Asia | Global-Trekker.net

Be careful of the upside-down number keyboard on ATMs

3. February 2012

Recently a friend visited Shanghai and we spent some time shopping. During this activity, inevitably, one needs to visit the ATM machine once or twice. When she stopped to get some cash, the first machine we visited rejected her card. As she went to key in her PIN a third time, I stopped her. Sometimes [...]

Nadi Astrology at Vaitheeswaran Koli – Real or Fake?

2. February 2012

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Thailand’s Family Friendly Beaches

1. February 2012

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We’re just back from a great weekend in Cha-am. Though my favorite beaches tend to be a little more rugged and out of the way, with two six month old babies, I’ve had to readjust what I consider the perfect beach. Luckily, Cha-am fit the newly revised description — easy to get to, family friendly, [...]

2012 Khajuraho Dance Festival Program and Tickets

31. January 2012

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Getting Away from Bangkok

31. January 2012

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One of the best things about Bangkok is what’s just a few hours away — some very nice, relaxed, family-friendly beaches. There are no beaches close enough to Bangkok that you could realistically visit them on a day trip, but there are plenty of places that are a short drive away and worth the effort [...]

Cha-am Hotels

30. January 2012

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Cha-am doesn’t have nearly the same number of hotels as Hua Hin, but the hotels it does have tend to be, on average, of higher quality and less expensive. They’re also nearly all very family friendly. If you’re interested in staying in Cha-am, check out some of Cha-am’s top hotels.
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Not Hindu Looking Enough to Enter Major Hindu Temples in India

29. January 2012

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Giving Hong Bao in China for Chinese New Year

29. January 2012

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Since my last post about Hong Bao, I’ve learned a thing or two. I had the translation of Gong Xi Fa Cai! Hong Bao Na Lai wrong. Looking back, I’m not sure how it happened. But now that I’ve got two kids who run around and ask, inappropriately, strangers to give them red envelopes full [...]

When Will the 2 Month Gap on Indian Tourist Visas be Removed?

28. January 2012

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View full post on About.com India Travel

Yummy New Food Menu at Bonobo Mumbai

27. January 2012

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Saying Happy New Year with Flowers

27. January 2012

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Visiting a flower market in one of China’s cities is a fun thing to do no matter what time of year; but it’s especially delightful during Chinese New Year. While I do love the scent of a real evergreen during Christmas, Chinese culture has so many traditional and colorful plants to choose from, it makes [...]

2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day One

26. January 2012

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Authors in conversation, Jaipur Literary Festival.
Sharell Cook.
The fifth annual Jaipur Literature Festival kicked off today, and I’m thrilled to actually be there for the first time! However, thick fog in Kolkata put a stop to my plans to get there early, as it delayed my flight from Mumbai by two hours. I must [...]

Ajmer to Pushkar by Train

25. January 2012

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Pushkar Lake.
Sharell Cook
It’s been 10 years in the making and cost just over 100 crore rupees, but the train line from Ajmer to Pushkar is finally up and running. Yes, it’s now possible to get from Ajmer to Pushkar by train, and for less than half the price of the bus!
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Which Major Indian City has the Worst Auto Rickshaw Drivers?

24. January 2012

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Mumbai auto rickshaws.
Sharell Cook.
I had a terrible time with the auto rickshaw drivers in Jaipur during my recent trip there. Not one of them would go by the meter. Instead, every time, I was told, “Sorry, meter broken, madam.” Then, they proceeded to quote me twice the fare of what a meter taxi [...]

2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day Four

23. January 2012

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Door at the City Palace, Jaipur.
Sharell Cook.
It was back to Mumbai for me this afternoon, but I still managed to fit in a couple more sessions at the Jaipur Literature Festival today.
One of the sessions featured a panel of authors, including Aman Nath and William Dalrymple, who’d all contributed short stories to a recently [...]

Happy Year of the Dragon!

23. January 2012

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It’s another new year here in Thailand, which is funny considering we just celebrated another new year on January 1 and we’ll celebrate once again in April when Songkran rolls around. Thailand actually has three different New Year celebrations every year, yet another reason it’s such a great party place.
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2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day Three

22. January 2012

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Oprah at the Jaipur Literary Festival.
Sharell Cook.
As expected, Oprah stole the show at the Jaipur Literature Festival today. And what a show it was! The doors had to be closed and people turned away as there was no more room. A guy fainted, and there was almost a stampede as the doors [...]

Happy New Year! 新年好！Welcome The Dragon!

22. January 2012

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The New Year is upon us. While you may be having a relaxing, normal Sunday afternoon wherever you are, in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and in Chinese communities all over Asia…
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2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day Two

21. January 2012

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Crowd at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Sharell Cook.
The second day of the Jaipur Literature Festival saw even more people pour in! How many? Just take a look at the photo. Once again, the issues of freedom of speech and corruption featured prominently in today’s sessions.
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Hustle and Bustle for Chinese New Year – Shanghai

21. January 2012

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In one of the only non-rainy days this week, the kids and I went to the Yu Garden Bazaar in the old part of Shanghai yesterday to see if the lanterns are up and pick up some New Year decorations. There was plenty going on and I thought you’d enjoy seeing New Year preparation and [...]

2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day 1

20. January 2012

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Authors in conversation, Jaipur Literary Festival.
Sharell Cook.
The fifth annual Jaipur Literature Festival kicked off today, and I’m thrilled to actually be there for the first time! However, thick fog in Kolkata put a stop to my plans to get there early, as it delayed my flight from Mumbai by two hours. I must [...]

Nominate for About.com 2012 Readers Choice Awards India Travel

19. January 2012

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About.com Readers’ Choice Awards.
I’m very happy to announce that nominations are now open for the 2012 About.com Readers’ Choice Awards for India Travel. This is the first year that India Travel has been included in the Readers’ Choice Awards. It’s a fantastic opportunity to tell us what you love about India, and also get [...]

Passengers, please confirm your terminal before fastening your seatbelts…

19. January 2012

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When it comes to China Travel, I like to think myself infallible. (I like to think myself thus in all regards, but especially in China Travel.) A friend stayed with us last night on the tail end of her business trip to Shanghai between heading off to Beijing to see the Great Wall. I had [...]

Traveling During Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) 2012

18. January 2012

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You might be traveling in China over the holidays and have a few questions about being here during these busy travel times. Here are some answers to common questions about travel during Chinese New Year. The good news is that things don’t just shut down over the holidays. [...]

The Best Places to Drink Tea in India

16. January 2012

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www.flickr.com user Laurel Fan
If you’re after something a bit more special than the usual masala chai, it’s not hard to find these days in India. In recent years, tea has become trendy and sophisticated. For a real treat, sample the hundreds of varieties of tea on offer at these 5 tantalizing India tea shops and [...]