THAILAND
Product Updates
Festivals in Thailand

LAOS
A note from  Annette Monreal
News Update
Product Update

CAMBODIA
A note from Jacques Guichandut
News Update
What's new in the kingdom

Hotel Update

VIETNAM
A note from Thuy Tien

News Updates

Hotel Updates

MYANMAR
A note from Laurent Kuenzle

New Products

Hotel Update

MALAYSIA
A note from Serge Huber
News Update

Product Update

Hotel Update

INDONESIA
A note from Renato Domini
News Update
Hotels & Product Updates

   THAILAND

PRODUCT UPDATE
 

NEW YUNNAN TOURS

Asian Trails is launching a series of new and most interesting tour itineraries to Yunnan, China. The most popular of these new tours is the six days/five nights programme called “Little Tibet”. This new tour combines a two-night stay at the recently opened Banyan Tree Lijiang, an overland trip through Tiger Leaping George, a visit to the White Water Terraces at Sanba and two nights’ stay at the new Banyan Tree Ringha. One of the highlights of the trip is to attend the Impression Lijiang open-air show in front of the Yulong snow mountain, an unforgettable experience involving 600-plus performers.

Picture: Luzi Matzig (right) and Laurent Kuenzle in Yunnan

DREAM BANGKOK HOTEL

Dream Bangkok Hotel is a new modern fashion boutique hotel located in the heart of Bangkok, on Sukhumvit Road. It has 100 guest rooms including 11 suites designed in modern eclectic style and accented by ethereal blue light. Other facilities include a modern Thai cuisine restaurant and a lounge on the second floor. 

For more information, please visit www.dreambkk.com

SOFITEL RIVERSIDE CHIANG MAI
Sofitel Riverside Chiang Mai soft-opened in November with the grand opening slated for January 2007. This new five star resort, on the Ping River, is designed in Lanna style and beautifully decorated in teak.
The hotel features 74 elegant river-view rooms, comprising one penthouse, 17 suites and 56 premier rooms. Room size ranges from 60sqm to 383sqm. Check-in service is available on the hotel’s traditional eight-seater scorpion tail boat during the 15-minute cruise along the Ping River to the hotel’s private pier at Wiang Kum Kam.
For more information, please visit www.ratilannaresort.com.

BANGKOK PARADISE TOUR

Asian Trails offer a new two-day cycling and boat trip, which brings you to a small paradise away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, but close enough to be easily reached by bicycle. You will be taken to hidden beautiful temples, local markets and see unbelievable lush green scenery, mangrove forest and wildlife. 

The cycling tour goes through some of Bangkok’s narrow streets, alleys and small-elevated concrete pathways. It avoids areas that are filled with heavy traffic and traffic jams. You will also experience a long tail boat trip, which conveniently reaches the Bangkok’s outskirts after an unbelievable klong tour and an overnight stay in a simple comfortable Thai house.

We recommend this tour to those who love cycling and wish to get away from the often-visited tourist areas. Please contact us for details at res@asiantrails.org.

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FESTIVALS IN THAILAND

CHIANG MAI FLOWER FESTIVAL

Chiang Mai, 2-4 February 2007

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival is similar to other flower festivals held around the world, such as Taiwan's In-Season Flower Festival, Japan's Sakura Festival, and the Netherlands's and Belgium's flower parades.

Thailand's first Flower Festival was hosted by Chiang Mai in 1977.  It was such a success that it became an annual event. The festival’s interesting highlight is the many beautiful flower floats decorated with different species of flowers. Each flower, each petal, each shade of colour is carefully selected and positioned on the float to form patterns, words and pictures.

Every float conveys a unique message of its own: some tell of Chiang Mai's rich heritage, others speak of the lifestyle of the Thai people, some illustrate a religious principle or show some event of Buddha's life, others look to the past with scenes from history, and still others express a contemporary idea with abstract and modern designs.

 2ND PHUKET INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL

The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa Phuket, 16-17 February 2007

The highly acclaimed Rich Harper Blues Band from the USA will once again headline the event and close the show on Saturday night (17 February). Also gracing the show is British blues legend, Victor Brox, whose phenomenal voice will close the show on Friday night (16 February).

Other artistes performing at the festival include The Groove Doctors, Blue On Blue, Cannonball, The Blues Machine and Soi Dog Blues Band and Kyla Brox, Victor Brox’s daughter, touted to be Britain’s number one female singer. If you missed these magnificent performers last year here’s your chance to see them in action!

UNDERWATER WEDDING CEREMONY

Trang, 13-15 February 2007

Couples from Thailand and around the world will converge on Trang, South Thailand, on Valentine’s Day (14 February) for a special wedding ceremony under its crystal clear waters. If you are planning to marry around February or are already married but wish to renew your wedding vows, you are eligible to participate in the underwater wedding ceremony. However you must be a qualified diver!

Participating Thai and foreign brides and bridegrooms receive a warm welcome on arrival at Trang Airport, from where they take part in a procession around Trang Municipality. The colourful Khan Maak procession in long-tailed boats takes them to Ko Kradan Island for their spectacular 40-feet-underwater ceremony.

BANGRAK’S VALENTINE DAY

Bangkok, 14 February 2007

 “Bangrak” in Thai means "District of Love". On 14 February this place is a magnet for romantic Thai couples even though Valentine's Day is an imported Western concept. This is because Thais embrace festivals whatever their origin as long as they are “sanuk” (Thai for fun).

On this day Thailand’s highest concentration of couples register their marriages at the District Office. It's a good-natured scrum as hundreds of brides and grooms, many in elaborate costumes, solemnise their wedding vows in public. This informal spectacle is an amusing photo opportunity, never missed by the local Thai press and television.

Numerous hotels, restaurants and nightlife venues in Bangrak celebrate this romantic event with promotions and parties. Even the local council gets into the love theme.

BANGKOK’S CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

Yaowarat, Bangkok, 17-19 February 2007

Thailand's largest Chinese community in the Yaowarat area organises an annual fair to bring in the New Year. Expect international and Chinese music, lion dancing, local Chinese cultural performances, Chinese opera and fireworks. There are also countless stalls selling products and food like grilled pork, Peking duck, Chinese dessert and noodles.

Thailand's Chinese population is so large that the entire city seems to shut down during Chinese New Year. During this festival the streets of Chinatown are filled with a cosmopolitan crowd, eating their way along Yaowarat and Charon Krung roads while watching spectacular lion dancing and colourful dragon processions. 

ASEAN MICE 2007

Challenger 2, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Bangkok, 8-10 March 2007      

ASIAN MICE 2007 is the first platform for professionals and suppliers of the ASEAN Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry to showcase their products and services to both international and local buyers. More than 200 major key players will be taking part in the show. The event will also create opportunities for exhibitors to expand their business, and provide new experience for both exhibitors and visitors.

THE TEAM OF ASIAN TRAILS CAMBODIA

WISHES YOU AN EXCITING AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

A note from Managing Director Jacques Guichandut

2006 has been an extremely good year for tourism in Cambodia. Asian Trails is pleased to have been part of the success. We have seen more than 20% increase in our clients’ arrival, our best results since the company was founded. Our only hope is that these auspicious days last well into 2007 and beyond…With the blessing of the monks (pictures) we should be able to achieve our aspirations.

NEWS UPDATE

HERITAGE WATCH

Asian Trails is honoured to be part of the Heritage Friendly Businesses Association. With the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Tourism and the APSARA Authority, Heritage Watch has launched an exciting and dynamic campaign. Through tourism the action aims to create greater public awareness about Cambodia's fascinating heritage. It will bring together the private, public and non-governmental sectors to put forward responsible tourism and encourage businesses to promote the arts, culture, heritage and development projects in Cambodia.

For more information visit the website at www.heritagewatch.org

 SELF-DRIVE & MOTORBIKE TOURS

Last year, Asian Trails implemented some original and unique programmes, the most popular being the Self-Drive Tour and the Motorbike Tour.

The Self-Drive Tour is a new and exciting way to discover Cambodia at your own pace and on your own time. The itinerary is designed to allow you to experience as much of the country as possible from the comfort of a four-wheel drive car.

The Motorbike Tour is recommended only for accomplished riders!

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 2007

The following holidays have been promulgated by the Royal Government:

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WHAT’S NEW IN THE KINGDOM
 

MONDULKIRI

Mondulkiri, Cambodia’s undiscovered “jewel”

Mountainous and sparsely populated the Mondulkiri region, nestled against the border with Vietnam, is known for its jungle scenery and its cool weather. With thickly forested hills and powerful waterfalls it is also home to rare and endangered wildlife and offers great opportunities for eco-tourism.

If you enjoy hiking, authentic elephant trekking and exploring hill tribe villages on muddy paths Mondulkiri is for you!

The road system has been slightly improved and it is now possible to reach it in a day by car from Phnom Penh. As such, more and more tourists are travelling to this remote province to discover its charm and its rich flora and fauna.

Elephant Trek

A great way to appreciate the jungle around Mondulkiri is astride an elephant! However be prepared for a rough ride as in Cambodia these giant pachyderms are mainly used to carry heavy loads and help with logging. So their “mahout” (trainers) will not be able to provide the comfort of a luxurious canopy that you may find on similar treks in other destinations.

Recommended accommodation

Accommodation in Sen Monorom, the capital of Mondulkiri province, is improving. Formerly there were only a few very basic guesthouses.As in the rest of Cambodia hotel construction is booming and some new properties have just opened.

The places we recommend are the Arun Reas II Hotel (pictured left), comprising small wooden bungalows set in a big garden and the newly-opened Monorom Hotel (pictured right), with clean and comfortable rooms.

SIEM REAP

Celebrating Differences

As announced in our last newsletter the event “Celebrating Differences”, launched by Handicap International, was a huge success. Asian Trails is extremely happy to be one of the sponsors of this exceptional show.

The Marathon

The Angkor Association for the Disabled took part in the Marathon held in Siem Reap on 17 December.    Asian Trails Cambodia and Kuoni UK fully support the association, which encourages participation and highlights the capability of disabled people in sports and all aspects of society.

The Paneman

A new and unique way to enjoy a cruise on the Tonle Sap Lake is on the Paneman. With its cosy ambiance and romantic atmosphere a cruise on this boat will be an unforgettable experience.          This 27-metre long wooden boat is able to accommodate up to 20 persons. It is available for rental from one to two hours and up to two days.

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A note from Managing Director Thuy Tien

             Goodbye 2006 and a warm welcome to a brand new year! We are all very excited about 2007 as it promises to be a good year for tourism in Vietnam.

            Asian Trails Vietnam had a good year in 2006, which saw a 20% growth in term of sales and number of passengers handled by us despite the short capacity in hotel rooms.

            The year 2006 also marked the entry of Vietnam into WTO, which presented the country with new challenges, including expanding its young tourism industry. Last year’s tourist arrivals to Vietnam totalled 3.6 million, a moderate figure compared with arrivals in neighbouring countries. However, we believe that tourist arrivals will increase in 2007.

            In the past nine months there were USD 5.15 billion in foreign investments in Vietnam; of this USD 2.2 billion is for tourism. The Vietnamese government will also allocate USD 3.8 million for tourist infrastructure development. With such strong government support for the tourism industry we are confident it will grow from strength to strength in the coming years.

            Asian Trails Vietnam is also gearing for the expected strong growth in the country’s tourism industry. We have committed to train our staff in proficiency in the handling of clients as well in creating awareness for environment protection and sustainable development.

            We take this opportunity to recognise the patronage of our colleagues and partners who have supported Vietnam as a destination in general and Asian Trails in particular. Thank you for bringing the image of Vietnam to your clients and encouraging us to better our products and our services.

            May peace and happiness fill your life in this new year and may the dream of discovering exotic places remain forever in your hearts!

 Happy New Year!

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS: FINE DINING IN SAIGON

MANDARIN
This Vietnamese restaurant serves delicious specialities from all the three main regions in Vietnam - the South, the Centre and the North. The riches are rich and come beautifully decorated.
Situated within walking distance from the Opera, the three-level Mandarin also has a bar. It is large and very comfortable, with live music on the violin and piano every night.

 

XU
Set in very stylish environment with restaurant and lounge, the XU is another place to go in Saigon for a special culinary experience. With its modern Vietnamese cuisine and wide selection of good wines, this restaurant is definitely one of the trendiest options for a nice meal. The Xu is right in the centre of Hai Ba Trung Street.

SQUARE ONE AT PARK HYATT

This very atmospheric restaurant is located on the first floor of the luxurious Park Hyatt Hotel, right next to the Opera of Saigon.
Square One has an open kitchen concept and counters from where diners are able to watch how their food is prepared. The wine selection is nicely displayed at the entrance and on the menu. It serves European and Vietnamese cuisine

 

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NEWS UPDATE

TET, NEW YEAR FESTIVAL IN VIETNAM
This year’s Tet, the New Year festival, will be held from 16 to 21 February. According to the Lunar calendar the first day of the Year of the Pig is on 17 February.
Asian Trails Vietnam will work with reduced staff during this festive period. We can still be reached under our main email account and phones, as detailed below:

Email: asiantrails@hcm.vnn.vn
Phone during working hours: +84 8 910 28 71
Emergency no.: +84 9 03 835 134 (Mr. Nguyen Giang – Operation Manager)

During Tet most of the museums in Hanoi will be closed, but museums in Ho Chi Minh City will remain open. There will be no markets in the Northwest (Can Cau, Bac Ha and Coc Ly). Other markets in the rest of the country will be closed as well. We will update you on the exact itinerary changes case by case in January.
Most Vietnamese will be travelling during this festive period and domestic travel
will thus increase tremendously. As such, there may be changes in train and flight schedules.
We kindly ask you to send all passport details for visa applications for arrivals in February and March at least two weeks before the festival. The visa issuing authorities normally remain in a festive mood for another 10 days after the end of Tet, and working processes are slow.
We wish all of you a prosperous Year of the Pig.

NEW NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM FOR HANOI
The government of Vietnam has approved the construction of a new National History Museum in Hanoi near the West Lake. The existing History Museums in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will remain open until further notice.
The new museum will display exhibits of cultural and historical significance. The exact date of its opening is not yet known, but it will probably be in early 2008.


FLIGHT UPDATE

BANGKOK AIRWAYS LANDS IN HO CHI MINH CITY
Thailand’s Bangkok Airways will launch services between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City from March 2007. The new route will be operated under a code-share agreement with Vietnam’s Pacific Airlines.
Bangkok Airways will be the third airline operating flights between the two cities after Vietnam Airlines and Thai Airways.

VIETNAM AIRLINES INCREASES ITS FLEET
National carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has recently purchased 10 new Airbus A321, with the first to be delivered early 2007. It has also placed orders for four Boeing 787, which will be delivered in 2010. With these purchases VNA will double its current fleet size by 2018 to serve 11 million passengers.
VNA will introduce e-ticketing in the near future once its website is ready.
 

TRANSPORTATION UPDATE

EMERAUDE INTRODUCES EMERAUDE SUITE
Emeraude, the luxury cruise boat in the Halong Bay, recently introduced the Emeraude Suite, which is able to accommodate a family of four. The cruise in the north of Vietnam has daily departures.


BASSAC 2 LAUNCHED
Bassac 2, the second vessel of the TransMekong group, was launched last November in Can Tho, Mekong Delta’s major city, about five hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh City. With 12 cabins, all air-conditioned and with private bathroom, Bassac 2 can carry double the number of passengers than its smaller counterpart, Bassac 1.
TransMekong operates both boats, offering two- or three-day cruises between the cities of Cai Be and Can Tho or Chau Doc. Bassac 1 & 2 are also available as charters.
Please contact us for more information and rates.

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NEWS UPDATE
 

NEW PHONE NUMBER
Asian Trails Myanmar has a new phone number: (95 1) 229489
For your complete record we list all the phone numbers of Asian Trails in Myanmar as follows:
• Office telephone numbers: (95 1) 211212, 223262, 228849, 229489
• Office fax number: (95 1) 211670
• Emergency mobile phone number: (95 9) 200-5659

AIR BAGAN GOES INTERNATIONAL
Air Bagan is scheduled to start operating international flights between Yangon and Bangkok and between Yangon, Mandalay and Kunming from early 2007. These new air links will open new touring combination possibilities between Myanmar and China’s Yunnan province including Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-La as well as the historical Burma Road.

BOGYOKE AUNG SAN (SCOTT’S) MARKET IN YANGON: CLOSED ON MONDAYS
We wish to remind you that the Scott’s Market in Yangon is closed on Mondays. It is opened on Sundays.

NEW RESTAURANT IN NYAUNG SHWE (INLE LAKE)
Boris Granges, maestro of Myanmar’s best restaurant “Le Planteur” in Yangon. will open a new restaurant in Nyaung Shwe in early 2007. While we do not yet have the restaurant’s detailed menus we are convinced that Boris will set a new culinary benchmark in the lake region.

NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL YANGON OPENS EARLY 2007
Yangon’s new airport terminal is almost complete and the new arrival hall is now in use. Asian Trails’ guides now wait for their clients after immigration clearance and customs inspection. There is only one exit and the guides will carry a board with our clients’ names; so you can’t miss seeing them.
For our clients who have confirmed pre-arranged Visas on Arrivals our airport representatives will wait for them before the immigration counters.

CHRISTMAS DAY WITH MARY CHAPMAN’S SCHOOL OF DEAF
It has been our tradition for several years to support Mary Chapman’s School of Deaf, which is entirely dependent on private sectors’ donations. The school is located in Yangon and offers free education for about 350 hearing despaired children from all over Myanmar.
On Christmas day, 25 December, we arranged a field trip on a bus for 43 children. We took them on a day’s excursion to the heritage park near Yangon, with lunch at the Fuji house in Kandawgyi Park. This year we also donated food supplies to the school, which consisted of several sacks of rice, onions, garlic and cooking oil.
We would like to thank all the generous donors and supporters for their contributions and working together to make this memorable day possible. Any future donations are more than welcome and we are happy to supply you with additional information on this school.

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HOTEL UPDATE

DREAM PARADISE RELAXATION & RESORT, NGWE SAUNG
The new Dream Paradise Relaxation & Resort Ngwe Saung Beach, owned and managed by the Sunny Paradise Resort, has just soft-opened with 16 executive rooms and suites. All rooms, with ocean views, offer the same high standard as the executive rooms at the Sunny Paradise Resort.

BAY OF BENGAL RESORT, NGWE SAUNG
The Bay of Bengal Resort will not be completed by the end of this winter season. We expect the hotel to be fully operational from November 2007. More information to follow.

RED CANAL HOTEL, MANDALAY
The Red Canal Hotel, a small superior tourist class hotel located in the former Chinese Consulate building in a quiet neighbourhood in Mandalay, has just soft-opened with 26 rooms. More information to follow.

MALIKHA LODGE, PUTAO
Malikha Lodge in Putao will soft open in January 2007. We will have exciting and fun programmes on offer, including this up-market property, for the next high season 2007/08.
 

A note from Managing Director Serge Huber

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2007 be a good year for you.
As we welcome in a brand new year I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our valued partners and business associates for their support through 2006. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships in the year ahead.
The company’s success would not have been possible without its hardworking and loyal staff. Asian Trails Malaysia hosted them to a dinner at the Rebung Restaurant in Bangsar on 20 December 2006. Everyone had a great time at this annual event, which is also to foster closer relationship among colleagues.



NEWS UPDATE
ASIAN TRAILS MALAYSIA EXPANDS

VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007, “ONE GOLDEN CELEBRATION”

Malaysia is celebrating 50 glorious years of independence by designating 2007 as Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY 2007), with the theme “One Golden Celebration”.The year-long campaign is launched by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 6 January at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa (Lake Titiwangsa) in Kuala Lumpur. Highlight of the launch is the opening of the “Eye on Malaysia”, a giant ferris wheel with air-conditioned gondola cars, which offers a breathtaking 80metre-high, 360 degree panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur city! On the lake itself is a water screen where every night it shows the faces of Malaysia and also the country’s history from before independence, during independence and what it has achieved.   The launch party kick starts a year-long celebration for both Malaysians and foreign visitors with a total of 240 events in all the Malaysian states.  For more information on VMY 2007 and its events/festivals please visit the website at: http://202.157.188.226/consumer/vmy/default.asp

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PRODUCT UPDATE

MALAYSIA FLORA FEST 2007 (COLOURS OF HARMONY)
One of Visit Malaysia Year 2007’s highlights is the Malaysia Floral Fest, From 20 January to 4 February Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur will be transformed into venues brimming with bright, colourful and fragrant blooms.

Inspired by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in USA, Malaysia's very own floral parade will grace the launch of Malaysia Flora Fest 2007. Originally introduced in 1992 the floral parade is the only such event in Southeast Asia. This year the parade will be more dazzling than ever. Participants from various organisations and state governments will try to outshine one another with their own floral creations.

MALAYSIA, A SHOPPER’S PARADISE

Malaysia is a shopper's paradise and shopping is an adventure of discovery. You can find everything from branded designer goods to intricate local handicrafts such as silver, brass, pewter items to pottery, beadworks, rattan and the beautiful hand-printed. batik

Shoppers can shop within the cool comfort of one-stop multi-storey shopping complexes or at sidewalk stalls, bazaars, and night markets (pasar malam).

The Malaysian dollar (Ringgit) is comparatively lower vis-?-vis foreign currencies, thus enabling tourist dollars to be stretched much further here. The exemption of duty on certain items has also led to more competitive pricing.

The tax havens are Langkawi and Labuan. Duty free areas are also found at Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubur in Kelantan, and Padang Besar and Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah. An interesting mix of duty free shops can also be found at city centres and airports in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang

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HOTEL UPDATE

SHERATON LANGKAWI OPENS FEAST & CHIME

Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort, on the resort island of Langkawi. recently introduced two new dining concepts – Feast and Chime.

Chime, the new bar/lounge (pictured left), features a cool contemporary eclectically Asian feel with an emphasis on the Asian style of service that Malaysia is renowned for. It is casual and inviting during the day but takes a complete personality change in the evening with a lively, vibrant feel.

Feast is an interactive dining concept. It has an open kitchen with food counters alongside it (pictured right). The open kitchen enables diners to watch the chefs preparing their food. The restaurant offers a wide selection of cuisine. from Thai, Chinese, Indian, Malay to international favourites such as pizza, pasta and roasts/grills.

NEW NAME FOR RENAISSANCE HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR

The New World Renaissance Hotel was renamed Renaissance Kuala Lumpur (East Wing) from 1 January 2007. Its adjacent sister property, Renaissance Hotel, has earlier been rebranded as Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur (West Wing). The official name for both hotels is  Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel East Wing & West Wing

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Personal Recommendation of Managing Director Renato Domini

CENTRAL KALIMANTAN

  I recently conducted a survey trip to Central Kalimantan covering Banjarmasin, Pangkalanbun and Camp Leaky/Tanjung Puting National Park). The trip to Central Kalimantan was very interesting and pleasant. I was especially impressed with the friendliness of the people in the region, its rich wildlife (especially the Orang Utan and the numerous species of monkeys) and its pristine nature.

  We are now working out a suitable itinerary for you to discover Central Kalimantan. This destination is a very good alternative for people who love nature and wildlife, are comfortable with simple but clean accommodation and do not demand a very high standard of service.  A trip to Central is definitely a trip worth making. Please have a look at some impressions (pictures below) captured during my trip  ...

NEWS UPDATE

BALI NAMED "FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION”
TIME Asia, in its 26 October 2006 issue, announced the results of its annual Readers’ Travel Choice Award for 2006. Bali was named “Favourite Holiday Destination” by the magazine’s readers, repeating the successes of being named the favourite island by SmartAsiaTravel.com and Travel + Leisure.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com, 26 October 2006

AIRASIA LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO PALEMBANG.
Palembang, the unassuming capital city of South Sumatera province in the south of Indonesia, is a thriving industrial metropolis. However many travellers are not aware of the city’s tourism potential. This changed from 22 November 2006 when AirAsia secured rights to land in the city. Travellers are now able to fly to this city to explore its many tourism delights.
Palembang is AirAsia’s ninth destination in Indonesia after Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, Medan, Padang, Jakarta, Bandung, Pekanbaru and Solo.
Source: Asia Travel Tips, 31 October 2006

JETSTAR’S NEW SERVICE TO BALI
Jetstar, Qantas’ value-based airline, launched Sydney-Denpasar (Bali) service on 8 December 2006. The twice-weekly service to Bali is from Sydney and Melbourne. The new Bali flights coincided with the airline's introduction of its StarClass business class.
Bali is the fourth international destination for Jetstar since it was launched on 23 November 2006
The airline also flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok using the Airbus 330s aircraft.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com, 16 December 2006

QATAR AIRWAYS FLIES TO BALI
Qatar Airways will commence flights to Bali in March, the start of the 2007 summer season. The airline is currently flying to Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com, 19 November 2006
 

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HOTEL & PRODUCT UPDATE

NOVOTEL BALIKPAPAN
Location: Balikpapan, Kalimantan
Total rooms: 198
Opening date: 8 December 2006
Website: www.accorhotels.com/asia

The hotel is located in Balikpapan's fastest growing commercial centre. Built to cater to East Kalimantan's important timber, mining and petroleum industries Novotel Balikpapan is sited on an elevated hillside that offers a panoramic view of the city and the beach, which is only 200 metres away. It is strategically located - less than 20 minutes’ drive to the airport and the city's famed harbour, 15 minutes to the nearest golf course and less than five minutes to the main shopping district. Currently 50 rooms are available for occupancy, with the remaining rooms opening in stages. rest is still on final finishing stage.

MERCURE MIRAMA SURABAYA
Location: Surabaya, East Java
Total rooms: 110
Opening date: February 2007
Website: www.accorhotels.com/asia

This Mercure Mirama Surabaya, due for a February opening, is ideal for leisure and business travellers due to its strategic location at the Central Business District. Facilities include four meeting rooms and WiFi Internet access.

THE BANYAN TREE UNGASAN RESORT
Location: Ungasan, South Bali
Total rooms: 73
Opening date: 2008
Website: www.banyantree.com

Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts will open two new resorts in Bali in 2008, namely the Banyan Tree Ungasan Resort and the Angsana Tepi Kahyangan.
The Banyan Tree Ungasan Resort, a joint venture with Indonesian developer PT Surya Semesta Internusa, will comprise 73 villas located on a 10- hectare site on a 70-metre high cliff on Bali's southern Ungasan peninsula.

SANTIKA MAKASSAR
Location: Makassar, Sulawesi
Total rooms: 108
Opening date: February 2007
Website: www.santika.com

COMFORT HOTEL BELVENA
Location: Palembang, Sumatera
Total rooms: 72
Opening date: June 2007
Website: www.choicehotelsindonesia.co.id

NEW SPA FOR GRAND HYATT BALI
The 648-room Grand Hyatt Bali, which is currently undergoing a major renovation programme, will see the addition of a new spa, Kriya Spa. Scheduled to open in early 2007 the spa nestles within the lush tropical gardens of the 40-acre beachfront property.
Kriya Spa positions itself as a “wellness sanctuary” offering an authentic Balinese healing experience that includes an extensive a la carte menu of body scrubs, body wraps, facials, touch therapy and Aryuvedic massages and hydro-soak treatments. Yoga and meditation sessions are also available.
Each of the spa’s 24 luxurious villas is designed with exceptional attention to detail and offers twin indoor treatment facilities, private outdoor wet treatment area, a traditional relaxation bale, and a custom-designed soaking tub and plunge pool - all set in a tranquil courtyard with water features.
For multi-day staying guest professional practitioner offer lifestyle counselling and strategic planning that include personalised fitness programmes, stress management and nutritional consultation.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com, 9 December 2006

KUTA SEAVIEW’S NEW RESTAURANT
Kuta Seaview on Kuta Beach recently opened its new chic restaurant, Rosso Vivo, which serves Italian and other international cuisine. Guests can enjoy their meals on the terrace facing the beach or on the pool deck.
Website: www.kutaseaviewhotel.com

LA SUBAK VILLA RESORT REBRANDED
This all-villa resort, which is located in southwest Ubud, has been rebranded Furama Villas and Spa Ubud. It is now managed by Furama Hotels International Management
Website: www.lasubakvilla.com

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All rights reserved ? Asian Trails 2006

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