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.

Travel Thailand Guide: Thailand is Back for Christmas

Just in time that all the problems now have been resolved and they now got new good-looking government, Thailand is now back to the top list for Christmas and travel destinations. This unique country has always provided amazing scenery and hospitality and has already been regarded as a great choice anytime for winter holidays. With colorful countdown activities occuring throughout the country ready to welcome 2009, it is the perfect time to visit the "Land of Smiles".

'Hands Bangkok Countdown 2009' is the city's biggest celebration. Held on the Rajaprasong shopping street, the event is a massive street-party where Thais and foreigners ring in the new year together. Attractions include a live concert featuring Thailand's top singers, celebrities and superstars together with many other entertainment activities and fireworks.

Getting around the country will also give different feelings and funs. Just south of Bangkok, Pattaya Countdown 2009 welcomes tourists with live concerts featuring various famous recording artists and is capped with a huge fireworks display at midnight. In the cooler north, Chiang Mai showcases various musical and entertainment acts, stretching throughout Tha Phae road and Tha Phae gate. The beaches of Samui and Krabi offer southern, more relaxed fair, as locals and tourists alike welcome 2009 on Thailand's famous sands.

Moreover, all tourists are promised to be served very special this year. A lot of accommodations in Thailand have currently on the best deals ever as they are all agreed to initiate tourism campaigns to encourage tourists to return to Thailand as quickly as possible. This suddenly turns to be a great chance to take Thailand journey for everyone. So, why wait…

Let's find Thailand's best deals on hotels, tours, flights and everything from the official Tourism Authority of Thailand website at http://amazingthailand.tourismthailand.org/

Travel Hong Kong Guide : Everything is great in the WinterFest 2008

Already regarded as one of the most famous travel destinations in Asia region, Hong Kong is great anytime for enjoyable holidays and vacations. However, it’s during ‘WinterFest’ that Hong Kong really lights up. Great food, fantastic shopping, amazing sights and sounds, and a moderate climate will make this city an ideal destination for travelers on these special days from November 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009.

A magnificent festival of sights and sounds encapsulates Victoria Harbor in a stunning Christmas light spectacular next to the Avenue of Stars Wishing Parade of Tsim Sha Tsui’s waterfront promenade. Hong Kong gets into the spirit by decorating the entire city in full Christmas regalia, including an antique Christmas Tram, themed trucks with carol singers, a multimedia Christmas tree display at Ocean Park’s ice skating extravaganza, and the huge Christmas Tree of Statue Square.

World also renowned as a premiere shopping destination, Hong Kong is ideal for shopaholics. ‘WinterFest’ promotions in a festive atmosphere create a shopping haven throughout the city. The magnificent malls of Causeway Bay and countless shops of Mongkok’s Nathan Road light up with decorations and deals galore, helping you to easily fulfill those gift lists in an enjoyable manner.

The festivities stretch throughout Hong Kong and into Lantau where visitors can create Christmas memories with family and friends at Hong Kong Disneyland’s Sparkling Christmas. Shatin in the New Territories will be hosting the 43rd Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo while Music Sunday’s at the Peak, Hong Kong’s famous vantage point is a popular spot to relax and take in the views on the weekend. For nightlife, the famous Christmas Parties of Lan Kwai Fong bring the crowds in droves, all to celebrate the holidays and Hong Kong’s ‘WinterFest 2008’.

Travel Thailand Guide: Grab your lucks with Loy Krathong Festival

There are a few festivals from Thailand which reasonably well-known to people outside the countries. Talking about those festivals, “Loy Kratong” festival would be included on the top famous lists. Talking about “Loy Kratong” festival, today (12th November) is the day that the festival take place for this year which seems like everyone is ready for this traditional and wonderful event.

Originating as a Brahmanical festival adopted by Thai Buddhists during the reign of Rama IV in1863, “Loy Kratong” is a ceremony that venerates the Lord Buddha by offering floating trays laden with flowers, candles and incense. Loy translates to "float" in Thai, while Kratong pertains to a tray made from banana leaves. The light from the candle honors Lord Buddha, while the act of floating symbolizes the release of anger, resentment or any tarnishing of one's character. It is a way for a person to make amends and start afresh.

In addition to this, most Thais also float their kratong to honor the goddess of the rivers and waterways, Mae Nam, who they believe will bring good luck. This ties in with the romantic element of Loy Kratong which stems from a legend about Nang Nopamas, who was a royal consort to King Ramkhamhaeng (founder of Sukhothai).

As mention in the beginning, the Loi Krathong Festival is not only celebrated nationwide in Thailand, but also international places. There are many “Loy Krathong” festivals set up by Thai communities in some major cities around the world such as Melbourne, Sydney or London which you can enjoy respectful floating Krathong ceremony along with "The Noppamas Queen Contest", Thai foods exhibition and exotic mix of Thai culture shows throughout the day.

Travel Thailand Guide: Sails up for The 2008 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

Sailing or Yachting might not be one of the most popular sports in Asia, but everyone in the world would know that Asia is one of the most splendid spot for sailing or yachting. There are sailing or yachting club in many countries in the region that have set up group’s event or tournament throughout a calendar year. For this ending year’s period, it’s time for the King's Cup Regatta in Phuket.

Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since and normally take place during the first week of December. And for this year, the race will begin on the Monday 1 December to Saturday 6 December 2008 from 5 racing days and 1 reserve day.

Sails billow up from emerald waters against a dramatic backdrop of limestone karsts. Schooners of regal proportion glide pass islands with pristine white-sanded beaches and crystal clear shallows. And that's what makes this King's Cup Regatta in Phuket the most popular of the Asian yachting races, with this year poised to attract over 100 sailing participants and thousands more spectators.

Nothing could prevent you to join the

King's Cup Regatta 2008 when the entry fee is only 17,600 Baht (8,800 Baht for Sports Boats and Ocean Rovers), but this payment together with the Entry Form must be received by 1 November 2008. Otherwise, the entry fee will increase to 25,000 Baht (12,500 Baht for Sports Boats and Ocean Rovers) for late entries. So, do not waste any more times, the temperate weather, friendly atmosphere and parties are all certainly waiting for you to enjoy now.

General Travel Tips: Make Smart Prepare For Your Honeymoon

Some might say it would not be the right time for travelling or honeymoon, since we’re all now facing the world’s economic problems which might shaking our livings and give us more pressures. But believe me; escaping from these loadings in-mind with some distances holiday is always give you more energy. Especially when this is the celebration for your wedding, it might be really important for this special ceremony.

However, for this kind of hard time, it’s better to look for ways to save money on your honeymoon expenses. Where can you find that? Here are the useful tips to help you to make a smart prepare for your honeymoon;

1. Plan everything early. You certainly will get lower prices if you can prepare everything before at least a couple of months ahead. Something likes advance booking for your airline tickets and hotel bookings will always cheaper when there aren’t many people looking for the same seat.

2. Go off-season. This always works. Traveling during non-peak periods is one of the easiest ways to save money. In some occasions, you might be able to cut your cost almost in half for doing that.

3. Gather your friends with you. The simple concept is that the more you booked the more power for bargaining. Group booking is another way of reducing your travel expenses. So if you don’t mind, invite your close friends and their lovers to joy your honeymoon trip. Beside, this would also give you some memories to talk about in your group.

4. Study on your honeymoon destination. There are many ways to do that. Google search is very helpful. It can give you many ideas and information on the location where you can go. This will prevent you from wasting times and money on your lost. Or maybe, you can simply subscribe to blogs to grab ideas from the others experiences. These people always give good reviews and guides.

5. Keep an eye on currency. Make sure you're prepared for using a different currency. Check the exchange rates from your local back before you leave and think about how much currency you will need. It's good to have some small bills when you get off the plane for tips at the airport, payments for taxis, or tips at the hotel.

As a summary, plan your trip in advance can only give advantages. So, if you do have a plan for wedding, have a think about your honeymoon trip in the early stage and everything will be great and fun for your once-in-lifetime moment.

Travel Thailand Guide: Trekking Khao Yai National Park

Apart from number of great famous beaches and night-life entertainments, the beauty of the cloud forest, wild animals and waterfalls from Thailand National Parks also attract lot of adventurous tourists to come and see these wild animals and bird singing through the trekking route.

Located just 200 kilometers from Bangkok, Khao Yai is one of Thailand's natural gems. The oldest and most internationally renowned of the country's national parks, Khao Yai is a beautiful and mysterious place brimming with mango fields, dense forests, towering waterfalls and vibrant wildlife. Walking trails stretch more than 50 kilometers. Families moved here to plant rice more than 100 years ago, and remains of their original settlements can still be found.

Perhaps most interesting to visitors is the enormous population of bats living in a cave near the outer perimeter of the park. Every evening at sundown, more than 3 million of these creatures emerge to find their evening meal. The spectacle lasts for more than an hour.

Wine lovers may already be aware of Khao Yai's place on the wine map. Although Thailand's wine industry is but ten years old, it's fast making a name for itself in the regional market. Thai wine's home is now firmly in Khao Yai. Several wineries offer tours, where visitors are treated to picturesque surroundings and a warm, peaceful atmosphere. You can explore scenic landscapes or sample the delights of grape juice and wine in all of the region's wineries.

Khao Yai is easily accessible by bus, train and car, and there are several options when staying in the park, including camping. The Visitor Center can provide all necessary information. Many travelers book a hotel in Nakhonratchasima or Bangkok, using it as a base for traveling to Khao Yai.

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.

Follow this url for your special rates on hotels in Hoi An - http://www.agoda.com/asia/vietnam/hoi_an.html

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.

Check out hotel availability and special hotel price at Agoda.com - http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/tokyo.html

Gokouun o inorimasu! (good luck)

World Cuisine Guide: Top Challengest Foods Menu in the World (Part II)

On the Top Challengest Foods Menu in the World (Part I) article, I introduced you the first 5 of the top ten recommended foods menu for you 'to try' or 'not to try' during your vacations on many different tourist destinations around the world. So, Let’s continue on the top 5 of the list;

5. Hakarl

Anthony Bourdain, known for eating some of the strangest foods in the world, claims that hakarl is the most disgusting thing he has ever eaten. Made by gutting a Greenland or Basking shark and then fermenting it for two to four months, hakarl is an Icelandic food that reeks with the smell of ammonia. It is available all year round in Icelandic stores and often served in cubes on toothpicks.

4. Fugu

Fugu is the Japanese word for the poisonous puffer fish, filled with enough of the poison tetrodotoxin to be lethal. Only specially-trained chefs, who undergo two to three years of training and have passed an official test, can prepare the fish. Some chefs will choose to leave a minute amount of poison in the fish to cause a tingling sensation on the tongue and lips as fugu can be quite bland. Perhaps the fuss of fugu is more in surviving the experience than the actual taste of the deadly fish.

3. Casu Marzu

Found in the city of

Sardinia in Italy, casu marzu is a cheese that is home to live insect larvae. These larvae are deliberately added to the cheese to promote a level of fermentation that is close to decomposition, at which point the cheese’s fats are broken down. The tiny, translucent worms can jump up to half a foot if disturbed, which explains why some people prefer to brush off the insects before enjoying a spoonful of the pungent cheese.

2. Sannakji

With sashimi and sushi readily available the world over, eating raw seafood is no longer considered a dining adventure. The Korean delicacy sannakji however, is something quite different, as the seafood isn't quite dead. Live baby octopus are sliced up and seasoned with sesame oil. The tentacles are still squirming when this dish is served and, if not chewed carefully, the tiny suction cups can stick to the mouth and throat. This is not a dish for the fainthearted.

1. Balut

Balut seems to be on every "strange food" list, usually at the top, and for good reason. Though no longer wriggling on the plate like the live octopus in

Korea, the fertilized duck or chicken egg with a nearly-developed embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell is easily one of the strangest foods in the world. Balut is very common in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam and usually sold by street vendors. It is said balut tastes like egg and duck (or chicken), which is essentially what it is. It is surprising to many that a food that appears so bizarre—often the with the bird's features clearly developed--can taste so banal. In the end, apparently everything does indeed, just taste like chicken.

Travel China Guide: Fascinating Guangzhou

If the thought of going back in time to travel the ancient Silk Road thrills you, here’s a fantastic idea of how to spend your next vacation. Guangzhou might not have as many cultural attractions as Beijing, or not be the hotbed of commerce Shanghai is, but the city has its charming highlights.

Located in the middle south of Guangdong Province, near to Hong Kong and Macau, Guangzhou stands at the confluence of the East, West and North Rivers and is a historic river port.

The city’s 2,000-year history is highlighted with its giving birth to the ‘sea-route’ Silk Road trail, where merchants transported silk and luxuries to the West. Guangzhou was also the first Chinese port which welcomed Western traders in the 19th century.

Sun Yat-Sen, who overthrew the Manchus in the 1911 Revolution, was born a few miles north of the Macau border. He is memorialized today in Guangzhou’s famed Yatsen Memorial Hall.

Today,

Guangzhou is a big center of southern China’s political, economic, educational, and cultural life. High-rise blocks and new highways stand side-by-side the city’s many historical monuments.

Also known as the Southern Gate of China, Guangzhou is filled with scenic spots and attractions, from temples and mountains to shopping streets and karaoke bars. Visitors shouldn’t miss the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, the White Cloud Mountain (Baiyun Shan), the Bright Filial Piety Temple, Yuexiu Park, and the Teem Plaza. You can find bars to suit any taste along the famous bar streets Binjiang Lu, Huanshi Lu, and Bai'e Tan.

Located in China's subtropical area, Guangzhou has a lovely climate year-round with almost no winter. Annual average temperature is 21.8 degrees. Spring is humid and rainy; summer is a little hot with occasional typhoons. Autumn, from October to December, is very moderate, cool and windy, and is the best travel time. Like right now. Winter is a little chilly but very short.

Guangzhou: Travel Facts and Information

· It’s China’s 3th largest city with a population of over 10 million.
· Thanks to glorious summers and almost no winter, it’s always in bloom and is known as Flower City.
· It’s home to Cantonese Opera, popular throughout South East Asia.
· In ancient times, Guangzhou was the capital city for three Chinese dynasties: the Nan Yue, the Nan Han and the Nan Ming .
· Guangzhou folks like to travel. It boasts the largest population of overseas Chinese.
· Hualin Jadeware Street can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when it was already famous for its Jadeware Fair.
· Guangzhou is the communications hub of the Guangdong Province, with railways and highways radiating in all directions and convenient river, coastal and deep ocean transport.
· People say "pearl sea and white cloud" to describe the natural beauty of Guangzhou.

World Cuisine Guide - Top Challengest Foods Menu in the World (Part I)

They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The same could be said about food: one man’s nightmare may just be another man’s delicacy. From cow’s tongue and pig’s snout to chicken’s feet, from fried worms and frog’s legs to sautéed snails, the list of weird stuff we eat is endless (and often quite tasty). If you’ve been indulging lately and need a reason to diet, take a read, you may just lose that appetite. Let’s counting down from the top 10 most challenges foods from around the world;

10. Fried- brain sandwiches

Long before the era of Mad-Cow Disease, a sandwich made from fried calves’ brain, thinly sliced on white bread was a common item on the menus in

St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The sandwich is still available in the Ohio River Valley, where the brains are now heavily battered and served on hamburger buns. In El Salvador and Mexico beef brains, lovingly called sesos in Spanish, are used in tacos and burritos. The brains have a mushy texture and very little flavor on their own so the addition of copious amounts of hot sauce definitely helps.

9. Haggis
A traditional Scottish dish, haggis is made with the minced heart, liver and lung of a sheep mixed with onion, spices, oatmeal, salt and stock, and boiled in the sheep’s stomach for a few hours. Larousse Gastronomique, a popular encyclopedia of gastronomic delights, claims that haggis has “an excellent nutty texture and delicious savory flavor.” Haggis is available year-round in Scottish supermarkets and made with an artificial casing rather than a sheep’s stomach. In fact some are sold in cans to be heated in a microwave before eating. Similar dishes can be found in other European countries with goat, pork or beef used instead of sheep.

8. Bugs

NO, it’s not crispy French fried as it looks like. In fact, it’s a worm fried. The practice of eating insects for food is called entomophagy and is fairly common in many parts of the world, with the exceptions of Europe and North America (though bugs are apparently a favorite with the television show “Fear Factor”). It is not uncommon to find vendors selling fried grasshoppers, crickets, scorpions, spiders and worms on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. Insects are high in protein and apparently consist of important fatty acids and vitamins. In fact flour from drying and grinding up mealworm can be and is often used to make chocolate chip cookies. So next time you think there is a fly in your soup, it may actually just be part of the presentation.

7. Rocky Mountain Oysters

What is so strange about oysters? Probably the fact that they’re not the kind you find at the bottom of the ocean, but rather a fancy name given to deep-fried testicles of a buffalo, bull or boar. Rocky Mountain oysters (also called Prairie Oysters) are well-known and regularly enjoyed, in certain parts of the United States and Canada, generally where cattle ranching is prevalent. The testicles are peeled, boiled, rolled in a flour mixture, and fried, then generally served with a nice cocktail sauce.

6. Stuffed Camel

The recipe for a whole stuffed camel kind of reads like a bad joke, with ingredients that include one whole camel, one whole lamb and 20 whole chickens. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the recipe as the largest item on any menu in the world, conveniently leaving out any concrete examples of this dish actually being eaten. Legend has it that that a whole stuffed camel is a traditional Bedouin dish seemingly prepared like a Russian Stacking Doll, where a camel is stuffed with a whole lamb, the lamb stuffed with the chickens and the chickens stuffed with eggs and rice. The entire concoction is then barbecued until cooked and served. Fact or fiction, the shear amount of food created by this dish makes it deserving of a place on the list.

Well, if this first 5 listed menu is not challenge enough for you. Let’s continue on the top 5 listed of the top challengest foods menu in the world - Part II.

Travel China Guide – Beijing Games 2008

Everyone knows that we need 4 Years of waiting to get involve Olympic Games. But now the games are quickly approaching, taking the host by China - one of the powerful countries in the world. Putting the controversy over the host aside, the Beijing Games 2008 is shaping up to be great. The facilities are simply astonishing. The Beijing National Stadium, nick-named the bird-nest, is certainly a unique piece of architecture. Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG, a Swiss firm, won the bid to begin construction way back in 2003. Their other notable works include the Allianz Arena in Munich and the Tate Modern in London. The venue will have a seating capacity of 80,000.

With a newly designed, high-speed metro train service to help transport tourists to events and main attractions, visitors coming to the ancient metropolis are also presented with a series of user-friendly, innovative travel itineraries on the Beijing event website.

On testing the new train system from the airport terminal, Chinese President Hu Jintao told a group of foreigners that the country was ready to “open its arms and welcome all of the friends of the world to come.” Certainly, the city has not looked more attractive.

Among the must-see attractions, such as the famous Forbidden City – where visitors can stroll through the residences of China’s former emperors – and the monolithic Great Wall of China, the Beijing tourism authority has suggested a number of culinary and nightlife hotspots too.

On the list, include the happening Houhai Bar Street and famous restaurants Kaorou Ji and Dasanyuan. But tourists looking for a taste off the beaten track, should aim for restaurants recommended or populated by locals

Other recommendations include visiting the Drum Tower, Beijing’s ‘Big Ben’ and original time-keeper. Around the tower is an antique market worth exploring and the bustling Hutong fruit market. Other interesting parts of Beijing include the Underground City near Tiananmen Square, a subterranean network built when the country feared Soviet invasion in the 1960s and the Ancient Observatory, an incredibly preserved Tibetan temple.

Despite the full of joys you’ll certainly receive from friendly sport competitions atmosphere, if you have a chance to visit China during Olympic 2008, it might also be decent chance to get to know more about this giant country as every people in China see this world’s major sport event as an opportunity to dazzle the world. Try traveling around, Shanghai is one of the China’s top destinations as such.

Travel Japan Guide - The Fuji Rock Festival 2008

The music event of the year is on! The 2008 Fuji Rock Festival, Japan's very own outdoor music festival runs from Friday July 25th until Sunday July 27th. Originally inspired by Britain's Glastonbury Festival, the Fuji Rock Festival acquired its name due to the first event in 1997 being held on the foot of famous Mt Fuji. Its current home is nowhere near Mt Fuji, but the name remains. Featuring international acts such as Underworld and My Bloody Valentine playing alongside the best of Japan's local talent, this promises to be an event not to be missed for any music lover. The 100,000 people set to attend this year's festival will certainly agree.

Since 1999, the annual festival has been held in Naeba in Niigata prefecture, 200 km north-west of Tokyo. A ski resort during the winter, it offers plenty to do and see, even for those who don't necessarily like rock music. The surrounding area is stunning, set amidst forested mountains, hills and streams. Dragondola, the world's longest Gondola lift will take you to the top of the mountain overlooking the festival site, enabling you to fully appreciate the area's natural beauty. High up in the mountains, far away from city life, fans love this festival and its unique atmosphere.

This festival is by far the world's cleanest music festival with hardly any litter as everyone obediently uses litter bags handed to them upon arrival. This Japanese fixation on tidiness and recycling creates a pleasant space for enjoying the music. Japanese music fans watch performances and move between stages in a polite and friendly manner. Queues for the limited hot spring baths, cooling showers and toilets are inevitably long at peak times. For those willing to wait a little longer, there is even a hot spa loaded with soap and shampoos.

On the night before the festival (Thursday night), there is an opening party with free entry. It features Bon-Odori (traditional Japanese folk dance), prize draws, food stalls and a fireworks display. There is even a steak eating competition with the chance to win a year's supply of beef. But of course, a music festival is really about music, and this year's line-up competes with any of the world's big festivals.

Reaching the festival from Tokyo is an experience in itself as you travel on the JR Shinkansen, reaching speeds up to 300 km/h. From Tokyo Central Station you will arrive at Echigo-Yuzawa Station after the 80 minute rocket ride, where a free shuttle bus will transfer you to the festival.

If it's your first time at a music festival, it will definitely be a new experience as you walk long distances from stage to stage, and try to see all the artists on the many stages. However, all the talent, audience and staff together make the Fuji Rock Festival a perfect place to enjoy good music, meet new people and rock out in the wilderness.

Essential Information & Tips

• 3 day pass costs 39,800 Yen and 1 day pass costs 16,800 Yen. Camping costs 3,000 Yen per person for 3 days. You must supply your own tent.
• Festival tickets and camping reservations available at http://www.ganban.net/frf08-main.html
• JR Shinkansen ticket, Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa is 6,490 Yen one way (for a reserved seat). Timetables and information available at http://www.japanrail.com
• Car parking available for 3,000 Yen per day.
• Purchase a camping ticket in advance and arrive early to choose your campsite otherwise you may end up camping on a slope.
• Be sure to have enough Japanese Yen as there is no currency exchange available.
• Further information about the festival lineup available at the 2008 Fuji Rock Festival official site http://www.smash-uk.com/frf08/

General Travel Tip - Advice on how to lug liquids

With more airports adopting stricter regulations on carrying liquids, it was time to look at the whys and what’s of hand luggage security.

Ferrying liquid-based items abroad these days has become a complicated and confusing business. Especially as there have been discrepancies in airport regulations. But most countries prefer to err on the safer rather than sorrier side of precaution these days and are complying with global security standards.

The banning of certain liquidized items onboard airplanes began in 2006 when a major transatlantic aircraft plot involving the detonation of liquid explosives was foiled in Britain. Immediately after the incident, strict regulations were imposed on bringing liquids and aerosol products on board. Most of these regulations are still effective today, with the majority of airports adopting American Transport Security Administration (TAS) protocols.

According to TAS regulations, the basic rules are these: All liquids in containers exceeding 100ml are prohibited on board planes with the only exception being liquid baby food (including milk) and prescription medications. Popular banned items are everyday things such as drinking water, butane lighters, hair gel, hand lotion, perfume, toothpaste, moisturizing lotions and any other liquid-based products. To bring liquids on board, all items must come in containers less than 100ml and fit into quart-size re-sealable, transparent plastic bags.

Most major airports in Asia implemented the US security standards on liquids this year including Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi, the world’s newest airport. For many travelers in Southeast Asia – particularly Bangkok – the newly implemented regulations came as a surprise.

So, in order to avoid losing valuable goods, Here’s a series of tips to prepare you for take-off:

1. Create a checklist before you pack which highlights items that you are prohibited from packing in your hand luggage (check the travelinsider.info for useful tips on packing or go to the TSA website for an easy-to-read brochure);

2. Pack all toiletries into your check-in luggage rather than hand luggage;

3. When purchasing duty-free items, check with the sales staff about how the products have been sealed and what regulations will apply after you have opened them;

4. When bringing ‘essentials’ in your hand luggage make sure they are under 100ml and packed in a ziplock bag. It may be handy to purchase travel-friendly toiletries to avoid the hassle of packing individual items. To travel in style, try Khiels travel packs for guys or beauty packs by Ren or Crème De Lamer for women.

Travel Japan Guide - Shinkansen the high-speed ride in Japan

Reaching speeds near 300 kilometers an hour (slightly slower than a Formula 1 car) and a rail network that spans 2,459 kilometers, Japan's Shinkansen is the world's leading high-speed inter-city train service. Japan's "bullet train," is well-known around the world for its speed, (some test runs have have reached speeds of nearly 450 km/hr!), but the Shinkansen lines also have an excellent safety record and are incredibly punctual. The average delay throughout the year of any train is 0.4 minutes, which includes delays caused by earthquakes, typhoons, snowfall, heavy rains and other natural disasters, and over 6 billion passengers have arrived at their destination safely in its 40-year history, as no deaths have been caused by derailment or collision.

Regarding as one of the top tourist marks while travel in Japan, the bullet train first got its nickname because of its bullet-like nose cone. Developed in the early 60's just in time for use at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, the Shinkansen is set on standard guage rail lines (set wider apart than those used in North America). The wider setting is extremely level, and restricts the curves within the rail line, resulting in a straighter, more stable and safer path to achieve those blistering speeds. North American trains may weave a slower path to their destination, but the Shinkansen believes in wasting no time connecting point A to point B. The train moves so fast that there is often a "tunnel boom" (similar to a sonic boom) emitted as the train leaves a tunnel. When the train enters a tunnel at such a high rate of speed there is a sudden build up of air pressure. As there isn't enough room within the tunnel for the air to escape, a "boom" is created at the exit as the train leaves the tunnel.

There are currently six main Shinkansen lines linking most cities on the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu. The first section built and opened in 1964 was the Tokaido Shinkansen, which linked Tokyo to Osaka. The Tokaido Shinkansen is now the most heavily travelled, high-speed rail route in the world, and has reduced a journey that once took six hours to approximately two and a half. The city of Osaka is considered to be the laidback antithesis of Japan's hyperactive Tokyo, and is also where the Tokaido Shinkansen ends and the Sanyo Shinkansen begins, which continues on to the city of Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu. The Kyushu Shinkansen is the newest addition to this network and connects cities on the southern island. With lines running through major and scenic centers like Nagano, Akita, Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa, Niigata to name a few, all of Japan's favorite sites can be seen in a blur as the trains race by.

Tickets for the Shinkansen can be bought at vending machines or ticket counters at the train stations, though it may take a little bit of riding around on local trains before switching over to the Super Express. Because much of the information at train stations is in Japanese, spending a little time at the Japan Railways Group website-where information is clear, easy to understand (and in English) is recommended. For the first-time visiting Japan, do not forget to prepare and experience a ride on Shinkansen the rocketing-speed trains.

General Travel Tip - The Tipping Point

What is your tipping point? If you're like us, you'll be staring at the strange, colorful denominations in your palm, unsure what you should be giving the driver, porter, waiter, hairdresser, barista, police officer as they smile patiently. Tipping etiquette varies across cultures, generations, locations, and occupations. In North America it's become so ubiquitous, pretty soon they'll have "tip jars" in emergency rooms. So where and what should we tip? Here are some ideas we came up with:

1. Research where you are going. In some places like mainland China or Japan tipping can be considered insulting. So do a little reading, save your cash and don't get labeled a rude tourist. For general ideas on tipping in prospective countries we've put together a brief list:

- If you travel in Australia: generally tipping is not expected.

- If you travel in North America: 10–20% depending on level of service (15% is a generally a good guideline), but if the service is terrible, don't feel obliged to leave anything.

- If you travel in China: tipping isn't required (outside of Hong Kong).

- If you travel in Egypt: tipping is expected everywhere, so it's good to have small change available at all times. For restaurants/taxis 10–20% is the standard.

- If you travel in France: service charges are automatically added to the bill, generally 15%.

- If you travel in Hong Kong: read your bill, as a service charge (generally 10%) has probably already been added by restaurants and hotels. For taxis, just round up to the next Hong Kong Dollar.

- If you travel in Japan: don't tip. Some places will actually find it insulting if you do.

- If you travel in Malaysia: tipping generally isn't expected.

- If you travel in Thailand: traditionally tipping hasn't been expected, but it is becoming more prevalent. Many restaurants/hotels have already applied a 10% service charge, so check your bill. For taxis, provided you are using a meter, 3–5 Baht is plenty, 10 Baht if the total is over 100.

- If you travel in Mexico: similar to Egypt as tipping is expected everywhere, so it is best to have some small change on you.

2. Remember to read the bill. As previously noted many restaurants and hotels will automatically add a gratuity and should be giving the tips to the staff.

3. If you're unsure what to tip, just ask. Most people will give you an honest answer and let you know what is adequate.