Today the Sands Marina Bay Casino officially opens in Singapore. It is world’s most expensive single piece Casino property. On of the highlights is the 150 meter swimming pool located 200 meters above the ground with an astounding view with a 450 foot vanishing edge. You must try this. There are 1,600 slot machines and 500 tables!!! Hmm MUST go!!

for more information visit: www.a1travelntours.com/singapore/sands_marina_bay.php

Cambodia expects to include its coastal areas in the Cambodia’s coastal areas next year in order to attract more tourists to the Cambodia’s coastal areas, local media reported on Monday, citing Tourism Minister Thong Khon.

“Natural resources at our coastal lines have been preserved well, so we hope our coastal areas will be listed among the world’s most beautiful bays next year in the 7th annual meeting of the Club,” Thong Khon was quoted as saying.

According to the Club’s criteria, to be listed as the world’s most beautiful bay, a bay must be under the protection project, an attractively natural area, recognized both local and regional level, a potential for economy development and recognized by UNESCO.

For more Info: www.business.globaltimes.cn/world/2010-06/542205.htm

Visit also :www.a1travelntours.com

I have been asked numerous times what the best way to plan a vacation these days. With an economy that is still reeling from recession, my advice is, how to stretch your Dollar and still have a great Vacation.

South East Asia is a super destination in terms of Food, Accommodations and Sights. For example in Georgetown City in Penang for a mere USD20 a day you can settle all Meals and Accommodations. Use of the public transportation brings the commuting costs to only a few dollars a day. Some City Bus services have a weekly tourist pass, such as the Rapid Penang Tourist Pass.

For just USD6.00 you enjoy a week of unlimited travel on-board all rapid Penang buses. The Tourist Pass can be purchased at the Rapid Penang Booth at the Penang International Airport.

The above are some examples what can be achieved with some planning. I have put a simple guide on how to manage your budget and still have a super Vacation.

a) Plan your Vacation

• Research as much as possible on your Vacation destination.
• Give yourself at least three to four months for all planning activities.
• Check out the Hotel and in-country travel deals. For example within South-East Asia budget Airlines such as Firefly, Air Asia, Tiger Airways offer incredibly low Air fares if booked months in advance.
• Avoid School Holiday seasons if possible because Hotels charge a premium and Travel commuting can be difficult unless booked in advance.
• If possible travel off-peak period. In South-East Asia the peaks are School Holidays, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Songkran (Thailand)

b)  Work out a budget.

• This is very important to avoid nasty surprises during some activities you choose or possible purchases.
• Try to fill as much details of the Costs involved, so you have a good handle over the $$  requirements.
• Where possible Payment can be in advance from your Home Country, elect to do so.

c) Cash Transactions

• For Security Reasons where ever possible keep a minimum of Cash transactions.
• ATM machines are easily accessed in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Jakarta.
• Most Popular Credit Cards are MasterCard and Visa. Charge cards such as Diners and Amex are popular.
• On ATM machines that display the PLUS and Credit card logos, you can make cash withdrawals in local currency.

c) Use of Credit/debit cards

• Keep all your PIN numbers safely.
• During a transaction do not let your Credit Card out of sight.
• Keep all important PIN numbers and Contact Telephone numbers in a safe and handy place, Especially the Global Assistance Telephone numbers.
• Prior to departing on your Vacation, Inform your Card Company of your destinations and duration you intend to travel.

Having said that, about the use of Credit/Charge Cards, some Merchants discount  between 3% to 7% off the listed price if the transaction is paid in Cash. Bear this in mind. It is prevalent mostly in Thailand and in Malaysia.

When back at home scrutinize all transactions on the Credit/Charge Card Statements. If you notice anything improper or incorrect you must contact your Credit/Charge card issuer immediately.

Take note of these simple steps and be aware of the potential surprises.

Go ahead and Enjoy your well deserved Vacation.- Ian

To all flower lovers, the first ever Adenium Competition and Show in Malaysia will be held in Penang Botanical Garden

Date:6^th June 2010 till 13^th June;

Time 9am to 7pm.

Held In conjunction with school holidays, this is the best family outing to enjoy fresh air in botanic garden while appraising different species of adenium, especially the newly breed rose-alike adenium.

More info: www.visitpenang.gov.my

This is good news for travelers without nay check-in luggage.

Eliminate the time spent waiting at the check-in queues.

If you have performed Internet Check-in, printed your boarding passes online and have no check-in baggage, you can now bypass the check-in counters and head straight for Immigration. You have to be at the Changi Airport at 40 minutes prior to departure.

for more info: www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/checkin/PRS_ChangiAirport.jsp

The present system, which requires passengers to change trains at the middle station, will be replaced with a new system that takes passengers straight up the hill, non-stop.

It was also reported that the new coaches would be air-conditioned with a glass roof that allows travellers to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the hill.

The upgrading project was expected to be completed on Sept 28.

for more info:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/20/nation/20100220175739&sec=nation

A total of 736 athletes from 41 countries have confirmed their participation at the Langkawi Ironman 2010 here on Feb 27.

The athletes were from Germany, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand, the United States, Italy, Argentina, Belgium, Australia, Canada and Asean countries.

Luke Mackenzie and Belinda Granger, both from Australia were among those who confirmed their participation.

The champhionship offers US$50,000(RM170,500) in cash and involves three disciplines namely swimming (3.8km), cycling (180km) and running (42.2km)

For more info:http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100215163253/Article/index_html

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that in 2009 intra-Asia-Pacific travel had eclipsed the number of travelers in North America as the world’s largest aviation market. Asia-Pacific’s travelers numbered 647 million compared the 638 million who travelled within North America (including domestic markets).

“Achieving Asia-Pacific’s tremendous potential is contingent upon short-term efforts to battle the impacts of the economic downturn with cost reductions and efficiency gains. Longer-term Asia-Pacific must also face global challenges including environment, security and liberalization,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO at the start of the Singapore Air Show Aviation Leadership Summit.

“We live in a global world—global connectivity and global threats. Governments and industry must protect the connectivity and eliminate the threats. That challenge requires industry and governments to work together for effective and efficient security measures,” said Bisignani.

“To move liberalization forward, IATA took the extra-ordinary step of calling governments together with IATA’s Agenda for Freedom.  After a year of talks, in November 2009, seven governments, including the US, the European Commission, Singapore and Malaysia signed a multilateral statement of policy principles. These principles preserve a level playing field while addressing liberalization of market access, pricing and ownership. The challenge for Asia is to implement these principles in the region’s bilateral arrangement,” said Bisignani.

For more info:http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/2010-02-01-01.htm

Although it is not officially launched, some 2,000 people have taken rides on the state’s latest attraction – the vintage WWII amphibious DUCK.

This bright-yellow vehicle allows visitors to enjoy a unique view of the historical city via its coastline.The vehicle originating in the US cost RM2mil each and had to be custom-made in Australia.

This six-wheel-drive amphibious truck was designed and built by General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and for beach attacks.

for more information: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/2/2/southneast/5577806&sec=southneast

Several war memorials in the country established after the first and second world wars are in dire need of restoration.

Malayan Volunteers Group (MVG) secretary Rosemary Fell said they were particularly concerned about the World War 1 memorial in Kuala Selangor, which needed complete refurbishment.The MVG group was established in 2005, and to date has over 200 members worldwide.

for more info:

www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/27/nation/20100127204623&sec=nation