Top 10 things to do in Kuala Lumpur

by kelly opgenoort

Hindu devotees carrying kavadi and paal kadum walking towards the Batu Caves temple to make offerings during the Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves. – Filepic

A Kuala Lumpur resident's guide to the top 10 sights and attractions in and around the Malaysian capital.

DISCOVER Kuala Lumpur and its environs on this tour of its top 10 sights and attractions, as recommended by a local in KL.

1. Petronas Twin Towers

The No. 1 building/attraction that will never cease to amaze me is the Petronas Twin Towers. This skyscraper is visited by millions, loved by all and is like no other building in KL.

No visit to the city is complete without a picture of you standing in front of the twin towers and afterwards enjoying the adjoining park and shopping centre. The sun sets around 7pm in KL, so be sure to visit during the afternoon.

For the traveller who wishes to see the view from up high, buy a ticket to the observation deck which is located on the 86th floor or walk from one tower to the other by using the world’s highest double-decked sky bridge. Make sure that you show up early as ticket sales will start at 8.30am and are quite limited; alternatively, book online.

It's impossible to mention Malaysia without bringing up the Petronas Twin Towers. – Filepic

2. The best food in town – Marini’s on 57

One of the hottest restaurants in KL, Marini’s is divided into a lounge/bar section on one side and restaurant on the other. The food is absolutely incredible and a reservation is needed as this venue is in high demand with the locals.

Marini’s has a spectacular view of the twin towers which can be enjoyed while sipping one of its signature cocktails. A dress code is required so do make sure that you are appropriately dressed for Malaysia’s highest roof-top bar.

Tip: Make dinner reservations at a time that ensures a sunset view from the restaurant.

3. Bazaars during Ramadhan

Ramadhan is one of my favourite times of the year as this country, although well known for its delicious food, offers even better food during the month. You will be able to taste amazing Malaysian dishes that can be found on the many bazaars on the side of the street.

Top bazaars are the ones in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kampung Baru and Subang’s SS18. All bazaars have their own popular dishes and you will notice which stand sells the best food by looking at the turnout.

Tip: Go around 3pm to 4pm when the bazaar is starting and you will be able to get the freshest bites. These bazaars are also a great time for you to get introduced to the locals and improve your Malay.

4. Batu Caves

This Hindu temple and shrine located about 10km north of KL is known for its giant golden statue, Lord Murugan, and the numerous steps that lead visitors up to the top. Batu Caves can be easily reached by train or bus from KL Central.

The busiest day is during the Thaipusam festival when around one million pilgrims visit the site for religious and festival purposes. The 272 steps provide you a great workout while enjoying the view. However, beware of the cheeky monkeys.

5. Petaling Street/China Town

Whenever you crave anything related to Chinese food, make sure you visit China Town, but please note that halal is not a standard word here. For anything pork-related, you can't go wrong in Petaling Street. Also, you can practise your bargaining skills here as there are many stalls that offer knock-off brands.

Many vendors will call out to you here so if you do not like to be pestered, bring your earplugs; for certain you will get a lot of attention! Any typical Chinese dish can be found here, from roasted duck to Hokkien mee and original claypot dishes. Don't leave home without your appetite as you can find delicious and filling food here 24/7.

6. Little India, Brickfields

Try on and customize your own saree or just come to enjoy the numerous curries, naans and other dishes that make the Indian kitchen a true favourite in Malaysia. Girls can also get their customised/traditional henna tattoos.

My suggestion is to visit Vaani’s beauty salon, which is frequented by my friends for occasions like Deepavali. If you want to get the full Brickfields experience then go to KL City Hall to enquire about the guided tour. It is free of charge and will be held every first and third Saturdays of the month.

7. Fraser’s Hill

Fraser’s Hill is located about two hours away from KL in the state of Selangor but is definitely worth the visit. At this beautiful nature reserve you can check out the stunning views, the waterfall and the traditional village.

A highly demanding road that requires maximum physical effort to negotiate awaits cycling enthusiasts.

The Clock Tower in Fraser's Hill is a popular landmark. – Filepic

8. Chocolate at Dip and Dip

Be prepared for a chocolate overdose when going to Dip and Dip. This dessert restaurant offers dishes that are packed with the most delicious chocolate you will ever taste. Abandon all thoughts of a diet as you savour the numerous calorie-laden desserts.

My favourite sweet delight is the chocolate waffle with fruits. Regardless of when you visit, this place will be busy as many have discovered this finger-licking-good restaurant.

9. The Grand Hyatt

The Grand Hyatt is one of the newest hotels in KL and what a view it has! The panoramic 360-degree view is thanks to its giant windows. At the Thirty8 lounge, you can enjoy an amazing live band that plays on Tuesdays/Thursdays and Saturdays.

The reception is located on the top floor so you will first be greeted by a great view. Feel relaxed lounging here and if you are hungry, there is a great restaurant that has already bagged a number of awards.

10. KL Bird Park and Butterfly Park

Both parks offer plenty of fun, no matter what age you are. I come here to just relax and walk through the park as I work on my photography skills. The KL Bird Park and Butterfly Park are in the same vicinity and they offer a great experience for a day trip.

The birds are used to visitors so if you come with some food, they would love to sit on your shoulder and pose for a picture.

At the Butterfly Park, the resident insects will flutter about as you walk through the grounds.

These parks are a soothing escape in a bustling city. – Skyscanner

Lonely Planet picks Penang as top spot for foodies in 2014

Hawker stalls in Gurney Drive, Penang.

PETALING JAYA: Renowned travel guide publisher Lonely Planet has listed Penang as the top culinary spot for 2014, British dailyThe Independent reported.

The Pearl of Orient beat other top culinary spots like Victoria in Australia, North West Spain, the deep south in United States, Lake District in United Kingdom, Puglia in Italy, Georgia and Oaxaca in Mexico to bag the number one spot.

Lonely Planet's commissioning editor Robin Barton said Penang was known for its hawker fare and the "must tries" were char kway teow, Hokkien mee, and asam laksa, according to the report.

"Malaysian hawker food has spread worldwide via food trucks and pop-ups but nothing compares to hitting Penang.

Asam Laksa

"Its food reflects the intermingling of the many cultures that arrived after it was set up as a trading port in 1786, from Malays to Indians, Acehnese to Chinese, Burmese to Thais. The state capital Georgetown is its culinary epicentre," said Barton.

He encouraged foodies to explore the Esplanade Food Centre, where hawker food combined favourably with the seafront location. Barton also encouraged foodies to check out some of the night markets in Penang.

"A pasar malam is an open-air night market and in Penang, you can go to Jelutong on a Friday and Macallum Street market on a Monday.

Char Kway Teow

"The highlight is always the food. At 2am, a different world of stalls serves peppery pork-rib soups, skewered fish balls and sweets such as cendol," said Barton.

Barton also recommended air bandung, which goes well with Malay food.

He ended his review by asking readers to use these words Sudah makan? (Have you eaten yet?) when going to culinary spots.

Titanic Theme Park

Chinese firm all set to build replica of Titanic for a theme park in China.

A CHINESE firm plans to spend US$165mil (RM551.26mil) building a full-scale replica of the Titanic as the main attraction for a theme park.

The original and supposedly unsinkable luxury passenger liner struck an iceberg and went down in the North Atlantic in 1912, killing more than 1,500 people.

The famous ship is a subject of immense fascination for many in China, particularly after the 1997 release of James Cameron’s film on the liner’s doomed voyage.

Little known Chinese energy company Seven Star Energy Investment said the replica, which is expected to cost 1 billion yuan (US$165mil), will be the main attraction for a planned theme park located at Sichuan, a landlocked province famous for its spicy food.

The replica will be docked permanently on a river, the South China Morning Post reported.

“When the Titanic was about to sink, the greatest extent of human spirit and responsibility was shown and that spirit goes beyond borders and it is eternal,” Seven Star chief executive Su Shaojun said in an interview with the state-run Xinhua news agency.

“We chose to rebuild the Titanic in China so that such spirit can be promoted or inherited in the east,” he said.

The replica will also recreate the experience of what it felt like when the luxury liner collided with the iceberg, Xinhua reported, though it gave no details of how the deadly collision would be replicated.

Construction of the ship, which is 270m long, is expected to be completed in two years and will be based on designs of the Titanic’s sister ship, RMS Olympic, which was in service from 1911 to 1935, the SCMP reported.

Seven Star is not the only group with dreams of recreating the Titanic.

Flamboyant Australian tycoon Clive Palmer previously unveiled a plan last year to build a seaworthy replica of the Titanic which is scheduled to make its first Atlantic crossing in 2016.

Palmer’s Titanic II will feature modern modifications – including many more lifeboats than the original – but will try to remain as true as possible to the famous liner.

The violin played by the Titanic’s bandmaster as the ship sank beneath the waves sold at auction for £900,000 (RM4.9mil) last October, smashing the previous £220,000 (RM1.2mil) record for memorabilia from the doomed liner. – AFP Relaxnews

Solid Gold iPhone 5s

ULTRA-EXCLUSIVE: Hadoro presents a luxury edition of the iPhone 5s in solid gold. - ©Hadoro/AFPRelaxnews 2014

Hadoro, a French firm specialising in high-end mobile phones, has launched a new, ultra-exclusive version of the iPhone 5s. The model features a solid gold case made using the latest 3D printing technology and finished by hand.

Hadoro's craftsmen have produced only 50 of these prestigious smartphones, each made with 125g of solid 18K gold. Each case was produced using a state-of-the-art 3D printer before being brushed, polished and perfected by hand.

This version of the iPhone 5s, priced at €55,000 (around RM$248,600), is available in yellow or rose gold. The first models are available for sale at the famous fashion and accessory boutique Colette in Paris. - AFPRelaxnews 2014

WhatsApp + Facebook

NEW YORK (AFP) - WhatsApp's 450 million worldwide users were unable to access the smartphone free-messaging service for several hours on Saturday, three days after Facebook declared it was lavishing up to US$19bil on it.

"Sorry we currently experiencing server issues. We hope to be back up and recovered shortly," WhatsApp said in a message on Twitter that was retweeted more than 25,000 times in just a few hours and provoked ridicule because it comes so soon after Facebook's hefty acquisition.

Some WhatsApp users found they were unable to connect to the app, while others complained their messages were not going through.

WhatsApp did not say how long the outage lasted, but about 2.5 hours later it tweeted again to say: "WhatsApp service has been restored. We are sorry for the downtime..."

The specialist website techcrunch.com suggested the problem might be down to "a surge of signups and usage that has overloaded its servers" after the publicity the app garnered following Facebook's announcement on Wednesday.

Facebook is betting huge on mobile with the eye-popping cash-and-stock deal for WhatsApp, which was only started five years ago but has quickly grown as a free alternative to text messages.

It is Facebook's biggest acquisition and comes less than two years after the California-based Internet star raised US$16bil in the richest tech sector public stock offering.

Neither WhatsApp nor Facebook were immediately available for comment.

However, the outage was the source of much amusement - as well as anger - on Twitter.

"I expect you are all away from your desks on the ales drinking some of that Facebook cash!" one user, "leonclarance," replied to WhatsApp's tweet about the blackout.

Another simply tweeted: "Turn down Facebook's offer guys!"

Should users be concerned that Facebook has just bought the social messaging app for an incredible US$19bil (RM62.83bil), or should they just keep calm and carry on texting? 

Not everyone who uses Facebook uses WhatsApp and vice versa, but, more importantly, not every person using WhatsApp likes or wants to use Facebook. 
So no doubt, they will be asking themselves a number of questions, now that the social messaging app has become the latest item on Facebook's shopping list to get ticked off. 

But before users hit the delete button, bear in mind how Facebook has treated Instagram since it was snapped up in 2012. The image sharing site has been left to its own devices, even if integration with Facebook has somewhat improved. 

And Facebook is promising the same hands-off treatment with WhatsApp — the company's co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will get a seat on Facebook's board and will continue to be directly involved with the service. 

Facebook has promised that it will simply help WhatsApp to grow via its platform, coding and financial clout. So no rebranding, and no ads appearing within messages. 

"WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable," said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO. "I've known [WhatsApp co-founder] Jan for a long time and I'm excited to partner with him and his team to make the world more open and connected." 

WhatsApp already has over 450 million users and they love the app so much that they already use it to send more messages than the world's entire traditional SMS text message traffic. What's more, it is growing by a further 1 million users every day. But that's unsurprising considering that the service is ‘free'. 

Anyone can download and start using the app for nothing to send text, voice and picture messages and, if they like its performance, can agree to pay an annual subscription fee, equal to US$1 (RM3.30) following the first year's use.
 
Of the acquisition, Jan Koum, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO, said: "WhatsApp's extremely high user engagement and rapid growth are driven by the simple, powerful and instantaneous messaging capabilities we provide. We're excited and honored to partner with Mark and Facebook as we continue to bring our product to more people around the world." 

2014 is expected to be the year in which instant and social messaging app use not only explodes, but starts to challenge services like Facebook and Google+ as mobile-first social networks. 

According to the latest figures from Juniper Research, published this week, instant messaging apps will account for 75% of all messaging traffic on networks — that's 63 trillion messages — by 2018. 

In fact the growth in popularity has been so pronounced that Juniper had to revisit the subject. 

"Adoption of IM apps has rapidly accelerated over the past 18 months, something which has led Juniper to revise upwards our forecast for the volume of IM traffic," said the company's Sian Rowlands. 

Rowlands also notes that one of the reasons why apps like WhatsApp and Line are generating so much traffic is because they're aren't simply being used as ‘free' SMS replacements. Users treat them like ongoing conversations, sending upwards of 10 messages to convey something that would have been explained via a single text message sent over cellular networks. — ©AFP/Relaxnews 2014 

City of Good Feng Shui

by sun ye

Bailu village has more than 60 ancestral temples of grey tiles and white walls, believed to bring good qi, or energy, from heaven. – China Daily

When you are in Ganzhou city, you eat, breathe and sleep the intricacies of feng shui – something that would be good to know as we usher in the Year of the Horse.

IT’S mystic, according to believers. That feng shui thing. For example, the direction of the mansion door of a house could influence the life of a family. It could drain a family’s entire fortune or guarantee high-ranking bureaucracy jobs for generations to come. In Bailu village, or the village of egrets near Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, villagers opt to err on the side of caution.

The village of Huizhou-style architecture, narrow brick alleys and quiet corners, looks like a scene from a landscape painting. It sits at the foot of five sprawling mountain ridges and faces a stream coming down from the east.

Its first settler, a middle-aged Hakka by the name of Zhong Yu, founded the scenic place about 900 years ago. It is said that he had a dream of droves of egrets soaring into the clouds and leading him to wild nests of eggs. His dream came true and that’s why he named the village after the auspicious birds. He also started his adventure of exploring the village for good omens.

Following his investigations, he concluded that the position of the mountains in the village welcomed Chinese dragons and the flowing waters bring wealth.

The village grew, all the while adhering to the principles of feng shui, directly translated as “wind and water”.

Doors are built aligned with the direction of the stream. Houses are erected to face the valleys of the mountains for an “unblocked fortune”.

Bats that invite happiness, cranes that ensure longevity, carps that promise high official ranks are engraved on gables, walls and stone blocks.

Now the village has more than 60 ancestral temples of grey tiles and white walls, believed to bring good qi, or energy, from heaven.

Every generation of the Zhong family has been blessed with good fortune, widely attributed to their qi management.

One descendant was so well-off that when he dispensed his fortunes among his sons in his twilight years, some 20 patios were filled with bars of silver and gold.

Mansions aside, the village is a picturesque and friendly hideout with clear water and balmy breezes.

One of the attractions of the village is the Zhong family temple, a high-ceilinged grand worship sanctuary.

There, you will be greeted with bowls of homemade rice wine – sweet, cool and strong. Or bowls of tea that taste salty, warm and soothing. The tea is a mixture of ground peanuts, vegetables and sesame.

While sipping the wine or tea, you will most likely witness six to 12 men stripped to the waist circling a bucket of steaming millet, thumping at it with wooden clubs while chanting.

They will then produce cakes and balls of rice pudding – hot and smooth. The pudding goes well with the local dressing of soybean sauce and chillies. They also make crispy rice chips.

Occasionally, in the evenings, visitors can join in a show of fire.

All families chip in their share of tiles, wooden sticks, sulphur and most recently, kerosene for fuel. Strong young men lay them up and set the pointed pile on fire. Balls of flame would explode upward towards the starry sky.

The redder the tile gets, the more auspicious it is supposed to be. It’s good feng shui for those who witness the event. Most people stay for hours until only the ashes remain.

Originally, the fire event was the Hakka ancestors’ annual autumn harvest celebration to thank gods for good yields and wish for a plentiful new year.

The residents of Bailu are migrants from the north. Although they do not farm anymore, they continue to honour the tradition that brings good fortune to them.

As you return to your room for a rest, meditate on the engraved symbols around – snakes, toads, deer and bats. If you happen to dream of the egrets, good fortune may come your way.

When you are in Ganzhou, visit the scenic Sanliao village located in the north of Bailu village.

The village crowns itself as the origin of feng shui theories. Among the feng shui masters from the village are those who have chosen the sites for Beijing’s Forbidden City and tombs of past emperors.

When one looks from afar, one is supposed to be able to see the perfect line-up of the village houses, shaped like a Chinese dragon, with very strong claws.

The village also has fortune-tellers who will offer to dissect your name, your zodiac sign, your birthday and wedding day.

And unless you follow a fortune-teller into the village now lined with newly erected mystic feng shui symbols and tablets, you will very likely be oblivious to the good omens – like how a water pond gathers good qi from the mountains and a family wall puts off evil spirits.

These fortune-tellers will imbue in you with time-honoured rules of feng shui that may one day come in handy: Place an elephant in your house, it’s the most auspicious animal; put a gourd at home, it gathers good fortune; if you have golden toad figurines, their mouths should face the safe so that you will accumulate more wealth.

There are so many rules. Unless one is a professional, one can’t remember all of them. But there is one wise sentence to take away with you: Nobody but the gods can determine your fate, but good virtues work a very long way. – China Daily/Asia News Network

'Naked' Nasi Lemak

SEPANG: The fried anchovies and roasted peanuts from a typical Malaysia Airlines (MAS) inflight nasi lemak meal had to be removed on flights departing on Jan 29 as they were stale and contaminated, said MAS.

Chef Wan, on an economy flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok that day, commented on Instagram that he received a nasi lemak telanjang (“naked” nasi lemak) from the airline.

“What happened was that we found small stones, while the peanuts tasted rancid. To avoid food safety issues, we suspended all anchovies and peanuts from being served on all flights that day,” said MAS Food and Beverage manager and executive chef Zahiddin Dris.

“We could not replace the condiments because our suppliers had closed their business to celebrate Chinese New Year,” he told reporters during a tour of MAS’ inflight caterer, Brahim’s Airline Catering, here yesterday.

Chef Wan’s nasi lemak only had half a hard boiled egg and some sambal on the side, to which he remarked that the national carrier should show some pride in showcasing what is arguably one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes.

Zahiddin said fried anchovies and peanuts were normally served and packed separately from the rice.

“This is to maintain the freshness and taste of the anchovies and peanuts,” he said, adding that it was not viable to serve sliced cucumbers for economy class meals in both domestic and regional flights because the vegetable would turn soggy and taste weird after being heated twice.

The crew would also not have the time to serve cucumbers separately to economy class passengers due to time constraints. 

Source: The Star

Maldives Tops Honeymoon List

by s.s. yoga

As a dream honeymoon spot, the Maldives is a clear favourite. – Photo from Agoda.com

Still feeling the love two days after Valentine's Day? It's never too late to plan a romantic getaway with your partner. This list of top honeymoon spots should help.

TO be in the throes of passion and love and needing a place to share it with that loved one, think Maldives. The Indian Ocean paradise is the hottest choice for honeymooners, not just to Malaysians but also to the rest of the world.

According to the results of a Global Honeymoon Survey conducted by Agoda.com – one of Asia’s leading hotel booking sites – Maldives is the No. 1 dream honeymoon location. The island nation received a little over 20% of the votes from around the world – an outcome that matched that of Malaysian voters.

“We know the Maldives is a popular destination for couples but we were surprised that its allure is so global. Among countries where we had more than 100 respondents, only three didn’t pick it as the most popular dream honeymoon destination – the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand,” said Errol Cooke, Global Hotels vice-president.

The survey, carried out online in January and February 2014, asked more than 15,000 Agoda.com travellers to pick their dream honeymoon location from among 20 destinations listed.

Greek Islands came a far second at 7.8% but was closely followed by Paris and Bali at No. 3 and 4 (7.6% and 7.1%) repectively.

Hawaii and Italy came next with 6.6% and 6.5% respectively.

For Malaysian travellers, Paris (14%) and Istanbul (10%) were the second and third choices. Bali, relatively close to Malaysia, was next, with New Zealand rounding out the top five.

The Maldives was a global choice among Agoda.com travellers from Asia, North America and Europe.

Outcome for the first runner-up wasn't as unanimous. To Europeans it was Bali while North Americans opted for the Greek Islands.

The survey also revealed that Europeans preferred far-flung places, with 89% picking destinations outside of their region.

Meanwhile, Cancun, Mexico, often touted as one of the world’s best honeymoon spots, didn’t fare as well among Agoda.com customers. Only 2.4% selected it as their No. 1 location.

Of the 20 choices available, Croatia and Montreal were the least popular, with 1% and 0.9% respectively.

Source: The Star

Italy's Cittaslow - Slow City

Orvieto, Italy, has become the Cittaslow’s international headquarters and its showcase town. – AFP

Italy’s Cittaslow movement gathers speed internationally.

EVEN as city living booms around the world, the Slow City movement directed by an intrepid Italian is gaining a global following with a back-to-basics campaign to make small towns the new place to be.

From his hometown of Orvieto – a hilltop medieval gem surrounded by castles and vineyards in central Umbria – Pier Giorgio Oliveti has helped expand Cittaslow to 28 countries including South Korea, Turkey and the United States.

”Cittaslow is about appreciating what we are and what we have, without being self-destructive and depleting values, money and resources,” Oliveti told AFP.

”It is an antidote against negative globalisation,” the bushy-bearded former journalist said.

Founded in 1999 by a Tuscan mayor eager to extend the healthy living philosophy of Italy’s Slow Food movement to urban life, Cittaslow currently boasts 183 members, with another dozen applications for membership pending.

The movement’s symbol – derived from that of the Slow Food movement – embodies their philosophy: a snail carrying a town built on its shell.

Would-be candidates must have fewer than 50,000 inhabitants and city halls have to respect strict criteria like promoting organic and urban farming and introducing food appreciation classes in schools.

Orvieto, one of the first towns to sign up 15 years ago, has become the movement’s international headquarters and its showcase town.

Small family-run trattorias dish out locally-sourced wine and delicacies – another requirement for Cittaslow towns – and farmers hawk their wares at the market, which also serves as the community’s lively social hub.

The town hosts a family-friendly jazz festival and locals such as fireman Luciano Sabottini pride themselves on offering such a relaxing atmosphere to tourists that “those who come from Rome or Milan leave again mellowed out”.

Pollution levels are low: visitors park in large underground carparks, masked from sight behind earthy walls which blend into the rockface, and take escalators installed in old aqueduct tunnels up to the pedestrianised centre.

Schoolchildren are walked to school every day in groups by parent volunteers in an initiative dubbed “PiediBus” (FootBus) in a procession through town streets.

Mayor Antonio Concina says running a Slow City is “neither difficult nor odd”.

”It’s not a matter of stopping progress to allow a town to respect the slow rules. They can go hand in hand.”

Challenging times

But Cittaslow’s message of environmentally-friendly, human-sized policies to improve urban life is being challenged by an economic crisis in Italy that has pushed unemployment to record-high levels.

Orvieto has not been spared: according to a report by town assembly members, “entire sectors have closed”, with 153 businesses shutting shop in the past four years and unemployment at 35.4% – far higher than the national average.

”We’re are fighting to keep our heads above water. Orvieto was once full of carpenter workshops, there was one on every street. I think we’re the only ones left,” said Gaia Ricetti, whose family has worked wood for seven generations.

The large, 18th-century Michelangeli workshop hidden down a cobbled street in the centre of Orvieto is abuzz with electronic saws – the sound of industry Concina says he would be keen to hear more of, slow city or not.

”Not having large-scale industries does hamper economic development,” and multinationals like coffee chain Starbucks “would mean work, a living economy”, although Concina said he would definitely prefer not to have any Starbucks around.

Oliveti believes the Cittaslow philosophy can be used to the same end, by “privileging a community’s qualities, such as craftmanship, technology or tourism, and using them as a key to overcome the economic crisis”.

Orvieto prides itself on its remaining traditional artisans, printers and potters, working in old laboratories dotted around the town centre.

”We have clients from Italy and abroad, but no plans to move away to expand the business. It’s not about money, it’s about living a tranquil life,” said ceramics maker Walter Ambrosini, as he put freshly-crafted cups into a kiln.

Despite the crisis, Ricetti agreed: “We would not be able to produce the same quality of product without the slow component. We weather our wood for five years before working it and Orvieto gives us the time and space to do so.”

While the movement is currently limited to small towns, Oliveti said he hopes to persuade larger cities from Barcelona to Seoul to adopt some of the movement’s ideas and generate “islands of Cittaslow culture” in the bustle. – AFP Relaxnews

Top 25 Most Visited Cities

by s.s. yoga

As in the year before, Hong Kong in 2012 hosted the most foreign visitors. – AFP

Have a look at the top 25 cities that received the most foreign visitors in 2012.

EVERYONE and their grandparents seemed to have headed to Asia in 2012. And Kuala Lumpur snagged a spot in the top 10 most visited cities by foreigners in that year – coming in at sixth.

The number of international tourist arrivals in 2012 was tracked by London-based market research firm Euromonitor, which released the report recently. According to AFP, Hong Kong maintained its top ranking with 23,770,200 foreigners visiting its shores in that year.

In fact, Asian cities tightened their stranglehold on the market, taking six of the top seven positions; the monopoly was broken only by London at fourth.

In addition, more than half of the top 25 cities that received the most foreign visitors were in Asia. China assumed four spots – two more if you include the SAR regions of Hong Kong (No. 1) and Macau (No. 5). Thailand has three with Bangkok at No. 3, tying overall with the United States but New York came in only at eighth.

AFP reported analysts as attributing Bangkok's high position to the wild popularity of the 2012 Chinese film Lost In Thailand. As a result, London was pushed a rung below its No. 3 perch achieved in 2011.

Here are the top 25 city destinations based on the number of international arrivals in 2012 as recorded by Euromonitor:

1. Hong Kong – 23,770,200 visitors

2. Singapore – 21,345,700

3. Bangkok, Thailand – 15,822,600

4. London, Britain – 15,461,000

5. Macau – 13,360,800

6. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 13,339,500

7. Shenzhen, China – 12,100,400

8. New York City, USA – 11,618,000

9. Antalya, Turkey – 10,296,600

10. Paris, France – 9,780,800

11. Istanbul, Turkey – 8,820,100

12. Rome, Italy – 8,670,000

13. Dubai, UAE – 8,023,000

14. Guangzhou, China – 7,879,600

15. Phuket, Thailand – 7,217,000

16. Mecca, Saudi Arabia – 6,852,900

17. Pattaya, Thailand – 6,564,300

18. Taipei, Taiwan – 6,561,200

19. Prague, Czech Republic – 6,547,700

20. Shanghai, China – 6,539,700

21. Las Vegas, USA – 6,298,000

22. Miami, USA – 5,987,000

23. Barcelona, Spain – 5,459,100

24. Moscow, Russia – 5,036,200

25. Beijing, China – 5,035,400

Source: The Star

Nudism Banned In China

by wang qian AND huang yiming

The popular Dadonghai beach in Sanya. In recent years, more people have come to the southern Chinese city for nude swimming and sunbathing. – Xinhua

Authorities have banned nude sunbathing and swimming in ‘China’s Hawaii’, citing both as ‘uncivilised’.

NUDE sunbathing and swimming are forbidden on public beaches in Sanya in China’s southernmost Hainan province, the city’s mayor said.

“Police officers will patrol the public beaches, telling people to wear bathing suits, and can detain those who refuse to do so,” said Sanya mayor Wang Yong during the ongoing annual session of the provincial people’s congress on Sunday.

Wang said nude swimming and sunbathing are uncivilised behaviour and may disturb other beachgoers.

According to a notice released by Sanya police, people who insist on swimming or sunbathing naked will be detained for five to 10 days. Since Thursday, police have posted notices to this effect throughout the popular resort destination, also known as “China’s Hawaii”.

Police said surveillance cameras would also be installed on beaches.

Luo Baoming, Party chief of Hainan province, criticised the behaviour as uncivilised and “against Chinese traditions and culture”.

“Normal people wouldn’t do such things,” Luo said.

Nude swimming and sunbathing are not new to Sanya. Several people were discovered in 2002 and claimed it helps cure skin disease, Wang said.

In recent years, more people have come to Sanya for nude swimming and sunbathing. About 500 Chinese and foreign tourists visit the Dadonghai Scenic Area each day at peak times, local media reported.

During the seven-day Spring Festival holiday from Jan 30, many tourists and residents complained to local authorities that nude swimming and sunbathing should be banned, because the behaviour is disrespectful of females and children.

Li Qing, a resident of Sanya, applauded the ban.

“I have a daughter. How can I explain to her if we pass naked men sunbathing at Dadonghai?” Li told Xinhua News Agency.

A local tour guide, surnamed Wang, said it is “embarrassing” for her to encounter naked sunbathers, especially when she is with clients.

Sanya received nearly 710,000 visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday, up 25% year-on-year.

Many netizens said creating a nudist beach could solve the problem, but Mayor Wang dismissed the suggestion as impossible for Sanya.

Lu Zhiyuan, director of the Hainan tourism development commission, said travellers should respect Chinese culture.

Kirmo Wilen, a photographer from Finland who travelled to Hainan during Lunar New Year, said he respects Chinese culture but nude swimming or sunbathing is not considered uncivilised in Western countries.

There are hundreds of nudist beaches around the world, with the Leucate Plage beach in France ranked No. 1 by lifestyle website therichest.com.

However, the concept of nudism is not widely accepted in China.

Many places, including Heilongjiang, Sichuan and Zhejiang provinces, have tried to create nudist spots since 2000, but all failed because of the huge controversy raised. – China Daily/Asia News Network

Australian Cities At A Glance

by jason godfrey

He made it! Jason grinning widely after climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge.

There’s so much that this vast continent has to offer, with each city having its own charm and attraction.

AUSTRALIA may be known for its unique wildlife and landscapes but the Merry Ol’ Land of Oz has got much more to offer if you’re craving an urban vacation. The hard part is picking just which city Down Under is going to float your boat. To make your work sourcing a city getaway much easier, I’m providing the Jason Down Under guide to Your Australian Urban Vacation!

The Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane is one of the premier art galleries in Australia.

Sydney, New South Wales

It seems like everyone and their cousins want to visit this place and, what can I say, it’s uber cool – from surfing in beautiful Bondi Beach to shopping at the Pitt Street Mall, to grabbing dinner at one of the awesome restaurants in Darling Harbour. The question is: Are you cool enough for Sydney?

Jason’s picks:

> Sydney Harbour Bridge: Climbing is a great way to get up this iconic structure! Matt Damon, Teri Hatcher and Will Smith are among the celebrities who have done so.

> Vivid Sydney: This light and art show, held at the end of May, transforms the city into a spectacular sight.

The Cascade Brewery in Hobart is reportedly the oldest brewery in Australia. Wonder if that fountain flows with beer?

Brisbane, Queensland

A river runs through it but I can’t guarantee hot blond men ala Brad Pitt will be there; still, it is Australia so there’s a pretty good chance. The meandering Brisbane River really sets the city apart; the relaxed, sub-tropical flair helps, too. Kayak along the river and see the skyline from a totally different perspective. If you don’t want to get in the way of the rivers’ dolphins and bull sharks (seriously, they’re in there), you can bike, run, or walk alongside the waterway to take in the sights.

Jason’s picks:

> Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA): Just when you thought the city was all about the river, Brisbane lets you get artsy at one of the premier art galleries on the continent.

> The Story Bridge: Abseil off it and create your own story.

Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art is an art gallery like no other.

Hobart, Tasmania

With a population of about 200,000, Tasmania is nowhere close to giving you a fear of crowds. Hobart has an 18th century feel about it, with many of its hippest hotels and eating spots occupying turn-of-the-century, factory-style buildings. And seafood doesn’t get any fresher than in Hobart, unless you’re in the water, eating it!

Jason’s picks:

> Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), an art gallery like no other. Provocative, shocking and unforgettable, it’s a must-see. Even their toilets are art exhibits; using one of their bathroom stalls literally gave me the shock of a lifetime.

> Cascade Brewery: It claims to be Australia’s oldest beer-manufacturing enterprise, at 175 years old. Go on a tour, taste the beer, or do both at the same time.

Part of the marvellous city skyline of Melbourne.

Melbourne, Victoria

Perhaps the most European city in Australia, Melbourne is a collection of quirky lanes with incredible food, great fashion, and so many alfresco cafés it gives Paris a run for its euros. The capital of Victoria has a chilled, cosmopolitan feel to it. This is a city where they’ve got a laneway for everything, be it outdoor eating, coffee or graffiti art.

Jason’s picks:

> Collins Street: Start at the Paris end of this street for luxury brands like Chanel, Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton, then head to Little Collins Street for edgy boutiques that won’t stress your credit cards’ limit.

> The Australian Open. Enjoy the match (held in January), Aussie style, in a beer garden or grab tickets and watch tennis’ biggest stars grunting as they hammer a ball at each other.

Learn to ring the massive bells at Bell Tower in Barrack Square, Perth.

Perth, Western Australia

Built on the banks of the Swan River, the capital of Western Australia is known for its blue skies and stunning natural setting. Perth has all the trappings of a metropolis – great food, amazing sights, pristine waterways and the incredible Botanic Gardens at King’s Park.

Jason’s picks:

> The Bell Tower (or the Swan Bell Tower): Ringing bells in a tower doesn’t sound that hard to do until you do it yourself. Learn how to ring these massive bells without causing bodily harm to yourself. Seriously.

> Fremantle Prison, a former maximum-security jail. Each cell has an incredible story attached to it, and maybe even some artwork!

Adelaide’s Central Market is the place to go to for cheeses, among a host of other things.

Adelaide, South Australia

In Adelaide, the first place I went to was Montefiore Hill where the statue of Colonel William Light stands; he is perpetually pointing at the wide lanes and lush parks covering much of the city he planned. He looks quite proud, as he should be, as Adelaide has grown into a culturally diverse, relaxed city where most of the attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Jason’s picks:

> The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery and the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.

> Adelaide Central Market: It opened over a hundred years ago and has been going strong ever since. This is the place for getting fresh produce, meat and cheeses, and dipping strawberries in fondue.

So there you have it, the tip of the iceberg of figuring out which Australian city to check out. No matter what urban experience you seek, Australia has it – plus a whole lot more. 

Source: The Star