D-Brief Edition 16 - Preview 2012

D-Brief

Edition 16

Preview 2012

D-Brief Bangkok, 20 December 2011 Dear Partner, As 2011 draws to a close, we look back on a year which has been full of challenges, changes and new opportunities for Diethelm Travel.

This year we have launched a series of D-Briefs with in-depth information on the region, hoping that with each edition, you and your colleagues have benefitted from new ideas.

Having received positive feedback from you, we have collated a selection of hand-picked topics for 2012. All twelve Diethelm Travel destinations are covered: Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

We hope that you will enjoy opening one interesting topic after the other. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal support during the past year and wish you and your loved ones, happy holidays and a fantastic start to the New Year.

Sincerely yours,

Your Diethelm Travel Team

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRI

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGU

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMB

IL

ST

BER

of Bhutan Review 2011The– Nomads Preview 2012

In this month‟s D-Brief we open the doors to our creative department, giving you a sneak preview of the themes we have selected for 2012. We have roamed the region for you and selected unique topics, which you will not find in any common travel guide.

Browse through the index on the left-hand side to find out more about the monthly themes planned for 2012.

For those of you who have missed one of our 2011 editions, the content table on the right will guide you through this year‟s past issues. We featured exciting stories, from local community initiatives we support, to hiking expeditions to catch a glimpse of the world‟s biggest flower in Borneo.

Read D-Brief and keep up-to-date with what‟s going on in the region!

Edition 6: Architecture Edition 7: Sustainability

Edition 8: Water Edition 9: Food Edition 10: Trains, Planes & Automobiles Edition 11: Soft Adventure Edition 12: Pool Villas

Edition 13: Flowers & Unique Plants Edition 14: Faces of Asia Edition 15: Spa & Wellness

JANUARY

The Nomads Off theH Beaten Track A RC I T ECofTBhutan URE

Are you looking for something out of the ordinary and away from the normal tourist path? We begin 2012 with a selection of „off the beaten track‟ experiences. China, India and Myanmar still harbour remote regions for the intrepid traveller, who wishes to experience bygone lifestyles and dramatic scenery, whilst being accompanied by a knowledgeable Diethelm Travel guide. Discover the remarkable landscape of Yunnan‟s rice terraces or join us to explore Gujarat; a

rarely visited part of India, boasting beautiful art deco palaces, 10th century monuments and home to semi-nomadic desert tribes. Alternatively, in Myanmar enjoy breathtaking views over the Himalaya mountain range, whilst hiking in and around Putao, the northernmost town of Kachin state. In January‟s edition of DBrief you can discover that there is so much more to Asia than just the tourist hotspots.

FEBRUARY

Textiles

Asia not only plays a key role in textile and garment production, but the region is also home to top quality locally made fabrics with a long history. Join us this month to learn more about ethnic textiles, how they are made and where to buy the best products. Laos is well-known for its wide range of tribal costumes, each made out of hand-woven hill-tribe fabrics. Even though these costumes are only worn nowadays for special events, beautiful scarves can be bought from the skilled hilltribe women. In Bhutan, by contrast, the

law requires all citizens to wear their national dress in public areas or as formal wear. Made out of yak hair, cotton and silk, the brocades and complex wrap patterns of Bhutanese fabrics are widely known outside of the Kingdom for their superior quality. Lastly, we take a look at Indiaâ€&#x;s most famous dress, the Sari. Top Delhi designers create modern adaptations of this traditional dress, which not only wow every Indian fashionista, but are a great exotic piece of clothing to take home, for oneself, wife, sister, mother or girlfriend.

MARCH

Sports Around the Region

Asia is home to some of the big names in sports events such as Singapore‟s Grand Prix Night Race, the 2012 South Asian Games in New Delhi and the Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong. In this month‟s DBrief we unveil these mega events and suggest itineraries around them. Would your clients like to combine their Malaysian beach holiday with three days of Formula 1 racing? No problem, we will make it happen. We are also looking at traditional Asian sports, including Sepak

Takraw, a mix of volleyball and football, which is played in international competitions and dominated by Thailand and Malaysia. Sri Lanka‟s most popular sport, played by all ages and with fanaticism, is without doubt cricket.

Former underdog Sri Lanka has won the World Cup in 1996 and has been, to the delight of its fans, runner up in 2007 and 2011. Dress up in your team‟s colours and experience the region from its athletic side!

APRIL APRIL

Religion

Not surprisingly, Asia contains a vast array of different beliefs and religions. Not only is Asia the birthplace of many of todayâ€&#x;s major religions, but the region overflows with legends, myths and stories around religious figures and spirits. Everywhere one finds the fusion of ancient animistic beliefs intertwined with modern religion. In Myanmar, a land whose main religion is Buddhism, the nat (spirits) are worshipped during the annual nat festivals, usually

held on a full moon night. The Vietnamese, conversely, will find it difficult to tell you to which religion they belong as several religions have co-existed for centuries and have become mixed up over time. We also take a closer look at India, the birthplace of four religions, namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, and its most renowned places of worship.

A spiritual journey through Asia awaits you with this monthâ€&#x;s D-Brief.

MAY

National Monuments

What do the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, The Great Wall of China and Pha That Luang, the golden temple of Luang Prabang, have in common? Right; they are to the most famous and most visited monuments in Asia. Whilst everybody is familiar with their location and names, probably only a handful of people can give friends or clients real in-depth knowledge, such as the prime time of the day to visit and the best spots to take memorable pictures

from. In this edition of D-Brief we have collected these secrets and many more, in order to guarantee that you have the ultimate experience when visiting these celebrated spots. We, for example, take you to rooms and halls inside the breathtaking Potala Palace in Lhasa, which are not accessible to the public.

Our May D-Brief will ensure you have your own unique holiday story to tell!

JUNE

City Breaks

Combine your beach holiday or cultural escape with an exciting city break in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. Chances are that you will pass through one of these vibrant cities on the way to your final destination anyway; so why not fit in a three day stopover? We show you how to get the most out of 72hours in Asia‟s “gateways to the East”.

From speed sightseeing and shopping at local designer stores to enjoying a

fabulous roof top dinner; we put all the essentials for a fun and action packed city break into our suggested itineraries.

Whether you are looking for the most convenient way to navigate Bangkok by public transportation or want to go all out with a private limousine hire for the day in Hong Kong, in Asia‟s cities, everything is possible! Let us show you the best of the cities we call home.

JULY

Jewellery

With its incredible mix of cultures and traditions, Asia is a paradise for jewellery lovers. In this monthâ€&#x;s D-Brief we take you for instance to Tibet, where beautiful silver jewellery combined with inlaid turquoise and red coral is worn by the locals.

Interestingly, these stones found their way to the Himalayan Plateau over old trading routes from the Middle East. Jade, one of the worldâ€&#x;s most mysterious stones, is both worn as a talisman and traded as an antique in China, whilst the

traditional gold jewellery of Cambodia is nowadays mainly flaunted at weddings.

Plenty of competent craftsman and modern jewellery designers, who call Bangkok their home, have made the city a hub for gemstones and metals. We will tell you which stones to buy where and what to watch out for during your shopping spree. This edition of D-Brief will, without a doubt, inspire you for precious souvenirs.

AUGUST

Weddings & Honeymoon

With its gorgeous white sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets, secluded islands and some of the worldâ€&#x;s most luxurious pool villas, Asia is the ideal spot to get married and spend your honeymoon. This monthâ€&#x;s D-Brief introduces you to unique spots for the perfect beach wedding in the Maldives, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. We also highlight what you should know prior to embarking on the big journey, including legal requirements, shopping for wedding

dresses in Asia and making sure your schedule leaves enough time to get your papers sorted with the local authorities.

With the right knowledge and forward planning, your dream wedding can happen where others spend their holidays. An additional bonus is that there is no need to fly half way around the world for your honeymoon, because you are already there. Come and spend an enchanting wedding in Asia!

SEPTEMBER

Giving Back

In September, we are looking at initiatives aimed at creating sustainable income sources for local communities. Diethelm Travel supports projects all over the region and depending on their interest, visitors can have hands-on experiences. These are often the best way to meet the locals and really get to understand the country. Learn to weave at Ock Pop Tok in Luang Prabang, a self financing initiative that produces and designs textile

handicrafts providing livelihoods for some 200 people. Whilst in Siem Reap, visit Sala Bai, a small vocational training school where disadvantaged Cambodians learn skills useful in the rapidly growing hotel industry. The school has four hotel rooms and a restaurant, where the trainee cooks prepare meals with great care and wide smiles. This edition of D-Brief will give you ideas and inspirations of ways to give back during your holiday.

OCTOBER

Hip Hang Outs

With 500 staff in 12 countries, Diethelm Travel is at the pulse of what‟s hot and happening in the cities and on the tropical islands of the region. Whether it‟s the opening of a new beach club, a unique exhibition in a Chinese art lounge or just the best drinking spots to bar hop in Phnom Penh, our staff know where the most happening places are. This issue of D-Brief is laden with personal tips and recommendations of our country Managing Directors. Take advantage of them,

because we know best how fast trends come and go: what might be described as a trendy restaurant in last year‟s travel guide, is probably by now already “mainstream” and the locals have long moved on to a new eatery. This is your chance to discover and dance the night away in the most hip and chic places of, among others, Singapore, Beijing, New Delhi, Colombo, Phuket, Yangon and Hong Kong.

NOVEMBER

Endangered Species

With the current trend of “doing good” while travelling, learning more about and spending time with endangered species definitely fits the bill of many travellers.

Nowhere else in the world can one find a higher density of leopards than in Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, despite this big cat being an endangered species, mostly due to habitat loss. Join Leopard Safaris in getting involved in saving this majestic animal. In Malaysia, the whole family can have a fun and informative time at one of

Borneo‟s orang-utan rehabilitation centres, whilst the giant panda in China (with an estimated population of only 2,000 to 3,000 individuals) makes it on every child‟s cutest animal list. The rare and magnificent Bengal tiger can be found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan; if you are lucky you will catch a glimpse of India‟s most renowned predator, during one of the luxury safaris Diethelm Travel has on offer!

DECEMBER

Preview2013 2013 Preview

Watch out for the exciting themes of 2013!

The December edition will again give you a preview of what is planned for D-Brief in 2013. This is your opportunity to give us your feedback and let us know what is on your wish list for the next year. Would you like more information on family friendly holiday experiences? Do you have customers enquiring about exotic food experiences? Are you looking into the

possibilities of joining a meditation retreat?

Whatever it is you are looking for, we promise that we have the inside knowledge, to develop your ideas further!

As always, we depend on your comments and only with your help, will we be able to provide you with the tools you need to improve your destination knowledge. Your input is highly appreciated and can be sent directly to sales@diethelmtravel.com.

Indian Saffron Kulfi Kulfi is a traditional dessert from India. The frozen dessert is similar to ice cream, but much creamier and contains spices such as cardamom and saffron. A great dessert which complements every Asian meal perfectly.

Kulfi ka anand leejiye!

Preparation Method 1.

2.

Ingredients (serves 6) • • • • • • • •

1 tbs boiling water Large pinch of saffron threads 1L (4 cups) evaporated milk 335g (1 1/2 cups) caster sugar 50g pistachio kernels, finely chopped 50g blanched almonds, finely chopped 3 ripe mangoes, to serve 1 tbs caster sugar, extra, to serve

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Recipe and picture source: www.taste.com.au

3.

4.

5.

Place the boiling water in a small heatproof bowl. Add the saffron threads and set aside for 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, place the evaporated milk and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir over low heat for 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Add the saffron and liquid, pistachios and almonds to the milk mixture and stir to combine.

Pour the mixture into six 250ml (1-cup) dariole or freezer proof moulds. Place in the freezer for 6 hours or overnight to firm.

Cut the cheeks from the mangoes and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Preheat a chargrill pan on high heat. Place the mango pieces on a large plate and sprinkle with the extra sugar. Cook the mango in preheated chargrill pan for 2-3 seconds each side or until just warmed through.

Quickly dip the base of each mould in hot water to loosen the kulfi and turn out onto serving plates. Serve with the chargrilled mango.

Recipe

Monthly Festival: Tet, Vietnam (22 to 25 Jan 2012) Next year January is a big month for Asia. Not only are Chinese communities throughout the region celebrating the Chinese New Year, but the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, a time when Vietnam basically stands still, also falls on the same dates. During Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, people return home for annual family reunions and celebrations, meaning that government offices, shops, restaurants and some sights are closed.

For travellers visiting Vietnam during the Tet holidays, it is advisable to check with us before the trip to make sure the itinerary can be operated as planned.

Additionally, every visitor should be informed that during Tet, it may not be possible to visit some sights as opening hours may differ and many shops will be closed. Right before and after the festive days, transportation, whether by plane or train, is overbooked every year and it is difficult to get seats confirmed. Beach destinations are crowded with local families over Tet. If you wish to travel around Tet, make sure to book early as every single Vietnamese is travelling home during these days!

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D-Brief

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