Luxury and convenience are limitless at Sherwood Taipei Hotel, Taiwan. Every guest ranging from a corporate executive to a sight seeing explorer prefer  Sherwood Taipei Hotel to enjoy the luxurious moments during their stay at Taiwan. This premier hotel is just a 5 minutes walk from MRT station and 1.4 km from Breeze center while Taipei 101 Skyscraper is 3.2 kms away from Sherwood. The world class hospitality, opulent amenities and personalized services available in Sherwood Taipei makes it the desirable destination of every business and leisure traveler. Sherwood Taipei takes a pride to be the first five star hotel in Taiwan and welcomes every traveler to enjoy the slice of luxury at Taiwan. Halt at Sherwood Taipei Hotel to experience the finest of facilities in the premium rooms and suites.

Sherwood Taipei Hotel gives you the choice of Superior rooms and Suites which not only provide a tranquilized ambience, but also come well equipped with wide array of facilities comprising minibar, refrigerator, deluxe bathroom, television sets, and Jacuzzi including voice mail facilities.

All the rooms and suites are truly luxurious and convenient, thus you can select the room as per your convenience and budget.

Sherwood Taipei Hotel offers the best dining facilities at its restaurants where guests can savor on wide range of delicacies ranging from Chinese Dum Sum, Taiwanese soups and la minute Sushi. Whether you visit B-one, Toscana or Yi Yuan, you will always gain an enlightening experience in every cuisine served by these restaurants. If you love Italian delicacies, then you get the privilege to relish on Italian cuisines at Toscana, the delightful restaurant which serves everything right from Italian food, sea food to creamy desserts. If you want to relax and enjoy the exotic sips of cocktails, then Henry’s bar gives you the convenience to relish on cocktails and light meals served by the hotel staff.

Especially for business travelers, this luxurious hotel provides meeting room facilities where they conveniently host their business events. This premier hotel of Taiwan also has a business center, well furnished with facilities like secretarial service, personal computers, laser color printer, fax and video conference facilities.

You can also discover wide array of recreational facilities at Sherwood Taipei Hotel which comprise fitness center, swimming pool, sauna and rejuvenating spa. The dedicated concierge staff at Sherwood Taipei Hotel takes optimum care of the guests’ right from providing limousine pick up, valet parking till their check out.

Situated at 111 Min Sheng E Road, Sherwood Taipei Hotel is a perfect abode to spend a luxurious holiday with your family. Come; be ready to enjoy the slice of luxury at Sherwood Taipei Hotel, Taiwan.

Most of the tourists catch the cable car from the Tung Chung from where each car holds some 17 people of which only 10 can seat. So, if you want to seat, make a prior request for it. Once the journey starts, you will have a very different treat – outstanding vistas of the Lantau’s greens and the South China’s blues offering a cool, but breathtaking rejuvenation. In short, you grab a unique chance of a bird eye’s view of the most overlooked forest of the nation. Once you reach the Ngong Ping Village that is the docking terminal of the cable car, you will be proud to wonder at the one of the most majestic highlights – a big bronze Buddha statue amidst the trees, which belongs to the Po Lin Monastery. This is the Tian Tan Buddha that measures 110 feet in height and more than 200 tons in weight. Who will like to miss this jaw dropping power of architecture?

Besides the above attraction, the Ngong Ping village is not that exciting. Planned to be cultural hamlet holding a theater and tea house, it is actually a land of some shops now, but with the street entertainers that are most loved by the kids.

Cost

If you want a round trip on the Ngong Ping, be ready to spend as much as HK$96 per adult as well as HK$48 per child (under 11). Now, this does include anything for the Buddha visit, as that is for free. There is also something called a package deal that will allow your entry to the village highlights. This will cost you HK$159 and HK$80.

Problem

High winds leading to unfavorable weather is a persistent issue, which have resulted in several stoppages as well as cancellations. So, just do not take a chance on a windy day. It would be better to call ahead.

Arriving at the Tung Chung Terminal – the starting point

MTR is the easiest way whose Tung Chung line (Orange) offers trains from two stations namely Kowloon and Hong Kong and take one direct to the Tung Chung Town Centre. From the Hong Kong station, it will take you only half an hour to reach Tung Chung from where the terminal is accessible via MTR’s exit B.

MTR will not be your choice if you are planning to reach the terminal directly from the airport. Then, catch a blue Lantau taxi that for 10 minutes itinerary will charge you somewhere around HK$30. You can also catch the cable car directly from the Ngong Ping Village. To reach here, the bus numbered 23 from the Tung Chung Town is preferred. Alternatively, 11 number bus is also good from the Tai O Ferry Pier.

Outdoor exhibits

Here, there was a ‘Formosan’ zone of animals where you can spot the native fauna of the Taiwan island, children’s zoo, a fern garden, Asian tropical rainforest animals, insect valley, desert animals, water garden, African animals, Australian animals, bird world, wetland park, and temperate zone animals. As we have gone on a rainy day, the most stunning one was the hippo exhibit – something that is next to the Serengeti’s hippos. A large pond full of hippos as well as the small ones hanging out just above is mind blowing scene for the animal lovers.

Indoor exhibits

This is where you can enjoy exploring an educational center, children’s theatre, insectarium, koala house, the conservation corridor, special exhibit house, cool energy conservation house, nocturnal animal house, amphibian house, penguin house, and reptile house. The top draws here for us was a group of cute pandas pulling many visitors during the peak season and the koala house where each was on a different tree.

I would recommend a visit to the Taipei Zoo to all those who fear visiting the Asian zoos as here the Asian habitat is very well exhibited. Further, it is perfect for the families due to the plenty of fun, cool gardens, welcoming animals, and extra zones for children to rest and run while the parents walk on the broad paths. And yes, the bird section is truly a paradise for those who love the birds with over 1000 birds. Coming here in rains is 100% fun deal as this natural pour do not really bother much!

Admission

NT$60 per adults

NT$30 per kids (6 to 12)

Free for the rest kids

Timings

9 am to 5 pm daily

Metro station

MRT Taipei Zoo Station

Facilities

• Visitor Center & Information Service (from here, you must take an English map)
• Wheelchair and stroller amenities
• First aid
• Lockers
• Shuttle train
• Nursing rooms

• Gondola
• Souvenir shops
• Restaurants and concessions
• Toilets with animal educational panels.

Start your tour by exploring the four main beaches that are connected by concrete roads. All of the beaches in Ko Lipe are admired for shallow, pristine, and tranquil water facilitating not only swimming but also more water sports. Pattaya Beach in the south is the most famous one where you can find several places to stay and eat. Near the Chao Ley hamlet in the east is the Sunrise Beach housing some resorts, shops, and small eateries. In the north facing the Lipe channel is the Karma Beach with a single resort; while the west features the Sunset Beach facing the sunset as the name suggest, which is relatively small.

At the beaches, expect kayaking, lounging, diving, and snorkeling. You can rent a Kayak from the different locations on the beach and can plan of spending two days in exploring the healthy reef as well as marine life. Snorkeling and diving sites will make you explore all that you desire. Snorkel equipment is offered on rent from most of the resorts. Much of the dive shops are nestled on the Sunrise beach such as: the Adang Sea Divers featuring experienced and multilingual instructors; 1 to 3 dives from a speedboat daily; PADI, SDI & Nitrox courses; night diving; and specialized underwater photography, Castaway Divers offering the same features for diving, but with small groups for 2500 baht and also providing snorkel trips for only 650 baht (lunch & equipment), and Forra Diving featuring both diving as well as snorkeling for only 2500 baht for 2 dives and 500 baht (lunch & equipment). Consistently gets great reviews from divers.

It is very exciting to enjoy day trips to the different islands in the Tarutao National Park. This is one of the top draws in Ko Lipe for half or full day. A majority of the resorts schedule tours and offer drivers for the convenience of their guests. Among the group of 70 islands, do at least see the Ko Rawi as well as Ko Adang featuring waterfalls and scenery and the wonderful Hin Ngnam famous for its spiritual traces. If you want some adventure, leave behind the boat trip and start hiking on one of the suitable footpaths around Ko Lipe to explore these neighboring islands.

How about a batik course on Ko Lipe? Yes, try something different in front of the Lipe Resort to make your wonderful Batik. Traditional massages are also offered by a myriad of resorts here delivering relaxing remedies. And yes, in the middle of the island, do look for the small Buddhist Temple.

It is necessary for you to know that no ATM exists here. The Bundhaya Resort provides best deals for Euro, Dollars, Ringgit, and Pounds; but it is still less. On the main street, the Internet cafe offers the facility of changing the traveler’s cheques at good exchange rates. VISA or Mastercard is accepted at Pooh’s (8%), Varin Resorts (7%), and Internet cafe (5%).

Eating

• Sunrise restaurant at the Sunrise beach – budget Thai food
• Pancake Lady on the Island Center – Most delicious pancakes in Thailand are here with differing fillings such as like banana and chocolate
• Flour Power Bakery on the Sunset Beach – Excellent banana cake, western breakfasts, sandwiches, and cinnamon buns

Accommodations

• Barracuda Bar and Bungalows in Pattaya beach – From 300 baht
• Baan Porn Guesthouse behind Varin Resort – From 500 baht – November to May
• Bonus Resort in the island’s heart – From 500 baht
• Bundhaya Resort – Pattaya beach – From 600 baht

Best time to visit

High season is from November to May during which daily ferries from the mainland as well as several islands halt here. The peak season is from December to February, while the low season (green season) is from May to November. The latter one is the good time for the budget travelers who would admire 50% discount offers as well as the lonely beaches welcoming them

Reaching Ko Lipe

Daily ferries from Pak Barra on the mainland take you to Ko Lipe from May until November. You can also come from Phuket or Langkawi via the Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club.

The Bandara Soekarno Hatta airport first began operating in the year 1985; and this was when it replaced the Kemayoran Airport which had been the working in Central Jakarta, and another airport called the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport which is located in the Eastern part of Jakarta. Kemayoran has shut down, and Halim Perdanakusuma continues to be in operation, and is mostly serving charters and military flights.

According to a survey taken by Forbes Traveler in the year 2004, the Soekarno Hatta came in on number 6 for being punctual airports around the world. Almost 86% of its flights depart on time and almost 72% arrive in time. The number got better in 2009, when the Airport moved up from 6th spot to 2nd spot, worldwide.

Terminals:

The airport has a land area of about 18,000,000 square meters. There are two different runway strips and three main terminal buildings.

• Terminal 1 – Domestic flights only
• Terminal 2 – International flights and Domestic flights of Garuda Airlines
• Terminal 3 – Domestic flights only

The Bandara Soekarno Hatta International Airport has about 150 check-in counters and 30 baggage carousels. With 42 gates, this is one seriously busy airport.

Airport Hotel:

The Soekarno Hatta International Airport has provided one hotel which is supported by the Sheraton Hotel. This hotel can be found on the left side of the main airport gate. The hotel is popularly known as being the perfect choice for a transit hotel. It is a four storey building which boasts of about 220 guest rooms and suites. Each of these rooms are sound proofed and are equally well equipped with air conditioning that can be individually controlled.

Lounges:

There are 4 first and business class Lounges that are available at the Transit Lounge at the departure area. The JAS (Jasa Angkasa Semesta) Lounge is available to passengers of Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Qantas, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Eva Air, and Singapore Airlines. The Pura Indah Lounge is available for passengers flying with KLM, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Even if you decide to slide down the 100 meters slide on the side, your skin will remain intact, and this area goes by the name ‘Natural Surfing Pool’.

Baizhangji Water Curtain Cave:

This phenomenon is said to be ranked among the top 5 water curtain caves across China. The water square is said to boast of a magnificent waterfall on the front; which is about 150 meters high; and has a width of about 20 meters. It is said to be characterized by very wide coverage. Almost 100 people can be admitted at the same time. Tourists can get into the cave without really getting wet; and this is what makes the experience all the more special.

Buddha in the clouds:

The water square here is also home to the peak which resembles Buddha in a lying position, while he holds his palms in front of his face. The views of the Buddha like peak, with a rock which looks exactly like Kwan-yin in a sitting position on his lotus seat is what makes for the popularity of the region.

Fairies and Feasts:

If you take a look at the four ponds that are part of the valley, they will end up looking like four huge cauldrons that are connected to each other; and there is a sort of interlinking which brings the air flues together; and they come together as a string of beads that are part of a Ding Pond. The pond is famous for the number of mandarin ducks sighted there.

If you have zeroed in on Hong Kong to be one of your holiday destinations this time around, let us help you with the markets you need to be visiting to ensure that you’re shopping right.  This region is bustling with extremely colorful markets and is known to be an integral part of even the local lifestyle and culture.  But these markets sure are a haven for tourists who can bargain here and take away a lot more than they’d carried bags for.

Here’s a list of some of the most important and according to us worth-a-try markets in Hong Kong.

Ladies Market:

This one is probably the most famous market in the whole of Hong Kong and is known to be the best when it comes to those of us who are visiting tourists. This is perhaps the best place to soak in the hustle and the bustle of a Chinese market. The name of this market is extremely deceptive; since they actually sell goods catering to both men and women here.  This is an important landmark when it comes to a market that buzzes in the trade of fakes and copies.

Temple Street Market:

This is a night market which is mainly into selling gadgets and electronic items, and is known to include a wide-range of second hand mobiles. The streets that surround the market undergo a transformation at night, and turn into a big, open-air restaurant and the street food sellers thrive on these extremely hungry shoppers.

Stanley Market:

Stanley Market is known to be the perfect place for beginners in Hong Kong shopping to begin. This market is geared towards the tourists who hunt for souvenirs.  This market seems to lack the real tumble-jumble of the city markets and it definitely lacks the spirit of hardcore haggling.  This wouldn’t mean that it isn’t worth a visit.  The gifts are typically Chinese in style and the ‘I Love Hong Kong’ souvenirs are a must buy, especially for your friends and family back home. This would make for a fair ground if you want to test your bargaining skills before you unleash the smarter you upon the other markets of Hong Kong.

Business Card Market:

This is, perhaps, one of the most fascinating one lane markets that we came across. It is clogged with people who sell nothing but business cards and deal with a few other company chops. The Business card market sure has to be a vibrant market, given the fact that almost everyone who is anyone in the city seems to have a card to flash. Bring along your USB flash drive or CD and give your design to the seller. Or you could even let him design one for you. You’ll have your card ready in less than a day or two.

Wan Chai Street Market:

This market falls under the category of big outdoor markets on the island of Hong Kong. Wan Chai street market is known to sell a variety of almost everything  – from Chinese clothes, to kid’s toys – this is your one stop shop for almost everything that you intended purchasing before you left Hong Kong. The locals still shop here and that is one reason why the prices remain fair.

Golden Shopping Arcade:

This is probably the best computer market in the whole of Hong Kong; and hence, it’s no surprise that it sees a lot of competition. This arcade is known to be flogging the best that there is in computer technology and it does so at relatively fair prices.  The arcade is almost like a maze and the chronic crowds do not help to make things better. The sellers are also known to get aggressive.  So you may want to keep these things in mind before you set foot there with kids and family.

Not all of the Turkish men are blessed with moustaches.

Believe it or not, not all the men in Turkey will have moustaches lacing their faces. The members of the yesteryears, the ones from the older generation, are likely to have moustaches adorning their faces; whereas the younger ones may have preferred giving it a snip. They are more likely to be sporting a look that is clean-shaven.

Turkey has no camels.

When you step right outside a holiday resort in Turkey, it is a common sight to see a couple of camels that sit outside, lined up strategically. They might almost look like tourist attractions; and they sit there waiting to be photographed. Just like apple tea is great with tourists, so are camels. Believe it or not, Turkey isn’t blessed (or otherwise) with a desert. It doesn’t even have any camels that are native to this region.

Every meal has a barbeque opportunity wrapped within it.

When in Turkey, the grill can be used at any time in the day – be it lunch, dinner or breakfast. Picnics are extremely popular with the Turks and they love what is called a mangal – it is a portable barbeque.

You will also find restaurants that are devoted to this entire barbeque format. These are called kendin pisir kendi ye, which roughly translates to cook it yourself and devour it yourself. They will get you a plate of raw meat and a barbeque that has been pre-heated; and as they say, the rest is up to you.

Turkish is the official language.

Turkish is the only official language of this land. There are other languages used, but they are primarily used by the minority groups (Arabic and Kurdish).

Turkish people are extremely hospitable.

If you’ve known a Turk for only over half an hour and he invites you home, you needn’t panic. This is normal behavior for them.

Turks are said to be extremely friendly and hospitality is a virtue. As a guest or misafir, you are highly valued. A lot of people will consider it honorable to accept any kind of invitation that they place in front of you. Once you step inside their house, be prepared to be showered with a lot of food and cupfuls of cay or strong black Turkish coffee.

Turks are an inquisitive lot.

When a Turk meets you for the first time, he is likely to ask questions like:

What country do you come from?

Are you married?

Who all are there in your family?

What’s your age?

Is your wife Turkish?

Do you have kids?

For someone who comes from an individualistic culture, wherein the people around you aren’t really into asking you so many questions, might believe that these questions are extremely personal. But the Turks are much more comfortable discussing details such as these.

Visit Shanghai now, and you’ll be able to partake in the ‘Expo 2010, Shanghai‘. China has always been a forerunner in the world of technology; and this Expo just helps take it one step further. The best thing about the venue this year is that, never before has the World Expo been conducted in a developing country. This definitely comes as hope for the other nations that fall under this purview. Plus, it also helps in throwing light on the fact that China is going places.

When?

The Expo commenced on the 1st of May, and 31st October 2010 will mark its end. Located at the Waterfront of the Huangpu river; most of the displays are put up between the Nanpu Bridge and Lupu bridge stretch in downtown Shanghai.

The Seed Cathedral

There has always been some jaw-dropping competition between the different pavilions at World Expos. This year, however, one of the most interesting show-stoppers this year has been the ‘seed cathedral‘ that has been created by the UK pavilion. The creator of the design is Thomas Heatherwick and the result was a spectacular studio made up of seed-tipped optic fiber glass. On the outside, it seems like the most extraordinary structure that you’d have ever seen; but the inside has even more to offer.

What is the Seed Cathedral all about?

It is a sculpture that has been built by a conglomeration of nine members, who come from the British business and government resources. It has been helmed by designer Thomas Heatherwick. The reference point for the structure was the race to save seeds from around the world in seed banks. Kew Gardens in London have come out with the Millennium Seedbank project; the mission of which is to collect seeds from 25% of the world’s plant species. The year 2020 will mark the deadline for the completion of 25%.

The millions of seeds used to create this structure have been outsourced from China’s Kunming Institute of Botany. They’re partners in the Kew Gardens project. As you walk through the interior gallery of this studio, you will be amazed at the view that hits you. Tens of thousands of points of light illuminate the rods of fibre glass, giving you a spectacular view of their seed-tipped ends.

Heatherwick says that almost 3 quarters of the materials used for building the UK pavilion have been sourced from within a 300 km radius around Shanghai.

In the future

Just like dandelion seeds get blown away, the Seed Cathedral‘s optic hair (which comes up to a staggering number of 60,000) will be distributed to various schools in China and UK.

Make sure that you visit the Shanghai Expo if you’re planning a trip to the Far east before October ends. The Expo, by itself, has a lot to offer. The Seed Cathedral just makes it even more worth it.

The foremost fact among the facts about the Great Wall of China is not only the wall was made for defense, but also the other features of it such as beacon towers, passes, forts and other things.

Only the great wall wasn’t enough to keep the enemies entering China, so other facilities were constructed along the wall. The job of the great wall was protecting the country from the inside as well as outside invaders 24/7. There were many times, when soldiers had to guard on the great wall twenty-four hours as well as entire a week.

To allow the troops to pass and exit the wall, passes were constructed. Soldiers would go away from the wall to do investigation work for instance gathering information of potential foe movements. Without the needed time to get ready, the Great Wall of China likely to be ineffective as a defensive measure.

Beacon towers lit up like a row that is why they were required. The sight of beacon being lit up is very wonderful; one beacon then only to its next beacon would light. If you have seen the movie “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” where all the beacon towers were lit up one by one, it just look the same as on the Great Wall of China.

Since soldiers would spend most of their time on the great wall, they needed place to rest, storage place for grains and water, weaponries, etc. For all these things to store and place to stay for soldiers, forts were built along the great wall.

The Great Wall of China protected several fronts with the growth of civilization as well as the expansion of the country’s economic. The others facts about the Great Wall of China are that it protected the Silk Road, which was the key land en route linking Europe and Asia. The bandits were always on alert for the passers by, as majorly, valued goods were transported through this route and the Great Wall of China protected expensive goods from the bandits.

The Great Wall of China is as old as the country’s past history itself. Even under other future dynasties rule, the great wall was always maintained and renovated or broadened. The Great Wall measures 50,000 kilometers.

The other main Facts about the Great Wall of China:

• The Great Wall of China was erected in the 7th century B.C, when the nation was separated into several tiny states.
• It was constructed under the rule of Ming Dynasty who ruled China for three centuries.
• Today, it is the nation’s major historic monument. And government has also taken some measures to protect and maintain the Great Wall of China.

These are few facts about the Great Wall of China that will impress you by its formation and its existence.