Global-Trekker.net » Asia http://www.global-trekker.net Global Travel News, Blogs, and Deals Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:21:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 How to Explore the Jaipur Old City http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/how-to-explore-the-jaipur-old-city/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/how-to-explore-the-jaipur-old-city/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:27:57 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/how-to-explore-the-jaipur-old-city/ View full post on About.com India Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/how-to-explore-the-jaipur-old-city/feed/ 0 Outside of eating and drinking – Chengdu and Shanghai at Night http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/outside-of-eating-and-drinking-chengdu-and-shanghai-at-night/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/outside-of-eating-and-drinking-chengdu-and-shanghai-at-night/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:27:54 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/outside-of-eating-and-drinking-chengdu-and-shanghai-at-night/ Kuanzhai Alley Sign ChengduTraveling on your own – or even with family and friends – can mean a lot of time spent in restaurants. And while I highly recommend spending a lot of time in restaurants in China sampling regional cuisines and enjoying as many xiaolongbao as you can handle, sometimes another night of eating and drinking can feel tiresome. And if you’re like me, you might only have one or two days in a city and you want to add some value to your evening – have a cultural experience or see something new.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/outside-of-eating-and-drinking-chengdu-and-shanghai-at-night/feed/ 0 2012 Kala Ghoda Festival Photos and Program http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/2012-kala-ghoda-festival-photos-and-program/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/2012-kala-ghoda-festival-photos-and-program/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:28:03 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/2012-kala-ghoda-festival-photos-and-program/ View full post on About.com India Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/2012-kala-ghoda-festival-photos-and-program/feed/ 0 Lantern Festival Ends Chinese New Year for Another Year http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/lantern-festival-ends-chinese-new-year-for-another-year/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/lantern-festival-ends-chinese-new-year-for-another-year/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:28:01 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/lantern-festival-ends-chinese-new-year-for-another-year/ Bridge at Yu GardensAs the rain pours down in frigid temperatures around me, I am reminded of clearer, dryer full moons over the Lantern Festival in Shanghai. That said, it doesn’t seem to have put a damper on anyone’s spirits; I can hear the fireworks already and it’s only 7pm!

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/lantern-festival-ends-chinese-new-year-for-another-year/feed/ 0 Be careful of the upside-down number keyboard on ATMs http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/be-careful-of-the-upside-down-number-keyboard-on-atms/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/be-careful-of-the-upside-down-number-keyboard-on-atms/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:28:02 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/be-careful-of-the-upside-down-number-keyboard-on-atms/ 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 a third wrong entry will swallow a card – or so I feared. We tried another machine with the same results.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/be-careful-of-the-upside-down-number-keyboard-on-atms/feed/ 0 Nadi Astrology at Vaitheeswaran Koli – Real or Fake? http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/nadi-astrology-at-vaitheeswaran-koli-real-or-fake/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/nadi-astrology-at-vaitheeswaran-koli-real-or-fake/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:27:59 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/nadi-astrology-at-vaitheeswaran-koli-real-or-fake/ View full post on About.com India Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/nadi-astrology-at-vaitheeswaran-koli-real-or-fake/feed/ 0 Thailand’s Family Friendly Beaches http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/thailands-family-friendly-beaches/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/thailands-family-friendly-beaches/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:24:27 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/thailands-family-friendly-beaches/ 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, great accommodations, pleasant and not too crowded. We spent almost all of our time at the beach resort, mostly hanging out at the gorgeous pool with the babies, but we did get to walk the beach a couple of times. The resort we stayed in was tres chic bordering on trendy, but it was packed with kids (much to the surprise of the few young hipsters without) which made it that much more pleasant for us. No need to worry about our babies disturbing other guests!

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/thailands-family-friendly-beaches/feed/ 0 2012 Khajuraho Dance Festival Program and Tickets http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-khajuraho-dance-festival-program-and-tickets/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-khajuraho-dance-festival-program-and-tickets/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:27:55 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-khajuraho-dance-festival-program-and-tickets/ View full post on About.com India Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-khajuraho-dance-festival-program-and-tickets/feed/ 0 Getting Away from Bangkok http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/getting-away-from-bangkok/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/getting-away-from-bangkok/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:24:27 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/getting-away-from-bangkok/ 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 even if you’re just going to stay for the weekend. Hua Hin tends to be a favorite among Bangkok residents, probably because it’s so easy to get to and so well developed. But if you don’t want to go to Hua Hin, there are other options, too. Check out these great Bangkok getaway beaches.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/getting-away-from-bangkok/feed/ 0 Cha-am Hotels http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/cha-am-hotels/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/cha-am-hotels/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:24:25 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/cha-am-hotels/ 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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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/cha-am-hotels/feed/ 0 Not Hindu Looking Enough to Enter Major Hindu Temples in India http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/not-hindu-looking-enough-to-enter-major-hindu-temples-in-india/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/not-hindu-looking-enough-to-enter-major-hindu-temples-in-india/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:27:59 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/not-hindu-looking-enough-to-enter-major-hindu-temples-in-india/ View full post on About.com India Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/not-hindu-looking-enough-to-enter-major-hindu-temples-in-india/feed/ 0 Giving Hong Bao in China for Chinese New Year http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/giving-hong-bao-in-china-for-chinese-new-year/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/giving-hong-bao-in-china-for-chinese-new-year/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:27:56 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/giving-hong-bao-in-china-for-chinese-new-year/ Hong BaoSince 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 of money, I am now fully versed in the subject.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/giving-hong-bao-in-china-for-chinese-new-year/feed/ 0 When Will the 2 Month Gap on Indian Tourist Visas be Removed? http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/when-will-the-2-month-gap-on-indian-tourist-visas-be-removed/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/when-will-the-2-month-gap-on-indian-tourist-visas-be-removed/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:27:54 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/when-will-the-2-month-gap-on-indian-tourist-visas-be-removed/ View full post on About.com India Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/when-will-the-2-month-gap-on-indian-tourist-visas-be-removed/feed/ 0 Yummy New Food Menu at Bonobo Mumbai http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/yummy-new-food-menu-at-bonobo-mumbai/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/yummy-new-food-menu-at-bonobo-mumbai/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:28:05 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/yummy-new-food-menu-at-bonobo-mumbai/ View full post on About.com India Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/yummy-new-food-menu-at-bonobo-mumbai/feed/ 0 Saying Happy New Year with Flowers http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/saying-happy-new-year-with-flowers/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/saying-happy-new-year-with-flowers/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:28:03 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/saying-happy-new-year-with-flowers/ Lucky BambooVisiting 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 our old tree seem boring.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/saying-happy-new-year-with-flowers/feed/ 0 2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day One http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-one/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-one/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:27:57 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-one/ Jaipur Literary Festival.
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 say that the new Jaipur Airport was an impressive surprise though!

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-one/feed/ 0 Ajmer to Pushkar by Train http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/ajmer-to-pushkar-by-train/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/ajmer-to-pushkar-by-train/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:27:58 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/ajmer-to-pushkar-by-train/ Pushkar Lake.
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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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/ajmer-to-pushkar-by-train/feed/ 0 Which Major Indian City has the Worst Auto Rickshaw Drivers? http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/which-major-indian-city-has-the-worst-auto-rickshaw-drivers/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/which-major-indian-city-has-the-worst-auto-rickshaw-drivers/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:28:03 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/which-major-indian-city-has-the-worst-auto-rickshaw-drivers/ Mumbai auto rickshaws.
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 would charge.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/which-major-indian-city-has-the-worst-auto-rickshaw-drivers/feed/ 0 2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day Four http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-four/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-four/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:27:55 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-four/ Door at the City Palace, Jaipur.
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 published book called  Journeys Through Rajasthan: From the 16th to 21st Centuries.

If you’re interested in Rajasthan and want to get a better understanding of the state, this is the book to read. The wide and varied stories in it range from historic to contemporary pieces, with topics including everything from an amusing look at honeymooning couples at Mt Abu, to a tale about the endangered oral epic of Pabuji.

See photos of the festival on Facebook: 2012 Jaipur Literature Festival Photo Album.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-four/feed/ 0 Happy Year of the Dragon! http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-year-of-the-dragon/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-year-of-the-dragon/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:24:25 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-year-of-the-dragon/ 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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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-year-of-the-dragon/feed/ 0 2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day Three http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-three/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-three/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:27:58 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-three/ Jaipur Literary Festival.
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 broke open at one stage.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-three/feed/ 0 Happy New Year! 新年好！Welcome The Dragon! http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-new-year-%e6%96%b0%e5%b9%b4%e5%a5%bd%ef%bc%81welcome-the-dragon/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-new-year-%e6%96%b0%e5%b9%b4%e5%a5%bd%ef%bc%81welcome-the-dragon/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:27:56 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-new-year-%e6%96%b0%e5%b9%b4%e5%a5%bd%ef%bc%81welcome-the-dragon/ Yu DragonThe 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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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/happy-new-year-%e6%96%b0%e5%b9%b4%e5%a5%bd%ef%bc%81welcome-the-dragon/feed/ 0 2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day Two http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-two/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-two/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:27:56 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-two/ Jaipur Literary Festival.
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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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-two/feed/ 0 Hustle and Bustle for Chinese New Year – Shanghai http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/hustle-and-bustle-for-chinese-new-year-shanghai/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/hustle-and-bustle-for-chinese-new-year-shanghai/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:27:53 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/hustle-and-bustle-for-chinese-new-year-shanghai/ Stuffed dragons for saleIn 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 excitement in the city.

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]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/hustle-and-bustle-for-chinese-new-year-shanghai/feed/ 0 2012 Jaipur Literature Festival: Day 1 http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-1/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-1/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:28:07 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-jaipur-literature-festival-day-1/ Jaipur Literary Festival.
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 say that the new Jaipur Airport was an impressive surprise though!

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