Who is LWP???

Name: Lew Wei Peng

Matric no: A10A246

Date of Birth: 4/11/1990

From: Selangor

Current Education: Entrepreneurship (Commerce), Faculty Entrepreneur and Business in University Malaysia Kelantan

I love to travel because every single travel will bring me new things and good memories. Especially when I look back the photo of past travel, this is a great feel in life. My every travel to a destination must with a purpose or activities: went to the beach for diving, went to the national park for cycling, went to Thailand for experience the culture and shopping, went to Penang to taste the food……etc……Hence, I decide to do this blog based on the purpose(or activities) we travel.

This blog is the assignment for Introduction for Tourism Industry, prepared for Miss Raja Norliana Raja Omar. I do really gain something in doing this blog. The activities in this blog are also the activities I wish to experience. Now, I know where I should go!

Vineyard at Hua Hin Hills, Bangkok

Thailand wines have not been featured high on the look for wine list, but with a new approach by local winemaking industries, Thai wines have found a new prominence in the market. In Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, visitors not only can enjoy the good wine, the beautiful scenery of the vineyard also attracted. 

Shuttle services are available which departs from Hua Hin Market Village. It is almost a must to make a reservation because each shuttle bus only fit 10 passengers each time. It takes around one hour to reach the vineyard. 

In Hua Hin Hill Vineyard, there’s a nice visitor centre called The Sala to relax and chill out. The friendly staffs at the wine bar offer a tasting of their wines called Monsoon Valley that is made from the vineyard.  They also have grape juice. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic views at the vineyard which is surrounded by mountains. The Hua Hin Hills Vineyard offers a tour of the vineyard with free or pay extra fees to tour on the back of an elephant.  Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is worth a trip and suitable for all type of visitors. It is now open everyday except Mondays.

Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular seaside resorts among overseas visitors as well as Thais. It is renowned as Thailand’s most traditional beach resort with many seafood restaurants and a splendid sandy beach. Thus, most of the visitor only spend few hours at Hua Hin Hills Vineyard and spend other times to visit the beach, the hill of Khao Takiab, the Cicada Market and waterfall at Namtok Pa La-u. 

Reference:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g297922-d2037149/Hua-Hin:Thailand:Hua.Hin.Hills.Vineyard.html

Swimming with Dolphins at Hawaii

Hawaii’s beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, many people wish to visit. However, today i gonna introduce this activity - swimming with Dolphins. 

People may swim with dolphin in Sea Life Park which is located on O’ahu. Sea Life Park features a beautifully designed park with reefs, lagoons, pools, and theatres. Restaurant, snacks bars, lockers, restrooms, dressing rooms, and spacious parking lot also provided. Activities are provided for adults and children, a good place for an entire family.

Swimming with dolphin is an attractive activity that will touch your heart and live in your memory for a lifetime.  Some expertise says that this may also help to treat depression in humans.

Since many people attracted to join this activity, more strict animal welfare laws had introduced that purposely to protect dolphins. This is because without proper guide, interaction with dolphins may cause injury for human and injury, stress and death for dolphins.

Others activities that offer by Sea Life Park include:

v  General admission such as dolphin show, theatre, sea lion show, seabird sanctuary and sea turtle feeding

v  Swim with shark

v  Sea lion swim

v  Hawaiian ray encounter

There are three ways that people can swim with dolphins.

v  Pond – huge and deep pools such as SeaWorld aquarium

v  Natural demarcated areas – area that adjacent to the sea with share the sea’s pure water and seabed

v  Sea – certain sea points where wild dolphins are accustomed to getting food

Obviously, Sea Life Park does not offer swimming with dolphins in sea. People still can search a trip that offer swim with wild dolphin in Hawaii that provide by other company like Dolphin Discoveries at Keauhou Bay in Kailua-Kona.

Reference:

http://www.dolphindiscoveries.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimming_with_dolphins

http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/

Skiing at Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand

Mount Ruapehu, 2797m high, has the largest ski area in New Zealand. There are two main ski areas: Whakapapa and Turoa. Whakapapa has 900 hectares skiable area, 14 lifts and tows, and longest run 3.8km; Turoa has also around 900 hectares skiable area, 9 lifts and tows, and longest run 4km. Both ski areas are available in late June till mid-November. Cafes, ski or snowboard rental, retail outlet and medical facilities may also found in these two areas.

Whakapapa and Turoa are both operated by RAL (Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd) a public non-profit company. An advantage of this is that ski tickets are interchangeable between the two resorts, allowing skiers to buy a multi-day pass and choose which ski area to go to on each day.

Skiing is one of the recreational activities and competition sports. Skiing that available at Mt Ruapehu is alpine skiing, also called downhill skiing, a sport involving sliding down at the ski area with skis attached to each foot.

For people who never skied or snowboarded before, beginner package (http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/package-deals/) is available at Mt Ruapehu. The webpage also shares lots of information about preparation before skiing. A special package also provided to kid called Club Penguin Discover Snow Packages.

However, Skiing could be very dangerous activity. The weather also changeable in the extreme. Hence, tourist must done well preparation or visit the page (http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/tips-for-your-visit/) for useful tips. 

Reference:

http://www.statravel.co.nz/mt-ruapehu-ski-snowboard.htm

http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Whakapapa,_Mount_Ruapehu

http://www.mtruapehu.com/

http://wikitravel.org/en/Alpine_skiing

Shopping Vacation at Hong Kong

Tourism is an important part of the economy of country, shopping too. Hong Kong is the shopping paradise that can found in Asia. People can even start shopping at the Hong Kong International Airport. Because Hong Kong has no sales tax, and is also a duty-free port (most imported goods aren’t taxed), it’s long been a favourite shopping destination. In fact, some goods are sold cheaper than the countries in which they were originally made. Another reason that people like to go Hong Kong might because of the transportation system is quite plenty; tourist can go some famous shopping points by MRT.

Hong Kong is the fourth largest exporter of jewellery in the world, mainly in the supply of jade and gold. Such vendors can be easily spotted on the street. Among the most common are Chow Seng Seng and Luk Fook Jewelry.

Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon and Causeway Bay on the island are the most popular shopping destinations, though you can find malls all over the territory. In addition to all the major international brands, there are also several local Hong Kong brands such as Giordano, Bossini, G2000, Joyce and Shanghai Tang.

Japanese clothing brands, like Swordfish, Moussy, and Uniqlo, have started flagship stores in the city. If you were looking for a bargain in clothing and accessories, the Lady’s Street and Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok or Jardine’s Crescent in Causeway Bay would be a good place to visit.

For people who wish to shop luxury brands products, The Landmark Mall at Central is the place.  This is the place to go for a more upscale shopping experience and international designer brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Gucci, Armani, Cartier, Chanel, along with all the other usual suspects.

Otherwise, Causeway Bay can also be the good place to shop. Causeway Bay on the island is the most popular shopping destinations, though you can find malls all over the territory.  For example, you may found Times Square, a shopping mall with some luxury brands, food courts at the lower levels and Gourment Dining at the upper stories. 

People may visit few days before event celebrating to feel the festive mood and enjoy the nice decoration.

Lastly, an advice for shopper in Hong Kong. Be aware of the trap when shopping.  “Copy” product can easily found in some place, shopper must know how to differentiate the genuine and pirate products. In addition, most of the seller has very good strategy in selling their product, especially when the buyer is a tourist. Be aware the trap and try to avoid it.

Reference:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Hong_Kong

Relaxation at Banyan Tree Bintan, Indonesia

Banyan Tree Hotels and Resort is very famous in manages and develops resorts, hotels and spas. Everyone will totally “fall in love” with the services. Relax, read a book by the Tree Top & Beach pool and enjoy the natural surroundings overlooking the South China Sea or venture beyond your normal comfort zone with our range of activities.

Banyan Tree Bintan has received several awards since its founding. It famous on the combines of eco-awareness with a strong tradition of hospitality, the resort balances the needs of its guest with the needs of a sustainable green future. Located 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore, it is a world away from the hustle and activity of the crowded city.

There are few activities we can enjoy in the resorts. First, the most relax – Spa!

Calm your mind and take in the peacefulness of your surroundings. Allow our therapist to offer you a soothing footbath, herbal drink with refreshments and a few minutes to leave the cares of the world behind. Enjoy the difference. There are also extra packages with extra fees such as Javanese Lulur “for her” and Balinese Boreh “for him”.

Sport at Laguna Bintan Golf Club!

Sea activities such as Banana Boat Rides, Canoeing, Water-Skiing, Windsurfing and Catamaran Sailing.

The special of Banyan Tree Bintan is the Conservation Lab Tour offered to guest. This is an on-going conservation effort to reverse the trend of reduced biodiversity due to unsustainable practices and habitat destruction. Other complimentary programmes such as nature walks, bird watching, and conservation presentations available too, but make sure to pre-book at the front desk which open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Reference: http://www.banyantree.com/en/bintan/

Hot Spring in Japan

A hot spring is a spring that produced by the emergence of geothermal heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the crust of the earth.

Onsen is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. Japan is famous with the thousands of onsen.

To ensure the cleanliness, allguests are expected to wash their bodies and rinse themselves thoroughly before entering the onsen. Bathing stations are equipped with stools, faucets, wooden buckets, and toiletries such as soap and shampoo; nearly all onsen also provide removable shower heads for bathing convenience. Entering the onsen while still dirty or with traces of soap on the body is socially unacceptable.

People said that onsen have various medical effects. Japanese people believe that a good soak in proper onsen heals aches, pains and diseases, and visit onsen to treat the illnesses, such as arthralgia, chronic skin diseases, diabetes, constipation, menstrual disorders and so on.

Let’s have a look on the famous hot spring destination in Japan.

First, Atami hot spring in Shizuoka.

Second, Beppu which located in Oita.

Lastly, Shirahama in Wakayama. 

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen

Go Back To The Childhood at Disney World, California

Snow white, Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Peter Pan Dumbo…… The great successfulness of Walt Disney is that he and they give children a best childhood, for me too^^

There are 3 main parks we can found in California: Disneyland theme park, Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Resort. So many entertainments can be found in these parks. Spending one day is not enough to experience all the entertainments.

One of the famous shows is the “World of Color”. This is a night-time show at Disney California Adventure which opened at June11, 2010. The show has nearly 1,200 fountains and includes lights, water, fire, fog, and lasers, with high-definition projections on mist screens. And all things about Disney will come with music, as the important elements in Disney.

Many character dining can also found in these 3 parks. For example, the Goofy’s Kitchen and Flo’s V8 Café.

Mickey's Soundsational Parade is another wonderful show which premiered on May 27, 2011. The parade includes Disney characters throughout the years. The show takes around 23 minutes with Mickey Strikes Up the Band, Aladdin’s Magical Cymbal Celebration, Peter Pan’s Neverland Buccaneer Blast, Royal Princess Romantic Melodies and so on.

Lastly, no visit is complete without the iconic images of fireworks bursting behind Sleeping Beauty Castle. The firework will put on for most nights.

Reference: disneyland.disney.go.com

Freedom Trail at Boston

Boston is the largest city in New England, which also the capital of the state of Massachusetts. Boston is one of the ten most popular tourist destination and one of the most historic, wealthy and influential cities in the USA.

At downtown of Boston, there are many famous historical sites. Freedom Trail, which is marked by a red line of bricks embedded in the ground, is the path that connects all those historical sites. The significant historic sites include:

     i.        Boston Common
    ii.        Massachusetts State House
  iii.        Park Street Church
   iv.        Granary Burying Ground
    v.        King's Chapel
   vi.        King's Chapel Burying Ground
 vii.        Benjamin Franklin statue and former site of the first public school, Boston Latin School
viii.        Old Corner Bookstore
  ix.        Old South Meeting House
    x.        Old State House
  xi.        Site of the Boston Massacre
 xii.        Faneuil Hall
xiii.        Paul Revere House
xiv.        Old North Church
 xv.        Copp's Hill Burying Ground
xvi.        Bunker Hill Monument
xvii.        USS Constitution

The Freedom Trail is sponsored by the Boston Minuteman Council, in conjunction with the Boston Chamber of Commerce. It was officially opened as an authorized historic trail of the Boy Scouts of America on May 28, 1972.

The beginning of the trail is accessible on the Green Line or the Red Line from Park St station. It is a 2.5-mile walk from Boston Common to USS Constitution in Charlestown. Simple ground markers explaining events, graveyards, notable churches and other buildings, and a historic naval frigate are stops along the way. Most sites are free; Old South Meeting House, Old State House, and Paul Revere House have small admission fees; still others suggest donations. 

MBTA is the famous public transportation system if you wish to get around Boston. There are also several stop points along the Freedom Trail. Visitor suggested choosing public transport because the on-street parking is hard to find and the parking lot prices is expensive.

Reference: 

http://www.thefreedomtrail.org

http://wikitravel.org/en/Boston

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Trail