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KO TAPU

10 October - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

Today, from our 5-star luxury hotel Asia Gardens Hotel, we are going back to Thailand to show you one of their natural wonders that we are sure you will recognise, Ko Tapu, better known as James Bond Island.

This impressive island is located about 200 metres away from Phang Nga bay, near two islets called Ko Khao Phingkan which means “hills leaning against each other”. The group of islands is within the Ao Phang Nga National Park.

Ko Tapu is an almost 20-metre high rock, its name literally means “Nail Island” or “Nail Hill” due to its resemblance to a nail. It has been protected since 1981, for its uniqueness and need of protection.

In 1974, the island became very popular after featuring in the James Bond movie “The man with the golden gun” filmed there. The people behind the movie seem to have liked the area as in 1997 they filmed in that bay again, this time the movie was “Tomorrow never dies”, hence why the island is called James Bond Island.

Up until then, the island was practically virgin, inhabited only by a few indigenous settlements. Ever since the release of the movie, Ko Tapu became a tourist attraction and continues to welcome large numbers of tourists every year.

This island may only be accessed by a small boat, which makes it even more exclusive. It is surrounded by turquoise waters in which more than 80 different species live; reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Once on the island, you can stroll around its caves and limestone rocks.

As we have already mentioned, the island has become very popular. For that reason, it is perhaps not the ideal place to enjoy some peace and quiet. On the other hand, at the Asia Gardens there is always room for you. We will make sure that the time you spend here is unique and relaxing. We await your visit.

CAVES OF MALASIA

8 October - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

Today, from our 5-star luxury hotel Asia Gardens we would like to invite you to travel with us to a country that we have not visited yet.

This country has a wide range of hidden treasures, from wonderful beaches and islands to impressive buildings like the Petronas Towers. But today we would like to show you a place we have no words to describe: the Batu Caves.

This wonder of nature is located in the Gombak district, around 13 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and it is 400 years old. The caves were named after the river that flows in that area.

These wonders of nature are one of the most significant Hindu sanctuaries outside India dedicated to Murugan, whom we will tell you about a little later on. The Thaipusam Hindu festival is celebrated every year and it attracts Hindus not only from Malaysia but also from India, Singapore and Australia. In 2007, 1.5 million pilgrims came to the festival, and so it became one of the largest Hindu gatherings.

272 steps built in 1920 lead to the Temple. The steps had to be redone some years ago due to the large number of tourists that visit the caves each year. The most important temple is the one known as “Cathedral Cave” as it has several Hindu sanctuaries and a large domed roof typical of a cathedral.

As we mentioned earlier, this place is dedicated to the god Murugan represented by an almost 43-metre-tall statue, one of the tallest in the world. The statue can be seen guarding the entrance of the temple.

God Murugan is only known by that name in Malaysia, in Hindu religion he is called Karttiyeka. He is the son of god Shiva and goddess Parvati, the most important gods in India as we have said many a times before in our blog (links). He is known as the god of war as he defeated full armies of demons.

It is worth mentioning the fact that in this magical place there are plenty of monkeys who run free. They come close to greet tourists, although we have been advised to watch out as some of them have been trained to steal.

We hope you have learnt a little more about this country that we would like to bring to you more often. At the Asia Gardens we are delighted to be your own personal source of information when it comes to Asia. We hope to see you soon so we can teach you a little more.

CASHMERE

3 October - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

At Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel, we won’t stop discovering surprises from the Asiatic continent. Today we want to tell you about fashion and India, more precisely about cashmere and the pattern equally named.

The cashmere has its origin at the Cashmere Valley, which finds its place in a group of mountains in the Indian states of Jamuu and Cashmere. In this part of the world grows the Cashmere goat, so it is the animal that names this precious material.

The cold and the height of the zone, together with a good feeding, cause the wool to have a perfect shine and a unique touch. When spring comes, the goat sheds the wool and it has to be recollected in that exact moment. Unlike other processes, in this case the wool is carded instead of sheared, with a previous washing and combing to make it softer and without any imperfection.

It is funny that, despite the technological advances, this wool is still being collected as we just told you. Tradition is kept because it is the only way to get perfect cashmere. It has a very humble origin, but it is one of the most expensive materials used for sweaters, ties and scarves.

In the same Cashmere Valley, the inhabitants who couldn’t read or write had a very peculiar way of warning everyone that the harvest was about to start: they painted their fists with ink and stamped it everywhere for everyone to see. The shape that left this action was like a drop of water or an amoeba, a design that began to be woven.

Later, they began to stamp this design on cloths, getting a very original and unique effect. It became fashionable in the high classes, later they stamped it on carpets and shawls, and finally it was named paisley after a Scottish village. In the XVII century, the British Company of Orient India made the design popular and started selling it.

We love to research the origins of the simplest things that surround us, and we love it even more if it has to do with Asia. At Asia Gardens we invite you to know something else every week and to relax in a unique location while you keep learning. We are waiting for you.

BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

3 October - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

Today from Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel we speak of the another amazing web site that could not help but share with you. This is that Borobudur Temple, located in Central Java province, north of Indonesia.

Borobudur temple is not just temple, it’s the largest temple Buddhist in the world. It was built between 750 and 850 by rulers of the Sailendra dynasty. The exact name in Sanskrit Vihara Buddha Ur means, “the Buddhist Temple in the mountains”.

In XIV Century with the fall of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, the temple was abandoned and the inhabitants were converted to Islam. But 1814, the British governor of Java, Thomas Stamford Raffles discovered Borobudur and there began his splendor.

Between 1975 and 1982 a major restoration of the temple was conducted between the Indonesian government and UNESCO, after which it was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Borobudur is the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. In addition, once a year Buddhists in Indonesia pilgrimage to this place to celebrate the Vesak, one of most important celebrations of Buddhism in which Budda is remembered.

The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path around it via stairs and corridors. In this way, the pilgrims are ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology. It is said that each platform represents a state of enlightenment.

In principle, the temple Borobudur was nothing but a pyramid-shaped stupa. When viewed from above, the shaped Buddhist mandala represents the cosmology of this religion. The monument has six square platforms topped by three circular and has over 504 Buddha statues, one inside each stupa.

Moreover, instead of being built on a flat surface, as is normal, it is on a natural hill, making it even more special. The Temple has a specific drainage system to prevent flooding, there are 100 pipes at each corner decorated with gargoyles to go unnoticed, a common view of the rain full in area.

We love to show you all that hides Asia. Do not hesitate to visit us for the best Asian atmosphere surround you in Spain. See you in Asia Gardens.

TERESA OF CALCUTTA

27 September - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

Today from the 5* Hotel Asia Gardens in Spain, we want you to know a bit more about a small woman who achieved great things: Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Born in the current Macedonia on August 26 1910, she was named Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, which she changed later for Teresa honoring the patron saint of the Missionaries, Teresa de Lisieux. Since she was a little girl, she felt the calling of helping the most needed, which is why still as a girl, she joined the Marianne Congregation of Mary’s children and started assisting the poor ones.

Her origins were Albanian, but on the first change of moving to India to help, she decided that her heart belonged there. In 1950 she founded the congregation of Charity Missioners of Calcutta. The goal was to help the “outcasts of society”, such as sick people and homeless people.

“Do the ordinary things with an extraordinary love” – Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The members of this congregation had to swear the traditional vows and an additional one: the dedication to the poorest among the poor ones. The based on India and in almost 100 other countries, helping always the most needed people and with the unconditional support of Pope John Paul II.

In the 70’s, she was already known for her humanitarian labor and started to receive prizes that recognized how much good she was doing. Among these prizes was the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 (she donated the money) and the Bharat Ratna in 1980, the most important civil prize in India.

Her health started to deteriorate, but she lived to the year 1997 without stopping her work for the poor ones who needed her. In 2003, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II under the name of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

“After every achievement there is another challenge” – Mother Teresa Of Calcutta.

From Asia Gardens we invite you to enjoy the peace and tranquility that surrounds us and leave feeling renewed. We are waiting for you.

QUEEN OF THAILAND

19 September - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

Today at Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel we go back to Thailand to tell you about one of the most important persons in this country: Queen Sirikit Rajini, wife and consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej.

She was born the 12 of August of 1932 and her real name is Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, which means “glory and splendor of the Kitiyakara family”. Given the fact that her father was a diplomat, she was born and raised in different countries, like Switzerland, where she met the King of Thailand. In 1950, Bhumibol went back to Thailand to exercise his functions as King. She came back with him and they got married one month later at the Pathumwan Palace.

Every Buddhist man in Thailand has to live for some months as a Buddhist monk in a temple, and while the King accomplished this habit, Sirikit took over as Queen. She was so good at it and people lover her so much that she received the title of Regent Queen and her birthday became national holiday as well as mother’s day in Thailand.

In 2003, the Queen asked for permission for using an empty space of the Palace and to build a textile museum. It was completely remodeled and now it has a lobby, galleries, a storehouse, a library, a place to read and the first laboratory in Thailand for textile preservation. In this museum you can find all the important dresses the Queen has wore and also the incredible jewels she has, such as the fringe tiara, the pearl necklaces, the diamond tiara or the ruby and emerald sets of earrings and necklaces.

Apart from this, the Queen of Thailand is President of the Red Cross of Thailand since 1956 and some years ago, she created the Cancer Research Center that investigates every day. She is always involved in actions to help the social outcasts and to assist refugees of Burma and Cambodia. After the tsunami in 2004, she was in charge of rebuilding the country.

Last but not least, Queen Sirikit has a big interest in promoting Thai culture and history all around the world, which is why she motivated the realization of the most expensive movie made in Thailand, “the Legend of Suriyothai”, so the history of the country is known everywhere.

As you can see every week we bring to you new countries, personalities or traditions from the Asian continent, which won’t stop surprising us. We expect to see you soon at Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel to enjoy all our luxuries.

JAIPUR PALACE

12 September - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

Today at Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel in Spain we travel again to India to tell you a bit more about the city of Jaipur and its wonderful palace.

Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan in India and it is known as the “pink city”. It was built in pink stucco, but it started to lose its colour as time went by. But in 1905, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and, in order to welcome him warmly, they repainted the houses in pink. From that moment on, pink colour has been considered a symbol of hospitality there.

Jaipur is one of the cities with more history in India. It was founded in 1728 by the maharajah Sawai Jai Singh, who was a governor in Amber, the former capital of India. After some alliances and diplomatic actions, they changed the capital to the new city of Jaipur.

Right now, the maharajah is Bhawani Singh, who usually lives in London, although he keeps his residence in a private pavilion in Jaipur’s Palace.

The Chandra Mahal or City Palace is a group of buildings, gardens and patios where the actual Palace locates. Jai Singh II had it built in 1729 and it has suffered some remodelling. Nowadays, the Chandra Mahal is reserved for the Royal Family and the rest is used for museums and tour visits. In 1959, the Royal Family decided to open up this wonder for the world to see.

The architectural style of the Palace is very particular, because the architecture of Rajasthan merges with the Mongolian one. There is a great variety of colours, where pink and ivory stand out.

The main building is the Chandra Mahal, which has a pyramid form, six floors and can only be seen from the outside, because the Royal Family lives there.

The parts that can be visited have all kind of elements and memories. Among them is the museum dedicated to all the maharajahs, where the picture of Sawai Masho Singh I really stands out. He was 2 meters tall and 250 kilos heavy and was remembered because of his more than 100 wives.

Another part of the Palace is the weapons room where they show unique daggers and swords. The ceilings have gold inlaid works in very striking colours, an ostentation that contrasts the humbleness of the Jaipur citizens.

In the Palace entrance there are 5 guards with white uniforms, red turbans, black shoes and a funny thing: they must all have a moustache.

We hope that you learned as much as we did. We are waiting for you at Asia Gardens to bring you closer to the Asiatic luxury.

KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL

5 September - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

Today at Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel we are travelling to a part of Asia we still hadn’t visited with you: Philippines. More concretely we are telling you about the city of Davao, which has been organizing the “Kadayawan Festival” for more than 20 years.

The name of this attractive festival comes from the greeting “Madayaw”, which also comes from the word “dayaw”, that means beautiful, valuable or good. The festival is a celebration of life and an appreciation of nature.

The tradition that has evolved into the annual festival began when the ethnic tribes in Davao started to celebrate a good harvest with songs and dances, giving thanks to the God Manama. Apart from this, the farmers put out flowers, fruits and vegetables on a blanket and the town people presented their respect and thanked the abundance of the harvest.

This “thanksgiving” is still on top, although they carry it out in a different way. It is considered the festival of festivals, because they don’t just celebrate a good harvest, but they also pay homage to the cultural, artistic and historical heritage they have. The dances are made by the “Lumad” and the celebration focuses on 3 aspects: tribal, industrial and art/entertainment.

In spite of existing 10 different tribes in Davao, all of them are connected and they join to celebrate this festival. They come from different places and have various lifestyles, but when the festival is due, they become one. This has led to the creation of the first Women’s Development Code: their rights are recognized; they live in a equal way with men and carry out the same activities, which is a novelty in this part of the world.

Davao has a very abundant flora and fauna throughout the year, giving its inhabitants food, water and sustenance constantly. The World Health Organization recognized some time ago Davao’s tap water as one of the best in the world.

We hope that you have learned a bit more about this zone of Asia. From Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel in Spain we invite you to keep on learning about this fascinating continent and to visit us whenever you want to.

THE 7 SISTERS FESTIVAL

29 August - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

As you already know, at Asia Gardens 5* Luxury Hotel we like to know everything about Asia, and today we are in a romantic mood. We want to tell you about a well known festival called “The 7 Sister’s Festival” or the “Chinese Valentine’s Day”.

The original name of the festival is “Qi Xi”, which means “seven” and “occidental” respectively. This is because the festival has been celebrated the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar for more than 1500 years.

Just like every tradition, this festival has a very curious story that, of course, is about love. The main characters of the story are Niulang, a young mule driver, and Zhinü, a fairy with six older sisters, all of them weavers. One morning, Zhinü and her sisters are bathing in the river when Niulang decides to steal their clothes. The sisters send the innocent Zhinü to get their clothes back, but Niulang is only willing to give them back if Zhinü accepts his marriage proposal, for he has fallen in love at first sight.

Times goes by and they are a happy marriage, until Zhinü’s mother finds out that her daughter stopped weaving and decides to separate them, letting them see each other once a year, the seventh day of the seventh month.

The festival remembers this young couple with incense, flowers, tea, fruit and an amazing embroidery contest, honouring like this Zhinü’s profession. The young single women make a great effort to show their abilities and find a husband. On the other hand, the couples that are waiting for their parent’s approval attend this festival with great hope.

The patios are decorated with flower rings and more offerings, such as cosmetic facial powder. When the offering ends, the young women throw half of the powder at the skies, while the other half is shared out to achieve Zhinü’s beauty.

As you can see, the Asian continent never stops surprising us with unique stories and legends. And we love to tell you all the details about them.

The best way to enjoy Asia without getting out of Spain is visiting us at the Asia Gardens 5* Hotel, where every day is an adventure. We are waiting for you.

DARJEELING TEA

22 August - 2013 / admin / 0 Comments

A few weeks ago, we told you about the Japanese tea ceremony ( http://goo.gl/TgOQiG ). Today, from our 5* luxury Hotel Asia Gardens we are travelling to another country to learn more about one of the most famous teas in the world: the Darjeeling in India.

The region that names this tea is at foot of the Himalaya, in the north of India. Darjeeling isn’t just known for its tea, but also for the Himalayan Darjeeling Railway, which was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1999 and has one of the steam locomotives that still work in India.

This city is in North Bengal and its name is a combination of Tibetan words that mean “land of lightning”. Its mild weather caused that many British fled from the valley to spend their summers there.

But Darjeeling is really well known for the black tea with certification of origin. This tea has lots of prizes in the United Kingdom for its unique taste and colour.

The plantation of this tea started as an experiment in 1841 thanks to Dr. Campbell, who used different tea seeds. This, in addition to the height of the plantations, the humid weather and the yearly rains, make this tea unique.

Being a first harvest tea makes it taste best when it’s still fresh. Therefore, the large sailboats of the XIXth century competed to arrive first in England with the best cargo.

According to the Indian Board of Tea, the Darjeeling tea has been cultivated, developed, produced and manufactured in the tea gardens of this region. Just like the French Champagne, the Darjeeling tea can’t be manufactured or developed in any other part of the world.

In 1983, the Indian Board of Tea created the Darjeeling tea logo to identify the packages that contain just this type of tea and avoid like this counterfeit.

It has a very dark colour, although depending on the harvest, it can turn gold. The same happens with the flavour, which is fruity by nature, but this might change depending on the harvest, which is divided in four stages: first sprout, in between/second sprout, Monsoon tea and autumn.

From Asia Gardens we invite you to try the large varieties of tea there are to keep learning about the Asian continent. We are waiting for you.