Price comparison: Rimowa Topas suitcase prices

Rimowa has produced high quality pieces of luggage since 1898. However, it was in the 1930s that Rimowa began to make a name for themselves by crafting lightweight and watertight luggage made out of aircraft aluminum – which soon became fashionable travel icons.

Recently, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column conducted a survey of prices for a 32 inch titanium Rimowa Topas suitcase in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were considerably higher in Asia than in Europe. In fact, buying one in Shanghai will cost you US$845 more and nearly twice as much than if you were to buy one in London.

Price Comparison*

Shanghai	12,168 Yuan	US$1,782
Sydney	A$1,750	US$1,621
Singapore	S$1,887	US$1,355
Hong Kong	HK$10,480	US$1,352
New York City	US$1,350	US$1,350
Manila	59,800 Pesos	US$1,273
Rome	€799	US$1,202
Brussels	€795	US$1,196
Frankfurt	€779	US$1,172
Paris	€645	US$970
London	€570	US$937

* Titanium, 32 inch. Prices are based on foreign exchange rates as of October 23, 2009.

What am I allowed to buy abroad & take home?

Shopping abroad can easily become a minefield as travelers must consider what they are legally allowed to take out of a country and what they are legally allowed to bring back home. For starters, all countries have export watch lists which outlines the objects that will generally get travelers into trouble when they leave if they are not careful. These items can range from those made from endangered species (tortoiseshell, coral and ivory objects especially) to food products (which may also contain pests) to antiquities or cultural treasures – some of which can be taken out of the country so long as you obtain an export license (but again, this will vary from country to country and it does not mean that you will be able to bring the item back to your home country).

However, major global courier services maintain detailed profiles of all the countries they serve and what can and cannot be taken out of them. In addition, 169 countries have signed the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) where they agreed to forbid the sale of more than 5,000 animal species and 25,000 plant species and these items are listed on the treaty’s website.

In addition, Conde Nast Traveller has compiled a list of the types of items that can be bought in Asia but cannot be legal brought into the USA and hence, this list will give you a good idea of what you will probably not be allowed to bring to your home country even if its not the USA.

Useful travel videos about Japan

Should you be planning a trip to Japan in the near future, GeoBeat Productions has produced two short and very useful videos about Japan that are well worth watching. The first video gives important local etiquette tips such as not blowing your nose in public and not counting your change in public (its not even necessary as the Japanese are very honest!):

The second video covers important Japanese phrases that would be useful for first time foreign visitors to Japan to learn in order to make their stay in the country an easier and more pleasant experience:

Tipping in Japan

If you are traveling to Japan, you may be wondering how much of a tip to leave and how tipping there compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for tipping in more than 35 countries around the world.

According to the guide, Japan is still a largely non-tipping society although the providers of certain services may appreciate a tip. Hence, tour guides might be given a tip of 2,500-5,000 yen in an envelope why a private driver will expect to have you buy his lunch – usually around 1,000 yen. Room attendants at a traditional Japanese inn or ryokan will usually receive 5,000 yen for one or two nights (and again, in an envelope). As for concierges, porters, waiters and cabdrivers, don’t be surprised if they decline your offer of a tip (although you can always round up for a short taxi ride).

And remember that if and when you do tip in Japan, only tip in yen. Hence, a handy rule of thumb is to estimate that 100 yen is equal or close to equaling the dollar.

Shanghai taxis to get English interpreter service

In preparation for the huge influx of foreign visitors to the 2010 World Expo, the Shanghai Daily is reporting that Shanghai taxis will be upgraded with a new dispatch system that will allow English-speaking interpreters to talk to passengers at the touch of a button. The dispatch system also includes a new and more efficient call center platform that will automatically call back a customer who books a taxi with an estimated time of arrival.

In addition, Shanghai’s existing fleet of 47,000 taxis will be augmented by 4,000 new and more spacious white General Motors and Volkswagen taxis that will specifically transport tourists to the Expo during peak hours and cruise the streets during non peak hours. The City’s 100,000 taxi drivers are also being told to dress in blue suits, white shirts and blue ties during the 6 months that the expo will run.

Shanghai’s major taxi companies Qiangsheng, Dazhong, Jinjiang and Bashi will be gradually implementing the new dispatch system in time for the expo while the new cabs will roll off the assembly line by February.

2009 Business Travel Awards: Top 10 best international airports

Conde Nash Traveler has recently released their twelfth annual business travel survey which included a section ranking the best international airports around the world. Frequent travelers to or around Asia will not be surprised to learn that Singapore’s Changi came out on top in all survey categories followed by Hong Kong International (Chek Lap Kok). Other Asian airports making it into the top 10 included Seoul’s Incheon and Tokyo’s Narita.

Top 10 Best International Airports

2009 Business Travel Awards: Transpacific routes & business class

Conde Nash Traveler has recently released their twelfth annual business travel survey which included a section about transpacific routes and business class seats for major airlines (Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Quatas, Air New Zealand, Thai Airways, Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and EVA Air) servicing the Asia Pacific region. To no one’s surprise, Singapore Airlines came out on top with an overall score of 89.7 and held the lead in all categories surveyed.

Transpacific Routes & Business Class

Price comparison: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife prices

The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife has existed for over 100 years and are widely available around the world. Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column conducted a survey of prices for a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices varied considerably with those in Shanghai paying the most while those in Jakarta paid the least. 

Price Comparison*

Shanghai	153 Yuan	US$22.41
Brussels	€12	US$17.95
Sydney	A$19	US$17.27
Kuala Lumpur	58 Ringgit	US$17.22
Singapore	S$24	US$17.15
Rome	€11	US$16.47
Frankfurt	€10.90	US$16.32
Paris	€10.50	US$15.72
Hong Kong	HK$120	US$15.48
New York City	US$13.65	US$13.65
London	8 Pounds	US$13.08
Manila	600 Pesos	US$12.76
Jakarta	112,667 Rupiahs	US$11.99

* Classic SD, red, product No. 0622300. Prices are based on foreign exchange rates as of October 21, 2009.

Tipping in Australia and New Zealand

If you are traveling to Australia or New Zealand soon, you may be wondering how much of a tip to leave and how tipping in either country compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for tipping in more than 35 countries around the world.

According to the guide, travelers visiting both countries should leave 10-15% to waiters or waitresses in restaurants while at hotels, $1 in local currency per bag for the bellhop, $10 to $20 to the concierge for a favor and $1 to $2 to the housekeeper would be considered appropriate. For cab drivers, a 10% tip is appropriate while a tip of $50 per person per day for a private guide, $5–$10 for a bus-tour guide and $20 per day for a private driver are considered appropriate. In addition, a 10-15% tip would be appropriate for any beauty or spa treatments.

The guide also notes that tipping in both countries was unheard of twenty years ago and would have gotten someone fired had they accepted a tip but it is now more commonplace to give tips due to the American influence. However, you should also be discreet about giving tips and be prepared to have your tip refused as some locals, especially New Zealanders, are particularly reserved.

Bangkok and Thailand travel videos

In case you are visiting Bangkok or Thailand in general soon, you may want to check out some of the short Thailand specific videos created by GeoBeats Productions. The first video covers local etiquette and contains important tips such as what to wear or not to wear in temples: 

Another short GeoBeats video covers useful Thai phrases that will go a long way towards making your stay in Thailand easier:

And of course, no trip to Bangkok would be complete without sampling some of the exotic local cuisine and street food in particular:

And finally, it would probably be a good idea to get familiar with the SkyTrain, Tuk-tuks and other forms of public transportation in Bangkok as the city is notorious for traffic:

Have you lost your camera or some of your digital photos?

If you have ever lost your digital camera (or memory card) or some of your digital photos while on a trip, all may not be lost. For starters, there are now websites such as www.ifoundyourcamera.blogspot.com that are dedicated to reuniting people with their lost cameras or memory cards while ReuniteIT by LoJack is a global registration system utilizing tamper-proof asset tracking labels in tandem with a secure online global registration database.

In addition, BusinessWeek had an article (Lost Your Digital Photos? Stay Calm) a few years ago packed full of tips about what you can do if it appears that you have lost or inadvertently erased some of the digital photos on your memory card. Some of these tips included sending your memory card to FlashFixers or LC Technology which specialize in extracting images from damaged memory cards or purchasing image-recovery software from memory card manufacturers such SanDisk or Lexar. In addition, you can also try other programs such as MediaRecover and PhotoRescue from DataRescue (usually the makers of such software will allow you to use a demo program to initially see if you can recover some of the photos).

Thus, if you have either lost your entire camera or just some of the photos on the camera’s memory card – you may still be in luck.

Airline tickets: And your real name is?

Is your (official) name Joseph, Joe or Jose? Moreover and if you have more than one name, what name do you use when you book airline tickets and does that name exactly match the name on your passport, other official forms of ID or credit card? In the near future, you better have your name straight when you book airline tickets.

As an article (I See You Have a Ticket, but Is That Your Name?) in the New York Times recently pointed out, the name on the ID you use at the airport security checkpoint will soon need to precisely match the name on your airline ticket under a new USA initiative called Secure Flight. This initiative will take effect for domestic passengers in the USA early next year and for international passengers by the end of 2010. However, some airlines such as American Airlines have already begun requiring customers to make reservations with their name exactly as it appears on the government-issue ID they will use for travel (along with their gender and date of birth).

While these rules may not affect passengers traveling on non-USA based airlines outside of the USA, they are definitively a sign of the times. In other words, if you have multiple names on all of your official IDs and travel frequently, now might be the time to decide just what your real name is.

Tipping in China

If you are traveling to China, you may be wondering how much of a tip to leave and how tipping there compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for tipping in more than 35 countries around the world.

According to the guide, travelers visiting China should note that no tipping is generally the rule at many hotels. In fact, nicer hotels in China will add a compulsory service fee of 10-20% and hence, nothing beyond that is expected or even allowed. Furthermore and as a tour agent explains in the guide, tipping has a tendency to unbalance a hotel’s operations but its almost impossible for a hotel to stop the practice. Hence and if you want to leave a tip, do so quietly and out of sight from employers. In addition, you should remember that most tour guides in China receive commissions for taking you to tacky souvenir shops and hence, they don’t need to be tipped.

Nevertheless, tipping is customary in some places such as massage houses where a tip of about 10–30 yuan per massage is expected (except in hotel spas where a tip is already included in the fee) and for luggage porters who should receive a tip of 10 yuan per bag (although tourists will generally leave twice that amount).

The top 10 rules of the road for air travel

Travel can be both exhilarating and a real pain at the same time – especially if you travel frequently and internationally. Scott McCartney, the author of "The Wall Street Journal Guide to Power Travel: How to Arrive with Your Dignity, Sanity and Wallet Intact" has come up with the top 10 rules of the road or basic principles for air travel that are meant to help travelers avoid problems and better enjoy their business trips or vacations. These rules or principles are:

1. Travel is difficult.

2. Book smartly.

3. Plan for trouble.

4. Learn something.

5. Enjoy perks that pay.

6. Stay loyal.

7. Never check anything you cannot live without.

8. Play the upgrade game.

9. Ask nicely.

10. Be kind to your fellow traveler.

Scott also outlined these rules or principles in a Wall Street Journal article earlier this year that is also well worth reading.

Price comparison: Apple OS X Snow Leopard prices

The Mac OS X Snow Leopard is the seventh major release of the Mac OS X operating system for Apple desktops and server operating systems and recently, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column conducted a survey of prices for the operating system in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that Europeans paid the most for the operating system while buyers in most Asian cities enjoyed much lower prices with New York City having the lowest price for all cities surveyed.

Price Comparison* 

Rome	€29	US$43.14
Paris	€29	US$43.14
Frankfurt	€29	US$43.14
Brussels	€29	US$43.14
Jakarta	379,000 Rupiahs	US$40.41
London	25 Pounds	US$39.84
Manila	36.46 Pesos	US$36.46
Bangkok	1,190 Baht	US$35.76
Sydney	A$39	US$35.62
Hong Kong	HK$238	US$30.71
New York	US$30.66	US$30.66

* Operating system prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of October 14, 2009.

Top 25 business travel blunders

The reality of business travel recently inspired Embassy Suites to run its first "My Business Travel Blunder" essay contest. The serviced apartment group had invited business travelers to share their biggest business trip blunders and within just 4 weeks, they had over 500 entries for a chance to win airfare for four plus five nights at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk. The top 25 entries were evaluated on three criteria (humor, uniqueness, and relevance to business travel) and they are included in a slideshow on Business Week’s website plus (along with a video segment) and some of these top entries included:

• The wife who called her husband's boss by a none-too-flattering nickname her husband has for him.
• The businessman who ended up wearing a stranger's suit to the job interview after the airline delivered him the wrong luggage.
• The woman business traveler who thought that a well-known CEO was leering at her until she realized that her blouse had come undone.

However, the overall winner of the contest? Someone referred to only as pant-less from New Jersey.

Lesson learned: Remember to bring an extra pair of pants on your next business trip!

Garuda Indonesia to open service to Europe

Effective from June 1, 2010, Garuda Indonesia will re-open its Jakarta-Amsterdam service as improved business and economic relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands is leading to rising numbers of tourists and business travelers between Europe and Indonesia. However, the flights will not be non-stop as the planned route will also service Dubai. Hence, flights will depart from Jakarta at 21:00 and arrive in Dubai at 02:09 and then depart again at 03.15 to arrive in Amsterdam at 08:00.

Garuda Indonesia will also utilize an A330-200 with a seating capacity of 222 seats with 36 seats in Business Class and 186 seats in Economy Class. The A330-200 is capable of flying distances of up to 12,500 km and is fitted with 180° reclining seats for passenger comfort on long haul flights.

However and in case you are not familiar with Garuda Indonesia or perhaps its poor reputation in the past for safety is still fresh in your mind, a recent New York Times article entitled Indonesia's Flag Carrier Defying the Odds should set your mind at ease. According to the article, Garuda is bucking the industry trend by adding routes, planes and passengers. In other words, the airline has turned itself around.

Moreover, the following Garuda Indonesia promotional videos or ads posted on Youtube.com will give you a sneak peak at what it is like to now fly the airline as well as give you a glimpse of what Indonesia has to offer both tourists and business travelers alike.

 

The Equinox Restaurant: One of Singapore’s most spectacular restaurants

If you are visiting Singapore and are seeking a spectacular view with a meal, look no further than the Equinox Restaurant. From its vantage point 226 meters above sea level, patrons will enjoy panoramic views of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Not only will one be amazed by the view, the interior of this three-storey 165 seat amphitheatre-style restaurant is also designed to impress with its four three-storey high teak and rice paper lanterns that are suspended from a wooden trellis inspired by the Ming dynasty. In addition, there is a floor-to-ceiling wall covered with mother-of-pearl that will nearly outshine the spectacular view from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

To complement both the extraordinary view and the impressive décor, the Equinox offers an Asian and Western inspired buffet and a la carte menu prepared by award winning chefs. The buffet lunch menu comes with an a la carte main course for S$59++ for adults and S$29.50++ for children (US$41++ and US$20.50++) and just some of the numerous delicacies to choose from includes Mousse from Foie Gras de Canard with Summer Truffle, Grilled Salmon Escalope with Golden Miso and Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote with Tahitian Vanilla Bavarois. During late afternoons, the popular Equinox High Tea (reservations are strongly recommended) offers both an a la carte and a buffet menu for S$38++ or S$52++ (paired with a glass of Champagne) for adults (US$26.40++ or US$36++) and US$19++ (US$13.20++) for children. For dinner, there is an a la carte menu, a five course tasting menu for S$140++ (US$97++) per person or S$240++ (US$167++) per person with wine pairing and a five course organic menu for S$110++ (US$76.50++) per person.

Thus and with its spectacular view, stylish décor and exquisite cuisine, the Equinox Restaurant will surely leave you with an experience worth remembering.

The Equinox Restaurant is located in the Equinox Complex (Phone: +65 6837 3322) at the Swissôtel The Stamford on 80 Bras Basah Road and is open from noon to 14:30 (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 to 14:30 (Sunday), 15:30 to 17:00 (Daily) and 18:30 to 23:00 (Daily). Attire is smart casual.

Clasquin Overseas Forwarding and Logistics

Think back to the last few items you had shipped overseas. Did these items arrive on time? Were you able to track each shipment? Were you satisfied with the customer service you received. If the answer was no to any of these questions, then it’s time to consider another alternative. Clasquin Overseas Forwarding and Logistic is that alternative.

Today's increasingly complex logistics networks require the need for customized logistic solutions. It's simply not enough anymore to have a product shipped from point A to point B and hope that it arrives on time and in one piece. At Clasquin, we see your shipment from beginning to end but not the traditional beginning or end.

We offer the solutions and support you need to manage the entire flow of products and information. This means we design the customized support to manage everything from your suppliers to the end-dealer and everything in between, including ordering, shipping, delivery, and payment. You won't find just a tracking number here. There is so much more to effective logistics.

At Clasquin, we provide you with shipping options for everything from a piece of furniture to a yacht. We are a global company and there isn't a part of the world we don't service. However, our service doesn't sacrifice the safety of shipments simply to meet deadlines. You can rest assured your shipment arrives safe and on time every time! This includes air and sea freight, freight forwarding, and import/export. Why trust your shipping needs to a company that can't provide everything you need in terms of logistics. It simply makes sense to utilize one company for all your shipping needs. Clasquin wants to be that company and we can show you how to streamline your shipping process so it's flawless and always on time. Isn't it time for Clasquin?

You may contact Mr. Claude Goalec as below:

CGO.BKK@CLASQUIN.COM
WEBSITE : WWW.CLASQUIN.COM

Mandarin and Cantonese Lessons in one minute

Should you be visiting China or Hong Kong, Pierre-Francois Metayer of PFMproductionz has produced two amusing videos – one entitled “Mandarin in One Minute – To Sing” and “Cantonese in One Minute – Electricity”. I am not sure how useful these videos are but the first one (“to sing”) is definitely entertaining and will leave you looking forward to seeing more language lessons from Pierre!

In this second video, Pierre-Francois explains the various components of the Chinese character for “electricity” in Cantonese:

Travel videos about the Philippines

Should you be looking for a new and often overlooked destination in Asia for a vacation, the Philippines has much to offer – from beautiful beaches for swimming to some of the best shopping and diving sites in Asia. This Visit Philippines video created as part of the Philippines Department of Tourism’s WOW Philippines campaign will highlight the best of what the country has to offer:

In this second video also created by WOW Philippines, various destinations around the Philippines are highlighted while a Filipino song is sung by various popular Filipino artists:

And finally in this last video, the islands of Palawan (considered on of Asia’s last unspoiled frontiers) and its El Nido resort are highlighted:

Price Comparison: Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol”

Books can vary greatly in price and availability, especially when you are looking for English language editions and you are in a book store in a country whose primary language is something other than English. Hence and in theory, books should be cheaper in cities where more people speak English and where incomes are higher.

Recently though, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column conducted a survey of prices for Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol” in various cities in Asia (and around the world) and the results were somewhat surprising. The survey found that prices ranged considerably around Asia and that prices were highest in Hong Kong and Singapore – two of the biggest English language and upper income cities in the region.

Of course, you can always go to Amazon.com and order the book for  US$16.17 and pay for shipping and handling. Or better yet, order a digital edition of the book for Amazon.com’s Kindle and only pay US$9.99 and have it delivered wirelessly.

Price Comparison*

Paris	€28	US$40.44
Rome	€25	US$37.35
Hong Kong	HK$283	US$36.52
Singapore	S$48	US$34.35
Brussels	€23	US$33.08
Jakarta	297,000 Rupiahs	US$31.45
London	19 Pounds	US$30.20
Tokyo	2,861 Yen	US$30.05
Frankfurt	€20	US$29.23
Kuala Lumpur	100 Ringgit	US$29.07
New York City	US$28.62	US$28.62
Bangkok	913 Baht	US$27.28
Shanghai	183 Yuan	US$26.86
Manila	975 Peso	US$20.85

* Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of October 7, 2009

Asia's best travel brands

Smarttravelasia.com, an independent online travel magazine dedicated to Asia, has just released the results of its 2009 Best Travel Brands readers’ poll and you may or may not agree with all of the results.

Here are some of the top picks for each category as reported on CNNgo.com - which also noted that Singapore and Hong Kong, the two major English speaking destinations in Asia, were generally rated in top place (a readers' bias perhaps?):

Best World Wide Airlines

1. Singapore Airlines

Best Airports Worldwide

1. Singapore Changi Airport

2. Hong Kong International Airport

3. Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

Best Business Class World Wide

1. Singapore Airlines

Best Cabin Service World Wide

1. Singapore Airlines

Best Budget Airlines Asia

1. AirAsia (Mention AirAsia X)

Best Holiday Destinations

1. Bali, Indonesia

Best Cities for Shopping

1. Hong Kong

2. Singapore

3. Bangkok

Best Cities for Business

1. Hong Kong

2. Singapore

Best Business Hotels Asia

1. The Peninsula Hong Kong

2. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

3. Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

Best Leisure Hotels and Resorts in Asia

1. Amanpuri, Phuket

Best Spa Hotels in Asia

1. Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island

Best Conference Hotels in Asia

1. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

2. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

3. The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

Please lighten your load before boarding

Here is an odd story from several newspapers (including Daily Mail, The Independent and the Toronto Star) that is also being picked up by several aviation and travel blogs, including the Wend blog and the Dallas Morning News’ Airline Biz blog. Apparently, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is now asking passengers to use the toilet before boarding the aircraft so that they will weigh less and help to cut carbon emissions (and cut the overall cost for fuel as well). The theory behind the request is simple: empty bowels and bladders will mean lighter passengers and hence lighter aircraft and lower fuel usage (and not to mention some additional cost savings for the airline). For now though, the experiment is intended to last for only one month and it will be implemented on 42 flights but if the results are positive and are well received by passengers, the trial may be extended for a longer period of time.

Will this idea work? According to the Toronto Star:

Here's how it works: The average human bladder holds up to a litre of fluid, which weighs roughly one kilogram. All Nippon's most popular aircraft, a Boeing 777, holds 247 people. So, in theory, if 247 passengers all go to the washroom before boarding, they could lighten the plane by up to 247 kilograms - the weight of three average men.

However, the authors of the Airline Biz blog also point out that a “thinking person would then question why airlines serve drinks on airplanes, since that would require visits to the rest room.”

Either way, passengers will find that All Nippon’s idea is a MUCH BETTER one than Irish carrier Ryanair's idea of charging passengers to use their on-board lavatories.

50 reasons why Hong Kong is the world’s greatest city

CNNGo.com recently posted an article that some readers may consider to be a little biased but it contains 50 reasons why its authors think that Hong Kong is the world’s greatest city (besides the mountains, the sea and the beautiful harbor skyline which are reasons enough to qualify Hong Kong as #1). Here are the 50 reasons (and to read why each of these reasons makes Hong Kong the world’s greatest city, just refer to the CNNGo.com article) and to be honest, I can’t argue with any of them or for that matter, I can’t think of any reasons they may have left out:

1. Public transportation rules

2. Anger-activated camera phones

3. The stripper strip that won't be outstripped

4. We are the world

5. Star-quality tutors

6. Battling theme parks

7. We're insanely cautious about swine flu

8. The best soy sauce Western

9. Mega-convenient convenience stores

10. Cosmopolitan city, tropical paradise

11. Cash-free living

12. All-hours/weather conditions dining

13. You can judge a politician by his/her cover

14. Stools abound

15. There's market on top of market (on top of market...)

16. Excuse us while we scrape the sky

17. The cradle of kung fu legends

18. The tastiest embryos

19. Even our pop music has meaning

20. A bridge that can't be topped (except by cars)

21. For better or worse, you're never alone

22. Even the bland food is exquisite

23. Disbelief is suspended beyond belief

24. The best-fed people on earth

25. Adrenaline rushes come cheap

26. It's a vintage gold mine

27. Our serials are killer

28. We are disrespectful to dirt

29. The granddaddy of dim sum

30. The freest undemocratic place in the world

31. Our ferry leaves all others in its wake

32. There's only one certainty in life

33. The bamboo and concrete jungles unite

34. No. 2 gets first treatment

35. We pull the race card -- every Wednesday night

36. Our buns are the luckiest

37. The world's most obscure records

38. The perfect woman

39. The most upside of any land, anywhere

40. Wholesome late nights (if you're into that sort of thing)

41. Gaffe-prone politicians

42. If you get bored, just protest!

43. No one does it flakier

44. We'll try anything

45. Almost completely climate controlled

46. We get two New Years

47. Home of the Milk Tea King

48. It rolls right off the tongue

49. It's politically ... unique

50. You can get in bed with the mob

Get the best airfare deals from Bangkok to anywhere

Do you live in Bangkok and do you travel frequently? Then you probably know that finding the best airline ticket deals to your preferred destination that also fits your travel needs and your budget is a real challenge! That's why we are offering a new airfare email alert service to help you find the latest airfare prices from Bangkok to destinations around the globe.

How does it work? Subscribe to our airfare email alerts on www.bangkokbestflights.com - it takes less than 1 minute to sign up and receive email alerts about the latest deals from Bangkok to your favorite cities.

In addition, our Bangkok Best Flights blog offers the latest news about airports and the airline industry here in Asia and around the world.

The Philippines: Obtaining an extension of a Visitor’s Visa under Section 9a

If you will be visiting the Philippines for pleasure, business or for health purposes, a 21-day visa is usually granted upon arrival while a 59 day visa can be obtained before arrival from any Philippine embassy or consulate general. Obtaining an extension of Visitor’s Visa under Section 9a (Non-Immigrants) is also fairly straight forward and applicants should observe the following procedures:

• Verification of travel and derogatory records, assessment of filing, implementation and other fees and generation of Order of Payment Slip.
• Releasing of OPS to the applicant.
• Payment to collecting officer and issuance of an official receipt.
• Approval of Extension.
• Updating of records, visa implementation and document archiving.
• Release of Passport.

Requirements for a Temporary Visitors Visa or extension are as follows:

• Valid passport of the applicant.
• Tourist Visa Extension form duly accomplished (BI Form No. MCL 07-02).
• Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate.

The fee structure for all visas and visa extensions are outlined on the Bureau of Immigration’s website and extensions may be done either in person at a Bureau of Immigration office or via an accredited representative (such as an immigration attorney or even a travel agent) for a small additional fee.

Generally speaking, visitors to the Philippines (so long as they are not working in the country) can live there for up to a year without ever leaving just by properly obtaining visa extensions (further information about how to do this can be found on the Living in the Philippines website and listserv). However, any visitor coming to the Philippines to work in the country must secure a proper work permit (preferably prior to arrival). 

Singapore visa extensions for a short visit for business purposes

Should you need to visit Singapore for a short visit for business purposes and need an extension longer that the Visit Pass granted upon arrival, applying for an extension of stay (up to 30 days) is easy and can be done online via e-XTEND if you meet all of the following conditions:

• You are a national from one of the countries listed here.
• You have not previously sought/obtained an extension of stay on this trip. 
• You wish to extend your stay for not more than 30 days from the date of entry into Singapore. 
• Your Visit Pass has a remaining validity of not less than 2 days, excluding Sunday and public holiday. 
• You will not return to Singapore within 5 days from the departure date of your current trip.

A physical endorsement is not required for an approved application submitted via e-XTEND. However and if you are unable to fulfill all of the above requirements, an application for extension of stay must be submitted at the Visitor Services Centre (VSC). Should you need to visit the Visitor Services Centre (VSC) to submit your application, the following documents are required for submission of applications for extension at the Visit Pass Unit:

• A completed Form 14 signed by the applicant and a representative from the sponsoring company. 
• A completed Form V39I signed by a representative from the sponsoring company (Malaysians are not required to complete this form). 
• A letter from the sponsoring company, stating the nature of the applicant's business visit and providing a statement of undertaking for the maintenance and repatriation of the applicant. 
• Applicant's travel document (passport) with at least 6 months validity. 
• Applicant’s Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card with a valid Visit Pass granted on entry into Singapore. 
• A confirmed onward/return ticket (for all non-Malaysian applicants).

The following fees (which are payable by NETS or CashCard) are applicable for visa extensions:

• S$40 for an extension of stay accumulating to a period of 3 months or more from the date of entry/issuance of pass. This fee is applicable for every subsequent extensions of stay accumulating to 3 months or more.
• A visa fee of S$30 is applicable if the applicant has resided in Singapore beyond the visa-free period.
• Some applicants may be requested to furnish a security deposit in support of the application for extension. Where applicable, the local sponsor should furnish the required amount in the form of a Banker's Guarantee, Cashier's Order or NETS.

In addition, visitors who are performing Work Pass Exempt Activities (MOM website) within the validity of their current visit pass and not exceeding a 60-day period, are required to submit an e-Notification (MOM website) to inform Ministry Of Manpower before engaging in these activities.

The address for the Visitor Services Centre (VSC) is:

Visitor Services Centre (VSC)
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
4th Storey, ICA Building
10 Kallang Road
(Next to Lavender MRT station)
Singapore 208718

Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday : 8.00 am to 4.30 pm
Saturday : 8.00 am to 12.30 pm

Should you need to visit the Visitor Services Center (VSC), peak periods to avoid are Saturdays, the eves of public holidays and the day after public holidays and between 11:00 to 14:00 on Mondays through Fridays. 

The best and worst airports for sleeping in

Should you travel often enough where you often find yourself stuck in and even sleeping in airports due to flight delays or long layovers, you may want to consult “The Budget Traveler's Guide to Sleeping in Airports” to find out what the best and the worst airports are for sleeping in (and plan accordingly).

According to votes received on the Sleeping in Airports website, the best airports for sleeping in for their amenities, friendly staff and comfortable seating are the following:

1. Singapore Changi
2. Seoul Incheon
3. Amsterdam Schiphol
4. Oslo Gardermoen
5. Hong Kong
6. Dubai
7. Frankfurt International
8. Munich
9. Vancouver
10. Denver

And the worst airports for sleeping in where you simply DO NOT want to get stuck in transit (or better yet, you should plan on getting a hotel room nearby) are:

1. Paris Charles de Gaulle (this is a MUST read review)
2. Moscow Sheremetyevo
3. New York JFK
4. Los Angeles
5. Delhi
6. Chicago O'Hare
7. Mumbai
8. Manila
9. Rome Fiumicino
10. London Heathrow

What is great about the website are the more than 6,400 up-to-date airport reviews by readers. In addition, the website has a handy tips guide (How to sleep in an airport 101: Airport Sleeping Tips), the Sleeping in Airports Blog, an airport cartoons section with cartoons inspired by some of the airport reviews and an Airport Photos section where travelers can submit photos of their favorite and least favorite airports. 

Lonely Planet Travel Vietnam videos

Should you be visiting Vietnam either for business or for pleasure, Lonely Planet has created a couple of short travel videos worth watching before you go. In the first travel video appropriately entitled “Adventures in Eating in Ho Chi Minh City,” Anton Seim visits a few Vietnamese restaurants and eating spots that could easily be fit into your itinerary on your next business trip to Vietnam. This includes a Pho 24 outlet (a well known local noodle chain), the Ben Thanh market (the city’s main market place), Fanny (a luxurious ice cream parlor) and Sesame (a French boulangerie and patisserie).

Should you be visiting Hanoi instead, Lonely Planet Travel has also produced a travel video highlighting the city’s French legacy and of course, the city’s crazy traffic jams created by more than one million mopeds and motorcycles. 

 

Singapore Airlines Suites: A class beyond first

In case you are not lucky enough to have experienced one of the 12 new Singapore Airlines Suites available on the A380, here is a quick peek at what you are missing. In this promotional four minute video along with pictures from their website, Singapore Airlines will show you why they call the Singapore Airlines Suites “a class beyond first:”

Seats are up to 35-inches across and are hand-stitched by master Italian craftsmen Poltrona Frau.

Or if you prefer to sleep, a standalone bed (not converted from a seat) is available along with full-sized pillows along with pajamas and beddings designed by Givenchy.

Also, the cabin is laid out to offer plenty of stowage space, including a full length wardrobe, for all of your carry-on baggage and personal items.

Passengers will enjoy a menu created by the Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel and meals are served on elegant tableware that was specially designed by Givenchy.

And finally, passengers will enjoy a huge range of entertainment options, including 100 movies, more than 180 TV shows, 700 CDs and over 20 radio channels. Or for passengers who prefer to work while they travel, a multi-port with power supply, USB ports and headphone connection is also available.

Price Comparison: Kiehl's Gel Cleanser

Recently, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column conducted a survey of prices for for a 250 ml bottle of Kiehl’s Gel Cleanser(“a purifying gel cleanser that thoroughly cleans pores and removes traces of dirt, residue and oil which can lead to acne break-outs”) in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices ranged considerably around Asia – from a high of US$43.94 in Shanghai to a low of US$24.39 in Kuala Lumpur.

Price Comparison*

Shanghai	300 Yuan	US$43.94
Brussels	€30	US$43.12
Rome	€29	US$42.39
Bangkok	1,300 Baht	US$38.77
Paris	€25	US$35.81
Manila	1,550 Pesos	US$32.68
London	20 Pounds	US$32.04
Jakarta	310,000 Rupiahs	US$31.94
Singapore	S$45	US$31.82
Frankfurt	€21	US$30.69
Hong Kong	HK$230	US$29.67
Kuala Lumpur	85 Ringit	US$24.39
New York City	US$22.19	US$22.19

* A 250 ml bottle of blue herbal. Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of September 30, 2009.