Macao to celebrate in style

Macao is celebrating the festive season with the largest-ever display of lighting and three-dimensional mapping to decorate the city's streets, squares and its examples of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

To highlight the Asian city's love of festivals, a giant fireworks display will light up the skies on Sunday, December 22, to commemorate the centre's 20th anniversary as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

This significant fireworks display has been based on the theme of "Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Return of Macao to the Motherland." 

Among the highlights will be 600 drones which will form the pictures of a Macao lotus, the iconic Ruins of St Paul's, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, and a “handshake” between Macao and Zhuhai.

“The evening event will be something very special for the people of Macao,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand). 

“As an indication of the scale and significance of the celebrations, 160,000 shots of fireworks will light up the sky over the 30 minutes.” 

As locals and visiting holidaymakers go in search of bargains on their annual Christmas shopping spree, much of the historic east-meets-west city has been brought to life at night through a kaleidoscope of colours for the largest Macao Light Festival to be held in event's five years' history.

This month-long festival – until December 31 – has been expanded to include four specially designed illuminated walking routes. 

Interest will centre on Nam Van Lake and its 30-metre Floating Wonder projection, a 12-metre high inflatable Mak Mak, Macao's tourism mascot, and a Mak Mak Parade.

“The festival's aim is to draw visitors to different districts of the city for an appreciation of Macao by night,” said Helen. “Everyone has a chance to learn about the local culture and history from innovative angles shaped by the light artistry,” she said. 

For details phone +61 2 9264 1488 or check out www.visitmacao.com.au 

Trump wine tariffs have French fuming

Heavy tariffs that the US has threatened to place on French goods - including Champagne - will cripple France's wine businesses, an industry leader has warned.

Antoine Leccia, President of the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins et Spiritueux de France, said French president Emmanuel Macron must take “all the necessary initiatives” to stop their enforcement.

The US Government has proposed tariffs of up to 100% on French goods, including sparkling wine, cheese and handbags, valued at US$2.4 billion, in retaliation to a French tax placed on American tech companies.

The digital services tax, dubbed GAFA (which stands for ‘Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon’), would impose a 3% levy on the total annual revenues of the largest global tech companies providing services in France.

Now the Trump administration has hit back with its own retaliatory tariffs, Drinks Business reports.

“We deplore of course this announcement which, after the dispute over Airbus, targets French wines again and always in the context of a dispute between France and the United States that does not concern our sector,” Leccia said. 

Over the past year (figures available at the end of September 2019), France exported 4.1 million cases of sparkling wine, for a turnover of approximately €690 million. Sparkling wines account for nearly 40% in value and 20% in volume of total exports of French wines to the United States.

“We solemnly call on the President of the Republic to take, from today, all the necessary initiatives, at the national, bilateral and international levels, so that our sector does not pay the price of the economic and political choices made by France,” Leccia said.

Sorry you cannot disembark; the locals are revolting

Cruise ships are refusing to dock on the Caribbean island of Dominica due to violent civil unrest.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit bemoaned the "unwarranted blotch on our otherwise pristine record of peace" and said no more ships will dock until after the general election period, which starts today.

Skerrit has led the Caribbean island, home to 75,000 people, since 2004, but a failure to implement reforms and an alleged corruption scandal have cast a shadow over the vote.

Most of the unrest is centered on the towns of Marigot and Salisbury, which are considered strongholds for the opposition United Workers Party.

Calls by Azamara, Viking and Marella Cruises ships have reportedly been affected. Royal Caribbean, HAL and Princess Cruises are among the other lines which feature port calls in Dominica.

Protests have been taking place for a while and last month the US Department updated its travel advisory to 'Exercise Increased Caution,' adding that it is 'closely monitoring the recent demonstrations in Dominica.'

This might be the weekend to avoid Paris, and France

This might not be the ideal weekend to visit Paris, or anywhere in France for that matter.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and other transport has been brought to a standstill as a result of a general strike.

The three-day strike is affecting air travel, rail, the Paris metro and ferry services. Even the Eiffel Tower has been closed as staff walk out in protest, Travel Mole reports.

British Airways, Air France, Ryanair and EastJet are among the airlines to have cancelled flights.

Passengers have been warned of last-minute delays and cancellations.

The strikes are in protest to changes to the French pension system.

In Paris, 6,000 police have been drafted in as the capital prepares itself for major demonstrations.

Only five of the 16 Paris Metro lines are running and only 10% of the country's trains will be operating.

Special deals on Sri Lankan standouts

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of those countries on my "to do" list.

I've heard great things about the cuisine, the hotel properties and the natural beauty.

Making the destination even more tempting is The Unique Sri Lanka Collection’s new pay 2, stay 3 offer at some of Sri Lanka's finest hotels and villas.

The deal allows guests to extend their stay with one complimentary night for any booking with a minimum stay of two nights.

From national parks to tea covered hillsides, members of The Unique Sri Lanka Collection include The KK Collection, Why House, Teardrop Hotels, Manor House Concepts and Water Garden Sigiriya.

With an emphasis on delivering quality experiences across a hand-picked portfolio, The Unique Sri Lanka Collection provides a lovely gateway to unlock Sri Lankan’s drawcard travel experiences.

Explore lesser-visited temples, trails and jungle on the outskirts of Kandy, spend time on the relaxing west coast at stylish Kumu Beach, visit Sigiriya, Dambulla and other Cultural Triangle World Heritage Sites, wander around the colonial-era Dutch Fort of Galle, or indulge in shopping and dining in Colombo.

The Unique Sri Lanka Collection pay 2/stay 3 Offer is valid until 1 July 2020.

For bookings contact your travel agent or The Unique Tourism Collection on info@uniquetourism.com Tell them Winsor sent you.

A right royal celebration in Bangkok

Lovers of pageantry will want to be in Bangkok on December 12 for the procession of royal barges along the Chao Phraya River to honour the occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty King Rama X.

It will be the first Royal Barge Procession in the present reign and the Royal Thai Government has invited the public to attend an audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen and view the spectacular procession. 

The Royal Coronation Ceremony consists of three phases: the primary phase, royal coronation phase, and final phase. 

The Royal Barge Procession will be the final phase in the Coronation of His Majesty the King in 2019. The King and Queen will travel in the Royal Barge Procession through the city along the Chao Phraya River from the Wasukri Pier to the Ratchaworadit Pier starting at 1530. 

The Royal Barge Procession comprises 52 barges, including four major royal barges; namely; the Suphannahong, or Golden Swan; the Anantanakkharat, or Multi-headed Naga; the Anekkachatphutchong, or Innumerable Naga Figures; and the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX. 

There will be 2,200 oarsmen to row the ceremonial barges. The trip will take about 45 minutes with a length of about 3.4 kilometres.

The government has prepared the Royal Barge Procession with the highest honours bestowed in accordance with royal traditions. 

Six locations have also been prepared to accommodate people for this occasion. They include Santichai Prakan Park, Thammasat University, Nagaraphirom Park, Siriraj Hospital, King Bhumibol's 72nd Birthday Anniversary Park, and under the Rama VIII Bridge, Thon Buri.

The public is invited to wear yellow shirts to offer good wishes and show their loyalty to their Majesties the King and Queen. 

Six temples on both sides of the Chao Phraya River will hold a Buddhist chanting ceremony in honour of their Majesties. 

Wat Rachathiwat Ratchaworawihan, Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn, Wat Sam Phraya, Wat Bowon Mongkhon, Wat Karuhabodee, and Wat Rakhang Kositaram will each begin the chanting ceremony when the Royal Barge is approaching the waterfront of the temple and conclude when the procession has passed the temple.

The Royal Barge Procession is a ceremonial water-borne procession reserved for the river journeys of kings in royal ceremonies since the Sukhothai period. It originated from the ancient naval battle flotilla, when the king led his forces to fight a war.

The Royal Barge Procession exhibits the artistic and cultural heritage of the Thai nation. 

Water and land traffic will be closed in the areas where the Royal Barge Procession passes. 

For details see www.tourismthailand.org