Boyd was the British High Commissioner to Malaysia when I worked as Contact Database Officer at the High Commissioner Kuala Lumpur in 2009. Despite his high- profile status and prominent role, there was never a barrier between him and the rest of the staff.  He is a highly charismatic leader with a fun-loving sense of humor. He always dropped by our office and chatted us up, and the conversation always ended with a good hearty laugh. Coincidentally, towards the end of my tenure, he was appointed as Governor of British […]

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“Ghost House” is one of the best horror movies I have seen in a long time. The horror elements are so original and raw  – the jump scare, the atmosphere, the soundtrack etc, everything is done completely right. The movie does not throw in excessive unnecessary special effects or follow the Hollywood’s formulaic scare tactics. It hit me in a way that most horror flicks hadn’t. I remember when the movie was over, I immediately pulled out my phone and looked up the director of this movie – Rich Ragsdale. […]

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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 stimulating and interesting day-long experience. Melaka’s diversity can be readily explained by one quick peek at the […]

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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 flights daily from 10 USA gateways and an innovative activities plan in place to build both […]

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I have been fortunate to have spent significant time in South East Asia over the years with many trips to Thailand. During several trips I’ve either flown or taken a bus from Thailand to Malaysia. I was recently approached by a Malaysian online booking company that offers flight tickets, Traveloka Malaysia. I was not familiar with this company; in the past I’ve booked directly through some of the major airlines in this part of the world or some of the budget airlines. Always intrigued when I am presented another option […]

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This is not just your ordinary tale of backpackers seeing the world. The scene is the late 1980’s in South East Asia – before Internet, before cell phones, before instant communication around the world. Two budget backpackers (Andrew and Kirsten) are trying to see the world on the cheap – pinching pennies by staying in ratty cockroach infested hostel dorms and quickly running out of money. Then Andrew discovers a money belt full of money and a passport. Rather than “do the right thing” and turn it in, he grabs […]

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Eagle Creek recently reached out with some products to review – and also donated several prizes for our annual travel writing contest. I’ve been familiar with a number of their products for many years – one of my go to Eagle Creek products that I always take with me on International travels is my trusted money belt. I’ve had this for years and have worn it on all my International travels. I’m always on the lookout for durable luggage – something that can hold up to the rigors of International […]

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Freshly off a sweltering, barely-running bus, I’m poised at the entrance to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, or as it’s known to most visitors, S21. This was a former schoolhouse turned torture prison from 1975-79 during the Khmer Rouge’s notoriously brutal, merciless, yet hasty, reign of Cambodia. I hand over the small entrance fee, and am instantly clouted by the deceptively pleasant grounds. Aromas of freshly planted flowers punctuate the insane humidity. The recognizable deep green flora of South East Asia acted as a remarkable foreground to what looked like, essentially, a […]

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Acclaimed Photographer Scott Stulberg has recently released a photography table top book – “Passage to Burma”. This is a collection of vivid and often intimate looks into the second largest country in Southeast Asia – a country that the western world often knows little about – especially after it has been “closed” for half a century. This collection is based upon many trips he made to Burma over more than 10 years. It is a tribute and his love affair with the people and places of this country. Spiritually Buddhism […]

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As I hastily climbed the stairs of my neighbor’s house, gasping for air with sweat dripping across my forehead, I had one goal in mind: to win this game of Hide and Go Seek. I had no idea that this simple game would change my life forever. Continuing up the stairs I had the mentality of many young children – my life seemed invincible and the thought of death was distant and abstract. Thinking that I would outsmart everyone, I climbed onto a bed to reach a window and obtain […]

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Mystic Fool by Andy Hill This is a tale of a nomadic traveler (Ian) drifting through South East Asia trying to find some meaning in his own life. He is a heavy drinker; the alcohol fuels his travels and at times perhaps his thoughts about life and spirituality. During his time in northern Thailand he meets an older man at a bar – perhaps a glimpse into his “future self”. This man imparts some wisdom and advice from his own years, as well as generosity in a mostly drunken state […]

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Bangkok is truly one of the world’s great cities – it is a thriving hub of activity both day and night. A world class airport connects to the city via a raised skytrain – which in turn connects to the metro. Bangkok is well known for its horrendous traffic – but with public transportation you can avoid a number of these traffic jams. Budget travelers can head straight to Sukhumvit Road on the skytrain – this is a central area from which to visit Bangkok and is always a hub […]

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Bangkok is a vibrant city full of lively experiences, fascinating sightseeing and colourful culture that makes it a great place to visit for those heading to South East Asia. It is the capital city of Thailand, the most densely populated urban area in the country and the political and financial centre, which makes it an essential stop on the route for anyone visiting this part of the world. If you’re planning a trip to the ‘Furnace of the earth’ (it’s pretty hot here) then there are a few places that […]

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Disoriented is a term that means being lost or unclear about where you are. It originated from when the East or the Orient was considered the center of the world. If you have lost the orient you are dis-oriented and are not sure of where you are. From a young age, I have been oriented to travel from when my family moved to Georgia when my dad was in the army or moving to California as a young child or my many years of living at sea. Parts of the […]

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Singapore is one of the wealthiest countries in all of South East Asia. One will discover this as soon as one arrives at the modern free amenity filled Changi airport (one of the nicest airports in the world). This is one of the most crowded nations on earth considering the actual city dominates the small island. There are plenty of attractions including arguably the city’s most well-known icon, the Merlion statue, the massive Singapore Flyer Wheel, numerous 5-star luxury hotels including one of the most impressive ones, the Marina Bay […]

The post Visit Singapore – December 2009 appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.