Author Archives: Sumaira Narayan

Loi Krathong Festival – Floating away on a boat of serenity

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Bangkok is the lively capital that forms an exciting part of Thailand’s unique landscape, and it sees millions of visitors each year, who pursue business or leisure in this intriguing tropical metropolis. Central accommodation is not hard to find, especially if you are seeking one of the quality luxury hotels Bangkok has to offer its visitors. An elegant Bangkok hotel option comes in the form of the Anantara Bangkok Sathorn which is the ideal city retreat as it offers five star interiors with easy access to world-class shopping and entertainment options. If you’re in the city in the month of November, be prepared with witness a marvelous local tradition that is a visual feast: the Loi Krathong Festival. Translating to “Floating Decoration”, “Floating Boat” or “Floating Crown”, this is an opportunity for Thais (and anyone wishing to partake in a charming local custom) to let go of the past year’s travails and to start anew. “Loi” means “to float” and “krathong” translates to a lotus shaped container that is set afloat on the Chao Phraya River, carrying within it a lit candle and flowers, and anything to represent the act of letting go, such as a lock of hair. Krathongs are usually fashioned out of banana leaves, bread, or even a spider lily plant, which makes them biodegradable offerings. The festival finds its origins in the adaptation of a Brahmanical festival designed to venerate Lord Buddha, and the candle represents the Buddha, whilst the floating krathong represents the spiritual release of all hatred, anger and negative emotions. The sight of all these beautiful Loi Krathongs on the Chao Phraya River creates a stunning nighttime visual that must be seen in person to be fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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National Day of Hong Kong – Celebrate China’s nationhood in style!

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Celebrated every year on the 1st of October, the National day of Hong Kong and China was established in 1949 amidst grand festivities at the iconic Tiananmen Square. This signified the start of a golden era in the People’s Republic of China. Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau come alive with celebrations on this day, and public places like Tiananmen Square in Beijing and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong are treated to spectacular fireworks displays and animated festivities, along with colourful concerts for the public to enjoy.

If you are visiting Hong Kong around the time of the National Day, make sure you take part in the festivities and most of all, choose a good place from which you can see the sky line of the city ablaze with the colourful fireworks. Citizens take part in many parades usually displaying portraits of well-known leaders from the nation’s history, such as Mao Zedong, and the streets come alive with excitement and anticipation of this nation-defining day. Although it is a national day of importance, the people of Hong Kong celebrate this national holiday together with family and friends, much like the 4th of July celebrations in the US. Although the city’s restaurants with any view of the sky line are packed on this day, there are other places to catch a glimpse of the festivities, such as the roof top of the international financial center known as the IFC.

Plan your trip to Hong Kong early if you are visiting in October so as to avoid disappointment as this is one of the busiest times in this bustling cosmopolitan state. The holiday cheer is everywhere, while stores offer special discounts and the restaurants advertise exorbitant prices for a table on national day and people take to the streets in vibrant parades.

There are several options for a quality Hong Kong Hotel that provide great deals to travelers during the National Day holiday period. For an unforgettable stay in Hong Kong amidst the finest of luxuries, consider checking into the Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong. This stellar choice of a Wan Chai Hotel Hong Kong will provide all its guests with an unforgettable hospitality experience.

.Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts – Celebrate the coalescing of east & west

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Experience the excitement, pageantry and historical splendour of the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, which commemorates the cultural merging of eastern and western cultures over 2,000 years ago, completely transforming the Jordanian landscape. Unfolding during late July and early August, its occurrence during low peak tourist seasons ensures that you will be able to check into a luxury Amman hotel such as the Millennium Hotel Amman. Featuring luxury interiors and 5-star service, this hotel in Amman Jordan is a welcome choice to host your stay. Take part in the spirited grandeur of the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts to experience a truly unique Jordanian event that celebrates its vibrant and eclectic cultural make-up. Founded by Queen Noor in 1981, the festival has become a hub of artists, dancers, singers and all creative beings from the whole of Jordan to meet, exchange their ideas and showcase their talents to each other and to appreciative audiences from all over the globe. Catch some magnificent dancing and singing performances, stroll down the aged city streets and marvel at the local handicrafts persons plying their wares such as jewellery, embroidery, Bedouin carpets, ceramics, glass, metal and wood, and even walk away with a souvenir or two for the folks back home. Enjoy a traditional Jordanian meal bursting with vibrant flavours and exotic spices and catch a ballet, symphony orchestra or Shakespearean performance to fully round out a fun time at this unique cultural event. There are special events for children as well, guaranteeing a fun time to be had by the entire family.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Arafat Day – the Pinnacle of the Islamic faith

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Arafat day, or Day of Arafat, occurs on the 9th day of the pilgrimage to the holy site of Mecca, and it is believed to stand as the day on which the religion has been perfected. When you visit Abu Dhabi during this time, consider checking into a spa resort Abu Dhabi has to offer its international visitors, such as the Anantara Al Yamm. Providing a soothing experience in the middle of the desert, these villas in Abu Dhabi are fine oases for some welcome rejuvenation. Especially in the aftermath of Arafat Day, as it is a day of fasting and devotion as Muslims worldwide choose this time to ask Allah (the Arabic word for God) for forgiveness and ultimate salvation. The act of fasting is an important aspect of the Islamic faith, as it commences during the entire period of Ramadan and culminates in the evening, to be taken up again the next dawn for more than a month. A revered spiritual practice, it aims to bring the practitioner closer to Allah. Arafat Day marks the end of the period of fasting. During the Day of Arafat, supplicants who have undertaken the sacred pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca gather on the Plain of Arafat and Mount Arafat and devote their thoughts and prayers to Allah and their counterparts around the world do the same. Mount Arafat is the site from which the Prophet delivered his famous final speech before his passing, and he urged universality among Muslims and non-Muslims alike, as well as urging his followers to stay true to their faith and to treat women with kindness and compassion as worthy partners in the marriage contract. 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Vegetarian Food Festival – Meat-eaters, get to the back of the line!

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Bangkok is a thriving part of the Southeast Asian landscape with an exciting array of sights, smells and tastes to titillate any experiential palate. One of the most famous cultural offerings of the city are its food options, from street vendours serving up succulent and sizzling satay pieces on a stick to the warm and spicy soups such as Tom Yam and Tom Kah Khai, which are a welcome treat during the city’s chilly monsoon periods. The best way to sample these delectable offerings are from a central apartment Bangkok has to offer its discerning visitors. If you’re looking for serviced accommodation in Bangkok with broadband internet and other modern amenities, look no further than the Somerset Lake Point Bangkok which offers all its guests ultra-fast browsing speeds perfect for business and leisure visitors alike. Use those stellar internet facilities to locate the best dining and entertainment options around town for the ultimate experience in local cuisine. However, vegetarians can rejoice in the month of November, which is when most of the food vendors go strictly vegan and vegetarian in honour of a national vegetarian food festival enjoyed by meat and non-meat eaters alike. Look out for the bright yellow flags, which signals a non-meat eating zone, where you’ll find a delicious range of cuisine using every possible locally-sourced vegetable possible, complemented by a range of mock meat curries, rice, noodles and soups to ensure that traditional meat dishes are not left wanting. You’ll be greeted by mounds of crispy golden spring rolls, steaming bowls of fried rice, hearty dishes of thick soup, aromatic places of curry – all strictly without a trace of meat. Although the food is a major aspect of the festival, many of the locals also view it as a time of spiritual cleansing, where they’ll abstain from sex, alcohol, cigarettes, fighting, killing, stealing and lying. Some even don’t consume garlic or onions as these are believed to be “killed” when ripped from the soil. The vegetarian festival is also a great time to stock up on those vegetarian food stuffs that are not available year round, such as mushroom and veggie instant noodles.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Guangzhou Fashion Week 2013 – shop till you drop!

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Guangzhou is one of the most prosperous found in China, and it is also the capital city of Guangdong Province. A hub for cultural, political, educational, scientific, and economic activities in the Guangdong Province, it is a lively locale that must be explored. Tourism is one of the major industries that flourishes in this city. The varied number of restaurants and dining locations that are scattered throughout the area could be seen overflowing with visitors throughout the year.

There are a huge number of attractions to keep travellers of all stripes entertained and spellbound. The White Cloud Mountain is one spot that would awe and inspire both the younger and older generations. The Five Ram Statue in Yuexiu Park has been one of the places that visitors do not want to miss out on when they come here. Any time you visit, there would be people around it admiring the beauty of the statue and clicking their cameras to take home some of the beautiful memories. There are many more interesting and beautiful places in this area that one could visit without any trouble.

Apart from these there are many festivals that take place in this city for various reasons. Guangzhou Fashion Week is one festival that would attract fashion lovers from around the world. 50% of the brands sold in this event come from local creators, which add an ethical element to shopping in the area. This would surely be paradise to a shopaholic. You will have to find your way through almost 100,000 buyers who come here, and get whatever branded clothing you need for a very reasonable price. There would be international brands taking part in this event as well. Lose yourself among the fabric creations that smell fresh and crisp. The festival would not be limited only to apparel, but also there would be a massive choice for accessories, shoes and leather goods as well.

Shop as much as you would like and make use of this unique opportunity if you are in the city of Guangzhou during the month of August. The Ascott Guangzhou features some of the best Serviced Apartments Guangzhou has to offer its visitors. These quality Service Apartments in Guangzhou are modern and cosy and would be a perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy and exciting day of retail therapy.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Ghost Month (Guf Yué) Xiamen – A Spectrum of Spectres

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According to Chinese mythology, the seventh lunar month is ghostly in nature, with spectres roaming about the earth and spirits making their presences felt by the living. The origins of the tradition are not well known or publicised, and although the customs that are put into action seem to heavily relate to Chinese folk discipline, the commemoration seems to be practiced by Taoists and Buddhists. Unlike other times of the year when descendants pay homage to their ancestors, during the period of the Ghost Month, the deceased are supposed to visit their kith and kin that are still alive.

It is customary for Buddhists to offer merit to their forefathers by way of performing good deeds and other meritorious actions. However, the Ghost Month calls for much more than performing a number of rituals to help any unfortunate ancestor relieve themselves from eternal condemnation. Descendants engage in burning incense sticks, lighting lamps and offering specially concocted food items. The dining tables are arranged with adequate space for the deceased to also consume a meal with the family, as was the custom when they were alive. Plates of vegetarian food are placed in front of their seats. and the offspring pretend they are present as they consume the meal. This has led to the festival being known as the ‘Hungry Ghost Festival’ as well.

During this season, descendants purchase mini paper boats and release them in bodies of water to symbolise the freeing of souls and providing a path for them to follow. In spite of the solemnity of the occasion and the probable fears that dwell in their minds, the month of the ghosts entails colourful processions on the streets and music performances in public areas with seats dedicated to the ghosts who are supposed to benefit from the music and religious hymns they hear.

Obtain the best deals from a variety of quality Greater China Hotels when you visit the country during this period of sober festivities. Although there is an air of moderation due to the remembrance of the dead, the Hotels in China do not lose their vibrancy, much to the delight of the guests who choose to stay at some fine hotels such as the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels China.

Hong Kong International Tea Fair – an industry conference

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The Hong Kong International Tea Fair will attract the attention of anyone in the business of buying or selling tea. This much-loved beverage is popular around the world and there is a naturally a ready market for tea in many countries around the world.

Hong Kong may be described as the focus of the tea-trading sphere. It is relatively close to the major tea-producing regions on the globe, and it possesses the modern infrastructure vital for a modern trade conference. Additionally, Hong Kong is a foremost consumer of tea, although it does not actually produce the hearty herb. The fair is the centrepiece of the city’s tea-trading activities, uniting major players in the industry from across the globe, creating a valuable forum for both buyers and vendors of the commodity. All related market niches such as processed tea as well as tea-related items are included in the expansive fair.

The fair typically attracts as many as 300 exhibitors representing 12 nations and regions, including mainland China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Iran. This abundant tea produce caught the attention of the almost 12,000 buyers present, representing 47 nations and regions. An array of attractive special events is organised at the fair, so as to create additional interest in the beverage and provide valuable information about the cultivation and consumption of tea. The International Tea Industry Conference features speeches delivered by veterans in the global market for the beverage, while there will also be seminars on marketing and branding with regard to this valuable commodity.

Creating a great deal of interest at the fair is the Tea Competition. Exhibitors may compete in the competition under five categories; namely green tea, black tea, aged tea, pu’er tea and oolong tea. The winners will receive prizes at the Tea Networking Reception, which also enables industry players to meet each other and exchange ideas. Tea tasting conferences are inseparable from the fair, as are promotions of tea culture featured at this event. To host their stay during this intriguing global forum, discerning visitors seeking a Hong Kong hotel will be pleased by the Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong. A quality option of a Wan Chai hotel Hong Kong offers, this elegant property provides comfortable accommodation graced with a selection of modern amenities that expertly cater to business and leisure visitors.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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Kataragama – a revered religious site

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Kataragama is a town located in the south of the island nation of Sri Lanka that is a noteworthy pilgrimage destination for Hindus, Buddhists and the indigenous Veddah people alike. Even devotees from southern India come to this venerated site to pay their respects at the sacred shrines gracing the locale. The site of veneration is the Kataragama temple, known in the Sinhalese language as the Kataragama devalaya; it stands in honour of God Skanda-Murugan or Kataragamadeviyo as the locals call the deity.

Tamil followers of the Hindu faith, both in Sri Lanka and southern India, call the location Katirkamam. The deity is variously known as Skanda-Murugan, Katiradeva, Subramanya, Kandasamy, Tarakajith and other names by the Hindu community. The god is depicted as having twelve hands and six faces or alternatively as featuring four hands and a single face. To demonstrate their devotion and loyalty to God Murugan, and to cultivate good karma, devotees pierce their tongues and cheeks with metal implements, and pull heavy chariots while attached to them with hooks.

On the other hand, Buddhists consider the presiding divinity to be a special guardian of the Buddhist faith and the Sri Lankan nation. Kataragama is believed to be one of the sixteen sites of Buddhist veneration in the island. The revered Bo tree to be seen behind the temple is thought to be a descendant of the Sri Maha Bodhiya of Anuradhapura, in Sri Lanka. Not to be missed is the Kiri Vehera stupa, which is located in the vicinity. This edifice is thought to have been originally constructed by King Mahasena many centuries ago.

There is no doubt that Kataragama is a site of veneration for devotees of many faiths; even a Muslim mosque may be seen within the temple compound. Although the many people who revere the deity are of different castes and creeds, they are united in their faith in the god and his ability to provide divine assistance in times of personal troubles, or for success in various endeavours. Well-informed visitors desiring Sri Lanka car rental or who are interested in exploring options for airport transfers Sri Lanka will be pleased by Malkey Rent A Car, a reputed provider of reliable transport solutions in the island.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival in July – A Dream World in Asia

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The Korean cartoon and animation film industry is currently enjoying an upswing with about 120 animation studios collaborating with US and Japanese animation companies to provide input to TV shows and movies. A spate of recent animated feature films made in Korea proved to be huge family hits such as the 2011 movies “Leafie” and “A Hen into the Wild” and the more recent “The King of Pigs,” “Penguin Pororo” and “Mashimaro” helped boost Korea’s animation industry to third place in the world. The country’s first full length animated movie “Hong Gil-dong”, released in 1967, set the stage for animated movies.

With the popularity at home of Korean cartoon and animated movies and with Korean animators and artists being increasingly involved in international hits, the Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (SICAF) to be held from the 23rd to the 28th of July has become a significant event and now ranks as one of the five most important animated film festivals in the world. The event was first held in 1995 and is promoted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city of Seoul. The event showcases the work of Korean and overseas cartoon and animated moviemakers and artists related to the genre through exhibitions and themed film shows aimed at adults, teenagers and children.

As the festival serves as a platform to present and explore new techniques in movie-making in the genre, it displays the latest work of celebrated and up-and-coming cartoon and animated artists. It also provides opportunities for fans to meet with a range of industry notables through a series of master classes. As an important international event, it helps to identify industry trends, assists to expand the market for cartoon and animated film making, matches artists and animators with investors and distributors, and encourages new talent with a host of shows and competitions. The Seoul Promotion Plan is one of the ways that new artists and animators receive a boost. More than 1,500 films are submitted each year to the organising committee for the competitive and non-competitive categories. In 2012, 45 countries competed in the festival. Prizes are awarded for feature films, short films (professional), short film (student) TV and commissioned films and internet animation.

Festival visitors looking for comfortable, well-appointed contemporary Seoul serviced apartments should consider the Somerset Palace Seoul. These fine examples of a quality Seoul apartment feature modern amenities that totally fit in with the lifestyles of business and leisure visitors.