The VOA will continue to be extended to countries that offer a reciprocal privilege to Sri Lankan nationals, like Singapore and the Maldives.

“We really hope the government will not introduce this scheme,” said Hiran Cooray, chairman of Jetwing and PATA. “If they do, we have to make it as hassle-free as possible, so that the impact is minimised.”

To promote tourism, Sri Lanka has been granting a 30-day VOA to Western tourists, as well as those from developed nations, since the 1970s. The scheme was extended to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation nations in the mid-90s to tap the region’s potential.

Initially mooted in August last year, the VOA withdrawal was put on hold because of large-scale representations by the Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality industry, which feared a drop in tourist arrivals.

Chulananda Perera, Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration controller-general, said the new online visa application system would be implemented in about 80 days. After submission of application and payment of fees, visitors would get their visas within one to three days.

Perera insisted that Sri Lanka’s tourism industry would not be affected by the new system, and that the switch would in fact make it easier for tourists.

Nagsri Prasad Sashidhar of Mumbai-based Mercury Travels was less optimistic. “ Sri Lanka was very attractive for us given the VOA facility. We would recommend it as a good option to tourists who were going to Maldives,” he said. “The withdrawal will cause numbers to fall and make the destination less appealing to our clients.”

Extracted from TTG, by Shekhar Niyogi, Kolkata, May 30, 2011

Just an hour away via ferry, Bintan is a convenient getaway.

Aroma Spa, offers the full spa amendities for us to melt away. The spa is great and in a setting that you can just destress. After spa, Pasar Oleh Oleh and Kampong Lagoi offers a wide range of eateries to choose from. Also shops to pick up some local souverniers.

Another spa that I really enjoyed is one set in nature and back to basic.
River Spa is set in the original Mangrove and about 1 hour away from Bintan. Once you hit the road, the ride is really scenic and you have reached before you knew it. The spa huts are simple but with privacy. The spa is a simple body scrub and the massage is really good. After the spa, we took a boat ride down the mangrove swamp to our lunch location. Lunch is simple but bet it it very tasty. On return, we stop over at Trikora Beach. The white sand n beach in the photos are no photoshop effect.  Simple day away, fill with nature and full relaxation.

Check out the details at http://www.jatravel.com.sg/indonesia/bintan_SpadaytripWD.html

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Very fast, very prompt in follow up for our batam trip. Provided me with excellent service for my pending redang trip.

I have and will continue to recommend your services to my friends in the forums and family should they need to travel.

Keep up the great work!

My trip to Australia took place on 08 May 2009 (yeah, it’s like months ago) but it’s never too late of sharing experience, isn’t it? The cities that I went to: Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast. And I’ll be writing them separately, because I want to share as much as possible.

When I first stepped out from Tulamarine (Melbourne’s airport) and I thought everybody was smoking, but it was actually fog that came out from people’s breathe. It was really cold. That was the first thing that caught my intention. The second one, YELLOW CAB! Hahaha, yeah, I always saw it in the TV, and “I am so gonna take picture with it”.

The flight landed early in the morning, and first thing to do was to throw the lugage in to the hotel room and explore the city. Let me tell you what I found in this beautiful, calm and cold city.

1. Queen Victoria Market

In this market, you can’t find a single thing that has ‘made in china’ on it. Most places in this city operate really early in the morning, of course, this market too. So, if you happen to go there, make sure you don’t spend much time on your bed. Best impression that I got from this place: I tasted the finest and freshest foods that originally produce from Melbourne.

2. Federal Square

This is the place where we were told as ‘hang out’ place. Most people sit down by the river and chit chat. The visitor centre is also located here. Thing to say: from this area, you can see almost all the interesting building in Melbourne.

3. Eureka Skydeck 88

It’s the tallest building with observation deck and with 360 degree views of Melbourne and the worlds only EDGE experience. I was so excited before I stepped in to this building. And when part of this building moved out from the building (so-called EDGE) I started to worried, every side of the room was made of glass and I could see the view clearly, I didn’t dare to look down, simply because I was 88 storeys high!

4. Dockland Park

Nice coffee with interesting architectural building and views. There are a lot of boats too by the river. I saw some jelly fish too (scary huh). It’s really a place to take nice pictures, wait, did I mention that the Fish ‘n Chips is really special? J

5. Melbourne Zoo and Aquarium

I was hoping to see Koala and Kangaroo on the road before I landed in Australia. But I didn’t see any and I was desperate, so I went to the zoo. But it was kinda disapponting, I saw only two koala in the zoo and few kangaroos and I couldn’t land my hand on them.

Buildings, bridges and transports got my attentions too. I took a lot of picture with these interesting objects. Because they were simply new to me, and we can’t find any in our hometown.

Last but not least, living cost (sounds weird huh, we don’t live here, so let’s call it Traveling Cost). The hotel that i stayed was Vibe Hotel, a real good deal hotel. Check with JA Travel to find out more about the cost. Woo hoo!

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These bridges make a spectacular contrast of modern engineering against a rural backdrop linking Batam to the southern islands of Rempang and Galang. The Barelang bridges have become an icon in Batam (the name is an abbreviation from Batam, Rempang, and Galang) & riding them makes one feel … well … “On top of the world”!

The Ride

The start/end is the Barelang bridge itself. The spectacular views along the way makes the 55km route (one way) feel short if one wants to soak in the scenes. For the super “kilat” athlete who relishes the challenge, conquering the rolling hills, cross & head winds; man-machine against the terrain, the challenge is too mouth watering to resist.

Unlike riding in forever congested Singapore at any time of day, the island ride is smooth with hardly any traffic & excellent road condition. Brakes were hardly used & is only required for the photo shoots & watermelon breaks.

The excellent mobile service support provided, made both the recreational & avid cyclist feel shiok! Lots of hydration, & we even get water supply while on the move ala Tour de France! We got to ride as fast as humanly possible or as hard as our legs can take us! After all, no one gets left behind with the support vehicle always in sight.

The Turn

The u-turn point is the sleepy ex Vietnamese refugee camp at Galang. While letting the sore thighs recover, we took to the sights of the village, boats & amneties used by the “boat people”.

After replenishing the loss fluids with the super cold Pocari & watermelon, we head back for the return leg. The ride seems easier especially with the cloudy skies. Drafting(cycling term for group aerodynamic riding formation) as much as possible do help in conserving energy but the ride becomes less of a challenge. The sight of the first bridge(our start/end point) on the return leg is simply spectacular & a sight for sore eyes.

Post ride

The seafood at newly opened Harbour Bay never tasted better. Nice pubs there too with rather corny names like 911 Café, & G-spot. Hmmm …

Retiring at Harris hotel is even more pleasant with the all inclusive package. Exchanging banter about the day’s event over the free flowing drinks till late, makes the hard work all more rewarding. The traditional massage slotted in the morning chased the fatigue away & we were fresh when he head back to Singapore albeit a bit sore around the legs.

It seems that all who went had some “unfinished” business in Barelang as the conversation centered around “when I return here, I’m gonna do things better, this way or another …”!

Statistics

Total U-turn distance from Barelang bridge – 110km

* Longer distance of 160km can be arranged but the ride starts from town.

Decent completion time – 4 hrs 30 min

Kilat athlete time – 4hrs

Happy-happy photo taking time – 5 hrs 40 min …. No pressure, no complains.

In a nutshell, one need NOT be a great athlete to do it. Anyone physically fit and knows how to ride a bicycle can do it. Having the right bicycle(not the market bike extremes) or rather road bikes does the trick. Knowing how to operate it will bring you all the miles. The Barelang bridges offer a great experience. WOW to the view.  Ride to your limit.  Feel the satisfaction after the trip. What next? Seafood & massage!!

CHECK out the hassle free package : BATAM Cycling Adventure

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The host Conor Woodman is actually an economist by profession, but one day just felt that he don’t want to be desk- bound, so decided to go round the world. But with a difference. He traded to go round the world. He sold his house for £25,000 and went to different countries, buying from one region n selling at other making a profit. Watch it… quite a different n inspiring program!!

Check out how to sell chilli source in India!!

Way to go… 20 years since our graduation for batch 1989! Other younger n older batches were there also. This reunion is special cos it is at Monk’s Hill itself. The school has a new lease of life since May 2009 this year. Now is a hip education hub and houses many other offices.  All our classrooms are converted to functional offices.

Our canteen is converted to a hip bistro serving  International food and wine. Not advertising the place… but a cool gathering place, and it really bring back loads of memories.  The “new canteen” bistro detail: District 10 – Tel: 6738 4788 if anyone keen on future or personal gathering.

Surprise appearance by the teachers – Mr Aman, Mrs Govin, Ms Ong KT, Mdm Ng, Mrs Ang KK, Mr Tan Wang Tee and even Mrs Neo Bick Yin (our principle). It made the occasion special. We also manage to celebrate Steven Wong birthday there….

Thanks to everyone who made time for this gathering. You all have made the event memorable and special. For those who miss it, hope you will pop over to our old school when you have time and feel it yourself. Bet those fond memories will just overwhelm u… Till the next time we meet…. below are some photos for remembrance

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