d-brief edition 16 - preview 2012
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As 2011 draws to a close, we look back on a year which has been full of challenges, changes and new opportunities for DiethelmTravel. This year we have launched a series of D-Briefs with indepth information on the region, hoping that with each edition, you and your colleagues have benefitted from new ideas. Having received positive feedback from you, we have collated a selection of hand-picked topics for 2012. All twelve Diethelm Travel destinations are covered: Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore, SriLanka, Thailand and Vietnam.TRANSCRIPT
P r e v i e w 2 0 1 2
D - B r i e f
Ed
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16
D - B r i e f
Bangkok, 20 December 2011
Dear Partner,
As 2011 draws to a close, we look back on a year which has been full of challenges,
changes and new opportunities for Diethelm Travel.
This year we have launched a series of D-Briefs with in-depth information on the region,
hoping that with each edition, you and your colleagues have benefitted from new ideas.
Having received positive feedback from you, we have collated a selection of hand-picked
topics for 2012. All twelve Diethelm Travel destinations are covered: Bhutan, Cambodia,
China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and
Vietnam.
We hope that you will enjoy opening one interesting topic after the other. We would like to
take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal support during the past year and wish you
and your loved ones, happy holidays and a fantastic start to the New Year.
Sincerely yours,
Your Diethelm Travel Team
FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL
AUGUST
DECEMBERNOVEMBER
JULYJUNE
OCTOBER
MAY
SEPTEMBER
JANUARY
APRIL
AUGUST
DECEMBER
Edition 13: Flowers & Unique Plants
Edition 14: Faces of Asia
Edition 12: Pool Villas
Edition 11: Soft Adventure
Edition 10: Trains, Planes & Automobiles
Edition 9: Food
Edition 8: Water
Edition 7: Sustainability
Edition 6: Architecture
Edition 15: Spa & Wellness
The Nomads of Bhutan
In this month‟s D-Brief we open the doors
to our creative department, giving you a
sneak preview of the themes we have
selected for 2012. We have roamed the
region for you and selected unique topics,
which you will not find in any common
travel guide.
Browse through the index on the left-hand
side to find out more about the monthly
themes planned for 2012.
For those of you who have missed one of
our 2011 editions, the content table on the
right will guide you through this year‟s
past issues. We featured exciting stories,
from local community initiatives we
support, to hiking expeditions to catch a
glimpse of the world‟s biggest flower in
Borneo.
Read D-Brief and keep up-to-date with
what‟s going on in the region!
Review 2011 – Preview 2012
JANUARY
The Nomads of BhutanARCHITECTURE
Are you looking for something out of the
ordinary and away from the normal tourist
path? We begin 2012 with a selection of
„off the beaten track‟ experiences. China,
India and Myanmar still harbour remote
regions for the intrepid traveller, who
wishes to experience bygone lifestyles and
dramatic scenery, whilst being
accompanied by a knowledgeable
Diethelm Travel guide. Discover the
remarkable landscape of Yunnan‟s rice
terraces or join us to explore Gujarat; a
rarely visited part of India, boasting
beautiful art deco palaces, 10th century
monuments and home to semi-nomadic
desert tribes. Alternatively, in Myanmar
enjoy breathtaking views over the
Himalaya mountain range, whilst hiking in
and around Putao, the northernmost town
of Kachin state. In January‟s edition of D-
Brief you can discover that there is so
much more to Asia than just the tourist
hotspots.
Off the Beaten Track
FEBRUARY
Asia not only plays a key role in textile and
garment production, but the region is also
home to top quality locally made fabrics
with a long history. Join us this month to
learn more about ethnic textiles, how they
are made and where to buy the best
products. Laos is well-known for its wide
range of tribal costumes, each made out
of hand-woven hill-tribe fabrics. Even
though these costumes are only worn
nowadays for special events, beautiful
scarves can be bought from the skilled hill-
tribe women. In Bhutan, by contrast, the
law requires all citizens to wear their
national dress in public areas or as formal
wear. Made out of yak hair, cotton and silk,
the brocades and complex wrap patterns
of Bhutanese fabrics are widely known
outside of the Kingdom for their superior
quality. Lastly, we take a look at India‟s
most famous dress, the Sari. Top Delhi
designers create modern adaptations of
this traditional dress, which not only wow
every Indian fashionista, but are a great
exotic piece of clothing to take home, for
oneself, wife, sister, mother or girlfriend.
Textiles
MARCH
Asia is home to some of the big names in
sports events such as Singapore‟s Grand
Prix Night Race, the 2012 South Asian
Games in New Delhi and the Rugby
Sevens in Hong Kong. In this month‟s D-
Brief we unveil these mega events and
suggest itineraries around them. Would
your clients like to combine their
Malaysian beach holiday with three days of
Formula 1 racing? No problem, we will
make it happen. We are also looking at
traditional Asian sports, including Sepak
Takraw, a mix of volleyball and football,
which is played in international
competitions and dominated by Thailand
and Malaysia. Sri Lanka‟s most popular
sport, played by all ages and with
fanaticism, is without doubt cricket.
Former underdog Sri Lanka has won the
World Cup in 1996 and has been, to the
delight of its fans, runner up in 2007 and
2011. Dress up in your team‟s colours and
experience the region from its athletic
side!
Sports Around the Region
APRILAPRIL
Not surprisingly, Asia contains a vast array
of different beliefs and religions. Not only
is Asia the birthplace of many of today‟s
major religions, but the region overflows
with legends, myths and stories around
religious figures and spirits. Everywhere
one finds the fusion of ancient animistic
beliefs intertwined with modern religion. In
Myanmar, a land whose main religion is
Buddhism, the nat (spirits) are worshipped
during the annual nat festivals, usually
held on a full moon night. The
Vietnamese, conversely, will find it difficult
to tell you to which religion they belong as
several religions have co-existed for
centuries and have become mixed up over
time. We also take a closer look at India,
the birthplace of four religions, namely
Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism,
and its most renowned places of worship.
A spiritual journey through Asia awaits you
with this month‟s D-Brief.
Religion
MAY
What do the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, The
Great Wall of China and Pha That Luang,
the golden temple of Luang Prabang, have
in common? Right; they are to the most
famous and most visited monuments in
Asia. Whilst everybody is familiar with their
location and names, probably only a
handful of people can give friends or
clients real in-depth knowledge, such as
the prime time of the day to visit and the
best spots to take memorable pictures
from. In this edition of D-Brief we have
collected these secrets and many more, in
order to guarantee that you have the
ultimate experience when visiting these
celebrated spots. We, for example, take
you to rooms and halls inside the
breathtaking Potala Palace in Lhasa, which
are not accessible to the public.
Our May D-Brief will ensure you have your
own unique holiday story to tell!
National Monuments
JUNE
Combine your beach holiday or cultural
escape with an exciting city break in Hong
Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or
Bangkok. Chances are that you will pass
through one of these vibrant cities on the
way to your final destination anyway; so
why not fit in a three day stopover? We
show you how to get the most out of 72-
hours in Asia‟s “gateways to the East”.
From speed sightseeing and shopping at
local designer stores to enjoying a
fabulous roof top dinner; we put all the
essentials for a fun and action packed city
break into our suggested itineraries.
Whether you are looking for the most
convenient way to navigate Bangkok by
public transportation or want to go all out
with a private limousine hire for the day in
Hong Kong, in Asia‟s cities, everything is
possible! Let us show you the best of the
cities we call home.
City Breaks
JULY
With its incredible mix of cultures and
traditions, Asia is a paradise for jewellery
lovers. In this month‟s D-Brief we take you
for instance to Tibet, where beautiful silver
jewellery combined with inlaid turquoise
and red coral is worn by the locals.
Interestingly, these stones found their way
to the Himalayan Plateau over old trading
routes from the Middle East. Jade, one of
the world‟s most mysterious stones, is
both worn as a talisman and traded as
an antique in China, whilst the
traditional gold jewellery of Cambodia is
nowadays mainly flaunted at weddings.
Plenty of competent craftsman and
modern jewellery designers, who call
Bangkok their home, have made the city a
hub for gemstones and metals. We will tell
you which stones to buy where and what
to watch out for during your shopping
spree. This edition of D-Brief will, without
a doubt, inspire you for precious
souvenirs.
Jewellery
AUGUST
With its gorgeous white sandy beaches,
breathtaking sunsets, secluded islands and
some of the world‟s most luxurious pool
villas, Asia is the ideal spot to get married
and spend your honeymoon. This month‟s
D-Brief introduces you to unique spots for
the perfect beach wedding in the Maldives,
Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. We also
highlight what you should know prior to
embarking on the big journey, including
legal requirements, shopping for wedding
dresses in Asia and making sure your
schedule leaves enough time to get your
papers sorted with the local authorities.
With the right knowledge and forward
planning, your dream wedding can happen
where others spend their holidays. An
additional bonus is that there is no need to
fly half way around the world for your
honeymoon, because you are already
there. Come and spend an enchanting
wedding in Asia!
Weddings & Honeymoon
SEPTEMBER
In September, we are looking at initiatives
aimed at creating sustainable income
sources for local communities. Diethelm
Travel supports projects all over the region
and depending on their interest, visitors
can have hands-on experiences. These are
often the best way to meet the locals and
really get to understand the country. Learn
to weave at Ock Pop Tok in Luang
Prabang, a self financing initiative that
produces and designs textile
handicrafts providing livelihoods for some
200 people. Whilst in Siem Reap, visit Sala
Bai, a small vocational training school
where disadvantaged Cambodians learn
skills useful in the rapidly growing hotel
industry. The school has four hotel rooms
and a restaurant, where the trainee cooks
prepare meals with great care and wide
smiles. This edition of D-Brief will give you
ideas and inspirations of ways to give back
during your holiday.
Giving Back
OCTOBER
With 500 staff in 12 countries, Diethelm
Travel is at the pulse of what‟s hot and
happening in the cities and on the tropical
islands of the region. Whether it‟s the
opening of a new beach club, a unique
exhibition in a Chinese art lounge or just
the best drinking spots to bar hop in
Phnom Penh, our staff know where the
most happening places are. This issue of
D-Brief is laden with personal tips and
recommendations of our country Managing
Directors. Take advantage of them,
because we know best how fast trends
come and go: what might be described as
a trendy restaurant in last year‟s travel
guide, is probably by now already
“mainstream” and the locals have long
moved on to a new eatery. This is your
chance to discover and dance the night
away in the most hip and chic places of,
among others, Singapore, Beijing, New
Delhi, Colombo, Phuket, Yangon and Hong
Kong.
Hip Hang Outs
NOVEMBER
With the current trend of “doing good”
while travelling, learning more about and
spending time with endangered species
definitely fits the bill of many travellers.
Nowhere else in the world can one find a
higher density of leopards than in Yala
National Park in Sri Lanka, despite this big
cat being an endangered species, mostly
due to habitat loss. Join Leopard Safaris in
getting involved in saving this majestic
animal. In Malaysia, the whole family can
have a fun and informative time at one of
Borneo‟s orang-utan rehabilitation centres,
whilst the giant panda in China (with an
estimated population of only 2,000 to
3,000 individuals) makes it on every child‟s
cutest animal list. The rare and
magnificent Bengal tiger can be found in
India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan; if
you are lucky you will catch a glimpse of
India‟s most renowned predator, during
one of the luxury safaris Diethelm Travel
has on offer!
Endangered Species
DECEMBER
Preview 2013
Watch out for the exciting themes of 2013!
The December edition will again give you a
preview of what is planned for D-Brief in
2013. This is your opportunity to give us
your feedback and let us know what is on
your wish list for the next year. Would you
like more information on family friendly
holiday experiences? Do you have
customers enquiring about exotic food
experiences? Are you looking into the
possibilities of joining a meditation retreat?
Whatever it is you are looking for, we
promise that we have the inside
knowledge, to develop your ideas further!
As always, we depend on your comments
and only with your help, will we be able to
provide you with the tools you need to
improve your destination knowledge. Your
input is highly appreciated and can be sent
directly to [email protected].
Preview 2013
Indian Saffron Kulfi
Preparation Method
1. Place the boiling water in a small heatproofbowl. Add the saffron threads and set asidefor 2 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place the evaporated milk andsugar in a medium saucepan. Stir over lowheat for 3 minutes or until the sugardissolves. Add the saffron and liquid,pistachios and almonds to the milk mixtureand stir to combine.
3. Pour the mixture into six 250ml (1-cup)dariole or freezer proof moulds. Place in thefreezer for 6 hours or overnight to firm.
4. Cut the cheeks from the mangoes and use aspoon to scoop out the flesh. Preheat achargrill pan on high heat. Place the mangopieces on a large plate and sprinkle with theextra sugar. Cook the mango in preheatedchargrill pan for 2-3 seconds each side oruntil just warmed through.
5. Quickly dip the base of each mould in hotwater to loosen the kulfi and turn out ontoserving plates. Serve with the chargrilledmango.
Ingredients (serves 6)
• 1 tbs boiling water
• Large pinch of saffron threads
• 1L (4 cups) evaporated milk
• 335g (1 1/2 cups) caster sugar
• 50g pistachio kernels, finely chopped
• 50g blanched almonds, finely chopped
• 3 ripe mangoes, to serve
• 1 tbs caster sugar, extra, to serve
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Kulfi is a traditional dessert from India. The
frozen dessert is similar to ice cream, but much
creamier and contains spices such as cardamom
and saffron. A great dessert which complements
every Asian meal perfectly.Kulfi ka anand leejiye!
Recipe and picture source: www.taste.com.au
Recipe
Monthly Festival: Tet, Vietnam (22 to 25 Jan 2012)
Next year January is a big month for Asia. Not only
are Chinese communities throughout the region
celebrating the Chinese New Year, but the Vietnamese
Lunar New Year, a time when Vietnam basically
stands still, also falls on the same dates. During Tet,
the Vietnamese New Year, people return home for
annual family reunions and celebrations, meaning
that government offices, shops, restaurants and some
sights are closed.
For travellers visiting Vietnam during the Tet holidays,
it is advisable to check with us before the trip to
make sure the itinerary can be operated as planned.
Additionally, every visitor should be informed that
during Tet, it may not be possible to visit some sights
as opening hours may differ and many shops will be
closed. Right before and after the festive days,
transportation, whether by plane or train, is
overbooked every year and it is difficult to get seats
confirmed. Beach destinations are crowded with local
families over Tet. If you wish to travel around Tet,
make sure to book early as every single Vietnamese
is travelling home during these days!
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D - B r i e f
Diethelm Travel GroupKian Gwan II Bldg, 14/F140/1 Wireless Road,
Bangkok 10330, ThailandPhone: +66 2 660 7000 / Fax: +66 2 660 7027
E-mail: [email protected]
www.diethelmtravel.com