Withlocals.com - Find the ultimate experience in travelling!

Get Local: new website brings tourists in contact with locals!

Have you ever heard a tourist tell a story about his most memorable travel experience? It soon became clear to me, that the experience with the ‘most local’ touch has the upper hand. Apparently, in this age of many-to-many connections, booking a mass-organized tour is not the dream of a traveller anymore. People worldwide look for one-to-one connections. 

Locals can give a far more intense impression of a country than any guidebook or big tour operator. These days, there are more and more companies which are started in the spirit of ‘social sharing’ such as Airbnb or Couchsurfing. Recently, we found a new platform, called Withlocals. An organization which connects travelers and locals from all over the world, through food and experiences. Locals can offer tours, workshops and even home dinner experiences directly to tourists. 

Withlocals.com gives you the opportunity to explore a city in a whole new way. You can book home dining experiences, activities and tours in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Thailand. 

Win-win situation 

For the locals: They can earn some extra money in a creative and fun way by simply showing or teaching tourists their daily activities. Think about fruit carving in Bali, a lesson in Thailand’s National Sport Muaythai, or go for an authentic home dinner in Vietnam!

For the tourists: It is the ideal way to explore a culture up-close. You will discover non touristic places, of the beaten track! It seems like a cool project to try out ourselves sometime! Definitely worth to check out the site and see what kind of options there are to become a host or guest.

Photo courtesy of Withlocals.com

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Tips for travel make-up

Chuseok holiday is comming in Korea!! It’s time for travel! But… it is impossible to bring your whole box of cosmetics with you. So what do you need in your suitcase to stay chic? Let’s count on the MUST brings in your tiny cosmetic bag.

For skin care:
Travel pack (miniature) of your current skin care series. This is to avoid allergy or irritation to skin, it’s not worth risking during travelling.
(1) Cleanser
(2) Toner/Lotion
(3) Moisturizer
(4) Sun block
(5) Facial cotton pads
(6) Acne gel (if you have acne problem)
(7) Face mask (scrubs and essence mask sheets)

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A lifetime experience in the sinking island

What does it cost to be the Queen of a private island witha a luxury yacht in Maldives for 3 days?

Imagine for one moment walking along the white talc like beaches of your kingdom, under the warm azure sky, surrounded by tropical plants and coconut palms with only the fish and hermit crabs for company.

Cruise around the atoll in the "Rania" yacht, a majesty 86 foot Gulf Craft luxury cruiser, enjoy scrumptious culinary prepared by your personal Chefs, or soak in the outdoor whirlpool Jacuzzi on the bridge with your love one.

Then, perhaps a true Robinson Crusoe moment; a picnic on a deserted island before an amazing dive with your very own dive instructor or a spot of deep sea fishing to catch dinner before cruising home by way of the most amazing sunset found on earth.

Back on land; a massage and treatment to unwind - then with cuisine expertly prepared for you by your personal Chefs. Dinner will be underneath the stars at a different surprise venue every night created for you by your Butler and Mother Nature herself!

The island is all yours... Full privacy - the island, the butlers, the yacht, speedboat, dining anywhere- anytime and spa services, diving and island hopping and picnics at your own pace and time.

You get unlimited a la carte dining prepared by your personal Chef's taking into consideration your cuisine preferences and tastes – whenever and wherever you wish.

THE RANIA EXPERIENCE... my dream. At Faafu Atoll, Republic of Maldives.

Private, professional and personal… every aspect of your stay on Asia’s first and only exclusive Island Sanctuary with your very own private yacht is tailor made… just for you. Imagine - from top to bottom - the island, the home, the yacht, the staff, the privacy are all yours… and only yours!

Now guess the price...

Hints...???

It's in the World's most expensive resorts list since 2005.

How about a modest down payment on a home?

>(o.0")< Yes, 10 grand US Dollars per night. And minimum stay is 3 nights!!! And the rates actually range from $12,000 per day to $24,750 depending on time of year and number of guests.

In just 3 days, you spend a 100 grand Malaysian Ringgit. How many people can do that?

And will you do that if you have a 100 grand?

I WILL.

That's called once in a lifetime experience. =)

You can say I'm crazy. But we should have a dream to live on isn't it? I might achieve it one day. Who knows.

In the meantime, I'm still struggling to decide which atoll or which resort to pick for my honeymoon... All is way tooooo beautiful!!

Check this out. http://www.maldivesreviews.com/

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11th July 2010 ~ Streets Come Alive – Unforgettable George Town!

It's my pleasure and responsibility as a Penangite to spread the message around. In conjunction with the celebration of its 2nd anniversary as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Penang government is again celebrating Penang World Heritage Day (7th July) with a series of colorful programs in the George Town area! Naturally, the buildings are the most imposing. Take this chance to walk the heritage trails and feel it! Furthermore you get to taste the colors of Chinese, Malays, Indian, Indian Muslim cuisines on that day. Simply marvelous~ Welcome to Penang, my hometown.

*P.s. I'm gonna miss the street event on 11th because I'll be way up to Colmar Tropicale for birthday celebration (baby's booked my calendar weeks ago). Else I'll be running around the heritage trail with my 10-20mm lens...of course with him.*

If you like Penang and would like to receive more information on Penang tourism and events, join our group in Facebook - Penang Has It All. I'm one of the administrators. Heheh...  v(o.O)v

Streets Come Alive – Unforgettable George Town!
Date : 11 July 2010
Time : 8am-11pm
Venue : George Town Heritage Zone
Ticket Price : FOC
Enquiries : George Town Festival,
016-4644211

Indulge yourself in the colourful street cultural shows performed by the multicultural community of Penang: Malay, Indian, Chinese, Burmese, Thai, Punjabi etc. Also don't miss the chance to learn and get your hands on a variety of traditional crafts and foods from the numerous street stalls.

Special Program
1. Open House - Public and Private Heritage Buildings
Time: 9.00am-5.00pm
Location: Penang Islamic museum, Konsenih Building (Equator Academy of Art), Segara Ninda Residence, Wisma Kastam, Penang Tourist Guide Association, Tan Kongsi, Ong Kongsi, Han Jiang Ancestral Temple (Penang Teochew Ass.), Lee Sih Chong Soo, Town Hall, Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse, World Heritage Office, Anak-anak Kota, Penang Heritage Trust-PAPA, mosques in George Town, Indian and Chinese temples, churches, tombs, shrines and many more.
About the program: Welcome to the built jewels of George Town! Come visit George Town’s heritage buildings and sites which are normally restricted to visitors on other days, all for free.

2. George Town Shophouse Trail
Time: 9.00am-10.30am; 11.00am-12.30pm
About the program: Visit some of the finest residential and commercial shophouses in town and learn more about this unique built heritage of Penang.
We have 2 routes available for each time slot. Register for one route and participate in a rare guided tour of 6 shophouses. Even better, register for 2 routes and see all 12 shophouses!
Tours available in Chinese and English.
Ticket prices: RM10 per route, limited to 20 persons per route.
Enquiries: Fidel Ho
Tel: 012-4565867
Email : fidelhoho@gmail.com

3. “Jom Naiki Sampan di Perairan Laut Clan Jetties!” – Boat Rides at the Clan Jetties!
Time: 8.30am-11.30am
Location: Yeoh Jetty, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town
About the program: Come enjoy the scenery of the clan jetties by boat (“sampan-sampan”) and get to know more about their history at the same time! The clan jetties community will also be reenacting live for you parts of its pre-1970 community’s daily works and activities.
Rest assured life jackets will be provided so you can enjoy your boat ride in safety!
Ticket prices: FREE – Register on the spot.
Enquiries: George Town Festival
Tel: 016 – 4644211

4. Heritage “Trea-Shaw” Hunt
Time: 8.00am-1.00pm
Location: Flag-off: Town Hall / Esplanade
About the program: Hop on a trishaw! Experience this fun and exciting way of searching and scouting for our rich heritage treasures ranging from foods, costumes, trades, to local personalities and heritage buildings.
Participants may enter as a two-person team. Look for sponsors like hotels or
tour companies. Each team will be assigned a trishaw rider and given clues to guide them along the treasure hunt. At each checkpoint, teams will be required to search for answers or complete simple challenges/tasks.
Ticket prices: RM388 – the hunt is limited to 50 trishaws.
Closing date for registration – 28 June 2010 (Monday)
E-mail for entry forms/ download HERE!
Enquiries: Ederic Low
Tel: 012-4092539
E-mail: treashawhunt2010@gmail.com
E-mail: info@georgetownfestival.com

5. Indian-Muslim Culture Celebration
Time: 10.00am - 11.00pm
Location: Dewan Makam Noordin @ Masjid Kapitan Keling
About the program: Exhibition on previous mosques and mosque antiques
Time: 2.00pm-11.00pm
Location: Masjid Kapitan Keling
About the program:
• Interactive Indian-Muslim traditional food demonstration including Nasi kandar, Nonbu Kanji, Kolkate, Somosa & vadai, Idyiyappom,
Passembor. Free porridge!
• “Golden of Dates” Exhibition – History, pictures, information on
types, nutritious information
Time: 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Location: Masjid Kapitan Keling
About the Program:
• Demonstration of traditional Muslim games like “pallaguli”, “pamberem”
• Tour of Masjid Kapitan Keling
Time: 5.00pm – 8.00pm
Location: Front of Masjid Kapitan Keling
About the Program:
• Teh Tarik Demonstration - Come watch, learn and try it out! Free flow of Teh Tarik.
• Crafts Demonstration and Exhibition including “Poo Malai” a Muslim tradition that originates from India and the Muslim “Kopiah”
• Original spices exhibition - Interactive exhibition as well as preparation and cooking demonstration on spices in Indian-Muslim cooking
Enquiries: George Town Festival
Tel: 016 – 4644211
E-mail: info@georgetownfestival.com

6. Street Celebrations
Time: 5.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Armenian Street, Jalan Kapitan Keling
About the program: “Little Penang Street Market Rejoicing, Reviving and Romancing Our Heritage” Showcase of the traditional, cultural heritage food and crafts of Penang.
1. Chinese Lantern making
2. Preparation of Putu Mayom
3. Wayang Kulit
4. Batik Demonstration
5. Henna
6. Antiques
7. Shoe Painting, T-shirt printing, Chinese calligraphy
8. Beaded crafts
9. Rattan and bamboo items
10. Nyonya Manik Shoes
11. Chinese Frog Buttons
12. Nyonya Cooking with Rosie Yew
13. Nyonya Cooking with Rumah Nur women
14. Michael Cheah’s Baba Nyonya collection
15. Penang & Malaysia postcards
16. Handmade crafts
17. Fresh Nutmeg juice
18. Thai Laksa
19. Traditional Eye Massage
20. Little Penang t-shirts
21. Eurasian treats
Time: 5.00pm – 10.00pm
Location: Meng Eng Soo, Jalan Pintal Tali
About the program: Meng Eng Soo Open Day
Indoor: Exhibition on Meng Eng Soo history, tea presentation (games);
Outdoor: “Peddlers Court”, Cultural performances – wushu, Tai Chi, street artists, Chinese Orchestra
Time: 5.00pm – 10.00pm
Location: Cheah Kongsi, Armenian Street
About the Program: Lion Dance Performance on High Poles
Time: 5.00pm – 10.30pm
Location: Penang Teochew Association, Chulia Street
About the Program: Chinese Cultural Performance and Demonstration Traditional Teochew Opera Performance, Lion and Dragon Dance, Chinese Kungfu Performance, Traditional craft skills of cane weaving and batik design, Chinese Tanglung craftworks as well as multiracial cultural dances and singing.
Ticket prices: FOC
Enquiries: George Town Festival
Tel: 016 – 4644211
E-mail: info@georgetownfestival.com

7. Muslim Cultural Showcase
Time: 5.00pm-12.00am
Location: Penang Islamic Museum, Armenian Street
About the program: The Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh), Koperasi Pelancongan, Islamic Museum, Boyanese community and other Malay groups will be showcasing traditional Malay performances including Nasyid,
Marhaban, Kompang, Silat, Khat, Boria, Ghazal Parti, Sketches and Traditional Malay music and dance. Also on exhibition will be traditional Malay kuih-muih, bunga telur, hantaran and a historical exhibition of Masjid Melayu.
Ticket prices: FREE
Enquiries: George Town Festival
Tel: 016 – 4644211
E-mail: info@georgetownfestival.com

8. Cultural Performances
Time: 5.00pm-9.00pm
Location: Khoo Kongsi
About the program: Cultural performances from the different ethnic communities of George Town, Penang as well as international acts!
Featuring: Ghaffar Pourazar performing Beijing opera, Batak singers from Indonesia, traditional Punjabi Vidda dance, Punjabi drumming, Indian cultural performances including Baratha Natyam, folk dances, stick dance, Kavadi dance, Silambam, fire eating and juggling as well as cultural performances from Penang’s Malayali, Hindu Sangam, Thai, Penang Baba Nyonya and Eurasian communities.
Ticket prices: FREE
Enquiries: George Town Festival
Tel: 016 – 4644211
E-mail: info@georgetownfestival.com

A month-long "George Town Festival" is inaugurated in conjunction with this year's celebration, featuring over 30 programs throughout the month of July! This is a concerted effort to promote ARTS and HERITAGE in Penang by the Penang State Government, Municipal Council of Penang Island, George Town World Heritage Incorporated and Penang Global Tourism.

Scheduled to be an annual event, George Town Festival opens as a feast of theatre, music, dance, film, arts, food, fashion, photography, inspirational talk and visual spectacle on the streets.

Click here for a full program list of the George Town Festival in pdf.

For further information on Penang, visit the Visit Penang official website.

So if  you have plan to visit Penang, come in July. And don't forget to join our group in Facebook - Penang Has It All.

~PENANG HAS IT ALL!~

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Let's go travel ~ with Princess Cheryl

Come and join my newly created Facebook group - Let's go travel. Shall use this group as a platform to organize trips and outings together!~

Check out for Nuffies who had joined. And you're welcome to upload nice travel photos here, or "shout" for a trip. I'm going to Hanoi/Halong Bay in Feb'08, anyone wanna follow?

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Who wants to go for FREE travel with Princess Cheryl?

Hey the Red Alert is back! Yea, our most popular local breed airline is now offering a chance of winning a 5 days 4 nights FREE TRIP to Gold Coast Australia!!

IT'S TOTALLY FREE!!! You don't have to pay a single cent for air flight, accommodation, ground arrangement and transfer... how great it is!


...if only you win. (o.O)~

For a travel freak like me, for sure I won't miss out the chance. I have planned the itineraries and now I need to think of whom to invite if I won the contest...that's really a difficult decision...

Only 1 winner for the contest but he/she can bring along 3 mates for the FREE trip (free return flight, accom, transfer, ground arrangement...), so who wants to be in my list? =)

My mind is still blank on who to invite. HELP! I can't submit my entry without inviting any friends. Although the one who wins is gonna be really really REALLY a lucky person, but I think I'm most of the time lucky...maybe this time too.

So are you in? Let's hug the Koalas and go for hot air balloon ride together! If you're really eager to go, can leave your email and contact. Or do you want to participate on your own and fight for the chance with me. =p Can invite me as well.

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Let's Triporama!

Let me introduce you one of my favourite webtool - Triporama!

Triporama is the free trip planner & travel guide for groups.

I found this one day when I was searching for a program to organize my coming Phuket escapade at download.com. All the while I never really faced trouble with travelling because all my previous trips only involved my dear & myself, our family members, close friends/coursemates (the staying near to each other ones), or my colleagues.

This Phuket trip is causing me headache because it involves 3 couples staying in different places! Hmm...Firstly Ethan/Michelle, although also staying in Penang, but due to Ethan's job (heavy travelling), we seldom have chance to meet up, and the last time I saw him was during his wedding; then Philip/Angela, this 2 are my friends from Hong Kong, and the last time I met Philip was back in year 2005 when we went for a drink at Knutsford Terrace when we were in Hong Kong! So it's really tough to be able to really have an organized discussion, even through email you'll find it hard to update and record everything. MSN? Yea, we're using that all the while, but it's only to finalize and confirm things on the spot. But luckily I have Triporama to the rescue!

Ok, cut the craps. This is how it works:

1) Register a new account, fill up your details.

2) Click on "Group Trip Planner" and click "Create a new group trip".
Group Trip Planner Features:

• Store and share travel research


• Create an itinerary


• Manage invitations


• Organize and assign tasks


• Conduct a date poll


• Post and review messages


• Coordinate travel details

3) Follow the instructions, fill up all the information and then click "Create Group Trip". And this is how it looks like when you're done...



4) Now you can invite your trip mates to join and from this Group Profile page, you can check the RSVP/Status of your trip mates. And the good thing is, this tool will send reminder to those who didn't respond.



5) And if you still have not set the date of the trip, you can generate a poll by clicking on the "Date Poll" bar. You can choose to send reminder to trip mates when the timeline is over.



6) Go to "Itinerary" to select the start-end date if everyone has finalized on the date, or draft an itinerary for each day of your trip.



7) Next you can use the "Topics" tool to raise questions about the things that need attention from all. Here you can talk about accommodations, budget, activities, etc..



8) Then assign tasks to the people in the group by clicking on the "Tasks" bar.



9) I like this "Bookmarks" tool a lot, because whenever you surf the website for related information, you can actually bookmark the page right away without having to search from the "Favourites" in your Browser. And it is so convinient because everyone in the group can share the same information. It eases decision making!



10) To install the Bookmarks tool, click on the Add Button to Bookmark "On The Fly" and follow instructions given. When it is done, you will see this button in your Browser under "Favourites".

Example for bookmarking a page to your Triporama page:


And the page will appear in your Bookmarks list as shown in #9 above.

11) Lastly you can proceed to post "Messages" to your trip mates. Subject can be chosen. I usually post things that we have agreed and confirmed for everyone's attention. It can be a discussion board for the group, and also act as a record for desicions made.



Planning a trip is easy if you are going alone, but it is a big headache if it involves people from different places. I'm so relieved now as most of our items are done, and we just need to click on the booking buttons to pay for our reservations! And I can't wait to be there sOoN!

A two cents advice: it is always better to plan ahead for accommodations and your itinerary before departure in order to save time and avoid paying even higher price for walk-ins. Especially when you are travelling in a group, looking for a suitable place to stay during your trip may not be that ideal. If you did not do earlier reservation, you might end up having to move from one place to another everyday. That will drag your time in searching for another one, and also wasting time on packing and unpacking; worse comes to worst, missed the schedule for your activities.

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Penang Bridge ~ the landmark of my hometown

All these years I'm crossing the bridge to and fro from Penang Island to mainland Butterworth but all that comes into my mind is ---- TRAFFIC JAM on the bridge. Everyone is trying to avoid the jam especially on Friday after work. Everyday I see my colleagues checking on http://www.penangbridge.blogspot.com/ for the traffic condition before they leave the company. I think that's the last thing most people are doing before the petrol price increased.

Before yesterday, Penang Bridge to me is just a bridge to link the island and the mainland. No doubt it is one of the many architecture wonders of Penang and during my primary school days it ranked the 3rd largest in the world. Now it is still the longest bridge in Asia and 5th largest in the world but being a Penangite, I never have noticed that Penang Bridge is that beautiful...until yesterday.

This is how Penang Bridge looks like in my mind...it's a bridge, and of course I know the construction is kind of magnificient.


In fact, its distinctive design and features won a few awards.

1986 - Grand Award in the United States of America Engineering Excellence Competition sponsored by the Council of Consulting Engineers, Washington.
1993 - FIABCI Special Award (Development and Construction Phase Category) from the International Real Estate Federation of Malaysia.

This is then....when I crossed the bridge yesterday.... I've never knew that it is so damn beautiful!!! OMG!! Did I really captured this photo through my lens? This is my hometown man! No wonder foreigners love Penang. *wink~wink*


Oh...I'm so proud being a Penangite. And I am so ashame not to love my Penang Bridge from the very beginning. But I do from now onwards, and I am promoting it. Read its history.

Well, here are some chronology on the bridge if you're interested to know more:

Early 1970s - The idea to build a bridge linking Seberang Perai to Penang Island was initiated by the late Tun Abdul Razak, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia
End of 1970s - The bridge was planned during the term of third Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn.
23 July 1981 - Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu announced that the Penang Bridge, Penang would be constructed using the cable-stayed concrete girder of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge instead of the steel-tied arch in the style of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
1982 - Construction of the Penang Bridge officially began.
3 August 1985 - Official opening of the Penang Bridge by the fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad. He drove across the bridge in a red Proton Saga (a national car), carrying the national flag to officiate the opening ceremony.
14 September 1985 - Penang Bridge was opened to traffic for the first time.
15 August 1993 - Penang Bridge is now managed by the highway concessionaries Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd
4 April 2007 - A bomb hoax found at the Penang Bridge caused the bridge to close for more than two hours (from 4:30 pm) and reopened to traffic at 7:00 pm after a bomb disposal squad declared it safe.
January 2008 - The upgrading works for the bridge from 4 lanes to 6 lanes has begun.

If you're not, then take another glance at my dear-o-Penang Bridge. It's so beautiful, even at sunset. Few days ago it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yea, this is my land -- Penang -- the Pearl of the Orient.

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Let's EAT & SHOP in Beijing!

If you're going to watch the Olympics game this year, you might try some of the delicacies in Beijing. People used to say that Chinese actually eat anything with its back facing upwards (背朝天，皆可食也). I believe so as my great grandparents could actually enjoy eating some wild animals or even reptiles... yuks!

In Beijing, there's this popular area which is named WangFuJing (王府井). WangFuJing has two very large shopping malls - one at each end of a pedestrianised street (WangFuJing Lu) that often hosts exhibitions and shows. This is also a place where food stalls are famous among westerners for unusual delicacies on offer.

You can find many outdoor cafes during summer time where you can enjoy a cold drink under the shady umbrellas.

From ice blended drinks to ice-cream...



And even a big Coca-Cola kiosk!



This is what I love to eat -- grilled corn!



Summer time is certainly the best time to enjoy food, so make sure you try as much food as you can. There is a street where you can eat all kinds of unusual dishes -- so don't miss it.



From day till night, you get to eat non-stop. The most important thing is you have enough of $$$.



And this is where you have a chance to taste something that you never thought of eating in your whole life.



From afar it's attractive. Look how colourful they are.



Baby sharks, deep fried starfish and sea urchines! Though I love seafood but this is kind of extreme...



Ever thought of chewing a seahorse?



Or maybe try out some grill snakes?



If you are a dog lover, make sure you ask what are those before you buy.





Juicy goat lungs with pepper.



This is interesting -- varieties of fried insects!!



Besides the exotic street food, you can stroll along the night market to hunt for your dinner. There is plenty of good food, not necessary you got to swallow those insects.







If you don't feel like eating, you can still go shopping as WangFuJing street is one of the Chinese capital's most famous shopping streets. It has now become one of China's most attractive and modern boulevards.





Take a walk and enjoy the beautiful night scenery.






Or visit St Joseph's Church at the north end of WangFuJing.



HOW TO GO THERE??

WangFuJing has a station on the Beijing subway network, Line 1 has a station at the southern end of the street, which is a stop away eastbound from TianAnMen Square (TianAnMen West or East Stations).

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