Vientiane – Charming Sleeping City

Vientiane, the French version of the Lao Viangchan, is the capital city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is on a sweeping curve in the Mekong River, right on the Thai border. You may find a charming collection of lovely temples, old French colonial buildings, ramshackle riverbank wooden homes and pretty yellow two-storey Indochinese shop houses. Tourists will notice that the city's architecture is largely low-rise.

For those who have been to Vientiane long ago and now, they likely will say that this Laos’ city is changing. For example, where there were once hundreds of bicycles, there are now motor bikes and cars. Whatever it is, Vientiane is marked by a fountain named Nam Phou Place, and almost all of Vientiane's important sights are located within walking distance from here.

The gate of That Luang and its stupa at sunset

Like other tourists, you may find it hard to believe you are in a capital city, i.e. the pace of life is so gentle. You will often meet with small groups of Buddhist monks in orange or rust-coloured robes, and sporting umbrellas against the sun seems to invite you to visit their temples and to practise their English on you!

What are the not to be missed places to see and places to visit in this charming city?

The Mekong River – watch water buffalo as they graze peacefully, you will notice that they barely looking up as you pass, at the same time the farmers are growing vegetables on the banks of Mekong.

Wat Si Saket - Vientiane’s oldest temple. Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 under King Anouvong. Many said it displays the Siamese rather than Lao style of Buddhist architecture. I believe the architecture as well as its surrounding terrace and ornate five-tiered roof, is to keep it safe during the Siamese invasion. Its cloister wall has more than 2,000 ceramic and silver representations of Buddha, and houses a museum as well.

The Great Stupa/Pha That Luang - is an important Buddhist temple built in the sixteenth century by King Setthathirat. I understand that the relics of Buddha are said to be contained here. In fact, the stupa was destroyed by the Thai invasion in the nineteenth century, but was later rebuilt to its original design. Some even said that The Black Stupa (That Dam) is inhabited by a seven-headed dragon which tried to protect them from the Siamese army invasion.

Patuxai (Victory Gate) - this was built in the 1960s to commemorate those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. From what I see, it is quite resembles the Arc de Triomphe, but the style is definitely Laotian, with its numerous kinnari figures, i.e. half woman, half bird.

Talat Sao – is a colourful morning market. Over here, you can find the best of Lao weaving, i.e. glorious silks, cottons and ethnic textiles, both old and new.


Do you think Vientiane is a sleepy city that is full of charm?

Ogasawara Islands – the Chichijima and Hahajima

If you like to watch whale and many different types of dolphin, and also looking for a chance to swim with bottlenose and spinner dolphins, then Ogasawara Islands (also known as Bonin Islands), a remote group of 30 small and flat islands in the Pacific Ocean should be in your travel itinerary. In fact, they have a sweeping, white beach which is also ideal for swimming, but do watch out for highly endangered green where they do come to lay eggs.

Anijima and Chichijima Islands

Ogasawara Islands, about 1,000 km away from Tokyo, were the result by ancient submarine volcano. What I understand is that they are home to more than 140 species of indigenous plants as well as insects such as the Ogasawara damsel fly. You may want to know that of the 97 species of tree on the islands, 73 are endemic.

Out of the 30 Ogasawara Islands, Chichijima (father island) and Hahajima (mother island) are the only inhabited with a population of about 2,500. Their main products are timber and fruit such as pineapples and bananas. True to be believed, Ogasawara is unspoiled and unpolluted, that I think is the reason the waters are crystal-clear and full of coral reefs and tropical fish.

Those who went there have commented that Ogasawara Islands is truly a great place for watching whales and dolphins. I suggest you to take a day trip out to the open sea for an amazing day whale and dolphin watching. While available to see all year round, humpback whales and their calves can usually be seen between February and April, while the best time to see sperm whales is from August to October.

Lake Pichola | Udaipur - the city of lakes

Have you ever visited a beautiful lake surrounded by stunning scenery? If not, you may want to travel to the foothills of the Aravalli Hills in southern Rajasthan of India, where the beautiful Lake Pichola lies.

What is Lake Pichola most famous for? Those beautiful royal palaces and temples that lie on its islands and around its shoreline. One that impressed me the most (guess many tourists too!), and also the most famous sights on the lake is a beautiful shining white building that appears to float on the lake's clear blue waters, i.e. Jag Niwas, but now the Lake Palace Hotel, which was built in the 1740s and is made entirely of marble.

The Lake Palace Hotel - in the centre of Lake Pichola

You may want to know that the chief town in the area is Udaipur (also known as the city of lakes), was founded on the advice of a hermit in 1559 for the residence to Maharana Udai Singh. Among the highlights in Udaipur included the City Palace and Museum, the many smaller palaces and temples, as well as those tourist attractions picturesque streets, gardens and fountains.

What follows are some of the places to see and places to visit on Lake Pichola’s islands that I think you might be interested:

• Sajjangarh Palace - this palace overlooks the lake from the top of a hill and was the summer palace where the members of the royal family spent the monsoon season.
   
• Shah Jahan’s refuge - i.e. the Jag Mandir, is a red sandstone complex with cool courtyards, a small museum, and the massive Jagdish Temple that lies within its walls. Some said this has provided inspiration for Taj Mahal.
   
• Shilpgram - a craft village that is in the north-west of Udaipur. In fact, Shilpgram is a centre dedicated to preserving and enhancing the craft and folk heritage of western India.

Seoul - Economic Powerhouse to South Korea

Feel like to visit a city that has the most skyscrapers than any Asian city? Or want to see how a city that was left in tatters by war has reinvented itself to be one of the most populous and successful cities on earth?

I believe Seoul, the capital of the Korean peninsula in 1394, has those interesting places to visit and places to see to meet your needs. You may not know that it has a turbulent and bloody history, i.e. Seoul was colonized by Japan in the early 1900s, but gained independence in 1945. And despite the Korean War (1950-1953) fought between the north and south and hacked by communist China and the western allies that left Seoul in tatters, it has since totally reinvented itself. Many who knows its history will amaze with the speed with which it has been transformed and the fascinating combination of ultra-modernity and ancient tradition that it has produced.

The skyline at dusk

As a matter of fact:

• Seoul is South Korea's economic powerhouse, as well as its cultural and political centre;
• A quarter of South Korea's population lives in the greater metropolitan area of Seoul; and
• There are 40 universities there.

Seoul in South Korea is set amongst eight mountains, and is divided by the Han River, and is acknowledged by many (including tourists, of course!) is now one of the most populous and successful cities on earth. For tourist shoppers, Seoul is their favorite because they can ‘shop till they drop’ in designer stores, one of which has seventeen floors above ground and seven beneath, or buy electronic items in a market comprising twenty buildings containing 5,000 shops. Not only that, Seoul also has the most skyscrapers than any Asian city, nevertheless, you can still see millions of trees and that the city is full of splendid parks.

Changdeokgung Palace in winter

If tradition is more your thing, head on to the old Joseon Dynasty city that contains many historic buildings. There are five major palaces to see, including the fabulous Changdeokgung, it has been beautifully restored and listed by UNESCO as well. Other tourist attractions and places of interest shall include the wonderful Buddhist temples, who know you may want to take part in a tea ceremony with the monks there! Don't miss Namdaemun, the Great South Gate and Korea's national symbol. If you are interested in modern history, I suggest you to take a guided tour to Seodaemun Prison, it was notorious during the Japanese occupation.

From what I see, the city is safe and easy to get around, added to that its inhabitants are friendly and helpful. Another thing is that Seoul is packed with restaurants, grill houses, bars and clubs, this I think is largely due to Koreans love to socialize over food.

Other tourist attractions, places of interest, places to see and places to visit that you should not miss shall include:

• Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden;
• Gyeongbokgung Palace and its museums;
• Mount Inwang, its temple and the famous Shamanist shrine;
• Mount Namsan Park;
• Seoul Tower which offers the best panoramic view of the city; and 
• Yeouido Park. 

When is the best time to go? September to November or March to May.

Komodo National Park - Largest Dragon Lizard

Do you or your kids like to see the world's largest lizard? Or perhaps like to enjoy some of the world’s best marine life?

If so, then have a guided tour to Komodo National Park located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, a country in South-East Asia...read more

Komodo Dragon

The welcome signboard

Bangkok – City of Angels

Those who have been to Bangkok will usually said that the more time you spend in Bangkok, the more you will enjoy yourself. Why so? One of the reasons that I can think of is that it seems impossible to get bored, i.e. there are so many monuments, museums, exhibitions, restaurants, clubs, bars, shops and markets, which means there's always somewhere new to go, something else for you to try in those places of interest, places to see and places to visit in Bangkok.

The Grand Palace

What follows are some words of mouth that you probably want to know about:

1. The Grand Palace and the Temple of Emerald Buddha site as well as the Wat Po (i.e. Reclining Buddha) should be on everyone's Bangkok itinerary.
   
   
2. Bangkok with its Thai name as Krungthep (meaning City of Angels), is truly magical. If you stay on the river, It's a respite from the frenzy. You may want to know that Bangkok full Thai name is Krungthep mahanakhon bowon rattanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchatani burirom udonratchaniwet mahasatham amonpiman avatansathir sakkathatitya visnukamprasit, what a long yet interesting name!
   
   
3. One of the favourite things that tourists will enjoy is to hire a longtail boat just before sunset and work their way upriver towards the Grand Palace to see it lit up at night. They usually can stop at Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of the Dawn) and/or the Royal Barges on the way up during daylight assuming they are still open, and wander the little canals as well on their way up and back.
   
   
4. Taxis are cheap and air conditioned for tourists to visit those tourist attractions spots, and that street food ubiquitous and delicious.
   
   
5. If you want some peace go to the Suan Phakkard Palace and admire the five traditional wooden houses, which are filled with wonderful antiques and artworks.
   
   
6. Taking an express boat trip in Chao Praya River is an excellent way of seeing Bangkok, even allow you to stopping off to see the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and even Wat Po, containing the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand and perhaps also enjoy a traditional Thai massage there. Who knows you may also want to enjoy a cool drink on the terrace of the famous Oriental Hotel!
   
   
7. Bangkok is not a city to walk about as it is too hot and too busy. 

Whatever it is Bangkok can at first seem rather overwhelming to many, for example, the city is simply full with people, the roads are jammed with traffic, and the motorbikes can be seen carry the entire families, yet none of them wear helmets. Further the humidity and noise is exhausting, and the smell is a potent combination of drains, exhaust fumes and fabulous food. Well can we say that Bangkok is an exciting, ultra-modern and yet an absolutely traditional tourist attractions place?

Some close views of The Grand Palace

Other tourist attractions, interesting places and places to see, and places to visit that you might not want to miss are:

• Lumphini Park; 
• Chatuchak Market; 
• Chinatown and Pahurat, the Indian district; and  
• The National Museum.

Before I forget, choose your dishes wisely. If you can’t take spicy food, then learn to order dishes or say mai phet (meaning not spicy, and phet means spicy). Also ask for dishes without the nam pla if you're on a low-sodium diet, as this fish sauce is commonly used instead of salt.

Do enjoy yourself while in those places of interest in Bangkok and don’t be put off by its immensity, just go with the flow and you will find innumerable treasures and pleasures there!