Brunei Darussalam

This small country on the northwest tip of Borneo island is an Islamic sultanate with high standard of living among another countries in Southeast Asia. Reigned by the current king, Sultan Hajji Hassanal Bolkiah, the citizens of Brunei enjoy free education, housing, and healthcare. Even the pilgrimages to Mecca are also subsidized. As the oil and natural gas exporter, Brunei has been one of the affluent countries in the world. This condition makes the Brunei citizens very prosperous with the income per capita is much higher than any other citizens in Southeast Asian country. No tax on personal income is imposed to the Brunei citizens. The Sultan of Brunei is reported to be one of the wealthiest person in the world with an estimated personal wealth of 40 billion dollars.

Flanked by Malaysian state of Sarawak around the country and South China Sea, Brunei has marvelous beaches and mountains towards the east. The country is divided into eastern part and western part. More citizens reside in the larger western part including the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, than the citizens who live in the countryside and mountainous region in the smaller eastern part. This mountainous region with heavily forested state is available to those who love natural adventure like hiking.

Bruneian culture bound together by the law regulating that no nightlife and alcohol are allowed. One can bring in up to two liters of alcohol or wine plus up to twelve cans of beer every 48 hours. Nevertheless, an alcohol permit must be attained in arriving in Brunei.

The cuisine of Brunei contains Malayan, Indian, and Chinese cookery relying on rice and noodles. The cooking served here is famous for its spicy food. The luxurious hotels also offer western food so that pizzas, hamburgers, pastas, and sandwiches are all available around the country, except alcohol.

In spite of the fact that many people live above averagely income per capita, there is a group of people who settles in the water in Kampong Ayer, a district in Bandar Seri Begawan. Many small villages here are connected at this district by foot bridges extending about 30 kilometers away. This district is a home to 30,000 individuals.

For those who like enjoying the natural preservation in Brunei, they can visit the Ulu Temburong National Park in Batu Apoi Forest that can be accessed by a long boat. Here the tourist will be presented wildlife such as monkeys and exotic birds.

The Brunei Dollar is pegged to Singapore Dollar at 1 : 1. Both currencies are interchangeably used. If someone comes to Brunei from Singapore , he does not have to change his Singaporean currency as his cash will be accepted.

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The Philippines

As a country extending over southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo island in the Pasific Ocean and South China Sea, the Philippines consist of 7,107 islands and islets. The Philippines was named after King Philip II from Spain. Luzon is the biggest island among another islands where the capital city, Manila, is located at the east coast of the island. The inception of Manila dates back to 1571 where the Spaniards founded Manila as the hegemony center in Asia. The remnant of the Spanish colonialism is the oldest part of the city, the Intramuros (meaning within the walls), which was built as a stronghold. Previously, the border of the city was within the Intramuros. As the city had grown in years, new buildings were erected outside these walls. The foreigners can watch a traditional dance similar to that of flamenco style and costumes much influenced by Spanish tradition. Inside the Intramuros lies San Agustin Church, giving a marvelous sight to the harbor.

Manila is included to what is called Metro Manila which comprises 17 cities and municipalities. Makati is the complete opposite face of the Intramuros. Makati is one of the cities and municipalities of Metro Manila. It has been a major financial and economic center of the Philippines. Being a highly cosmopolitan city, many international standard shopping centers are attractive to the foreigners. Makati also has the skyscrapers in the Philippines like PBCOM Tower and G.T. International Tower. The Philippines Stock Exchange is also in Makati as well as five star hotels such as Shangri-La Hotel Makati, the Intercontinental Hotel Manila and the Peninsula Hotel Manila.

The famous intercity transportation is a jeepney which will convey the local and foreign tourists along the streets in Manila. This colorful-painted bus was inspired by the US Army vehicles during World War II in the Philippines. There are no jeepneys alike one after another. The chauffeurs have competed one another to make their vehicles blatantly different in colors. MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) are also available to cater the travelers needs of sightseeing around the city.

The Visayas, a cluster of several islands and thousands of islets, are reachable about 320 kilometers from Manila. Each of them is embroiled by white sand beaches and palm trees. Among islands in the Visayas, the one the tourists must visit is Cebu island. There lies Cebu City which is the second largest city in the country and the most densely populated island. As the island is encircled by coral reef, it is recommended that one snorkel and dive. The historical site here includes a Magellan’s wooden crucifix that was fixed to the ground over 450 years ago to celebrate the Catholic baptism of an infidel king. Ferdinand Magellan was one of the Spanish conquistadores that noticed and landed in Cebu in 16th century when Spaniards came for the first time in the Philippines.

Bohol island lying across the straits from Cebu is a haven of the most dazzling natural wonders. It has Tagbilaran City as the capital. The limestone hills, some 30 meters in height, appear like gargantuan chocolate drops and possesses a nickname of Chocolate Hills. The spectacular natural wonder can be discerned where hills arise from the flatlands. These hills enveloped by thin green grass that withers and turns brown in summer season are located at approximately 55 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City. White sand beaches present a good looking scene with the typical coconut trees. The locals there are talented in making coconut woven material such as: baskets, hats, and mats.

The province of Palawan is a small island southwest of Manila. Although it is difficult to get to, once the travelers come into the island, they will not forget the natural experiences there, i.e: hiking to the mountain, swimming in the lake, and discovering the coral reefs. Palawan is also a natural gas resource at the northeastern part of the island.

The second largest island, Mindanao, located at the south of the country consists of several mountain ranges and the highest volcanic mountain in the Philippines namely Mount Apo (2,954 meters). At the southwestern tip of Mindanao lies Zamboanga City. It is regarded as an interesting, favourite resort where one can find uncontaminated tropical scenery. As the major population is Muslim, many Muslim potteries and miscellaneous wares are available there. Davao province with its city, Davao City, is an industrial city. Mount Apo is in the province’s area.

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Thailand

As a country in Southeast Asia, Thailand or Muangthai becomes one of the most popular tourist destinations. Thailand was formerly recognized as Siam. Supported by a long and historical story, Thailand is a constitutional monarchy ruled by people loved-king, Bumibol Adulyadej or Rama IX. He has been reigning for 52 years as of 2009. The King has little political power but he is worshipped, even his photograph is worshipped instead of his presence. Almost 65 million people dwell in Thailand, 90 percent of them are Thais ethnic, the rest are ethnic Chinese, ethnic Malay, and another Southeast Asians. The state religion is Buddhism. Unlike another nation in Southeast Asia, the nation of Thailand can be proud of itself as Thailand was never occupied by any other Western or Eastern nations.

The capital city, Bangkok, is one of the world’s amazing, attractive city where old and new are mingled with Eastern and Western atmosphere. People around the world can enjoy the hospitality of Thai people and luxurious superb hotels, foods, and glittering nightlife in Bangkok. Bangkok provides either cosmopolitan atmospheres or cultural attractions. Vacation in Thailand is really enjoyable and fascinating.

Through the Bangkok runs the Chao Phraya River. Several international standard hotels can be found along the edges of Chao Phraya River. A journey along the river is somewhat called an amusement for tourists as it is often referred to The Venice of the East.

Grand Palace is about 1.5 square kilometers for total area of the building, open to visitors who are politely-attired. This palace is an official residence of Kings of Chakri Dynasty from 1782 to recent days. It is a compound of royal shrine, the royal weapon collection, the coin pavilion, and a royal museum. A royal shrine complex, Wat Phra Kaew, that is a veneration place for Emerald Buddha. Although it is named an emerald, this Buddha statue is not made of a whole emerald, it is transparent green jade instead. There are over 400 temples in Bangkok and over 30,000 in Thailand. One temple of the most important tourist destinations is Temple of Reclining Buddha that has a gigantic statue, 47.5 meters (156 feet) in length and 15 meters (49 feet) in height. Thailand is a famous Buddhist country in the world.

Upriver is the old capital of Ayutthaya, a kingdom capital from 1350 to 1767, can be reached as historical site. Many ancient and art debris can still be observed in the city which was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong.

The second largest city in Thailand, Chiang Mai, which is located far north offering a center for excursions to the historical journeys, elephants trekking, and the teak forests. The fortified gates together with amiable people can remind the tourists to the mixture of old and modern world. Especially when foreigners purchase handmade earthwares and woodcarvings, they will be brought to the old situation in a modern world as the goods are being made through old methods for generations. For historic attraction, one can visit Doi Suthep temple topping on a hill. One can count 400 steps over to reach the temple.

Chiang Rai, situated at the northern point of Thailand in the heart of the Golden Triangle, enables the spectators to see both historical and natural scenery. Especially the Golden Triangle itself keeps the former notorious Opium route among three countries: Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos that join together. Nowadays, the Golden Triangle is just a memory to the past. The tourists can see historic sites, remainders of ancient settlements as well as splendid mountainous panorama and elephant back-riding tours.

An exotic Pattaya beach is two hours and a half drive by car from Bangkok. This white sand and blue sky always occupy the special place among them who have enjoyed this extraordinary beach resort. There are three main bays within the Pattaya: Pattaya Beach is the most famous, Jomtien Beach at the south, and Nakula Bay at the north. Nightlife in Pattaya is always an attractive-mesmerizing tourism spot.

Taking leisure in Thailand is not complete without visiting Phuket Beach in the Andaman Sea. The resort of Phuket beach can be accessed in the west coast of Thailand. One can do canoeing under the stars and uncover the beauty of Phuket by day and night as explore the limestone cliffs and turquoise waters of Phang Nga Bay. Across the bay lies Krabi, mountainous region with wonderful beaches namely Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le. Those who love diving sport and climbing can satiate their hobby here while both land and sea fascinations are prepared.

For the sport lovers, the tourists can sightsee the Thai traditional sport at the stadiums all around the country. Thai boxing matches recognized as muay thai are done after elaborate ceremonies and lively music.

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Malaysia

Malaysia, a federation consisting of thirteen states and three federal territories, has Kuala Lumpur as the capital city. Kuala Lumpur means Muddy Estuary. Lying in Peninsular Malaysia and North Borneo, Malaysia has become an interesting country to visit. You can purchase garments, computer goods, electronics and many more with very aggressive prices. Malaysia is the only country in Southeast Asia where prices are quoted in the local currency. This makes Malaysia a low-priced destination for foreigners whose currencies have been appreciated against the Ringgit, the legal currency in Malaysia.

In Kuala Lumpur lies the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers known as Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC), the world’s tallest twin towers. Situated on the heart of the capital city, KLCC consists of a compound of office buildings, conference hall, and shopping markets. It can be a superb destination to foreigners.

Malacca, a historical stronghold at the time of Portuguese colonialism in 1511 – 1641, mesmerizes us with the abandoned Portuguese fortress A Famosa on St. Paul’s Hill. Overlooking the river, A Famosa was once a dumb witness of the Portuguese victorious conquest against natives of Malacca and the Europeans which yearned for a hegemony there.

Pulau Langkawi (Langkawi island), a group of 99 islets with beautiful beaches, lies off the coast of the state of Kedah.

Batu Ferringhi is situated along the coastal road northwest of Georgetown, Penang. This international standard shore will pamper the foreigners from surfing to canoeing. Enjoying the view of the beach from the sky above, tourists can do parasailing.

Malaysian typical hill resorts can be discovered in Genting Highlands, also widely known as Las Vegas of Malaysia or City of Entertainment. Genting Highlands is a mountain peak within the range of the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border between the states of Pahang and Selangor. It is only fifty kilometers from Kuala Lumpur and one hour drive by car. At approximately 2,000 meters above sea level, Genting Highlands is full of luxurious, entertaining resort destination.
For the only legal casino in Malaysia, foreigners can enjoy Casino de Genting offering baccarat, blackjack, French bull, roulette, and slot machines.
Also a recreational area is well-prepared to spoil the tourists namely Genting Theme Park. Enter the highlands to your privacy and the cool green hills will endow you with tranquil, comforting place. This so-called park also offers you and your family with many amusements and attractions. International-standard hotels and resorts include the Genting Hotel, the Resort Hotel, the Theme Park Hotel, and the Awana Golf and Country Resort.
At the state of Pahang remains the Cameron Highlands. It provides you with many interesting backyards such as strawberry farms where you can taste freshness of these cute, delectable fruits. Besides it, homemade jam and marmalade are set to you. Comforting shopping, touring, and golfing can be carried out in family activities just in Cameron Highlands.

The state of Sabah which lies in the North Borneo is an agricultural state. Sabah has two major natural attractions: Mount Kinabalu and Danum Valley which is a huge rain forest reserve bigger than Singapore. Mount Kinabalu and its environment bring forward enormous diversity of flora. It is one of the most important biological sites in the world.

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Singapore

Singapore is a pleasant small country in Southeast Asia situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Singapore comprises 63 smaller islands, being one of the wealthiest countries in the world and a hub for tourism. With the slogan of Uniquely Singapore, it has been a cultural mixture involving ethnic Chinese as majority, Malay, Indian, and Arab. The typical transportation in Singapore providing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system enhances the foreigners comfort. The Orchard Road district is considered as the hub of Singaporean tourism where many shopping centers have been shelters for the either foreign or the local shopaholic. Many hotels are also there. At night, your nocturnal life will be charming when you sit down on the street seating that can change colors. Instead of Orchard Road, Singapore’s largest shopping center, Vivo City, is the other choice for you who love the dazzling point of shopping.

For the traditional goods lovers, Singapore can bring them a lot of dynamic arts scenes. Having influenced by native Malay culture, legacy of Chinese and Indian migrants has a mixture of combined astounding Singaporean arts. The Art Districts consist of Chinatown Arts Belt, Little India, Central Arts Districts, Riverside, as well as Dempsey and Tanglin. You can find also art museums such as NUS Museum, Singapore Art Museum, Asian Civilization Museums at Empress Place, and Old Tao Nan School.

Natural ecosystem has been a concentration for Singaporean government by constructing several botanical and animal preservations. You can identify the Singapore Botanical Gardens including 3,000 types of orchids; The Singapore Zoo where Asian, African and South American animals are at large. The Jurong Bird Park contains a number of exotic fowls such as flamingos.

You can visit a very impressive island in the southern Singapore, Sentosa island, where the tourists will be able to pamper themselves with the paradise of casinos in 2010. The casinos lie on Marina Bay and the other one on Sentosa island. Another tourist interests are Underwater World Aquarium and Carlsberg Sky Tower. Carlsberg Sky Tower enables tourists to enjoy spotting the entire side of the Sentosa island.

Singapore River splitting the city also gives you opportunity to explore this uniquely Singapore. It comprises Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. Both quays are located in upstream from the Singapore River. You can find many nightclubs, restaurants, and pubs drifting along the riverside on a tied-up Chinese tongkangs.

The dental tourism has been launched to attract foreign tourists, unwilling to pay the high costs of dental treatment at home, by offering dental treatment service plus holiday in a luxurious hotel. The hotel tariff is inclusive to the dental treatment service. That is why the dental tourism has been widely recognized as the new paradigm to magnetize people around the world to come to Singapore.

The Singapore Dollar is pegged to Brunei Dollar at 1 : 1. Both currencies are interchangeably used. If someone comes to Singapore from Brunei, he does not have to change his Bruneian currency as his cash will be acceptable.

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Indonesia

Indonesia, an archipelagic country spanning over from We island bordering with Singapore in the easternmost region to Merauke bordering with Papua New Guinea in the westernmost region, fascinates you with thousands islands. Lying in the Southeast Asia region, Indonesia covers 17,508 islands and islets and about 6,000 of them are resided. Indonesia is widely known as a country that lies along the equator where the city of Pontianak in Borneo is passed through by the equator. That is the reason why Indonesia has tropical climate with only two seasons: rainy season and dry season.

The capital city in Jakarta, a nucleus of government and business, one can find a metropolis where the hectic atmosphere in the city center mingled with the old-fashioned Dutch colonial buildings in Kota Lama (Old City) in the northern suburbs. The downtown providing the skyscrapers and luxurious buildings blended with the uptown historical constructions are the two faces of Jakarta. Foreigner can obtain many tourism objects in Kota Lama as well as go shopping at the metropolitan malls spread out the downtown and the suburban area.

Over the insular tourism destinations, Indonesia possesses a lot of tourism spots spreading over the archepelago. These are among them:

1. Kuta, Bali.

Talking about Indonesia, foreign and domestic tourists always refer to Bali as the island of paradise. Being exotic and amazing, Bali, a provincial island at the eastern side of Java island, possesses many tourist destinations such as the Kuta Beach designated as a magnet for either surfers or divers around the world. Kuta is a small town in southern Bali which was once a former fishing village. It was one of the first towns on Bali to climb up to be considerable tourist development. Kuta is internationally well-known for its long sandy beach, varied accommodations of restaurants and bars, and significant Australian population.

Let me remind you how to get Kuta Beach. Firstly, after you get to Bali in Ngurah Rai International Airport, you can hire a taxi to find hotel where you and your family can spend your days there. It only takes 10 minutes away by taxi from airport to the Kuta. Foreigners can lie in the sun for hours to get tanned in the Kuta Beach, making the skin auburn as many people of many nationalities long for. If you want to learn how to surf, you will find many surfing classes with cheap prices. For the challenging sport-loving people, you can feel your pounding heartbeat in bungie jumping which can be found in the Kuta and its vicinities.

Legian and Seminyak are northern extensions of Kuta along Jalan Legian (Legian Street) and Jalan Basangkasa (Basangkara Street). They are suburbs with cottage-styled accommodations, where many foreigners reside. Also to the northern paces are Petitenget, Berawa, Canggu, and Seseh - new extensions of Kuta Beach. They are easy to reach through Abian Timbul or Denpasar and Kerobokan. Hotels and motels can be found everywhere along Kuta with the affordable prices. Among them, a number of large hotels are the Oberoi Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, the Intan Bali Village, the Legian in Petitenget, the Dewata Beach and the Bali Sani Suites in Berawa.

You do not feel to worry about hanging around, you can go to Musro where you can spoil yourself with music and beverages. Taking a stroll in Bali will not be complete before you visit the cliffside temple at Uluwatu, only 90 minutes from Kuta Beach. Fishing and enjoying the barbecued sea food at Jimbaran for those who love eating crustacean cuisine. At Canggu located beyond Seminyak you can enjoy surfing the volcanic black sand beaches.

2. Yogyakarta, Central Java.

Tourism object the foreigners will notice in Central Java is Yogyakarta, pleasant city of Javanese culture and music is long-inherited. As the province in the middle of Java island, Yogyakarta, also often referred to simply as “Yogya” has two nearby historical ruins of Buddhist and Hindu kingdom namely Borobudur and Prambanan temple. These historical sites, located near Yogyakarta, are Borobudur situated on approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta and Prambana located 18 kilometers east of Yogyakarta.

There is no written record of who built Borobudur. The construction time has been approximately calculated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple's hidden foot and the inscriptions commonly used in royal inscriptions during the 8th and 9th century. Borobudur was likely founded around 800 AD. This corresponds to the period within 760–830 AD, on the acme of the Sailendra dynasty in central Java, when it was under the influence of the Srivijayan Empire in Sumatra. The construction was estimated to have taken 75 years and been completed during the reign of King Samaratungga in 825 AD.

Built from gray andesite stone to exalt Buddha Gautama, Borobudur rises to seven terraces, each smaller than the one below it. The top is Great Stupa, standing 40 meters above the earth. Borobudur is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top, surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa. As the shrine measuring to 123 x 123 meters, Borobudur becomes a great Mahayana Buddhist monument in the world.

Prambanan, a Hindu temple, that is situated on the outskirts of a Yogyakarta suburb is also the tourism spot you cannot ignore. It possesses many small temples and shrines inside the temple compound. Prambanan provides you wonderful traditional legend about one of its shrines namely Rara Jonggrang. The popular legend of Rara Jonggrang is connected to the site of the King Boko Palace, the origin of the Durga statue in northern chamber of the main shrine, and the origin of the Sewu temple complex nearby. The legend tells about Prince Bandung Bondowoso who had fallen in love with Princess Rara Jonggrang, the daughter of King Boko. But the princess refused his proposal of matrimony as Bandung Bondowoso had killed her father. Bandung Bondowoso kept insisting that she be impelled to agree with a marriage, but she gave one impossible-challenging condition: Bandung had to build her a thousand temples in only one night. The Prince meditated and invoked a myriad of spirits from the earth. Assisted by the demons, he succeeded in building 999 temples. When the prince was about to complete the rest of the temples, the princess aroused her maids and ordered the village women to hit rice places and set a fire in the east of the temple, attempting to make the prince and the spirits believe that the sun was about to rise. As the cocks crowed, the supernatural helpers got back into the ground, tricked by the fire light and the sounds of cock-a-doodle-doo. Bandung was exasperated about the trick and in revenge he cursed Rara Jonggrang to stone. She became the last and the most beautiful of the thousand statues. According to the traditions, the unfinished thousandth temple created by the demons become the Sewu temple compounds nearby (Sewu means "a thousand" in Javanese), and the Princess is the image of Durga in the north cell of the Shiva temple at Prambanan, which is still known as Rara Jonggrang (meaning Slender Virgin in Javanese).

Located nearby is an open air theater where the Ramayana saga is performed, telling the never ending love of Rama and Shinta is evolved and embellished in Javanese culture. In downtown Yogyakarta, you can visit Keraton of Yogya, Keraton is a Javanese sultan’s palace that has a Dutch colonial architecture when it was founded in 18th century. Gamelan, a typical Javanese music, blending the harmonious melody can bring you through the spirit of Javanese. You cannot leave Yogyakarta without bringing a souvenir named batik, a handicraft of dyed textiles in Jalan Malioboro. Batik consists of many models and colors whose major color is brown. Also wayang golek (wooden puppets) and wayang kulit (leather puppets) are the traditional performances you should attend. Played by a dalang, someone who holds and plays wayang, wayang golek and wayang kulit will amuse you with the story of either kindness or evilness. If you are a true adventurer, a trek to Mount Merapi is an obligation. As Indonesia’s most active volcano, it might be rumbling during your journey. It has regular and minor eruptions. Take the bus to the village of Selo. From Selo, you can hike to the Merapi Summit within 3 to 4 hours.

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