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The Art of the Onsen, Japan
Julie Miller and her daughter try the hot spring baths – or onsen – in Ishagawa. And yes, you do take your clothes off in Japan… A crucial part of a visit to Japan is to partake in the tradition of...
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Railay Beach, Krabi Thailand
Julie Miller discovers the sheer horror of posing for tourist photographs next to a row of oversized wooden phalluses. Warning – if you are going to pose for a photograph with large wooden phalluses,...
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Elephant Polo in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Julie Miller saddles up and tries the coolest sport in the world – Elephant Polo in Thailand. It only took seven minutes for me to become addicted to elephant polo – one chukka of pachyderm madness...
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The Sand Sea Resort, Thailand
Rebecca Sparrow reluctantly shares a secret – the amazing Sand Sea Resort in Thailand, where bungalows can cost below AUD$50 a night. You know when you discover a place, a getaway, that is so perfect...
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Nepal – Women Who Run With the Rhinos
Do you know the best way to run away from a rhino? (Not a wooden one). Tamara Pitelen gets a crash course while up a tree. It’s not every day you scramble up a tree to escape having your behind gouged...
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Sabah, Borneo – Mind the Crocodiles
cc. Flickr.com/Daniel Kleeman Sue Ostler tries the Borneo Jungle Safari in Sabah and observes the ‘Do not feed the monkeys’ and ‘Mind the Crocodiles’ signs. Make no mistake, it is a bit of a trek to...
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Vietnam’s Phu Quoc
Sue Ostler suggests you visit beautiful Phu Quoc before the crowds discover it. If you’re quick enough, you can still luxuriate in the gobsmacking natural splendour that is Phu Quoc, renowned as...
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The Surprise Cool of Pune, India
Alana Hunt finds a wonderful tailor, delicious local food and a temple where turmeric is offered to the Gods. Found in the central west Indian state of Maharashtra, Pune is a rich hub of Marathi...
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More Books for the Armchair Traveller
Emma Killick goes from Florence to the East End of London via Rwanda – all without leaving her armchair… Florence and Rome – The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone. This is the best type of art...
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Yoga with elephants in Thailand
Julie Miller climbs on top of an elephant and strikes a pose. It’s yoga, but not as you know it… It’s not easy doing the lotus pose on an elephant’s head, particularly when its skull is as massive and...
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Phuket’s Amazing Ka Jok See Restaurant – Thailand
Julie Miller ducks the ladyboys and the chandeliers and tries the cocktails at the legendary Ka Jok See. When one local recommends a restaurant, you take note; when three say it’s an unmissable...
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Rarinjinda Wellness Spa, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Julie Miller takes an aura test at her Thai spa and narrowly avoids having a plastic hose inserted in the wrong place, at the wrong moment… Call me a prude, but I really don’t want to have colonic...
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A touch of heaven at Devarana, Bangkok
The Dusit Thani is Bangkok’s flagship hotel, designed with a traditional Thai influence with intricate carvings adorning the doors and turrets glittering here and there. A doorman in royal Thai...
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Bali Villas – The Wow Factor
Deborah Dickson-Smith switches from hotels to private villas and finds herself amazed by the luxury wow factor at the Space at Bali complex in Seminyak. The latest trend in accommodation in Bali is...
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Five Days in Tokyo
Sue Ostler and her boyfriend tackle Tokyo in just five days, from noodles to Harajuku girls. I always knew the capital of Japan would rock. I just didn’t know how hard. It helped that a metal music...
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Kota Kinabalu
KK is situated on the tropical island of Borneo. Most people go there to climb the almighty Mount Kinabalu. That’s why I visited with my Borneo born boyfriend. But I chickened out. Too much rain and...
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Buddha View, Koh Chang, Thailand
Author, travel writer and Holiday Goddess Editor Julie Miller loves the seafaring cats and strawberry margaritas at beautiful Buddha View. Beautiful Buddha View, Thailand My feet are dangling a metre...
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Bangkok’s Amazing Shopping
Award-winning travel writer, author and Holiday Goddess Editor Julie Miller dives into Bangkok’s amazing shopping, from flea-market bargains to chic designer labels. Little black dress shopping in...
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How to book a Bali Villa Holiday
Admittedly, my love of Bali is born out of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. Before Elizabeth introduced me to her version of Bali, I was one of many Australians who mistook...
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Eastern Beauty from Japan to China
Immerse yourself in the skincare secrets of Eastern beauty culture. Visit luxurious spas while travelling abroad, and try some of their unique tips at home. Story – Sara Foster. JAPAN The spa: Sanso...
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Krabi, Thailand
Pip Cummings discovers a cave decorated with marigolds, incense and lingams in Krabi. If there is paradise on earth, it’s to be found on the Railay Peninsula in Krabi, Southern Thailand, where the...
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Dalat – Vietnam
Dalat is home to a place called The Crazy House, but also some excellent sugary buns. London-based author, journalist and Flirt Diva hostess Sue Ostler visited during the rainy season, and simply...
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Secrets of Singapore’s Sentosa
Bestselling novelist Sara Foster tries the hawker food and cable car. Sentosa isn’t always seen as a drawcard in Singapore, often being tagged with the Disneyland label. But when looking for a base...
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Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
If you snapped up a bargainista flight to Kuala Lumpur, head to nearby Kota Kinabalu. It offers delicious local food, a mini-industry built on day spas, and a wonderful orangutang sanctuary. Author,...
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From Hanoi to Halong Bay
Prepare for a cultural OMG moment if it’s your first time in Vietnam. Sue Ostler is hypnotised, despite the rain. Hanoi plays tricks with your mind, at once beautiful and vibrant with its architecture...
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Delhi for Beginners
Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide contributor Alana Hunt left Australia to begin a new life in Delhi – but what was it really like? This is her view of the city, at a distance. Delhi rooftop Vibrant...
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Eat like the Japanese – Okonomiyaki
Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide editor and bestselling novelist Sara Foster tries Japanese dining at its best. It’s called Okonomiyaki . Just remember to stow your shoes in the locker… Okonomiyaki is...
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Chinese New Year Horoscope Offers
Astrology Offers – Chinese Year of the Dragon To celebrate 2012 and the Year of the Dragon, collect a free astrology e-book from Jessica Adams (Asteroid Astrology) or a 20% discount on a personal...
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Yin Yang Kitchen: Hong Kong dining gets real
Donna Wheeler reviews the Yin Yang Kitchen, Hong Kong – a great place to begin the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Wan Chai might be better known for its bankers and girlie bars, but its streets still...
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Amazing Air Asia Empty Seat Deals
How do some Holiday Goddess editors fake business class comfort from Australia to Asia or Europe? We start with an award-winning airline. Air Asia can fly you from Sydney, Melbourne or the Gold Coast...
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Holidays to Help Sri Lanka’s Street Dogs
The Dogstar Foundation helps street dogs in Sri Lanka. If you love animals and want to experience a holiday which could change your life, then the dogs are waiting! This is a Sri Lanka holiday with a...
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Jade Jagger’s Beach Boutique, India
Holiday Goddess Contributing Editor and New York stylist Lily Evans, admires Jade Jagger’s beach boutique in North Goa, India Lily Evans hits the road Aswem beach, situated in North Goa, is a...
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Japan – Etiquette, Tips and Secrets
Bestselling novelist Sara Foster also wrote our section on the best London books and films for The Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide to Paris, London, New York and Rome. This is her insider’s advice on...
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The Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant, Bangkok
In the heart of buzzing Bangkok is a restaurant that’s on a mission to get people using birth control. Tamara Pitelen drops by for Tod Mun Pla Krai (aka fried fish patties) and prophylactics. “Our...
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Hello Kitty! Japan’s Cat Cafes
Nekokaigi, a cat cafe in Kyoto, Japan. If you’re in Japan and missing your cat, try one of its 150 tea-and-cats cafes. Most of them are in Tokyo, like Calico, where one hour of stroking costs 900 yen,...
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Geisha Dress-Ups in Kyoto
Bestselling novelist and Holiday Goddess editor Sara Foster finds out how you can play geisha dress-ups in Kyoto, Japan. Geishas are iconic Japanese female entertainers – and despite a sometimes lurid...
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Bangkok Nights Around US/AUD$20
Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide editor Alana Hunt follows savvy local advice and finds a good Bangkok hotel off the backpacker trail for around AUD/US$20. Classic Bangkok Bangkok. There is something...
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The $379 Singapore Holiday – Cheap and Chic
The $379 Singapore Holiday? Is this a misprint? Not if you fly from Sydney or the Gold Coast to Singapore for $378 return and pay $1 to swap your home for this gorgeous Singapore apartment, below. The...
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Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Award-winning travel writer and Holiday Goddess editor Julie Miller meets some remarkable rescue elephants in a sanctuary created by one Thai woman – and a Texan millionaire. It’s feeding time at...
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Kate Middleton’s Singapore
Wearing a purple dress designed by Singapore-born Prabal Gurung (whose creations are also worn by Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama) Kate Middleton just put him firmly on Vogue’s radar during her September...
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Every time you booked a hotel or flight from our Holiday Goddess front page in 2012 you helped donate to charities like Dogstar in Sri Lanka, which cares for homeless dogs, cats…and now donkeys!...
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Australia-Singapore Under $200
Scoot is now taking bookings for one-way flights from Australia to Asia for less than $200. Scoot off but travel light Here’s a sample - Gold Coast to Singapore $189 Gold Coast to Bangkok $238 Sydney...
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Help Sri Lanka Street Dogs on Holiday
Dogstar dogs in Sri Lanka need you. Dogstar Foundation is the Sri Lanka charity set up by an international team, which has revolutionised the lives of street dogs in Sri Lanka. A percentage of each...
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Nainital, Northern India
Nainital, Northern India. A story about boats on a lake, by Alana Hunt. A lake with a history I am sitting at the edge of a lake under a big shady tree. The lake has formed in the base of a deep...
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Phuket, Thailand – Luxe for Less
More Bang for your Baht? Holiday Goddess editor Alison Carmichael-Rulten makes her Australian dollars go further in some of Phuket’s most luxurious hotels, as winter 2013 Qantas fares drop below...
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Bali’s Spiritual Healers
The best-selling book Eat Pray Love has sent a stampede of Westerners to the doorsteps of Bali’s spiritual healers. Tamara Pitelen joined the rush and got poked with a stick. Let the miracles begin!...
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Ski Club Med Sahoro for $260 per night
The all-inclusive package concept is becoming more and more popular and Club Med – who pretty much invented it – keep improving on their all-inclusive offering. Right now is a great time to book a...
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Tokyo! Yum.
L’ATELIER de Joël Robuchon. Roppongi Boasting the world’s biggest fish market, an obvious love affair with French cuisine and more Michelin Star restaurants than any other city, Tokyo enjoys its...
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Bali: night surfing and luxury villas
Komune Resort & Beach Club Bali For surfers and wannabes, here’s a way to experience one of the world’s best breaks in luxury. And with lessons if you (like me) need help standing up on a surf...
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Shangri-La Boracay, Philippines
Sue Ostler tries the ultimate Bond-style honeymoon fantasy and decides to return for her first wedding anniversary. Minutes after our sea-plane touches the ground, we are led into the exclusive...
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