Then Dubai established its Road and Transport Authority (RTA) which revamped the entire public transport system. Suddenly bus routes were online, taxis were found in abundance and most importantly, the Dubai metro started!

If you’re wondering what the big deal is about the metro, imagine being stuck in a traffic jam for over two hours (every day!) on your way to work – on a route that takes no more than 20 minutes in normal traffic. Get what I mean?

Not only that but the metro made traveling long distances in Dubai extremely affordable, hassle free and time efficient. Instead of paying around AED 100 for traveling from Al Nahda to Marina in cab fare, you can now make the trip in under AED 10 – and that’s if you travel gold class!

To give you an idea of how much time it saves, consider this: Going to Dubai Mall from Deira only takes 20 minutes by metro and an hour by car.

To break it down, here’s what Dubai’s transport system comprises of:

• Metro – I’ve already waxed lyrical about it above
• Buses
• Taxis
• Abras (water taxis)

Buses are now connected to the metro and you’ll find a bus leaving a metro station every 5 minutes. Brochures are easily available and prominently displayed in every station with detailed information about the trains and the buses including timings and routes.

While every metro station doesn’t have a taxi stand, plenty of taxis keep driving by. End of the line metro stations like Rashidya and Etisalat do have taxi stands where it’s a simple matter of walking out of the station and getting in a cab if you need to travel in one.

Abras are a unique mode of public transport in Dubai. They’re water taxis that ferry people back and forth between Deira and Bur Dubai. You’ll find the traditional, open air wooden abras as well as the covered, air-conditioned one.

Traveling in both is one of those ‘only in Dubai’ experience – not to mention economical and a lot of fun!

As good as the transport system has become, there’s still room for improvement.

You’ll still find residents complaining about the lack of taxi stands in the city and how calling and booking a taxi doesn’t guarantee that a taxi will arrive to pick you up.

And even though cab fare starts at AED 3, the minimum rate of traveling in one is AED 10. So if you reach your destination and the meter reads DHS 7, you’re still going to have to pay AED 10.

Considering how hot it gets in summer and how impossible it is to walk even short distances outside when the temperature is in its 40’s, taxi companies profit from the minimum fare rule.

On top of that, the metro is only in Dubai and does not extend to other emirates which is a huge drawback since a large percentage of Dubai’s workforce lives in neighbouring Sharjah.

Just as there are some things that need to be improved, there are certain things about the transport system that are downright bizarre.

Because every emirate is autonomous in UAE, they have their own taxi systems. So let’s say a Dubai taxi enters another emirate, it charges its passengers an additional DHS 20 for it! Considering that the only thing separating the two emirates is a turn in the road, some find it unfathomable. On top of that, after dropping off the passenger, a taxi with Dubai number plates cannot pick up a passenger in Sharjah or any other emirate. It has to go back empty all the way to Dubai to pick up another passenger.

As a result, most taxi drivers are reluctant to take you to another emirate further than Sharjah.

Expats in Dubai swear by the metro and use it as often as they can. After all, who wants to get stuck in the morning traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road when you can zoom past it on the metro?

For a westerner it might seem odd. When you first land in Tokyo, you notice immediately that people smoke a lot. They also drink a lot. You can tell by the hangdog looks on faces in the incredibly packed commuter train that stress also plays a major part in their lives. So, with such odds against them, why do Japanese people live so long?

Raw fish, seaweed and moldy soybeans

Natto is a Japanese dish you either love or hate that’s basically moldy, fermented soybeans. It smells funny and has a gooey, sticky consistency. About half of all Japanese population can’t stomach it. But for those who love it, ask them why and they’ll tell you, ‘If you eat natto, you’ll live longer.’

To which a large number of westerners might reply, ‘That’s alright, I’ll die young.’

It has always been assumed that diet is the main factor in the long life expectancy of the Japanese. The diet includes lots of fish, fresh green vegetables, soy products, fermented foods, and nutrient-packed seaweed. Until recently, red meat was rarely eaten and it’s still eaten moderately. Sweets use a minimum of sugar and much of the food is fresh and unprocessed.

While it’s undeniable that Japanese food is good for you, it’s not the only reason. Japanese people have eaten seaweed and sushi for centuries, but the life expectancy has only risen to record-setting levels since the end of World War 2. The Japanese of years past didn’t always live to be centenarians.

The Japanese government takes on infectious diseases

If you live in Japan today, you know that the country is downright fixated about its health. Most people undergo a yearly health check where they’re tested for all kinds of ailments. When the flu is going around, it’s the main story on the evening news. And then there are the ubiquitous face masks. Health insurance is provided to citizens as part of a mandatory social insurance scheme, although expats based in the country usually need to source their own private health insurance for Japan.

Japan’s health obsession has its origins in the decades after the closing of the war when the government proactively went after infectious diseases. It invested heavily in public health, created a national healthcare system, and launched campaigns to reduce the intake of certain harmful foods such as salt. These measures, along with the natural Japanese inclination toward good hygiene, raised the life expectancy a whopping 30 years in two decades. It has since gone up a total of 49 years.

A reason to live until you’re 150

Another factor might be the lifestyle that Japan’s older folks enjoy. When they retire from a busy lifetime of hectic overtime work, they don’t settle into their easy chairs and watch TV. Retirees in Japan stay active and many of them continue working by choice and not economic necessity.

Studies of areas such as Kagoshima Prefecture and the Amami Islands, which are known for even higher rates of life expectancy than the national average, found that living with purpose may also keep people alive longer. It was found that elderly residents of these areas were more involved in the local community and spent more time around younger family members.

Japan’s life expectancy is actually causing problems in the country. With a shrinking birthrate, the number of elderly non-working Japanese is disproportionately high, and this is already placing a burden on the country’s economy and healthcare system.

Sources

Boseley, Sarah. “Japan’s life expectancy ‘down to equality and public health measures.’” The Guardian. August 30, 2011. Available online at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/30/japan-life-expectancy-factors. Accessed May 14, 2012.

CIA. “Life Expectancy at Birth.” World Fact Book. Available online at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2102.html. Accessed May 14, 2012.

“What’s the Secret of Japan’s Record Life Expectancy?” Web Japan website. November 21, 2003. Available online at http://web-japan.org/trends/lifestyle/lif031121.html. Accessed May 14, 2012.

I head in the direction of Cadiz’s Cathedral which is located at the heart of the City. Construction of this stunning building took a massive 116 years to complete after its antecedent had burned to the ground. This is a long time even by Spanish standards and although largely built in a neoclassical style, there is evidence of rococo and baroque elements reflecting earlier architectural techniques. I climb to the summit of the North Tower to enjoy uninterrupted coast-to-coast views of the city, before visiting the crypt and the remains of several prominent Gaditanos such as composer Manuel de Falla who gave his name to the Gran Teatro I would be returning to later.

During the 18^th Century Cadiz was the main trading port with Spain’s colonies in the Americas and the streets leading from the Cathedral are replete with exquisite baroque buildings such as the Casa del Almirante and the Hospital de las Mujeres. Cádiz even had a brief stint – 1810 to 1813 – as Spain’s capital and I find a grand monument on Plaza de España commemorating the proclamation of the country’s first liberal constitution here in the City. I am further reminded of Cadiz’s links to the Americas whilst strolling through the nearby Parque Genovés, the City’s main park, which was also laid during this golden era and which contains many examples of indigenous South America and Caribbean plants.

Cadiz was originally known as Gadir which means ‘enclosed’ and refers to the fact that it is almost completely surrounded by water. Although this geographical anomaly has been central to its success throughout the centuries, there is also no escaping the chilly wind and rains which blow in from the Atlantic at this time of year. Although the day was exceedingly grey, I was undeterred from visiting the Playa la Caleta, the only beach in the City centre. During the summer months, you can barely see the sand for the crowds of expats and rowdy locals; however in mid-April it was all but deserted, its white Brighton-esque pavilion looking more at home than ever in the cutting rain. At the southern end of the beach, the 17^th Century Castillo de Santa Catalina has been restored as an art gallery and Latin-American themed art exhibitions celebrate Cadiz’s status as 2012 capital of ‘Iberoamericano’ culture.

With the afternoon pleasantly whiled away I head back to the Teatro Falla and manage to grab a tapa or two at the adjacent Du Ca cafe before joining the queue which snaked its way around the square. At about nine thirty the doors swing open and about a thousand of us file into the theatre, with me making my way up to the highest (and cheapest!) seats in the area known as el paraiso. Drexler does not fail to deliver with a largely acoustic set combining traditional Uruguayan musical styles such as milongas and candombes with jazz, pop and his signature bossa nova sound. A two hour set includes two ‘encores’ before we are released onto the streets just before midnight, hungry and in the case of this expat, in much need of a drink. Just as well the party was only getting started on the streets of Cadiz…

Almost ninety percent of the local population in Lombok are Muslim Sasaks. The Sasaks are more conservative than the Hindu Balinese, which might explain why Lombok did not embrace tourism and urban development the way Bali did. The pace of life here is slow and easy, and soft sandy white beaches, crystal clear waters, volcanic mountains and waterfalls nestled within tropical jungles all make it easy to get into a serene and blissful state. Lombok offers plenty of nature while the Gili Islands nearby hold much promise for those who want to explore the underwater world.

Lombok

The best spot for sun seekers in Lombok is Sengigi, a resort town on a bay overlooking Bali, where the beaches of Sengigi, Mangsit and Batu Layer can be found. In the town of Sengigi, there are cafes serving both local and Western food, dive shops and little arts and craft stores selling cultured pearls grown in nearby waters, pottery and hand woven textiles called Ikats. If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, head to Sukara Village to watch Sasaks working on Ikat weavings, or rent a bicycle and explore villages and rice paddies. A deep ocean trench runs under the landmass of Lombok, giving rise to the majestic 12,000-foot volcano called Mount Rinjani in the northwest of the island as well as a unique variety of plant and wild life. At the foothills of Mount Rinjani is the small town of Tanjung and the very pretty Senaru Waterfall. Honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic getaway can enjoy the new luxury resorts and villas in the nearby areas of Medana and Sire. In the south is the coastal town of Kuta, and while it bears the same name as Kuta in Bali, this town is much less crowded and great for surfers looking for that giant breaker.

The Gili Islands

Three small islands, Gili Trawagan, Gili Meno and Gili Air lie northeast of Sengigi and they are all car-free. The waters surrounding these islands are home to stunning coral walls and drop-offs, so if you’re a diver, you’ll have a lot to get excited about. However, the currents in certain dive spots can get strong and coral scrapes and cuts are common. Jellyfish infestations can also sometimes be a problem. For a little peace of mind before an adventurous dive, see to it that you have good international health insurance. While the seas around the Gilis are captivating, the beaches here are also lots of fun. Gili Air has the largest local population and is the preferred island for lovebirds, while Gili Trawagan, the largest of the three, is more of a party island with a younger crowd of singles and backpackers; it is certainly the most touristy and liveliest of the three. Gili Meno sits between Gili Air and Gili Trawagan and is the most undeveloped and the least populated. There is a bird sanctuary on the island and only about 300 locals, many of whom work as fishermen, coconut farmers and salt farmers. Each of the islands has its own distinct personality and Meno is perfect if you are looking for a little extra peace and privacy.

Here is a list of some of the most popular malls in Singapore worth a visit. Each of the country’s dozens of malls has its own flavor and specialty, and these are the ones that every Singaporean knows intimately.

1. Orchard Central

Singapore’s tallest mall is also one of its newest; since summer 2009, Orchard Central became yet another mall in the country’s Orchard Road, an area famous for shopping malls and shopping centers. The mall houses a lot of popular Asian and western brands, such as Nautica, Quicksilver, Levi’s, T. M. Lewin, and Just 2 U. While new, sleek, and flashy, the mall isn’t known for high-end luxury shops, but its Roof Garden is a luxurious place to relax and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

2. International Plaza

At the base of this 50 storey skyscraper is another shopping mall full of Asian and western brands, which are connected to luxury apartments and offices in the highrise itself. International Plaza is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the city, having been open since 1976, although it has been upgraded and rennovated several times since then. Located adjacent to Tanjong Pagar station and Raffles Place station, the building is convenient for downtown and the rest of the city.

3. ION Orchard

One of the newest malls in Singapore, ION Orchard is also located on Orchard Road and, like Orchard Central, opened in summer 2009. ION is the place to go for expensive designer brands, and Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and other mainstays of Asia’s ostentatious middle class taste can be found here. The mall’s 400 outlets almost all have tenants, and the place has remained busy for the two and a half years since it first opened. The mall’s speakers, LED screens, and open glass walls give it a futuristic feel.

4. The Paragon

Also on Orchard Road is the Paragon, a high-rise mall with six floors of shops. Like ION Orchard, Paragon largely specializes in designer brands–it houses Gucci’s flagship store as well as Miu Miu, Jimmy Choo (originally a Malaysian), and Mont Blanc shops. The Paragon is old by Singaporean standards (it opened in 1998), but it has remained the place to be seen in the Southeast Asian city state, and the building was recently updated with a glass facade in 2009.

5. Raffles City

The Raffles City complex in the Civic District of Singapore includes one of the largest hotels in the world, the Swissotel Stamford, as well as the 42-storey tall Raffles City Tower, an office block that also houses seven stories of shops and leisure facilities. The building itself is a prize for Singapore, since it was designed by architecture icon I. M. Pei, and is one of the few buildings to retain its original appearance since opening in 1986. The shopping mall, however, was rennovated in 2005 and 2006, and is almost as sleek and modern as the Paragon today. It’s a popular spot for foodies, thanks to its enormous Food Junction food court that serves some of the prizes of Southeast Asian street food in the clean, hygienic Singeaporean style.

6. Sim Lim Square

Located on Rochor Canal Road near the city’s Little India area, Sim Lim Square is the place to go for all electronic needs. From ready-made, well-known consumer electronics to obscure electronic microcomponents, Sim Lim Square is the place Singaporeans flock to for all of their tech needs. With six storeys devoted to electronics, it’s easy to fulfill any tech need at Sim Lim Square.

7. The Verge

Also in Little India, this mall underwent a radical transformation in 2008 after a number of retailers shut down thanks to sluggish sales. Seeing that the mall was failing to attract customers, the management decided to rebrand and refocus the mall towards a younger audience, and now the mall houses a number of inexpensive clothes shops and electronics stores targeted to a younger crowd. Youngsters can particularly be found at Chill @ The Verge, a seven storey building full of shops and eateries.

Singapore’s Malls

Singapore is an ever-changing city and more malls are sure to come to the country in the near future. Already, cranes pepper the landscape as the second tower of One Raffles Place, Asia Square, and the V on Shenton are being built. Watch this space!

More Mosquitos in Asia
Mosquitos thrive in the warmer climes of Southeast Asia, making their homes in the many dense tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps and urban areas here. Malaria is the most common disease transmitted through mosquitos, and according to the World Health Organization, it was responsible for 781,000 deaths in India, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world in 2010. There is also Japanese encephalitis, most commonly found in Laos, marked by symptoms like neck rigidity and headache, which can lead to convulsions and coma. But more troubling is dengue fever, a potentially fatal disease characterized by high fevers, joint pain and a red measles like rash that has been rising in the region.

According to Mary Ann Benitez, a medical reporter at Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post, global warming is causing an increase in mosquito borne diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya in Asia. Lam Sai-kit, professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur said, “Climate change will make the situation of dengue and chikungunya diseases more acute, especially when the present control measures concentrating on the Aedes mosquito vectors have not been effective.” The latest mosquito transmitted virus to plague Asia is Chikungunya, which counts sudden fevers, vomiting and headache among its symptoms. “Chikungunya has become a new phenomenon in Malaysia. We found that this virus caused its worst outbreak in Malaysia in early 1999”, said Professor Lam Lam. According to Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, 22 cases were confirmed by February this year.

To lower your exposure to disease carrying mosquitos, see your doctor for appropriate vaccines, which are available for most mosquito borne viruses except dengue. Stay away from marshes, swamps, paddy fields and places with bodies of still water. When hiking or out in the garden, use mosquito repellent and reapply every three hours or so. If you spend a lot of time in a garden or on your patio, use mosquito coils, and if you live close to the jungle, or in the countryside, get a mosquito net for your bed.

Food, Water and Air Borne Diseases
Contaminated food and water can cause minor inconveniences like diarrhea or more serious illnesses like cholera, a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract common to Indonesia, or typhoid fever, a salmonella infection most frequently contracted in India. Also prevalent in Asia is hepatitis A, which infects the liver. Your best defense against such diseases is to avoid raw meats, seafood, unwashed fruit and vegetables and dairy products when eating out. Wash your fruit and vegetables with antibacterial disinfectant, always boil tap water before drinking and wash your hands before eating. Take two Pepto-Bismol tablets before meals to prevent diarrhea and take Imodium to manage it. Other diseases to be on guard for in Asia are tuberculosis, an air borne lung infection common to developing countries, and Norovirus, a nasty stomach flu that can be contracted on public transport. Because the tuberculosis virus thrives in moist environments, it’s wise keep your bedroom well ventilated. Your best bet against Norovirus is to stay clear of over crowded places and to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. If you are travelling or working in areas that have high prevalence of cholera, typhoid fever or hepatitis A, get vaccinated before your trip. A good international health insurance plan should take care of the cost of vaccines and treatments for such illnesses so make sure to get good coverage before you relocate.

Staying indoors gets boring really quickly though and when going outside isn’t an option, staying in needs to become fun – which is exactly what Dubai has done.

Places to go during summer in Dubai

Malls

The secret behind the success of Dubai’s shopping culture is their malls. Malls in Dubai don’t just have shops. They have cinemas, food courts, gourmet dining, indoor amusement parks and plenty of other attractions as well.

The fact that the world’s largest aquarium is inside a Dubai shopping mall isn’t a coincidence. It’s not just an aquarium either – it’s an underwater zoo! Visit the aquarium in Dubai Mall any time during the summer and you’ll find a huge crowd waiting to go inside.

Then there’s Sega Republic – an indoor theme park for all ages, Kidszania and an Ice Rink – all in one mall!

Malls in Dubai are more family entertainment hubs than just a place to shop at. They’re designed around the philosophy of being a one stop destination for all your family’s entertainment needs. On a typical hot summer day, families usually head to their favourite mall where everyone goes off and does whatever they want to do.

Drive up a mountain

If you’re in the mood for a small road trip, then Jebel Hafeet is a good spot to go during the summer months. Jebel means mountain, hill or slope in Arabic. Jebel Hafeet is a mountain/hill top in Al Ain and even during the hottest months in UAE, it is considerably cooler. In the evening, it gets pleasant enough to dine outside and is a popular weekend hangout among residents as a result.

Go to Burj Khalifa – At The Top

Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building and has an observation deck on the 124th floor. Aptly named ‘At The Top’, the temperature remains pleasant even during the summer months on the observation deck. After all no matter how hot it gets, it’s always cooler on the 124th floor!

Things to do in Dubai during summer

Ski

I’ve already mentioned that there’s an ice rink at the Dubai Mall. What I haven’t mentioned is that Dubai also has a ski resort! The Mall of the Emirates is home to Ski Dubai – an indoor ski resort with 22,500 of indoor ski area that can house around 1500 people. In case you’re wondering, the snow inside Ski Dubai is very real and the temperature is set to around -2C.

Explore Dubai’s rich history

The Dubai museum is housed within the Al Fahidi Fort and is a popular destination among Dubai’s expat families in summer. From Dubai’s fishing village days to the fort’s purpose first as a – you guessed it, fort - then as a palace, prison and garrison, the museum has done a great job of documenting the history of Dubai and of the Fort itself.

Spend an afternoon immersed in the rich history of Dubai and get a glimpse of what it was like before all the modernization.

Play water sports

Water always becomes a big part of our lives during the summer. Dubai has plenty of beaches, water parks and water sports are a huge attraction during summer.

Wild Wadi and Aquaventure are two of the most popular water parks in Dubai. Aquaventure is a haven for thrill seekers. Its claim to fame is their water slide called ‘Leap of faith’. This 27.5 m tall and 61m long slide takes its rider into a transparent tunnel and through a shark filled lagoon where at least 5 kinds of sharks reside.

There’s also a 700m private beach and a dolphin bay where you can swim with the dolphins.

You can also find residents jet skiing or boating along the Dubai cornice.

Health hazards to watch out for

When out in sun – whether you’re by the water or not, take precautions against heatstroke, dehydration and sun burn. In Dubai’s summer, heatstroke and dehydration can happen very fast and sun burn doesn’t become apparent immediately. Drink plenty of water, wear a hat, lather yourself with sun block to protect your skin from the ultraviolet rays and don’t stay out in the sun too long. Ensure you have a Dubai health insurance plan to provide cover for medical care in the event of an accident or emergency. And always remember that with Dubai’s extreme heat, being exposed to the sun is only advisable in small doses.

While you’ll find everything from Indian to Russian cuisine, the local cuisine is most heavily influenced by cooking styles from the Canton, Fujian, Chaozhou and Dongjiang provinces in China. If you’re a recently arrived expat in Hong Kong, make sure you try some of the city’s most famous dishes, described below.

Dim Sum
These small, bite-sized snacks are probably the most common introduction to Cantonese cuisine for those who grew up in the western hemisphere. Dim sum items are usually served in steamer baskets and small plates. Most items are savory with a few sweet varieties for dessert. The most popular dim sum dishes include shrimp dumplings, pot stickers, shumai, char siu bau (roast pork pun), turnip cake and taro dumplings. While most places stop serving dim sum by late afternoon, Dim Sum Square (88 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, 8752-8088) serves cheap and good dim sum till 10pm. Their char siu bo lo bun, a Hong Kong specialty of roast pork stuffed bun with a sweet sugary coating is to die for!

Roast or Braised Goose
There are few places in Asia that relish goose meat as much as Hong Kong. Here, whole roasted geese hang from many street-side shops selling assorted roast meats like pork, chicken, duck and pigeon with rice. The most famous roast goose restaurant is the legendary Yung Kee Restaurant (32-40 Wellington Street, Central, 852-2522-1624). Founded by Mr. Kam Shuyi Fai more than half a century ago, this restaurant sells goose with the crispiest skin, and travellers from China, Singapore and Taiwan have been known to make special trips just to purchase them. At Chan Kan Kee (11 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, 852-2858-0033), the secret to their gourmet soy braised goose lies in the marinade, which includes ingredients like star anise, pepper, lilac, cinnamon, ginger, rock sugar, dark soya sauce and fish sauce and a pinch of julep. Chan Kan Kee also sells other interesting Chaozhou dishes like fresh small oysters and mince pork congee and fish ball noodles that are worth trying.

Congee
Most locals enjoy congee, or savory rice porridge for breakfast, so you should at least try this once during your time in Hong Kong. A good place for an excellent, tummy-warming bowl is Tasty Congee (Level 3, IFC Mall, Central, 852-2295-0101) that offers creamy congee with ingredients like shrimp, fish, tangerine, beef or liver. A terrific accompaniment to congee is something called “youtiao”, a long fried breadstick that you can dip into your congee. If you can handle more carbohydrates, also try their rice noodle roll with shrimp.

Egg Tarts
These mouthwatering custard tarts are sold at almost every bakery and Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong. They taste a little like a sturdier version of flan or caramel custard in a crispy pie shell. There are two main types of egg tarts sold in Hong Kong, the shortcrust variety, usually made with a lard shortening available at Tai Cheong Bakery (35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 852-2544-3475), and the Portuguese variety with a puff pastry shell, which you can find at Macau Restaurant (Shop 220-273, 2/F Shun Tak Centre, Sheung Wan, 852-2857-1933).

While you satisfy your inner gastronome, do keep your eye out for health issues like high cholesterol or diabetes that can creep up on you unaware. Make sure you have a hong kong health insurance plan that covers annual health exams and be sure to get enough exercise to make up for a possible increase in calorie intake.

Instead of dense forest, tall mountains or packed cities, Hokkaido is all wide open space. It has low mountains, rolling hills, pine forests and farmland, dotted with rustic small towns and seaside fishing villages. This island of 83,000 square kilometers makes up one-fifth of Japan’s land area and is considered Japan’s Wild West.

The Wild Frontier

Hokkaido was first settled by the ancestors of the Ainu, an indigenous group that lives on the island today. During the feudal expansion of the Muromachi Period (1336-1573), the Japanese first began settling on the island. Although there were only sparse Japanese settlements on the southern edge, this encroachment led to skirmishes that eventually turned into all-out war.

Toward the end of the Edo Period (1568-1869), the Edo government took direct control over the island. With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, this control was strengthened. Japanese were encouraged to settle in the north to protect the country from Russian encroachment.

Today, Hokkaido has the lowest population density of all of Japan’s prefectures and it’s still considered by many to be the wild frontier, complete with bear attacks and hikers disappearing in the vast mountain ranges from time to time. Hokkaido retains that ‘Old West’ feeling.

Things to Do in Hokkaido

The threat of bear attacks does little to keep skiers and snowboarders from heading up north each year. Cold winds from Siberia dump snow all over the island’s many mountains throughout the winter. Because of the dry climate, it’s a powder snow that’s ideal for winter sports. Some ski resorts get as many as 18 meters per year. It’s a popular destination not only for the Japanese but for Asian and Russian tourists as well.

Hokkaido is also known for its beautiful natural parks. The majority are volcanic areas with deep forests, marshes, pristine lakes and hot springs. They include Daisetsuzan National Park, the biggest of Japan’s 30 national parks, and Shiretoko, a pristine peninsula that is one of Japan’s designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The parks are great for camping, hiking, seeing rare protected wildlife, and enjoying the changing seasons.

Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city, has a surprisingly lively nightlife that most people don’t expect to find in the rugged north. Its downtown district of Susukino is full of bars, restaurants and clubs. A night out in Sapporo can be just as fun as one in Tokyo but more laid back and kinder to your wallet.

Straight from the Ocean to Your Plate

The biggest draw for many Japan-based expats, naturally, is the food. For the expat community here, traveling around Japan is just as much about what you eat as what you do and see. Hokkaido is known for its fresh seafood. Crab, scallops, sea urchin, cod roe and other delights come straight out of the ocean and are served up raw. Local salmon is especially juicy and delicious.

Hokkaido’s other local delicacies include a spicy dish called ‘soup curry,’ a hot liquid curry with vegetables and chicken, a style of barbecued meat dipped in sweet soy-based sauce called jingisu-kan (named after Genghis Khan) and also its own style of hearty miso-flavored ramen. This is not to mention the many local beers.

Hokkaido is a trip well worth making if you’re an expat living in or travelling around Japan. It’s far from the center of things, but there are lots of ways to get there. You can fly or go by ferry. It’s yet another side of Japan that you don’t ordinarily see. Ensure your Japan health insurance covers you on your trip north in the event of a medical emergency.

Indeed, the spirit of affluence and good taste is apparent here, and this can be seen in the number of luxury serviced apartments that cater to expats on short or long-term assignments. In recent years, the number or high-end and mid-range serviced residences in Kuala Lumpur have mushroomed, so if you’re being sent here anytime soon, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to comfortable housing.

Parkroyal Serviced Suites
Close to the city’s central business district, and a short walk to Kuala Lumpur’s famous hawker street, Jalan Alor and the historical dining enclave of Changkat Bukit Bintang, Parkroyal Serviced Suites is as convenient as it gets. They have small studios that are perfect for singles as well as larger two-bedroom units for families where guests can stay for a week or months. They have an excellent concierge service and the staff here will be happy to let you know where to get the best local coffee, where to dine as well as offer weekend sightseeing options.

The Nomad Residences
Situated in the heart of Bangsar, a low density residential hub near the city centre, The Nomad Residences offers only 66 fully-furnished units, so guests can enjoy an atmosphere of exclusivity. The grounds are thoughtfully planned and well-maintained so guests can experience more peace, quiet and space than they would in a larger city-centre property. Units range from 830 square feet one-bedrooms to roomier 1,700 square feet three-bedrooms and every unit comes with air-conditioning, fully-equipped kitchen and dinnerware, in-room safe, washing machine and dryer, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, satellite TV and DVD player, two telephone outlets, WIFI Broadband and water, electricity and gas. The Nomad Residences also offer housekeeping services and complimentary bus services to Bangsar LRT station, Bangsar Village, The Gardens Mid Valley, Bangsar Shopping Centre and KL Sentral.

Ascott Kuala Lumpur
Just across the street from the famous Petronas Twin Towers, is Ascott Kuala Lumpur, a prestigious property well suited to the needs of expat and business executives. Stylishly decorated with marble floors and wall to wall carpeting, the Ascott is the epitome of luxury in a downtown location. Expats who need to work from home will find their IDD phones, wireless Internet and the secretarial and business centre services most convenient, while the property’s spa, sauna, steam room, tennis court, pool and Jacuzzi are a terrific reward at the end of a hard day’s work. The Ascott even offers daily continental breakfast for guests who need a little extra pampering. A wide variety of dental and medical services are available at the nearby Twin Towers Medical Centre in KLCC, so with good international health insurance, you won’t have to go far for quality health care.

Sri Tiara Residences
Sitting on the hillside of the city’s exclusive Taman Seputeh neighbourhood, on a hectare of beautifully landscaped grounds, these apartments are ideal for expats who want to get away from the city crowds. It’s location near the Mid Valley Mega Mall, Bangsar and Mont Kiara mean guests staying here can avoid the rush hour city madness and do their shopping and dinning in outskirt retail and entertainment neighbourhoods instead. Guests can choose elegantly furnished two or three-bedroom apartments that offer spectacular views. Facilities include a sauna, gym, tennis court, children’s playground, a covered car park, function room, BBQ pits, in-house launderette, 24-hour security and a gorgeous pool surrounded by lush greenery.