Puttin’ on the Ritz

Posted on June 14, 2016 by SoClaimon

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CHECK IN

CHUSRI NGAMPRASERT
THE NATION
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA June 8, 2016 1:00 am

From a chauffeur-driven Maserati to a high tea bar, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur offers the ultimate in good living

It’s not everyday day that you get to enjoy a ride in a Maserati but then it’s not every day that you stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, where they use the luxury Italian car to ferry you from the Malaysian capital’s international airport to the hotel.

Located within the prestigious Golden Triangle district, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur offers easy access to the trendy, upscale business, shopping, dining and entertainment areas.

Serving as a luxurious home away from home for well-heeled guests from over the world for more than 18 years, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur recently undertook a complete refurbishment of all its 364 guestrooms and suites, restaurants, spa and public areas.

The lobby’s contemporary design with a touch of the classical sets the mood for what is to come. Heading to the reception desk, I am surprised to hear my name being called by a petite young lady who is walking towards me.

“We are expecting you. I am Chloe, your personal butler. How was your flight?”

Chloe leads me to my room number 1223 and walks me through the kitchen, dining area, living room, reading room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and powder room. I joke that that I might get lost in this expansive space and Chloe cracks a smile.

I decline Chloe’s offer to book a table for afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge since I need a rest to stop my cold before it goes nasty and spoils the rest of my days at The Ritz.

I decide to nap in the smaller of the two bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom and save the master bedroom for the night.

Dinner at the Library, on the first floor, is a must-have, as it is prepared to the tradition of Cesar Ritz’s top chef, Auguste Escoffier, the legendary French chef who was referred to by the French press as “king of chefs and chef of kings”.

With wood panelled walls and floor, The Library has a relaxing and stylish ambience where good food, drink and books come together under the same roof.

Back in my gigantic room, a set of colourful sweet treats with a poem brings a smile to my face. Must be The Ritz’s standard service, I think, but realise that personal service goes a step further than standard when Chloe, rings my doorbell and brings a tray of hot ginger tea.

“I heard you’re coming down with a cold. This tea will soothe the illness. If you want more tea, please dial 13 and I’ll bring you a fresh pot for you.”

I find myself tap dancing like Fred Astaire performing “Puttin’ on the Ritz” in the film “Blue Skies” while pouring hot ginger tea in my cup.

Rising the following morning and feeling much better thanks to the ginger tea, I have breakfast at The Cobalt Room. The restaurant has both local and international flavours as well as diverse food-stations offering cooked-to-order dishes. I treat myself to a second round at Roti Canai’s station as I want to try all four vegetarian curries served with the flatbread.

A three-hour Rose Therapy treatment at Spa Village gives me a chance to enjoy the rose and lavender hair treatment, a rose petal body masque, steam, a milk bath with rose and a full body massage.

That’s followed by a very light lunch at Li Yen, the hotel’s award- winning Cantonese restaurant, which allows me to save some space for another highlight at The Ritz, the renowned afternoon tea at The Lobby Lounge.

I am spoilt for choice with 40 luxury teas from Ronnefeldt to go with cakes and pastries. Finally, I choose The Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur Blend, which was created exclusively for the hotel. It’s made from green Oolong Tie Guan Yin steamed in boiling milk to produce a beguiling flavour. The delicate aroma and creamy flavour capture the essence of eastern and western tea drinking traditions.

As I savour my tea, I give a little giggle as I realise I now understand the true meaning of “Puttin’ on the Ritz”.

AT A GLANCE

High point: Spacious and well-equipped rooms and dedicated staff to cater to your every need.

Low point: None

Pay for it: Visit the hotel’s website for the best deal

Find it: 168, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Call it: (+60 3) 2142 8000

Browse it: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/malaysia/kuala-lumpur

Wine with a big blush

Posted on June 14, 2016 by SoClaimon

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FOOD & TRAVEL

PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION June 3, 2016 1:00 am

The Best Rose of Thailand Awards were held recently at luxury Phuket resort The Nai Harn.

Siam Winery’s Monsoon Valley rose lands a place in the top 10 of the Best Rose of Thailand Awards

James Suckling, the well-known professional wine taster, was astounded by the quality of a Thai rosé wine during a blind tasting held recently in Phuket as part of the Best Rose of Thailand Awards.

Siam Winery’s Monsoon Valley White Shiraz Premium Hua Hin Hills Vineyard Rose 2015 made it into the Top 10, beating more than 40 competitors from France, Italy, Chile, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa.

A much-loved summer wine and a tradition in France’s best-known beach resort of St Tropez, Suckling felt that these premium wines would do every bit as well in Thailand’s best beach destination and decided to drive his point home by organising the awards, the first of their kind in the region.

To compete the tasting, key wine importers sent 53 rosés to Suckling at The Nai Harn, a luxury hotel in south of Phuket. The American wine taster “locked” himself in the tasting room for half a day, sniffing, sipping and slurping before grading to ensure a perfect match for Thailand’s beaches.

“I’m looking for the freshness, flavour and balance,” Suckling told Explore. “It’s very hot here in summer and you don’t need something heavy. You need something easy to drink and fresh. When you have the first glass, you want another glass.”

“I didn’t see the wine before the tasting,” he adds, “but I am expecting the wines of Provence to win.”

That seemed a reasonable assumption given that Provence in Southern France is known primarily for its quality rosés.

Suckling was joined by representatives from wine importers, the media and Phuket socialites at The Nai Harn’s small beachside restaurant Rock Salt as he announced the winners.

The Château d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Garrus 2014 grabbed 97 points and won the Gold Award, while the Domaine Ott Côtes de Provence Clos Mireille 2014 (94) and Miraval Côtes de Provence 2014 (93) picked up the Silver and Bronze respectively.

“The first two wines are iconic rosés,” Suckling said. “The bronze medal winner is from Chateau Miraval, which is owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.”

Suckling wasn’t surprised to see the Provencal rosés at the top of the list – after all, he had predicted wins for them. He was however amazed to see a Thai rosé in the Top 10.

“Monsoon Valley is the best Thai winemaker right now,” he says. “The rosé from Monsoon Valley is well balanced, very drinkable and delicate.”

The American wine taster reveals that he is planning a rosé Wine Festival, probably in Phuket or perhaps in another leading beach destination. Finest wines from around the world, along with the finest food from top chefs, will be the highlights.

“I might conduct a blind test by the beach – instead of in the tasting room – which could well yield some bigger surprises,” he says.

“When I test rosés by the beach, where the wine is best enjoyed, the results could be very different.”

BEST ROSÉ OF THAILAND AWARD

1. Gold Award: Château d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Garrus 2014 (97)

2. Silver Award: Domaine Ott Côtes de Provence Clos Mireille 2014 (94)

3. Bronze Award: Miraval Côtes de Provence 2014 (93)

4. Château d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé 2015 (91)

5. Cibonne Tentations Côtes de Provence 2015 (91)

6. Château Cavalier Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014 (92)

7. Pascal Jolivet Attitude Rosé 2013 (91)

8. R de Roubine Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015 (92)

9. Siam Winery Monsoon Valley white Shiraz Premium Hua Hin Hills Vineyards Rosé 2015 (91)

10. Terre di Talamo Piano Piano Toscana Rosato 2015 (91)

The beats go on

Posted on June 14, 2016 by SoClaimon

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FESTIVAL DIARY

THE NATION June 3, 2016 1:00 am

Bali Arts Festival, Indonesia

Bali Arts Festival in Indonesia, Sanno Matsuri in Japan, Chinese Opera Festival in Hong Kong

BALI ARTS FESTIVAL

June 11 to July 9, Bali, Indonesia

Taking place over an entire month from mid June to mid July, the Bali Arts Festival is a unique extravaganza of arts, music, dance and history celebrating passion and pride in Balinese culture. Among other performances, famous masked dances originating from tribal villages are showcased and ancient classic stories retold. There’s a vibrant atmosphere all across the island as celebrations are enjoyed by locals and travellers alike.

SANNO MATSURI

June 4 to 15, Tokyo, Japan

The Sanno Matsuri was a festival permitted by the shogun to enter the grounds of Edo Castle during the Edo Period (1603-1867) along with the Kanda Matsuri. The ceremony is celebrated annually and features a parade of some 300 people dressed in ancient costumes. Others dress as the legendary goblin Tengu, characterised by a red face and a long nose, and believed to possess supernatural powers. The procession departs from the Hie Jinja shrine at 8am, ventures through the heart of Tokyo including Tokyo Station and the Ginza district, and does not return to the shrine until early in the evening.

SINGAPORE STREET FESTIVAL

June 8 to July 3, Singapore

Singapore’s Street Festival is fuelled by popular culture, artistic dynamism and self-expression. The event celebrates street culture and provides a platform for Singapore’s young people to showcase their talents, skills and abilities in the performing or visual arts, lifestyle trends, fashion and sports, entrepreneurship and technology. Expect belly dancing, street art, break dancing, yo-yo competitions, rock bands, street dancing, J-rock and more. Check out http://www.SingaporeStreetFestival.com for the full line-up.

QUEENSTOWN WINTER FESTIVAL

June 24 to July 3, Queenstown, New Zealand

Thousands of locals and visitors flock to Queenstown’s streets and ski slopes to welcome the start of winter with mountain races, street parties, fireworks, live concerts, comedy, theatre and loads of family fun. The event also features mountain biking, skiing, and rafting, epicurean feasting, comedic highs and multiple musical stages. Slide down to http://www.WinterFestival.co.nz.

CHINESE OPERA FESTIVAL

June 17 to August 14, Hong Kong

Experience the stunning sights and sounds of traditional Chinese theatre where operatic arts embody a rich cultural legacy. The Chinese Opera Festival showcases a stellar selection of Chinese Opera programmes. Traditional yet innovative, the festival sees celebrated artists captivate audiences in Hong Kong through a compelling mix of opera genres, including the local Cantonese opera, which is part of Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Visit http://www.COF.gov.hk

WIFE CARRYING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 1 to 2, Sonkajarvi, Finland

Want to impress your wife (albeit the hard way)? Then go to Finland! At the annual Wife Carrying World Championships, men carry their wives on their backs over 250-metres of obstacles, including a water jump, with the winner taking home his spouse’s weight in beer. Wives have to weigh at least 49 kilos. Any less than that and they’re given heavy rucksack to make up the difference. Visit http://www.Sonkajarvi.fi.

Dreams on a plane

Posted on June 14, 2016 by SoClaimon

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AIR TRAVEL

PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION June 1, 2016 1:00 am

Chaturaphak Phiman, THAI’s B787-8, lands at Perth Airport.

THAI’s B787-8 Business class seats ensure a comfortable journey.

The captain and crew welcome passengers on board.

Dining in style in THAI’s Royal Silk class

THAI’s B787-8 promises passengers a wide collection of movies.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is the perfect craft for a long-haul flight, especially if you’re travelling in business class

It’s a 90-minute car drive from Bangkok’s outskirts to Suvarnabhumi Airport. That’s followed by five hours of horsing around in Thai Airways’ Royal Silk Lounge, a six-hour plane trip on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to Perth in Western Australia and a full day’s sightseeing immediately after arrival. A long day, in short, is a good match for Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner experience.

With its long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin engines and the latest in technology, the Boeing 787 is designed to change the experience of long-haul air travel, both for the jet-setters and the airline. Four B787-8 aircraft were incorporated into THAI’s fleet in 2014, and two more were added last year. Thai Airways International now operates six B787-8s on different international routes, and Perth in West of Australia is one of them.

My first trip on the Dreamliner was back in 2012 when the very first aircraft rolled off the production line in Seattle. Part of Boeing’s “Dream Tour” series, the 787 Dreamliner stopped over at Suvarnabhumi Airport for a short layover before undertaking a demonstration flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The B787 was a game-changing aircraft, the Boeing team told us, one that would allow passengers to would walk away without |jet lag. And we did indeed enjoy a smooth flight but a one-hour journey within the same time zone is not the best test of jet lag.

As I take my seat – E14 – in Thai Royal Silk (business) class, I know the experience is going to be comfortable if not downright luxurious. Sipping a glass of sparkling wine, I glance at the 2-2-2 layout, and pray for a charming row-mate.

THAI’s B787-8 features 24 flat-bed Business class seats (and 240 standard Economy seats in the rear cabin). With 60 inches of seat pitch, a 19-inch-long seat width plus spacious legroom, there’s plenty of room to move. When fully reclined, these seats are completely horizontal, creating a bed that is fully flat.

You have a 16-inch screen for your private entertainment. Big screens are great but also pretty distracting, especially in a 2-2-2 configuration. For example, even if the latest Hollywood movie is fascinating you, you are going to end up glancing at the screen next to yours from time to time. The peripheral vision from other screens is annoying and if you are sitting in rows E and F, you can see six screens at the same time. The seat is equipped with a standard socket – AC Power, USB and headphone. There is no wireless Internet connectivity though but with a large selection of Hollywood new releases, you can keep busy off line.

Thai Airways has been recognised for its service and hospitality, and the Bangkok-Perth flight won’t let you down. Business class travellers are indulged with premium food and wines, among them Pouilly Fume Leon Vatan 2013 and a Pierre Gruber Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2013.

There are four choices of main course, among them Lamb Navarin, sweet and sour prawns with Thai jasmine rice, chicken thigh with eggplant in green curry and beef with bush tomato sauce.

THAI’S Boeing B787-8 is equipped with Trent 1000-AE engines, which are quiet yet powerful. Passengers in both classes also experience more natural light, lower cabin altitude level and higher humidity. Flying on the B787-8 Dreamliner should thus reduce the chances of jetlag on a long-haul flight.

On the flight from Bangkok to Perth, I fall asleep after the film and stay that way until we begin our descent. The last time I slept this soundly was on Singapore Airline’s flight to Barcelona five years ago. The B787-8, together with Trend 1000-AE, must be special.

We don’t have a terrible jetlag either. Right after landing in Perth, we go straight to Swan Valley and enjoy a day of wine tasting and fine food.

Baba in love

Posted on June 14, 2016 by SoClaimon

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AROUND THAILAND

THE NATION June 1, 2016 1:00 am

Baba in love

Like Penang and Singapore, Phuket is home to many Straits Chinese people, also known as Peranakan.

Baba in love

Phuket’s Old Town once again plays host to the Baba Wedding Festival on June 18-19. This annual festival will showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Peranakan culture, livening up the heritage district with parades by brides and grooms along with their well wishers through the cluster of Sino-Portuguese buildings. Like Penang and Singapore, Phuket is home to many Straits Chinese people, also known as Peranakan.

Spiritual in Lanna

Visit Inthakin City Pillar Festival in Chiang Mai from today until Tuesday and rediscover the spiritual side of the northern city as the faithful follow tradition and offer flowers to the pillar. A Buddha image called Phra Fon Saen Haa (the Five Hundred Thousand Raindrop Buddha) is carried to, blessed with lustral water and placed in the courtyard of the temple. Devotees are then invited to venerate the Buddha and the City Pillar, and to place flowers at the shrine. The temple is illuminated at night, as traditional dances, folk music and performances take turns to entertain festival goers.

New Area Manager for Emirates

Emirates is pleased to announce the appointment of Mohammad Sarhan as Area Manager for Thailand and In

dochina. Sarhan brings to the job more than 10 years experience in the aviation industry. Prior to being appointed to this new post, he served as Emirates’ Country Manager for Vietnam. As Area Manager, he will oversee Emirates’ commercial services and operations in Thailand and Indochina.

Full of fruity flavour

The Eastern province of Rayong celebrates the arrival of June by hosting a Fruit Festival. Durian, mangosteen, rambutan, zalacca, rakam, long kong and mayong chit (sweet yellow marian plum) are among the luscious tropical fruit guaranteed to draw visitors to its orchards and marketplaces. The event also features a fruit procession, the Miss Fruit Orchard beauty pageant, a fruit eating competition, a fruit basket arrangement competition, a papaya salad preparation contest and cultural performances. The festival takes place at Ta Phong Fruit Central Market and continues through June 8.

Traditions make perfect

Posted on June 14, 2016 by SoClaimon

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SOUTH KOREA

Chusri Ngamprasert
The Nation
Seoul, South Korea June 1, 2016 1:00 am

Jeonju Hanok Village was formed by the nobility in Joseon Dynasty. (The Nation/Chusri Ngamprasert)

Jeonju Bibimbap (Mixed rice), a dish that is believed to be based on a royal court dish of the Joseon Dynasty. (The Nation/Chusri Ngamprasert)

Jeonju Hanok Village is where the new meets the old. (The Nation/Chusri Ngamprasert)

Jeondong Catholic Church, designed by Priest Poinel, who also designed Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul (The Nation/Chusri Ngamprasert)

Portrait of King Taejo, the founder of Joseon Dynasty. (The Nation/Chusri Ngamprasert)

An important tourist centre though not very well known among international travellers, Jeonju is famous for its hanji, hanbok, hanok and cuisine

Girls in delicate but colourful hanbok are walking, chatting and laughing all around me as I wander through the streets of Jeonju Hanok Village in the heart of Jeonju city, admiring the traditional South Korean houses known as hanok. Were it not for the occasional bleeps from smartphones and the horns of cars, I would have no trouble believing I had travelled back through time to the Joseon period.

Jeonju – the name means “perfect area” – is the capital of North Jeolla Province and just two hours from Seoul by KTX train. Located in the fertile Honam plain, Jeonju has been blessed with wonderful produce for centuries. The city is famous for its history, superb quality hanji (traditional handmade Korean paper) and authentic dishes, especially Jeonju bibimbap (mixed rice) and kongnamul gukbap (bean sprout soup with rice).

“In the old days, villages naturally formed around the Jeonju fortress. After the signing of the Japan-Korea Treaty in 1905, Japanese merchants wanted to destroy the fortress and invade the residential area. The Yangban (the nobility in the Joseon Dynasty) were not having that and so started to establish Hanok villages all over Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong districts and that was the beginning of the Hanok Village we see today,” our guide explains.

Surrounded by some 700 hanoks, Jeonju’s Jeondong Cathedral, a mixture of Romanesque and Byzantine styles, stands out proudly in the crowd. Designed by Priest Poinel, who also designed Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, the cathedral was completed in 1914. Built in the place where the first Catholic martyr, Yun Ji-chung died in 1791, it is the largest and oldest western-style structure in Jeollanamdo and Jeollabukdo provinces.

“Jeonju is also regarded as the spiritual capital of the Joseon Dynasty because the Yi royal family originated here,” says Hong, our translator, as we make our way to Gyeonggijeon Shrine, the landmark of Jeonju Hanok Village.

The shrine houses the portrait of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The structure was partially destroyed during the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598), and the existing structure was remodelled in 1614.

“Look at the portrait of King Taejo and you would see that unlike other kings who wore red, he wore a blue robe.

“According to oriental philosophy, the whole universe consists of five directions: east, west, south, north and centre. Each direction has its own colour and meaning. The east represents the beginning and the colour of the east is blue. King Taejo was the first king of Joseon dynasty so he wore a blue robe,” Hong explains.

“The shape of the hat also has a significant meaning. King Taejo used the cicada wing as the model for the officer’s hat. The cicada lives humbly underground for most of its life and it never harms the crops. King Taejo wanted to remind all state officers to be like the cicada: humble and always kind to the people.”

Apart from food, Jeonju’s proudest legacy is hanji, traditional handmade paper. In the past it was the product of the region and offered as homage to the king. Hanji is more durable than paper from other countries because the Koreans used two main materials: mulberry and hibiscus.

“From November to February, we would harvest year-old paper mulberry plants then steam them for easy peeling. We skinned the bark and boiled it in water mixed with ashes from bean or buckwheat stems for 4 to 5 hours before putting it in flowing water for at least 10 hours. Then we bleached it by placing it in water under the sun for 5 to 7 days,” explains an officer at the Hanji Industry Support Centre.

“To get the fibre, we placed the cleaned bark on a flat stone board and pounded it for an hour. We then mixed the fibres with water and the mucus from the hibiscus plant to make it more durable. The fibres were later strained through a bamboo screen, which was shaken back and forth and left to right to create a criss-cross pattern of fibres. The pulp was then dried on a wooden panel. In the old days, we would press it with heavy stones to squeeze the water out, and place the papers in a warm room or on the heated floor to dry. The dried sheet would be pounded to make the surface smoother and more lustrous.”

The laborious process makes hanji the most durable paper in the world. Indeed, the oldest text on hanji, Muggujungwang, is still well preserved and dates back about 800 years.

Koreans had various ways to use hanji. They used it to cover their doorframes to control the room temperature, and because of its high quality and it durability, the upper classes wrote on it to record various documents. Some would paste many layers of hanji onto a pre-made frame to make sewing baskets and trunks.

As I painstakingly glue the coloured hanji to the paper tray, my mind drifts to the famous Jeonju bibimbap, a dish believed to be based on a royal court recipe from the Joseon Dynasty.

A surreptitious glance at my watch tells me that it won’t be long before we can really get into the heart of Jeonju by sampling its cuisine.

IF YOU GO

< Thai AirAsia X (www.AirAsia.com) flies daily between Bangkok Don Mueang to Seoul Incheon.

Great Escapes

Posted on June 14, 2016 by SoClaimon

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GETAWAYS

PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION June 1, 2016 1:00 am

Bhutan celebrates Thimphu Tsechu with traditional dance. Photo/Drukair.com

Lap up culture in Bhutan, shop in KL or idle by the River of Kings in Bangkok

Seven days in Bhutan during the Thimphu Tshechu Festival is a sejour of a lifetime. Organised by Druk Asia on behalf of Druk Air, the expedition allows visitors to discover Bhutan through such historical and geographical landmarks as Taktsang Monastery, Dochula Pass and Paro Valley, which is dotted with old monasteries and temples. The highlight is of course the Thimphu Tshechu, along with the masked dance at Thimphu Dzong, a unique rite of Tantric Buddhism. The festival takes place on October 11-13 across Bhutan. The seven-day package starts at Paro International Airport, and costs US$1,540 per person. The price covers accommodation, three meals daily, government fee, vehicle tour and an English-speaking guide. Hidden away in the Himalayas, Bhutan is full of mystery and magic, and the Thimphu Tshechu Festival is just a beginning. Visit http://www.DrukAsia.com.

Nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya, the River of Kings, the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkokpromises to pamper with its “Simply Wellness” package. Available through September 30, it includes accommodation in a Deluxe River View Room, a 90-minute spa treatment, spa cuisine lunch and late check out at 3pm, Special privileges for booking the Vitalife Longevity Programme at Bumrungrad International Hospital and a 20-per-cent discount from the third night onwards are also offered. Prices are Bt5,300 for a single and Bt6,300 ($177) for two sharing per night. Call (02) 2236 8788 or email: reservations.slbk@shangri-la.com. Visit http://www.Shangri-La.com/bangkok.

Kupu Kupu Barong Villas and Tree Spa by L’Occitane is giving guests the opportunity to rage gracefully against ageing by becoming “Immortelle”, just like the rare Corsican flowers which never fade after being picked. For $1,400 (Bt50,000) net for two sharing, guests will enjoy four-night stay in a Riverfront Pool Villa with daily breakfast for two, a 90-minute “Immortelle Secret to Everlasting Youth” (for two guests), one Bird Nest dinner, airport transfers and in-room Immortelle flower decorations. This tropical-chic resort is tucked away in Ubud on Bali.

For reservations and inquiries email: reservation@kupubarong.com.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, Kuala Lumpur, offers a romantic retreat in Malaysia’s capital. The three-day, two-night deal costs RM1,039 ($251) per night and includes daily breakfast for two, one set dinner, sparkling wine and 20-per-cent savings on a la carte spa treatments at The Spa. Set between Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park and the Petronas Twin Towers, this luxury |hotel is just one kilometre from the Pavilion shopping mall. For reservations call (60 3) 2179 8818 or email: mokul-reservations@mohg.com.

A cheap night at Movenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya won’t make you feel cheap at Thailand’s most famous beach holiday destination. For Bt3,999 per night, guests enjoy an upgrade from a Deluxe Seaview Room to a Premium Seaview, free wireless Internet, buffet breakfast and chocolate treat. The promotion is available from Sunday to Thursday until June 30. For booking, email: hotel.pattaya.reservation@movenpick.com.

A walk on the wild side

Posted on May 30, 2016 by SoClaimon

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JAPAN

CORRIE TAN
THE STRAITS TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
May 27, 2016 1:00 am

The Nakasendo walk passes through the heart of Narai. Photos/The Straits Times

Walking though a bamboo forest along the trail. Photos/The Straits Times

Hiking from village to village along Japan’s Nakasendo Trail

It’s our first trip to Japan and my friends are eager to make it count, rhapsodising about Tokyo’s teeming streets and the shopping, food, technology and efficiency.

While I am sure the Japanese capital is as fascinating as they say, my husband and I decide to go on a different sort of pilgrimage: a four-day, three-night self-guided walk on the Nakasendo in central Japan, an ancient 533km trail established in the Edo period (1603 to 1868) that connected Edo (now Tokyo) to Kyoto, the imperial capital.

We are walking only a tiny section of the Nakasendo, literally the “central mountain route”, about 35km of walking plus a few bus and train transfers between the Kiso Valley towns of Magome and Kiso Hirasawa, but the route offered by tour operator Oku Japan promises a challenging, invigorating walk through low mountain passes and lush bamboo forests.

Our starting point in Magome is a bustling tourist pit stop. Shopkeepers are selling gohei-mochi, rice balls served with a special miso sauce and the cobblestone path through the village is lined with tourists clutching selfie sticks.

But in about half an hour, just about every tourist seems to have vanished. We see the opening to a bamboo grove and a gleaming bell on a wooden post, one of hundreds of bear bells on the well-marked route. Small brown bears live in the forests and in the mountains, and even though we do not see any, hikers are encouraged to ring these bells to warn the animals of their presence.

A group of half a dozen local walkers beams at us, greeting us with a warm “konnichiwa” (good afternoon) as they head back towards Magome, and they are the last large group of people we will see on our entire walk.

We have lunch at a tiny 15-seat soba restaurant run by the wife of the village postman, who plies us with endless dishes, including horse meat, and is tickled by our attempts at speaking Japanese.

Our walk takes us through small farms, past family shrines and perfectly manicured little gardens. We pause to drink in the sight of thousands of tall, narrow pines standing guard over our dirt path, their leaves whispering in the light breeze.

We soon see O-Tsumago, the small hamlet where we will spend the night. Tanuki statues beckon from the doors of each ryokan. We stay at the Maruya Minshuku a cosy family-run inn housed in a 230-year-old wooden building that boasts two shared baths with bathtubs made of cypress wood from the Kiso Valley filled with hot, fragrant water and a delicious mix of bath salts.

The walk on the second day is the longest at 18.4km; our guidebook indicates an elevation gain of about 723m. It takes us through a stunning, dense bamboo forest. Small rabbit-like animals skitter through the trees, too quick for us to identify. An eagle circling overhead pauses to rest on a tall post, observing us as we trudge through the drizzle. As we walk through one of the quiet hamlets, at least five Shiba Inus, one of Japan’s well-loved dog breeds, bark at the disturbance, tails wagging cautiously.

The ascent is beautiful, taking us over bubbling streams, through rich farmland and picturesque little villages, where we greet lone farmers at work. However, the long, winding descent on tarmac takes us past swathes of charred and felled forest, leaving us wondering what might have happened.

We arrive at the Nojiri train station, ravenous after about seven hours of walking and in time to catch the train departing for Kiso-Fukushima, where a staff member from the Komanoyu Ryokan immediately bundles us off in a van to the gorgeous inn, which offers indoor and outdoor baths for guests.

Once we are dressed in yukata robes provided by the hotel, we are plied with sake and a 10-course dinner featuring ingredients sourced mostly from the area, including grilled salmon and tender beef.

We take the train to nearby Yabuhara the next morning, embarking on one of the loveliest walks of the trip, a climb up a forested trail to the Torii-touge Pass. It is a crisp, sunny day and the weather is perfect for a good hike, offering sweeping views of the valley below, including Narai, “the town of 1,000 inns”.

In Narai, we stay at Iseya inn, which was established in 1818. During the Edo period, it served as one of the town’s two porter-service offices. Its private baths are made of Kiso umbrella pine and there are only 10 guestrooms. Narai’s historic buildings are well preserved and travellers throughout the years have rested at its inns after climbing the Torii-touge.

Our journey ends the next day with a short but pleasant walk alongside a burbling river to Kiso- Hirasawa. We stop to buy some pieces of lacquerware, which the town is known for, and strike up a halting conversation in English with the storekeeper, who says he much prefers the peace of village living to that of the city.

I do not give that conversation much thought until we are back in Tokyo navigating the labyrinthine Shinjuku station, hemmed in by thousands of commuters as they make their way from one train to the next.

The city has its own pulse, a rapid palpitation of schedules to follow and trains to catch. We stay in a capsule hotel for a night just for the fun of it, but the isolation of urban living soon catches up with me.

Those four days of walking, slowly, from village to village, where time becomes elastic and stretches out, languorously, ahead of us – is something to be savoured in a world where we constantly race ahead, but leave so much behind.

Nebuta Matsuri will return to Japan in August

Posted on May 30, 2016 by SoClaimon

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/Nebuta-Matsuri-will-return-to-Japan-in-August-30286655.html

FESTIVAL DIARY

THE NATION May 27, 2016 1:00 am

Nebuta Matsuri Festival in Japan

Recognised as one of Japan’s “Three Big Fire Festivals”, Aomori Nebuta is renowned internationally and is designated as a significant intangible folk cultural asset of Japan.

HONG KONG BOOK FAIR

July 20 to 26, Hong Kong

First held in 1990, the book fair has become an annual major event in Hong Kong with the number of visitors reaching a new high every year. The show at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre goes well beyond books and explores the realms of electronic publishing, educational software and audio-visual learning aids. Expect more than 300 cultural events to promote reading.

NEBUTA MATSURI

August 2 to 7, Aomori, Japan

Recognised as one of Japan’s “Three Big Fire Festivals”, Aomori Nebuta is renowned internationally and is designated as a significant intangible folk cultural asset of Japan. During the festival, more than 20 large nebutas – large lantern floats depicting gods, historical or mythical warrior figures – are wheeled along the parade route in the city of Aomori. Ahead of each float, Nebuta dancers called haneto dance wildly to the hayashi music, making the summer night event lively and exciting. The festival attracts around 3 million visitors a year.

NAADAM

July 11 to 13, Ulan Bator, Mongolia

Naadam, the country’s largest and most famous festival, takes place as part of the celebrations for Mongolia National Day on July 12. The biggest festival in the land, it involves competitions in the three major traditional sports of Mongolia: wrestling, horse racing and archery. Naadam is believed to have existed for centuries in one fashion or another. Originally it was a religious festival and annual sacrifice honouring various mountain gods and celebrating success in battle or harvest. Now it commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared its independence.

SEOUL INTERNATIONAL CARTOON ANIMATION FESTIVAL

July 6 to 10, Seoul, South Korea

Animation fans from over the world are invited to join the Seoul International Cartoon Animation Festival (Sicaf), as animated characters from Korea and other countries take over the big screen. From animation classics to new talents, Sicaf presents new technology and the potential of animation through the event’s outstanding films. Visit Sicaf.org.

MIDNIGHT SUN MARATHON

June 18, Tromso, Norway

Runners from more than 50 different countries meet in the Norwegian Arctic city of Tromso. The Midnight Sun Marathon, the world’s northernmost certified marathon, is held at night, but all runners still run in bright daylight. The sun doesn’t set for two months, from the middle of May to the middle of July. This is one of the things that makes the Midnight Sun Marathon a special and exotic event. The pure feeling of the midnight sun in stunning surroundings is a major part of the reason the race is a target for a great number of runners around the world. Visit Msm.no.

BOSTON DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

June 11 and 12, Boston, USA

Every year Boston Dragon Boat Festival roars for two days on the Charles River between JFK Street and Western Avenue Bridge. Follow the thunder of drums to the river and you will witness New England’s biggest Asian-American celebration. Along with the boat races there are traditional Chinese crafts, martial arts and dragon dancing. Check out the action at BostonDragonBoat.org.

Destination Culture

Posted on May 30, 2016 by SoClaimon

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/Destination-Culture-30286649.html

KRABI

JARUNEE TAEMSAMRAN
SPECIAL TO THE NATION May 25, 2016 1:00 am

A rewarding view for the early bird: the picturesque scenery of Pak Nam Krabi. Photo/Jarunee Taemsamran

The Suriya bead, a replica of the Suriya Dev Mu or the red Indian face bead found in Krabi’s Klong Thom district. Photo/Jarunee Taemsamran

The large dinosaur in front of Krabi’s Andaman Cultural Centre attracts visitors to the museum. Photo/Jarunee Taemsamran

Krabi recently celebrated its 144th anniversary with a cultural festival. Photo/Jarunee Taemsamran

The Andaman Cultural Centre hosts exhibitions by both local and international artists. Photo/Jarunee Taemsamran

This elegant crystal chandelier featuring the solar system is exhibited at the Andaman Bead Museum. Photo/Jarunee Taemsamran

Selected by the Culture Ministry as a contemporary art city, the Southern town of Krabi offers much more than sun, sea and sand

My first few hours in the Southern Thai province of Krabi leave me soaked and surprised. Soaked thanks to an unexpected downpour after an unusually dry spell, surprised because this resort on the South Andaman sea, a favourite with foreign tourists for its pristine beaches, is also a destination rich in art and culture.

Earlier this month, Krabi celebrated the 144th anniversary of its founding with a cultural festival that highlighted not just its own traditions and identity but also featured cultural performances from the 14 provinces of the Southern region as well as elsewhere in the world, with delegations from Indonesia, Korea, and Croatia also taking part.

Krabi town is also home to a wealth of fascinating sculptures, many of them decorating the stop signs at major intersections. Among them are stone depictions of ancient folk people perched on top of the traffic lights and an eagle, lion, tiger and elephant looking on benevolently as cars and pedestrians cross the street. The best known is probably the mud crabs sculpture near the Tara public park, which is also a scenic viewpoint. From here visitors can enjoy the backdrop of river life in the Krabi estuary while taking in Khao Kanab Nam, the two mountains roughly 100 metres tall that sit on both banks of the river at the entrance to the city.

Going further into town, I spot a large dinosaur guarding the Andaman Cultural Centre and Andaman Beads Museum.

“They have very interesting exhibitions here, you should definitely check them out,” says my friend, a proud resident of Krabi, and my chauffeur for this trip to the South.

A member of the museum’s staff tells me that the dinosaur is a gimmick to draw visitors. It works too, bringing in both residents and visitors to admire the interactive exhibition that elaborates on the intriguing history of Krabi which, along with Ranong, Phang Nga, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat was once an important production centre for fashionable beads exported to the global market.

The unearthing of several rare beads in the area has given rise to the belief that Krabi was the main and most important production centre in the region. Among the finds are the rare yet precious Suriya Dev Mu, red Indian face beads dating back some 2,000 to 3,000 years that were excavated in Klong Thom district. Other beads produced in the area include bird and sunburst glass beads, banded beads, black-and-yellow tubular glass beads and Sankalok beads in varying shapes and sizes among them spherical, square cylinder, carambol, melon glass, quill hexagonal and collared.

The Andaman Cultural Centre is more contemporary in nature and exhibits a range of artworks by well-known Thai, Asian and international artists, among them Tawan Dutchanee and Kamol Tassananchalee. There is also an intriguing exhibition of Muslim art that reflects on the ongoing long conflict in the three southernmost provinces.

Big name artists are occasionally invited to exhibit their works here as a way of keeping art alive in Krabi and fulfilling the municipality’s mission of turning the town into the regional centre for art and culture.

Behind the City Hall is the Krabi Historical Wall built to celebrate the region’s immense historical importance. The wall features 28 panels illustrating important historical records, legends and identity. An art and cultural market is held in this pedestrian zone every Thursday from 3 to 9pm.

The wall was built in 2013 following Krabi’s selection by the Culture Ministry’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) as a model for the government’s Contemporary Art City Development project, which aims to create a new category of tourist destinations.

And as I discovered, that artistic development doesn’t just tell stories of the past but also lifts the veil on the city’s future as the cultural capital of the south.

IF YOU GO

+ The Andaman Cultural Centre is on Maharaj Road (Sculpture Road), Mueang district, Krabi and is open daily from 10 to 4.30. Admission is currently free. A fee will probably levied following the official opening, though no date has yet been set.

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Category Archives: Travel

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Hiking from village to village along Japan’s Nakasendo Trail

Nebuta Matsuri will return to Japan in August

Recognised as one of Japan’s “Three Big Fire Festivals”, Aomori Nebuta is renowned internationally and is designated as a significant intangible folk cultural asset of Japan.

Destination Culture

Selected by the Culture Ministry as a contemporary art city, the Southern town of Krabi offers much more than sun, sea and sand

From a chauffeur-driven Maserati to a high tea bar, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur offers the ultimate in good living

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Siam Winery’s Monsoon Valley rose lands a place in the top 10 of the Best Rose of Thailand Awards

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Bali Arts Festival in Indonesia, Sanno Matsuri in Japan, Chinese Opera Festival in Hong Kong

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The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is the perfect craft for a long-haul flight, especially if you’re travelling in business class

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Like Penang and Singapore, Phuket is home to many Straits Chinese people, also known as Peranakan.

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An important tourist centre though not very well known among international travellers, Jeonju is famous for its hanji, hanbok, hanok and cuisine

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Lap up culture in Bhutan, shop in KL or idle by the River of Kings in Bangkok

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Hiking from village to village along Japan’s Nakasendo Trail

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Recognised as one of Japan’s “Three Big Fire Festivals”, Aomori Nebuta is renowned internationally and is designated as a significant intangible folk cultural asset of Japan.

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Selected by the Culture Ministry as a contemporary art city, the Southern town of Krabi offers much more than sun, sea and sand

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