The Immigration Directorate General revealed on its official Instagram account @ditjen_imigrasi on Monday that both governments were preparing to open registration for the program, which was first commenced in 2009, this year.

To be eligible for the WHV, applicants must be Australian and Indonesian citizens aged between 18 and 30 years old. The visa would allow them to stay in the other country for up to 12 months for various purposes, such as education and part-time employment.

Indonesians who are interested in applying must first obtain an Issuance of Indonesian Government Recommendation Letters (SRPI), a document issued by the Immigration Directorate General.

The office has yet to announce the dates of the registration.

The government has established a quota of 1,000 applicants who will be selected through both online and face-to-face administrative processes, a spike from the previous 100 applicant quota regulated during its early commencement.

There are also terms and conditions for getting the visa that are in accordance with agreements made between the two countries.

The visas are being promoted as part of an effort to encourage and boost cultural exchanges as well as to maintain relations, especially among the youths of the two countries. (ars/kes)

My first visit after checking into my hotel is Casa Mila in Passeig de Gracia. Built between 1906 and 1912 as a residence for a very wealthy family, Casa Mila is a testament to Gaudi’s modernist architecture and was recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage in 1984.

Referred to as “La Pedrera”, which translates as the stone quarry, it stands out amongst other buildings in the area for its façade of undulating stone that, along with its forged iron balconies, explores the irregularities of the natural world.

From the outside it looks a little like a mountain. Enter the doors and you could easily be in a cave or forest. And while the entire building is worthy of admiration, one of its most iconic spaces is its spectacular roof terrace.

The next day, I head to Parc Guell in Carretera del Carmel, about 90 minutes from downtown Barcelona and a pleasant ride by both car and bus. Another Unesco World Heritage site and located on Carmel Hill, it is designed as a garden complex and houses a series of dynamically designed buildings including Gaudi’s own home. It was built between 1900 and 1914 for one of Gaudi’s biggest clients, Eusebi Guell I Bacigalupi, the count of Guell.

Spread over 42 acres, Gaudi’s landscape was greatly inspired by organic shapes. Most buildings boast “trencadis” (surfaces covered with irregular ceramic pieces) that are characteristic of Gaudí and Art Nouveau.

Shaped like a dragon, the long terrace is the best vantage point over Barcelona and covered in colorful mosaics. The museum, Casa del Guarda or the Caretaker’s House, hosts a permanent exhibition on Gaudí and Barcelona.

But the highlight of my trip was my visit to La Sagrada Familia on Carrer Mallorca. This is the most famous of Gaudí’s works – his masterpiece. Most tourists and residents refer to La Sagrada Familia as the ‘under construction’ church – and indeed Gaudi commenced construction of it back in 1892. It’s not expected to be finished until 2026 — to commemorate the centenary of Gaudí’s death.

The church was in fact started by architect Francisco de Paula del Villar in 1882. He resigned in 1883 giving Gaudí the opportunity to take over as chief architect. He immediately transformed the project from a typical cathedral to the masterpiece the world knows today, combining Gothic principles with curvilinear Art Nouveau forms and his own geometric style.

Designed with nature in mind, coloured mirrors around the church represent earth, sky, ocean, and forest.

The church’s pillars are inspired by trees and the overall effect is one of being in a forest. Experts describe it as an excellent depiction of the relationship between man, nature, and religion and it’s easy to see why. It’s also imposingly tall, measuring 170 metres, just one metre less than the peak of the city’s Montjuic hill.

Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project. At the time of his death, less than a quarter of the project was complete. Gaudí died at age 73 in 1926 after being run down by a tram. He is buried in Sagrada Familia’s crypt.

After Gaudí’s death, construction progressed slowly and was halted several times by events like the Spanish Civil War and revolutionaries partially destroying Gaudí’s original plans, among others.

While construction is now going at a faster pace, 10 more spires are still to be completed, each symbolizing an important Biblical figure in the New Testament.

Gaudí believed that his creation should not surpass God’s creation.

Sagrada Familia is the venue for one of the most important scenes in “Origin” – the staircase scuffle, which sees Landon fighting one of people who wants to kill him.

As yet, there are no indications that “Origin” will be turned into a movie and even it if were, it’s doubtful that the staircase shuffle could be filmed inside the cathedral.

For that reason, I would advise anyone, whether or not they love the book, to take time out and spend time getting up close and cosy with Gaudi’s architecture and the hospitable city of Barcelona.

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IF YOU GO

Several airlines offer flights from Bangkok to Barcelona. Journey time is about 11 hours.

To visit Parc Güell, either take a tour (most hotels will arrange these) or board a city bus. Numbers 24, 31, 32, H6 92 run from Placa Catalunya to Parc Guell. It takes 90 minutes to two hours.

The Shwedagon Pagoda is a must-see for every visitor to Yangon.

A smooth one-hour flight later, my fellow travellers and I arrived later that morning in Yangon where we were welcomed by a female official from World Rewards Solutions from Thailand, our hosts from this trip, who introduces herself as our butler.

The Shwedagon Pagoda is a must-see for every visitor to Yangon.

Our first stop was Le Planteur, a high-end traditional French restaurant and one of the most luxurious places to dine on European cuisine in Yangon. Set in a heritage house built in 1902, it overlooks a beautiful garden on the banks of Inya Lake. Lunch over, we were taken to stretch our legs with a trip to view Yangon’s stunning heritage buildings with their colonial architecture and observe life around the city.

Pigeons hover around the telephone wires in front of a pink colonial building in downtown Yangon.

Our walking tour started on Strand Road then turned right at the Myanmar Port Authority where we came face to face with the three octagonal towers that make up the Accountant General Building, one of the city’s most photographed heritage edifices, which is partially occupied by Yangon Divisional Court and Department of Pensions. We continued along the road to the Yangon Heritage Trust, which is used to promote and protect Yangon’s past and also to create a plan for Yangon to be one of the most livable cities in Southeast Asia.

The Accountant General Building with its three octagonal towers and the Myanmar Port Authority make for a good photo.

At the intersection of Mahabandoola and Pansodan roads, we stopped to photograph a large flock of pigeons sitting on and flying around the telephone wires in front of a colonial building painted a pretty pale pink. Further along the street, local residents are having a late lunch at the several food stalls but still full from lunch, we continued along the road to admire Immanuel Baptist Church built in 1885, Yangon City Hall built in 1927 and a fine example of Burmese colonial architecture, and the Ayeyarwady Bank, which formerly served as the Rowe & Co Department Store. Here too is the Sule Pagoda, a Burmese stupa right at the heart of downtown Yangon.

The Burmese-style Sule Pagoda in the heart of downtown Yangon

Across the street from the City Hall is Mahabandula Park, home to the Independent Monument and also dozens of food stalls alone the fence. On the east side of the park is the former High Court, one of the most iconic buildings in Yangon. Dressed in jeans, I felt decidedly out of place alongside the local men who were all wearing the traditional longyi.

Myanmar people tuck into street food.

Our tour into the history of Yangon ended, we moved to The Strand, one of the most iconic 5-star hotels in Asia and our home for the night. It is here that World Reward Solutions chose to celebrate its first anniversary with a sit-down dinner and launch its new service Silver Voyage.

The Yangon Heritage Trust is now used to promote and protect Yangon’s past and also to create a plan for Yangon to be one of the most livable cities in Southeast Asia.

World Reward Solutions is an innovative solutions platform that promises corporate organisations personalised rewards and loyalty programmes. It offers three signature services, all of them so prestigious that the firm is already recognised as one of the best loyalty programme providers in Thailand. The first signature service is “Infinity Rewards” offering digital redemption, privilege concierge, gift vouchers and SMS verification for each rewards programme to be tailored and customized.

The Ayeyarwady Bank was the former Rowe & Co Department Store building.

The second service is the new “Silver Voyage” offering point-to-point VIP transfers in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong as well as its alliance network in other major cities in the world, and a personalised butler service, where customers are assisted seamlessly from the time they step out from their door to the airport check-in counter. The last signature service is “Airport Assist” and, with today’s crowded airports and long queues, turns a test of endurance into a seamless VIP indulgence.

Built in 1927, Yangon City Hall is a fine example of Burmese colonial architecture.

“World Reward Solutions consists of two brands: World Reward, which is a digital platform we use to create reward programmes for our corporate customers and Silver Voyage, which allows our customers to experience seamless travel with a butler and limousine,” says Jakkapan “Keng” Rattanapet, managing director of World Reward Solutions, who has more than 15 years of experience working with top concierge companies in Thailand, Singapore and the UK.

Le Planteur offers a breathtaking view of a beautiful garden by Inya Lake.

“Our customers are mainly involved in private banking, insurance, luxury cars, and real estate, and of course all have the money for our CRM or customer relation management programme. Our challenge is to come up with innovative rewards to engage them.”

Immanuel Baptist Church was built in 1885.

Jakkapan describes the trips created by World Reward Solutions as a “money can’t buy” experience and notes that he has arranged a private dinner for 50 customers with a menu designed by a Michelin chef at a part of trip to Angkor Wat as well as afternoon tea with a member of Bhutan’s royal family member.

The Police Commissioner’s Building is one of the most imposing structures in Yangon.

Our second day is Yangon is highlighted by a visit to the stunningly beautiful Shwedagon Pagoda and a tour of Bogyoke Aung San Market, which was formerly known as Scott’s Market, where we stock up on thanaka, the powder derived from the wood, bark and roots of the Limonia acidissima tree, which is used all over Myanmar.

World Reward Solutions’ Jakkapan Rattanapet caters to the well-helled with a lifestyle management experience called “money can’t buy”.

GO ON, SPOIL YOURSELVES

A limousine pick to/from the airport is a part of the Silver Voyage programme.

Find out about the “money can’t buy” experience at World Reward Solutions (02) 016 9998, (097) 235 2895, or visit http://www.worldrewardsolutions.com and https://www.facebook.com/worldrewardsolutions/

They are still young but know what they want when it comes to their travel plans, with 67 per cent of Gen Z saying they have an optimistic outlook on travel and are excited by all the places they’ll travel to in the future.

Around 39 per cent plan to have visited at least three different continents over the next 10 years and 30 per cent intend to have studied or lived in a different country (34 per cent female versus 26 per cent male)

Gen Z is a daring bunch with 56 per cent wanting an adventure experience from their travels, such as paragliding or bungee jumping, 52 per cent planning on visiting or trekking to an extreme location and 33 per cent likely to enhance their skills by learning something new while travelling.

And it’s not just new skills they’ll be looking to learn, as 55 per cent of Gen Z say travelling in their own country helps them to learn and discover more about themselves.

Many young travelers are already stepping out into the world with their family, with 42 per cent of Gen Z travelers indicating that they mainly do it because it allows them to go on trips that they would not otherwise have the funds for. But as Gen Z looks to fly the nest, they’re keen to do it alone.

Independence is a priority for this generation. Over the next ten years, 34 per cent plan to have traveled on their own at least once (36 per cent women versus 32 per cent men)

Gen Z’s passion to fly solo is further revealed with 33 per cent saying they prefer to be alone when they travel (more so than all other age demographics) and 18 per cent wanting to take a solo backpacking trip / gap year.

“As the first generation of digital natives comes of age, it’s exciting to see this research reveal that Gen Z travellers are a determined generation whose excitement to explore means that they have mapped out many of their future travel plans already,” says Ram Papatla, vice president of Global Experiences at Booking.com.“Their affinity and comfort with technology dovetails perfectly with our ambition to learn and deliver an even more seamless, connected trip experience. We want to empower people of all ages to make the most out of every adventure, with their device as a powerful resource instead of a dependency – something Gen Z truly appreciates.”

For full details on research release, please visit https://destinationgenz.com/

Lying on a bend of the Ayeyarwady River in the central plains of Myanmar, Bagan is home to nearly 3,600 ancient monuments, featuring an exceptional range of Buddhist art and architecture. The site’s eight components include numerous temples, stupas, monasteries and places of pilgrimage, as well as archaeological remains, frescoes and sculptures. The property bears spectacular testimony to the peak of Bagan civilisation from the 11th to 13th centuries, according to Unesco.

Speaking from Baku, Ohnmar Myo, international coordinator at the Department of Archaeology and National Museum, told The Nation that Bagan was selected as a World Heritage Site under three selection criteria: bearing a unique testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation; being an outstanding example of architectural or technological ensemble in human history; and being an exceptional example of living Buddhist beliefs and tradition of merit-making.

“We feel extremely proud for this inscription, and are committed to working harder for the sustainability of Bagan, our genuine treasure,” she said.

Ambassador Kyaw Zeya, head of the Myanmar delegation, said Myanmar is now celebrating the joyous moment of the successful inscription of Bagan on the World Heritage list.

“It is a proud moment not just for us, but for all of you to be part of this inscription process,” he said.

“We will continue our efforts on the conservation and management of Bagan so that this treasure heritage will remain for thousands of years as a heritage of humanity.”

The official lauded the efforts and collaboration of many stakeholders — government officials, intellectuals, local and foreign experts, development partners, the private sector, volunteer groups including Bagan in Our Hearts, and local communities during the long journey of inscription process.

He also named some countries that played a key role in making Bagan inscribed on the list: China, Colombia, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland.

Kyaw Zeya said the whole nation was delighted to witness Bagan as the second World Heritage Site in Myanmar. Three of Myanmar’s Pyu cities — Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra — have been inscribed on the World Heritage list since June 2014.

“Bagan is a living heritage, having endured all forms of challenges for more than a thousand years,” he said.

Aye Nyein Thu, a representative of Myanmar Tourist Guides Association (MTGA), attending the Unesco meeting, told The Nation the inscription would help Myanmar reintegrate with the world.

“Until recently, some countries had negative views on Myanmar due to some news coverage on international media. We now get a chance to prove that Myanmar is really worth a visit,” she said.

“This inscription is truly a dream for us over the decades. Now, our dream has come true. But, it is just the very first step and we still have a long way to go.”

In a bid to explain to delegates from other nations about the real truth of the latest developments in Myanmar, MTGA chose her as the organisation’s representative to be present at the high-level meeting in Azerbaijan’s capital. With her proficiency in French and English, Aye Nyein Thu said she could help promote the country and had fruitful discussions with delegates from Islamic countries in the Middle East and Africa.

She said nearly 40 delegates from Myanmar are attending the meeting, and more than half of them are volunteers who cannot wait to see Bagan as a world heritage.

“Before the official announcement, we were worried about what some European countries, particularly Norway, Hungary and Spain, would comment on this nomination [for Bagan]. Today, we were fortunate enough to witness that all of them amicably agreed that Bagan deserved it,” she said.

“Here, we had a chance to learn about management plans from international experts, and ICOMOS [the International Council on Monuments and Sites] also provided 20-point recommendations to ensure sustainability of Bagan. Now, it is our responsibility to conserve this living cultural site.”

Speaking from Nay Pyi Taw, Arkar Kyaw, deputy director at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, told The Nation that Unesco has finally recognised the importance of Bagan, referring to Myanmar’s efforts to nominate Bagan for inclusion on the World Heritage list since 1996, which were plagued by controversies over some renovations.

“This inscription means Bagan, as a World Heritage, will be protected not only by our government but also by the whole world,” he said.

“With the financial and technical support of Unesco and international partners, we will concentrate on the conservation of our ancient monuments from now on.”

Arkar Kyaw foresees a promising future for Myanmar’s tourism industry as well as for local communities.

“This will lead to better socio-economic conditions for locals living in the Bagan archaeological zone and nearby villages, as there will be new jobs and opportunities for them,” he said.

He said the authorities would also make efforts to nominate Myauk-U in the conflict-torn Rakhine state for inclusion on the World Heritage list.

“This inscription encourages us to try harder to sustain our historical blessings. The more support we get from the international community, the more we come up with outstanding management plans for our invaluable heritage sites,” he said.

Thant Myint-U, a historian and founder of Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT), considered the inscription as a boost to the proper conservation of the sublimely beautiful and historically important site as well as a barrier for those who would prioritise tourist dollars above all.

According to YHT, the inscription could largely contribute to the management and conservation of Bagan’s invaluable heritage.