Travel China Guide: Happy Chinese New Year 2009

The Chinese New Year is usually celebrated in January/February with visits to friends and family, the wearing of new clothes, and the offering of food. Lots of food, Firecrackers can be heard in Chinese communities and lion dances are performed in the streets. The day will be determined by the Chinese calendar or also called the Chinese Lunar calendar. And for the Year of the Ox, the Chinese Lunar Year Festival would start from 26th of January.

The celebration festival for this one moment in a year will be last as long as fifteen days especially in mainland China. The whole nation feels united as they can imagine each other's enjoyment. As everyone is aware of its significance, working people in the country can take weeks of holidays so that they can accompany with their near and dear ones or a feast with their family members during those times. Therefore, tourists would be required to arrange everything beforehand if planning to travel to China during the Chinese New Year because most of travel agency companies will be closed and there will be full of local tourists in all over places.

Moreover, while not always an official holiday, Chinese New Year is widely celebrated among Chinese communities and particularly across Asian countries with dense Chinese populations. Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are buzzing with activity during this time and visitors can enjoy the many lion dances, street parades, firecracker explosions and - of course - abundance of food available in each country's respective Chinatown. Although with the changing times and increasing mobility of the people the celebration of Chinese New Year Festival has undergone some changes, everybody still very fervently follow all the customs that their elders have taught them.

Travel Australia Guide : When the Bay of Fires is on the top of the list

Regarding as the hottest tourist destination for the year 2009 in “LONELY PLANET’S BEST IN TRAVEL 2009”, Bay of Fires is a place of tranquil beauty, full of clean white beaches and rocky bays. This could be a very first time for many people to hear about the name but this unique place from the east coast of Tasmania has made all Australians to be proud of.

It was the first time in many years that a place from the Oceania region occupied top of recommended lists recognized by some well-known tourist institutions. The Bay of Fires is a very special place which provide remarkable site for wide range of activities including camping, beach activities, boating, bird watching, fishing, swimming, surfing and walking. On top of all that, kayaking down a river to the sea will also give an ideal way to see the forests, and even a sea eagle.

However, it is a four-day guided hike that actually the real highlight. This tour would be something you shouldn’t miss as it was considered as the best way to experience scenic views of the bay which captured tourist’s most impressions. In such a pristine environment, the cares of everyday life disappear and it’s easy to imagine how this incredible place would have looked thousands of years ago.