DUBBED “THE Paris of Java”, Bandung has long been a popular holiday destination for Indonesian families with its year-round cool breezes and wonderful colonial-era architecture.

There are several ways to get there from Jakarta, but a favoured option is riding the elegantly equipped first-class train, which certainly adds luxury to the excursion.

The train trip is three hours, which are filled with onboard leisure activities and breathtaking views of terraced rice paddies along the sides. There’s also the chance for a catnap to recharge the batteries before arriving in Bandung in the late afternoon.

The leisurely and luxurious threehour train ride from Jakarta to Bandung affords beautiful views of terraced rice fields.

The somewhat chilly weather is ideal for sightseeing in the capital of West Java. There are posh chain hotels all around, modern boutique resorts, shopping malls, chic cafes and fancy restaurants, making this a perfect weekend getaway.

“Bandung is a good place to escape the summer heat, much cooler than Jakarta,” says Kenny Dewi Kaniasari, chief of the city’s cultural and tourism department.

“We have nearly 200 hotels and all the heritage of the colonial era, of which the charming architecture is the highlight. Last year we had six million visitors, both local and foreign, and we’re now boosting that number with direct flights between Bandung and Bangkok.”

Kaniasari says Bandung is also Indonesia’s educational hub, home to 50 universities, so there are a lot of students about too. “The cost of living is cheaper than in Jakarta, Bali and Surabaya.”

Bandung reached official city proportions in 1926. The colonial Dutch East Indies government planned to move the capital here from Batavia since its encircling range of volcanic mountains formed a natural barrier against invaders. The Japanese occupation and World War II put an end to that idea.

Spasial occupies a string of old warehouses, giving local artists and designers a place to show their work. 

East still meets West in this lovely city, which is a prime model for how to combine venerable tradition with modern life. The Cathedral of St Peter (Katedral Santo Petrus) is still standing, as is the original 1920 headquarters of the Dutch colonial government, a building now known as the Gedung Sate.

Old warehouses have been converted into a creative space known as Spasial, where local artists and designers show their work. Tucked away in a narrow alley, Spasial was set up in 2015 by artists including Ardo Ardhana and also features a factory making leather shoes, boutiques selling street fashion, handicraft studios and a vintage barbershop.

“We wanted to build a collective, a community hosting events in the arts, music and design, as well as several classes for the public,” says Ardo.

“We started out by making a proposal to the landlord to build a stage where start-ups and artists and designers could present their wares. We renovated three adjoining warehouses that were covered with graffiti and actual murals. There are both indoor and outdoor spaces that are perfect for discussions and workshops.”

The Brother Wood community will coach visitors in carpentry. 

Ardo’s “community” has burgeoned, with more than 200 local and foreign members participating in activities there. “We want to set a higher standard for the arts in Java,” he says.

Another community is nearby, called Brother Wood, this one devoted to fine carpentry. It’s operated by an entrepreneur who uses the single name Fariz, as is common in Indonesia. Located in JL Gudang Ultra No 4, the relatively new studio hosts creative workshops for anyone interested.

“The goal is to share our knowledge and passion with other people,” Fariz says. “We show people how to choose and use specific kinds of wood for specific functions. We use mainly sustainable materials, including ‘elastic wood’ from Germany, to help with environmental conservation.”

Workshop participants might learn the basics of building a bookcase, coffee table, staircase lined with shelves or wardrobes with ladders.

Mount Tangkuban Perahu in Lembang district is topped with three volcano craters (kawah) – Ratu (Queen), Domas and Upas. You can even descend into the Kawah Domas and the guide will give you an egg to boil in a hot geyser.

Mount Tangkuban Perahu is great for hiking with its three photogenic craters. 

The mountain’s name refers to its shape, which resembles an upside-down boat. A Dutch explorer named Riebek “discovered” the peak in 1713 – although surely some local folks had noticed it by then.

There was an eruption in 1826 and lava is still bubbling in places. It’s cooled into wondrous rock formations – some dangling over waterfalls. Ringing the craters as much as volcanic sediment, though, are shops selling handicrafts and other souvenirs.

The Floating Market in Lembang is a relatively new landmark in this mountainous area. The Price Big Cut Group set up this place, which boasts a beautiful Japanese-style garden, another growing edible flowers, an imitation “old city”, and a swimming pool for women in their traditional Muslim garb. The boats floating about are jammed to the gunwales with tempting food.

The Floating Market in Lembang is as picturesque as it gets.

A 10-minute drive away, the same company has just opened a Dutch-style farm village that’s quite charming in its European design and filled with cultural artefacts. There are animals to gently pet, a lovely lookout for panoramic views and scores of shops selling pastries, chocolate, crepes and handicrafts.

The writer travelled courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism Indonesia and Air Asia.

IF YOU GO

>> Learn more about the Mount Tangkuban Perahu at http://www.Indonesia-Tourism.com.

>> Check out the latest carpentry workshops on the BrotherWoodBDG Instagram feed.

>> Find out more about art events at Spasial on its Instagram.

THE SINGAPORE Night Festival, which kicked off last weekend and continues through Saturday, celebrates its 10th anniversary with something old and something new.

In this edition, there are the usual attractions that draw the crowds every year to the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct into the wee hours: breathtaking projections over handsome old buildings, aerial performances, circus acts and museums with free entry and extended opening hours.

Convolutions by Ez3kiel is a projection mapping performance warping and morph the facade of National Museum of Singapore. 

One of the festival’s usual highlights, Night Lights, an exhibition of photogenic light installations, has 13 exhibits.

These include stoic projections of faces on the iconic banyan tree on the grounds of the National Museum called “The Tree That Blinked”; and illuminated mannequins that visitors can have a dialogue with called “Les Hommes Debout” (The Standing Men) at the Singapore Art Museum.

Another new element to the festival is a more user-friendly schedule.

Unlike in previous years where there were major performances on both weekends, this year, all performing acts are consolidated into one extended weekend running from tomorrow through Saturday.

“This allows our festival audience to take the time to enjoy the light art installations during the first weekend without feeling the need to rush around to catch specific acts,” says festival director Angelita Teo, 45, who is also director of the National Museum.

Since its inception in 2008, the Night Festival has grown to become a key event on the cultural calendar in Singapore.

Attendance has grown from 60,000 people in 2008 to more than 500,000 last year. Organisers are expecting a similar turnout this year.

The festival grounds span all the way from Cathay Green and Chijmes to Armenian Street and Waterloo Street, with five zones in total – the National Museum, Armenian Street Main Stage, Cathay Green, Singapore Management University and Singapore Art Museum.

To mark its history, a range of returning acts from over the past decade will take the stage during the festival. These include home-grown acts such as professional wrestlers, pole dancers and percussion troupe Bloco Singapura.

From tonight through Saturday from 7.30 to midnight, Ez3kiel from France offers a spectacular projection mapping performance, a “skin” made out of stones that warps and morphs the facade of the National Museum of Singapore, creating new organic forms for the building.

Nostos: Records of the Self by Aesop offers a scent experience. 

Titled “Convolutions”, the seven- minute work combining technological precision and poetic images is one of the festival’s show-stoppers.

In an atmospheric, dimly lit installation, visitors to Gallery 10, National Museum of Singapore, encounter 10 large bowls filled with water and essential oils, namely bergamot, sandalwood and olibanum.

They are encouraged to lean in and take in the scents, which were developed by Australian skincare label Aesop for the Singapore Night Festival.

The exhibit’s title, “Nostos: Records of the Self”, refers to the Greek word nostos, which is a theme used in Greek literature to signify a homecoming or return.

Bergamot is said to have a calming effect while sandalwood boosts memory.

To heighten the scent, each bowl is illuminated by a series of light bulbs, creating a dim environment that reduces visual stimuli. The heat emitted by the bulbs also warms the essential oils.

A maximum of 20 visitors are allowed in at any one time.

About 50 drummers will be working their way down Armenian Street on Friday and Saturday nights as part of a street carnival.

They come from 10-year-old home-grown percussion troupe Bloco Singapura, which is performing for the seventh time at the festival, which started in 2008.

Drummers from percussion troupe Bloco Singapura march down the street to a rousing beat. 

Its set comprises energetic performers, with drums strapped to their waists, beating out rhythms inspired by passionate carnivals in the states of Rio and Bahia in Brazil.

From the street, Bloco Singapura will join its youth arm, Novobloco, as well as local singers Trisno Ishak and ZulFadhli Othman on stage.

Joining Bloco Singapura in the night’s line-up are other local acts including Peranakan performing group Peranakan Sayang and a joint presentation by Flamenco Sin Fronteras and Nawaz & Friends, which combines Spanish flamenco and the Indian classical dance form of Kathak.

As a troupe, Bloco has performed at events such as the National Day Parade and Chingay, but the Singapore Night Festival remains an important platform for it as it was one of the earliest stages where the group performed.

Bloco’s founder and director Syed Ahmad, 41, says: “The Singapore Night Festival’s support and belief in us and our growth as an arts group is remarkable – that is what keeps us passionate about performing at the festival again and again.”

A MAJOR trade port even before the colonial era, Jakarta is now a bustling city of 11 million and ringed by modern skyscrapers, but it has managed to maintain an impressive interweaving of Eastern and Western culture.

Arriving in the capital on the island of Java with only limited time to look around, I sign up for a half-day tour that starts at the Jakarta History Museum, home to 500 artefacts dating back to the time when the city was known as Batavia.

 Jakarta History Museum showcases more than 500 artifact collections from Batavian period.

The museum on Taman Fatahillah Square opened in 1974, occupying the stately Batavia City Hall erected in 1707 and inaugurated three years later by Dutch governor general Abraham van Riebeeck.

The square has a lovely fountain whose past was both mundane and ghastly at the same time. Citizens would collect their drinking water there – and witness executions, though perhaps not at the same time.

There’s a sizeable Portuguese-built cannon that has a name – the Si Jagur – and an ornament in the shape of a hand making a “fico” gesture that could improve women’s fertility, according to local belief.

The two-storey colonial-style museum has 37 ornate rooms and an interesting exhibition of items from prehistoric times to the early 20th century.

Just inside the entrance is a mock-up of the battle in which Jayawikarta fell to Dutch control. Soon after, in 1619, the new overlords renamed the city Batavia.

A replica of battlefield portrays the days when Dutch army occupied the Jayawikarta kingdom in 1619.

The Justice Council room on the second floor boasts a large bookcase crafted in 1748 and elegantly adorned with gilded bas-relief. You can see the Goddess of Justice wielding a sword and the Goddess if Truth bearing a mirror in one hand and strangling a snake in the other.

Also on view are a 16th-century map of the region and a replica of the Padrao Monument that’s said to represent evidence of the age of Sunda Kelapa Harbour.

There’s also an amazing baroque screen made in the 18th century of gilded wood that was used in the meeting hall of the Council of the Indies in the Castle of Batavia.

The upper panel shows the coats of arms of the six towns that formed the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, with that of the City of Batavia at the centre. In the middle, a young man with rather short legs wears a suit of armour. On his shield is a depiction of the hideous snake-haired head of Medusa from Greek mythology.

Other replicas on display include the Tugu Inscription from the reign of King Purnawarman the Great. It’s said to confirm that the Kingdom of Tarumanegara was centred on the seaport of Tanjung Priok.

A Batavianstyle bookcase is made in 1748 for the Justice Council.

The building once had a prison in the basement, administered by the Council of Justice and Board of Magistrates.

A one-minute walk from the museum is another one – the Museum Wayang – which has a gorgeous exhibition on Javanese shadow puppetry. The edifice has served multiple functions in its time, beginning in 1640 as a Dutch church. Demolished in an earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1808. It became the Old Batavian Museum in 1939 and the Museum Wayang in 1975.

Inside today are more than 4,000 different puppets of different kids. The Wayang Kulit is made of leather, the Wayang Golek of wood, the Wayang Rumput of glass, the Wayang Janur of coconut leaves and the Wayang Kardus of cardboard.

In the puppet performance (Wayang Golek) most associated with Sunda, the brave knight Bima wields a sharp powerful nail called the Kuku Pancanaka.

Museum Wayang is boasting several kinds of puppets made from wood, leather, carton and leaf. 

A wooden remarkable Sundanese puppet in the guise of Hanuman from the Ramayana epic is displayed, as is a Purma from Marionette Puppet Mini Bandung. They’re still used in shows inspired by the story of Mahabharata.

A large array of contemporary puppets, dolls, masks and other carved figures from Malaysia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, France, India and Cambodia occupies the second floor.

The Wayang Kulit Revolution made in 1936 tells a story about life in the past and the Dutch-Indonesian that has evolved.

Made in 2001 by Tizar Purbaya in China, Wayang Golek Canton dolls wear vibrant Chinese costumes. The Sasak Shadow Puppets are covered in painted buffalo hide and were inspired by a guidebook called Islami Amir Hamzah.

The museum has its own Wayang theatre and also hosts workshops on making puppets.

The writer travelled courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism Indonesia and AirAsia.

IF YOU GO

>> Find out more at http://www.Indonesia-Toursim.com.

THE COST of travel continues to increase and unfavourable foreign currency exchange rates add to the woes of those who have only limited cash to spend on a vacation.

However, with a little research and a large dose of street savvy, it is still possible to travel on a budget.

If you are headed to Seoul, here are some ways to better enjoy your time and also lighten your budget.

1. CARD IT ALL THE WAY

We’re not referring to credit cards, but transportation cards. Don’t be afraid to take public transport because it is a lot more convenient than it sounds. If you buy the T-money card (Korea Transportation Card) or Cashbee card, it can take you on all modes of public transport such as buses, subways and even some taxis.

These transportation cards are easily available at convenience stores, including CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Ministop, With Me, Buy The Way and Story Way. T-money cards are also available from ticket-vending and card-reload machines inside subway stations. They can be easily topped-up at these locations.

They can be used not just in Seoul, but also other metropolitan cities and locations throughout South Korea. Besides enjoying discounts on rides during transfers from bus to bus, subway to subway, bus to subway, or subway to bus (within a transfer time limit), you’ll also save yourself the hassle of having to purchase a single-journey subway ticket for every ride.

You can easily pick up a transportation card when you arrive at the airport (at one of the convenience stores). When it’s time to fly back home, just return it for a refund on the balance. Or, you might even want to keep the card, as some of them have unique designs (especially the limited-edition ones) and make good souvenirs.

2. LANGUAGE

Learning a new language is never a waste and you never know when it will come in handy. There are plenty of language schools offering lessons at reasonable prices both in Bangkok and the suburbs. The Korea Plaza in Menara Hap Seng Kuala Lumpur offers free Korean classes, but registration is required.

If you prefer self-learning rather than learning in a classroom setting, you can use your spare time while waiting or commuting to listen to language tapes, or even play them while you drive.

Practice makes perfect, and there are Facebook communities where you can learn the Korean language together with others in an online community. And you get to practice what you’ve learnt in Seoul.

3. HOMESTAYS AND |BACKPACKERS’ HOSTELS

Hotels in South Korea are relatively expensive, so staying at the home of a local might be cheaper than getting a room in a hotel. Also, you might have access to laundry facilities so you don’t have to pack so much clothing. The other alternative is staying at a backpackers’ hostel. Some are actually quite nice and comfortable.

It is also a good way to meet locals, practise the Korean words and phrases that you’ve mastered, and also experience the non-touristy side of Seoul.

4. EAT LIKE THE LOCALS DO

Check out eating places that locals frequent in Seoul. These are probably less expensive and serve delicious food. Street food is also usually more economical than dining at a fancy restaurant. Your host or, if you’re staying at a backpackers’ hostel, other travellers, might be able to give you a few pointers on where to find good food. Here is when knowing a few Korean words, such as the names of your favourite dishes and how to order them, might come in handy.

Local dishes you might want to try include Bibimbap (Korean mixed rice bowl with vegetables, meat, egg and red chilli paste); Samgye-tang (Ginseng chicken soup with a whole young chicken filled with garlic, rice, scallion, and spices); Japchae (Stir-fried glass noodles with meat and vegetables); Jajangmyeon (Korean black-bean sauce noodles) amd Haemul Pajeon (Korean seafood and spring onion pancakes).

If you’re eating at a local restaurant, refillable side dishes, including kimchi, are usually served.

5. SHOP AT NIGHT MARKETS

If you plan to go shopping, Seoul’s night markets and underground (subway) malls offer some of the best bargains in town – from clothing and accessories to toiletries and skincare products to street food.

Here are a few night markets you should check out:

lYeouido, located by Han Riverside Park, offers food stalls, cultural performances and handicraft items.

lDongdaemun, with the Dongdaemun Design Plaza Night Market hosting fashion shows and live performances; Dongdaemun Yellow Tent Open Market offering clothing and accessories; and the Late Night Snack Market.

lNamdaemun offers local food and unique Korean souvenirs such as metal utensils, bowls, pillows and ginseng.

lGwangjang Market, further down from Dongdaemun Gate, is a traditional market popular with the locals, offering delicious street food, textiles and hanbok (traditional Korean clothing).

6. GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS

Do your homework before your trip. Get to know friends from your destination country who might be able to host you or show you around. If not, at least find out where the locals eat and hang out. You can always return the favour when they visit Thailand. In the process, you get to broaden your horizon, learn about other cultures and pick up their language, and make new friends. There are many online communities on social media where you can interact with the locals.

Starting at CHF1,160 (Bt39,700), guests can enjoy a one-night stay in a Deluxe Suite, welcome drinks, VIP welcome package, two detox juices, Continental breakfast, Duchessa Detox Dinner for two, Caviar Massages by La Prairie at Ultima Spa for two, and a one-hour private yoga class.

Make a reservation at http://www.UltimaGstaad.com.

Cheap at the price

Fly to Europe with Air France and enjoy special fares on economy-class seats until August 15. Starting at Bt26,230, the promotion covers journeys to Paris, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Nice, Rome, Stockholm and Milan.

Book online at http://www.AirFrance.com.

Blissed out in Singapore

Spend seven night stays in the newly refurbished One Bedroom Premium and Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite at Park Royal Serviced Suites Singapore between September 18 and December 30 and enjoy a complimentary one-night stay. The room rates start at SGD302-plus (Bt7,400) and the package includes complimentary use of handy phone, wired and wireless broadband Internet access, 20-per-cent savings on dining at Food and Beverage outlets, 10-per-cent discount on spa treatments at St Greogory Spa and a welcome hamper upon check-in.

Book a room at http://www.ParkRoyalHotels.com.

Dining with a Smile

Thai Smile marks Mother’s Day and promotes the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Women’s Journey Thailand 2017 campaign by offering female passengers its special Pink Menu throughout the month. Smile Plus passengers will enjoy smoked duck egg rolls, spicy pomelo and shrimp salad, pad Thai sushi and spicy grilled chicken along with rose meringue, strawberry savarin, macaron cupcakes and raspberry eclair.

Smile class passengers can feast on Snack Boxes stuffed with beetroot sprouts croissants, beetroot bread rolls, chicken, garlic and chilli sauce sausage, beetroot tuna croissant and beetroot fish burgers.

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

Getting better all the time

Reward your mom with a mini-gateway and enjoy an extra 12-per-cent discount on top of current room promotions when booking online with the promo code LUVMOM17 at http://www.WellHotelBangkok.com. The room rates start from Bt2,374-plus for Superior Room, Bt2,803-plus for Deluxe Room and Bt5,063-plus for Executive Suite, including breakfast. Guests can book a room until the end of month for any stay before September 30.

The aim is to reinforce its position as one of Asia’s leading airlines, as guaranteed by three major awards from TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Airlines including the Best Regional Airline in Asia Pacific, the World’s Best Airlines – Top Ten and the Best Airline in Thailand.

“Thai Smile launched round-trip flights from Thailand to various destinations in India late last year and the service has been well accepted by Indian people. Our services meet the needs of Indian travellers as they offer value for money as well as appropriate food and beverages in the air,” said Wiwat Piyaviroj, acting chief executive officer of Thai Smile.

“The food we serve on board is divided into vegetarian and non-vegetarian Jain meals. The baggage allowance is up to 40 kg for premium or Smile PLUS passengers and 30 kg for economy class or Smile class. Seats in both classes are comfortable and spacious. Passengers can select a seat without surcharge and also earn mileage with Royal Orchid Plus (ROP). Thanks to these features, Indian travellers are well catered for on all of their excursions, whether visiting friends and relatives, on business trips or for honeymoons and weddings.”

The online spot was created under the concept of “We Always Make You Smile” to communicate the joys and smiles of travellers on Thai Smile. Spacious seating and good hospitality from hostesses allows passengers to relax comfortably throughout the journey and arrive at the destination safe and sound.

“Thailand welcomes both tourists and business travellers from India and the numbers are growing every year. We are extremely focused on the Indian market and have plans to further expand our routes to cover more destinations. Creating awareness of our airline’s strengths is a vital marketing strategy that will make Thai Smile a preferred choice and the online commercial will communicate our services to new generations with high purchasing power,” Wiwat adds.

“THAI Smile is always ready to offer full service, as well as the charm of Thai hospitality. You can always smile with Thai Smile.”

HONG KONG retailers are luring visitors with a tremendous array of brand-name goods in the annual summer shop-till-you-drop sales, but the city has plenty of other attractions on offer. Spending more time sightseeing and less time shopping might just keep the tourists from going home bankrupt.

The special administrative region at the tip of the Pearl River Delta was of course under colonial rule for more than a century. The British navy parked at what became known as Possession Point in January 1841 and then, in 1898, China’s rulers were coerced into granting a 99-year “lease” on the sprawling trading post.

The Peak Tower spoils visitors with its majestic views of the sea and skyline, Victoria Harbour and Kowloon district. 

That expired in 1997, and the great “hand-over” that year – from British back to Chinese possession – was cause for celebration on the mainland and nervous apprehension among democratically minded citizens.

Low taxes and wide-open trade made Hong Kong one of the world’s leading financial centres – development was booming from the 1950s on – so there was a lot riding on the transfer of ownership.

Vicky Loud, who’s Thai and also holds Hong Kong citizenship and makes a living showing Thai tourists around the city, points out that 99 years of British rule gave Hong Kong a decidedly Western cultural bias.

“The island was completely unoccupied until traders from India settled here,” she says. “Today the inhabitants are generally categorised as the Punti, who grow rice, the Tanka fishermen, the Hoklo migrants from Guangdong, and the Hakka people who live in remote villages.”

The alleys of Hollywood Road are adorned with appealing graffiti, while Ladder Street vendors tour fancy costumes.

Those four groupings hardly reflect the city’s startlingly cosmopolitan makeup, though. Rather than just farmers and fishermen, this is a city of seven million people whose housing market has been deemed the world’s most expensive for seven consecutive years.

The two-hour flight from Bangkok lands us in Hong Kong in time for lunch, which turns out to be a grand banquet of classic Cantonese dim sum and other delicacies at Above & Beyond, a lofty restaurant at the Hotel Icon.

The alleys of Hollywood Road are adorned with appealing graffiti, while Ladder Street vendors tour fancy costumes.

Malee Thamrangkul, Vicky’s sister and partner in their guided-tours business, tells us that the practice of making dim sum is great for stress relief.

“Dim sum means ‘touch your heart’,” she explains. “In the old days it was made with leftovers from the previous day’s supper. They wrapped everything in thin flour pancakes and had them for breakfast.

“It’s a form of art, really, and when paired with tea, the aroma of the tea improves the appetite and relaxes you ready for the day’s work.”

The sisters lead us on an afternoon walk through Old Town Central, where the mingling of East and West, ancient traditions and modern innovations, can’t fail to impress.

Venerable temples stand alongside huge skyscrapers and hip restaurants. Shophouses from another era have funky street art on the walls – even some cool depictions of colonial times.

Sheung Wan is where the history of modern Hong Kong began in the 1840s. The spot where the British flag was raised at Possession Point – originally right on the waterfront – is now the typically Chinese Hollywood Road Park.

Man Mo Temple is home to the gods of literature and war, who seem to get along just fine.

Nearby is Man Mo Temple, erected sometime between 1847 and 1862 and beautifully refined in its Chinese architecture and craftsmanship. Visitors admire the old bronze bell and a sedan chair, the granite pillars and handsome doorframes, and the marvellously engraved wooden plaques.

Oversized sticks of incense burn in tribute before lacquered-wood statues of the gods of literature and war – the first holding a calligrapher’s brush and the other a lance. A statue of Bao Kong sitting next to them offers up crystal eyes and a promise to extract you from your legal troubles.

Within a short walk is a building once known as the Police Married Quarters, but that was 20 years ago and the police officers and their spouses are long gone. The compound was carefully conserved while being refurbished as an open space for artists. Now known simply as “PMQ”, the building is filled with studios, galleries, fashion boutiques and cafes.

The former Police Married Quarters is now just PMQ and a beehive of artistic activity.

The graffiti in the neighbourhood is well worth pausing by for pictures. You can see Bruce Lee, cartoon characters, striking urban vignettes and much more. The vendors on Ladder Street also catch the eye with fancy costumes and party accessories on sale.

Getting walk-weary, we stop at the Kung Lee Herbal Tea Shop, founded in the 1940s. It’s a classic Chinese teahouse and still run by the same family. Their sugarcane juice, pudding and “five flowers tea” are healthy and wonderfully refreshing.

A city tour isn’t complete without a ride on a open-top upper deck tram. The Tram Oramic Tour chugs along six different routes from Causeway Bay to the Western Market. We enjoy a one-hour trip past Times Square, the racecourse, the former parliament and the Sheung Wan Market, famous for top-quality dried food.

The Tram Oramic Tour is a great way to see the city – aboard a classic open-top upper deck tram. 

And then everything went vertical. Another tram carries us up to the Peak Tower. This Swiss-built conveyance has been in operation since 1888 and was originally reserved for the British governor and other residents of the Peak.

From 396 metres above sea level, you get an astonishing view of the city at your feet and in Kowloon on the other side of bustling Victoria Harbour.

The Peak Tower has a Madame Tussauds museum with Wolverine guarding the entrance. Its 11 display halls are populated by more than 100 lifelike wax celebrities. Get your picture taken with Queen Elizabeth II, Kendall Jenner, David Beckham, Lee Jong Suk or Hello Kitty.

Our last day is spent at the High Island Reservoir and East Dam in outlying Sai Kung, another place with enchanting views, in this case featuring lovely lakes and rolling hills. The dam is part of the Unesco-listed Hong Kong Global Geopark that stretches across 50 square kilometres.

The High Island Reservoir and East Dam are part of the Unescolisted Hong Kong Global Geopark. 

“Sai Kung is a popular weekend destination for Hong Kong families,” says guide Lo Wing Sun. “It has a lake where you can spend the whole day kayaking.”

Volcanic activity 140 million years ago sculpted the landscape, Lo says. “Human settlements here date back at least 5,000 years ago, to the Stone Age.”

A lot of that rust-coloured volcanic rock went into the dam when construction began in 1971, strong enough to hold back the reservoir that provides 40 per cent of Hong Kong’s drinking water.

>> The writer travelled courtesy of KTC Card and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

YOUR CHANCE TO VISIT

>> Anytime this year, KTC credit cardholders can win a package tour in the “Hong Kong Best Experiences” campaign by booking airfare, hotels and tours via the KTC World Travel Service or by buying Hong Kong Disney passes at KTC Touch.

>> Find out more details at (02) 123 5050 or visit http://www.ktcworld.co.th and http://www.DiscoverHongkong.com.

Another route takes tourists to South India with Bangkok-Tiruchirappalli 4 times a week from Don Mueang International Airport every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday starting September 28. Aiming to attract Indian shoppers to Thailand, the new routes come with promotional fares available for booking from now until August 13.

Flying direct to Jaipur starts from Bt 1,990 per way for travel between September 29 to August 28, 2018, and straight to Tiruchirappalli from Bt1,690 per way between September 28 to August 28, 2018.

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, says the airline will continue to penetrate the Indian market in the latter half of 2017, Indian travellers rank sixth among the most frequent visitors to Thailand while the Kingdom responds to all kinds of lifestyles from shoppers and night-time entertainment seekers to travellers looking for hospitality and wellness retreat.

The airline is confident that the two new routes will stimulate tourism for both countries.

The Pink City is the gateway to the Taj Mahal and is home to opulent architectural treasures such as the Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort and Old City Market. It is also a great way visit India’s other popular cities, Jodhpur (the Blue City), Udaipur (the White City) and Jaisalmer (the Gold City), each with its own wealth of palaces, forts and religious sites.

At the same time, with four weekly flights from Bangkok to Tiruchirappalli, travellers can experience a city full of culture and history that has long played a pivotal role in the South India as Tamil Nadu’s centre for trade, industry and education. The city hosts such fascinating attractions as the Ucchi Pillayar Rock Fort Temple, a structure made from one of the world’s oldest rock formations at 3.8 billion years ago and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, where some of the country’s holiest relics are preserved.

Thai AirAsia presently flies direct from Thailand to Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Kochi.

Situated approximately 90km from Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam, Vung Tau is the former capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and is located on a spectacular peninsula with extensive beaches. It is a popular seaside getaway for domestic travellers as well as tourists from around Southeast Asia.

The upscale dusitD2 Vung Tau is located on the west of the peninsula approximately 10 minutes by car from the town centre. Upon completion, the hotel will feature100 rooms set within independent bungalows along with two grand villas.

In line with dusitD2 branding, the hotel has a contemporary design with a creative and vibrant decor. Facilities include an all-day-dining outlet, seafood restaurant, a stylish bar, a spa and gym, and a ballroom.

Popular attractions on the peninsula include Christ of Vung Tau, a 32-metre-high statue of Jesus Christ; Vung Tau Lighthouse, providing an uninterrupted 360 degree view of the city; and Vung Tau’s beach front, with its wide range of seafood restaurants and bars. Two significant entertainment attractions under development are Vung Tau Aquarium and Bau Trung, a Disneyland-styled theme park. The international airport located in Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 90 minutes by car.

“Last year, Vietnam welcomed 10 million international tourists, an increase of 26 per cent over 2015, and this positive growth looks set to continue,” said Suphajee Suthumpun, group chief executive of Dusit International. “This is now the perfect time to introduce our contemporary dusitD2 brand to the market, and we are delighted Ha Dat Company has given us this opportunity. We now look forward to providing a hotel experience that not only delights guests with our signature gracious hospitality inspired by authentic Thai values, but which also elevates Vung Tau’s profile as a destination while having a positive impact on the local community.”

“A key objective of this property is to elevate Vung Tau’s standing as a tourist destination, and in Dusit International we have the perfect partner to achieve this aim,” added Nguyen Vu Hung, chairman of Ha Dat.

Dusit International will officially make its Vietnam debut early next year with the opening of the DusitPrincess Moonrise Beach Resort on Phu Quoc island.

This came after the Government decided to only impose the tax on foreign tourists at a flat rate of RM10.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told Parliament yesterday that the tax, which is expected to take effect from Aug 1, would apply to all hotel categories and be charged per room per night.

However, it will not be applicable for premises with five rooms or less, homestays and village stays.

Nazri also said the Prime Minister would decide whether to push back the implementation date to beyond Aug 1.

Initially, locals were only supposed to be exempted if they stayed at hotels rated three stars and below, while foreigners were to be charged between RM2.50 and RM20 per night depending on the hotel’s rating.

The decision to exempt locals, said industry players, would benefit and enhance domestic tourism.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the exemption would stabilise the local tourism sector.

“MATTA has expressed concern over the tourism tax and we are glad that the Government has taken note,” said Tan.

“Also, reducing the tax from RM20 for four- and five-star hotels to RM10 will minimise the adverse impact on the high-end industry.”

He also said there would be minimal impact on foreign tourists, adding that the extra funds collected would be spent on tourism infrastructure development.

Tan, however, said there was a need to review the lower category accommodation providers and budget hotels.

“There could be an increase of between 5% and 30% for room rates due to the tax, which would affect long-stay budget travellers,” he said.

He also expressed hope that the Customs Department would announce the collection and implementation mechanism soon.

“An implementation date of April 1, 2018, would be ideal,” he said.

Token sum: Foreigners will soon have to pay a small tourism tax for staying at hotels in Malaysia. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

Token sum: Foreigners will soon have to pay a small tourism tax for staying at hotels in Malaysia. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

Malaysian Association of Hotels president Sam Cheah Swee Hee said exempting locals was a good move because they were already paying the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

However, he said the hotel industry was not ready to implement the tax by Aug 1 as systems would need to be re-programmed, adding that it also stood by its earlier call for the levy to be collected at exit points such as airports, ports and border points.

Cheah said currently, there were only 3,126 hotels registered with the ministry and that it would take time for other accommodation providers to follow suit.

“There are more than 8,000 accomodation providers in Malaysia on sites like Agoda alone, and more than 11,000 on Airbnb. This does not include homestays and city stays.

“If it is collected at the hotel based on per room per night stay, it will drive tourists to illegally operated hotels where they need not pay GST and tourism tax.

“If it is a flat rate charged at the exit point, the impact will not be too much,” said Cheah.

Last year, the Statistics Depart­ment said Malaysians made a total of 253.9 million trips to local destinations, spending RM74.8bil.

In comparison, there were 26.8 million foreign tourist arrivals last year, bringing in receipts of RM82.1bil.