GOLDEN SANDS RESORT - BATU FERINGGI BEACH

The Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La recently completed a MYR 50 million redevelopment programme, redefining the standard of four-star deluxe accommodation within the region in the progress.

The resort is a veritable tropical paradise for vacationers and families located on Penang's world-famous Batu Feringgi beach. Guests of the Golden Sands Resort can also easily access George Town which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

As Penang’s top family deluxe resort, guests will enjoy a range of recreational facilities that include a water sports centre, three tennis courts, a Par 3 Executive Golf Course, two swimming pools and Adventure Zone, a Family Entertainment Centre.

Other facilities include innovative restaurants and bars, four adaptable, state-of-the-art meeting and banquet rooms and a Cool Lounge, a transit lounge for early check-in and late check-out.

SHINTA MANI - LUANG PRABANG

The sustainable hospitality concept, Shinta Mani, will open a new property in the northern Laos town of Luang Prabang later this year.

Scheduled to launch in September the property will offer 54 rooms ranging, all with free Wi-Fi. Other facilities include a restaurant, bakery, spa, gymnasium, meeting room and hill-top swimming pool.

In line with Shinta Mani’s commitment to help the local community, the hotel will also host exhibitions of local arts and crafts, and feature a Development Institute which
offers education and skills training for local youth.

SIGHTINGS OF THE SUNDALAND CLOUDED LEOPARD

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – The Sundaland clouded leopard, a newly identified and little understood species of big cat in Borneo, has been filmed for the first time.

The leopard, a healthy-looking animal a metre long (3 feet) and weighing about 40 kilos (90 pounds) was caught on video at night at the Dermakot Forest Reserve in Malaysian Borneo's Sabah state.

"What surprised us was that while clouded leopards are very elusive cats, this one was not scared at all," said Azlan Mohamed, a field scientist with University Sabah Malaysia.
"Despite our powerful spot lights and the roar of our vehicle's engine, it walked around our vehicle calmly," he told AFP.
"It is rare to see the big cat in the wild. These cats are usually shy of humans, it was by chance we caught it on video."

The Sundaland clouded leopard was classified as a new species through genetic studies several years ago and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature designated it as endangered in 2008.

Previously all clouded leopards living across the Southeast Asian mainland were thought to be the same species.Azlan said the Sundaland species is the biggest predator on Borneo, a resource-rich island split between Malaysia and Indonesia where wildlife habitats are under pressure from logging and plantations.

TOURISTS TO INDIA ADVISED TO BE VIGILANT

Authorities in India have warned that tourists travelling to the country should remain vigilant at all times following the recent bomb attack at a German bakery frequented by tourists in Pune.

Tourists should be aware of their surroundings and of local events and take steps to improve their personal security.

ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON (ADIT)

A host of the world’s top female athletes are leading the charge for the inaugural US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (ADIT) as sign-up for the March event continues to swell, with more than 500 entrants from 25 countries already confirmed.

Current Ironman 70.3 and Xterra Triathlon World Champion and 70.3 distance world record holder, Great Britain’s Julie Dibens - widely regarded as one of the world’s fastest competitors - will be looking to add the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) organised event to her long list of accolades.
“I am super excited about making the trip to Abu Dhabi in March. It is a great opportunity for me to step up in distance and try to learn a lot about myself. With such a great organisation behind the race, and a great prize purse, it is set to attract a great field of top pro males and females,” said Dibens, who currently holds four world records.
“I am excited to travel to a part of the world that I have never been to before, and hope that my body is ready to deliver the goods on the day.”

However, the Netherlands’ Yvonne Van Vlerken, the 2008 Ironman World Championship runner up and past Ironman world record holder; Britain’s Leanda Cave, the past Olympic and long distance world champion; and American duo of Sam McGlone, previous Ironman 70.3 World Champion, and Hillary Biscay, who has notched up 10 top three Ironman finishes in the last two years, are amongst 20 other top-tier professional women currently registered for the adrenaline-pumping ADIT, taking place 13th March 2010.
"I can’t wait; I’m really looking forward to racing the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon. The race-distances, the course-design and professionalism of the organisation are promising to make this race a hotspot in the event’s calendar. The world will see triathlon at its best and I am thrilled that Abu Dhabi is adding triathlon to the list of successful world-class events,” said Van Vlerken.

Primed to be an ‘instant classic’, the ADIT is being raced across two unique lengths, a testing 223kms ‘pure power’ course and a second 111.5kms route. And with its first-of-its-kind format, with a finishing running leg shorter than typical Ironman events to allow for quicker recovery, athletes are looking forward to trying out the new distances.
“I am so excited to be part of a first-year race of this calibre; the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon is doing a great thing for our sport, and for long-distance racing, by upping the stakes and putting on a first-class event. Our sport needs more races like this! I am really looking forward to racing in a new part of the world and to lining up next to the best in the world. This race's unique distances and top-notch field are going to make for a very exciting event; I've been training hard all winter and am looking forward to seeing how I measure up!” said Biscay.

Aimed at attracting up to 1,000 triathletes, including the world’s top 50, ADIT has already secured competitors from Australasia, Europe, the Middle East, Americas, North Africa, the Far East, Russia and Africa – a clear indication of ADIT’s global appeal.

And with a pro-women field shaping up to the one of the best this year world-wide, and the event’s growing reputation as the ‘most hotly anticipated new race in 2010’ - as announced by US-based Triathlete magazine, the world's largest triathlon publication - ADTA believes ADIT will be a major draw for local and international competitors.

"There has been a significant groundswell concerning this event since we launched in November, which has continued to generate major interest from amateurs and professionals the world over. With its unique format, distances and route landscape, the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon has certainly put the emirate on the global racing map and continues to reinforce our pursuit of becoming a major adventure athletics destination of distinction,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Head- Major Events Division, ADTA.

To enhance the accessibility of the event, ADTA has introduced a relay element for the 111.5kms route, where a team of three can each take on a single discipline choosing the 1.5kms swim, a 100kms cycle or a 10kms run, which it believes will be perfect for aspiring athletes and corporate involvement.

Both ADIT routes, which are open to amateurs and elites alike, will take in a host of Abu Dhabi city landmarks with the event’s opening swim leg taking place in the lagoon of the hallmark Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, and the cycling section passing some of the destination’s most iconic sights including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest, and along Abu Dhabi’s signature Corniche - all under the safety of completely closed roads.

The route will then go east of the city over Saadiyat Island, the 27 square kilometre natural island which is 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city, and on to the destination’s emerging entertainment hub of Yas Island - home to the highly successful 2009 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where they will compete on the same circuit as many of the world’s top race drivers.
The athletes will then run back to the Corniche through the Heritage Village to the west of the city.

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN TO SERVE UP CHOCOHOLIC DREAM DINNER

A line-up of seven masterchefs and chefs – including Pierre Herme, the man dubbed by Vogue magazine as ‘The Picasso of Pastry’ will be serving up a unique feast paying tribute to the versatility of the cocoa bean in Gourmet Abu Dhabi’s Chocolate Dinner.

Hermé will be joined by fellow French compatriots Frederic Bai, Hugues Pouget and Vincent Bourdin as well as Spain’s Charles Mampel and Loretta Fanella – hailed as the rising star of the international pastry scene - who will work with Darren Andow, Executive Chef of the hosting Yas Island Rotana Hotel to present the culinary masterpiece.
Taking place at the Yas Island Rotana Hotel on February 16, as part of the Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary festival, the evening is not just for the sweet-toothed.

"It will be something of an eulogy to the cocoa bean which will be used in a range of savoury dishes and sweet creations,” said Noura Al Dhaheri, Tourism Dining and Retail Section Head, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is presenting Gourmet Abu Dhabi until February 19.

“One thing is for sure, it will be an evening like no other and one which should produce lasting memories.”

MAI KHAO BEACH - THE SPLASH JUNGLE

MAI KHAO BEACH, PHUKET: West Sands, The Luxury Residences, Resort and Water Park has splashed into 2010 by launching Phuket’s first state-of-the-art water park “The Splash Jungle” on January 29th, 2010.

With an investment of approximately 500 million Thai Baht, Splash Jungle covers 22,400 square metres and holds 6 million litres of water. Designed and manufactured by the internationally renowned “White Water Industries” of Canada who specialize in Water Parks and boast over 4000 projects worldwide to date including Disneyland and Sea World.

The Splash Jungle Water Park reflects seven inspiring places on earth; the Inca Mayas, Africa, Asia, Turkey, Northern Europe, North America and the North Pole.“Splash Jungle will provide visitors and local residents of Phuket one of the greatest daytime entertainment experiences possible while providing tourists with yet another reason to visit Phuket and Thailand from around the world for relaxation and experiences” said, Mr. Tony Cousens, Chief Executive Officer of Central & City Developments Ltd.

The maze of adventure begins with the 335 meter Lazy River which surrounds a Wave Pool, Aqua Play Pool, the two premium rides; Boomerango and Super Bowl amongst many others. Alternatively find time to unwind in the lgloo Sauna or Hot Spring Pool, whilst the little ones explore a Kids Aquarium, Kids Slide Pool and multiple water slides of varying heights and speeds.

• Lazy River : A fun way to get around the water park as you journey through 335 metres of water which meanders through seven wonderful parts of the world from Asia to the North Pole. So sitback inside the comfort of a floating tube and laze away.

• The Wave Pool: The great thing about The Wave Pool is that it truly offers hours of enjoyment for all ages. Feel the currents and waves of the open ocean in the safety of our pool.

• The Boomerango : Located at the Slide Tower. Starting with a thrilling drop through our Aqua tube, the riders are launched into a high back and forth ride ending into splash pool.

• The Super Bowl: Located at the Slide Tower. Starting with a thrilling drop through our Aqua tube, the riders are then launched into the Super Bowl with centrifugal forces keeping them high on the wall for several turns ending in an exciting transition into a splashdown pool.

• Aqua Play Pool : This is the place where the whole family can have fun together, enjoy multiple interactive water features which are sure to get everyone wet from waterslides of varying heights and speeds to a giant tipping bucket, and if you still feel you are not wet enough then try out the water cannons.

The Splash Jungle Water Park operates daily from 10 am to 6 pm. There will also be Splash bar, Coconut Café, Jungle Deli, and retail shops.

Splash Jungle offers Introductory rates from January 30th until April 30th, 2010., at THB 1,795++/adult and THB 1,050++ /children (Height 100-130 cm) and Free of charge for children under 100 centre metres height. For Thai/ Foreigner Residents prices are THB 1500++/adult and THB 1,050++ /children (Height 100-130 cm). Rates are in Thai Baht and are subject to 10% service charge and 7% VAT. Shuttle buses from various points in Phuket are included in the ticket prices.