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10 Awesome Asian Celebrities

Here are 10 Awesome Asian Celebrities that we found. Having an Asian descent or being multiracial has always been a challenge for aspiring actors/performers who want to enter the world of entertainment. But because a lot of big celebrity names have actually succeeded in their pursuit of happiness,countless people today are influenced by their pride and commitment.Here are some notable Asian-American female and male celebrities who have shown their great talent. Some would make the Asians look good like Steven Yeun who got a hot chick in Walking Dead while others make Asians look bad like the really funny Bobby Lee in MadTV and SNL. Who cares?! They’ve made it!That is all that matters. Vanessa Hudgens Many people will remember her from the famous Disney High School Musical. This lovely lass is born in Salinas, California, United States. Hudgens started performing in musical theaters as a singer.Two years after her career in stage plays,she begun auditioning in commercials and TV shows.Dedicated to pursue acting, her family decided to move to Los Angeles when she was chosen to have a role in a television commercial. Ethnicity:Irish, Native American from her dad’s side. Her mother is a Filipino, Spanish and Chinese descent. Bruno Mars His real name is Peter Gene Hernandez.He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.Mars began making music at a very young age. He moved to California to pursue his dreams to become an artist.At 25, he is already famous and an influential artist, a singer-songwriter, model and a dancer.He had three singles in the top ten, including first place with “Just The Way You Are,” which sold 12.5 million copies. Ethnicity-Puerto Rican, American and Filipino Dean Cain Plays the desired role of Clark Kent a.k.a. Superman in the television series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” with Teri Hatcher.His birth name is Dean George Tanaka.Dean was really an athlete before he became an actor. In fact, he played on the baseball team. Charlie Sheen and Chad and Rob Lowe were among his schoolmates.Cain immediately signed in Buffalo Bills-an NFL football team after he graduated.Unfortunately, he had a knee injury where he requires to stop his career in NFL. So he diverted his attention on screenwriting and acting, shooting a dozen of commercials.It was in the year 1993 where Dean took the biggest role as the Superman. Ethnicity-a mix of French-Canadian, Welsh, Irish and Japanese. Jackie Chan/Jet Li These two are good together for a reason. They are the top action martial arts stars in Hollywood.Although both are actually portrayed to be stereotypical Asian martial arts experts, they have a few differences. Jackie Chan was born in Hong Kong, China while Jet Li was born in Beijing,China.You can see Chan in a light funny/comedy films. He is genius in incorporating his hand to hand combat into a physical comedy scene.Li is almost in very serious hardcore fight to death films. Jet Li is a champion in Wushu and has been famous in the movie Shaolin Temple and Once upon a Time in China.People started noticing Jackie Chan’s leading roles in Armour of God, Drunken Master, and a lot more. I love them both! Not only because of their achievements but they continue to influence and inspire thousands of people to follow their footsteps. Maggie Q Her real name is Margaret Denise Quigley. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Maggie is known for her unique Asian beauty. Was a fashion model and television personality before she became a movie actress.She began modelling in Tokyo at the age of 17 and moved to Taipei. It was in Hong Kong that Jackie Chan discovered her. Chan saw her as a potential action star. Maggie was shocked with his statement, knowing that she had never done any martial arts in her entire life.She even made a statement ” I can’t even touch my toes”. But Chan is still committed to make her a new Asian icon in Hollywood. she started her acting career in the TV drama House of the Dragon, which was a huge hit in Asia.Her appearance in Gen-Y cops impressed Chan that she was already a cast in Manhattan Midnight and Rush Hour 2. And a lot of movies shaped her character in different roles. It was in 2010 that she became the lead character NIKITA as an assassin gone rogue. Ethnicity- Irish-Polish descent and Vietnamese Tiger Woods Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods is an American professional golfer. Formerly the World No. 1 highest-paid professional athletes along with boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. He grew up in Orange County, California.His athletic father Earl, introduced golf to Tiger by the age of two.Tiger Woods become professional in 1996 where he became a dominant force in the world of golf. Additionally, Woods is only the second golfer, after Jack Nicklaus, to have achieved a career Grand Slam three times.The major question is?What is “Cablinasian”?Is that even included as an ethnic background?Men, you’ll probably have a hard time defining your ethnicity to people if you are in his place.You’ll be surprised that Cablinasian is short for Caucasian, black, Indian and Asian.His father is African-American, Chinese and Native American while his mother is a mix of Thai, Chinese and Dutch ancestry. Ethnicity-Cablinasian Kristin Kreuk Kristin Laura Kreuk was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.She is famous for her roles as Lana Lang in Smallville and as the leading character in Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li .Kreuk did some stage plays in school but is more focused in her studies. It was in Edgemont-a teenage soap opera that she had her first professional work. As her acting skills developed, she landed a role of Snow White: The Fairest of Them All. In 2001, her career was set to take off when she landed on the highly acclaimed television series, “Smallville”. It follows the story of ”Clark Kent” before he became “Superman”. Ethnicity-Dutch and Chinese Allan Pineda Lindo, Jr. Better known as apl.de.ap in the Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas. He indeed has a story to tell. He came from a poor family in Angeles City, Pampanga.He helped his family subsist potatoes, corn, sugar cane and would make long hour jeepney trip to and from school.His father is an African-American that was stationed at Clark Air Base left his family after his birth. How did he went to the US?The Pearl S. Buck Foundation is an organization that finds a healthier environments for the abandoned or orphaned American children.He then went to the Los Angeles at the age of 11 and attended John Marshall High School where he became friends with William Adams(will.i.am) who is also his roommate. He and will.i.am formed a break dancing crew called Tribal Nation and began performing regularly in Southern California parties.People started to notice their incredible talent in rapping and dancing.The success continues as they formed ATBAN: A Tribe Beyond a Nation where Jaimes Gomez(Taboo) and Kim Hill became background singer.Then fergie came along in 2003. Ethnicity- Filipino and American Rob Schneider Robert Michael Schneider is his real name.Born in San Francisco, California, USA.before he got the role in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and The Hot Girl, he started as a stand-up comedian during his High School days and become a regular comedian in Bay Area nightclubs. He also tried radio programs where Schneider won a slot in HBO’s 13th Annual Comedians. No one can stop him from rising to the top. Rob was hired at Saturday Night Live in 1998, he was a writer and a full cast member. After retiring in SNL, he played supporting roles in movies such as Judge Dredd, Demolition and a lot more. Until now, he is still regarded as one of the funniest actor ever in Hollywood. Ethnicity- Jewish Russian, German and Filipino So these are the 10 most famous asian celebrities that Rock!

Top Festivals in Asia

Holidays are cherished moments. Most of us would agree that we don’t get enough time to spend those stress free times.It is quite essential to celebrate and take a break because you will free rejuvenated and refreshed and you are ready to get back in reality.So make most of your valuable your time anyway. Don’t miss these special events. Here are some of the list of Top Festivals in Asia Hong Kong Arts Festival February – March, 2013 This is the most awaited festival in Hong Kong.It is a special event where they showcase a line-up of top-notch local talents along with the top artists around the world.This includes concerts, ballets,operas, art shows and a lot more.Many people from foreign countries were elated and proud of continued transformations that Hong Kong has made through the years. The Hong Kong Arts Festival is one of the signature highlights of the Hong Kong cultural scene. Getting there: Be a part of this momentous event in Hong Kong. Book a flight into Hong Kong or any airport in China Harbin Snow and Ice Festival January 5- February 28 2013 Harbin, China Harbin’s Intl Ice Festival is one of the world’s largest international ice festivals, along with Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Quebec’s Winter Carnival and a lot more “Ice Cities”. During the long cold winter months the temperature drops down to as low as -21F. And what can you see on this festival?Of course, Snow Sculpture, Ice Lantern Garden Party, Skiing contests, Theatrical performances and a lot more.So prepare your thick coats and fur jackets when going to Harbin. Their ice creations will surely impress and dazzle you especially with their bright daylight and even a more breathtaking sight at night. Getting there: Located 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) northwest of Harbin City, the Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) is the second largest airport in northeastern China at present. Book your flight to Harbin, China so you won’t miss this famous “Ice City”. Cherry Blossoms April 4-May 13 Japan The blooming time of cherry trees differs from year depending on the weather. If it is cold, blossoms will open later but if the season is mild it can open early. The timings can really vary from year to year.The famous Japanese Cherry Blossoms or ‘Sakura’ showcases its beauty on every street and corner of Japan. Cherry blossom festivals take place all over the country. Most of them are held between March to May, though other regions have them in January, February, and June, based on their location.You can plan to have a picnic and perhaps a walk in the park would be a great idea to relax. Ever wonder why the Sakura is an icon in Japanese culture? That is because the flower represents the rare beauty of a woman and exquisite charm, just like the flower, it’s hard predict when it is going to bloom. Getting there: The country is filled with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.Witness the cherry blossoms in Japan when they bloom Songkran April 13-15 Chiang Mai, Thailand Get ready to be wet and wild in Thailand. Every 13th-15th days of April seems to be the most crucial day to watch your water bill. Thai New Year is better known as Songkran. It is better known as the world’s biggest water fight! Even elephants don’t have an excuse for not celebrating it. The Songkran Festival is in a certain sense like April Fool’s day, where people make pranks on you. The only difference is you know it’s coming and you are prepared to hold up a lot of bucket of water and flour. A word of warning!Slow down because the road is really slippery.Try slowing down so they can spill water on you. Getting there: You can fly into Chiang Mai or take a plane anywhere in Thailand Kite Festival January 14 2013 Jaipur, Rajasthan Expert kite-makers and flyers in India and all over the world participate on this day of celebration.It is believed that it is a time of thanksgiving for the religious. This is one day when the skies above the city come alive with flattering and colorful kites. And when they fly their kites-they actually mean it. These aren’t the ones that you used to make with a simple twigs glued on a Japanese paper. These are fighter kites with strings laced with cut glasses, sometimes 14 kites in one thread.The objectives are simple.To attract tourists and ofcourse, the last kite in the sky, wins.So be ready for Jaipur’s clear sky to become a colorful canvass. Getting there: Jaipur is well connected with New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad,Calcutta, Udaipur and Jodhpur via a network of domestic airlines in India Ati- Atihan Festival Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines January Every year in January, local and foreign tourists flock in the island of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines to celebrate the various activities held in honor of this patron saint Sto. Nino. This includes processions,masses and of course lots of street dancing. But what really attracts the visitors is the native dance competition. The merry dance around the town, the frenzy dancing of the participants in colorful costumes, the tribal costumes with their ethnic masks is a magnificent sight to behold. Getting there: The Philippine islands are very accessible and you can fly direct to the island ofKalibo in the Philippines. Kadayawan Festival August 17-19 2012 Davao, Philippines Kadayawan Festival is a weeklong celebration and thanksgiving of Good Harvest. Kadayawan is derived from the prehistoric word “madayaw” which means a warm and friendly greeting. “Kadayawan” in Mandaya means anything that brings fortune and thanksgiving for the gifts of nature.Kadayawan is celebrated with the “indak-indak” or street dancing, floats of fresh flowers, a variety of tribes parade the streets with their colorful tribal costumes, Boat Races, Horse Fighting, Beauty Pageants, Wind Surfing and a lot more. As the festival arrives, fresh local fruits and vegetables as their bountiful harvest are obviously seen on the streets.You can buy and enjoy these fruits on the spot.Take the opportunity to taste the famous malodorous Durian.Take your camcorder and camera and see your reaction while eating it. One of the Kadayawan Highlights is the ten tribes or Lumad.If you want to watch their apperances and cultural performance, you can catch them at venues like the People’s Park or at NCCC Mall.Both are accessible by taxi and jeepneys.The Davao City is very much alive every year. In fact, The Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) is expecting around 20,000 to 30,000 tourists to visit Davao City for the Kadayawan Festival in August. Getting there: Davao City is served by the Davao International Airport (IATA: DVO, ICAO: RPMD), which receives flights from Manila through Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Bali Spirit Festival March 20-24 2013 Ubod-Bali, Indonesia Have you ever heard of a festival that requires you to stay calm and remain silent?Well, this is a nice opportunity to do something that will uplift your individuality through yoga, live dance, and vibrant music. Bali Spirit Festival is a full month of daily performances. It is an elevating festival which helps a person nourish his positive change within, leading to a positive outlook in life. International Yoga Gurus,Dance and Music Instructors around the world would visit Bali to offer their expertise in giving the participant the chance to experience all the excitement of merging the East and West cultures through arts.If you are seeking Yoga and wanted to feel a new you, then the Bali Spirit Festival is just the right place for you. Getting there: Ubud is arguably the best place to use as a base if you’re visiting Bali. The Next Bali Spirit Festival is scheduled for March 20 – 24, 2013!Best to book your flight as early as now. Boryeong Mud Festival July 14- July 24, 2012 Boryeong City,Daecheon Beach South Korea Boryeong Mud Festival is considered one of the festival in South Korea that attracts the largest amount of international visitors.Tourists flock to Boryeong- a 3.5 kilometers stretch of white beach to experience the energetic people, the all mineral-rich theory mud, swimming in the mud massive tub, mud wrestling, mud massage, mud painting,mus slides, mud attack, mud fountain I mean, all I can say is mud everywhere! Even if your are a first time visitor in Seoul, Korea,this is one event that you don’t want a miss. It’s quite fun watching people smear each other with mud. Dirty never looked this fun! Getting There: You can book a flight to any airport in South Korea . Eid Al Fitr Festival August 19 2012 South-East Asia countries and for Muslim worldwide In Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Fitr on the sunset of 18th of August. This Holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting which becomes the greatest religious observance in Islam.So what happens during this day?This is one of the festivals in Asia where almost all Muslims pray together. There is a great bonding of the community and family as they eat and pray together. People give gifts to the family, friends and colleagues.For some country like Afghanistan, carnival rides are set up for children.Others like Indonesia visit their elderly -the Halal Bi-Halal. In Philippines, where Christianity dominates the population, recognizes Eid as a public holiday. What is your Top Festival in Asia?Feel free to share us Photo Courtesy of Joemar Lamata

Top 10 Things to know about Dating Asian...

Top 10 Things to know about Dating Asian Women Here are the Top 10 Things you need to know about Dating Asian Women 1. Don’t assume that we only date Asian guys. We love dating white guys too as long as they look foreign enough for us. 2. Don’t assume that they can’t speak English. Hi, Hello, Yeah! are not the only words that they speak(like they always agree on what you say). They may be doing fake accent to get rid from the old, beer bellied guy in the corner. 3. Do not use the line “You look like Lucy Liu or Margaret Cho” or even one of the Harajuko Girls -those little living dolls really annoy us. 4. One word of warning, you’ll probably agree or not, Asians are one of the most beautiful creatures in the world. To you she is. But she is probably just another average girl from her province or city. 5. Most Asian Women are very courteous, feminine and conservative. But don’t assume that we are all professional masseuses or a “yes”girl. We know that we are varied bunch of doctors, writers, lawyers and professionals. We like to lay low til we need to strike. 6. Asian Women like music- a lot! Don’t you know that we are “Karaoke Champions?”.-lol 7. For Asians, family comes first!. The family bonding is so tight that when you are in the course of dating, you have to court every single member of the family. Trust me this works! Her parents’ assurance and trust is essential. 8. Not all of us know martial arts.Though we respect Kung Fu, Jackie Chan,Bruce Lee, Jet Li movies. So don’t re enact some of the karate kick or crouching tiger moves just to start a conversation because we don’t dig it. 9. Keep a close communication with Asian women. Make them feel that you are serious and not playing around. Show interest in Asian culture and be eager to learn local traditions.-The more you learn, the more you can relate. 10. Lastly, be yourself and express how you truly feel. Don’t be the person you are not because you are going to keep that standard for the rest of your life.As one of my friend says “You can never go wrong with Asian women”. Hope these tips help you!

15 Reasons To Visit Amazing Thailand

Thailand is an amazing country for travel and here, our very own traveler Joemar Lamata has recently visited Thailand. He has been kind enough to share some of his adventures and talk about some of the great attractions and golden moments in this extraordinary Kingdom. 1. You will never run out of Beers! Beer is a popular drink in Thailand. If you are in the mood for a cold treat, you can find imported beer at many bars and restaurants.The chances of tasting the numerous Thai beers depends on your budget. They say that you are tasting their “best beer” if it is crisp and more flavorful compared to ordinary beers. 2. Astonishing Beaches and Islands Phi Phi Island is Thailand’s Superstar Island. It has been in several movies. Just a short 45-minute from Phuket will transport you to this breathtaking island. Hop on to this tropical paradise and you will feel like a “superstar” when you imagine the scene from Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie – ”The Beach.” 3.Majestic Sunset Popular beaches in Thailand can be found in Krabi. And you definitely don’t want to miss the beautiful sunset while staying in Phi Phi Ley Island in Maya Bay. You’ll get this amazing view of complete serenity. Smell the ocean breeze as the sun put itself to rest. 4. Discover Thailand’s Buddhist Heritage Many tourist will visit Thailand for its incredible beaches, stunning luxury hotels and traditional Thai massage treatments. If you are a culture-vulture you will want to explore the most treasured historical sites. 5. They don’t call it “Land of Smiles” for nothing No matter where I go, I always carry my Thai smile with me ~ known as: “Khun Tem.” Thailand is known to be the Land of Smiles because of the country’s warm and friendly people. 6. Thailand is Affordable Accommodation in Thailand is pretty much affordable. When you look for the perfect travel destination, you would want to consider your budget. You ask yourself: How many places can you visit?, How much money will it cost you to buy that yummy Pad Thai? Where are the best treks? The best beaches?. You can spend 5 days in Thailand for prices starting from $490 per person. 7. Sumptuous Thai Street Food You got a dollar? You got a meal. You point at a weird- looking random dish having no idea how would it taste.And you have that hesitant look on your face. That’s the whole point. It’s an experience,it’s surprising, and it’s tasty! 8. They got the best Nightlife Spots in Phuket If you like live music and nightclubs make a beeline for the nightlife spaces in Bangkok or Phuket. Party and stroll along Bangla Road in Central Patong with their fabulous bars that will surely make your night a memorable one. 9. Beautiful Lady Boys Bars don’t open until 9:00 pm along Central Palong. You’ll be amazed by the gorgeous “Lady Boys” walking around and sometimes performing at the different bars. You’ll be surprised to see that they are sometimes more pretty and slimmer than real girls! 10.You have to experience the Floating Markets Perhaps the best way to choose fresh produce is at the Floating Markets. Visit the Floating market in Hat Yai. The colorful flat boats are definitely worth visiting. But if the boats don’t interests you, there are taxis and tuk-tuks available for hire to take you to other markets in the city. 11. Shopping in Thailand is a delight Bangkok shopping places will surely blow your Baht! With everything from designer bags to clothes, to shoes and stunning antiques you will be wowed and marvel at what’s one sale. If you love to shop then you will be overwhelmed where to start with Thailand’s endless stalls and modern lifestyle malls. 12. If you book ahead, you’ll get budget fares It is always better to book as far ahead as possible when you want a bargain flight. While booking last-minute flights can be tempting, it’s not a viable option for many travelers. 13. Expected year round warm weather Thailand is famed for its tropical weather. It is warm and humid all year round.Thailand is close to the equator, stretching up from 6° to 20° North. That’s the reason why it has constant humidity and heat. 14. Traveling is easy You can see “Tuk Tuks” everywhere. Somewhat like a motorcycle taxi and usually used for short travel distances. But remember, NEGOTIATE first before getting in. 15.It will make you feel like King Elephant riding has to be at the top of the list when visiting Thailand. Sitting atop these well-trained elephants is a great ride! They’re truly wonderful creatures. The cost of elephant rides depends on the distance you trek. That shirtless guy in the pic is Joemar. His ride costs him 700 Baht for just 30 minutes. Keep in mind that there are dozens more reasons why to visit Thailand. Check out Thailand’s Travel Guide at Asia.com. Get Cheap Fares or get started planning on your visit to Thailand.

Airline Resource Information Launched by...

Airline Resource Information Launched by Asia.com San Diego, December 14, 2011- Asia.com is pleased to announce a new section devoted to information about the world’s top airlines. Asia.com provides helpful airlines information, airport code look up, airlines phone numbers, airports information and even travel websites. Asia.com realizes that it would be easier for our site visitors to locate their specified airlines for their destinations. Asia.com offers you a wide range of airlines selection which includes Top Airlines in Asia. Here, you can find the best choices for your travel whether it’ll be International or Local flights. Your baggage allowance varies to the airline you have booked, the destination and/ or the class you travel in. So before booking a flight, Kindly check the airline first for their bag requirements. Asia.com services also include flight comparison that lets you search your flights and compare them with thousands of flight suppliers where you can save and find the best deal for your flight. About the Company Asia.com is an independent travel guide built to compare multiple airfare suppliers and hotels throughout Asia. It is not a travel agent. It presents deals from a variety of travel companies that specialize in Asian flights, hotels and tours. Asia.com is designed to help travelers to Asia find the best Asian travel suppliers in less time and with fewer clicks – the goal being to lead users to low cost travel solutions fast and easily. You can advertise on Asia.com by clicking on the in-house banners. Go to http://www.asia.com/contact-us Asia.com 10,000+ Trips, Countless Destinations, 52 Countries – 1 Web Site. Asia.com believes that you, the viewers should be the editors and writers of Asia.com. Media Contact: Michael Filippone World.com +18587332126 mfilippone@world.com, http://www.asia.com Airline Resource Information Launched by Asia.com.

Asia.com’s Pick: Top Ten Travel Blogs

Here are Asia.com’s Pick for Top Travel Blogs PassportChop.com Passportchop has won accolades from international blog communities like Lonelyplanet featured blogger. It showcases a lot of travel experiences through tie-ups partners from some of the famous tourism industry. NomadicMatt.com Ever wonder why people quit their jobs and find themselves traveling around the word instead?Well, Matt can answer that question. With his articles featured in the world’s largest media like CNN, National Geographic,New York Times etc., It’s all worth it. AdventurousKate.com This solo traveler and online entrepreneur isn’t soloing at all. She has the world traveling with her. She has been to almost 30 destinations around the globe and she isn’t stopping. She is committed to showing her readers how to travel the world on their own adventurously. TravelFish.org This blog more focuses on Asia’s most visited spots. The Do’s and Don’ts of Asian practices and customs. You might want to read this blog first before going to these Asian countries. Gadling.com This blog site covers almost all the travel news from specific travel tips, budget travel to adventure travel. You can also subscribe to their RSS Feed if you want to be updated. TravelerFolio.com An award winning travel blog made in Singapore.Eunice Khong is the editor and the avid travel blogger has been featured on a television documentary. Her site Travelerfolio has won recognition since the site was made in 2008. TravelFashionGirl.com This blog contains almost everything you need to pack while traveling. From travel wardrobe ideas to travel beauty tips. Ladies, name it. they have it. Oh guys, you are welcome too. ExpatEdna.com Edna is an american writer and an expat who is currently staying in Paris.Where is she now?Back from: Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau. Currently: At home in Paris. Upcoming trip: TBA ThatBackPacker.com Who doesn’t love reading blogs from a genuine backpacker? One who talks to strangers, learn new language and wants more stamps on her passport. Slowly working her way around the world. From Jungles, to forest to beaches and to a bustling city. SoulTravelers3.com Saving the best for last. This travel blog site has been voted for the Top Travel Bloggers of 2013. They are a family of three. This family not only travels a lot but teaching their only daughter how to speak another language at the same time seeing the world is indeed a challenge. National Geographic Traveler called them “One of the best family travel blogs in cyberspace.” Asia.com’s Pick: Top Ten Travel Blogs

You know you’re Asian when

You know you’re Asian when…. 1. Everyone is a family friend. It’s like the whole neighborhood is your family. Complete strangers are uncles. No shortage of aunties either. Asians are definitely rich in the extended family department. 2. You boil water or tea in a saucepan. 3. Everyone always calls you to help you with their school homework. 4. To sound cool you say you don’t like homegrown movies but you watch them in secret. We have a lot of local movies here but we pretend we’re not into it. Everyone is gaga for Hollywood in public. 5. You study in a university that is a long long long way from your home. 6. You get real upset when airlines refuse to accept your luggage which is about 100 lbs.-overweight. 7. You are given a curfew like 10 pm or earlier you’re furious about it. 8. You have annoying nicknames eg: in the Philippines: “Shatu”,”Bibi”, “Tamen”,”Tikay”, “Mering”, “Purdoy.” 9. *For younger Asians (ie under 21): when you are on a date your mom will make your little sister or brother go with you. *Sigh*. 10.If you are female, you do almost all the household chores (except if you are Chinese). Hence: Lucky in love. Lucky to be Chinese. Err. Something like that. 11. You save grocery bags after going to the supermarket and you re-use them. 12. You have to take care of your brother and sister and your aunt and uncle….and your cousin….pretty much anyone who has a bloodline to you has a legitimate reason to ask you for charity at any time of the day or night for the rest of your life. It can be great if you are on the receiving end of the charity….it can get a bit much though if you become successful and every lazy bones on the block expects to share your hard work! 13. You still come back home after graduating from college. 14. Many Asians wash with a buckets of water and a scoop! A shower. Well, almost. But in a bucket. Buckower? 15. You ask your mom a simple question. She respond you with a LONG story about her hardships. Walking barefoot to school. How easy your generation has it. Etc. Etc. 16. Your dad always compares you with other kids. Like how completely awesome they are in school. Like thanks! 17. Your relatives could populate a small city. 18. You teach Westerners profane words in your language. 19.You put mothballs in your closets. You don’t wear shoes in the house. Barefoot or slippers. Less cleaning. Westerners could learn a thing or two from us! 20. When you walk into an Asian household you can obviously tell their buying habits and preferences. You see a lot of free promotional calendars in the kitchen, at the back of their bedroom doors, on their main door. Everywhere. If they could attach them to the car door they would. Photo Credits: Joemar Lamata Feel free to share what are your thoughts.

Visas and Passport Resources Launched b...

San Diego, December 14, 2011- Asia.com announced their new section Visas and Passport Resources page located here that provides how-to and relevant information and links on acquiring passports and travel visas. Asia.com realizes that Passports and Visa information are usually required when you travel and on most travel sites, these vital information are amiss. The requirements, applications and useful travel tips for each destination are also provided in our site. We provide simple steps on applying for passports and travel visas for specific destinations. We have listed general visa and passport articles for most traveled countries so it will help ease your travel worries. Also, we offer you flight comparison service that will help you compare and find the best deals on your flights. About the Company Asia.com is an independent travel guide built to compare multiple airfare suppliers and hotels throughout Asia. It is not a travel agent. It presents deals from a variety of travel companies that specialize in Asian flights, hotels and tours. Asia.com is designed to help travelers to Asia find the best Asian travel suppliers in less time and with fewer clicks – the goal being to lead users to low cost travel solutions fast and easily. You can advertise on Asia.com by clicking on the in-house banners. Go to http://www.asia.com/contact-us Asia.com 10,000+ Trips, Countless Destinations, 52 Countries – 1 Web Site. Asia.com believes that you, the viewers should be the editors and writers of Asia.com. Media Contact: Michael Filippone, Nathan Curry World.com +18587332126 mfilippone@world.com, nathan@asia.corp.com http://www.asia.com

Ways to travel the world for Free or cl...

Ever thought of traveling for free?,leaving your job and volunteering your service to a host family in Bolivia?or be a house sitter while the owners are away. I was once asked by an interviewer of soon to be flight attendants (Of course, I am not applying for the job, I’mtoo short) “If I say, you are applying for this position, why would you like to be a flight attendant? I answered, to see the world for free..” Perhaps, you are thinking,is this possible?Well, there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch and if this is true, you should suspect of anything that appears to be free. Everything costs something or at least cheap. So, why did I answered that?Simple.Wishful thinking. You might be disappointed to see the word FREE is not “free” at all. Here are some ways to travel for free or at least close to nothing. 1. WorkAway from your home A few hours of volunteering per day in exchange for food and accommodation. Household chores like cooking. Washing and cleaning should also be shared. Workawayers have endless possibilities of exchanges. But this is not an agency. This site enables you to find placements and it is up to you to make a great profile and introduce yourself to the hosts through e-mail. Whether you are fit to work on a vegan organic farm in Greece, create an Eco camping in Brittany or help a nice couple in the middle of Thuringia Forest. In the country, in the mountains, by the beach whatever and wherever suits you best. Hosts sometimes look for language learners and workawayers for a specific language skill. What they say: It can be a great way to get in touch with locals and learn about their culture. 2. Join Volunteer Organizations Go WWOOF- This group has affiliations in 53 countries. They have a list of smallholdings,organic farms and gardeners that offers free lodging and food exchange for working on a farm. The WWOOFers need to have volunteers that are dedicated to organic growing and should have genuine love and interest in learning about country living and help their hosts on their daily tasks. Make sure to wear a lot of sunscreen and do not work with an empty stomach. What they say: Everyone who tries it seems to love it. You reap your harvest. You eat fresh veggies and fruits. Hooray to organic produce! Be a GVI Volunteer GVI is a multi-award social enterprise that is responsible for community development programs around the world. They send over 2,000 people to volunteer abroad every year. They also have a wide range of volunteering projects, from community and wildlife expedition in South Africa to Arts and Childcare Volunteering in Costa Rica. What they say: GVI charges for a low one-time only fee to receive a lifetime GVI membership. Not bad. PeaceCorps People stationed to volunteer for a certain location for 2 years. You can choose from different volunteer programs like education, youth and development, health, business and communication technology and more. Included benefits are A monthly living and housing allowance, full medical and dental coverage, 48 paid vacation days. But for some people, 2 years are already long to stay on just one location. What they say:Being a volunteer in PeaceCorps can be life changing and a life leadership experience. 3. CouchSurfing Other travelers around the world would like to welcome you to their homes in a couple of days and they sometimes offer you the wonderful sites in their town. CouchSurfing has built a community where both hosts and travelers have discussions on huge travel categories. You can learn great ideas on travel, volunteering and Eco tourism even luxury travel. This community assured safety to both hosts and traveler What they say:A traveler can also exchange his particular skill like kickboxing in exchange for your couch! 4. House-swap or House-sit Home swap trades their homes , apartments or condominiums at a time that is convenient to both parties. But not all swap owners want to trade his 70-foot yacht to another luxurious type of house. Instead, they swapped it for an RV in Minnesota only because they want to live in a nomadic style. People house swap for many reasons. One of it is it saves money. It also gives you a local knowledge of your house swapping partner. Search websites that provide online classifieds for owners to advertise (homeexchange.com,homexchangevacation.com or homebase-hols.com). However, House sitting can also be an option for you . Check out www.housecarers.com,www.mindmyhouse.com, housesitworld.com or happyhousesitters.com and a lot more. For some, Finding to house sit is rewarding. You’ll get free accommodation in exchange of keeping their garage clean, feeding their love birds and watering some plants. What they say: Screen your house sitter or swapper carefully before giving your golden key. Or else, there will be no home to come to. 5. Footprints Recruiting This is an option for travelers who are open to teach the English as a foreign language (TEFL). While traveling, one can generate great income. Some schools will pay to fly you to the country, provide you a house, on top of your salary. You must be fluent in the English language. A highly-intensive TEFL certificate is a plus. What they say: Going overseas to teach in another country is very fulfilling and a complete eye-opener 6. Try being a Summer Camp Counselor This is perfect for those who want to experience working with kids, gain leadership experience and wants long lasting friendships. There is a lot of Camp organization who offers summer camp jobs. These are actually a paid job. What they say: You can always work your way up to an elite international adventure travel camp job. 7. Crew a Yacht or Cruise Ship I still don’t know who came up with this idea. But it sure does attracts a lot of travelers out there who wants to sail and see the world on someone else’s dime.For some yacht owners, they are looking for someone who wants to sail to pacific crossing, from Sweden to Norway or anyone who is up for an adventure. Some of them just really need company while hoisting their main sail. On the other hand, there are million of different crew jobs on different cruise ships (http://www.crewseekers.net , http://sailingpoint.com/cc.shtml, http://www.royalcaribbean.com, http://www.carnival.com ). What they say: Have you watched Pirates of the Caribbean?Who is up for an adventure? 8. Enter Travel Contests Try this: Google “travel contests” and you’ll get tons of results. Their lines ” Win a free ticket to…” or “Travel to…all Expenses paid” are really alluring. Travel companies offer such fun trips every so often. Depends on their mechanics. Others are may win by just uploading their travel photos, some should have the most Likes from a social media. It takes time, energy and effort but if you are really determined you might think about this too. What they say: This may sound like a long shot but who knows? There are more resources on how to travel for free or next to nothing. Feel free to comment and add your thoughts.

Tips on Traveling Solo

Photo Credit: Emery Jane Kempis Daigle Traveling solo can be rewarding or can be daunting. The luxury of being the authority of oneself and is in full charge to what you do and go. Buying a single ticket to Europe and making your own discoveries can be challenging especially if you are still a newbie. But for some this is the ultimate challenge. Despite of the me and I against the world experience, fear sometimes sets in. Your family will try to talk you out of this and share horrible and tragic stories. But remember, thousands of men and women, young and old, travel on their own and will still continue to do so again and again. Here’s how to make it happen 1. First thing to do is to make it happen. Plan your trip ahead. Not only it will save you money(this is essential because you don’t have a partner to split up) but it’ll certainly help you focus on the things to remember on traveling solo. Baby steps and it you’ll be surprised it becomes habit-forming. But before making a decision, you need to ask yourself if the journey you’ll be conquering is a relaxation or an exploration.There’s a big difference between the two. 2. Prepare yourself to read tons of blogs, reviews and articles on “How to travel Solo”. Researching where to get the best travel resources can be a waste of time OR can be a lifesaver. When worries sink in, it is best to read stories to inspire your travels, join travel forums and seek advice from travel experts. They share the most reliable tips and guidelines needed for your trip. From choosing the best itinerary to all about where and how. 3. Face your worst fear. It is quite uncomfortable if your mind is haunted with loneliness of traveling alone. Thinking you’ll be harassed, you can be a target of muggers and pickpockets or might be a victim of mistaken identity and more. Be brave and take heart. Just be sure to pick a “safe” country. For some travelers, a country where most people who speaks English is an advantage to them. But for an unfamiliar country learning how to say “no, thank you” might just save you in awkward situations. But don’t worry, you can tackle each of these concerns and handle it directly. Always have emergency numbers with you just in case you feel threatened. Now that you are almost on the verge of traveling solo, here are other tips in completing your mission 1. Choose places that won’t be overrun with couples. Some places have romantic spots and cupids all over. Instead, pick places that are not known with the honeymoon set. You might feel isolated which can ruin your whole vacation. 2. If you are up to experiencing the cultural, agricultural, linguistic and culinary differences, go to the market. Most people are willing to teach you something and share their secrets and recipes on their local dish-if you are lucky. Not only you came out with friends but also with certain amount of knowledge given to you by amazing people. Photo Credit: Emery Daigle 3. As your solo trip begins and you are already feeling that you are a part of the grand solo travelers around the world. Feel free to take a class. You can take a cooking class in Spain, learn a new language, learn to dance tango in Argentina, or how to paddle surf in Hawaii. You are in control. Sky’s the limit. Learning might completely transform your travel experience. 4. There is always a chance of being a solo traveler but not being completely on your own. You can always Volunteer for a portion of your trip. There are short programs that relates to what interests you most. You can meet a lot of people and make a difference together. Photo Credit:Emery Kempis Daigle Rwanda 5. Break up trips with available tours as part of your itinerary. You’ll enjoy the company and let the tour organizers take care of the rest. 6. Take advantage of the nightlife if you are in the mood for party. But If you want peace and quiet, go to restaurants or coffee shops with hubs for freelancers and Wifi to stay in touch with your family.Take time to observe and absorb your environment. Take a sit on bench and notice how they dress, talk, and gestures. A lot of travelers find this useful especially when they don’t speak their language. 7. Spend a day or two to get oriented with your destination. Talk to someone to a local chamber of commerce and ask for a free map and suggestions for points of interests and tourist spots. Talk to strangers and ask how much you will be fared on taxis, bus , trains and etc. Yes, your mom will not be proud knowing you have to break her golden rule. But this may help you a lot. 8. Many travelers said to always carry a game with you, like chess, a backgammon set and even cards. You can have new friends around the world over a simple game. 9. It is important to know where to store your documents for safety. Always keep significant things secure like passports, money and travel documents inside a zipped purse, concealed wallets or neck pouches with anti snatch security cable. Some solo travelers suggested to use money belts, others said on security waist wallets which is one of the most popular ways to carry valuables when hidden. 10. Take photos, write a blog about your journey as a solo traveler, or make a scrapbook about it. You have all the time in the world. Share these once you get home. Your family and friends will really appreciate your perspective and stories. Photo credit:Emery Kempis Daigle Netherlands Going on a trip alone will not be for everyone . But you should know your strengths. Are you a sociable person or the other way around. Traveling solo allows your for an introspection, self-discovery and can be life changing. Who knows, You’ll be surprised to come home stronger and more confident than ever before. Note: The purpose of this travel article is for inspiration and entertainment only. Every solo traveler’s situation can vary. Your safety is your responsibility and not that of the author.