HONG KONG VICTORIA PEAK

If Hong Kong is a city of jade during the day, it becomes a luminous pearl with a sea of lights twinkling in the streets after dark. Where is the best place to enjoy the multi-colorful night scene that encompasses Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor? Victoria Peak is a good location to view its night scene. Being 554 meters (about 1,817.6 feet) above sea level, Victoria Peak is the highest point within Hong Kong and occupies the western part of the island.

How to reach Victoria Peak? Tourists can take the Peak Tram, a pleasant ride ascending the mountain. The tram has been in operation for over one hundred years, and to date, no accidents have ever occurred. Your journey aboard the tram will take eight minutes and upon reaching the summit you will see a seven storied building in the shape of a ship. This is the Peak Tower in which there are several attractions namely, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, and the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator.
If you want to take a photo with your favorite movie or sport stars, then please visit Madame Tussauda Hong Kong. This museum exhibits over 100 waxworks of celebrities from all works of life from the middle ages to the present day, including President Hu Jintao. On the second and the third floors of the Peak Tower is a museum called Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium. From its name, tourists may image how bizarre the more than 450 exhibits collected from all over the world are. On the fourth floor is the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator. It is very welcoming to all visitors and equipped with high-tech projectors, sound system and motion chairs. Sitting on the chair and looking at the images on screen, it appears that you are actually there and witnessing what happens around you. Here you will enjoy an exciting journey.

Viewing Hong Kong at night is a must! The panoramic vista is one of the most beautiful night scenes in the world so a visit to the Lion Pavilion on the peak is a must. Standing upon the pavilion and overlooking the Victoria Harbor and the Kowloon Peninsula, a spectacular night view will unfold in front of your eyes. The Victoria harbour is one of the world's busiest harbors and has a constant ebb and flow of shipping all year round. With row upon row of skyscrapers stand prominently on the Central District which is Hong Kong's financial and economic hub. The most spectacular are the Bank of China Tower and the Central Plaza. The Bank of China Tower, with 72 stories soars skyward and is designed by an American-born Chinese architect Bei Yuming (Ieoh Ming Pei); with the bamboo-shaped outlook of the tower symbolizing that the Bank of China aspires to get better and better. The Central Plaza is a reinforced concrete building with 78 stories.
The whole city is swathed by glittering neon lights along the banks of Victoria Harbor. Another way to experience Hong Kong's night views is from Peak Garden. You can walk among fragrant flowers, butterflies and birds while enjoying the spectacular vista.

No matter when you come to the Victoria Peak, it will always give you a beautiful view of Hong Kong.


Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Garden
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is located on the northern hillside of Victoria Peak. It has a gross area of about five to six hectares (12 to 15 acres). Enclosed by Garden Road, Robinson Road, Glenealy and Upper Albert Road, the garden is divided into two parts by Albany Road. Two parts are connected by the Pedestrian Tunnel. The eastern part is the old garden, including the Children's Pleasure Ground, Aviary, Jaguar Cage, the Greenhouse and the Fountain Terrace Garden. And the western part is the new garden, used for feeding mammals and reptiles.
At present, the garden provides about 40 caged areas for animals. There are about 500 birds, 70 mammals and 70 reptiles. There you will see lovely primates, such as Bornean orang-utan, Chinese porcupine, golden lion tamarin and lesser mouse deer. Also you can find various birds, including American flamingo, Bali mynah and Red-crowned crane. The reptiles, such as Burmese python, Greek tortoise, and Chinese alligator, live there as well.
Additionally, there are 1,000 plants there. Most of them grow in tropical and subtropical zones. At the Fountain Terrace Garden, you will always see colorful blooms. In the Greenhouse, more than 150 native and exotic plants can be found, including orchids, ferns, bromeliads, climbing vines, and so on. 

LONDON DUNGEON, UK

At the London Dungeons you will experience gruesome events that span 2000 years of London's history. The whole tour, described as a museum of simulated horror from history, takes an hour and a half where you will see actors recreating events such as the Great fire of London, Sweeney Todd, the Plague and Jack the ripper.

There are several rides like the Boat Ride To Hell which moves around on sliders in the water to make you disorientated. At Sweeney Todd's barber you'll find the chairs move and Labyrinth of the Lost will drive you mad with its maze of mirrors. Worse of all is Extremis the drop ride to doom based on hanging! Watch out as you never know who will jump out of the shadows to scare you.

Small children and those of a nervous disposition will probably find this attraction too scary. There can also be quite a wait to begin the tour.

The London Dungeons are located a short walking distance from London Bridge tube station on the Jubilee Line and the Bank branch of the Northern Line underground lines.

TAJ MAHAL

 The Taj Mahal was built by a Mongul emperor named Sahah Jahan, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Sahah Jahan was born in 1592, while his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal was born in 1593. They married in 1612 and had seven children. In 1628 Shah Jahan became the Mongul Emperor. Only three years later his beloved wife died shortly after childbirth. In 1632 Sahah Jahan began the project of building a mausoleum, or tomb for his wife, the Taj Mahal.

     The Taj Mahal is located on the banks of the Yamuna River. It took twenty-two years to complete with an estimated 20,000 workers. The building is surrounded by four 138 ft. minarets and sits on a 315 ft. square marble platform. Each side has a 110 ft. arch and center dome is around 200 ft. high. The building is built in an Islamic style of architecture.

Centered in the building is a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal. Next to her tomb, is the tomb for Sahah Jahan. The tombs in the building are empty. The bodies of the two are buried in a crypt below the building. The entire plan of the Taj Mahal is symmetrical, with one exception. Symmetrical means that one side of the building could mirror the other side if cut down the middle. The only exception is the tomb of Sahah Jahan which was added later to the building. There is a story which suggest that Sahah Jahan was planning on building a replica of the Taj Mahal for himself on the other side the river, though no evidence or plans of this has ever been found.

     Sahah Jahan was overthrown by his own son and imprisoned in the Red Fort within sight of the Taj Mahal. He was forced to spend the last eight years of his life in prison till his death in 1666.

THE HISTORY OF GENTING HIGHLANDS

The Genting StoryWhen it comes to the Genting story, most Malaysians will recognise it as  synonymous with the rise of its namesake hill resort,Genting Highlands Resort. Many though may not have truly appreciated the mammoth task involved in its construction and the vast resources and reserves mobilised to ensure what has proven today to be an unprecedented success in resort development.

The BeginningOn 31 March 1969, the late YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister graced the official laying of the foundation stone for the company’s pioneer hotel, the then Highlands Hotel, marking the completion of the access road to Genting Highlands Resort.

The Prime Minister was impressed that the private sector, without the assistance of the Government, could develop a mountain resort for the enjoyment of all Malaysians; a gaming licence was suggested to help accelerate the development of this remote area.

In 1971, the first hotel at Genting Highlands was successfully completed and was then named Highlands Hotel (now renamed Theme Park Hotel).

The Development - Genting Highlands ResortSince the opening of the first hotel in 1971, Genting Highlands Resort continued to grow from strength to strength. The development of the area continued to this present day to enhance Genting Highlands Resort as the premier holiday destination in the region while ensuring that the natural beauty of the rain forest is maintained.

To date, Genting Highlands Resort has five hotels (namely Genting Hotel, Highlands Hotel, Resort Hotel, Theme Park Hotel and First World Hotel) and two apartment blocks (Ria and Kayangan Apartments) at the hilltop and Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort.

Together with integrated world-standard entertainment facilities encompassing various leisure, indoor and outdoor theme parks and gaming facilities, Genting Highlands Resort has become the "City of Entertainment" and Malaysia's Premier Resort.

In 1997, Genting Highlands Resort further boosted its facility attraction with Genting Skyway cable car system that provides a 3.38 km transport to the hilltop. Genting Skyway is also recognised as the "World's Fastest Mono Cable Car System" with a maximum speed of 21.6 km per hour and the "Longest Cable Car in Malaysia and Southeast Asia". 

The Expansion - Genting GroupGenting Group, founded by Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong and with Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay as its Chairman and Chief Executive, has since expanded and diversified from its initial hotel and resort activities to plantation, power generation and oil and gas exploration and production.

Today, Genting Berhad is a leading multinational corporation in Malaysia that has constantly been acknowledged by various organisations for its exemplary leadership and management. Genting Berhad was acknowledged as the No.1 Leading Company in Malaysia for 10 years, i.e. in 2004 and from 1994 to 2002 by The Asian Wall Street Journal 200 (formerly Far Eastern Economic Review 200). Genting Berhad was also rated No.1 in Malaysia and No.2 in Asia for Overall Best Managed Company for the Decade by Asiamoney.
The Passing of a Great ManSadly, our Founder Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong passed away peacefully on 23 October 2007 and was laid to rest at Gohtong Memorial Park on 29 October 2007. He will be greatly missed by the management and staff of the Genting Group.
 

INTERESTING PLACES IN HONG KONG

Victoria HarbourVictoria Harbour gets the number one spot on my list of top 10 places to see in Hong Kong because of the stunning panoramic views you get of Hong Kong Island (pictured) impressive skyline, especially at night when all the buildings are lighted up.
At night, you can also watch the amazing Symphony of Lights event from the harbour..
Victoria Harbour is also a great place to relax while seeing all kind ships and boats, and the best thing about this attraction is that it won’t cost you a penny!

Victoria Peak (The Peak)
Victoria Peak is located across Victoria Harbour on the Island of Hong Kong and it’s on my list of top 10 places to see in Hong Kong because of the memorable and breathtaking views you'll get of Victoria Harbour, the surrounding islands and central Hong Kong.
Apart from enjoying the fascinating views, The Peak boast a shopping mall - Peak Tower -, restaurants and a beautiful Chinese style garden – Victoria Peak Garden – which is one of the best vantage points on The Peak.
You can access The Peak by bus or taxi, but riding on the funicular is what makes the trip to The Peak memorable, the views you’ll get along the way are priceless!

Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History should be high on your list of thing to do in Hong Kong, even if you’re not a fun of museums.
This museum is simply brilliant and one of the best places to learn and get an insight of Hong Kong’s history.
This place is for everyone, and war buffs will definitely enjoy visiting the Hong Kong Museum because of the sections on the Opium Wars and the British occupation.

Lantau Island
Lantau Island is one of the largest of the Hong Kong Islands and one of the top 10 places to see in Hong Kong because of the many fun attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland and the Npong Ping cable car.
Apart from fun attractions like Disneyland, Lantau Island also boast many other tourist sights and things to see such as:
-Po Lin Monastery & Tian Tan Buddha – home to many Buddha statues and the giagantic Big Buddha bronze statue measuring over 80 feet high.

-Tai O town – home to 300 year-old stilt houses and fishing boats

-Tung Chung Fort – home to old granite cannons and arched gateways

-Trappist Haven Monastery –famous for producing the Trappist Milk

-Cheun Sha Beach – longest beach in Lantau Island

-Sunset Peak – the second largest peak in Hong Hong Kong

Nathan Road & Temple Street
Nathan Road & Temple Street are located just a short walk from the Hong Kong Museum of History and are two places not to miss in HK, especially if you’re visiting Hong Kong exclusively for the shopping.
Nathan Road boasts hundreds of small shops, markets and shopping malls, as well as lovely eateries where you can try out the famous dimsum and other delicacies.
Temple Street also boasts many shops and eateries but the beauty of this street is that many of these shops are hidden on the back roads.
Temple Street is also the place to come if you want to buy traditional Chinese medicines, and enjoy a bit of night shopping at the famed night markets.

Hong Kong Observatory
The Hong Kong Observatory is adjacent the Hong Kong Museum of History and if you are visiting this museum for the educational aspect, you’ll find that the observatory is just as educational and worthy of a visit.
The observatory offers guided tours but you need to arrange them in advance. The tours last a good two hours during which you will learn about the technology behind weather forecast and how forecasts are made. A really cool place to visit.

2 INTERESTING PLACES IN INDONESIA

Merdeka SquareHistoric Merdeka Square is Jakarta’s most important square and one of the top tourist sights in the city to visit because of other nearby attractions such as Merdeka Palace, Istiqlal Mosque and the National Museum of Indonesia.

In the heart of Merdeka Square, you’ll find the famed National Monument (pictured) surrounded by beautiful sculptured carved works depicting the history of Indonesia.

Inside the base of the National Monument, you’ll find the National History Museum and the Hall of Independence, both great places to learn about Indonesian history.

The square is also the focal point in the city at night when the National Monument is lit up. Within the vicinity, you'll also many landmarks, statues, parks such as West Merdeka Park where you can witness fun events like the fountain water show.

Taman Park
Taman Park, also known as Mini Indonesia Indah, is another of the places to visit in Jakarta Indonesia where everyone can have a fun day out.

Taman Park is one of the largest green areas in the city and a great place to unwind, do some bird-spotting and enjoy a picnic while taking in the lovely scenery.

The park also boasts the popular Indonesia Miniature Park where you can get a nice scaled overview of places in Indonesia such as Sumatra and Borneo. Within the park, you’ll also find many museums, an IMAX theatre and an Aquarium.

MOUNT FUJI AND GINZA, TOKYO

Mount Fuji
Japan’s highest mountain (3776 meters, 12,377’) is unquestionably the country’s most iconic natural landmark. Photographed in all seasons from all angles, its near perfect cone is climbed by one quarter million people yearly, usually during the months of July and August. Its high visibility and traffic is partially owed to its proximity to the Kanto, or the plain surrounding Tokyo. However the best time to view the mountain is in the winter months when visibility is best. Considered one of the three holy mountains in Japan, along with Tateyama and Hakusan, there is understandably a collection of shrines on the crater rim. Since many people climb the mountain hiking trails and facilities are well established and there is a considerable amount of development on the mountain. The meteorological station marks the high point of the mountain and the country. Popular hiking routes to the summit are Gotemba, Fujinomiya, and Kawaguchiko. All of the trails have ten stations each, which are situated strategically to offer refreshments, lodging, and facilities for the hikers and tourists alike. Most hikers start from the 5^th station/s, which are located between 6,000’ – 7,000’ and have access by paved roads. However, Mount Fuji lacks train access. If you are interested in climbing and don’t have a POV the best way to get there is by catching one of the many Fuji-bound buses departing from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo during the months of July and August. Fuji,, a strato-, or composite volcano, last erupted in 1708 and is considered dormant.

Ginza, Tokyo
UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is not, but instead an unofficial shrine to Japan’s industry, technology, and material culture, if there is one. Ginza epitomizes Tokyo, if not Japan. It’s ground zero for neon, shopping, and as close to what Tokyo calls center, or downtown, for such a huge city. Within walking distance are the National Diet, the center of Japan’s government, and the Imperial Palace, a vast complex of buildings, which houses Japan’s Head of State, the Emperor of Japan and his administrative apparatus. Ginza is best experienced at night so you can view the electronic fireworks. There are so many interesting places in Tokyo and this is a logical place to orient yourself if you visit Japan’s largest city and capital.