ASIA & AUSTRALIA

Halong Bay, Vietnam

You probably have read in the news that people get jailed for possessing drugs and even death sentence if they trade with drugs. This applies to many Asian countries. Even if it's sometimes easy to get the drug, the "dealer" might just be an undercover cop. STAY OUT OF IT!

Harbour Bridge, Sydney Australia

Floating Market, Thailand

Population:  nobody really knows but approximate 3382.4 m

People:  The majority are of Mongolic origin. The second biggest group is of Indian origin and third Malaya.

Area:  44,390,000 sq km (17,139,000 sq mi )

Religion: Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, Christians

Health risks: In general big cities are quite ok, especially the big hotels have a western educated doctor. Be careful in drinking tap water. Your hotel can give you the information about the water.

Singapore Night Skyline

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Adelaide  Pert & Fremantle  Sydney

CHINA  Beijing  Hong Kong  Kunming  Macau  Shanghai  Shenzhen

Johor Bahru  Kuala Lumpur   Kuantan  Malacca  Penang

Ching Mai  Bangkok   Hat Yai   Koh Samui  Phuket

Drinking water can vary from don't even brush your teeth with it to no problem at all. Hygiene in toilets is a big problem in general with some few shining exceptions. You might have a problem with most toilets outside the large hotels. Squat-latrines are every where. Keep your nose closed and don't forget to bring toilet paper along. If your stomach feels uneasy, stay in the neighborhood of your hotel. If you are under medication bring enough along, as you might have difficulties in finding your prescription or even a pharmacy. A big part of Asia is in the tropics, if your skin is sensitive to sun, bring some lotion along.

Eating in Asia is a culture on it's own. Chop sticks are like fork and knife, don't put them "in your ears (you will be surprised)" or use them for drumming on a plate or glass. Fingers are used in many places to eat with (don't shake hands). There is a logical thinking behind it, you know how clean your finger are but not about the chop sticks or fork and knife. Quite few Asian cuisines don't have soups, why, nobody really knows, but you can't eat soup with your fingers.

The varieties of food is probably bigger than in any other continent. Curries, fresh chili's thinly sliced or pounded together with garlic and herbs, raw delicacies of seafood or meat, steamed dumplings with a wide range of fillings, almost anything what swims in water. Staple food are noodles (which have their origin in China not Italy) and rice. Soya is a very essential ingredient and does exist in so many variations that even an Asian wouldn't be able to tell you all the different  types. From soya sauce (actually liquid salt) to a wide range of pudding like types, some are even flavored, to deep fried crispy ones and last but not least as fresh soya milk. You will find chicken dishes where even Colonel Sanders would be amazed. Some communities are true vegetarian, don't eat beef (Hindus and Buddhists) and don't eat pork (Muslims). All these people respect your habits, please respect theirs. Among all these huge food varieties you will find plenty of western fast food........ and like home a pizzeria. 

Most Asian countries do have road side eateries. Follow a rule, if you can drink the tap water in that city or place you shouldn't have a problem with these eateries as well. But do remember like anywhere there are good ones and BAD ones. If the food doesn't look good, don't eat it. OK Last but not least, your stomach does not love all spices, so start slowly.

more   Sightseeing   Air Tickets   Hotels

Singapore carries the reputation for it's concrete city and being worth a 2-3 days shopping spree only. However there are quite a few thinks to do which easily will keep you occupied and even fascinated. You can go free and easy, totally on your own with a map in your hand as most places to see are pretty much concentrated to the greater city area. 

more   Sightseeing   Air Tickets    Hotels

Bangkok is Thailand's capital and the residence of the King. With approximate 10 million inhabitants, it's one of Asia's most bustling cities. The most modern skyscrapers mix with numerous old fashioned shop houses. It's as well the  city of klongs (canals) and wats (temples).

more   Sightseeing   Air Tickets    Hotels

more   Sightseeing   Air Tickets    Hotels

Ho Chi Ming City or Saigon as the older inhabitants still like to call it is the commercial hub of Vietnam. It is a very cosmopolitan city. The French influence can be seen every where, from buildings to broad avenues and the French cuisine. Besides the cathedral Notre Dame, the old Opera House now the Municipal Theatre and the famous Ben Thanh market you should take a trip to the much talked about Cu Chi tunnels.

more   Air Tickets    Hotels

US-ASEAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

ASEAN ONLINE 

plenty of info & explanation on ASEAN

ASEAN JAPAN CENTER for trade, Investment & Tourism

ASEAN FOCUS GROUP consulting and advisory service for business

Kuala Lumpur Padang, Malaysia

-The highest mountain:

  Mount Everest 8,848 m (29,028ft)

-Longest River:

  Yangtze 6,378 km (3,964 miles)

--The deepest ocean: 

  Mariana Trench 11,035 m (36,199 ft)

-The largest country by area:

  China 9,596,960  km˛   (3,705,407miles˛)

Shopping in Asia can be a great pleasure, cheap and the fun of a bazaar. On the other side you always have the feeling of getting "cheated", but that's the challenge, isn't it. Watch out for all those copy items, if you buy don't get caught back home by customs.

Pearl Tower Shanghai, China

Rice Terraces, Bali Indonesia

There's a saying that Chinese eat anything that swims in water except submarines and ships, anything that got four legs except tables and chairs and anything that flies except aircrafts and helicopters. AND if they can't eat it, they mince it and sell it as medicine. Go to a Chinese medicine shop, and you will find out. Chinese food has many different flavours and it's offen different from what you find at home, authentic.

In the more developed communities western medicine has made it's influence. In the others you might still find rituals by voodoo's or similar supernatural individuals. Some of it is like natural medication others are in many societies strictly forbidden. You know your body and what medication you normally take if any. Take it along. Otherwise normal prevention is nothing but getting informed and use your human brain. 

Driving in Asia should be done with a certain caution.  Many drivers hardly have a proper driving license. In case of an accident, the blame will be put on you and sometimes self jurisdiction is the rule of the day. Almost all Asian countries have very cheap taxis, don't save the few pennies and jeopardize your beautiful holiday. Exceptions are Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. Most countries drive on the left side on the road and the one who comes first is "right" even if the law says something different. If you rent a car or bike go to a proper car rental company. Small outfits very often have unsafe vehicles and no insurance cover.