Hole-in-One: Philippines
In Cavite Province not far from Manila are two 18-hole championship courses. The courses at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang were designed by golf legends Fred Couples and Bernard Langer. Both the courses are considered by many to be the best in the Philippines. The courses are all-weather, with magnificant views and lush vegetation. Amenities include the Tee Bar, putting greens, a driving range, and air-conditioned locker rooms. There is also a sauna and massage room, a pro shop, and dining area that serves mouth-water cuisine all day long.
07:06 AM #
 If you're looking for dinner with a view, Hai Tien Lo Cantonese Restaurant on the 37th floor of The Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore is probably the place you're after. The circular structure offers a tremendous panorama of the city's harbour, Marina Bay, and the skyline. And the food! Anything from pan-fried New Zealand lamb to Sri Lankan king crab. And of course you can get Chinese favorites: dim sum, suckling pig, roast duck, sweet and spicy octopus. The list goes on. But plan on spending an average of $60 Singapore per person - about $34 U.S., 30 Euros, or 4100 Yen. I remember the restaurant as being child-friendly; and my girls (age four and six at the time) were enthralled with the view...
10:20 AM #
Life's a Beach: Palawan, Philippines
 Palawan is perhaps the least developed and most enchantingly rustic of the major islands in the Philippines. It lacks completely the the urban sprawl on Luzon. The commercial atmosphere of Boracay and Cebu is almost completely absent. And unlike Mindanao, a relaxed vacationer never has to worry that his beach might soon become a war zone. Palawan is the last frontier of the Philippines, and its beaches are beautiful.
05:09 PM #
Hole-in-One: A'Famosa Golf Resort, Malaysia
In the town of Alor Gajah, not far from Malaysia's historic port city of Melaka, is a magnificent sculptured golf course situated on 1100 acres. The course was designed by Australian golf course architect, Ross C. Watson. And the greens are part of a much larger resort. Be careful of the live crocodiles; they'll eat your putter if you let them.
06:31 AM #
Sip of the Hot Stuff: Bombay's Tea Centre
The Darjeeling and Nilgiri at the recently renovated Tea Centre in downtown Bombay's Churchgate area are "pure and unadulterated like the mountain air," according to the "Eating Out" section of the Indian cyber-publication Busybee. You can have Western breakfast there - anything from cornflakes to omelettes. But the teas at the Tea Centre are among the best in India - whether you're looking for a robust Assam or an orange pekoe. A complete review of the Tea Centre is available from Busybee online.
09:16 AM #
Life's a Beach: Vung Tau, Vietnam
There are five beaches along the Vung Tau peninsula, and residents of Ho Chi Minh City take the short (hour or so) ride on a hydrofoil down the Sai Gon River to the resort town there. The atmosphere is festive; it is a place to escape from the heat and tension of life in Vietnam's biggest city. If you're in the city formerly know to the world as Saigon, a trip to Vung Tau is a must...
06:49 AM #
Lijiang, China - Headwaters of the Yangtze River
 The city of Lijiang, in China's Yunnan Province, is in rare company. It is one of the few cities in the world with a population of over one million people at an elevation of more than a mile above sea level. And Lijiang has a long history. It is the ancient seat of Dongba Culture. The city's ethnic Naxi people still live that culture.
06:40 PM #
Iraq "Human Shields" May Go to Jail
The handful of American citizens who traveled to Iraq earlier this year to serve as "human shields" against the war now face action by the U.S. Treasury Department, according to Reuters. Five Americans were among the 300 or so peace activists who went to Iraq before the war to protest the impending U.S. invasion. Reuters quoted a Treasury Department spokesperson as saying that while "the freedom to protest and disagree with the government is the cornerstone of American democracy," protestors still could not break U.S. law and flout international sanctions with impunity. The American protesters could face up to 12 years in prison, although the Treasury Department is attempting to reach settlements that involve only fines.
While the five protestors may spend time in jail for traveling to Iraq a few months ago, all such travel restrictions were lifted in July and it is now legal for private citizens of the United States to travel to Iraq, according to USA Today. Some travel restrictions remain in place for U.S. passport holders traveling to Libya, Cuban, Iran, and North Korea.
05:02 PM #
Sip of the Hot Stuff: Chiang Mai
Finding good coffee in Chiang Mai, Thailand isn't that hard. Thailand's oldest coffee house chain, Black Canyon, has it for you at two locations in town (Huay Kaew Road and Kad Suan Kaew ) and at the Chiang Mai Airport. Whether you're looking for a cup of Viennese, some Italian Cappuccino, or some of Thailand's own Arabica Viengping, Black Canyon has it for you. Not in Chiang Mai this week? Not a problem! Black Canyon has outlets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and throughout Thailand...
03:21 AM #
 Paradise quickly becomes an over used cliche' in any discussion about the beauty of Southeast Asia's islands. Perhaps the term's usage should be restricted to Thailand's Andaman Sea coast. The Phi Phi Islands are located a little South of Phuket and can be reached by boat in a couple of hours. The small island group is relatively undeveloped and truly enchanting.
06:35 AM #
Making a Difference - in Hong Kong
 Think you might like to work in Asia in a ministry setting? Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Hong Kong may be the place for you. YWAM Hong Kong offers a one year program that allows participates to train for ministry and work in real ministry settings in the city and in other parts of Asia. It could be the visit to Asia that changes your life.
01:51 PM #
Hell on Earth
The city of Nagasaki, Japan, today marked the 58th anniversary of the dropping of the nuclear bomb in 1945 that turned the city into Hell on Earth, according to a report by the Associated Press. Itcho Ito, the mayor of Nagasaki, is quoted by the AP as saying "In an instant, the resulting heat, blast and radiation descended upon Nagasaki and transformed the city into a hell on earth." In his speech, Ito talked about the nuclear crisis in North Korea, the recent tension in India and Pakistan in which nuclear weapons played a roll, and expressed concern that "International agreements supporting nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and the prohibition of all nuclear weapons testing now appear to be on the verge of collapse."
01:13 PM #
Sip of the Hot Stuff: Jerusalem
Strudel Internet Bar was Jerusalem's first Internet cafe'. Located in a neighborhood called "the Russian Compound" in West Jerusalem, Strudel offers more than just a good cup of coffee: it offers access to the web on Pentium computers at 128kbps. All for a mere 24 shekels (about six bucks) an hour. And at night the lights go down low and the coffee is replaced with beer and vodka...
12:05 AM #
Destination Afghanistan?
The first flight just landed! A German airline, Lufttransport-Unternehmen, has begun making weekly flights from Duesseldorf, Germany, to Kabul, Afghanistan. This is the first flight to bring civilians into the country since the departure of Soviet troops over two decades ago, according to the Associated Press. Kabul may soon be back as a tourist destination. Anyone for some trekking?
11:32 AM #
Life's a Beach: Bali
 Bali has historically been Southeast Asia's leading marriage and honeymoon spot. And while many places in Southeast Asia now claim to be "Paradise on Earth", Bali was the first to make that claim and it is in Bali that the claim is taken most seriously. The island has sand and surf -- some of the best surf on earth. But it also has history, culture, and scenic beauty. You haven't really lived until you've done Bali...
08:05 AM #
Jakarta Marriott Bombed
With Indonesia awaiting a verdict in the trial of Abu Bakar Bashir, the leader of the Islamic group blamed for an explosion in Bali last year that left over 200 people dead, another bomb has gone off - this time in downtown Jakarta. At least 13 people are dead, according to a report from the Associated Press. Over 100 people are injured. National Public Radio is reporting that windows were blown out of the Marriott hotel building up to the 20th floor. The Marriott was considered to be one of the safest hotels in the city. A verdict in the trial is expected this week.
10:29 AM # |
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