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Issue No. 11 | Mar - Apr 2013Free & EasyGetaways+ My KyushuSelf-DriveAdventureMaldivesVientiane, LaosCebu, Philippines

Contents02MY KYUSHU SELF-DRIVE ADVENTURE08LOMBOK, INDONESIA10CEBU, PHILIPPINES12SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA14VIENTIANE, LAOS16MALDIVES205 STEPS TO YOURFREE & EASY HOLIDAY21OUR RECOMMENDATIONS24HOTEL DEALS081214COVER PHOTO:Angsana Ihuru, MaldivesPhoto by Angsana IhuruE 3 is the Online Travel Magazine ofNew Shan Travel Service Pte Ltd.Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or partwithout permission is prohibited.16

Editor’s NoteMost of us often travel on group tours becauseof the convenience it brings. Everything isplanned for you – flights, hotels, meals, transportand sightseeing. All you have to do is pay, turnup at the airport and enjoy your holiday. But forthe stressed-out urban office worker that wemostly are, the sometimes punishing pace of anarranged tour may tire you out even more.That’s where the Free & Easy option comes in. Wetake care of the logistics for you – flights, hotels,airport transfers – and the rest of the time is yoursto be spent in any way you want. Want to lazein bed for another 10 minutes in the morning?Sure. Want to shop the entire day? No problem.The options are simply endless. See how you can tailoryour very own Free & Easy trip in just 5 easy steps.Not sure where to head to? How about nearbySoutheast Asia? The rich cultures of the tenSoutheast Asian nations make for an interestingholiday every time. With their close proximityto Singapore and inexpensive offerings, there’sno reason to pass up that weekend getaway. Inthis issue of E 3 , we feature four of these cities:Lombok in Indonesia, Cebu in the Philippines,Siem Reap in Cambodia and Vientiane in Laos.Or if you prefer to just lay by the beach andhear the sound of the waves, then head to theMaldives, where the clear waters and pristine airwill clear your mind and rejuvenate your body inno time.Flip the page now and see where your next tripmight take you!Joe1

The glittering nightview of Nagasaki fromMt. Inasa.Photos and content contributedby Andy WongThe rental cars on our self-drive trip.When tourists think of holidaying in Japan, they usually think ofHonshu (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto etc.), and Hokkaido. Few peoplewould have heard of Kyushu, let alone consider Kyushu. In recenttimes, I have heard so much of Kyushu being an “UndiscoveredGem”. People who had been there highly recommended Kyushu asa holiday destination and regaled me with exciting adventures ofself-drive trips. Therefore, when the invitation came to embark on aself-drive trip to Kyushu, I grabbed it with both hands.DAY 1. On 14 December 2011, I landed at Fukuoka Airport at11.35am. There, we were welcomed by our guides and tourismauthority officials. We were led to our three rented cars. I wasassigned a Toyota Wish for the first day. The friendly rentalcompany staff explained to us how to use the GPS set. All thedriver had to do was to key in either the map code or the phonenumber of the destination. Our first stop was Beppu, a two-hourdrive away. Beppu is famous for its onsens.Some facts on Kyushu: Kyushu is located at thesouthern end of the Japanese archipelago andincludes seven prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki,Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima.Compared to Honshu and Hokkaido, Kyushu isslightly warmer. You can find plenty of excellentonsens and fresh seafood everywhere. Kyushu is alsoa relatively inexpensive place, and that contributes toits attractiveness among tourists. With the openingof the Kyushu Shinkansen or bullet train, traversingfrom Fukuoka in the north to Kagoshima in the southtakes a mere 80 minutes.We visited Beppu Umijigoku (“Beppu Hells”). You will seespectacular hot springs that are more for viewing than forbathing, because the water is boiling hot. Each hot spring has itspeculiar features and names, such as “Sea Hell” and “Blood Hell”.The latter is the most visually arresting and scary, because theminerals in the water make the water red.DAY 2. After a sumptuous breakfast of grilled salmon, mackerel,and an assortment of fresh grilled fishes, we lined up the carsfor a photo shoot. My car on the first day, Toyota Wish, was theone on the left. However, we were supposed to change carsand passengers every day so that every driver could experiencedifferent cars and there would be more interaction amongstdifferent people.First stop of the day was Kokonoe “Yume” Suspension Bridge.At 390m long and 173m high, it is the largest pedestrian2

The steam rising from Beppu Umijigoku.Explaining the origins of the “Sea Hell”.Minerals causing the red waters of “Blood Hell”.suspension bridge in Japan. It hangs 777m above sea level acrossthe Kyusui Ravine. The bridge offers spectacular views of theShindo Falls, comprising o-daki (“male”) and me-daki (“female”)waterfalls, of which the former has been chosen as one of Japan’stop 100 waterfalls. It was very windy when I crossed the bridge.The bridge swayed a little, but it was built this way to counter thewindy conditions and it felt reliable and solid. With the winds, itfelt like sub-zero temperature. Luckily, there were friendly vendingmachines waiting at both ends of the bridge, where I bought a canof warm Pokka sweet red bean drink!Today’s drive was especially therapeutic. We drove on the YamanamiHighway, a scenic route that connects Aso with Beppu. The roadswere very wide. I felt like I was driving across continental Australia.On the way to Mt. Aso, we enjoyed sweeping views of rolling hills,great plains, snowy mountains, and the occasional deer and cows.One important stop was the Daikanbo Peak. It is situated on thecaldera rim of the north of Aso Caldera. It is a vantage point to lookout to the Aso Valley, the Aso Five-Peaks, and all the northern rimsof Aso Caldera. The Aso Five-Peaks resembles a sleeping Buddhaand is admired by many.Next stop, El Rancho Grande. It is a Western-style horse-ridingground where you can rent a horse for 20 minutes or more for a ridearound the surrounding fields. I counted five horses on standby,of which some were white and some were brown. All were veryhandsome horses. I was assigned a white one, albeit the oldestamong them. Two Japanese cowboys taught us how to mount andcontrol the horse. It was all too easy: a soft foot-tap on the horse’sbelly would be to tell the horse to move forward; a left tug of theleash would be to turn left, and a soft pulling back of the leashwould be to slow down or stop. The two cowboys led us on a rideof the countryside and we admired the farms and nature. Initially,the horse was not used to my riding style. After a while, we gelled! Ifelt like I could gallop down the fields like a champion jockey.We hit the Yamanami Highway again to set off for Mt. Aso crater.To get to the smoking crater of Nakadake, one has to take theMt. Aso Ropeway to the top. Nakadake is an active crater withturquoise-green water at 60°C at times of moderate activity. Thewater turns grey as its temperature rises. I saw many emergencyshelters made of solid rock, and they served to protect visitorsfrom the volcanic rocks that might suddenly fly out from the craterduring unexpected volcanic activity. There were many sensors andalarms installed around the crater to warn visitors of an increase involcanic activity. The area was filled with sulphuric fumes and thecrater lake was incessantly bubbling.The ‘Mysterious Road’ phenomenon does not only appear inknown places such as Korea and Shenyang. It also appeared alongthe Yamanami Highway! As I was driving, the tour guide suddenlytold me to stop the car and asked me if I could detect a phenomenon.The Kokonoe “Yume” Suspension Bridge. One half of the Shindo Falls. The active crater lake at Nakadake.3

The awesome views at Daikanbo Peak.Learning to be a cowboy for a day!The handsome horses at the El Rancho Grande.Kumamoto Castle, one of themost impressive in Japan.To my surprise, our vehicle appeared to climb uphill in the neutralgear! Drivers of many vehicles around ours were also testing outthe phenomenon. If you were to be on the opposite side, yourvehicle would apparently be rolling backwards even though thedown slope was in front of you! Mysterious indeed.At nightfall, we arrived at Kumamoto City, a beautiful city knownfor its Kumamoto Castle. After returning our car at the rentalshop, we took a tram to our dinner place, which offered a fantasticview of Kumamoto Castle. Kumamoto Castle is a major landmarkof Kumamoto City, and is regarded as one of the most impressivecastles in Japan, together with the white-walled Hijemi Castleand the black-walled Matsumoto Castle. In addition, KumamotoCastle is considered a most impregnable fortress even until today.Its main defensive features include very high stone walls withwooden overhangs (originally designed as protection againstninjas), and a wide moat. There are many escape passagewayswithin the castle. At night, the castle is illuminated and the viewis breath-taking.DAY 3. We drove our cars to Kumamoto Port to take an expressferry to Shimabara Port en route to Nagasaki. We drove into theferry, parked and went onto the ferry deck to feed the seagulls! Itwas an exhilarating experience. You hold up the bread crumbs,and the nearest or fastest seagull would grab the crumbs withinthe next few seconds without hurting your fingers! I was hesitantof being bitten initially, but after seeing my fellow traveller usehis lips to hold the crumbs up and a seagull swooping in for thekill with nary an injury, my fear dissipated. The view of ShimabaraBay was fantastic. We reached the opposite shore in half an hour,and drove off the ferry.We drove up the mountain to Nita Pass (1,080m above sealevel), where we took a ropeway to the summit of Mt. Myoken.On a clear day, one can enjoy a commanding view of Shimabara4Peninsula and Bay. However, it was snowing that day and thesummit was fogged. At the Nita Pass, we could see the lava domeof Heisei Shinzan. It had been newly created in 1990 when Mt.Fugen erupted.Next stop was Unzen Hell. There were many pools of bubblingsprings dotted around the area, and the whole area was coveredwith white clay. The white clay is called ‘solfataric clay’. The clayhad been altered and decolourised by fumarolic gas, hot springheat and acidic water. The energy source is assumed to be themagma reservoir under the seabed of the Tachibana Bay. Thehighest temperature of the fumarolic gas, blown out with hissingnoises, can be 120°C. White and light yellow sinter deposits wereattached on the ground around the fumaroles. We bought hardboiledeggs cooked by the bubbling water and ate them with adash of salt. More delicious than usual!We drove on to Nagasaki. Nagasaki, capital of Nagasaki Prefectureand the fifth largest city in Kyushu, is an important port city withmore than four centuries of history. It prospered as Japan’s sole“window” to Western culture during its 300 years of nationalisolation. Nagasaki has thriving shipbuilding and fisheriesindustries and is especially noted for its marine products, suchas cultured pearls, tortoiseshell and coral works. To the world,it was also known the second city in Japan, after Hiroshima, toexperience an atomic explosion during the Second World War.We headed for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and PeacePark. The Atomic Bomb Museum was built to show the world thehorror of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki and the need toeliminate all nuclear weapons. The Peace Statue in the Peace Parkwas constructed in 1955 by donations from all over the world,and is highly symbolic. The right hand pointing skyward warnsabout the threat of the atomic bomb. The left hand stretchingout horizontally symbolizes world peace. The gently-closed eyes

epresent a prayer for the repose of the souls of all atomic bombvictims. At the Hypocenter Park, a memorial monolith marks theexact spot below the center of the atomic bomb explosion, whichoccurred at 11.02am, August 9, 1945. Looking at the exhibits, Icould not help but felt stunned by the horrific nature of wars andwas deeply saddened by the plight of the innocent victims.Next, we headed for Mt. Inasa to enjoy the night view of NagasakiCity, the spot proclaimed to be “One of the top three night viewsof Japan”. We took the Nagasaki Ropeway, an all-transparentgondola, to the summit of Mt. Inasa (333m above ground). Thejourney up was spectacular. The sweeping views from Mt. InasaLookout were even better. I could see why it lived up to its name;the amazing glittering lights of Nagasaki City that is situated onundulating mountain slopes. At the Lookout, you would see manytriangles lit up on the ground, and amongst the hundreds oftriangles, there was a love-shaped symbol. According to a popularsaying, one would find love if one could find the symbol. I found itin 3 minutes. A good sign indeed!DAY 4. After breakfast, we headed back to Fukuoka. It was going tobe a two-hour drive. Our first stop was Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine.Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine enshrines Sugawara Michizane (845-903) as the god of academic achievement. Before the entranceexamination each year, young people from all parts of Japan cometo the shrine to pray for success in the examination. The approachto the shrine is lined with teahouses selling ‘umegae-mochi,’ alocal specialty rice-cake that is believed to ward off illness. Thereare many shops selling food. We went to a particular shop famousfor its red bean desserts and matcha. The venerable boss was atthe shop front busy making red bean cakes. His dedication toperfection was there for all to see.At the shrine, there was a blessing session going on. The devoteeswere immaculately dressed in suits or kimonos. A new-born babywas being blessed by the priest. Good luck charms were sold atthe stalls. For lunch, our tour guide led us to a secluded path offthe main thoroughfare into a small residential neighbourhood.Suddenly, she turned into a huge compound that looked likea residence, only to discover that it was actually a Japaneserestaurant nestled in a Japanese garden setting. This restaurantspecializes in serving many variants of tofu dishes. We sat tatamistyleand were fussed about by a kimono-clad waitress, whilstenjoying the Japanese garden setting and delicious food.We headed to Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. Formerly, Hakatawas an independent city. From Heian period (AD 794-1185) toAzuchi-Momoyama period (AD 1568–1600), Hakata’s merchantstraded with Chinese, Korean, and other overseas merchants. The lifeand culture of Hakata, mainly of the Meiji and Taisho eras (AD 1868–1926), are introduced from various perspectives at this Museum.Driving into the ferry at Kumamoto Port.The Nita Pass en route to Mt. Myoken.The formation of the Heisei Shinzan lava dome.A replica of the bomb thatexploded over Nagasaki,nicknamed “Fat Man”.The bubbling watersof Unzen Hell.The Peace Statue at the NagasakiAtomic Peace Park.Pray for success in your studies at theDazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine. A blessing session taking place at Dazaifu Shrine.The entrance of the superb tofurestaurant off Dazaifu Shrine.5

The shop owner making red bean cakes.Authentic matcha with red bean dessert.A model of old Hakata city at theHakata Machiya Folk Museum.A craftsman at work in the museum.One of the floats used for the HakataGion Yamakasa festival.Kushida Shrine was just across the road. Kushida Shrine hasa long history as the village shrine in Fukuoka City. Shrines foreach of Shinto’s three gods (Amaterasu Omikami, Ohatanushi no-Omikami, and Susano no-Omikami) were built in 757 AD and 941AD. The shrine is fervently revered as “Okushida-sama” or “God ofImmortality and Success in Business”. It is also the starting pointof Fukuoka’s most famous festival, “Hakata Gion Yamakasa”, whichis held on 1st to 15th of July. You will see tens of men carrying afloat or “Oi-Yama” weighing as heavy as one ton racing down theroads in the early hours of the morning on the 15th day.Next stop is the Canal City Hakata. Most ladies will like thisplace. Other than the Tenjin shopping area, Canal City Hakatais the place to be for food, shopping and entertainment. On thefifth storey, you can find cinemas and many restaurants. There isa Ramen stadium on the sixth storey serving different types ofRamen from all parts of Japan. At the basement, you can findopen areas to relax and admire the musical fountain as the watersways to the music. The recently-opened annex contains a hugeUniqlo store and several international brands. I find the quaintcafes especially interesting. One can literally spend a whole dayin Canal City. After shopping, you may walk along the Naka Riversituated just beside Canal City and enjoy the romantic scenery.You can even try the “Yatai”, which are standalone sheds dottedalong the riverside and serving authentic Fukuoka cuisine.After wrapping up our shopping at Canal City Hakata, we tookthe Velotaxis, a form of human-peddled modern trishaw, for atour around the city. Many shoppers were amused by our modeof transportation and waved at and posed with us. It was thirtyminuteride and we alighted at the Tenjin shopping area.DAY 5 to 7. I extended my trip by another 3 days to take in moresights of Kyushu and to visit and relax at some of the best onsensin Japan. No more driving from now on. However, I did miss all thedriving because it felt so therapeutic to drive on such wide roads andbe accompanied by wonderful sights, not to mention the utmostcourtesy and driving etiquettes displayed by Japanese drivers.I visited Yufuin, one of the best-known onsen towns in Japan.From Tenjin station, I took a two-hour bus ride to eastern Kyushu.I have heard so much about this place from the locals. Yufuin is aquiet little town situated in a valley and blessed with numerousonsens. The main thoroughfare is located 5 minutes away fromThe Kushida Shrine, God ofImmortality and Success in Business.The sprawling shopping complexof Canal City Hakata.The Velotaxi, a human-peddledmodern trishaw.6Enjoy the numerous onsens in Yufuin.Like a screen grab out of the show “Japan Hour”.Delicious onsen-boiled eggs for sale.

The quaint entrance to the onsen.Tucking in to a sumptuous lunch after a bath.Pig intestines with miso soup! A Fukuoka delicacy.Vending machine at Matsuya. Thevending machine’s options are mindboggling,isn’t it?Beef portions were more generousand tastier than those in Singapore!Three types of raw chicken meat!the bus terminal and is lined with many shops selling food, gifts,local produce and drinks. If you are tired, a café is never more thana stone’s throw away. I asked the Tourist Information Centre torecommend an onsen, and they recommended one that requireda fifteen-minute walk. The onsen has two pools, and bothoverlook a mountain. The outdoor temperature was 10°C and theskies were clear, perfect conditions to relax in an open-air onsen.I had both the pools to myself. Water in one pool was really hot,and water in the other was more acceptable to a less-seasonedonsen-goer like me. After 30 minutes of soaking and enjoyingthe mountain scenery, I felt thoroughly detoxified. With renewedappetite, I headed down to the main thoroughfare in search offood and desserts. Along the way, I experienced “Japan Hour” –picturesque mountains surrounding me, crystal-clear fresh watergushing down the stream on my left, refreshing mountain airoxygenating my mind, living in my own world. Surreal.To me, visiting Japan means going to onsens, eat, and goingto more onsens, so I visited another the following day. A friendrecommended this onsen called 清 渑 , located in the suburbs ofFukuoka. There is a complimentary hourly shuttle bus that picksyou up in the city near Tenjin Station. The ride took 50 minutes,and you would probably sit next to an obasan (‘auntie’ in Japanese)or ojisan (‘uncle’ in Japanese). Elderly Japanese and retirees areprobably the most frequent visitors to onsens. Upon reaching thedestination, it gave me another “Japan Hour” experience. 清 渑 islocated in a valley and is blessed with excellent hot spring waters.The sprawling complex consisted of several traditional woodenstructures interlinked together. Facilities include separate hotspring baths for men and women, a restaurant serving deliciousJapanese food, massage services, sleeping area and bathingfacilities. For the male onsen, there were six different types of hotsprings, including a waterfall, cold water pool, hydrosonic pooland mini electric-current pool. I felt reinvigorated and hungryagain. I took a refreshing bath and napped a bit before tuckinginto a sumptuous lunch. The whole experience lasted a little lessthan 3 hours, and I boarded the shuttle bus back to the city.I will like to wrap up this article by sharing some deliciousfood pictures, and other non-food pictures which I think areinteresting. After this trip, I was left in no doubt that I would goback again and do another round of self-drive. The next time, itshall be Southern Kyushu, leading to Kagoshima. E 3Yi-Lan Ramen, one of the mostfamous ramen chains in Kyushu.The booths typical of ramen stores.Fukuoka Tower, the tallest structurein Kyushu at 234m.View of Fukuoka city from the top ofFukuoka Tower.*The views and opinions expressed in this article are that of the writer and do not represent the views of New Shan Travel.That’s me taking a break from driving andposing with the Aso mountain ranges.7

LombokThe awe-inspiringMount Rinjani,one of Indonesia’shighest activevolcanoes.Lombok is situated in the province of West NusaTenggara, located to the east of the more wellknownBali. As one of the many islands thatmake up the vast Indonesian archipelago,Lombok is rapidly becoming one of Indonesia’smost popular destinations. Easily accessiblewith its new international airport and directflights from Singapore, Lombok offers a myriadof activities on both land and sea. You can gofor a trek in Rinjani National Park and comeface-to-face with the iconic Mount Rinjani –one of Indonesia’s highest active volcanoesat 3,726m – or swim and snorkel on the naturalwhite sand beaches of the mainland.quality. Lombok is also world-famous for theoutstanding quality of the pearls offered inspecialist shops. On top of the many activitiesavailable, the people of Lombok are warmand hospitable, the scenery is gorgeous andthe pace of life is relaxing, great for a breakfrom the urban life every time.Intricate designson TerracottaHot Pots.The famous tourist beaches of Senggigi andKuta Beach boast the best unspoilt beaches ofthe world, while renowned surfing breaks likeDesert Point, Gerupuk and Bangko Bangkoattract keen surfers from around the world. Thediving options are noteworthy too, with worldclassdiving sites such as Gili Nanggu in thesouthwest of Lombok and the three islands ofTrawangan, Meno and Air north of Senggigi,also famously known as the Gili Islands.8Lombok is a craft lover’s dream too, wheregifted artisans weave and throw pots of export

IndonesiaThe magnificent scenery at Kuta Beach.The clear watersoff Senggigibeach.Enjoy worldclassdiving atGili Nanggu.Hop on to a small horsedrawncarriage, called aCidomo, on the Gili Islands.Photos credit to PHRI Lombok – Sumbawa9

CebuLapu-Lapu Monument, erected in honour of Lapu-Lapu,a famous chieftain who defeated Spanish soldiers.10Cebu is a province in the Southern Philippines,comprising of Cebu Island and 167 surroundingislands. Named the 7th best island destinationin the Indian Ocean-Asia region in 2007 and4th best Asian-Pacific island destination in 2009by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, Cebu is along strip of land spanning 225km from northto south, and is one of the most developedprovinces in the Philippines. Its capital CebuCity, the oldest city in the Philippines, is themain focus of business and education in theVisayas.Also the epicentre of colonial civilization in thecountry, Cebu City has the richest history, asshowcased in the many museums exhibitingFilipino culture from centuries back. Otherlandmarks not to be missed in the city arethe Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Fort SanPedro, Lapu-Lapu Monument, Magellan’sCross, Cebu Tops Lookout and Cebu TaoistTemple. In addition, make time to visit thechurches that line the city’s well-known streetsas Cebu is the seat of Christianity and religionplays a significant part in the daily lives of theCebuanos.For the nature lovers seeking adventure,there’s the House Close to Nature built byNestor Archival – an eco-house advocatingsustainable environment living – and the 24haHighland Farm by Rene Mercado in Agsungot,a 45-minute drive from the city proper. Forbeach lovers, head to the northern part of theisland or the southwest coast, where beacheswith the whitest sand and the most amazingdiving can be found. On the southern end,Moalboal Panagsama Beach is a focus for divecentres, while off the coast in the north, thetranquil islands of Bantayan and Malapascuamake for a pleasant excursion. You can alsovisit the other nearby islands on an islandhoppingtour.The Cebu TaoistTemple, built by theChinese communityin 1972.

PhilippinesBasilica Minore delSanto Niño, the oldestRoman Catholicchurch established inthe Philippines.Fort San Pedro, atriangular fort builtby the Spanish.Magellan’s Cross,planted by the famousexplorer FerdinandMagellan upon landingashore Cebu in 1521.The skyline of Cebu City.Photos credit to Adamdaley, Mike Gonzalez, Editor999999 / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0, Carl Frances Morano Diaman / CC-BY-SA-3.011

Siem ReapThe breathtakingview of Angkor Wat.The enigmaticsmiling faces ofAvalokiteshvaraat Angkor Thom.The capital city of Siem Reap Province innorth-western Cambodia, Siem Reap’s claimto fame is no doubt the gateway town to themagnificent Angkor Wat. A temple complex atAngkor region built for King Suryavarman II inthe early 12th century as his state temple andcapital city, Angkor Wat is the best-preservedtemple at the site.But besides the must-see Angkor Wat, theAngkor region has other offerings as well:Angkor Thom – the last and longest lastingcapital city of the Khmer empire, Ta Prohm– a photographer’s favourite with its templeruins peeking out of massive tree roots, PhnomBakheng – one of Angkor’s oldest temples,but better known for its panoramic beauty atsunset, are all worth a visit while you are there.and gilding. Discover and understand thewhole silk production process at the AngkorSilk Farm. Watch the traditional Aspara danceperformances, visit rice-paddy country sides,fishing villages and even a bird sanctuary nearthe Tonle Sap Lake. The activities are endless.Gigantic roots oftrees coveringthe temple at TaProhm.12Back in Siem Reap, take a walk down the OldFrench Quarter and around the Old Marketto admire the colonial and Chinese-stylearchitecture. Set sail on a cruise on the Tonle SapLake, the largest freshwater lake in SoutheastAsia that has been designated an UNESCObiosphere since 1997. Visit Artisans D’angkorto discover the traditional Khmer techniquesused for stone and wood carving, lacquering

CambodiaThe amazing sunset view at Phnom Bakheng.Silk cocoonsdrying out in thesun at the AngkorSilk Farm.Relax with a boatride on the TonleSap Lake.Learn how silkis spun from silkcocoons.13

VientianePha That Luang stupa, the national symbol of Laos.View of Vientianefrom the PatuxayMonument.Unlike other bustling capitals in Asia, Vientianegives off such a relaxing vibe that the cityalmost feels like a small town, when in actualfact, it is the largest city in Laos and itscapital. With a blend of Lao, Thai, Chinese,Vietnamese, French and American influences,this captivating city is both charming yet easygoing.Be sure to visit the national symbol– Pha That Luang. You will be dazzled by themagnificent golden exterior of the Buddhiststupa which is considered as one of the mostsacred Buddhist temples in Vientiane. Thecity’s most important festival, Bun That Luang,is held here in November on the night of thefull moon.Wat Si Saket is another must-visit temple, beingthe longest-standing in Vientiane. Built in 1818,it houses hundreds of Buddha statues in all sizesand made of wood, stone, silver and bronze.If you’re curious about the history of Laos, theNational Museum is the place to go. One ofthe highlights of the museum is the people’sstruggle against foreign occupation to achievefreedom. Don’t forget to take some picturesof Vientiane’s very own Arc de Triomphe, theimposing Patuxay Monument.Sightseeing aside, you should visit the Talat Saomorning market. It has practically everything,from food to non-edibles, wooden craftsto electronic goods. After a whole day ofexploring the city, the next best thing todo is to stroll along the river and take in themesmerizing sights of sunset, with a Beerlao –the Laos national beer – in hand.14

LaosThe Siamese-styledBuddhist templeWat Si Saket.Vientiane’sArc deTriomphe,the PatuxayMonument.Hundreds of Buddhastatues within thecompounds of WatSi Saket.Photos credit to Wikimedia Commons – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / CC-BY-2.0, Tim Wang / CC-BY-SA-2.0, Benh Lieu Song / CC-BY-SA-3.015

MaldivesSpend the day trailing between the sun, the sand and the sea with the magnificent Indian Oceanright at your doorstep. This mere thought of heading to the Maldives is enough to create a senseof excitement in many. The journey is an adventure in itself – the view of the endless ocean as theplane lands, the sea plane or speedboat transfer to your resort and the walk along the jetty toyour blissful holiday.The Maldives is a chain of 26 atolls, spread over an estimated 90,000 km 2 in the Indian Ocean.While the administrative centre of the country is in Malé, most of the resorts in Maldives eachoccupy an island itself, so you are guaranteed exclusivity and privacy. From here on, we let thepictures speak for themselves, as we showcase three of the resorts in Maldives.The jetty to bliss– Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.The splendid view ofVabbinfaru Island from the air.16The Beachfront Pool Villa (Left) and the Oceanview Pool Villa (Right), both measuring 110sqm, is an intimate enclaveof tropical living, with unparalleled privacy in a walled garden, which comprises a sundeck, pool, jet pool, outdoorand indoor shower and a recessed sitting area perfect for a lazy afternoon lounging on the sundeck.

MaldivesWatch the turtles and stingraysbeing fed in the evenings at theMarine Lab, which also offersweekly marine biology classes.Sunset Jetty: Lounge in style at thejetty and watch the sky light up inbrilliant colours as the sun sets.Angsana VelavaruWedding Celebrations: Tiethe knot with your belovedon a secluded sandbanksurrounded by turquoise watersunder the clear Maldivian sky.Adventurous couples can optfor an underwater celebrationto seal their union surroundedby the vibrant marine life.Escape to a world of your own withthe Sandbank Dining experience.Arrive by speedboat and beushered to a table of gourmetdelights and champagne, withonly the moon and torcheslighting your feast.Banyan Tree VabbinfaruLocated within the North Malé Atoll, BanyanTree Vabbinfaru is a 20-minute speedboat ridefrom Malé International Airport. Surroundedby a white powdery beach are 48 elegantvillas, nestled on the coral atoll. Each villa hasa bedroom with an open terrace, landscapedgarden and a private sundeck. Other featuresinclude an outdoor pool and jet pool in aprivate garden, outdoor and indoor showers,an outdoor living pavilion, 32” flat screen TV,entertainment system and much more. If spaceand privacy are on the top of your wish list, theVabbinfaru Pool Villa is highly recommendedwith its extended sundeck and additionaloutdoor jet pool near recessed sitting area,perfect for a lazy afternoon.When you manage to pluck yourself awayfrom the creature comforts of your villa, thereare other facilities around the resort for yourenjoyment as well. There’s retail therapy atthe Banyan Tree Gallery, which showcasesindigenous arts and crafts, body and beautytreatments at the Banyan Tree Spa, indoorgames such as volleyball and table tennis, andoutdoor diving and water sports activities atthe PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Dive Centre.Affectionately known as the “Turtle Island”, the113-villa Angsana Velavaru is located in thepristine South Nilandhe Atoll and is accessibleby a 40-minute seaplane ride from MaléInternational Airport. Set amidst the VelavaruLagoon with spectacular views and directaccess to the Indian Ocean are 79 Island Villas,with private beachfronts at your doorstep and34 InOcean Pool Villas, an exclusive cluster oftwo-storey overwater villas positioned at theedge of the reef, one kilometre away from theisland of Velavaru, a first in the Maldives.The Island Villas,featuring privatebeachfronts.With a “101 things to do, no lagoon likeit” tagline, you will be spoilt for choice themoment the seaplane touches down onVelavaru island. But if you can’t decide onwhich activity, there’s the list of choice picksThe spectacular view of VelavaruIsland from the seaplane.17

y satisfied guests that you can consult. For adults,you can ride above the waves on the newestwater sport Sit-Down Hydrofoil or try your hand atBig Game Fishing. For the kids, introduce them todiving through the Bubble Maker diving lesson ina shallow lagoon, bring the whole family out tosea and look for dolphins, or learn about MarineLife Conservation from the experts. For the loveydoveyones, dine on the private island of Maagaain a Castaway Dinner or enjoy a Romantic spapackage for newlyweds at the award-winningAngsana Spa. But don’t forget to squeeze in sometime to do absolutely nothing – other than lie onthe luscious white beach and soak in the incrediblebeauty of Angsana Velavaru.The InOcean PoolVillas, a cluster of twostoreyoverwater villas.Over 100 activities for your pickingat Angsana Velavaru, includingcanoeing and other water sports,dolphin watching out at sea, fun atthe Kid’s Club and a relaxing beautytreatment at the Angsana Spa.Bungalows sittingon stilts spreadthroughout the islandat Club Med Kani.18

MaldivesFrom Top Left to Top Right: Resort-themedbathrooms with his and hers wash basins;sheer indulgence in the overwater LagoonSuite with all-round ocean views; more roomfor everyone when you choose the SuperiorConnecting Room with garden and beachviews.From Mid Left to Mid Right: Chill out with adrink at the Iru Bar; Lounge by the sea andenjoy the breeze at the Manta Lounge; Thebrilliant colours of sunset at Club Med Kani.Club Med KaniFrom a distance, Kani emerges likea garden island poised on turquoisewaters. This tiny paradise in theMaldives archipelago, exclusivelyreserved for Club Med guests, has 75Suites on Stilts which, when viewedfrom above, resemble a giant palmtree straddling the lagoon.Just imagine: Holidaying on ClubMed’s own private atoll, swimmingtogether in a turquoise lagoon, lazingon a white sand beach, enjoyingthe secluded privacy of the new 5ΨLuxury Space in a 70sqm Suite onClub Med Kani, the giantpalm tree spreading outin the lagoon.Stilts, exploring underwater life on thecoral reef and dining on grilled fish atthe speciality restaurant, the Kandu.Are you smiling yet? Life doesn’t getbetter than this.You’ll love this diver’s paradise, idealfor modern-day Robinson Crusoes.Set between lush vegetation and amagnificent immaculate white sandbeach with crystal clear waters, thebungalows seem to rise from themiddle of the Indian Ocean, dottedthroughout the island.As an all-inclusive resort, there’scertainly no shortage of activities.Indoors, there’s badminton,basketball, volleyball and tabletennis, just to name a few, or headout to the beach for some beachsoccer and beach volleyball. Ofcourse, there are water sports suchas water polo, kayaking, sailing,aqua-fitness and snorkelling as well.And for those who prefer to restand relax, there’s yoga and beautytreatments aplenty at the Club MedSpa by Mandara.Photos by Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Angsana Velavaru and Club Med Kani.19

5 Steps toYour Free &Easy HolidayPlanning your own holiday is not as terrifying as itseems, it just takes some time and effort. Besides, acustomised holiday will guarantee you maximumsatisfaction, in terms of comfort, pace, activitiesplanned and meal options. Here’s how to get started.STEP 1: Book your flightThe first order of the day is to secure seats on your preferredflight. Besides choosing between full-service airlines versusbudget “no-frills” airlines for cost consideration, take noteof the number of stopovers and transit time at each stopas well. You don’t want to end up spending 6 hours in anairport transit area just to save that few tens of dollars. Also,pay attention to the arrival time of the flight. To maximisesightseeing time at your destination, choose an earlymorning flight, or an overnight flight that arrives first thingin the morning. But do note that your hotel room might notbe ready for check-in, so you have to leave your bags at thehotel or left-luggage facilities at the airport or train stationsin some cities. On the contrary, if you want to check-in tofreshen up before beginning your day, then time your flightsto arrive after 1 or 2pm. Plan similarly for your departingflight.STEP 2: Choose a hotelChoosing the hotel’s location pretty much depends onyour itinerary. If you are going budget and taking publictransport, choose a hotel next to a subway station, so thatyou don’t have to lug your bags all around town. Or say youhave an early morning train to catch to your next destination,then choose a hotel near the train station, so that you donot risk missing your train due to the morning traffic. If youare planning to do some major shopping, pick a hotel onthe main shopping street to allow for frequent pit stops todrop off your shopping bags and freshen up. Sometimes,rather than fork out good money for a town hotel, it may becheaper to stay near the airport where hotel rates are likelyto be lower and you can commute to town. Once you havenailed down the location, then it’s easier to sieve throughthe different hotels on offer and pick one to your liking.STEP 3: Make a list of thesights you want to seeDo your research beforehand, on websites, travel portals,guidebooks, and make a list of the sights that you wantto see. Note down their opening hours (especially formuseums), subway stops, bus services and websites. Checkout the attraction’s website for more information, like what’son offer, special promotions, extended opening hours orclosure dates. If you would like to venture out on day trips,note down which days the trips are operating and if there aredifferent prices for different days. List down the restaurantsand local foodstuff that you want to try in the same way.Finally, complete the list with the “errands” – chocolates forthe co-workers, souvenirs for the family, time for submittingthe tax refund at the airport. This will give you a completepicture of what you intend to achieve on your holiday.STEP 4: Group the sights andactivities; Allocate timeGroup attractions and meal plans in the same area togetherand visit them on the same day, so that you can save timeand money on travelling and see more. Decide how muchtime you are going to spend at each location. For example, ifthere is a huge museum on your list, allocate a good half oreven one day for it, so that you do not have to rush throughthe exhibits. If you have certain must-sees, schedule themat the start of your trip. In case of unforeseen circumstanceslike bad weather, you would still have other days to attemptthem. For your day trips, alternate them with your citysightseeing, so that the coach or train journey can double upas a break from all the walking.STEP 5: Plan transportationTo get to and from the airport, first of all, check if your hoteloffers a complimentary airport shuttle. Otherwise, hailinga cab is the most convenient way. But there are other costfriendlyoptions as well, such as city shuttle services, airportexpress trains or shared hotel transfers. You can usually findthis information on the airport’s website. To get around thecity, most urban cities would have a comprehensive subwaynetwork that you can depend on, with many offering daypasses or tourist passes which are usually a good deal.However, do take note of limited express trains which onlycall at certain stops and keep a map of the subway systemwith you for easy reference. Buses might be a tad morecomplex to navigate, but you can always plan your routebeforehand and consult the friendly bus driver when indoubt.20Now that you have everything thought out, type them down into a day-by-day itinerary, together with yourflight details and a map to your hotel. Include emergency numbers such as the airline customer service number,hotel contact number and embassy contact number. And you’re done!

Our Recommendations5 Day 3 Night Fukuoka Free & EasyPackage Includes Return economy air ticket on Singapore Airlines 3 nights’ accommodation of your choice Daily breakfast (for selected hotels only)Package Price (Valid from 01Mar2013 – 30Sep2013) Excel Hotel Tokyu Hakata from S$1,099* Hilton Sea Hawk Fukuoka from S$1,099* Hotel Monterey from S$1,069* Hotel Nikko Fukuoka from S$1,199* Hyatt Regency Fukuoka from S$1,099* KKR Hotel Hakata from S$959* Lasoeur Fukuoka from S$1,069*5 Day 3 Night Osaka Free & EasyPackage Includes Return economy air ticket on Singapore Airlines 3 nights’ accommodation of your choice Daily breakfast (for selected hotels only)Package Price (Valid from 01Mar2013 – 30Sep2013) Best Western Hotel Kansai from S$1,049* Cross Hotel Osaka from S$1,219* Hotel Granvia Osaka from S$1,149* Hotel Nikko Kansai from S$1,179* Hotel Plaza Osaka from S$1,049* Hotel Sunroute Kanku from S$1,049* Hyatt Regency Hotel from S$1,219* Osaka Daiichi Hotel from S$1,119* Osaka Shinhaykyu Hotel from S$1,129*3 Day Lombok Free & EasyPackage Includes Return economy air ticket on SilkAir 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice Daily breakfast Return airport / hotel Seat-In-Coach transferPackage Price (Valid from 01Feb2013 – 31Oct2013) Holiday Resort from S$439* Jayakarta Beach Resort from S$419* Senggigi Beach Resort from S$439* Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort from S$499*3 Day Cebu Free & EasyPackage Includes Return economy air ticket on SilkAir 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice Daily breakfast Return airport / hotel transferPackage Price (Valid from 01Feb2013 – 30Jun2013) Cebu Parklane International from S$449* Cebu White Sand Beach Resort from S$479* Costabella Beach Resort from S$459* Crown Regency Hotel & Tower from S$439* Marco Polo Plaza from S$489* Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort from S$459* Movenpick Resort & Spa from S$609* Radisson Blu Hotel from S$489*21

Our Recommendations3 Day Siem Reap Free & Easy 3 Day Vientiane Free & EasyPackage Includes Return economy air ticket on SilkAir 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice Daily breakfast Return airport / hotel Seat-In-Coach transferPackage Price (Valid from 01Feb2013 – 30Sep2013) Angkor Paradise from S$409* Angkor Riviera from S$399* Angkor Miracle Resort from S$459* Angkorland from S$389* Borei Angkor Resort from S$509* City Angkor Hotel from S$389* Le Meridien Angkor from S$649* Princess Angkor Hotel from S$399* Ree Hotel from S$409*Package Includes Return economy air ticket on Lao Airlines 2 nights’ accommodation of your choice Daily breakfast Return airport / hotel transfer with EnglishspeakingguidePackage Price (Valid from 01Jan2013 – 30Apr2013) City Inn from S$498* Green Park from S$728* Lao Plaza from S$648* Mercure Hotel from S$458* Sabaidee from S$498* Salana Boutique from S$598* Settha Palace from S$798* Vientiane Plaza from S$568*4 Day Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, MaldivesPackage Includes Return airfare on Singapore Airlines 3 nights’ accommodation at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner provided (Full Board) Return airport transfer by speed boat (combined transfer)Benefits For Honeymooners Partner Massage Lesson with a trained Spa Therapist (30 minutes lesson) Special turndown and complimentary bottle of wine and fruit basket upon arrival Stay 7 consecutive nights and receive additional complimentary Spa treatment(60 minutes session) and one Romantic Villa Dining (“Vabbin Grill”) preparedand served on the villa terrace by a private chef and butler 20% discount on 90 minutes session ala carte Spa treatmentStay Validity: 01 March 2013 - 30 April 2013fromS$3,199*(Tax: S$360)22

Our Recommendations4 Day Angsana Velavaru, MaldivesPackage Includes Return airfare on Singapore Airlines 3 nights’ accommodation at Angsana Velavaru Daily breakfast provided Return airport transfer by Sea PlaneBenefits For Honeymooners A special Angsana Gallery gift delivered on turn-down A bottle of wine and a platter of tropical fruits set in the villa on check-in 20% off listed 90- or 120-minute body massages at Angsana SpaStay Validity: 01 March 2013 - 30 April 2013fromS$2,299*(Tax: S$360)4 Day Angsana Ihuru, MaldivesPackage Includes Return airfare on Singapore Airlines 3 nights’ accommodation at Angsana Ihuru Daily breakfast provided Return airport transfer by speed boat (combined transfer)Benefits For Honeymooners A special Angsana Gallery gift delivered on turn-down Champagne with canapés at sunset Complimentary bottle of wine and welcome fruit basket on arrival day 20% off listed 90- or 120-minute body massages at Angsana SpafromS$2,149*(Tax: S$360)Stay Validity: 01 March 2013 - 30 April 20135 Day 3 Night Club Med Kani, MaldivesPackage Includes Return economy class ticket on Singapore Airlines Accommodation (with choice of room categories) Return speedboat transfers from airport to resort (approx. 30mins) Sumptuous Buffet Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Free-flow of red / white wine, beer and beverages during Lunch & Dinner All day unlimited Bar and Snacking at selected times All sport activities Unique nightly entertainmentStay Validity: 01 November 2012 – 30 April 2013fromS$2,335*(Tax: S$370)* T&Cs apply. Information correct as at 01 March 2013. For more tours, please visit www.newshan.com/tour or call 6481 1181.23

Hotel DealsFukuoka, JapanMOREFukuoka, JapanMOREHakata Excel Tokyu from S$111 *Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu is located inFukuoka, close to Fukuoka Asian ArtMuseum, Kushida Shrine, and HakataMachiya Folk Museum. Nearby pointsof interest also include Fukuoka ArtMuseum and Fukuoka Yahoo JapanDome.Sutton Hakata City from S$70 *Sutton Hotel Hakata City is locatedin central Fukuoka, close to KushidaShrine, Hakata Machiya Folk Museum,and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.Nearby points of interest also includeFukuoka Art Museum and Hakata-za.Osaka, JapanMOREOsaka, JapanMOREMonterey La Soeur from S$110 *Hotel Monterey La Soeur Osaka isa business-friendly hotel located inOsaka, close to Panasonic Square,Osaka Castle, and ShinsaibashiShopping Arcade. Additional points ofinterest include Umeda Sky Buildingand Shitennoji Temple.Namba Oriental from S$130 *Namba Oriental Hotel is located inOsaka’s Namba neighbourhood,close to Nanba Grand Kagetsu, OsakaCastle, and Shinsaibashi ShoppingArcade. Nearby points of interestalso include Tsutenkaku Tower andShitennoji Temple.Lombok, IndonesiaMORECebu, PhilippinesMOREVilla Sayang from S$80 *Villa Sayang is a boutique hoteland spa in the suburbs featuring14 guestrooms with patios offeringmountain or garden views. The hotelserves a complimentary cooked-toorderbreakfast and has an outdoorpool and sauna.Waterfront Cebu City from S$132 *Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casinois a family-friendly hotel located incentral Cebu, close to Cebu InternationalConvention Centre, Ayala Centre, and SMCity Cebu. Additional points of interestinclude Magellan’s Cross and PhilippinesTaoist Temple.Siem Reap, CambodiaMOREVientiane, LaosMOREApsara Holiday from S$52 *Apsara Holiday Hotel is connected tothe airport and close to CambodianCultural Village, Lucky Mall SuperMarket, and Royal Garden. Otherpoints of interest near this hotelinclude Angkor National Musuem andPsar Chaa Market.Vientiane Plaza from S$106 *Vientiane Plaza Hotel is 1 kmfrom the city and located within5 minutes walking distance fromMorning Market, Mekong River, theCentre Cultural et de CooperationLinguistique, That Dam and That DamPagoda.* T&Cs apply. Information correct as at 01 March 2013. Prices quoted are average per room per night and are subject to changewithout prior notice. Pictures shown are for reference only. For more hotels, please visit www.newshan.com/hotel24