Travel To China

Ian Williamson asked:


For those looking for a different cultural experience, or even just a great holiday destination, then adding Malaysia to your travel list will not disappoint. A Malaysian holiday can be a relaxed resort style getaway on one of the islands such as Sabah or Langkawi, bargain shopping and sight-seeing in the capital Kuala Lumpur, or perhaps a combination of both to let you experience the diversity of this amazing country.

For first time travelers to Malaysia there are several tips that will make your holiday less stressful and infinitely more enjoyable, such as:

Check Health Warnings Before leaving for Malaysia visit your family doctor to check health warnings for the area you intend to visit. If you intend to do any hiking or rainforest walks then you will need to start taking malaria tablets around a week before your departure. Your family doctor will be able to advise of any other precautions or medications that you need.

Airport Transfers By far the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport into the capital is via the KLIA Express (airport express train). The train is very modern with video screens showing points of interest and things to do in Malaysia while you enjoy a comfortable ride into Kuala Lumpur in around 35 minutes. Using a bus or taxi transfer will normally take around one hour by comparison and cost a little more. An added convenience when using the KLIA Express to connect with a departing flight is the facility to book your luggage onto your flight from the central train station in Kuala Lumpur (providing you do this at least 2.5 hours before your flight).

Taxi Fares Always ask how much the fare will be to get to your destination before getting into the taxi. Taxi fares in Malaysia are for the most part quite reasonable however at times a naive traveler can be easy pickings, especially on a return trip from an outlying area so be sure to ask for the cost of the fare beforehand and if it seems too high then you can usually find another taxi to get a better deal. The exception to this however is during peak hours in Kuala Lumpur when you will pay more because of traffic delays. Your hotel concierge can advise you on what the busiest traffic times are likely to be. Planning your movements around the capital outside of these times will save you money if you’re on a tight budget.

Don’t drink the tap water To reduce your chances of having your holiday ruined by tummy upsets it is wise not to consume the local tap water. During your stay keep these points in mind: 1) Clean your teeth and toothbrush with bottled water. 2) Remember to specify “No Ice” when ordering cocktails or mixer drinks. (Many of the more up-market resorts and hotels have ice that has been made using filtered or bottled water which is perfectly safe, however if you wish to be extra cautious then it is safer to forgo the ice).

Buy personal items from a supermarket Make purchases of personal care items such as sunscreen, toothpaste or bottled water from a local supermarket instead of the resort or hotel where you are staying. Although the prices of these items may not seem too expensive you will normally find a supermarket or small convenience store somewhere close to the resort where these items are up to a third of the price that you will pay at the resort. Any money you save on these purchases can be used for souvenir shopping instead.

Restaurants When you’re staying in regional areas and choosing somewhere to eat keep in mind that you are no longer in a western country. Malaysia is a relatively poor country which is more evident in outlying areas than it is in the capital. While in your home country a restaurant in a run down looking building could indicate a possible health risk this is not the case in regional areas of Malaysia as many of the buildings are old because of the general poverty of the population. The best guide for choosing a restaurant is if the local people are happy eating there it is a good indication that the food is safe.

Keep valuables concealed Always keep wallets, purses, mobile phones etc in your pockets or backpack to avoid the attention of pickpockets, especially in larger cities. Although not a major problem any large population has its share of thieving so it is best to keep your valuables secure. It is also wise to carry your backpack on the front of your body in certain areas such as the china town markets in Kuala Lumpur where it can be quite crowded giving pickpockets a chance to access valuables within the outer compartments of a backpack.

Malaysia is a great holiday destination with excellent shopping, friendly people, wonderful scenery, and delicious food and by following these simple tips you’ll have such a memorable time you’ll want to return again and again



Sarah

Deidre asked:


I am going to china soon and I am getting contradictory information from my service representative and their website. Hopw can I call the US from China? Any help would be appreciated!
I am going to china soon and I am getting contradictory information from my service representative and their website. How can I call the US from China? Any help would be appreciated!

I know my phone can make the international calls, its a matter of what numbers I am to dial. I am getting contradictory info.

And I am leaving soon so there is no time to switch.

Julie

James Dunn asked:


As with many forms of martial arts, the origins can be attributed for an early need for self-defense, military needs as well as hunting. Of course, martial arts became an integrated part of the Chinese culture over time and as such, the term “Kung Fu” became a universal name for Chinese martial arts all together. As a result, the origins of Kung Fu can be considered the origins of Chinese martial arts themselves.

Many people believe that during the year 2698 B.C., the Yellow Emperor (a man known by the name of Huangdi) introduced martial arts for the first time in China, he wrote many treatises on several topics, including early forms. The earliest forms of Chinese fighting included moves such as grappling, kicks, punches and throws as well as joint-locks and the utilization of pressure points to one’s advantage to defeat an opponent.

As the development of Chinese martial arts continued, the incorporation of several philosophies and even more techniques soon followed. Yin and Yang play an important part in the creation of Kung Fu, this philosophy embodies both “soft” and “hard” techniques that balance each other and when put into effect can create a balanced martial art.

In congruence with the Yin and Yang philosophies, the Taoist people play their part in the creation of Kung Fu by adding softer elements from the martial art known as Tai Chi. Tai Chi places a great deal of importance on the health and wellness of the body, spirit and mind and it is these elements that have also been incorporated into Kung Fu.

Kung Fu began to gain in popularity around the year 1912 (during the Republican Period and the dissolution of the Qing Dynasty) when martial arts masters were encouraged to spread their knowledge and help teach their art form to the general public and basically to anyone willing to learn it.

It was in Berlin during the year 1936 that Chinese masters first performed Kung Fu for a large, multi-cultural audience during the Olympics that year. This too helped spread interest in Chinese martial arts for the first time.

Many masters, however, began to migrate to other cities and countries to evade the Communist rule that dominated China during that time and with them, of course, went their knowledge and teachings of martial arts. Of course, this solidified the spread of Chinese martial arts across the globe and this is when it truly molded into the “Kung Fu” as we know it today, no longer were these amazing combinations of martial arts bound by ethnicity or anything else.

Masters were free to teach the art and students were free to learn it. Westerners became particularly interested in Kung Fu due to the fact that many movies during that time were created and featured many techniques that came directly from Kung Fu or were derived from it. In spite of its murky origins, however, it remains one of the most popular martial arts in the modern world.



Jasmine