the hotel’s sexy rooftop bar, or dine with other connoisseurs in the hushed luxury of Clifford as you welcome in the new Year. Tickets to the Lantern new Year’s eve Party clock in at Sgd 90 net per person, inclusive of two glasses of Champagne, wine, beer or house pour.

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negeri Singa boleh membanggakan kompleks kasino kolosalnya, marina Bay Sands, sebagai ikon negara, namun harta karun sesungguhnya terletak persis di seberangnya: Fullerton Bay Hotel. Berisi hanya 100 kamar yang didesain mewah dengan sentuhan kayu dan kulit, penginapan ini adalah salah satu tempat ideal untuk menyambut 2012. anda bisa menikmati makanan di restoran Clifford, atau pergi ke atap untuk berpesta di Lantern, bar beratmosfer sensual. Harga tiket untuk pesta malam tahun baru di Lantern mulai dari Sgd 90 per orang, mencakup dua gelas sampanye, wine, bir, atau house pour.

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> 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore, www.fullertonbayhotel.com.

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adakalanya Phuket terlalu ramai dan liar. untuk bersembunyi dari kebisingan itu, singgahlah di angsana Laguna Phuket, bagian dari grup Banyan Tree Hotels and resorts. angsana Laguna Phuket menawarkan value for money: servis dan fasilitas berkualitas tinggi, namun tarif kamarnya lumayan miring—setidaknya dibanding Banyan Tree.

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> 10 moo 4 Srisoonthorn road, Phuket, Thailand, www.angsana.com/en/phuket.

Capital 07 The Hotel Tokyu Tokyo, of course, is always one of the hottest places in the world in which to welcome in the new Year. But where exactly should one stay? if you’re looking for some classic, Japanese luxury and some seriously attentive service, then The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is a great choice.

This newest five-star launch from the acclaimed Tokyu Hotels group eschews gimmicks in favour of good old-fashioned Japanese hospitality and sensibilities.

With its central Tokyo location, right next to the imperial Palace, you’ll have no problem getting to many of Tokyo’s most happening new Year’s eve hotspots.

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Tokyo tentunya layak dijadikan tempat merayakan Tahun Baru. Jika anda mencari penginapan dengan sentuhan kemewahan klasik khas Jepang, The Capital Hotel Tokyu layak masuk daftar prioritas. Hotel bintang lima dari grup Tokyu Hotels ini berada di lokasi yang strategis, tepatnya di kawasan downtown, yang berjarak hanya selemparan batu dari tempat-tempat populer, pusat perbelanjaan belanja, dan distrik restoran.

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> 2-10-3, nagata-cho, Tokyo, Japan, www.capitolhoteltokyu.com/en.

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The St. Regis Lhasa Resort The words “Lhasa” and “new Year’s eve” don’t exactly seem to fit seamlessly together. St. regis’ well-known penchant for lavish luxury though, means that exiling yourself to the so-called, “roof of the World”, 3,600 metres above sea level, in order to welcome in 2012 may prove to be a fabulous, if not entirely spiritual, new Year’s experience. The 150-room, 12-villa The St. regis Lhasa resort boasts views of the Himalayas and of Lhasa Valley, and was inspired by the nearby Sera monastery.

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Kata “Tibet” dan “Pesta Tahun Baru” mungkin terkesan tidak klop. Tapi The St. regis Lhasa resort yang menempel di atap dunia (3.600 meter) mungkin bisa mengubah persepsi tersebut. Berisi 150 kamar dan 12 vila yang menawarkan pemandangan gunung Himalaya dan Lereng Lhasa, resor yang terletak di dekat biara ini memiliki kemampuan untuk membuat tamu-tamu memikirkan tentang makna dan tujuan hidup mereka tahun depan.

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> 22 Jiangsu road, Lhasa, Tibet, China, www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis.

Grace Beijing Beijing is justly celebrated for its historical sites and important government and cultural institutions. did you know though that it also boasts a vibrant art scene, which you’ll find down in the 798 art district, an area in which several of China’s best-known artists, including the now infamous ai Weiwei, live and work? grace Hotel group, the award-winning boutique hotel brand, acquired the former Yi House Hotel and reopened it as a converted crystal factory, and it now stands amid the galleries, studios and museums of the 798 art district. if you’re an art nut, then this surreally funky hotel is the best place in which to spend your new Year.

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Segala yang dilakukan Cina untuk menjadi raksasa baru dunia, pasti dirumuskan di Beijing. dan kini anda diundang untuk merayakan pergantian tahun di pusat dunia tersebut. Hotel anyar besutan grace Hotel group, grace Beijing, mengambil alih bangunan bekas Hotel Yi House, lalu mengubahnya jadi penginapan mewah. ia berdiri di kawasan paling “nyeni” di Beijing, 798 art district, yang dihuni aneka galeri, studio seni, dan museum.

Sungguh tempat yang tepat bagi mereka yang mencintai kreativitas otak kanan.

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it’s not easy to impress the Shanghainese, especially those who like to frequent the Bund, which is why the Waldorf astoria Shanghai on the Bund is pulling out all the stops for its Chinese debut. How about 20 neoclassical suites with four-poster beds and marble baths in a building originally constructed in 1911 that once housed the Shanghai Club? Or how about a lobby with marble floors and a steel birdcage elevator, or perhaps the newly built, 252room Waldorf astoria Tower, which features all the modern comforts you’d expect—from walk-in closets to electric, Japanese toilets? a new Year spent down here should be an experience to cherish for sure.

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Kawasan terpopuler di Shanghai, the Bund, adalah medan pertarungan bagi para hotel dalam memikat turis. di tempat inilah Waldorf astoria Shanghai on the Bund mengeluarkan segala jurus untuk jadi yang paling mentereng dalam hal kemewahan. ia merevitalisasi sebuah bangunan berusia satu abad yang dulunya merupakan Shanghai Club, kemudian mengisi interiornya dengan 20 suite bergaya neo Klasik, 252 kamar luks, dan kamar mandi marmer. di malam pergantian tahun, penginapan ini cocok bagi kaum senior yang berselera premium.

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> WJiuxianqiao Lu, 2 Hao Yuan, 798 Yishu Qu, 706 Houjie 1 Hao, Beijing, China, www.gracebeijing.com.

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Astoria 09 Waldorf Shanghai on the Bund

> 88 Sichuan zhong road, Shanghai, China, www. waldorfastoriashanghai.com/english.

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Senses 12 Six Con Dao Vietnam is currently undergoing a tourism renaissance and some of the world’s most respected hospitality brands are opening up in the country. The Six Senses, a brand renowned for its penchant for remote yet accessible destinations in areas of outstanding natural beauty, is a prime example of this, having just opened the much lauded Six Senses Con dao. Welcoming in the new year down at this untouched and breathtakingly beautiful area, in the calm tranquillity of 50 minimalist villas constructed in blonde wood, is sure to leave you with memories to cherish for many a year to come.

11 Alila Sothea Siem Reap Cambodia has been attracting an ever-increasing flood of seasoned travellers in recent years and this former Khmer rouge stronghold is turning into a truly world-class destination, with its rich culture, fascinating history and pristine natural beauty. Taking full advantage of these facts, the luxury alila Sothea boutique resort can be found nestled into the heart of the beautifully bucolic Siem reap, the ancient seat of Khmer culture and a uneSCO World Heritage Site that is famed for its amazing angkor temples.

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Lupakan catatan kelam Khmer merah, maka anda akan melihat Kamboja sebagai negara yang kaya sejarah dan budaya. grup alila sangat memahami fakta tersebut saat memutuskan untuk mendirikan alila Sothea, resor mewah di jantung Siem reap, tak jauh dari candi anggota World Heritage Site uneSCO, angkor. Tempat ini menawarkan refleksi sejarah saat anda menatap hari baru di 2012.

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> national road no. 6, Khum Svay dangkom, Siem reap, Cambodia, www.alilahotels.com/sothea.

Lepas dari perang ala rambo, Vietnam berkembang menjadi salah satu surga pariwisata di asia Tenggara.

Six Senses adalah jaringan resor global yang terkenal akan kecenderungannya untuk memilih destinasi yang benar-benar terpencil, namun masih gampang diakses.

Six Senses Con dao adalah salah satu buktinya. Properti ini siap memuaskan anda yang tergolong pembenci hura-hura dan lebih memilih kualitas daripada kuantitas.

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> dat doc Beach, Con dao district, Ba ria, Vung Tau Province, Vietnam, www.sixsenses.com/ SixSensesCondao.

PHOTOgraPHS: COurTeSy Of THe fuLLerTOn Bay HOTeL, W BaLi, Six SenSeS, WaLdOrf aSTOria, graCe Beijing, THe CaPiTaL HOTeL TOKyu, ST. regiS, eaST HOng KOng, aLiLa, deSign HOTeLS, angSana, PaLaCe HOTeL CiPanaS.

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