Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 181 of 195

Mr. Thierry Le Ponner: “Hotelliers never rest”

(#wanderlusttips #Novotelsuiteshanoi #AccorHotels ) “At Novotel, “feel welcome”, at Novotel Suites “feel at home”, said Mr. Thierry Le Ponner, General Manager of Novotel Suites Hotel Hanoi in an interview by Wanderlust Tips Magazine.

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AccorHotels is one of the leading hotel groups in the world. It brings together many renowned brands including Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel and Novotel Suites. You have over 3,500 hotels with160 thousand employees in 92 countries. When did you join AccorHotels Group?

With the expansion of Accor all over the world, we just passed 180,000 employees this year and still continue to grow.

I myself joined Accor over 20 years ago in France and moved to Accor in Asia 15 years ago for a 2 years mission in Cambodia. Fifteen years later, I am extremely happy to be working in Asia still and especially in Vietnam for the second time.

You have lived and worked in Vietnam for a long time. How do you assess the trends in the tourism and hospitality industries in Vietnam in this age of integration?

I had the chance to open Novotel and Pullman in Saigon respectively in 2012 and 2013 and after nearly 2 years in Korea I decided to come back to Vietnam for those exciting new projects in Hanoi.

The hotel industry in Vietnam has been blooming over the past 5 years especially in some key cities and beach destinations – mostly in luxury market.

Vietnam still has great potential for further development in the tourism and hospitality industry. New destinations are rising up, the domestic market is increasing a lot and we may see the midscale and economic brands come up strong very soon, Vietnam benefits of a stable environment and can attract many investors, the exemption of visas is simplifying access to Vietnam for travellers, not to mention the cost benefit.

However tourism and hospitality are strongly dependent on the global economy and Vietnam needs to communicate its tourism attraction stronger. It has also a very strong need for quality hospitality and a tourism school that would benefit many people by enabling them to join the hotel industry with proper knowledge. With the growth of hotels and the need of qualified employees and managers this is a key priority.

Can you please tell us why AccorHotels brought Novotel Suites, a luxury resort brand, to Vietnam more specifically to Duy Tan Street in Hanoi?

Novotel Suites has been very successful in Europe over the past 10 years and Accor decided to bring the brand to Asia

It is another way of living the hotel experience: All the facilities and quality of service of Novotel brand but with the comfort of a fully equipped studio or apartment from 32 to 104 m2, some even with terraces. A living area, a working area, a fully equipped kitchenette (microwave, fridge, coffee machine, crockery, washing machines, etc.)

At Novotel, “feel welcome”, at Novotel Suites “feel at home”.

This is a perfect alternative for extended or long stays but is also very appreciated by short trip travellers who need to enjoy a hotel at their own pace with services designed for them, whether alone or with their family.

While the major hotel development in Hanoi is very central, Accor decided to respond to a strong demand of upper midscale hotels and residences in Cau Giay.

Location, location, location!!!

Duy Tan street is in the heart of one of the fastest developing areas in Hanoi, both in the residential and the business market. Novotel suites Hanoi is only a few minutes away, even walking distance for some of them, from those key business activity centres with direct access to the new expressway leading to the key industrial parks and very easy and quick access to the airport. It is indeed the ideal location for corporate travellers on a short stay, extended stay or permanent residents.

Furthermore, it is only 15 minutes away from the main city centre and is an ideal choice for leisure travellers too.

Having a Novotel Suites in Cau Giay is definitively added value for the district in its own development.

You mentioned twice “luxury” in your question and I thank you for your appreciation of Novotel’s quality. Indeed Novotel is an upscale category brand with utmost concern on guest satisfaction and quality of facilities and services. However luxury tends to make people think it is expensive, it is stiff and not relaxing, while Novotel is before all a friendly, affordable and very high quality hotel with attentive and friendly service.

AccorHotels focuses on travelling families. When Novotel Suites Hanoi opens, what services will AccorHotels offer to satisfy these customers?

Novotel is indeed well recognised for its generous “Family & Novotel” concept:

Accommodation and breakfast are free of charge for children under 16 years, sharing the parents’ room and utilising existing bedding. If parents prefer to use a second room and have a separate connecting bedroom for their children, the second room is 50% off.

Additionally at Novotel suites Hanoi, we offer 2-bedroom apartments including 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and one living room with a kitchenette. A great way to stay in a hotel but remain close together.

Our Food Exchange international buffet Restaurant also offers great benefits to families: Children below 6 years are free of charge and children from 6 to 12 get a 50% discount.

Novotel suites Hanoi also provides indoor and outdoor children playgrounds as well as a heated kids swimming pool, cartoon channels and adapted facilities for children

How about the services for business travellers?

Novotel suites targets mostly business travellers due to its location and has therefore adapted all its services to them.

Customers are now more cosmopolitan and mobile. The line between work and private life is becoming increasingly blurred and the desire to stay connected is a key characteristic of new business and leisure travellers. Each customer wants to live in a hotel at his own pace.

Novotel Suites Hanoi is the perfect representation of this new contemporary and executive lifestyle: unique designs, hyper connectivity, 24/7 facilities be it fitness centre, web corner, catering services, laundry or even transportation.

As mentioned before all our studios and apartments (1 to 3 bedrooms) offer a fully equipped kitchenette for more freedom, a living area with a real sofa and working area, of course free Wi-Fi but also IPTV. Finally but not leas of all: large closets. Too many hotels have such little closets that they are inconvenient for extended stays.

A web corner is also available 24/7.

On the rooftop, a dedicated library lounge for our customers with a private roof top garden is available to relax after work or meet friends and colleagues. Time is luxury for business people and we developed the Online Check In and Fast Check out on mobile phone for business travellers especially for that.

Finally, we also offer versatile meeting facilities for 10 to 200 people with high tech equipment including interactive white boards and all the Novotel expertise.

A resort’s reputation is always tied to the quality of its cuisine. What kind of culinary style will Novotel Suites Hanoi focus on?

International, authentic, creative, fresh and tasty would be the key words.

The Food Exchange Buffet Restaurant is a social hub offering a modern interpretation of western and Pan Asia cuisine in a contemporary casual atmosphere. A show kitchen allows direct interaction with the chefs.

The Gourmet Bar is the new eat/bar experience of Novotel. It is an informal friendly eating and drinking place for social gatherings with friends, family and colleagues. Trendy drinks, addictive tapas, pasta fever, epic burgers or inspiring dishes of the day to enjoyed there or taken away.

The rooftop bar and its splendid terrace is THE place to unwind after a good working day. A collection of classic to surprising cocktails or a good glass of wine with some cheese or cold cut plate in a hip environment. Isn’t that the best way to refresh?

Of course a swimming pool bar, a 24/7 a la carte room service and pre-booked room dinner service is also available.

Whatever time or the mood, customers can always have their own needs met. Isn’t that the most important?

Was the role of General Manager for a brand new luxury hotel a new goal for you and one you just achieved?

As the general manager of a newly opened hotel, you need first to ensure that the product is right and conforms to Novotel International standards of security, comfort and quality. Working closely with designers, construction and suppliers is key. But the most important is to build up the perfect team, train and ensure quality of service and guest satisfaction. A GM without a team cannot make it and I am lucky here to have by my side a very Accor – experienced and passionate team.

My best achievement and pride is to see that all hotels we have opened being successful and highly appreciated by our customers. Customers’ feedback is our immediate and first reward.

My other very personal satisfaction is to see our team members growing and developing, taking on new responsibilities within the group, some of them have already become General Managers as well.

Beauty needs to shine. In order for Novotel Suites Hanoi to shine, it will need outstanding and bold PR strategies. Do you agree?

Indeed PR is very important. Advertising whether online or offline for me need to follow a simple rule: to promote who and what we are truly without overdoing it.

Humility and truth is key in long-term relations with our customers. So our goal, our marketing and our communication must remain simple: To be a perfect Novotel, not more, not less!

Can you share your plan for Novotel Suites Hanoi in the next five years?

When you build a hotel, you invest for the next 20 years but you need to constantly adapt and reinvent yourself to always meet customer needs.

In 5 years, guests’ needs and priorities will surely evolve a lot compared to now: more technology, more interactivity, new F&B offers, new designs. What will not change is the human need of customers to feel welcome and to feel at home. The tools will change but not the generosity of our hospitality.

We are also preparing the opening of Novotel Thai Hai (2 Thai Hai street, Dong Da) Hotel and Residence, which will be a perfect combination of 242 rooms and 102 studios and apartments.

Hoteliers never rest (laughs).

Thank you very much for this interview!

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

The hidden symbolism of the couple Linga and Yoni

(#wanderlusttips #linga #yoni) Traditional beliefs date back to the much simpler times of centuries years. People knew that the wellbeing of all species relies on the perfect balance of yin and yang. These are symbolized by the female sexual organs (Yoni) and the male counterparts (Linga) and worshipped as a part of an ancient belief that became part of established religions. Hinduism, which bears a strong traditional nature, Linga and Yoni take on human forms and are worshipped.

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The origin of Linga and Yoni

The valley of the Indus River in India is home to the Sumerian and Dravidian people who worship the clitoris and the mother goddesses based on the knowledge that the source of all creation is the merging of the female and male genitals symbolised by Linga and Yoni. In Hinduism Linga and Yoni are both embodied by the principle god Shiva. Legend has it that, Shiva appeared for the first time as a phallus shaped fire pile symbolising creation, replication and development. Linga and Yoni merge to create a god with both yang (Linga) and yin (Yoni) features. In this form the couple is often worshiped in Hindu towers.

As Hinduism is practiced across Asia the symbolic couple does not only appear in places of worship in India, but across the continent including Vietnam. The Vietnamese traditional version of Linga and Yoni is No-Nuong, celebrated in the “linh tinh tinh phoc” festival in the “du di” shrine in Tu Xa Village, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho Province. On the night of the 11^th and the dawn of 12^th of January of every lunar year, cu thu tu (the old leading man) offer painted wooden vaginas and penises to a number of young men and women. In the dark the men touch the wooden vaginas with their wodden penis replicas held by the women three times, creating the “linh tinh tinh phoc” sound. If the pieces merge three times the villagers can expect a great crop that year. In Japan, religions worshiping male and female genitalia are also wide spread. One such example are the ancient procession festivals in Komachi, Aichi Province and in Kawasaki. Large phalluses are carved from wood and carried by numerous people through the streets.

Worshiping reproductive organs does not belong to any one agricultural area, but rather appear in various forms across the cultures of the region.

Linga – Yoni in Champa culture

The most number of Lingas in the South East Asia can be found in the Champa culture of central Vietnam. The Linga forms created by Champa artists are relatively similar to an actual penis, while other Yoni are somewhat stylized versions. Cylindrical sculptures are the most typical and can be found in Hoa Lai, Ponagar, Chanh Lo Towers. Some Linga have four edges, with the top bunching up like a lotus flower like the one in Po Rome Tower. Then there are Linga that consist of two parts: the upper part is shaped like a cylinder while the lower part is a square block like in the western tower of Ponagar Temple. Other Linga have three parts: the upper part is the shape of a cylinder, the middle is shaped like an octagon and the lower part is a square block. This is the most common Linga in Cham culture and can be found in My Son, Tra Kieu and Binh Dinh.

The most beautiful Linga symbols are the ones engraved on the face of Shiva as in Po Klong Garai Tower, Po Sanu Tower and most recently put on display in My Son at the end of 2012 (this artefact has been named a national treasure). Its name is Mukha-Linga. Sometimes, instead of engraving the shape onto depictions of Shiva, Cham people create a Linga crown known as Kosa or they created a statue to form the head of a deity and attached it to the top of Linga (one such example is the golden statue of Shiva’s head in Dai Loc District, Quang Nam Province, which is now displayed in Quang Nam Museum). Adding a crown or engraving Shiva’s face with phallic symbols shows respect to the great God.

The Yoni form in Cham culture is also diverse: rectangular, squared, round shapes or decoration shaped like women’s breasts symbolise femininity.

Linga and Yoni in Cat Tien Sanctuary and the Oc Eo culture

The largest Linga statue in South East Asia was discovered in Cat Tien in Lam Dong Province. Archaeologists believe that the relic does not belong to Champa culture but is from the South of Tay Nguyen, where Hinduism used to be practiced.

Archaeologists have found a cluster of temples, towers and shrines in this sanctuary. Remarkably, they also discovered a large number of Linga and Yoni in the area. Five such statues were unearthed bearing both symbols. In addition, 18 single Linga and 8 single Yoni pieces were found. A large number of the sculptures were made out of sandstone, but gold, silver, quartz and ceramic ones were also found.

The largest of them all were located in the centre of the main tower. The Linga here is 2.1m high and vertical. It is divided into three parts: the upper part a cylinder, with a polished round top embossed with a line running to the tip; the middle part is shaped like an octagon and the lower part is square, with a width of 68cm on each edge.

The pedestal on which the Linga sits is a large scale square shaped Yoni, with a width of 2.26m and a thickness of 24cm on each edge. One of the edges of the Yoni has a tentacle measuring 70cm. The upper face of the Yoni is carved and surrounded by an elevated border. When rituals were held to wash the Linga, water would be poured into the Linga’s head, which would flow all the way down to the Yoni surface and run out through the tentacle. The people of the time believed that drinking this holy water would bring good luck and a lot of offspring. The ritual of washing the Linga and drinking the holy water from the Yoni tentacle is still being practiced today during the Kate festival celebrated by the people in Central Vietnam.

Archeologists also found traces of the Linga and Yoni symbols in the Oc Eo culture of the Mekong Delta. At an excavation site numerous Linga and Yoni couples dating back to the 2^nd century BC to the 12^thcentury AC were discovered. A majority of 86 of the couples were made of terracotta, stone and quartz.

The Linga and Yoni symbol in the North

Hindu temples and towers have had a strong influence on the culture in South Vietnam. In the North, the influence of Buddhism is stronger. There are no Champa temples and towers in North Vietnam. However, following conflicts between Champa and the Dai Viet there was cultural exchange between the two. Most significantly so in the late 10^th century during the march south of King Le Dai Hanh in 982. Experts believe that royal tombs in Hoa Lu feature some stylized Linga symbols.

In 1020 during the Ly dynasty King Ly Thai Tong led his troops to fight Chiem Thanh and cultural exchange became more frequent and Linga symbols starting appearing in the north more frequently.

In Thanh Hoa Province researchers have discovered wooden Linga symbols in Lach Truong and Linga shaped stones in Mau Pagoda (Cam Thuy) and in Nam Pagoda (Dong Son).

But the biggest and most beautiful Linga is the stone column in Dam Pagoda (Bac Ninh Province). There are some square holes in the top of the column that experts believe was used to support another architectural element. It is likely though that the initial function of the column was to symbolise a Linga before its functioned changed to a support structure.

The column is made of sandstone, a popular material of the time used to make Linga by Cham people. The stone column was built in 1105 when the Ly dynasty employed numerous Cham prisoners to build pagodas and towers. This could be the reason whey there are only a few Linga symbols in Dam Pagoda’s courtyard. The stone column in Dam Pagoda has the shape of a Linga with a cylindrical upper part and a square lower part. The middle part is very short but big enough to see that it has eight bevelled corners indicating eight edges. The upper part of the cylinder has engraved lines, surrounded by a marker line symbolising fertility in Champa Linga.

The body of the stone column in Dam Pagoda is engraved with the shape of two dragons of the Ly dynasty, which in the Dai Viet culture were the symbol of the King. It is unclear if Cham craftsmen engraved the King symbol into the stone Linga in Dam Pagoda as a way of showing devotion to Shiva God or whether Cham Kings themselves were engraved in the Linga. This makes the stone column in Dam Pagoda an unsual Linga. It is possible that it is a Mukha-Linga. The Linga in Dam Pagoda remains controversial, but it is a precious piece of art and evidence of the influence of the Cham culture in Vietnam’s national heritage.

Photo credit: Nguyen Van Cu

Asoc. Prof. PhD Trinh Sinh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Top tips for beach-goers

To be immersed in the warm prestine water of ocean or lie-stretched out in the sun-drenched soft sands, you should take notice of some tips which have been suggested by Wanderlust Tips Magazine in our April Issue.

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Pack at least two swimsuits for your beach vacation. Light shorts, skirts and T-shirts keep you cool and refreshed. Wear sandals instead of shoes to allow your feet to breathe. Bring towels and swimming goggles. If you are travelling with young children, buy them floats or a floating chair.
You must bring sunscreen to protect your skin with an SPF of 30 or higher. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sunlight.
Before going into the water ask the locals or the lifeguard about areas without jellyfish or sharp stones where it’s safe to swim. Do not swim too far from the shore or in deep waters. The easiest way to avoid these areas is to pay attention to the warning flags the people around you. Be aware of quicksand and undercurrents.
Get warm before going in the sea to avoid cramps and to have a more enjoyable time in the water.
Swim close to other people to be close to help if necessary.
Eye drops, cotton swabs, shower gel and shampoo are necessary items to pack. If you are with children bring food and water for them.
Do not swim for too long on sunny days and at noon. Take off your watch and jewellery (especially necklaces) as they might get lost in the waves.
If you have a large group, divide into smaller groups to more easily account for everyone. When participating in activities such as speed boating, surfing, skydiving, kayaking or scuba diving always comply with the safety requirements provided by guides. Do not travel outside of safety zones and avoid obstacles in the ocean.
Do not allow small children to swim in the ocean for too long if the water is cold. Instead let them swim in a pool or play in the sand.
Food poisoning often happens at coastal restaurants. The large amount of customers makes it difficult to ensure quality. Avoid grilled or undercooked food. Bring peppermint oil or medication for stomachaches and other common illness.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Boracay – Asia’s beautiful pearl island

(#wanderlusttips #Boracay #Philippines) Located 315 kilometres from the capital city of Manila, Boracay is a small island and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines thanks to its charming natural beauty and its high-class tourism infrastructure.
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Boracay is loved by many as everyone can find a spot or an activity that suits their interests. If you love nature explore the white sand beach or scuba dive to visit coral reefs. But if you are after a thrill, play a beach sport and hit the exciting nightlife.

Boracay has many beautiful beaches and they all share a common trait: white sand and clear blue water. White Beach is the most popular. With its 4 kilometres length and 100 metred width it is an ideal location to sunbathe, relax in the shade, snorkel or kayak in a glass bottom boat. Puka beach is located on the north cape of the island. Here thousands of seashells and pieces of corals can be collected and taken home souvenirs. If time allows explore some other beautiful beaches like Diniwid, Balinghai, Ilig-Iligan and Manoc Manoc.

Despite the island’s small size, Boracay offers many adventure beach sports. Explore all aspects of nature while fly boarding, jet skiing, parasailing, riding inflatable boats, walking under water or riding a helicopter. These activities are quite costly with fly boarding at about 2 million Vietnamese Dong for 20 minutes. Tourists should consider an option suitable for their budget and health.

A cheaper option is touring nearby islands, which costs about 500,000VND per person. If you are a large group (six or more people) you can rent an entire boat to be more comfortable and save money. The boat will take you to visit many beaches and islands like Crystal and you will have an opportunity to snorkel and see coral reefs and marine animals. Rent a sailboat to watch the sunset on the ocean. At night, Boracay is full of life with its many beach parties, fire dancers, and numerous party activities for young people.

Restaurants in Boracay are mainly located along the beach and around the D’Mall. Good restaurants with affordable prices like the grill at I Love Backyard, juices at Jonah’s, Mang Inasal, Mesa or Smoke Resto. Visit D’Talipapa fish market to buy fresh seafood and ask a restaurant to prepare the seafood for you. Another option is a seafood buffet with prices starting from 200,000VND/person. Accommodation in Boracay is expensive. A beachfront hotel can cost 20 – 50USD/night, and luxury options can cost up to 70 – 100USD/night.

To reach Boracay from Vietnam fly to the capital city of Manila or to Cebu. From there you can fly with a domestic airline to Caticlan or Kalibo the nearest airports to Boracay. The second option is to fly directly to one of these two airports with flights offered by Philippines Airlines, Air Asia or Cebu Pacific. From Caticlan airport you can reach the seaport in 5 minutes from there it is a 15-minute boat ride to Boracay. From Kalibo it will take an hour to reach Caticlan seaport. There are two kinds of boats: hydrofoils and wooden boats. You will need to go through security and scan your baggage before getting on the boat, so you should pack accordingly.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Koh Rong Samloem – Sun-filled summer at forgotten paradise island

(#wanderlusttips #kohrongsamloem #Cambodia) Visitors affectionately call Koh Rong Samloem in Cambodia the heavenly island. This beautiful island is located in Sihanoukville about 18 kilometres away from mainland and 4 kilometres south from Koh Rong the second biggest island in Cambodia. This secret heaven is flawless in its beauty: white sand, crystal clear water, and beautiful primary forest.
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Tourists can stay in Sihanoukville and visit Koh Rong Samloem during the day. Stay the night to experience some more interesting aspects of the island. Koh Rong Samloem is ideal for a lazy, relaxing vacation. Stay on the beach with a good book, immerse yourself in the warm water, watch the sunset, have a campfire on the beach or simply stargaze.

This beautiful island is also plenty of opportunities for a thrilling experience. Go snorkelling or scuba diving to visit colourful coral reefs and rich marine fauna. Kayak to mangrove forests, fishing villages or stroll around the coast, with rental price of 25USD for four hours. Or book a walking or biking tour across the forest to admire the island’s vegetation and unique wild animals.

There are no restaurants on the island, but the resorts offer eating options. The prices are cheap, from 5 – 7USD for Cambodian dishes and 4 – 8 USD for European dishes. On the island, there are about 15 – 16 resorts, with prices ranging from 5 – 25USD/person/night. Popular choices include The Beach Island, Saracen Bay and The Freedom. The most interesting option are the bungalows on the beach suitable for couples or small groups of friends looking for a cool and quiet night on the island. If you visit on a full moon day during a peak month you can revel in a Full Moon party, organised near The Beach Island resort.

The prime time to visit Koh Rong Samloem is from November to April when the weather is nice and sunny. From Vietnam, you can take a bus or flight to Phnom Penh and then take a bus to Kihanoukville from where you can take a boat to the island. There are two kinds of boats to Koh Rong Samloem: Canoe (a 40 minute ride) for 15USD/way or Party Boat (a 2.5 hours ride) for 20USD/both ways.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Phayao – the tranquil nothern region of Thailand

(#wanderlusttips #phayao #Thailand) Phayao may change your mindset about Thailand – a destination known for its spectacular islands and prestine beaches – with its tree-lined streets, antique wooden houses and an attractive lakeside setting.

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The town’s inauspicious highlight is Kwan Phayao, the largest swamp in northern Thailand, and the fourth largest one nationwide. Framed by low mountains, the swamp is in fact much more scenic than its designation suggests, and it is the setting for some of the most beautiful sunsets in the country.

Kwan Phayao which covers around 20 square kilometres provides livelihood for local people of the region and it is also home to more than 50 fish species.

It’s also a great backdrop for dinner; Chue Chan, one of several restaurants that look out over Kwan Phayao, tends to get the most acclaim from locals. Huean Phak Jum Jai is a good place to bed down here.

Located in the heart of the swamp is Wat Tiloke Aram – a submerged 500 year old temple. The temple stood for nearly five centuries until an irrigation project in 1939 inundated the temple, along with more than 10 other ancient sites, which create the swamp as it is today.

Phayao lies on Thailand’s main north–south highway, and its bus and minivan station is quite busy. Because of this, if you’re bound for Bangkok, it’s possible to hop on one of the 40 or so buses that pass through the station from points further north. If you’re getting itchy feet, follow routes 1093 and 1155 from Phayao to Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai, a day trip that passes through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country.

Lonely Planet | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Zika virus speads to two more Caribbean islands

(#wanderlusttips #zika #caribbrean) The countries of Antigua and Barbuda as well as the UK Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean have been added to the list of countries and territories with local transmission of the Zika virus, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The Zika virus is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes. In the last week, it’s been identified in the US in the Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, but so far that’s the only area in the continental US with locally-transmitted Zika. Once infected, only about 20% of people ever show symptoms, which most commonly include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes.

There is no vaccine or treatment available for the virus.

One reason Zika is troubling is that it is a cause of birth defects, including microcephaly — a condition where the baby’s head is abnormally small — in babies whose mothers have had Zika. The virus has also been linked to a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Business Insider | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Ban Bo Luang: Savour of Thailand’s moutainous north

(#wanderlusttips #Bokluea #Thailand) Ban Bo Luang (Bo kluea village) is a a picturesque village located more than 100km north of the Nan Province in the North of Thailand and nestled in an incredibly stunning valley with forested mountains on either side. Unlike familiar attractions of this tourist-regular destination, Ban Bo Luang is promising to refresh your feel of the country.

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Squeezed between the Lao border and two mountainous national parks, Ban Bo Luang has long been associated with the extraction of salt from local salt wells; the village is known colloquially as Ban Bo Kleua (Salt Well Village).

The individuals of Ban Bo Luang still build salt the great previous manner. The salty water originates from a couple deep wells in the centre of the town, which is then pumped into several rough huts that have rows of large earthen “stoves”. After being boiled in 3 hours until much of the liquid evaporates and crystals start to form, The salt is then scooped into bamboo baskets to drain. The salt is sold in bags directly from the village, delivered elsewhere around Nan, and is now even being purified at the local hospital and used in different dermatological treatments.

If you have your own transport, Ban Bo Luang is also a good base for exploring nearby natural areas. Doi Phu Kha National Park is home to the province’s highest peak as well as several hill-tribe villages such as H’Mong, Htin, and Mien, with a variety of caves and falls to explore while Khun Nan National Park boasts an easy trail that culminates in a dramatic lookout over Laos.

Added information: To reach Ban Bo Luang from Nan, take a bus to Pua district (50 bahts or around 1.4USD , two hours, hourly from 7am to 5pm). Get off at the 7-Eleven and cross the highway to take the thrice-daily sŏrng·tăa·ou (a small pick-up truck outfitted with two facing rows of benches for passengers) that terminates in the village (80bahts or around 2.3USD, one hour, departing at 7.30am, 9.30am and 11.30am).

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Drone the World: A classy way to get a tailor-made trip

(#wanderlusttips #Drone) Black Tomato has launched Drone the World service which allows the accompany of an expert drone cameraman to create the most stunning and memorable travel photos.

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The package is sold at £4,000 per person (over 5,300USD), including flights and accommodation. The company has amassed a network of professional drone cameramen and artistic directors who have worked on Blockbusters including Star Wars and James Bond, as well as documentaries for the BBC and National Geographic.

Guests can choose any location they want and the cameramen can either accompany guests for part or all of their trip. Previous drone packages have taken guests to Myanmar, Iceland and Mongolia.

Before the trip, guests have a pre-trip consultation with their drone cameraman and editor to outline exactly what they want to capture.

They are sent the resulting featurette shortly after returning home, usually running between five and minutes in length.

One family celebrating a big birthday had cameraman Tim Browning join them, who has worked both on Star Wars and James Bond movies, on a trip to Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.

There they toured the string of deserted islands in a private junk ship, with the journey filmed from above.

“We’ve been seeing the rise of technology playing an important role in our tailor-made offerings, and in clients wanting to professionally capture their travels,” said Tom Marchant, Black Tomato’s co-founders.

For the rest of us, drones with filming capabilities can be purchased for as low as £30 (around 40USD) – no Hollywood pilot included.

Daily Mail | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Hoi An Cuisine – slow food at its best

Whenever people mention Hoi An cuisine, they are thinking of Cao Lau (a bowl of thick noodles), chicken rice, Ms. Phuong’s Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) or more fancy dishes like White Roses sold in the old town. However Hoi An is larger than the 2 kilometre radius around the town centre. The total area of Hoi An is 30 times larger and that is not counting the nearby craft villages. And in this whole are a diverse culinary experience can be had.

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Hoi An’s cuisine seems simple at first but stay long enough and you will come to know its sophistication. Great food is not only delicious because of its flavours, but also its presentation, the origin of the ingredients and unique recipes that have been passed through the generations. More importantly these dishes must be prepared in a calm and gentle manner and cannot be rushed like fast food.

With simple ingredients you can find at any market, like eggplant and some green onion, Hoi An’s people can prepare several dishes just by giving a recipe a little twist. The most common way would be to thoroughly steam the eggplant, flatten and fry it while slowly adding sugar and fish sauce and continuously flipping it until all the flavours are absorbed. At a vegetarian restaurant called An Niem on Nguyen Duy Hieu street the chef slices the eggplant into small slices, puts them into a bowl similar to those used to serve obioidei fish, and simmers them in soy sauce and other spices. The chef lets the dish cook slowly on low heat as he is in no hurry. After about ten minutes, when the eggplant has been cooked, the chef will put the entire bowl on top of a small piece of coconut shell and serve it with some white rice to the guests. The diners, who have been waiting, open the lid right away to find a delicious smell waking up their senses.

Those who love seafood must visit the colourful An Bang Beach Village. The restaurant is decorated with honeycomb walls, Hoi An lanterns hang from the ceiling and bamboo chairs are waiting for guests. In the evening the owner even lights up some wax candles on the walls to set the mood. If guests do not know what to order the best thing is to ask for the owner’s suggestions. Similar to western restaurants, here an “item of the day” is on offer, which often depends on what the suppliers’ catch of the day was.

This particular morning, the owner’s wife bought some paradise fish. “What are they?” a customer from Saigon asked the chef. “They are delicious, but I don’t know how to explain what they are. I will make you a small dish to taste, if you like it, you can order more,” was the reply.

After quite some time in the kitchen, the chef brought out a steaming container filled with vegetables: bamboo shoots, pickled cabbage, beansprout salad, lady fingers, and of course slices of paradise fishes. After only a few bites, the customer praised: “This is strange, so different.” Her husband an overseas Vietnamese whose family is originally from Dien Ban, Dien Ngoc, Quang Nam province, grew quiet. As he ate, he gazed into a blank space as if remembering the dishes from his childhood.

After a conversation with my foreign friends who were visiting Hoi An, I accidentally discovered that most of their memorable culinary experiences were not at fancy restaurants where prices are in dollars. In fact, their most memorable experiences were always tasting dishes not available on the menus. The most interesting was when a group of French friends while biking to visit the longest bamboo bridge in Vietnam, was invited by a woman who had served them food to nap in her home on a cot handmade by her.

“No other ‘restaurant’ in the world would invite you to nap there, at a place in the middle of nowhere,” my friend enthusiastically said every time he talked about Hoi An’s cuisine. But one thing you should know, if my friend had hurriedly left after eating a bowl of noodles, instead of striking up a conversation with the owner, he would not have been invited to stay. The tip to the best culinary experience in Hoi An is simple: go outside of the busy streets and let fate guide you.

Bloggers around the world share their favourite Hoi An cuisine memory.

The Kitchen Paper: A nameless restaurant at 474 Cua Dai

Mary Loudermilk from the culinary blog The Kitchen Paper calls her favourite Hoi An Restaurant “???”. The Portland-based blogger confesses that she does not know what the restaurant located at No. 474 Cua Dai is really called, because she could not find a signboard anywhere. She wrote on her blog: “We accidentally discovered this restaurant on our way back from the beach, and we came back regularly. This place has the best Cao Lau in Hoi An”. The blogger’s tip? – “Friendly staff and the non-English-speaking owner always bring you a delicious bowl of noodles and a great smile.”

Somewhere pretty cool: A bowl of soup made by a saint, in a home with a view of the paddy fields in Cam Thanh

Ariane, a PhD candidate in Literature, and Mike, a software developer, are newlyweds. Three years ago after a couple of glasses of wine they had the idea to travel the world for a year. Hoi An was one stop during their 365-day journey. In Hoi An, Ariane and Mike stayed at an AirBnb, home of a “saint” named Hoa. Ariane explained on their blog: “A Saint as in she cooks divinely and is probably the most outstanding woman I’ve ever met after my mom. I was vegetating in my bed, cussing against all Gods of the universe, holding my belly and popping Gravol like candies. I heard a knock on my door: it was Hoa with soup. A soup made of the most beautiful, gluey rice and carrots and pork broth you’ll ever taste. Because it’s good for the belly. “Eat it, eat it all” she instructed me. Well guess what… Today I feel like a butterfly.”

Lena & Ami | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet