Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we want to celebrate spring is coming with some delicious Asian cocktails. Dou you want to join us? Let´s go over the most famous cocktails.

Cocktails are gaining more and more popularity and a series of exotic drinks are arriving from the Far East. These cocktails from countries such as China, Thailand or Indonesia add tasty and unusual ingredients for us.

The main ingredients these Asian cocktails contain are: ginger, which perfectly matches with citrus; cardamom, a sweet and intense spice; Kaffir lime leaves, which stands out due to its sour taste; or litchi, a sweet fruit. All these ingredients are perfectly mixed with gin, rum or vodka.

Which Asian cocktails we suggest you?

Singapore Sling. This is one of the most famous Asian cocktails worldwide. It was created by the bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in Singapore in 1915. It contains gin, cherry-flavoured brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine liqueur, grenadine, lemon juice, pineapple juice and a dash of Angostura bitters.

Siam Sunray. It is a famous Thai cocktail. It was first created by by award-winning bartender Surasakdi Pantaisong. It is also called “Thailand in a glass”. Its ingredients are Smirnoff vodka, coconut liqueur, Thai chilli pepper, ginger, Kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass, lime juice and soda water.

Shōchū Bloody Mary. It is also known as the Japanese Bloody Mary. It is one of the most famous cocktails in Japan. Although it was first created in New York, this cocktail includes tomato juice, wasabi, yuzu (a Japanese citrus) and soy sauce.

If you visit us at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa you can´t miss our Cocktail Workshop, where you will learn how to create new tastes and effects in cocktails thanks to a bartender experienced in creating cocktails.

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we don’t have time to get bored. Today we want to take you to Nepal to tell you about one of the country´s most famous festivals: Ghode Jatra.

A festival is always a significant event for Nepali people. Each festival has a different purpose, such as having a good harvest or honour the family. Nepal is known for having more festivals than days.

Ghode Jatra, meaning Horse Parade, is one of the main festivals in Kathmandu. It takes place every year between March and April. It is a celebration related to Nepali New Year.

On this day horse race, athletics and acrobatics are performed. A large number of people, even from outside Kathmandu, visit the capital to witness all the excited activities performed by the Army.

The most important event on Ghode Jatra is the big horse parade that takes place at Tundikhel.

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Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we have got up willingly to continue our trip around the Asian continent. We want to take you to Japan to discover one of its most famous romantic celebrations known as the White Day.

White Day is held every year one month after Valentine´s Day on March 14.

On White Day, men who received chocolates on Valentine´s Day are expected to return the gift to women with white chocolate. In Japan, on February 14 Japanese people don´t exchange gifts, only women give gifts to men, usually chocolate gifts.

We have to date back to 1965 to know White Day´s origin. When a marshmallow seller thought men should pay back the women who gave them chocolate and other gifts on Valentine’s Day. First it was called Marshmallow Day but later its name changed to White Day. White Day was first celebrated in 1978 in Japan.

Besides chocolate, men usually give women other gifts such as jewellery, cuddly toys and other sweets. According to Japanese tradition, men should spend more money on gifts than women did on Valentine´s Day one month earlier. If men´s gifts were cheaper or the same price than women´s ones men may not be expressing romantic interest on them.

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At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we always have something to celebrate. That is why today we are travelling to Bali to celebrate Nypei. Are you joining us?

Nyepi, also known as Bali Day of Silence, is held every year on March in Bali. Today is celebrated on March 9.

This is the quietest day of the year. Balinese people must keep quiet for 24 hours and avoid doing any kind of activity. They must follow the four amati or restrictions: amati geni, no lighting fires; amati karya, no working; amati lelanguan, no entertainment or pleasure; and amati lelungan, no travelling or leaving the house.

Instead of these activities, people practice meditation and fast, in search of the spiritual purification. Nyepi must be respected by Balinese people and tourists.

The day following Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, people resume social activity. Families and friends meet to complete some religious rites as Ngembak Agni, which consists in apologize to start the New Year off right.

Nyepi celebrations begin 3 days before with Melasti, a ceremony in honour of Sanghyang Widhi Wasa, Balinese supreme god. During this day, Balinese people wear bright colours and go slow the beach to purify some objects in the water before taking them to the temples.

The day before Nyepi, demons are expelled from Bali. When the sun goes down there are ogoh-ogoh parades, demons paper and bamboo figures which are burnt when the tour is over. This rite is very similar to Spanish Fallas.

Come to the 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa and celebrate Easter with us. We have designed a special programme of activities for you to experience Asia just as if you were there.

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we have something to celebrate. We are travelling to Japan to celebrate Hinmatsuri. Are you joining us?

Hinamatsuri, known as Doll´s Day, is held every year on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for young girl’s growth and happiness so this is why it is also called Girls´ Day.

The origin of Hinamatsuri is an ancient Chinese practice in which the sin of the body and misfortune are transferred to paper dolls, and then removed by leaving the paper dolls floating down a river. This rite was called hina-nagashi.

This custom was spread during the Edo Period, and people started to place the dolls on a tiered platform called hinadan covered with red felt.

A girl´s first Hinamatsuri is called hatsuzekku. Grandparents usually give their grandaughters a set, a five or seven-tiered stand, with dolls and different ornaments representing the Emperor and Empress of the Heian period.

The platform is decorated with peach blossoms because peaches are related to women and this festival is also known as Momo no Sekku.

Most families place the hinadan around mid-February and put it away again as soon as Hinamatsuri is over. This is because there is an old superstition that believes that families who are too slow putting back the dolls sets will have trouble marrying off their daughters.

Hinamatsuri Day has a traditional song called Ureshii hina matsuri (happy Girls´Day), which is very famous between Japanese people.

There are some special dishes for Hinamatsuri. A very typical dish is hina arare, diamond-shaped rice cakes, which are believed to protect girls from bad luck. People also drink shirozake, sweet white sake.

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We welcome March doing what we like most: discovering the wonders Southeast Asia offers. Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we want to take you to Thailand to go to the wonderful Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is a 2.0 km² botanical garden located in Pattaya in Chon Buri Province, Thailand. It is one of the main tourist attractions in the country.

This maze of trees, bushes palm trees and was created by the marriage formed by Mr Pisit and Mrs Nongnooch Tansacha in 1954. At first, they wanted to grow the land as a traditional fruit plantation, but due to the rise of tourism, they instead decided to plant tropical flowers and plants, developing the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden.

The botanical garden opened to the public in 1980, and was named “Suan Nong Nooch” in honour of Mrs Nongnooch. “Suan” means garden. The garden is split up into sections. Some of the most important ones are: French Garden, European Garden and Stonehenge Garden.

One of the most famous and visited areas is the orchids area. Nong Nooch is home to many different types of orchids. Thailand´s tropical weather lets these flowers grow without having them seeded in hothouses. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden also works on the research and preservation of tropical flora and fauna.

Besides visiting the garden, the complex offers different shows and services such as traditional ceremonies, elephant parades and boat rides.

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At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we had to say goodbye to February discovering the treasures Asia is hiding. Today we are travelling to China to explore Dazu Rock Carvings. Are you coming?

The Dazu Rock Carvings are located in Dazu, next to the city of Chongqing in China. They are a series of beautiful religious sculptures and carvings, dating back to the period between the 7th and 15th centuries.

The sculptures were created during the Tang and Song dynasties. The most ancient ones were began in 650, while the most outstanding ones were created between the 9th and 12th centuries. The sculptures were influenced by Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist beliefs. They symbolize how was life during that period.

The Dazu Rock Carvings are made up of 75 protected sites containing over 50,000 statues, with 100,000 Chinese characters forming inscriptions and epigraphs. These sites are located in 5 different mountains throughout Dazu: Mount Beishan, Mount Baoding, Mount Nanshan, Mount Shizhuan and Mount Shimen.

Mount Beishan contains over 10,000 statues. Half of them are Buddhist ones. Mount Baoding harbours two of the most important sculptures in Dazu: Thousand-armed Avalokiteśvara and the reclining Buddha. Mount Nanshan contains Taoist sculptures; while Mount Shizhuan Carvings hold Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian statues. And at Mount Shimen, Buddhism and Taoism are well merged.

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At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we keep travelling around the Asian continent. Today we are heading to the Philippines to discover the famous Banaue Rice Terraces.

The Banaue Rice Terraces are located in Banaue, in the province of Ifugao in the Philippines. They are considered to be the 8th Natural Wonder of the World by many Filipinos.

The terraces were carved into the mountains of Ifugao by ancestors of the indigenous people about 2000 years ago. They were constructed as a practical solution to the problem of growing rice on those lands. The final result is amazing: Rice terraces covering an area of over 10,000 square metres.

The terraces are fed by an irrigation system from natural springs and streams. The local villages still plant rice and vegetables on these terraces.

The terraces go from Ifugao to other Filipino provinces such as Apayao and Mountain Province.

The trips to visit this amazing landscape are increasing every year, especially on outstanding dates such as rites related to rice or celebrations during harvest months.

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When it comes to travelling and Asian food, we never say no. Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are taking you to Indonesia. Who is up for a trip to discover its cuisine?

Indonesian food is one of the most varied and colourful cuisines in the world. There are many regional specialties, often based upon indigenous culture and foreign influences such as China, Middle East or Europe. The main ingredients of most dishes are rice, fish and vegetables.

Let´s go over some of the most famous and delicious Indonesian dishes:

Nasi Goreng. Also known as Indonesian fried rice, this is considered Indonesia´s national dish. What makes Indonesian Fried Rice different from any other fried rice is the use of sweet, thick soy sauce called kecap and garnished with acar, pickled cucumber and carrots. The rice is usually mixed it with vegetables, chicken, beef or seafood.

Lumpia. This is the Indonesian spring roll. For the filling you use meat and vegetables such as carrots and leeks. It is said Chinese people brought this dish.

Bakmi Goreng. Also called Indonesian stir-fried noodles, this is one of the most recommended Indonesian dishes. This type of noodles are fried with egg and mixed with vegetables, chicken, shrimp and different spices. People usually spray sweet soy sauce on it.

Gado-gado. It is one of Indonesia’s best-known dishes coming from Java. This is a vegetable salad bathed in the classic peanut sauce. Nuts are one of the most used ingredients.

Lemper. This is steamed glutinous rice filled with seasoned shredded chicken. The rice is cooked with coconut milk. It is one of the most famous Indonesian snacks.

Have you already visited all the restaurants at the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa? If you are an Asian food lover, our suggestion is our Koh Samui restaurant, where you will be able to taste the most select Oriental cuisine.

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we feel like travelling. Where? We want to take you to Thailand to enjoy the wonderful Khao Sok National Park. Are you joining us?

Khao Sok is a national park covering a 739-km² area. It is located in South Thailand, between Suratthani and Khao Lak. Doubtless, this is one of those visits that you can´t miss if you are a nature lover.

It is divided into two areas: the jungle where the entrance of the park is located and the incredible Cheow Lan Lake. Its wet forests are one of the oldest ones in the world, they are home to one of the prehistoric flowering plants that currently remains, the famous Rafflesia kerrii, which is also the biggest flower in the world.

Besides holding a very varied flora, Khao Sok is home to a diverse fauna: different types of reptiles, birds, insects and mammals. One of the best ways of looking at the beauty of the park is doing trekking or hiking around the jungle.

Another mandatory stop in the park is Waranam Cave, the most important cave of Khao Sok. Its gallery of stalactites and stalagmites is spectacular. But if there is a place in the park you must visit before you leave, that´s Cheow Lan Lake. A 165-square-kilometre artificial lake surrounded by huge cliffs and an amazing mountainous landscape.

Why not enjoying a few days off in Southeast Asia in the Mediterranean? Come to the 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa and enjoy luxury and relax by the sun.