Travel Thailand Guide: Thailand Open 2008

Regarding as the only men’s top-level professional tennis tournament in Southeast Asia, for tennis lovers who reside in Thailand or the surrounding countries, the Thailand Open 2008 is a must-see event. With top ranking ATP players headlining the tournament and seats available at very affordable rates, the Thailand Open is like the Wimbledon of Southeast Asia, minus the walloping a real Wimbledon will have on the wallet. Besides, the ATP Thailand Open is now in its sixth year as part of the ATP Tour and returns to Bangkok from September 21-28, 2008.

Even without the Thai favorite

Paradorn Srichaphan in the past 2 year because of his wrist injury, the Thailand Open has grown and grown and has been fortunate to have seen many of the world’s top players compete in Bangkok. As such, for this year, there will be many World Tennis players involve in the tournament as usual including Danai Udomchoke(THA), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(FRA), Marat Safin(RUS), Novak Djokovic (SRB) and The twins - Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana(THA).

These top tennis stars together with other 30 professional tennis players from all around the world will be chasing for this year’s prize money of US$ 576,000. The games take place in Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok. The tournament is now on; do not wait if you want to joy this great competition atmosphere. There aren’t many chances for some prime viewing of the world’s top tennis players.

Travel Vietnam Guide: Luminous Lanterns at Hoi An Vietnam

If you’re seeking a romantic, quaintly Asian experience, then you won’t find a town more appealing or authentic than Hoi An city in Vietnam. As the country’s oldest trading port, Hoi An has an illustrious history that is juxtaposed by an everyday rural charm. Listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, this charming ancient city has preserved much of its ornate Chinese architecture and a unique culture unlike any to be found in Asia.

One of the more fascinating aspects of Hoi An life are the lanterns that line the streets. Especially on the 15th day of every lunar month when fluorescent lights, television and motorcycles are barred from use, creating an antiquated atmosphere that allows you to imagine a time past. The lanterns, made from wooden fishing traps are adorned in marvelously rich patterns and hang from every rooftop cornice. They complement the ancient teak paneling and typically old Chinese tiling that characterize the aged buildings.

Poised between the Cua Dai beach and Thu Bon River, the Hoi An area is also punctuated by rice paddies and rural life. To experience the scenes and appreciate the town culture, it is best to bicycle around the ancient town. Visitors will find a wet market along the river, many retro-style cafes with mouthwatering pastry selections and coffee, lantern stalls and many, many art galleries and tailors. Take the time to stroll over the Chua Cau bridge and walk along the river. Let the old port charm you.

And don’t forget the lanterns. The luminous lanterns, all shapes and sizes, lit up like rich baubles for an Emperor.

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Chinese Cuisine Guide: Enjoy Chinese Foods at the Canton Fair Guangzhou

If you are one of the casual business travelers, certainly the Canton Fair can be one of the major trading events that you shouldn’t miss. Over 200,000 buyers and 40,000 exhibitors are expected to join the event with the estimating a business turnover over USD 30,000 million. Everyone can see the great business opportunities from their attendance.


This year’s version will be the 104th session of China’s largest Import & Export Fair and is set to be housed in the Pazhou Complex in southeast Guangzhou from October 15th to November 6th. And if you do have a chance to join the event, then this is also a good opportunity to
travel around Guangzhou and enjoy its wonderful list of foods menu which you will never find elsewhere in the world.

Guangzhou delicacies are the stars of Cantonese cuisine – the most popular Chinese food in the world. Guangzhou cuisine uses a wide range of ingredients and uses seasonings sparingly. Compared with other Chinese cuisines, Guangzhou dishes use few thick spicy dressings to keep from masking the original taste of the food.The most famous dishes of Guangzhou cuisine are Roast Suckling Pig (Kao Ru Zhu), the amazingly titled Dragon Fighting against the Tiger (Long Hu Dou), and the scary-sounding Stewed Snake, Stewed Wild Cat and Wild Dog.

Visitors should also not miss Dim Sum, which most Chinese rank as the best in all China. Thousands of varieties are available, all exquisitely made. Among the typical choices are shrimp dumpling, steamed shao-mai and vermicelli roll, shao-mai and vermicelli roll. So, enjoy this business trip and let these fantastic Chinese foods menu to take you to the best of Chinese cuisines you would never have found before.

Traval Japan Guide: Tokyo City Watch

It's the most populated city in the world, a city where 90% of residents read a comic book daily, and one of the few places on earth where riding a bike is usually quicker than driving. Tokyo is magical, eternally confusing to outsiders and yet perpetually alluring. With so many attractions vying for your attention during your trip to Tokyo, here are the top 5 things to do in the city.

1. Spend a day people watching at Yoyogi Park: Although you could spend any day here, the most exciting and interesting, from an observer's point of view, is Sunday. The park is enormous -- a former airstrip, army parade ground and site for the Olympic Games in 1964. All sorts of people gather on Sunday, from jazz musicians and jamming guitarists, to martial artists, singers and jugglers. This motley ensemble of characters is fascinating to watch.

2. Watch the local giants: What better way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture than by taking in the national sport? There are few spectacles more intriguing than the sight of two barely-covered behemoths squaring off against one another, each with the intention of taking his opponent down or bundling him out of the ring. Sumo is a source of national pride in Japan and the wrestlers are viewed as heroes. The next major tournament in Tokyo, visit the Sumo website - Sumo.or.jp for more info.

3. Marvel at Japanese fashion: When it comes to clothes, Tokyo is beyond cutting edge. The colors and designs are like something from another planet. Head straight to Harajuku (Harajuku station on the Yamanote line) and spend the day seeing what sorts of new threads you can spot. Close to the station are Takeshita-dori, where you'll find many independent designers stores, Yoyogi Park, where you can spot gaggles of Gothic Lolitas, and Omotesando, for high-end fashion outlets.

4. Get electrified in electric town: Akihabara, located close to the Tokyo railway station, is the place to go (in the world) for electronics. You'll find absolutely everything here, from state-of-the-art technology in the Laox store, to secondhand stuff in the back streets. Akihabara is also a hobbyists' paradise, with large communities of manga and anime lovers hanging out.

5. Tackle the tuna in Tsukiji: If things start smelling a little fishy, don't panic; you've probably just found yourself in the world's biggest fish market. Tsukiji Fish Market is home to every imaginable type of seafood ... and then some. The food is excellent, and you can stop off for a bowl of ramen or a plate of sushi while you're there. Be prepared to get a little confused, particularly if you're trying to decipher a map. In terms of cultural experiences, it doesn't get much better (or bigger) than this.

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Gokouun o inorimasu! (good luck)