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Volume 1, Issue 9, November 06, 2008 |
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Indonesian authorities have shut down tourist operations around the island where three Islamic militants involved in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mainly tourists, are expected to be executed any day.
Police have ordered local fishermen to stop their activities ferrying tourists to the island, Nusakambangan, where the bombers' prison is located. Local authorities have been searching vehicles and checking identification throughout the district, as the executions draw nearer.
Indonesian police said they had found bombs suspected to have been prepared for a retaliatory attack after the bombers, Mukhlas, his brother Amrozi, and Imam Samudra, go before a firing squad. Travellers are advised to exercise caution if travelling to these areas.
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the executions could prompt demonstrations and violence and advised against all travel to Maluku and central Sulawesi, where the bombs were found, calling them areas of 'extreme risk'.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also updated its travel advice for Indonesia: "We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, you should exercise extreme caution." 
Scuba-diving enthusiasts can now include the Andaman Sea as their holiday playground with the opening of the Sub-Aqua Dive Centre at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa. Roger Branstma, director of operations for the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa said: “Our guests who have always wanted to try scuba now can learn in the convenience of the resort with Sub Aqua’s experienced and knowledgeable team. For the more experienced guests, there is the convenience and security of having on-site experts.” Classes and diving instruction are available in many languages including English, Swedish, Italian, French and Thai.
The first Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in South East Asia is scheduled to open this December. Located two km from the Kuching International Airport (KCH), Four Points is Kuching’s first international hotel opening in over 15 years. The hotel features three food and beverage concepts, eight meeting spaces, a 1,456-square-metre ballroom, a 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and a 24-hour business centre. Starting from MYR 250, special opening promotions include single or double accommodation with breakfast, a late check-out time and complimentary on-site parking.
With the first phase of flight operations from Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) proceeding smoothly, Emirates has now entered the second phase of the new terminal’s opening. The second phase sees Emirates launching flights to the Middle East and Africa, increasing operations to 99 flights every day. Flights to Europe will take-off in the third phase, while the fourth and final phase will include flights to the Indian subcontinent, East Asia and Australia, taking the total operations to 269 flights every day. Customers are advised to check their departure terminal before setting off for Dubai International.
Jet Airways has said that its domestic market loads have declined by double digit figures in recent months and the airline will be reducing its long-haul expansion plans. In addition, the number of flights Jet Airways will be offering in its winter schedule will be approximately 15% lower than originally planned. In a statement Jet Airways said, "We wish to clarify that the reconsideration of our operations has been ongoing for some time now and the adjustment in personnel numbers did not result from the planned alliance with Kingfisher Airlines.
Starting Nov. 20, Tiger Airways will launch flights between Singapore (SIN) and Kuching (KCH). To celebrate the new route, the Singapore-based airline has 15,000 seats on sale for just USD 0.01 (excluding taxes and charges for travel) from Nov. 20 to Oct. 5 2009. The new flights depart Singapore at 14:35 and arrive at Kuching 15:55 daily. From Kuching, flights will depart 16:25 to arrive in Singapore at 17:45 daily. Rosalynn Tay, managing director for Tiger Airways Singapore said, “The access to this new route comes at a perfect time as we take an additional A320 aircraft into our fleet.”
9 Praia de Hac Sa, Coloane, China
tel: 853 882 264
Fernando's has been cooking up delectable dishes of Portuguese cuisine for over 15 years and is well-known for being one of the best restaurants in South East Asia.
My friend and I were in Macao recently and we decided to treat ourselves to a night of fine dining. Although it was a Monday, the open air restaurant was packed with diners — couples, tourists and a large group celebrating a birthday. The front section of the restaurant closer to the beach was full so we were ushered to the back.
The restaurant is in an informal open-air structure right on the beach in southern Coloane part of Taipa island. There is no air conditioning, and we were there on a stifling hot and humid afternoon, even by Macau standards. Despite the lack of air conditioning, it didn’t seem to deter the faithful who pilgrimage here, especially on weekends, when you'll most likely have to wait for a table.
The house specialty is seafood. Outspoken Fernando is usually on hand, holding court. The menu is strictly Portuguese and includes Portuguese chorizo, clams, crabs, mussels, codfish, charcoal-grilled chicken, pork ribs, suckling pig, beef, and salads. The bread comes from the restaurant's own bakery, and the vegetables are grown on the restaurant's own garden plot across the border in China. Only Portuguese wine is served, stocked on a shelf for customer perusal (there is no wine list). It's all very informal, but the cooking is undeniably excellent.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
Silversea's Silver Links 2009 program is offering golfers a chance to combine their love for the sport with adventure on 13 golf-themed cruises aboard Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper. The programme takes golfers to some of the world's most revered championship courses in 30 countries throughout the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Mexico. Guests can advance their game aboard ship with the help of certified PGA-classed golf professionals, who can organize personalized instruction, demonstrations and even contests. Golfing excursions vary in price from course to course, but all packages include transfers to and from the golf courses, pull or power-drive carts, and applicable caddy fees.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Air Tahiti Nui is treating guests to a little piece of Tahiti — a Tahitian pearl, crafted by Robert Wan, known as the “pearl emperor” of French Polynesia. Through Jan. 15, 2009, all first- and business-class passengers on Air Tahiti Nui flights will receive a Robert Wan pearl, while economy-class passengers will receive a gift certificate to redeem their free pearl at one of seven Robert Wan boutiques in Tahiti. “The Tahitian pearl is a symbol of beauty and perfection which represents the way we feel about Tahiti, our home, and one of the world’s most inspirational holiday destinations,” said Craig Lee, regional director Australia for Air Tahiti Nui.
Le Méridien Angkor, one of the closest hotels to world heritage site Angkor Wat, has launched a spa promotion. The package includes signature buffet breakfast at Angkor Royal Café and a complimentary two-hour spa treatment for a maximum of two persons per stay. The promotion is valid for stays booked and completed by Dec. 31. Rates start from USD 165 per night for a superior room. Located just minutes from the magnificent Angkor, the hotel allows for convenient sunrise or sunset excursions to the ancient monuments. Siem Reap International Airport (REP) is 14 km away.
Hertz is offering Qantas Frequent Flyer members the opportunity to earn triple points when renting cars in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe between now and July 31, 2009. That's 2,100 points per rental, instead of the usual 700 points per rental. The offer applies to all car groups for rentals of one day or more at participating Hertz locations in the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Ireland. “The best way to explore the vast diversity and range of attractions Europe has to offer is by road and at your pace, and Hertz offers that opportunity with rental locations in all major destinations,” said Wayne Burgoyne, director of sales and marketing for Hertz Australia.
X2 Kui Buri, an exclusive beachfront designer resort in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, has launched a X2 Spirit Package which starts from BHT 24,500 per room per three nights’ stay. The package includes daily breakfast, two lunches, two dinners, one bottle of wine, one choice of body treatment at X2 Spa and one selection of either a cooking class or a cocktail class. The rates include free Internet access, free use of kayaks and mountain bikes and early check-in and late check-out time, subject to room availability. The promotions are applicable on any designer villa of guests’ choice and will be available from the Nov. 1– April 30, 2009 (excluding period Dec. 20–Jan. 6, 2009, April 11–April 17, 2009, long weekends and long holidays).
