Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are travelling to Indonesia to discover one of its most famous temples: Tirta Empul Temple. Are you joining us?

Tirta Empul Temple is a Hindu temple located in Bali. It is one of the most visited temples in the island. It is located, specifically, in Tampak Siring.

Tirta Empul means “holy water spring” in Balinese. Its waters are believed to have healing powers. People visit the temple to become purified and attend different religious ceremonies.

The temple was built in 926, during the Warmadewa dynasty. According to the legend, Tirta Empul Temple was created by Lord Indra, who after being poisoned by Mayadanawa, pierced the earth to create a fountain of immortality to revive his forces. From then on, Balinese people believe the temple´s waters have magical healing powers.

Precisely, the main attraction of the temple is its big stone poo. Thousands of believers come here, from all over the island, to be purified. The water of the temple, which flows through the 12 fountains across the pool, comes from Pakrisan River.

Pilgrims who visit Tirta Empul Temple always perform the same ritual. First, they do offerings in the inner courtyard known as “mandala madya”, and later they take a bath to become purify in the pool.

The ritual consists in wet their faces three times, drink water three times and dip their heads under the water. This ritual has to be done in 10 of the 12 fountains located along the pool. These two water jets are reserved for offerings to the deceased.

All the visitors have to wear a sarong, which can be got in the temple before entering the pool.

This autumn escape to Southeast Asia in the Mediterranean. If you visit our 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you will be able to enjoy 7 spectacular Asian-style outdoor pools. Are you coming?

Autumn has arrived at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, but good weather doesn´t leave us in the Mediterranean. And how about continuing our route around the Asian continent? We suggest an ideal autumnal plan for nature lovers: a tour around the best gardens and parks to enjoy autumn in Japan.

One of the most traditional pictures of autumn in Japan is, without a doubt, its leaves turning red. This is known as kōyō or momiji. Leaves start turning yellow, orange, red and violet with the arrival of the cold season; a nature show worth seeing and one of the most representative activities of the Japanese autumn.

Which are some of the best spots to enjoy momiji?

Showa Kinen Park. Located in Tachikawa, Tokyo, offers huge green spaces, which include 1,500 cherry trees gather into 31 different species. It is especially beautiful in autumn, when its ginkgo trees turn into yellow and gold.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. Located in the heart of Tokyo, it is one of the most beautiful gardens in the city. It is, together with Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden, the only gardens built during Edo Period that still remain in Tokyo. The garden has many maples and ginkgo trees, which become beautiful during momiji.

Rikugien Garden. Also located in Tokyo, this park is very popular due to its maples forest, which makes it the ideal place to enjoy the colourful leaves of autumn. During momiji, the park opens until 9 p.m. and it is lighten up in a special way during these nights.

Have you ever seen a hotel inside an Asiatic garden? If you visit the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, don´t hesitate to lose yourself in its speectacular tropical gardens.

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we never turn down a celebration. Today we are travelling to Korea to find out more about Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day.

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is one of the three most important traditional Korean celebrations, along with Seollal (Korean New Year) and Dano. During the festival, people perform rituals to express ancestors their gratitude for the good harvest. Koreans come from all over the country to visit their ancestral hometowns.

In 2017, Chuseok last for ten days at the longest, from September 30 to October 9. Chuseok Day falls on October 4. As every year, the day before and the day after are also part of the holiday.

On Chuseok Day, early in the morning, families get together to perform charye, a traditional religious ritual in honour of their ancestors. All of them wear new clothes; this is called “bim”. This ritual is held twice a year: during Seollal and during Chuseok. The traditional food is new harvest rice, which is served with traditional liquor and songpyeon rice cake, which is considered the most significant food that represents Chuseok. Other significant Chuseok foods include traditional liquor and jeon (Korean pancakes). Jeon are made by slicing fish, meat and vegetables and then lightly frying them in a batter of flour and eggs. Korean families get together around the table to enjoy these dishes.

After charye, Korean families visit their ancestors´ graves, which is known as seongmyo. Descendants remove all the weed that are growing by the graves and perform a simple ceremony in their memory.

Besides, during Chuseok Koreans play different games and perform traditional activities such as: samulnori (traditional percussion quartette), talchum (mask dance), ganggangsullae (Korean circle dance), and ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling).

If you visit the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful program of activities, courtesy of the hotel. Live a full Asian experience in the Mediterranean!

September is coming to an end at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. We can´t imagine a better plan to say goodbye to this month than travelling through Japanese cuisine. In particular, we are finding out more about the types of seaweed most popular in Japan.

Seaweed is one of the main ingredients of Japanese gastronomy. The most common ones are:

Wakame. It is probably the most popular seaweed and the most commonly comsumed type. Green and sweet, its peculiar texture reminds people of rubber. It is the main ingredient of miso soup, but it can also be an addition to rice or served as a main dish, when seasoned with spices and sesame oil, as the popular goma wakame.

Nori. It is easily recognizable for being used to roll makis. Nori is the Japanese name for edible species of the red algae genus Pyropia. Although it is commonly used as a wrap for sushi, it is also used as a spice powder in dishes such as yakisoba. It is a perfect ingredient for salads or tofu, vegetables, eggs or meat dishes too.

Kombu. It is one of the main components of dashi brot, an essential ingredient in miso soup. Due to its properties, it is used to add flavour to many dishes such as soups, different sauces and other traditional Japanese recipes.

Agar agar. Also known as Kanten, is a gelifying agent extracted from seaweed. It is used to prepare desserts such as crème caramel, custard and cakes. Thanks to its neutral flavour, it can be adapted to any product. It is usally sold in blocks.

Hijiki. This black and brownish seaweed is known for it characteristic sea flavour. It is used to highlight the falvour of some dishes such as sashimi. Its texture offers versatility so it can be eaten undercooked, or added to salad or many types vegetables.

If you visit the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you can´t miss Koh Samui, the Asian restaurant par excellence in our Asian spot in the Mediterranean. Are you joining us?

It is autumn officially, but summer continues at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Today we want to take you to China to find out which are the four Buddhist Holy Mountains in the country.

Buddhism and mountains have always gone hand-in-hand. Buddhists considered is at heights where people find inner peace. Which mountains are considered by Buddhists as sacred ones? Keep reading!

Wutai-shan. Wutai is located in Shanxi Province; it is the highest mountain in the province. It is one of the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage spots in the world. Its name comes from the disposition of its five mountains (Wutai means five platforms) in a rough circle. The mount is the home of Wen-shu, the Bodhisattva of wisdom. Butai has 42 temples; the most famous one is Xiantong, and also the biggest and oldest temple.

Emei-shan. Mount Emei is located in the outskirts of Emei, in Sichuan Province. It is considered the highest Buddhist mountain in China. It is the “home” of Pu-xian, the Bodhisattva of benevolent actions and practice. Its highest peak, the Golden Peak, is 3,099 metres high. Emei includes over 30 temples, but Baoguo Temple is the oldest and best ketp one. In the eastern area of the mountain, we find the Leshan Giant Buddha, a 71-metre tall stone statue, built during the Tang Dynasty.

Jiuhua-shan. Mount Jiuhua is located 20 kilometres away from Chizhou, in Anhui Province. Jiuhua is known as Mountain of Nine Lotuses, due to the shape of nine peaks like lotus, we fin on the top of the mount (it has 99 peaks). Most of its sanctuaries were built in honour of Di-zanng, the Bodhisattva of salvation from suffering in the afterlife. The most famous temple is called Guoqing. This Buddhist temple is also the oldest one; it was built in 598, during the Sui Dynasty.

Putuo-shan. Also known as the “Heaven of the Sea and Kingdom of the Buddhists”, this is a small island, Putuo Island, located in the archipelago of Zhoushan, in Zhejiang Province. It is one Chinese people´s favourite destinations; it gathers some of the most symbolic sceneries in the country: nature, temples, monks, fishermen and peace. All the temples were built in honour of Guan-yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. One of the most important elements in the island is a 33-metres statue of the Bodhisattva.

Forget long-haul flights to get to Asia, paradise is closer than you thought. Enjoy an autumn getaway to Southeast Asia in the Mediterranean at the 5 stars hotel Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Are you joining us?

One more week, at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are heading to the Asian continent to enjoy all the treasures it hides. Today, we want to take you to Malaysia to enjoy the fascinating Gunung Mulu National Park.

Gunung Mulu National Park is located in Sarawak, in Borneo, 100 kilometres away from the city of Miri. In 2000, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This park covers an area of 52,000 hectares; it has one of the largest cave networks. Besides, it has the largest known natural chamber or room, Sarawak Chamber. Plenty of expeditions have been mounted throughout the years to explore its caves and the jungles surrounding it.

Gunung Mulu National Park also has one of the largest single cave passages in the world, Deer Cave. Another notable cave is Clearwater Cave, the longest cave in Southeast Asia.

We also find remarkable limestone mountains such as: Gunung Api, Gunung Benarat and Gunung Buda.

Gunung Mulu National Park contains 17 vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty types.

If you are a nature lover, at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you will enjoy walking around the spectacular Asian vegetation and lakes that give a curious Southeast Asia aura to the hotel.

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are travelling to Japan to celebrate the famous Keiro-No-Hi. Do you want to know what is it about? Keep reading…

Keiro-No-Hi, also known as Respect for the Aged Day, is celebrated every year to honour elderly people. It is a very important celebration for Japanese people. It is a national holiday, which is held on every September 15.

During this day, the country thanks them for their contributions to society. Young Japanese pay tribute to elderly people by cooking for them and paying the attention they deserve.

Although, nowadays, the whole country celebrates Keiro-No-Hi, it started as a local celebration in 1947 in a small town in Hyōgo. It first was called Toshiyori no Hi or Old Folk’s Day. Every September 15, people from this town honoured elderly people.

Over the years, the popularity of this celebration gained significance all over the country, until becoming in 1966 a national holiday. Since 2003, Keiro-No-Hi is held on the third Monday of September due to the Happy Monday System.

A late summer holiday anyone? The 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, member of the Leading Hotels of the World, is the perfect destination to enjoy a few days off by the sun. We are looking forward to seeing you!

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa summer doesn´t leave us. That´s why today we are travelling to the Philippines to discover one of its best-kept wonders: Barracuda Lake. Are you joining us?

Barracuda Lake is located in North West of Coron Island, the third-largest island in the Calamian Islands, in northern Palawan in the Philippines.

Barracuda Lake is a very unusual dive site famous for its thermocline. Divers don´t wear any diving suits due to the temperature of the lake, which reaches 40º degrees.

Barracuda Lake is a lake surrounded by limestone, separated from the open ocean by high rocky peaks. The lake, whose water is quite deep, has three different levels: the lower one is sea water, the intermediate one is a mix of sweet and salty water at a temperature of 39º, and the upper layer is sweet water, with less buoyancy.

There are a few fish in Barracuda Lake, most of them are small ones, similar to catfish.

The shortage of animals is compensated with the spectacular landscapes the lake offers, as well as the unforgettable experience of diving in such a different contrast of temperatures. Divers can distinguish the thin line separating hot and cold water.

If you are planning a last minute getaway, the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is your place. Discover our Asian-style pools, where you will feel in Southeast Asia for a moment.

As you already know, at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are Asian food lovers. Today we are travelling around the Asian continent to discover you the most popular Oriental sauces. Do you want to know which are they? Keep reading!

Soy sauce. It is the queen of Asian sauces. This condiment comes from the fermentation of soy seeds. It is usually served with fried rice dishes, spring rolls, sushi and sashimi. Besides, it is included in meat and fish recipes; its flavour is ideal to marinate.

Oyster sauce. It is very popular in Chinese, Filipino and Cambodian cuisine. It is prepared with the extract of salting oysters. Oyster sauce can harmonize the flavour of different ingredients dishes. It is very used as an ingredient when cooking vegetables as kai lan or chicken stir-fry.

Sesame oil. It is a vegetable oil derivative from sesame seeds. Its flavour reminds of the seed it comes from. It is the oil used for cooking in Southeast Asia for reinforce the taste of some dishes. It has many benefits for the organism: its antioxidant properties and it is good for teeth and skin care.

Rice vinegar. This is a vinegar made from the rice fermentation. Its colour goes from light gold to white. It is the vinegar used in Japanese cuisine; it is used for seasoning many dishes such as sushi. Its mild flavour differentiate it from other types of vinegars. Additionally, it has many benefits for the immunological system.

If you visit us at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you will be able to enjoy the different flavours of Asian cuisine in our Asian restaurant par excellence: Koh Samui. We are looking forward to seeing you!

September is here and at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we can´t wait to show you a new spot in Southeast Asia in the Mediterranean. Today we are taking you to Thailand to discover the incredible Wat Benchamabophit Temple.

Wat Benchamabophit Temple, also known as the Marble Temple, is a famous Buddhist temple located in Bangkok. It is considered one of the most beautiful temples in the city and one of the main tourist attractions in Thailand.

It was built at the end of the 19^th century, in 1899, by the request of King Rama V, after building his palace nearby. It was designed by Prince Narisara, half-brother of

King Rama V, and built from white marble imported from Italy, creating a unique temple in the city.

During our visit to Wat Benchamabophit Temple, we can find, inside the Ordination Hall (Ubosot), the main Buddha image of the marble temple, a Sukhothai style Buddha called Phra Buddhajinaraja, which was placed there in 1920. The ashes of King Rama V are buried under this statue, currently an object of devotion for the Thai people.

On leaving the Ordination Hall, there is a big courtyard, which is surrounded by a gallery with 52 Buddha images from different countries such as Japan, China, Myanmar or Cambodia.

If you have waited until September to enjoy an Asian-stye getaway, the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is your place. Book In Advance and visit our Asian paradise in the Mediterranean in autumn too.