Uzbekistan has some of the best preserved Islamic cities in the world. Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva all have great historic centers, with a few almost unbelievably beautiful mosques and coranic schools. These are cities you cannot miss, if you are just a tiny bit interested in culture and or Islam.

Uzbekistan has also part of one of the biggest environmental disasters in the world: Aral lake. This lake is slowly disappearing with al the nast consequences for the people living around it. It is a very unhealthy climate near the ex-lake. Worst of all is that this is a man made disaster.

The toughest thing about Uzbekistan understands why your tour guide is so reluctant to giving the clients a simple price quote. In truth, the Uzbek currency has a state determined value and a black market value. Uzbek people cannot explain this to you over the internet, phone, fax or otherwise for fear of the tax authorities showing up for an impromptu inspection and assessment. Traveling in Uzbekistan is cheap, but only if you show up dollars in hand and pay cash. Previously, travel agents could book your flights at the local rate. This is no longer the case and foreigners must pay first world prices. Save your cash and see the countryside by hiring a car. The last time I checked, the dollar in the bazaar was worth about five times as much as in the bank. Speak quietly and ask your tour guide to exchange some money. Expect to pay him or her a commission just like you will pay a little more than the local people for everything.

Asia Travel Information

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Getting In & Out Of Hong Kong

There are for basic way of getting in to Hong Kong that is by Air, Train, Sea & Bus; which is basic mode of transportation for getting into a country. 1. By Air Hong Kong International Airport is world class. Sixty airlines ferry passengers to 140 locations around the world. The gateway

Nightlife of Hong Kong

Hong Kong provides a vibrant nightlife. Do not fight the temptation to join the party. Things to do: take a luxury night cruise over Victoria Harbor; visit pubs, bars, night clubs; or stroll in the bubbling streets with the locals. Don't just sit back and watch. I. Night Tour Do you fancy

Myanmar Tourist Guides — Attractions

City - Mandalay: Second capital after Rangoon, has world’s largest stone book situated in the compound of the 'Kuthodaw Pagoda' where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 729 stone slabs. The delicate tapestry works, stone sculpture, the time-honored art of gold leaf home industry is definitely worth a visit. Bagan is known as

Visa Information For Tourists

Most visitors to Hong Kong still don't need a visa. The exception is for blacklisted countries, many of which (ironically) have or had communist regimes: Hong Kong has always made it difficult for nationals from such countries to enter its borders, and despite the return of Hong Kong to the

Myanmar Tourist Guides — Attractions

I. City - Rangoon: Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar is the host for some of the world’s mind-blowing wonders, like the: 1. Shwedagon Pagoda: Rudyard Kipling termed it as the .Golden Wonder.. It looks beautiful during sunset as the last rays fall on the soft golden dome, making it glitter. The great

Festivals in Myanmar

Myanmar is a Land of Festivals: a festival for every month of the year. Most festivals are cultural and religious. Majority are nation-wide celebrated while a few are distinctly regional. The dates of the festivals and special events are determined by the Lunar Year. 1. January • Kayin New Year celebrated on

General Information About Burma

Truly, Myanmar is one of the most magical and beautiful places in the world. It has more historic religious temples than anywhere on earth, and the oldest archaeological site in South East Asia. To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. A

General Information For Tourists - II

20. Religion The majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced. 21. Telecommunications Telephones & fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay but charges are quite expensive. E mail facilities are now available at many hotels and local businesses in Yangon

Entrance Fees In Tourists Places in US$

I. Entrance Fees In Tourists Places (Rangoon) in US$ 1. Shwedagon Pagoda $5 2. National Museum $5 3. People's Park $3 4. Gem Museum $5 5. Ngar Htut Kyi Pagoda $2 6.

Asia News

Mixed 2006 start in Asia

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BlueScope set to triple Asia capacity

BlueScope set to triple Asia capacity Australia's BlueScope Steel is on target to triple its capacity in Asia by 2008 with major investments in China, India, Thailand and Indonesia, the company said on Tuesday. Chief executive officer Kirby Adams, in Thailand for the opening of a new steel plant, also dismissed concerns

Asia stocks to focus on oil, Fed meeting

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Oracle says to match SAP's Asia sales

Oracle says to match SAP's Asia sales REUTERS: Oracle Corp., the world's second-largest software maker, said its Asia ex-Japan revenues could match arch-rival SAP AG's regional sales within three years as it aggressively woos the German firm's customers. Oracle is the world's largest maker of database software, but ranks behind

Asia stocks up modestly, dlr steadies before Fed

Asia stocks up modestly, dlr steadies before Fed Asian stock markets made modest gains on Tuesday as investors waited for the first policy decision of the Federal Reserve under chairman Ben Bernanke and, more importantly, clues on the outlook for U.S interest rates. Gold held above $566 an ounce, even as the

Who discovered America?

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Malaysia is TRWs most important mart in S-E Asia

Malaysia is TRWs most important mart in S-E Asia US-BASED TRW Automotive, one of the worlds 10 largest automotive suppliers with US$13 billion (US$1 = RM3.64) revenue annually, says Malaysia is its most important market in South-East Asia. TRW sales and business development director Gordon Bennet said Malaysia generates about half of

Rice Says Milosevic One of Most Malign Forces in Europe

Rice Says Milosevic One of Most Malign Forces in Europe U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says history has already given its verdict on Slobodan Milosevic, even though he died before The Hague tribunal could pass judgment. Rice says the former Yugoslav president was one of the most malign forces in

US to remain engaged in Asia

US to remain engaged in Asia The United States is stepping up its military engagement in the Asia-Pacific region to counter-balance the rise of China, and to confront the threat from terrorism, analysts said on Monday. As the centre of geopolitical gravity shifts from Europe to Asia, Washington is reviewing its security

Big powers and the great energy game in Central Asia

Big powers and the great energy game in Central Asia A CENTURY ago, the British Empire and Tsarist Russia used spies, gold and proxy armies to control the emirate of Afghanistan in the fabled Great Game of the Raj. With the collapse of the USSR, Afghanistan and Central Asia are now