Peter Fleming asked:


 

Singapore is an island situated in the Malay Peninsula. This island city is well known for its beautiful ambiance, rich heritage and attractions. Singapore is also considered as the major tourist destination which is abundant with music, entertainment, festivals, theater, fabulous food, shopping, etc. This clean city lures numerous visitors every year. The accommodations of hotels are good to spend there the holiday days in comfort and pleasure. Different types of hotels such as luxury or grand hotels, cheap or budget hotels, discount hotels are available in Singapore. Travelers decide to stay at the hotels after considering the category and rates of the motels. However, the travelers who can afford luxury costly hotels always prefer to stay at star rating grand hotels with world class comforts and facilities.

The backpackers who face some shortage of money can easily choose one of the Cheap Hotels In Singapore. Selecting such affordable motels will minimize the expenditure and will act according to your planned budget. The Budget Hotels In Singapore have all those facilities which can cater to the needs of its guests. The Singaporean style well designed hotels have beautiful lounge and bar where the tourist can relax for a while.

Discount Hotels offer the facilities which can cater the needs of the guests especially who are business or leisure travelers. The conference or meeting rooms, banquet hall etc are worth to mention and moreover, the swimming pools, restaurants, bars, lounge, spa and fitness centers etc are arranged for a pleasant stay. Further, most of these hotels of Singapore offer delightful and mouth watering dishes which contains various types of cuisines.

The rooms of such hotels are also well equipped with modern amenities and parking area is also available in these motels. The reservation or booking rooms of cheap hotels in Singapore can be done online because it will be the easiest and fastest way of booking a hotel in Singapore.

It seems natural that staying in one of the discount hotels during your vacation in Singapore will obviously lessen your expenses. Thus choosing a budget hotel will be the best way and so make a little bit research work of the sites and find out the sites that offer cheap hotels in Singapore booking and get a reservation done.

 



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


China, a nation in East Asia, is home to world’s oldest continuous civilizations. With Beijing as its capital, China holds a total geographical area of 9,596,960 sq. km. Its climate is tropical in south to sub-arctic in north.

Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Harbin and Chengdu are some of the major places of attraction. Han Chinese is the largest ethnic group in China who comprise around 91% of the total population. Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uygur, Yi, Mongolian, Tibetan, Buyi and Korean are some of the other ethnic groups which dominates the area.

The Republic of China was formed on 1st January 1912 which leads to the end of Quing Dynasty. Sun Yat-sen, belongs to National Party, was declared as the president of the new republic.

China is almost same size as the United States of America and the eastern part of china is surrounded by the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea. China shares its border with India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam to the South; Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the West; Mongolia and Russia to the North and North Korea to the East.

China is home to several world famous tourist attractions including Great Wall of China, Tibet, Silk Road, Hainan island and tropical paradise. It also holds dozens of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Most of the places in China have famous Buddhist arts. Yungang Grottoes, around 1500 year old, in Sichuan province has more than 51,000 Buddhist carvings.

You can see art and manuscripts dating back to the 4th century in the Mogao Caves situated near Dunhuang in Gansu province. Dazu Rock near Chongqing and Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang hold carvings which date from 5th to 13th century.

China has several sacred mountains which attract tourists in large number. Mount Tai, Mount Hua, Mount Heng, Mount Heng and Mount Song are the five great mountains associated with Taoism: The country also holds four sacred mountains associated with Buddhism and three main sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism including Mount Emei, Mount Jiuhua, Mount Putuo, Mount Wutai, Mount Kailash, Kawa Karpo and Amnye Machen.

Beijing, literally means Northern Capital, is the capital city of China - the most populous county in the world. Untill the fomation of the Republic of China in 1911, Beijing was the seat of Ming and Quing dynasties. It holds several places of historical importance ans government institutions. Famous for its uniformity and standard construction, Beijing has only one hill in the city limits. Beijing has concentric rectangular ring roads which run around the metropolis.

There are many tourist places which attracts lot of people around the world. The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Hutongs, Beijing Zoo, Beijing Botanical Gardens, Beihai Park, Yonghegong, Fragrant Hills, Hutongs and Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution are some of the major places of attaction in Beijing.

Also known as the Palace Museum, Forbidden City is really the spot to value the strength and splendor of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Built by Mao, Tiananmen Square is the largest square in the world. The square is surrounded by Soviet-style monuments and government buildings. It still remains as an amazing place and a place to stay behind and see visitors from all over the world.

Temple of Heaven, situated to the south-east of Qianmen and the Tiananmen Square, is a marvelous sight for tourists. The temple was the place where the king prayed every year for superior harvests and good weather. Summer Palace houses widespread gardens and the ruins of palaces constructed by the Qing emperors in the ancient era. Beijing Zoo has an aquarium which is one of the biggest in the world, and extremely remarkable.

Beihai Park consists of big island and white pagoda which was built in the 17th century. Also known as Lama Temple or Palace of Peace, Yonghegong was built by Chinese emperors in the ancient time. Many Tibetan and Mongolian monks lived and taught here over the years. The temple houses an 18m statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of sandalwood. Situated to the east of Tiananmen Square, Legation Quarter was famous for Boxer Rebellion. Now it is occupied by government offices and army offices.



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


The largest island in Thailand, Phuket is an enchanting destination, located about 850 km south of the nation’s capital, Bangkok, in the Andaman Sea. Phuket holds the distinction of being the only island in Phuket with provincial status.

Sometimes acknowledged as the ‘Pearl of the South,’ Phuket boasts of a long rich as well as colorful history dating back to more than 500 years ago. An eventful segment in the history of Phuket is the Battle of Thalang, in which the Burmese invaders were defeated by forces under the administration of two women.

Phuket is now categorized into three administrative regions: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Kathu, and Amphoe Thalang. Al though Phuket has now become a thriving tourist center, it still preserves its old world charm, and come with an incredible array of attractions comprising imposing gorgeous coves and bays, long stretch of palm-fringed beaches, tiny estuaries, beautiful lagoons, lush green mountains, scintillating waterfalls, and age-old mansions reflecting Indo-Portuguese architecture.

Much of the Phuket’s glory lies in its beautiful white sandy beaches. Majority of the top beaches in the areas such as Kamala Beach - an excellent area for relaxation, Patong Beach - most vibrant among the beaches in the area, and Karon Beach, located south of Patong Beach, are situated in the western coastline.

Popular beaches in the area also include Kalim Beach, an isolated beach dotted with coral reefs and rocks; Kata Beach consisting of Kata Noi and Kata Yai beaches; Nai Han Beach, which is much favored for its white powdery sand and azure blue waters; Rawai Beach, a pristine beach whose surroundings are home to Chao Le people; and Mai Khao Beach, also known as the Airport Beach. Each of the beaches in the area is enchanting, and is a haven to enjoy a continuum of water sport activities such as fishing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, rafting, sailing, scuba diving, and more.

However, the activities that can be enjoyed in Phuket are not restricted to water sport activities. For instance, if you are a golf freak, excellent choices are available for you in the form of Dino Park, an 18-hole mini-golf course located on Karon Beach; golf course in Hat Surin built during the reign of King Rama VII; and Log Palm Golf Club near Amphoe Krathu. Besides, superb options are available to enjoy activities such as mountain biking, trekking, bungy jumping, nature walks, and hiking.

When comes to sightseeing, options are truly diverse and endless. For example, a tour to historical sites including Old China Town, packed with stunning Sino-Portuguese mansions, would be a refreshing experience. Likewise, to have a peep into the history of the region, a best way would be visit the interesting museums in the region such as Thalang National Museum and Phuket Sea Shell Museum.

Phuket also provides a feast of attractions to wild life and nature lovers, such as, Khao Phra Thaeo National Park boasting of unique flora and fauna; Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, with thousands of varied species of butterflies; Promthep Cape, from where one can savor the incredible views of the sunset; and Marine Biological Research Centre, an aquarium with a variety of rare fish species.

A visit to Phuket would be incomplete without taking a tour to its ancient shrines including Wat Chalong - one of the biggest shrines in the region; Wat Phranangsang, devoted to two heroines who defeated the Burmese invaders in the Battle of Thalang; and Wat Phra Thong, whose centerpiece is a large half buried image of the Lord Buddha.

Nightlife in Phuket is really sedative, with hundreds of girlie bars, nightclubs, pubs, disco clubs, and go-go bars. Similarly, dining options available in Phuket is endless, consisting of an array of restaurants serving everything from excellent Thai dishes to sumptuous western style cuisines. Additionally, Phuket is a shopper’s paradise, with a plethora of markets, department stores, street stalls, and specialist shops, apart from a large night bazaar.

Above all, accommodation options are aplenty in Phuket, ranging from world-class hotels and resorts to elegant tropical style villas and bungalows. No matter you are looking for budget accommodation or one with luxurious amenities, Phuket has accommodation to suit every taste and pocket. With the introduction of the internet, it has now become quite easy to find a hotel in Phuket that go with your requirements. Many of them provide options to book hotel rooms and other facilities online.

With these scores of attractions and a plenty of accommodation options, make your vacation in Phuket memorable.



Entertainment Center

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Pattaya is a beautiful sea-side resort destination, situated along a breathtaking bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand, in eastern Thailand. Located about 140 km east of Bangkok, Pattaya was once a fishing village, which has been now transformed into one of the most sought after vacation spots in Southeast Asia, providing an incomparable variety of attractions and activities, ranging from sightseeing to recreational and fun. In short, Pattaya is truly a paradise that caters to every type of tourist.

Pattaya’s prime attraction is undoubtedly its fantastic beaches. Most significant among the beaches is North Pattaya Beach, which starts from the Dolphin roundabout. Another popular beach is Middle Pattaya Beach, acknowledged as the ‘beach of fun.’ The beach area is dotted with an array of shopping malls, boutiques, and bars and restaurants. Located next to the Middle Pattaya Beach is another great beach, namely, South Pattaya Beach, with a range of exciting night clubs and discotheques.

Other popular beaches in the area are Jomtien Beach, Wong Beach, and Koh Lan beaches, located about seven kilometers off the Pattaya shore. Each of the Pattaya’s beaches is clean and safe, and provides a great atmosphere to relax and unwind.

However, Pattaya’s attractions are not just confined to its beautiful serene beaches, but beyond that. Spread across 40 acres of lush green area is Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, a zoo with a variety of crocodiles. In addition, it has such attractions as 200-year-old bonsai trees and several gigantic stones. Also, an interesting attraction in the island is Pattaya Bottle Museum, exhibiting ships in bottles as well as other strange items. In addition, theme parks are aplenty in Pattaya, such as, the Pattaya Water Park Beach Resort.

Other fantastic attractions in Pattaya are Khao Pattaya, a small hill located south of the Pattaya Beach; Ko Khrok, an islet surrounded by amazing rock formations; Ko Sak, a small island that takes after a an upturned horse-shoe; Mini Siam, which boasts of magnificent replicas of incredible architectural works such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, and the Statue of Liberty; and Panarak Park with superb fishing facilities.

As it is home to an incredible variety of beaches, Pattaya offers superb options to enjoy a range of such activities as sand castle building, beach tennis, kayaking, parasailing, water skiing, and snorkeling. With three international standard bowling alleys, Pattaya offers great option to enjoy bowling. A visit to Pattaya would be incomplete without taking a tour to the Pattaya Elephant Village, featuring daily life of elephants as well as their masters, apart from providing opportunities to a range of activities such as elephant riding and hand feeding elephants.

For horse riding enthusiasts, a school operates here with more than 30 horses as well as an indoor stadium. Similarly, if you are a golf freak, then head to any of the four golf courses in the area with international standards.

For those who want to explore the sheer beauty of the island, then one of the best ways is to take a pony trek along the beautiful hills and forested areas of the region. If you are looking something unique during your stay at Pattaya, then suitable options are available to you in the form of paintball competitions. Likewise, if want to have something interesting, then head to any of the boxing camp or professional training camp in order to spectacle amazing Thai boxing.

Above all, Pattaya offers a range of activities for kids, including bungee jumping, go-karting, and fishing.

Nightlife - With a variety of nightclubs, karaoke, and bars and restaurants coupled with live music and dance performances, discos, cabarets, Pattaya’s nightlife is truly vibrant.

Gastronomy - From spicy, traditional Thai dishes to Chinese, Thai, Italian, Indian and French cuisine - the restaurants and eateries in Pattaya caters to every type of dining. Also, worth mentioning are the sea food specialties available in restaurants, located along the South Pattaya and Jomtien beaches.

Accommodation - The growing number of vacationers in the region has led to a significant increase in the number of Pattaya hotels. You can choose from a range of hotels, ranging from budget accommodation to luxury ones. Majority of the hotels and resorts are placed along the beautiful beaches of Pattaya.



Entertainment Center

Naveen Marasinghe asked:


Built by the British during the 1880’s Fort Siloso is Singapore’s only conserved coastal fortification. The Fort is positioned on the Sentosa which is a well known resort island. The fort is now reinstated as a museum, and is open for public viewing. Here visitors can explore the war history of Singapore and observe Asia’s biggest collection of guns that dates back between the17th and 20th century.

Fort Siloso is a coastal weaponry battery and is among the twelve coastal batteries that formed the ‘Fortress Singapore’ at the beginning of World War Two.

Even though there are remnants of other batteries found on Singapore, Fort Siloso is the only restored battery. A Philippine word ‘Siloso’ means ‘Jealous Person’.

The core of the Fort Siloso is the Surrender Chambers portraying the British Surrender and the Japanese Surrender which were two important events that occurred in Singapore.

Fort Siloso opened its doors to the public in 1975 as the Singapore Gun Museum. The Gate Guard is a 7-Inch RML Gun Barrel. The collection includes over thirty-five guns. There is also a Carronade that was given to the Museum by Lt. General Peter Hunt in 1971.

Tunnel complexes, buildings and gun emplacements are very well conserved. However in some cases alterations have been made in order to allow easy access to tourists. Exhibits based on Singapore’s military history and the Fort’s military history can be seen all over the Fort.

For veterans and families Fort Siloso serves as a vital window to the colonial history of Singapore. It is also a constant reminder of the years of war.

At present Fort Siloso’s bunker has become an exceptional tourist attraction. It is also called as the Battle Box. The fort also brings war history to life by displaying well crafted animatronics, wax figures and audio-visual effects.

Those who wish to further explore Fort Siloso and Singapore’s war history can do so by staying at any Sentosa Island hotel. For luxurious accommodation and a unique resort hotel experience travellers can board in at the nearby Sentosa Island resort that offers superb facilities and designer guestrooms.



Visit Singapore!

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Spending yearly vacation in a fantastic country would be the dream of every vacationer. But, for an enjoyable vacation, an effective plan must be devised, which should include everything vital to make a vacation memorable. In other words, you should ask yourself a number of questions before devising an effective plan for vacation, such as which destination would you like to go for vacation, what are the activities you are planning during your vacation, whether you are interested in exploring new places or culture of a place, or would you like to enjoy adventure trips, and so on. However, it would be quite confusing for a common man to plan a vacation. Here comes the importance of tour agents. No matter what your tastes are, they will take all steps to make your vacation an enjoyable as well as a wonderful experience.

With umpteen destinations to choose from, one of the best destinations preferred by most of the people across the globe is Hong Kong/China destination. China is the world’s third largest country, with great cultural and ethnic diversities. As per the records of the World Tourism Organization, China is the fifth most popular tourist destination in the world, and is estimated to become the first in the next 15 years.

In addition to being home to the Great Wall - one of the Seven Wonders of the World, China has to its credit a continuum of tourist attractions, with 23 provinces, four municipalities, five autonomous region, and two administrative regions. Beijing - the capital city of China - comes with such renowned attractions as Temple of Heaven Park, the Summer Palace, and the Imperial Palace Museum within the Forbidden City, which in turn is the world’s largest palace complex. Along with cities such as Macau, Shanghai, and Lhasa - Hong Kong is also one of the much famed tourist places in China.

Now we will discuss some of the top attractions in the city of Hong Kong. The city boasts of such a great number of attractions that it takes months to explore all of them. Just few among the Hong Kong attractions are the peak tower with Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and rooftop observation area; Man Mo Temple; Wong Tai Sin Temple, an ancient shrine famed for its fortune-tellers; the Bank of China Tower, one of the tallest building in the world that is noted for its architecture; the Avenue of Stars, which is graced and illuminated with tons of twinkling lights; the Clock Tower - one of the oldest landmarks that is situated on the site of the old Kowloon Station; Hong Kong Park, featuring a 1400 sq mt conservatory, air-conditioned sports center, and Olympic Square; and Statue Square, a popular pedestrian in the central district. Equally important are such attractions of Hong Kong as Hong Kong Disneyland, Central District that is home to many government buildings, Ladies Market, Repulse Bay, and Mongkok that is much favored for its teaming activities.

Hong Kong also offers excellent opportunities to enjoy a range of activities. Taking a helicopter ride, riding the peak tram, riding the cable car, riding the century-old tram, and taking a harbor cruise are just few among them. In addition, superb facilities are made available to enjoy exciting and interesting sport activities like sedan chair race, horse racing, swimming, and wind surfing. Also, worth mentioning is the night life in Hong Kong, with its British as well as Irish themed bars, dance clubs, and modern bars offering live music shows and fun. Nightlife in Hong Kong is mainly spread throughout three areas in Kowloon: cocktail bars in Tsim Sha Tsui, pubs on the Ashley Road, and clubs on the Prat and Chatham Roads. Apart from this, Hong Kong boasts of a chain of music clubs and theaters, each of them ensuring fun and entertainment in a relaxing environment.

Above all, Hong Kong hosts a great number of festivals and events, such as Chinese New Year; Birthday of Che Kung, dedicated to Che Kung - the general of the Sung Dynasty; Spring Lantern Festival; and Hong Kong International Film Festival, which is to honor Asian film festivals as well as eminent film makers. Also, great is the gastronomy of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s hall mark is perhaps its world-class cuisine, covering regional, English, continental, and western. An array of restaurants, pubs, bars, and eateries can be seen here.

So what all to dream? Just plan your vacation with us and feel relaxed. All you have to do is to logon to our website and share your interests and likes and dislikes with us.



Entertainment Center

keerti mallela asked:


The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its

origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been

in existence since time immemorial. Being a primeval science, this medicinal

system has been known to man since the early days of his time on Earth. Using

natural ingredients to prevent and cure most illnesses has perhaps been man’s greatest foray into medical science. Traditional medical practitioners aimed at prevention of diseases associated with an increase in resistance of the human body. As an expert rightly pointed out, “The study of the history of alternative medicine is fascinating on a variety of levels, not just concerning other and often better ways of preserving and restoring health.”

 

Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like

Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. Alternative medicine branches

out from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and

therapies. CAM is often combined with formal, conventional medicine, integrating

both medical practices, in order to give the best results to patients. It can be said that

the earlier methods of medicine were attempted at achieving a balance between bodily

and natural energy. Energies were sought as positive and negative energies, where

positive energies were to bring in happiness and health and negative energies an

incapacitation of resistance to face any ailments. Matters of utmost importance in

deciding therapies or treatments in these earlier medical systems were factors like

one’s lifestyle, one’s habits of eating and one’s occupational pressures.

 

The earliest use of traditional remedies dates back to 2800 BC in China.

Practised all over the world in more than a hundred disciplines, alternative medicine

has aided medical tourism in an unprecedented manner. Using alternative medicine

and following alternative medical practices not only removes any possible additional

affects of the illness but also increases the resilience of the body. It is generally

claimed that natural remedies are not only less inimical to human physiology

but they also help in retaining body pliancy. Systems of natural, traditional

medicines use a combination of ingredients to restore the bodily constituents. In

fact, natural remedies are considered more as food, given their natural constituents.

Since alternative medicine is based on completely natural methods and there is

no usage of any chemicals, there is no danger of any interference with the organic

system. A holistic approach as opposed to looking at a set of symptoms and a

treatment that delves into the root-cause of an illness are some of the distinct and

highly acknowledged features of alternative medicine. It is also opined that

widespread use of modern medicine has deteriorated the immune system in the

human physiology and has resulted in these modern medicines becoming less

effective. It is also often said that alternative medicine is the only way to cure

some incurable diseases.

 

A Brief History of Alternative Medicine



The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system which caused ailments, and

strengthened the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle

changes and various preventive measures. The normal practices that were followed in the early stages of the history of alternative medicine include the extractions of the bark of willow trees. Many kitchen ingredients were also used for treating patients. The treatments were considered as the blessings of God, as it brought immense relief to the writhing bodies and prayer was considered as one of the strongest weapons in waging war against ailments.

Source: “A Brief History of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.med-help.net/med-history-of-alternativemedicine.

html

 

Alternative Medicine and Medical Tourism

Today, alternative medicine holds out immense potential in attracting medical

tourists. For example, India is likely to become a major hub for medical tourism,

with revenues from the industry estimated to grow from US$333 million in 2007

to US$2.2 billion by 2012, says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry

(CII) and McKinsey.3 The major competitive advantages that India faces are cost

effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.

The world has witnessed the development of many traditional as well as modern

systems of medicine in the 20th century. Path-breaking discoveries like penicillin,

technological advancements in modern surgery, major research advancement in stem

cell research and genetic structure, and the development of traditional medical systems

like traditional Chinese system of medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy,

Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and others have all been a part of developments in the

omnipotent territory of global medicine. The major competitive advantages that India

has are cost effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.

The last few years have seen countries with their own individual expertise attracting

tourists from all over the world and promoting medical tourism like never before.

India

In India, medical tourism in alternative medicine has its ancestry in South India

and some places in North-Eastern India. Internationally famed for its natural remedies and therapies, Kerala’s schools of medicine have embraced Siddha,

Naturopathy and Ayurveda in treating their patients. These traditional medical

practices are estimated to attract high-end medical tourists from Europe and

Middle Eastern countries. The vital advantages that a country like India faces

with regard to medical tourism are its traditional therapies like yoga and Ayurveda

combined with tourist attractions in states like Kerala and north-eastern states.

Naturopathy, a therapeutic system based on natural remedies, trusts natural

elements like air, water and sunlight, combined with therapeutic massages and

conditioning and toning of the human body. Naturopathy believes that the human

body has the capacity to heal on its own, provided it is in a healthy environment.

With a holistic approach to well-being, Naturopathy believes that the three

physical entities – the physical body, the supernatural soul and the mind – must

be integrated through natural energies. “A recent survey shows that 76% of global

drugs are consumed by USA and European countries. We believe that freedom

from diseases and drugs can only be achieved by living a natural life style.”4

Ayurveda, the most ancient health care system, takes its ingredients from nature.

The use of herbs, materials like gold and mercury and many household ingredients

make this science easily accessible to common man. Ayurveda claims to cure diseases

like diabetes with the aid of nature. The Siddha medical system, which is a part of

Ayurveda, employs herbs, minerals and advanced scientific techniques under ancient

principles of medical science to cure many chronic diseases. It is named as one of

the most complicated and intricate forms of medicine. Siddha considers nature

and man as one essential entity. It claims that physiological characteristics like

human aging can itself be arrested with natural remedies.

Naturopathy has evolved medical tourism in India in more than one ways.

With its systems of medication using all natural ingredients to restore the holistic

disease-fighting nature of the human body, the medicine has created increased

chances of its own survival through tourists from all parts of the world visiting

India to reap its benefits. As Vitthal Kamat of the Kamat Group of Hotels says,

“With Naturopathy and Ayurveda along with the world renowned tourist attractions

and heritage places, the tourism sector can grow in leaps and bounds.”5 Naturopathy

in “KayaKalp”, a naturopathy centre in Himachal Pradesh, run by the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust in India has served medical tourists in detoxifying, immunizing and rejuvenating through Yoga, Pranayama, Panchkarma, Meditation and Naturopathy. Its therapies are claimed to be drug-less and extremely natural. Naturopathy takes the help of Ayurvedic preparations for healing processes like Panchkarma and improvement of blood circulation.

India’s pioneer in alternative therapy – medical tourism, Kerala, has visitors

from all over the world in the months of June, July and August. These months are

looked upon as the best period for cure of bodily ailments through Ayurveda.

High quality medical facilities provided at low prices are the main tourist attraction

in Kerala. Mr. M Narayanan, head of Poovar Island Resort says that there are

tourists from countries like Australia, Europe and Germany. The packages offered

in these Ayurvedic spas include services like Ayurvedic oil massages, powder

massages, vegetarian diets, detoxification programs and a lifestyle change. In fact

it is little known that Ayurveda includes not just massages, but a whole gamut of

services like herbal and natural diet plans, natural healing therapies, and therefore

a full-fledged medical system.

Ayurveda Gram, a unique Ayurvedic Institution in Bangalore offers Ayurveda

in its wellness form to medical tourists. It offers services like Customized Yoga,

Pranayama, Meditation, and a vegetarian diet to boost metabolism. Its sprawling

campus full of medicinal herbs and natural surrounds helps in the processes of

cure for specific ailments like Arthiritis, Spondilytis, Cholesterol, Sinusitis, Peptic

Ulcer and Obesity. Other therapies by Ayurveda Gram include Stress Management

therapies, Panchkarma and rejuvenation therapies.

AYUSH, the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha

and Homeopathy was formed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act,

1970. One of the most recent awareness activities undertaken by AYUSH was a

health fair organized in parts of Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore and New Delhi.

AYUSH ensured that the major Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha manufacturers in

India participated in this health fair.

Another famous Ayurvedic centre in India is the C V N Kalari Centre for

Ayurveda. Kalari is one of the approved Ayurvedic centres recognized by the

Kerala Tourism Department.6 Kalari has its customers from many foreign countries. The centre specializes in Marma Chikitsa (the application of pressure on specific

nerve points) and other special practices of healing. Having both therapeutic and

rejuvenative aspects in them, these specialized healing procedures take extensive help

of Ayurveda to treat the ailing.

Some Ayurvedic resorts have formulated Ayurvedic kitchens that help improve

the effectiveness of oil treatments. Diet regimens, detoxification programs and other

processes that give a glowing skin to the customer are very popular. Some of these

Ayurvedic resorts also arrange for cooking classes to help their customers acquire

and maintain the lifestyle that they are introduced to in these spas and resorts.

Ananda, an Ayurvedic Spa in the Himalayas is one of the most famous destination

resorts in India. It offers specialty Ayurvedic packages like Aroma therapy massages,

reflexology programs for rejuvenation, stress release programs, personalized Yoga

sessions, body composition analysis and weight reduction programs through Yoga

and Ayurveda. Ananda claims that its packages and therapies cure many ailments

like headaches, nausea, climatic disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, asthma, neuralgia

and does general improvement of metabolism.

China

The 3000 year-old method of traditional medicine in China has gained popularity

as the world’s most popular medicine, being used by more than a quarter of the

world in treating even chronic diseases like cancer, AIDS, allergies and heart diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses medicinal herbs, therapeutic exercises

and acupuncture to cure ailments. TCM diagnoses illnesses based on the five elements

theory and the yin-yang theory. The five elements theory base their evaluation on the

five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water to establish a connection between

human physiology and pathology and the natural environment.7 The movement of

these five elements constantly rules the functioning of the human body and thus

establishes the interdependence of both.

The yin-yang theory calls for comprehending the bright and dark sides of

the universe, in other words, the opposite properties of the universe.8 The relative

nature of yin and yang represents the interrelationship between substance and function. As traditional chinese medical practitioners say “Only with ample

substance can the human body function in a healthy way; and only when the

functional processes are in good condition, can the essential substances be

appropriately refreshed.”

Chinese herbal medicine is more known as Chinese materia medica. This includes

Chinese crude medicine, prepared drugs in pieces, traditional Chinese patented

medicines and simplified Chinese medicinal preparations. Chinese herbology, a major

aspect of TCM addresses the art of combining medicinal herbs.10 It visualizes the

entire human body’s balance of energies and spirit to treat a medical condition.

Herbs are combined into different potions of various characteristics for the sake of

different individuals being treated by TCM practitioners. Herbs like Astragalus,

Ginkgo, Ginger, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng and Garlic are used to treat several

ailments. Around 300 mineral and animal extracts and 400 formulae are used to

cure diseases, in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture, as part of TCM is used to unblock the flow of vital energy through

the human body.11 One of the oldest healing techniques in the world, this traditional

method aims at “restoring health through simulation of specific points on the body.”12

Ailments like nausea, addictions and some kinds of pains are claimed to be treated

with the help of acupuncture.

Taking advantage of its abundant human resources, China is luring medical tourists

into its web of alternative medical therapies. Wellness packages in China come at

low costs and without any side-effects, thanks to proliferated Traditional Chinese

Medicine. Several massages and spas have been set up in recent times that provide

mental health and physical well-being to medical tourists with the help of Chinese

medicinal herbs. Wellness apartments are established for the purpose of serving

senior medical tourists. These wellness apartments facilitate these tourists in

practising their own hobbies and also conducting medical activities like Taiji.

Germany

Germany’s alternative medical practices have their origins in Homeopathy, a

medical system that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.

Homeopathy considers symptoms as disturbances of vital forces that have

connection with the human body. Homeopathic advocators believe that this

medical system has the ability to cure acute diseases like flu, cold, pains, depression

and fatigue, constipation, irritability other than chronic diseases. It is claimed to

cure allergies and allergic disorders like Eczema and Asthma. Moreover, this

medical system is child friendly, in the sense, that the medication given by

homeopaths is sweet to the tooth and therefore acceptable. Homeopaths are known

for debonair and their hands free treatment of patients. They concentrate more

on the patient’s state of mind and attitude towards life. The preparation of different

potions in Homeopathy is done mostly with the help of herbs, minerals and

animal extracts. Also, it is often reasoned that since the dosage that homeopaths

prescribe is in such minute constitutions and because they come in dilutions of

substances like water and alcohol there is no chance of any side-effects.

Germany also stands famous for its herbal remedies. Regulated by Commission

E14 on the purity and pharmaceutical activity, these herbal medicines in Germany

have come a long way in preventing and curing many diseases like cancer, AIDS and

other serious ailments. Most physicians in Germany are required to be educated in

Alternative therapies, so that it serves complimentary to modern medical treatments.

As Mark Blumenthal, chairman of the American Botanical Council points out, “Most

of the clinical research that’s conducted on the leading herbal medicines in the United

States comes from Germany.”15

With more than 300 spa towns, Germany has become the premier destination

for health and wellness in Europe.16 One of the most famous resorts in Germany

is the Baltic Spa Resort in Warnemunde. Situated on the shore of the Baltic Sea,

it idealizes the sea as a “homeopathic pharmacy” and claims that “it contains all

important trace elements and has a similar composition to human blood”17 Sea water is said to have revitalizing effects in treating bodily ailments like respiratory

illnesses, sleep disorders and obesity. Other than these, mental disorders like

depression, anxiety and agony are claimed to be cured with the help of the sea.

Sea breeze is said to be specifically effective in treating cardio-vascular as well as

dermatological conditions. Major advantages that Germany faces are in terms of

both cost and quality. As Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health

Foundation points out, “In the US, operations are four to five times more expensive

as they are in Germany”.

Japan

Japanese medicine is known as Kanpo or Kampo, a herbal medicine that forms part

of well-researched modern clinical methods and also traditional methods of

medicine. A Japanese variant of the traditional Chinese medicine or the Oriental

medicine, Kanpo adheres to the body’s natural instincts and natural mechanism

of healing. For this purpose, medical treatment involves diagnosis of the tongue,

abdomen and pulse. At each stage of the treatment, different formulae that are

necessary to bring the body back to normalcy, are prepared by the physician.

These herbal medicines are regulated by the Japanese Government. Kanpo

medicine is used to cure many acute and chronic ailments like cardio-vascular,

respiratory, digestive, reproductive and dermatological conditions and immune

system corrections and even disorders like bedwetting, high cholesterol and

hepatitis. Though Kanpo therapies take longer than usual to work, this medical

system uses some very natural diagnosis and treatment methods and concepts

like water, blood and air to identify bodily symptoms. Also, it is claimed that

these herbal medicines produce no side-effects because of their natural

compositions. Japanese therapists of Anma visit countries like India and Singapore

to help in promotion of health tourism. Anma, a traditional Japanese massage, is

said to be a complete form of Shiastu19 that treats the body to release blood flow

in a proper manner to rejuvenate the body.

Apart from attracting tourists for its natural herbal medical treatments, Medical

tourism in Japan has become popular thanks to its volcanic areas that have allowed

the formation of some hot mineral water springs called Onsen. Japanese Onsen serve as places where the ailing can get alternative treatments to modern medical

practices. These have medicinal properties that heal wounds, alleviate pains and

replenish energy levels. Senior tourists and people suffering from many kinds of

aches and pains come flocking to these mineral water springs. The healing

properties of these springs are accentuated by the surrounding volcanic soil that

is composed of many minerals and curative elements.

Outlook of Medical Tourism in Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is here to stay, claim some traditional medical practitioners.

Given its perceived advantages over the modern medical techniques and the expensive

western medicines, alternative medical therapy is gaining ground in many developing

as well as developed countries. Practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy claim that

surgery may always be the last option in case of treatment of an ailment. Natural

medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicines as

such, since their composition is all natural. Alternative medicine is used in conjunction

with modern medicine to treat many chronic ailments like diabetes and AIDS. This

helps modern medical practitioners to evolve a closer relationship with the patient

and cure him to a greater extent, thus giving him a new perspective to life. It follows

that one should never overlook the disposition of the traditional cures suggested by

our ancestors. These provide a standpoint from where one can comprehend the

profundity of traditional and alternative medicine, and gauge the tremendous potential

of alternative medicine in medical tourism.

Please seek author’s permission for reprint. Send a reprint request to kirrti82@gmail.com.

References

1. www.hinduonnet.com

2. “Kerala”, www.takekerala.com

3. “Prospects of Medical Tourism in India”, www.mpiweb.org

4. “Medical Tourism push for Penang and Langkawi”, http://thestar.com.my

5. www.wikipedia.com



Entertainment Center

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Situated to the south of Bangkok, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. It is also well known as ‘Pearl of Andaman’ or the ‘Pearl of the South’. Phuket is one of the best places around the world to have a fabulous vacation.

Thousands of tourists come here to enjoy their vacation in full swing. Have a fabulous time in Phuket, the place which is famous for its limestone beaches, sandy white beaches, and tropical forests. Phuket is bordered by Phang-nga Province in the northern side and the rest sides are bounded by the Andaman Sea.

Phuket is famous for diving; therefore the place is best for diving enthusiasts. Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge connect Phang-nga Province to this island. Phuket has a total area of approximately 543 square kilometers and is situated near to west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The best time to visit this place is from the month of November to February. During this period you can have a fabulous climate here. During this time, the temperature of Phuket will be between 23 to 33 degree celsius and you can enjoy obvious blue sky and the touch of the fresh sea gentle wind and the view of the crystal blue water.

Phuket is also well-liked among tourists for being gifted with Sino-Portuguese architecture and the typical hospitality they follow. A wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from modern resorts to sprawling bungalows are available through out Phuket.

Phuket is considered as the busiest, beautiful, and the most famous vacation destination in the South. Phuket has immense number of snow white beaches, limestone cliffs, tranquil broad bays, and tropical in-land forests. It is a place for every sort of fun and is famous for a wide range of marine activities.

The beauty of Phuket attracts thousands of visitors round the year. Prompthep Cape, with panoramic eye spots, is the most famous beauty spot in Phuket. People usually come here to watch sunset. Wildlife is also a major attraction in Phuket. If you are interested in wild life then you will get the opportunity to watch wildlife in the great Phuket Zoo.

You can also enjoy pleasure activities such as crocodile shows, monkey shows and elephant shows in the Phuket Zoo. The zoo has a total area of 10 hectares and has over 100 kinds of reptiles, 600 species of birds and amphibians, and 45 types of mammals. You can see Buddhist temples throughout Phuket. Situated to the south of Phuket, Wat Chalong is one of the biggest Buddhist temples and one of the major attractions in Phuket.

The temple is extremely privileged for the statues of two of its early abbots who had fabled healing ills. Wat Phra Thong Temple, situated in the middle of Phuket Island, houses a huge statue of Buddha in half buried state. This temple is also well known in the name “Golden Buddha Temple.”

Phuket Seashell Museum, situated on Viset Road, near Rawai Beach, is a favorite place for tourists round the year. The museum has a collection of over 2,000 rarities such as the only left-handed Noble Volute ever discovered, 380 million-year-old fossils, giant clams and one of the rarest golden pearls of the world. Koh Sirey Island, also known as Koh Si Re, is also a famous tourist attraction which is situated on the eastern side of Phuket town.

The island is accessed by a small bridge and has abalone farms, a few fine beaches, a temple on a hill and a sea gypsy village. You can drive around this hilly island in half an hour. The island has many inshore sights which are unbelievably beautiful.

Phuket Butterfly Garden & Aquarium is a best place for nature lovers. It has a wide collection of specimens of tropic butterflies flying around freely in a massive dome. Watercourses and ponds in the aquarium have a great collection of exotic insects and fish.

The most beautiful beach in Phuket is Patong Beach. It is home to wide range of activities and nightlife. It is also a perfect place for party and play. Phuket is famous for its bustling nightlife including hundreds of eating places.



Singapore Tourist Attractions

Peter Fleming asked:


The world is filled with the most visited places. Anywhere you go, certainly you will find huge number of beautiful places to visit. Among the worldwide tourist places you can see the most visited places are Paris, Rome, New York, Miami, Florida, Japan, Bangkok, Singapore, and other many more cities to mention. However, there are lots of domestic cities which can be considered as the Most Visited Places. So, it is completely upon the tourists which cities they prefer to visit. The interest of cities differs from various angles. Some cities may have well known for its historical assets and importance. The modern cities are famous for its theme parks and wonderful rides. Also the cities have pubs, clubs and delightful restaurants.

 

If you want to know the list of the most visited places then internet will be the best place where you can start the research work to know which place is popular and which place is not. There are lots of factors that make a city well known tourist destination. The factors may be the climatic condition of that place, the monuments and assets that lie from the remote past, the newly built recreational centers which can give a real sense of modernity, and sightseeing. The accommodation facilities also play a genuine role to attract the visitors. The communication system should be good if a city wish to host huge numbers of tourist every year.

 

The holiday makers also quest for the destination where they can revitalize their energy. So, to have this purpose solved one should go to calm and tranquil places like beach, beautiful island, hill station, etc. The places which are rich in natural resources and landscape are always considered as the heavenly paradise on earth. Travelers can decide according to their choice of that place and its attractions for a grand tour during vacations and holidays.



Entertainment Center

Naveen Marasinghe asked:


Admiral Cheng Ho who is an eminent figure in Chinese history visited parts of the world as the emissary of the Emperor of China in the 15th century. He uses a special vessel for his world tours and now in 21st century exact replica of that ancient imperial vessel of Min Dynasty has been constructed with the state of the art technology and modern comforts to give the travelers the same experience which Admiral Cheng Ho had in when he was traveling

The journey of the cruise begins at Singapore Cruise Centre terminal at the Harbor Front Centre; the main staring point of all international ferries and cruises. The route on the Imperial Cheng Ho Cruise is pretty much unorthodox one, so it’ll give rare, unusual perspective of Singapore sky line from the sea. The stunning backdrop of the skyline which is dotted with cable cars hanging overhead will make the sight more surreal and spectacle.

The passengers who are going on day cruise will witness some of the major tourist attraction on their cruise ride. The Turtle Island where the ancient Chinese Temple situated is one such attraction and the Malay Shrine which symbolizes the harmony of different cultures in Singapore is another hotspot where the cruise will stop to get a glimpse of look.

The Imperial Chang Ho Cruise ride will take approximately 2.5 hours duration and the seats should be booked prior to the journey. The travelers can choose from different rides such as Morning Glory Cruise, High Tea Cruise or Dragon Cruise according to their own preferences.

Millennium Hotels Singapore is the best hotel chain in Singapore to stay because they are the best in Singapore Hotel Accommodation and will guarantee that every need of their guests will be met without a hassle.



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