Beautiful Tibet

Travel in Tibet

Outside the 'TAR'

Most of the traditional Tibetan regions of Amdo and Kham have been incorporated by the Chinese into the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan. Most of these areas are now open for foreign tourism. By travelling into areas away from the sinicised larger towns, it is possible to see Tibetans still living comparatively traditional lives. Villages tend to retain at least some of the traditional style housing of the region, though religious activities may still be restricted, and local festivals prohibited or curtailed.

Permits

Most of this area is easily accessed by independent travellers holding a China visa. Sensitive areas - such as mining and 'development' projects, prisons, military bases, and sites of recent political unrest - are either permanently or temporarily closed to foreigners both within and outside the 'TAR'.

Transport

In the open areas, travel is permitted on local buses or by paying for a lift on a truck or hire vehicles.

Accommodation

Enforcement of accommodation restrictions varies from location to location. In some areas there will be only one hotel where foreigners are permitted to stay, whereas in other areas it is possible to stay with local Tibetan families. However, you should be aware that foreigners staying with local Tibetan family will be under official surveillance.
INSIDE the ‘TAR’

Entry and travel within the Chinese designated "Tibet" is definitely restrictive and expensive, and rules and laws often change without warning and are subject to individual application.

Permits

There is a zone around Lhasa that does not require additional permits. Outside of these areas is another matter. Other than the direct run down the 'Friendship Highway' to the Nepal border, all areas require an official tour group - with driver, guide and hired jeep, and up to four permits. Not all areas are accessible even with applications for permits.
Source: http://www.tchrd.org

Dubai: destination re-branding urgently required - from 'playground of the rich' to the complex compelling place we know it can be

"Dubai has always been seen as a playground for the rich. What is the Dubai tourism authority doing to pull in people with less money?" That was one question among others that came to me Friday via the DK-Rough Guides PR office, as author of DK's Top Ten Dubai and Abu Dhabi guidebook, from a London journalist writing a story on Dubai. Although I suggested he contact Dubai Tourism for comment, I still shared my thoughts. While Dubai Tourism has appeared to focus on marketing Dubai as a luxurious, safe 'sun, sand and shopping' destination, the media, which loves covering the rich and famous and the glitz and glamour, has lapped it. There's no denying Dubai does luxury well (better than many places), but it's always been so much more than simply a lavish destination where you can spoil yourself silly, especially to the people who live in Dubai. When I lived in Al Mankhool, for five days a week my everyday experiences were more centered on Dubai's gritty backstreets (the 'off-the-beaten-track') and the city's heritage, culture and arts. We'd regularly walk to the Creek and Bastakiya, wander through Bur Dubai souq to Shindagha, both for exercise and to shop at the Shindagha supermarket, browse the souqs at Bur Dubai or across the Creek at Deira, or see a traditional performance at the Heritage and Diving Village. We'd frequently stroll along the Creek and through the parks, especially Al Seef Road and Za'abeel Park. We'd attend opening nights at galleries like The Third Line and B21, and we'd go to events like the Dubai International Film Festival. Occasionally we'd do very 'local' things like watch the camel training or even go falconing with some of the local guys. It was only on weekends when we'd go out with friends for drinks, dinner and a dance, at the bars, restaurants and clubs in the five-star hotels that we'd experience 'luxury Dubai'. But our Dubai, the Dubai most locals and many expats (not all) experience, is the one I've always tried to promote through our guidebooks and writing like our Insider's Guide to Dubai. But while Dubai for us is a set of complex experiences and representations, for much of the global media and potential tourists (as I'm reminded everyday) it's nothing but a luxury destination. It's time Dubai Tourism gets serious about re-branding Dubai and telling the world about the things its residents love about the place. Don't you think?

Once upon a time in Dubai: when the fairy tale doesn't unfold (or get told) the way they wanted it to, Or, Why the media needs to grow up

"A couple of years ago when I first started reading travel articles about all the new develop- ments in Dubai, I could never have guessed that this would happen," Erica from Blissful Travel wrote in response to my post on Dubai yesterday, which was actually a pointer to Terry's post on Dubai's Global Reporting Meltdown over at Wide angles, wine and wanderlust, so read that first. I spontaneously began my response to Erica this morning with "I couldn't have imagined it either... unless perhaps I'd given it some serious thought..." So I did give it some thought...

This should probably begin with "Once upon a time..." Because I'm thinking this is a bit of a fairytale, a rags-to-riches story. Well, that's how The Media likes to make it out. Or rather have it play out. You see, in the beginning Dubai was a media darling. She was Cinderella after her makeover at the ball. Or - because I should use a more contemporary analogy - she was like the beautiful young starlet who suddenly appears on the Hollywood scene. She gives an okay performance in an indie film, but she's attractive and has charisma. She wears the glammest dress and most gorgeous gems to the ball, or rather, the Oscars, and all of a sudden she's in the spotlight. Everyone's talking about her. And The Media starts writing about her. Everybody catches on and suddenly she's everywhere. She's on every talk show, every gossip site, in every magazine. Life couldn't be more perfect for this rising star. Who wouldn't want this much attention? Everyone wants to be her, to be with her, to live her glamorous lifestyle, to feel part of her 'in' crowd. But then she makes a mistake or two... a bad dress choice or movie role, a bad boyfriend? And then she really messes-up in their eyes... perhaps a racial slur? Filmed taking drugs? Or worse, in a none-too-flattering position in a park (or at a beach?) without clothes on? But the starlet doesn't care. She was an indie film goddess to begin with after all. She fascinated and intrigued long ago - even if it was just her friends and family. So then, The Media turns on her, her fans (who never really knew her anyway) turn on her. They're all against her now and are gleefully showing her at her worse, and printing all those bad hair days. The thing is... there's a career and a livelihood at stake here. So what will the starlet do next? Is an image makeover in order? Or does she need to prove that she can really perform? (Because her family and friends know she can shine.) Should she even care? SohHow do you think this story is going to play out? Because we know we're nowhere near an ending yet...

Orchard Road, The Exiting Place on Singapore for Shopping

If you love shopping (and heck I know you do), the Orchard Road shopping district will be a ‘beautiful place’ in Singapore. All manner of shopping centres (e.g. Takashimaya, The Paragon, The Heeren, Centrepoint) exist along Orchard Road and is a definite haven for shopping addicts. Now don’t overspend here ok? You still need some money for the plane home …

Exiting Marina Bay at the Night

Exiting Marina Bay at the Night

Orchard Road at The Night

Orchard Road at The Night Picture

Singapore Botanic Garden Part. 3

More people's can see kind of flower in singapore botanical garden. have a fun...

Dubai's Global Reporting Meltdown

Speaking of Dubai, the little city-state has taken quite a beating in the media lately with a number of negative articles about its apparent economic meltdown, written as if the rest of the world weren't in recession. My partner and co-author Terry Carter, who is also a writer and photographer who blogs at Wide angles, wine and wanderlust, has posted about recent coverage in 'Dubai's Global Reporting Meltdown' in which he analyzes the sloppy journalism that at times verges on racism. Take a look and let us know what you think.

The reward of rituals when we travel

Don't you love a good ritual? I do. And some cultures are just so good at doing them. Middle Eastern cultures especially. Take the carpet buying ritual with its unfurling of rug after rug over countless cups of tea. The Italians are do rituals well too, from the late afternoon aperitivo, essentially cocktails somewhere in the sunshine with complimentary snacks that these days verge on a buffet meal, to the passeggiata, that see-and-be-seen evening promenade when the whole community comes out in their best threads to do laps of the town and socialize. When I'm normally at 'home' (we've been on the road three years now!), I love my rituals. And none more so than my weekend ritual in Dubai (and before that Abu Dhabi), which for me was the only way I found worked best to wind down, and that was to relax with a Morrocan mint tea (the pot jammed with fresh fragrant mint) and a dish of sweets (either baklava or Turkish delight, whatever was around), perched on the bench by my window where I could look down and watch the action in the neighbourhood street below. One pot of tea and all was right in the world again. The thing I love about identifying and adopting rituals when I travel is that they make me feel at 'home'. And I don't mean Dubai, or even Australia, but they make me feel at home in the city we're staying in, especially if we're there renting an apartment for a while. Joining the locals in their daily rituals is, I guess, just one way of trying to live like a local, and that's partly what travelling is about for me. What about you?

People's on Sentosa Island Singapore

People's on Sentosa Island Singapore

Singapore Botanic Garden Part. 2

Inside, you will see all manner of trees, shrubs and flowers known to Singapore and the region. I know that if you love flowers, the Botanic Gardens is a must-visit.

Singapore Botanic Garden Part. 1

Have you ever wanted a stroll through beautiful Southeast Asian flora? Well, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, next in our list of beautiful places in Singapore, is a perfect match for you.

Exotic Boat Quay at The Night

The next thing I’d like to mention to you is Boat Quay. Now, I know that sometimes you might want to get a drink or two late at night – well, Boat Quay is right up your alley. Boasting some of the most popular pubs and clubs in the island nation, Boat is definitely one of more beautiful places in Singapore – particularly at night.

Boat Quay on Singapore

Boat Quay Picture on Singapore.......