A Postcard From ... Archives

A formula for crossing the road in Hanoi

10th December 20197th January 2020 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories min read

The hotel I stayed at in Hanoi offered this advice with regard to crossing the road: Be relaxed and confident. Look both ways. Walk slowly. Never step backwards

The five-foot way: Straits Settlements style

A Postcard From ... Singapore

Five-foot ways: Straits Settlements style

28th November 20197th January 2020 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories min read

Five-foot way refers to the covered walkways that are common in many parts of Asia. The upper floor of a building extends outwards supported by pillars at the

The South Park Street cemetery: A Garden of unfulfilled dreams

A Postcard From ... India

South Park Street cemetery: Garden of unfulfilled dreams

14th October 20197th January 2020 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories min read

South Park Street Christian cemetery is an oasis of calm amidst the infernal cacophony of modern Kolkata. But it’s a spooky place, even in the middle of the day

A Postcard From ... Cambodia

A model business woman

21st September 20197th January 2020 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories min read

I’d arrived at Ta Prohm early to try and beat the crowds. It opens at 07.30, I had 15 minutes to wait. Of course this left me at the mercy of the souvenir vendors.

A Postcard From ... Myanmar

Bagan bike trials

9th September 201929th February 2020 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories min read

I like bicycles. Pedalling around Asia’s historic sites in an unhurried manner, stopping when I want and lingering for as long as I like is by far the best way to enjoy them.

A Postcard From ... Indonesia

Anak Krakatau: A giant slumbers

24th July 20199th January 2020 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories min read

As the sun went down Anak Krakatau woke up. The activity increased surprisingly rapidly and by nightfall I was treated to a firework display like no other.

A Postcard From ... India

Darjeeling: Mantra for the morning

12th July 20197th January 2020 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories min read

“Good morning,” they sang like a group of school children welcoming Sir into the classroom. Good morning I replied with more geniality than I ever thought I could muster at 5.00am on a rather chilly morning.

A Postcard From ... Thailand

Thong Pha Phum: Going to the dogs

20th June 20196th January 2020 The Mango Road 0 Comments min read

Thong Pha Phum: Going to the dogs The soulful baying coming from the far side of the Kwai Noi was

AirAsia is suspending most flight across its entire network.
AirAsia Malaysia: Temporary suspension of all international and domestic flights from 28 March to 21 April
AirAsia Philippines: Temporary suspension of all international and domestic flights from 20 March to 14 April during the community quarantine period in Luzon, as well as in other parts of the country.
AirAsia Thailand: Temporary suspension of all international flights from 22 March to 25 April; domestic operations continue at reduced frequency.
AirAsia Indonesia: Significantly reduced international flights frequency; domestic operations continue at reduced frequency.
AirAsia India: Temporary suspension of all flights from 25 March for 21 days adhering to the government suspension of all domestic flights.
AirAsia Japan: Temporary suspension of international flight from 20 March to 24 April. Domestic flights are operating at reduced frequency.
AirAsia X Malaysia: Temporary suspension of most flights from 28 March to 31 May
AirAsia X Thailand: emporary suspension of all flights from 16 March for a period of 3 months; DMK-ICN suspended until 19 April.

THAILAND
All national parks in the Kingdom will be closed from March 25 until further notice

JAPAN
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed until summer 2021.

HONG KONG
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon will reduce flights throughout April and May, Cathay Pacific will oprate three flights per week each to; London (Heathrow), Los Angeles, Vancouver, Tokyo (Narita), Taipei, New Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Sydney.

Cathay Dragon will operate three flights per week to Beijing, Shanghai (Pudong), and Kuala Lumpur.

HONG KONG
Budget airline HK Express HK Express will suspend all flights from March 23 until April 30, 2020

THAILAND
Bangkok Airways has made ticket changes more flexible.

Tickets issued on or before March 17 for travel up to 30 April 2020 will be allowed to rebook new dates up to March 31, 2021 without fees.

Refunds for tickets issued on or before 17 March 2020 for up to 30 April 2020 will be eligible for a full refund when a supporting documents, such as government travel restriction, cancellation of incoming flights, doctor certificate etc. are submitted.

THAILAND
Thai Airways and Thai Smile are offering to waive the charges for rebooking on all flights from UK and Ireland booked between March 18 and April 30, 2020. Refunds will be offered in the form of a voucher which will be valid for one year from the original departure date. The voucher must be requested before April 30.

VIETNAM
Vietnam Airlines will suspend all international flights until April 30, 2020.

Flights to/from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar will not operate from March 21. Flights to/from the UK and Japan will be suspended from March 23. Flights to Germany and Australia will be end from March 24. Services to China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, France, Russia, Malaysia, and Taiwan are already suspended.

HONG KONG
All travellers arriving in Hong Kong will have to self isolate for 14 days. Arrivals will be required to wear a tracking bracelet to ensure compliance.

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Pretty well all gigs and events due to take place in Asia between now and the end of May have been cancelled. Those that aren’t officially cancelled yet probably will be before long unless Covid-19 suddenly packs its bags and leaves us all alone.

The following are just the events that I have no further information on yet.

◼︎ American singer/songwriter Halsey will play the Tokyo Garden Theatre on May 7 – tickets and Olympic Hall, Seoul on May 9 – tickets

PHILIPPINES
Iron Maiden are to headline the Pulp Summer Slam festival at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on May 16. Also on the bill are Death Angel, Dragonforce, BabyMetal, and King 810. Tickets are available here

◼︎ American singer/songwriter Billie Elish has added five Asian dates to her world tour. Tickets are not on sale yet but if you know you’ll be in the area you can register.
25 August – Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai. Tickets
28 August – Taipei Arena, Taiwan. Tickets
30 August – AsiaWorld Expo, Hong Kong. Tickets
02 September – Yokohama Arena, Japan. Tickets
05 September – Mall of Asia Arena, Manila. Tickets

HONG KONG & SINGAPORE
Tickets for the rescheduled 2020 Rugby Sevens in both Hong Kong and Singapore remain valid for the new dates. October 10 – 11 in Singapore and October 16-18 in Hong Kong. Any one unable to attend on those dates are entitled to a full refund.

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