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Greetings from Exotic Voyages! As the magical Mid-Autumn festival is approaching here in Hanoi, we are exciting to welcome you back for the 8th edition of Travel in Style! We hope you enjoyed your summer holiday and the summer travel ideas and stories in our 7th issue. This September, we are feeling the festive season coming, first the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, then the Halloween and of course, Christmas and New Year is looming. Be ready to be submerged by the a fascinating festive edition let your sleeping travel lust awake once again! In this issue, Exotic Voyages is proud to introduce two new countries to our portfolio: Maldives and Dubai. With the addition of these world-renowned luxury destinations, travelers can now explore Asia further and deeper. We will also feature one of our favorite hotels in Bangkok, find out which one is it. But the highlight throughout this issue is Exotic Voyages’ list of 5 travel ideas for this festive season in Asia. In Food Experiences, you will get a glance of an indispensable part of the alluring Thai cuisine, its aromatic spices and herbs. For some “festive eats”, we will talk about the moon cake, an indispensable spiritual icon of Mid-Autumn festival. Asia Insight this time will take you to the streets of 2 enchanting cities in Indochina. In Siem Reap, find out how Shinta Mani Club is helping to promote local products and supporting local communities via an innovative and engaging weekly events called Well Made in Cambodia Market. And in Laos, take a stroll through the peaceful streets of Luang Prabang and follow your appetite to a haven of street foods. And what better way to conclude with some creative ideas for Halloween customs in Travel Fashion? Many thanks again for supporting and trusting us via our latest news and articles on luxury travel Asia. We look forward to a holiday season busy of travel plans and see you soon in December. Exotic Voyages Team !
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TABLE of
CONTENTS
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Travel in style Oriental Residence Bangkok
Food Experience Moon cake A taste of family converging festival
Well Made in Cambodia Market at Shinta Mani Club
Travel Fashion
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5 Suggested Travel Ideas for this XMAS Season
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Spices and Herbs of Thailand
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Asia Insight
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Morning Phousi market in Luang Prabang
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Exotic Voyages Brings to You Two New Destinations
Best advices for perfect choice of Halloween costume
Travel in STYLE It’s all about NEW!
Trendy travel ideas • new and hot destinations • new hotels • new tours and our travel experts’ suggestions.
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EXOTIC VOYAGES Bring to you
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NEW DESTINATIONS Exotic Voyages ended the first half of 2015 on a high note, with the addition of two new destinations to our travel map:
Maldives and Dubai. With both known as world-famous destinations for luxury travelers, this promise to be an exciting time ahead as you can now travel further with us.
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The first country, Maldives, is world renowned for its abundant collection of private and lavish resorts scattered over 26 spectacular atolls. Whether you will be staying at a beachfront villa or an overwater bungalow, be ready for all day sunshine, warm ocean breeze, a wide choice of fine dining, some of the world’s best sites for going underwater and that flawlessly clear water which you can
see through to the bottom. To put it in short, we would like to quote the philosophy of Gili Lankanfushi, one of the best resorts in Maldives No News, No Shoes. Across this tropical paradise country, there is no place for stress and worries. Happiness is just a matter of choice. You even don’t have to worry about picking your own paradise out of so many. Exotic Voyages’ team of travel specialists is always there to make sure you select your perfect Maldives resort.
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Dubai Reaching further to the west, we would like to welcome you all to Dubai, The City of Gold. Rising high above the majestic Arabian Gulf, Dubai used to be just a modest port by the Arabian Gulf. But in less than a generation, the landscape has been completely transformed. Dubai today is a futuristic cosmopolitan that is bound to astonish you with striking skyscrapers, extravagant shopping
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centers and last but not least, some of the most luxurious and unique hotels in the world. Choose from the only 7 star hotel, The Burj Al Arab or The Armani Hotel Dubai which is a part of the world’s tallest building to the opulent Atlantis The Palm or one of our favorites, the distinctive Arabian houses at Madinat Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf.
PERFECT FOR
HOW TO COMBINE
While Maldives may be an ideal destination for honeymoons or couple getaways, Dubai is perfect for traveling families, especially those with kids.
Both Maldives and Dubai are wellknown as short-break destinations. However, they can be great final stops to a two-week discovery of Southeast Asia or a five day trip to Bhutan or Sri Lanka. This year let’s travel further with Exotic Voyages
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MY LAYOVER AT
Oriental Residence Bangkok where Simplicity Meets Excellence
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love Bangkok. And as an experienced traveler who has been to the City of Angels several times before, I have also stayed at several hotels here. However, only a few have stood out to engrave enduring memory. One of which is Oriental Residence Bangkok, a chic hotel that is perfectly located in the heart of the city. I spent only one night here during my 24 hours layover in Bangkok last week but the experience was truly impressive. Bangkok welcomed me with a heavy summer rain in the afternoon. But thanks to the proximity of the hotel to the Suvarnabhumi Airport, I got to the Oriental Residence Bangkok in almost no time. The hotel occupies an outstanding location, rising high above embassy and shopping area of Bangkok. After a smooth check-in, I was escorted to my room. So it only took only 45 minutes to get to my one-bedroom suite with city view after arriving at the airport. My instant impression of the suite is an elegant, modern but very simple interior design. The dominating tone is white mixing with several shades of grey, brings me a cozy but spacious feel. I don’t think any elements in the room are obsolete, so simplicity and practicality is maximized. That’s what I like the most about the suite.
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As the rain stops, I opened the window for a fantastic view of Bangkok. Some famous city’s icon can be visible from here. In the evening, I went out to buy some clothes I needed for my trip to the magical land of Bhutan the next day. Not having really much time, so the excellent location of the hotel once again helps a lot. Many major shopping centers in the city are actually within walking distances. But for those who don’t prefer wander on the streets, the sky train is within walking distance. I came back to the hotel for some dinner after a long day. And I have to say it was one of the best if not the best dinners I’ve ever had in Bangkok. My selected three course dinner was a combination of smoked oysters with green curry, lamb cooked with local herbs and a lovely lemon cake with Thai condensed milk. The menu of Savelberg also offers several other fascinating fine dining selections. After a short chat with my waiter, I later found out that the founder and owner of the restaurant, Mr. Henk Savelberg is the man behind an internationallyacclaimed restaurant in Holland that has been received Michelin star for 18 years running.
It is also much appreciated that Oriental Residence Bangkok boasts excellent Wifi, and this is very important to not just business travelers but almost all of us. I didn’t encounter any tardiness while using the internet at my room before getting a needed sleep on the comfortable bed. I started the next day by breakfast at Café Claire, a boutique dining place with relaxed sophistication and brightly designed interior. I also met an old friend of mine staying in Oriental Residence Bangkok before his journey to Dubai. After breakfast, it was also time to say goodbye to the charming hotel and head off for Paro, Bhutan. As the favorable reviews of the hotel on TripAdvisor suggests, the hotel definitely deserves its rank as one of Bangkok’s finest hotels, with simple but charming design, excellent service and perfect location for not just layovers, business trips but also for some days spent exploring the fascinating city of Bangkok.
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5
Suggested
Travel Ideas FOR 2015
XMAS SEASON Each holiday season comes mean travelers are once again busy with planning for their trips. As a premier luxury travel company, Exotic Voyages have experience in tailoring and catering many XMAS trips to Asia for travelers all over the world. And in this post, we will give you 5 suggested travel ideas for this festive season, given 10 days of traveling:
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Highlights of Vietnam
Hanoi (3N) – Halong Bay (1N) – Phu Quoc (6N) This 10 night trip will let you leisurely experience the best of Vietnam in this festive season. Be ready to jump right in and be immersed in the hectic streets of Old Quarter, where ancient temples and exquisite French colonial architecture co-exist with a young and dynamic pace of life. In days, you will visit the famous city attractions such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature or Hoa Lo Prison and go even further to the suburb area and discover the traditional side of Hanoi, in several handicraft villages. At nights, time is for you to wander around the night scene, experience local cuisine and find your own favorite place of this millennial city. The trip continues with a classic overnight cruise at Halong Bay, an extraordinary natural
maze that will leave you astonished of ever changing seascape dominated with karstic islands and islets as well as spectacular caves and grottoes. As in any other Vietnam trips, it would be a flaw to skip this wondrous legendary bay. Heading for the Southern Vietnam, you will spend the second half of your trip at the idyllic Phu Quoc Island, an emerging beach destination in Southeast Asia. Even though there are many beautiful beaches in Vietnam, not many (if not any) places can be compared with Phu Quoc which offers a little bit of everything, from pristine natural beauty, luxury resorts, sumptuous seafood to underwater sports.
Extension ideas:
• Add 3 or 4 nights further north to explore the sensational mountainous scene and authentic tribal villages. • Add one or even both of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hue and Hoi An.
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Temples and Beaches
Siem Reap (3N) – Phnom Penh (1N) – Sihanoukville (6N) This tour will enable you to experience the old and new, the history and nature of Cambodia, once the home to the powerful Khmer Dynasty. You will start at Siem Reap, the gate to one of the most visited tourist attractions on earth, the Angkor temples. Turn back the clock and admire the great wonder of Angkor Wat, the biggest religious building ever built, before discovering other famous temples in and near the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Many say the optimal time to be spent on exploring Angkor is three days, as there are so many sites to see, so many things to learn. After getting back from the ruins of the past, spend your evening strolling around the tourist area of Siem Reap. Continue your journey to the current capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, once named “The Pearl of Asia”. Be sure to visit the dazzling Royal Palace and the National Museum, in which the largest collection of Khmer artifacts are put on display. But beyond the Khmer nostalgia and glamour, Cambodia is now also attracts many visitors going to its coastal area, to get some rest amidst the serenity of Sihanoukville’s beaches.
Extension ideas:
• Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam first, then meander upstream through the Mekong River to get deep into Cambodia. • Replace the beach stay in Sihanoukville by one in Kep, a sleepy coastal area which is famous for splendid seafood and fabulous sunsets.
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Essential
Thailand Bangkok (3N) – Chiang Mai (2N) – Phuket (5N) Albeit contrastive, both the northern and southern half of Thailand have allured millions of travelers from all over the world in recent decades. With the 10-day Essential Thailand, you will arrive first at the capital city of Bangkok, and soon you will find the reason why it is one of the most captivating cities in the world. In the “City of Angels”, you will see modern Thailand only a few steps away from the past as shopping malls and luxury hotels rub shoulders with sprawling wats and palaces. But many find the biggest attraction of Bangkok is the food scene itself. Coming here means you are immersed yourself in a street food heaven, where new culinary experiences are everywhere to be explored and enjoyed. But there is so much more in Northern Thailand than just Bangkok, travel up north and spend a couple of nights at Chiang Mai, an atmospheric town nestled in the hilly area. Loved by many, Chiang Mai is famous for hundreds of dazzling temples, namely Wat Doi Suthep and Wat Chedi Luang. And when you think you have seen enough of Thai cuisine, you will be surprised by what Chiang Mai food scene has in store for you. The second half of your Thailand trip will be spent in Southern Thailand, a world-renowned area for tropical islands. For the this festive season, we suggest you stay at Phuket, the most popular islands in Thailand is able to accommodate everything you would seek for a beach stay, from a wide range of resorts, to the number of activities available and stunning beaches.
Extension ideas:
• Side-trip and stay 2 or 3 nights at the relaxing town of Luang Prabang in Laos
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• For the beach stay, pamper yourself at the quieter or more laid-back Krabi instead of Phuket.
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Yangon (2N) – Bagan (2N) -- Inle Lake (2N) -- Ngapali (4N)
Magical
Myanmar
Certainly one of the world’s most underrated but serene countries to visit in Asia, Myanmar captivates the travel lusts by its authentic cultures, magnificent stupas and sincere people. You will start at the quaint former capital city of Yangon. Take a walk along the iconic Strand Road and admire at the British colonial buildings, them climb to the exceptional Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the greatest Buddhist temples in the world. Its gilded stupa is so big, it can be seen from almost anywhere in central Yangon. Higher up the legendary Irrawaddy River is the ancient plain of Bagan, where thousands of temples still stands tall through passage of time. While Angkor Wat impresses travelers with the size of the building, Bagan will amaze you by the sheer number of ancient stupa scattered around this historical plain. Another not-to-be-missed destination in Myanmar is Inle Lake. Tens of thousands of inhabitants (most of which belong to the ethnic tribes) called this vast freshwater lake “home”. Here you will have the chance to take part in a variety of activities, including kayaking, sightseeing and visiting the ethnic villages to experience their traditions and customs. And what better ways to conclude your time in the magical land of Myanmar than a beach stay at Ngapali Beach, a destination which referred by many as a resemblance of Thai beaches in the past, equally beautiful only more pristine and quiet.
Extension ideas:
• Add the cultural hub of Mandalay between Bagan and Inle Lake to understand even more about the incredible diversity of Myanmar.
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Luxury South Asia Experience
Colombo (1N) – Anuradhapura (1N) – Sigiriya (1N) - Kandy (1N) – Maldives (6N)
The first half of this exciting South Asia trip will be spent on the tear-shaped island of Sri Lanka. Starting from the capital city of Colombo, you will continue your way up north through the significant sites of the country, go back to the past and discover some of most prominent World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka, including the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the ancient city of Anuradhapura and of course the extraordinary site of Sigiriya, often known as the Lion Rock Fortress. After a memorable historic and cultural expedition in Sri Lanka, take a short flight
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to the south and welcome to the tropical heaven of Maldives, where there is no place for worries and concerns. Pick a luxury resort and let the warm ocean breeze and Maldivian hospitality spirit revitalize you. Take off your shoes and step down to the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean, or take a dive under the water to admire some of the finest diving sites in the world. At nights, you will not have to travel very far to experience a large variety of cuisines as restaurants of Japanese, Italian, Arabian and local Maldivian are located within your resort. A luxury beach stay will not come better than that.
Extension ideas:
• Learn why Bhutan is deemed by many as the world’s happiest place by spending 4 to 6 nights in what we know as the last Shangri-la before landing on Sri Lanka. • Go further west, to Dubai, a cosmopolitan area where daring skyscrapers dominates the skyline and shopping opportunities are endless.
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Spices ofand Herbs hailand T Food Experiences
Thai cuisine is not about simplicity. Nonetheless, it is intricate, like a juggling of various ingredients performed to create a harmonious masterpiece of multi dimension : aroma, taste, texture and color. Many culinary experts will agree that the integral elements of that attention to details in Thai cuisine lie on the world of spices and herbs. Fresh or dried, used for drinks or foods, this world is just massive. And very often, to make a typical Thai dish, you will need a synergistic combination of these aromatic ingredients. But to get a general view, let’s take a look at some of the most popular and essential traditional herbs and spices of Thailand.
Taste the world in your way
Global experiences of local cuisine by gourmet travelers • sharing address for good food and authentic gastronomy
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Chillies
Chillies in Thailand can be in two main forms: fresh chillies and dried chillies (then used to make flaked chillies or chilly pastes). They are used in a wide variety of Thai food (no wonder why most Thai foods are spicy), from salads, soups and curries (especially red curries). Chillies are also beneficial for respiratory system, heart and blood pressure.
Turmetic
This bright orange color root is often used in the northern part of Thailand. Considering its taste is not very strong, the main culinary purpose of turmeric is to add color attribute, as we can see in yellow curries.
Ginger
Ginger is way hotter than its cousin, turmeric. Used as a spice or flavoring ingredient, ginger can be sliced or diced before cooking or even eaten raw. In Thailand, it is most famous for being included in Khanom chin nam ya (Thai noodles with fish-based sauce)
Shallot
Having a flavor of garlic rather than onion, shallot’s aromatic flavor is used in most Thai curry pastes, salads or as a condiment. Pickled and fresh chopped shallots are also eaten as a popular side dish by the Thais
Kaffir lime leaves
A very common ingredient in Southeast Asia, not just in Thailand, these thick, green and glossy leaves brings a distinctive aromatic flavor to the rich Thai soups and curries. The Thais can cook the leaves in the mix as a whole or shred and add them before serving.
Tamirind
The sour flesh of tamarinds tastes much more pleasant than the lime juice. Tamarinds appear in some curries, but most commonly known for being included in Pad Thai. Besides, Thai people also use tamarind juice with ice (often crushed ice) as a refreshing drink in a hot day.
Garlic
Like many other cuisines in Southeast Asia, garlic is an indispensable flavoring ingredient. Garlic can be used in cooked or fried dishes to enhance the taste or used raw in dip sauces, dressings or even on the side. Garlic also brings great health benefits as they contain vitamin C, calcium, protein and plenty of essential minerals for the body.
Lemongrass
The strong aroma of lemongrass is somewhat similar to lemon but somehow the acidity and sharpness is taken off. Lemongrass is used in curry pastes, some stir-fried dishes and soups. Dried lemongrass is can also cure colds and stomachaches.
Galangal
Another member of the ginger family, galangal has an attractive, perfume-like flavor but tastes lighter than ginger, sourer and peppier than turmeric. Used in various curries and soups.
Thai sweet basil
The unique taste (a bit anise-like) of Thai sweet basil can only release its aroma when cooked, mostly in red and green curry pastes.
Lime
If chillies represent the spicy flavor , lime explains why there are many Thai foods that have a lightly sour taste. In fact, limes also enhance the spiciness of curries and salads in which they are added.
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MOON
CAKE A taste of family converging festival
Without the tale of birth that has been handed down from generation to generation like Banh Chung and Banh Day, moon cakes are natuarally presented in full moon tray as a gift to the god, ancestors for homage and aspirations. So moon cake fully covers itself the cultural meaning of a typical cake for the national Mid-Autumn festival. Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam existed for thousands of years, following the seasonal calendar of the agricultural population, a kind of festival marking the full moon day of the year. Because it is counted as one of officially traditional festival in Vietnam so Vietnamese people deeply respects for what offered to their ancestors in this festival. If it is not the delicacies, it must be thing that featured their heart, their desire of happiness and fullness after a year round hard working. There are two types of moon cake: glutinous and baked one. The glutinous one made from glutinous flour the product of rice agriculture; which is the essence of heaven and the earth; the archivement harvested from sweat and efforts of farmers; the proud of Vietnamese people. A moon cake implies its sense of the wrapper of the earth to the menkind, also the protection of the mother’s arms for children. Moon cake is simple cake but it covers itself the deep meaning of humanities like gentle and rustic personality of Vietnamese people.
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Vietnamese people mold moon cake into two different shapes of round (glutinous moon cake) represented for the sky and square (baked moon cake) represented for the ground; that shows philosophy of perfection, implying significant hope for better things and children’s grow-up. Moon cake is also considered as blend of all good things in the earth immolated to the god, to the ancestors for our gratitude and respect. In the full moon night, at the sacred moment, with throbbing drums, folk games in the cool autumn, enjoy the moon cake is such a perfect way of satisfying sensuality spiritual needs, so that cultural values are stored and transmitted across generations. Moon cakes portray the typical Vietnamese taste, along with art of enjoying exquisite delicacies; it is no longer considered as only “delicious delicacy” but also “beautiful delicacy”; beautiful in design, color and taste. And more importantly, it is beauty in meaningful and spiritual values it carries, the more beautiful when it becomes gift of love for our beloved ones. Moon cake was beyond the culinary value to become artistic values, humanity values, containing elite culture essence of Vietnamese people. Although now life is changing that has eroded the traditional beauty away, when the flickering candles are replaced by the battery twinkling lanterns, when the moon cakes wrap all types of abalone, shark fin, saliva swallow and wine to meet the needs of all customers . But mid-autumn festival is still forever the Vietnamese Tet that the children in all around Vietnam are looking forward for the most when the autumn comes. Moon cakes and moon feast tray are what parents show love to their children, a subculture showing close affection in each Vietnamese family.
Le Fenix Sukhumvit Bangkok A DESIGN HOTEL IN BANGKOK
An ode to cool urban living amidst the sea of normal hotels. Le Fenix Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok by Compass Hospitality 33/33 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Klong Toey Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10110, Thailand T +66 2 305 4000 F +66 2 305 4005 enquiry@lefenixbangkok.com www.lefenixbangkok.com
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Well Made in Cambodia Market at Shinta Mani Club Siem Reap has always been a popular destination for responsible travelers who wish to help the communities while traveling by participating various charity activities and events. One of the latest of which is Well Made in Cambodia Market, organized by Shinta Mani Hotel.
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Asia Insight Listen to the sounds, catch the sights and feel your Asia A close-up look into Asia’s local life • sharp insight of customs • religion • culture and the rhythm of life and spirit
ree and open to the public, this event is held on the street in front of Shinta Mani Hotel every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 4 PM to 9 PM. Coming to Well Made in Cambodia Market, you will have the opportunity to see and buy the finest products of craftsmanship across Cambodia. These quality and luxury goods are redefining what it means to be “Made in Cambodia” today. In here, there is nothing as imported products. Although many people would think “locally made” as a euphemism for “justifiably overpriced”, there is something for everyone and fits every budget. With 30 stalls to choose from, you can buy a knitted key-ring for only $1 or a lovely painted bottle of local rice liqueur for $5. But if you think it’s time to splurge, there are hand-made clutched bags and silk shawl for around $200. Each and every item on sale is produced by the hands of a new generation of young and talented Cambodians, some items are even
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made out of recycled papers and packaging. And as you may guess, the products will bring great benefits to these Cambodians, in terms of direct income as well as skill development. During the event, there are also live entertainment, artist workshops and wholesome street food round out the market’s festive and diverse offerings. To make things even more exciting, there are numerous famous artisans and designers participating such as Angkor Artwork, Cambolac, Eric Stocker Laque & Textures, Saomao, Grace Gecko Creations and many more in the future. So if you are traveling to visit the wondrous temples of Angkor and the city of Siem Reap soon, be sure to stop by Well Made in Cambodia Market, one of the newest yet most exciting public markets in the city, to buy yourself some authentic quality products and to give your support to the local communities as well.
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About Shinta Mani Hotel
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hinta Mani Hotel Siem Reap offers authentic Khmer hospitality just a few steps from the tranquil river and a short drive from the Angkor Wat. It consists of two boutique properties, located on both sides of the Oum Khun Street, Shinta Mani Resort and Shinta Mani Club.
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Both properties are designed by world renowned hotel architecture Bill Bensley. Each room and public spaces are inspired by traditional Angkor design concept. The Shinta Mani Club has just been named as the world’s 3rd best hotels by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice thanks to its excellent service and unique style of accommodations.
Shinta Mani Hotel Siem Reap is also well known for participating and organizing various programmes and events that benefits the local communities. The Shinta Mani Foundation, funded by guest stays and private donations, is a nonprofit organization that creates small business startup loans and healthcare programmes.
The hotel also provided proper and free hospitality training for less fortunate people in Siem Reap. Well Made in Cambodia Market is the newest idea to support the local communities organized by Shinta Mani Hotel Siem Reap.
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Morning Phousi market
in Luang Prabang
When other visitors prefer to head to the museum, or more probably the local bar, I am addicted to discover the local life, Luang Prabang’s Phousi market is where I always go whenever I travel to Laos.
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or a pleasant immersion in the local way of life, head over to Phousi Market on the outskirts of town. This open-air, indooroutdoor market has everything imaginable, whether bags of ground chilies, buffalo feet, animal parts, meat, fruits, enamelware, ground spices, vegetables, fermented fish paste, cell phones, watches, backpacks, knives, and much, much more. You can find products that come from everywhere, from Laos (not very many manufactured products, except for the well known Beerlao), Chinese and Thai products as well as indirectly, everything that has any relationship whatsoever with food and that comes from local producers. The fresh market section is similar to the morning market in the city centre but is much larger in scale and variety of products. The smells you come across in this market are very varied. The small amount of air in this area makes the atmosphere heavy, but even so it’s the perfect spot to get
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the feel of the different activities of Luang Prabang and the provinces that surround it. At 7:00am, everything is of course in full swing. The market is organized by item, vendors of a certain product tending to group together. Household and non perishables soaps, batteries, and plastic sandals are off to one side. A few vendors sell iced Lao coffee: thick as molasses and sweet as sin that seems like to wake you up with a slap. Palm sugar, betel nut, and local dried food sit side by side. The sugar is dark brown and formed into cakes. Dried buffalo skin in various stages of transformation: with hair still attached, in larger chunks, cut into thin strips. A gift of the rainy season you can find here is bamboo shoots. We’ve seen them all through Laos and they’re here as well. More mushrooms too, everyday something different and they sell out fast. Eggplants, chilies, cabbages, pumpkins, and more greens, herbs, and foraged jungle leaves than
you can wave a vegetarian at. Dill too which surprises me, but it finds a place in Or Lam the local Luang Prabang stew that incorporates meat, eggplants, and Chili wood. The last has a numbing effect like Sichuan pepper and although you’re not supposed to chew it I always do. Padek, the distant cousin of fish sauce is everywhere. Plastic tubs big enough to wash in are brimming with what looks like raw fish in grey mud. Like Asian shrimp paste, this fermented freshwater fish smells specially that I am not sure all visitors like. It also miraculously transforms when cooked, infusing dishes with a special depth of flavor: a corner of Lao cooking. Women sit folding banana leaves into multitiered sculptures for the Baci ceremony. From pint sized to human height, these green origami pyramids shine with marigolds, gold foil, yellow candles, and white strings.
The strings are tied around guests’ wrists to offer blessing. Stepping outside into the light, more produce, plus baby ducks peeping in the bottom of a cardboard box. Nothing has ever been so cute. Large beetles scuttling around plastic bowls. Piles of larvae shaken from their fungal homes. Tiny pink mangosteens with impossibly sour insides. Fruit from China, apples, longan. Custard apples from Thailand You definitely find all these happy Laotians in morning Phousi market, never stop talking and laughing, the huge quantities of products on the stalls held by Laotians who very often speak nothing else but Laotian. All this, plus the incessant comings and goings of the touktouks, make it a market that should not be missed. The sights, smells and colors are simply fascinating, and many visitors find that going once is not enough.
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With Halloween coming up, you are getting stuck for ideas of choosing costume for this event? No fear, there are plenty of ways to come up with creative ideas for costume while keeping within a budget. Here are some of our advices that will help you to pick your perfect Halloween costume this year.
Find your Halloween style
Travel Fashion
We understand that “Fashion” is an indispensable part of travel! Both fashion and travel reflect who you are, your taste and style as during travel time you are completely free to express yourself. We share with you the latest trends of travel fashion and interesting stories of local customs anywhere you wish to travel to
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Are you Sexy? Scary? Cute? Or Angry? Your Halloween costume is the great way to let people see a side behind of yourself that you don’t usually get a chance to share such as something really fun, wacky or scary. Or, it could emphasize a side of you that everyone already knows and loves well, such as being zany, cheeky or bright. In finding your own Halloween style, think about what you wear on a daily basis that makes you feel comfortable for the most. This is the easiest way to help you to think of costume right away. For example, if you usually wear skirt or a dress? You can pair these things with something a little more exciting to form a costume, such as a witch’s hat on top of a dress. I believe that you will be the cutest witch as ever in the world. In case normally you wear jeans, will a cloak over the top of jeans be a good idea? Also think of the colors you normally wear. If you always wear black, you probably wouldn’t want to be a fairy, although a dark fairy could be a good option. If you like bright colors think of pumpkins, elves, fairies, rainbows, etc. If you like darker colors, think of ghost, vampires, skeletons, evil geniuses, or even maleficent etc. However, feel free to mix and match, as it’s Halloween and anything goes. Also think of your interests. What do you like to do? Make a list of the things you enjoy to do like sport, cosplay, cooking, playing games, dressing up, reading, etc. For example, if you like football, why shouldn’t you be a famous football player; if you’re fan of TV show, dress up as one of the characters you like for the most; if you like animals or food, dress up as your favorite pet or dessert, fruits or anything you like. Match the list of options to the items you have available and be creative.
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Care on budget
Check the weather
Halloween costumes can range from cheap to very expensive, so it’s important to have an idea on what you’d like to spend. When choosing, always check to see what’s included in the costume, because some costumes will be much cheaper than others when add-ons are accounted for. A costume containing, for example, a shirt, pants, hat, wig, and belt will be a good deal if you get cheaper price for a single piece. On the other hand, a single dress or costume item could cost the same amount, so you would need to balance up whether or not it’s worth it to you and fits within your budget. Besides that you should look for sales. Stores have sales all the time for Halloween costumes, especially if it’s very close to Halloween. Be sure to check the TV, internet, and newspaper ads for upcoming sales on Halloween costumes. By checking the sales, you could get a great costume for a small price.
Do check the weather beforehand, both in the days leading up to Halloween and on the day itself. This will help you make the right choices about what to wear and whether you can get away with not wearing an overcoat and tights if it’s cold outside or whether you’ll need an umbrella if it’s rainy. If it’s hot, thick leggings, a jacket, or a heavy costume will not be good choices. Avoid layers, and wear something thin. Lighter colors are better than darker ones. Try putting your hair in a ponytail so you won’t get extra hot. However, if you need to wear layers, I don’t think it’s appropriate one! Find another costume. If it’s cold, wear a coat, and wear a shirt under your costume so you won’t be chilly. Try to choose costume that suits with boots as well.
Keep time in mind Make sure that you have enough time to find your perfect Halloween costume. First of all, start thinking about a month before and try to allow yourself at least two weeks ahead to start to make your choice of costume. Although it seems early, thinking ahead gives you the space to make something that fits well and gives you the chance to run down or change your mind. Try not to buy costumes at the last minute as this will often mean the best costumes are already taken and out of what is left, they may not be in your size or to your liking.
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Consider a group costume If you’re planning to go out with some friends, one cool way to appear is to have matching costumes. This can be hilarious for onlookers who see a bunch of the same characters or similar ones or even group of characters in the series of horrible movies coming to their door. Discuss with your friends if they like your ideas, I do believe they will excitingly support it. Have a memorable Halloween !!!
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