Kaleidoscopic experiences

Would you like to loll about on beaches, shop to your heart's content, rejuvenate your body and soul ...? Then head for the Far East, suggests Megha Lodha Kathariya

From the beaches of Malaysia to the shopping malls of Singapore; from the rice barge cruises of Thailand to the Disneyland of Hong Kong, the Far East has it all!

This season, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong seem to be the hottest destinations, according to Asif Hussain, operations manager, outbound tours, Al Tayer Travel Agency LLC, Dubai.

The reason being that these places give complete Value For Money (VFM) in terms of accommodation, food and also offer a good variety in terms of places to see. These reasons apart, for the expats, points out Hussain, it works out as an extension of their break too.

There's plenty to see and do in Malaysia. You can gaze at the world's tallest twin towers, the Petronas Towers, situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, or take in the pleasures watching the hustle and bustle of a metropolis or just simply go shopping.

Once you have had a taste of the modern-day Malaysia, it is worth your while to spend a day at Malacca, a coastal city 160 km to the south of Kuala Lumpur; famous for its traditional Malay culture and hospitality. Most cruises take you to this destination for half a day, says Hussain.

After sampling Malay traditions, you might want to relax and feel at one with nature. If so, then it is a good idea to head to Cameron Highlands.

The Highlands, with its cool climes, is an ideal destination for nature lovers. You can go mountain hiking, on nature trails, even jungle trekking, suggests Nasir Jamal Khan, manager, Al Naboodah Travel and Tourism Agencies LLC.

Cameron does not boast of five-star accommodation, but what it does have are boutique hotels which are good enough for a comfortable stay. This place is an ideal haunt for those looking for serenity, picturesque landscapes and lots of peace, says Khan.

If you have had your heart's fill of being in nature's lap, then it may be time to soak up the sun and head towards Lankawe or Penang, which are just two of the many famous beach destinations of Malaysia. Both, Penang and Lankawe boast of a host of water sports and other beach activities.

For novelty's sake, don't forget to loll around on the black sand beaches of Pantai Pasir Hitam or the smooth pebble beaches of Pantai Batu Kerikil.

The average cost for a three-star accommodation in Malaysia would be about $60 (Dh220) per person per night, according to Khan.

Hmmm, now that you have been there and done that in Malaysia, isn't it time to move on and savour true oriental hospitality? No points for guessing which country we are referring to. Thailand. A country that has more to offer than shopping malls, rice barge cruises and beaches.

Where do we start? How about Bangkok? The capital city attracts not just because it is a shopper's paradise but also because of its cultural heritage, and also its canals.

A lot of business takes place at these canals called as 'Khlongs'. Apart from cruising along the Khlongs, one should also make it a point to go for the famous rice barge cruise. These traditional Thai dhows are a popular tourist attraction, says Khan.

Phuket is a definite must-see for those who believe in spicing up their life, recommends Hussain. Situated to the south of Bangkok is the country's largest island and it offers not just pristine beaches, forests and architecture but a lot more.

This enchanting island is surrounded by the Andaman Sea on three sides while it shares its land borders with Bangkok's Phang-nga province on the fourth. With temperatures ranging from 23?C to 33?C, this island is a fun place for all ages and offers accommodations for every kind of budget.

Then there's Pattaya, which is to the southeast of Bangkok. What makes it special? It is a holiday maker's paradise for it offers everything under the sun - sightseeing, sports, entertainment, you name it.

For the water babies, Phi Phi Island is the place to be. Famous for water activities like diving and snorkeling, it is also the place where the Leonardo Di Caprio starrer, The Beach, was shot, informs Khan.

From beaches to green environs, the next stop should be Chiang Mai. (Hopefully, you read that in the previous pages before you arrived at this spot.)

Now let us move on to ... Singapore
Situated on the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, Singapore continues to be a shopper's paradise. Being a small country, a four-day stay should be sufficient to cover all sightseeing possibilities and shopping malls!

This city has lots on offer for the entire family, says Hussain. Claskey in Singapore is one of the best places to pass your time if you really want to just relax and observe how people unwind in the evenings.

Being a place that mainly attracts shoppers, it has shopping festivals on almost throughout the year. It is also a port and financial centre.

Next stop ... Hong Kong
Famous as the world's busiest port, Hong Kong has enough packed in its tiny land area to keep you on your toes. A number of cultural events like the Dragon Boat Festival, to name just one, is quite a rage.

What is quite fascinating about Hong Kong is the easy division of the country - into four main areas. The Hong Kong Island, the Outlying islands, the new Territories and Kowloon. This, explains Hussain, makes it similar to the structure of Dubai wherein the Creek divides the emirate.

Hong Kong now also boasts of Disneyland which opened in September 2005 and is the second largest Disney wonder in Asia after Japan. A visit to Ocean Park, Victoria Park or a ride on the sampans, the traditional dhow of Hong Kong, are all highly recommended.

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Whichever destination you choose in the Far East, the fact is, every experience in culture, hospitality, food, sightseeing and shopping will be unique. That's a guarantee.

So just pack your bags (remember we gave you all the information on how to prepare for a holiday in the last issue?) and take off.

Bon voyage!