Category Archives: Travel

Where is the spiciest place in China?

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/Where-is-the-spiciest-place-in-China-30288512.html

China Daily
Asia News Network June 18, 2016 11:14 am
A man harvests chili in Linfe, Shanxi province on Jan 2, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

A man harvests chili in Linfe, Shanxi province on Jan 2, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Beijing – Chili pepper came to China less than 400 years ago, ending the 2,000-year era of prickly ash, a herb that can be used as seasoning. Why does chili pepper have so much power? What are the health benefits of eating chili peppers? And where in China has the most chili pepper eaters? To answer these questions, Lan Yong, a professor of history with Chongqing-based Southwest University, published an article on the China National Geography on May 19.

Here are some excerpts from the article.

A “10,000-people hotpot feast” was a highlight at the Chongqing International Hotpot Culture Festival. A Guinness record-holding pot, which is 10 meters in diameter and can serve 60 people at the same time, was used for the feast. It is said that 300 kilograms of chili pepper and 100 kilograms of prickly ash were needed to make soup in this pot, and it takes about three hours to boil the soup with electricity.

Prickly ash, or hua jiao. [File photo]

The earliest written record of the prickly ash in China appeared more than 2,000 years ago. The ancient people used it as a seasoning to neutralize the taste of raw meat or fish.

Statistics show that nearly 37 percent of dishes from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) contained prickly ash. Today’s Sichuan province in Southwest China, previously known as Shu Kingdom, has long been a main production base of prickly ash.

A farmer pours chili pepper from a basket in Wuqiao county, Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

There is no conclusion yet as to how chili pepper came to China. But according to written records, the liberal use of the seasoning occurred in Guizhou during the Qing Dynasty (1636—1912). Chili pepper was later grown as a vegetable in Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan and Jiangxi.

Dried pepper can be used as a seasoning. The coming of chili pepper caused a revolution in Chinese food.

Studies show that regions on the northern latitude 38 degree line are fit for growing chili peppers, and are where the majority of chili pepper eaters can be found. The countries include Cuba, the United States, Mexico, China, Republic of Korea, Italy, Spain and Egypt. South American countries also have a strong preference for the chili pepper.

Currently, China’s annual chili pepper output is more than 28 million tons, accounting for 46 percent of the world’s total. It is said that the hottest pepper in China grows in Simao, Yunnan province, and is called the Xiaomi pepper.

Farmers in Northwest China’s Gansu province flip chili peppers in the air to help them dry on Oct 4, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

There is a big debate over which province has the spiciest food. Local people believe that eating pepper can help them adapt to the humid and cold weather in winter.

In the north, there are also many pepper lovers. Beijing has many Sichuan and Hunan restaurants. But the food served there is often altered to cater to Beijingers’ taste.

Pepper is a must for many residents in Northeast China and Northwest China. Guangdong has the least spicy cuisines in China. The people living there prefer fresh and light taste flavors to spicy food.

Heaven in a bowl of noodle soup

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CHECK IN

Chusri Ngamprasert
The Nation
Luang Prabang, Laos June 15, 2016 6:44 am
Sofitel Luang Prabang - Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang – Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang - Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang – Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang - Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang – Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang - Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang – Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang - Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Sofitel Luang Prabang – Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Gracious, elegant and friendly, Sofitel Luang Prabang is a showcase of the French art of hospitality

Originally built as a French Governor’s residence in 1900s, Sofitel Luang Prabang is located in Ban Mano, a quiet residential quarter of Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos and a Unesco World Heritage Site.

A mere 20-minute drive from Luang Prabang International Airport and just 15 minutes on |foot from the heritage Old Town, Sofitel Luang Prabang also offers easy access to the area’s silk weaving villages and waterfalls, which are less than 30 minutes away |by car.

Walking through the hotel’s main entrance, we arrive in a spacious and airy pavilion that doubles as the lobby lounge and looks out over beautifully tended garden.

The smiling hotel staff manning the reception desk greet us with the nop, a gesture similar to the Thai wai and a warm “sabaidee” before offering us a welcome drink and cold towel to freshen up.

//

Pookie, the hotel’s Guest Experience Manager, offers to walk my friend and I to our room.

“The traditional Lao wooden house on the left is Le Spa. At our spa, we combine ancient Lao healing techniques with local organic products and the international advances in skin care so our guests can enjoy the best from the east and the west,” Pookie tell us.

Walking down the stairs, we enter the lush inner courtyard with swaying palms and colourful wildflowers recalling the Lao countryside. Seeing pink water lilies float on the pond and the mini rice paddy, I am glad that our room is at this end of the hotel so we can enjoy all the beautiful courtyard has to offer. The 25 clay-roofed suites and the azure pool add an even greater sense of elegance and sophistication to the hotel.

After thanking Pookie, we explore our twin-bed room. The bedroom is on the left side of the door. Facing the two beds is a flat screen TV with a small wall counter where welcome snack and drink are waiting for us. The compact sleeping area is compensated for by a spacious powder room, huge closet and generous bathroom with separate shower cabinet and bathtub with a connecting door to an |outdoor oversized bathtub in the garden.

“The toilet is separate from the bathroom, but I don’t think I could use the restroom while you are having a shower because the bathroom door is clear glass,” says my friend with a laugh.

I spend less than 10 minutes in the shower because at this late hour, my mind can think of nothing but a soft bed.

The plush featherbed with |a fluffy, downy duvet is surely |an archenemy of an early |morning call so I decide to have a late breakfast.

At the hotel’s tented restaurant, the Governor’s Grill, I tentatively place an order for vegetarian Khao Piak Sen even though it is not on the menu and am over the moon when the staff reassures me that the chef would be happy to prepare it for me. This is my fourth or fifth visit to Luang Prabang and I have as yet been unable to sample Laos’ famous rice noodle soup as the food stalls and restaurants inevitably cook the popular breakfast dish with chicken broth.

The clear vegetable stock and |the chewy fresh noodles are |served with crispy rice cake, fried garlic, chopped spring onion, chopped chilli and a slice of lime. Enjoying this simple comfort food served in an elegant presentation in a manicured botanical garden is one of the nicest ways to discover the warm hospitality of Laos and French “Art de Recevoir”.

The birds are chirping, the |wind is whispering and the |warm sunlight shines through the leaves. My usual hectic schedule |is a world away. Sipping my freshly brewed coffee and sinking into |the comfortable chair, I hear myself saying, “A trip to the Old Town can wait”.

AT A GLANCE

High point: Beautiful and peaceful hotel with helpful and friendly staff.

Low point: None

Pay for it: Visit the hotel’s website for the best deals.

Find it: Ban Mano, Luang Prabang 00600, Laos

Call it: (+85 6) 71 260 777

Browse it: http://www.Sofitel.com.

 

A walk on the wine side

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/A-walk-on-the-wine-side-30288212.html

AUSTRALIA

Phoowadon Duangmee
The Nation
Perth, Australia June 15, 2016 6:42 am

A view of Sandalford Winery in Swan Valley, just outside Perth in Western Australia. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A view of Sandalford Winery in Swan Valley, just outside Perth in Western Australia. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A crowd gathers for a Sunday afternoon street performance in the port Fremantle. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A crowd gathers for a Sunday afternoon street performance in the port Fremantle. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Students feed the sheep during a farm visit to Caversham Wild Life Park in Western Australia. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Students feed the sheep during a farm visit to Caversham Wild Life Park in Western Australia. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Perth residents have fun rowing on the Swan River Western Australia. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Perth residents have fun rowing on the Swan River Western Australia. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

The Monk, a brewhouse in Fremantle, has an impressive list of craft beers for the hopheads. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

The Monk, a brewhouse in Fremantle, has an impressive list of craft beers for the hopheads. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A waitress at Joe’s Fish Shack serves seafood for lunch. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A waitress at Joe’s Fish Shack serves seafood for lunch. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A fisherman shows of his Indian Ocean Rock Lobster at Lobster Shack. A restaurant is noted for its grilled lobster. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A fisherman shows of his Indian Ocean Rock Lobster at Lobster Shack. A restaurant is noted for its grilled lobster. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Great wine, craft beers, magnificent scenery and miles and miles of coastline are just some of the reasons to spend time in western australia


The Swan Valley just outside Perth and the oldest wine-making region in Western Australia boasts an excellent wine and food trail and we see plenty of cyclists and oenophiles checking out the cellars, even queuing up with them one morning for a wine and chocolate tasting at Coward & Black Vineyards.

Sandalford Winery, a short ride away, is one of the oldest wineries in Western Australia and we delight in the view of the vineyard and pristine bush as we sip their 2014 Sandalford Estate Reserve Shiraz and feast on the chef’s delicious duck confit. The winery has obviously put a great deal of effort into marketing too, as we bump into large group of Thais, also here for lunch.

The City of Perth sits on the largest section of the Swan River. From the Kings Park & Botanic Garden, on the city’s western flank, you can see the Bell Tower, jetty and the city itself spreading beyond the river.

The Kings Park & Botanic Garden is also the pride of Perth. Once a hunting and gathering ground of the Aboriginal Australians, the park today is planted with more than 2,000 plant species.

Perhaps because of the amount of space they enjoy, the people of Western Australia are easy-going and very laid-back. A favourite weekend outing for the urban crowd is a short-train ride to the port of Fremantle for a long lunch and boozy afternoon at Fishing Boat Harbour.

We decide to follow in their footsteps and head to Fremantle, the first area to be settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829. It’s home to well-preserved 19th century buildings and remnants of Australia’s days as a British penal colony, so two of us leave the others in our group to scour the boutiques and galleries and set off in search of Western Australia’s spirit.

My companion George is an Australia alumnus. Back in the 1980s, he had a good time in Sydney but was tempted back to Thailand by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun’s campaign to replenish Thailand’s brain drain. Thirty years later, he still misses Down Under.

“Let’s go on a beer crawl,” he says firmly, even though it’s only 10.30am.

“Why not? It’s Sunday, mate!” I laugh as we follow the crowds from The Market Street to the pub strip of South Terrace.

Along with its wine reputation, Australia has also built up a strong craft beer culture and it’s immediately apparent that we’ve come to the perfect place to explore Western Australia’s craft beer scene.

Back in the 1980s, Matilda Bay Brewing Company launched Australia’s first craft brewery in the Sail & Anchor pub in Fremantle. The brewery has since changed hands, but the pub still serves craft beer and is surely a dream destination for any fan of the suds.

We have our first pint at Jagger Bar, a smaller alehouse on The Market Street then move to The Monk, a brewhouse on the South Terrace. We choose it because we like the name and soon we are liking its beer too. From the wood-panelled deck, George takes a sip of “Monk Reserved”, a hoppy American Pale Ale as he stares long and hard at the slow-moving crowd.

“I sold my car and everything right after listening to Anand’s speech and then purchased a one-way ticket to Thailand,” George recalls. “We were told there was a bright future waiting for us.”

I haul him away for lunch at Joe’s Fish Shack before he becomes maudlin where we dine like lords on fresh seafood.

A few days later we head north of Perth to Caversham Wild Life Park, where we get up close though not too cosy with kangaroos, wombats and koala bears.

We also take a day trip along the coastal highway to Lancelin and Nambung National Park.

Lancelin is noted for its enormous white sand dunes. The oceanic winds sculpt the sands into wonderful Saharaesque formations and adrenaline-seekers can get their kicks from sand boarding or quad biking on the dunes. Further on is Nambung National Park, where huge limestone pillars rising out of the shifting yellow sands make up the wonderful pinnacle desert.

Lobster Shack, just 20 minutes north of Nambung National Park, serves Indian Ocean Rock Lobster. We stop at this seaside restaurant for lunch, and the grilled rock lobster is meaty and yummy. Bring your own wine if you want to wash the lobster down with chardonnay.

IF YOU GO

< Thai Airways International operates full-service flights in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner between Bangkok and Perth.

http://www.NationMultiMedia.com for a review of the B787. For tickets and flight schedules, visit www.ThaiAirways.com.

(The writer travelled in Western Australian as a guest of Thai Airways International.)

 

Pedals to the metal

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/Pedals-to-the-metal-30288210.html

GETAWAYS

PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION June 15, 2016 6:10 am
From Thailand’s North to Shangri-La in China, Big Bike Tours is organising a once-in-a-life-time motorcycle trip over 19 days. Photo/www.bigbiketours.net

From Thailand’s North to Shangri-La in China, Big Bike Tours is organising a once-in-a-life-time motorcycle trip over 19 days. Photo/www.bigbiketours.net

Bike trips take the adventurous visitor to Shangri- La or simply around Bangkok’s unseen orchards

From Thailand’s North to Shangri-La in China, Big Bike Tours is organising a once-in-a-life-time motorcycle trip over 19 days (an approximately 5,000 kilometres). The adventure begins and finishes in Chiang Mai. Riders will first cross Thailand’s border for a glimpse of Myanmar though the long ride doesn’t kick off until after the border crossing into Houayxay in Laos. Over the following 15 days, riders will encounter a string of exotic towns including Mengla, Lijiang, Jiantang, Lincang and, of course, Shangri-La in northwestern Yunnan province. The price is Bt252,000 per rider (Bt85,000/pillion) and includes accommodation based on two sharing, Kawasaki Versys (650cc) and meals. The trips are starting on September 11, April 16 and September 10, 2017. Visitwww.BigBikeTours.net.

Discover Thailand’s South by elephant back and long-tailed boat through Phuket, Phang Nga and Surat Thani province. Organised by the Thailand Travel Centre, this trip runs for three days and two nights and takes you through deserted beaches and evergreen forest. The package is priced at Bt16,355 per person, and includes sea kayaking in Phang Nga Bay, two night’s accommodation at Elephant Hills tented camp near Khao Sok National Park, exploring Khao Sok National Park on elephant back and kayaking on the reservoir. The deal is good until October 31. Visitwww.ThaiTravelCenter.com, and search for package code: 191TC.

Amari Koh Samui‘s Koh Samui Wanderlust Package comes with a self-drive car for visitors to explore the tropical island on their own. Costing Bt4,555 per night and requiring a minimum of three nights, the package includes the self-drive car, airport transfers, accommodation and dinner on the beach. For more information or reservations, visit http://www.Amari.com/koh-samui.

Bangkok, the bustling metropolis that’s home to more than 12 million people, has more to share with visitors than shopping malls and night life. Cycling fans can sign up for the “Colours of Bangkok” cycling trip and explore Bangkok’s backyard. The half-day tour organised by Recreational Bangkok Biking takes participants to Bangkok’s ghetto in Khlong Toei before crossing the Chao Phraya River to Bang Nam Phueng. Billed as Bangkok’s “Green Lung”, Bang Nam Phueng is a pristine orchard and coconut plantation through which cyclists have to negotiate a narrow concrete path. The trip is available daily, and the price is Bt1,250 per person. Included are bicycle and helmet, insurance, snack and refreshment. Visit ThailandBiking.com.

Surrounded by the azure waters of the Andaman Sea, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is offering a special deal for holidaymakers. A single night in Deluxe Bungalow with breakfast for two starts from Bt6,693 and includes wi-fi Internet connectivity, one-hour use of sea kayak, scoop of ice cream for a child and 20 per cent discount on food and drink. Nestled in Loh Ba Gao Bay on Phi Phi Island, this beachside resort combines seclusion with all the luxury of a five-star resort. Maya Bay, the location for the 2000 hit movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is a short boat ride away. For online booking, visit http://www.PhiPhiIslandVillage.com.

In full bloom

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/In-full-bloom-30288209.html

AROUND THAILAND

The Nation June 15, 2016 6:08 am
Siam tulip

Siam tulip

Chaiyaphum in Thailand’s northeast offers a vista of natural attractions from now through the end of July.

In full bloom

Chaiyaphum in Thailand’s northeast offers a vista of natural attractions from now through the end of July. One of the highlights is the pinkish-purple Siam tulip, known locally as dok krachiao, which bursts into flower during the early part of the rainy season from June to August. Tucked away in Pa Hin Ngam National Park , Thep Sathit district, the field of wild flowers is ideal for trail walking and weekend camping. The park also features 10 square kilometres of impressive natural sandstone sculptures in many curious shapes. For more information, contact TAT Northeastern Office Region 1 at (044) 213 666 or (044) 213 030 or e-mail tatsima@tat.or.th.

Free to fly

AirAsia is giving away up to 3 million promotional seats in the latest Big Sale campaign across its entire short- and long-haul network. Starting from a base fare of Bt0 (zero baht) excluding taxes and fees, the client can fly to any of the more than 120 destinations in 24 countries served by AirAsia and AirAsia X. From Bangkok, AirAsia operates domestic flights to Phuket, Chiang Mai and more. The airline also flies daily to international destinations such as Mandalay, Kunming and Teheran. The promotional seats are available for booking through Sunday for the travel period January 4 to August 21 next year at http://www.AirAsia.com and mobile app.

Dry Stack for Phuket Marina

Royal Phuket Marina has opened the island’s newest Dry Stack boat storage facility with the latest Wiggins Marina Bull forklift technology – the first of its kind in Asia. With the aim to grow boating in Phuket and in response to the needs of smaller powerboat owners, Royal Phuket Marina’s Dry Stack caters for boats up to 12 metres in length and increases boat capacity at Royal Phuket Marina to 296. “Wet berths in the marina are at a premium and we run near 100-per-cent year-round occupancy. With the Dry Stack we can accommodate smaller powerboats out of the water and with our new “Boat Butler” service we can provide convenient, hassle-free boating for our clients,” says Woranart Wongvanich of Royal Phuket Marina. Visit http://www.RoyalPhuketMarina.com.

Movenpick in the green

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has been hailed a “global leader” in certified sustainable practices by Green Globe. The certification body’s 2015 report on Movenpick Hotels & Resorts revealed that the Swiss hospitality firm has an overall average compliance score of 84 per cent, an impressive 2.5-per-cent higher than the average of all Green Globe certified members worldwide. It cements Movenpick Hotels & Resorts’ position as the most “Green Globe certified hotel company in the world”, with 63 of its 83 properties now certified. “Green Globe has certified Movenpick Hotels & Resorts in 19 countries. This is a tremendous accomplishment when we consider the variety of countries and cultures, as well as the different types of properties and their diverse markets,” says Guido Bauer, Green Globe’s chief executive.

Wiki Loves Earth shortlists top 10 photos in Pakistan round

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/Wiki-Loves-Earth-shortlists-top-10-photos-in-Pakis-30287979.html

SAQIB QAYYUM CHOUDHRY
Dawn
Asia News Network June 12, 2016 12:12 pm

You may remember the international photography competition Wiki Loves Earth from last year, in which a Pakistani photographer’s capture of Shangrila Lake won the best international picture in 2015.

Wikimedia Foundation, the California-based non-profit organisation which runs Wikipedia, has organised the global photography competition again this year, and the best pictures from Pakistan to go onto compete at the international stage have been selected.

The competition, aimed at documenting the world’s natural heritage under the free license of Creative Commons, recently concluded in Pakistan after receiving an overwhelming response.

Over 1,200 contestants in Pakistan sent in over 8,000 photographs making it the country with the third-largest number of submissions and the greatest number of participants.

Wiki Loves Earth 2016 has seen more than 7,000 participants from 26 countries, with over 75,000 photographs submitted throughout the month of May.

The best thing about the competition is that all the photos have a free license and can be re-used for any purpose, as long as the user attributes the photographer.

The contest was first run in Ukraine in 2013 and has since spread globally.

It is described as the ’sister competition’ to Wiki Loves Monuments, which is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest photography competition in the world.

Pakistan became a part of the competition for the first time last year and achieved the first position amongst 28 participating nations.

The international winners of Wiki Loves Earth 2016 are yet to be announced, but the top 10 pictures to represent Pakistan as decided by Pakistan’s jury are below:

Duiker Peak, Hunza. — Photo by Mudassir Ahmed

Nanga Parbat, Diamer. — Photo by M. Awais

Phandar Valley, Ghizer. — Photo by Muzaffar H. Bukhari

Katpana Desert at Skardu. — Photo by RgyalChan Karim

Naran, Kaghan Valley. — Photo by Talha Hanif

Chitral National Park. — Photo by Tahsin A Shah

Rama Lake, Astore. — Photo by Faiza Lalwani

The Karakoram mountain range, Astore Valley. — Photo by Najeeb Mahmud

Siri Paye, Shogran, Kaghan Valley. — Photo by Adeel ur Rehman Mughal

The Karakoram mountain range, Hunza Valley. — Photo by Irfan Tahir

There and back again, barely

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/There-and-back-again-barely-30287977.html

TRAVEL

Kathmandu Post
Asia News Network June 12, 2016 10:40 am
Photos: Kiran Panday

Photos: Kiran Panday

KATHMANDU- Not too long ago, visiting Rara Lake meant taking on a daunting 15 day trek through arduous and treacherous terrain. It was only after Talcha Airport came into operation that the trip became relatively easier, if expensive.

Then in 2006, when the Karnali Highway opened up, the wonders of Rara became accessible by road as well, although the highway-peppered with narrow lanes and vertigo-inducing drops-did not lend itself to easy commutes.

In May, in line with the spirit of Ghumphir Barsa 2073, NASA Bullet Club along with the Trooper Club of Pokhara decided to take on what no one had done before: Riding to the illusive lake on 26 Bullet bikes. Having had done several biking tours to promote biking tourism in Nepal, including one to Mustang in 2014, riders were confident about pulling off this trip without a glitch as well. That optimism, however, would be short lived.

Challenging right from the get go, we left Surkhet amid a savage downpour. Once the black-topped highway trailed off at Nagma, Kalikot, the 93 km of off-road trails to Rara were treacherous—with frequent landslides leaving the highway muddy and hard to navigate. Negotiating hairpin turns and precipitous drops, we were never able to push the throttle beyond 40 km/hr.

//

We had aimed to reach Sinja Valley in Jumla, but we were only able to reach Dahi Khola in Kalikot, where we were stuck in a landslide, stranded for four hours. The locals warned that if the downpour continued there would be more landslips along the way. This prompted us to chance crossing the landslide, carrying the bikes physically. We ended up having to stop overnight at Manma in Kalikot—three hours short of our destination. It was well after midnight that we called it a day and got some sleep, soothing our tired bodies and our calloused hands.

The next day, at Sinja, we distributed educational material at a local school. The locals were so excited and welcoming upon seeing us, we felt compelled to stop over for a night. We would reach Rara only the next day.

“People who spend millions to travel abroad are not aware about exotic destinations like Rara that is right here in our backyard. Once you visit Rara, you will be tempted to return time and again,” said Mohan Biswakarma, Chief Conservation Officer of Rara National Park, “Locals need to work towards its development so that it can emerge as a top tourism destination, not just in Nepal but all over the world.”

Although monsoon wasn’t the best season for us to take on the landslide-prone remote trail, we had it set on our minds on getting to Rara—one way or the other. And regardless of how arduous the road was, once we saw Rara, in all its serenity, all the stress disappeared (even without a spa treatment, someone commented).

Yet all the while, in the back of our minds, we were all mortified about how we would ever make it back. The terrain would not change nor would the incessant rain let up and yet, all that goes up must eventually come down, one way or another.

 

The many colours of love

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LOCAL COLOUR

PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION June 8, 2016 1:00 am
Phuket celebrates the Peranakan Wedding Festival in its Old Town on June 18-19. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Phuket celebrates the Peranakan Wedding Festival in its Old Town on June 18-19. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Women arrive at the wedding reception during the Peranakan Wedding Festival in Phuket. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Women arrive at the wedding reception during the Peranakan Wedding Festival in Phuket. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Peranakan brides pose during the Wedding Festival. Photo/Sunanta Hamontri

Peranakan brides pose during the Wedding Festival. Photo/Sunanta Hamontri

The colourful Peranakan wedding parade makes its way through Phuket’s Old Town. Photo/Sunanta Hamontri

The colourful Peranakan wedding parade makes its way through Phuket’s Old Town. Photo/Sunanta Hamontri

Well-wishers in Peranakan costumes wait for the newly wedded couples in Thalang Road, Phuket. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Well-wishers in Peranakan costumes wait for the newly wedded couples in Thalang Road, Phuket. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A Peranakan bride shows off her tiara. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A Peranakan bride shows off her tiara. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

A father and his two children arrive at the wedding reception in Peranakan costumes.

A father and his two children arrive at the wedding reception in Peranakan costumes.

Phuket’s Peranakan descendants tie the knot in a unique wedding ceremony and feast

Phuket’s Old Town will once again be ablaze with colour on June 18 and 19 as its Peranakan descendants gather for the annual mass Phuket Baba wedding festival. For visitors, the event offers a rare chance of celebrating a generations-old tradition and capturing photos of the happy couples against the backdrop of Sino-Portuguese mansions decked out in red, green, blue, pink, yellow and white.

Known as Baba and Yaya in Phuket, the Peranakan are the descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled around the Malay Peninsula from Malaysia to Singapore to Thailand’s South in the late 15th and 16th-century. The Baba and Yaya were traditionally the offspring of Chinese men and local woman.

The authentic Peranakan wedding can last up to 12 days and is usually carried out according to Chinese tradition in the bride’s house. The ceremony in Phuket, which is arranged every year by the Peranakan descendants themselves with help from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), will last for two days. The aim is to bring back the pride of Peranakan culture once so dominant on the island as well as to promote Phuket as a wedding destination.

“Today, the Peranakan wedding ceremony is very rare if indeed it is held at all. The nuptials of the last couple to marry in traditional Peranakan style probably took place 40 years ago,” says Jarin Neeranatwarodom, who has traced the Peranakan wedding to the early 20th century, when there was a Peranakan community in Phuket.

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“We’re delighted to be reinventing such a rare and colourful wedding ceremony.”

You don’t even have to be a Peranakan descendant to marry in Peranakan style. All you need is the person who wants to marry you and you can leave the rest to the City of Phuket.

Part of a tourism campaign designed to turn Phuket into a preferred honeymoon and wedding destination, the annual Peranakan Wedding Ceremony has been arranged for the past five years and has drawn couples from all over the world to tie the knot in the Peranakan way.

The Peranakan are Straits Chinese people who speak Chinese at home and follow Confucianism, but dress and eat more like their Malay mothers. They came to Phuket back in the 19th century where they made their fortunes in the tin mines. They also traded with the Westerners from whom they inherited a love of jazz and other music.

The Sino-Portuguese shophouses and heritage mansions in Phuket’s Old Town are living proof of the Peranakan’s lavish lifestyle and it is one of these in which the weddings are celebrated.

Yaya, the Peranakan women, arrive at the luxury mansion wearing vibrant batik sarongs known as Baju Panjang, and beaded slippers. The Baba or men show up in Baju Lokchuan, long sleeved silk jackets with a Chinese collar.

And as at weddings everywhere, the centre of interest is the bride – or in this case, brides – who, with tiaras perched on their heads, prepares for the biggest day in their lives in the Peranakan bridal suite. The tiaras, with tiny flowers made of gold, are said to serve as a “sensor” to evaluate the bride’s excitement, as she waits for her groom at her house.

“In the old days Peranakan marriages were arranged by their families and the matchmaker,” says Jarin. “One can only imagine how the bride felt, as she had never met her groom. The tiara kept shaking, as her heart beat faster and faster.”

The finale is a celebration of colour and fanfare, with the four newly wedded couples leading a procession through the Old Town.

The parade, which takes place on Sunday afternoon, travels along Thalang Road, home to many of these grand Sino-Portuguese dwellings, as the newlyweds are showered with flower petals.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAY “I DO”

WHERE TO STAY:

THE LITTLE NYONYA HOTEL (www.LittleNyonyaHotel.com), a charming boutique hotel, is owned and run by a Thai-Peranakan family in Phuket. The Sino-Portuguese design evokes memories of the old days and the Two Grandmas restaurant serves both Western and Thai food as well as home-made Nyonya cuisine under the supervision of Ama Tu, an experienced Nyonya cook.

MEMORY AT ON-ON HOTEL in Phuket Old Town was originally established in 1923. Leonardo DiCaprio “slept” here while making “The Beach” in 2000. It has a laid-back attitude, with a stylish bar and colonial charm, drawing young travellers in search of a cheap bed and rich history.

WHERE TO EAT

RAYA Housed in one of the old Sino-Portuguese mansions, Raya restaurant is truly in the heart of Phuket Old Town. The chef offers authentic Peranakan cuisine, which blends the Chinese way of cooking with the spices and herbs of Malay Peninsula. Try the slow cooked pork belly (Moo Hong). Book a table at (076) 218 155.

ONE CHUN CAFE & RESTAURANT, a stone’s throw from Raya restaurant and a younger “edition” of the Peranakan eatery, serves traditional Phuket and Peranakan dishes. Both restaurants are run by the same family with Raya favoured by older folk and One Chun by the younger crowd.

 

Retreats to remember

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GETAWAYS

PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION June 8, 2016 1:00 am
Bagan, Myanmar, is surrounded by thousands of pagodas. The Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Bagan, Myanmar, is surrounded by thousands of pagodas. The Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee

Make your next holiday a memorable one by roaming around Myanmar or chilling on the white sands of Thailand’s south

From the ancient kingdom of Bagan to the lost city of Mrauk U, Khiri Travel’s seven-day journey has you travelling in mystic Myanmar and following in the footsteps of monks, pilgrims, devotees and kings. Nestled along the Ayeyarwady River in the Central region, the ancient city of Bagan is surrounded by thousands of pagodas. Mrauk U (pronounced “mraw-oo”), to the west, is sometimes known as “Little Bagan”, but has its own tale. The journey involves four days of trekking (about 20km a day), boat trips, some four-wheel drive transport and basic accommodation and food in remote areas. The price is US$1,295 (twin sharing), and the journeys are available from October 30 to November 5, November 27 to December 3 and from January 1 to 7. For more information, email sales.myanmar@khiri.com.

Surrounded by the azure waters of the Andaman Sea, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is offering a special deal for holidaymakers. A single night in Deluxe Bungalow with breakfast for two starts from Bt6,693 and includes wi-fi Internet connectivity, one-hour use of sea kayak, scoop of ice cream for a child and 20 per cent discount on food and drink. Nestled in Loh Ba Gao Bay on Phi Phi Island, this beachside resort combines seclusion with all the luxury of a five-star resort. Maya Bay, the location for the 2000 hit movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is a short boat ride away. For online booking, visit http://www.PhiPhiIslandVillage.com.

Get back into shape with the Amatara Resort & Wellness‘ Detox Stay package. The one-day package includes wellness consultation, five healthy raw juices and three cleansing green shots, Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage (60 minutes), colon hydrotherapy (60 minutes), Thai Herbal Steam (30 minutes), Thai herbal Body Scrub (30 minutes), Signature Amatara Massage (90 minutes) and complimentary access to Wellness activities classes. The treatment costs Bt10,650 per person. This luxury health resort on the hill in Phuket also features private pool villas. Call +66 (0) 76 200 800, +66 (0) 76 318 888 or visit http://www.AmataraPhuket.com.

Enjoy a Romantic Getaway package at the Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort at prices starting from Bt6,599 per couple per night. Available for booking until July 31 for stays up to December 23, the package offers accommodation in a Garden Pool Suite, daily breakfast for two, a 60-minute Navasana Spa treatment for two, round-trip airport transfers and complimentary shuttle services to Chaweng and Fisherman’s Village. Oceanfront and Ocean View Pool Suites are also available. A two-night minimum stay is required. Call (+66) 76 318 230 or email bam.phupongphiphat@outrigger.com.

Krabi Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is making the most of the so-called green season by offering a Summer Getaway to anyone looking for a blissful break by the Andaman Sea. From now through October, you can stay three nights for the price of two in all room types of this luxurious hotel. You’ll also enjoy Krabi International Airport transfers, daily breakfast for two and butler service. Tucked away in Klong Muang, far from the touristy beach of Ao Nang, Phulay Bay is an ideal hideout for a romantic break. Visit http://www.RitzCarlton.com/en/hotels/phulay-bay or email phulaybay@ritzcarlton.com.

Of ghoulies and ghosties

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AROUND THAILAND

THE NATION June 8, 2016 1:00 am
Phi Ta Khon

Phi Ta Khon

Residents of Dan Sai in Loei province are getting ready to celebrate Phi Ta Khon, one of Thailand’s most colourful and vibrant festivals.

Of ghoulies and ghosties

Residents of Dan Sai in Loei province are getting ready to celebrate Phi Ta Khon, one of Thailand’s most colourful and vibrant festivals. Taking place from July 6 to 8, this famous festival features colourful parades headed by throngs of “ghosts” and “fearsome creatures” who play with the crowds and occasionally wag and wave a whopping pink wood penis at onlookers. The highlights is the playful ghosts parade around the small town.

Ruling the waves

Walking on the water might be a miracle – but running in the water is fun. The small southern province of Chumpon is once again holding its unique race “Running Through the Sea” on Sunday, June 19. The competition covers a 14-kilometres run along the shore – of which the very last section (about one kilometre) is through the low tide to Phithak Island. The race will take place on Sunday morning at Chakri Naruebet Warship Park on Laemson Beach. Call (077) 501 831.

Riding for life

Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air is holding a cycling charity event “Nok Air Ride for Life” at Na Dan beach in Khanom, Nakhon Sri Thammarat on July 16 to raise funds for the Cardiac Children Foundation of Thailand. The event is part of the Khanom Festival 2016, also organised by Nok Air, which this year features shows by Potato, Klear, Ben Chalatit, Getsunova, 25 Hours and Win Sqweez Animal.

Marathon men (and women)

The annual Pattaya International Marathon returns to Thailand’s famous resort town on July 17 and as usual it offers competitors a choice of runs to match fitness levels. You can tackle the full 42-kilometre course or putter along for 10km. There’s a route for people in wheelchairs too. The starting times are staggered from 3.30am on Pattaya Beach Road. Find out more from the city administration at (038) 253 129 or visit www.Pattaya-Marathon.com.