Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya is the top attraction in Southeast Asia with the biggest year-on-year increase in interest within the region at 74 per cent. Two other Thai attractions – Chatuchak Weekend Market and Jim Thompson House – also made the top 10 list.

“The TripAdvisor Attractions Trend Index surfaces the top sites and attractions across Southeast Asia that are gaining in popularity with our travel community in the region,” said Janice Lee Fang, communications director for TripAdvisor, Asia Pacific. “Travellers heading for their next trip within the region should make use of the index to inspire their search for tours, attractions and other great experiences that can help them see and learn more of the places they visit this year end.”

The Attractions Trend Index rankings were determined based on the per-cent increase in search sessions from Southeast Asia users on TripAdvisor desktop and mobile between 2016 and 2017 for the period of September 1 to October 7.

Attractions in Southeast Asia were required to have at least 5,000 sessions in 2016 and at least four out of five bubbles on TripAdvisor to qualify. Southeast Asia includes the following markets; Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

The top 10 Trending Attractions in South East Asia are:

TripAdvisor traveller photo

1: Ramayana Water Park – Pattaya, Thailand

Ranked as Asia’s 3rd best water park on this year’s Travellers’ Choice awards by TripAdvisor, Ramayana Water Park features 21 water rides including Thailand’s longest lazy river. The TripAdvisor community loves it for its “scenic location” and recommends taking time to visit the surrounding area of Silverlake. Get a full-day pass, including rentals of tubes, life-jackets and sunbeds from about Bt1,190.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

2: Campuhan Ridge Walk – Ubud, Indonesia

Campuhan Ridge Walk is located minutes away from Ubud’s city centre and offers an easy walking route with stunning views of rice fields. TripAdvisor users recommend heading there at 6am to enjoy “the serenity, fresh air and sunrise views”. Stroll through Campuhan Ridge Walk and other Ubud’s iconic rice terraces like Tegalalang in a six-hour guided tour, including hotel transfer, from about Bt1,650.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

3: Borobudur Temple – Borobudur, Indonesia

Named as the No 1 landmark in Indonesia according to the 2017 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards, Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple that spans three tiers and 72 stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. Get a jump on the entrance queue and take the Borobodur sunrise money-shots before everyone else with a private tour from about Bt3,500.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

4: Ubud Kajeng Rice Fields Walk – Ubud, Indonesia

The Ubud Kajeng trail is deemed to be one of the “more scenic” and “less touristy” walking paths in Ubud with plenty of food options along the way. Approximately 4km long, reviewers recommend starting from Jalan Kajeng and heading north as this route starts with a small incline at the beginning and is mostly downhill towards the end.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

5: Lake Symphony – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lake Symphony is a popular attraction within the 50-acre KLCC park, with water fountains that reach up to a height of 82 metres. Be sure to catch the “beautiful” and “fantastic” light and sound fountain show that goes on daily at 8pm, 9pm and 9.45pm.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

6: Jatiluwih Green Land – Tabanan, Indonesia

Jatiluwih Green Land is an expansive area of rolling hills and rice terraces that has also been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Learn about local agricultural traditions and the cultural practices of Jatiluwih with a local guide on an 8.5-hour hiking experience of the Jatiluwih rice fields starting from about Bt1,380.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

7: Tirta Gangga – Karangasem, Bali

Tirta Gangga is a water palace built by the late King of Karengasem, comprising tiered fountains, gardens and wading pools. TripAdvisor users recommend bringing along your swimwear to cool off in its fresh water pool. Travellers wishing to learn more of Bali’s Karangasem kingdom can take part in an eight-hour guided visit to Tirta Gangga and other shrines and historic sites, starting from about Bt2,000.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

8: Vinpearl Land Amusement Park – Nha Trang, Vietnam

Spread across an area of approximately 200,000m2, Vinpearl Land Amusement Park features water slides, an alpine coaster, amusement rides, shopping streets and food villages. TripAdvisor users recommend taking the world’s largest over-sea cable car at 3,320 meters in length, from Vinpearl Land Pier to the park.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

9: Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok, Thailand

As one of the world’s largest weekend markets, Chatuchak is a “must-visit” with everything under one roof – including art, clothes, leather goods, pottery, antiques, souvenirs, and local food spread over 15,000 booths. Located five minutes away from Mo Chit BTS station, reviewers say it is best to get there early to avoid the midday heat and afternoon crowds.

TripAdvisor traveller photo

10: Jim Thompson House – Bangkok, Thailand

Home of entrepreneur James HW Thompson, the Jim Thompson House consists of a complex of six traditional teakwood Thai-style houses. Travellers heading here can learn the story about the American businessman who made it his life’s work to bring Thai silks to the world and view his collection of antiques, silk and pottery through a four-hour guided tour at about Bt1,500.

A bustling port city that sits on the Pearl River, Guangzhou is well known for its culture, history – it dates back more than 2,000 years – and its stunning modern skyscrapers. It’s a paradise for gourmets too, an attraction I remember well from an earlier visit.

This time, I am travelling as a guest of Thai Smile Airways, which flies me to Phuket so I can catch its newest Airbus A320-200 flight from the Southern resort to Guangzhou.

“Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong and the largest city in the southern part of the People’s Republic of China, where three special economic zones, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou, are located. It has a long history and is also very modern and offers plenty in the way of nature, art and culture. We believe that the opening of this route will greatly enhance tourism and business between the two countries,” said Chatchai Panyoo, acting chief executive officer of Thai Smile Airways.

“Thai Smile Airways continues to pursue a strategy to support its target of top-level customers who need the comforts provided by a full-service airline. We are ready to serve Chinese travellers with our ‘Thai Taste Experience’, which offers delicious Thai food, a warm welcome from our Chinese-speaking staff and a shopping paradise at their destination.”

We arrive on a pleasantly cool morning in November, one of best three months to visit, according to the tourist guides.

The Chinese have a saying about this Southern region – “born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, and die in Liuzhou” and indeed they are not far wrong. Suzhou is reputed to have the most beautiful people in China. Hangzhou is known for its prosperity and the beauty of its location. Guangzhou’s Cantonese cuisine is famous worldwide, and Liuzhou was known for its coffins.

We follow the advice and breakfast at Dian Dou De, a popular traditional restaurant that specialises in all-day Cantonese dim sum, as well as congee, shrimp dumplings, roast pork loin bun, rice noodle rolls with prawn, and coconut mango sandwich cake.

From there we head to Yuexiu Park, where a Thai-speaking Chinese guide tells us a little about the history of Guangzhou and explains that two of its three given names, Yangcheng (City of the Goat) and Suicheng (City of the Rice), were taken from a folk tale related to the Statue of Five Goats in the park. The statue, she says, remembers the five celestial beings who travelled down from heaven on five goats, each carrying an ear of grain, in response to the prayers of the Guangzhou populace when their crops failed.

As we watch a group of middle-aged Chinese women dancing to the tunes of popular Chinese songs, the guide adds that the city’s third nickname is Huacheng (City of the Flower), from which Huacheng Square got its name. The largest square in Guangzhou, it hosts the annual Guangzhou International Light Festival, one of the world’s top lighting spectaculars.

Back on the road, we are passed by Chinese urbanites of all ages riding bicycles in different colours. Bike-sharing, it seems, has caught on in a big way here, with Mobike, Ofo bicycle, Blue go go and Xiao Ming bike among the companies offering two wheels for one yuan (Bt5) per hour with a very reasonable deposit of 299 yuan. Competition is so fierce that promotions are constant and include free rides for a full day.

Public transport is provided by electric buses in Guangzhou, part of China’s plan to replace all petrol and diesel buses with electric vehicles by 2020. This will be particularly important for Beijing where pollution and severe traffic congestion has forced the authorities to bans cars with plates ending in different numbers each working. Thailand would do well to copy the initiative, as well as the rule that all passengers must belt up on public buses or risk being fined 200 yuan.

Over the course of our three-day trip, we explore many of Guangzhou’s famous spots including Lianhua Shan (Lotus Hill), Bao Mo Yuan (Bao Mo Garden), Baiyun Shan (White Cloud Mountain), Liurong Si (Temple of Six Banyan Trees) and Canton Tower.

Lianhua Shan and Baiyun Shan are the most-visited tourist attractions but time constraints mean we only get to spend a short time at both. At Lotus Hill, we admire the beauty of the Goddess of Mercy statue, at 40-metres-high, the highest in Guangdong but miss the Swallow Grotto (Yan Zi Yan), Eagle Cliff (Fei Ying Ya) and Lion Stone (Shi Zi Shi). Legend has it that a dragon created tidal waves to sink ships and flood the farmlands near the Pearl River. The ordeal of the local people moved the Goddess of Mercy and she threw her lotus seat at the dragon, overpowering it. People believe that the lotus later transformed into the Lotus Stone, thus giving the hill its name.

Baiyun Shan is one of the most famous spots of natural beauty in Guangzhou and serves as the city’s lungs, offering a much-needed respite from the choking pollution. Baiyun Shan has six areas such as the Bright Pearl Building Park, the San tailing Summit Park, the Bird Spring Valley Park, the Santailing Park, the Luhu Park and the Fei’eling Park as well as other animal parks. We have just one hour to look around, so miss out on scaling the stairs to the Moxing Summit.

We do however get to spend a little longer at Bao Mo Garden, a large complex a few kilometres away from the city centre, which encompasses Qing culture, traditional Cantonese architecture and garden arts. It’s home to the Purple Ribbon Bridge, a traditional 9-arch stone bridge carved with famous Chinese stories like “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties” and Zhiben Hall, which offers an exhibition of Lord Bao in “The Case of Executing Chen Shimei.” In fact, Lord Bao was based in Kaifeng, though he did worked here for two years.

We tour the exhibition rooms, one of which is devoted to the works of master painter Zhang Daquian, part of the collection of Zhao Tailai, then admire ancient Chinese jade carving before joining a group of giggling school-children who are starting fascinated at millions of carp chasing each other in the water.

The Canton Tower is another must-see landmark in Guangzhou. The highest TV tower in China and the third highest in the world, it offers a bird’s-eye view of the whole city.

Later in the day we are taken to enjoy a performance of the Chimelong International Circus and admire the lights of the city from a Pearl River cruise.

And of course we also go shopping at popular pedestrian hangouts Shangxiajia Lu and Beijing Lu. The latter is fascinating as it boasts two underground archaeological sites under glass revealing the remains of streets from three different dynasties – Song, Yuan and Ming.

Our guide has a word of caution for us and tells us to beware of counterfeit banknotes and getting confused between 5 yuan and 5 mao. “A tourist paid 100 yuan for fruit priced 5 yuan, but she received 95 mao instead of 95 yuan as change,” he tells us.

IF YOU GO

– Thai Smile Airways has four flights a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Phuket to Guangzhou.

– Flight WE 696 leaves Phuket at 11.05pm and arrives at 4am, while the return flight WE 697 departs Guangzhou at 5.15am and arrives in Phuket at 7.55am.

Following major renovations, The Tasman Hobart will reside in repurposed heritage buildings in Parliament Square, a newly design-led, urban development that is set to revitalise the neighbourhood, uniting the city’s unique past with its contemporary culture.

Owned by Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty, the hotel will provide 128 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and suites with carefully restored features, including original windows, floor boards and fireplaces. The corridors will showcase exclusive pieces from local artists, while an upscale restaurant, lobby lounge, and whisky bar will offer a variety of dining experiences that reflect the spirit of the destination.

“Australia is an extremely desirable destination for The Luxury Collection, and The Tasman is sure to become the place for global explorers to stay while visiting Tasmania,” said Mitzi Gaskins, global brand leader, The Luxury Collection and JW Marriott.

“Bringing The Luxury Collection to Australia marks a significant milestone for the brand, further cementing our leadership position in global hospitality, while providing our guests with a captivating destination to experience what is truly indigenous to Tasmania.”

Designed by Sydney-based firm JPDC, the Georgian and Art Deco architectural style will be maintained to embody The Luxury Collection’s indigenous, rare, and experiential standards of luxury. The relaxed harbour-side location is highlighted with paired back interiors in local, natural materials, such as recycled timber from the original buildings.

This hotel will take up residence in an assortment of heritage buildings, including the Georgianstyle

St Mary’s Hospital, originally constructed in 1847, is one of those sites. Prominently positioned in Parliament Square, The Tasman will be located directly behind Hobart’s historic Parliament House, near local institutions including Salamanca Market and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

Upon its completion in 2018, Parliament Square will include a seamless integration of generous outdoor space, distinct heritage buildings and meticulously designed contemporary architecture, providing government office, retail and food and beverage space.

“Our intention is to partner with a brand that appreciates and embraces Tasmania’s natural beauty, history and heritage. We chose to work with Marriott International to bring The Luxury Collection to Tasmania as part of this exciting new development,” said Alan Schwartz, managing director, Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty. “We also share the brand’s passion for design, indigenous experiences and refined luxury, and are committed to working with the best talent and experts in the industry to bring this project to its full potential.”

RECOGNISING THE potential for border trade along the Mekong River, sharp-eyed Chinese entrepreneurs have flooded into Laos in recent years pouring billions into mega infrastructure projects as well as luxury hotels and shopping malls. Fortunately, though, they have left the ancient royal capital of Luang Prabang relatively untouched and the town has succeeded in retaining its glorious cultural heritage.

Sitting at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, Luang Prabang has long been a popular holiday destination. Tourists from all over the world come here to drink in the French colonial architecture and enjoy a slower pace of life.

It’s a short hop by air from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang and an hour after taking off, we arrive in the Unesco heritage town just in time to admire the romantic sunset from the top of Mount Phousi.

Mount Phousi is the best vantage point to look out over the spectacular panorama of Luang Prabang. 

Although a mere 100 metres above sea level, climbing the 355 steps along a narrow stairway is hard going, especially as we have local young joggers and foreign tourists snapping at our heels.

We take the easy way out and stop halfway up at Wat Tham Phousi, a small cave temple housing several Buddha images in different postures, enshrined in both the interior hall and on open patios along the sides. Practicality meets spirituality with a drinks stall providing some much-needed refreshment.

On top of the hill is a narrow platform with a small Buddhist pagoda and a seven-tiered parasol called That Chomsi that was constructed in 1804 during the reign of King Anourouth. And when the sky is clear, visitors are rewarded with a beautiful sunset and spectacular panoramic views of Luang Prabang surrounded by lush forests and the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.

Going down is a littler easier and we are soon in the midst of the much-loved night market at the foot of Phousi Hill, which spreads from Wat Mai all along Sisavangvong Road.

Hundreds of local and Hmong vendors offer a wide range of handicrafts and souvenirs at the night market, situated at the foot of Phousi Hill. 

Every night from 5 to 10pm, hundreds of hilltribe and lowland vendors set up shop with an eye-catching collection of Hmong-style costumes, handicrafts and souvenirs, ranging from indigo-dyed woven scarves, Laotian-style hand-embroidered skirts, embroidered bags and bedspreads, pop-up postcards, paintings and local herbal spirits.

Hungry shoppers can walk to the end of the market, where a cluster of old Colonial-style shophouses have been transformed into restaurants, bars, cafes and boutique hotels, serving a variety of local and international delicacies, sweets and drinks.

The next day starts early for us and at 5.30 we join the daily ritual of alms-giving to 100 saffron-clad monks. Local residents wait in front of their houses or the monasteries, the women clad in the local sin (sarong) with a scarf across their left shoulder.

Unlike in Thailand, pilgrims are allowed to sit on a mat or stool and use their hands to scoop up balls of sticky rice one by one. Tradition has it that only sticky rice is offered rather than steamed rice along with some ready-to-eat dishes.

Residents wait in front of a temple and their houses every morning to offer sticky rice to saffronclad monks.

A short walk from Wat Mai, we reach a narrow alley off Sisavangvong Road that is home to Luang Prabang’s biggest morning market. Here too hundreds of local vendors are selling fresh organic vegetables, herbs and meat. We stop to admire, though not buy, the orange crabs, still-croaking frogs, beehives oozing honey, river weed and insects before stopping for a hearty breakfast of curry infused with pla ra (fermented fish sauce), Lao sausage, spicy fried chicken in red curry, kanom krok (Lao coconut pudding) and grilled sticky rice.

Ting Cave is home to 2,500 Buddha images.

Appetites sated, we board a ferry to the famous Pak Ou Caves that sit at the confluence of the Mekong and Ou rivers. Our cruise takes one hour and 45 minutes and offers an amazing view of lush mountains, temples and fishing villages as well as parts of the high-speed railway from China to the Mekong River, which is expected to be complete in 2021.

The two natural grottoes – Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) – have been considered sacred since King Setthathirath, who moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane 450 years ago, enshrined the first carved wood Buddha images there in the 16th century.

Believing that 15 Nagas lived in the estuary to protect the kingdom, the king would visit this cave during the Lao New Year to wash the Buddha images. Today, the caves are home to a small gilded pagoda and 2,500 Buddha images, most of them donated by local residents.

Wat Xieng Thong is a fine example of traditional architecture.

We climb the 250 steps to the upper cave, where we are greeted by a pair of stone lions standing guard over the entrance. Using our phones as torches, we go deep into the dark tunnel and soon discover a host of gold Buddha images in different postures and sizes and walls covered with faded gold murals.

Back in town later that day, we visit Wat Xieng Thong. Built on the bank of the Mekong River by King Setthathirath in 1560, it is known for its beautiful sim (ubosot), home to a reclining Buddha.

Inside, the walls are adorned with elaborate gold murals on a background of black and red lacquer depicting the heavens where the Lord Buddha and deities live and hell, where sinners are receiving punishments. There are also some familiar scenes from the Jakata tales and motifs of flowers and animals on view.

The temple is also home to a Chariot Hall built in 1962 to contain the funeral carriage of King Sisavang Vong who died in 1959. It features eye-catching carved and gilded teak wood panels capturing scenes from the Phra Lak Phra Lam, the Lao version of the Ramayana epic.

Wat Xieng Thong is a fine example of traditional architecture.

Another must-visit attraction is the Royal Palace Museum. Built in 1904 after the sacking of the city by the Black Flag Army, the complex served as the residence of King Sisavang Vong and the royal family. In 1975, the Laos monarchy came to an end and one year later the palace was converted into the National Museum.

Home to a rare collection of artefacts and historical documents, the compound features the King’s reception room decorated with paintings of daily life in Luang Prabang in the 1930s and the main reception hall boasting the throne of King Sisavang Vatthana . The private zone comprises two French-style bedrooms, a living room and dining space decorated with original furniture and precious souvenirs from several countries, including stationery with gold stencils on black lacquer from China and ceramic vases from Japan.

The Palace complex also houses Hor Prabang (Prabang Temple) built in 1969 by King Sisavang Vatthana. It shelters a sacred Prabang Buddha image, cast in Sri Lanka, a gift from King Fa Ngum of the Khmer Kingdom.

The writer travelled courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand as part of its Asean Connectivity campaign to promote travel between Myanmar, Thailand and Laos

The relay, which is organised in collaboration with the DRIVE Group and the Moroccan Intelligence and Public Affairs Institute (MIPAI), travels through six countries – Morocco, Spain, France, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany – and finishes in Bonn on Monday (November 6) that coincides with the opening of COP 23, an annual United Nations climate change conference, running from Monday to November 17.

The relay demonstrates how it is now possible to travel long distances in electric vehicles, encouraging people around the world to change the way they travel and drive to preserve the environment. Among the properties playing as a key location are the Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech and Movenpick Hotel Frankfurt City, which will stage a spectacular gala dinner to officially close the relay on Monday night.

At each stage of the eco-friendly expedition, the Tesla car drivers and their support teams are being hosted by local hotels including Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech and Movenpick Hotel & Casino Malabata Tanger (Tangiers) in Morocco, Movenpick Hotel & Casino Geneva in Switzerland and Movenpick Hotel Frankfurt City in Germany.

“With this high-profile relay making several pit-stops, many in locations where Movenpick operates properties, it provides the ideal opportunity to reach out to multiple audiences, raising awareness about the importance of preserving the environment for generations to come,” said Olivier Chavy, president & CEO, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“By supporting this internationally-significant event, Movenpick hopes to play a key role in changing mindsets about sustainable mobility, inspiring positive changes for the future, a goal that is central to our corporate values and green practices.”

Find out more at http://www.Movenpick.com.

Taking place in a different city each year, the conference provides a forum for members and delegates to discuss and share current museological and curatorial concerns. This year’s theme is “The Roles and Responsibilities of Museums in Civil Society” and the aim is to evaluate and examine afresh the roles of museums and their public functions, reflecting on how museums can continue to be effective forums in society where different communities can share and debate differences through non-violent means.

Speakers will address the three sub-themes, namely: “Art and the City: From Local to Transnational?”, “Re-Learning Southeast Asia” and “What do Museums Collect, and How?”. Delegates will be able to encounter different perspectives and debate through facilitated small-group conversations on topics extending from the conference theme and of urgent relevance to the field: museum governance, collections and censorship.

“The theme of this year’s conference is particularly timely in this global climate of upheavals and uncertainty. If building a more inclusive society that embraces diversity and change requires dialogue and understanding, how museums and art can bridge gaps and bring people and perspectives together must be acknowledged and better understood,” said Dr Eugene Tan, director of the National Gallery Singapore.

Among the speakers are Nikos Papastergiadis from the University of Melbourne, Patrick D Flores from the University of the Philippines, Donna De Salvo from the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, and Gridthiya Gaweewong from the Jim Thompson Art Centre, Bangkok.

For more information, visit http://www.Cimam.org.

Changi Airport’s newest terminal – T4 – started its first day of operations early Tuesday (Oct 31) morning, marking a critical milestone in Singapore’s aviation history.

Airport operations went off without a hitch, with passengers for the first flight out to Hong Kong streaming in as early as 4am to the departure hall to use the self-check-in facilities. Airport staff were on hand to guide them through the process.

The first arriving and departing flights at T4 were operated by Cathay Pacific – CX659 from Hong Kong arrived at 5.40am and CX650 departed Singapore for Hong Kong at 6.50am.

Nurse Minee Moh, 29, was at the airport around 5am to check in for her flight to Hong Kong for a five-day holiday.

“The check-in and baggage-drop experience was very good and very smooth. Other airports and T1 have the self-check-in system. It saves time, and I’m very honoured to be on the first flight out,” she said.

Mr C. S. Tan, an IT professional in his 40s, and his family, who were heading to Hong Kong for a week-long holiday, were impressed by the airport facilities and self-check-in services.

“Everything is automated and very intuitive. We didn’t know we were the first passengers, but it’s nice,” said Mr Tan.

His wife, Madam Angela Tan, also an IT professional in her 40s, said of the immigration clearance and security systems: “It’s definitely higher security, but it wasn’t a hassle. The full-body scanning machines are quite cool, like you’re in a Mission Impossible movie.”

Meanwhile, passengers arriving from Hong Kong on CX659 were greeted at the arrival gate by airport staff with orchids and goodie bags. At the baggage collection area, they were entertained by an instrumental quartet, and also treated to coffee and breakfast.

Passengers said the arrival hall was spacious, adding that the walk from the arrival gate to immigration was fuss-free, with clear signage.

Mr Zhao Chuan Xin, 65, who is from Henan, China, said: “At other airport terminals, we have to walk around to find our way. But at T4, it’s a simple and direct walk from the airplane to arrivals. I’m very pleased.”

Ms Tan Yu Ling, 27, a Singaporean who was returning from a vacation in Hong Kong, said: “The new terminal feels very spacious. The automated immigration clearance system also looks very high-tech and futuristic.”

Mr Mohamad Hossenbux, 51, a managing director of an aerospace company, also said: “The ergonomics, in terms of the lighting and decor, is very subtle and pleasing.” Added Mr Hossenbux, who is from Canada: “After a long trip, it feels relaxing and peaceful.”

Speaking to reporters soon after the first flight took off, managing director of airport operations management Jayson Goh said he was happy with the overall smooth operations and passengers’ satisfaction with the new systems and amenities.

“(Besides the new automated system), engaging the passengers, creating new experiences and new options for them to have a memorable experience at Changi will remain a key area we focus on to strengthen the competitiveness of Changi Airport.”

When asked about some feedback from passengers who faced difficulties with the automated bag-drop system, Mr Goh said in Mandarin: “For the new facilities, we will have staff to help teach the passengers how to use them. In the meantime, we will be sending more staff to each check-in counter; there are currently about six to eight staff at each counter.”

T4 is the newest terminal for Changi in 10 years after Terminal 3 was opened in 2007.

The new terminal features new technologies, systems and procedures, such as a facial recognition system that will capture a passenger’s photo at different stations, centralised security screening, as well as start-to-end self-service options for check-in.

To ensure that the high-tech systems were up to speed to handle passengers, a total of 150 trials involving 10,000 volunteers and airport staff to test different systems and processes were carried out before the terminal’s opening.

Cathay Pacific and Korean Air are the first airlines to operate out of T4. The remaining airlines, including Cebu Pacific, Spring Airlines, the AirAsia group and Vietnam Airlines, will progressively move over a week.

With T4, Changi Airport will be able to handle up to 16 million passengers a year, increasing its overall annual capacity to 82 million passengers.

This will provide the necessary capacity until the next major injection comes in about 10 to 12 years through the opening of Terminal 5.

In the first half of this year, Changi handled 5.7 per cent more passengers at 30.4 million, boosted by growth to and from South-east Asia, North-east Asia and South Asia.

The airport will add a third runway around 2020, while T5 – due to open some time in the late 2020s – will enable the airport to handle another 50 million passengers.

Veteran gourmet guide praises unusual, fish-stock-based approach to traditional rice-porridge dish when listing year’s top picks

Announcing its “Bib Gourmand Selection” for this year, the world’s oldest restaurant reference guide added Wan Chai’s Trusty Congee King to the list. The new collection comprises 82 restaurants in Hong Kong and Macao, 17 of which are newly starred addresses in Hong Kong.

The gourmet inspectors’ review in the guide said the honor was handed to the new entrant partly because of its rare congee recipe – with a soup base primarily made from fish stock. Pork and chicken broths are normally used for cooking congee.

The list showed that five of the newly famed eateries are in Kowloon while 12 others are on Hong Kong Island.

A Bib Gourmand award has been given to eateries that offer a quality three-course set menu for a maximum of HK$400.

This year, Michelin inspectors “discovered more local gourmet offerings including Cantonese stir-fry, congee and noodle, dim sum at attractive prices”, commented Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin Guide.

Asian cuisines are also represented in the list.

Go to guide.michelin.com.hk for the full list of this year’s Michelin selection.

The next chapter in Ratcliff’s “80 Stays Around the World” project will see him staying at Ritz-Carlton hotels across Japan while documenting his experiences on the social media.

It should be a great source of inspiration from a world-famous photographer, artist, writer and adventurer.

Through November, Ratcliff will tour Japan’s most beautiful cities, spending three to five days in each doing walking tours and workshops.

He’ll be in Tokyo on November 3, Kyoto on November 5, Osaka on November 11 and Okinawa on November 15. Fans can follow his Facebook Live broadcasts on the walks and behind the scenes, including visits with well-known local personalities and pose questions live.

“The Ritz-Carlton is dedicated to helping our guests create stories around their own meaningful journeys and empowering them to share these experiences with others,” says global brand leader Lisa Holladay.

“Following the successes of both the US and European tours, we are very much looking forward to the next phase of Trey’s journey across Japan.”

Find out more at 80Stays.TreyRatcliff.com or RitzCarlton.com/en/trey-ratcliff-japan.

The isolated archipelago, a national and marine park, boasts sheer granite cliffs, uncrowded beaches and crystal-blue water and is comprised of 16 islands.

Six Senses Con Dao is located on private Dat Doc Beach, which stretches almost two kilometres with the Lo Voi Mountains in the background. The sand beach is idyllic for long and leisurely strolls from your villa and enjoying water sports activities.

Con Dao is one of the best destinations for scuba diving and snorkelling in Vietnam with its amazing variety of its underwater life. With depths ranging from five to 30 metres, Con Dao offers divers a unique opportunity to explore the variety of marine life, from green and hawksbill turtles and a scattering of rays, lion fish, vibrantly coloured nudibranchs and the best coral coverage around Vietnam. Sightings of the rare dugongs are also possible.

The main highlight is Dam Tre Bay, a charming and unspoiled nature spot that is set harmoniously between the immense sea and the surrounding mountains. Here visitors can enjoy snorkelling, see colourful corals and giant clams, trek around mangroves for bird watching or climbing the mountain peaks to take in the beautiful panorama of Dam Tre Bay and the neighbouring islands.

Travel through the island by motorbike with a private local guide who will take you through the back roads, small dwellings, beautiful colonial houses and local agricultural plots. Some of the main spots to visit include Ben Dam Harbour where the majority of Con Dao’s seafood catch and all regular island supplies are brought in; Phi Yen Temple where Vietnamese pay their respects to the former wife of Emperor Nguyen Anh and the local town open market to see what fresh daily produce is available to the island residents.

Six Senses Con Dao offers a Stay & Fly Free package for a minimum three-night stay with complimentary round-trip domestic flights for two people from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao (a saving of US$420). The offer is valid until October 31, 2018.

For booking enquiries, email reservations-condao@sixsenses.com or visit http://www.SixSenses.com/resorts/con-dao/offers.