D-Brief
August 2010
Festivals
D-Brief Bangkok, 01 August 2010 Dear Partner, At Diethelm Travel, we are always looking at new and innovative ways of bringing interesting information to our partners. The newest introduction is „D-Brief‟, our monthly themed feature e-book, addressing a different topic in each edition. Designed as a keepsake, D-Brief is intended to give you in-depth information on a particular subject, which can be used as a training tool for you and your team. Just part of the level of service you have come to expect from us at Diethelm Travel. Monthly topics will vary from architecture to food around the region with a regular feature on weather, essential information on visas & borders. Moreover can collect our tried and tested recipe of the month. Augusts‟ edition of D-Brief is a collection of the most interesting festivals, coming up around Asia till the end of 2010. In the pages to follow we cover, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Singapore. Don‟t forget about „Passport‟, which we launched last month with its unbeatable value added offers around the region. „Passport‟ provides you with interesting tips on what is 'hot' at the moment and ideas of new ways to discover our wonderful destinations, with the convenience of booking by simply mailing passport@diethelmtravel.com. Sincerely yours, Victoria Sertic Chief Sales Officer Diethelm Travel Group
Festivals
Festivals are a great way of discovering the local culture and religion of a country. In many countries, the same celebration takes place, although sometimes in a different way or a slightly different date, however all celebrating the same religious event. Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam are the main influences, although more Animist believes are expressed in festivals as well. Apart from the religious meanings, festivals are also the time to meet family or friends and strengthen the community. Many festivals are combined with an annual market, the sales of religious artifacts, and off course special food. Although you might not hold the same believes, if culture allows it, you are welcome to join the celebrations and participate in the ceremonies, or just be a spectator. Some festivals are very crowded and attended by lots of visitors. Accommodation might therefore be tight and it is recommended to book well in advance. We hope that the following pages will give you some useful information. For more details and how to combine festivals into a journey, please do contact us!
Above: A richly decorated camel during the Pushkar Camel Fair. Left: The Holi Festival is well known for the throwing of colored powders.
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Bhutan If there is one country where there is always a festival, then it is in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
We counted a staggering total of 37 religious festivals throughout the year – 2 upcoming ones are: Thimphu Tsechu (17 -19 Sep) The festival was established by the 4th Temporal Ruler,Tenzing Rabgye{1638-1696}in 1670 on the 8th month of the Bhutanese calender to commemorate the birth of Guru Rinpoche. The festival last for 3 days with many different masked dances by the Royal Troupe Dancers and the monks. Jampa Lhakhang Drup (22-26 Oct ) The Jampa Lhakhang Drupâ€&#x;s origin and purpose is unknown. But what we do know is that it is one of the most important, oldest and sacred festivals in this region.
The Royal Troupe Dancers in full costume, wearing masks of demons, heroes, gods or caricatures of common people.
Some historians believe that the festival includes some remains of an old Agricultural New Year celebration, which is held in the mid of winter.
Festivals
Cambodia Phcum Ben Festival (07-09 Oct) A colourful religious festival, blessing the souls of ancestors, relatives and friends alike who have passed away. The festival does not just begin and end on one day. In fact, it lasts 15 days. During the first 14 days, people take turns offering food to the monks of their local pagoda. The final day of Phcum Ben is the most important. At every pagoda around the country, a mass collection of offerings takes place. If this duty is ignored, it is believed that the soul is cursed and will haunt the neglectful descendents for the rest of the year. Also celebrated in Vietnam as the Dolta Ceremony in the Mekong Delta. Water Festival (20-22 Nov) The water festival in Cambodia does not mark the Buddhist New Year like it does in Thailand, and Myanmar, but the reversing flow of the Tonle Sap River and the fishing season. The highlight is the boat races – a three day event in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. In the evening the festival atmosphere continues with fireworks and a lighted flotilla of boats. Everyone gathers on the bank of the Tonle Sap for several days and nights. Colourful and very busy, but not to be missed! Also celebrated in Vietnam as the Ngo Boat Festival on the same day.
The Water festivalsâ€&#x; highlight are the boat-races. Different teams in different colored shirts fight for the grand prize.
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China Mid Autumn Festival (22 Sep) The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in October on the Gregorian calendar. A traditional festival for people to get together with their families, appreciating the full moon and eating delicious Moon cakes. Also celebrated in other countries with inhabitants of Chinese descent.
Double Nine Festival (16 Oct) The Chongyang festival, or Double Ninth Festival, has it‟s origin in the strong, masculine and positive number “9”. So – when the number nine is in both the month and in the day, it makes for a great day of celebrations. In addition, Double Ninth is pronounced the same as the word “forever”, namely “Jiu Jiu”. So – no better reason to have a celebration and this festival has been held for centuries. Lisu Spring Festival (20 Dec) “Kou shi” means New Year in Lisu language, and during the festival, activities such as dance, singing and swing are very popular for young people. The Lisu ladies are easily recognizable by their brightly colored dresses.
Festivals
India Autumn Navratri (08-16 Oct) This festival lasts for nine nights, a period in which evil forces in the form of the demon Mahisashura are destroyed by the Goddess Durga and her nine different forms. The festival is celebrated all over the country with great devotion and purity. In some areas, the images of Mother Durga are set on beautifully decorated pandals and carried through the city.
Pushkar Camel Fair (12-21 Nov) This fair is held at Pushkar town, 11 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan for twelve days annually. This cultural and trade, cum religious fair, is a colourful and lively spectacle with Rajasthani men and women dressed in brilliantly vivid traditional attire, saffron-robed and ash smeared Sadhus (holy men) and thousands of bulls, cows, sheep, goats, horses as well as camels with richly decorated saddles. Perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world, it attracts more than one lakh (100,000) people, from all over Rajasthan as well as tourists from different parts of India and abroad. The Goddess Durga, here shown destroying the evil Mahisashura.
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Laos End of Buddhist Lent (Boun Ork Phansa) (24 Oct - Vientiane) Once a year, the rivers are covered with a sparkling panorama of dots of light as a fleet of thousands of candles floats down steam. It is the end of the rainy season, and the end of Buddhist Lent, or locally called “Ork Phansa Pavorana” (Phansa comes from the Pali word Vassa, meaning “ rain”, Ork Phansa means “going out of the rain” ). The next morning, the Lao people wake up to the traditional boat racing festival. The racing in the morning gets the crowds‟ excitement started as the small boats competition is run. The festival reaches fever pitch when the big boats start racing at 1 pm.
Also celebrated in Thailand‟s Nong Khai and Khon Kaen cities, as well as in Myanmar as the Tadingyut Festival.
Wat That Luang: religious centre of the Laos Republic and main festival ground during the That Luang Festival.
That Luang Festival (20-21 Nov) The most important religious festival in Laos is the celebration of the That (stupa). The grand stupa in Vientiane, That Luang, is believed to contain a relic of Buddha, a bone or hair, according to different versions of writings on traditions. This stupa is the centre point for the celebrations.
Festivals
Malaysia Deepavali (05 Nov) Deepavali , or The „Festival of Lights‟, is the most important Hindu Festival and is celebrated extensively. Apart from religious ceremonies, it is the time to meet family, friends, and celebrate in the community. And no celebration is complete without an array of traditional goodies. This festival is also celebrated in Singapore and India.
Hari Raya Aidiladha (17 Nov) The Hajj pilgrimage to Mekah is performed by millions of Muslims every year. The end of this pilgrimage is marked by the Hari Raya Haji Festival – also known by “Hari Raya Qurban. The celebrations include prayers and the sacrifice of cattle. Sarawak Bead Bazaar (08 – 10 Oct) Sarawak‟s beadwork dates back many centuries and the Orang Ulu of the Baram/Miri region are the most skilled bead workers in the area. The Sarawak Bead Bazaar shows traditional and modern work from many workers of Sarawak State.
Agate, jasper, howlite, Malaysia jade in all colours, and bronzite and just a few of the treasures available at Sarawak‟s Bead Bazaar.
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Myanmar Kyakse Elephant Dance Festival (22 Oct) Yearly cultural highlight of Kyaukse, 26 miles to the south of Mandalay. The whole town competes, not only for the best “elephant dance” performance, but at the same time for the best decorated “elephant”. For the dance itself: two men get inside at life-size hollowed-out papier-mâché elephant figure and imitate the movements of a real elephant. Tadingyut Festival (22 – 24 Oct) End of Buddhist lent and as well the festival of lights. Pagodas, houses and streets are brightly illuminated. It is not only a time of joy but also thanksgiving and paying homage to teachers, parents and elders. Celebrated in northeast Thailand and Laos too.
The Inle Lake leg-rowers guide the Royal Barge along the shores of the lake, from village to village. The barge once toppled in a heavy storm once, but the Buddha statues were miraculously re-discovered on the bottom of the lake.
Phaung Daw Oo Festival (09 – 26 Oct) The biggest occasion of the Inle Lake. The images of the Buddha from Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda are placed on a decorated Royal Barge and taken around the lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage. The festival is full of pageantry and colour. There are fun fairs, music, dances and boat races. Since this festival lasts for a long time, please check with us for exact dates and events!
Festivals
Sri Lanka The Galle Literary Festival (26 to 30 Jan 2011) This unique festival affords visitors an opportunity to appreciate the work of Sri Lankan and international authors, engage in literary discussions and other intellectual and artistic activities. It's set in and around the UNESCO World Heritage city of Galle.
Workshops, topical debates, panel discussions, cooking classes, poetry readings, literary lunches and theatre workshops are held during the day. In the evening, the city buzzes with more light activities: jazz music, late night movies and art exhibitions. There is also an extensive childrenâ€&#x;s programme, teaching art, eco workshops, writing and teaching debating skills. The festival is easily combined with a visit to the gardens of the Bawa brothers in Bentota, or the antique shops of Ambalangoda. Why not go whale watching off Mirissa on your way to the Festival or visit the inland temples and rainforest in the Galle hinterland.
Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese, then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. The City of Galle is the site for the unique Literary Festival.
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Thailand Phimai Festival (12-14 Nov) The stupas of Phimai can be found in Isarn, close to Korat. During this festival, watch the outdoor Ramayana drama from the Nakhon Ratchasima Dramatic Arts College, visit the exhibition on the history of Phimai sanctuary, Korat cat contest, demonstration of the Royal Barge Procession, exhibitions and sales of locally produced products, as well as a boat race. Thailand International Balloon Festival (02 - 05 Dec) Ayuthaya The balloon festival is a great activity for the entire family. There are demonstrations of balloon flying, with the the opportunity to actually fly in a balloon. In addition, visitors can buy some local agricultural products, there are wine tastings by Thai and foreign producers in which visitors can enjoy a barbecue and taste the local wines. Dancing performances, arts and crafts booths, and various games and contests make this a great day out! Balloons are rising behind one of the ancient statues in Ayuthaya – a perfect combination between the old and new.
Hanoi’s celebration founding anniversary
of
the
1,000
Festivals
Vietnam year
UNESCO has adopted a resolution on the celebration of Hanoi‟s 1,000 year founding anniversary, providing for international status of this event.
About 100 countries have registered or accepted the invitation, 30 of them will join the event with special programmes and performances. Italy‟s children‟s choir from Trento and the La Scala Theatre will attend – so are the Dutch, who send 30,000 tulips and a Dutch village. Thailand will join with cultural road shows, while Japan‟s Fukuoka city will hold Japanese Culture Days in Hanoi during this time. The opening ceremony is to be held on 01 October 2010 at the Ly Thai To Monument Park, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, and around Hoan Kiem Lake. From 02-09 October 2010, artistic performances, tourism festivals, craft villages‟ festivals and more will be staged. The grand ceremony on state level will take place 10 October 2010 at Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi) and a grand cultural festival to celebrate the 1,000 year founding anniversary of Thang Long (Hanoi) will be held in the West Lake area of Hanoi.
The busy streets in the Old Town of Hanoi – a treasure trove for tourists, artisans and locals alike.
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Singapore Thimithi (16 Oct) This famous Hindu fire-walking ceremony brings out the devotees and the tourists alike. At the Sri Mariamman Temple in the centre of Chinatown, Hindu devotees walk across a four-metre pit of redhot coals in honour of the bravery of the Goddess Draupadi. They complete the fire-walking ceremony, a test of endurance and faith, emerging miraculously unhurt. The day-long Thimithi festival celebrations begin at 14:00, with the fire-walking ceremony starting at 17:00. Singapore Marathon (05 Dec) Calling all marathon enthusiasts. The Marathon, an annual event in the local sports calendar, features both local and international athletes.
The Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple – the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, located in the middle of Chinatown.
Apart from a severe contest, the Marathon also serves as a platform for local participants. They get the chance to run with professional marathoners and learn skills from them. The Singapore Sports Council also focuses on mental fitness, apart from only the endurance part of the sport. And off course – finishing a marathon is the ultimate crown on oneâ€&#x;s running carreer.
While in western countries the “Happy New Year� cheer can be heard once a year, in Asia we love to celebrate on multiple occasions. The Chinese New Year and the Buddhist New Year are the most prominent. But, others can not be forgotten: Thet in Vietnam, the Muslim New Year in Malaysia and other Muslim countries, the Naga New Year and the Karen New Year in Myanmar, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival and the Vesak Festival in Sri Lanka. Lots of reason to celebrate and you are invited to join!
D-Brief
Festivals
Happy New Year!
Cooking up a storm Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup 1. Put the rice noodles into a large bowl, cover with lots of boiling water and leave to soak according to packet instructions. 2. For the broth: put the beef stock cube into a large saucepan and cover with 1.5 litre boiling water. Add the marrow bones and the shin of beef. 3. Add the spices and ginger to the broth pan and simmer, skimming off any scum that rises to the surface. 4. Meanwhile put the mint and coriander leaves, chilli, lime wedges and some fish sauce into separate small bowls so people can help themselves to each later. 5. Divide the rice noodles among 6 serving bowls. 6. Bring the broth back to a vigorous simmer. Take a large soup ladle and lay a quarter of the fillet steak slices over the sides of the ladle. Dip the ladle into the boiling stock so the meat is covered and leave for 5-10 seconds, or until the beef has changed to pale pink. Pour into one of the bowls and top up with extra broth to cover the noodles.
Ingredients • 175g dried rice noodles • a few handfuls mint leaves and coriander leaves, roughly chopped • 1 red chilli, seeds removed, thinly sliced • 6 large spring onions, thinly sliced • 1 lime, cut into wedges • fish sauce • 75 gr bean sprouts • 275 gr fillet steak, thinly sliced For the broth • 1 cube of beef stock • 900g beef marrow bones • 225g shin beef, chopped into large chunks • 1.5 tsp black peppercorns • 5 cloves • 4 coriander seeds • 1 cinnamon stick • 3 star anise • 5 pods green cardamom • 3 cm piece fresh ginger, sliced but not peeled
7. Repeat the cooking of the steak for each of the bowls. Serve immediately with the small bowls of herbs, chilli and spring onions on the side for scattering over and the bowls of lime and fish sauce for seasoning.
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Entry into Myanmar The visa regulations to Myanmar can be complicated. Here are the current rules and regulations for entry into Myanmar: Travellers are advised to obtain a visa in their home country prior to entering Myanmar. Otherwise since 01 May 10 it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival at Yangon Airport. Specific advice on upto-date requirements should be obtained from the consulate offices in your country. For general guidance, please note the following: Passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity at time of travel. Foreigners must always carry their passport whilst travelling. Visa processing time is between 5 and 10 working days at most Myanmar Consulates or Embassies. Tourist visas are valid for 28 days Some Embassies require a „confirmation letterâ€&#x; which Diethelm Travel can provide. Please leave your passport at your hotel in the safe deposit boxes while sightseeing. When you are travelling overland or by air, please ensure that your passport is in your hand luggage. NEVER pack your passport in your suitcase. Pre-arranged visa In order to issue a visa, some Myanmar Embassies require a "confirmation letter" to confirm that visa applicants have prebooked and pre-paid their travel arrangements in Myanmar. Please let us know where you intend to obtain the visa and provide us with your exact names (as per passports), nationalities and passport numbers. We will then fax or email our "confirmation letter" to you, enabling you to obtain your visa.
Visa on Arrival – Only available at Yangon Airport If you prefer to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport, please be prepared for a possible long wait ie minimum of an hour during low season and much more during high season. You will require 2 passport photographs, USD 30 per person for the visa fees on arrival and proof of onward or return ticket. Please do not write journalist as a profession on your application form as may mean a rejection.
Note: Due to the uncertainty of the approval process, Diethelm Travel Myanmar cannot guarantee that an approval will be obtained on arrival. In the event that services are booked, but permission cannot not be obtained, we reserve the right to charge cancellation fees as applicable and shall not be held liable for any cost or inconvenience caused by the rejection. There is no restriction on Nationality for visa on arrival. Children: Children under 7 years accompanying their parents are not required to pay but the visa fee but should bring photographs. OVERLAND BORDER CROSSINGS The standard immigration rule in Myanmar is that one has to leave the country the same way as one entered apart from the 2 international airports. (Yangon/Mandalay) Every deviation of this rule needs a special permission from several ministries in Yangon. Any licensed travel agent can arrange permissions for an overland border crossing, provided that guests book a full package with this agency. Therefore it is not possible to book only a border crossing. The special permit, which will be arranged by Diethelm Travel where applicable, is only the permission to cross the border but not the actual visa. The Myanmar visa must be stamped into the clients' passports prior to their arrival at the Myanmar border. When applying for visa, the entry and exit points have to be clearly stated. Special permission where required takes at least a month to process.
The following 3 border checkpoints are currently open for tourists: Muse / Ruli (Yunnan China) For those who enter at Muse boarder and exit different points (either Yangon or Mandalay International airport) a visa is required before travelling plus a border crossing permit. The same permission is needed for any overland drive after Lashio (driving up from Mandalay). A day visa normally issued only to Chinese Nationals to visit Muse is currently not allowed. Kawthaung / Ranong (South west Thailand) Visa. A Myanmar visa is required for tourists visiting the Mergui Archipelago. Visa on Arrival can be arranged on the spot. Visa fee is USD 30 per person plus documentary fees USD 5-10 per person and visa handling fees for agent which is to be advised. Entry, Exit & Permission It is possible to enter the country in Kawthaung and exit via Yangon or another route. The service charge will cost USD 30.
Special permission is not required for Kawthaung and Myeik or for entry or exit via Kawthaung to Ranong for the time being. Special permission is required for those visiting the Mergui Archipelago.
Borders Tachilek / Mae Sai (North Thailand) Border Crossing Permission. For those who enter at Tachileik border and exit from a different point (eg either Yangon or Mandalay International airport) a visa is required before traveling plus a border crossing permission. Day Visa. For those (including Thai Nationals) who enter and exit Myanmar at the same place, a day visa can be obtained. A day visa only allows a visit to Mae Sai (within city limits) and not further. Entry Permit. With a special entry permit issued locally at the border, visits to Kyaing Tong and Mong La for up to about 14 days are permitted. Travel is other parts of the country is not allowed. To apply for an entry permit, clients are required to pay USD 10 per person for entry permit and Baht 50 per person for formalities fees (documentation cost) directly and submit 3 passport photos. Clients have to leave their passports at border until their return. It is allowed to check into hotels using the entry permit. Overland trips are possible for both ways between Tachilek and Kyaing Tong, but driving from Kyaing Tong to Taunggyi / Inle Lake is not allowed.
Royalty Fees (Zone Fees) for visiting the Mergui Archipelago. The royalty fees apply for a 5 day/4 night programme ranges from USD 100- USD 200 per person depending on whether the boat is owned by a local or foreigner and whether it departs from Kawthaung or Myeik. Any additional day will cost USD 25 per person.
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Weather Low Season - When Koh Samui Shines November through to mid-April is known as „high season‟ in Thailand. Doubtless this is the busiest time, when the beaches are crowded and travellers are enjoying blue skies, little rainfall, low humidity and comfortably hot temperatures. Most guests think that a beach holiday in Thailand is only enjoyable during this season. However, the avid traveller to Thailand will tell you that the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, especially Koh Samui, enjoys its own „micro climate‟. Due to its geographical location and warm South China Sea winds, the island‟s weather patterns are different from the rest of Thailand. In April throughout September, when most of the country experiences monsoon, Samui stays fairly dry, but from October to December, it's wet in Samui and drier elsewhere. Koh Samui therefore is just the right spot to escape the monsoon winds that bring a lot of rain to Phuket and the rest of the Andaman Coast during „low season‟.
Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island (247 square kilometers) and lies just offshore the province of Surat Thani. Dubbed "The Coconut Island," Koh Samui is one of the most popular beach and island resorts in Thailand with over half a million visitors each year. It has come to world fame due to its beautiful, long beaches with powdery white sand and crystal clear waters, surrounded by coconut groves. Koh Samui can be reached by direct flight from Bangkok, Phuket , Krabi and Pattaya, and also direct from Singapore by Bangkok Airways.
Thailand is truly an all year around destination; with some insider knowledge, a well informed agent can send off its clients to enjoy the sun, clear skies and calm sea of Thailand while others are missing out.
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Festivals in 2011 The festival named in this brochure takes place on the following dates in 2011: • Bhutan • Bhutan • Cambodia • Cambodia • China • China • China • India • India • India • Laos • Laos • Malaysia • Malaysia • Malaysia • Myanmar • Myanmar • Myanmar • Thailand • Thailand • Singapore • Singapore
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Thimphu Tsechu - 06 to 08 Oct 2011 Jampa Lhakhang Drup - 10 to 14 Nov 11 Phcum Ben Festival - 26 to 28 Sep 11 Waterfestival - 09 to 11 Nov 11 Mid Autumn Festival - 12 Sep 11 Double Nine - 05 Oct 11 Lisu Spring Festival – to be announced Holi Festival - 19 March 2011 Autumn Navratri - 28 Sep to 06 Oct 11 Pushkar Camel Fair - 01 to 10 Nov 11 Boun Ork Phansa - to be announced That Luang Festival - to be announced Deepavali - 26 Oct 11 Hari Raya Aidiladha - 07 Nov 11 Sarawak Bead Bazaar – to be announced Kyakse Elephant Dance Festival - 11 Oct 11 Tadingyut Festival – 10 to 13 Oct 11 Paung Daw Oo Festival - 28 Sep to 15 Oct 11 Phimai Festival - 11 to 13 Nov 11 Thailand International Balloon Festival - tba Thimithi Festival - 17 Oct 11 Singapore Marathon - 03 Dec 11
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