New Places to Live and Retire Around the World

Places to Live in the World: Emerging Alternatives

From Canada to Europe, Africa to Asia, it’s time for a fresh look By Phillip Townsend

The advent of fast Internet communication and inexpensive air travel makes it easier to turn any far-flung paradise into a permanent home. Which places in the world have the most to offer? The perfect place to live or retire, of course depends on your idea of perfection.

I’m taking a different approach for this article. Instead of giving an overview of the better-known and increasingly-popular expatriate destinations around the world (Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, etc.), I’ve decided to introduce you to the below 7 locales you probably don’t know much about. All offer affordability and abundant recreational and cultural opportunities.

Nova ScotiaJust east of Maine, in the North Atlantic, Nova Scotia’s pristine coast is slowly becoming a sought-after affordable getaway. Only two hours from New York or Boston, it feels a world away. A pleasingly crowd-free province on Canada’s Atlantic Coast, little-known Nova Scotia could just be the perfect full- or part-time retreat. Halifax, the capital, has been luring tourists for years. Waterfront cafes, European architecture, and spectacular seafood keep them coming back. Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island boasts the some of the best scenery in the world, from the picturesque highlands to the picturesque Bras d’Or Lake (pronounced “bra door”), with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. In the winter months, the Gulf Stream keeps the climate milder than most northern U.S. states, with the area more rain showers than snow storms. Picture the American East Coast a century ago, and you get a feel for what Nova Scotia is like. Almost an island, it is best known for its stunning coastline, sleepy seaside towns and friendly people. The province’s natural beauty, cheap real estate and low cost of living make it well worth a look: oceanfront lots start at $10,000, three-bedroom homes on acreage from $50,000. A lobster dinner with a bottle of good local wine set you back no more than a twenty spot. Scenes of the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic were shot in Nova Scotia, and celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Billy Joel maintain summer homes here.

CaribbeanAlmost everyone has had dreams of living a laid-back, stress-free life on a tropical island. One by one, the Caribbean islands were discovered and eventually became sadly over-developed, terribly over-crowded, and ridiculously over-priced. Unfortunately, due to mass tourism, most places in the Caribbean have become little more than artificial, tropical Disneylands with luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. But there is one place that still maintains its original charm and natural beauty. This place is quite inexpensive (by Caribbean standards) and is virtually unspoiled. Relatively undiscovered, here, you can still find ocean view lots for as little as $22,000 and have a small cottage built for prices starting at $25,000. To protect it from the fate of its Caribbean cousins, I won’t reveal the name of this special place just yet. You can find a link to more information at the end of this article.CubaThink Cuba, and vivid images come to mind: of men in Guayabera shirts and Panama hats, tropical breezes and cool drinks, steamy Latin rhythms and sultry women. It has always been an intriguing place, steeped in truth and in fiction by the novels of Ernest Hemingway. Because travel to Cuba is restricted by the U.S. government, relatively few Americans visit the island each year. While their counterparts from Europe, Canada and Latin America bask in the warm Cuban sun, most U.S. citizens can only hope to experience this “pearl” of the Caribbean after Castro is gone. Of those who do manage to get to Cuba via Mexico or Canada, few are disappointed. The largest Caribbean island (pop. 11 million), Cuba is also one of the most beautiful and unspoiled. There are miles of pristine, underdeveloped beaches, tropical forests teeming with wildlife and some of the best deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling the world has to offer. And there is Havana, not only the capital of Cuba, but also long the most important city in the Caribbean. With tourism once again thriving, Havana has regained much of its past allure. Famous old bars, restaurants and hotels are enjoying a proud comeback, and stunning new places are being built. As one taxi driver put it, “We have the best cigars, best rum, best music, and most beautiful women in the world. What more could anyone want?”

RomaniaBest known for Transylvania, the legendary home of Count Dracula, Romania is steeped in history, myth and folklore. Unlike other Eastern European countries with Slavic origins, Romania, whose name means ‘land of the Romans,’ absorbed much of the culture, religion, and language of the Roman Empire. Bordered by the Black Sea (which is being called “The Next Riviera”) and the Danube River, with the Transylvanian Alps and Carpathian Mountains nestled in the center of the country, Romania has long stretches of seacoast, mountains, forests, medieval villages and gothic castles galore, giving it all the makings of a fairy-tale setting. The capital Bucharest, a former communist citadel, has a growing number of discos, while restaurants at most major hotels double as nightclubs, there are several Parisian-style cafAs, and cheap wines and plum brandy flow freely everywhere. Due to its wide boulevards, sidewalk cafAs, and Triumphal Arch, Bucharest, was known as the “Paris of the Balkans” prior to World War II. Today the city’s 19th century neoclassical architecture and numerous tree-lined streets still maintain its charm. A sizable enclave of foreigners (Germans, Jews, Turks, Russians, Ukrainians, Serbs, Croats, and Gypsies) live in Romania. French is the most widely-spoken second language and English is spoken by many of the younger generation. The real estate prices are some of the lowest in all Europe (the country’s economic woes spells opportunity for you).

Malaysia

Asia’s best-kept secret for expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions. A sizable enclave of foreigners (Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians) live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and you’ll find that just about everybody speaks English, since its compulsory in local schools. Not only are three world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and the Philippines) all within a few hour’s travel from Malaysia, but miles of beaches and numerous coastal islands add to its tropical appeal. Despite being the capital of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan with clean streets and every modern convenience to found in New York or London. Compared with other major Asian cities (Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for example), Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. The cost of 2-bedroom rental apartments begins at around $225 per month and 3-bedroom houses start at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing in expatriate communities or the luxurious homes that date from British colonial period can set you back considerably more.

New ZealandImagine an interesting land of breathtaking and contrasting scenery: craggy coastlines, golden beaches, lush forests, snow-capped mountains, bubbling volcanic pools, fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky. New Zealand is accessible, spread over three relatively small islands with modern and efficient transport, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. Other pluses are friendly, English-speaking people, virtually no crime, and a trio of rich cultural influences: adventurous Polynesian navigators (Maori), pioneering European settlers who followed a thousand years later, and modern Pacific Rim immigrants. The plant and animal life are unmatched, giving opportunities for close-up experiences with birdlife (including kiwis), seals, dolphins and whales. Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on sandy beaches. Prefer urban living? Immerse yourself in the culture of the capital Wellington or the large cities of Auckland or Christchurch.

TanzaniaMany people tend to associate African countries with wars, famine and political unrest rather than the good life, but Zanzibar, Tanzania is an exception. Located only a short distance off the east coast of Africa, exotic Zanzibar has lured explorers, traders and colonists for centuries. The islands’ powdery white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters continue to attract European and Asian tourists. Outside of an unusual mix of black African and Arab cultures, you’ll find the islands teeming with tropical forests, remote villages and idyllic coastline. Despite flare-ups between residents of Zanzibar Island and the smaller island of Pemba (due to differing views on unification with the mainland), Zanzibar is usually quite stable. Cheap real estate (oceanfront or raw land with fruit trees), mouth-watering seafood, some of the world’s best scuba diving, and pure tropical bliss make it an attractive expatriate haven. A few wealthy Europeans and African aristocrats have already made Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania home. Why not join them?

RESOURCES

For more information about living abroad, visit: www.nsliving.info

For travel articles and news from countries around the world, visit: www.worldcountries.info

About the Author

Phillip Townsend, an international reloacation consultant, is the author of Passport to Canada: The Complete Guide to Living and Retiring in Nova Scotia, and the special report The Caribbean’s Best Kept Secret. His website is www.nsliving.info

The island of betel nuts, sunshine and monuments

The island of betel nuts, Pulau Pinang, or Penang as we call it, lies not far from the Malacca north-west coast. Its only 285 square meters large  however, during several years picturesque and joyous Penang has become one of the countrys main resorts. It is the 13,5 kilometre bridge, named the third longest bridge in the world that connects the island with the mainland. Astonishing as the bridge might be, it is outshined with exotic landscapes, sandy beaches and the islands skilled cooks.
Numerous nationalities that lived on Penang from the times of its colonization, left several absolutely unique culture monuments here. The most famous of them is the Snake Temple, where on altars among the bronze censers dozens of poisonous snakes lay. You can hold them in your hands as they are replete and blotto with incense. According to the legend, this temple was the home of a very religious man who gave refuge to poisonous snakes. After his death, this place became a spiritual one. No one can ever explain why on certain days great amount of snakes come to the temple, filling every corner of it.
No less famous is the Kek Lok Si Temple, which is by right named the most beautiful temple in the South-Eastern Asia. The octagonal temples basement reminds of the Chinese pagoda, its middle part is a vivid example of the original Thai arts whereas the upper part looks like a Burmese sanctuary. In front of the temple there is a square for prayers situated and on its sides there are prayerful halls and pagodas with Buddhas sculptures. What will impress you most in the seven-storied pagoda is the huge amount of Buddhas statues brought here from different parts of the world.
Sometimes you get the feeling that Penang citizens were competing with each other in creating the most beautiful temple. It is no wonder that Chinese people are proud of their Dragon Mountain Temple. In 1818 Englishmen built an Anglican St George’s Church here, named after the Englands most important saint. At the same time, Penang citizens pray for happiness in Captain Klings mosque, which bears the nickname of an Indian merchant, and an old Acheen Street Mosque.
However, any Penang hand-made monuments are fully outshined by the nature-created masterpieces: Penang-Hill Mountain, from which you will see all the Penangs undercover corners with its Georgetown and the bridge, boundless forest and the ocean. From the top of the mountain you can see the Botanical Garden, situated 8 km from Georgetown. On 30 hectares of the gardens land there is a waterfall found, which gathered all representatives of flora and fauna around itself.
However, Penang is not only nature and monuments: those who prefer to have fun at nighttime wont feel bored here. Georgetown, the islands capital, opens doors of its bars, clubs and discos. By the way, local atmosphere is even more noisy and easy than on Langkawi. This city is more like Kuala Lumpurs Chinatown: the same shops, stores, opened cafes and traditional street ceremonies. The best place to spend the first day of your family life is Pulau Pinanga sandy beach, where lots of luxury hotels are located. Here you can sail, make a horse ride or simply lay on white sand under the sun. When the hot Malaysian sun wearies you, go shopping to Pulau Pinanga. To find something special, you can walk along the Penang Road where lots of handicrafts and arts shops are found.

How modern technology has affected visual arts

Modern technology makes the visual arts more democratic, which is a massive opportunity, and a massive threat.

You can see both on Flickr. Go to the home page (www.flickr.com), and search for zombizi eye’. Yes the spelling matters. Somewhere near the top is an image just called eye, by yer man zombizi himself. Click on it.

He’s a mate, as it happens (one thing that never changes in art is the nepotism), but he’s a mate with talent. Click on the link for his photostream.

Some of them are really quite good, aren’t they? You know, like proper art or something. A genuinely new way for human beings to be interesting. There’s a craft there, a facility for camera and Photoshop, but also a knowledge of art history and an original eye, as it were.

Check out the comments. Everyone who comments has to have their own Flickr page, and some of them will repay your attention.

Most of them really won’t, though, and therein lies the aforesaid threat. There have always been people who thought they were van Gogh and weren’t, but in the olden days they never made it past the dealers, no matter how many appendages they hacked off. Today posting body parts has a different meaning, and anyone can be an artist.

Still, there are electronic tools for winnowing out the chaff, and I choose to celebrate rather than sneer. I’m particularly taken with the local Flickr group here in Bristol.

The group moves easily between the physical and the virtual. Once they realised they all lived in the same area, they started meeting in the real world. They go out socially, they go out on shoots. They bring their cameras to the pub, and make a big pile of them on the table. Then they photograph the pile, and put the picture on Flickr.

Last year they had an exhibition in a community centre. They printed some images out, framed them and hung them. People came and looked, and they sold some. Some of the exhibitors took pictures of the exhibition, and put them on Flickr.

I wrote an article about the group for Venue, our local listings magazine. They enjoyed the fleeting glow of publicity. Someone took a picture of the article, and stuck it on Flickr. Obviously.

They work in an impressively viral way. One of them, usually zombizi to be honest, has an idea. The others take it, make homages to it and play with it. Outsiders pick up on it, from New York to Kuala Lumpur. An idea which would once have taken an entire Renaissance to travel from Verona to Florence and back again by haywain now goes round the world in the blink of a Photoshopped eye. Ten or even five years ago, this couldn’t have happened.

So let’s hear it for the new medium. The same thing has happened with words, with videos, with music, all round. When I first started using the Internet, kids, it was somewhere you went to passively consume stuff the corporate technocrats made for us, or a forum for the private hobby horses of the HTML-speaking GeekBrahmins. You know, the people who gave us isolated capital letters in the middle of words. Now it really is kind of ours, in a way. Hooray, or something.

Koh Samui, A Tropical Paradise

Picture an island nestling in the calm, azure blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand fringed by coral reefs with beaches of powder soft white sand framed by a backdrop of coconut trees, their fronds dancing in the gentle breeze. The palms stretch upward to the central uplands, thick with lush tropical vegetation. The coast and lower slopes are awash with coconut palms making Koh Samui the ‘Coconut Capital of Thailand’. It is said the island sends 2,000.000 coconuts per month to Bangkok. This green vista is interspersed occasionally by black granite boulders. Some of these rock formations appear to defy gravity by hanging dramatically against the hillside. This tropical paradise is called Koh Samui. A 250 square kilometre rounded island which is about the same size as Penang.

Koh Samui translates from Koh, the Thai word for island, and Samui, which is probably derived from the Chinese “saboey” meaning safe harbour. The magic island first came to the attention of world travellers when it started to crop up in conversation in many of the cheap hotels that then clustered around Bangkok’s Hualamphong Railway station some 45 years ago. It was difficult to get to, requiring special negotiation with fishermen in Suratthani lying 80 kilometres across the sea on the mainland. When you reached the island, there was no road and so those intrepid voyagers hopped from beach to beach by boat. In the past forty plus years things have changed hugely.

The island is now served by an international airport that looks more like a botanical garden than the accepted tradition of functional ‘air station’. Flights leave hourly for the new Suvarnbhumi Airport in Bangkok and link the island to additional destinations such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Pattaya and Phuket. A 52-kilometre road rings Samui and links all the major towns. Nathon the capital plays host to government buildings and banks and serves as one of the ferry ports serving the Thai mainland. The road skirts the 635-metre mountain that sits centrally astride the landmass and takes in the main resorts of Lamai and Chaweng. Lamai is the smaller of the two and offers a quieter and perhaps cleaner beach. The latter caters for, perhaps, a younger and more energetic visitor. Further on lies Bangrak is better known as “Big Buddha Beach” as it takes its name from the huge Buddha statue at the eastern end of the bay. Borphut boasts a trendy fisherman’s village, much favoured by French tourists and Maenam to the north offers spectacular views across to Koh Phangan and the Ang Thong Natural Marine Park. This area is much less crowded than the bustling Chaweng and the marginally quieter Lamai. It still retains its original Thai flavour. However, to get to grips with authentic ‘Samui’ you need to rent a car or motorbike and take one of the many roads that lead up away from the coast and into the mountain. As you climb higher you come to rubber plantations and hidden away villages clustering around paddy fields, still hanging onto a traditional way of life that is far removed from the tourist dominated hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars that cluster around the coast.

Samui has over the years developed a reputation as centre of complementary medicine offering spas designed to detox inhabitants of an overstressed globe. The Health Oasis Resort located adjacent to the unspoiled Bang Po Beach to the west of Maenam offers stunning views across to Koh Phangan. Sit in the authentic vegetarian restaurant after six p.m. and turn your head to the west you will witness spectacular sunsets over the islands that comprise the Ang Thong National Park. Health Oasis is unique in that the Thai Department of Health lists it as a traditional medicine hospital. It specialises in supervised detox and fasting treatments.

Be sure of this, whatever your tastes Koh Samui will be able to provide a venue for a holiday that will linger long in your memory. So if you are planning a trip of a lifetime whether it be for tourism or health this magical island is a venue well worth considering.

Australian Grand Prix

The Australian Grand Prix is one of the most exciting events held in Australia every year, with thousands of spectators viewing exciting Formula One racing and flat-out speeds experienced in Melbourne, Australia.

The World Championship event Formula One race, held every March, has been delighting spectators since 1996, when the Australian Grand Prix hit the race circuit calendars. It hasn’t slowed down since. Not only does the racing event draw thousands of travelers and visitors from around Australia, but around the world as well, and every visitor is rewarded with more than just a car race.

Australia, especially Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, has much to offer visitors, including great weather, friendly people and world-class restaurants, hotels and amusements. Melbourne also offers a laid back atmosphere that caters to any budget. Visitors who come to see the now world-famous Formula One racing event often stay to enjoy the vistas, foods and sites that Australia has to offer.

For racing fans, the Australian Grand Prix is part of a Formula One racing circuit that includes the United States’ Indianapolis 500, the Malaysian Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur, the Grand Premio de España Telefónica in Catalunya and warms up audiences for the ultimate in Formula One racing in Monaco with the Monaco Grand Prix held at the end of May 25-27 of 2007. The Monaco Grand Prix has gained the reputation of being the ultimate in Formula One racing as the most difficult and prestigious of the circuit. That one event within the Formula One racing circuit draws more people every year to a principality that is known for brilliant sunshine, fantastic beaches and unequalled luxury.

The Australian Grand Prix racing event takes place over several days and starts the annual Formula One World Championship. Held in the Albert Park, the site has long been popular with native Australian racing fans since the 1950s, and the race is viewed by millions of racing fans around the world. Known for its love of sports, Melbourne offers events and entertainments to suit any taste, all in an atmosphere known for its blend of rugged history and ‘Outback’ serenity with the newest and most popular in business and technology.

Pricing for event tickets are fantastic and offer visitors the choice of three different ticket pricing ranges and grandstands or flat grassland to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the world’s greatest racing events. The Australian blue sky and warm weather offers world travelers a respite to brutal winters elsewhere, and Melbourne nightlife offers treats and events to visitors who want to enjoy everything Australia has to offer after the engines have cooled and it’s time to relax and enjoy the ambience.

Thousands of travelers flock to Melbourne every year to witness the spectacular Australian Grand Prix and are also treated to the Carrera Cup, the Celebrity Challenge and the Aussie Racing Cars, as well as a myriad of events and entertainments that take place away from the asphalt and racing grounds. Melbourne pulls out the red carpet for this yearly event, and everyone is welcome to the Land Down Under for exquisite landscapes, great food and more than enough entertainment to please anyone.

This year’s race was won by Kimi Raikkonen in a Ferrari, but the Finnish driver’s exploits didn’t make as many headlines as debutant British driver Lewis Hamilton who finsihed third, the best Formula 1 debut for years.

The four days that cover the Australian Grand Prix provide spectators, no matter where they sit, with the fastest, loudest and most gifted Formula One race car drivers in the world as they rev their engines and prepare to battle for position on the track. Off track, tourists can enjoy the seashore or venture inland to see exotic wildlife, mingle with native Australians and enjoy the great outdoors in a land that offers a blend rustic ruggedness and the finest in luxury.

If you missed the Australian Grand Prix in 2007, make sure you clear your calendar for next year’s Formula One racing event, as the Australian Grand Prix is an experience that everyone should enjoy at least once in their lives.

Oriental Gambling

The tree of gambling is growing and its roots expanding day by day. While few decades before the tree was deemed as a weed and left unattended, in recent years it has received immense attention and nourishment from different countries of the world. This is mainly because of two interrelated reasons- the alarming rate at which the gambling tree is bearing fruits in the form of revenue and the its unfailing involvement with people.

At present gambling is legal in several corners of the world. It is lately declared lawful in some of the Asian countries. As a result new resorts that are open to all are built at these places. For instance the city of Cambodia has come up with the Ho Wah Genting Poipet Casino Resort that bills itself as the Las Vegas of the East. The casino offes all the delightful games such as B6 Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Blackjack, Casino War etc. In the Indian subcontinent there are six casinos in goa out of which 5 are slots-only establishments. The one full serving casino of this place is an off-shore casino on atwinn engine catamaran, Casino Goa. It is a lifetime experience to visit and play at this floating casino that offers a bar, a swimming pool and a great restaurant featuring a multi-cultural cuisine.

One such similar yet unique experience is at the casinos of hongkong. The reason being the construction of Hong Kong casinos on ships, either in port or as casino cruises. However it seems that water and casinos share a good liaison for the only casino in Laos, the Dan Sa Vanh is located along the Nam Ngum Lake. Besides gambling the other activities at the casino include boating and golf.

Gambling is made legal and so there are around 15 casinos owned and run by the government in Philippines. Out of these the Fontana Resort is not for the local people of this place but only for the foreigners.

If you are looking forward to delight in the beauty of snow capped mountains along with playing your favorite games such as Caribbean Stud Poker, Keno, Money Wheel, Pai Gow, Roulette, Blackjack etc., the Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is just the ideal place to hit. Besides being an acclaimed tourist spot, the Genting Highlands, by virtue of these casinos are quite popular in the gaming world.

Lotteries and lottery related games are quite significant and greatly relished on the land of South Korea. South Koreans have an immense liking for lottery games. This can be well assessed from the fact that South Africans are the pioneers of online gambling, they had introduced in 2002. Along with it a new lottery game which is akin to financial winner, the Sports Toto is a gift to the gambling world by South Korea. But this place is not all about lotteries. There are other forms of gambling too such as horse racing and cycling.

Though legalization of gambling in various corners of the world is at a surge these days, yet gambling should be done within limits. Addiction of gambling is extremely fatal to the life of the gambler and his family.

A look at the tallest buildings in the world

New York City is where the sky scraper found its place to shine. It was custom made for the task; Manhattan Island is many rocks placed down in the Upper New York Bay, at the mouth of the Hudson River by melting glaciers. These are ideal counterweights for anchoring down tall structures.

350 Fifth Ave, New York, New York., that’s the street address for the most famous tall building in the world. It was choice Manhattan real estate owned by the Astor’s, and later the site of the original Waldorf- Astoria hotel, “operator, can you ring MUrrayhill5-1212 please?” ” I’m sorry” the operator says “that number is no longer in service”. It was sold to a corporation, backed by GM and DuPont in 1929. The Empire State Building standing as the tallest building in the world for 39 years from 1931 to 1970 is 1,252 feet above midtown with 102 stories. It sits where some massive rocks settled down, delivered by the glaciers. The developing corporation for The Empire State Building was headed by Alfred E. Smith former New York Governor, and was in direct competition with the builders of the Chrysler building on Lexington Ave, briefly the world’s tallest building in 1930, at 77 stories, 1048 feet. These two building capped an era of competition reaching for the sky starting with the Singer Building 1909 at 41 stories, at 612 ft.

Other notable building of the era were The Park Row Building downtown Manhattan, in the maze of streets surrounding the financial district and city hall in NYC reigned as the tallest build in the world, 30 floors at 391 ft from 1899-1908. The Singer Buildings’ hold on the title was short lived, when the Metropolitan Life Building rose to 700 ft in 1909. In 1913 another corporate giant, Woolworth, entered the game and with its corporate headquarters at 233 Broadway. It rose792 ft with 55 stories and held the title until 1930 when the Bank of Manhattan (known today as the Trump Building) raised the bar to 927 ft and 72 stories. It was the dominate structure downtown until the completion of the Twin Towers, 1353 ft 110 stories in 1970, the next era in sky scraping.

In 1973 the Sears Tower of Chicago Illinois soaring 1450 ft, grabbed the title from the big apple and ran with it for the next for 25 years when the title left the United States, and headed for Malaysia. The Petronas Tower’s I & II in Kuala Lumpur captured the honors in 1998 engaging in the world wide stretch toward the sky.

Shanghai, China has two buildings over 1000 ft, the Jin Mao Building and the Shimao International Plaza. Hong Kong has four skyscrapers over the 1000ft mark, The Centre, Bank of China, Central Plaza, and #2 International Financial Centre, making China a formidable competitor in the race to the sky.

And the tallest building in the world, as of 2004 is; the Taipei Financial Center, Taipei, Taiwan, at 1671 ft. and 101 stories, but for how much longer?

It’s only a matter of time before the next taller project pierces the sky. On the drawing board/and nearing completion are, a number of projects in China, a 2200+ft 160 story sky scraper in Dubai, UAE, and of course the Freedom Tower proposed to reach 1776 ft at the former site of The World Trade Center New York, USA.

Nothing could ever replace the lives and the beloved landmark that met a premature and senseless end on September 11, 2001, but it’s human nature to carry on. And carry on we will! Record or no record let the Freedom Tower soar, and bring honor to the victims of the tragedy, and to the United States, and to New York were the desire to reach to the heavens, met modern technology, a little over a century ago.

Must see attractions in Malaysia

“You mean you did not see the Petronas Twin Tower at KLCC?” Well you don’t want that comment when you arrived home after a trip visiting Malaysia, do you?

The Petronas Twin Tower at Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) at 452 meters is one of Malaysia’s most famous landmarks, which was once the world’s tallest twin towers, not that it is very impressive compared to the buildings in say, New York or Shanghai, but certainly one of the most impressive in South East Asia, and if you happen to bump into anyone from Malaysia, you will be asked that question, whether you have seen it. That is because we Malaysians are very proud of our tower and its the center of attraction even for the locals.

How do you get there? KLCC has an underground train system, called the Putra Light Rail Transit (LRT). Get on to Putra Line and it will take you to the KLCC station, alight and follow the crowd. Most of them will finally end up going into KLCC building itself. Off course if you are staying in one one the hotels in the city, you could walk there, don’t know the way, just look up and you’ll see KLCC twin towers, so just walk on and eventually you will be there. Buses and taxis are abundantly available, but remember to insist on them using their meters.

So what can you do there? Well there is up scale shopping for the brand conscious, a number of art and antique shops, an art gallery, the Malaysian Philharmonic Hall and its orchestra has world class musicians and daily performances, which you must check out, a beautiful lake with a water fountain and a garden right in the city surrounded by tropical plants. Open air bistros provide the opportunity to sit out in the varender to enjoy the scenery. Visitors whom are interested to view the city skyline, could que up for free tickets on the ground floor, and I would advice you to que up early in the morning as the tickets are limited and runs out very quickly. The ticket states the time for you to accent to the 41th floor at 170 meters, where the interconnecting skybridge for the twin towers is located for a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur.

In the vicinity of KLCC about 15 minutes walk is the KL Tower, a telecommunications tower at 94 meters, you have to pay RM20 for adults and RM10 for children to ascend by lift to the top, and it opens from 9.30am to 10pm everyday. Attractions is the view of Kuala Lumpur city, a revolving restaurant, souvenir shopping and events such as sky diving are occasionally available. In the grounds of the KL Tower is a nature reserve called Bukit Nenas, one could walk through the nature reserve and experience nature in the middle of the hustle and bustle of KL city, if lucky you may spot monkeys, lizards and squirrels scrambling among the bushes.

Interconnecting KLCC via an underground tunnel, one can walk in about 5 minutes to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre where the acquaria is located. Acquaria is about 60000 sq feet displaying aquatic and land-bound species. At meal times scuba divers will be in the tanks, feeding the sharks.

Other attractions within walking distance from KLCC, is a Mosque, many clubs and bars, which opens generally at 8pm till the next morning daily. The British Council library is also nearby in Wisma Selengor Dredging, if you just want to relax and do some general reading or research.

As you can see, Petronas Twin Towers at KLCC is a must for visitors to Malaysia, where it is just not a building, but has enough attractions to keep you occupied for at least a day or two.

What to Do and See in the Kingdom of Cambodia

This cool little country is located in South East Asia, in the region known as Indochina. It is bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. There is lots to see and do, and it will cost you a fraction of what it would tripping around in the west. So come on a journey of discovery.

The capital is a frenetic city called Phnom Penh, which is easy to get to from the major regional airports like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Min City or Singapore. While Phnom Penh has some curious charm of its own, like a lot of capital cities it performs better as a gateway than as a destination.

The two areas I would like to talk to you about lie in the north and south west of this nation respectively. Up north sits one of the seven wonders of the world, the Ankor Wat temple complex. This ancient marvel is breathtaking and justifiably on that well known list of 100 things to do or see before you die. To quote a recent visitor, I expected a pile of old rocks, but I got a powerful significant experience instead. It is a massive site, far bigger than most first time visitors imagine, and can easily take three days to walk around. Ankor Wat is situated adjacent to the northern regional town of Siem Reap, which is a one hour flight or a six hour road trip from Phnom Penh. Siem Reap can also be reached by air or road from Bangkok in neighboring Thailand.

The second place I want to tell you about is the seaside town of Sihanoukville. Also a regional town, Sihanoukville lies on the edge of the Gulf of Thailand, about three to fours hours from Phnom Penh down a pretty good sealed road. Close your eyes and picture white sand and turquoise water and you have pretty well visualized the beaches of Sihanoukville. Hey do not go packing your surfboard, the waters of the gulf are invariably calm and waves seldom exceed knee height. Put these cool beaches together with really low cost, and you will see why this is such an alluring and desirable place to visit. So lets look at how inexpensively you can spend say a week in this part of the world.

International flights have either hovered at the same price or have fallen noticeably over the past few years. So have a look on the net and you will possibly be pleasantly surprised at the cost of getting to Cambodia. Once you are at the airport, a thirty day tourist visa will cost you $20 usd. For $35 or so you can hire a car with driver to bring you the 235 kilometers to town, or spend about $7 for a seat on a bus instead.

Of course you will need somewhere nice to stay. There is a wide variety of accommodation on offer in town, everything from a mattress above a bar to a five star resort with all the trimmings. As a guide, an air conditioned room here with a hot shower, cable TV and a fridge will cost you around $15 per night! Food and drink is also wonderfully cheap with a tasty meal for around $3 and a cold beer for $1 a can.

Put all these advantages together and I trust you will agree that Cambodia is an as yet undiscovered gem, just waiting for you to come over and unwind.

Holiday Destinations by Flight Duration

If like me you’re one of those people who love going on holidays, but cannot abide the whole flying experience, then this feature will be your new best friend.
Location, hotel, weather, nightlife – these are all major factors that we consider when planning a holiday. Although often overlooked, your flights play a hugely important role in your whole holiday experience as well. A bad flight or a flight that’s too long can be the difference between a fantastic holiday and an ok holiday.

ExclusiveLondon.co.uk has complied a list of holiday destinations by flight duration to help you choose the perfect holiday. If you don’t like lengthy flights, you may think you are just limited to holidays in France or Germany, but there are many destinations featured below that may be closer than you think. Flight durations are based on flights leaving from London, UK.

1 to 2 hours

Austria (Tryol, Salzburg)
Belgium (Brussels)
Denmark (Copenhagen)
France, North to Mid (Paris, Lyon)
Germany (Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg)
Ireland (Dublin)
Netherlands, The (Amsterdam)
Scotland (Edinburgh)
Spain, North (Bilbao)
Switzerland (Basel, Geneva, Zurich)

2 to 3 hours

Romania (Bucharest)
Hungary (Budapest)
Finland (Helsinki)
Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca)
Italy, North (Milan, Venice)
Latvia (Riga)
Lithuania (Vilnius)
Costa del Sol (Marbella)
Poland (Krakow, Warsaw)
Portugal (Lisbon)
Czech Republic (Prague)
Iceland (Reykjavik)
Netherlands, The (Rotterdam)
Bulgaria (Sofia)
Spain, Mid to West (Barcelona, Madrid)
Sweden (Stockholm)
Tunisia (Tunis)
Austria (Vienna)

3 to 4 hours

Bulgaria (Sofia)
Greece, North to West (Halkidiki, Preveza)
Greece, South (Kalamata, Athens)
Greek Islands, North to West (Corfu, Kefalonia, Skiathos, Zante)
Gibraltar (South of Spain)
Turkey (Istanbul, Anakra)
Madeira (Island South of Portugal)
Malta (Valletta, Birkirkara)
Morocco (Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat)
France, South (Marseille, Montpellier, Nice)
Norway (Oslo)
Portugal (Porto Islands)
Italy, Mid to South (Rome, Naples, Sicily)
Russia (Moscow, St Petersburg)
Spain, South (Seville)

4 to 5 hours

Azores Islands, The (inc. 2 hour flight from Lisbon, Portugal)
Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife)
Greek Islands, East to South (Mytilene, Cyprus, Mykonos, Kos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes)
Egypt (Cairo, Luxor)
Jordan (Amman)
Syria (Damascus)
Turkey (Izmir, Bodrum)

5 to 6 hours

Israel (Eilat)
Africa, West (Nigeria)

6 to 7 hours

Africa, West (Gambia, Ghana, Senegal)
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
Oman (Muscat)
United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

7 to 8 hours

Antigua (St John’s)
Barbados (Bridgetown)
Bermuda (Hamilton)
USA, East (New York, Boston)
Canada, East (Montreal)
St Lucia (Castries)
Trinidad (Port of Spain)

8 to 9 hours

India, North (New Delhi)
India, West (Mumbai, Goa)
Pakistan (Karachi)

9 to 10 hours

Aruba (Oranjestad)
Bahamas (Nassau)
Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Botswana (Gaborone)
Cuba (Havana)
Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo)
Jamaica (Montego Bay)
Kenya (Nairobi)
St Kitts (Basseterre)
Tobago
Zimbabwe (Harare)

10 to 11 hours

Canada, South (Ottawa, Toronto)
USA, South East (Atlanta, Miami)
USA, West (California, San Francisco)
USA, North to West (Montana, Seattle)
USA, South (New Orleans)
Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo)
Argentina (Buenos Aires)
Cayman Islands (George Town)
Hong Kong
Grenada (St George’s)
Mexico (Mexico City)
Namibia (Windhoek)
Chile (Santiago)
South Africa (Cape Town)
Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Tanzania (Dodoma)
Zambia (Lusaka)

11 to 12 hours

Australia (Sydney)
Thailand (Bangkok)
Hawaii (Honolulu)
Japan (Tokyo)
Mauritius (Port Louis)
South Korea (Seoul)
Singapore
Venezuela (Caracas)

12+ hours

Fiji (Suva)
USA, West (Las Vegas)
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
USA (Montana)

This article was written by Maryse Mignott, for ExclusiveLondon.co.uk. Balance your work and social life by taking part in the London entertainment scene. For the hottest London events, restaurants, clubs, fashion boutiques and much more, visit www.exclusivelondon.co.uk

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