Since we've chosen Laos as our Featured Destination, I thought to share with you some interesting facts about this beautiful place.
Lao is the official language of Laos, but if you've picked up a bit of Thai, feel free to use it here because many understand it (the languages are quite similar). French and English are also commonly used. The Plain of Jars in Laos is home to nearly thousands of huge stone jars, each of which is large enough to hold a person. The largest jar weighs over six tons! Estimated at about 2,000 years old, the purpose of the jars along with their makers is still a mystery. Some experts believe they were used in burial rituals.
The border of Laos and Cambodia is home to the Khone waterfall, which has the greatest volume of water of any waterfall in the world. About 410,000 cubic feet of water falls over its 45 foot drop every second! Compare it to this: Niagara Falls has a volume of half that.
12.22.2007
12.17.2007
The NYT, Laos & Blogging from Our Family Holiday
The New York Times recently named Laos as the number one destination you should visit in 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/travel/20071209_WHERE_GRAPHIC.html#goto1
We could not agree more. We have chosen Luang Prabang, Laos, as our Featured Destination for January 2008. In fact, my family and I will be in Laos over the upcoming holiday break. We're going to Laos and Thailand and I'll be blogging from all the wonderful and enchanting and luxurious places we'll be visiting. I'm excited to chronicle our journey!
Here's the press release we issued today talking about Laos, and some of the amazing things we're going to do there beginning December 25th.
Kipling & Clark, the Leading Luxury Travel Company to Asia, Spotlights Luang Prabang, Laos as its Featured Destination for January 2008
The Founder of Kipling & Clark will Chronicle His Family’s Personal Holiday Journey to Laos and Thailand on Travel Blog: www.KiplingandClark.Blogspot.com
CHICAGO, IL—December 17, 2007—Kipling & Clark, the expert in private, personalized luxury travel to Greater China, Japan and all of Southeast Asia, has chosen Luang Prabang as its featured destination for January 2008. The New York Times recently named Laos as its number one place to visit in 2008.
“Kipling & Clark features two high-end luxury properties in Luang Prabang: the Résidence Phou Vao and the French colonial boutique property Maison Souvannaphoum, both are stunningly beautiful, charming and luxurious, truly world-class,” said Randy Lynch, founder and president of Kipling & Clark. “The ancient royal city of Luang Prabang is a hidden treasure in Southeast Asia. It's a slow, sleepy town, nestled on the Mekong River and rich in Buddhist culture, traditional Laotian dwellings and French colonial architecture – it’s a place where time seems to stand still.”
Randy Lynch will be chronicling his family’s holiday expedition to Laos and Thailand on the Kipling & Clark Blog: http://www.kiplingandclark.blogspot.com/ beginning December 25th.
“I will be highlighting and sharing all the amazing wonders of Laos and Thailand: we’ll cruise down the Mekong River from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, visit Tam Ting ‘Cave of a Thousand Buddha's’, participate in a traditional Baci ceremony, visit ancient temples, monasteries and ethnic markets, and enjoy the finest luxury accommodations. Our daughter, Zennia, will also make return visits to several local schools and orphanages,” said Mr. Lynch. “At Kipling & Clark, we are able to create once-in-a-lifetime custom journeys to Southeast Asia, Greater China, Japan and India-Bhutan because we personally experience all the places we recommend. Our high-touch service and impeccable destination planning comes from our own first-hand experiences, enabling us to deliver unique luxury travel experiences for discerning travelers.”
View Kipling & Clark’s Family Luxury Expedition sample itinerary to Laos, Thailand and Cambodia: http://kiplingandclark.com/pagesNew/KC_Thai_Cambodia_Fam_Itin.pdf
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/travel/20071209_WHERE_GRAPHIC.html#goto1
We could not agree more. We have chosen Luang Prabang, Laos, as our Featured Destination for January 2008. In fact, my family and I will be in Laos over the upcoming holiday break. We're going to Laos and Thailand and I'll be blogging from all the wonderful and enchanting and luxurious places we'll be visiting. I'm excited to chronicle our journey!
Here's the press release we issued today talking about Laos, and some of the amazing things we're going to do there beginning December 25th.
Kipling & Clark, the Leading Luxury Travel Company to Asia, Spotlights Luang Prabang, Laos as its Featured Destination for January 2008
The Founder of Kipling & Clark will Chronicle His Family’s Personal Holiday Journey to Laos and Thailand on Travel Blog: www.KiplingandClark.Blogspot.com
CHICAGO, IL—December 17, 2007—Kipling & Clark, the expert in private, personalized luxury travel to Greater China, Japan and all of Southeast Asia, has chosen Luang Prabang as its featured destination for January 2008. The New York Times recently named Laos as its number one place to visit in 2008.
“Kipling & Clark features two high-end luxury properties in Luang Prabang: the Résidence Phou Vao and the French colonial boutique property Maison Souvannaphoum, both are stunningly beautiful, charming and luxurious, truly world-class,” said Randy Lynch, founder and president of Kipling & Clark. “The ancient royal city of Luang Prabang is a hidden treasure in Southeast Asia. It's a slow, sleepy town, nestled on the Mekong River and rich in Buddhist culture, traditional Laotian dwellings and French colonial architecture – it’s a place where time seems to stand still.”
Randy Lynch will be chronicling his family’s holiday expedition to Laos and Thailand on the Kipling & Clark Blog: http://www.kiplingandclark.blogspot.com/ beginning December 25th.
“I will be highlighting and sharing all the amazing wonders of Laos and Thailand: we’ll cruise down the Mekong River from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, visit Tam Ting ‘Cave of a Thousand Buddha's’, participate in a traditional Baci ceremony, visit ancient temples, monasteries and ethnic markets, and enjoy the finest luxury accommodations. Our daughter, Zennia, will also make return visits to several local schools and orphanages,” said Mr. Lynch. “At Kipling & Clark, we are able to create once-in-a-lifetime custom journeys to Southeast Asia, Greater China, Japan and India-Bhutan because we personally experience all the places we recommend. Our high-touch service and impeccable destination planning comes from our own first-hand experiences, enabling us to deliver unique luxury travel experiences for discerning travelers.”
View Kipling & Clark’s Family Luxury Expedition sample itinerary to Laos, Thailand and Cambodia: http://kiplingandclark.com/pagesNew/KC_Thai_Cambodia_Fam_Itin.pdf
Click to view map of sample trip to Laos, Thailand and Cambodia
12.09.2007
Quick Facts about Korea
Nearly one half of the nation's citizens live in the capital of Seoul. Only 9.6% of the country’s population is over the age of 65.The population’s religious and spiritual beliefs are: 25% Christian, 25% Buddhist, Confucius, Shaman, and 50% none.
The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in adults is less than .1% in South Korea, one of the lowest in the world.
On ferries heading to or from South Korea, you'll find people wearing small pieces of sticky plaster behind their ears. This is kimitae, supposedly a cure for sea-sickness, which can be found at local pharmacies.
The Mystical Beauty Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia
Tonle Sap Lake is known to the natives as the “Sea of the Fresh Water.” The lake is the lifeline of the Khmers as its pattern of movement provided rhythm of daily life, and serves as a source of fish and rice. Residents of the village literally reside in houses that stay afloat on the river and lake. An unusual characteristic of this river is that its water flow changes, depending on the season. As the rainy season arrives and the water level rises, residents move their houses by boat closer to shore. During the dry season, they again move their houses, but this time toward the lake!
Although a trip to Tonle Sap is a very touristy experience, my family and I really enjoyed our experiences there. The stark poverty and open garbage strung along the route used to get to the boats might make some uncomfortable, however, do not let this deter you. You will see genuine Cambodian life here, including village homes and fishing activity. And might I add, the sunsets here are absolutely beautiful!! (As you can see in the image)
We are happy to arrange a trip for you and your family to visit Tonle Sap Lake, and the wondrous mystical beauty one can only find in Cambodia.
Young Japanese Social Networking
Big changes in young Japan.Some Japanese traditions, such as jobs for life are falling away as the country adjusts to the Internet society. Until now, the rigidly structured society of Japan has never before encouraged the kind of personal, opinionated and sometimes messy way of communicating that Americans have become so accustomed to.
In America, sites like MySpace.com seem to have replaced "hanging out" for young people. Similarly, urban Japanese have recently embraced the Internet to share feelings and experiences with others. The Internet certainly seems to be shaking up the way some Japanese communicate and think - a change that once seemed impossible. A culture of hip and energetic entrepreneurs is certainly making a mark on society. Through Japanese networking sites like Mixi.com, people can share their emotions and experiences in a constantly formal, hierarchical society. It’s been quite interesting to see such contrast and development!
12.03.2007
Our New Series: Kipling & Clark "Asian Quick Facts"
I've created a series called "Asian Quick Facts" that gives a snapshot of the compelling, interesting and beautiful places in the Pacific Rim we've visited. I hope this will entice you to want to take off on your own Kipling & Clark custom journey!
Look at all on one page or click on a country below. Keep coming back as we add more countries to our "Asian Quick Facts" list.
Look at all on one page or click on a country below. Keep coming back as we add more countries to our "Asian Quick Facts" list.
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