TRAVELLING trends are changing and our local aviation industry has picked up on the changes.
Yesterday, KL International Airport (KLIA) and Malaysia Airports Bhd (MAB) launched the first phase of the Next Generation Hub, a web portal called www.flyklia.com, which provides an itinerary builder that integrates all airlines' schedules and fare, including full service carriers and low-cost carriers.
Through this web portal, travellers are able to choose the lowest fare and the quickest route to a destination.
“We may not be the first to offer such services to travellers but we are the most updated,” said MAB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad.
He added that this portal also serves to facilitate people to use Kuala Lumpur as a transit point. In the past, such information was possible but required much more work and hassle. With one website to find the connections, travellers can save time.
The flight planner on the portal, which is free, searches more than 660 airlines worldwide for the best flights and connections available. The search results include links to airlines and other travel portals where travellers can book flights directly.
“The portal empowers the traveller with tools to build unique itineraries. At a touch of a button, travellers may choose to arrive at their destination on full-service carriers and depart on a low-cost carrier. Such combinations would not show up on a regular booking engine.”
Moreover, the website is easy to navigate, said Bashir.
With the launch of the website, Malaysia Airports is also excited to introduce the new “KLIA Next Generation Hub — The new way to the world” branding to convey a new way of doing things for both passengers and airlines.
As for what phase two of the plan will be, Bashir said it will be announced when the time comes.
Showing posts with label Travel And Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel And Adventure. Show all posts
11 October 2009
The best way to manage WHCT
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You are here : Home | | Skypark takes the stress out of flying
Skypark takes the stress out of flying
Submitted by amir azree on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
* Lifestyle
* Skypark
Ng Suzhen
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 09:20:00
Skypark
LIVELY: Skypark Subang Terminal sets out to be different from other airports
SKYPARK Subang Terminal will stand out from other airports as it injects some lifestyle into the hustle and bustle of rushing to board flights.
“There are two types of people who take flights. One are those who are constantly in a rush. All they need is a business centre to check some emails and they would be on their way. Another type, are those who enjoy a more leisurely time looking around. This is where this terminal offers more than just a place to accommodate flights, we provide a variety of lifestyle choices,” said Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon.
These lifestyle choices include restaurants, shops and entertainment like a live jazz band in the evenings. The airport’s interior architecture gives prominence to spaciousness and has wide walkways.
Skypark
ATTRACTION: Live jazz band in the evenings
The terminal has franchise food and beverage outlets such as Starbucks, Big Apple Donuts & Coffee and 1901 Hotdogs. There will soon be a wine bar and a fine dining area.
The Skypark is already operational with some 10 per cent of finishing work left. It can accommodate about 60 flights a day, comprising local and regional arrivals and departures.
It is home to Berjaya Air and Firefly, and both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia which also operate ticketing offices there.
The 150,000 square-foot terminal is expected to handle 2.5 million passengers by the end of this year.
Private aviation facilities
BESIDES servicing domestic and regional flights, Skypark Subang Terminal’s dedicated private aviation terminal is now fully operational with a runway capable of accommodating a 747 jetliner.
It will serve as the country’s gateway for inbound and outbound corporate and private jets.
Dubbed the Skypark Fixed Based Operations Malaysia, there are plans to use 30 acres of land for hanger facilities to house privatelyowned aircraft.
Private jet travellers will have a bundle of facilities to enjoy. There is a lounge for travellers and a VVIP room for those who want some private rest and relaxation.
Conference rooms are available for business meetings. The airport also has rest areas for pilots and crew members who can enjoy the use of a gym, kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms to freshen up and prepare themselves for what might be a long flight ahead.
Originally known as the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Subang Terminal 3, and built in 1993 to cater to Malaysian Airlines’ domestic flights, the airport was subsequently used by private aviation companies when commercial airline operations moved to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang.
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o Third Eye
* Sports
o Sports opinion
o EPL
o Soccer
o Squash
o Badminton
o Motorsports
o Hockey
o Tennis
o Golf
o Other Sports
* hotline/mail
o Submit to Hotline
o Announcements
o Hotline stories
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You are here : Home | | Skypark takes the stress out of flying
Skypark takes the stress out of flying
Submitted by amir azree on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
* Lifestyle
* Skypark
Ng Suzhen
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 09:20:00
Skypark
LIVELY: Skypark Subang Terminal sets out to be different from other airports
SKYPARK Subang Terminal will stand out from other airports as it injects some lifestyle into the hustle and bustle of rushing to board flights.
“There are two types of people who take flights. One are those who are constantly in a rush. All they need is a business centre to check some emails and they would be on their way. Another type, are those who enjoy a more leisurely time looking around. This is where this terminal offers more than just a place to accommodate flights, we provide a variety of lifestyle choices,” said Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon.
These lifestyle choices include restaurants, shops and entertainment like a live jazz band in the evenings. The airport’s interior architecture gives prominence to spaciousness and has wide walkways.
Skypark
ATTRACTION: Live jazz band in the evenings
The terminal has franchise food and beverage outlets such as Starbucks, Big Apple Donuts & Coffee and 1901 Hotdogs. There will soon be a wine bar and a fine dining area.
The Skypark is already operational with some 10 per cent of finishing work left. It can accommodate about 60 flights a day, comprising local and regional arrivals and departures.
It is home to Berjaya Air and Firefly, and both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia which also operate ticketing offices there.
The 150,000 square-foot terminal is expected to handle 2.5 million passengers by the end of this year.
Private aviation facilities
BESIDES servicing domestic and regional flights, Skypark Subang Terminal’s dedicated private aviation terminal is now fully operational with a runway capable of accommodating a 747 jetliner.
It will serve as the country’s gateway for inbound and outbound corporate and private jets.
Dubbed the Skypark Fixed Based Operations Malaysia, there are plans to use 30 acres of land for hanger facilities to house privatelyowned aircraft.
Private jet travellers will have a bundle of facilities to enjoy. There is a lounge for travellers and a VVIP room for those who want some private rest and relaxation.
Conference rooms are available for business meetings. The airport also has rest areas for pilots and crew members who can enjoy the use of a gym, kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms to freshen up and prepare themselves for what might be a long flight ahead.
Originally known as the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Subang Terminal 3, and built in 1993 to cater to Malaysian Airlines’ domestic flights, the airport was subsequently used by private aviation companies when commercial airline operations moved to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang.
Holiday Villa celebrates 22-year anniversary
IT has been 22 years since Holiday Villa first opened its doors, and they are making quite an effort to celebrate it with guests. For one, Holiday Villa is giving away a Toyota Vios 1.5E (automatic transmission).
They are also rewarding 22 lucky guests at Holiday Villa every month, with a three-days two-nights stay for two at a suite or villa with breakfast and dinner provided.
This includes Holiday Villa London, Tuan Chau Island Holiday Villa Halong Bay, Holliday Villa Bali, Holiday Villa Sanya Hainan, Holiday Villa Langkawi and Holiday Villa Cherating.
That’s right. You can win a stay in London, Bali, China, Vietnam or just plain old marvelous Malaysia, just by either staying or dining at Holliday Villa outlets. There is also a special rate of US$22 (RM77.66) per person for a twin-sharing room, made available for 10 months.
Holiday Villa is an international brand based in Malaysia, founded in 1987 by Alangka-Suka Hotels & Resorts Berhad, a subsidiary of public-listed, Advance Synergy Berhad. Their very first hotel/resort was the one in Cherating, which is still popular today.
The contest started on Aug 1 and will run until May 31, 2010.Guests who either stay or dine at the hotel can fill up an entry form and submit it at the reception counter to be eligible to win the car, or any of the other prizes up for grabs.
They are also rewarding 22 lucky guests at Holiday Villa every month, with a three-days two-nights stay for two at a suite or villa with breakfast and dinner provided.
This includes Holiday Villa London, Tuan Chau Island Holiday Villa Halong Bay, Holliday Villa Bali, Holiday Villa Sanya Hainan, Holiday Villa Langkawi and Holiday Villa Cherating.
That’s right. You can win a stay in London, Bali, China, Vietnam or just plain old marvelous Malaysia, just by either staying or dining at Holliday Villa outlets. There is also a special rate of US$22 (RM77.66) per person for a twin-sharing room, made available for 10 months.
Holiday Villa is an international brand based in Malaysia, founded in 1987 by Alangka-Suka Hotels & Resorts Berhad, a subsidiary of public-listed, Advance Synergy Berhad. Their very first hotel/resort was the one in Cherating, which is still popular today.
The contest started on Aug 1 and will run until May 31, 2010.Guests who either stay or dine at the hotel can fill up an entry form and submit it at the reception counter to be eligible to win the car, or any of the other prizes up for grabs.
Family-friendly Pattaya
Pattaya has a reputation for being a red light district, but it has wholesome attractions too.
Long a city associated with neon-lit streets, go-go bars and sex for sale, Pattaya is a city with a, urm, reputation.
I made a recent trip to see just how much of this reputation is deserved and what it is about the city that lures Thai families on weekends. Surely it can’t be the go-go bars?
The awe-inspiring Sanctuary of Truth.
The coastal city is a two-hour bus trip from Bangkok. The adventure starts even before one arrives in town, for just on the outskirts is a must-see stopover — the Pattaya Floating Market.
Much smaller than its counterpart in Bangkok, this floating market is nonetheless a fun experience. Wooden pathways snake around standing retail structures, and there is a large variety of food and snacks on offer. There is no entry fee but if you choose to take the boat-ride, it’s 200 baht (RM18) per boat, with a maximum of four people on board.
Seaside monolith
From the charming, we ventured upon something awe-inspiring — the Sanctuary of Truth, a temple-like building constructed entirely out of wood. It greeted us out of the surrounding greenery as if it were an apparition out of an Indiana Jones movie.
The owner started building this wooden structure in 1981, intending it to be a memorial to peace, tolerance and respect among mankind. The Buddhist-inspired building is so large that even though work on it is not complete yet, its sheer size already boggles the mind.
The building stands 100m high at the centre and is equally wide. It is held up by gargantuan columns and boasts chiselled images with painstaking detail all around. The Sanctuary of Truth is so spectacular that one does not deem it inappropriate to compare it to the Taj Mahal.
Authentic Thai cuisine is served outside in the park in which the sanctuary is located. The surrounding greenery made for a great lunch experience. Entry fees are 500 baht (RM56) per person, and well worth it.
The Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Garden and Resort
Staying in Pattaya
Pattaya looks larger than our own Petaling Jaya but with huge hotels lining its coastal road, known as Beach Road. All kinds of accommodation can be found here, from the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya to the more family-friendly Holiday Inn.
I stayed at the newly-opened Zign Hotel, one of the many designer hotels here. It provides easy access to Beach Road while allowing for some peace away from the hubbub. The rooms are comfortable and stylish in an almost quirky way (no carpeting, bright colours).
I enjoyed the large pool despite the fact that the hotel has its own stretch of beach.
Pattaya can get quite crowded in the middle of the year and towards year-end, with lots of tourists jostling for space with the city slickers from Bangkok. Booking ahead for accommodation is recommended. In terms of shopping, there’s plenty on offer — from touristy trinkets to designer boutiques.
The next day I ventured to the city’s famous botanical park, the Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Garden and Resort. The experience began with an animal-petting experience, starting with parrots and orang utan, and proceeding to — gasp — an adult tiger! The oversized feline is kept in chains, of course, and one has to pose for pictures in the correct position to avoid being targeted as prey!
A cultural show, with Thai costumes and musical accompaniment, followed. An hour later, we were in another compound enjoying a hilarious elephant acrobatic performance. Yes, you read right. It was a huge thrill to all the children and foreign families, as the Thai elephants performed highly skilled feats, from scoring goals to throwing darts!
People were invited to feed the adorable giants, but watch out, you might get dragged into the arena for an impromptu performance!
After lunch, we spent a good hour taking an electric cart ride around the sprawling gardens. It seemed to us that no expense had been spared in procuring the flora and fauna of the gardens, particularly the large reserve set aside for orchids.
The orchid is, after all, Thailand’s national flower. Entry fees are a little steep at about 700 baht (RM78) per person.
For a bit of night-time sightseeing, a walk down Beach Road can be an enjoyable experience. One can do a bit of shopping or try a Thai massage at affordable rates. A seafood dinner is not to be missed, either. Unfortunately, not much is available late at night except for risque drag shows.
Those with a faint heart will not want to venture into the infamous Walking Street with its go-go bars are. All kinds of interesting characters abound here and, yes, the garish neon signs are indeed everywhere. It’s all very fascinating, but the place is not exactly family-friendly.
We spent the last day travelling southeast. The sleepy sea-side town of Rayong beckoned, and just beyond, the booming island of Koh Samet, playground for backpackers and the affluent alike. Getting to Koh Samet takes no more than 90 minutes from Pattaya, and is a viable option for weekend excursions.
Then again, one has plenty to do in Pattaya itself.
Keep your money for the various entry fees and the buffets, and leave the rest for souvenir shopping. And with all the walking that the trip entails, don’t forget a good foot massage before dinner for the family. They’ll thank you for it.
Getting there
Buses to Pattaya depart from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal daily. Journey time is two hours and costs around 117 baht (RM13). Taxis are available but you’d have to cough up 1,110 baht (RM125). Buses also depart from Suvarnabhumi airport, with a journey time of 90 minutes and a fare of 105 baht (RM12).
Long a city associated with neon-lit streets, go-go bars and sex for sale, Pattaya is a city with a, urm, reputation.
I made a recent trip to see just how much of this reputation is deserved and what it is about the city that lures Thai families on weekends. Surely it can’t be the go-go bars?
The awe-inspiring Sanctuary of Truth.
The coastal city is a two-hour bus trip from Bangkok. The adventure starts even before one arrives in town, for just on the outskirts is a must-see stopover — the Pattaya Floating Market.
Much smaller than its counterpart in Bangkok, this floating market is nonetheless a fun experience. Wooden pathways snake around standing retail structures, and there is a large variety of food and snacks on offer. There is no entry fee but if you choose to take the boat-ride, it’s 200 baht (RM18) per boat, with a maximum of four people on board.
Seaside monolith
From the charming, we ventured upon something awe-inspiring — the Sanctuary of Truth, a temple-like building constructed entirely out of wood. It greeted us out of the surrounding greenery as if it were an apparition out of an Indiana Jones movie.
The owner started building this wooden structure in 1981, intending it to be a memorial to peace, tolerance and respect among mankind. The Buddhist-inspired building is so large that even though work on it is not complete yet, its sheer size already boggles the mind.
The building stands 100m high at the centre and is equally wide. It is held up by gargantuan columns and boasts chiselled images with painstaking detail all around. The Sanctuary of Truth is so spectacular that one does not deem it inappropriate to compare it to the Taj Mahal.
Authentic Thai cuisine is served outside in the park in which the sanctuary is located. The surrounding greenery made for a great lunch experience. Entry fees are 500 baht (RM56) per person, and well worth it.
The Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Garden and Resort
Staying in Pattaya
Pattaya looks larger than our own Petaling Jaya but with huge hotels lining its coastal road, known as Beach Road. All kinds of accommodation can be found here, from the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya to the more family-friendly Holiday Inn.
I stayed at the newly-opened Zign Hotel, one of the many designer hotels here. It provides easy access to Beach Road while allowing for some peace away from the hubbub. The rooms are comfortable and stylish in an almost quirky way (no carpeting, bright colours).
I enjoyed the large pool despite the fact that the hotel has its own stretch of beach.
Pattaya can get quite crowded in the middle of the year and towards year-end, with lots of tourists jostling for space with the city slickers from Bangkok. Booking ahead for accommodation is recommended. In terms of shopping, there’s plenty on offer — from touristy trinkets to designer boutiques.
The next day I ventured to the city’s famous botanical park, the Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Garden and Resort. The experience began with an animal-petting experience, starting with parrots and orang utan, and proceeding to — gasp — an adult tiger! The oversized feline is kept in chains, of course, and one has to pose for pictures in the correct position to avoid being targeted as prey!
A cultural show, with Thai costumes and musical accompaniment, followed. An hour later, we were in another compound enjoying a hilarious elephant acrobatic performance. Yes, you read right. It was a huge thrill to all the children and foreign families, as the Thai elephants performed highly skilled feats, from scoring goals to throwing darts!
People were invited to feed the adorable giants, but watch out, you might get dragged into the arena for an impromptu performance!
After lunch, we spent a good hour taking an electric cart ride around the sprawling gardens. It seemed to us that no expense had been spared in procuring the flora and fauna of the gardens, particularly the large reserve set aside for orchids.
The orchid is, after all, Thailand’s national flower. Entry fees are a little steep at about 700 baht (RM78) per person.
For a bit of night-time sightseeing, a walk down Beach Road can be an enjoyable experience. One can do a bit of shopping or try a Thai massage at affordable rates. A seafood dinner is not to be missed, either. Unfortunately, not much is available late at night except for risque drag shows.
Those with a faint heart will not want to venture into the infamous Walking Street with its go-go bars are. All kinds of interesting characters abound here and, yes, the garish neon signs are indeed everywhere. It’s all very fascinating, but the place is not exactly family-friendly.
We spent the last day travelling southeast. The sleepy sea-side town of Rayong beckoned, and just beyond, the booming island of Koh Samet, playground for backpackers and the affluent alike. Getting to Koh Samet takes no more than 90 minutes from Pattaya, and is a viable option for weekend excursions.
Then again, one has plenty to do in Pattaya itself.
Keep your money for the various entry fees and the buffets, and leave the rest for souvenir shopping. And with all the walking that the trip entails, don’t forget a good foot massage before dinner for the family. They’ll thank you for it.
Getting there
Buses to Pattaya depart from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal daily. Journey time is two hours and costs around 117 baht (RM13). Taxis are available but you’d have to cough up 1,110 baht (RM125). Buses also depart from Suvarnabhumi airport, with a journey time of 90 minutes and a fare of 105 baht (RM12).
Miniature marvels
Imagine walking through the Netherlands in a single hour. I managed to accomplish this incredible feat but, of course, the buildings I strode past were miniature versions of the real thing.
These included such famous Dutch icons as the Dom Tower in Utrecht, the Peace Palace in The Hague and Amsterdam’s Magna Plaza and Schipol Airport. I felt like Gulliver stomping around in the land of Lilliput.
My visit to the lovely theme park of Madurodam in The Hague was fascinating. Here, they have painstakingly created dollhouse-sized replicas using synthetic materials. The miniatures are precisely 25 times smaller than the originals.
Delf pottery
Madurodam is the Netherland’s smallest “town”, covering 18,000sq m and boasting 66,000 “inhabitants”. I saw a mini train chugging into a tunnel, a plane circling an airport terminal and a boat making its way through a pond in different sections of the park.
It is enlightening to see how the Dutch have put their world under a microscope. Visitors from all ages can have their share of fun at this endearing spot. For children, there are oodles to learn about, such as architecture and history, while the adults cannot help but marvel at the intricacies of the wee structures.
Madurodam is also a war memorial which opened in 1952 to commemorate war hero and resistance fighter George Maduro. He died in 1945 in the Dachau concentration camp. His parents financed the miniature town and donate the profits to charity.
Posing in a clog outside a clog shop.
This was the final stop in my nine-hour tour around the scenic spots of the country. Costing ‚57 (about RM285), the bus I came in earlier had brought us to Zaanse Shaanse, a windmill museum where we also learnt about the cheese-making process. According to our guide, only 945 out of 10,000 windmills had survived. The rest had fallen by the wayside due to technology and progress.
Our next stop was the tourist haven of Volendam. Although this was my second visit here, the little shops lining the pier with their boats and yachts still held their charm. However, if crowds and shops stocked with souvenirs are not your cup of tea, then give the place a miss.
Amidst this lively atmosphere, the village is a riot of colours, shapes and sizes. Here, we took an express boat to Marken, where we got an insight into the art of making clogs.
Zaanse Shaanse, a windmill museum.
A local told us that clogs had been handmade from the 1500s until the early 1900s when the human touch was overtaken by machines. The afternoon saw us visiting the town of Delf which is world-famous for its distinctive blue-and-white pottery.
We were allowed to peer behind the scenes during our tour around a factory. I was tempted to buy one of the exquisite works of art here but the hefty price tag made me turn on my heels before I got lulled by the beauty that surrounded me.
Call it a case of sour grapes if you wish, but I don’t think the Delfware would have survived my journey back to Malaysia in one piece anyway.
Getting there
Malaysia Airlines flies directly from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam (www.amsterdamtourist. nl).
WHEN TO GO Between May and September.
WHAT TO BRING Cap, body lotion, comfortable walking shoes and disposable raincoat.
COMMUNICATION Most locals there can converse in English.
These included such famous Dutch icons as the Dom Tower in Utrecht, the Peace Palace in The Hague and Amsterdam’s Magna Plaza and Schipol Airport. I felt like Gulliver stomping around in the land of Lilliput.
My visit to the lovely theme park of Madurodam in The Hague was fascinating. Here, they have painstakingly created dollhouse-sized replicas using synthetic materials. The miniatures are precisely 25 times smaller than the originals.
Delf pottery
Madurodam is the Netherland’s smallest “town”, covering 18,000sq m and boasting 66,000 “inhabitants”. I saw a mini train chugging into a tunnel, a plane circling an airport terminal and a boat making its way through a pond in different sections of the park.
It is enlightening to see how the Dutch have put their world under a microscope. Visitors from all ages can have their share of fun at this endearing spot. For children, there are oodles to learn about, such as architecture and history, while the adults cannot help but marvel at the intricacies of the wee structures.
Madurodam is also a war memorial which opened in 1952 to commemorate war hero and resistance fighter George Maduro. He died in 1945 in the Dachau concentration camp. His parents financed the miniature town and donate the profits to charity.
Posing in a clog outside a clog shop.
This was the final stop in my nine-hour tour around the scenic spots of the country. Costing ‚57 (about RM285), the bus I came in earlier had brought us to Zaanse Shaanse, a windmill museum where we also learnt about the cheese-making process. According to our guide, only 945 out of 10,000 windmills had survived. The rest had fallen by the wayside due to technology and progress.
Our next stop was the tourist haven of Volendam. Although this was my second visit here, the little shops lining the pier with their boats and yachts still held their charm. However, if crowds and shops stocked with souvenirs are not your cup of tea, then give the place a miss.
Amidst this lively atmosphere, the village is a riot of colours, shapes and sizes. Here, we took an express boat to Marken, where we got an insight into the art of making clogs.
Zaanse Shaanse, a windmill museum.
A local told us that clogs had been handmade from the 1500s until the early 1900s when the human touch was overtaken by machines. The afternoon saw us visiting the town of Delf which is world-famous for its distinctive blue-and-white pottery.
We were allowed to peer behind the scenes during our tour around a factory. I was tempted to buy one of the exquisite works of art here but the hefty price tag made me turn on my heels before I got lulled by the beauty that surrounded me.
Call it a case of sour grapes if you wish, but I don’t think the Delfware would have survived my journey back to Malaysia in one piece anyway.
Getting there
Malaysia Airlines flies directly from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam (www.amsterdamtourist. nl).
WHEN TO GO Between May and September.
WHAT TO BRING Cap, body lotion, comfortable walking shoes and disposable raincoat.
COMMUNICATION Most locals there can converse in English.
Priority stops
Think the SPCA for cats, and you will understand the concept of Amsterdam’s Poezenboot. However, what makes it unique is that the cats of Poezenboot actually live in a houseboat.
Imagine, a cat sanctuary that floats!
Poezenboot, which means “puss in boat” in Dutch, is docked along Singel canal, a stone’s throw away from the city’s bustling central station. Having learned of it from the Lonely Planet guidebook, I wanted to visit it in 2005 but something got in the way during the trip.
So this time, I put it in my priority list — it was to be my first stop during a self-guided tour around the city. The cat sanctuary was not difficult to find because it had a little cat figurine on the roof as if to welcome all visitors.
The Poezenboot is a houseboat for stray cats. - NG SU ANN
I even met the boat’s feline ambassador, Rebel. The cat in an orange coat was so lovable and friendly that she slept on my lap as I was having my lunch on a bench beside the boat.
Although I am more a dog lover than a cat person, Rebel stole my heart. I learnt that although she had an owner, she would bring strays to the houseboat as if she were recommending a good hotel to weary travellers.
According to the facility’s website (www.poezenboot.nl), Poezenboot was the brainchild of Henriette van Weelde who once found a feline family sheltering under a tree opposite her house on a canal. She decided to take them in and soon, more strays joined them. Dubbed the cat lady, van Weelde was also approached by people who would bring her unwanted cats.
However, when there was no space left for the cats, she found the solution to be right outside her front door. If people could live in the houseboats which lined the canals, why not cats? And so came the idea to buy one for them.
Obama elephants on sale to raise money for charity. - NG SU ANN
According to Poezenboot’s oldest volunteer Gordon Catanya, 78, the founder bought a houseboat for 70 to 80 guilders. After her death several years ago, a foundation took over the running of Poezenboot, which depends solely on donations. It can accommodate 15 cats and welcomes visitors from all over the world.
It was heartening to see people dropping in to play with the cats and donate generously to the cause.
My next stop was the city’s infamous Red Light District. I had been warned against taking photos of the scantily clad women behind the neon-lit windows or risk having my camera thrown into the canal.
So, when I spotted an empty window, I thought it was harmless to take a few shots. However, I nearly dropped my camera when a prostitute suddenly appeared behind the glass and started banging the window furiously. I gave an apologetic gesture, clutched my camera and turned on my heels.
She was bigger than I was, and I feared that it would be me and not just my camera that would end up in the canal!
After this close shave, I ventured around the notorious neighbourhood with my camera safely kept out of sight in my jacket. It’s ironic that several prostitutes, clad in lacy underwear, even ply their trade in the shadow of Amsterdam’s oldest church, the Oude Kerk.
Some of the girls smiled and beckoned the men who paused for a second while others looked shell-shocked and expressionless (perhaps as a result of curious tourists ogling at them like some circus attraction).
Amsterdam has clearly succeeded like no other city in becoming a modern metropolis without losing the nostalgic air of a historic city. My voyage of discovery through Amsterdam did not cost me much as I had set out to accomplish it on foot.
It’s easy for visitors to get lost within the narrow streets that crisscross its maze of canals. However, I managed to find my way around with an increasingly wrinkled Google map printout. I could feel the pulsating beat of life and rhythm of this overgrown village, as the bicycles whisked past and crowded trams honked at junctions.
At certain public corners, you can see multi-coloured statues of elephants. I learnt that their presence was in conjunction with the Elephant Parade effort. The people organising it aimed to auction off 100 art elephant figurines on Nov 12 in aid of the Elephant Family, the largest Asian elephant charity in the world.
Flea markets are also abundant in Amsterdam. Although Albert Cuypt has the biggest one, the Waterlooplein flea market has become world famous (a Dutch friend said this was because it was easier to pronounce). I went to both, as well as the Bloemenmarkt, Singel’s floating flower market and had a grand time at all three.
The cannabis starter kit piqued my interest at the flower market while I tried a cannabis lolly at Waterlooplein.
I found an affinity with this city with its “live and let live” atmosphere, but cycling can be a hair-raising experience. I was told that if you forget to lock your bike, it would be stolen within 30 seconds. Many of the bikes are the old-fashioned type, whereby you have to back-pedal to stop. However, the Dutch pride themselves as being “born on a bicycle”, and weaving through traffic seems to be second nature to them.
Within the city is the Begijnhof, a diamond-shaped cobblestone courtyard of 17th century buildings. It was built to house Catholic lay sisters, but today the quaint dwellings have become home to unmarried retired women who appreciate having their peaceful garden treated respectfully by visitors.
The picturesque houses, cast iron lampposts and unexpected air of serenity make it hard to think that the place was just steps away from Amsterdam’s busiest shopping street, Kalverstraat.
This long pedestrian mall is lined with hordes of shops offering anything from bargain CDs to branded goods. My feet were sore by the time I had walked up and down the entire length of the street, but it was worth every painful step.
I capped off the day by paying my regular homage to the pretty Dam Square in front of the Koninklijk Palace (Royal Palace). The square used to be Amsterdam’s main market square. Nowadays, it is described as “the heart of the Netherlands” and has the National Monument as its focal point.
This 22m high obelisk was erected after World War II to mark the liberation of the city from German occupation. Its chained figures represent war victims and the inscription reads: “Never again”.
As usual, there were buskers hoping to make a quick Euro around the square. This time, I spotted Batman and Spiderman too. From a close call at the Red Light District to close encounters with comicbook heroes, I had a blast on my day out in town.
Imagine, a cat sanctuary that floats!
Poezenboot, which means “puss in boat” in Dutch, is docked along Singel canal, a stone’s throw away from the city’s bustling central station. Having learned of it from the Lonely Planet guidebook, I wanted to visit it in 2005 but something got in the way during the trip.
So this time, I put it in my priority list — it was to be my first stop during a self-guided tour around the city. The cat sanctuary was not difficult to find because it had a little cat figurine on the roof as if to welcome all visitors.
The Poezenboot is a houseboat for stray cats. - NG SU ANN
I even met the boat’s feline ambassador, Rebel. The cat in an orange coat was so lovable and friendly that she slept on my lap as I was having my lunch on a bench beside the boat.
Although I am more a dog lover than a cat person, Rebel stole my heart. I learnt that although she had an owner, she would bring strays to the houseboat as if she were recommending a good hotel to weary travellers.
According to the facility’s website (www.poezenboot.nl), Poezenboot was the brainchild of Henriette van Weelde who once found a feline family sheltering under a tree opposite her house on a canal. She decided to take them in and soon, more strays joined them. Dubbed the cat lady, van Weelde was also approached by people who would bring her unwanted cats.
However, when there was no space left for the cats, she found the solution to be right outside her front door. If people could live in the houseboats which lined the canals, why not cats? And so came the idea to buy one for them.
Obama elephants on sale to raise money for charity. - NG SU ANN
According to Poezenboot’s oldest volunteer Gordon Catanya, 78, the founder bought a houseboat for 70 to 80 guilders. After her death several years ago, a foundation took over the running of Poezenboot, which depends solely on donations. It can accommodate 15 cats and welcomes visitors from all over the world.
It was heartening to see people dropping in to play with the cats and donate generously to the cause.
My next stop was the city’s infamous Red Light District. I had been warned against taking photos of the scantily clad women behind the neon-lit windows or risk having my camera thrown into the canal.
So, when I spotted an empty window, I thought it was harmless to take a few shots. However, I nearly dropped my camera when a prostitute suddenly appeared behind the glass and started banging the window furiously. I gave an apologetic gesture, clutched my camera and turned on my heels.
She was bigger than I was, and I feared that it would be me and not just my camera that would end up in the canal!
After this close shave, I ventured around the notorious neighbourhood with my camera safely kept out of sight in my jacket. It’s ironic that several prostitutes, clad in lacy underwear, even ply their trade in the shadow of Amsterdam’s oldest church, the Oude Kerk.
Some of the girls smiled and beckoned the men who paused for a second while others looked shell-shocked and expressionless (perhaps as a result of curious tourists ogling at them like some circus attraction).
Amsterdam has clearly succeeded like no other city in becoming a modern metropolis without losing the nostalgic air of a historic city. My voyage of discovery through Amsterdam did not cost me much as I had set out to accomplish it on foot.
It’s easy for visitors to get lost within the narrow streets that crisscross its maze of canals. However, I managed to find my way around with an increasingly wrinkled Google map printout. I could feel the pulsating beat of life and rhythm of this overgrown village, as the bicycles whisked past and crowded trams honked at junctions.
At certain public corners, you can see multi-coloured statues of elephants. I learnt that their presence was in conjunction with the Elephant Parade effort. The people organising it aimed to auction off 100 art elephant figurines on Nov 12 in aid of the Elephant Family, the largest Asian elephant charity in the world.
Flea markets are also abundant in Amsterdam. Although Albert Cuypt has the biggest one, the Waterlooplein flea market has become world famous (a Dutch friend said this was because it was easier to pronounce). I went to both, as well as the Bloemenmarkt, Singel’s floating flower market and had a grand time at all three.
The cannabis starter kit piqued my interest at the flower market while I tried a cannabis lolly at Waterlooplein.
I found an affinity with this city with its “live and let live” atmosphere, but cycling can be a hair-raising experience. I was told that if you forget to lock your bike, it would be stolen within 30 seconds. Many of the bikes are the old-fashioned type, whereby you have to back-pedal to stop. However, the Dutch pride themselves as being “born on a bicycle”, and weaving through traffic seems to be second nature to them.
Within the city is the Begijnhof, a diamond-shaped cobblestone courtyard of 17th century buildings. It was built to house Catholic lay sisters, but today the quaint dwellings have become home to unmarried retired women who appreciate having their peaceful garden treated respectfully by visitors.
The picturesque houses, cast iron lampposts and unexpected air of serenity make it hard to think that the place was just steps away from Amsterdam’s busiest shopping street, Kalverstraat.
This long pedestrian mall is lined with hordes of shops offering anything from bargain CDs to branded goods. My feet were sore by the time I had walked up and down the entire length of the street, but it was worth every painful step.
I capped off the day by paying my regular homage to the pretty Dam Square in front of the Koninklijk Palace (Royal Palace). The square used to be Amsterdam’s main market square. Nowadays, it is described as “the heart of the Netherlands” and has the National Monument as its focal point.
This 22m high obelisk was erected after World War II to mark the liberation of the city from German occupation. Its chained figures represent war victims and the inscription reads: “Never again”.
As usual, there were buskers hoping to make a quick Euro around the square. This time, I spotted Batman and Spiderman too. From a close call at the Red Light District to close encounters with comicbook heroes, I had a blast on my day out in town.
Entering a fairy realm
Amsterdam’s canals may be better known, but it is nowhere near as picturesque as Giethoorn’s.
I took the road less travelled (by most foreign tourists, that is) and it led me to one of the Netherlands’ best-kept secrets — Giethoorn. Enid Blyton’s tales of picture-perfect scenes came to life when I visited this tiny patch of rustic joy in the east of the country.
About 90 minutes’ drive away from Amsterdam, Giethoorn is one of the most enchanting and timeless villages I have ever visited.
Interesting garden sculptures in Giethoorn.
Dubbed the Venice of Netherlands, it houses 7.5km of canals. A sprinkling of storybook cottages, complete with thatched roofs and trimmed gardens, line the canals. If a fairy realm really existed, then I imagine this would be its capital.
Connecting the cottages on opposite banks are 50 bridges that make you sigh with contentment just to gaze at them. Just like in Venice, many of Giethoorn’s houses were built on tiny islands and are only connected by wooden bridges.
I can imagine how this little corner of Holland has filled the canvas of many artists and inspired poets to get busy with their quills.
The village’s name is equally intriguing. According to www.worldisround.com, Giethoorn was founded around 1230 when fugitives from the Mediterranean settled here. They found a lot of horns of wild goats, probably victims of the big flood of St Elisabeth in 1170, and so they called the settlement Geytenhorn (horn of goats).
Getting around in a boat.
Later, it became Geythorn, and now it’s called Giethoorn. (I prefer the first two because I still have trouble pronouncing the last one. I think my Dutch friends have quite given up on me.)
This unassuming place attracts mainly local visitors. My friends said they had visited it when they were children and were pleasantly surprised to discover that nothing much had changed in the village. What I loved most about it was the well-preserved tranquillity, which is absent in many village-turned-tourist sites where commercialisation reigned supreme.
We strolled along the canals, although there were rental boats for those who preferred to discover the village the traditional way. The villagers were very friendly. They greeted everyone even as they cycled by.
We had poffertjes (bite-sized traditional Dutch pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar and eaten with melted butter) for lunch at one of the small cafés. A short drive away was another quaint town called Staphorst. It seems to be bigger than Giethoorn and has a main road running across it. Green window shutters and matching doors are characteristic of houses here.
I found it amazing how trusting the folk were. In front of some of the houses were tables of fresh produce and a coin box for people to drop the money for their purchase.
Poffertjes for lunch.
I was thinking that the criminal-minded could just cart off the coin box but the villagers had found the solution — the coin boxes were screwed to the table. Trust has its limit.
In one of the houses, we bought fresh cow’s milk. The rosy-cheeked seller was dressed in traditional Dutch attire complete with the famous wooden clogs. I was told that this was not an uncommon sight as many residents still believed in the old ways.
Coaxed by my friends, I drank a bit of the milk expecting the worse, but it was actually good, and I lived to tell about my day out in the Dutch country.
I took the road less travelled (by most foreign tourists, that is) and it led me to one of the Netherlands’ best-kept secrets — Giethoorn. Enid Blyton’s tales of picture-perfect scenes came to life when I visited this tiny patch of rustic joy in the east of the country.
About 90 minutes’ drive away from Amsterdam, Giethoorn is one of the most enchanting and timeless villages I have ever visited.
Interesting garden sculptures in Giethoorn.
Dubbed the Venice of Netherlands, it houses 7.5km of canals. A sprinkling of storybook cottages, complete with thatched roofs and trimmed gardens, line the canals. If a fairy realm really existed, then I imagine this would be its capital.
Connecting the cottages on opposite banks are 50 bridges that make you sigh with contentment just to gaze at them. Just like in Venice, many of Giethoorn’s houses were built on tiny islands and are only connected by wooden bridges.
I can imagine how this little corner of Holland has filled the canvas of many artists and inspired poets to get busy with their quills.
The village’s name is equally intriguing. According to www.worldisround.com, Giethoorn was founded around 1230 when fugitives from the Mediterranean settled here. They found a lot of horns of wild goats, probably victims of the big flood of St Elisabeth in 1170, and so they called the settlement Geytenhorn (horn of goats).
Getting around in a boat.
Later, it became Geythorn, and now it’s called Giethoorn. (I prefer the first two because I still have trouble pronouncing the last one. I think my Dutch friends have quite given up on me.)
This unassuming place attracts mainly local visitors. My friends said they had visited it when they were children and were pleasantly surprised to discover that nothing much had changed in the village. What I loved most about it was the well-preserved tranquillity, which is absent in many village-turned-tourist sites where commercialisation reigned supreme.
We strolled along the canals, although there were rental boats for those who preferred to discover the village the traditional way. The villagers were very friendly. They greeted everyone even as they cycled by.
We had poffertjes (bite-sized traditional Dutch pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar and eaten with melted butter) for lunch at one of the small cafés. A short drive away was another quaint town called Staphorst. It seems to be bigger than Giethoorn and has a main road running across it. Green window shutters and matching doors are characteristic of houses here.
I found it amazing how trusting the folk were. In front of some of the houses were tables of fresh produce and a coin box for people to drop the money for their purchase.
Poffertjes for lunch.
I was thinking that the criminal-minded could just cart off the coin box but the villagers had found the solution — the coin boxes were screwed to the table. Trust has its limit.
In one of the houses, we bought fresh cow’s milk. The rosy-cheeked seller was dressed in traditional Dutch attire complete with the famous wooden clogs. I was told that this was not an uncommon sight as many residents still believed in the old ways.
Coaxed by my friends, I drank a bit of the milk expecting the worse, but it was actually good, and I lived to tell about my day out in the Dutch country.
Going up Tabur
Here are some safety tips for first-time hikers:
>Always go with someone who knows the trail well, and never hike alone. Visitors’ movements are not monitored in Tabur, unlike in state or national parks. In the doctors’ case, their badly decomposed bodies were only found three days later, when one of their cars was spotted near the trailhead.
>If you’re scared of heights, you should give Tabur a miss. A friend of mine with acrophobia was scared stiff during our hike in Tabur. It spoilt her outing.
>Start out early. Not only could you catch an amazing sunrise, you can avoid the scorching sun due to lack of shade on the exposed ridge.
An experienced hiker lending a hand to another climber. — AGNES TAN >Dehydration or fatigue causes disorientation. It’s easy to stumble or lose your footing when you’re groggy. Keep yourself hydrated and get in shape. Tabur is not the place to build your stamina due to its rugged terrain. Use flat, easy trails or the gym instead.
>Bring some energy bars or snacks. You never know how long you may end up on the trail, especially if someone in your group is unfit or gets hurt.
>Bring along your mobile phone. In the past, lost hikers have managed to call the police from their mobile phones.
>Avoid hiking after nightfall. You might step into a “bottomless” pit or get hopelessly stranded. In 2003, 13 hikers out of a group of 20 went missing while trying to get down the hill at dusk. They were rescued eight hours later.
>Missing hikers are not uncommon in Tabur. Try not to stray off the path unless you’re GPS-equipped or highly experienced.
>It’s prudent to register your name at the Melawati Police Station — Tel: (03) 4108 1222 — before your hike. It’ll help speed up rescue operations or evacuation should the need arise.
Ill-fated hill
Popular for its breathtaking views and easy access, Selangor’s Bukit Tabur has, however, been in the news for the wrong reasons. 
The gorgeous view of the Klang Gates reservoir from Bukit Tabur 
Steep sections that require the aid of a rope. — JOEL CHAN/ The Star & AGNES TAN
Where in the Klang Valley can you clamber up a peak at sunrise, enjoy jaw-dropping views of forest-cloaked reservoirs and still make it home in time for brunch?
Little wonder, then, that Bukit Tabur, the spiny quartz ridge hill in northwest Kuala Lumpur — is usually thronged by hikers during the weekend. Forming the backdrop for Taman Melawati, Tabur is part of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge, the longest and oldest quartz ridge in the world, say geologists. It’s also home to the serow (mountain goat), more than 30 frog species and five endemic plant species.
But Tabur has been racking up some bad press lately.
The gorgeous view of the Klang Gates reservoir from Bukit Tabur Two weeks ago, a 51-year-old man slipped and tumbled down some 30m. Thanks to bushes that cushioned his fall, he got away with just light injuries. In March, two medical specialists, both experienced trekkers, plunged to their death from about 200m high.
In October 2008, a college student plummeted from about 100m but cheated death because the trees broke her fall. She suffered a deep gash on her forehead, cracked ribs and a punctured lung.
There were two fatalities in 2000 and 2004 and there have been countless accidents, mostly unreported, in the past nine years.
Here’s the thing: Tabur is a relatively easy hill to climb for the fit and experienced hiker. What sets it apart from other popular trails in the Klang Valley like Gunung Nuang and Gasing Hill is its rugged terrain.
Its razor-shaped rocks are unforgiving. There are stretches of the trail where you need to claw your way up or inch your way down vertical drops. Or, totter precariously on pencil-slim ridges.
All it takes is a minor slip and you could tumble like a rag doll into the ravine. Still, hikers like Eric Ng Yoke Foo and his friends hit the Tabur trails regularly.
“It’s the refreshing air and beautiful views from above,” explains Ng, 60, about the draw of Tabur. He first trained here for his Mt Kinabalu climb in 2005. Since he lives in nearby Taman Permata, he’s up on the hill three times a week.
Steep sections that require the aid of a rope. — JOEL CHAN/ The Star & AGNES TAN “The two rope sections on Tabur are where most accidents happen,” says Ng.
Due to his grasp of the area, the police and the rescue squad sometimes rope him in for search-and-rescue operations.
“Trekkers should take extra precaution at these sections. You need a firm footing, strength to hoist yourself up and whatever happens, never let go of the rope! Please go with someone who’s familiar with the trail,” advises Ng.
Appalled by the reckless and idiotic behaviour of some hikers, Agnes Tan, another Tabur regular, started a blog (bukittabur.blogspot.com) to promote safety on Tabur in early 2009.
“Some youngsters, wanting to impress their friends, walk to the edge of the cliff to show their bravery,” says Tan, 50, a semi-retired businesswoman. She hikes in Tabur one to three times a week.
“Once I met a group of college kids who hadn’t slept for days due to exams. They climbed Tabur to celebrate the end of their semester. But these sleep-deprived youths fall into the high-risk group (most likely to get into an accident),” she adds.
Tan and her hiking friends cobbled together some useful tips — like photo illustrations with step-by-step instructions on how to tackle the challenging stretches and the proper footwear for Tabur. Her blog also keeps track of accidents and the latest news on Tabur.
“We just want to share information about our experience and what we’ve encountered,” says Tan.
“Hopefully, it can help others practise safe trekking.”
5 October 2009
The Old City
For hundreds of years, while London remained a relative backwater, Winchester was the proud capital of England.
Made famous by King Alfred the Great, who made it his base as he fought back the Viking invaders, it may have relinquished its capital city status but remains a majestic and quintessentially English city.
Nestling in the middle of the rolling countryside of the South Downs, alongside the gently flowing River Itchen, Winchester inspired both kings and writers.
One of its most famous residents was Jane Austen, who spent her last few years in Winchester, which in the early 19th century was one of England’s leading medical centres.
In healthier times, Austen’s home was in the village of Chawton, some 17 miles (27km) outside the city.
It was here between 1809 and 1817 that she penned some of her most famous works such as Emma and Sense and Sensibility.
Her house is now a very popular tourist attraction, and many enthusiasts visit here before going on to see her final resting place in Winchester Cathedral.
Here, one of the most influential female writers of all time is buried beneath the paving stones, with a brass plaque marking her grave and a nearby memorial listing her literary achievements.
However, the cathedral is much more than just a memorial to Austen
It is one of the most impressive medieval structures of its kind and still towers over the modern city. One its most interesting features are the coffins containing the remains of England’s earliest kings.
These Anglo-Saxon leaders with names like Edbert and Edmund pre-date the Norman Conquest of 1066 and ruled England from Winchester.
However, no-one is really sure whose remains are in which casket, as in the 17th century Oliver Cromwell’s troops smashed them open and scattered the bones across the cathedral floor.
And in the days before CSI forensics, the poor priest responsible for gathering them up just put them into different boxes and hoped for the best.
The cathedral is a fascinating place to wander around un-aided for a couple of hours, but the guided tours are recommended.
The local volunteers’ knowledge of the building and Winchester is immense, and you will hear tales like the above and those of the diver, William Walker, who worked in freezing black water in total darkness under the cathedral’s foundations for six years between 1906 and 1912, to save it from total collapse.
Winchester High Street
All the city’s attractions are easily reachable on foot, and while walking through Winchester, one will find it impossible to ignore the towering statue of Alfred the Great. His presence still looms large more than 1,100 years after his reign, but other than the statue there is little left of his period for visitors to see.
Instead, it is Winchester’s rich medieval heritage that draws most of the crowds, including what some still insist is the original round table used by King Arthur and his knights.
Located in Winchester’s Great Hall, it is undoubtedly a fake, considering that King Arthur most likely never existed, and, if he did, probably never visited Winchester.
But the 1,200kg, 14th century table still cuts an impressive figure as it hangs from the wall of the grand old building.
And whatever its authenticity, you will not be able to resist craning your neck to look for the names of Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad and, of course, King Arthur himself, in this most democratic of seating plans.
Winchester is also the home to one of the most famous public schools (private schools in the US) in the country.
Founded in 1382, Winchester College requires that its students dress in their Victorian-styled uniforms — a common sight around town.
Its ancient dorms, courtyard and chapel can be viewed by guided tour only, with the students seemingly unperturbed by the sight of tourists peering through windows into their dormitories or classrooms.
When you have tired of traipsing around the city’s historical sites you can take advantage of one of Winchester’s main plus points — namely its position in the middle of some of England’s most picturesque countryside.
Only five minutes from the city centre is a place called the Water Meadows, where a scenic footpath heads out into open fields following the meandering of the shallow River Itchen.
Many tourists and locals follow this path out to the Hospital of St Cross.
This monastic hospital dates from 1132 and its medieval buildings are remarkably intact.
In the past, its role was to provide food and assistance to the poor, and visitors today can still partake in the traditional alms of bread and beer (although now you have to pay).
The grounds of St Cross are popular with families and groups having picnics.
It is a very easy place to relax for an afternoon, and especially if you have had too much of the beer on offer and find it difficult to motivate yourself to make the 30-minute walk back to Winchester.
GETTING THERE
BY TRAIN: Trains leave regularly (every 30 minutes) from London’s Waterloo train station, and the journey takes one hour.
BY BUS: Buses leave from London’s Victoria Bus Station, with the journey taking just over two hours.
FOOD: The Wykeham Arms is a traditional pub near the school which uses the original student’s desks as dining tables (http:// www.fullershotels.com/rte. asp?id=135). And Loch Fyne is where you can get seafood and a good wine selection in a medieval building. (www.lochfyne. com/Restaurants/Locations/ Winchester.aspx)
WHERE TO STAY: The Wykeham Arms, Hotel Du Vin (http://www. hotelduvin.com/winchester/) or The Winchester Hotel (http:// www.pedersengroup.co.uk/index. asp?HotelId=6&PageNameId=1)
USEFUL WEBSITE: http://www. visitwinchester.co.uk
Made famous by King Alfred the Great, who made it his base as he fought back the Viking invaders, it may have relinquished its capital city status but remains a majestic and quintessentially English city.
Nestling in the middle of the rolling countryside of the South Downs, alongside the gently flowing River Itchen, Winchester inspired both kings and writers.
One of its most famous residents was Jane Austen, who spent her last few years in Winchester, which in the early 19th century was one of England’s leading medical centres.
In healthier times, Austen’s home was in the village of Chawton, some 17 miles (27km) outside the city.
It was here between 1809 and 1817 that she penned some of her most famous works such as Emma and Sense and Sensibility.
Her house is now a very popular tourist attraction, and many enthusiasts visit here before going on to see her final resting place in Winchester Cathedral.
Here, one of the most influential female writers of all time is buried beneath the paving stones, with a brass plaque marking her grave and a nearby memorial listing her literary achievements.
However, the cathedral is much more than just a memorial to Austen
It is one of the most impressive medieval structures of its kind and still towers over the modern city. One its most interesting features are the coffins containing the remains of England’s earliest kings.
These Anglo-Saxon leaders with names like Edbert and Edmund pre-date the Norman Conquest of 1066 and ruled England from Winchester.
However, no-one is really sure whose remains are in which casket, as in the 17th century Oliver Cromwell’s troops smashed them open and scattered the bones across the cathedral floor.
And in the days before CSI forensics, the poor priest responsible for gathering them up just put them into different boxes and hoped for the best.
The cathedral is a fascinating place to wander around un-aided for a couple of hours, but the guided tours are recommended.
The local volunteers’ knowledge of the building and Winchester is immense, and you will hear tales like the above and those of the diver, William Walker, who worked in freezing black water in total darkness under the cathedral’s foundations for six years between 1906 and 1912, to save it from total collapse.
Winchester High Street
All the city’s attractions are easily reachable on foot, and while walking through Winchester, one will find it impossible to ignore the towering statue of Alfred the Great. His presence still looms large more than 1,100 years after his reign, but other than the statue there is little left of his period for visitors to see.
Instead, it is Winchester’s rich medieval heritage that draws most of the crowds, including what some still insist is the original round table used by King Arthur and his knights.
Located in Winchester’s Great Hall, it is undoubtedly a fake, considering that King Arthur most likely never existed, and, if he did, probably never visited Winchester.
But the 1,200kg, 14th century table still cuts an impressive figure as it hangs from the wall of the grand old building.
And whatever its authenticity, you will not be able to resist craning your neck to look for the names of Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad and, of course, King Arthur himself, in this most democratic of seating plans.
Winchester is also the home to one of the most famous public schools (private schools in the US) in the country.
Founded in 1382, Winchester College requires that its students dress in their Victorian-styled uniforms — a common sight around town.
Its ancient dorms, courtyard and chapel can be viewed by guided tour only, with the students seemingly unperturbed by the sight of tourists peering through windows into their dormitories or classrooms.
When you have tired of traipsing around the city’s historical sites you can take advantage of one of Winchester’s main plus points — namely its position in the middle of some of England’s most picturesque countryside.
Only five minutes from the city centre is a place called the Water Meadows, where a scenic footpath heads out into open fields following the meandering of the shallow River Itchen.
Many tourists and locals follow this path out to the Hospital of St Cross.
This monastic hospital dates from 1132 and its medieval buildings are remarkably intact.
In the past, its role was to provide food and assistance to the poor, and visitors today can still partake in the traditional alms of bread and beer (although now you have to pay).
The grounds of St Cross are popular with families and groups having picnics.
It is a very easy place to relax for an afternoon, and especially if you have had too much of the beer on offer and find it difficult to motivate yourself to make the 30-minute walk back to Winchester.
GETTING THERE
BY TRAIN: Trains leave regularly (every 30 minutes) from London’s Waterloo train station, and the journey takes one hour.
BY BUS: Buses leave from London’s Victoria Bus Station, with the journey taking just over two hours.
FOOD: The Wykeham Arms is a traditional pub near the school which uses the original student’s desks as dining tables (http:// www.fullershotels.com/rte. asp?id=135). And Loch Fyne is where you can get seafood and a good wine selection in a medieval building. (www.lochfyne. com/Restaurants/Locations/ Winchester.aspx)
WHERE TO STAY: The Wykeham Arms, Hotel Du Vin (http://www. hotelduvin.com/winchester/) or The Winchester Hotel (http:// www.pedersengroup.co.uk/index. asp?HotelId=6&PageNameId=1)
USEFUL WEBSITE: http://www. visitwinchester.co.uk
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