Talking Travel is a bi-weekly blog on thebeijinger.com that features deals and promotions that are of interested to the ever traveling expat community. Blogs will be reposted here for insight on saving money with early bird saving deals.

Did I say last week to book your October 1 trip now? Time is running out, airfares are going up, and hotel rooms are selling out. I booked mine and I did not heart the RMB 4,500 red-eye fare from Beijing to Manila, but here we are. Procrastinate at your peril.

Thailand continues to be one of the Beijing-based traveler’s favorite destinations, and despite a bit of political turmoil there and a continued state of martial law, the curfew has been lifted, so nightlife has returned as a part of the experience. By October 1, everything should be back to normal.

Red.Travel is offering five days, four nights in Thailand’s Chiang Mai including accommodation at five-star Siripanna Villa Resort, roundtrip airfare from Beijing, breakfast for two, and services charges, for RMB 6,300 per person. Not too bad. Dates are limited to August 11-15. Click here for more information.

Air France is offering a promotion from October to March, 2015, special fares to Europe, advance purchase now until August something, etcetera etcetera etcetera. Forgive me if I don’t have all the details, I lost interest when I saw the "special fare" to London Heathrow from Beijing was over RMB 8,000. In fairness to them and every other airline, about RMB 5,000 of that is airport taxes. You can regardez their website if you’re interested, but the specials aren’t special.

Country Holidays is organizing a fairly serious trip to Nepal. Via Kathmandu, it features a choice of two treks to remote areas of the country, with an optional extension to Chitwan National Park. The main trip is eight days and runs RMB 14,730 and up, with roundtrip airfare to Kathmandu via Guangzhou, domestic airfare within Nepal, twin share accommodation, transfers, all tours, and more. Click here for full details.

That’s it for now. See you Thursday. One road flat safe.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on July 15, 2014.

Photo courtesy The Beijinger.

Conquered by Alexander Great and later the Mongols under Genghis Khan, Uzbekistan was home to Timur the Great and Babur, who founded the Moghul Empire. This is the land where the ancient Silk Road passed and the “Great Game” between Great Britain and Russia was played out for almost a century.

The best way to experience Uzbekistan is by traveling through the Karakum Desert, visiting the three medieval kingdoms – Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand.

Khiva is more than 2500 years old. It is located in the Kyzyl-Kum Desert. A living museum, Khiva is the richest in monuments of the once powerful Khanate of Khorezm. Ishan-Kala, the inner town of Khiva, is protected by brick walls about ten meters high. It contains impressive architectural buildings such as towers, mosques and minarets.  Ishan-Kala displays medieval architectural forms, delicate wood carvings, and intricate ornamentation. The silhouettes of the buildings, surrounded by huge clay walls, give a clear idea of a Central Asian feudal city.

If Khiva is the best preserved city, Bukhara has the most charming atmosphere. This is Central Asia’s most holy city. The old city is replete with places of learning, fortresses, and colorful bazaars. The architecture reflects its tumultuous history which spans over 1500 years. Clear blue skies framed by sandy domes and minarets make up Bukhara. At the covered bazaars of Taqi Sarrafon and Taqi-Telpak Furushon, you can find carpets, hats, and hand woven silk fabric or admire architectural highlights such as Lyabi-Hauz Plaza, Kalon Minaret (the tallest in Central Asia), and the Ismail Samani Mausoleum.

The best is saved for last. Among the cities of the world, one of the most ancient is Samarkand, whose history dates back 2500 years. It is arguably one of the most glorious and beautiful cities in Central Asia – perhaps one of the greatest Islamic cities of all time.

Samarkand, an important center of power throughout its history, was home to Timur the Great – a fourteenth-century conqueror of Western, South and Central Asia. The glory of this time is best depicted in Registan, the medieval commercial center of the city. Samarkand is a treasure trove of stunning architecture. Shah-I-Zinda Ensemble, also referred to as Avenue of Mausoleums, is lined on either side with the mausoleums of the Timur period. They form a fantastic spectacle of majolica (colorful ceramic) barricades and tile mosaics. The walls of the Bibi-khanum Mosque are faced with polished brick, which serve as a backdrop for the blue enameled bricks used for a large geometrical decorative pattern. Such monumental ornamentation is characteristic of the buildings constructed for Timur.

The history and sites of Uzbekistan, which sound like chapters from One Thousand and One Nights, are what lures travelers looking for a truly exotic trip.

For this tour, please see link:
8 DAYS UZBEKISTAN – An Authentic Living Museum

Written By: Chang Theng Hwee
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto: www.countryholidays.com.cn.   

This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holidays    

There was an intense silence during our journey to Fox Glacier. Finally, our first family activity in New Zealand was about to materialize! 

The supposedly dry summer had taken a turn after we landed in Christchurch. We often “took refuge” in the museums from the rain.  As the days crawled by, the weather did not cheer up and activities were cancelled.

The silence was finally broken when our guide announced: “The heli flight is confirmed taking off!” It was the best gift, when we boarded our helicopter flying above fox glacier and having such a close up view of New Zealand’s highest and largest peak, Mt Cook. It was a magical moment -I was secretly hoping for it to snow but was appreciative enough to have made the flight and had a snowball fight on the mountains. On our way back, I didn’t bade farewell but said:  “See you tomorrow, Fox Glacier!”

The next morning, we were ready for our fox glacier trek. Fox glacier is fed by the vast snowfields that drain the Southern Alps. At latitude of only forty-four degrees south and in a relatively mild climate, no other glacier in the world is as easily accessible. We started our climb along a “secret” track that brought us through native rainforest stopping just before the majestic ice pinnacles to put on our crampons and get ready for the ice challenge!

Our trip had taken a brighter note when we arrived in Queenstown, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by Remarkables Mountain Range. We went to Dart Horse Stables, situated at Lake Wakatipu, across the Rees and Dart Rivers. This stunning part of the country was captured in the epic movie ‘The Lord of the Rings’. We took a short but scenic drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and arrived at Paradise. Here, we were greeted by the friendly sheepdog, the horses and the riding crew.  The guides satisfied all our riding queries and allocated suitable horses. My son, Ming, a six year old looked especially “professional” on Tinsel, who had also starred in “Lord of the Rings”. Tinsel was tall, handsome and really obedient. Ming was so good on him that he was riding by himself and impressed the guide on his skills! The breathtaking scenery that came with the ride was awe-inspiring.

Our last activity before leaving New Zealand was the Routeburn Track. The trek started as we strolled through the beech forest. The forest is so rich in natural resources that it is known as“one of the most superb walking area in the world”. Through our knowledgeable guides, we had a better understanding of the ecology of the ancient beech forest, New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna.

My New Zealand trip was a great time to bond with my family.

For this tour, please see link:
10 DAYS NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS – SELF-DRIVE TOUR

Written By: Tan Siew Yim
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto: www.countryholidays.com.cn.

 
This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holidays     

My family has always searched for adventure.   Nepal was the perfect location for a fun-filled holiday of trekking, rafting and a safari for a family with 3 young children, ages 13, 8 & 5.  

Our trip began with a 3-day trek, named “the Royal Trek” after the route was taken by Britain’s Prince Charles in 1980. Indeed, what a royal treatment we received! We were pampered by a trek crew; porters to carry our duffle bags, sherpas to guide us, set up our dining, sleeping and toilet tents and the best mountain cook to prepare our meals. 

In the daytime, we trampled along the foothills with our Sherpas as guides. I preferred walking through the forest away from the heat of the blazing sun while the kids enjoyed greeting the villagers as we passed by their homes.  At times, with the clear view, we stood in awe admiring the majestic Annapurna ranges, with the most prominent peak commonly known as the “Fishtail “for its shape.

In the villages, older folks minded their farm and livestock, often greeting us with their friendly “Namaste” as we passed. My son was thrilled by the simple gadgets like clay rice grinders and my daughters often jumped at the barks of the dogs and the stares from buffaloes. 
We spent the days interacting with locals, taking in the majestic mountain views. The nights were kept aside for family bonding before retiring to our cozy tents. It was too soon but we had to bid our farewells to the mountains.

We made our way to the Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s first national park for our safari at Tiger Tops tented camp. The accommodation is eco-friendly with little electricity and made use of solar power to heat up our shower. At night, the kids were happy to snuggle up in warm blankets, hot bottles and catch up on their reading.
We went on two elephant rides during our stay and enjoyed the sunset safari, sitting tall on the elephant trampling through long grasses!  It was thrilling “chasing” the one horned rhinos on the elephant backs. Other animals included the deer and a Gaur.  I was a little disappointed that the Royal Bengal Tiger nowhere in sight. Instead we spotted many local species of birds such as the cormorants, herons, storks, cranes, ducks, woodpeckers, hawks, ospreys and falcons.

My children are wildlife enthusiasts and we had a chance to drop by the elephant camp. There, we got to feed a mother and baby elephant. Mother elephant looked too “threatening” and we quickly shafted the food into her mouth. Baby elephant was really playful and the kids really enjoyed teaching it to swing it’s trunk by swinging their hands! It was really heartwarming seeing the baby elephant suckling from mum.
My family had a lovely time in Nepal.  Namaste!

For this tour, please see link:
8 DAYS KATHMANDU WITH ANNAPURNA TREK – with 3D Chitwan National Park extension option

Written By: Tan Siew Yim
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto: www.countryholidays.com.cn.    

 
This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holidays       

Magical. Magnificent. Marvelous. Mystical. These are but a few words to describe the Golden Land that is Myanmar.

Our journey began in Mandalay, the former capital of Myanmar. This may be the second largest city in the country, but it is unlike any city I’ve ever been. I was pleasantly surprised by the many monks who dabbed the sidewalks, men sporting dress-like longyis, and women made up with thanakha. But the nearby village of Amarapura, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, is where the magic lies.

At the Mahagandayon Monastery, we witnessed hundreds of monks line up to collect their food and watched as they enjoyed their meal. I never thought watching others eat could be so interesting; particularly the little novices dressed in white robes who sat in an area to themselves and ate from bowls that were bigger than their heads. This was an unforgettable experience and definitely should not be missed.

From Mandalay, I went to Bagan, the highlight of any trip to Myanmar. The breathtaking sight of over 2,000 temples and pagodas scattered among 104 square kilometers of land is truly awe-inspiring. We were told that many of the smaller monuments were built by wealthy civilians, and one of the reasons why there are so many temples and pagodas is because they wanted to compete with each other; people wanted to build a bigger, more beautiful monument than their neighbors. I guess competitiveness is human nature and transcends all cultures, boundaries, and eras, but I couldn’t help comparing: here we are, today, competing with each other to see who has the nicer car, bigger house, better job, etc. whereas those citizens of Bagan competed to see whose worship to Buddha is greater. This strong sense of religion and spirituality is still reflected and ever present in the Burmese people today. Though I am not a religious person, I was moved by their devotion.

Next on the itinerary was Inle Lake with its beautiful lake scenery, floating temples and leg-rowing boat men. The local market was another gem that thoroughly enjoyed. Our guide told us that the indigenous people who went to the market to sell their goods treated this to be their “weekend” as it was a way for them to get out of their villages and take a break. Indeed, the vendors all appeared to be quite happy, although I found that was the case with most of the Burmese we came across; always smiling and friendly.

Our last stop was the capital of Yangon. While there really is only one sight, the Shwedagon Pagoda, and it cannot be missed, it truly is a spectacular monument. Myanmar, the Golden Land, really lives up to its name: with countless golden monuments and inhabitants whose hearts are made of gold.

For this tour, please see link:
7 DAYS JEWELS OF MYANMAR – Yangon, Bagan & Inle Lake

Written By: Lynn Ho
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto: www.countryholidays.com.cn.

This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holidays   

A family vacation need not be always theme park or beaches. Carefully planned, an adventure holiday is perhaps best for family bonding and a journey into exotic destinations is educational and an eye opener for both the young and adults.

Here is a list of suggestions to help make the sometimes daunting task of preparing for a trip with the kids manageable and fun for the entire family.
1.    Consider private tours instead of group tours
Children are a temperamental lot and though they have loads of energy, they tire easily too. A private tour allows flexibility to change your program while you are on your tour.
2.    Pace yourselves: The pace of your holiday and the number of activities will affect how your children enjoy their trip. Most people who travel to a place will want to see and do as many things as possible. However, this may not be possible when traveling with children. So, try not to put too many activities into one day.
3.    Be realistic about cultural opportunities: Parents may want see all tourist attractions on their holiday but children will get bored after one or two sites.  So, to make it a fun as well as educational experience for the kids, consider adding in child-friendly activities like biking, ATV rides or riding an elephant.
4.    Cost/low priced packages: If you are taking a packaged tour and the cost is too good to be true maybe it is because the guides are working on commission to take you to shops – so be aware of whom you plan your trip with.
5.    Choosing hotels: Choose hotels that are family-friendly. For example, hotels with facilities such as children’s swimming pools are always a hit. Location of the hotel is also important. Consider hotels near lots of eating places and shopping areas. Also, minimize your hotel changes– it is not fun to repack your bags.
6.    Eating out: Consider not having all meals included in your travel package – you rarely want to eat as much as you have paid for and it is good to have flexibility, especially if your children are finicky eaters.   Have snacks handy like dry cereal, trail mix or pretzels.
7.    Pack a fun bag: Assemble a bag for each child containing candy, stickers, coloring books and crayons, and magnetic games and puzzles. If you use these particular bags for trips only, they’ll remain novel, and kids will look forward to long plane or car rides.
8.    Savour your memories: Bring a bag along to store items you’ll collect on your trip, such as seashells, rocks, funny postcards, entrance tickets and marked-up road maps. When you get home, make a scrapbook and a memory box.

We hope these tips help you plan a memorable holiday for you and your family!

For Family Travel Ideas, see:
FAMILY HOLIDAYS – Indochina | South East Asia | Oceania

Written By: Bonnie Chao
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto: www.countryholidays.com.cn.             

This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holidays    

Land of the headhunter & white rajas, the oldest jungle in the world, stunning coastal scenery and beautiful beaches, Borneo is frequently bypassed by tourists and blissfully so. Those who venture here are rewarded with many unique off the beaten path experiences.  My journey was dedicated to the jungle and wildlife in Sabah.
My trip was based at the Borneo Nature Lodge, an eco-friendly resort offering comfort without compromising nature, nestled along the riverbank of Kinabatangan River.  My first activity was a river cruise aimed at spotting the proboscis monkey and other wildlife along the river bank. I saw the proboscis monkey, long-tailed monkey, and yellow strip snake. I also caught sight of an orangutan nest, but unfortunately, no orangutans.  Luckily, I was able to see the elusive animals later at a dedicated sanctuary.

I started out early on my second day with a morning boat cruise and jungle walk to an oxbow lake for bird watching.   Oxbow lakes are crescent-shaped lakes that lay alongside a winding river. These lakes are formed through erosion and deposits of soil changing the river’s course over time. At the lake, I fed fish and enjoyed the serene environment with birds chirping in the distance. My afternoon was spent relaxing at the lodge.   I joined cruise along Sukau Kinabatangan to spot wild elephants in late afternoon.  On this excursion, I spotted a group of 10 adult elephants with a baby elephant. My guide explained wild elephants now forage for food from the same areas due to land shortages in the jungle in the name of development.  In the past, wild elephants were only seen twice a year, but nowadays, they are spotted everyday. 

My last day in Sandakan was spent exploring a cave in Gomantong Forest Reserve.  Described by WWF as the “best-managed edible bird’s nest cave in the world”.   It was amazing to learn how bird saliva, a delicacy in Asia, was extracted from bird’s nests.    After the caves, I proceeded to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center where orphaned orangutans are cared for.   There is a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas twice a day by rangers.  What a great way to end my holiday!

Sabah’s wildlife is a must-see for animal and nature lovers.  Much of my time was spent exploring the virgin rainforest trying to spot the many endangered species as I possibly could.   I ate, cruised and enjoyed nature’s elements.  

SABAH – Family Travel Sale
7/8 DAYS SABAH – RELISH IN NATURE – Orangutan, Turtle, Proboscis Monkey, Wildlife and Beach – 1 Child Travels FREE!

Written By: Carmen Lee
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto: www.countryholidays.com.cn.         

This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holiday

No-one seemed to figure out where Moyo Island is and where we had been during our holiday. 
“Moyo (sounds like “Mayonnaise” in short)?”
“No idea? Oh, it is a plane ride away from Lombok or Bali. ”

We went to a little island in Indonesia; Amanwana (meaning peaceful water), a wilderness hideaway on the nature reserve of Moyo Island east of Bali.

A paradise for sun seekers and nature lovers. It was no easy task to get to the island. My husband, three children and I flew to Lombok, stayed a night and flew again. Upon arrival, we were ushered onto a speed boat.  We approached our island destination with crystal clear waters polka dotted by fishes and corals. In seventh heaven, we check into our luxury tent accommodations. My son, Ming (8 year old) appeared “disappointed” as he had expected to camp in a basic tent!

Being an adventurous family, we hit the dive centre to book my two youngest for bubble dives.  Since the sea out on the beachfront was calm, the kids started their introductory dives lessons there. Ming was thrilled to have succeeded at his first dive! At shallow waters, he was already rewarded with a rich encounter of marine life.  En, our second daughter at 11, was no newcomer to the sport as she had bubble dived four years ago. It was amazing how untouched the corals were, at such close proximity to land.   

I insisted on us (my husband and eldest daughter, Lea), going for a refresher course as we have not been diving for a while.  The actual dive was worth wait the wait! We took a short boat ride to Labuan Aji Reef known for its wall diving.  Clear waters presented a great start to our first dive.  We had two dive masters with us, one to take the three of us and the other to take my younger kids to shallow waters for another bubble dive.  I found myself being amidst a spectacular array of sea life, passing by schools of yellow tips, chancing upon a gliding sea snake, floating above red coral beds, spotting stone fish, oysters and other marine life. My daughter and I even planted a coral! 

Night snorkeling proved to be another unique experience!  We geared up, with torches in our hands, plunged into dark waters. I was concern about keeping my children within sight as this is their first time snorkeling at night.  On a full moon night, we did not see much except for corals and a few solitary fishes.

Most of our evenings were spent with the kids trying their hands out on sailing and kayaking while we lazed by the beach bar.  We felt at ease in this little haven, living harmoniously with nature.

Written By: Tan Siew Yim
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto www.countryholidays.com.cn.         

This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holiday

Japan has the distinction of being the only country I have visited numerous times. Of Japan’s many cities, Kyoto stands out. The former capital of Japan, Kyoto was the center of politics and culture for over 1,000 years. Temples and shrines that were built during this period remain. Standing side-by-side with its historical landmarks are high-rise buildings, shopping and great food, all in a city that marries ancient and new with amazing harmony.

Temples, Gardens and Zen
One of the best ways to enjoy and appreciate the atmosphere of Kyoto is to walk. Many old houses and temples line the streets. My personal favorite is the Philosopher’s Walk, a quiet & meditative pathway that winds its way along a canal lined with lovely shrubs and trees. The walk passes by many temples, shrines and gardens.

Shinto and Buddhism are Japan’s two major religions. Temples are the places of worship in Japanese Buddhism while Shinto shrines are dwellings for Shinto gods. Every Japanese town has at least one temple or shrine, while larger cultural cities like Kyoto have thousands. Temples and shrines have their distinct style and architecture depending on the era they were built. Most are located in scenic surroundings and a visit provides an insight into Japan’s past and present.

Japanese gardens reflect the people’s love for nature and the beauty of these are best appreciated in Kyoto. Gardens are usually of 2 types – shrubs and rock. The dry rock gardens consist of stones, sand and gravel placed in a certain pattern. One of my favorite activities when visiting Kyoto is to sit quietly in a corner of the temple’s rock garden. Staring at the rock formations is supposed to alleviate one to eventually reach a state of zen. I have yet to achieve that, though the peace, serenity and beauty of the surroundings more than make up for it.

Onsens and Ryokans
A quintessential Japanese experience is a bath in one of the many onsens (natural hot spring) across the country. There are many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water which provide different health benefits. Onsens may belong to a ryokan (traditional Japanese dwelling) or public bath houses. To further the Japanese experience, a stay at a ryokan with an onsen is highly recommended. A ryokan stay is an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle, hospitality and etiquette – sleeping on futon beds on tatami (straw mat) floors, taking an onsen bath, negotiating the different footwear and dress for each room and finally, tasting exquisite kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine).

Kyoto’s attractions go beyond, temples, shrines, onsens and ryokans. Traditional theatre (kabuki), arts and crafts like pottery, textiles, festivals and cuisine are some of the many highlights of this amazing city. Kyoto is often known as the ‘heart’ of Japan.

Written By: Sharon Heng
Trip organized by Country Holidays.
To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn or call (010) 8587-9263 and log onto: www.countryholidays.com.cn.         

This sponsored blog post has been brought to you by Country Holiday.

Photos courtesy of Country Holiday