Sunday, November 29, 2009

Best Beaches in Malaysia

Perhentian Islands

North East Terengganu of East Coast Malaysia is sublime. Pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters that would make Leo (di Caprio) rethink twice of filming The Beach in Thailand. Seriously unrivalled diving in the region, the two islands are dotted with rustic beach huts and has become the number one destination for beach lovers and backpackers around the world. The location is so amazing you'll forgive for the lack of luxury hotels. Just suck it up and dive into paradise.

Redang Island

Another diving hot spot in Terengganu, that's not far from Perhentian. One of the largest and most beautiful of the east coast islands, Redang is also the most developed. Redang Archipelago is made of 9 islands that together constitute a protected marine park. With crystal clear waters and some of Malaysia's best coral reefs, the island offers excellent diving and snorkelling.

Langkawi Island

Made up of 99 islands, Langkawi (duty free island) has now been given geopark status by UNESCO. Langkawi is the easiest to access of all the islands (40 mins direct flights from KL) with gorgeous sandy beaches. Boasting some of the most luxurious hotels, such as Four Seasons, The Datai, Westin, The Andaman, Casa del Mar etc you'll be spoilt for choice!

Pangkor Laut Island

It's not the main Pangkor island I'd recommend but Pangkor Laut Resort - a top notch 5 star luxury hotel alone on an island. Voted as best romantic hotel, best spa, best hotel in Malaysia - Pangkor Island Resort is the ideal romantic getaway. Book for the Spa Village Villa, on stilts in the middle of the ocean and you'll forget easily the real world. Heaven.

Tioman Islands

The largest of Malaysia's east coast islands, Tioman is famed for its soft, sandy beaches, warm waters and coral reef. Most of the resorts are strung out on isolated bays along the western coast. Diving and snorkelling is excellent but also jungle hiking and sunbathing. Best luxury hotel is Japamala resort - to simply die for!

Rawa Island

Not far from Tioman, the privately owned island of Rawa is surrounded by sugary sands and transparent waters. There's only one place to stay on the island but worth if you're looking for the charming rustic feel.

Sipadan Island

Leaving the best til last, rated among the wold's top 5 dive sites, Sipadan is fringed with white, sandy beaches. Surrounding the island is stunning coral reef teeming with over 3000 species of marine life and sightings of sharks, barracudas, turtles and manta rays are also common. Located in Sabah, Borneo in Malaysia - this is a true paradise delight.

Your definitive guide to Leisure and Lifestyle: Frog and Princess Blog
http://frogandprincess.wordpress.com/

Frog the Frenchman and his true Malaysian Princess share with you their journey. Two voices from two fiery entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia with a gut load of imagination and energy, offer insights in leisure and lifestyle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aubry_Mennesson

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

33 Travel Safety Tips

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let's examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you'll suddenly be "in the dark" and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.

33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.

The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.

Matt manages the Corporate Flight Attendant Community a comprehensive resource center for business flight attendants who travel throughout the world. You can visit the community at http://www.corporateflyer.net or http://www.cabinmanagers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan

Friday, November 6, 2009

Tips to Book That Unique Limousine Ride

We have all dreamt about them- that special travel that only luxury sedans could bring forth. It’s a huge part in a woman’s plan of a real romantic rendezvous. It’s a huge part in a man’s notion of tavern hop and partying with his circle of acquaintances. It’s a big part of everybody’s notion of special nights and wedding day. It’s the ideal dream jaunt.

Limo travels are now very trendy. There will be a time earlier in the past when only wealthy and well-known persons could have enough money for a limousine travel. Today, anybody could create their desire come true. You do not want to have to be a celebrity status to get special travel. All we need to have is your laptop, phone, post it and pen get planning for that limousine ride for your unique night.

The starting thing that we have to do in deciding a great limo option is to investigate. You cannot order the starting limo rental option that we find on the web. You have to know the cost, contract, the reputation of the company and the minor facts that make the limousine ride special. Watch for the better limo hiring companies concerns on and off the web. Still if we don’t have time to spend, the net is their topmost option in getting the perfect limousine for us.

Even before starting to bargain with other companies, you also need to be ready with our facts. How few guys will ride the limo? How long will we utilize the limo? Where’s your end place? What kind of limo do we want to use? And how big is our overall plan? The reply to those queries are the basic vital information that we need to get before even looking for a limousine company.

As soon as we already have outlined the data that we need, it is the time to scribble down the requirements of the limo rental service that you wish rent. As mentioned above, the reputation of the company is vital. Normally, a limo servicing company with the best reputation gives extraordinary and more than exceptional assistance. Google the best service companies and start from there. And also make it a point to confirm their insurance policies and if they have updated certificates.

You would require a limo leasing service that has good drivers. As, you are entrusting your life and the lives of others to a whole an unknown person. One of the most common issues with limousines and drivers is when the chauffer disobeys the privacy of his users. Confirm that the hiring companies you select have a section in its contract that relates to the manners of the chauffer.

When you are to visit the hiring, try to examine the limousines. Check the interior of the limousine and if the facilities inside there matches the theme or event that you have planned. If you’re renting a car through an internet service business, make sure to ask for images – in and exterior.

A limousine ride is really a special event that can create unbelievable memoirs for you and also for the those you’re with. After you’ve made the choice and finished the booking, just make sure to take pleasure in every second of the ride.
Author Resource:- PES Enterprises Associates, Inc. offers Brooklyn New York limo services and airport car shuttle in their expanding fleet of vehicles. New Jersey Internet Marketing by Tavahatz.com.
Article From New Ezine Articles

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

How-to-Save-Money-on-Holidays-Abroad

Thomas Cook has discovered that British tourists are paying much more for their foreign currency than they need to, simply because they don't know enough about their destination and the prices to expect to pay when they get there.

They surveyed 12,000 people with 28% of these confessing to having no idea how much money to take on holiday with them. One quarter admitted that they knew they overspent whilst abroad because they had no idea of an items value in English money.

8% also said they took absolutely no money away with them and relied on credit and debit cards and withdrawing money from cash machines, often paying the penalty of hidden fees. One in three stated they had paid heavily for using cards and ATM's whist abroad, this leads to so many people wasting money.

Foreign currency is often left until last minute as there are so many things to think about when preparing for your holiday, leaving people to rush their decision on how much to take.

So take a few moments during your holiday preparation to think about spending money and do a little research into how much you might need. Your travel agent will guide you as to how much you could expect to pay for things in resort and the kind of excursions you may like and a rough idea of how much they might cost.

The best way to find these things out though is on the internet, you can research your destination and even look at travel forums to see what people who have stayed in your resort or even your hotel have to say. They will be able to advise on where to eat and drink and even the best place to shop or book excursions.

Having an idea of how much food, drink and trips will cost you, and working out how much this would be in English money will make sure you get the best value, and even better still, give you a guide as to how much money you need to be taking with you.

The euro is very weak against the British pound at the moment so countries that don't use it will give you better value for money. Croatia, Turkey and Bulgaria are extremely popular destinations as they still have their own currency, and Gambia and Egypt holidays will be favorite destinations this season due to their excellent winter sunshine and favorable exchange rates.

So take the time to think properly about your foreign currency before your next trip, and with just a little bit of forward thinking, you could make your holiday money stretch even further.

Yvonne also writes informative and fun new stories for Travelnewz.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yvonne_Dawson