Bali, an artists perfect travel destinatio​n

On my arrival back in Sydney after a relaxing holiday in Melbourne I visited my good friend and well known Australian artist Wendy Shortland at her studio in inner city Newtown. Wendy had just bequeathed a substantial number of her Sydney sKetch books to State Library of NSW. As brushes were frantically waved in the air and large blobs of paint dripped on the floor of Wendy’s work area I listened to tales of her latest trip to Bali, Indonesia. We laughed over a glass of white wine as Wendy told me about how she finds inspiration for her work in Bali and why she keeps coming back to relax and unwind.

Keith: Wendy, I know that you have been coming to Bali for nearly 30 years now but tell me when did you first visit Bali and what keeps you coming back?

Wendy: I first visited Bali in 1986 on the advice of friends who had called in on their way from Europe. Bali had never appealed to me, but they advised me to stay outside the resort areas and see the beauty of the ‘real Bali’.
Bali was very different then and I really had no idea what to expect when I first arrived but I quickly fell in love with the colours, sounds and the light that Bali offers.
I went right around Bali on my first trip, but fell in love with Ubud, the artistic centre of Bali. In those days the Monkey Forest Road wasn’t paved or lit, and the lights in Ubud used to go out from time to time. “Toast’ was a very optimistic description of what came at breakfast time.
Even then, there were nice places to stay as well as the cheaper ‘homestay’ options. But today Bali is a very different place. There are beautiful international resort hotel options, rainforest retreats and smaller budget options.

KEITH: As an artist you must find Bali the perfect place to find inspiration for your work?

WENDY: I do. Bali is the perfect place for an Artist because of the lush tropical colours and there are amazingly decorative architectural features all around you like carvings, gilded doors, and amazing tropical flowers are found everywhere. The Balinese people put so much effort into the smallest detail of design in their buildings, gardens, streets and living spaces. Everything is so decorative down to the smallest detail in statues, carvings and designs. I can spend hours sketching a door way or a carved table top.

KEITH: What tips can you give me about visiting Bali,?

WENDY: Well I would recommend you try and see and do things the average visitor wouldn’t do or know about. Here’s my advice:

1) Don't stay at a fancy resort. They are the same all over the world. Try and find a smaller place, preferably locally owned. These are so much more interesting and also have beautiful gardens, pools and resting areas. The money you spend here goes back to the locals and not some big multinational company. Small hotels in a bungalows environment with a pool cost about AUD $70 a night for two with breakfast.

2) Stay away from the beach resort area of Kuta and Legian and Sanur. Semyakai is a better choise but it is still a continuation of Kuta and Legian though more trendy at the moment. I have only driven through there and had lunch there.
I love Ubud. It a little more laid back then the beach resorts although it is getting busier. There is a cafe society there, so its a little bit hip and groovy. The surrounding countryside is beautiful with rice fields and ravines.

3) Sample the local food. Its fresh, light and cheap. Try Satay dishes, ayam goring and fried chicken, which is more delicious than it sounds and the old favourite, Mie Goreng.

If you would prefer more of a fine dining experience there are a number of places around Ubud. However for a real treat, get a driver to take you down to La Lucciola. Not only the food is exceptional but the waiters are extremely handsome.

4) Drink lemon water to refresh yourself during the day and later in the day you might like to drink Bintang, the local beer. Wine is expensive in Bali.

5) Renting a car is not a good option Bali. The traffic is very heavy so I would recommend you hire a driver to take you where you want to go. Walk out onto the street and you will have your choice of drivers. Make sure the one you choose has a comfortable vehicle. If you prefer, you can go to the tourist desk of your hotel and get them to organise a driver for you, although it will be more expensive. Its relative cheap to hire a driver for the day who will pick you up, drop you off and take you to where ever you want to go.

Most things are in walking distant in Ubud if you stay in the heart of the town, which I always do. You can sit by your pool, read a book or spend the day wandering around the shops, or having a cool drink. If you choose a hotel on the east side of the Monkey Forest Road, you can be living with a wonderful view of the rice fields but still five minutes’ walk from the shops and restaurants. The options there range from homestays, to the midrange and highly recommended Cendana and the beautiful and more upmarket Komaneka.

There are small tourist offices everywhere in Ubud, that organise trips to other parts of Bali every day. I recommend a lesser known trip to Jati Luwih to see the most amazing rice fields. You could take in Pura Luhur Batukaru while you are there. It is a temple in a lovely garden up one of Bali’s volcanoes. It is not a short trip, but the way goes gently up flower lined roads.

KEITH: Now the last time we caught up you told me about getting involved with a group of Balinese Sketchers. What was that all about?

WENDY: Yes, I did. Well I like to do things that are a bit different when on holidays and I always try to catch with the local Urban Sketchers when I am away.

KEITH: What are Urban Sketchers?

WENDY: Urban Sketchers are local artists who go out sketching from life in most cities around the world. They usually go out sketching together on a fairly regular basis. I am an Urban Sketcher right here at home , so it is a great way to meet people and see the local area. I meet up with a group of Bali Urban Sketchers in Denpasar and we sketched at the Museum of Bali. I found a beautiful carved split gate and spent the morning sketching it. You can find more details at http://www.urbansketchers.org/

KEITH: So what’s the best time of year to go to Bali?

WENDY: I avoid the rainy season which is between October and April , however many Australians go in the Christmas holidays and say it mainly only rains at night. Bali is just below the equator so the temperature remains pretty consistent all year around.

KEITH: Any final gems of knowledge you want to share with us?

WENDY: Well, yes you can buy an Indonesian SIM card at the Airport to avoid costly overseas phone charges. There are ATMs everywhere but watch out for bank charges. You will find ATMs and money changers at Denpasar Airport and go to the traditional dancing in Ubud that night.

Keith Goodman is a Travel Writer that reviews travel locations exclusively for Cheng's Travel.

Wendy Shortland is a recognised Australian artist who has her own studio in Newtown, Sydney. You can find out more about Wendy's latest works at www.wendyshortland.com Or you can follow her on her blog at www.quirkyartist.wordpress.com

Cheng's Travel currently has a number of Bali travel options available why not call them on (03) 9014 1197 to discuss your travel options.

Phone: (03) 9014 1197

Email: cheng_travel@yahoo.com.au

Website: www.ctglobaljet.com.au

Old Singapore vs New Singapore

This month we interview Harry Chiam who is a regular traveller to Asia. Harry grew up in Kula Lumpar and was educated in the United States, He married and settled in Sydney 10 years ago and now works as a Health Financial & Performance Manager. Harry visits Singapore at least once a year and we ask Harry where you should go and what you should see in this island city in the heart of Asia. KEITH: Harry, tell me what I should do when I visit Singapore? HARRY: Well Singapore has been a tourist stopover for such a long time going back to 1920's and 30's so there are all the old tourist attractions you can see or you can visit the new ones? KEITH: OK well lets talk about the old ones first? HARRY: Well you have to visit Raffles Hotel and have a Singapore Sling at the Long bar or High Tea in the gardens. That's a must and you should visit Little India and Chinatown for food and shopping options. Then there is the Merlion on the water front which is the famous statue and symbol of Singapore just in front of the wonderful Fullerton Hotel. KEITH: OK, should I stay at Raffles or the Fullerton?.

HARRY: Laugh. If you take your American Express Platinum card with you. They are both five star hotels so if you can afford it yes but you can stay next door to Raffles Hotel in Raffles City which is a shopping centre with a Raffles hotel built above it. Its more affordable and because its run by the Raffles Hotel group the service is excellent. KEITH: Yes I agree. I stayed there a number of years ago and had a wonderful time and you can walk across the road to old Raffles to have a drink at night. HARRY: Yes, you can. KEITH: OK so tell me about the new attractions. HARRY: Well the Singaporean government over the last 10 years has been actively promoting Singapore as a new travel destination and has encouraged the building of a number of new tourist attractions like Sentosa Resort, Universal Studios and Marina Bay Sands (MBS)development. Also Orchard Road has been modernised and the new Gardens by the Bay have opened.

KEITH: Yes there has been quite a lot of activity in Singapore over the last 10 years. Lets start with Sentosa Resort. HARRY: Well Sentosa was a sleepy little tourist island off Singapore developed in the 1970's. In the last couple of years it has been redeveloped with resort hotels, golf courses, spas and beach clubs. Its very nice now, you can swim, sail, play beach volley ball or just chill out in a beach chair. KEITH: Sounds great and Universal studios is now there as well? HARRY: Yes, it is with all the rides and theme park games. I think its bigger and better then the one in California. KEITH: OK I must go there next time I'm in Singapore. Now Marina Bay Sands or MBS as the locals call it.

HARRY: Well MBS is the new Casino in Singapore the building is quite unique consisting of three towers and it has an infinity swimming pool and a rainforest on the roof. The lobby is very cool but a word of warning you can only visit the pool and the rainforest on the roof if you are staying at the hotel. KEITH: OK I will remember that and what else is new? HARRY: There are the new Gardens by the Bay which are beautiful and you can have lunch under the Supa Tree which are man made trees with vines growing all over them. There is the Singapore Flyer which is the largest Ferris wheel in the world and of course there are the night safaris of Singapore Zoo.

KEITH: Why would I want to go to the Zoo at night? HARRY: Because all the nocturnal animals come out at night and you can see the animals in their native habitat. You will not see them in the daytime. KEITH: OK. Now last time I was in Singapore I was really impressed with Clarkes Quay. HARRY: Yes, Clarks Quay has been modernised and there is a lot of food and beverage outlets there. You can sit outside and enjoy some very good food there. KEITH: And I went to the New Asia Bar on top of the Sofitel Hotel at night for cocktails and was blown away by the view over Clarkes Quay.

Harry: Yes its great but I think you need to book at night as it gets very crowded so make sure you check beforehand. Keith: What about if I want to do something a little different? HARRY: Well for something off the beaten track go on a bush walk around McRitchie Reservoir. It takes about 4 hours and you walk across a swing bridge and through rain forest. Bring food and water and wear sensible walking shoes. The vegetation is very lush and tropical. Then there are the shopping malls at Fort Canning and Dempsey Hill. These are new shopping malls set in old colonial buildings. The standard shops are there but set in old colonial architecture. You can also try Ngeeann City and Funan Digital Mall which is great for computer products. KEITH: Now on this trip, who did you fly with? HARRY: Well this time I flew Scoot which is a budget carrier but I usually fly Singapore Airlines. KEITH: Now I have flown Singapore Airlines on a number of times and I cant fault them but how did you find Scoot? HARRY: For a budget carrier, Scoot was great. I got a heavily discounted ticket. The service was OK, the food was OK. We got there on time with no delays but you have to remember you get what you pay for so if you want to save a little bit of money fly Scoot. If you want service, good food, in flight entertainment and comfort fly Singapore Airlines. Also, if you want additional comfort for an additional $50 Singapore Airlines will let you book a Economy class seat on an exit row so you get extra leg room. My tip if you are traveling on an Airbus A380-800 book seat 44K. KEITH: Now whilst on Airlines I want to talk to you about Changi International Airport because I think it is one of the best Airports in the world. HARRY: It is. It is. Look Changi International Airport in Singapore is the best place to stop over in Asia. Nothing compares to it. First of all the arrival and departures lounges are well organised. Passport control is relatively easy. On your arrival at Singapore whist in transit you can have a beer at a bar, have a meal at a restaurant, there is shopping, you can stay overnight at the Airport hotel, there is a gym, games arcade, massage and a butterfly enclosure.

KEITH: Yes, the last time I flew through Singapore I spent 2 hours in the butterfly enclosure. HARRY: Isn't it fun and its a great distraction if you are traveling with children. There is also a bus tour you can do of the city if you are in transit for more then 6 hours. What happens this you can have a long lay over in Singapore. Fly in from Europe in the morning, go through transit, take a bus tour of the city and be back in the airport for an afternoon flight to Australia. So you can familiarise yourself with the city and you don't have to sit around the airport all day. And here is another piece of advise when you get to Changi International Airport in the Arrivals lounge purchase a "handy" SIM card costs $SG15 a day and you get a local SIM card and you can avoid costly international telephone charges. There is a built in city guide with maps and train timetables and travel suggestions written by locals and if you are traveling with a laptop you can use your 'handy' phone as your personal Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also get the handy at the Visitors centre in Orchard Road. KEITH: And food options? HARRY: Well in Singapore you can get any food options you like. One of the best places I think to get a flavour of Singapore is to visit Lau Pat Sat in the CBD. It was the old colonial fruit and vegetable markets of Singapore and is now outdoor dining. In the evening a number of the side streets close down and you can sit outdoors and eat Chicken Rice and the Chilli Crab with a beer. Its great on a hot night after work. Now I never thought I would be saying this as a travel tip, but when in Singapore, go to your local Macdonald and check out the latest burger?

KEITH:: What you want me to visit MacDonald's whist in Singapore? HARRY: Yes because you will see and taste the most unusual burgers you will ever see in your life. Last time I was in Singapore I had a Ebi Prawn Burger and a Samurai Burger which was Fish & Wasabi. There is also Banana, Green Been or Durian Pie instead of the traditional Apple Pie and then there is Green Tea McFlurie. Now you cant get that in Australia. And every month there is a new McDonald toy which is a real toy. KEITH: Well Harry thanks for that interesting culinary tip. When in Singapore next time I will be rushing off to the closest McDonald's. Keith Goodman is a travel writer that reviews locations exclusively for Cheng's Travel. Cheng’s Travel currently has a number of Singapore travel option available why not call them on (03) 9014 1197 to discuss your travel options? Phone: (03) 9014 1197 Email: cheng_travel@yahoo.com.au Website: http://www.ctglobaljet.com.au

Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina. Ho Chi Min City has a current population of 7.396 million (2010). Anyone that has not visited Ho Chi Minh City will be surprised by the size and space of its new airport. Tan Son Nhat International Airport operates from two terminal buildings, Domestic Terminal 1 and International Terminal 2. The new international terminal opened in September 2007 with the capacity of 8 to 10 million passengers per year, giving the airport a total capacity of 15 to 17 million passengers per annum. Visas can be obtained on arrival for most nationalities but it is recommended that you arrange your visa before departure as you may have to queue for a considerable time to get your visa endorsed.

Ho Chi Minh City is famous for pho a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup and pork rolls. Often the best places to get these dishes is from local stores or family run restaurants. Fresh produce can be brought at markets and street stores and if you want a more western experience Ho Chi Min City offers a wide range of international flavours ranging from French, Japanese, Thai and Chinese. If you are interested pampering yourself whilst on holiday why not try a manicure or pedicure. Beauty shops are open late into the night and you can have a basic treatment at less than half of what it would cost you back home.

Exploring the streets from the back seat of a motorcycle can be an exhilarating way to see the city with has nearly 5 million motorbikes. To get your orientation fast, you could jump on an organised tour and you could spend a morning viewing the city and getting a feel for the street systems. A guide can help you discover the many places of interests. Once you get your motorcycle be careful may tourists each year have suffered injuries and just crossing the road in Ho Chi Min City can be a hair raising experience. The War Remnants Museum documents the brutality of the Vietnam War and should only be visited by the strong willed or those interested in the history of the war. Retired military vehicles, attack bombers and tanks dominate the front lawn while, inside, a selection of text and photographic exhibits tell the wars terrible story. A dinner cruise is a unique Vietnamese experience and allows you to watch the city lights at sunset while sipping a local beer from the deck of a traditional dragon boat. You can take in a show and enjoy a buffet meal in style. Pre-book your dinner during peek tourist periods.

The Central Post Office and Notre-Dame cathedral were designed and built by French architect Gustave Eiffel, the same architect who designed the French Eiffel Tower, the Gothic-styled Saigon Central Post Office opened in 1886 and remains one of the country's most celebrated structures. Inside, beneath a long, domed roof, walls decorated with French colonial maps flank a portrait of Ho Chi Minh, while the elaborate tiled floors complete the refined look. You can still buy stamps over a old oak counter top and check out the international public telephone booths still in operation. on the opposite side of the square is the neo-Romanesque Notre-Dame cathedral, built between 1863 and 1880 by French colonists. An equally impressive structure. Reunification Palace was the home of the president of South Vietnam during the "American War", as locals prefer to call the Vietnam War, this is the site where the first communist North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates on the morning of April 30, 1975, resulting in Saigon's official surrender and shown on television worldwide. It is preserved almost exactly as it was in 1966, and you can look around at your leisure or take one of the free guided tours that depart every 15 minutes.

There isn't much you can't buy from a market in this city, and although haggling is an art form requiring practice, it's still easy enough to pick up a bargain. District 1's Ben Thanh Market is certainly the most famous. There are more than 3,000 stalls but be warned prices can often be inflated for tourists. For a lesser known alternative, District 1's Tan Dinh specialises in silks and clothing material, while Ben Thanh night market is popular for those who prefer bargain hunting free from the noon heat.

After sampling so much great Vietnamese food, the chances are you'll want to replicate it when you get home, so why not take a cooking class whist visiting this city. Many of the major hotels offer generic cooking lessons, a smaller-size class is a far better option. The best classes will team you with a chef to source ingredients at a nearby market before you learn how to cook classic dishes such as summer rice rolls, rice noodle soups and many more. Visit the vast network of interconnecting underground tunnels, 30 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City. Used as operational headquarters by Vietcong guerrillas during the Tet Offensive of 1968, they were instrumental in numerous military campaigns during the war and played a decisive role in defeating American forces. Not far from the Ben Thanh Market, housed in a Chinese-influenced yellow and white colonial-era mansion, the Fine Arts Museum offers an extensive insight into Vietnamese aesthetics ranging from the country's earliest civilisations to the present day. Exhibits include anything from sculpture and paintings to pottery, abstract art and even weaponry. Markets aside, there are plenty of options for high-end shopping options. The major department stores are found at the central business district's in Diamond Plaza or Saigon Centre, though prices won't differ that much from back at home the shopping experience can be please and rewarding. While locals tend to favour Trai Street, straddling districts 1 and 5 for cheaper goods. Le Cong Kieu is famous for antiques, and the relatively new Vincom Centre opposite the Hotel Continental is a good bet for pricier, high-quality and boutique wares. Cheng's travel can offer you a wide range of hotel and tour opinions for this exciting Asian travel destination. Why not call us today on +61 (3) 9014 1147 to discuss your travel needs. Phone: (03) 9014 1197 Email cheng_travel@yahoo.com.au Website http://www.ctglobaljet.com.au