Festive Malaysia

Malaysia's rich blend of Chinese and Indian cultures along with the native Malay makes for a unique cornucopia of festivals all year round. One of the most exciting Malaysian festivals is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated in January or February. But be warned, with its body piercing, mutilations and frantic parades, it's not for the weak of heart. The festival involves devotees piercing themselves as devotion to Lord Muruga, the youngest son of Lord Shiva. The main event of Thaipusam is a procession of chanting devotees carrying structures known as kavadi which are frames decorated with coloured papers, tinsels, fresh flowers, and fruits. Some devotees are in trance and as penance, pierce their cheeks, tongues, or foreheads.Thaipusam is best seen in the temple at the Batu Caves near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Devotees carry the kavadi up 272 steps to the entrance of a cave housing an image of Lord Muruga. One of the most important festivals for the Chinese is the Hungry Ghosts Festival. Like all Chinese festivals, it's a lunar festival. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th moon which means it falls in August. For several days before the actual event begins, there's a build up of festivities featuring Chinese opera and puppet shows held at temples and clan associations.Like so many Chinese festivals, the Hungry Ghosts festival is about honouring ancestors. According to Chinese beliefs, the spirit world where the dead go is in parallel with the living world. On this special day of the year, the gates between the two worlds open and the hungry ghosts wander the world of the living in search of food and perhaps revenge on those who wronged them in life. During the Hungry Ghosts festival, people place bundles of joss sticks, paper money, and food on street corners. This is intended to appease the spirits of the dead and dissuade them from entering their homes. The paper money known as 'hell money' is burnt and the Chinese believe this will help their family members in the spirit world.For our final festival in this article, we'll look at something a little more modern - the World Rainforest Music Festival, a concert with a difference. It's a 3-day event that celebrates the diversity of world music and draws fans from all over the world.The World Rainforest Music Festival has been held each July since 1997at the Sarawak Cultural Village at the foot of Mount Santubong in Kuching, Sarawak, Eastern Malaysia. The event attracts the talents of both local and traditional musicians along with international performers. In the daytime, the festival features cultural and musical workshop-oriented events with concert performances given in the night.Malaysia is a vibrant and colourful country at any time but if you arrive there during one of the many festivals and celebrations you'll be assured of an extra special time.
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Backpacker, Student, And Gap Year Travel Insurance Explained

Most backpacker travel insurance policies contain a clause relating to failed examinations. This is a very important matter for students to consider. If exams are failed they may be required by the college or university to sit them again. If the student is already off travelling the world the cost to return quickly for a re-sit could be high. However, be warned that claims on the insurance may be denied if travel insurance is not taken out prior to the sitting of all exams which lead up to the final result.
Insurance terms like curtailment and repatriation do not even enter the equation for most young people when planning a gap year. It is surprising how many don't know, or care, what the words mean - or might entail. These are just two of the words to be concerned about. Cancellation, of course, refers to insurance cover for an emergency situation arising before the departure date, causing cancellation of travel plans.
Imagine you are a student well into a gap-year backpacking adventure round the world. You've had a trouble-free trip so far and are in the last month of your travels in an African country. You fall sick with a fever and violent vomiting and diarrhoea. You and your traveling companion both have backpacker insurance. You have some over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies with you and try everything, but nothing seems to work. Your condition deteriorates and you have to seek help from the nearest medical clinic. The doctor finds that you are severely dehydrated and rushes you by air ambulance to the nearest major hospital.
Your companion gets in contact with the claims handler for your travel insurance and alerts them to the problem. A week later your condition has stabilized, but you are still very weak. The doctors advise you to return home (curtail your trip) to continue with your recovery. The claims handler approves the arrangements for the new return flights for you and your companion.
Now imagine all the above happened and you had decided to save money and not bother with purchasing travel insurance. Who would pay for the air ambulance, hospital care, the curtailment of your trip (change of flights), and repatriation?
It is surprising how many young people take the risk of traveling without travel insurance. The statistics are something like one in five, which means there are thousands of young and vulnerable adults wandering about the world with no help at hand and exposed to all manner of risks. Many think it's not necessary because they are just backpacking and using hostels. However, their unsuspecting parents would probably end up footing the bill if the worst should happen.
Who would help if you were involved in a traffic accident, terrorist attack, had your backpack and travel documents stolen, or were the victim of a mugging? Most people have no clue how much it would cost for emergency repatriation from the other side of the world - from places like Australia, Africa, and South America.
Backpacker insurance policies vary but are normally heavy on the medical cover and liability and light on baggage cover. Many cover participation in adventure sports (on a limited basis) for activities like scuba diving, wind surfing and bungee jumping. Winter sports cover can be added to the policy for an extra premium. If the USA is on your travel itinerary, expect to pay a bit more for the insurance because of the high cost of medical care. Most backpacker policies do not cover risks relating to work (paid or volunteer) so you will need to shop around for the appropriate type of cover.
Remember the words 'repatriation' and 'curtailment' and don't let them come back to haunt you. Repatriation means that in the event of some type of emergency situation your insurance will cover expenses to return you back to your country of origin.Curtailment means cover for expenses incurred as a result of your trip being cut short due to an emergency after you have already left home. Don't wait until it's too late to find out what they mean!
Travelling the world before starting university - or after university and before putting your foot on the career ladder - can be a valuable, worthwhile, and fantastic experience. It is false economy, and frankly plain dumb, to save a bit of money by skipping the travel insurance. Why risk spoiling all those wonderful memories - and getting your career off to such a bad start?
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Ways To Suvarnabhumi Airport – New Thailand International Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport is a new international airport of Thailand opening since September 2006. The word “Suvarnabhumi” means the land of gold. Since the old international airport of Thailand named Don Muang Airport is very old and small. It cannot be expanded to build more buildings and runways. Also, it is located in the city where many people live around, and the traffic is very bad in rush hours. The new international airport, Suvarnabhumi, serves all needs and solves those problems at Don Muang Airport. The new airport is located around 50 kilometers away from the center of Bangkok metropolitan area. Currently, the sky train is being built to transport passengers from the center of Bangkok to the airport. It is very fast and convenient.
Before the sky train will be used in few years, there are currently five ways to get to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. In the south of the airport, there is a big four-lane road connecting to Bangna-Trad road and Burapawitee express way. People can get to the airport terminal using this way by Service Road, passing Long-term parking lots, Public Transportation Center, and turn to the road to the terminal. This is one of the main ways to get to the international airport especially those automobiles which come from Chalerm Mahanakorn express way (first Bangkok express way) or from Bang Plee, Pak Nam or Sam Rong areas.
In the northeast of the airport, another big four-lane road is connected to On-Nuch road. People can get to the airport from this road and use airport road to Service Road. Then pass the Long-term parking lots and Public Transportation Center, and turn to the road to the airport terminal. For people who come from Srinakarin road, they can also use this way.
In the west of airport, there is a big four-lane road connecting to King Kaew road. It is one of the ways from Teparak road. People can use this way from Bangplee-Ladkrabang road and turn to King Kaew road. This road is under construction.
In the northwest of the airport, a big six-lane road is connected to escalated Rom Klao road and King Kaew road. People can use this way by passing Duty Free Area and turning to the road to the terminal. This is the main way for the automobiles from On-nuch road, Suvintawong road and Chalongkrung road. Trucks from Ladkrabang industrial area and ICD on Chao Khun Taharn road can also use this way to the new airport.
In the north of the airport, an escalated wide eight-lane road is connected to Motorway. This road brings people to the front of the terminal directly. The road will expand to ten lanes when getting to the airport area. This is the biggest and main way to the international airport. It is very convenient for people who would like to park their own vehicles coming from the northern area of Bangkok including Rangsit, Ram intra and Ramkamhang. People can drive to the Motorway from the outer ring road, Rama 9 road and Srirach express way.
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