Congratulations!!!!
To the Winning Team of the Anand Travels Cricket Trophy.
Held at the PJ Cricket Club
Trophy presented by Mr. Arun (CEO Anand Travels)
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Oh...Trichy...trichy...trichy!!!!
RockfortTrichy or Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai.
The most famous land mark of this bustling town is the Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky out crop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. It was one of the main centers around which the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India. The city is a thriving commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys.
As of today Air Asia will be flying direct to Trichy offering flights at an astonishingly affordable rate. So we Anand Travels have made certain facilities available for our customers such as:
- Transportation facilities
- Tailor made tour packages
- Our very own office Rockfort Traveltours Pvt.Ltd ,Suite 5 ,3rd floor,Tabs Complex,Bharathidasn Salai,Cantonement, Trichy at your service for all services (eg: train,bus tickets,air ticket reschedulling, etc) .
- Optional ReadyMade City tour packages
Thursday, September 25, 2008
HIDDEN TREASURES OF CHINA
DESTINATION OF THE WEEK
CHINA’S CHENGDE – A FORESTED MOUNTAIN RESORT
Chengde lies in a valley in northern Hebei Province about 163 km/100 miles from Beijing It is known in China as “Mountain Hamlet for Escaping the Heat” (Bishu Shanzhuang) as it was the hill resort of the former Imperial family. The area of the resort is about twice as big as Beijing’s Summer Palace. Emperor Kangxi (1662-1772) who belonged to the Qing dynasty had the resort built to escape the heat and he came here every summer. Here he and emperors after him would relax away from the heat. They would hold feasts for Mongolian nobles and chiefs from neighbouring Xinjiang and Tibet. Hunting and archery on horseback were favorite sports to while the time away. Even today Chengde attracts visitors for its pleasant climate.
This resort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site has lakes, hills and plains, though the hills make up almost four fifths of the resort. They are covered with forests of pine and cypresses. If you go up to the snow Pavilion of South Hill (Nanshan Jixue Ting) you get a commanding view of the whole resort, lush and green and dotted with blue lakes. When the wind blows the sound of whispering pines is music to the ears.
There are only five lakes divided and separated by embankments. There are a number of small islands connected by quaint bridges. All the structures in the lake area borrow their architectural styles from neighboring areas. The tower of Mist and Rain (Yanyu Lou) is an exact replica of a similar structure at Nanlu Lake. Similarly the golden Hill Pavilion is like its namesake in Zenjiang. What is truly beautiful to behold are the temples that dot the hills to the north and east of the resort. They were built in the 18th century. They are built in what has come to be known in China as the Han, Mongolian and Tibetan styles.
Along with the resort these temples constitute one of the three major ancient architectural groups in China the other two being the Imperial Palace in Beijing and the Confucius Mansion etc in Qufu.
Of the Temples the most attractive is the Temple of Universal Tranquility (Puning Si). It is a Buddhist temple with the Mahayana Hall housing a carved wooden Buddha. This Buddha is about 25 meters high. It is said to be the biggest carved wooden Buddha in China. From outside, the temple is a bit deceptive as it looks as though it is made up on five-storeys.
There is another interesting temple built in the Tibetan style and patterned after the Potala Palace of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa. Perhaps this is why it is called the Little Potala. It is not so little though as it is the biggest of the eight temples. Its roof is adorned with gilded copper tiles. Guides will tell you that gold has gone into the gilding of each tile. Another temple built in the Tibetan style is the Temple of Sumeru Happiness and Longevity. This also has gilded tiles.
Chengde is cool and peaceful and makes for a lovely summer break. So enjoy the cool weather and your visit to the temples, reminders of China’s Imperial past.
For more information contact China National Tourism Administration, 9A Jianguomennei Ave., Beijing 100740, China, Tel: +86-10-65201114, Fax: +86-10-65122096, Email: webmaster@cnta.gov.cn and website: www.cnta.gov.cn
CHINA’S CHENGDE – A FORESTED MOUNTAIN RESORT
Chengde lies in a valley in northern Hebei Province about 163 km/100 miles from Beijing It is known in China as “Mountain Hamlet for Escaping the Heat” (Bishu Shanzhuang) as it was the hill resort of the former Imperial family. The area of the resort is about twice as big as Beijing’s Summer Palace. Emperor Kangxi (1662-1772) who belonged to the Qing dynasty had the resort built to escape the heat and he came here every summer. Here he and emperors after him would relax away from the heat. They would hold feasts for Mongolian nobles and chiefs from neighbouring Xinjiang and Tibet. Hunting and archery on horseback were favorite sports to while the time away. Even today Chengde attracts visitors for its pleasant climate.This resort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site has lakes, hills and plains, though the hills make up almost four fifths of the resort. They are covered with forests of pine and cypresses. If you go up to the snow Pavilion of South Hill (Nanshan Jixue Ting) you get a commanding view of the whole resort, lush and green and dotted with blue lakes. When the wind blows the sound of whispering pines is music to the ears.
There are only five lakes divided and separated by embankments. There are a number of small islands connected by quaint bridges. All the structures in the lake area borrow their architectural styles from neighboring areas. The tower of Mist and Rain (Yanyu Lou) is an exact replica of a similar structure at Nanlu Lake. Similarly the golden Hill Pavilion is like its namesake in Zenjiang. What is truly beautiful to behold are the temples that dot the hills to the north and east of the resort. They were built in the 18th century. They are built in what has come to be known in China as the Han, Mongolian and Tibetan styles.
Along with the resort these temples constitute one of the three major ancient architectural groups in China the other two being the Imperial Palace in Beijing and the Confucius Mansion etc in Qufu.
Of the Temples the most attractive is the Temple of Universal Tranquility (Puning Si). It is a Buddhist temple with the Mahayana Hall housing a carved wooden Buddha. This Buddha is about 25 meters high. It is said to be the biggest carved wooden Buddha in China. From outside, the temple is a bit deceptive as it looks as though it is made up on five-storeys.
There is another interesting temple built in the Tibetan style and patterned after the Potala Palace of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa. Perhaps this is why it is called the Little Potala. It is not so little though as it is the biggest of the eight temples. Its roof is adorned with gilded copper tiles. Guides will tell you that gold has gone into the gilding of each tile. Another temple built in the Tibetan style is the Temple of Sumeru Happiness and Longevity. This also has gilded tiles.
Chengde is cool and peaceful and makes for a lovely summer break. So enjoy the cool weather and your visit to the temples, reminders of China’s Imperial past.
For more information contact China National Tourism Administration, 9A Jianguomennei Ave., Beijing 100740, China, Tel: +86-10-65201114, Fax: +86-10-65122096, Email: webmaster@cnta.gov.cn and website: www.cnta.gov.cn
Friday, September 5, 2008
In-flight Manners!
Found an excellent write up on some suggestions on how to behave in-flight.
Everyone knows air travel is a lot less comfortable than it once was. The trick is how to learn to live with it. Here are Flores' suggestions:
Everyone knows air travel is a lot less comfortable than it once was. The trick is how to learn to live with it. Here are Flores' suggestions:
- Learn how to share armrest space. The airlines should have thought this through a little bit. Two armrests for three sets going across are simply not enough. Let's face it; even though people have the best of intentions, the natural inclination is to put your arm smack dab on the armrest. The whole armrest. I have gotten into elbow wars with people who think that because they got stuck in a middle seat, their consolation price should be the entire armrest. That almost earned one gentleman I traveled with my laptop as a headdress.
- Rearranging overhead space. Number one, the only person who should be touching other people's stuff in the overhead is the airline attendant. If I had wanted a stranger to go through my stuff, I would have invited TSA to do it during airport screening. Number two, since I put my stuff in the overhead bin, it's probably a really good assumption that I want it to stay there, and not four rows back and to the left when I am sitting to the right. I had a woman once who boarded in zone 6 and started to empty the overhead bin so she would fit one of her three bags. As she started to empty the bin she asked, "Does anyone mind if I move their stuff?" I said, "I do. Don't touch it and no one will get hurt." She just stood there horrified as I calmly put everything back and closed the bin. Early morning flights tend to make me cranky anyway.
- Go the bathroom before getting on the plane. Remember when you were a kid, and your Mom always asked if you had gone to the bathroom before the family vacation that entailed driving for an hour or two? The airlines need to hire a mother figure to ask the same question as people board. There is nothing more irritating then a person who pops up every half an hour to go to the bathroom.
- Intruding on airline seat space. Amazingly enough, the person in the seat next to you does not double as an armrest, leg rest or pillow. If you didn't pay for two seats, don't feel the need to try and take up two seats. I had a gentleman on a flight back from LGA, who insisted on not only leaning on my seat, but wedging his head in between the two seats so his head wouldn't roll forward. And I was in first class. The fact that the gentlemen was stuck in the 8o's (down to the gold chains and the shirt unbuttoned to show all the fluffy chest hair) didn't help the situation any. I ended up sitting with the flight attendants in one of the jump seats.
- Loud cell phone conversations. Incredibly, I don't particularly care that the bill you pitched on the floor of the House passed the margin. Really, I don't. Just as I don't care that you need to try and pick up milk and bread on your way home from the airport.
- If you can't lift it into the overhead bins, check it. It continuously amazes me that women (and unfortunately, most of the time it is women) come on a plane with the expectation that someone else is going to lift their bag into the overhead for them. One, if it's that heavy, it shouldn't go into the overhead bin anyway. Two, it's a really worn way to try and start a conversation with a man. And it really irritates the rest of us professional women as well. Sometimes I will jump up and put the bag in because I just can't stand the batting eyelashes and pouty mouth.
- Don't drink and fly. Trust me, you're not nearly as funny as you think. Just because you think you can handle those five Jack and cokes now, what makes you think you can actually drive a car once the plane has landed? I was traveling with a colleague who tried to get into the rental car to drive us to the hotel, but couldn't figure out where the ignition key went. Enough said.
- Space underneath the seat. The space you can utilize underneath the seat is in front of you, not behind you. And no, you cannot utilize both. Even if you ask nicely. If you have that much stuff, check it. Unless you piss an airline attendant off, your stuff should come out on the luggage track at your final destination, especially if you are all ready on the plane and airline personnel are carrying everything down to cargo as you watch.
- Kids and flights. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. I especially love well-behaved kids whose parents provide them with interesting diversions during a flight, so they don't pound on my laptop and cause me to lose data that I have been working on for the past hour. It doesn't even really bother me when the little ones cry during take off and landing, the pressure hurts their ears and sometimes the noises scare them. I don't even have kids and I know that, so I don't understand why parents seem so clueless. A little research before taking the kiddies on a flight can go a long way towards not antagonizing an entire plane.
- Now, all of this being said, I have run into some incredible people on flights. People who have turned my light off and covered me with a blanket when I fell asleep, to a gentleman who got me a cup of water when the beverage cart came by, thinking I would be thirsty when I woke up. I think if people thought of flying as an exercise in mutual cooperation, the whole experience would probably be on the whole much more positive.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
India Architecture and its splendors
If you are interested in India's various arts, cultures and architectures then you must surely visit http://www.indiavideo.org/. The web developers "Invis Multimedia" have joined forces with the New Delhi UNESCO office to come with some wonderful clips for public viewing pleasure.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Taste of India
Found an excellent picture which composes of all the various delicacies that you must try in the various states of India.
Click image for larger view
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hiroshima
JAPAN’S HIROSHIMA: THE CITY THAT ROSE FROM ASHES
Hiroshima Now a Modern Metropolis
Sixth August 1945 is etched in many minds, the date when Honshu’s largest city witnessed the devastating and horrific effects of the atom bomb. Today millions visit it to pay their respects. Hiroshima on the western end of the Inland Sea has been re-born as a vibrant, bigger and brighter city and is eloquent testimony to a “never say die” spirit of it’s people. The phoenix has risen from the ashes.
Take the street car to the A-Bomb Dome, a symbol of the destruction wreaked upon Hiroshima, a UNESCO world heritage site. The main structure with the dome has survived. At night the dome is lit up as a constant reminder of the horrific attack.
Nakajima, an earlier urban district was converted into the Peace Memorial Park in 1949. It is dotted with a number of memorials A spherical clock faces three directions and is perched on a 20 meter high twisted tower of iron pillars. At 8.15 a.m. (the time the bomb fell) every day the clock chimes “No more Hiroshimas”.
The eternal Flame was lit on 1 August 1964 and will continue to burn till, “the last nuclear weapon is destroyed from the world”. Just a little behind the Eternal Flame you see the Cenotaph, shaped like an arch with a stone chest in the centre. The arch bears the inscription “Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil”. The stone chest contains the names of all those who died because of the bombing. The Peace Memorial Museum is 2 huge buildings connected by a walkway. The East wing has displays on the after-effects of the atomic bomb, models of Hiroshima before and after, pictures, letters etc, even the letter that ordered the bombing. One display that speaks volumes is a wrist watch that stopped ticking at 8.15 a.m. The west wing has displays of a model of the bomb, the mushroom shaped cloud, burnt clothes, walls with glass splinters, bottles and boxes, twisted and melted, fused tiles-all poignant reminders of a horrible event. Large TVs screen films on the bombing and it’s aftermath. The corridor that leads to the exit is where you see a register of the names and photos of the victims. This Peace Memorial Museum wants to drive home the message of the horrors of the Bomb, “lest we forget”.
There is a positive side to Hiroshima as well. This is the power of life over destruction or nature’s way of renewing itself.
The children’s Peace Monument was inspired by Sadako, a 12 year old girl who died of leukemia, an after effect of the bomb. She started folding origami paper cranes hoping to get well. Paper cranes have since become a symbol of peace here and you will see countless colourful paper cranes scattered throughout the park.
Of course the visit does not do too much for your appetite. Even so Hiroshima is famous for its sea food. It is also the “jumping off” point for several islands the most famous being Miya-Jima (pic on left). This is where the famous Itsukushima Jinja is located. The view of its red “Tori” (gate) standing in the misty shallows in front of the shrine is one of Japans most celebrated icon.
For more information contact Japan National Tourism Organization, 10th Floor., Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Bldg., 2-10-1, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, Tel: +80-3-3201-3331, Fax: +80-3-3201-3347, website: http://www.jnto.go.jp
Hiroshima Now a Modern MetropolisSixth August 1945 is etched in many minds, the date when Honshu’s largest city witnessed the devastating and horrific effects of the atom bomb. Today millions visit it to pay their respects. Hiroshima on the western end of the Inland Sea has been re-born as a vibrant, bigger and brighter city and is eloquent testimony to a “never say die” spirit of it’s people. The phoenix has risen from the ashes.
Take the street car to the A-Bomb Dome, a symbol of the destruction wreaked upon Hiroshima, a UNESCO world heritage site. The main structure with the dome has survived. At night the dome is lit up as a constant reminder of the horrific attack.
Nakajima, an earlier urban district was converted into the Peace Memorial Park in 1949. It is dotted with a number of memorials A spherical clock faces three directions and is perched on a 20 meter high twisted tower of iron pillars. At 8.15 a.m. (the time the bomb fell) every day the clock chimes “No more Hiroshimas”.
The eternal Flame was lit on 1 August 1964 and will continue to burn till, “the last nuclear weapon is destroyed from the world”. Just a little behind the Eternal Flame you see the Cenotaph, shaped like an arch with a stone chest in the centre. The arch bears the inscription “Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil”. The stone chest contains the names of all those who died because of the bombing. The Peace Memorial Museum is 2 huge buildings connected by a walkway. The East wing has displays on the after-effects of the atomic bomb, models of Hiroshima before and after, pictures, letters etc, even the letter that ordered the bombing. One display that speaks volumes is a wrist watch that stopped ticking at 8.15 a.m. The west wing has displays of a model of the bomb, the mushroom shaped cloud, burnt clothes, walls with glass splinters, bottles and boxes, twisted and melted, fused tiles-all poignant reminders of a horrible event. Large TVs screen films on the bombing and it’s aftermath. The corridor that leads to the exit is where you see a register of the names and photos of the victims. This Peace Memorial Museum wants to drive home the message of the horrors of the Bomb, “lest we forget”.
There is a positive side to Hiroshima as well. This is the power of life over destruction or nature’s way of renewing itself.
The children’s Peace Monument was inspired by Sadako, a 12 year old girl who died of leukemia, an after effect of the bomb. She started folding origami paper cranes hoping to get well. Paper cranes have since become a symbol of peace here and you will see countless colourful paper cranes scattered throughout the park.
Of course the visit does not do too much for your appetite. Even so Hiroshima is famous for its sea food. It is also the “jumping off” point for several islands the most famous being Miya-Jima (pic on left). This is where the famous Itsukushima Jinja is located. The view of its red “Tori” (gate) standing in the misty shallows in front of the shrine is one of Japans most celebrated icon.For more information contact Japan National Tourism Organization, 10th Floor., Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Bldg., 2-10-1, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, Tel: +80-3-3201-3331, Fax: +80-3-3201-3347, website: http://www.jnto.go.jp
Friday, August 1, 2008
‘Visa on arrival’ scheme for 27 countries abolished
This is from today's The Star newspaper
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has abolished the “visa on arrival” scheme for 27 countries effective today.
A Wisma Putra official said the countries included India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan, with most of the other nations being from Africa.
He said the Home Ministry had issued a circular to this effect last week, following which Wisma Putra notified the missions concerned.
As such, the foreign citizens concerned would require a proper visa from the Malaysian mission in their respective countries to visit Malaysia. – Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has abolished the “visa on arrival” scheme for 27 countries effective today.
A Wisma Putra official said the countries included India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan, with most of the other nations being from Africa.
He said the Home Ministry had issued a circular to this effect last week, following which Wisma Putra notified the missions concerned.
As such, the foreign citizens concerned would require a proper visa from the Malaysian mission in their respective countries to visit Malaysia. – Bernama
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Air Asia's Zoom Promotion
AirAsia has launched a promotion called ZOOM which features special fares on domestic destinations in Malaysia. The RM9 fares are available one way from the Kuala Lumpur hub to exciting domestic destinations such as Alor Star, Johor Bahru, Kota Bahru, Langkawi, Penang, Terengganu and Kuantan. East Malaysian route, Labuan is also offered at RM9.
Other domestic routes offered under the ZOOM promotion, priced at RM29 one way, include Bintulu, Kuching, Miri and Sibu in Sarawak plus Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah.
AirAsia’s Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, “The launch of our ZOOM promotion is a mark of support to the Tourism Ministry’s effort to promote domestic tourism, enabling travelers to explore the diverse attractions of Malaysia. The country has a lot of unexplored places which are as beautiful and exciting as foreign offerings, thus the ZOOM! promotion period is the best time for all to fly and explore the exciting places we have to offer”
The ZOOM Malaysia campaign was initiated by Tourism Malaysia to encourage more growth in domestic tourism and to motivate Malaysians to plan their holidays within Malaysia and discover the many exciting places in the country and appreciate its beauty and uniqueness. The campaign is also aimed to bolster the relationship between private and public sectors, to jointly promote domestic tourism products, attractions and events.
Minister of Tourism YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said explained, “ZOOM Malaysia is a continuous tourism campaign initiated by Tourism Malaysia, to make local holiday destinations the preferred choice among Malaysians. It is an effort to encourage local and also foreign travelers to explore, experience and enjoy the true beauty of Malaysia which boasts endless natural splendor, heritage and traditions”
“We are pleased with AirAsia’s support in promoting local destinations in its ZOOM promotion, as it helps the Ministry to realize its aspirations in promoting our domestic destinations and encourage domestic travel. With its affordable fares, more travelers may achieve their dreams to travel more frequently and experience the wonders of Malaysia,” added Dato’ Sri Azalina.
The promotional fares are available until 5 August 2008 for travel between 1 September and 13 November 2008.
Info extracted from AsiaTravelTips
Other domestic routes offered under the ZOOM promotion, priced at RM29 one way, include Bintulu, Kuching, Miri and Sibu in Sarawak plus Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah.
AirAsia’s Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, “The launch of our ZOOM promotion is a mark of support to the Tourism Ministry’s effort to promote domestic tourism, enabling travelers to explore the diverse attractions of Malaysia. The country has a lot of unexplored places which are as beautiful and exciting as foreign offerings, thus the ZOOM! promotion period is the best time for all to fly and explore the exciting places we have to offer”
The ZOOM Malaysia campaign was initiated by Tourism Malaysia to encourage more growth in domestic tourism and to motivate Malaysians to plan their holidays within Malaysia and discover the many exciting places in the country and appreciate its beauty and uniqueness. The campaign is also aimed to bolster the relationship between private and public sectors, to jointly promote domestic tourism products, attractions and events.
Minister of Tourism YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said explained, “ZOOM Malaysia is a continuous tourism campaign initiated by Tourism Malaysia, to make local holiday destinations the preferred choice among Malaysians. It is an effort to encourage local and also foreign travelers to explore, experience and enjoy the true beauty of Malaysia which boasts endless natural splendor, heritage and traditions”
“We are pleased with AirAsia’s support in promoting local destinations in its ZOOM promotion, as it helps the Ministry to realize its aspirations in promoting our domestic destinations and encourage domestic travel. With its affordable fares, more travelers may achieve their dreams to travel more frequently and experience the wonders of Malaysia,” added Dato’ Sri Azalina.
The promotional fares are available until 5 August 2008 for travel between 1 September and 13 November 2008.
Info extracted from AsiaTravelTips
Monday, July 28, 2008
Great News For Skywards Members
Skywards Members Earn Double Miles July Through October
DUBAI, 18th July, 2008 -During the months of July, August, September and October 2008, members of Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of Emirates, can earn double Miles on more than 100 flights across the network. All Skywards members who registers and flies Emirates in First, Business and Econo
my Class on select flights are eligible for the double Miles bonus. The offer is applicable to over 60 popular cities such as Munich, Sao Paulo, Doha and Mumbai. This exciting promotion allows new and existing members to earn Double bonus Miles on eligible flights, even if just part of their overall itinerary. For instance, a member flying from London to Sydney in Business Class still earns Double Miles for an eligible London-Dubai sector. There is no limit to the number of Miles that can be earned, with every eligible flight earning members the bonus and allowing them to reach their desired rewards even faster. Skywards total Miles earned offer immediate flight or upgrade rewards on Emirates, or a host of other exciting rewards including inspirational shopping at The Emirates High Street.
Members can then book their flights on http://www.emirates.com/ , by calling their local Skywards service centre, via Emirates reservations or by contacting their local travel agent. The Skywards Global Double Bonus Miles Offer represents an exceptionalopportunity to experience a world of exclusive rewards both for Emiratesflights and beyond the travel experience.
DUBAI, 18th July, 2008 -During the months of July, August, September and October 2008, members of Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of Emirates, can earn double Miles on more than 100 flights across the network. All Skywards members who registers and flies Emirates in First, Business and Econo
my Class on select flights are eligible for the double Miles bonus. The offer is applicable to over 60 popular cities such as Munich, Sao Paulo, Doha and Mumbai. This exciting promotion allows new and existing members to earn Double bonus Miles on eligible flights, even if just part of their overall itinerary. For instance, a member flying from London to Sydney in Business Class still earns Double Miles for an eligible London-Dubai sector. There is no limit to the number of Miles that can be earned, with every eligible flight earning members the bonus and allowing them to reach their desired rewards even faster. Skywards total Miles earned offer immediate flight or upgrade rewards on Emirates, or a host of other exciting rewards including inspirational shopping at The Emirates High Street. Members can then book their flights on http://www.emirates.com/ , by calling their local Skywards service centre, via Emirates reservations or by contacting their local travel agent. The Skywards Global Double Bonus Miles Offer represents an exceptionalopportunity to experience a world of exclusive rewards both for Emiratesflights and beyond the travel experience.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam
Mooncake Festivals this coming Sept in Vietnam
Tet Trung Thu is a harvest festival much like other harvest festivals celebrated throughout Asia. It is held in the eighth lunar month and honors the Moon, which is at its brightest at this time of the year. However, Vietnam's festival differs in that it specifically celebrates children as well as the land's bounty.
The festival can be likened to a combination of Thanksgiving and Halloween, a time when families spend time with each other and for children to be doted on. Parents especially take time to make mooncakes, moon masks, and lanterns with their children. This is an event that children look forward to all year as they anxiously prepare for lantern contests or parades; gathering noisemakers and small drums, adding final touches to a precious lantern. In recent times, Vietnamese children have also been given gifts and lanterns in an effort to save time. However, traditionally, the emphasis was more towards spending quality and creative time with children and not cutting corners.
But before the festival begins, there's a mad rush for delicious mooncakes. What exactly are mooncakes? Think along the lines of a stuffed cookie, only made once a year so that Asian children and adults alike crave them all year long, much like Americans longing for Girl Scout cookies. They are comparable to the weight and size of a hockey puck, although obviously much more appealing when aimed for the mouth.
In Vietnam they are called banh tet trung thu, or literally, Mid-Autumn Festival cakes. The outer dough is a thin pastry, rolled flat and smoothed around a ball of filling, usually lotus nut paste or mixed nuts. Traditionally the filling also includes a small yolk which represents the moon. Once the outer shell covers the filling, the baker places it into a round mold, flattens it so that the design is imprinted, and whacks it out with a loud bang! Then, they finished the mooncakes with an eggwash glaze and carefully placed in an oven. As they bake, the rich aroma floats throughout the neighborhood and children eagerly wait for the adults to buy the expensive goodies.
Often the mooncakes are gifts from families, friends, and colleagues. Each cake is treasured and very rich tasting, often cut into small portions to savor with family and friends over cups of lotus tea. Other round foods are also served, such as grapefruit, pomegranates, apples, and grapes. Vietnamese families would then enjoy the snacks while watching the celebration and admiring the beautiful, luminous moon. And more importantly, surrounded by their children.
There are many legends associated with the Tet Trung Thu, including the story of the Moon Lady or Trang Yi, and the story of the carp who wanted to become a dragon or Cá hóa Rông.
By Linh Song, Exec. Dir. of Mam Non Organization
For more information about the various events at Vietnam visit
http://www.mamnon.org/
Tet Trung Thu is a harvest festival much like other harvest festivals celebrated throughout Asia. It is held in the eighth lunar month and honors the Moon, which is at its brightest at this time of the year. However, Vietnam's festival differs in that it specifically celebrates children as well as the land's bounty.
The festival can be likened to a combination of Thanksgiving and Halloween, a time when families spend time with each other and for children to be doted on. Parents especially take time to make mooncakes, moon masks, and lanterns with their children. This is an event that children look forward to all year as they anxiously prepare for lantern contests or parades; gathering noisemakers and small drums, adding final touches to a precious lantern. In recent times, Vietnamese children have also been given gifts and lanterns in an effort to save time. However, traditionally, the emphasis was more towards spending quality and creative time with children and not cutting corners.
But before the festival begins, there's a mad rush for delicious mooncakes. What exactly are mooncakes? Think along the lines of a stuffed cookie, only made once a year so that Asian children and adults alike crave them all year long, much like Americans longing for Girl Scout cookies. They are comparable to the weight and size of a hockey puck, although obviously much more appealing when aimed for the mouth.
In Vietnam they are called banh tet trung thu, or literally, Mid-Autumn Festival cakes. The outer dough is a thin pastry, rolled flat and smoothed around a ball of filling, usually lotus nut paste or mixed nuts. Traditionally the filling also includes a small yolk which represents the moon. Once the outer shell covers the filling, the baker places it into a round mold, flattens it so that the design is imprinted, and whacks it out with a loud bang! Then, they finished the mooncakes with an eggwash glaze and carefully placed in an oven. As they bake, the rich aroma floats throughout the neighborhood and children eagerly wait for the adults to buy the expensive goodies.
Often the mooncakes are gifts from families, friends, and colleagues. Each cake is treasured and very rich tasting, often cut into small portions to savor with family and friends over cups of lotus tea. Other round foods are also served, such as grapefruit, pomegranates, apples, and grapes. Vietnamese families would then enjoy the snacks while watching the celebration and admiring the beautiful, luminous moon. And more importantly, surrounded by their children.
There are many legends associated with the Tet Trung Thu, including the story of the Moon Lady or Trang Yi, and the story of the carp who wanted to become a dragon or Cá hóa Rông.
By Linh Song, Exec. Dir. of Mam Non Organization
For more information about the various events at Vietnam visit
http://www.mamnon.org/
Monday, July 21, 2008
Looking for Places to Eat?
If you like food and want some suggestions on where and what to eat, why dont you check out this site. Mind you its on BETA stage so you might encounter some hiccups here and there on the website. The site has some recipes for anyone who would like to try their hands in cooking. Enjoy!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
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