Come mid-November, one of Thailand’s most loved and best-preserved traditions will take place throughout the Thai kingdom. Loy Krathong will be celebrated on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month of the Thai calendar. Thais will usually light candles and incense sticks on lotus-shaped vessels made from banana leaves (called Krathong) and release them at rivers and waterways. Setting the krathong adrift is a symbolic act to cast away one’s misery and bad luck. If you are visiting Thailand in November, be sure not to miss this occasion.

The new Flower Garden Hotel is opening in Hanoi next month. Located in the heart of downtown Hanoi, tourist attractions such as the Old Quarters, Sword Lake, West Lake and the Red River are all within walking distances. The 83 rooms of this first class property are fitted with modern amenities and the large windows give a bright and spacious feel to the interiors. Guests can head to the restaurant situated on the 12th floor for Western and Intercontinental specialties.

The owners of Pavillon Indochine and Café Indochine have inaugurated the new boutique Pavillon d’Orient in Siem Reap. Conveniently located along the road to the airport, the Pavillon is a colonial style mansion surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Both Cambodian and European dishes are available at the Le Planteur restaurant. The hotel also features an infinity pool filled with salted water and a full-serviced spa. The 18 rooms are fitted with modern amenities and individual terraces overlooking the pool.

Destinations in the outskirts of Yangon do not pale in comparison to those in the city. With abundance of fresh air and minimal traffic in idyllic settings, these satellite towns and nature sanctuaries make interesting excursion sites.

Located just 12km from Yangon, Insein is accessible by car (45 minutes) or circular train (a 1 hour ride). The circular train ride offers a unique and pleasant experience of commuting with the friendly locals. Insein is a fascinating town that still bears vestiges of its British colonial days. A walking tour of the Locomotive Workship reveals a train depot that is still maintaining and repairing diesel engines up to this day.

Twante is a small delta town by the banks of Twante Canal. Accessible by ferry, you can see firsthand the day-to-day lives of the fishermen and farmers as you sail along the 33km-long Twante Canal. Twante is also noted for its pottery and weaving that produce works of high quality and craftsmanship.

The Moeywingyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary is a favourite haunt for bird watching enthusiasts. It is situated 110km from Yangon just off the Yangon-Mandalay Highway. This 40-acre sanctuary was created by damming three small streams during the British colonial administration period in the late 1870s. This wetland is a breeding ground for both resident and migratory bird species such as cranes, purple swamp hens and common moor hens. A motorised canoe service allows you to explore the sanctuary and observe the rich variety of birds.

Lying at the western foothill of Bago Yoma Mountain in the Taikkyi Township of Yangon Division, the Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp is dedicated to the conservation and research of elephants. Covering an area of 10 acres, the camp is an interesting place to watch how the mahouts train the elephants to understand and obey commands. A wide variety of wildlife takes refuge in the area, including green peafowl, gaur, barking deer, hill myna and many more. Your guests can ride on the elephants to explore the nearby villages and experience the natural scenery of the surroundings.

Although the conflict ended more than three decades ago, there are new casualties and victims from unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos every year. The poor and disadvantaged people are the most susceptible group as they are often tempted to make ends meet by scrapping metals from UXO in the fields. This inevitably results in casualties and injuries, especially among adult males and children.
In Vientiane, the National Rehabilitation Centre recently opened a visitors’ centre in partnership with the Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE). A show room has been developed to explain COPE’s works and traces the history and problem of UXOs in Laos. An interactive exhibition provides narratives from UXO victims, shedding light on their experiences and rehabilitation process. A visit will prove highly educational and enables you to understand the UXO issue in Laos in greater depth. The centre is located along Khouvieng Road near Greenpark Boutique Hotel.

Wat Trimitr will be closed from 1 September to 1 December 2008 for the relocation of the Golden Buddha statue housed inside the main viharn (sermon hall). Visitors can still walk outside in the external compound but will be denied access to view the Golden Buddha. In the meantime, Exotissimo will replace Wat Trimitr with Wat Sra Ket in our tour itineraries.

From 1 October 2008, the entrance fees for Sukhothai Historical Park will be revised. To visit one zone, the fee will increase from 30 baht per person to 100 baht per person. To visit all the spots in the park, the fee will be 350 baht per person. The park is divided into two parts – interior and exterior. The exterior compound is further separated into four zones: north, south, east and west. As it is a huge park, most visitors will not be able to finish all the spots. We usually recommend visiting a maximum of two spots. For all confirmed bookings, Exotissimo will absorb this increase but the fees increase will be included in future quotations.

A quad ride is a fascinating way to explore the countryside of Siem Reap. With excellent safety procedures, well-maintained equipments and professional staff, Quad Adventure Cambodia has established itself as a respected business enterprise. Tours vary from short sunset tours of 8km to full day excursions. Special trips such as countryside picnics, sunset cocktails and visits to the outlying temples of Roulous and Vat Atvea can be arranged. The most popular sunset tour leads guests to the paddy fields in the outskirts, where they can enjoy a glass of wine and the last rays of light against a picturesque backdrop of the palm trees and Kulen hills. With a seating capacity of two, a quad ride makes a fun and adventurous way to explore Siem Reap!

The L’Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa is the latest addition to Phan Thiet which lies four hours north of Ho Chi Minh City. Due to open in October, this five-star resort delights guests with its contemporary décor, lush tropical gardens and freshwater lagoon. Each of the 20 villas features private pool and outdoor shower while the remaining 69 rooms are decorated in a blend of modern and traditional Vietnamese flavours. The supreme luxury and beautiful surroundings of L’Anmien will make a relaxing getaway.

The newest addition to the hotel scene in Luang Prabang, Villa Maly, is having a soft opening for the month of September. Aptly located in the heart of the city, all the main attractions and historical sites are within walking distance from the hotel. Converted from the residence of former nobility, the villa’s central building still retains the original splendour of the 1920s. The traditional styles of Laotian architecture and its French colonial past are seamlessly infused into the 33 guest rooms. Villa Maly will be officially opened on 1 October 2008.