Bangkok Thailand is one of the youngest cities in Asia having only been established in 1767 after the Khmer ransacked the nation. The King established a headquarters on the banks of the river till the capital Bangkok was established in 1782. The city used to be a maze of canals with its residents living mainly on houses that floated on bamboo rafts. From there on and into the 1980’s when the country benefited from the rapid development of many Asian countries was only the time when Bangkok started to get paved roads and dry land for the construction of developments all over the city.
Today, the main city center has evolved as one of the fastest developing city’s in Asia that is currently moving outwards into the surrounding areas fro development. Amidst the many skyscrapers and modern buildings are the many temples and of course the Grand Palace which showcases the heritage and culture of the people of Thailand. Though still in contact with the rest of her neighbors, the country of Thailand has fared a bit better than Burma and Laos which have managed to remain in the control of her socialist roots that have prevented the influx of modern development and culture. Thailand is a place to go if you want to see the mix of religion and culture that is so close to each other one cannot escape the utter beauty of the land.
From Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the 7,099 islands that makes up the Philippine Archipelago offers a wide variety of sights, sounds and tastes that would provide interest even for the wary traveler. Up North in Luzon, the provinces of Ilocos and Vigan give people a view of majestic Spanish churches all made during their 300 year reign on the country. In Vigan, the town center has been restored to it’s original look as a Spanish town for all tourists to see. These old Spanish churches hold some very interesting relics from the past such as antique figures made of ivory, silver and gold. Behold the silver guilt altar of Vigan that used to grace the main church now housed in a museum a walk’s distance from the town center. In the hustle and bustle of Manila, we find Intramuros, the Spanish made fort where the center of the Spanish Aristocracy in charge of the colonizing forces once ruled from. See the wonders of the thick walls and restored buildings of days gone as you get to see dances and events that showcase the rich heritage of the place. See the area where Jose Rizal was jailed and executed as the country’s defiant voice against the rule of foreigners.
See the relics of war in Corregidor where the Philippinnes was lost and regained from the Japanese with Gen. Mc Arthur’s words, I Shall Return!, famous words as he fulfilled his promise to American and Filipino forces as he left when the country fell into Japanese hands in 1941.
The country is wide and varied, with all the conveniences of modern life. From isolated and pristine beaches to idyllic towns with people who speak many dialects but share one common trait, that smile that is for all to behold as you go to the Philippines the “Pearl of the Orient”.
You can say its a high velocity city. Ho Chi Minh is truly the heart and soul of Vietnam. Formerly known as Saigon. It is a dynamic city, bustling and industrious. It is Vietnam’s largest city. It has always been the central business district, economic capital. Amidst all the modern amenities the metropolis has to offer, deep in the heart of the city runs its undying traditions and unique culture. The city is teeming with street markets, stalls, cafes that adds excitement. Ho Chi Minh City underwent “moi doi”, the perio of drastic economic and political change in the 1980s. It basically embraced every opportunity it got to privatize enterprise. Today it stands ready to include itself in Asia’s greatest metropolises.
The Philippines is one of the most sought after travel destinations for tourists and that is because Filipinos are known to be fun-loving and friendly people.
It has one of Asia’s finest Beaches. The Boracay Philippines, which is located in Southeast Asia, is known for its beautiful weather that relaxes the mind; fine white sand are very smooth and comforting to the feet; clear sea water that you can see six feet under and amazing resorts. Any beach connoisseur for sure will include Boracay, Philippines as part of their Top 10 Favorite Beaches. The locals and tourists flock there just to relax and unwind.
When you get there, natives would be warmly welcoming and sooner than you think, Boracay would feel just like home!
The Philippines has got a whole lot more to offer, so come visit the Philippines and enjoy the experience with the warm hearted Filipino People.
We only see camels in the movies and being able to ride them would surely be a treat. However, why settle to riding them when you can race them. If you are in Dubai, you can check out the camel racing activities that can get you a lead over the rest. You don’t need to be in the movies to see them. You can experience them!
This ancient sport has been renewed with much enthusiasm in recent years. Informal desert tracks and now quite a few official ones have ben assigned for this purpose – a large ten kilometer track on the Al Ain road, about forty-five kilometers from Abu Dhabi city; at Al Ain itself, at Dubai and Umm Al Quwain. Certain slender, finely formed breeds such as the white or golden ‘Anafi’ and the brown or black ‘Boushari’ are more suitable for racing. Camel training commences at about six months, entrance for official races beginning at about three years.
Little has been known about Maldives but do not let that fool you. They have their share of tourist spots and that is exactly what the Bandos Resort capitalizes on. Most people are suckers for beaches and for sure this is one spot they will not want to miss.
The beauty of unknown but aspiring destination spots is the fact that their beaches are not yet that fully utilized. Maldives is sure to be one country that takes pride in its tourist hotspots and the Bandos Resort is sure to be a good stopover in case you want to discover something entirely new.
When it comes to visiting the beauties of each Asian land, you are sure to get the best seats in the house with a tour of Mt. Kumgang. A newly opened destination spot in North Korea, you are sure to get the best scenes around the country when you get to check out this place.
Tourism experts from China, Taiwan, Switzerland and Germany have already inspected the sites, the sources said. Mt. Kumgang, a scenic mountain area in the eastern Kangwon Province, which South Korea’s Hyundai Business Group last year obtained exclusive rights to develop into an international resort, is expected to become open to non-Korean foreigners in the near future.
The Phi Phi Archipelago is a major beach destination in Thailand. It is known as among the most scenic cluster of islands in the Andaman Sea. The Phi Phi Islands are 48 km east of Phuket and 42 km south of Krabi. The archipelago has 6 islands. Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Le are the biggest. These superbly scenic islands springs out of the Andaman sea with huge, towering limestone cliffs bombarded with rich vegetation. And just under this calm sea lies awesome coral reefs visited constantly by schools… or universities of fish and other marine life. It is believed that its name was derived from the mangrove tree, Avicennia, which is pokok api api in Malay. In 1945, the islands were still uninhabitat. Sea gypsies frequently visited the place. tehy were in Malay ancestry. They were the ones who named most of the places in the archipelago.
If you happen to go to Taiwan, expect nothing less than electronics to be your most probable purchase as this is the destination for geeks and gadgets freaks. You will see a lot of great sites but one to get your attention will surely be the Taipei 101, a tall skyscraper that is sure to be a tourist spot you will want to check out.
The structure is made of 101 floors, owing to its name. You will get a glimpse of how this building can be able to withstand earthquakes as its base foundation is professionally built to withstand such events.
Image source: www.rimba.um.edu.my
Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia and is located at the National Park of Malaysia. Standing 4101 metres above sea level, the mountain is in Sabah, the East Malaysian state on the isle of Borneo. It is located about 2-3 hours away from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s capital.
Top 3 Things about Mount Kinabalu:
1. Scenic Walk: Take in the fresh air as you walk up and notice your surroundings change from the large tropical trees to scrubs to rock. The whole mountain area is a national park – many floras not found at sea level are sighted here. The large venus fly-trap is one to look out for as you walk. You may catch the odd wildlife too.
2. Leisure Climb: At 4101metres, Mt Kinabalu is manageable for the average tourist – not climber or mountaineer – tourist – ladies climb too! There are steps cut all the way up to the top of the mountain, good water fountain supplies (water is probably your heaviest item) and rest houses. You must be accompanied by a guide when you climb, and these folks are willing to carry up to 10kg of your stuff all the way up the mountain for you for what it very little. There may not be many such mountain climbs with all these features available.
3. Sunrise: You have absolutely got to see the sunrise from up there. For many, it may be the highlight of the walk up! From Laban Rata where you stay overnight, there is a buzz as you hike up to get to the peak by sunrise. As you are walking up, the sun just breaks through the clouds, the air is cool and the scenery 360 degrees all round is just reward for 2 days’ climb.