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Showing posts with the label ASIA

No more VISA needed to enter Japan!

Yes that is right, according to World Bulletin, Japan has lifted visa requirements for a number of ASEAN countries to help spur the nation's tourism industry and to develop the relationships with Southeast Asian countries.  According to Foreign Ministry’s pronouncement, visa exemption will be effective for Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Viet Nam after July, 1. Ministry underlined the decision is adopted to celebrate “40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.” Visa exemption is valid for short time visit no longer than 15 days. Japan cautioned those travelers who want to stay longer must still need a visa. The territorial dispute between Tokyo and Beijing lowered the Chinese travelers. Japan’s move to nationalize disputed islands at the East China Sea drew a harsh critic from Chinese’s officials and triggered a boycott from Chinese’s consumers and tourists. With no end in sight to the dispute, the Japanese government turned its eye to

5 Things You Should Know About Traveling Through Japan by Car

Car travel in Japan can be a pretty harrowing experience if you're not quite ready for it. There's a completely different car culture in Japan, and as a foreign driver, trying to navigate the roads for the first time can come as something of a pretty stressful shock. There are a ton of new rules, customs, and mores to internalize, and it can be a little overwhelming when you're just trying to have a vacation, see some sights, and get from point A to point B. Thankfully, getting around in a place like Japan doesn't have to be as complicated as it might seem at times, and we're going to talk about a few really easy strategies that can help you make sense of a confusing and different way of driving. 1. Pay Cash for Gas. One of the hugest "yen traps," as it were, is the gas pump. There are a ton of ways that the unsuspecting tourist can wind up spending a lot more money than is necessary on the petrol you're going to need just to get where you'

Wines to match spicy Asian dishes

Finding the right wine to accompany a spicy dish can be quite tricky. Get it wrong and your more heat-sensitive diners won't thank you for it- heavily oaked wines or those with a high tannin level can are certainly best avoided, as they can add to the heat rather than provide a cooling contrast. On the other hand, you don't want to serve a wine that will be completely overpowered by the strong flavors of the food. However, get the pairing right and a good wine choice can make a pleasant meal into something really special. There are plenty of wonderful (and reasonably priced) wines that go beautifully with richly spiced Asian dishes. With a little help you should be able to get all the information you need from the label on the back of the bottle, but here are a few suggestions to get you started: 1. Vegetable samosas and Dr Loosen Riesling A good veggie samosa is a masterpiece of spices and flavors, wrapped in just enough pastry to deliver a satisfying crunch. A Riesl

Experience Asia in Tenerife… No, really!

This volcanic island in the middle of the Canaries is probably not the first place you think of visiting if you are after a taste of Asia, but you might be surprised. Just a four hour flight from the UK, Tenerife could be the short haul alternative to a trip to the Orient. Here’s why – by  steve p2008 One of the main attractions in Tenerife, popular with families and groups of all ages, is Siam Park. This Thai themed water park has thrilling rides and slides, as well as man-made beaches and wave pools – all designed so that it feels like you actually could be in Thailand! It is home to the largest Thai building outside of Asia, and comes complete

How To Make Thai Chicken Stir Fry

There are certainly many types of cuisines throughout the world. American cuisine, Italian cuisine, French cuisine, the possibilities are endless. However, one of my favourite types of food is Asian cuisine. One of the most popular types of Asian dishes to date is yes, stir-fry. Stir-fry, originating from China is incorporates two types of cooking techniques. Chao and Bao, chao is similar to western style "sauteing" but instead using a wok. Bao is similar to Chao but the wok is heated to a dull red glow, ingredients are cooked consistently with no stopping in between, unlike chao. Today's recipe is one of my favorite recipes to make, inspired by my trips across Asia and from local restaurants around here that also does great catering in London Ontario . By  poopoorama Chicken Stir Fry with Thai Peanut Sauce • 1 pound of Chicken Breast, cut to 1 inch pieces • 1 pound of Shitake Mushrooms, stems removed and cut into large pieces • ½ cup of Unsalted Cashews •

Top 10 Foods to Try in South Korea

Kimbap   Some rights reserved  by  gamene If you find yourself lucky enough to travel to South Korea, the next challenge is to try as many of the dishes as possible. With limited time and only so much your stomach can handle, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly which dishes to eat. It’s hard to narrow down the list to a few items, but the following are the top 10 Korean dishes that must be tried while in South Korea: 1. Kimchi When it comes to Korean cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is kimchi. This fermented dish is made of napa cabbage, radish, and other vegetables, along with a variety of seasonings. A common sight at Korean tables, kimchi is both eaten on its own and combined with a variety of other dishes. 2. Ddeokbokki (Spicy Rice Cake)  This dish is most commonly seen in street vendors around South Korea, and is made from cooking rice cakes in a spicy sauce. A variety of other ingredients can also be added to this dish, ranging from sliced fish cake

Best Shopping Destinations in Asia and Where to Stay

When it comes to shopping, nowhere in the world does it quite like Asia. Whether you’re looking for cute little gadgets, fun toys, trinkets, cheap designer clothes or high end electronics, Asia has it all. Shopping in Asia is very different than shopping in the western world and is definitely not an experience to be missed. When shopping in Asia, remember to negotiate. Prices are almost never what they seem, especially in street markets. It’s not uncommon to be able to get the price down by 20% to 50%. With that said, here are some of the best places in Asia to do your shopping. Bangkok, Thailand If you’re looking for creative and unique clothing, look no further than Bangkok. Funny T-Shirts go for as little as $3, DVDs can be purchased for $2 and you can get all kinds of jewelry and clothing everywhere you look. For the tourist experience, hit up Khao San Road, the central tourism hub. For a bit more of the local shopping

Why We Should Avoid Too Much Rice!

The human body was never meant to consume rice! You see, our genes have hardly changed in more than 30,000 years. However, our food choices and lifestyle have changed dramatically. The caveman would hardly recognize our food or way of life. Caveman food was never cooked as fire was not yet tamed. Thus, he ate only those foods that he can eat without treatment with or by fire. He ate fruits, vegetables, fish, eggs, nuts and meat. Yes, even meat. You can even eat meat raw if you were starving in the forest. You have the necessary enzymes to digest meat. However, rice - like wheat and corn - cannot be eaten raw. It must be cooked. Even if you were starving in the desert, you cannot eat rice in the raw form. This is because we do not have the system of enzymes to break rice down. We were never meant to eat rice. To make matters worse, we not only eat rice, but also make it the bulk of our food. In some parts of Asia, rice forms up to 85% of the plate. Even if we take rice, let'