National Taiwan Museum: a synthesis of art and architecture
Among the many historic buildings in Taipei, a magnificent white edifice on Siangyang Road stands out for its majestic architecture and intricate interiors, which is also the first and only Museum established by the Japanese during their colonial rule.
Established way back in 1908, to commemorate the inauguration of North-South Railway on the site of [...]
Sarawak > A land of National Parks
This time we will be talking about Sabah’s neighbouring state Sarawak and its capital Kuching.
Two thirds of Sarawak is covered in rich green vegetation, intersected by a latticework of rivers and tributaries. Scattered among this spider’s web of water and forest are more than ten glorious national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries in which to [...]
Water whirl > French Polynesia
A cruise around the Society Islands of French Polynesia is irresistible
The thick rope strung across the surface of the lagoon, kept bobbing in place by pink rubber buoys, gives the illusion of a barrier but any such remove is purely psychological. On the other side, six black-tipped reef sharks cruise through the water towards us, [...]
Quiet corners > Bali
Our correspondent attended the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival and said that the shadow of Bali’s uncertain future hangs heavily.
The queue of holiday-makers at Perth airport is uncharacteristically small, unusually subdued for a bunch of folk heading to their favourite holiday isle. News of the latest spate of Bali bombings has come just three days earlier.
Overnight, [...]
The Venice of the East
Cruising the tranquil waterways of Kerala, India.
“Atithi devo bhava” is an ancient Sanskrit saying translated as “All guests are gods”. As if that weren’t reason enough to visit India, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has launched the Vrinda experience: two days cruising through the backwaters of Kerala, followed (or preceded) by two days exploring Cochin, the [...]
China to launch five-star train
Chinese authorities say the country will launch the world’s most luxurious train, connecting Beijing to Tibet’s capital city of Lhasa.
The train will be decorated as a five-star hotel and the fare will be about 20 times more expensive than that of ordinary trains. Some 96 people will enjoy the train’s unique facilities offered in 12 [...]
More than just gambling in Macau
Let me just clarify from the get-go > there’s more to Macau than casinos. Macau, often viewed by its haughty Hong Kong neighbours as a quaint backwater settlement, is relaxed and laid-back.
The ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral is Macau’s most famous landmark.
Because of its small size, pedestrian-friendly layout and East-meets-West factor, it’s easy for visitors to [...]
Bangkok city guide
More Bang for your buck > It’s got fab food and great parties, and, you might be able to afford a room at the world’s best hotel.
It’s hard to think of a more exciting city in south-east Asia than Bangkok. There is a fantastic buzz to the place, from the fashionable bars and gourmet restaurants to [...]
On a higher plane > Seoul
The Spirit of Discovery > Leave sophisticated Seoul and ventures into South Korea’s remote regions
We have scaled a mountain to get here, albeit by bus, and now, amid strange landscape and alluringly unfamiliar buildings, we turn in for the night. It’s 9pm.
Across a sandy courtyard and up some stone stairways are 220 monks and novices. [...]
Vineyard tourism starts in China
Largely overlooked, the world’s most populous country is actually a decent producer of wine.
In Europe, Chinese wine has not always had a great reputation. The type exported was not the best. It was often said that the major mistake was that the winemakers ate the grapes first. In fact, wine has a long and honorable [...]
