The Eastern & Oriental Express crosses the bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. Ian Lloyd / Orient-Express Hotels (UK) Ltdver
The Eastern & Oriental Express crosses the bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. Ian Lloyd / Orient-Express Hotels (UK) Ltdver

Scenic railway journey from Bangkok to Singapore and more



From Bangkok to Singapore

The "Asian Adventures" package with Orient-Express includes a complimentary stay at one of many five-star Orient-Express properties across Asia when you book a classic journey on the Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore to Bangkok or vice versa. Guests receive a two-night stay at one of the following hotels: Jimbaran Puri and Ubud Hanging Gardens in Bali; the historic La Residence d'Angkor in Cambodia; La Residence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang, Laos; the Governor's Residence in Yangon, Myanmar; or Napasai Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Orient-Express's classic journeys comprise a series of train voyages that take guests through Malaysia and Thailand. Highlights of the ride between Singapore and Bangkok include a visit to the River Kwai bridge station, where guests disembark for a river cruise, a stop at the Thailand-Myanmar Railway Centre and a guided tour of colonial Georgetown on Penang Island. Prices for the three-day-four-night trip start at US$2,320 (Dh8,521) in a Pullman, $3,300 (Dh12,120) in a state cabin and $4,770 (Dh17,520) in a presidential suite. Prices are per person based on two people sharing, and include all meals on board, complimentary hot beverages and sightseeing tours. The offer is valid for travel before March 15. For further information, call 00 65 6395 0678 or visit www.easternandorientalexpress.com. Mention the booking code HVOU when making reservations.

Orissa, India

Visit the eastern Indian states of Orissa and Chattisgarh on Wild Frontiers's 15-day "Age of Kali" tour. Explore the temples of Bhubaneshwar and Puri, stop in Chattisgarh to buy exquisite Kosa silk, stroll through the vibrant Friday market at Kundali, meet indigenous tribes in rural villages, stay in classic heritage hotels and finish off in culture-rich Kolkata, the capital of the state of West Bengal. The trip also includes walks through the dense hillside forests of Koruput. The land-only trip from March 5 to 19 costs £2,295 (Dh13,374) per person full-board, and includes government passes and permits, entrance fees and all transport outlined in the tour itinerary. Visit www.wildfrontiers.co.uk or call 00 44 20 7736 3968.

Singapore, Kuala Lumpur

To commemorate Chinese New Year, which falls on February 3, Singapore Airlines has launched promotional fares to Singapore and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi) for a limited period. Return economy-class fares to Singapore from Abu Dhabi and Dubai start from Dh2,025, a 25 per cent reduction on the standard fare, and to Malaysia from Dh2,045, down by 22 per cent, including taxes. Tickets are valid for sale until January 31 and the offer is valid for travel between January 1 and February 28. For more details, call 02 622 1110 or visit www.singaporeair.com.

Ecuador

Experience Ecuador's volcanic landscape on Exodus's 16-day adventure trip. The famous avenue of volcanoes features some of the world's highest peaks. The trip starts in Quito with a short city tour, followed by an acclimatisation hike around the Cuicocha Crater Lake. Then comes the Pinan trek among the highlands of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve before heading south to climb Imbabura volcano. After a short visit to the native Indian market at Otavalo, practise your ice skills on Cayambe Volcano's glaciers - the only ones in the world that cross the Equator. The focus of the expedition is ascending Cotopaxi, which at 5,897m, is the world's second highest active volcano.

The land-only trip costs £1,399 (Dh8,152) per person and includes all breakfasts, 11 lunches and nine dinners, with accommodation in hotels, camps and mountain huts. The tough Cotopaxi climb is included in the price but is optional. Departures are set for February 26 and March 12. Visit www.exodus.co.uk for more information.

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Company%20Profile
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Oppenheimer
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Results
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Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality  within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Company%20Profile
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