Travel Forum / Destinations / Asia / October 2003

Anyone has a any suggestion on which rotenburo to visit in Japan ?
I am thinking of experiencing a beautiful rotenburo and staying overnight in
a nearby ryokan.
There are so many to choose from and I would appreciate your experience pls.

On my trip last month I was able to send SMS messages to pretty much
everyone on all networks from my one2call phone (AIS?). Was not able
to receive from any of them.
what about PC or web based services?

A major timetable revision for the JR Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (Tokyo -
Shin-Osaka - Hakata) and branch lines is scheduled October 1st 2003.  Shinkansen
platforms will start service in Shinagawa, shortly south of Tokyo Terminal.  The
number of NOZOMI (the fastest type) will increase ...

I am thinking of staying at Ryokan Seiki near Kyoto station for 4 nights and
doing day trips to the surroundings city/town and Hiroshima.
Has anyone have any experience staying at ryokan Seiki (3 mins walk from
Kyoto stn) ?

I just wanted to get opinions in the group about bicycle touring in
the Philippines.
Has anyone in this group tried this ? Even just riding here, on road
or off road... Please let me know how it was for you, and what you

The nearest and great place is the Philippines. It's only 1-2 hrs from
HKG.
Try:
http://www.sunnseaholidays.com/divelocation.asp?id=ph

A friend of mine is confronted with a tough situation.  She had bought
2 air tickets last year to China shortly before the whole SARS thing
exploded.  The plan was to travel in April or May.  She had apparently
bought those tickets from a consolidator.

I am wondering what area of India is best to visit for a family of 5 adults
(16 to 47) in July-August, if we want to avoid mossoon.
Also, with such a group in a self catering trip, how reasonable is it to
rent a car to travel in India ? Is it better to rely on public

i need specific names, prices and recent experience with this trip: the best
tour group to go with, size of group, price and satisfaction  PLEEEZE   joel

Malaria is a word many people associate with game parks in Africa.
However only one of the South African National Parks is in a malaria
risk area and that is the Kruger National Park, although even here the
risk is usually low. Historically there have been incidences of

aside from 'forking' over a high airlines fee to get there, is there a safe
way to get to LP from northern Thailand?? I read about the crossing from
Chiang Khong to  Ban Houei Xai and  also about the expense and danger of the
"fast boats" to go to LP....any options????

I'm making a few stops in SEA next month and wanted to see if anyone
here (travelers or locals) will be there around the same times.
Itinerary right now looks like:
   Bangkok     Nov 21-24

Can anyone please name the nut that's apparently chewed widely in Asia,
as a mild stimulant ?

Has anybody flown to HK from NY on that direct flight from
Continental? Is it any good? Any particular comments ?
Thanks,
Eric

I've been in touch with my travel agent for setting up my
round-the-world flight route and I got everything like I wanted except a
domestic flight in Japan, from Osaka Kansai to Sapporo and back during
7th of April 2004 which was full.