Discover The World

Archive for the ‘Destination’ Category

Ranking among the finest cities of the world and one of the most visited tourist destinations is the city of Amsterdam. It is rich in heritage and history, which presents the various facets of its character to visitors.

Visually, Amsterdam appears to be a conservative European city out of antiquity. The place oozes charm with cobblestone streets, canals and towering water front homes. Philosophically, however, the city is very liberal with marijuana being decriminalized and prostitution a licensed profession. It is easy to get caught up in debates over the merits of this liberal attitude and completely miss much of what Amsterdam has to offer

If you are looking to understand the culture of freedom and respect that permeates Dutch society, there is no better place to visit than the Red Light District. Known as De Wallen, this part of the city is among the oldest. The streets are narrow and cobblestoned, and the homes are historic. There are many ways to enjoy De Wallen as part of an Amsterdam walking tour, but choosing a special Red Light District tour may also be a good option.

Did you know that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands? Yes, it is! It is most concentrated in the Amsterdam Red-Light District where it has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance. It has been reported that since October 2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade.

Amsterdam has long been a favorite destination for travelers from all over the world, and it continues to attract more and more tourists every year. With over 700 years of history, including many times of tumult and difficulty, this grand city has been able to survive and thrive by embracing the many people, and their rich cultures, who have come to settle in this area.

So you’ve booked your plane ticket to Miami and you’re pondering what to do once you get there. Well there is so much to see and participate in, it really is the sunshine town where the fun never ends! America’s southernmost resort is popular with tourists the world over and has been voted America’s Healthiest City by Natural Health Magazine. Indeed, activity and sports are at the forefront of what Miami delivers to its visitors.

You might want to visit The Barnacle Historic State Park on Biscayne Bay or visit the Coral Castle which is a famous Miami attraction. Edward Leedskalnin decided to carve a variety of coral rock objects as a tribute to the unrequited love of his lost sweetheart – it is the Taj Mahal of Miami. Or if you fancy some creature comforts you can take a trip to the Miami Metrozoo which is frequently listed in the top ten zoos in the world with more than 1,200 animals to see. Animals here aren’t caged and there are lots of open air exhibits – so you can get that Safari feeling in the middle of a city.

If you’d like to get out onto the beaches, Captain Jimmy’s Fiesta Cruises are popular with visitors looking to sail around the Port of Miami. You can ship out to sightseeing spots such as Fisher Island, Star Island, Palm Island or Hibiscus Island. Alternatively, if you’re on business in a Miami office, there are a number of convention centres that you may wish to visit such as the Miami Convention Centre or the Airport Hotel and Exhibition Centre. For something more cultural there is the Historical Museum of Southern Florida which has over 10,000 years of South Florida and Caribbean history for you to browse through. The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is also a popular tourist attraction.

Kuching is sharing nearly a similar festivals as other part of Malaysia, however you can still find some local festivals that only Sarawakian get to celebrates. All festivals and events in Kuching are as follow:

1. New Year’s Day (1 January)

Public Holiday through out the whole Malaysia, and the world; and Kuching has no different too.

2. Chinese New Year (January/February)

Chinese New Year is fall on 1st day of every lunar calendar year, which will fall on any days during January or February.

Google it for exact date for the particular year you wish to know, eg. “Chinese New Year 2010″. Travel to Kuching two weeks before the Chinese New Year is the greatest time to see the locals preparing for the Chinese New Year festival. People in Kuching is often busy shopping for Chinese New Year goods and goodies during this time period. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, locals will do their final shopping before noon, and after 2pm usually the Kuching is much like a dead town. Shops shut, businesses ended, people are at home getting ready for their reunion feast. If you are still in Kuching on this day, the only place you will get your dinner is probably the fast food restaurant such as KFC or McDonald.

In the midnight as soon as the clock strikes 12am, the entire city is like entering into a war, you will be dazzled by the fireworks on the sky, and also firecrackers are everywhere. The whole event can last for about half an hour to an hour before you can get a good sleep. It’s illegal though playing with fireworks or firecrackers; however it’s not been fully enforced in Sarawak. You won’t get this if you’re in the capital of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur. Most businesses remain closed in Kuching from the first to the forth day of the festival, you’ve still got to dine at the fast food restaurant during those days. However, cafe, pubs and bars are normally opened as soon as the day turns dark.

3. Good Friday (March/April)

Nothing much special in Kuching on this day, it’s simply a public holiday.

5. Labour Day (1 May)

Just a public holiday. Business as normal for shopping malls and restaurants.

6. Wesak Day (May)

It will fall on any day during May be based upon which calendar year. For anyone who is at Kuching during this period, check out the Buddhist temples, where the crowds are gathered on this special day.

7. Gawai Day (1 June)

This is the extremely important festival for the Dayak (indigenious people) in Sarawak, which celebrating the end of rice harvesting and welcomes the new planting season. Everyone in the longhouses in Sarawak will begin to celebrate the festival from the Eve of the Gawai day. On the Gawai day itself, that is 1 June, traditional rituals are held, dancing, plenty of local foods especially Bamboo rice and bamboo chicken. Should you be traveling in Kuching during this special occasion, you possibly can take part in the Annah Rais Homestay program and experience the fun of the Gawai festival together with the locals people. No walk-in travellers will be entertained during this day at most of the longhouses, except for pre-arranged tour from the tour company, and the invited guest by local people.

For Annah Rais Longhouse, simply take part in the homestay program and you may get the opportunity to witness how the local people celebrate the festival at Annah Rais village.

8. Dragon Boat Festival (June)

As the name suggest, you may witness the dragon boats competition during this day through out most part of Malaysia. In Kuching, you can witness the dragon boat competition along the Sarawak River, at the Kuching Waterfront. Local Chinese will be making their own rice dumpling in this special day for their family. Most Chinese coffee shops in Kuching do selling them also, so you should try it!

9. Rainforest World Music Festival (July)

These are the popular international event that’ll be held in Kuching every year. Rainforest World Music Festival brings together the planet renowned musicians around the globe and indigenous musicians from all parts of mythical land of Borneo to get to the same stage to perform for you.

Such event lasts for 3 days and will be held at Sarawak Cultural Village, near to Damai Puri Resort (formerly known as Damai Lagoon Resort), about 30 km from Kuching. For more info about Rainforest World Music Festival, please visit their official website at http://www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.

Fairly often during this period of time, Kuching hotels occupancy rate are all time high and can be fully booked at times, therefore you are advised to book early if you’re going to go to to such global event.

Resort that within the walking distance to the Sarawak Cultural Village are Damai Puri Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort. Damai Holiday Inn Resort is also within a walking distance, nonetheless it takes you a longer walk, approximately 10 to 15 mins!

10. Mid Autumn Festival (August)

Also known as Mooncake or Lantern Festival. Nothing much special accept eating mooncake (lots of mooncakes, everywhere is selling it) and watching kids carrying lantern each and every corner of the streets once the day turns dark. Novice photographer will really appreciate such occasion.

11. Malaysia’s National Day (31 August)

It’s a nation public holiday, and in Kuching, it’s celebrated every year, check out at Central Padang at Kuching.

12. Hungry Ghosts Month (August/September)

It’s believed by the Chinese that in the 7th month of lunar calendar, ghosts are returned to the earth for feasting. In Kuching, have a look at this “hungry ghost event” that is held next to the old central post office. It’s always filled with crowd.

13. Christmas Day (25 Dec)

It is also another important event for the Christian in Kuching. However, special events’ arrangement mostly limited to each individual church only. Clubbers also gathered at certain pubs for counting down during eve of Christmas. Nothing much special in Kuching, better spend your time in Singapore’s Orchard Road I suppose, if you happen to travel in this region!

That’s about all the festivals and events in Kuching. So plan your vacation wisely. Wish you have a great holiday soon.