On the northeast side of Tokyo lies a small sea side village known as Asakusa. This village was established in the 7th century. The story goes that two fishermen out at sea one day found not fish but a small golden statue in their fishing nets. This Buddhist statue was that of the deity Kannon. Kannon was revered as a deity of compassion. On this auspicious day which was the 18th of March 628, a Golden Dragon appeared above the village in the sky to mark the finding of this statue. Dragons are popular among Asian nations, and unlike their Western counterparts are usually serpentine in appearance, wingless, and comparatively benevolent. Of these the golden ones are a rare breed and are not seen easily …

The name Bali conjures up images of magnificent sunsets, sculpted paddy fields, smiling people, sun-kissed beaches, azure waters and promises of a perfect holiday by the sea – and rightly so. Rustic charm combined with all the right ingredients of modern day comforts can be expected in this island of hedonistic pleasures that was once used by Thai royalty for as a summer resort. Nightlife is Bali is just what you would expect it to be – loud, vibrant and great fun. But for those who prefer a more leisurely approach to nocturnal escapes would discover that the night markets are open for some late evening shopping and numerous restaurants are open catering to even the most discerning. To add a splash of culture to …

Once you look beyond the surface you’ll discover that Singapore is anything but dull or uninteresting. It is wealthy of a blend of Malay, Indian, Chinese and western cultures. Known as one of the world’s most prosperous countries, Singapore is a place where mostly traffic jams are non-existent and the population looks wholesome and clean-cut and it delivers stylish, innovative restaurants and the best shopping of Southeast Asia. And when you need a little break from the urban confines, there is an abundance of radiant reservoirs and leafy swathes in the centre of the island. Singapore is the host of the annual M1 Singapore Fringe Festival which is about music, theatre, dance, mixed media and visual arts created and presented by international and Singaporean artists. …

Among the numerous natural attractions of Fiji, one that tops the list is its splendid stretch of sand dunes that lies along the Coral Coast. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes that can be found directly along the mouth of the Sigatoka River is rated as one of the most famous and they are positioned around 3 kilometres from the town of Sigatoka. The biggest river in Fiji is the Sigatoka River and the sand dunes are the result of coastal dune forming processes and corrosion in the coastal hinterland. The widespread dune system occupies an area of 650 hectares and consists of a series of shifting sands of different ages and actions. The height of the sand dunes varies from approximately 20 to 60 metres. For …

The Auckland Arts Festival explores the universe of possibilities under the human imagination and their expression through art. Since its inauguration in 2003, the festival has become a premier attraction not only for the city but for the region. The festival consists of a range of arts well spiced with different flavours of the world making it extremely palatable, hugely entertaining and widely stimulating for a broad minded audience. This year’s festival is going to even surpass expectations. The themes which encompass the infinite universe of the human imagination and the thrill of discovery and travelling to exotic worlds of art undoubtedly sound promising. The different segments range from Theatre, Music and Dance to Art. As for the actual items, Douglas Wright’s dance act is …

Housing over 2,500 animals of 315 species, the Singapore Zoo is located in an environment representing a rainforest. Inspiring visitors by letting them experience the wonders of nature; the zoo has gained a favourable reputation locally and internationally. Its efforts to provide the best healthcare for the animals and initiatives taken for conservation and breeding programmes are highly admired. It is an award winning zoo granting an experimental learning experience. The governing authority has designated the zoo as a rescued wildlife centre. Plenty of shows take place at the zoo to entertain and educate the visitors whilst maintaining the animals’ natural behaviours and instincts through activities which they hope will deepen their understanding towards the creatures. Three special animal presentations namely Splash Safari, Rainforest Fights …

Kuala Lumpur among other things is famous for its nocturnal vibe. With an assortment of venues open till late at night, the nightlife in Kuala Lumpur is anything but dull. Often the party starts at 10:00pm, the venues filled with people of all ages, where the rhythm and the excitement of the crowd are almost tangible. The night life in Kuala Lumpur includes a variety of things to do. Visiting the bustling ‘pasar malam’ (night market) is one of them. Not only is it a shopper’s paradise but is also an excellent place to socialize while savoring delicious hawker food and sipping on your favourite beverage. The Golden Triangle, the commercial hub of the city is a thriving area for bars and night clubs. Some …

Creating a sense of inspiration for budding musicians, the Grammy Awards stands as the pinnacle amongst the other award ceremonies. Solely dedicated to the music industry, since its inception in 1971, it has gained a firm reputation of being the leading governing body for recognizing the creative and innovative abilities involved in the process of making music. Its dedication to the art of music is represented by the iconic symbol of the gramophone, which is its actual trophy. Synonymous with the Grammy Awards, it has remained as one of the most distinguishable elements that separate the Grammys among the rest. Similar to the Oscars being the leading recognition for the film industry, the music equivalent of Grammys is held dearly by singers. Winning such an …

The stunning futuristic skyscrapers and continuously flashing neon lights that are spread out to the horizon, blend history and sparkling modernism as you take a quick taxi ride through the most famous city of Japan. There’s no mandatory closing time and the sheer volume of drinking and eating venues are mind-boggling. A traveller could pick up from a multitude of nightlife options in nightclubs, pubs, discos, quiet restaurants, meeting spots, coffee houses and lounges. Countless bars and night clubs in various styles lure in visitors to Tokyo for dancing and partying long before the girls and drinks arrive. Good times are not only confined to Western-styled Japanese night clubs. There are also African-themed bars such as the Magambo, and restaurants known exclusively as typical Japanese …

The 29th Street retail district is a major shopping center in Boulder, Colorado. Situated on the former location of the Crossroads Mall, the district is an unusual shopping area that is popular amongst visitors as well as locals. Under the management of The Macerich Company, the retail center commenced operations in 2006. The venue is subdivided into three different neighborhoods interconnected by numerous walkways, streets, plazas, terraces and other community oriented gathering areas. The anchor tenants of the center are Home Depot, Macy’s, Borders, Century Theaters, Colorado Athletic Club and Staples. In contrast to the shopping complex it replaced, 29th Street is not a mall in the normally understood meaning of the word. It consists of an array of ‘big-box’ stores and numerous small scale …