girl beach

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Diving into Krabi adventure

MY PAPER, MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011, PAGE A12 & A13, TRAVEL
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2011-05-30
Source Website: http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/features/646238/Diving_into_Krabi_adventure.html
By Joy Fang, joyfang@sph.com.sg, my paper | Mon, May 30 2011

PHOTO: The writer kayaking on the Ao Thalane, which winds through canyons and mangrove forests.
Photo by Joy Fang
MY PAPER, MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011, PAGE A12 & A13, TRAVEL
http://static.relax.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/relax/646238/topImage/Diving_into_Krabi_adventure-topImage.jpg

PHOTO: The sweet life on pleasure island
http://static.relax.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/relax/307622/topImage.jpg
http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/media/307558/The_sweet_life_on_pleasure_island.html

In Krabi, amateur thrill-seekers enjoy plenty of opportunities to get their feet wet.

SAY the words "adventure junkie" and you'll probably think of those who are mad about skydiving, bungee jumping and the like.

Adventure of a different but no less exciting kind awaits in Krabi, where amateur thrill-seekers enjoy plenty of opportunities to get their feet wet.

Known to many as a near- pristine beach getaway, Krabi is anything but a sleepy holiday destination.

The coastal province in southern Thailand faces the Andaman Sea, offering sports activities such as white-water rafting, rock climbing and canoeing. There's even a shooting range available. With so much to do, a day in Krabi is never dull.

my paper highlights a few activities that even amateurs can try. The many tour operators in Ao Nang - arguably the most popular beach destination in the province - offer packages for the activities mentioned here. Or, check with your hotel for more options.

PHOTO: White-water rafting on the Khlong Song Phraek river offers plenty of wet and wild fun.
Photos: myp, Joy Fang
MY PAPER, MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011, PAGE A12 & A13, TRAVEL
http://static.relax.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/relax/647012/topImage.jpg

Splashin' good time

White-water rafting on the Khlong Song Phraek river, which flows from Phang Nga province north-west of Krabi, is like being on a ride at Disneyland, except it's about 10 times crazier.

Prices range from 1,800 baht (S$74) for a 5km trip with lunch, to 2,300 baht for a 9km trip.

White-water rafting can be found in other Asian destinations like Bali, but while the boatmen at that Indonesian resort tend to be cautious, those in Krabi push for maximum thrill in the waves.

They charge forward, yelling with excitement at every surge, and gleefully splash cold water at you at every chance.

Paddle fun

If the rush of thundering swells doesn't float your boat, a relaxing day spent canoeing is another option.

Krabi has plenty of nooks and crannies that serve as perfect canoeing spots, and several tour agencies offer half- or full-day tours to these places.

Those heading to Ban Bor Thor will enter a maze of mangrove trees and caves containing wildlife and ancient cave paintings, while those heading to Hong Island will get to snorkel and visit sparkling lagoons.

This writer settled for a trip to Ao Thalane, where she wove lazily through narrow limestone canyons and dense mangrove forests.

The scenery was breathtaking, with sun rays striking the lovely karst formations towering overhead, sending rainbow colours across the sky. There was also a brief stop at a sand bank, where millions of tiny crabs scuttled by before diving into their shelters in the sand. [Karst is a distinctive topography in which the landscape is largely shaped by the dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrock (usually limestone, dolomite, or marble). ]

Based on the experience of this writer - who spent 500 baht for half a day of canoeing with lunch - scouting around to compare prices is a must. The same package can often range between 900 and 1,050 baht.

PHOTO: Gentle Creatures. The elephants used to give people rides through the rainforest taking a break from work.
Photos: myp, Joy Fang
MY PAPER, MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011, PAGE A12 & A13, TRAVEL
http://static.relax.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/relax/647028/topImage.jpg

Safari goodness

An elephant ride is another activity that tends towards the leisurely. Led by guides, the lumbering creatures will take you through rubber plantations and muddy streams.

An hour-long ride costs around 750 baht for adults, while a half-day tour including a two-hour ride and lunch

would set you back about 1,700 baht.

Alternatively, you can opt for a horse-riding tour, which takes you on a trek along the beach or through the forest.

A one-hour ride along the beach costs about 750 baht, while a half-day tour, which allows you to swim with your horse at high tide, costs around 1,800 baht.

PHOTO: A horse-riding tour in Krabi usually means a trek along the beach or through the forest.
PHOTO: INTERNET
MY PAPER, MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011, PAGE A12 & A13, TRAVEL
http://static.relax.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/relax/647028/topImage.jpg

On the rocks

Rock climbing is the sport to try in Krabi, where courses for beginners take place amid gorgeous surroundings. A popular choice is Railey Beach, a short boat ride away from Ao Nang.

Half-day tours might be best for beginners, who'll get four hours of climbing at heights from 10m to 27m.

Adults pay about 1,000 baht for such sessions.

Trigger happy

Want to relive your childhood dreams of wielding a gun and shooting the baddies?

You can do so by heading to Ao Nang's shooting range, where you'll get to choose firearms ranging from semi-automatics to shotguns - including Beretta pistols and Magnum revolvers - and shoot rounds at still targets.

A 38mm revolver with 10 bullets will set you back 980 baht, while a 9mm semi-automatic pistol with 10 rounds costs 1,150 baht.

Now, that is a surefire recipe for an adrenaline rush.

How to get there

Tiger Airways flies daily from Singapore to Krabi. Prices range from around $42 to $130 for a one-way ticket (excluding taxes).

Flights take about one hour and 40 minutes.

What you need to know

- For white-water rafting, canoeing, elephant trekking, adventure tours and island hopping, visit Ao Nang, where a long trail of shops and travel agencies line the beach front.

Agencies usually cobble to- gether different packages. For example, a white-water rafting package might also offer all- terrain vehicle rides or elephant trekking.

Prices can range from 500 baht (S$20) to more than 2,000 baht, depending on what you choose. For Ao Nang Shooting Range, visit 99/9 Moo 2 Ao Nang Rd (tel: +66-075-695555). It is open from 10am to 8pm.

- The best time to visit Krabi is from November to March, when temperatures are cool and rainfall is at the lowest. Avoid July to October, which coincides with the rainy season.

- To get around, take a tuk-tuk, which costs a fixed price of 20 baht per person.

For longer trips (for example, from Ao Nang to Krabi Town), look out for songthaews - white or red taxi-trucks that run along set routes. Check with your hotel for their schedules and tips on how to hail one.

You can also rent a motorcycle. Long-tail boats are available between islands.

- Take sufficient baht along as most small shops accept only cash. There are only a few banks with automated teller machines and currency-exchange centres.

By Joy Fang, joyfang@sph.com.sg, my paper | Mon, May 30 2011

HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn

Beach getaway: 沙滩度假地 - shā tān dù jià dì
Boatmen: 船夫 - chuán fū
Full-day tours: 全日游 - quán rì yóu
High tide: 高潮 - gāo cháo

Reference

Have you visited Singa-planet?

MY PAPER TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011, PAGE A14, LIFESTYLE
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2011-05-31
Source Website: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110531-281614.html
By Satoko Nishimura | my paper, myp@sph.com.sg, Tue, May 31, 2011

PHOTO: Chicken-rice stall - BLENDING THE OLD AND NEW: Singa-planet is a compilation of art by contemporary artist Akira Yamaguchi, who has a Master of Art in oil painting, that gives an unusual perspective of Singapore's quotidian urban landscape.

PHOTO: AKIRA YAMAGUCHI
MY PAPER TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011, PAGE A14, LIFESTYLE

PHOTO: AKIRA YAMAGUCHI - a contemporary Japanese artist
http://news.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/news/05May11/20110531.094313_st_singaplanet%28v7%29.jpg
MY PAPER TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011, PAGE A14, LIFESTYLE

THE ubiquitous (existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time, omnipresent) Housing Board flat, home to the majority of the population in Singapore, has become part of the art of a contemporary (present time, modern) Japanese artist.

In Akira Yamaguchi's imagination, HDB blocks are seen as historical monuments sprouting out of their green natural setting.

In his book, Singa-planet, the latest compilation of art drawn by the 41-year-old artist, he gives a new, unusual and refreshing perspective of Singapore's quotidian (usual, everyday) urban landscape.

PHOTO: Singa-planet | Japan Creative Centre
Denise Kok / April 28, 2011, Art / Exhibition
http://www.plussixfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Singaplanet-Singapore-Biennale-00-1024x682.jpg
http://www.plussixfive.com/2011/04/28/singa-planet-japan-creative-centre/

"I was lost for words to see such beautiful buildings," he told my paper in a recent interview.

The art in Singa-planet was exhibited recently in Singapore at the Japan Creative Centre (JCC), which is run by the Japanese Embassy here, and was a parallel event of the recently concluded Singapore Biennale.

To Yamaguchi, who has visited Singapore twice, it isn't the obvious tourist icons like the Singapore Flyer or the historical statue of Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, that catches his eye – or his heart.

PHOTO: The theme of this exhibition lies in high-rise buildings, presenting paintings that seems as if it is compressing and interchanging people’s lives and history, a beautiful and playful work that creates a lonely atmosphere caused by discontinuity, and a piece of video art that shows an imaginary elevator moving beyond all the walls.
Singa-planet | Japan Creative Centre, Denise Kok / April 28, 2011, Art / Exhibition

http://www.plussixfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Singaplanet-Singapore-Biennale-01-682x1024.jpg
http://www.plussixfive.com/2011/04/28/singa-planet-japan-creative-centre/

Instead, it is the humble HDB abodes and things in Singaporeans' daily lives, such as a chicken-rice stall or escalators in a shopping mall, that give him inspiration.

Representative of his peculiar visual perspective is the pencil-and-watercolour artwork on the cover of Singa-planet, in which Singapore is depicted as a huge ship sailing strongly against the wind.

PHOTO: Skyscrapers in Singapore stand high in the sky as if there is no such thing as gravity. They throw ordinary people from the ground to the upper floor. People who used to be neighbors on the ground are now divided by the same distance in mid-air. What kind of a gateway would a carefree tourist’s impolite gaze discover in the building?

Singa-planet | Japan Creative Centre, Denise Kok / April 28, 2011, Art / Exhibition
http://www.plussixfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Singaplanet-Singapore-Biennale-02-682x1024.jpg
http://www.plussixfive.com/2011/04/28/singa-planet-japan-creative-centre/

There is no clear indication whether the vessel is sailing in the sea or soaring in the sky.

Heading skywards is a skyscraper that is a mix of Singapore's modern condominiums, a helicopter port, HDB blocks, churches and Indian temples.

PHOTO: Skyscraper, a mix of Singapore's modern condominiums
MY PAPER TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011, PAGE A14, LIFESTYLE

Also included are Malay-style kampung houses, a busy shopping mall, and even the outstretched arm of a construction crane – reflecting the fact that the building of concrete structures is a continual process here.

In blending the past and the future, Yamaguchi creates unexpected beauty. His drawings contain both abstract and obvious messages and tempt the audience to scrutinise details to seek clues to the artist's intent.

In doing so, the audience becomes a part of his art.

PHOTO: JCC presents – Yamaguchi Akira Solo Exhibition “SINGA-PLANET”
Posted: March 8th, 2011 | Author: mindflyer
http://animalnewyork.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Yamaguchi_30Large.jpg
http://www.oicsingapore.com/wordpress/2011/03/08/jcc-presents-yamaguchi-akira-solo-exhibition-singa-planet/

The Tokyo-born Yamaguchi lives and works as a contemporary artist in the Japanese capital. He has a Master of Art in oil painting from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Almost every year, he holds either solo or two-person exhibitions, the latest being City Strollers, at the Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Gallery.

His art is on display at Narita International Airport and in the Tokyo Metro, as well as at several museums in Japan, including Mori Art Museum in Tokyo.

Commenting on Singa-planet, Mr Rikimaru Takahashi, deputy director of the JCC, said: "The artist, who has sublime talent in painting, gives us new and refreshing perspectives (of) Singapore through his art."

By Satoko Nishimura | my paper, myp@sph.com.sg, Tue, May 31, 2011

The writer is a Web designer with AsiaOne, the news and lifestyle portal of Singapore Press Holdings.
Singa-planet is now on sale at the Japanese graphic section of Kinokuniya bookstore at Ngee Ann City. The book is priced at $23.90, with GST.

PHOTO: Singa-planet – Yamaguchi Akira,
April 4, 2011 at 12:51 am | Posted in itchy mouth
The Japan Creative Centre is at No. 4 Nassim Road
http://myitchyfingers.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/nassim-rd1.jpg
https://myitchyfingers.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/singa-planet-yamaguchi-akira/

PHOTO: Yamaguchi Akira Solo Exhibition："SINGA-PLANET"
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5622165056_facdfa3333.jpg
http://yiliang-room.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post_16.html

HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn

Compilation: 编集 - biān jí
Visual perspective: 透视感 - tòu shì gǎn
Abstract: 抽象的 - chōu xiàng de
Sublime talent: 超群的才能 - chāo qún de cái néng

Reference

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

First class isn’t good enough

Today on sunday, Sunday May 29, 2011, Page 6
From http://imcmsimages.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20110529/2905FFW006.pdf
Source Website: http://www.todayonline.com/Columns/TheFinerLife/EDC110529-0000006/First-class-isnt-good-enough
By chan seet fun, todayonsunday@mediacorp.com.sg, Updated 08:40 AM May 29, 2011

PHOTO: TODAY's luxury traveller wants to customise his own off-the-beaten-track itinerary
Photo courtesy of LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD
Copyright © MediaCorp Press Ltd
Today on sunday, Sunday May 29, 2011, Page 6

Today’s luxury traveller wants to customise his own off-the-beaten-track itinerary.

A holiday in Italy can be a lot more memorable if you have an audience with the Pope and maybe a personalised cooking lesson by an Italian chef at his own Tuscan villa. Fifty-three-year-old director of IT service delivery Charles Samuel managed to do both.

When Mr Samuel and his family decided to spend two weeks in Italy last year, he made sure that their itinerary included all the things they wanted to do - including indulging his passion for fast cars andmotorcycles, with visits to the factories of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati.

"It's not about wanting to be different just for the sake of it. It's about doing what really interests you," he said.

"You enjoy a genuine cultural experience at your own pace and you can visit locations that are off the beaten track."

PHOTO: It's not about wanting to be different just for the sake of it. It's about doing what really interests you.
Photo courtesy of LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD
Copyright © MediaCorp Press Ltd
Today on sunday, Sunday May 29, 2011, Page 6

Mr Rufus Tan, head of media and marketing at Quotient Travel Planner, which helped Mr Samuel organise his trip, says that many business owners and well-heeled professionals "are now looking for these self actualisation-type holidays".

"It's not enough to stay in the best suites or fly first class. Anyone with money can do that. What luxury travellers value is exercising their individuality and being able to boast about doing things that others have not.

"Apart from the usual good hotels, good food etc, they want to experience things that aren't easily available. So, they may want to tour the Gobi desert, but with luxury tents and a crew of porters and cooks," says Mr Tan. And gourmands might decide to trace the origins of foods they love, say, to where their favourite exclusive balsamic vinegar in Modena or French cheese is made.

PHOTO: Apart from the usual good hotels, good food etc, they want to experience things that aren't easily available. Photo courtesy of LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD
Copyright © MediaCorp Press Ltd
Today on sunday, Sunday May 29, 2011, Page 6

Mr Tan says that the essentials such as flights, hotel rooms and ground transport cost "anywhere from S$15,000 and up" and it's also "not unusual" to spend six figures on food, entertainment and shopping.

Those for whom self actualisation means spending serious cash on shopping go on sprees at top fashion houses in Milan or Paris; some fly to Switzerland for watch factory tours-cum-shopping expeditions.

PHOTO: Seefeld, Austria & the Alps © Olympiaregion Seefeld
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/media/gallery/europe/austria/seefeld-panorama-big.jpg?title=Seefeld,%20Austria%20&%20the%20Alps&copyright=Olympiaregion%20Seefeld
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/past/oberammergau-austria.html

Others visit Carrara in Italy to source for marble for their home renovations - Carrara marble being what many famous sculptures including Michelangelo's "David" were carved from.

And yes, a private viewing of "David" can be arranged - Mr Philip Ho, vice-president for Asia Pacific at The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), says they've pulled that off before.

PHOTO: Ettal town and abbey
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/media/gallery/europe/germany/ettal-town-abbey-big.jpg?title=Ettal%20town%20and%20abbey
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/past/oberammergau-austria.html

They've also engineered other bespoke itineraries that included private tours of Coco Chanel's apartment above her very first shop in Paris, and private tours of the Vatican.

Based on market research that LHW commissioned in 2009, Mr Ho says that there's been a shift from simply wanting to be "pampered", to wanting to be "entertained", "excited" and "inspired".

PHOTO: Oberammergau
Oberammergau, Photo by David Edgar
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/media/gallery/europe/germany/kofel-oberammergau-painted-house-big.jpg?title=Oberammergau&photographer=David%20Edgar
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/past/oberammergau-austria.html

"Luxury consumers are looking to pursue their lifestyle interests through travel. This could mean culinary classes from a Michelin-starred chef, truffle hunting, playing golf at St Andrews or learning about Inca culture in Machu Picchu."

PHOTO: Machu Picchu
http://images.picturesdepot.com/photo/m/machu_picchu-208838.jpg
http://www.picturesdepot.com/places/208838/machu+picchu.html

It appears that he really knows what travellers want. At the top of Mr Samuel's list of dream destinations is Machu Picchu. After that, he might head to the Arctic Circle. To each his own or, as Mr Ho put it: "Bespoke is certainly the only way to go for the luxury traveller."

By chan seet fun, todayonsunday@mediacorp.com.sg, Updated 08:40 AM May 29, 2011

PHOTO: Entertaining but a little too sped up. First class isn’t good enough.
http://norwegianity.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/kung-fu-panda-2.jpg
http://norwegianity.wordpress.com/

Reference