Book from 11 to 17 July for immediate departure from 18 July to 24 Nov 2016. Plus earning double points when booking flights.
Book from 11 to 17 July for immediate departure from 18 July to 24 Nov 2016. Plus earning double points when booking flights.
AirAsia and AirAsia X are offering 20% discount on all flights to over 120 destinations in 24 countries. This special promo will run from 11 to 17 July for immediate travel from 18 July to 24 November 2016.
This promo is applicable for all AirAsia and AirAsia X flights with flight codes AK (AirAsia Malaysia), D7 (Malaysia AirAsia X), FD (AirAsia Thailand), XJ (Thai AirAsia X), QZ (AirAsia Indonesia) international flights, Z2 (AirAsia Philippines) and I5 (AirAsia India).
Tassapon Bijleveld, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia said, “We are pleased to offer 20% discount on all seats across all our flights, including our newly launched routes such as directly flight to Shantou, and Vientiane, as well as for Thai AirAsia X, the direct flight to Muscat, the capital of Oman and Tehran, the capital of Iran”
“It is a very good time for our guests to plan their year-end holiday or go for a spontaneous getaway to many exciting destinations on our extensive flight network. The Fly-Thru option and Premium Flatbed are also included in this promo so our guests can fly further in style on our World’s Best Premium Cabin Seat!” added Tassapon.
During the promotion period, AirAsia BIG members can earn double BIG Points while booking their promo seats on airasia.com (excluding D7 flights) or redeem flights on airasiabig.com. Bargain hunters can also enjoy greater savings when they book the discounted flights with hotel accommodation on AirAsiaGo.com.
Guests can take advantage of the Fly-Thru service to seamlessly connect to any destination in AirAsia’s network within one stop via multiple transit hubs, without having to pass immigration and with their baggage checked through to the final destination.
AirAsia and AirAsia X encourage all guests to pre-book baggage allowance online when booking their flights to enjoy the best deal. Alternatively, guest can also pre-book or add more baggage allowance through airasia.com up to 4 hours before the scheduled time of departure using the Manage My Booking function.
Keep updated with AirAsia’s latest promotions and activities via Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) andFacebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).
Classic Warm Ricotta Tart, pistachio, candied orange and ricotta gelato
Confit Abalone Carpaccio, sweet pepper and semi-dried tomato, oscietra caviar
Michelin-starred guest chef Umberto Bombana is in charge of the eight-course dinner, which includes Confit Abalone Carpaccio and Blue Lobster.
S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna are hosting a gourmet Italian dinner paired with mineral water and fine wine on Wednesday and Thursday at Le Normandie, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Michelin-starred guest chef Umberto Bombana is in charge of the eight-course dinner, which includes Confit Abalone Carpaccio and Blue Lobster. The price is Bt13,000 per person. Book a seat at (02) 659 9000 extension 7390 or email MobkkRestaurants@mohg.com.
PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION July 6, 2016 1:00 am
A showcase of wax sculptures includes an angel dancing with the mystical Garuda. Thailand will mark the three-month Buddhist retreat on July 20 with candle offerings and colourful parades. Nation photo
Dancers in Nakhon Phanom Province perform in front of Phra That Phanom Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist landmark, at the beginning of Vassa. Photo/Tourism Authority of Thailand
The celebration of the candle festival in the northern province of Nan is both humble and devout. Nation photo
A local artisan works on a wax sculpture destined for a beautiful float that tells the tale of Lord Buddha. Nation photo
Folks in Ayutthaya province celebrate the candle offering along the canal. Nation photo. Nation photo
Local people, their hands full of flowers, wait for the arrival of Buddhist monks in Saraburi province, some two hours north of Bangkok. Nation photo
Thailand marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent with candle carving, merit-making and folk dancing
With the monsoon season now in full swing and the rains nourishing the delicate rice seeds sowed not so long ago, it’s time for Thailand to mark the Khao Phansa Festival. Held across the country in the middle of July, this spiritual event sees devotees of the Buddhist faith offering beautifully carved candles to the temples in a gesture reminiscent of the days when the monks would use the candles to provide light as they chanted Buddhist texts throughout the night.
From Ubon Ratchathani to Nan provinces, from boats on the canals to rides on elephant-back, the festival is celebrated in many different ways with floats, cultural shows, folk music, traditional dance and parades forming the main theme.
We take a look at some of the most delightful candle festivals.
UBON RATCHATHANI
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When: July 18-20
Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand’s lower Northeast is the champion when it comes to candle carving and spectacular floats and parades. Tourists and devotees are lured to the provincial capital to admire the amazing wax and candle carvings, many of them shaped into Buddha images and angels. In more recent years, the festival has incorporated a candle contest, with international artists and college students competing to show off their artistic creations. This year’s event kicked off at the beginning of this week and runs through July 20 with artists from Russia, the US, Taiwan and Spain exhibiting their works in Thungsrimuang square. A sightseeing tour of the candle-making communities of Wat Sripradoo, Wat Thungsrimuang and Wat Pholphaen allows visitors to watch as residents cut up and melt the beeswax then pour it into moulds to form components of the huge, elaborate candles. The event culminates on July 20 when thousands of spectators line the streets to witness the colourful candle float parade.
NAN
When: July 20
If extravagant candle floats are not your cup of tea, then check out the humble wax-offering rite in Wiang Sa, Nan Province. On July 20, two days after the full moon, residents of Wiang Sa district will offer small dice and sticks of candle and wax to the Buddhist monks at Wat Buen Yeun. Like almsgiving, this unique yet original candle offering has been an act of virtue since the early 1800s. With the monks staying in their temples for three months during the Buddhist Lent, the candles will be used for learning and practising Buddhism by night.
NAKHON PHANOM
When: July 20
Nakhon Phanom Candle Festival takes place at Phra That Phanom, one of the most revered pagodas along the Mekong River. As elsewhere in the country, the ceremony will be celebrated in a devout yet festive fashion. The colourful procession of exquisitely carved candles, Miss Candle Beauty Contest, classical dancing, a mass merit-making ceremony will take turns to brighten up the spirit of Khao Phansa on the river bank.
SURIN
When: July 18-19
Temple murals reveal a lot about the elephant’s great contribution to Buddhism, and the pachyderms of Surin once again underline their important role in religion at the beginning of Vassa. Surin pays homage to its traditional beasts of burden with 100 elaborately decorated elephants carrying some of the city’s most revered monks around the town in a unique and memorable ceremony. There’s also a candle procession and an elephant-back merit-making rite at the Monument of Phaya Surin Phakdi Sri Narong Changwang.
SUPHAN BURI
July: 19-20
Suphan Buri Province holds its candle festival at Wat Pa Lelai Woravihara with a showcase of beautifully carved candles. The colourful procession along with performances of folk and traditional dance by local art students takes place on July 20 starting from the Clock Tower in Muang Suphan Buri District and continuing through the downtown area. The candle showcase and dance is staged at Wat Pa Lelai. Suphan Buri natives are famous for laying on good entertainment, so visitors to the festival won’t be disappointed as folk dances add fun to the festival.
NAKHON RATCHASIMA
When: July 19-20
Nakhon Ratchasima Candle Procession Festival takes place at the Tao Suranaree Monument and promises a procession of floats bearing carved candles as well as a range of other merit-making activities. Ahead of the province’s grand celebration, Phimai and Chokchai districts will hold the candle festivals to mark the start of the Buddhist Lent.
SARABURI
When: July 19-20
The annual Tak Bat Dok Mai, or Flower Offering festival, returns to Wat Phra Phutthabat in Saraburi to mark the beginning of the three-month-long rains retreat. Thousands of Buddhist monks, mostly from Phra Dhammakaya temple, are expected to attend this year’s event. The festival celebrates the bloom of the local flower known as Dok Khao Phansa at the beginning of Vassa. The flower offering takes place twice daily at 9am and 3pm on both July 19 and 20.
AYUTTHAYA
When: July 19
The riverside community of Ladchado, Ayutthaya Province, will be celebrating the annual Candle Festival along the river on July 19 and thanking the rain for replenishing its canal. Like many things in Ladchado, the candle festival is celebrated on the water with hundreds of small sampans decorated with flowers and colourful parasols making their way downstream from the far side of canal. Tucked away in Phak Hai district, Ladchado is about 40 kilometres west of downtown Ayutthaya.
NOC Coffee & Roaster in Central Hong Kong, offers a great cup of pour-over coffee. Photo/ NOC Coffee & Roaster
Caffeine with a creative kick
Hipster hangouts pop up in the most unexpected places, and it’s always a pleasure to find almost-secret cafes offering great homey food, coffee, drinks and more. These cool places are ideal for the “perfect chill” and, of course, Instagram-worthy.
True locals, including long-time expat residents of Hong Kong, like to keep their choice spots to themselves, but here’s a peek at the five top best-kept hipster secrets.
The Coffee Academics
Paradise for real coffee geeks, Academics is located in the heart of Causeway Bay. Ultra-chic with all the warmth of someone’s home, you can spend your days and nights talking with coffee experts about their favourite brews!
FIND IT: 38 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, nearest station: Causeway Bay
Don’t blink when you’re looking for this cafe, as it sits very discreetly within the WOAW Concept Store. You can choose to sit at the bar or unwind alfresco on the benches. Those with a sweet tooth will love the signature ice cream sandwiches which are only available Friday to Sunday in a limited quantity with a new flavour every weekend (Check out their #newflavoralert on their FB page.).
FIND IT: 11 Gough Street, nearest station: Sheung Wan
This unpretentious alley-cafe will blow your mind with its impressive range of teas and top-class little cakes. With only two tables inside and more seating outside, this cosy gem promotes a “simple, happy, sustainable lifestyle”. Try the signature Matcha cheesecake!
FIND IT: 18 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
You’ll often see people sipping their drinks and chilling outside this coffee spot on Graham Street near the Central offices. This quaint little spot, housed on a slope, offers “Not Only Coffee” but also serves up great salad, pastries and organic juice for non-coffee drinkers. Their speciality is the pour-over coffee paired with earl grey and fig cake!
A good cup of coffee doesn’t is not always easy to find and Artisan Room is the only cafe in Hong Kong to serve drinks brewed with centuries-old Costadoro coffee in a metre-high Gothicism Cold Brewer. Enjoy a cup of cultured coffee and pair it with their wide range of savoury and sweet elairs or cakes.
Chusri Ngamprasert
The Nation July 6, 2016 1:00 am
With its easy access to the greens, Banyan The Resort Hua Hin is an ideal getaway for the golfing set.
With its easy access to the greens, Banyan The Resort Hua Hin is an ideal getaway for the golfing set.
With its easy access to the greens, Banyan The Resort Hua Hin is an ideal getaway for the golfing set.
With its easy access to the greens, Banyan The Resort Hua Hin is an ideal getaway for the golfing set.
With its easy access to the greens, Banyan The Resort Hua Hin is an ideal getaway for the golfing set. Spa enthusiasts would do better to look elsewhere
Less than 15 minutes by car from downtown Hua Hin, Banyan The Resort Hua Hin is such a favourite among the region’s golfers that it was recently voted one of the best golf resorts in Southeast Asia.
Though not connected to Hua Hin beach, the resort offers a scheduled shuttle bus service to the beach and into town for those who prefer to sun and shop rather than teeing-off. For golfers, the spectacular 18-hole championship Banyan Golf Club is connected to Banyan The Resort by a private road, making for a quick and easy hop from bed to green.
Cars are not allowed in the resort area so guests are asked to leave their vehicles in the parking lot and either ride the resort bicycles or request a ride from the 24-hour buggy service.
The open air lobby is spacious with bowls of tropical fruits on every coffee table for guests to enjoy while waiting to check-in or check-out or for friends and golf partners to arrive. We take a seat on one of the sofas and within seconds are being offered cold towels and cool drinks.
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Our villa 1009 is located at the far end of the resort close to the residence area. The tropical flower arch, which serves as the front gate is lively and welcoming while the green front yard with its flowering white Plumeria tree seems like a nice place to have a picnic.
Decorated in contemporary Thai style, the villa has two en-suite bedrooms, one with a king size bed and the other with twin beds, plus a living area, dining area, kitchen, terrace with four daybeds, outdoor shower and a private Jacuzzi connecting to a large common lagoon-style pool.
The front door leads into the living area with the master bedroom on the left and the second bedroom on the right. The king size bed dominates the master bedroom, which also boasts two small separate closets and a roomy bathroom with a connecting door to the outdoor shower. It suits me perfectly as there’s nothing I like more than a large bathroom.
The living area is generous with one long sofa and two armchairs. There are flat screen televisions in both living room and master bedroom but the signal is terrible yielding nothing more than a grainy picture. Switching off the TV, I try to connect to the complimentary Wi-Fi to check my mail. Here too there is a signal problem, and I am only able to use the Wi-Fi for 10 minutes before losing it. I smile at the idea that the resort might want us to spend our mini-break away from all kinds of screens and spend the afternoon on the daybed instead curled up with a good book.
Just before 4pm, I head to the spa and fitness centre, which is just a block away from my villa. The resort has turned one villa into the spa and another into a fitness centre. The practicality is understandable but I find it disconcerting to hear the phone at reception ringing and people walking in to book their spa treatments while lying almost naked on the spa bed. The therapist is professional and the products she uses are fine but the layout of the en-suite bedroom-turned-treatment room with two spa beds is too crowded to make the treatment really enjoyable. When the therapist leaves the room at the end of the session, I wait until she closes the door before getting up, preferring to protect my privacy and not reveal myself to the people in the adjacent reception area. Despite the fine massage, the ambience is more like that of a school locker room.
The atmosphere of the Coral restaurant, the resort’s all-day dining facility, changes according to the time of the day. In the morning, the restaurant is packed with families and people on company outings and is so busy that I see guests being led to the tables for two beside the main entrance, which offer a view of the line of columns leading to the outdoor hot meal station. In the evening, the place is more serene and is the best time to soak up the atmosphere.
At 7pm, the night is still young so we head to Hua Hin town to meet an old friend and return to the resort around 11pm. To my surprise, as we park our car in the parking lot, a golf buggy is slowing down and stops in front of us.
“Welcome back to the resort. May I have your villa number please?” says the friendly driver.
Now that’s what I call service.
AT A GLANCE
High point: Peaceful hotel with helpful staff. Great place for golfers with easy access to the 18-hole championship Banyan Golf Club.
Low point: No beach. Tiny spa and fitness centre.
Pay for it: Visit the hotel’s website for the best deals.
Destination Danang: Bangkok Airways, Thailand’s regional airline, now operates four flights weekly between Bangkok and Danang in Central Vietnam.
Bangkok Airways, Thailand’s regional airline, now operates four flights weekly between Bangkok and Danang in Central Vietnam.
Destination Danang
Bangkok Airways, Thailand’s regional airline, now operates four flights weekly between Bangkok and Danang in Central Vietnam. Flight PG947 departs Suvarnabhumi Airport at 11am on Sunday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and lands in Danang at 12.30pm. The return flight PG 948 takes off at 1.35pm, and arrives Bangkok at 3.15pm. The service is operated with an Airbus A319. Danang, with its pristine beaches, is a destination in itself and also serves as a gateway to Hue and Hoi An. Visit http://www.BangkokAir.com.
Fun for all the family
Manathai Koh Samui offers a great deal for children with its new “Kool For Kids” activities programme. Under the promotion, children under 16 whose families are staying more than seven nights eat and play for free and enjoy full access to the resort’s fun Yim Yai Kids Club. This offers a range of activities including Thai dancing, yoga, sandcastle and postcard making, painting, learning Thai, pandan leaf weaving, chalk rise art and lots of monkey, bird, elephant and fish inspired songs. For really active kids, the luxury resort also offers Muay Thai lessons and basic cooking. Manathai Koh Samui is a 50-minute flight from Bangkok and within a short walk of Lamai Beach. Visit http://www.Manathai.com/samui.
Big Smile for China
Thai Smile Airways now connects Bangkok with Changsha and Chongqing with daily direct flights and full service. The airline flies out from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Special promotions accompany the launch of the service with tickets on the Bangkok-Changsha route going for Bt3,890 and from Bangkok to Chongqing for Bt3,090. Tickets are available for booking until Monday for travel before November 30. Tickets can be booked only via http://www.ThaiSmileAir.com. Call (02) 118 8888 or 1181.
New plane for Thai
The first Airbus A350 XWB for Thai Airways International (THAI) recently rolled out from its cabin furnishing & engine installation at the Airbus Toulouse Final Assembly Line bearing the airline’s full distinctive livery. The aircraft is now ready to proceed to further ground and flight testing. The A350 XWB is the world’s latest generation airliner and the newest member of Airbus’ modern, comfortable & efficient widebody product family. It features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. This first A350-900 for THAI is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2016.
Ni Nyoman Wira
The Jakarta Post
Asia News Network July 3, 2016 2:27 pm
Aside fAside from high-end malls, Jakarta has many interesting spots for you to spend a memorable weekend.(Shutterstock/-)rom high-end malls, Jakarta has many interesting spots for you to spend a memorable weekend.(Shutterstock/-)
Jakarta – Is going to a shopping mall part of your weekend routine? Jakarta has other attractions that you can explore with your friends and family if you are tired of window-shopping in a closed air-conditioned space.
Taman Menteng (Menteng Park) is a strategic open space in Central Jakarta that has become a popular place for locals to exercise or have a small picnic in the afternoon. It is also home to three green houses, which are often used as exhibition venues and a children’s playground. It is free to explore.
Where: Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto, Menteng, Central Jakarta
Part of Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta, the forest is a great place to have a short adventure within the capital city’s hustle and bustle. You can explore the site using boats or simply stroll through the wooden pathways. Have your smartphone or camera ready as it has many Instagrammable spots such as the villas and house tents. The entrance fee for foreigners starts at Rp 200,000 (US$15). There will be additional charge for those bringing DSLR or professional-type of cameras. The price for chartering the boats starts from Rp 100,000.
Where: Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk, Kapuk Muara, Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta
Pasar Baru is a great place to have a culinary adventure. Said to be the oldest shopping center in Jakarta, it is home to a variety of restaurants that serve dishes from different cultures, including Indonesian, Indian and Chinese foods. Don’t miss out savoring one of the most legendary ice cream parlors in Jakarta, Tropik, while you are there, as well as visiting the famous Gang Kelinci located not too far from the main street. No entrance fee.
Where: Jl. Pasar Baru No. 69, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta
Contact: +6221 310 6675
Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
(Read also: Explore these 5 spots in Pasar Baru, Jakarta’s ‘Little India’)
Glodok and its neighborhood are popularly known as Jakarta’s largest Chinatown. Park your car and walk to an area called Petak Sembilan, which is a haven for mouthwatering Chinese foods and snacks. Besides bakmie (noodles), one of the dishes that you should try in Glodok is the famous Gado-gado Direksi. Also, you can pay a visit to one of the temples there, the Toa Se Bio. Drop by Pasar Asemka to shop for secondhand books or comics.
Every Sunday, Jakarta’s adjoining main thoroughfares of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin are closed to vehicles (except Transjakarta buses). Jakartans happily enjoy this car-free day zone by riding bikes or simply hanging out with friends and family. Many street food vendors are also around, so expect to grab delicious snacks while you are there. (kes)
Phoowadon Duangmee
The Nation
Luang Prabang, Laos June 29, 2016 1:00 am
Lao women in Luang Prabang offer balls of sticky rice to Buddhist monks during the daily almsgiving.
Pan-fried frog legs are a perfect match between Luang Prabang produce and French cuisine.
French restaurant L’Elephant serves Gallic cuisine in a charming colonial building.
Balls of river weed are available at Luang Prabang fresh market in Northern Laos.
Prices for fish from the Mekong are negotiated at a fresh market in Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang’s fresh market buzzes with life as the daily catch and vegetables are rolled out for sale. Nation/Phoowadon Duangmee LPB2907:
A sculpture of a tiger guards a chapel hall at a local temple.
When in Luang Prabang, Let Your Stomach Do the Talking
Loved by tourists for its old-world romance, Luang Prabang draws visitors for its gilded temples, saffron-clad monks and faded French colonial villas. But you don’t have to be an amateur archaeologist to enjoy Luang Prabang. On my third trip to the former royal capital of Laos, I follow my stomach as I set off on a gustatory adventure.
Tucked away in the mountainous valley of Northern Laos and sitting at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, Luang Prabang’s kitchens are stocked with items you won’t find in fancy supermarkets. Food here comes from the river and the wild and its residents still rely as much as hunting as in gathering foodstuffs from the wild to put meals on the table. A trip to Luang Prabang’s fresh market speaks volumes about the local culinary scene.
Situated along a narrow lane that backs on to Wat Mai Monastery off Sisavangvong Road, the market is definitely worth a visit.
From 5 to 10am, local vendors offer a plethora of local delicacies. Humble in one way, yet startling in many others, the market is well stocked with fresh vegetables and meats. Piles of banana flowers, cowpeas, bamboo shoots, wild mushrooms, watercress and balls of river weed dominate the stalls. Among them are such local delicacies as sticks of buffalo skin, wild birds and hornet larvae squirming in hexagonal sockets. Squirrels are displayed with their bodies slit open to show the freshness of their entrails. And there’s plenty of fish from the Mekong River, some of them as big as a newborn child.
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“How much?” asks an elderly Lao woman, as she checks bamboo rings of small green frogs.
“Ten thousand kip (Bt45), granny,” the vendor replies.
The frogs will undoubtedly end up in a pot of curry. Once home, the old lady will make a simple curry paste from lemongrass, green chilli, diced galangal, shrimp paste and shallot and when the green frog curry is cooked, she’ll add a spoonful of the fermented-fish concoction inherent to Lao cuisine before spicing up the sauce with a handful of aromatic dill.
From market to table, we follow our noses to the food stands on the river in search of green frog curry.
Sadly frogs are not on the menu so we order sai ua (Lao sausage) and minced pork. The sausage is leaner and darker than the version you get in Thailand’s north. My teeth quickly break through the crispy paper-thin tube and reach the juicy meat. The meat has a fermented nose and tastes wonderful with a glass of Beer Lao.
The vendor also serves us generous portions of deep-fried “krai paen”, the green balls of river weed we came across earlier at the fresh market. It’s a rock algae commonly found in the Mekong and Khan and is formed into a dried thin sheet then sprinkled with tamarind and ginger juices plus sesame and garlic before being deep-fried. Nutty and salty, it is served with chilli paste mixed with diced buffalo skin.
Luang Prabang is also beautiful without food.
In between the meals we walk around gilded temples from Wat Visoun to Wat Xieng Thong before crossing the Mekong and negotiating the hilly path to Wat Chomphet.
Built by the Siamese Army in the 1860s, the chapel hall is reminiscent of those in Ayutthaya province. The view of Mekong is magnificent against the backdrop of Luang Prabang valley.
Later and once again hungry, we find our way to “Nang Tim Somtam” – a food stand opposite Wat Nong.
Luang Prabang is famous among Thai visitors for its sensational somtam or papaya salad.
Unlike the Thai version, somtam here features flat sheets of papaya rather than shreds and shrimp paste instead of salty pickled crab. Fermented fish sauce is a must. When you take your first bite, the chilli, fermented sauce and tangy lime give a sensational kick. You cannot stop eating. This is the curse of spicy food. The chilli keeps you gorging. To break the curse, you need gulps of cold beer and balls of sticky rice.
For folks with less adventurous taste buds, Luang Prabang offers a wide range of French cuisine courtesy of its years as a French protectorate. Along with gunships and rifles, the French also brought the baguettes, pate, coffee and culinary savoir faire to the old capital.
The following morning we stop at the Pracha Niyom coffee stand on the corner of Khem Khong and Kisalat roads. The dark roasted beans spell Paris but the sharp sweet taste of condensed milk is undeniably Luang Prabang. Next to Pracha Niyom, a local woman offers huge chunks of pate-filled baguette.
Opposite Wat Nong, a short walk from Nang Tim Somtam shop, L’Elephant serves Gallic cuisine in a renovated French colonial building with wooden floors and a stencilled tree on the wall inspired by Wat Xieng Thong.
I order the watercress soup, which is delicious and refreshing, followed by pan-fried frog legs. Cooked in provencale style, the legs are brimming with garlicky and peppery olive oil – a happy marriage of Lao ingredients and French flair.
IF YOU GO
< Bangkok Airways and AirAsia operate direct flights between Bangkok and Luang Prabang. Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Luang Prabang via Chiang Mai.
Urisara Kowitdamrong
The Nation
Danang, Vietnam June 29, 2016 1:00 am
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: High on the hillside, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers superb views of the bay below
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: High on the hillside, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers superb views of the bay below
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: High on the hillside, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers superb views of the bay below
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: High on the hillside, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers superb views of the bay below
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: High on the hillside, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers superb views of the bay below
High on the hillside, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers superb views of the bay below
Perched on a mountain slope where monkeys still run wild and overlooking a private bay bordered by a beach that stretches for 700 metres, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is nothing short of paradise.
“Many guests wonder why our lobby is so small,” comments Mai Anh Du, the hotel’s director of PR & Communications, as she lead a group of reporters around the facilities. “The design is deliberate as it helps guests take full advantage of nature”.
Modest it may be for a hotel recognised as the world’s Leading Luxury Resort 2015, but the lobby is decidedly stylish and yes, Mother Nature in all her glory is breathtaking particularly when viewed from the terrace, which also looks out over the sparkling bay.
The oversized sofa beds in the balcony zone are so inviting that we stretch out and relax with a welcome drink while waiting for the check-in process to be completed.
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I climb into a buggy for the journey down to my room on the Sky Level, one of four created by leading architect, interior designer and landscape architect Bill Bensley to mirror the theme “Myth Meets Luxury”. The highest level of the 37-hectare resort is Heaven, which is home to the lobby, while the other two are named Earth and Sea respectively. All are connected by funicular lifts designed to look like boats and manned by friendly and attentive lift operators dressed in Vietnamese costume.
The distances between the various resort facilities mostly require a long walk and thus buggies are available to transport guests. I called for buggy service several times during my stay at the resort, and on each occasion was told my transport would arrive in 10-15 minutes. If by chance the buggy could make it sooner, the front desk would call to make sure I was waiting in front of the building.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort features 200 luxury rooms, suites, penthouses and villas, all characterised by classic Vietnamese decor and a bold colour palette of black and white. Every room is spacious, boasting at least 70 square metres of utility space.
My classic room featured a large double bed covered with pillows and, surprisingly, a mirror shaped like a vase above it. which makes you feel as though you are in a vase. Wood plays the dominant role in the décor with the desk, cabinets, wardrobes and balusters giving the space a warm ambience.
The wardrobe is cleverly deigned to be opened from both bedroom and bathroom. The bathtub is large and luxurious and you can open the curtains to take in the view while soaking or showering.
The balcony is the perfect place to chill out and admire the azure sea while listening to the waves lap against the shore.
But there’s plenty to be enjoyed outside the rooms including the Harnn Heritage Spa, which delivers soothing treatments inside private villas. The fine-dining restaurant La Maison 1888 is the only place in Vietnam to feature a three-star Michelin chef while Citron comes with private dining booths in the form of Vietnamese conical hats that appear to be floating over the hillside 100 metres above sea level.
Though InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is quite a distance from Danang town, complimentary daily shuttles ensure that gets can enjoy both the city’s bustling streets and the world heritage site of Hoi An.
AT A GLANCE
High point: Private bay with breathtaking view
Low point: No convenient access to other parts of Danang, except via private transfers or the hotel’s complimentary shuttle buses
Find it: Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula, Danang, Vietnam
Phoowadon Duangmee
The Nation June 29, 2016 1:00 am
The Bangkok Walking Food Tour gets under the skin of Thai culinary culture.
Take your stomach on a tour of Bangkok’s best eats or whiz down the slopes in New Zealand
Sign up for the Bangkok Walking Food Tour and you get to gorge on typically Thai nosh ranging from street food to royal cuisine. Organised by the award-winning Taste Adventure travel agent, this four-hour trip starts at Taksin BTS Station and takes participants on a walk through Bangkok’s vibrant market and food scene. Whether you munch as you march or sit down to savour Thailand’s Royal Cuisine, you will love it all. Few places give you access to so much food as Bangkok. If gastronomic tourism is your thing, this is a trip you need to follow. The price for your bites is Bt1,200 person, and includes a professional foodie guide and 15 distinct Thai foods and beverages at curated tastings.
Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel is offering a special deal on its newly renovated rooms until August 20. The price starts from Bt4,500 per night for an Athenee room with international buffet breakfast for two people. Guests also enjoy complimentary Internet and late check out until 2pm. Located in a high-rise building with a glass facade, this upmarket hotel is just five minutes on foot from Phloenchit BTS Station and Central Embassy shopping mall making an ideal for an urban retreat. Call (02) 650 8800 extension 6206 or e-mail atreservations.bangkok@lemeridien.com.
Drive to Pran Buri, a pristine beach beyond Hua Hin, and enjoy a peaceful break. Villa Maroc Resort is now offering a “Secret of Spa Indulgence” package at Bt7,900 for two sharing. The price includes a savoury breakfast, spa treatment for two and Moroccan style afternoon tea. The deal is good from now through December 29. Call 032 630 771 email rsvn@villamarocresort.com. Visit http://www.VillaMarocResort.com.
The Silver Palm Hotel on Rama IX Road introduces its ‘Staycation’ package covering accommodation for three nights, airport transfers, transport to Hua Mak Airport Rail Link station and Internet connectivity, plus breakfast for two people for two days and one set lunch and dinner for two. The package costs Bt5,200 for two sharing and is available through October. This modern hotel is located in Bangkok’s Eastern suburbs and is an easy commute to the downtown area via the Airport Rail Link line. Rooms come with a living area, dining space and small kitchen making the hotel an ideal choice for anyone wanting to spend less but stay longer.
June to September is the best time for a white holiday in New Zealand with the ski stations now open for thrilling runs and snow adventures. The Swiss-Belresort Coronet Peak in Queenstown is among the very first ski resorts to open its pistes this year, the longest of which is a challenging 2.4 km. The slopes can be accessed using one of four learner conveyor lifts, two high-speed quad chairs, one six-seater express chair, or a T-Bar. The Coronet Peak ski area is one of New Zealand’s most exhilarating and diverse ski resort destinations with a choice of exciting adventures for everyone from kids and first timers to experts and adrenaline junkies. The resort is offering a special rate of NZ$135 (Bt3,370) per room, including complimentary shuttle bus to and from Coronet Peak Ski Fields and 1,000 Air Asia points per night. The promotion is good from July 18 to August 31.
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