Naveen Marasinghe asked:


Resounding the meaning behind its name that means ‘Peace & Tranquillity’, Sentosa Island indeed provides just that. One of Singapore’s major tourist attractions, this island resort offers a wonderland of fun filled entertainment and utmost rest & relaxation.

Sentosa Island not only entwines history and culture into leisure, but also does so effectively in order for guests and visitors to experience maximum indulgence. When arriving onto the island, take in the breathtaking beauty of this wondrous island, as the lush greenery welcomes you to partake in all the merriment. This island resort is home to Fort Siloso, thus capturing the history of Singapore’s involvement in World War II, where this was the location of one of the British military bastions. Furthermore, Sentosa Island is also home to a two-kilometre golden sandy beach, two golf courses as well as two luxury hotels. The impending development of the Resort Worlds, which is said to feature the Universal Studios Theme Park, is greatly anticipated to become a great source of leisure for Singaporeans as well as the people around the world.

With many diverse fun-filled attractions strewn across the entire island, there is much to do and experience on Sentosa Island. Some of the key attractions include Tiger Sky Tower, Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon, Songs of the Sea and Fort Siloso. The Tiger Sky Tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in Asia and offers beholders great views of Sentosa, Singapore as well as the Southern Islands. Other attractions which allows vibrant activities include Sentosa 4D Magix, Sentosa CineBlast, Sentosa Luge & Skyride which will have guests and beholders mesmerised by the vibrancy of each attraction. Other attractions on this island resort include the Merlion statue, which stands tall at 37 metres, and Sijori Wondergolf, which is a miniature golf park, equipped with 54 landscaped greens and 18-hole courses.

Take time to visit this magnificent island resort while staying at a quaint hotel in Singapore such as Copthorne Orchid Hotel Singapore, which offers cosy accommodation and many modern conveniences.



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

david123 asked:


Should guilty seek asylum here,

Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.

Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,

All his past sins are to be washed away.

The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;

And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.

In this world this edifice has been made;

To display thereby the creator’s glory.

Those are transliteration of the lines on The Taj Mahal uttered by their creator, the great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Inspiring poets and painters through the ages, this mausoleum is considered the best showcase of Mughal architecture, a style that fuses elements from Persian, Ottoman, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. It has given rise to a thousand myths and legends, most of them, of course, are unsubstantiated by evidence.

Some of the main myths about the Taj Mahal, Agra are:

* Myth behind the Name of Taj Mahal

* Black Taj Mahal Myth

* Sinking Taj Mahal Myth

* Asymmetrical Taj Mahal Myth

* Taj Mahal a Rajput Palace Myth

* Taj Mahal a Shiva Temple Myth

* Demolition of the Taj Mahal Myth

* Theft in Taj Mahal Myth

* Mutilations in Taj Mahal Myth

* Third Graves Set In Taj Mahal Myth

* Beating the silhouette of the finial Myth

Among these some of the myths are so universal that they deserve a mention in some details. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, one of the first European visitors to the Taj Mahal originated the enduring myth that Shah Jahan planned a mausoleum to be built for him in black marble across the Yamuna River. It was suggested that Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb before it could be built.

The appalling details of deaths, dismemberments and mutilations allegedly inflicted by Shah Jahan on various architects and craftsmen connected with the tomb are unsupported by evidence. Some stories allege that those engaged in construction signed contracts committing themselves to have no part in any similar design but such claims are made for many illustrious buildings.

Another myth claims that beating the silhouette of the finial will cause water to come forth; some believe it to this day and officials often get broken bangles around the silhouette.

All these legends of the Taj Mahal of India have added to its curiosity factor, attracting more and more tourists to this fascinating monument, aptly described by Rabindranath Tagore as

“a tear-drop…upon the cheek of time”.

Tourists coming to experience this monument to Love have a mind boggling number of options to stay at. Hotels in Agra come in every shape size and economic category, from the ultra luxurious Oberoi Amarvilas and ITC Mughal to the very homely yet comfortable Amar Yatri Niwas.



Visit Singapore!

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


The administrative, commercial, and industrial center of the Central Wales, Dubbo is an enchanting town located in the central west region of the New South Wales in Australia. Set on the magnificent Macquarie River and located at the intersection of Golden, Mitchell, and Newell Highways, Dubbo is within easy reach of some of the prominent destinations.

Dubbo is only five hour drive from Canberra and Newcastle, six hours drive from Sydney, and roughly nine hours drive from Melbourne. Further, via commercial aircraft, Dubbo is less than an hour’s travel from Sydney.

Sometimes, Dubbo is regarded as the New South Wale’s crossroads, from where you can drive to any direction including east, west, north, and south. About 40000 years ago, the area was believed to have been inhabited by the Australian aboriginals. From 1818, the destination came to be known as Dubbo. For Dubbo’s development from a typical city to a modern settlement, the credit goes to John Oxley - the first European to tour the city.

With transport and storage industry as its prime source of growth, Dubbo is credited to be the only city in the Orana region that has been developed over the years as a prominent service center. Many such important towns as Cobar, Warren, Wellington, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett, Brewarrina, and Bourke, lean on Dubbo for several goods and services.

Since Dubbo as well as the Orana region has a wealth of potentials, the destination provide great base for secured economic growth and investment. A couple of significant developments have been completed in recent times, such as Dubbo City Airport Terminal, Western Plains Cultural Center, Apex Oval Grandstand, John Gilbert Water Treatment Plant, and Dubbo City Council - Civic Administration Building.

As a significant tourist destination of the New South Wales (NSW), Dubbo provides a feast of attractions. The prime draw of Dubbo is undoubtedly the world famous Western Plains Zoo, which is the largest open range zoo in the country. This extraordinary, 300 hectare zoo is home to more than 800 animals from different parts of the world such as Asia, Australia, Africa, and North America.

Among which many are endangered species such as white rhinoceros, the Bengal tiger, and Galapagos turtle. Animals in the zoo also include African specialties such as giraffes, hippos, zebras, lions, cheetahs, and elephants. The zoo’s other popular highlights are ring tailed lemurs, antelopes, and echidnas.

A part of the Dubbo City Tourist Park - Dubbo Military Museum is another popular attraction in Dubbo. This is a unique museum artifacts dating back to the period of the Second World War. On display are an array of tanks, planes, guns, uniforms, documents, and a number of other accessories that were used during the world war.

Also, don’t miss attractions such as Old Dubbo Goal, where one can spectacle programs related to the history of punishment, crime, law, and order. For fun and recreation, take a tour to Big M Tourist Park with an 18-hole golf course and a number of science-related attractions.

If you are a nature lover, your tour to Dubbo would not be complete without taking a tour to Jinchilla Gardens, a tranquil garden set amid a tall timbered forest. To have a breathtaking view of Dubbo’s spectacular night sky, a visit to the observatory would be a great experience. Other not to miss attractions in Dubbo are Wellington Caves & Phosphorous mine, the Clay Pan Galleries, Dubbo Museum & History Centre, Red Earth Galleries, Dubbo Golf Club, Dubbo Turf Club, and Reading’s Cinema Complex.

Above all, taking a Heritage Walk would be great to explore some of the historical building in the city, including the Courthouse and a range of old churches.

In order to make your stay in the city memorable as well as enjoyable, a good number of hotels and other accommodation options are available in Dubbo. Many of them offer superb rooms attached with high-end amenities and comforts. Some even provide opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking vistas of the city and that staying within the comforts of your own rooms or suites.

Further, they make available almost all facilities in order to enjoy your vacation in Dubbo. Browsing through the internet or leaning on such sources as travel magazines and reviews written by real users can help you find an accommodation in Dubbo that go with your budget and unique requirements.



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated places in the world, is famous for its charm and diverse culture. The residents here lead different way of life and the society is contemporary and capitalistic. Even though the people still follow the Chinese tradition. It is considered as one of the world’s vibrant cities since the olden days.

The history of the place has some connection with the Opium War. In the middle of nineteenth century, Great Britain colonized the island. In 1898, an agreement was signed and the city was handed over to British for 99 years. But by 1984, British agreed to give back Hong Kong to China.

Hong Kong is considered as one of the most popular tourist attraction around the world. The city is small but lively with a fantastic night life which is akin to the Caribbean. The city is situated near India and Philippines and is one of the best English speaking areas in Asia.

You can enjoy several mouth-watering cuisines in the region including Chinese, Indian, Mughalai, and international cuisines. Unique Chinese dishes like special dim sum are very tasty. You can also taste other Chinese specialties like chicken lo mein, fried whole trout, Peking duck, stuffed scallops, tofu dishes, mouth-watering Tong Cho oysters, and exotic seafood plates of soft-shell crab topped with crawfish tails.

There are several McDonald’s outlets and Western-style restaurants for American and European food. When compared to other tourist locations around the world, this destination is a bit expensive. If you want to reduce your cost of living in Hong Kong, you have to choose dormitories for stay and eat budget meals, usually Chinese dishes, instead of going to other big fancy restaurants. As it is a shopping paradise, it is difficult to resist your desire to buy. So it is better to embrace your money, if you do not need to overspend.

Hong Kong is well known for its thriving service industry and most of the residents are working in either banking, telecommunications, insurance or tourism. It is also popular for its entertainment industry and is considered as the Movie capital of Asia.

As it is both a modern and ancient city, you can find places to stay with out any problem when visiting Hong Kong. Accommodation facilities come in all types of excellence, shapes and prices. Cheap youth hostels with standard amenities and five star luxury hotels with luxurious facilities are offered.

Most of the luxurious facilities are available in Hong Kong Island, the central area of the city. For people looking for cheap accommodation, Kowloon and the New territories offer diverse sources. You can also find hostels in Hong Kong Island. As Hong Kong is a major transportation hub of Asia, it can cater to all budgets.

Hong Kong has a varied mix of characters as a result of lengthy British occupation and a great Chinese influence. The place has a lot to offer tourists around the world; this is the reason why more and more people visit this place year round. Situated in Kowloon, Hong Kong Museum of Art is the best place for history buffs. The Museum houses more than 14,000 items including paintings, calligraphy Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques and lithographs.

Hong Kong Disneyland, the fist Disneyland in Asia, offers an enchanting experience to the travelers and natives alike. The park features four main attractions, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA. You can have a view of the entire city from Victoria Peak which is situated around 1810 feet above sea level. Take a cruise around the water of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this water.

Have great fun in Ocean Park which is one of the great attractions in the city. The park houses Lowlands Gardens, Marine Land and Headlands amusement park where you can go and have a ride with cable cars and roller coasters. Have fun with your kids in Water World’s wave pools, play area, and water slides.

Hong Kong Space Museum is another major attraction in the city. It features several displays including robotics, telecommunications, energy, computers, and physics. Middle Kingdom, The Central district, Lamma Island, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery and Wet Market are also worth a visit. Plan your next vacation to this vibrant city now itself.



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

mickle asked:


The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country in South East Asia with a population of more than fifteen million people. The kingdom’s capital and largest city is Phnom Penh. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries. A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer," though the latter strictly refers to ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction, but the country also has a substantial number of predominantly Muslim Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes. The country borders Thailand to its west and northwest, Laos to its northeast, and Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south it faces the Gulf of Thailand. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong river (colloquial Khmer: Tonle Thom or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap ("the fresh water lake"), an important source of fish.

Cambodia’s main industries are garments, tourism, and construction. In 2007, foreign visitors to Angkor Wat numbered more than 4 million. Any list of Cambodia’s tourist attractions should have the following in them:

The Virachey National Park in Cambodia - It lies along the boundaries of Vietnam and Laos. This national park was set up to counter the avoidable abuse and ruin of natural biodiversity.

Yeak Laom Volcanic Lake - One of the well -known Cambodia tourist attractions, it was formed due to volcanic eruption. This lake and its forested surroundings is one of the most scenic spots in the Cambodian region of Ratanakiri.

Bokor National Park - Another one of the well-known tourist destinations in Cambodia, this national park is the last refuge to many rare species like the tiger and the elephant. The breathtaking beauty of Vietnamese and Cambodian coastal line can be admired from its lofty heights.

Kompong Luong - Among the other Cambodia tourist attractions, this floating village is worth viewing. Popular for its scenic setup with its vivid shops, restaurants, and petrol stations- all floating on the Great Lake, Kompong Luong is indeed a great experience in itself. The Tonle Sap Lake, the gigantic dumbbell shaped fresh water lake forms a picturesque background to it.

Kampong Cham - One of the top tourist destinations in Cambodia, it is one of those sites, which reflects the real charm of this nation’s cultural heritage along with Preah Vihear, Cambodia ‘s ancient temple site.

Angkor Archaeological Park - The jewel in the crown of all tourist attractions in Cambodia is this international landmark. Placed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, this archeological spot has immense historical and archeological significance. The Angkor Wat Temple, the Bayon Temple and the Angkor Thom are the main attractions of Angkor Archeological Park.

Cambodia offers not only such breathtaking sights but also ultra comfortable accommodation to the all that flock to it to behold its majestic beauty. Although the price range of the hotels in Cambodia is pretty large yet the comfort found even in the budget hotels are quite endearing. Some of the luxury hotels known for their services and amenities are Borei Bokor Hotel Kampot, Prince D’Angkor hotel Siem Reap, Cambodiana hotel Phnom Penh. While Steung Siem Reap hotel and Goldiana hotel Phnom Penh are for those who are more budget conscious.

 



Entertainment Center

keerti mallela asked:


The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its

origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been

in existence since time immemorial. Being a primeval science, this medicinal

system has been known to man since the early days of his time on Earth. Using

natural ingredients to prevent and cure most illnesses has perhaps been man’s greatest foray into medical science. Traditional medical practitioners aimed at prevention of diseases associated with an increase in resistance of the human body. As an expert rightly pointed out, “The study of the history of alternative medicine is fascinating on a variety of levels, not just concerning other and often better ways of preserving and restoring health.”

 

Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like

Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. Alternative medicine branches

out from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and

therapies. CAM is often combined with formal, conventional medicine, integrating

both medical practices, in order to give the best results to patients. It can be said that

the earlier methods of medicine were attempted at achieving a balance between bodily

and natural energy. Energies were sought as positive and negative energies, where

positive energies were to bring in happiness and health and negative energies an

incapacitation of resistance to face any ailments. Matters of utmost importance in

deciding therapies or treatments in these earlier medical systems were factors like

one’s lifestyle, one’s habits of eating and one’s occupational pressures.

 

The earliest use of traditional remedies dates back to 2800 BC in China.

Practised all over the world in more than a hundred disciplines, alternative medicine

has aided medical tourism in an unprecedented manner. Using alternative medicine

and following alternative medical practices not only removes any possible additional

affects of the illness but also increases the resilience of the body. It is generally

claimed that natural remedies are not only less inimical to human physiology

but they also help in retaining body pliancy. Systems of natural, traditional

medicines use a combination of ingredients to restore the bodily constituents. In

fact, natural remedies are considered more as food, given their natural constituents.

Since alternative medicine is based on completely natural methods and there is

no usage of any chemicals, there is no danger of any interference with the organic

system. A holistic approach as opposed to looking at a set of symptoms and a

treatment that delves into the root-cause of an illness are some of the distinct and

highly acknowledged features of alternative medicine. It is also opined that

widespread use of modern medicine has deteriorated the immune system in the

human physiology and has resulted in these modern medicines becoming less

effective. It is also often said that alternative medicine is the only way to cure

some incurable diseases.

 

A Brief History of Alternative Medicine



The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system which caused ailments, and

strengthened the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle

changes and various preventive measures. The normal practices that were followed in the early stages of the history of alternative medicine include the extractions of the bark of willow trees. Many kitchen ingredients were also used for treating patients. The treatments were considered as the blessings of God, as it brought immense relief to the writhing bodies and prayer was considered as one of the strongest weapons in waging war against ailments.

Source: “A Brief History of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.med-help.net/med-history-of-alternativemedicine.

html

 

Alternative Medicine and Medical Tourism

Today, alternative medicine holds out immense potential in attracting medical

tourists. For example, India is likely to become a major hub for medical tourism,

with revenues from the industry estimated to grow from US$333 million in 2007

to US$2.2 billion by 2012, says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry

(CII) and McKinsey.3 The major competitive advantages that India faces are cost

effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.

The world has witnessed the development of many traditional as well as modern

systems of medicine in the 20th century. Path-breaking discoveries like penicillin,

technological advancements in modern surgery, major research advancement in stem

cell research and genetic structure, and the development of traditional medical systems

like traditional Chinese system of medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy,

Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and others have all been a part of developments in the

omnipotent territory of global medicine. The major competitive advantages that India

has are cost effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.

The last few years have seen countries with their own individual expertise attracting

tourists from all over the world and promoting medical tourism like never before.

India

In India, medical tourism in alternative medicine has its ancestry in South India

and some places in North-Eastern India. Internationally famed for its natural remedies and therapies, Kerala’s schools of medicine have embraced Siddha,

Naturopathy and Ayurveda in treating their patients. These traditional medical

practices are estimated to attract high-end medical tourists from Europe and

Middle Eastern countries. The vital advantages that a country like India faces

with regard to medical tourism are its traditional therapies like yoga and Ayurveda

combined with tourist attractions in states like Kerala and north-eastern states.

Naturopathy, a therapeutic system based on natural remedies, trusts natural

elements like air, water and sunlight, combined with therapeutic massages and

conditioning and toning of the human body. Naturopathy believes that the human

body has the capacity to heal on its own, provided it is in a healthy environment.

With a holistic approach to well-being, Naturopathy believes that the three

physical entities – the physical body, the supernatural soul and the mind – must

be integrated through natural energies. “A recent survey shows that 76% of global

drugs are consumed by USA and European countries. We believe that freedom

from diseases and drugs can only be achieved by living a natural life style.”4

Ayurveda, the most ancient health care system, takes its ingredients from nature.

The use of herbs, materials like gold and mercury and many household ingredients

make this science easily accessible to common man. Ayurveda claims to cure diseases

like diabetes with the aid of nature. The Siddha medical system, which is a part of

Ayurveda, employs herbs, minerals and advanced scientific techniques under ancient

principles of medical science to cure many chronic diseases. It is named as one of

the most complicated and intricate forms of medicine. Siddha considers nature

and man as one essential entity. It claims that physiological characteristics like

human aging can itself be arrested with natural remedies.

Naturopathy has evolved medical tourism in India in more than one ways.

With its systems of medication using all natural ingredients to restore the holistic

disease-fighting nature of the human body, the medicine has created increased

chances of its own survival through tourists from all parts of the world visiting

India to reap its benefits. As Vitthal Kamat of the Kamat Group of Hotels says,

“With Naturopathy and Ayurveda along with the world renowned tourist attractions

and heritage places, the tourism sector can grow in leaps and bounds.”5 Naturopathy

in “KayaKalp”, a naturopathy centre in Himachal Pradesh, run by the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust in India has served medical tourists in detoxifying, immunizing and rejuvenating through Yoga, Pranayama, Panchkarma, Meditation and Naturopathy. Its therapies are claimed to be drug-less and extremely natural. Naturopathy takes the help of Ayurvedic preparations for healing processes like Panchkarma and improvement of blood circulation.

India’s pioneer in alternative therapy – medical tourism, Kerala, has visitors

from all over the world in the months of June, July and August. These months are

looked upon as the best period for cure of bodily ailments through Ayurveda.

High quality medical facilities provided at low prices are the main tourist attraction

in Kerala. Mr. M Narayanan, head of Poovar Island Resort says that there are

tourists from countries like Australia, Europe and Germany. The packages offered

in these Ayurvedic spas include services like Ayurvedic oil massages, powder

massages, vegetarian diets, detoxification programs and a lifestyle change. In fact

it is little known that Ayurveda includes not just massages, but a whole gamut of

services like herbal and natural diet plans, natural healing therapies, and therefore

a full-fledged medical system.

Ayurveda Gram, a unique Ayurvedic Institution in Bangalore offers Ayurveda

in its wellness form to medical tourists. It offers services like Customized Yoga,

Pranayama, Meditation, and a vegetarian diet to boost metabolism. Its sprawling

campus full of medicinal herbs and natural surrounds helps in the processes of

cure for specific ailments like Arthiritis, Spondilytis, Cholesterol, Sinusitis, Peptic

Ulcer and Obesity. Other therapies by Ayurveda Gram include Stress Management

therapies, Panchkarma and rejuvenation therapies.

AYUSH, the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha

and Homeopathy was formed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act,

1970. One of the most recent awareness activities undertaken by AYUSH was a

health fair organized in parts of Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore and New Delhi.

AYUSH ensured that the major Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha manufacturers in

India participated in this health fair.

Another famous Ayurvedic centre in India is the C V N Kalari Centre for

Ayurveda. Kalari is one of the approved Ayurvedic centres recognized by the

Kerala Tourism Department.6 Kalari has its customers from many foreign countries. The centre specializes in Marma Chikitsa (the application of pressure on specific

nerve points) and other special practices of healing. Having both therapeutic and

rejuvenative aspects in them, these specialized healing procedures take extensive help

of Ayurveda to treat the ailing.

Some Ayurvedic resorts have formulated Ayurvedic kitchens that help improve

the effectiveness of oil treatments. Diet regimens, detoxification programs and other

processes that give a glowing skin to the customer are very popular. Some of these

Ayurvedic resorts also arrange for cooking classes to help their customers acquire

and maintain the lifestyle that they are introduced to in these spas and resorts.

Ananda, an Ayurvedic Spa in the Himalayas is one of the most famous destination

resorts in India. It offers specialty Ayurvedic packages like Aroma therapy massages,

reflexology programs for rejuvenation, stress release programs, personalized Yoga

sessions, body composition analysis and weight reduction programs through Yoga

and Ayurveda. Ananda claims that its packages and therapies cure many ailments

like headaches, nausea, climatic disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, asthma, neuralgia

and does general improvement of metabolism.

China

The 3000 year-old method of traditional medicine in China has gained popularity

as the world’s most popular medicine, being used by more than a quarter of the

world in treating even chronic diseases like cancer, AIDS, allergies and heart diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses medicinal herbs, therapeutic exercises

and acupuncture to cure ailments. TCM diagnoses illnesses based on the five elements

theory and the yin-yang theory. The five elements theory base their evaluation on the

five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water to establish a connection between

human physiology and pathology and the natural environment.7 The movement of

these five elements constantly rules the functioning of the human body and thus

establishes the interdependence of both.

The yin-yang theory calls for comprehending the bright and dark sides of

the universe, in other words, the opposite properties of the universe.8 The relative

nature of yin and yang represents the interrelationship between substance and function. As traditional chinese medical practitioners say “Only with ample

substance can the human body function in a healthy way; and only when the

functional processes are in good condition, can the essential substances be

appropriately refreshed.”

Chinese herbal medicine is more known as Chinese materia medica. This includes

Chinese crude medicine, prepared drugs in pieces, traditional Chinese patented

medicines and simplified Chinese medicinal preparations. Chinese herbology, a major

aspect of TCM addresses the art of combining medicinal herbs.10 It visualizes the

entire human body’s balance of energies and spirit to treat a medical condition.

Herbs are combined into different potions of various characteristics for the sake of

different individuals being treated by TCM practitioners. Herbs like Astragalus,

Ginkgo, Ginger, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng and Garlic are used to treat several

ailments. Around 300 mineral and animal extracts and 400 formulae are used to

cure diseases, in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture, as part of TCM is used to unblock the flow of vital energy through

the human body.11 One of the oldest healing techniques in the world, this traditional

method aims at “restoring health through simulation of specific points on the body.”12

Ailments like nausea, addictions and some kinds of pains are claimed to be treated

with the help of acupuncture.

Taking advantage of its abundant human resources, China is luring medical tourists

into its web of alternative medical therapies. Wellness packages in China come at

low costs and without any side-effects, thanks to proliferated Traditional Chinese

Medicine. Several massages and spas have been set up in recent times that provide

mental health and physical well-being to medical tourists with the help of Chinese

medicinal herbs. Wellness apartments are established for the purpose of serving

senior medical tourists. These wellness apartments facilitate these tourists in

practising their own hobbies and also conducting medical activities like Taiji.

Germany

Germany’s alternative medical practices have their origins in Homeopathy, a

medical system that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.

Homeopathy considers symptoms as disturbances of vital forces that have

connection with the human body. Homeopathic advocators believe that this

medical system has the ability to cure acute diseases like flu, cold, pains, depression

and fatigue, constipation, irritability other than chronic diseases. It is claimed to

cure allergies and allergic disorders like Eczema and Asthma. Moreover, this

medical system is child friendly, in the sense, that the medication given by

homeopaths is sweet to the tooth and therefore acceptable. Homeopaths are known

for debonair and their hands free treatment of patients. They concentrate more

on the patient’s state of mind and attitude towards life. The preparation of different

potions in Homeopathy is done mostly with the help of herbs, minerals and

animal extracts. Also, it is often reasoned that since the dosage that homeopaths

prescribe is in such minute constitutions and because they come in dilutions of

substances like water and alcohol there is no chance of any side-effects.

Germany also stands famous for its herbal remedies. Regulated by Commission

E14 on the purity and pharmaceutical activity, these herbal medicines in Germany

have come a long way in preventing and curing many diseases like cancer, AIDS and

other serious ailments. Most physicians in Germany are required to be educated in

Alternative therapies, so that it serves complimentary to modern medical treatments.

As Mark Blumenthal, chairman of the American Botanical Council points out, “Most

of the clinical research that’s conducted on the leading herbal medicines in the United

States comes from Germany.”15

With more than 300 spa towns, Germany has become the premier destination

for health and wellness in Europe.16 One of the most famous resorts in Germany

is the Baltic Spa Resort in Warnemunde. Situated on the shore of the Baltic Sea,

it idealizes the sea as a “homeopathic pharmacy” and claims that “it contains all

important trace elements and has a similar composition to human blood”17 Sea water is said to have revitalizing effects in treating bodily ailments like respiratory

illnesses, sleep disorders and obesity. Other than these, mental disorders like

depression, anxiety and agony are claimed to be cured with the help of the sea.

Sea breeze is said to be specifically effective in treating cardio-vascular as well as

dermatological conditions. Major advantages that Germany faces are in terms of

both cost and quality. As Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health

Foundation points out, “In the US, operations are four to five times more expensive

as they are in Germany”.

Japan

Japanese medicine is known as Kanpo or Kampo, a herbal medicine that forms part

of well-researched modern clinical methods and also traditional methods of

medicine. A Japanese variant of the traditional Chinese medicine or the Oriental

medicine, Kanpo adheres to the body’s natural instincts and natural mechanism

of healing. For this purpose, medical treatment involves diagnosis of the tongue,

abdomen and pulse. At each stage of the treatment, different formulae that are

necessary to bring the body back to normalcy, are prepared by the physician.

These herbal medicines are regulated by the Japanese Government. Kanpo

medicine is used to cure many acute and chronic ailments like cardio-vascular,

respiratory, digestive, reproductive and dermatological conditions and immune

system corrections and even disorders like bedwetting, high cholesterol and

hepatitis. Though Kanpo therapies take longer than usual to work, this medical

system uses some very natural diagnosis and treatment methods and concepts

like water, blood and air to identify bodily symptoms. Also, it is claimed that

these herbal medicines produce no side-effects because of their natural

compositions. Japanese therapists of Anma visit countries like India and Singapore

to help in promotion of health tourism. Anma, a traditional Japanese massage, is

said to be a complete form of Shiastu19 that treats the body to release blood flow

in a proper manner to rejuvenate the body.

Apart from attracting tourists for its natural herbal medical treatments, Medical

tourism in Japan has become popular thanks to its volcanic areas that have allowed

the formation of some hot mineral water springs called Onsen. Japanese Onsen serve as places where the ailing can get alternative treatments to modern medical

practices. These have medicinal properties that heal wounds, alleviate pains and

replenish energy levels. Senior tourists and people suffering from many kinds of

aches and pains come flocking to these mineral water springs. The healing

properties of these springs are accentuated by the surrounding volcanic soil that

is composed of many minerals and curative elements.

Outlook of Medical Tourism in Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is here to stay, claim some traditional medical practitioners.

Given its perceived advantages over the modern medical techniques and the expensive

western medicines, alternative medical therapy is gaining ground in many developing

as well as developed countries. Practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy claim that

surgery may always be the last option in case of treatment of an ailment. Natural

medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicines as

such, since their composition is all natural. Alternative medicine is used in conjunction

with modern medicine to treat many chronic ailments like diabetes and AIDS. This

helps modern medical practitioners to evolve a closer relationship with the patient

and cure him to a greater extent, thus giving him a new perspective to life. It follows

that one should never overlook the disposition of the traditional cures suggested by

our ancestors. These provide a standpoint from where one can comprehend the

profundity of traditional and alternative medicine, and gauge the tremendous potential

of alternative medicine in medical tourism.

Please seek author’s permission for reprint. Send a reprint request to kirrti82@gmail.com.

References

1. www.hinduonnet.com

2. “Kerala”, www.takekerala.com

3. “Prospects of Medical Tourism in India”, www.mpiweb.org

4. “Medical Tourism push for Penang and Langkawi”, http://thestar.com.my

5. www.wikipedia.com



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Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Phuket is an incredible tourist destination, located in the sparkling waters of the Andaman Sea, on the south-west coast of Thailand. Acknowledged as the ‘Pearl of the South’ and the ‘Jewel of the Andaman Sea,’ Phuket is only an hour flying from Bangkok.

Phuket is also the largest island in Thailand, and is credited to be the only island in the country with status of a province. Formerly known as Talang, Phuket boasts of a rich as well as long history dating back to more than 500 years. Phuket once served as an important trade route between India and China.

The island also flourished as a center for tin manufacturing processes, which in turn attracted many Europeans including the Dutch and the British. Perhaps, the most important segment of Phuket’s history is the Battle of Thalang, during which Burmese invaders were defeated. Phuket still retain its old world charm, and provides gamut of attractions, covering impressive palm-fringed beaches, beautiful coves and bays, lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and ancient mansions reflecting Indo-Portuguese architecture.

The prime draw of Phuket is undoubtedly its gorgeous coastline, which is a fine blend of amazing white sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and spectacular limestone cliffs. Many of the top beaches in the area are clustered around the western coastline, such as Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Karon Beach. Kata Beach, Surin Beach, Bang Tao Beach, Laem Sing Beach, Chalong Bay, Panwa Beach, Nai Ham Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Mai Khao Beach.

Rawai Beach are the other popular beaches in Phuket. With these scores of beaches, Phuket is truly a haven for water sport lovers. Just think of any of the water sport activities, it would be easily available in Phuket.

A range of tour operators and dive shops operate here to provide you excellent choices to enjoy a variety of water sport activities such as fishing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, rafting, sailing, scuba diving, and more. Many of them even provide services of an expert guide in order to assist you in enjoying water sport activities. Phuket is not only a destination to enjoy water sport activities but also to enjoy a range of other activities such as golfing, trekking, and nature walks.

No visit to Phuket would be complete without touring its historical and cultural sites such as Old China Town, dotted with elegant Sino-Portuguese mansions. Also, take a tour to the elegant temples in the region, like, Wat Chalong - one of the biggest shrines in the region; Wat Phra Thong, whose highlight is a huge half buried image of the Buddha; and Wat Phranangsang, dedicated to two heroines who defeated the Burmese invaders in the Battle of Thalang. Equally worth mentioning are the interesting museums of the region, including, Phuket Sea Shell Museum and Thalang National Museum.

Covered with forested hills, the island is also home to such attractions as Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, which comes with dazzling waterfalls and unique as well as rich flora and fauna, apart from an eight-kilometer hiking path. Phuket’s attractions also include Butterfly Garden and Insectarium - a large open-air enclosure housing thousands of varied butterflies amid lush greenery; Marine Biological Research Centre - an aquarium featuring a variety of saltwater and freshwater fish; Promthep Cape - providing enchanting views of the sunsets; and Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre.

A specialty of Phuket is its fresh, authentic sea food cuisines, which is famed across the world. Likewise, after a day of adventure sports or sightseeing in Phuket, don’t forget to take a rejuvenating spa massage. A plethora of spa therapy centers and spa resorts are available across the island, providing relaxing spa treatments and massages. Along with other activities, Phuket provides superb options for shopping in the form of a multitude of stores and bazaars and night markets.

If you are looking for something different during your stay at Phuket, then head to Phuket Town to view Muay Thai, a kind of Thai boxing. There are even training centers to master this traditional discipline. Above all, a great attraction of the island is its exciting as well as vibrant nightlife, with a variety of pubs, bars, nightclubs, go go bars, and restaurants to choose from.



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

Bercle George asked:


The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands. Tourists plays an important role to the Philippine economy. Makati has a lot of high rise buildings, the Makati skyline is the best in the country.

The Philippines has its world class beach resorts around the countries Vacationers here can enjoy activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving in the coral waters. Staying in the Philippines can be extremely pleasant and also very affordable. Everyone head for the nearest beach so if you don’t want to feel crowded when you’re sunbathing, set your travel date for another time of the year.

Attractions:

This destination can be one of the best for travel and vacation. There are lots of attractions in the region.

-The main attractions here are the volcanoes Pinatubo and Mount Mayon. Pinatubo, the volcano which caused a massive eruption in 1991.

-Another is Chocolate Hills - limestone hills that turn brown during the summer.

-The Boracay Island is known for its very fine white sand. The beaches there cater million of local and foreign tourists annually.

-The Banaue Rice Terraces provides amazing view for tourists. It is located in the Norther part of Luzon.

Foods:

To the Filipinos, simple cooking basically means fish and its varieties, fetched directly from the sea. The Philippines’ recipes reflect the tastes of India, China, and Japan, as well as Spain, Portugal, and even the US. The food has its own special tastes and flavors. The cuisines of the Philippines include delicacies of Malay, Spanish, and also the Chinese because of the influence of these cultures that began approximately 400 years ago.

Events:

-Christmas celebrations are all about greeting your near and dear ones and wishing them Merry Christmas. Christmas vacations will give you ample time to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.

-The games attracted more tourists compared to the World Pyro Olympics because the Pyro Olympics was only held at night unlike the games which was held at day and night.

-Attending parties, going to the church, singing carols and songs are some the most common activities that are followed by people during this festival.

Shopping:

Three of the biggest shopping malls in the world SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA are all located in the Philippines. Bargains in the Philippines are cheaper compared to the bargains in Singapore and Hong Kong. One of Asia’s affordable and largest bargains are found in the Philippines.



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Nancy Eben asked:


 

Blessed with modernity and nature in the form of towers of concrete, amusement parks, fantastic islands and ancient heritages, Singapore is one of the fantastic destinations. Diversity is imparted by cosmopolitan population of Malays, Indians and Chineses. The hospitability shown to visitors by inhabitants is fascinating. The entire land of Singapore is adorned colorfully to make the place livelier. The most beneficial to visitors is the location of Singapore hotels in proximity to these attractions. Some of the common attractions for visitors are:-

Arab St- Arab Street is the traditional textile district developed by Muslim population. Sarongs, batiks, shirts and silks from Indonesia are easily available here and have earned the name from all over the world. There are some more trademarked products like rattan goods, flower essence and hats that are easily seen on this street. The top most attraction on this street is the Grand Sultan Mosque, which is Singapore’s liveliest and biggest mosque. Singapore hotels around it have attracted fashion conscious and people and much of the Muslim community.

Change village- Change village, lying on the east coast, offers relief from town’s hustle and bustle. The beautiful beach offers excellent avenues to spend good time. There are some cheap hotels in Singapore that are located around the beach. The discount offered by them is the mode to attract visitors to the beach and gain popularity. The cheap hotels in no way are lagging behind in providing basic room facilities like private bathroom, hair dryer, television, telephone, room keeping services etc…

Little India- little India presents the Indian establishment in the city. It takes you towards the Indian culture, Indian stuff, and Hindi movies. Famous prints of Indian god Krishna can be found around the area. There are many discount hotels in Singapore around it to attract people towards Indian ambience and culture in foreign land. Almost every kind of Indian food specialty dishes are served in such hotels. They offer discounts to people on extended stay, senior citizen offers and children offers to attract travelers towards them.

Modern facilities, personalized guest services and warm hospitality are provided to visitor in cheap hotels in Singapore in such a way that they never get disappointed for unaffordable expensive hotels. Many Singapore hotels provide the added advantage in accommodation for the visitors exploring bustling markets, scenic beauty, modern architecture and theme parks. They provide several facilities for business travelers in their well equipped conference rooms. These are highly recommended accommodations in the country as they have pleasing lodgings, commendable services and modern facilities.



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Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Located between the Philippine and the South China seas in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is an exceptionally charming archipelago of 7,107 enchanting islands, covering an area of 300,000 sq km, and consisting of Mindanao, Luzon, and Visayas, thereby forming the nation’s main island chains.Acknowledged as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, the Philippines boasts of an array of attractions comprising beautiful islands, fantastic beaches, astounding volcanoes, unique wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes, and world-renowned diving destinations.

With hundreds of awesome tourist destinations, the Philippines cater to all types of vacationers, such as honeymooners, nature lovers, adventurers, and wildlife explorers. Baguio, Bataan, Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Tagaytay, Bicol, Palawan, and Ilocos, are just few among many of the tourist destinations in Philippines. Despite these attractions, a visit to Philippine is incomplete without taking a tour to Manila.

Manila is one of the world’s largest metropolitans. Nestled on the Luzon - the largest island of the Philippines, Manila is the capital city and is considered a gateway to charming Philippines. Graceful with the magnificent views of the enchanting Manila Bay as well as its astounding golden sunset, Manila has now become one of the premier tourist destinations.

Manila’s attractions, among many others, are Intramuros, one of the oldest parts of Manila, packed with ancient churches and buildings; Fort Santiago, (the Shrine of Freedom), erected on the ashes of burnt fort of a Muslim king; Malacang Palace, a gracious villas which was once the summer house of the governor general; American Cemetery and Memorial, which contains graves of those who died in the second world war; Manila Cathedra, a Romanesque edifice; and Coconut Palace, a museum exhibiting varied styles of home interior furnishing and designing. Manila also boasts of a great number of parks and gardens, each of which are unique and excellent to relax with friends and relatives. Some of them are Rizal Park - Asia’s largest park, which is dedicated to the national hero, Jose Rizal; Paco Park, dating back to the colonial period; and Japanese Garden; and Greenbelt Park.

Aside from these parks and gardens, Manila has to its credit some enchanting public spaces including the Baywalk, offering superb views of the sunset, Rajah Sulayman Park, Plaza Miranda, Remedios Circle, Plaza Balagtas, and the Manila Broadwalk. For those who want to explore the influence of Chinese culture in the Philippines, a great option would be to take a visit to China Town, which is much sought after for its shops, restaurants, and exotic stalls. Besides, worth mentioning are the ancient churches of Manila, such as, the San Agustin Church, dating back to the 16th century; Quiapo Church, alternatively known as the Church of the Black Nazarene; Black Nazarene; Manila Cathedral; Bonifacio Shrine; and Quiapo Church.

Above all, Manila renders great opportunities to enjoy a variety of activities. For instance, taking a short excursion to Tagaytay to spot the renowned Taal Volcano would be a great experience. Likewise, a tour to Pagsanjan through a canoe ride would be equally enthralling. Further, while your stay at Manila, don’t forget to take a trip to Laguna, which is much favored for its hot sulphur springs. Equally fascinating is the nightlife of Manila, with night clubs in such happening areas as Pagsanjan, P Burgos, and Kalayaan streets.

With these amazing as well as umpteen attractions, people flock to Manila year-round. No matter you want budget or luxury accommodation, Manila has hotels and resorts to cater all levels of people. Many of them are located within the heart of the city, and hence are within the proximity to all world-class tourist attractions. Accommodations, especially luxury ones, are replete with air conditioning, data port, automatic wake-up call, voice mail, and satellite TV. Mostly, such facilities as business center, private parking facility, currency exchange facilities, and internet access, are also made available.

A vacation to Manila can be made truly memorable through effective planning. But, sometimes it may be chaotic to schedule such things as arrangement of accommodation, activities to be done during vacation, and traveling within the place after having reached the place. To cope up with these problems, one can make use of the service of tour operators or travel agents.

They can arrange you everything from accommodation and food to traveling and sightseeing requirements. Nowadays, some of the top-rated hotels and resorts also render services in the form of packages. Packages usually cover accommodation, traveling within the place, and food. All you have to do is to enter their website, and share your interests as well as likes and dislikes. Just feel relaxed and wait for a refreshing vacation in Manila!



Visit Singapore!