Tuesday, March 20, 2012

CNNGo.com

CNNGo.com


Is this Korea's most beautiful restaurant?

Posted: 20 Mar 2012 09:38 AM PDT

by Frances Cha, Seoul Editor

Unamjeong restaurant in Gangwon Province has a dubious claim to fame: the most expensive oxtail soup in Korea. 

A bowl here will set you back ₩47,000 (US$42).

But I think it's memorable for another reason: being the most beautiful restaurant in the country. 

I was introduced to Unamjeong by a photographer couple on a ski trip to Gangwon Province. We were staying at the High1 Resort, and they were the first to claim the resort's restaurant might just be the most beautiful in Korea.  

A "beautiful" government-run ski resort restaurant in the Gangwon Province? Needless to say I was skeptical. 

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Singapore Airlines' no-frills 'Scoot' set for June take-off

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:07 PM PDT

Singapore's new no-frills airline has finally released details of its aircraft, routes and fares as it goes on a social marketing blitz to promote its launch in June.

Named "Scoot," the budget airline's first route will be a daily Singapore-Sydney service, said company officials, with a Singapore-Gold Coast route to follow. Over the weekend, Scoot announced it had just purchased its first Boeing 777-200 from parent company Singapore Airlines.

Execs tell CNNGo that the SIA aircraft will be painted and retrofitted in the next two months before Scoot takes to the air in June.  

The airline launched a series of videos, social media campaigns and stunts this month -- Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson rolled up to one press conference on a yellow scooter -- driving the point home that this is an airline with "Scootitude," which is the airline's trademark. (We don't really know what it means.) 

Scoot passengers will get a choice of three fare packages: Fly (seat only); FlyBag for passengers with luggage; and FlyBagEat for anyone who wants to pre-order meals, which will be cheaper than buying them on board. According to Australian Business Traveller, there won't be any conventional in-flight video screens but passengers will be able to rent pre-loaded iPads.

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It's khao chae season: How to eat Thailand's classic summer treat

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 05:40 PM PDT

by Kitty Chirapongse

As summer approaches, Thailand is starting to get unbearably toasty. One of the few redeeming qualities of the hot season is that restaurants all over the country will soon start serving the delicious but complicated summer dish, khao chae.

Khao chae -- which means "rice soaked in water" -- made its first appearance in the court of King Rama II as a means of relief during the hot season. In fact, Thai celebrity Chef McDang, who grew up in a Bangkok palace, argues that it's the only Thai dish that can truly be considered "royal Thai cuisine." 

Khao chae was adapted from a simple Mon recipe into the complex, multi-dish variety found today. And though you don't need to be a member of high society to enjoy it, due to the elaborate process required to make the side dishes it's only widely available from mid-March until the end of April.

To help the uninitiated get a taste of this popular treat here's a quick guide to khao chae.

Side dishes include deep-fried kapi balls and pork-stuffed green peppers drizzled with egg.

What is it?

There are three parts to khao chae: rice, jasmine-scented water (hence the floating flowers) and crushed ice. The rice is parboiled (boiled with its husk in tact) to keep its shape so it doesn't get mushy when immersed in water, making it chewier than regular cooked rice.

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Demystifying the Chinese traveler

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 02:58 PM PDT

by Tracy You

In 2012 Chinese tourists are expected to take nearly 80 million international trips, spending US$80 billion in the process, according to the China Tourism Academy.

That's a lot of travel -- 8 percent of the total one billion international trips expected to be taken this year, in fact. 

Many hospitality companies are preparing by offering Chinese-oriented tours and amenities. But what can the rest of the world expect?

Given that the Chinese received a bit of a bashing in the comments to our "Who are the world's worst travelers?" article, it's time to set the record straight about this oft-maligned nation of jetsetters. 

Also on CNNGo: The rise of Chinese-centric hotel brands

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The dirty-fun guide to Hong Kong's Wanchai bars

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:00 AM PDT

by Dan Pordes

Wanchai barsSo many cheerful Wanchai activities; so little nighttime.

At Wanchai bars in Hong Kong, we could be sipping a rare craft beer out of a sweaty crystal chalice and still feel like we're doing something dirty.  

Not quite able to shake off its history as a port of call crawling with prostitutes, Wanchai is one nightlife hot spot where the "World of Suzy Wong" image of Hong Kong still feels alive. In fact, the 1960 movie was filmed here. 

Today, flashy new Wanchai bars and clubs sit in a backdrop of aging topless bars on the Lockhart Road bar strip. No matter how the chrome shines at the grand opening of a Wanchai nightclub there is always an undercurrent of sleaze.

And it's great. A Wanchai party just feels more uninhibited than other parties.

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