Image courtesy of Fivelements International Advisory.

The day your humble guide decides to give up red meat and junk food is the day I sign up with Fivelements International Advisory LCC's new Masters Series (www.fivelements.org), a platform for conferences and talks led by distinguished global speakers held in Bali, Indonesia.

After presenting a successful speaking event with internationally recognized author and raw food guru David Wolfe (www.davidwolfe.com), Fivelements will roll out a new lineup of alternative health luminaries, with knowledge in healing foods, medicinal herbs, meditation, yoga, healing arts, renewable energy, natural environments, eco-design and socio-cultural integration - all from the Fivelements Puri Ahimsa, an exclusive retreat located near Ubud, Bali.

The Fivelements Puri Ahimsa opened in November 2010, and has since gained attention from international travelers for its eco-conscious accommodations, Balinese healing and beauty sanctuary, "sacred" arts programs, and refined vegan restaurant set between a lush bamboo forest and the island's famed Ayung River.

Which makes it such an ideal setting for the Masters Series, which fulfills the founders' commitment to share rarefied knowledge to a wider audience seeking healthier, more sustainable and "interconnected" lives.

Speaking events like the Masters Series adds yet another element to the Fivelements Puri Ahimsa's reputation as a "healing destination": the added dimension of a center for intellectual discussions targeted at individuals and corporate groups in search of experiences beyond that of exotic travel.

"We feel fortunate guests see us as both a leading healing destination and a beautiful place to rejuvenate, meditate, dine and participate in our events and ceremonies," says Chicco Tatriele, who co-founded Fivelements along with his wife Lahra and their Balinese and European partners. "We are committed to our mission to create a space for what we call 'life transformation.'"

More About the Masters Series & Retreat Programs

Upcoming Masters Series speakers include Dr. Gabriel Cousens, M.D., M.D.(H) (www.gabrielcousens.com), a world recognized author and figure in integrative holistic medicine. Dr. Cousens is a proponent of Ayurveda and an expert in live foods cuisine and Kundalini energy.

Dr. Cousens will speak on spiritual teachings, yoga and meditation and his Optimal Longevity Diet and the Culture of Life Diet. The program will run from December 10 to 13. To back up his talk, Dr. Cousens will lead a four-day retreat titled "Culture of Life".

Apart from the Masters Series, Fivelements features the Panca Mahabhuta Retreat and the detox-focused Pure Retreat programs, which are inspired by time-honored Balinese philosophies and their tradition of "living in harmony". All retreats incorporate holistic healing on physical, emotional and behavioral levels administered by a team of experts from a range of disciplines.

"Our integrative approach leads our guests toward opening their bodies and minds to newfound trust, freedom and joy, allowing for an organic healing process to naturally unfold. This begins by attuning to one's distinct 'authenticity' and honoring our highest potential," says co-founder Lahra Tatriele.

Retreat participants are accommodated in stylish riverside suites over the course of their stay, while participating in programs that range from three days to three weeks. Programs are offered year-round, and include Balinese healing rituals for purification, balancing and regeneration, healing cuisine, consultation, Balinese blessing ceremonies, daily meditation, Balinese energy and massage bodywork, water healing "dance," yoga and aikido sessions as well as body care at the retreat's beauty sanctuary.

Find out more about Fivelements and their ongoing work at www.fivelements.org.

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Just yesterday your guide was at an island off West Java, where history was made. Krakatau (commonly misspelled "Krakatoa") used to be a large island in the Sunda Strait off Java... until one fateful day in 1883.

On August 27, 1883, 10:02am, the island blew itself apart. The explosion killed upward of 40,000 people (if the tsunami didn't get them, the searing hot rain of volcanic ash did), and created the loudest sound in human history. In Krakatoa: the Day the World Exploded, (compare prices) author Simon Winchester records the moment for posterity:

An immense wave then leaves Krakatoa at almost exactly 10:00 A.M. - and then, two minutes later, according to all the instruments that record it, came the fourth and greatest explosion of them all, a detonation that was heard thousands of miles away and that is still said to be the most violent explosion ever recorded and experienced by modern man.? The cloud of gas and white-hot pumice, fire, and smoke is believed to have risen - been hurled, more probably, blasted as though from a gigantic cannon - as many as twenty-four miles into the air.

While Indonesia picked itself up after the eruption of Krakatau, the remnants of the larger volcanic island has gone on simmering in the sea. In the 1920s, after a quiescence of about fifty years, some activity was reported in the immediate vicinity of the eruption site. By the end of the 1920s, a new island had formed, pushing its way out of the water. The locals called it Anak Krakatau - "child of Krakatau".

Anak Krakatau is now quite grown up; some vegetation has colonized the eastern part of the island, where the periodic expulsions of hot ash and magma have been less likely to fall. On this side of the island, a small rest pavilion and an information billboard marks the start of a hiking trail up the volcano.

The volcano is still active; when we made our way up, the mountain made quite a show. The ground on the island is still largely volcanic ash; you step on a gray dirt that is not as compacted as you'd expect on regular soil.

One of the "locals", a monitor lizard we found near the beach. After Anak Krakatau formed, castaways colonized the island - rats have also been spotted, although there is no permanent human settlement yet.

Your guide found his way to Krakatau thanks to Club Bali - Hawaii Resort on Anyer. (clubbalihawaii.com|compare rates) Visitors can charter a boat from the Java towns of Carita or Anyer to take the hour-long boat ride to Krakatau. More on this in a future article on Krakatau. Stay tuned.

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Image of Jakarta, Indonesia taxi ? Claudio Vitor Vaz / Creative Commons.

Walking around is frowned upon in Jakarta, Indonesia. With good reason; what looks from Google Maps like a pleasant walk from point A to point B is actually a trip fraught with tension.

A Jakarta pedestrian has to avoid speeding cars, walk through dodgy-looking streets, and navigate unfamiliar landmarks in stifling heat before you get to your destination. I walked from my hotel, Ibis Mangga Dua (compare rates), to Fatahillah Square, so you might say I learned this the hard way. (It looks like this on Google Maps; from this vantage point you can't see the lack of convenient pedestrian crossings, near-absence of a sidewalk, and lack of signage that shows the way.)

Walking is absolutely unnecessary over middling-to-long distances. Jakarta taxis are abundant and relatively cheap, assuming you get the trustworthy taxis like Bluebird and Pusaka (both part of the Bluebird group - www.bluebirdgroup.com). These blue-painted taxis are everywhere, and are not likely to try to cheat you. You can also call them from almost anywhere in Jakarta, and central dispatch will radio a nearby cab to pick you up. (Number is +62 21 7917 1234.) After spending some time shooting Fatahillah Square, I did the smart thing and hailed a taxi to get back to the hotel.

By the way, this is not to knock Jakarta, which is still in the top three of my favorite Southeast Asia cities. But you have to understand that the top things to do in Jakarta are spread far apart, islands of coolness in a city that is still in many ways a work in progress.

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Image ? juliansong/Creative Commons

As painful as this Thaipusam kavadi bearer's burdens seem to be, most of them claim to feel little pain as they carry their sacrifices in honor of the Lord Murugan.

The devout Hindu Tamils who join the Thaipusam procession celebrate the birthday of Murugan on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai (Thai + Pusam, a star at its apogee = Thaipusam), and those who feel they have received significant favors from Murugan will repay the gifts by bearing kavadis on this day.

What's a kavadi? Where does the Thaipusam procession pass? To find out more, read this article: Thaipusam Celebrations in Southeast Asia. Pro tip: you can visit Singapore or Batu Caves in Selangor, Malaysia on January 20 to see the festivities. If you can't visit, you can watch the procession live at Batu Caves on TrulyAsiaTV, at Thursday 12:00 noon GMT.

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Vang Vieng tubing draws thousands of travelers a year to central Laos.  Set amid a stunning natural backdrop of green mountains and wild countryside, tiny Vang Vieng has earned a reputation as a place to party, take a break from the road, and enjoy the best outdoor adventure that Laos has to offer.

Situated on the main highway between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng is clustered around an old airstrip once used by the CIA to fly covert missions during the Vietnam War.  Little did they know that decades later backpackers would be flocking here to float down the river with a BeerLao in hand!

Although Vang Vieng offers incredible mountain biking, caving, and hiking opportunities, the most popular activity here is to rent a large inner tube and float down the Nam Song River.

Vang Vieng tubing can be as relaxing or as hedonistic and adventurous as one desires. Bars have sprung up all along the river offering cheap beer, rope swings, zip lines, and large decks for socializing. 

Tubing has become one big excuse to party in the river.  Floating lazily from bar to bar with a drink in hand is a great way to escape the scorching afternoon sun.

Vang Vieng tubing only takes about three hours from start to finish, even less time during the monsoon season (May to October) when the river is flowing faster.  Most people choose to make a day out of tubing by stopping frequently to socialize or to give one of the zip lines a try.The sun drops behind the mountains around 3 p.m. and the air cools down considerably.  Be on the river no later than 11 a.m. to enjoy your day of tubing without being in a hurry.Your tube must be returned by 6 p.m.  The tubing companies use tardiness as an opportunity to increase revenue by keeping your deposit!Read more about the weather in Laos.

TIP: Check the clock in the rental office, many times they are set 15 minutes fast in an effort to make more people “late”.

Two companies offer tubing in Vang Vieng about 100 meters from the river, both are easy to find.  The price of a rental includes your transportation about 3 km up the river to the starting point from where you will drift down and then return your tube at the rental office.A tube rental will cost around $7 for the day and you will be expected to leave a $7 deposit which will be returned unless you come back late.  More than a few backpackers loose track of time while partying and come back late to find that their deposit has been lost!Rental companies offer dry bags for about US $2 a day to protect your camera and belongings.The water is shallow near the finish point; local kids will come out to help drag your tube in.  Although they are smiling and good-natured, helping you get home isn't done out of goodwill - a tip is expected.When stopping at the bars, keep an eye on your tube which will get stacked with all the others at the entrance.  Some backpackers have been known to walk to the bars then grab a free tube back to town, robbing you of your deposit and way to get home!The Nam Song River has claimed more than its share of cameras.  Some of the rental dry bags may leak; leave your camera at the guest house or bring your own dry bag for protection.The water may feel nice and cool but the Southeast Asian sun is still strong; wear sunscreen.Food in Vang Vieng is much cheaper and better than that found around the river.Rather than going alone, team up with some other travelers during the monsoon season when the river current is strong.Keep an eye above you when tubing past zip lines, rope swings, and popular diving spots around the bars.Although drugs are illegal – even punishable by death – in Laos, they are found everywhere in Vang Vieng.  Undercover policemen work the town and river daily in search of bribes.Mixing alcohol, drugs, and strong currents on the river claims at least one life a year.  It is wiser to enjoy a day of tubing and do the serious partying back in Vang Vieng.Read more about drugs in Southeast Asia.

Vang Vieng is easily reachable along Route 13 by bus from both Luang Prabang (around eight hours) and Vientiane (around four hours). 

See Laos Travel Requirements.

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What it is: Observation Wheel
Location: 30 Raffles Avenue Singapore 039803
Operating Hours: Opens daily from 8:30am to 10:30pm (Opening in March 2008)
Ride duration: 30 minutes
Ticket Prices: From $29.50 for one adult ride, to about $1,500 to rent a whole capsule
How to get there: Ride the MRT (North South Line), and get off at Marina Bay Station.

If you're a small island with a reputation for thinking big, every project has got to be bigger than anything else in the world. So it is with the Singapore Flyer, a 540-feet high observation wheel that offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Singapore's Marina Bay.

Don't make the mistake of calling the Flyer a "Ferris Wheel". The management absolutely refuses to "use the F-word" - the Flyer is more appropriately called an observation wheel, along the lines of the famous London Eye. (It also beats the London Eye in the size department by more than ninety feet!)

The Flyer is mounted with 28 air-conditioned capsules, each one the size of a bus and able to take on up to 28 riders. The Flyer's builders boast that every passenger will experience a vibration-free 30 minute ride, with an incredible unobstructed view of the surrounding island-state, as well as glimpses of neighboring countries Indonesia and Malaysia.

The wheel itself stands atop a three-storey retail terminal that promises over 82,000 square feet of retail space. The terminal will offer parking space for about thirty buses and almost 300 cars. Apart from restaurants and souvenir shops, the terminal will also house a rainforest-like central atrium and a concert space for live events.

To avoid long lines, the Flyer permits ticket-holders to roam throughout the retail terminal, requiring them only to show up at the gate about 30 minutes before the flight time on the ticket.

The Flyer is only a small part of Singapore's ambitious plans for the Marina Bay area. Also under construction are a casino-resort valued at about US$3.65 billion and a F1 racing circuit.

The casino is being built by Las Vegas Sands, and is scheduled to open in 2009 as part of the Marina Sands resort complex. The first F1 races will be held by September 2008, and will be expected to generate about US$66 million a year in ticket sales.

Several soft-launches were initiated on the run-up to the Flyer's official launch in April, including a Valentine's Day ride for couples. On its February 10 inaugural "flight", groups paid Singapore $8,888 for the honor of riding the wheel ("8" is a lucky number in Chinese folklore).

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Flag of Thailand.

From CIA World Factbook. Public domain.

Before planning your trip, consult our Thailand Profile page for basic information about the country.

You’ll only be allowed into Thailand if your passport is valid for at least six months after arrival, with enough pages for embarkation stamp upon arrival, and must show proof of sufficient funds and onward or return passage.

American, Canadian, and UK citizens do not need to acquire a visa for stays not longer than 30 days. For more details, you can visit the Kingdom of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs page on entry requirements.

For the extension of visa need to apply to one of the Thai Immigration Offices. For details, contact the Immigration Bureau Head Office: Soi Suan-Plu, South Sathorn Rd, Bangkok, Thailand Phone: 66(0)2 287 3101 until 287 3110; Fax: 66(0)2 287 1310, 66(0)2 287 1516

Customs.You may bring these items into Thailand without paying customs duty:

200 cigarettes, or no more than 500 grams of smoking tobacco One liter of spirits / wine / malt liquor. Up to 10,000 Baht worth of cosmetics, perfume, soaps, toothpaste, and other personal effects – assuming these are for personal use only Film: a reasonable amount for personal use

The official Thai Customs Department page can fill you in on what you can and can’t bring in.

Drug trafficking in Thailand carries the death penalty – under no circumstances should you ever get caught carrying any on your way in!

Airport Tax.You will be charged an airport tax of 500 Baht upon departure on any international flight. Passengers of domestic flights will be charged 40 Baht.

You’ll only be asked to show health certificates of vaccination against smallpox, cholera, and yellow fever if you’re coming from known infected areas. More information on Thailand-specific health issues are discussed at the CDC page on Thailand and at the MDTravelHealth webpage.

Thailand is largely safe for foreign visitors, although the country is located in a region with an elevated risk of terrorism. The Thai police have been largely effective in safeguarding the safety of their tourists.

Because of the ongoing crisis in Thailand’s southern provinces (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla), travelers are advised not to visit these areas, or travel overland through the Malaysian border with Thailand.

Violence against tourists is thankfully rare, but visitors may be vulnerable to pickpocketing, fraud, and confidence tricks. One common ruse involves fooling tourists into buying fake “smuggled Burmese jewels” at extremely low prices. Once the tourist discovers they’re fake, the vendors have usually skeltered away without a trace.

Sexual assaults on women have been known to occur, so female travelers should remain vigilant. Be careful about accepting drinks from strangers, keep an eye on your passports and credit cards, and don’t carry too much cash or jewelry.

Thai law shares the draconian attitude to drugs common in Southeast Asia. For more information, read: Drug Laws and Penalties in Southeast Asia - by Country.

The Thai unit of currency is called the Baht (THB), and it is divided into 100 satang. Notes come in 10-baht, 20-baht, 50-baht, 100-baht and 1,000-baht denominations. Click here to see the Baht’s exchange rate against the US dollar. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, hotels and accredited moneychangers.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are generally accepted, but not universally. Cheaper guesthouses and restaurants do not accept plastic.

ATMs are in most (if not all) cities and tourist areas, including Phuket, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui, Ko Tao, Ko Chang, and Ko Phi Phi. Depending on the bank, the withdrawal limit may range from 20,000B to 100,000B.

Tipping. Tipping isn’t standard practice in Thailand, so you’re not required to tip unless asked. All major hotels and restaurants exact a service charge of 10%. Taxi drivers don’t expect to be tipped, but won’t complain if you round the meter fare out to the next five or 10 baht.

Thailand is a tropical country with a warm and humid climate throughout the year. The country is at its warmest between March and May, with an average temperature of around 93?F (34?C). From November to February, the northeast monsoon quickly lowers temperatures down to 65?F-90?F (18?C-32?C)centigrade in Bangkok, and even lower in the northern areas of the country. The weather in Thailand is at its best from February to March; the weather is at its mildest and the beaches are at their best.

When/Where to Go. Thailand is best experienced between November and February, owing to the northeast monsoon’s cool, dry winds. Chilly nights – and sub-zero temperatures at high altitudes – are not unheard of.

From March to June, Thailand undergoes its hot, dry summers, with temperatures topping out at 104?F (40? C). Avoid Thailand during the summer – even the locals complain about the heat!

What to Wear. Wear light, cool, and casual clothing on most occasions. On formal occasions, jackets and ties on men are recommended, while women should wear dresses.

Don’t wear shorts and beachwear outside the beach, especially if you’re planning to call on a temple or other place of worship.

Women would be wise to dress respectfully, covering shoulders and legs covered.

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The influx of tourism in Ubud mixed with the proximity of so many artists has caused a great deal of unique boutiques and shops to open.  Unlike the tacky, beach-tourist feeling of shopping in Kuta, Ubud provides a much more sophisticated experience.

Local shops are filled with unique and beautiful crafts, art work, carvings, jewelery, and gifts to take back home. The sprawling, indoor Ubud Market caters mostly to tourists in search of cheap souvenirs.  Be sure to haggle prices - negotiation is expected - or you may end up paying triple what something is worth.

Be sure to check out the Ganesha Bookstore, considered the best second-hand bookstore in Bali, if not all of Indonesia. 

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Despite the Communist takeover in the mid-1970s, Laos remains a Buddhist country in everything but name. Patriotic holidays are still celebrated in this landlocked country, but only on Buddhist holidays do the Lao people let their hair down and celebrate.

Laos' holidays are movable feasts based on the Vietnamese and Thai lunar calendars, following local Buddhist tradition. Due to the variance between the Gregorian calendar and the traditional Lao calendar that determines local holidays, the dates indicated for each holiday listed here are best approximations, particularly the dates indicated without years.

This holiday takes place on the fourth lunar month, celebrating the birth of the Buddha reincarnated as the Prince Vessantara. Monks bring the Vessantara Story Cloth through town in a procession known as Phaa Phawet. Believers make merit by listening to a non-stop sermon on the birth of Vessantara, read from 14 sets of palm leaf manuscript.

Bun Pha Wet is set at different dates in different villages, so Lao townsfolk can celebrate the holiday at home and visit other loved ones at other villages for their respective celebrations. Bun Pha Wet is also a favored time for Lao males to enter the monkhood.

The most scenic celebrations of Bun Pha Wet take place at That Luang in Vientiane and Wat Phu in Champassak.

Vientiane's considerable Vietnamese and Chinese population celebrates Chinese New Year together; the best places to see the celebrations are in the cities of Vientiane, Pakse and Savannakhet.

Like Chinese New Year all around the region, the holiday's three days are marked with raucous parties, exploding firecrackers, and visits to temples and family reunions. Vietnamese and Chinese businesses will be closed at this time.

The Wat Phu Festival coincides with the full moon of the third month of the Lao lunar calendar. At this time, the ruins of Wat Phu come alive again, with traditional festivities including buffalo-fighting, elephant racing, and performances of Lao music and dance. Souvenirs are also easy to find here, as a trade fair for traditional products is also held at the same time, with goods coming in from Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

On the night of the full moon, Magha Puja commemorates a speech given by the Buddha to 1,250 monks who arrived spontaneously to hear him speak. Worshipers circle their temples bearing candles to make merit, and religious chanting fills the air. It's said the Buddha laid down the first monastic regulations in his speech, and also predicted his death. Magha Puja is best witnessed in Vientiane and at Wat Phu.

The Lao new year commences in mid-April, lasting three days. The whole country shuts down to worship and celebrate - Buddha images are washed, offerings made at the temples, and votive sand stupas are made in yards all over the country. Finally, Laotians spray water gleefully upon one another. As the temperatures are rising at this time of the year, the constant drenching can be a great relief from the heat. For the locals, the water festivities are their way of calling for rain from above.

The most picturesque celebrations of Bun Pi Mai happen in Luang Prabang. Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand celebrate this holiday as well - the Thai celebration is better known as Songkran.

On the sixth full moon of the lunar year, Buddhists worldwide celebrate the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing away. Celebrations are held in local temples - worshipers hold candlelight processions there, and the day is marked with much chanting and religious instruction.

This noisy holiday traces its roots to pre-Buddhist rain ceremonies, and occurs together with Visakha Puja. Anarchy reigns on this day - the humorous performance art known as mor lam is performed in many places, and in some places, men wear blackface and women carry wooden penises.

The whole festival reaches a climax when townsfolk fire bamboo rockets skyward. The rockets are meant to bring rains from the heavens and irrigate the rice fields.

Khao Pansa marks the beginning of the Buddhist equivalent of Lent - a time of fasting and contemplation for monks, and the best time of the year to enter monkhood. Lao men traditionally enter the monkhood for a brief time before they marry - this time of year is marked with ordinations taking place everywhere.

The monks retreat during this period, settling down in monasteries and forgoing the usual practice of traveling from temple to temple. This begins at the full moon on July, and ends on the full moon in October on the day known as Kathin.

The Lao have immense respect for their dead kin, and they demonstrate it on Khao Padap Din. Lao families exhume their dead and cremate them, then present gifts to attending monks who have prayed on behalf of the dead. Devotees also make offerings at local temples. On the lighter side, this day is also marked by boat races on the Nam Khan River, as well as a trade fair in Luang Prabang.

The three-month Buddhist equivalent of Lent, begun on Khao Pansa, ends on Awk Pansa. On this day, monks roam free from their respective temples, and are presented with gifts from worshipful townsfolk. As evening falls on Laos, people release banana-leaf boats with candles and flowers on top, a ceremony known as Lai Hua Fai (similar to Loy Krathong in Thailand).

Riverside cities like Vientiane, Savannakhet, and Luang Prabang celebrate the day with Bun Nam boat races along the Mekong.

The stupa of That Luang in Vientiane plays host to this festival, as monks gather here to accept gifts and alms from worshipful townsfolk. For a whole week, the temple comes alive with fairs, contests, fireworks, and music, topped off with a "wien thien", or candlelight procession, around That Luang.

An international trade fair also takes place during Bun That Luang, promoting tourism around the countries in the Mekong sub-region.

While all Laos celebrates this festival at their local temples, the celebrations are obviously more vibrant in Vientiane.

On December 2, 1975, the proletariat finally prevailed over the monarchy. The government marks this day with parades, speeches by Lao politicians, and displays of the hammer and sickle everywhere. Poorer communities sometimes postpone their Awk Phansa celebrations to coincide with Lao National Day, saving themselves the considerable expense of celebrating two major holidays only a month apart.

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A further five-minute walk down General Luna Street in the same direction; after two blocks, turn right and walk down Calle Real until you reach Puerta de Sta. Lucia.

Facing Malecon Drive, Puerta de Santa Lucia is one of several gates passing through the Intramuros walls. First built in 1603, Puerta de Santa Lucia leads directly to Malecon Drive, a popular promenade ground, through a restored cobblestone bridge.

Passersby get a close-up look at the thick stone walls and moats that skirt Intramuros' borders. Once upon a time, Intramuros was Manila - no one could enter but the Spanish, their servants, and mestizos (half-Spanish Filipinos). Outside Manila lived Filipinos and Chinese merchants. The latter were forced to live in a ghetto that was conveniently located within range of Intramuros' cannons, in case the Chinese revolted against Spanish rule.

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This garish Genting Highlands hotel claims to be the biggest in the world, but bigger doesn’t always mean better. Guests have to put up with tiny rooms, lackluster service, and an interminable check-in process – the guest rooms are really only sleeping areas for Genting Highlands visitors who come for the crisp mountain air and the First World Plaza downstairs.

You know the First World Hotel's a casino hotel the minute you see the building. Loud primary colors cover the hotel's two towers, and a bright neon assembly stands over the lobby entrance.

Check-in is unreasonably long - incoming guests are handed a ticket queuing them for two to five hours' wait to be checked in. Lost reservations and room mix-ups have been known to happen, and the surly attitude of the front desk people doesn't help the situation very much.

The First World Hotel is billed as the "world's largest hotel", and with 6,200 rooms it's definitely in contention. To get that many rooms out of one hotel, though, the designers had to make the rooms really small, with the smallest at 207 square feet in size.

Rooms below "superior deluxe" have no mini-bar, no hair dryer, and no room service. "Superior deluxe" rooms and "World Club" rooms, however, get the usual hotel accoutrements (a bigger TV, free coffee, and a room fridge). The rooms have no air-conditioning, as the Genting air is chilly enough.

All this is really nothing to grumble about, however, if one is there solely to enjoy Genting Highlands' gaming and entertainment diversions.

Guests can come down to the lobby level to enter the First World Plaza - a 500,000-square-foot shopping center and indoor theme park with restaurants, shops, skydiving simulator, bowling center, and a Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum.

The Starworld casino in the Plaza is a smaller version of the Casino de Genting nearby, open to Malaysian Chinese and foreign non-Muslim guests. Ethnic Malays are forbidden by law from gambling, although they're free to enjoy the other facilities in Genting.

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Singapore's weather is uniformly warm and humid, experiencing year-round showers. The country is situated only 1.5 degrees north of the Equator, meaning that Singapore experiences no distinct seasons, only noticeably more rainfall during November to January.

Average daytime temperature is approximately 86?F (30?C), falling to 74?F (23?C) in the evening.

Singapore's lack of wind and high temperature and humidity can come as a shock to visitors used to cooler climates. Unsurprisingly, air conditioners are commonplace throughout the island; Singapore's founder Lee Kuan Yew himself famously declared the air conditioner as one of mankind's greatest inventions. Do as the locals do, and avoid walking too long in the outdoors if you can - the air conditioners are there for a reason!

Click on a link below for the weather conditions in Singapore.

NOAA: current weather forecast for Singapore made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the auspices of the U.S. government.

WWIS: current weather forecast for Singapore made by the World Meteorological Organization's World Weather Information Service, under the auspices of the United Nations.

Bring lightweight cotton clothing; this is worn any time of year. Bring plenty of rainwear, as rains can occur at any season.

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Fiestas in the Philippines are held to celebrate a patron saint (the Philippines is the only majority-Christian country in Southeast Asia) or to mark the passage of the seasons, depending on which part of the country you're in. The sole exception is Christmas, where the whole country breaks out in celebrations that can begin long before December.

The roots of Philippine fiestas go back even further - back to before the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the 1500s. In the old animistic culture, regular ritual offerings were made to placate the gods, and these offerings evolved into the fiestas we know today. A wonderful fiesta season means good luck for the rest of the year.

For individual Filipinos, fiestas can be a way of supplicating the heavens or to make amends for past wrongs. In one place, penitents lash themselves with whips; in another, childless women dance on the streets hoping for the blessing of a child.

Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own; whatever time of the year it is, there's sure to be a fiesta going on somewhere!

Feast of the Black Nazarene
Quiapo, Manila
January 9

The Black Nazarene is an antique hand-carved statue of Jesus Christ, which is brought out to the streets of Manila's Quiapo district to lead a huge procession of thousands of barefoot penitents, all massing around the rolling statue yelling "Viva Se?or!"

Penitents believe that touching the statue will grant one a miracle in one's life; stories have been heard of diseases healed and personal problems solved after touching the blackened statue.

The carving is black, legend says, because the ship that brought it caught fire along the way; despite its charred state, it is a prized icon for Manila's faithful.

Ati-Atihan Festival
Kalibo, Aklan
January 1-16

The Ati-Atihan Festival honors the "Santo Ni?o", or Christ Child, but draws its roots from much older traditions. Festival participants wear blackface and tribal clothing to imitate the aboriginal "Ati" tribespeople who welcomed a group of Malay datus fleeing Borneo in the 13th century.

The festival has evolved to become a Mardi Gras-like explosion of activity - three days of parades and general merrymaking that culminate in a large procession. Novena masses for the Christ Child give way to drumbeats and the streets throbbing with dancing townsfolk.

On the last day, different "tribes" played by townsfolk in blackface and elaborate costumes take to the streets, competing for prize money and year-long glory. The festival ends with a masquerade ball.

Other festivals in the Philippines, like the Sinulog in Cebu and Dinagyang in Iloilo, are directly inspired by the Ati-Atihan.

Sinulog Festival
Cebu City
January 6-21

Like the Ati-atihan, the Sinulog Festival is another Catholic festival honoring the Christ Child (Santo Ni?o), with deeper pagan roots. The feast draws its origin from an image of the Santo Ni?o gifted by Ferdinand Magellan to the recently-baptized queen of Cebu. The image was re-discovered by a Spanish soldier amidst the ashes of a burning settlement.

The feast begins with an early morning fluvial procession marking the arrival of the Spaniards and Catholicism. The procession follows after a Mass; "sinulog" refers to the dance performed by the participants in the big procession - two steps forward, one step back, it's said to resemble the movements of the river current.

Participants dance to the beat of drums, shouting "Pit Se?or! Viva Sto. Ni?o!" as they move the procession along.

Moriones Festival
Marinduque
April 18-24

The province of Marinduque celebrates Lent with a colorful festival commemorating the Roman soldiers who helped crucify Christ. The celebrations begin on Holy Monday, and end on Easter Sunday.

Townsfolk wear masks patterned after Roman soldiers, taking part in a masquerade dramatizing the search for a Roman centurion who converted after Christ's blood healed his blind eye.

The festivities coincide with the reading and dramatization of the Passion of Christ, re-enacted in different towns throughout Marinduque. Penitents can be seen whipping themselves in atonement for this year's sins.

Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival)
Baguio City
February 26

The mountain city of Baguio celebrates its flower season with - what else? - a flower fiesta! Every February, the city holds a parade with floral floats, tribal festivities, and street parties, with the scent of flowers creating a unique signature for this equally-unique celebration.

The word "panagbenga" is Kankana-ey for "blooming season". Baguio is the Philippines' foremost center for flowers, so it's only appropriate that the city's biggest festival centers around its chief export. Other festivities include a BAguio Flower beauty pageant, concerts at the local SM Mall, and other exhibits sponsored by the local government and foreign sponsors.

Maleldo Lenten Rites
San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga
April 17-24

Maleldo is best described as Extreme Lent: San Pedro Cutud village in Pampanga celebrates what is perhaps the bloodiest Good Friday spectacle in the world, as penitents flagellate themselves with burillo whips and have themselves literally nailed to crosses.

The tradition began in the 1960s, as locals volunteered to have themselves crucified to seek God's forgiveness or blessings. Many more followed, with hundreds making the "panata" (vow) over the years. Today, both men and women undergo the excruciating ritual.

In 2006, Scottish broadcaster Dominik Diamond volunteered to join the penitents, hoping to have his ordeal captured for UK television. Unfortunately, he chickened out just as it was his turn to be nailed up. ("God made me cancel my own crucifixion", Times Online.)

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Labels: Fiestas, Philippines

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Chinese New Year in Singapore marks the debut of the Year of the Rabbit in style, with a fantastic celebration spanning the whole island. The celebrations begin on January 15 with the Street Light-up, with Chinese New Year proper beginning on the evening of February 2 and continuing till the Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie on February 12.

Chinese New Year in Singapore kicks off in the ethnic enclave of Chinatown, particularly along Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road. Beginning on January 15, the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations transform the island-state's traditional Chinese enclave into a riot of lanterns, street stalls, and performing arts, with celebrations extending as far as Marina Bay. (Find out more about Shopping in Chinatown, Singapore.)

Look forward to a few key events of the season: a Street Light-Up, a Festive Street Bazaar, Nightly Stage Shows, and Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie. The festivities can be very easily reached by MRT, simply alight at Chinatown MRT Station (NE4/DT19).

Street Light-Up. Key streets in Chinatown - Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road, and Garden Bridge - will be lit up with traditional Chinese lanterns and colorful street lights while street performers and acrobats (not to mention the inevitable lion dancers) liven up the lanes. Local Singaporean celebrities will also show up to get the party going. The Light-Up Ceremony happens on January 15, 2011, from 6pm- 10pm.

Festive Street Bazaar. Chinatown will host more than five hundred stalls selling traditional foods, flowers, Chinese handicrafts, and customary New Year decorations. Have a go at barbecued sweetmeats, waxed duck, and cookies served fresh on the street, or pick up some traditional Chinese New Year decorations to remember the day by.

The 2011 Bazaar will last run from January 14 to February 2, covering Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple and Trengganu Streets, and People’s Park Complex.

Chinese New Year Countdown. Ring in the Chinese New Year in Singapore's Chinatown on February 2, as you join the locals and local celebrities alike with firecrackers and fireworks going off all through the evening. From 9:30pm to 12:30am, along Eu Tong Sen Street & New Bridge Road.

Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie. The last day of Chinese New Year 2011 (February 12) serves as the high point of the celebrations. This day's celebrations will center around Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road, from 7pm to 10pm.

Nightly Stage Shows. Local and overseas cultural performance troupes take the stage, exhibiting traditional Chinese performances like martial arts, lion dances, and Chinese opera. Come to the Kreta Ayer Square, next to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, to see acts unfolding every night from January 15 to February 2, from 8pm to 10.30pm.

Moving on to the Singapore riverside, The Float @ Marina Bay hosts the yearly Singapore River Hong Bao carnival from February 1 to 13. The "Hong Bao" derives its name from the traditional red packets of money given by older Chinese to unmarried younger relatives during Chinese New Year.

Nightly cultural performances and traditional Chinese artwork can be enjoyed outdoors, and giant lanterns fashioned after popular Singapore landmarks loom larger-than-life. This year also features a Marina Barrage lantern made out of recycled plastic bottles.

Watch Chinese acrobats perform on the street. Have your name written in Chinese calligraphy. Get a Chinese zodiac reading of your birth date. If you want to get into the swing of Chinese culture for the duration of the festival, the Hong Bao is the place to be.

This year, a special Nanjing Pavilion will be set up for the Hong Bao - Nanjing will be the host city for the Youth Olympic Games last hosted by Singapore. Performers from Nanjing and speciality food and handicrafts from the city will share the spotlight in this year's Hong Bao.

Other Hong Bao highlights include concerts by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, a calligraphy competition, and a local short film showcase.

"Chingay", in its Hokkien equivalent, translates to "costume and masquerade". The normally staid Singaporeans take Chingay to its more colorful and musical extreme every year during the Chingay Parade, a two-night street party and parade that marks the climax of the Chinese New Year celebration. The Chingay parade will be staged on Friday and Saturday, February 11 and 12, beginning at 8pm.

The parade is now proudly international, growing from its purely Chinese traditional roots to embrace more than 80 local organizations, 7,400 performers and 1,800 volunteers, with international performing groups from China, Denmark, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.

The Chingay 2011 parade route takes place in front of the Pit Building against the backdrop of the Marina Bay. Parade participants will ride on floats, or walk in the procession, offering a riot of color and noise that few other Singapore festivals can equal.

Chingay tickets can be purchased from SISTIC (sistic.com.sg) beginning at SGD 25. Tickets are also available at Singapore Visitors Centre at Orchard Road and Singapore Pools Outlets. For more information, visit the Chingay website: chingay.org.sg.

Who said Singapore doesn't know how to party? Join Singapore’s biggest street dance party on February 12, beginning at 10:30pm at the Pit Building. Partygoers will find the Pit Building track transformed into an outdoor dance floor with space for 8,000 revellers, and dance to the rhythm of beats selected by international DJs.

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Labels: Chinese, Singapore

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Ancient temples, charming boutiques and vibrant street life make the city of Chiang Mai a great romantic break for history and culture lovers and foodies.

If the great outdoors is more your speed, the mountainous area surrounding Chiang Mai is lush and green and offers plenty of outdoor adventure, from elephant rides to river rafting. Visitors to the Chiang Mai region typically head out on multi-day hikes, which often involve roughing it, but there are also some exceptionally beautiful luxury resorts for those who want to indulge.

Where to Stay

Within the city of Chiang Mai there are more and more small boutique hotels and resorts opening every year. On the less-expensive end, 3 Sis Bed & Breakfast is an excellent choice. It's very pretty, very well maintained and is just around the corner from some of the city's most important temples. Tamarind Village, right in the center of Chiang Mai, is the only luxury resort in the old part of the city. Outside of the city, there are a few very romantic, very beautiful and very expensive resorts, including the Chiang Mai Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi and the Golden Triangle Anantara in Chiang Rai.

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Labels: Honeymoon, Thailand

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