Travelogue around Asia Pacific

China - Every where I go there will always be some article about China. China's development and growth has been more than phenomenal. In November, I went to Sydney and everyone is talking about China. Why? because China is now Australia's largest export market and it is the real reason for the strong Australian dollar and booming economy. Sydney taxi drivers talk about how China has made Western Australia a booming state and made many people there rich. In such a short period of time, China has become an economic Juggernaut: - World largest mobile phone subscribers and still growing... - 3rd largest economy in the World - by end of 2007, China will overtake Germany to be the 3rd largest economy in the World - Bringing more than 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years World's Largest Steel Producer - China surpassed the US to become the World's largest steel producer in 1997 (10 years ago). China's mills have increased their output five fold over the decade, ...

Singapore - Having travel to most parts of Asia Pacific, I find that Singapore has the most varieties of car brands. There are 49 brand of cars being sold in Singapore. The largest are European made with twenty-four (24) brands, next nine Japanese made brands, five are made from China, six are USA made brands, three brands are Korean and three from our neighbour Malaysia. Alfa Romeo - Europe Aston Martin - Europe Audi - Europe Bentley - Europe BMW - Europe Chery - China Chevrolet - USA Chrysler - USA Citroen - Europe (France) Daihatsu - Japanese Dodge - USA Dongfeng - China made Ferrari - Europe (Italian) Fiat - Europe (Italian) Ford - USA Geely - China GM - USA Ha Fei - China Honda - Japan Hyundai - Korea Jaguar - Europe Jeep - USA KIA - Korean Lamborghini - Europe Land Rover - Europe Lexus - Japan Lotus - Europe Maserati - Europe Mazda - Japan Mercedes Benz - Europe (Germany) Mini - Europe Mitsubishi - Japan Nissan - Japan Naza - Malaysia (new introduction in 2007) Opel - Europe Per...

Hong Kong - Today, we will be checking out of Grand Hyatt Hotel. So, the kids want to stay in the Hotel to rest and watch their favourite cartoon programmes from Cartoon Network. So, me and my wife just walk around till it is near time for check-out. Our next hotel is Le Meridien Cyberport - located @ 100 Cyberport Road. This hotel is not on any popular Hong Kong tourist map. Upon arrival via taxi, the fare was quite expensive because it was far. The reception at the Hotel was unpleasant for a 5-star hotel - only 1 staff manning the reception and it took so long to check us in. The Le Meridien Cyberport is a modern ultra sleek hotel but it does not give you a cosy feeling. The rooms are ultra modern - with a 42" LCD TV and a naughty shower that you can bring the shower blinds up and down. So, if you are in the mood for some extra sexy and modern feeling - you can bathe with the shower blinds up. Walking around the hotel and a small shopping centre was quiet and ...

Hong Kong - After a hearty breakfast, we make our way to the MTR for our next adventure into the heartlands of Kowloon. Our 1st stop was Mong Kong station, because we want to visit the Ladies market (also called Tung Choi Street) that we hear so much about. This is a place to find good bargains, inexpensive ladies clothes, jeans, bags, watches, etc. Opens daily from noon till 11:30pm. We walk up the down the street a number of times - spent lunch at a local eatery. After lunch, we walk a distance to the Goldfish market - this place is located at the further end of Tung Choi, crossing 3 roads - and this is where you can find ornamental fishes. Walking around is quite an eye opener for the children. We then walk back to Mong Kok station and hop onto the MTR for Jordan station. This location is where the Gentlemen market is location (also called Temple Street or their night market). This is also famous for their numerous fortune tellers all lined up along Temple Street. After mu...

Hong Kong - We took the MTR from Wan Chai station all the way to Sunny Bay station, and then hop on the Disney train to the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort . Throughout the trip it was pleasant but never expected to have such a huge crowd on a monday morning. We started our Disneyland tour at around 11.30am and left at 9.30pm. I was told by many Kong Hong friends that Monday is a good day to visit HK Disneyland as it is not a HK school holiday and many parents are back at work. They were correct to an extend as many of the visitors were foreigners and Mainland Chinese. We had to queue at popular stations about 30-45 minutes. This HK Disneyland is smaller to the ones I have been to at Tokyo and California - but to my kids there is no difference - this is a paradise of fun and play. We paid HK$ 295 (S$59) for adults and HK$ 210 (S$42) for children. There are 3 fantasy lands ( Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Adventureland) and it would be best to plan your route around the Resort. Tomo...

Macau - Since it is our last day in Macau, my wife together with my youngest son decided to tour around Taipa. Taipa is one of the smallest city of Macau. The three bridges connecting Macau to Taipa are Nobre de Carvalho (2.5 km long), the Friendship Bridge (4.5 km long) and Sai Van Bridge (2.2 km long). The longest one (Friendship Bridge) leads directly to Macau International Airport located on the Island of Taipa. Also located on Taipei is the famous Macau Jockey Club . After being dropped off by the Westin Macau shuttle bus, we walk around for a few hours and had breakfast at a neighbouring Macau chinese restaurant. Quite surprising on a Sunday morning it was crowded. In the afternoon we took a dip at Westin Macau Resort's heated swimming pool. Spent about 2 hours in the pool and then it was check-out time. We have already bought the tickets one day earlier so we zip through immigration quite quickly. The only hic-up was that Turbojet insist that I pay a fee for my har...

Macau - There is a hill just behind Royal Hotel and so early in the morning after breakfast, we set off walking up to Guia Hill. On this Guia Hill stands the Guia Fortress and Lighthouse . The Fortress was built in 1637 and the Lighthouse which is still in use, in 1865. This Lighthouse when it was built was the first of its kind along the China Coast. There is also a small and simple chapel - Chapel of Our Lady of Guia. This chapel was originally established by the Clarist nuns, who resided at the site before establishing the Convent of St. Clare. The chapel's elaborate frescoes depict representation of both western and Chinese themes, displaying motifs of religious and mythological inspiration that are a perfect example of Macau's multicultural dimension. Walking up I found an interesting sign board.... This is a great morning walk and the Guia Hill has many exercise equipments along the pedestrian path, and is popular with joggers, birdwatchers and lovers alike...

Macau - We took bus No. 28C from the bus stop outside Royal Hotel as we wanted to venture into the heartlands of Macau. We wanted to see how the Macau people live and eat. We alighted after 5 bus stops and decided to have lunch at a local restaurant. The restaurant owners were very nice people and guess correctly that we were from Singapore. We had a hearty meal at a very reasonable price. We had to walk a distance to reach The Red Market but along the way we came across Lin Zexu Memorial Museum of Macau . We finally reach The Red Market is located on the corner of Avenida Almirante Lacerda and Avenida Horta e Costa, in an area that has some of Macau's most interesting 20th century architecture. The market was built in 1936 by the Macanese architect Jio Alberto Basto in the Art Deco style and is classified as an architectural heritage site. It still houses a vigorous trade, with vendors selling dried foods, fresh produce, fish and meat. In earlier times the market was cl...

Macau - We had to cross the bridge from Macau City to Taipa and then towards Coloane. Macau City, Taipa and Coloane are 3 islands that make up Macau. Taipa and Coloane are now joined through land reclaimations to create a new city called Cotai Strip . The Cotai Strip is the location of the new Casino and Resort Hotel - The Venetian Macau. More than 7 Resort Hotels are under development along the Cotai Strip and this will make it the Asian version of Las Vegas. The Westin Resort Macau is the only beach fronting resort Hotel in Macau - we had a beautiful balcony overlooking the sea. Unfortunately, we will be resting here for just one night. The Macau Golf and Country Club is located next to the Hotel. On the 5th floor, there is a passage to the entrance of Macau Golf and Country Club.

Macau - Checking out at Metropark Hotel, I was confronted with a rude front desk lady. Never had anyone slide the check-out bill to you - most hotel staff will politely hand over the bill with 2 hands. The service from the Metropark Hotel is below acceptable standard. The taxi driver that took me to Royal Hotel which is a 10 minutes trip that cost about HK$ 30 - wanted me to pay HK$100. I refused and came to a compromise of HK$40 - which I think is also too much. This was a very bad experience in Macau. Futhermore, Macau has a stupid policy of some taxi can only take 4 passengers and some 5 passengers. If you have 5 people including kids, you have to look on the side of the taxi with the number 5. This is rediculous.... You need to be extra vigilant in Macau:- 1. When taking a taxi, don't forget to write down the taxi number and driver's name which are affixed next to the taxi meter. 2. Make sure that the taxi meter is running - walk out if he wants to hustle and nego...

Macau -  We visited the Fisherman Wharf located near the Macau ferry - occupying 111,5000sq meter and claimed in their brochure to be the 1st ever themed entertainment attraction in Macau. But reality is far from claimed by the brochure - this is the most boring theme entertainment ever - not advise to visit at all. There is nothing of interest here - most of the theme attractions are closed. Went over the New Yaohan departmental store - claimed to be the only department store in Macau - not too exciting. Came back to the Hotel for a meeting with their sales and banquet to discuss for next year conference. Overall, I am not impress with Metropark Hotel. Generally, I think Macau has a big problem in Macau on their service level. Macau has so many Mainland Chinese in the service and entertainment business that most are not given ample service training besides just being able to speak Mandarin. Macau is the only place, in all the countries I have travel around that the housek...

Hong Kong - After all the meetings, I decided to take a nice stroll along the Harbour front located next to the Renaissance Kowloon Hotel. It is also called "Avenue of Stars" having the hand prints of HongKong famous movie stars similiar to Hollywood movie stars. The weather is very nice around 17 degrees and many times it reminds us of Perth. At the end of the Avenue of Stars, there is the HK Space Museum and fortunately it is free entry on every Wednesday. Macau - At around 8pm, took the jet foil ( New World First Ferry ) from Kowloon Harbour to Macau jetty. It took about 1hr and it was a smooth ride. There was meant to be a free shuttle bus to pick us up but did not know that it end at 9.15pm - we were 30 minutes late. Macau like Hong Kong is part of China.  Macau, the former Portuguese colony is a  Special Administrative Region and has an area of 28.6 sq. km (about half the size of Singapore) - comprising of the Macau Peninsula (with 9.3 sq. km and connecte...

Hong Kong - Even at 10.45pm the Hong Kong International Airport was crowded with people. It is the holiday season and many people are in Hong Kong enjoying the cool and nice weather. Took the Airport Express to Kowloon and stayed at Renaissance Kowloon Hotel . Just had to prepare for the next day and the time is already 1am...time to zzzz. Renaissance Kowloon Hotel is a walking distance to the harbour front.