Accidental Travel Writer

San Francisco Does It Best!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:27:56 PST

When it comes to Chinese New Year, nobody does it better than San Francisco. Every year, the narrow streets of that city's fabled Chinatown come alive with the ear-splitting roar of firecrackers,...

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Give It a Rest!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:52:11 PST

Mariners’ Rest, the drinking establishment of the Royal Hong Kong Marine Police and one of the former British Colony's oldest bars, has been restored to its former glory. Now open to the public, it...

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From Bangkok to Vientiane by Rail

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:07:55 PST

The green and cream carriages of the Eastern & Orient-Express will cross the Friendship Bridge that links Thailand with Laos for the first time ever next month. Trains were previously able to go...

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Airlines Seek Trans-Pac Pact

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:39:59 PST

Can airline partnerships lead to better better service and lower prices for consumers? That is what two US and one Japanese airline maintain. United Airlines and Continental Airlines of the United...

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Asia's Top Resort Spas

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:41:01 PST

The Barai Residential Spa at the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in Thailand was named Best Resort Spa in the Asia Pacific at the Crystal Awards, which were announced last month. Soneva Gili by Six Senses,...

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Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:49:27 PST

Based on the Lunar Calendar, Chinese New Year can fall between late January and mid-February – it varies from year to year. This year is unique because Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day coincide....

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End of an Era

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:26:46 PST

Today marks the end of an era. M at the fringe, one of Hong Kong's first free-standing restaurants serving gourmet Western cuisine, will serve its last orders tonight. When it opened in November...

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Taipei's Night Markets

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:48:09 PST

The Chinese food served up in Taipei runs the gamut from extravagantly presented haute cuisine fit for an emperor to snacks targeted at the teeming masses. And interestingly enough, some of the...

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Go to Goa!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:06:12 PST

Portuguese navigator Alfonso de Albuquerque captured the Indian territory of Goa in 1510, turning it into an important centre for East-West trade. He took a number of measures to safeguard it. ...In...

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Cantonese Cuisine Paired with Chinese Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:37:33 PST

Chinese wine maker Dynasty is turning 30. To celebrate, the brand is partnering with – appropriately enough! – Hong Kong's Dynasty Chinese restaurant to present a dinner tasting menu. With one...

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Night Before Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:22:41 PST

. . ...........''Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas...

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Walk in the Footsteps of Pilgrims

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:22:26 PST

The Way of St James was the route followed by Christian pilgrims in medieval times from Central Europe to the tomb of the Apostle of St James, or Santiago, at Santiago de Compostela, which is located...

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Taipei Tops with Hong Kong Travelers!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:50:13 PST

Taipei has emerged as the year's favoured destination for Hong Kong travelers. As Taiwan's largest city, it is the island's cultural, economic, and political hub. There is the world renowned National...

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Macau: City of God

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:52:04 PST

Before the British established their base in Hong Kong, Macau – a one hour's jet foil ride away - was at the centre of East-West trade. It was also an important religious centre. This is reflected in...

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Macau Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Handover

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:49:52 PST

At the stroke of midnight on 19 December 1999, tiny Macau – a one hour's jet foil ride from Hong Kong – returned to Chinese administration following more than 400 years as a Portuguese overseas...

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Upswing in Thailand Golf Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:43:25 PST

A leading Southeast Asian golf tour operator has reported a 23% increase in turnover for the 12-month period ending last month. The boost in golf holiday traffic runs counter to the largely sluggish...

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Travel Industry Responds to Global Warming

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:23:52 PST

A worldwide campaign to help the travel industry respond to climate change, reduce its carbon footprint, and move toward a Green Economy was launched Monday at the Copenhagen Climate Summit. Called...

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Your Favourite Travel Blog Has Just Got Better!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:55:55 PST

Up less than two months, the Accidental Travel Writer is now an affiliate of Zuji Travel Hong Kong, voted by readers of TTG travel magazines as the Asia Pacific's Best On Line Travel Agent for five...

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Mongolian Odyssey

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:25:57 PST

“As a long time American expatriate and former foreign correspondent, I have led a very nomadic life. But while spending much time in Asia, the thought of visiting Mongolia, that legendary home of...

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Malaysian Tourism Arrivals Up 25%

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:53:08 PST

Known for its sandy beaches, world class golf courses, mega shopping malls, thriving street markets, colonial hill stations, and yummy cuisine, multicultural Malaysia registered one of the region's...

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How to Match Beijing Food with Fine WIne

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:14:15 PST

Before language reforms, China's capital, Beijing, was spelled Peking in English. Interestingly, the city's signature dish, Peking duck, is still rendered in the traditional way on most restaurant...

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Thailand: Book on Line and Save!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:48:57 PST

The Accidental Travel Writer has partnered with an on-line hotel booking service to bring you detailed information on 2,500 hotels and resorts across Thailand at the click of a mouse. Special...

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Exploring Jewish Heritage in Style

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:04:45 PST

The Portobello section of Dublin, Ireland, once boasted a thriving Jewish community. The Walworth Road Synagogue, which was located in the district, could accommodate up to 160 men and women. As Jews...

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How to Match Sichuanese Cuisine with Fine Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:07:46 PST

Sichuan is home to one of China's legendary Eight Great Cuisines. Because of the province's heat and humidity, lots of innovative preservation methods were developed in the days before refrigeration...

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What Can the the Travel Industry Do to Fight Global Warming?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Taylor) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:02:39 PST

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have a role to play in fighting global warming. Bodies representing the travel industry are no exception. According to Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) CEO...

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