Pick Asia as Your Travel Destination

Japanese Onsen – A Traditional Bathing Experience

Asian Bath

Visiting Japan will be incomplete without visiting an onsen. Onsens are traditional Asian Bath in Japan using natural hot springs which serves as Japanese public baths, and considered as the most unique traditional bath in All of Asia. There are two types of onsen, indoor and outdoor. Even though first visit to onsen might be confusing for first timers, this tradition is worth the effort. Simple guidance below would be useful for your visit to onsen.

Prepare Your Own Onsen Supplies
These are equipments that need to be prepared before you make your first visit to onsen:
- Large towel
- Small towel or usually called as “modesty towel” for covering your private part
- Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)
- Other necessaries toiletries such as toothbrush or razor
Most onsens sell these items, but the price would be a lot cheaper if you buy them at nearest convenience stores. Soap and shampoo are usually the most expensive sold at onsen.

Paying and Changing
Many onsens sell their admittance ticket at vending machine styled dispensers, but these machines mostly using kanji characters. Paying directly at the counter would be a lot simpler. An onsen usually costs 350 to 700 yen or 3 to 7 US Dollars. Onsens are mostly divided into men and women area. Dressing rooms are distinctly differed by its color; green or blue for men, and pink or red for women. If you are uncertain, check with a clerk or at the counter. It will save you from embarrassing situation. Dressing room has cupboards with baskets to store your clothes along with coin lockers to keep your valuables safe. If no lockers provided, front counter can keep them for you.

Before Entering
Before going into the hot bath, clean yourself at the washing area. There are stools provided in front of faucets along with wooden buckets. Fill the wooden bucket with water from faucet to wash yourself clean. There are some modern onsens which provide showers as well. Clean up thoroughly before you go into the hot bath. Shaving should be done after entering the onsen. If you accidentally cut yourself, taking a bath with a bleeding person would be inconvenient and you would be considered as a rude person. Any soap or shampoo should be rinsed cleanly before entering the hot bath. Modesty towel can be brought along, but do not dip the towel into the hot bath. Place the towel aside or put it under your head.

Leaving
After you finished at the hot bath, rinse yourself once again at the washing area, and then return the wooden bucket and stool into their place. Dry yourself with your towel before going back to dressing room to avoid soaking the floor wet, and proceed to dressing room for changing. Thank the front desk’s clerk and head out. Your first onsen would be an exceptional experience when you visiting Japan. Read the rest of this entry »

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Sentosa Island in Singapore

Asia Tourism

Sentosa is an important island in Asia Tourism with the area of five square kilometers located 500 meters from at the Southern end of Singapore which made Singapore the Star of Asia. 70 percent of this island is secondary rainforest, act as the habitat for monkeys, monitor lizard, parrots, peacocks and other native fauna and flora with 3.2 kilometers of coastline. Sentosa along with its neighbor island, Brani play important role as natural protector for Singapore Keppel Harbor, one of the most active harbors in the world from high tide and monsoon.

Sentosa played important part in the past as important military base and was fortified in order to defend the harbor and coal supply. Sentosa was also used as fortress by British Military during the World War II. After the Allied Forces surrendered to Japan on 15 February 1942, Sentosa functioned as war camp to imprison Australian and British prisoners. Sentosa was developed by Singapore Government in 1970 as holiday resort for local tourists and visitors. S$420 million of private funds and S$500 million from government funds was used for that purpose.

Available attractions in Sentosa Island:
Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon: An oceanarium located at the West side of Sentosa. Launched in 1991, this oceanarium’s collection consists of 250 ocean species from different parts in the world. The oceanarium is equipped with 83 meters long travelator moves along the submerged tunnel with glass window where visitors can observe the ocean creatures such as fish, turtle, coral and shark. The Dolphin Lagoon accommodates some humpback dolphins from Indo-Pacific where meet the dolphin session is held daily.
Merlion: This 37 meters structure was opened on 1996 where visitors can view the entire city from its 12^th floor.
Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom: Butterfly Park has the collection of 15,000 butterflies from more than 50 species, while the Insect Kingdom houses approximately 3,000 rare insects’ species from the entire world.
Fort Siloso: This is another tourist attraction on the West side of Sentosa Island. The fort was built in 1880 by the British to protect the narrow Keppel Harbor’s west entrance. Displays include barracks, ammunition bunkers, the fort’s gun emplacements as well as collections of documents, photographs and film. Several New Year’s Eve party such as the Siloso New Year Eve Splash are annually held at Siloso Beach. Read the rest of this entry »

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Asian Cooking and Eating Styles

As the largest continent, Asia Style consists of mixtures from large numbers of cultures. Due to this phenomenon, Asia has numerous wonders within its region. Daily things such as Asian Coins, food and cooking have become part of the Asian culture among other things such as Asian Fashion or Asian Coins.

According to the United Nations, Asia can be divided into five main sub regions; West, Central, South, East and Southeast Asia. Asian Cooking Styles are significantly different on each of these sub regions, and have slight variations in each culture on different countries. One main ingredient, chicken for example, can be cooked in many different ways resulting different tastes. The similarity of Asian cuisines is the wide usage of spices and herbs on most recipes.

Steaming is one among many popular ways to cook used in Asia. Steaming will preserve most of the nutrients contained within food. Steaming is mainly used by Chinese, Korean and Japanese.

Another amazing way to maintain nutrient within food is by eating it raw. For example, sashimi in Japanese cuisine where fish is serves in raw condition. Other groups in Asian culture eat raw vegetables along with chili sauce. This kind of eating is really a good way to appreciate the meal. These are some of healthy Asian eating habits.

Chili is mostly used in Thai, Malay and Indonesian recipes. Aside from its spicy effect, chili can also easily mix along with other spices to create a wonderful dish. Chili is an important ingredient used in many Asian cuisines such as Indian’s green and red curry, Thai’s Tom Yam and Japanese curry noodles. Food’s color is important in the term of variety in nutrient’s content.

Experience the Asian culture and hospitality through the exceptional Asian cuisines, cooking and their eating habits.

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