Semi-Quarantine in Singapore Or The Best Laid Plans of Men and Microbes By Joshua Samuel Brown, Special for Dave’s Travel Corner “Mmm…yes. Tsk.” Doctor Eung shone his light into my partner’s inflamed right ear canal. “You say you flew yesterday, is it?” Stephanie nodded grimly, her face swollen in several places. “Better you had not,” said the doctor. The illness had hit a few days earlier, caught from an old friend in … [Read more...]
Travel Etiquette 101: Your Guide to Tipping around the World
As a citizen of the world, your travelling mantra may revolve around two things: show respect towards other cultures and offer kindness whenever you can. So one of the appropriate things to do is leave tips after an amazing meal or a memorable service. But hold on to your money for now. Inasmuch as tipping feels good to the soul, it may do more harm than good. Not all countries appreciate it. The last thing you’d want during a trip is to find … [Read more...]
Colonial Melaka
What do you get when you mix Malay, Portuguese, Dutch, English, Indian, Japanese and Chinese? You get Melaka – a particularly diverse Malaysian town of about 500,000 inhabitants. And though the population is mostly Malay now, you’ll quickly notice the diversity in architecture, languages, people and foods. No wonder the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For anyone with an interest in history or culture, the city center of Melaka offers a … [Read more...]
Gardens of Singapore
What comes to mind when you hear the name Singapore? For me, it’s high rises, global finance, the famed marina and, of course, that huge infinity pool overlooking the city. But, to my surprise, these were not the things I noticed when I first arrived. Instead, what caught my attention was how green and alive with plants the city was. It started directly at Changi airport, where I immediately spotted the living green wall in the arrivals hall … [Read more...]
National Geographic, New York Times Best-Selling Author Dan Buettner and Gallup Announce The 25 Happiest Cities in the United States
National Geographic, Gallup and New York Times best-selling author and National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner have announced The 25 Happiest Cities in the United States based on The National Geographic/Blue Zones® Index. The Index was specifically developed to measure a population’s happiness based on 15 metrics including civic engagement, walkability and healthful food options. Boulder, Colorado tops the list with walkability, access to … [Read more...]
The Phenomenal Fortitude of Cambodia’s Emerging Capital
Phnom Penh, Cambodia Gray and gritty...these are the two words that rise to the surface when I reflect on our brief 4 days in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Pen. Gray in the truest sense of the word and color, in that it’s place that is in transition – moving from a dark and clouded past to perhaps a bright and emerging future. However, where the city lies on the gray scale spectrum is open to one’s perception. Some may see it as a place that is … [Read more...]
Qatar Airways + Qatar Tourism Authority Offers Free Doha Stopover to Passengers in Transit
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has launched a unique stopover package in partnership with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) to promote and market Qatar as a destination of choice for international travelers. The program offers transit passengers the opportunity to discover Doha with free luxury hotel stays and complimentary transit visas. The unique offer is part of a broader campaign called +Qatar that aims to encourage all transit passengers to add … [Read more...]
Qatar Tourism Authority Targets USA Market
QTA Opens Representative Office in New York Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is extending its global footprint by opening a representative office in New York to cover the USA, one of the Gulf state’s fastest growing visitor source markets. “The number of USA arrivals in 2015 totaled 93,174 and this year, numbers have remained steady with 50,243 visitors as at end June. We are confident that this market has great potential for growth with 11 … [Read more...]
Danger Zones & Pleasure Zones by Adrienne Brady
Author Adrienne Brady was born in Burma but grew up in the UK. She has lived a life of travel, among her travels she has enjoyed various 'home' bases around the world including Brunei, Dubai, Libya and Singapore. Her travels for the core of this book - detail her various trips throughout Sri Lanka, northern Thailand, Brunei, Libya, the Emirates through to the west coast of Ireland. Her time in Sri Lanka is during a particularly violent time … [Read more...]
Why George Town is Malaysia’s Coolest City
The bustling streets of George Town, Penang offer up sights, sounds, and smells at every corner. From its street art to the street food, Georgetown is a city that seems to live in full view of the public, making outsiders feel like insiders. Street Art George Town used to be the capital of Britain’s colonial outpost in Malaysia. Now, its claim to fame is being the capital of street art in Southeast Asia. In 2012, the city commissioned … [Read more...]