Author Archives: auburn

Chingay Parade 2013: A Celebration of a Melting Pot of Cultures

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Modern day Singapore is a melting pot of diverse communities, ethnicities and cultures thanks to its strategic geographical location as a port where many Asians settled down in the country subsequent to arriving there for trade and commerce. Therefore, the diversity it affords as a nation and the peaceful relations and mutual respect that exist between these communities are truly unparalleled. It is this cultural diversity is celebrated in the Chingay Parade.

The Chingay Parade is a celebration that takes place as the nation welcomes the Chinese New Year and was introduced by the then administration lead by Lee Kwan Yew in order to continue the spirit and merriment of their people even after the lighting of fire crackers were banned as a safety precaution. The Parade certainly lived up to its expectations and perhaps even more for over the years it has been successful in attracting those of diverse communities, races and cultures into its celebrations.

The Parade scheduled for 2013 is to be held under the theme “Fire in Snow”. In an effort to celebrate human strength in the face of adversity and hardship, ‘Fire” is symbolic of human strength and power as it triumphs over life’s bitter tests, battles and struggles symbolized by snow. Furthermore, in an effort to create an ocean of fire, more than 2, 500 performers are set to light pots of fire to kick start the celebrations. Additional events and attractions including 400 Tai Chi sword performers, processions of sparkling firecrackers and the Opera presentation are ensured to keep the spirit and merriment of the people at an all time high! The sale of tickets have already begun, so if you wish to bear witness to this enthralling display of Singapore’s multi-cultural identity, purchase your tickets without further delay.

In organizing your tour of this city state, you will find that accommodation in this country attains a standard of excellence. When choosing a Singapore hotel that will allow you to experience not only the local culture, opt for Raffles hotel Singapore for in addition to its close proximity to many local attractions, this luxury hotel Singapore goes that extra mile to ensure that your holiday is a memorable one.

Festivals in Phuket – Adding excitement

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For the ultimate holiday experience, select a Phuket beach resort such as Anantara Phuket Resort Thailand, an ideally located Phuket resort. When in the region there are various things to do and events to enjoy, especially local festivals. One of the most unique festivals in the island is the Vegetarian Festival. Phuket Seafood Festival where local culinary experts showcase their skills and the Chinese New Year are also popular events. However a prominent event you will get to experience here is the Songkran Festival. Bringing an array of entertainment options is the Phuket Old Town Festival whilst Wat Chalong Fair which coincides with the Chinese New Year brings shopping opportunities, entertainment and more.

Huayi – Chinese Festival of the Arts 2013- An international platform for the local art

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If you are looking for a relaxed vacation in East Asia, Singapore is the best place to be this holiday. Singapore hotel accommodation will always be a hassle free experience as you can easily find conveniently located Studio M hotel Singapore which is recommended as an ideal Singapore hotel to explore the city while experiencing the Singaporean culture. Huayi is one of the must- experienced cultural events when you are holidaying in Singapore. Celebrating the multicultural aspect of Singapore, Huayi Chinese festival was launched in 2003 as one of the three annual cultural events at Esplanade. Since 2003, Huayi is organized annually as a traditional event and it provides a great platform to artists from various genres to showcase their talents. This Chinese festival of Arts is also recognized as a great opportunity in taking the local masterpieces to an international audience.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Chinese New Year: A Celebration of the Old and the Welcoming of the New

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While the world welcomes New Year with the beginning of a new calendar, in most cultures all around the world, the New Year is welcomed in many different ways, sometimes even at a different time. The Chinese New Year is one of them where the citizens of China along with most of their neighbours such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, welcome the New Year with the onset of spring. The festival, also called the Spring Festival, starts on the first day of the very first month, continues for fifteen days and comes to an end with the Lantern Festival.

As the New Year draws close, a number of open air markets are set up selling wares such as fire crackers, toys and flowers which are often purchased as gifts. Most floral decorations are symbolic of luck, prosperity, tranquillity and even health. Therefore, the giving of flowers during this time is considered a serious business requiring much thought and consideration.

These celebrations are marked with traditions whose roots date back centuries and traditions differ from region to region. One such tradition is the Annual Reunion Dinner which takes place on the eve of the New Year when families and relatives come together. At these family gatherings, a number of traditional delicacies made from pork, chicken and fish are made and enjoyed by all those present and the night ends with the lighting of crackers. Before the end of the evening, a family portrait is taken as well. Another common practice is the cleaning of houses, gifting of presents and decorating homes to symbolize fortune and happiness.

Another practice is the giving of money in red envelopes, which symbolize wealth, by parents to their children as the New Year dawns and the money is always given in even numbers. Another sight that is commonly seen on the streets during this time are the dragon dances for it is believed that the beating of drums and cymbals in combination with the image of the dragon scares away evil spirits.

For one who wishes to visit Thailand during this time, it is best to ensure the availability of a Bangkok resort for the influx of travellers during the holiday season is high. Choosing to reside in a hotel like the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa provides you with the option of seeing the sights, witnessing the celebrations of the new year and returning to the luxury of one of the best 5 star hotels in Bangkok and pampering themselves at their renowned spa.

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The 2013 Phuket International Blues Rock Festival – The Music Bonanza

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For 7 whole years Phuket has hit the charts with its ever popular International Blues Festival. For seven years, February mostly has been ‘the’ month in Phuket. If you love music this is certainly where you should be in February; grooving to the endless rhythms that blares before you. The Phuket International Blues Rock Festival is a cup of tea whatever your taste may be. Whether you are the head banger or the foot tapper, you will find something to keep you grooving throughout the festival.

Every year the Blues Rock Festival gets bigger and better than it did before. So far it was in the year 2012 when the festival actually blew the charts. Every review you come across talks of the festival as if it was something out of this world. It was amazing and nothing short of that, the world applauded at the excellent showcase of talent and the excellent combination of music. Two- day music marathon featured some renowned and popular names in the entire music industry. These included Chris Thomas King, Jack Derwin, Moscowish , Akash, The Rocking Angels and many more. These names are international proving that the artists have been hailed from all over the globe to add to the widespread types of music. Just as fantastic it is in variety and quality, it attracts an enormous number of viewers again from all over the globe. The festival certainly is the largest crowd pulling event in Phuket. Media played a big part in taking this festival beyond Phuket. The Festival was broadcasted on radio and was aired online at www.phuketfmradio.com enabling those still back at home to enjoy the show as well.

February is an excellent month for holidaying in Phuket. Perhaps it is the music festival topped with several highlights of the month that makes it an amazing month in the city. The whole town vibrates with extra vigour; restaurants cook their finest dishes, hotels pour with special offers and the city is absolutely magical. Enjoy this time of the year by choosing a comfortable Phuket resort to stay in. The Millennium Resort Patong Phuket is a popular choice as it is located amidst a fantastic setting. This Patong beach resort will provide you a soothing ambience like no other place in town.

Festivals in Bangkok – Splendid celebrations

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Travellers based at luxury hotel resorts get to indulge in the finest comforts and luxury hotels such as Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas take the ultimate holiday experience to a whole new level. When in Bangkok, travellers are spoilt for choice when considering what to do. However, the region’s vibrant events and festival may make the choice for you. Some of the most interesting festivals taking place in the city are Nights at Wat Arun, Chinese New Year, Thai Kite Festival and Bangkok Songkarn Festival. Most of these celebrations afford a glimpse into the country’s unique cultural aspects whilst keeping you entertained.

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Festivals in Bali – Vibrant and unique

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Bali is a traveller’s paradise and Bali hotel accommodation caters to their discerning needs. However with one of the ideally located Bali hotels such as Anantara Seminyak Bali, you will be assured of a remarkable holiday in the region. Attractions in the region include various religious and cultural festivals. Harvest festivals, parades to the sea, fasting & retreat ceremonies, temple festivals and more are among these events. One of the main religious festivals in Bali is Nyepi Festival which marks the beginning of the New Year. Held before this is the Melasti Festival which is dedicated to driving evil spirits away from the island.

Interislander Summer Festival Greymouth Races: Something for Everyone!

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291842-154959-7While the Northern hemisphere is knee deep in layers of snow during the height of winter, the island nation of New Zealand, nestled just beyond Australia in the Southern hemisphere enjoys the best that summer has to offer. Fondly known by its citizens as the Paradise of the Pacific, the landscape of the island comes alive during this season and makes summer in New Zealand a truly magnificent experience.

Summer in New Zealand is never static and is definitely never boring for there is always something happening. The Inter-islander Summer Festival Greymouth Races is simply one such example of the many attractions that has tourists flocking to the Paradise of the Pacific. The most recently concluded races were held a mere five days into the beginning of the New Year.

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An all day event, the races were organized by the area’s Jockey Club and conducted at the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth and only adults above the age of 18 years must purchase tickets to enter. The added convenience of a number of entertainment items and plans for children allow parents to sit back and enjoy the races in all its glory without worrying about their kids. Therefore, the Interislander Summer Festival Greymouth Races are ideal for a fun day out for the family for its design ensures that everyone, no matter their age, is happy and satisfied.

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This year, the organisers were sure to include special packages such as the Mini Marquee Package so as to make the event a fun filled one which could be enjoyed even with a large crowd. The Mini Marquee Package included being seated in a prime viewing spot in your very own marquee which seats 10 people as well Racebooks for each adult.

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If you wish to attend the races in 2014, prior planning is sure to save you a lot of trouble and help you economize your tour of the country. Select and book Greymouth hotels as early as possible for during the time of the races, it is likely that the prices will rise. If you’re travelling on a budget, keep an eye out for the numerous deals New Zealand hotels offer which will help reduce travel and accommodation costs. However, if you wish to indulge in all that the best hotels in the country has to offer, choose the luxurious options provided for by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ for a memorable tour of the Paradise of the Pacific.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Oman Food Festival 2013 – All things local

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Held at the Qurum Natural Park in Oman scheduled for the 7th of February, the Oman food festival is a much- awaited event that takes place this February 2013. The festival runs in association with chefs and students of the Oman Tourism College, and it allows visitors to the fair to enjoy the best of authentic Oman cuisine. This year’s food festival will be held on the 7th of February.2013_1$thumbimg117_Jan_2013_161330997

Provided you like trying something different, if you are a complete foodie, or even if you are just interested in trying out local cuisine you are sure to love the experience of the food festival, as locals and tourists bounce about the festivities. Dishes such as the traditional Shua; a preparation of meat cooked underground, and an array of other local cuisine are showcased here. Other local cuisines served here are Ruz al Mudhroub, Maqdeed, Muqalab, Harees and Mishkak. Everything is prepared live and presented by the students and teachers from the Omani Tourism College.

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Last year’s event was held over 11 days and became quite a challenging experience for the students of the Oman tourism institute. The food offered here are inclusive of a starter, a main course, dessert and a drink, all reasonably priced. After the success of last year’s festival expectations of the tourists, tour organizers and locals are extremely enthusiastic for this year’s festival.

If you are traveling to Oman during February, This is an occasion you wouldn’t want to miss, stay at an ideal Muscat hotel and enjoy local hospitality. Millennium Resort Mussanah is an Oman Muscat hotel that will pamper you right from the point you walk through its doors. The Millennium hotel puts you within easy reach of the many of the main attractions in the district of Muscat and the shopping central. With a beautiful view of its 54 birth marina on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, this luxury hotel offers exceptional comfort and services.

Food-FestivalSo mingle with everything that’s raved about in this Middle Eastern country, experience a bit of luxury known to the locals of this desert country and eat to your heart’s content at the food festival this February in Oman.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Dubai Festivals- Vibrant affairs

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Dubai is a vibrant city having rapidly developed to become a leading tourist destination. For travellers including those who are staying at luxury hotels and resorts, preferably of a luxury hotel group such as Raffles, there is plenty to see and do in the region. Festivals held in the city bring about a spirit of harmony and excitement. With a culture rooted in Islamic traditions, Dubai mainly celebrates religious festivals such as Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. However the world famous, Dubai Shopping Festival has achieved continued success over the years attracting visitors from all corners of the world.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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