Asia

Updated: May 1st, 2019

Best Places To Visit In Bali – Despite being such a small island, Bali is packed with so many beautiful areas and awesome experiences. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in the world.

What I love the most about Bali is how much cultural heritage they have, their colorful traditions and celebrations that seem to happen pretty much every day.

Almost every day we learned there was a religious celebration going on in some part of the island that we should go and see.

If you haven’t visit Indonesia yet, get a plane ticket and book a hotel.

Enjoy all this amazing destination offers.

Best Places to Visit in Bali Indonesia

Ubud

After the movie ”Eat Pray Love” it’s probably quite busy in this little town in the middle of the island, but even before that movie, Ubud was popular for a very good reason: it’s the artistic hub of Bali.

Surrounded by rice paddies (which for the record you have to see – they’re beautiful!), this town was originally important as a source of medicinal herbs and plants, which is perhaps the reason why there are so many detox- and spa centers there.

If you have a few days to spare I’d really recommend trying a detox program, it totally goes with the spirit and vibe of Bali, and it’s so much cheaper than in the West.

In fact it might be cheaper even when including the cost of cheap flights to Bali, than a detox would at home.

Today Ubud is also known for the abundance of art and crafts sold there, and it’s a great place to base yourself when doing day trips to the nearby villages.

Amed

Amed is perhaps one of the trickiest places in Bali to reach.

This can also be seen as a good thing, as there are pretty much NO tourists there, yet it’s the perfect place to go snorkeling or diving, find empty beaches and, for those who want to feel like they’re in the middle of nowhere – Amed is prefect.

Tenganan Village

A short moped ride away from Candidasa, you’ll find Tenganan Village, one of the ancient villages where the native Balinese people live.

Here houses and customs are the same as they always have been.

Apart from showing a few tourists around the village, inside their homes, and sharing their rare craft and art – things go on as normal.

Tanah Lot

There are way too many temples in Bali to count, but if you can only visit one temple, make sure it’s Tanah Lot.

This temple is unique because it’s located in such a beautiful location.

It’s a temple on a rock, surrounded by water and when the tide is high it’s actually inaccessible, even by boat because of the rocks.

The best time to visit is when there is an event or celebration going on.

It is definitely a highlight to check out the Balinese celebrations, where the locals dress up in beautiful traditional costumes, sing, dance, and carry large plates of food on their heads to sacrifice to the gods.

A good time to visit is May, as there are no school holidays in Australia, it’s not a high season for tourists and we’ve found some really cheap international flights to Bali around that time.

Things To Do In Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a small but compact island in Indonesia – with so much to see and do there, and such a strong local culture, it almost seems like a country in itself.

To see and do everything you need at least one month, but today we’ll show you some highlights for a short trip to Bali.

The Artist Villages, Ubud

Ubud is known as the artist center, it’s the hub where people from nearby villages come to sell their art.

Many of the local artists live in the outskirts of Ubud, and every village has their special art specialty.

Painters live in one village, wooden craft people in another, and jewelry makers in a third etc.

Visiting these places one by one is a great experience, as you get to meet the whole family of artists (the art form is normally inherited from father to son) and see them work.

Also make sure you check out the nearby monkey forest!

Visit Tenganan

Tenganan is an ancient village in the middle of nowhere, 5 km off the road from Candidasa.

It’s the oldest village in Bali, where the people have also kept their old pre-Hindu customs.

This village is a Bali Aga village (from the people who were there before the Hindu Javanese came to Bali).

It’s a really charming place to visit for a day.

You can walk around the village, visit a local’s home, let them weave you something using their traditional technique, or paint you something (like a traditional Aga story).

They normally just ask you for a small donation on entry – which goes toward keeping the village running.

Close to Tenganan, you can find a little village called Jasri where you can have a true local experience with the villagers and have an amazing rice field walk in Bali.

Relax in Amed

This is a place MOST people don’t even know about – we didn’t meet a single tourist while there for 7 days.

It’s easy to understand why celebrities choose this place as a drug-rehab location for a few months – no one will be able to find you!

If you want to relax in a place in the middle of nowhere, snorkel and enjoy some solitude, then Amed is the place to go.

There is not much to do here, but just relaxing and enjoying the green nature and good swimming.

WARNING: there are no shops, ATM machines or anything there, so make sure you bring enough cash before you leave Kuta – we made this mistake! :p

Shop and Surf in Kuta

If you’re into surfing and shopping – then you’ll love Kuta.

The shopping here is cheap, and all the main surf brands have set up huge stores full of surf clothes-  plus the beach is nice and the surfing can be awesome!

You can easily hire a surfboard on the beach and go play in the water – Kuta is also the center for partying in Bali.

Rice Fields

Bali is the greenest place I’ve ever seen. Nowhere else have I seen so many different shades of green, in such a beautiful scenery.

The best way to enjoy the nature is to visit a rice field and walk through the middle of this green heaven.

There are some beautiful photo moments to get there.

Bali Rice Fields

When I think about Bali, the first thing which comes to mind is GREEN – everything there is such an incredible shade of green.

To really experience this green-ness, make sure you head out to the Bali rice fields.

A Balinese Dance Show

A show full of colors, amazing dresses, dances and humor – the story is the same but they always change their approach depending on the audience.

If you for example watch when the audience is full of teenage school classes, they will put in more childish humor and sex jokes, while for an older audience they stress other things.

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple is a temple built on a rock by the sea, in the most beautiful setting.

Coming here during a celebration or ceremony is a great experience.

When we went there – there was a huge party where locals had traveled from long distances (many of them had walked the whole way), bringing food and other sacrifices, dressed in their special outfits.

Balinese music was playing, they were singing and there was golden decorations and dragons everywhere.

Top 5 Attractions In Bali Indonesia

From spectacular beaches to majestic temples and unique cultural displays, Top 5 Attractions In Bali Indonesia is a favored destination for travelers in search of something exotic.

This Indonesian province encompasses the isle of Bali as well as a few neighboring 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 Top 5 Attractions In Bali Indonesia attractions.

Besakih Temple Bali Indonesia

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 Bali Indonesia

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 among 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 Indonesia 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.

Balinese Day Of Silence (The Bali New Year)

Last year we had the fortune – or misfortune – to celebrate the Balinese New Year.

In the western world you open the new year by painfully trying to figure out what the hell happened the night before.

In Bali you open the new year very different- by softly reflecting on your life.

The Balinese New Year is a day of 100% silence – and by the time we had woken up it was already silent, deafeningly silent.

The only thing making any noise were the ocean waves.

Even the birds kept quiet! Sounds like a dream, right?

It was HELL!

Sunset In Bali On The Day Of Silence

You know that pleasant soothing sound of waves breaking by the shore?

It’s nice as a background sound, but being the only thing making a noise was slowly driving me crazy – I felt like I couldn’t even hear my own thoughts!

On the Day of Silence everything is closed – even the AIRPORT in Bali is closed down for 24 hours.

Nobody is allowed to go outside their houses, and you’re not allowed to play music or watch movies.

We stayed in a pretty little hotel right by the sea with an amazing view over the water and beach (see the picture above) – but we weren’t allowed to go swimming in the ocean – so it was over 30 degrees and this hotel had no pool, no TV, and no internet.

They had hung up big heavy curtains on the hotel to shut off the street, which was empty.

And as if that wasn’t enough, for some reason I still can’t understand, Nathan convinced me to do a food fast for the whole day.

Fast! No food?!

And I agreed?!

When there is nothing to do, you EAT!

You really make some strange decisions in strange situations…

Bali Bombing Memorial

This was such a sad event, and it was really moving to be walking through the middle of Kuta and see this memorial.

So many young people lost their lives there, and it really makes you appreciate the moments we have in this life.

I had a funny feeling that fate had something to do with it all, and I was certain of it when I soon realized that the only book I had to read in my room was called.

‘The Science of Self- Realization’

I felt as if Life was laughing at me playing its little tricks.

But it’s well thought through, this day of silence – it really does the job, and serves its purpose.

Because when there is  nothing to do and it’s completely quiet, there is nothing to distract me, stimulate me and blind me from my ego and my thoughts.

So I found myself for the first time in a long while, sitting silent and alone in my room, hearing my thoughts – and for once, actually listening to them.

Transformation takes place, leaving you feeling so peaceful and happy!

Well these are some of the best things to do next time you are in Bali – also a great way to see many of these in 1 day is to hire a taxi and tour guide for the day (it’s really cheap!) – we got one guy and he took us for an 8 hr tour around Bali, which turned into 14 hrs for the same price – amazing and really great to have a local tell you about everything.

Updated: May 1st, 2019

Best Places to Visit in the Philippines – We all heard stories of what Thailand used to be like 20 years ago, before it was spoiled by the hordes of drunk tourists flocking its islands.

Just 3 hours flight away, there is still a place who maintains that exotic, virgin charm – the Philippines.

To add to that, the beaches and scenery are even more beautiful, and everything is cheaper.

The fact most potential tourists tend to overlook the Philippines while planning their tropical getaway does come with a price though.

The country isn’t a tourist mecca like Thailand is, so getting around and finding out what to do can be a bit of a hassle.

There is a lot of confusion and bad information found online.

That is why we decided to try and make sense of it for you, and present the best places to visit in the Philippines.

We are sure it will convince you to make the Philippines your next travel destination!

Best Places to Visit in the Philippines

Palawan Philippines

Considered one of the best islands in the world, Palawan is the number one place to visit in the Philippines.

Palawan offers a great mix of popular, crowded beaches and private island resorts such as Pamalican and Minoloc.

The island is one of the best value for money destinations in the world since even the high end resorts are still relatively cheap.

Those who wish to venture off the beaten track should head out to Coron.

This less developed area hosts some of the best beaches in the Philippines, and is considered a world class diving site.

Accommodation is more basic, but in exchange you get to enjoy the feeling of being on a truly exotic island.

In any case, make sure you spend at least one night in the Provincial capital Puerto Princesa, so you could visit the famous underground river national park.

Boracay

Boracay, and especially the white beach area, is the most popular tourist spot in the country.

Boracay is a very small island, so it can easily get crowded there especially in the high season.

The island is the Filipino version of Thailand’s wild party islands such as Samui and Phangan.

The 4km long beach area is packed with bars, nightclubs and restaurants so you can always find something to do.

During the day, the best thing to do is just lay back and relax at one of Boracay’s stunning beaches.

White beach has been voted best beach in the world for a reason – the azure water and white sandy beach are simply breathtaking.

For that reason, the island is also a great place for swimming and snorkeling.

Bohol

If Boracay is paradise for singles and party lovers, then Bohol is the best place for couples and families with small children.

It doesn’t mean there is no nightlife there – Panglao’s Alona beach is actually considered one of the best party spots in the Philippines, second only to Boracay.

Bohol, however, offers much more than just parties to its visitors.

Dozens of secluded beaches and islands are scattered everywhere and the amount of attractions is just endless.

No description of Bohol could be complete without mentioning the famous Chocolate hills, a truly one of a kind geological formation.

The hills are by far the most popular attraction in Bohol, but by no means the only one.

Diving with dolphins and taking a cruise down the tropical Loboc river are also highly recommended.

The island is really one of the best places to experience the country’s diverse wildlife and nature.

The greatest thing about Bohol is how close it is to so many other beautiful destinations, including Boracay.

It will be really easy for you to include in your travel plan, and it’s definitely worth it spend a few days there and see everything the place has to offer.

A mix of beautiful relaxing beaches with exciting adventure is the essence of a vacation in the Philippines, and Bohol catches that essence perfectly.

Sagada rice terraces

Sagada is a great alternative to the more traditional island destinations mentioned above.

Don’t expect luxury resorts or exciting nightlife, because Sagada is mostly about tradition and nature.

The Cordillera mountain province is home to Igorot tribe, the native people of the Philippines who keep the old traditions alive.

Combine that with the scenic mountain view, and you’ll understand why Sagada is a great place to visit.

One of these traditions, dating back over 2000 years, is the use of the man made rice terraces of Banaue.

Banaue is just a short ride from Sagada, and we recommend staying at Sagada because it is much more tourist friendly and welcoming, and closer to many other local attractions.

The Cordillera rice terraces are many, but the most beautiful ones are located near the village of Batad.

The Batad rice terraces have been declared an UNESCO world heritage site, so definitely a place you can’t afford to visit.

Getting to Sagada or Banaue can be a bit tricky, since there are no commercial flights available.

The only possible way to get there is to take a bus from Manila, or hire a private van.

It is really better to consult with a local travel agency while planning a trip to Sagada, because it will help you save a lot of precious time and avoid making any mistakes.

Manila

Many tourists overlook this amazing city and just pass through it on their way to the islands.

Don’t be one of those, and make sure you enjoy everything Manila has to offer.

What makes Manila a great place is the truly special mixture of cultures and the stark contrast between old and new.

With anything from old forts and churches to some of the world’s largest and busiest shopping malls, it really has something to offer everyone.

Especially recommended is the old city Intramuros.

The area was originally a fort founded by the Spaniards upon their arrival, and now serves as the old city and is full of stunning buildings and interesting museums.

Nearby, north of the Pasig river, lies the world’s oldest Chinatown.

Named Binondo, this Chinatown is especially fascinating because of the unique blend between Filipino-Hispanic culture and the Chinese one.

This mixture is best witnessed by visiting the district’s remarkable pagoda bell tower.

Manila is also surrounded by many magnificent locations, some of which are among the country’s most beautiful.

A mere few hours by bus you can find anything your heart desires – beautiful secluded beaches or tropical volcanoes perfect for hiking or camping outdoors.

Puerto Galera is the obvious choice for a beach getaway near Manila, but if you are looking to get away from the tourists you should consider the Batangas beaches instead.

Laiya beach is especially recommended.

6 Cities You Have to Visit This Year

Top Places to Visit in Manila Philippines

Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It offers rich history with many ancient buildings unique to the architectural design of the 16th century.

There are fantastic places to visit in Manila, including great restaurants, nightlife and activities.

Often overlooked as a travel destination, this city has much to offer, from the Manila marketplace, magnificent sunsets on the Manila Bay, and Binando — Manila Chinatown.

It’s also a bustling and culturally interesting city.

And Manila is less than five hours by plane from major cities such as Hong Kong.

Places to Visit in Manila Philippines

San Sebastian Catholic Church

Famous for its all-steel architecture, the San Sebastian Church was built in 1891.

With two imposing spires jutting high into the sky, the church is of Gothic architectural design.

The beautiful stained glass is from Germany.

Eusebio Garcia was the sculptor.

This all-steel church is the only one in Asia and is a national historic landmark.

Another unique old building, the San Agustin Catholic Church, is the oldest stone church in the country.

It was built in 1589.

Used as a concentration camp during World War II, it is now known as the wedding capital of the world.

Divisoria Marketplace

Crowded, hot and humid, Divisoria marketplace is an experience you’ll not want to miss.

The key to an enjoyable time is to go early before the crowds arrive.

Indoor and outdoor eateries and shops line the street and the wares are most affordable.

Another marketplace you may want to visit is Quiapo.

It’s known for its shops, Quiapo Church and ebony statue depicting Christ, the Black Nazarene statue.

During Holy Week and in early January, you can experience their festival in the streets to mark the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Chinatown in Binondo

Many tourists visit Binondo for its large variety of excellent Chinese restaurants.

Chinatown in Manila is the oldest Chinese neighborhood worldwide, established in the late 1500’s.

The history of Chinatown is available if you hire a tour guide while visiting the area.

So be sure to take a “Binondo Food Trip” while visiting Manila.

Fort Santiago

National hero, Jose Rizal, was imprisoned here before his death by execution in the 1500’s.

You can tour Fort Santiago, Rizal Park and Paco Park by carriage or take a walking tour if you would like.

Rizal wrote some of his famous anecdotes, novels and poems while living in Fort Santiago.

His memory lives on in the hearts of the people who live here.

Manila Bay

For a look at the loveliest sunsets in the world, take a dinner cruise on Manila Bay.

You’ll want to be sure to visit Harbor View, Ermita, Manila with restaurants and shops along the walkway, among them the renowned Harbor View Restaurant.

Although many do not appreciate its beauty because of pollution, Manila Bay is a busy trade and historical center and one of the top tourist attractions in Manila.

Is Caramoan Philippines The Secret Paradise?

If you’ve got a few extra days and the means to travel, you’ll want to visit Caramoan.

While it’s not exactly “close,” — it’s 13 hours by plane from Manilla — it’ll be worth the trip.

People consider it to be the secret paradise in the Philippines, a place that not many people hear about or know where it is.

Most people instead tend to crowd to the nearby Borcacay — a 14-hour flight from Manila — instead of Caramoan.

Which makes Caramoan perfect for those looking for a paradise just for themselves off the beaten path.

Caramoan started getting some attention a few years ago when the French Survivor TV show started shooting there, and this year the Israel Survivor show will also be using the same location.

The reason why these islands are such a popular shooting location for Survivor is because they want their contestants to feel like they are really far away from civilization.

You can do that in Caramoan.

It’s a wild paradise.

Explore the sights and immerse yourself in the culture of this amazing city.

(Photo 1, 2, 4, 5)

Updated: July 11th, 2019

Bamboo Forest Japan  – Planning to visit Kyoto?

If so, the Bamboo Forest Japan is a must stop. It may be that you have not planned your trip yet, but you can definitely bring your travel experience to a new dimension (climbing Mount Fuji) if you plan for it wisely.

So, when you see that the clouds in Kyoto have finally parted, it means that it is the right time to explore the destination many tourists love to choose:

The Bamboo Forest of Japan

You can see the bamboo forest situated in Arashiyama’s small town.

This indicates that it is just twenty-five minutes away from the downtown Kyoto.

So, if you plan to visit Tokyo, all you need to do is to catch a high-speed train, and take a short ride to Kyoto.

In two hours or so, you will see yourself in the enchanting Bamboo forest Japan.

Once you are there, your journey begins!

Here is the essential information you should have while traveling around the Bamboo forest Japan.

The Weather at Bamboo Forest of Japan

Though the scenery of bamboos planted all around the forest is amazing, there still is something you should consider seriously, i.e. the weather.

Just because the weather of Kyoto is quite unpredictable, you should be well aware that it can rain anytime.

However, the good thing is that you do not have to see a crowd of tourists while you enjoy traveling.

Top things to do in Tokyo Japan

Doing The Packing Appropriately

Now that you have learned about the weather, you are required to pack smartly.

Guides mostly suggest tourists to get hold of waterproof boots, scarf, rain jacket, as well as one of the compact umbrellas so that you can carry it in your bag. Communing with Nature In a Kimono

The Bamboo Forest Japan Experience

If you are visiting Bamboo Forest Japan for the first time, then you will surely be amazed to see how tall those bamboos are!

In simple words, the site seems peaceful and majestic.

Walking through the paths is another way to enjoy the tremendous sight of bamboos planted all around you. And yes, these paths have been paved.

Finding A Restaurant While Traveling Around

When it comes to searching for a good place to eat and relax, there are two options:

Find a place which is crowded with locals

Avoid places that have a hostess or promoter trying to get tourists into a trap

One of the best places to visit is Seisyuuan.

Along with offering the beautiful view of a river, you can explore where the oldest bridge of the town is.

Try The Boiled Tofu!

While you roam around Arashiyama, do not forget to eat boiled tofu.

As one of the specialties of this place, you can try it with a combination of meal.

Usually, something worth noticing is the boiling water pot filled with delicious tofu brought on your dining table.

Though this is considered the simplest meal you can have after enjoying the sights of Bamboo Forest Japan, many tourists find it equally delicious.

The Foot Bath At The Arashiyama Station

The best way to end your day is to look for a warm foot bath.

So, when you have walked a lot on the paths of Bamboo Forest Japan this foot bath will help you say good-bye to the foot pain, fatigue, and stress.

Epic Japan Bike Adventure Some Assembly Required

I’ve always liked bicycles.

You can find them all over the world, and though there might be a few differences, the riding them is familiar in a comfortable, second-nature way.

Plus, they’re a great way to see places a bit faster than walking, and they offer a good compromise between speed and green sustainability.

So when my friend Andrew sent me a message from Japan inviting me on an epic, South to North bike tour of the 4 main islands, I really wanted to say yes, and then work out the money and timing after.

Epic Japan Bike Adventure

So I did.

Fast-forward five months, after a bit of work getting funds and time together, I am in Japan with Andrew, and we’re about to set out.

We managed to lure another brave soul with the promise of adventure and Japanese sake, Scott, so it will be the three of us with our bikes and our panniers, taking on Japan.

The first and biggest challenge we faced, when we all committed to the trip, was coordination.

This trip has been planned, almost completely, with the three of us living in different countries.

Andrew has been in Japan for the last 2 years, teaching English, Scott lives in Boston, and I was in Montreal.

This meant our trip was planned mostly through a hodgepodge of email and Skype and even an attempt at a Google Wave.

Another kink came up in time zones. Andrew was 13 hours ahead of Scott and I, making his 5pm our 4am.

To make matters worse, I was working nights and Scott was working days.

This meant that, whenever the three of us were chatting or talking in real-time, one or more of us was only half-conscious.

Somehow, we all managed to get to Japan safe and sound, although not without some trouble (and some more trouble and as I write this, we are about 6 hours away from setting out on our pre-trip, 3-day hike on a little island near our start point, called Yakushima.

As for the route we’ll take, much of it will be decided on the road, but the two fixed points are the southernmost and northernmost points of Japan’s main four islands, Cape Sata in the south and Cape Soya in the far north.

However, recent events in Japan have made us reconsider some of the bits in the middle.

So far, our plan is to keep abreast of the latest news, and make final decisions as we approach them, perhaps taking a train or ferry to avoid any danger.

Recent events also made us reconsider our own motivations for taking the trip, and what bike-touring Japan right now would mean.

We decided that, while we didn’t want to just cancel the trip and ignore the devastation, we could not simply go on as if nothing had happened.

Instead, we decided to turn our trip into something to benefit Japan’s needy, in whatever small way we could.

To that end, we have begun a donation campaign for Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse, using our trip as a motivation for others to give.

Our goal is to raise $1 per kilometer per person, and since we should each be riding at least 3400km, we have set the bar at $10,000.

I am happy to say that we are almost pennies away from halfway, and considering we haven’t even started yet, that is amazing.

I am even more excited about the idea that we could exceed that goal. If you have thought about giving to relief in Japan, we encourage you to take the plunge and give.

Japan’s Bamboo Forest

Communing with Nature In a Kimono

Why Autumn in Japan is Better

Especially in autumn, Komyozenji Temple in Dazaifu, Japan is the epitome of refined, quiet beauty.

Sitting in the calm environment of the zen garden behind the temple always invites introspection.

In the same spirit as the Springtime cherry blossom viewings that are popular in Japan, people flock to temples, shrines, parks, and gardens such as Komyozenji to enjoy the changing and falling leaves of Autumn.

Photographs taken by travel photographer Andrew Marston who currently lives in Japan and runs a daily travel photography blog where other photographs from this trip will also be posted over the course of the coming weeks.

Winter in the Japanese Alps

Winter in the Japanese Alps

The inviting subtropical climate of Kyushu Island was driving me crazy!

With hot summers and mild winters, I needed to escape this “paradise”.

I grew up in frosty Maine, USA! We’re talking a place where November to April freezes your bones and makes even the toughest woodsman don an extra layer of flannel.

After some research, the Japanese Alps in the heart of winter sounded just the snowy get-away I pined for.

After one of the most enchanting train trips I’ve ever taken, I arrived in Takayama.

From there, it was a short bus ride through the switch backs of the Hida Mountains to Shirakawa Village.

Well deserving of its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this village prides itself on being a time warp back to Edo period traditional Japan, complete with farm houses built with thatching.

It also happens to be one of the snowiest places in Japan (measured in annual snowfall) and certainly lived up to the title.

Lori, my fiance, and I spent about 4 hours walking around snapping photos and soaking up the handsome historical vibes before it was time to take the bus back.

If ever you visit Shirakwa Village, I highly recommend walking up the path behind Wada house to Shiroyama Viewpoint (the last picture shown was taken from there).

Don’t forget your hand warmers and camera either.

For more of my escape to Winter in Traditional Japan, the trip starts here.

Andrew Marston is a Japan based travel photographer.

He likes slow train rides through rural areas, cameras with lots of buttons, and sharing his adventures with others.

Checkout Andrew’s Climbing of Mt Fuji

Things You Might Not Know About Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is probably one of the most famous mountains in the world – it’s the highest walk-able peak anywhere on the planet and thousands of people head here each year to climb it.

That’s all well and good, but if you’ll be climbing Kilimanjaro as part of your gap year, you should know a bit more than that – to get you started, here are a few things you might not know about the Tanzanian mountain.

Mount Kilimanjaro – The First Successful Ascent

While climbing Kilimanjaro may still be an impressive feat, it’s nothing compared to what the first mountaineers went through to tackle the summit.

In October 1889, Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller and Yoanas Kinyala Lauwo became the first people to officially reach the rim of the Kibo crater and were the first ones to ascend Uhuru Peak – the highest point – on Purtscheller’s 40th birthday.

This was actually Meyer’s third attempt at scaling the mountain and the expedition party – which also included nine porters, a guide, a cook and two local headmen – set out from Mombasa on foot – imagine walking nearly 300 km before you even started your climb!

It’s Not A Mountain …

Despite being called Mount Kilimanjaro; it is, in fact, a stratavolcano, which is comprised of three volcanic cones, the highest of which is the Kibo crater where you’ll find Uhuru Peak.

Kibo is a dormant volcano, while the other two craters – Mawenzi and Shira – are extinct.

It’s been 200 years since any volcanic activity was recorded here, though, with the last major eruption occurring 360,000 years ago.

What Goes Up Must Come Down

You’ll no doubt know there are six official routes to the summit, but are you aware that only one of these follows the same path down?

No?

Well, the Marangu route is one to avoid if you want to have a bit more variety on your trek, as you’ll go back down the way you came up if you choose this trail!

It’s also one of the busiest paths, so look elsewhere if you want a bit of solitude on your climb. Four of the other tracks – Machame, Shira, Lemosho and Umbwe – all share the same descent, known as the Mweka route.

It’s only ever used for going down, so you’ll never meet travelers on their way up on the final days of your trek.

Record Your Memories

While you will undoubtedly come home with numerous shots of you at the summit, taking photos isn’t the only way to record your ascent.

There’s a wooden box stored at the top of Uhuru Peak where almost every traveler to have made the climb has written down their feelings about the trek.

I think it’s a lovely idea, so make sure you keep up the tradition and jot a few lines in the book for others to look back on.

Speedy Ascent: It Can Be Done!

Your climb up Kilimanjaro will probably take at least five days and, if you have time, it’s worth choosing a route that lasts for seven or eight days to give you the opportunity to fully appreciate the variety of landscapes you’ll pass on your ascent.

That said, it can be done far quicker, as Gerard Bavato proved in 2007 when he reached the Uhuru Summit in just five hours, 26 minutes and 40 seconds.

While that might be the quickest climb, Gerard didn’t manage to win the accolade of fastest round trip too – that honour goes to Kilian Jornet, a Spanish trail runner who in October 2011 set the record of the fastest run to the summit and back, in 7 hours and 14 minutes, beating the previous record holder Simon Mtuy who did the ascent and descent in 8 hours and 27 minutes.

Have you climbed Mt Kilimanjaro?

How was your experience?

Unconventional Climbing Mount Fuji Japan

Most people climb Mount Fuji from the “5th Station” which is located about 2300 meters in altitude.

However, every year a very small percentage of the 300,000 annual Fuji hikers decide that they must hike all of the mountain and start from 0m in elevation at the ocean.

I had never heard of this route, nor have most Japanese people, but as soon as I learned it was an option, I knew I had to try.

Climbing Mount Fuji Japan

When my ultra-fitness friend Andy came to visit Japan, it was the perfect chance.

And so, at 11PM on Friday night, Andy and I, together with our friend Axel, went to Tagonoura Beach with no idea what we had gotten ourselves into.

Our plan was to hike the entire day. We reached the summit of Fuji to see the sunrise.

Our plan after that was to somehow walk down the other side to a bus that would take us to a hotel.

Per tradition when climbing Mount Fuji sea to summit, we filled our water bottles with sea water before heading out so we could dump them out at the top.

In the process, Axel managed to completely soak both of his sneakers meaning every step of his hike would be slightly less comfortable.

This wasn’t a good omen for the beginning of our trek.

We followed a route map created by another sea to summit hiker from which started us out walking on town roads.

At 2 AM, we reached our final opportunity to stock up on supplies until reaching the 5th station, 7-11.

Past this convenience store we would be dipping into the woods for another 10 hours.

Needless to say, we bought all the chocolate bars our packs could hold.

Mizugazuka Park – the halfway mark

At noon, we came out of the forest into a big parking lot.

We had arrived at Mizugazuka Park.

This marked the halfway point of our journey.

Thirteen hours down, and only halfway… we were a bit behind schedule.

Hopefully we wouldn’t be too late to catch the sunrise.

There were picnic tables under an awning and a gift shop.

While we sat there munching happily on our chocolate bars, we heard a distinct and far-off sound that caught our attention.

Somewhere off in the distance thunder boomed ominously.

Ten minutes later we were in the middle of a heavy downpour.

Thankfully, under the protection of the snack shop’s awning, we ended up waiting an hour before the rain let up.

Hopefully it hadn’t made trails too muddy or slick.

Fujinomiya Trail – typical starting place

The afternoon turned to dusk as we hiked through the enchanted forest trails of Gotenniwa Nature Park.

Finally, we left the tree line behind and arrived at the 5th Station of the Fujinomiya Trail.

This is where most people start their Fuji hike, but we had already been walking for about 20 hours.

With spirits low and motivation waning, we bought more chocolate bars at the 5th Station Lodge and ate a very welcome instant noodle dinner.

By this point it was now dark, and at this altitude the temperature had dropped to around 12 degrees Celsius.

After changing into our cold weather gear and saying several desperate prayers for strength, we set out to climb Mt. Fuji like everyone else.

Ours was a typical Fuji night hike experience, if not slightly slower.

We would step uphill in the dark for about an hour until we reached one of the many mountain huts where we would take a break and eat more chocolate.

However, things got really difficult around 3000 meters in elevation.

It was midnight and Andy was complaining of a headache, nausea, and dizziness, all classic signs of altitude sickness.

All our energy levels were dangerously low having not slept since the morning of the previous day.

Despite our winter jackets, the now 4 degree (Celsius) temperature meant that if we stopped walking for long we would start shaking involuntarily.

Most of the final push for the summit is a blur, but I know somehow we made it up the final stretch to the peak.

After 27 hours of hiking over 50 kilometers up 3776 meters in elevation, we had done it.

Dumping out my water bottle full of undrinkable sea water at the peak, I felt a slight sense of accomplishment mixed with an overwhelming desire to go to bed.

After appropriate tired celebrations, we ambled back down, around the crater, and witnessed the most beautiful sunrise ever before hobbling down the Yoshida Trail to the bus that would take us to our beds. Communing with Nature In a Kimono

I can easily say it was the most physically demanding 27 hours of my life.

I would definitely recommend others considering climbing Mount Fuji to train beforehand, hike with friends, and bring a backpack full of chocolate bars and warm clothes.

Keep up with Andrew online:
http://www.twitter.com/andrewdmarston
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Andrew Marston is a graphic designer and wannabe YouTuber living in Nagoya, Japan with his wife and several house plants.

Updated: May 1st, 2019

Hoi An Vietnam ~ If you’ve been travelling through Vietnam for a while, arriving in Hoi An is like a breath of fresh air – this little city located smack dab in the middle of the country is the kind of place that feels like a town frozen in time.

Much of Hoi An’s charm lies in its colorful colonial streets and historic buildings that date hundreds of years back to a time when the port city was still known as Faifo.

History oozes from the city’s walls and it’s easy to spend hours wandering around as you soak it all in.

Here are a few reasons to love Hoi An:

Hoi An Vietnam Ancient temples and historic buildings

One of the more unique buildings found in Hoi An is the Japanese Covered Bridge located in the historic town center.

The Japanese bridge was built by the Japanese community in the early 1600’s and it still stands today.

When you cross this bridge you’ll notice that one side of the entrance is guarded by two monkey statues while the other is guarded by two dogs.

It is believed that this is because construction began in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the dog, but the truth is that it happened so long ago that no one can say for sure.

If you are interested in doing a lot of sightseeing in Hoi An, a good option might be to purchase special tourist ticket from the local information office in the center of town.

For $6 you’ll have access to any 5 museums, temples, assembly halls, traditional performances and workshops.

Biking around Hoi An Vietnam

The best way to explore the city center is to rent a bicycle for the length of your stay – get lost in the back alleys, cycle the length of the riverfront, and then cross over to An Hoi Island which hosts a fun night market in the evenings.

Another nice aspect about renting a bicycle is that you can take a few side trips to places like Tra Que (an organic herb village about 2 kilometers north of the city), or if you are craving some time at the beach, you can take your pick from An Bang beach or Cua Dai beach which are also a short bike ride away.

Vietnam Silk Lanterns

The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive in Hoi An are the beautiful silk lanterns adorning the buildings across town.

Their bright colors and patterns brighten up the streets while helping preserve some of the old world charm.

For those interested in taking some silk lanterns back home as souvenirs, there is the option of attending a lantern-making workshop in town, or if you’re not too crafty, you can purchase them from any of the gift shops.

Hoi An Vietnam Market life

Hoi An’s markets get going early in the day.

If you arrive at the Central Market shortly after sunrise, you’ll find vendors setting up along the waterfront by the Thu Bon River.

The market is a blur of fresh fruits and vegetables, live chickens and ducks, nuts and spices, and so much more.

The Central Market can get really busy by mid-morning, so expect to compete for walking space with motorbikes, bicycles, shoppers, and vendors swinging yokes full of produce.

Tailor shops

Hoi An is a city for shopping.

If you want to have clothes custom made for a fraction of the price you would pay back at home, then this is the place for you.

There are hundreds of tailor shops in Hoi An, so don’t be too quick to settle on one.

Browse the mannequins around town, flip through the catalogs in each shop, and if you still can’t find what you want, bring in a magazine or a sketch, and tailors will work with you.

Whether you’re looking for summer dresses, leather sandals, or a three-piece suit, you can have it made in Hoi An.

That’s Hoi An in a nutshell.

If you’re considering travelling through Vietnam, this little city should be one of the top spots on your itinerary!

Best cultural things to do in Central Vietnam

Vietnam is a country with a long history and a fascinating culture.

Just the fact that  there are as many as 1000 historical, cultural, and architectural sites which have been officially classified as “Heritage Sites” is reason alone to consider traveling to Vietnam.

To list all 1000 sites would make this post way too long, but …

Hue

Hue Vietnam

In Hue, you can pass through the Thahn Tan Hot Springs on the way to the picturesque Thuan An Beach.

They are around 13 kilometers from Hue itself and surrounded by woodland.

The idea is that you start off in the coolest waters and work your way up to the hottest.

You could also explore the Dai Noi (Imperial Citadel) which is almost like a historical monument in its own right.

In fact, the peaceful surrounds of this unique walled complex is absolutely unmissable and well worth a day of your time to explore.

Take a boat cruise down the Perfume River to see the seven Tombs of the Emperors – the lavish tombs of Vietnam’s last imperial family.

These elaborate resting places date from the late 19th or early 20th centuries and one of the most ornate both inside and out is the 1925 tomb of Khai Dinh.

Hoi An

Hoi An

It’s no surprise that pretty Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations.

It’s got a little bit of everything – fascinating history, great food, unparalleled shopping, top notch hotels and a beautiful beach to boot.

Make it here for the Full Moon and you’ll see the locals celebrate by switching off all its electrical lighting and making the town look beautiful by the light of thousands of lanterns.

If it’s relaxation you’re seeking, then check out the Zen Spa where you will receive traditional Vietnamese therapies.

Many of the hotels and resorts in Hoi An town, by the beach have some fantastic facilities.

The five star Fusion Maia, located between Hoi An and Da Nang is Asia’s first all-inclusive spa hotel, with the biggest spa complex in the region – definitely the best place to indulge yourself.

To get out and about, a lot of visitors hire bicycles or motorbikes in town and then cycle around the center and the surrounding area to really get down with the locals.

Exploring Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

From the beach, take a boat out to Cham Island for amazing snorkeling and diving opportunities, wandering through traditional rice paddies and explore archaeological sites.

Da Nang

Da Nang

Halfway between Hoi An and Da Nang are the romantically-named Marble Mountains.

A day trip into this area will reveal hidden cave entrances, numerous tunnels, and several Buddhist sanctuaries.

Those with energy to burn can climb up one of the peaks for a stunning panorama.

Da Nang and the coastline of the South China Sea have some of Vietnam’s most idyllic beaches.

In the town itself, visitors can discover the world’s finest collection of Cham sculpture at the Cham Museum and families can keep the kids happy the wet and wild Da Nang Water Park.

Bewitchingly beautiful and exotic, Vietnam’s Halong Bay lying in the Gulf of Tonkin offers a breathtaking variety of natural attractions, historical sites, scenic beaches and nearly 2000 islets and limestone karsts (landscapes recognizable by caves, sinkholes and drainage systems existing under the ground).

Caves and Grottoes

One of the more popular UNESCO World Heritage sites, Halong Bay is visited by travelers from all over the world each year who come to view enchanting grottoes sculpted by waves and winds, explore illuminated caves and hike in Cat Ba National Park.

From Europe you can easily fly to Vietnam from Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport; both of UK’s largest airports.

If you’re driving to Gatwick Airport make sure you explore official Gatwick Parking options for a great deal.

Bay of the Descending Dragon

ha long bay of the Descending Dragon

The name “Halong” literally means “Bay of the Descending Dragon” and originates from a legend that attributes the creation of Halong Bay to a great dragon that inhabited the mountains and dug out the crevasses, caves and valleys forming the bay with its enormous tail.

When the dragon finally died and fell into the sea, his body was so heavy that water rapidly immersed the area and left only island pinnacles visible.

Archaeological evidence indicates that prehistoric humans lived in Halong Bay approximately 20,000 years ago.

Currently, 1600 people reside in several separate fishing villages spread over this luscious northern Vietnam area.

Inhabiting unique floating houses, the people of Ha Long Bay sustain themselves by fishing and harvesting various marine animals (primarily molluscs) that live in the waters surrounding their villages.

When to Visit

The UNESCO World Heritage site’s climate is the most appealing in March, April, May and June, with warm, tropical winds, dazzling sunsets and calm weather conditions dominating the bay during these months.

Winter brings cooler temperatures, drizzle and heavy fog to Ha Long Bay while June, July and August is filled with stormy, rainy days and occasionally severe weather events.

Cat Ba and Bo Hon Islands

The most visited Ha Long Bay island is called Cat Ba, famous for its pristine national parks, impressive cave systems and for being home to the Golden-headed langur, an endangered primate that can be found sleeping in caves and foraging during the day.

In addition, Cat Ba Island offers swimming, colorful coral reef diving and grottoes.

Bo Hon Island attracts travelers who want to see the Virgin Cave, or “Hang Trinh Nu”, where a fascinating shrine has existed inside the cave for hundreds of years.

According to legend, this shrine is actually the body of a young woman who committed suicide when she was forced into an arranged marriage with a Chinese man.

After taking her own life, her body turned into the stone shrine that is still seen today.

Halong Bay is referred to as one of the seven wonders of the world and for good reason.

Visitors have access to one of the most resplendent systems of caves that were established during the Pleistocene era between three and 11 thousand years ago.

Most of these caves are beautifully illuminated by iridescent lights which intensifies the grandness of ancient stalactites descending from cave ceilings.

In addition to the natural beauty of Halong Bay, you can also enjoy the cuisine and culture coloring this lush area of north Vietnam.

Gat Gu (steamed rice pancake), sweet-tasting Tien yen chicken and chopped squid grilled to perfection!

Laos As We Travel Video Adventure

Laos was a crazy few weeks – we explored some amazing ethnic villages up in Luang Nam Tha.

Held on for dear life during over 30 hours of crazy bus trips up and down the steep mountains in northern Laos.

BUT worst of all was the fact that we lost over 400 gig and 2 months worth of film.

This was really hard to deal with, so we didn’t film for about a week while in Laos.

Once we arrived down south in Pakse we started filming again, and this episode is about our adventures down in Southern Laos.

Hope you enjoy! 🙂

Laos Explained Amazing Place to Visit

Many of the children in Laos were shy but very curious about tourists.

And we couldn’t get our eyes off them either, they are just so cute!

We spent about a month in Laos, traveling from the northern most part of the country in Luang Nam Tha all the way down to the 4000 islands in the south.

Just like the roads in Laos, our trip was an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs, but even though we have had a lot of unfortunate situations, Laos as a country was an amazing place to visit.

Here is what we think sums up Laos and what we will remember the most:

The Laos People…Laos people are genuine.

The kids are the cutest we have ever seen and the adults are very friendly.

The small conversations or smiles exchanged are the most precious things we will take away with us from this place.

The children were so curious, you couldn’t walk ten meters without someone saying hello, child or adult, especially in the smaller more remote villages.

Even though we stayed in shabby guesthouses we left loving the place because of its owners.

It’s not the land of smiles, but the people are SO real, they don’t put up an act for tourists at all but were genuine.

Laos Buses 

… are not meant to fit tall people.

After every bus ride it felt like we had shrunken a foot by just trying to squeeze our legs into the tiny gaps between the seats, and the beds in the night buses were half our length!

Of course we can understand this as there are no Lao people our height, but it was always a mission trying to survive those bumpy crazy bus rides.

The view from the bus window is strikingly beautiful and you’ll pass tribe villages along the way, but remember to drop your jaw behind a closed window!

For some reason the bus drivers seemed to prefer having all the windows open (even in air con vans), so bring a scarf to cover your mouth with because the roads are very dusty and you can get really sick from getting too much dust in your lungs (Sofia did…).

Laos Food…

… is something that we have mixed experiences about, but mainly it was all very good.

We had the best Indian curries ever in this country, and unlike Thailand – the Indian food here is really cheap, but the Lao food didn’t impress us too much, perhaps because we are vegetarian.

However, the French-inspired cuisine was really good.

It was a nice combination between French and Lao style food;

the baguettes and burgers were filled with typical Lao vegetables and Lao style omelette’s (you have to try the pumpkin burgers!).

In Vientiane, the capital city, there are a lot of western bakeries selling some of the best pastries and cakes we tried while in South East Asia, for a great price as well.

Laos Coffee

… Lao coffee was the best coffee We have ever had, anywhere.

Even without the condensed milk (how will we be able to live without it?) it was still sweet enough for a non-coffee drinker like us to finish in minutes.

The best coffee was found in the southern Laos, close to the coffee plantations.

Oh, and if you’re looking for the best banana fruit shake in SEA you will find it in the restaurant next to the Reggae bar on Don Det, it’s simply the best!

The Comfort…

…is a struggle to find.

To be brief and blunt, we’d go as far as saying that there is no such thing as comfort here.

This is something you have to expect and accept when in Laos.

Laos is not Malaysia or Thailand, Laos is Laos and the roads are full of crater like holes, the Wi-Fi is still non existent and the tourism is still pretty new.

This is part of the charm of Laos …

Laos Nature is spectacular

Never ending steep hills, winding dark red dirt roads, flowing rivers and rice fields.

The absolute best scenery we found was in the northern regions around Luang Namtha.

Vang Vieng had some incredible nature, with the steep limestone cliffs dipping its feet in the flowing river.

The 4000 islands was also a lushious place, one of those where you just lie in a hammock taking the views in for hours on end, watching the Mekond water change color throughout the day.

The Mindset…

… is for us quite fascinating.

In Laos, the concept of “same same” is more obvious than anywhere else.

Reclined seat and air con, or plastic chair in the aisle and open windows?

Cold water hose 50 meters away from the room or hot shower in attached bathroom?

“Same same!”, they say.

We loved it in a way, it shows how things don’t have to be complicated.

A seat is a seat, the point is that you get there, right? 😉

This boy in a tribe village in Laos was collecting rocks in his t-shirt.

Photo was taken in a rural village in Laos where I was amazed to find five year old children smoking huge tobacco pipes, and half finished coffins under every house.

Apparently, when the people in the village turn 50, they all start carving their own coffins to prepare for when they die…

Things I’ve Learned About Lao People While in Laos

This sweet girl was helping her mother selling snacks at the morning market.

I found the Lao people to be the most fascinating part of traveling through Laos.

I was happily surprised to see how rich their culture was and how so many people were still living according to their old traditions.

Laos is NOT known as the land of smiles, but the people here are still so special, and very genuine in their own way.

Below are 5 things that sum up my experience with the Lao people – and just to make sure, these are not facts but my own perception and experience from spending 3 weeks there.

Laos Men Are Very Homely

Something I found very refreshing was how much time the men spent at home and with their children.

It was a very common sight to see men of all ages carrying around babies on their backs and in their arms, feeding them, hushing them to sleep and just general baby sitting – without the mother in sight.

They really took time with their kids and gave them attention, playing with them.

They also seemed very interested in other people’s kids, always toddling with the babies when sharing a songtheaw (bus á la tuk tuk style) ride.

The Kids Are The Most Adorable I’ve Ever Met

These little people are just the sweetest!

Their doll faces and curious eyes are simply irresistible.

I’ve never met so many kids in a country who shyly whisper or loudly yell ‘hello’ to you from the street, river, moped or home.

They were so curious, and those who were brave enough – smiled, laughed and said hello to you over and over again until you were out of sight.

You cannot help but to smile and say hello back.

The Bus Drivers Have a Death Wish

When I mentioned the things I’ve learnt about Thai people someone asked why I didn’t mention the driving.

The Thai people are known for their careless driving, and the streets there were chaos, but at least the bus drivers had some common sense.

In Laos – they didn’t. 70 people in a 50 seat bus does not make sense, especially when you’re not using your breaks on the steep, windy mountain roads… Chickens and roosters on the road?

Who cares, they had it coming!

Feathers were constantly sweeping past our windows … travel around Laos really isn’t for the faint-hearted!

They Want To Avoid Any And All Confrontation

This lady sitting in her bamboo hut in Laos waved to us to come closer.

The way they wave in Laos is the complete opposite from in Europe, so at first we thought she was waving for us to go away, which was confusing because she had the biggest smile in her face.

It turned out that all she wanted was to give us one of her bananas.

The people are very gentle and kind in Laos, similar to the Thai people – but different.

It’s not the most obvious friendliness and they don’t take you in with open arms, they are more stand-offish.

However, if you gain a little bit of trust, you will see that they’re actually very friendly people.

They are also, like the Thai people, afraid of confrontations.

Sometimes it’s really refreshing, other times it’s really frustrating, especially when you just want to get a straight answer to a question.

Their way of dealing with it is usually to laugh it off as a joke – which makes for a pretty funny and confusing situation.

You might not get a straight answer, but you always leave with a confused smile on your face.

Women And Men Work Together

This is something that I find very rare around the world.

Usually women and men have their own places in which they work; but in Laos the roles are very mixed.

The men and women work together.

It’s not uncommon to see men standing in stalls cooking street food and banana pancakes, and women working the street as road workers.

Both women and men work on tea and coffee plantations, and they both take care of the family.

It seemed as though they did what they were best at, if the man cooked better food, he was the chef, and vice versa.

(photo credit: loic.schule – Stas Kulesh

The locals in Don Det were early birds, and already before sunrise the fires were burning by every household.

This kid was on his way to help mum with the fire. Gotta love the t-shirt 😉

Mini Guide To Laos Pakse and Bolaven Plateau

“I’d say from Vientiane and down to the 4000 islands – you can skip it all!”.

That was the opinion of a girl we met both in northern Laos and again down in the 4000 islands, and it’s the biggest joke I’ve ever heard.

If you don’t step off the highway 13 route, then yes she’s right, there isn’t much to see.

But if you just take a day to explore the Bolaven Plateau you’ll realize that there is so much of Laos that you would have missed if you wouldn’t have taken that step aside to check it out.

Laos is full of ethnic tribe villages and trekking, even down South.

I actually found the village people much more welcoming in the southern parts in ethnic and remote villages than in the north (but that is my own opinion).

This woman was doing great business at the morning market, selling the bright yellow flowers, Choy Sum, also known as Chinese Broccoli. They’re used in many meals in South East Asia, especially in Lao baguettes.

The Bolaven Plateau is really worth checking out, and now afterwards I wish I would have taken even more time to see it.

There are some great waterfall, and some really nice quiet villages along the Mekong river, as well as many fascinating minority villages where the people live a very different lifestyle and traditions which will blow your mind.

We visited a village known for smoking these gigantic bamboo water pipes (even the kids).

The men have up to 4 wives, and when you’re getting close to 50 years old you start carving your own coffin…

So before continuing down to 4000 islands, stop over in Pakse and do some day tours around the area.

It’s really worth it!

Another way to see the Bolaven Plateau is to hire a scooter for a day (or more, you might just want to stay the night in one of the villages – there are many guest houses around), so you can go at your own pace.

Pakse in Bloaven Plateau

If you’re keen to see Bolaven Plateau, a great way to do it is to simply base yourself in Pakse and make day trips around the Plateau.

If you decide to do it this way, here are some tips…

To me there was something sad about this picture and the man’s facial expression.

Perhaps he’s waiting for someone…

Where To Sleep in Pakse

Sabaidy 2 is the most popular place, so in high season don’t expect there to be any rooms available (it’s always worth a look though).

Rooms cost between 40 000 and 80 000 kip (5 and 10 dollars), and is one of the few guesthouses with WiFi.

Don’t panic if they are full, because there is a great guest house just around the corner from there called Phonesavanh Guesthouse (not the Hotel!), where the rooms and bathrooms are clean and nice.

Rooms cost between 40 000 and 55 000 kip.

Whenever we walked past our neighbors on Don Det, Laos – this pig of theirs was always – always, eating.

But you have to admit, it is kind of cute anyway, isn’t it… :p

Where To Find WiFi

At Phonesavanh Guesthouse there is no WiFi unfortunately (not many hotels and guesthouses seemed to have WiFi), but there is a cafe only 3 minutes away that has high speed Wifi and an internet cafe a minute away.

It’s called Katuad Cafe and is situated in the NE corner of Rt13 and 24th street.

The food isn’t very impressive, neither is the service (the girls were acting as though they were tipsy!), but they don’t complain if you just order a drink and sit there for the next 3-4 hours using the free wi-fi.

Where To Eat in Paske Laos

There is a great local eatery on the corner of Thanon 21 and 24, which is cheaper than the similar ones on the main road and serve better food.

For Indian/Malay food Nazim restaurant served amazing Indian food (cooked by an Indian chef).

Jasmine restaurant is on the first glance very similar, with same dishes at similar prices.

But they didn’t taste no way near as good in my opinion, and don’t visit their toilet before eating or you risk losing your appetite.

For Lao food, visit the Lankham Noodle House below the Lankham Hotel, it’s cheap and they serve traditional Lao food – it’s very popular both with locals and backpackers.

The basic baguettes are sold down the main street, but personally I would buy a baguette at a restaurant and ask for a take away – they give you more topping choices 😉

Chewing on bits of cut sugar cane is like a healthy chewing gum – as long as you spit it out once the juice is gone!

Where To Book Laos Tours

You can book a tour privately with a mini van driver, but chances are it will turn out more expensive as you then need to pay for for the entrance fees, and won’t get a guide on the tour.

You can also book tours via your guesthouse, but there are also a few travel agencies around town.

One is Pakse Travel & Air Service Office, which are a reliable agency with good drivers and guides.

So take your time, experience the real Laos, before moving on either up north to the capital of  Laos – Vientiane or down to the chill on Don Det in the 4000 islands.

Two girls in a small village in Laos. These tough girls in Laos were bored and cocky – and underneath it all, pretty charming.. 🙂

Things To Do In Vientiane Laos – A Mini Guide

Despite being the capital of Laos, Vientiane doesn’t have much to brag about

most people try not to get stuck here, but for different reasons, many people pass through and stay for a night or two.

Fortunately, it’s quite a nice place to find yourself in.

So whether you come by to wait for a visa to process, or just to rest your bum from bumpy bus rides before heading out on the road again, here is a short guide on how to spend that day and things to do in Vientiane.

Pha Tat Luang

The golden temple is Laos most important national symbol, both for Lao authority and Buddhism.

It’s a beautiful temple to visit, especially in the afternoon when the sun makes it even more golden.

It’s 4km out of the city (northeast), so you can either walk (!), bike or take a share tuk tuk to get there.

Laos Parks

Once it has cooled down outside, head over to the new fancy park “Chao Anouvong Park” by the riverside and hang out under the shade reading a book or playing cards.

The park is brand new and really nice, they’re just finishing up the final touches.

It’s a very attractive place to chill for a bit, there are some street stalls along the path and ice cream shops on the other side of the street.

If you come in the morning or in the evening when the weather is a little cooler, you can have a try at the work out machines they provide in the park for free.

It’s pretty popular with the locals so on weekends you won’t have the place to yourself, but it’s a great place for people watching 😉

It was one of our favorite things to do in Vientiane when we traveled by.

This looked just like “Sweeny Todd’s” own Barber shop in Vang Vieng.

Maybe drunk young tourists are easier to fool…

Shopping in Laos

A way to escape the midday heat is to do some shopping in the Talat Sao shopping mall.

It’s not the biggest, or the cheapest, but good enough for a bit of shopping and a stroll around the place – besides, if you’ve been out all day it’s a good place to cool down.

Everything in South East Asia is similar to the west, just a little more…graphic.

I like it, it makes you see what you actually buy.

Places To Eat in Laos

Grab some dinner at Taj Mahal restaurant, they have the best Indian in town and at some really good prices. Definitely worth the walk.

You’ll find it at Namphu area, right behind the cultural hall.

Nazim is another Indian restaurant located by the river, they make nice meals, nothing like Taj Mahal but still a nice place if you want to sit close to the river.

Full Moon Cafe and The Shade are two other restaurants at Francois Nginn Rd for those who want something closer to the central areas.

Another place I just have to mention is the Scandinavian Bakery.

Scandinavian pastries and cookies are some of the tastiest things ever, and this place make as good ones as any place in Scandinavia.

In general there are a lot of bakeries around Vientiane, both Lao style and Western style.

Drinking & WiFi

In the evening, hang out at one of the few bars along the riverside, or have a fruit shake or ice coffee at the awesome Aroma Café.

It has some great coffee and shakes, and is one of the few places that offer free high speed WiFi, if you feel a need to get connected.

You’ll find it on Francois Nginn Rd, it’s the cafe of the hotel Lotus.

If you’re as crazy about fruit shakes as us, head over to rue Samsenthai and visit House of Fruit Shakes; the drinks are blended to perfection and only cost 6000 kip (0.7$)!

Laos Hotels

There aren’t a huge amount of choices if you want to stay close to the riverside, but there are definitely a few worth checking out.

Francois Nginn Rd has quite a few guest houses.

I can recommend Youth Inn 2 (further down the street from the original one), which has clean rooms, private bathroom for an ok price (60 000 kip/7$).

It’s one of the very few places that has free WiFi, although it’s a slow one.

Hopefully this will help you enjoy all the things to do in Vientiane.

If you plan to stay longer, I suggest you do a little cafe run and check out all of the amazing bakeries and coffee shops in the city!

(Photo credit: dalbera – Mat Honan)

Luang Prabang And The Monk Paparazzi

note: The photos and videos we took really showed the craziness of it all, but since we lost everything we can’t show you.

These photos are not our own, but still give you an idea of what it was like, although the crowds of tourists seem to have more than doubled since they were taken!

After the bumpiest 8 hour bus ride of my life from Luang Nam Tha – we finally arrived in Luang Prabang, Laos.

The dusty ride had been awful, yet one of the most amazing ones I’ve experienced.

We drove through the most scenic nature of Laos, passing countless of ethnic villages and tribes along the way, stopping on and off in a few.

High up in the mountain range in the middle of nowhere – girls dressed in traditional clothing and hats with bells and jewelry hanging like a shade over their faces were playing ball in the road;

Women were showering from a bamboo pipe collecting water from the forest, and 5 year old kids were taught how to chop the grass for their roofs with machete knives – it was a pretty crazy sight.

We had spent a few days in northern Laos – Luang Nam Tha to be exact – biking through these ethnic villages and had gotten a good glimpse of what Laos was about.

We were, however, looking forward to visit the tourist hub of Luang Prabang.

We had heard of the ‘incredible’ morning alms, and were keen to see what all the fuss was about.

We had decided not to take part in the ceremony but to see it from a distance.

The morning alms is not meant to be a tourist attraction, and since we’re not Buddhists we felt it was strange to take part.

It turns out, nobody else felt that way.

From where we stood there was a 50 meter long carpet laid out for people from where they would hand over some sticky rice to the passing monks.

The whole 50 meters was packed with one big tourist group, all provided with a basket of rice by their guide, taking photos of each other half an hour before the monks even arrived.

This was just the beginning. If this is where things ended, fine. But once it got light, and the 200 monks appeared, people went crazy.

The many precautions one had been told about the morning alms such as no camera flashes, no walking in front of the monks, women sit down etc – was all forgotten.

The monks were not treated like rock stars, but more like a passing tourist attraction, something very inhuman.

There was a huge crowd surrounding the monks, running after them, trying to get that close up of their faces.

Next to the monks were kids running along carrying big cardboard boxes, picking up the leftovers that the monks didn’t want, begging for some rice..

I must say, the monks didn’t look like they were enjoying their ceremony – at all!

They were all very young, and it was almost as though they were running to get away.

What surprised me was that there really wasn’t anything special about these alms; they do the same thing all across Laos, but in smaller groups.

It was worth a look just to see how bananas the tourists got, but I must admit, it’s easy to get sucked in.

I’m not completely innocent, I was there and therefore part of the problem.

There is I guess, one good thing coming out of this; a very good mental practice for the monks.. 😉

The next morning we were up at 5 o clock again to catch a bus down to Vang Vieng.

Walking down a small side street in the pitch dark, we suddenly saw a long line of bright orange robes coming towards us.

Along the street were quite a few locals waiting for them with their baskets of rice.

These monks were much older than the ones from the previous day and walked in a nice slow pace, taking time for each local to give them their alms.

This was a whole different group, up earlier before the tourist, taking complete different route… not a single flash camera around, we stood enjoying the tradition before moving on.

Want To See The Morning Alms In Peace?

The morning alms is something special to witness, and I would definitely recommend seeing one, but not taking part in it, and perhaps not the one in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang is not the only place, they do the morning alms every day all over Laos.

Just get up nice and early, walk the streets and you’re likely to find them walking there as well…

Tuol Sleng Phnom Penh, Cambodia

After our up and down trip through Laos – we headed down to Cambodia and to the capital of Phnom Penh.

Cambodia has had a really dark and painful recent history, so while in Phnom Penh we decided to visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

Tuol Sleng was a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge communist regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979.

Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia

After the sadness and pain of what we witnessed at Toul Sleng in Phnom Penh, we were excited to head up to Siem Reap and explore one of the biggest and amazing temple areas in the world – the famous Angkor Wat.

Nothing apart from visiting Angkor Wat can really give it justice – the crowds, all the temples, the amazing sunset which we experienced alone … it was a really amazing, and tiring day.

famous Angkor Wat sunrise

I “Heart” Siem Reap, Graffiti Art In Cambodia

5 Things I’ve Learnt About Cambodian People While In Cambodia

Our visit to Cambodia was an interesting experience.

I never really managed to get a grip of the country, I was confused, to say the least.

Sometimes I didn’t like it at all, other times I felt like I could easily settle down there for a longer time.

Cambodia was to me a country full of contradictions, and although I was happy to leave I would like to return again some time to see more. In the end, these are the travel experiences that I treasure the most.

The country made me love it and hate it at the same time.

These feelings are hard to write down or to explain to others, and often I can’t quite point out exactly what made me feel so great or bad about a place.

But here are some impressions that for me sum up a bit about the Cambodian people:

Women Wear Pajamas All Day Long

Really, it’s not a pajama-looking outfit, they actually are real pajamas with teddy bears and everything.

They wear it as casual outfits, and not just at home but sometimes even at work on the street.

When they dress up, they wear the most amazing outfits.

There was a wedding in a village we stayed, and for some reason most of the men seemed to stay at home or at the shop while their wifes went to the wedding – they looked absolutely stunning.

They Eat Anything!

Thick, juicy fried spiders in broth?

No?

How about some cockroaches?

This is no joke, no tourism stall for eager people to try disgusting things – this is real.

Deep fried tarantulas is a common snack all over Cambodia on the streets in small villages and markets in Phnom Pehn.

I’m not just talking about yucky things when I say they eat anything, it’s things like empty, plain baguettes:

I’ve never seen plain baguettes without any topping being so commonly consumed and enjoyed as much as here.

They Speak English Very Well

I was surprised to see how many people spoke English so well, some even spoke with an Australian or American accent!

Kids, tuk tuk drivers and random people, they all spoke English really well in the cities.

Their Humor Is So Innocent And Free

Nathan was wearing broken glasses (better than nothing when it’s that sunny) on a bus from Laos to Cambodia, and no-one noticed until we crossed over into Cambodia, then a few 20-something guys on the bus noticed and thought it was SO funny – they couldn’t stop looking, and laughed for like 15 mins!

This was one of many situations in which we found Cambodians laughing at things we in the West wouldn’t at all consider funny – it was as though they had the same humor as an 8 year old – which I think was so great to see.

That freedom to just let go, be curious and laugh at anything was one of the best things about the Cambodian people, and it’s something which I think is lacking in the West.

Cambodia Has Not Recovered But The People Move On

I didn’t realize how little I knew about Cambodia until I got here.

I thought I knew more than I did, and seeing how the country has far from recovered from the horrific recent history was difficult to deal with.

The people have been betrayed from so many different sides, both from their own people as well as others.

The impact from the land mines was sad to witness, and so was Tuol Sleng.

But despite the fact that the criminals behind the Khmer Rouge still haven’t faced any consequences for their actions, and despite the fact that 45 people died from old land mines in 2010 – the people seem to want to leave it all behind – and forget…

Despite all the terrible things done to these people, they still put up such a bright face.

They smile and laugh often, but the ways they dealt with confrontation made me wonder.

Are they suppressing it?

While we were there the Thailand/Cambodia border started shooting at each other and people were killed on both sides.

Our tuk tuk driver told us the same night, in a very strange way.

He laughed about it, nervously, so we had to ask him if he was telling us the truth – he was serious for a moment, but then he smiled and laughed again.

I wanted to ask more, but it was obvious that he didn’t want to talk about it.

Vietnam

Why wouldn’t you want to go help out in a country that will welcome you with a glass of ruou ran (rice wine with a pickled snake inside) and where potbelly pigs are considered pets?

There’s also a god dedicated to the kitchen and a lot of motorbikes to hop onto, if that first couple of facts didn’t grab your attention.

On top of the above (and a lot of cashews and coffee beans), there’s plenty of chances to experience this slice of Asian paradise as you make a positive difference.

From education to infrastructure, Vietnam is a prime candidate for hard work and easy relaxation.

We’re not sure if the “S” shape of Vietnam stands for Super, Spellbinding, or Sensational, but any pick is a good guess.

Social development is a particularly active field, with the disabled needing most of your attention.

The aftermath of Agent Orange’s mental and physical destruction are still seen daily, and there are plenty of options to get involved.

The country’s rapid social growth and increase of Street Kids also leads to a need of volunteers in orphanages and classrooms, where a friend is even better than a teacher.

With low wages and without a free education system, your participation in a community school project will offer a future to children that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to leave the house with a backpack every morning.

Updated: May 1st, 2019

Life Lessons from Climbing Adam’s Peak In Sri Lanka – 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.

Life Lessons from Climbing Adam’s Peak In Sri Lanka

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Places To Visit In Sri Lanka – Exploring The Hill Country

Sri Lanka’s hill country is unbelievably beautiful, with lush green forest, abundant wild life, tea plantations and countless waterfalls.

Exploring the hill country of Sri Lanka is a must when visiting the country, and here are some of the best places to start with.

Kandy – Gateway To The Hill-Country

Kandy is the cultural and spiritual capital of Sri Lanka, with some of the country’s most important temples like the Temple of the Tooth, a nice lake, and a bustling local market.

There are lots of restaurants and bakeries in Kandy that are worth exploring, and some great hotels (many of them are perched on top of hills with incredible views), making this city a good base for excursions to the cultural triangle.

The only thing we didn’t like about Kandy was how many people try to hustle you to visit their shops, all with identical routines – so be on your guard!

Ella – Walking Among Nature

Ella is a tiny little village in a large, stunning area which is easy to explore on your own.

Go for a morning walk up to what is locally nicknamed as “Little Adam’s Peak” for the beautiful views, then check out the tea plantation which you walk through on the way back down, visit a waterfall or take a longer hike up to Ella Rock.

Ella is all about the views and being close to nature.

Everywhere you go in the hill country of Sri Lanka, you’ll see jungles, hills, and tea plantations.

While in Malaysia you have to seek them out, here you simply stumble upon these beautiful velvet-looking fields.

When you’re back in the little village again, make sure you try the buffalo curd with treacle at the Curd Shop.

Favorite snack in the hill-country region.

Nuwara Eliya – Little England

Nuwara Eliya is a strange place, there is no other way to describe it.

With typical British climate and British architecture to top it off, you feel like either you or the town is out of place.

The city center is a boring concrete block, but the outskirts have houses and buildings that are almost more British than Britain itself.

The buildings all give the impression of a glamorous past, one which has faded.

And while time has passed and the world has changed, life in and around these buildings are still stuck in the 1920’s England.

Embrace it, have your tea on the porch or in the garden, and then explore the tea plantations surrounding the area.

Pedro’s Tea Estate is close and cheap to get to (800 rupee/6 dollars both ways and the driver will wait for as long a you need).

You can pay for a tour around the Sri Lanka tea factory if you like, but walking among the cordial-looking hills of tea plants is definitely the highlight.

The plantation has some beautiful views overlooking the lake, and you can watch the workers skillfully picking tea leaves from the bush.

Dalhousie (Adams Peak) – Pilgrimage

There is only one reason to visit the small village hidden deep into the hills and mountains of the hill-country:

To climb Adam’s Peak, the most famous pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka.

The 9 kilometers long climb up the steps to the top of the hill is not easy, especially not in heavy rain.

Which we had to climb in, or at 3 am in the morning.

So make sure you bring good shoes, energy, and clothes to fit the weather (it’s freezing at the top)!

Many people are intrigued to climb the peak to see the amazing sunrise and views from the top, but what is really the most incredible and mind blowing part of the journey is the climb, together with thousands of pilgrims of all ages, struggling to the top.

It’s a sacred site for Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Hindus, which makes it a very special place.

The area surrounding Dalhousie is very beautiful, with at least a dozen of powerful waterfalls, lush tea plantations and an old stone church on the road from Hatton which is worth checking out.

Updated: May 1st, 2019

Budget Friendly Travel Hacks For Visiting 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…Budget Friendly Travel Tips For Visiting Sri Lanka

Here are 5 budget friendly travel Hacks for visiting Sri Lanka

Eat Where The Locals Sri Lanka 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 and favorite Sri Lanka drinks.

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.

Take The Sri Lanka 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.

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.

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.

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.

Theva Residency – A Haven In Kandy! Overview

As the bright red three-wheeler slowly made its way up the steep hill, we left the noisy, bustling city of Kandy behind to stay at Theva Residency

A boutique hotel catering for people looking for pure relaxation and an amazing view.

We were exhausted after climbing Adam’s Peak the day before, so Theva Residency was exactly what we needed.

A place to relax and rejuvenate, leaving all our troubles behind and just enjoy.

The hotel clings to the hillside, blending in with the surrounding nature, almost as though it was part of it.

When stepping through the door to our suite on the top floor, we were in awe:

the view from the spacious windows was spectacular.

The city, the nature, the surrounding hill tops and a temple with a huge white sitting buddha on top of a hill, could all be seen from our bedroom.

It was the kind of view that makes you feel like you own the world.

The Food

The food served in the restaurant was superb, with an interesting choice of dishes.

Having a big sweet tooth, the desserts on the menu seemed too good to resist, so I decided for a selection of home made ice creams to have as a pre-course.

The breakfast was delicious and very filling, with a range of cakes and pastries, home made jams, a variety of egg dishes, and a scrumptious fruit salad.

The perfect way to start the next day.

Location

The hotel is situated on Hantana mountain, and while it feels like you’re a world away from Kandy, it’s only about 2 km to the city center, making it a wonderful place to be based.

The Hotel

There are 10 rooms in Theva Residency, and we stayed in the Suite on the top floor.

Our room was spacious and bright, with large panoramic windows, and its very own jacuzzi hot tub.

All the rooms at Theva have high-speed WiFi, TV and DVD player (with loads of movies to watch) and are designed using natural materials like wood, stone, pure cotton and linen.

After some time in the hotel’s sauna or sunbathing on the deck,  you can cool off in the infinity pool with the most amazing views.

We would definitely recommend this place for your next stay in Kandy – the unbeatable views, and the wonderful hospitality of the staff  made for a memorable visit to Kandy.

Places To Visit In Sri Lanka – Exploring The Coast

Sri Lanka’s coast line is among some of the most beautiful we’ve seen, and we really wish we could have stayed there much longer.

There are many amazing beaches south of Colombo.

With spice gardens and turtle sanctuaries to visit along the way.

There are so many places to visit in Sri Lanka that it would take you months to see everything, despite the small size of the country.

Sri Lanka is famous for being the place where many beach and sunset postcards and ‘desktop screen savers’ are taken – and by visiting the beaches you’ll see why …

The general vibe of the beach towns is very relaxed and laid back, making you feel like there is not a worry in the world.

In other words, a perfect vacation destination.

Here are three great places to visit in Sri Lanka along the coast…

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a laid back beach town with a lively main road and a beautiful long beach lined with guesthouses and restaurants.

It was one of our favorite places to visit in Sri Lanka for both good swimming as well as nice restaurants.

During high season it’s a good beach for beginners who would like to try surfing, while in the off season the waves get quite big, making it a popular place for professional surfers.

There are parts of the beaches where you can swim in calm waters and even go snorkeling (and swim with turtles!) in the reef.

We spent our days in Hikkauwa surfing, swimming and getting acquainted with all the different Sri Lankan food – and before we knew it almost a week had gone past!

Galle

There is a quiet calm over the streets in Galle Fort.

Locals half sitting, half lying down in chairs under ceiling fans, children playing cricket on the porches.

There is not a sign of stress anywhere to be seen.

We joined the rest of the locals in the little area, and sat for hours in cafes with a pot of tea, talking to our table neighbors and the waiter, feeling no need to leave any time soon.

A light ocean breeze sweeps through the streets every now and then, making it possible to explore the town without fainting from the heat.

Old colonial European-style houses line the streets, painted in bright colors with Hibiscus flowers hanging over the walls and from the balconies of the long and narrow buildings.

In the old days you had to pay tax on the width of your home, which resulted in people building narrow homes and instead extending in length – these houses remain to this day.

Quaint little tea houses and art galleries are scattered around the town, next to gem boutiques and antique shops.

Galle is often included as one of the places to visit in Sri Lanka and is also a good base to explore the nearly beaches by bus or three-wheeler during the day.

Unnawatuna

Unnawatuna is a more quiet beach town without the hectic main road of Hikkaduwa, where the water is calm and clear, and where your hotel is located quite literally in the water.

This is one of those places to visit in Sri Lanka where you go for pure relaxation, with palm trees hanging over the waterfront providing a nice shade, and three-wheeler drivers waiting to take you on day excursions to turtle sanctuaries and spice gardens.

Having breakfast at the beach with the waves touching your feet is a lovely way to start the day.

How A Tsunami Evacuation Connected Us With The Locals

How A Tsunami Evacuation Connected Us With The Locals. We had just arrived in the sleepy beach town of Hikkaduwa in Sri Lanka, and crashed on the bed exhausted after a long day of traveling from Colombo and taking one of the many cheap international flights from Germany.

“Are you shaking the bed?” Nathan suddenly asked me.

I wasn’t, but I could feel the whole ground slightly shaking under me.

As I looked around the room I noticed that the mirrors were shaking too.

Thousands of miles across the ocean, we could feel the vibrations from the massive earthquake which had just struck the coast of Indonesia.

We didn’t think much more of it at the time, until one of the local travel agents asked Nathan if he had heard anything about a tsunami coming.

At first we thought it was some kind of bad joke, but as we checked out Twitter Search, the newsfeed was going crazy.

Nobody really knew what to think, believe or do.

Hikkaduwa had been badly damaged from the tsunami in 2006, so this warning was not something people there took lightly.

We had two options:to risk it and stay, or to evacuate and seek higher ground.

Ten minutes later we had packed a small bag of the most necessary things, and walked out on the street.

The laid back main street had suddenly turned into a ghost town, the shops were closed and the streets empty from people – most of the locals had already left.

We didn’t want to waste any time, and so we simply looked on a map for a village that seemed far away enough in-land and told the driver to take us there.

At first the driver laughed when we told him where we wanted to go, but then he suddenly got a serious look on his face and agreed to take us there for almost nothing, perhaps he had realized the danger and wanted to get out of there as well.

Shortly after we left, the whole town was forced to evacuate.

Once he had dropped us off we realized why he had laughed.

We found ourselves in the middle of nowhere in a tiny country village which probably no tourists ever visited as there was no reason to go there.

I’ve never been stared at so much in my life!

We walked up and down the main road (the only road there), trying to find somewhere we could wait and follow the news.

But there were no restaurants or hotels to be found anywhere.

We finally found a tiny eatery with a small TV that was hardly working, and sat down to wait, we asked the boy serving us if there was a hotel around, but he shook his head apologetically. 

Having no idea what to do next, we started walking again …

Five minutes later the boy from the restaurant caught up with us on his bicycle, and with a low and slightly shy voice said that if we wanted to we could stay the night with him and his family.

It was only our second day in Sri Lanka, and already we were experiencing the kind-ness and hospitality that the Sri Lankan people are so famous for.

The boy’s family took us in with open arms, arranged a bed for us to sleep in and made a huge effort to make us feel at home in their house, serving us a wonderful dinner in their lounge.

In the evening, the tsunami warning was cancelled.

But with the warm hospitality coming from this family we ended up staying the night and spent the rest of the evening hanging out with them.

Talking about everything and nothing, watching movies and getting an amazing insight into the lives of the people of the country.

There is no doubt that uncertain events like these bring people together, and as we parted the next day we had made some great new friends and exchanged email with a promise to visit again next time we traveled to Sri Lanka …Delicious Must-Try Drinks in Sri Lanka

Updated: May 1st, 2019

Melaka – 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 in Melaka

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.

Melaka is 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 Malaysia.

Melaka Malaysia

Because of Melaka’s interesting history, with Dutch, British 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 in Melaka Malaysia

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?

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia City Guide

Kuala Lumpur, a city where everything is crazy in the most structured way you can imagine.

hard to put a finger on what this city really is simply because it’s such a big mixture of everything.

The city is similar to much of their food style – inspired from all countries in Asia thrown into one pot, so what do you do in Malaysia?

Kuala Lumpur has really focused on two big pleasures of life – Shopping and Food.

You could probably spend a whole week in Kuala Lumpur never stepping your foot outside the malls.

It often feels like as soon as you step out of the tram you step into another mall.

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Twin Towers

Start the morning by visiting the Petronas Towers, the second largest building in the world.

It’s a beautiful building even on the outside, as is the shopping mall inside, Suria KLCC.

If you want you can even take a walk on the sky bridge which is the highest bridge between any towers in the world.

Travel to Kuala Lumpur

You can get free tickets if you get there first thing in the morning, the counter opens at 8am so be there then or at least 8.30.

On your ticket it says what time you should be able to come back and allowed to walk on the tower, but you won’t be allowed to go up right after getting the ticket.

There are normally massive crowds there on a daily basis!

Shopping in Kuala Lumpur

The shopping mall in the twin towers was just a preview for what is coming up.

Kuala Lumpur has 66 shopping malls to spend your cash. Some of them are really beautiful inside and there are often happenings going on in the malls, all from fat-loss beauty competitions to the new exclusive watch shows.

In Kuala Lumpur we noticed how many of the women put effort into matching everything they wore:

The shoes with the bag with the dress with the scarf etc.

But these three women sure take the price:

Not only did they match their outfits with each other, they matched it with the shopping mall they were going to!

There is not a chance you will be able to visit all the shopping malls, but take a visit to Lot 10 (beautiful architecture inside), Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Star Hill Gallery, KL Plaza, Pavilion and Berjaya times Square (HUGE).

Shopping in the Golden triangle is easy as the shopping malls are so close to each other, you can walk out of a mall and into another in a matter of seconds.

Grab a bite to eat at Jalan Alor

After some shopping you might want to sit down and rest your feet while having a nice lunch.

Food is the most important thing for Malaysians, and thanks to the variety of cultures here, you will find the food choices are many.

Jalan Alor, a street in the middle of the Golden Triangle has countless of food stalls and restaurants where you can choose whatever you like to eat.

Kuala Lumpur Independence Square

Visit the Independence square (Dataran Merdeka) where Malaysia’s independence was declared in 1957.

Right in front of the impressive Sultan Abdul Samad building, and other historical buildings such as the old railway station and the St. Mary Cathedral which is over a hundred years old.

It’s quite nice with the fountain and the flag poles lined up along the square.

Kuala Lumpur Authentic Feel in Kampung Baru

Have an authentic Malay dinner in Kampung Baru.

This area has a very authentic Malay feel to it, and since the area is trying to stand against the modern developments in the city they have preserved the traditional Malay style, and among traditional houses and clothing there is also a lot of typical Malay food to find here.

Here you will get a good insight in the traditional Malay culture.

Bargains in Chinatown

Walk through China Town and bargain some fake copies or try the street food.

Do some shopping along the night market in Jalan Petaling.

Here the shopping is completely different from what you experienced in the fancy shopping mall earlier this morning.

What’s amazing isn’t the stuff they sell, but the contradiction and the sudden changes in the city, which you can also find while walking through Indian Town.

Party hard in Bukit Bintang

Unless your feet are tired from the busy day, you can go and enjoy the busy night life in Jalan Bukit Bintang, a street full of pubs, clubs, open air cafes, street performances etc. Everything you need for a good night out!

For me this photo represents the good and evil – Nature’s gift – and Kit Kat…

Kit Kat, produced by Nestlé, is a company responsible for the diminishing forest and soon to be extinct Orangutans in Borneo, Malaysia.

They destroy the native forest, make it impossible for the native animals and tribe people to survive in the new desert of only Palm Oil trees.

Roomorama In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Admiring the most iconic building in Kuala Lumpur – the Petronas Towers, while at the same time floating on your back in an infinity pool, just doesn’t make any sense – it simply would be too good to be true.

Or, so we thought… 

While searching for an apartment in Kuala Lumpur, we managed to find an unbelievable place to stay, right opposite the famous Twin Towers in the middle of the city.

We stayed for 3 nights at Marc Residence, a luxury apartment complex which offered everything you could want:

Two large pools (one literally with a view of the Petronas Towers), a tennis court, fully equipped gym, sauna, reading room with free wifi, mini mart, laundry and a cafe.

Booking online with Roomorama went really smoothly: you find a place you want, send an inquiry to the host, and if it’s available, the host will get back to you and offer you the place.

If it is unavailable, or if you simply want to make it easier for yourself, you can use the “Shout Out” feature.

Where you add the city you’ll be visiting, the dates, number of guests, and write a short message.

This message will be sent off to all the hosts in the city you’ll be visiting, who can then get back to you with their offers.

Sometimes you meet the host before moving in, but often the host arranges everything so that this isn’t necessary.

We picked up the keys from the concierge at the reception, and once we had moved into the studio apartment, we sent the host a “payment code” so that she could collect the money.

It is a very safe system, preventing hosts from taking the money before the guests have checked in and made sure that everything is fine.

Our experience with Roomorama was great as always, and anyone looking for apartments with that extra flair and a great location should look into using Roomorama for their next trip.

The Nest Guesthouse In Kuala Lumpur REVIEW

Centrally located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, you’ll find The Nest Guesthouse, one of the top rated B&B’s in the city.

The reason why people like this place so much, is simple:

Owners have truly understood what it takes to make their guests feel comfortable and enjoy their stay.

“One of the most important things about a good guesthouse, is the vibe” says Lupo, one of the owners.

When you enter the guesthouse you immediately leave the busy, chaotic streets of KL behind and feel right at home.

The lounge has a nice vibe with comfy couches where you can watch movies, read magazines, and meet other travelers.

The bedrooms are bright and spacious, and the common kitchen with free tea/coffee and breakfast, is immaculately clean.

But what made us really appreciate this place was the small things that other guesthouses in Asia, and anywhere for that matter, often tend to miss:

Cleanliness, the modern designs, and the attention to small details – such as the aromatherapy shower gel in the bathrooms and the super fast high-speed wifi throughout the building.

For those who don’t have laptops there are two computers in the lounge you can use for free.

The location is great, tucked away on a smaller street in a neighborhood with heaps of great restaurants, bars, shopping malls and street markets nearby.

It’s a great guesthouse at a good price, in a location close to almost everything, and we would definitely stay at the Nest Guesthouse again next time we visit KL.

Changes In Kuala Lumpur

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, things didn’t seem to have changed that much.

It had been two years since we were there last time, so after spending some time in Southern Thailand we decided to head down to Malaysia to see what had changed.

We went to the same hostel we had stayed at last time, and everything was still the same.

We went to India street, and found the same restaurants which looked the same as last time.

The only thing that seemed to have changed was the old graffiti tag on a wall, which was now half painted over