Guest post by Jason Laloux: From spectacular beaches to majestic temples and unique cultural displays, Bali is a favoured destination for travelers in search of something exotic.

This Indonesian province encompasses the isle of Bali as well as a few neighbouring islands, and is home to most of the country’s Hindu minority.

Bali is treasured for its rich culture, with music and arts that date back several centuries. Whether you’re staying at a hotel or renting one of the many available villas in Bali, make sure you plan to visit some of these memorable attractions.

Besakih Temple

Perched 1,000 meters up on Mount Agung, Besakih is known as Bali’s “Mother Temple”. It is the largest and holiest temple on the island, with a breathtaking view of rice paddies and nearby hills and streams.

It is said that the first revelation from Balinese Hindu God Hyang Rsi Markendya was received here.

The main structure consists of three temples, dedicated to the Hindu trinity. Also, Besakih is the only temple open to devotees from any caste group.

Mount Batur

Also known as Kintamani, this active volcano is renowned for majestic views of its surrounding valley.

The beautiful Lake Batur fills a large part of its caldera, and down below are three ancient villages set amongst hot springs and fertile lava fields.

With its mineral-rich soil, this area is a noted producer of high quality fruits and vegetables. Hiking up Mount Batur usually takes at least three hours, and official guides are recommended.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces/Ubud

Ubud is famed for beautiful rice paddies that employ subak, a traditional cooperative irrigation system originally brought by a revered holy man from India in the 8th century.

Tegallalang is a perfect spot from which to view this dramatic scenery. Its high roadside location is a favorite among painters and photographers, as it looks down across a green terraced valley of rice paddies.

The nearby village of Pakudui is full of woodworking artisans, making it an ideal place to shop for authentic Balinese sculpture and other wooden crafts.

Tanah Lot Temple

Along with Besakih, this is one of Bali’s most important temples. It sits on an offshore rock, which has been shaped by years of ocean tides. Tanah Lot is revered for a mystic beauty that includes gorgeous sunset backdrops.

According to legend, a high priest from East Java traveled here in the 15th century to spread Hinduism and established the site to honor the sea god Baruna.

Bali Safari And Marine Park

Covering 40 hectares in the Gianyar regency, this park is home to over 60 species of animals that roam free in large enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitats. There are animals from Indonesia, India and Africa, including sharks, baboons, Himalayan bears, and the famous Indian white tiger.

Camel and elephant rides are available, and there are fascinating exhibits such as a replica of the ancient Indian fort where white tigers roam free. There’s also a guided safari tour that offers the chance to see and photograph exotic wildlife in the open range.

About the Author

Jason Laloux is a freelance travel writer who reviews everything from surf camps to luxury destinations. When he’s not planning his next surfing vacation, you might find him being a cosmopolitan hedonist and devouring haute cuisine from around the world. His favorite travel destinations include Costa Rica, France, and Las Vegas.

Earlier this year we traveled to Sri Lanka, a country full of beauty and adventure – we had heard about the beautiful view of the sunrise from the top of a sacred mountain called Adam’s Peak – and decided to join thousands of pilgrims on their pilgrimage to the peak.

Being a holy place for both Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, Adam’s Peak is very unique.

To be at the top when the sun rose, you had to begin the hike at 2am – the rain was pouring down during the entire 4 hour climb up to the peak, small waterfalls had been created in the rocks next to the steps, and you had to wade through deep large mud pools in darkness.

Just our luck – we had managed to pick the most miserable night of the year to climb Adam’s Peak, but we were far from the only ones… 

We ended up bringing home much more than just wet clothes, as we learned a few useful life lessons from the journey …

1. It’s Easier If You Enjoy The Process

Whenever you were at your lowest, with wet hair and clothes sticking to your skin – someone would start chanting, almost as though they could feel your struggle. The chanting spread like a fire among the climbers who all joined in, singing the same lyrics over and over.

I have no idea what they said, but it was beautiful and it reminded me of everyone else who were with me going through the same struggles, and looking around me realizing what a crazy thing I was doing made me enjoy the process.

I will try my best to apply this to other aspects of my life, and whenever things get tough, look around and see the beauty of it and remember that things aren’t so bad after all.

2. We All Do What We Do For A Reason

We all had a different purpose for climbing that mountain, and for me it became about completing something, about not giving in, and showing myself that I could do it.

When we finally reached the top, I was wet, cold, exhausted – and happy – the view was nice, but it was the feeling of accomplishment that really meant something more.

Next time I’m in doubt, I will think of how great it felt to be proud over exceeding my own expectations.

3. The Only Thing Stopping You Is Your Mind

While I’m not a hiker at all, I can tell you that Adam’s Peak is not an easy climb - I would have thought it impossible for a one-legged person to climb it, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes…

In the end, it all comes down to your mind. If your mind is strong enough, you can accomplish things well beyond what others would say is impossible.

The mind will give up before the body does.

4. We’re Stronger Together

If I would have been alone climbing for 4 hours at night in the worst possible rainstorm, I would have given up before I even began.

But being surrounded by thousands of people, from 4 year old children to 90 year old women and men with bent backs climbing the mountain in their bare feet, gave me the strength and inspiration to carry on – if you do it together, you can bring each other up.

5. You Must Finish What You Begin

On the way down from the mountain, our legs were shaking from the stress endured during the climb – the pain was almost unbearable, but you had to get down and there was only one way to go.

“Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory” - Ed Viesturs

It’s the same thing with life, we often reach points where we simply have no choice to just stop but have to finish what we started.

When planning a trip to beautiful Thailand, choosing which sites you’ll visit while there is just the start – in addition to brushing up a bit on the language, you’ll need to know a little about the culture too.

To make your stay in Phuket completely enjoyable, take a few moments to go over everything you need to know to get around and interact with the locals as courteously as possible.

Tipping

Tipping service men and women is customary in Phuket, and these people may be relying on it for income – remember that one Baht is about three cents (in USD); money can go a lot further in Thailand.

Expect to tip the following:

• Hotel maids: Leave a tip at the end of your stay if you appreciate the service – it’s not expected, but a tip of around 200 Baht for the stay is equal to their entire day’s wage (only a little over six dollars) and will be greatly appreciated.

• Bellhops: Give bellhops 20 Baht whenever they carry your bags or show you to your room.

• Sit-down restaurants: Anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the total bill.

• Fast food or restaurants that don’t have at-table service: Nothing, but rounding up to the next even number and letting them keep the change is often very appreciated.

  However, if that amounts to only one Baht, avoid tipping or tip another five Baht. Tipping only one Baht anywhere in Thailand is akin to saying you weren’t happy with the service.

• Taxi cabs: Depends on whether or not the taxi driver negotiates a flat fee from the start. If they do negotiate a flat fee, they’re including a tip, so you need not pay extra. If the taxi runs on a metre, a 20 to 50 Baht tip is customary, particularly if the service is good.

• Tuk tuk: If you take a rickshaw, you don’t have to tip, particularly if the experience is unpleasant. If the driver is nice, a 20 to 50 Baht tip can show your appreciation.

• Drinks: Tip bartenders and servers 30 Baht per drink.

• Tour guides: If a professional tour guide spends an entire day with you all over the city, a 300 to 500 Baht tip is customary (and in that case, don’t worry about tipping drivers, as the tour guide will likely do so).

Internet Access

Wifi is very common throughout Thailand, and if you happen to end up in a hotel without wifi, there is probably a cafe around the corner that offers it for free. But expect slower speed than you’re used to.

There are internet cafes here and there where you’ll find stationary computers – these tend to be pretty costly.

Some guesthouses also tend to offer wifi for free, but charge a hefty sum to use their computers, so bring a laptop or tablet on your trip!

General Etiquette

There are a few customs you will need to respect in Thailand, or you will get many strange glances your way..!

• Never use your foot to point to something or someone.

• Never touch a person’s head.

• Refrain from displays of public anger.

• Refrain from public displays of affection with your significant other beyond holding hands.

• Take off your shoes when entering someone’s home or a temple.

• Don’t wear tank tops, tight pants or short skirts into a temple; don’t go shirtless, either…

• Stand for the national anthem before a movie plays in the cinema.

When in doubt, be patient and polite. If you follow these tipping guidelines and general etiquette tips, your vacation will go more smoothly and you’ll have a great time, leaving you with memories for many years to come.

About the Author: Praepilai Vaughn is a contributing writer, travel agent and native Thai. She blogs about her travel experiences and great travel deals on her company website.

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to travel on the Eastern and Oriental Express from Singapore to Bangkok – the 3-day trip was one of pure indulgence with good food, beautiful views and 5-star service!

It’s a beautiful train and a trip of a lifetime, and we made a short video summing up our experience – check it out below:

You can also read more about the trip below:

• Eastern & Oriental Express – The Photo Essay
• Eastern Oriental Express – A Journey Like No Other!

Sri Lanka is a beautiful place to visit with its lush hill districts, fascinating temples and delicious food – but compared to other nearby countries like India, Sri Lanka can seem quite expensive.

However, there are ways to stay on a budget and still enjoy the country…

Here are five budget-friendly tips for those visiting Sri Lanka.

1. Eat Where The Locals Eat

The one thing you will be sure to find dirt cheap in Sri Lanka is food – but you have to go to the right places.

When you see a hole in the wall restaurant with dirty walls and long tables packed with locals, it’s often a great place to get cheap but tasty food.

We found street markets and small restaurants (who didn’t have menus) to give gigantic servings, so a good advice is to order one plate to share.

Another thing worth noting is that when ordering curry meals, you will also get free rice refills – vegetarian meals are the cheapest options, fish and seafood is slightly more expensive and chicken costs a bit more.

2. Take The Train Whenever Possible

The transport will either end up being the most expensive or the cheapest part of your trip.

For us, it turned out to be the most expensive – trains are dirt cheap (because they’re government run), but on holidays you need to have booked your tickets weeks in advance, or it will be completely booked up or a ride from hell.

Buses are also cheap but are the most uncomfortable ways of travel – chances are you will have to stand up for 8 hours bumping into someone else’s armpit, as drivers cram the buses full of people and then hurtle around at ferocious speeds, slamming on the brakes. Trust us, we’ve been there…

So whenever possible, book train tickets in advance and travel outside of holidays, because they are very busy in Sri Lanka – the train rides are beautiful, so taking the Observation car is definitely recommended.

3. Manage Without WiFi

Prices for guest house rooms will be higher closer to tourist beaches, but generally you should be able to stay in a double room for less than £20, or you can grab a bed in a dorm for £3-10 a night.

If you don’t need A/C or wifi, you can get by pretty cheap.

Package deals to Sri Lanka have become more popular and often work out cheaper than arranging a do-it-yourself holiday – you can get luxury rooms for reasonable prices, especially if you book last minute or in the wet season – if you’re looking to really save your budget, couchsurfing could allow you to stay in the country for free.

4. Take Their Number

Traveling by car is by far the most comfortable way of travel, and one way to get a great deal is to hire a driver for a week.

We didn’t know this before, and ended up hiring new drivers for every journey, which turned out to cost a lot more than if we would have stuck with the first driver (who btw turned out to be the most honest).

If you find a driver in the beginning of your trip, it’s definitely worth getting an international call plan in advance so that you can book him for the whole trip and stay in touch on pick-up and drop-off times. Some even arrange the driver before they arrive in Sri Lanka.

This is a good idea if you don’t want to have to worry about tracking down phone-cards, the Vonage UK website offers ways to make cheap calls to Sri Lanka, and to keep in touch without receiving an excessive phone bill.

5. Avoid The Main Tourist Sites

Another massive drain on your budget will be the touristy temples and national parks – the majority of Sri Lanka’s most impressive sights charge hefty admission fees – save money by avoiding the crowds and trying out some of the wonderful free things the country has to offer.

One of the things Sri Lanka is most famous for is its tea production – many of the plantations in the hill district will offer free tours.

One of the most famous plantations is Lipton Tea, which is also near another free landmark: Lipton’s Seat – the seat is one of the highest lookout points in Sri Lanka, allowing you stunning views over the hill country.

To experience religious culture without paying exorbitant prices, check out some of the free temples in Kandy – just across the lake from the pricey Temple of the Tooth Relic is a sprawling monastery with an interesting museum.

The monks are happy to give you a free tour and to explain the origins of all the artefacts – there’s also a vibrant Hindu temple in the centre of town which visitors are welcome to enter. Inside are colourful wall murals and charming images of Hindu Gods.

There are many free temples and sites to explore on a budget – one crazy cultural experience is to climb Adam’s Peak at 2am in the morning.

What are some of your budget tips for Sri Lanka? Is Sri Lanka a place you would like to visit?

Earlier this year we spent 3 weeks traveling around Sri Lanka, a country with incredible diverse nature and the most charming people.

Sri Lanka is so full of surprises and experiences, there are so many things to see and do there that we didn’t feel that 3 weeks was enough.

Here is a video we made of our our 3 week trip: in under 4 minutes on video – enjoy!

To read more about our time in Sri Lanka, check out the articles below:

• Impressions Of Sri Lanka – What You Need To Know!
• How A Tsunami Evacuation Connected Us With The Locals
• Places To Visit In Sri Lanka – Exploring The Hill Country
• Places To Visit In Sri Lanka – Exploring The Coast
• Delicious Must-Try Drinks in Sri Lanka

With the overwhelming number of Wats, it comes as no surprise that Chiang Mai has very strong Buddhist traditions, and temples have become a very important part of peoples’ lives in the city.

Many temples act as community centers, and they are also very popular places for people to go to just relax, sit down in the shade and contemplate - below I have posted a series of photos we took while walking around Chiang Mai last week.

The temple grounds are peaceful and quiet – and although the hectic streets are just outside the temple walls, you feel like you’re a world away from it all – there is so much to look at, and we loved all the wooden signs with words of wisdom that were nailed to the trees, reminding you of what is really important in life.

Every temple is beautifully decorated with golden details glittering in the sun, and they all have their own touches that makes each Wat unique and different from the rest - whether that’s a huge Buddha head statue or a Donald Duck statue eating noodle soup …

You can easily get templed-out while in Chiang Mai, but as soon as you leave you realize how much you took all of these beautiful serene places for granted …

We had about a month left in Malaysia before our trip down to Singapore in June and needed to find a place where we could relax and work for a while.

Melaka turned out to be the perfect place for this, and we ended up staying there for the whole month – with it becoming our favorite city in Malaysia!

Time Stands Still

The people in Melaka are very relaxed and welcoming, and it didn’t take very long until many of them started recognizing us and treating us like locals.

While the city is pretty close to the cosmopolitan capital Kuala Lumpur, Melaka has an entirely different vibe.

Hurry was not a known word in this place, everybody took their time, and you could sit and do nothing at all, without feeling bad for it.

The hands on the clock tower on the main square had stopped at half past two, but nobody seemed to have bothered to change it (or even noticed?) for a long time, perhaps because time is irrelevant there anyway.

The True Land Of Smiles

What I noticed about Malaysia in general was even more obvious in Melaka – this is the true land of smiles!

In contrary to many countries, people in Malaysia smile just for the sake of smiling, nothing else.

It is such a freeing feeling to know that the person smiling at you doesn’t want anything in return but a smile from you too.

In many countries the only smiles you get are when someone wants something from you, most often your business.

When they want to sell you something, they smile – if they don’t, they won’t bother.

In Malaysia, people smile a lot, and they do it because they simply want to, especially in Melaka.

The City Itself

Because of Melaka’s interesting history, with Dutch, Brittish and Portuguese settlers, there is a fun diversity there.

You’ll find Dutch inspired houses, Portuguese inspired food, and shoes and traditions from the Nyonya people (Chinese-Malay).

Sitting by one of the cafes lining the (Dutch) canal was one of my favorite things to do, although you could get quite tired having to always wave back at every tour boat and fishing boat that passed by on the canal – yes, waving to each other was like an unwritten law there..!

Every Day Is A Holiday

It is sometimes a little difficult to travel in Malaysia without anything pre-planned.

Malaysians themselves love to travel in their own country, and with all the holidays they have hotels are fully booked very often.

I was not surprised to find out that Malaysia has the most holidays in the whole world – it literally felt as though every second day was some sort of holiday!

Open-Minded

My experience with Malaysians is that they are very open-minded to other cultures and traditions.

This became especially clear to me when a group of teenage girls came up to me one day in a mall for an interview for their school project.

They immediately started showering me with compliments: “You look so fashionable today!”, “I love your blonde hair!”, they said while touching my hair and smiling.

This was so funny, because the contrast between us couldn’t have been bigger – they  were all wearing Tudong and Baju Kurung (veil and full-covering dresses), and there I was in a short sleeveless dress…

Which is your favorite city in Malaysia?

Health tourism is becoming increasingly popular as people are realizing that traveling abroad can actually save you more money than getting the treatment in your own country.

Walking down the streets of Chiang Mai, it’s hard to avoid seeing all the signs and shops offering amazing deals for all sorts of health treatments – so why not go for it?

We took advantage of the cheaper prices in Thailand and had a bunch of health and beauty treatments in Chiang Mai, from a visit to the dentist to another detox and getting my hair cut.

Whether you’re just looking for some touch-ups, to spoil yourself, or looking for a more serious surgery, Thailand is definitely a place to consider.

Here are some popular treatments that are much cheaper in Thailand…

Dental Treatments

Normally, people don’t just pop into a dentist and get their teeth fixed in a “spur of the moment” kind of way – in Thailand, that’s pretty much exactly how you do it.

A lot of people go there to just whiten their teeth, but having a check-up and do some fillings is also a great idea.

The dental clinics in Thailand are very modern and equipped with the latest technology, so we were happy that we decided to go there ourselves.

To give you an idea of the prices, a tooth filling costs from 500 baht (15 USD), whereas in Europe it costs around 100 USD.

Spa Resort / Detox Center Packages

Stay for an hour, a day, or a week – there are plenty of spa resorts, detox centers and other types of wellness retreats all across Thailand – both for those who just want to pamper themselves, as well as for those who want to change their whole lifestyle – detoxify their bodies and meet with alternative health doctors.

Tao Garden outside of Chiang Mai is one of the best health retreats in northern Thailand, mixing new medical developments of Holistic Western Medicine with traditional Eastern arts like Taoist Massage, 5 Element Chinese Healing Systems, Acupuncture and Ayurvedic practices from India.

In the South, Kamalaya on Koh Samui has won many awards for being one of the best wellness retreats in the world, as much for the beautiful location as for the service itself.

Massages and Manicures

A Thai girl we met said that just like every Thai woman learns how to cook Pad Thai, they learn how to do a great Thai massage – which might explain why they’re so many massage parlors everywhere..!

Massages are so cheap in Thailand that you can treat yourself to one every week – but I would suggest visiting a real parlor rather than sitting down in a chair by the street, it’s just not the same.

There are many different types of massages to choose from, and just to let you know, the Thai massage is not as relaxing as it sounds, although it is an experience in itself..!

Manicures are also cheap and a great way to spoil yourself, and you can hustle a good deal if you go for a pedicure as well.

A 1 hour Thai massage costs around 4 USD, while in Europe the same massage costs 60 dollars. A manicure costs around 5 dollars, while in Europe you would pay around 30 dollars.

Cosmetic Surgery

Walking around Chiang Mai, you pass by a lot of clinics advertising everything from botox to face lifts - even specialized surgeries like a tummy tuck, cost half the price from getting it done in Europe (US prices of a tummy tuck).

While botox is probably not on top of most people’s lists, I know several people who traveled all the way from Sweden to Thailand to get help with their skin and health issues because the treatments were both cheaper and better than at home.

How about you? Have you done anything like this last time you were in Thailand?

(photo credits: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4)

Guest Post: Ancient temples, archaeological ruins and floating gardens are just the beginning of what you will find in Burma (Myanmar) – a beautiful and enigmatic destination in Southeast Asia.

From the modern capital of Yangon to the idyllic waterfront villages on Lake Inle, Burma is rich in cultural diversity and timeless traditions.

If you are planning a trip to Burma (why not have a look at Bales Worldwide), then make sure you visit these 5 must-see highlights…

1. Markets of Yangon

The markets of Yangon’s old Chinese and colonial quarters are legendary – you can spend the morning haggling and bartering for just about anything.

This is the place to find the perfect souvenir to bring back home – just don’t get lost in the old quarter’s warren-like maze of streets.

2. Sule Pagoda and Shwedagon Pagoda

Burma is world famous for it ancient temples and pagodas.

In fact, it is said to have the best temple architecture in all of Asia.

Spend an afternoon exploring the Sule Pagoda and the Shwedagon Pagoda.

The Sule Pagoda is said to date back over 2,000 years, and the Shwedagon is believed to contain more gold than the banks of England, but you will have to find out whether this is fact or fiction..!

3. The Ancient Cities of Amarapura and Inwa

In Amarapura, one of the ancient cities of Burma, you can take a scenic stroll across the 1.2 km long U Bein Bridge (the longest teak bridge in the world!), and visit traditional silk and cotton weaving workshops.

You can also visit the huge Mahaghandayon Monastery (with over 2000 monks) which is one of the most important monasteries in the country.

Inwa is another of Burma’s important ancient cities, with a long history of successive Burmese kingdoms from the 14th to 19th centuries.

The city was sacked and rebuilt several times, until it was finally abandoned in 1839 after a series of earthquakes.

To get to Inwa you take a short boat trip across the river where you’ll be met by a number of horse carts ready to take you on a tour of the area.

4. Irrawaddy River

Perhaps the most pleasurable way to see Myanmar, feel its pulse and understand its history, is to take a cruise on the Irrawaddy River with Bales.

While slowly floating down the river, you will have a chance to see a more traditional and idyllic side of Burma, passing rustic villages and lush landscapes which make you feel like you’ve taken a step back in time.

5. Bagan

Bagan is Burma’s archeological paradise and is said to have over 2,000 pagodas – from the well-preserved Ananda Temple to the masterful brickwork of the Dhammayan-gyi, this is a magical and fascinating place to visit.

Bagan is also known for its handicrafts and traditional lacquer ware, so no trip to Bagan is complete without a stopping at the Nyaung U market to pick up some more exotic souvenirs before heading home.

Have you been to Burma? What was the highlight of your trip?

(photo credits: 1 - 2 -  3)