The vintage red ‘Hotel Indonesia – Kempinski‘ sign above Jakarta’s busiest traffic circle is nowadays nearly dwarfed by the gleaming skyscrapers all around it, but it’s a curious historical landmark. Known locally by its acronym ‘HI’ , the hotel is an eerie symbol of President Sukarno’s obsessive 1960s effort to create a ‘New Jakarta’ that would bring international respect to his nation and pride to his struggling people. Opened with great hoopla in 1962, Hotel Indonesia epitomized the era’s modernization drive, and as it declined over the years in a …
Indonesia is one of the most popular tourist destination countries in the world. The famous of its culture, tradition, and of course its hospitality. Although for the last few years, Indonesia condition is a little bit unstable, and there are some security issues regarding Indonesia, but the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia is steadily climbing. It must be confessed that there is so much that Indonesia still needs to do. Besides a much more aggressive promotional effort, it needs much more tourism support, namely accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and infrastructure. …
Taj Mahal, a monument of love between a beautiful queen and a great Mughal emperor. It is no ordinary monument of love. It is one of the seven wonders of the world. A colorful brochure of Taj Mahal says: “Before she died, Mumtaz Mahal made Shah Jahan promise that he would build a tomb that would remind the world of their great love.” Many people have visited the great Taj and have written volumes on its majestic beauty and its architectural wonder. The many expert tourist guides who take tourists …
Steeped in a rich and colorful history, the city of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest, straddles the continents of Europe and Asia. It is here that towering minarets, as if in a fabled tale of the Arabian Nights, soar majestically into the skies, while imposing mosques, ancient castles and lavish palaces enhance the city’s undulating skyline. Historically, Istanbul dates back for more than 2000 years, though the earliest of Turkey’s inhabitants, the Catal Hoyuk have been known to exist long before that. Founded by a seafaring tribe from Megara in about 650 …
Set in the heart of Thailand’s northern Le Méridien Chiang Mai Hotel exudes an intriguing blend of Le Méridien’s European heritage and the local Lanna deliver a contemporary cultural experience backed by a natural outdoor canvas. Just seven kilometers from Chiang Mai International Airport and minutes from the train and bus stations, Le Méridien Chiang Mai sits on Chang Klan Road, where guest can sample local delicacies at the many eateries, explore ancient temple and hunt through shops at the nearby Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or Chiang Mai Arcade. Ancient …
