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People in China love noodles too much. An article I read calls it “A nation of noodles addict”. I find this to be really interesting. It’s said that they are mostly happy when being served noodles than any other kind of foods. Noodles and chopsticks are everywhere in China. For foreigners, using chopsticks to eat this main meal is another attempt. There are many kinds of noodles and recipes for cooking them in China. Every area might have different taste and recipes. So if you’re visiting China, I’m sure tasting the variation of noodles cooking would be a journey. Read this articles for how noodles major in Chinese people’s meals and the difference of ingredients in some area. Read here.

This time I read about Yogyakarta city, a city located in Java Island, Indonesia. I have  been to Yogyakarta and this article really describes the city well. It is said that Yogyakarta (or also known as ”Yogya”) is probably the second choice to visit after Bali. I agree! I tell you, Yogyakarta has a lot of beautiful beaches that lied in a long line. They are not really exposed like those in Bali, but they are not less beautiful. If you visit Yogya, ask for the information about beaches at ”Wonosari, Gunung Kidul”, they will tell you how to get there. It is where all the beautiful beaches located. Besides, you can go to well-known beach like Parangtritis. Yogya is also a historical city. There are many temples in this city, look for them at Google Search rather than using ordinary map. This article I get can be a good guide for you. There are information about the food, hotel, local souvenirs, places to visit, etc. Visit Yogyakarta if you are in Indonesia. Read more.

Here is a site I found that gives information about cities in Indonesia, a beautiful country to visit. The first article that attracted my attention was about the city of Bandung. It is known as the city of flowers and “Paris of Java”. The articles gets you detail information of this lovely city, from the history, nature, way to get there, hotel lists detailed with their prices, etc. I think the information is just more than enough for a traveler who wish to feel the city. If you’re planning on a holiday to Indonesia or a country near Indonesia, you can include Bandung as one of your destination. It is a big city (third biggest city in Indonesia) and yet still has the historical old buildings and city layout. I hear it is a beautiful city. Read more about Bandung here.

Here is what Kathy Brownlie writes about her recent travel to Bali, Indonesia. Tropical paradise, perfect place to relax, many unique souvenirs at cheap price, palm trees, beaches, and massage service are some of the many left in her memory. She describes how she felt during the travel, who she met, what she was interested in, and her impression. Besides Bali, she also visited Sumatra, Medan, Bandung, Lombok, and Bukit Lawang National Park. She says that after spending some time in Indonesia, she got to know how life was like in Indonesia, how people tended to behave, and of course, a bit about the language. She also found that there were more hospitality and generosity when she was away from tourist centers. Read more about her travel here.

Hui An is located in Fujian Province. Marriage in this region comes with much custom that even the bride and groom do not confer the right of spouses, as an attempt to keep the population. New couples are not allowed to live together until their child born. Alter all the custom ceremonial process, the bride will spend three solo nights at her husband’s home, before then return to her parents until she gives birth. There are still so many shocking rules and procedures, as you read later in the article. However, things are now relaxed. Brides still stay in parents’ house, but visits have been more easier. The process of giving birth is no longer ruled much as well. Well, the marriage there is not common, but it is one of the cultures in China. Read here for the detail story.

It’s a big day in China, falls on 2^nd February, a day where spring returns. It’s a Farmers’ Affairs Festival. Symbolically, grass, farmers, and everyone in China owe much to Dragon. Dragon brings life, wind, and rain, making him an icon of peace and prosperity. The festival has some mythological roots from earliest dynasties. The article I found has it all in detail. If you’re interested, there are also stories of former dynasties about how the festival was rooted until now becomes a culture. It’s just interesting to find out that, throughout the long journey and centuries, the country of China really has a rich and varieties of cultures that come from their history. Read the origin and more about this festival here.

Walking marriage, or zou hun, is one of the most un-Chinese traditions in China. It is a Mosuo custom, a predominant ethnic minority in Yunnan Province, which driven mostly from the widely-believed myth about matriarchal society. Matriarchal is a condition where women make the rules and have all the rights. Before the Mosuo became a tourism industry, they are a society of a few elite ruling the downtrodden many. Once a Mosuo woman passes puberty, she may begin to arrange walking marriages. It is uncommon for a woman to have only partner during her life. It is however a serial monogamy, since it is also unusual for them to have more than one partner a time. Men don’t stay in one home, carry no obligation for children out of the marriage, no property sharing, and the children take Mom’s family name. Not like the ordinary marriage we know. Read the detail about walking marriage here.

Shopping at Shenzen is less and less different to shopping at Hong Kong. In order to support the activity, plenty of in-depth advice, maps, layouts, and translations have been provided. There are shopping streets, commercial hubs, theme parks, nightclubs, and soaking up culture. I read this from an article at Chinaexpat, a site that provides all information about China and dedicates it for expatriates and tourists visiting/working at China. From the article, I imagined that Shenzen is a bright, shining city that has tourists waking all day and night long. It is a lively city for shopping. Maybe you can consider visiting Shenzen if you are traveling to China, as another option for Hong Kong. It’s just that you can not have your visa renewed at this city. Read more about Shenzen here.

I found an article about Chinese New Year tradition. If you’re considering a visit to China during this event, read the article in advance. Chinese New Year lasts for fifteen days, and mostly celebrated in the living rooms. The decoration has red on majority and many hangings. There are also cakes, sweets, beers, and some kind of beverages prepared in each home to welcome the guests. For the New Year’s Eve, families make offerings to dead family members. Before that, each family will usually gather together to have a feast. Started from the first day, families will visit their elders respectively and prepare red envelopes filled with money to be given to kids. You will hear the greeting ‘Gong xi fat choi” everywhere then. That can be translated “hope you make a bundle!” This continues until the 15^th day. There is however some traditions about what should be done in each of the 15 days. The article has it all, read here.

Hotelchatter presents some of the best and worst international hotels based on their own experience. It’s good for your recommendation.

Hotels in Europe

1. Radisson Blu Hotels have free wireless in many of their services throughout Europe.
2. In United Kingdom, City Inn Hotels (London) offer it for free, while The Park Inn Hotel (London) charges 15 pounds.
3. In Spain, The Hotel Omm (Barcelona) is free, while El Coloso (Madrid) charges $26 and The Gallery Hotel (Barcelona) offers free but it’s so slow and you have to seek for signal.
4. In France, The Hotel de Crillon and The Five Hotel both offer free WiFi.
5. In Germany, The Leonardo Hotel offers free but after 2-day of stay.

Hotels in South America

1. Hotel Plaza Fuerte in Uruguay has free WiFi in rooms.
2. Sofitel Cartagena in Colombia offers free but the signal is bad.

Hotels in Central America

1. The Rosewood Mayakoba at Mexico charges fee.

Hotels in Asia

1. Hotel Nina in Hong Kong, China had no WiFi and charge US$40 a day.

1. The Establishment Hotel at Sydney offers free WiFi.

Hotels in South Africa

1. The Radisson Blu and The Peech Hotel both have free WiFi.

Check here.