The Travel Times - 2012 Aug - NATAS Fair

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IN THIS ISSUE t Witness Perth’s transformation into a vibrant metropolis t Follow our writer as he spends two days getting acquainted with Macau t Where are the best places to eat and shop in Bangkok?

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Message from Ms Cecilia Woo Publisher, The Travel Times The NATAS Holidays is the perfect opportunity to plan for and book your end of the year vacation. If you don’t already have a destination in mind, the fair offers a dizzying variety of holiday packages to choose from. With so many travel agencies under one roof, you can compare the different itineraries on offer, check out the prices, or even consult with an agent to discover something best for you and your family.

Because of the large scale of the fair, you might ďŹ nd yourself a little lost. What The Travel Times aims to do is to assist you in narrowing down your search and give you some ideas along the way.

Also, in the centre page spread, we have a map detailing the layout of the entire hall.

We hope you have a good time shopping for your holiday and an even better time on it!

Cecilia Woo Publisher

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London’s Calling Explore the multi-splendored marvels of England’s capital, from history to culture to great shopping!

By Evelyn Mak and Shawn Parker

W

images: Š VISITBRITAIN

ith a history that goes back to the ancient Roman era, it’s little wonder that London’s slew of historical sights are some of the best-loved attractions among visitors from the world over. The ďŹ rst of which has to be Westminster Abbey, built over 700 years ago and one of London’s oldest and grandest churches. The site of many coronations, marriages and burials of British monarchs, it is a mustgo especially for those who love gothic architecture.

Almost everything in Westminster Abbey is a masterpiece of art, including its gorgeous stained glass windows, as well as magniďŹ cent marble and mosaic artwork depicting religious scenes. Visit the tombs of royalty like Edward V and Henry V at the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, pay homage to the graves and memorials of literary greats such as Charles Dickens and actor Laurence Olivier at the Poet’s Corner, or say a prayer at St Faith’s Chapel. One easy way to explore the church is to grab an audio-guide when you enter at the North Door, and tune in to the commentary narrated by acclaimed actor Jeremy Irons.

Make your next stop the Buckingham Palace, once a townhouse owned by the Dukes of Buckingham, and now the ofďŹ cial residence of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and housing the ofďŹ ces of the Royal Household. The Palace comes with 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms, which are often used for ofďŹ cial and State entertaining. Don’t miss the colourful Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place at 11am (every alternate day

The London Eye

from August to March), where young and old will be entertained by the sight of palace guards marching to the accompaniment of a military band.

BOOTY-LICIOUS! Shopping in London is an exhilarating experience, especially since the city is crammed with international fashion brands, up-and-coming design labels and vintage threads. Start at Notting Hill, one of Britain’s best spots to pick up antiques and knick-knacks.

Don’t miss Portobello Road, where an alfresco ea market throws up ďŹ nds such as antiques and other bric-a-brac. Stop by also at the produce market and Fashion market, a mecca for lovers of vintage clothing.

If jostling with the crowds at Knightsbridge or Oxford Street doesn’t appeal, make your way towards Brick Lane or Covent Garden – quieter shopping areas but still bursting with glorious ďŹ nds. For trendy ones, head to Shoreditch in the East End where you’ll ďŹ nd Aubin & Wills, the quintessentially British store a whiz at upmarket English fashion. A short walk away at Redchurch Street is Caravan – the design-centric store ďŹ lled with vintage furniture and wares, design classics as well as unusual items to please all design fans.

GASTRONOMICAL EXPERIENCES If there’s one English tradition you must not miss when in London, it is having Afternoon Tea. At the swanky Ritz Hotel, tea is served at the Palm Court – its mouthwatering array of teas, elegant sandwiches, scones, jam

Gothic exterior of the Westminster Abbey

The impressive Buckingham Palace

and clotted cream just like what we read in Enid Blyton stories. Make your reservation six weeks in advance and do keep the dress code in mind too: no jeans or training shoes, and a jacket and tie are compulsory for men.

Next up, prepare your stomachs for a plate of jellied eels in the rugged neighbourhood of Peckham,

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A paddler rowing across the O2

a frequent hangout area for locals. Peckham has a notorious reputation as one of London’s most dangerous districts, but recent regeneration programs and continuing gentriďŹ cation has seen a rebirth of sorts, with cafes, studios and bars springing to life along the southern boundaries.

Standing the test of time, visit M Manze’s Eel & Pie House, which has been selling jellied eels and mash since 1902. Spend the next few hours tracking down reinvented British food staples like black pudding and calf’s liver at the Cock Tavern in London Central Markets and roasted bone marrow and stewed pig’s head with bacon and blood cake at St. John Bar and Restaurant.

trip to London is complete without going to The London Eye, head to this famous Ferris wheel, synonymous with modern Britain since it opened in March 2000.

Especially mesmerising at night, this 135-metre tall icon is the country’s top attraction, the 30-minute ride offering amazing views of London City. If you’re in the mood for some bubbly, choose the Champagne Flight where you can drink in London’s sights with a glass of Laurent-Perrier. Or hop on the London Eye River Cruise, a 40-minute circuit on the River Thames from which you can soak up sights like the Houses of Parliament, St

CHILL OUT London is full of dramatic interludes and music venues, one of which is The O2.Hailed the world’s premier entertainment venue, The O2 was originally built as part of The Millennium Dome to house the Millennium Experience exhibition, the interior of the building later demolished after the exhibition and converted into The O2, featuring the hottest bars, restaurants, concerts and exhibitions. After that, it’s time to let your hair down at the Half Moon at Putney Bridge (over the River Thames), or head alternatively to The Old Blue Last at Shoreditch – home to the best jukebox in Britain. And because no

Afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel

Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.

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Family Playground, Tasmania

Bridestowe Lavender Estate

B

ring your family to Tasmania and your children will discover an island playground; where they can meet Tasmanian devils found in the wild amidst ancient trees and learn about the mysterious world of the platypus. Rent a car or join a package tour and explore the playground where Tasmanian devils abound.

LAUNCESTON & SURROUNDS Tasmania’s northern gateway is Launceston and many visitors use the airport here to start their northern Tasmanian escape. Head north where you can whet your appetite for the natural journey ahead by visiting the Tamar Island Wetlands Reserve and Interpretation Centre, just 10 minutes from the city. Here, a few hundred metres from the highway, Green and Gold frogs can be spotted from a boardwalk.

Follow the meandering bends of the Tamar River and delve into the secret life of seahorses at Seahorse World in Beauty Point. Find out why male seahorses are not only exceptionally good husbands but also the only animal where the male falls pregnant. If you are lucky, you may actually catch one of these loyal mates, oating happily with his pregnant belly.

Promising to be a hands-on experience, a fully guided tour of Seahorse World offers you the opportunity to

touch the seahorses. Supervised participants are required to wear gloves and there is a Touch Pool for children to get close to these underwater wonders.

From one mysterious sea creature to the next, with its confusing features – a duck-like bill and fur - the platypus is an intriguing structural mix. Guided tours at Platypus House in Beauty Point operate daily and cover four platypus pools while sociable echidnas roam free about your feet.

Experience the sweeter side of farming at Hillwood Berry Farm where you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, loganberries and currants or purchase Tasmanian fruits from road side stalls by just paying through the ‘honesty box’.

Roadside Stall

Further east, at Nabowla, have a family picnic and stroll through the endless purple ďŹ elds at Bridestowe Lavender Estate.

WEST COAST There are a few wildlife sanctuaries around Tasmania where you can see the famous Tasmanian devil. Visit Devils@Cradle, the Tasmanian devil sanctuary at Cradle Mountain where you can also experience a Night Spotlight Tour, a wilderness and wildlife tour in the comfort of a 4WD bus.

At Mole Creek, explore King Solomons Cave and Marakoopa’s glow worm cave and see the bees and taste

Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain

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Tasmanian Devil

Golden Possum

Tasmania’s own Leatherwood honey at Melita Honey Farm, Chudleigh. Samples delicious salmon and ginseng products at 41˚ South Tasmania, learn how cheese is made through the glass window at Ashgrove Cheese Farm and chocolates at House of Anvers.

THE EAST COAST East Coast Natureworld is a premier wildlife and ecology park also located on the east coast. The park is located on natural parkland and lagoons, north of Bicheno.

Here, you can see free-ranging native Australian wildlife up close, including wombats; kangaroos; bettongs; pademelons; lorikeets, pelicans and swans. Other features include Devil World, a state of the art, interactive centre focusing on the Tasmanian devil.

Wait for dusk and join the Bicheno Penguin Tour, which runs every night of the year as it offers visitors an opportunity to watch little penguins scurry up to their burrows.

HOBART AND SURROUNDS If you are seeking some more wildlife, just north of Hobart at Brighton, view the devils at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary many of them hand-reared in the sanctuary and learn how each of the devils has a unique personality. The Tasmanian devils are active during the day, so you can view them at any time. The park also boasts wombats, koalas, echidnas, birds and many more amazing natives. A real highlight is the

Huon River Jetboat

free-ranging kangaroos that you can walk right next to. Alternatively, the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park also offers personal encounters with Tasmanian devils and a tour you can ďŹ nd out about projects underway to save the devils from a mysterious facial cancer that is threatening the species known as Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

The park is a good stopping point en route to or from Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula where the family can delve into the lives of Australian convicts.

There is plenty of family friendly fun in Tasmania, from milking sheep at Grandvewe Cheese in Woodbridge and tasting some delicious cheeses to exploring bushwalks in Mt Field National Park revealing beautiful waterfalls and safe swimming beaches dotted up the east coast.

There are also fantastic accommodation options for families, including a special experience available at Curringa Farm just one hour from Hobart. The farm stay offers secluded accommodation and tours where the children can watch sheep shearing, sit by Meadowbank Lake at lunch time and stare up at the star-ďŹ lled sky after dusk.

If your family enjoys fresh berries, there’s no better place to visit than Sorell Fruit Farm. Tasmania’s cool climate gives extra avour to its berry fruits and cherries, which are the specialty of this farm. The range of berries is astounding - strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, boysenberries, loganberries, silvanberries, blackcurrants. From November to May several types of

berries are in season and ready for picking.

There’s also plenty of adrenalin-packed fun for the family with jet boating available on the River Derwent and Huonville (about half an hour south of Hobart). Or if you fancy, try kayaking in Hobart or Freycinet (East Coast), where the trip offers the excitement of experiencing Tasmania’s scenic waterways with the wind in your hair.

Affordable fun, fascinating wildlife and exciting adventure await your family on a trip to Tasmania!

Hillwood Berry Farm

GETTING THERE Tasmania is only an hour’s ight from Melbourne. From Sydney it’s just under two hour ight. There are many connecting ights each day such as Qantas, Jetstar, Tiger Airways and Virgin Australia to Hobart or Launceston.

Visit us at booth no.5H36 for more information or www.discovertasmania.com

NATAS BONUS Simply be the 1st 50 to book yourr Tasmania Tasman a ia holiday holid at NATAS Travel Fair and enjoy: t 4th night free ^(Self-drive only) t A$50 petrol voucher# (Min of 5 nights stay & self-drive only) y) t 1 pair of lavender soft toy bear ear or Gourmet Sauce gift pack* k* t 1 can of 250g Leatherwood honey* y*

Curringa Farm

^ Per room basis and valid for stay up till 18 Dec’12 # Limited to Innkeepers Hotels / Apartments & per room only, valid for stay 1-21 Sep & 8 Oct-21 Dec’12 * Per room basis (Any Tasmania package) NATAS bonus are valid for booking by 31 Aug’12 and based on ďŹ rst come ďŹ rst serve basis, while stock lasts.

Conditions apply

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Romancing Chongqing It might be the youngest principality in China, but Chongqing is deďŹ nitely not short on romantic mountain ranges, nature’s stunning sceneries and friendly locals

Admiring Chongqing’s natural beauty onboard a cruise

N

estled amidst lush mountains and intertwining rivers, the 3,000 year old city was previously known as ‘Yuzhou’ but subsequently renamed to Chongqing in 1189. Sprawled across a massive 82,400 square meters and home to a population of over 33 million, the time-honoured city is one of southwest’s China’s major cultural and economical cities, increasingly becoming a booming tourism state as well – thanks to Chongqing’s numerous gorgeous nature sites.

And the best way to admire the full-on beauty of Chongqing is onboard a cruise. One of the more popular operators is Changjiang Cruise Overseas Travel Co, the luxury cruise liner brand specialising in trips plying China’s inland rivers and especially along the Yangtze River. With a eet of 13 comfortable and fullyequipped cruise liners, Chongqing serves as the port of destination or departure point for all Yangtze River tours.

The mother of all of attractions has to be the Three Gorges Tourism Zone, the area sharing borders with Chongqing, Hubei and Sichuan provinces.

Taking your breath away is the magnificent grand dam of the Three Gorges, where the Qutang Gorge first greets you, this eight kilometers long gorge

Fengdu Ghost Town

the most majestic of the three. After which you’ll visit the Fengdu Ghost Town, the Wuxia Gorge that’s beautifully flanked by cloud-capped peaks, and the Zhang Fei Temple at Yunyang. Don’t miss the Baiheliang (White Crane Ridge) – the only key historical monument under state protection in the Zone. This natural stone ridge surfaces from the waters only between December and March yearly, and spans an impressive 1600 metres long.

Inspiring numerous literary greats of the Tang and Song dynasties is Baidi City, a national AAAA tourist area. Located at Fengjie County, Chinese poets Li Bai and Du Fu who have visited the place both waxed lyrical about its scenic beauty through poems that remain till this day. Other sites of exceptional natural beauty include the Lesser Three Gorges in Wushan County, as well as the Goddess Peak, where many tourists will also head to the Seven Ladies Pool after – a popular landscape in the vicinity.

Such picturesque sights, coupled with welcoming locals, accessible transport options and tourist facilities, makea Chongqing an excellent holiday destination to be.

Zhang Fei Temple

Goddess Peak

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Visit Dubai Largest, tallest, best, highest – all these are just regular in Dubai

D

ubai’s rapid emergence as a tourist destination has provided a considerable number of reasons to visit the city. For one, Dubai has been touted as the shopping capital of the Middle East, and possesses a whole host of shopping malls – some simply humongous – to back up this claim.

However, it hasn’t lost too much of its cultural richness.

The area around the creek for instance is a beautiful souvenir of the old city. Old mosques, schools and other traditional buildings have been restored and efforts to maintain sight of Dubai’s cultural identity are constantly ongoing.

EAT The wealthy might reside in Dubai and ďŹ ve-star restaurants with matching price tags are plenty but it’s not difďŹ cult to ďŹ nd amazing food at affordable prices too. Satisfy your food ďŹ x with our picks and more at www.timeoutdubai.com/restaurants.

Arabian Tea House Cafe Formerly known as Basta Art Cafe, the Arabian Tea House Cafe is a popular spot to stop at while exploring the Bastakia area. The cafe offers crunchy salads, fresh juices, and great sandwiches and is shaded by a huge tree in the middle of its outdoor compound.

Tel: +971 4 353 5071 Asha’s Opened by musician Asha Bhosle, Asha’s is an international Indian restaurant chain that made its debut in December 2002. Indian food lovers will delight in the northwest Indian cuisine which includes specialties like Nally Gosht, Tandoori Lobster, Chicken Jhalfrezi, and desserts such as the Asha’s platter with Gajar Ka Halwa and Mango KulďŹ .

Pyramids WaďŹ . Tel: +971 4 324 4100; www.ashasrestaurants.com

Dubai’s skyline with Burj Khalifa

Aroos Damascus You don’t have to be an Avenger to have some shawarma at Aroos Damascus. This unassuming restaurant serves up a wide selection of delicious Middle Eastern and Syrian dishes at very reasonable prices. The huge outdoor patio allows for a more authentic experience and makes a great people watching spot.

Tel: +971 4 221 9825

SHOP If you love shopping malls, Dubai is perfect for you. Some of Dubai’s malls are just staggering in size and house entertainment options beyond the usual fare.

Dubai Shopping Festival The Dubai Shopping Festival takes place from January to February yearly across the entire city. Massive discounts on retail products are the main draw of the month-long event but it also features ďŹ reworks displays, light shows, street performances, fashion shows, and many other forms of entertainment.

Dubai Mall The Dubai Mall is an ultra-large shopping extravaganza populated by over a thousand shops including retail giants Galeries Lafayette, Bloomingdale’s and Marks and Spencer. Under its considerable roof, it also

houses the gigantic Dubai Aquarium, a 22-screen cinema, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and an indoor theme park, the Sega Republic.

Tel: +971 4 362 7500; www.thedubaimall.com Gold Souk & Spice Souk The Dubai Spice Souk in Deira is made up of several lanes of stalls selling local herbs and spices used in Arabic food.

In addition to being a great smell-fest, it can become something of an educational tour, with merchants friendly and keen to share more about the wares they are selling.

Adjacent to this is the Gold Souk, a market of over 300 retailers that offer a dizzying array of gold, diamond, silver and platinum jewellery.

Sikkat Al Khail Road

ATTRACTIONS Man-made ski slopes and the tallest building in the world are magniďŹ cent feats of engineering and sit alongside the natural beauty of the desert as the top tourist sites of Dubai.

Burj Khalifa At 828 metres in height, the futuristic-looking Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world. The observation deck ‘At The Top’ is located on the 124th oor and is a must-visit should you ďŹ nd yourself in the vicinity. Re-order your tickets online to ensure you are able to get to the deck at your chosen time.

Tel: +971 4 888 8888; www.burjkhalifa.ae Ski Dubai Mall of the Emirates has made skiing in the hot desert weather possible with Ski Dubai, an indoor ski facility wherein sub-zero temperatures are maintained. There are ďŹ ve different runs in total, each varying in difďŹ culty, height and gradient; the longest is 400 metres and has a fall of over 60 metres.

Tel: 800 386; www.skidxb.com

Dubai Shopping Festival

Gold Souk shopping

Dubai Aquarium

Dubai Museum Situated in the Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest building in Dubai, the Dubai Museum showcases colourful life-sized displays that depict what local life was like before the discovery of oil. Modest in size but well put together, the museum is great if you are a history and culture buff. The extremely low entrance fee is a bonus!

Tel: +971 4 353 1862 GETTING THERE Emirates and Singapore Airlines both offer direct ights between Singapore and Dubai. The entire ight duration is estimated to be seven hours and thirty minutes .

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Exploring Kerala From nature, festivals to shopping, there is nothing more fascinating than an Indian adventure.

L

ying on the south-western part of India, Kerala is a long strip of enchanting land with tall and exotic coconut palm. It is said that the land derived its name from ‘Keram’ – the coconut palm, which is no wonder that coconut palm is also the main source of economy for this state. Explore this verdant paradise and you might just ďŹ nd something where your heart belongs.

A TASTE OF NATURE Kovalam Beach is a major attraction within Thiruvananthapuram, capital city of Kerala. Kovalam curves a silver crescent around a sheltered bay with tall palm trees lining along the coast. It is one of the country’s ďŹ nest beaches and has a large number of

resorts, where many seek the sanctuary for recuperation and regeneration, especially with its wide variety of Ayurvedic (traditional medicine native to India) treatments. With beach resorts ranging from world-class to modest standards, tourists to Kovalam can expect to be spoilt for choice.

Periyar National Park, located in Thekkady, Idukki district of Kerala, is home to wild elephants, wild boars, bison, deer and tigers. This protected area is a blanket of unaffected evergreen rainforest, and nearly 2,000 different kinds of owering plants ďŹ ll the park with life. With 62 different kinds of mammals, 320 different kinds of birds, and 45 different kinds of reptiles, this place is literally a wildlife paradise.

FESTIVALS Arattupuzha Pooram is an annual celebration in Sree Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The main attraction of this festival lies on the last two days of this celebration.

Attended by thousands of devotees, the last day of the festival sees an assembly of around 50 elephants lined up in ceremonial attire with an assortment of paraphernalia like muthukuda (colourful and glittering parasols), alavattam (a disc-shaped fan, fringed by a ring of peacock feathers) and venchamaram (white whisks, usually made of hair from Yak’s tail). Then the idols of gods and goddesses that took part in the ceremony will experience a cleansing ceremony by being immersed in water.

Arattupuzha Pooram

UNCOVER HIDDEN GEMS Don’t think Kerala is just about ora and fauna. The bustling street of MG Road between East Fort and Palayam is one of the busiest streets in the city. Lined with food outlets, restaurants, retail stores and theatres, this is the best place to bag in silks, diamonds and jewels. While one might ďŹ nd pleasure in shopping at MG Road, Jew Street should not be dismissed. Discover antique art, craft works and decorative pieces not only of Kerala origin but also from all over India. Possessing good bargaining skills is a bonus.

Visit us at booth no.5H24 for more information

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Christchurch: Your gateway to an indulgent South Island holiday E

xperience a pleasure-ďŹ lled holiday in New Zealand, starting in Christchurch and its amazing backyard, Canterbury. This vibrant, picturesque city is surrounded by natural wonders - the sparkling PaciďŹ c Ocean, majestic Southern Alps and an ancient volcanic peninsula. Discover Canterbury’s lush vineyards, unspoiled glacial lakes, world-class natural wildlife experiences and Mount Cook National Park.

Best of all, the road from Christchurch leads to a range of indulging adventures in the rest of the South Island – from Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook, Queenstown, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Dunedin and the West Coast.

Picnic on Banks Peninsula overlooking Akaroa Harbour

The Mackenzie basin has recently been designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, and is the largest in the world. Must try: alpine trek, boat ride in a glacial lake, stargazing, relaxing spa retreat and skiing.

CHRISTCHURCH, also known as “The Garden City�, has an Alps-to-Ocean horizon, a heritage heart and a sense of adventure. See the city re-emerge and re-invent itself after the 2010/2011 earthquakes.

Discover a network of hillside walking and biking tracks, contemporary galleries and open-air markets. Must try: Re:START, International Antarctic Centre, punting through the Botanical Gardens and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

KAIKOURA is an internationally renowned whale watching hot spot and New Zealand’s leading ecotourism destination. Uncover its astonishing wildlife, spectacular

Punting on the Avon, Christchurch

coastline, breathtaking scenery and fascinating Maori and European history. Must try: whale watch ight or cruise, Coastal Peninsula Walk, Maori cultural tours, swimming with dolphins and horse trekking.

HANMER SPRINGS alpine spa village is the perfect setting for a weekend of indulgence or adventure.

Soak in the hot pools, explore 50kms of mountain bike and nature trails, whilst enjoying the gourmet dining options available. Must try: natural thermal pools, spa treatments, golf, mountain biking, forest walks and bungy jumping.

MOUNT COOK MACKENZIE has

Whale watch in Kaikoura

immaculate snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and a network of powder-blue canals that form the tapestry of this remarkable region. At the heart of it all towers Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain peak.

AKAROA AND BANKS PENINSULA is dotted with picturesque bays, seaside villages, boutique galleries and cafes. Visit French-inspired seaside village Akaroa with its waterfront cafes, harbour wildlife cruises and a chance to swim with the rare Hector’s dolphin.

Or check out Lyttleton, a historic township with a strong artisan presence and eclectic cafes. Must try: cycling, sea kayaking and Little River Rail Trail.

ASHBURTON offers stunning snow-capped mountains, and a tapestry of rich agricultural pastures bordered by impressive braided rivers. Within this diverse region you’ll ďŹ nd Mount Hutt ski ďŹ eld that often boasts New Zealand’s longest season. Must try: helicopter ight, white water rafting, Lord of the Rings tour, hot air balloon, y ďŹ shing, golf and skiing in winter.

SELWYN is the favourite Sunday drive destination among the locals. This area of ‘middle-earth’ New Zealand has grand scenery, spectacular food and wine, gardens, local produce and offers a variety of activities and pure kiwi experiences. Must try: scenic TranzAlpine train journey and skiing at Selwyn Six.

Water canals in Canterbury

Scenic TranzAlpine train journey

For travel tips and more holiday options, visit www.christchurchnz.com and www.newzealand.com/sg New Zealand has four seasons: Winter (June - Aug), Spring (Sept - Nov), Summer (Dec - Feb), Autumn (Mar - May)

Visit us at NATAS Travel Fair Booth 3H05 from 24-26 August, Singapore Expo Halls 4 & 5. Open from 10.00am - 9.30pm

photo: Darryl Bond

images: Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism

A relaxing dip at Hanmer Springs

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Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown (Fraser Clements)

EXPERIENCE 100% PURE NEW ZEALAND INDULGENCE The South Island of New Zealand has truly diverse and magniďŹ cent landscapes and experiences awaiting you – the perfect place for a luxurious road trip! A self-drive vacation allows you to experience the amazing scenery and nature, up close and personal.

And if self-drive is not your thing, sit back and enjoy the adventure from the comfort of your coach. Book your adventure today.

Southern Splendour FROM S$ 8 days/7 nights An indulgent holiday in the South Island

* , 2 588

Includes: 5-Star twin-sharing accommodations, daily breakfast, Queenstown, Milford Sound y/cruise/y, Wanaka, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo / Church of Good Shepherd, Kaikoura, Christchurch.

Book now. Call our participating travel partners: ĆŒÉ„É„ # )É„ -*/# -.É„ - 1 'É„ Ƨ 109) Tel 6212 9684 ĆŒÉ„É„ É„ - 1 'É„ Ƨ 704) Tel 6536 3345 ĆŒÉ„É„ 4) ./4É„ - 1 'É„ Ƨ É„371) Tel 6536 4966 ĆŒÉ„É„ *'$ 4É„ *0-.É„ Ƨ 085) Tel 6238 2899

Must book from now to 31 August 2012. Must travel between 13 August and 31 January 2013.

- É„ *//' É„*!É„+- ($0(É„ 2É„ ' ) É„2$) ɄƧ2*-/#ɄǂŜšƨɄ!*-É„ 1 -4É„+0- # . É„ *!É„/#$.É„/- 1 'É„ 'ƆɄ (É„2$) É„!-*(É„ *0-$.(É„ 2É„ ' ) É„ **/#É„Ĺś ŴžɄ /É„ É„ - 1 'É„ $-É„!-*(ɄŴŜɄĆ?ɄŴŸɄ 0"0./ɄŴŲųŴƆ Ć˝ *1 -.É„"-*0) É„ *./É„ . É„*)É„+ -É„+ -.*)ƇɄ. /Ć?$)Ć? * #É„2$/#É„+-$1 / É„/- ).! -.ɄƧ2# - É„- ' 1 )/ƨƆɄTravel dates are valid except during blackout dates from 01 December 2012 – 03 January 2013. Packages are sold in only when purchased in conjunction with a Singapore Airlines return ight to Christchurch with minimum two persons travelling on same dates, on the same itinerary. Ground cost excludes domestic airfare from Christchurch to Queenstown. Rates shown could be subject to change without prior notice. Other terms & conditions apply.

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Sincerely Thai Across turquoise-jewelled waters, pristine beaches and further in towards metropolitan cities and deliciously ďŹ ery fares, Thailand is a land of glorious juxtapositions BANGKOK BESTS

A

sia’s very own ‘City of Angels’ is loud, colourful and delicious – just the way we like it. A city of many contrasts, Thailand’s capital is a vibrant metropolis with glitzy skyscrapers, mega malls popping up one after the other, and international hotel names jostling for space to build their properties. Then there’s the other end of the spectrum – bustling open-air street markets, narrow sois (alleyways) that may not be sparkling clean but probably our best bets for achingly delicious fare, and one city we know where shopping on a shoestring budget is entirely possible.

In Bangkok, food is East meets West plus a dash of spice thrown in, where you’ll ďŹ nd no shortage of mid-range dining fares and swanky restaurants serving international cuisines – such as Greyhound CafĂŠ and Banyan Tree Bangkok’s ultraluxe Vertigo Moon Bar. Attractions are aplenty, such as the Vimanmek Mansion Museum – former home of Thailand’s King Rama V; Siam Winery, South East Asia’s largest winery; and the home of traditional puppet performances – Aksra Theatre. Sundown, join your pals for a late night out at Bangkok’s premier nightlife area, Royal City Avenue.

The biggest lure however, has to be shopping.

Known as one of Asia’s favourite retail therapy options, your shopping extravaganza begins at Central World Plaza, after which it’s pretty much a straight walk down Bangkok’s famous shopping strip, mall hopping across Siam Paragon, The Emporium, MBK Center, Terminal 21 and warehouse paradise – Platinum Fashion Mall.

Bed Supperclub at Royal City Avenue

PHUKET’S PEARL Prided as ‘the pearl of the Andaman’, Phuket’s reputation of alluring beach-bumming spots, cheap beer and colourful nightlife ensures that your days and nights will be gloriously well spent. Food standards can be zeroed in to the world famous Pad Thai, a scrumptious mix of clear noodles fried with tofu, bean sprouts, grounded peanuts and onions, tossed in generous helpings of sugar, chilli and ďŹ sh sauce. Such street eats are commonplace in Phuket, other options including skewered barbecued meats and rad-na – rice-noodles with meat or seafood and vegetables, then laden with thick gravy. That is not

Terminal 21

to say ďŹ ne dining options aren’t available – fulďŹ ll your foreign palates at the opulent Blue Elephant, the international brand serving up royal Thai fare.

Forget about high-end brands here; indulge instead in the whimsical shopping enclave of Indie Market, a singular lane alone Limelight Avenue, also a meeting point for local youths. More popular is the Jungceylon Shopping Mall, a massive mall anchored

by Robinson department store and supermarket, Big C. For the most part though, beaches are Phuket’s specialty, where sun-seekers head towards Patong Beach, for clear skies, blue waters and a fantastic spot to just people-watch.

Jungceylon Shopping Mall

Vertigo Moon Bar

Pad Thai

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CHIANG MAI CALLING Nowhere as big as Bangkok, but Thailand’s northern capital still packs in plenty of punch. Scenic mountain terrain, peaks and luscious forests outline, while inside the city is a treasure trove teeming with historic and cultural spots – where most visitors are content to explore either on a bike, or on their feet.

Families love the Chiang Mai Zoo, which feature a walk-through aviary, over 400 animal species and two young pandas from China sent in 2003 as a goodwill gift. For tribal treats, go on a Long Neck Karen Tour, the world-famous ethnic hill tribe featuring women who wear brass rings around their necks, wrists and ankles which symbolise beauty.

The trip to Chiang Mai is complete only with a visit to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, this majestic mountain overlooking the city with commanding summit views. Most also make a trip to the holy site of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the temple a popular pilgrimage site especially during Buddhist holidays.

Walking the sandy stretch along Krabi’s beaches

KRABI’S NATURE WONDERLAND

Crystal-clear Krabi waters

Moving around in a tradtional Thai ‘taxi’

The Hot Spring Waterfall

For your slice of unspoilt beach bliss and quiet, Krabi makes a picture-perfect getaway. Previously hiding in the shadow of the vibrant Phuket Island and known only to backpackers, all it took was one major motion picture – The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, to catapult the beach paradise to fame.

Bordering the Andaman Sea, white sandy beaches with azure waters, spectacular limestone caves and sparkling waterfalls are what constantly lure visitors back to Krabi. Behind the peace and quiet the island gives, steps have actually been made such as discouraging the building of high-rises, barring jet skiing and other water sports. This translates to zero mass tourism activities, but pure, simple nature at its unadulterated best.

Dive into Krabi’s history at Susan Hoi Fossil Shell Beach at Ban Lean Pho, once a freshwater swamp millions of years back. Home to numerous molluscs species, it is believed these creatures died over 75 million years, leaving fossilised shells on the beaches today.

For a bit of natural spa action, head to the Hot Spring Waterfall in Khlong Thom. The therapeutic waters from thermal springs bubble comfortably around 35 to 40 degrees, where the water’s mineral salts are said to help with rheumatism and skin diseases. Island-hopping options are also available, tours easily booked from the many operators found along Aonang Beach.

Visit us at booth no.5H37 for more information

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25 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

et

ay

Come and visit us for more information at booth

5H37

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30 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

NATAS Hol 24-26 Halls 3B, 4 & 5,

Booth 5H44 Booth 5H47

Booth 5H36

Booth 5H34

Booth 5H46

Booth 5H38

Booth 5H24

Booth 5H35 Booth 5H22 Booth 5H29

Booth 5H18

Booth 5H37

Booth 4H31

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idays 2012

Visit our advertisers at these locations for exclusive travel deals and information.

August Singapore Expo

6QEBUF BT PO

Booth 4H44

Booth 4H27

Booth 3H08

Booth B01

Booth 3H03

Booth 4H04 Booth 4H18

Booth 4H42 Booth 4H23

Booth 3H05

*Floor plan subject to changes

Booth 4H47

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33 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Happiness is charging to Maybank Cards at NATAS Holidays 2012 24 - 26 August 2012 Singapore Expo Hall 3B, Maybank Booth B01

CHARGE & REDEEM Charge to any of your Maybank Credit Cards and redeem the these attractive gifts.

Charge: S$5,000 and above

Charge: S$2,200 and above Charge: S$1,000 and above Redeem: American Tourister Houston Duffle 20� + S$10 Shopping Voucher

Redeem: American Tourister Smart Spinner 20� + S$10 Shopping Voucher (Limited to the first 400 redemptions)

Redeem: American Tourister Cube Alfa Spinner 27� + S$10 Shopping Voucher

Charge: S$4,000 and above Redeem: Nikon COOLPIX S2600 Camera + Camera Case + S$10 Shopping Voucher

(Limited to the first 400 redemptions)

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Sure-Win Lucky Dip Win fantastic prizes with every S$800 charged to any of your Maybank Credit Cards.

S$1,000 SHOPPING VOUCHER S$500 SHOPPING VOUCHER

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Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera DSC-W510

Tommy Hilfiger Watch

Veho Gumball 3000 Special Edition Wireless Headphones

Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-108

American A i Tourister T i Toiletry Kit

A pair of WE Cinemas Movie Vouchers

S$10 Robinsons Gift Voucher

And many more! While stocks last.

Enjoy exclusive travel deals at these participating merchants with any of your Maybank Cards!

AD Travel (Booth 4H28)

Citystate Holidays (Booth 4H27)

Konsortium (Booth 5H39)

PriceBreaker (Booth 5H30)

Airelated Travel Pte Ltd (Booth 5H27)

CS Travel Pte Ltd (Booth 4H56)

MISA Travel (Booth 5H33)

WTS Travel (Booth 5H40)

Bayview Hotels & Resorts (Booth 4H19)

EU Holidays (Booth 4H44)

Neway Travel (Booth 5H38)

Malayan Banking Berhad (incorporated in Malaysia)

CPS423/JUL12/AD3/A

Terms and Conditions: The Promotion is available to both Principal and Supplementary Maybank Credit Cardmembers (“Cardmembers�) between 24 to 26 August 2012 (“Promotion Period�). The required minimum Card spend must be charged to a Singapore issued personal Maybank Credit Card (“Card�) at NATAS Holidays 2012 in order to redeem a charge and redeem item (“Charge & Redeem Item�) offered by Maybank. In addition, each eligible Cardmember who charges S$800 to their Card at NATAS Holidays 2012 during the Promotion Period will receive 1 (one) chance to enter the Maybank Sure-Win Lucky Dip (“Lucky Dip�) to win a prize (“Lucky Dip Prize�). However, the Card spend amount used to redeem a Charge & Redeem Item cannot be reused to enter the Lucky Dip and vice versa. Only same day purchases made at NATAS Holidays 2012 are eligible for the Promotion, and shall be determined for eligibility at Maybank’s discretion. Only Card retail transactions in Singapore Dollars will be eligible for the redemption. A maximum of 3 (three) Card retail transactions may be combined and used only once to redeem Charge & Redeem item(s) and/or chance(s) to enter the Lucky Dip, unless otherwise stated by Maybank. Principal and Supplementary Maybank Cardmembers are not allowed to combine their receipts. Eligible Cardmembers are allowed to redeem a maximum of 3 (three) Charge & Redeem Items; or 3 (three) Lucky Dip Prizes; or a maximum combined amount of 3 (three) Redemption Items and Lucky Dip Prizes, throughout the Promotion Period. Card Transactions using Maybank 0% Interest Instalment Plan are not eligible for the Promotion. Charge & Redeem Items and Lucky Dip Prizes are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, are while stocks last and are not exchangeable for cash, credit or kind by the Cardmember. Transactions charged to the Card will not be taken into account as Card spend where the redemptions and/or rebates offered by Maybank in respect of other promotions on the Card is 5% or more and/or tr’eats Points offered is 10 (ten) times the amount charged. Other Terms and Conditions apply. For full details and updates, please visit www.maybank2u.com.sg

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Get Lost in the Memories, Not Along the Way Are you apprehensive about driving in unfamiliar places? Concerned about getting lost which will spoil your idyllic holiday? Hertz NeverLostÂŽ GPS is the answer to your concerns.

And it functions more than just your ordinary GPS. Here are the key features:

NEVERLOST IN USA 9 Hertz locations preloaded for easy return 9 0OMJOF USJQ QMBOOJOH QSF QMBO ZPVS USJQ GSPN UIF comfort of your home 9 i$PODJFSHF "TTJTUFE 3PVUJOHw BO PO EFNBOE service that creates and sends routes wirelessly to the NeverLost 9 0WFS NJMMJPO QPJOUT PG JOUFSFTUT JODMVEJOH 1PQVMBS $IBJOT™ BOE MPDBM TJHIUT 9 6Q UP EBUF XFBUIFS JOGPSNBUJPO MPDBMMZ PS JO BOZ 64 DJUZ 9 Latest ight status including delays at airports 9 4FDVSFMZ QSFJOTUBMMFE GPS DPOWFOJFODF 9 5IF &91-03& USBWFM HVJEF

THE EXPLORE TRAVEL GUIDE &YDMVTJWF UP )FSU[ /FWFS-PTU JO UIF 64" UIF &91-03& travel guide allows travelers to choose things to do, places UP TFF BOE USFOEZ SFTUBVSBOUT UP FOKPZ BMM TQFDJmDBMMZ chosen and delivered wirelessly to Hertz NeverLost.

5SBWFMFST TJNQMZ UPVDI UIF PO TDSFFO i&YQMPSFw CPY UP access the following features: t .VTU 4FF J F .VTU 4FF %FOWFS PGGFST VQ UP NVTU see destinations within the area t Beyond City: shows up to 10 locations within driving distance from the core city t /FX BOE 5SFOEZ 3FTUBVSBOUT MJTUT VQ UP PG UIF city’s hottest dining destinations t /BUJPOBM 1BSLT JODMVEFT VQ UP OBUJPOBM QBSL TJUFT t -PDBM &WFOUT GFBUVSFT VQ UP MPDBM FWFOUT VQEBUFE four times a month, including music, sports, art and UIFBUSF GBNJMZ GVO DPOWFOUJPOT BOE NVTFVN FYIJCJUT 5IF &91-03& GFBUVSF JT DVSSFOUMZ BWBJMBCMF JO "UMBOUB Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, -BT 7FHBT -PT "OHFMFT .JBNJ /FX :PSL $JUZ 0SMBOEP 1IJMBEFMQIJB 4BO 'SBODJTDP 8BTIJOHUPO % $ BOE NPSF

NEVERLOST IN EUROPE

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(for units powered by TomTom) 9 Hertz locations preloaded for easy return 9 Advanced Lane Guidance in realistic 3D so you don’t miss your turning 9 BluetoothŽ Hands-free calling 9 Voice control with quickest, easiest way to use the NeverLost device 9 Live services including: t 5PN5PN )% 5SBGmD .PTU DPNQMFUF BOE SFMJBCMF USBGmD TFSWJDF BWBJMBCMF t .PCJMF 4QFFE DBNFSBT BOE 4QFFEJOH BMFSU t -PDBM 4FBSDI XJUI (PPHMF™ UP MPDBUF BOZUIJOH GSPN restaurants to Hertz locations wherever you are t -PDBM BOE mWF EBZ XFBUIFS GPSFDBTUT

9 Hertz locations preloaded for easy return 9 4QFFE DBNFSB QSPYJNJUZ BMFSUT 9 Latest Australian maps 9 *ODMVEFT QPJOUT PG JOUFSFTU EJSFDUPSZ BUUSBDUJPOT hotels, airports, restaurants, shopping centres and much more) 9 &BTZ QSPHSBNNJOH EFTUJOBUJPOT SPVUF PQUJPOT GBWPVSJUFT BOE CPPLNBSLT

For a nominal rental charge, Hertz offers this superior UFDIOPMPHZ BU NPSF UIBO MPDBUJPOT JO 64" &VSPQF BOE "VTUSBMJB UP CSJOH OFX FBTF BOE BTTVSBODF to your driving. Be sure to add Hertz NeverLost to ZPVS OFYU SFOUBM GPS B TUSFTT GSFF TFMG ESJWF IPMJEBZ

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36 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

3N/4N/7N Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand Cruise 7;<) (1+<7:1) B

&ons) 3N: Sailing Dates: Nov 21; Dec 5, 19; Jan 2 2013 Ports of Call: Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur, Malacca) 4N: Sailing Dates: !7> -+

Ports of Call: Langkawi, Penang 7N: Sailing Dates: Nov 24; Dec 8, 22 Ports of Call: Kuantan, Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Koh Samui

er Pay Latent plan & w o Cruise N interest instalm rds

dit ca hs 0% 6/12 mt with major cre

178# # fr s 270 # fr s 363 fr s$

# Prices stated are per person and family of 2 Adults and 2 Children under 18 yrs old cruise together in one INSIDE CLASSIC cab16 8841+)*4- <7 )6 .7: ! ;)1416/; !7> -+ .7: ! ;)1416/; ## Prices stated are per person and family of 2 Adults and 2 Children under 18 yrs old cruise together in one INSIDE PREMIUM ca*16 8841+)*4- <7 !7> -+

CITYSTATE TRAVEL PTE LTD Tel: 6222 9111 115 Amoy Street, #03-00, Singapore 069935 Email: costacruises@citystate.travel

OUR BOOTH AT 5H15

All prices quoted in Singapore dollars. Cabins are subject to availability. The price exclusion is correct at the time of printing and is subject to change without prior notice.

Other terms and conditions apply. All prices exclude all applicable airport taxes & cruise taxes & fees ranging from $106 to $

$ $

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38 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Â&#x2021; 35$'$ Â&#x2021; &2$&+ 3 Â&#x2021; /21* &+$03 :KLOH 6WRFNV /DVW

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DIRECT FLIGHT

SINGAPORE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BHUTAN COMMENCING 2ND SEPTEMBER 2012

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Phone +65 6338 9909 Email info@drukair.com.sg Web: www.drukair.com.sg

Bhutan Travel Specialist www.DrukAsia.com

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Tranquil Bhutan Be amazed by what Bhutan has to offer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; physically and spiritually

B

hutanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus on wellbeing has led the nation to coin an indicator called the Gross National Happiness (GNH) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the assessment of government policies and a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing. In another words, this landlocked nation bordering the Himalayans and India emphasises more on happiness than money.

GNH has become a quality that serves as a valuable lesson to many, especially to Japan, who played host to the visiting King and Queen of Bhutan few months ago.

A nation that focuses on intrinsic value more than the obsession for materialistic lifestyle has certainly created a buzz amongst the global community. What Bhutan has to offer, is no fancy restaurant or glitzy malls, but mesmerising landscapes, breathtaking structures, and a stirring history that is synonymous to an inspiring book that nurtures the mind and heals the soul.

THIMPU The cultural centre of Thimpu houses a gem of knowledge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the national library and archives of Bhutan, which is home to a scriptural repository â&#x20AC;&#x201C; old records, letters and thousands of important photographs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and research facility. Established in 1967, it has preserved ancient Bhutanese written and printed resources, and has continued to grow as the years go by. The library is also one of the largest treasuries of Mahayana Buddhist literature in the world.

The living national art of weaving can be found at the National Textile Museum, which exhibits major weaving techniques, as well as the different styles of local dresses.

While a small group of weavers works on their looms, while design competitions are held at other parts of the museum, display some of the best textiles. Visitors to the museum are able to vote for their favourite art piece displayed, and they are also able to bid for their desirable textiles, which the proceeds enriches the coffers of the museum.

Shopping is another option for travellers who fancy some Bhutanese dresses. A plethora of shops lined up along Handicrafts Emporium, where one can ďŹ nd ready-made gho and kira in a variety of sizes, patterns and quality. Not only is this place an outlet to to promote products made by Bhutanese, it is also the preservations of national traditional arts and crafts.

BUMTHANG Located in the Bumthang valley in the Bumthang district of Bhutan, Kurjey Lhakhang is the ďŹ nal resting place of the remains of the ďŹ rst three kings of Bhutan. Comprising of three temples, the right block was built in 1652 against the rock face where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century. Surrounding the three temples is 108 Chorten walls, which look similar to stupas.

Legend has it that Jambay Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in 659AD on a single day, so as to pin down an ogress who

was creating chaos in the world. It is also revered as one of the oldest landmarks of the arrival of Buddhism in Bhutan, and holds a unique Tshechu (festival) of a naked dance that is done to purify sins and pray for good harvest.

Within the Chamkhar valley sits Jakar Yugyel Dzong, a temple of different personalities. In the past, Jakar Dzong plays the role of the centre of Bumthang region, and an important role as a fortress of defense of the whole eastern Dzongkhags. One of the special features include a sheltered passage that consists of two parallel walls, interconnected by fortiďŹ ed towers, giving the population of the fortress access to water in case of a siege.

PARO About ďŹ ve and a half kilometres away from Tshongdu town is Ta Dzong, a fortress that was previously built to protect the country and Paro Rinpung Dzong from unceasing assaults from Tibet and India. The fortress was abandoned and partly destroyed by natural disasters over a span of more than 350 years, and was renovated by the Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

One of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, the Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest, is a Buddhist sacred site and temple complex. Perched on the high cliffs of Taktsang, the monastery, many have claimed â&#x20AC;&#x153;a trip to Bhutan is never complete without climbing to Taktsangâ&#x20AC;?.

Either a pilgrimage to avid Buddhists or a dramatic experience for hikers, this place is worth hiking and taking a look.

Diners World Travel offers tour to Bhutan from 6Days to a week or more. If you have small groups, we are happy to assist with planning of your own itinerary for your group. Call 62925522 or email : tours@ dinerstravel.com.sg

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42 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

The Japanese Story From national parks to old historical towns, Nagano Prefecture is a gigantic museum of nature and stories

J

apan is no one trick pony. It has everything a traveller wants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; glitzy shopping malls and buzzing night scenes; serene countryside with spectacular mountain ranges and immensely beautiful lakes; exquisite architecture and monuments; tantalising Japanese cuisines created by the heart and soul of Japanese chefsâ&#x20AC;Ś When it comes to nature wonders, Nagano Prefecture is a glowing gem with pockets of amazing sceneries. Avid travellers, adventure junkies and photography enthusiasts will find joy in traversing the lands of Kamikochi, Tateyama Kurobe Alphine Route and Tsumago Jukuâ&#x20AC;Ś Searching the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pictureperfect sceneries and its natural habitats.

Kurobe Dam

KAMIKOCHI A mountainous highland tucked in the western portion of Nagano, Kamikochiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preservation of its natural habitat turns out to be quite commendable. Noted as one of Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Cultural Assets, it is also at times named as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Japanese Yosemiteâ&#x20AC;?. British missionary and mountain climber, Walter Weston, has introduced Kamikochi to the world during the 19th century. It is now a well-known area for avid mountain climbers, and also considered as one of the most scenic spot in Japan.

Covered in virgin forests of birch and Japanese larch trees, with the Azusa River flowing through its body of green that eventually wind down to Lake Taisho, Kamikochi is like a world on its own. There are also two camping areas, a few hotels, a post office and a tourist information centre if one needs help to get around.

TATEYAMA KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE

Kamikochi

Many might be familiar with its lofty white walls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the slabs of snow that is initially quite intimidating (there is always a fear of a collapsing wall), but often overcome by the majestic beauty of the Alpine Route. It is a famous mountain sightseeing route, stretching to as

long as 90 kilometres, and has attracted a million visitors every year.

Besides the towering white walls (often as high as 20 metres), one can also enjoy a panoramic view of fresh green in spring, red leaves in fall. The Kurobe Dam, built at the upper stream of the Kurobe-gawa River, boasts a height of 186 metres, offering a fantastic view of Tateyama Mountain Range and the North Alpine.

TSUMAGO JUKU Tsumago Juku is part of the 69 Stations of Nakasendo, which forms up the rest of the areas along Nakasendo. Tsumago-juku Post Town is a preservation district containing the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important traditional structures with rustic post roads, as if reliving the lives of the Japanese during the Edo Period. Stroll through the old town and find wakihonjin, which was the main inn of the town, and was destroyed and rebuilt in 1995. History junkies would love Nagiso Museum of History, which contains information of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and data of about the row houses. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out the Rurisan Kotokuji Temple, a structure that rises above the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buildings. It is notable for its Nightingale floors (designed to make chirping sound when walked upon) and a 500-year-old cherry tree.

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44 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Outbound Leisure Department As the biggest travel agency in Japan, our expertise on travel in Japan ensures that we are able to provide unparalleled quality products and services to customers; be it through our multi-lingual counter-staff or our comprehensive group tour and free-and-easy packages. In addition, our hotel reservations system connects with over 6,000 ryokans and hotels all over Japan with instant booking confirmations. Business travellers and MICE delegates can also rely on our extensive networks across Japan, including our role as an authorised agent of JR Passes, other train passes and theme-park tickets. JTB also recently celebrated our 100th year anniversary in Japan, while celebrating 25 years of operations in Singapore as well. Currently, our global team spans 33 countries worldwide, with 137 offices in 86 locations.T

45 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

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46 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Ringing in Christmas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Santa Way No more peeking up your Christmas stockings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; let M Asia take you to Rovaniemi, Lapland this Christmas, the home of Santa Claus himself

Rovaniemi Santapark

C

hristmas is a magical affair celebrated by millions across the world every year on December 25, where kids from six to sixty make their wishes to Santa Claus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite jolly, white-bearded grandfather of Christmas, donning a big red suit, bringing gifts onboard his eight-reindeer sleigh the night before Christmas arrives.

But did you know that Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop is not at the North Pole? In the early 1900s, newspapers revealed that

10 DAYS FINLAND+ SANTA CLAUS ISLAND (EHE10) r $)3*45."4 45": */ 307"/*&.* 4"/5" $-"64 7*--"(&

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grazing reindeer would not possibly be able to survive the arctic temperatures of the North Pole, and that Santa Claus in fact has his home in the Finnish Lapland.

Satisfy your curiosity and see for yourself this neveraging, worldwide beloved Santa, his elves and Mrs Santa at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Lapland. This mystical Circle is in fact a line clearly visible on the map, a magical place where the sun still peeps over the horizon at midnight during summertime, and where the gorgeous greenish glows of the Northern Lights lend their shine during midwinter season. The key attraction is of course the Santa Claus Village, a few kilometres away from Rovaniemi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; built to be the ofďŹ cial home of Santa Claus.

Welcoming thousands of tourists yearly, the Santa Claus Village is Finlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest tourist destination, where

8 8 9 , $3

you can even receive a personalised certiďŹ cate simply for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Crossing the Arctic Circleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Tasked with the mission to enhance the welfare of children, the kindness of adults and spreading general goodwill, love and the spirit of Christmas across the world â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Santa and his elves take their work seriously here at the Santa Park.

Come meet the jolly crew at the Santa Claus OfďŹ ce, where you can whisper your wish into Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ears, and take a photo with him after. And since you are already there, why not send a colourful Christmas greeting to your loved ones back home? The Santa Claus Main Post OfďŹ ce is the place to be, ďŹ lled with intricate and happy cards, unique stamps and special festive gifts. Sit by the cosy ďŹ replace and pen your thoughts, then pass it to the cheery Postal Elves whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll gladly post your cards out â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 365 days a year. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to send a card out to yourself as a memento, since all posts are personally hand-stamped, bearing the signature postmark of the Santa Claus Post OfďŹ ce.

Move right along to the Christmas House, ďŹ lled with the magical festive air of Christmas with exhibits of Christmas traditions, historical ďŹ lms and rare festive decorations worldwide, including those of Finland, Russia, Spain, Japan, USA and of course, Lapland. Kids will love Elf School, learning the ancient elf secrets and ďŹ nally graduating with an Elf School CertiďŹ cate; learn about Finnish culture and history at the Ice Gallery; or make your very own Christmas crafts at the Elf Workshop.

For lunch, tuck into delicious breads and mulled wine at Mrs Claus Gingerbread Kitchen, or head to MacDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at Rovaniemi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also known as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most northern outlet of the popular fast-food chain.

Carry on your magical journey with a ride on a sleigh ride, taking you through Finlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four seasons, various animals and plants popping up along the way, and even a pit-stop through the busy Elvesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Toy Factory.

And because Christmas is all about giving, stop by the gift store to take some gifts home for yourself and those you love.

The Santa Park is open from June to August in summer, and late November to mid-January during winter, details at www.santapark.com/en.

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48 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r AUGUST

Northern Wonderland Experience the ultimate northern lights spectacle with New Shan Travel

I

images: STOCK.XCHNG

n the movie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Golden Compassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, little Lyra was hiding in the closet as Lord Asriel presented a proposal to the master and scholars of Jordan College. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The existence of Dust,â&#x20AC;? he said. In the fantasy world, the Dust revealed a shimmering path to another dimension. Realistically, it loosely reďŹ&#x201A;ected on the beautiful images of northern lights, which can be seen at several spots around the world, from the South Pole to Norway to Alaska.

Even though the aforementioned locations boast great vantage points to view such stunning northern lights, few people know that Yellowknife city, Canada, is one of the best places to observe this natural wonder, and has successfully blown numerous visitors away.

The capital and largest city of the Northwest Territories of Canada, Yellowknife has a subarctic climate with the lowest average temperature of -30°C and highest

Also known as the northern lights, it illuminates the northern horizon with greenish glows with an occasion hint of faint red. of just around 21°C. One of the phenomena that exist in this area is the aurora â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a natural light display in the sky caused by energetic charged particles. Also known as the northern lights, it illuminates the northern horizon with greenish glows with an occasion hint of faint red. The breathtaking shapes that take form and the splashes of lights like an artist impression on a beautiful painting have drawn a number of photography enthusiasts and adventure seekers to Yellowknife.

The best time to spot the aurora is from December to April. Several arcs of lights are spread across the sky, which are as surrealistic as they are gorgeous.

The one travel agency that understands the beauty of aurora borealis and provides the opportunity for visitors to travel across the ocean to capture these unbelievable moments is New Shan Travel. It ďŹ&#x201A;ies its clients to Yellowknife via Vancouver, and has secured the exclusive rights from Trout Rock Lodge to provide its clients with a memorable stay.

As amazing as the northern lights can be, one cannot possibly focus solely on these lights. Therefore a series of winter activities are drafted out for visitors to Yellowknife, which includes dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice ďŹ shing. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hagglundsâ&#x20AC;? (special amphibious vehicle) takes visitors across the frozen Great Slave Lake, and snowmobiles services are also available for the entire day.

After your surreal experience with the northern lights, the tour will bring you to Vancouver, where you may shop along the famous Robson Street or opt for a day-tour to the impressive Butchart Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Also included is a Vancouver City Tour that brings you to various attractions such as Stanley Park, Totem Park, Lions Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Gastown.

New Shan Travel offers S$500 discounts each for couple-registration, and will also provide winter wear that is able to accommodate a climate of -30°C.

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50 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

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S TRAVEL PTE LTD (TA2008)

www.stravel.sg

80 Anson Road, #01-04 Fuji Xerox Towers, Singapore 079907 Tel 6221-5688 Fax 6221-2773 Email tour@stravel.sg

BOOTH: 4H23

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See you at Natas Holidays 2012(Booth No.: 4H23)

I

24-26 August 2012 Singapore Expo Hall 3B, 4 & 5

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JEJU: Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock) / Mysterious Road / Seongsan Sunrise Peak / Seopjikoji /Jeju Folk Village / Trick Art Museum / Tesuem Safari / Shin Jeju Shopping Street HWACHEON: Bukhan River Duck Boat ride / Ginseng Farm (Inclusive of plucking one ginseng per person & taste blended Ginseng juice) PYEONGCHANG: Mt. Odaesan / Daewallyeong Wind Village (Inclusive of sheep feeding & Cheese making) / Ocean 700 Hotspring Water Park SEOUL: Skin Anniversary Beauty Town / Everland (inclusive of Passport) / Cheonggyecheon Stream / USUAL PRICE: Dongdaemun Market / Gyeongbok Palace / Ginseng $1788 Outlet / Cordyseps Shop / Cosmetic Duty Free / From Myeongdong Shopping / 63 City Sky Art / â&#x20AC;&#x153;MARIONETTE SHOWâ&#x20AC;? / Local Product Shop

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8Days KOREA FANTASY (KJSF08) Featuring: JEJU / PYEONGCHANG / MT. SORAK / SEOUL

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JEJU: Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock) / Mysterious Road / Seongsan Sunrise Peak / Seopjikoji /Jeju Folk Village / Trick Art Museum / Tesuem Safari / Shin Jeju Shopping Street PYEONGCHANG: Daewallyeong Wind Village (Inclusive of sheep feeding & cheese making) /Ocean 700 Hotspring Water Park MT. SORAK: Mt. Sorak National Park (Inclusive of Cable Car ride) / Shinheungsa Temple USUAL PRICE: SEOUL: Everland (inclusive of Passport) / Dongdaemun $1688 Market / Cheonggyecheon Stream / Gyeongbok Palace/ Ginseng Outlet / Cordyseps Shop / Cosmestic Duty Free / From Myeongdong Shopping / â&#x20AC;&#x153;DRAWING Showâ&#x20AC;? / Local Product Shop

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8Days AUTUMN LOVE IN KOREA BRAND NEW!!!

(KSLK08) AUTUMN FOLIAGE SPECIAL Featuring: BUSAN / DAEGU / MT. DAEDUNSAN / JEONJU / MT. MAISAN / SUWON / SEOUL BUSAN: Yongduan (Inclusive of Tower Observatory) / BIFF Square / Gwangalli Beach DAEGU: Gam Wine Tunnel / Dongwasha Temple / SPA Valley / Dongseongno Street MT. DAEDUNSAN: Mt. Daedunsan National Park JEONJU: Central Shopping Street / Jeonju Hanok Village MT. MAISAN: Mt. Maisan Provincial Park SUWON: Hwaseong Fortress SEOUL: KTX Experience (Seoul Station to Busan Station) USUAL PRICE: / Everland (inclusive of Passport) / Dongdaemun Market / N-Seoul Tower / Gyeongbok Palace / Passing by $1588 the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) / Ginseng Outlet / From Cordyseps Shop / Cosmetic Duty Free / â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bibap Showâ&#x20AC;? / Myeongdong Shopping / Local Product Shop

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...Winter Memories 6/8Days KOREA WINTER FANTASY (KSWF06/KJWF08) Featuring: JEJU / GANGWANDO / MT. SORAK / SEOUL

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JEJU: Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock) / Mysterious Road / Seongsan Sunrise Peak / Locadio World /Jeju Folk Village / Trick Art Museum / Tesuem Safari / Jeju Sea Lady Museum MT. SORAK: Mt. Sorak National Park GANGWANDO: 1 night stay ski resort (Inclusive of ski equipment and suits only) SEOUL: Woojin Play Doci Water Spa / Dongdaemun Market / Lotte World Theme park with Pass / Gyeongbok USUAL PRICE: Palace/ Sarangchae / Ginseng Outlet / Cordyseps Shop / Cosmestic Duty Free / Myeongdong Shopping / â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bibap $1488 Showâ&#x20AC;? / Local Product Shop

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GANGWANDO: 2 night stay ski resort (Inclusive of ski equipment and suits for 1 session only) SEOUL: Skin Anniversary Beauty Town / Everland (with Passport) / 63 City Sky Art / â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marionette Showâ&#x20AC;? / Gyeongbok Palace/ Sarangchae / Kimchi School / Digital Pavilion / Dongdaemun Market / Bukchon Hanok Village / Ginseng Outlet / Cordyseps Shop / Cosmestic Duty Free / Myeongdong Shopping / Lotte World Theme park with Pass / Local Product Shop

USUAL PRICE: $1788 From $1388

6/8Days KOREA MUSLIMS WINTER SPECIAL BEST MUSLIMS WINTER PACKAGE (KSWM06/KJWM08) Featuring: JEJU / MT. SORAK / GANGWANDO / SEOUL JEJU: Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock) / Mysterious Road / Sea Lady Museum / Seongsan Sunrise Peak / Seopjikoji / Jeju Folk Village / Glass Castle Museum / Believe it or not Mesuem MT. SORAK: Mt. Sorak National Park / Teddy Bear Museum GANGWANDO: 1 night stay ski resort (Inclusive of ski equipment and suits only) SEOUL: Skin Anniversary Beauty Town / Everland (inclusive of Passport) / Kimchi School / Dongdaemun Market /Gyeongbok Palace/ Sarangchae Museum / Ginseng Outlet / Amethyst USUAL PRICE: Showroom / International Mosque / Namdaemun Shopping / â&#x20AC;&#x153;JUMP Showâ&#x20AC;? / Local Product Shop $1688

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52 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Drop by our booth at NATAS and be pleasantly shocked by our

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1

1

18

21

OWARA KAZE-NO-BON FESTIVAL

SINGAPORE NATIONAL GAMES

PHOTOKINA

2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

TOYAMA: The traditional Japanese folk event is a celebration for protection against wind damage and for an abundant autumn harvest. See men and women parade down the streets playing musical instruments while others dance along to the rhyme in cotton summer kimono or short jackets and amigasa hats.

SINGAPORE: Organised by the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association, Singapore Sports Council and National Sports Association, this inaugural sporting event will see thousands participating to compete in various forms of sports, from athletic, badminton, basketball, bowling to dragon boat. www.singaporenationalgames.sg

COLOGNE: Photography enthusiasts should take note of this biennial event where thousands come together to exchange expertise and exhibit their works. One of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading imaging fairs, this event will see representatives from major camera makers from Olympus to Pentax to Samsung. www.photokina.com

SINGAPORE: The annual Formula 1 Grand Prix night race returns this month for an exciting weekend of roaring cars, plus concerts by stellar artistes including the likes of Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Asian sensation Jay Chou. www.singaporegp.sg

st to 3rd

st to 9th

th to 23rd

st to 23rd

images: koelnmesse; singapore gp; toy factory productions; toyama prefectural government; victoria and albert museum/v&A images

SEPTEMBER

55 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Earth-shattering Stimulating Travel T rav avel D Deals eals o only nly y at tN Na Nam am Ho oT Travel! rav avel l!!

Singapore Expo Halls 3B, 4, 5 | August 24 to 26 (Fri to Sun) | Nam Ho Travel Booth: JAPAN

AUSTRALIA

7D Honshu â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Golden Route (JPG7W) (Osaka/Nara/Kyoto/Nagoya/Mt Fuji/Tokyo) Theme Park Fun: Osaka Universal Studio, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hello Kitty Land â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sanrio Purolandâ&#x20AC;?. Gotemba Premium Outlet Mall, Amyeoko, Shinjuku Kiyomizu Temple, Todaiji Temple, Asakusa Temple. Mt Fuji, Oshino Hakkai 1 Night Onsen Hotspring Hotel CNY: Feb: 9, 10 Dep: Nov 1,4,6,8,11,13,15,18,20,22,25,27,29 / Dec 1,3,8,9,10,16,17,22,23,24 / Jan: 6,8,10,13,15,17,20,22,24,27,29,31 / Feb: 3,5,17,19,21,24,26,28 fr

$1,688

7/8D Hokkaido Winter Fun (JPH7W, JPH7N, JPH85) (Otaru/Rusutsu Ski Resort/Lake Toya/Noboribetsu/: Sapporo Underground Shopping, Sapporo Station Arcade, Factory Outlet Mall/ Shopping Mall in Tokyo (Ameyoko/Akihabara/Shinjuku/Ginza). Snow Tubing, Skiing Fun (Inclusive of rental of full set of ski equipment ).

Otaru Canal, Music Box Museum, Stay 3 nights in Osen Hotspring Hotel.

Stay 1 Night at Rusutsu Ski Resort CNY: Feb: 8,9,10 Dep: Dec 2,3,4,5,6,8,9,11,13,15,16,17,18,20,22 / Jan 6,8,10,13,15,17,20, 22,24,27,29,31 / Feb 3,5,17,19,21,24,26,28 Special! Hello Kitty Airplane by Eva Air (Taipeiâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Tokyo) Dep: Dec: 11 fr

$1,788

TAIWAN 7D Taiwan All In

(TW7EEE) Chiufen, Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Xi Men Ting, Lanyang Museum, Taroko Gorge, Tze Chiang Train, Chi Sing Lake, Chihpen Hotspring, Cruise around Sun Moon Lake, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Theme Park, DIY Vigor Kobo Pineapple Cake, Taipei 101, Wu Fen Pu Dep: Nov: 29,30 / Dec: 2,9,13,16,21,23 Special Dep: Dec 20 (8Days Tour with 1 FREE Day) fr

$1,138

7D Enchanting Taiwan (TW7ENC) Sun Moon Lake, Rei Suei Leisure Farm, Taroko Gorge, Chi Sing Lake, Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, Feng Jia Night Market, Wu Fen Pu, Train Ride to Hualien, Chihpen Hotspring Wulai, Dream Mall Dep: Sep: 1,3,8,10,17,22,25,29 / Oct: 1,6,8,12,13,19,20,21,22,26,27,29, 30 / Nov: 3,5,6,8,9,10,12,13,15,17,19,20,22,24,26,27,29 / Dec: 1,3,4,5,6, 7,8,10,14,15,17,18,20,21,22,24,25,26,27,28,29 *Selected Departure Dates fr

$788

8D Touch Taiwan (TW8TOU) E-Da World, Lugang Tien Hou Temple, Jin Yon DIY Leisure Farm, Master Bear Resort, King Car Orchard Garen, Jin Yong Quan Spa & Hotsping, Xi Men Ting, Chiufen, Taroko Gorge, Glass Gallery Dep: Sep: 2,4,9,11,16,18,23,25,30 / Oct: 2,7,9,14,16,21,23,28,30 / Nov: 4,6,11,13,18,20,25,27,29 / Dec: 2,4,5,9,11,12,16,18,19,23,25,30 Stay in 5-Stars Hotel throughout!

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$888

HONG KONG

6D4N Great Fun @ Gold Coast

(AU6GFG) Tangalooma, 4WD Desert Safari, Sand Tobogganing, Wild Dolphin Feeding, Dreamworld, Catch a Crab Cruise, Birds Bay Oyster Farm, Tropical Fruit World, Superbee Honeyworld, Movie World Special: 1N in Tangalooma Resort Dep: Dec 4,12,19 fr

$1,688

6D4N MagniďŹ cient Melbourne Discovery (AU6MMD) Harbour Town, Eureka Tower, Great Ocrean Road, Churchill Farm, Phillip Island Penguin, Koala Conversation, Amaza N Things, Pannys Chocolate Factory Dep: Dec 6,12,19 fr

$1,499

6D4N Sydney Scenic Explorer

(AU6SSE) Sydney City Tour, Port Stephen, Dolphin Watch Cruise, 4WD Sand Safari, Blue Mountain, Featherdale Wildlife, 2000 Olympic Park Special: 1N in Port Stephens Dep: Dec 6 fr

$1,549

5D4N Perth Mandurah And Farmstay (AU5PMF) Fremantle, Mandurah Canal Cruise Tour, Bindoon Windmill Farm [BBQ Lunch, Feed Farm Animal, Sheep Shearing, Horse Riding, Fruit Orchard, Traditional Wool Spinning, Cow Milking, Swan Valley, Caversham Wildlife, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park, Perth Mint Dep: Dec 1,8 fr

$1,488

4D City of Angels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bangkok (TH4BKK) Siam Niramit, Safari World & Marine Park, Menam Chao Phraya, Wat Arun, Four-Faced Buddha, Bangkok Daily Dep *Land Only fr

$189 4/5D Chiangmai/Chiangrai + 2N Bangkok (TH4LC/TH5LC) Dep: [4D- MI] Every Sun, [5D-MI] Every Wed Group MI: Nov 28, Dec 5,12,19,26 Dep:[6/7D, TG] Daily Departure * Additional 2N BKK Free and Easy Group TG: Nov 18,25 Dec 2,9,16 *Land Only fr

$238 5D Land of Smiles: Bangkok/Pattaya (TH5LS) Dep:Every Wed, Fri, Sun Daily Dep: 6 persons & above Group Dep: Dec 5,7,12,14,19,21,22,23,24,25,26 *Land Only fr

$259

5D Bangkok/Hua Hin (TH5BH) *Land Only fr

$259

5D North Eastern Thailand Go Green! (THGGGT) Dep: Every Wed GV4 *Land Only fr $429

8D Taiwan Unbeatable (TW8UBF) Northeast Coast Scenic Area, Chiufen, Yilan Shangrila Farm, Train Ride to Hualien, Kenting, Mei Nung Hakka Village, Cruise along Sun Moon Lake, Leohe Night Market, Taipei 101 Dep: Sep: 2,4,9,11,16,18,23,30 / Oct: 2,7,9,14,16,21,23,28 / Nov: 3,4,6,10,11,13,17,18,20,24,27 / Dec: 1,2,4,8,9,11,15,16,18,22,23,25, 29,30 *Selected Departure Dates fr

$888

KOREA

10D Turkey Discovery (IST10) Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Ataturk Mausoleum, Underground City of Kaymakli, Belly Dance Performance, Cotton Castle, Troy, Pergamon Acropolis, Topkapi Palace Dep: Nov 20, 25, 30 / Dec 7, 10, 16, 21 fr

$1,488

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, The Peak Tram Ride, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Seafood Lunch @ Lamma Island, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Fishing Village Dep: Sep 1,4,8,15,26/ Oct 3,6,10,17,24,27 / Nov 3,7,10,14,21,24,28 / Dec 1,5,8,12,15,19,22,26,29 fr

$1,099

5D Hong Kong Fairytale Bliss (HK5FRT) 1N at Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hollywood Hotel, Hong Kong Disneyland, The Peak Tram Ride, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Stanley Market, Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Street, Repulse Bay Dep: Sep 2,3,5,12,19,26 / Oct 3,10,17,24,31 / Nov 7,14,21,28 / Dec 5,12 fr

$1,099

CAMBODIA 5D Beautiful Cambodia

(KH5BC) Genocide Museum, Tonle Sap Lake, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, Angkor Wat, Elephant Terrace, Old Market, Angkor Silk Farm, 1N at Nagaworld Casino Hotel Dep: Nov 22 / Dec 19 fr

$828

CHINA 5/7D Charming Jiangnan

(CNPVG5/7) Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing Dep: Daily Departure / Dec 1,19, Feb: 2,8,9,10

5/7D Beijing / Tianjin / Chengde (CNPEK5/7)

fr

$448

fr

$598

fr

$538

Stay in 5-Stars Hotel throughout!

6D Guangdong Prosperous Gourmet Tour (CNCAN6) Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Shunde, Zhaoqing, Panyu, Guangzhou Dep: Daily Departure, Feb: 8,9,10

5D â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eastern Hawaiiâ&#x20AC;? - Hainan / Xinglong / Sanya Tour / LandTour (CNHAK5) Red Lady Army Sculpture, Xing Long Tropical Botanical Garden, Miao Cultural Village, Yalong Bay & Beach Dep: Daily Departure *Land Only fr

$198

7/8D Harbin White Christmas Celebration Tour with Ice Snow World + Festival Fireworks (CNHRB9) Xinghai Square, Huabiao Square, Seafood Market, Imperial Palace, Catholic Church, Jingyuetan Ski Resort, Sun Island Snow Craning, The Ice and Snow World, Tianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;men Square, National Aquatics Centre Dep: 17,18,19, 20 fr

$1,268

DUBAI

6D Korea Skiing Experience (KR6W) Everland, Lotte World, Seasonal Fruit Farm, DIY Kimchi Making Session, Four Season SPA (Water park & Jjimjilbang), Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Full Day Ski (Inclusive of equipment & Ski Suit Rental) Dep: Nov 20,23,30 / Dec 4,7,11,14,19,21,22,25 CNY Dep: 8,10 fr

8D6N Wonder of India Dubai & Abu Dhabi (AEIDD)

8D Korea Skiing Plus Jeju (KR8W)

Dubai: Jumeirah Mosque, Dhow Dinner Cruise, Dune Safari Tour, Palm Island. Abu Dhabi: Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi City Tour India: Agra, Delhi, Taj Mahal, Yamuna River, Agra Fort, Qutab Minar Dep: Nov1,15,24 / Dec 3,6,11,19 *Fly by JetAirways fr

Everland, Lotte World, DIY Kimchi Making & Hanbok Experience, Beauty Academu, SHinchon Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Street, Seasonal Fruit Farm, Sealala Waterpark, Dongdaemun Market, Full Day Ski( Inclusive of equipment & Ski Suit Rental), Gondola Ride, ATV Ride, Jeju Folk Village, Jeju TeddyBear Museum, NANTA Show Dep: Nov 17,22,24,29 / Dec 1,2,3,7,8,11,12,13,15,17,18,19,20,22,23,24, 25,26,27,28,29 fr

(AE6DAD) Dubai: Jumeirah Mosque, Dhow Dinner Cruise, Dune Safari Tour, Palm Island. Abu Dhabi: Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi City Tour Dep: Sep 5,12,19,26 / Oct 7,21 / Nov 11,21,28 / Dec 5,12,19,26 / Jan 9,23,30 / Feb 7,8,9,10 *Fly by SQ fr

$1,098

TURKEY

5D Hong Kong Funtasia (HK5FUN)

Dep: Daily Departure / Dec 1,19, Feb: 8,9,10

THAILAND

Dep: Every Thurs, Sat Daily Dep: 6 persons & above Group Dep: Dec 7,14,21,23,26

4H47

$1,588

$1,488

6D4N Best of Dubai & Abu Dhabi

$1,788

56 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

OCTOBER

8

15

31

1

BALINALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

MUSIC FESTIVAL SHANGHAI

VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE

CHINA OPEN 2012

BALI: Established since 2007, this festival gives Indonesian ďŹ lmmakers an opportunity to present their works to a global audience. Workshops and seminars will also be conducted, where participating guests include winners at the Oscars, Emmy Awards and Cannes. www.balinale.com

SHANGHAI: The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and longest running music and culture festival will see the gathering of talented musicians from various music backgrounds such as jazz, folk, electronic and rock. Outdoor stages will also be set up at the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Green Noteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Expo Park followed by a series of indoor concerts at Shanghai Centre Theatre. www.jzfestival.com/en

NEW YORK: There is no better place to celebrate Halloween than at New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Village Halloween Parade. Join in the fun as hundreds of puppets, bands, dancers and artists, accompanied by thousands of New Yorkers participate in this grand party. www.halloween-nyc.com

BEIJING: See previous winners Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic battle out to keep their championship titles or root for your favourite tennis player at the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Centre, where professional tennis players compete. www.chinaopen.com

th to 17th

st

st to 7th

Coming up..... Our Chef is cooking up a new storm in September 2012. %Ă&#x2122;NF 4JOHBQPSF "SU .VTFVN tâ&#x20AC;ŤÚ&#x20AC;â&#x20AC;Ź%Ă&#x2122;NF 1BSBHPO tâ&#x20AC;ŤÚ&#x20AC;â&#x20AC;Ź%Ă&#x2122;NF %FNQTFZ )JMM tâ&#x20AC;ŤÚ&#x20AC;â&#x20AC;Ź%Ă&#x2122;NF 4IBX )PVTF t %Ă&#x2122;NF #JTIBO $$ t %Ă&#x2122;NF 1BSLXBZ 1BSBEF t %Ă&#x2122;NF $IBOHJ "JSQPSU 5FSNJOBM %Ă&#x2122;NF 4VOUFD 5PXFS t %Ă&#x2122;NF 6OJWFSTJUZ $VMUVSBM $FOUSF t %Ă&#x2122;NF 0OF 3BÄ&#x2019;FT 1MBDF t %Ă&#x2122;NF 1MB[B 4JOHBQVSB PQFOJOH JO 0DU

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th to 14th

57 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Taiwan

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ChinaÍ&#x161;ŕ°Ş

5D Hainan Island Tour 7D Shang Hai Jiangnan Tour 8D Beijing Tianjin Tour 8D Jiangxi Lushan Jingdezhen Wuyuam 8D Colorful Yunnan Tour 9D Zhangjiajie Wudangshan Tour 10D Henan Shandong Flower Tour

Hong Kong / Macau äť&#x2020;â?&#x153; â&#x201C; äŹ&#x2022; 3D Hong Kong Free & Easy 4D Hong Kong + Disneyland Tour 4D Hong Kong + Macau Tour 5D Hong Kong + ShenZhen 5D Hong Kong + Shenzhen + Macau

Vietnam ä&#x160;ˇŕ˘&#x201E;

5D Hanoi + Halong Bay + Hoa Lu & Tam Coc 6D Vietnam Twin Cities 7D Vietnam Cultural Tour 5D Central Vietnam 7D Best of Central Vietnam

Cambodia á´&#x2122;ŕ´ á&#x201E;&#x2022;

4D Angkor Wat Discovery 5D Best of Cambodia 6D Cambodia Wonders

Indonesia ŕ˘?á&#x2026;Š

3D Bali Free & Easy 2D Batam Package Tour 2D Bintan Free & Easy 4D Medan Lake Toba

Korea ä´&#x2013;ŕ°Ş

7/8D Korea + Jeju

Thailand â&#x2C6;?ŕ°Ş

3D Phuket + Phiphi island Tour 3D Bangkok Free & Easy 4/5D Bangkok + Pattaya Tour 5D Chiangmai + Chiangrai

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NOVEMBER

3

17

13

13

HAKONE DAIMYO GYORETSU

VIENNA CHRISTMAS MARKET

DIWALI

SOLAR ECLIPSE

HAKONE: On this day, the streets of Yumoto Hot Spring Town will see a procession of a total of 170 people dressed up as samurai and geisha parading over a distance of six kilometres. Reproduced in the style of a feudal lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s procession, this festival celebrates the olden dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practise of feudal lords entering and leaving Edo (present-day Tokyo) at that time.

VIENNA: Enjoy a glittering and fascinating Christmas in amazing Vienna where the aroma of delicious punch, traditional gingerbread, roasted almond and honey ďŹ lls the air along the Christmas Market. Christmas workshops are available for children who love arts and crafts.

INDIA: Also known as festival of lights, this festival is celebrated throughout India with the lighting of small clay lamps ďŹ lled with oil, signifying the triumph of good over evil. Expect to see people worshipping Goddess Lakshmi who symbolises wealth and prosperity, and a series of ďŹ reworks set in the evenings at certain areas.

CAIRNS: A total eclipse, most visible from Australia, will be formed shortly after sunrise on the 14th. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out this rare opportunity because the next total eclipse to happen in Australia will only be in 2023.

th to 24th

th

th to 14th

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OPUJDF r 0UIFS UFSNT BOE DPOEJUJPOT BQQMZ

BOOTH No.3H03

Special Free Gift* t -POH $IBNQ t $PBDI t 1SBEB 5FSNT BOE DPOEJUJPOT BQQMZ

BOOTH No.5H15

FREE morning or afternoon

tea at Bridestowe Lavender Farm r 8IJMF TUPDLT MBTU BOE WBMJE XJUI PSJHJOBM DPVQPO POMZ r 7BMJE GPS 5BTNBOJB CPPLJOH SFDFJWFE BU /"5"4 )PMJEBZT CFUXFFO "VH r 5FSNT $POEJUJPOT BQQMZ r 5P SFEFFN BU CPPUI OVNCFS ) 5BTNBOJB DPVOUFS XJUI QSPPG PG CPPLJOH CZ "VH QN

FREE

Hada Labo SHA Lotion (20ml) r 8IJMF TUPDLT MBTU r 0OF HJGU QFS QFSTPO

BOOTH No.3H03

Enjoy $20 Rebate per Cabin booked with payment made by HSBC MasterCard Credit Card r -JNJUFE UP DPVQPO QFS DBCJO r 'PS CPPLJOH NBEF PO UP "VHVTU BU /"5"4 )PMJEBZT

EJTDPWFSUBTNBOJB DPN

BOOTH No.5H36

BOOTH No.4H44

FREE Travel Insurance for selected package

BOOTH No.5H38

A mystery gift awaits the ямБrst 50 customers daily.

FREE

BOOTH No.4H47

FREE shoe bag upon

Hertz Pen

booking with Royal Caribbean cruise packages. r 8IJMF TUPDLT MBTU r 0OMZ BQQMJDBCMF UP PSJHJOBM DPVQPO r 0OF HJGU QFS DPVQPO

r -JNJUFE UP DPVQPO QFS DBCJO 8IJMF TUPDL MBTU r (JGUT NBZ CF SFQMBDFE XJUI PUIFS JUFN T

XJUIPVU QSJPS OPUJDF r 5FSNT BOE DPOEJUJPOT BQQMZ 5FSNT BOE DPOEJUJPOT BQQMZ

BOOTH No.4H31

BOOTH No.4H27

FREE

$50 Cash Rebate

Inner Mongolia Trip* 5FSNT BOE DPOEJUJPOT BQQMZ

r i-*,&u VT PO 'BDFCPPL EVSJOH "VH r 0OMZ BQQMJDBCMF UP PSJHJOBM DPVQPO r 4FMFDUFE UPVS HSPVQ POMZ r 5FSNT DPOEJUJPOT BQQMZ

Hurry there now!

BOOTH No.5H37 Please refer page 30-31 for ямВoor plan

BOOTH No.4H44

BOOTH No.5H44