Stupafied: Indonesias Beautiful Borobudur
Sitting on a stone block on the top terrace of Borobudur temple, watching members of an Indonesian school group photograph each other beside statues of the Buddha, it was hard to believe that for centuries the site had been abandoned and largely forgotten beneath volcanic ash. The huge stone structure – its square base measures 123m along each […]
Meet in Indonesia
Bali Bali never fails to warm the hearts of visitors. As soon as you step off the plane, the island’s colourful sights, aromatic smells and people’s gentle smiles conjure up an indescribably magical aura. As one of the world’s most exotic and diverse destinations, Bali boasts an impressive range of international-standard meeting facilities, award-winning hotels […]
Secrets Of Mindoro
The mere mention of Mindoro conjures images of Puerto Galera and Apo Reef in most people’s minds. But, is there anything beyond these popular places that is worth discovering?After spending three days in and around San Jose, the gateway to Occidental Mindoro, the answers came to me. Think of discovering unspoiled beaches, serene island retreats, […]
Attractions in Philippines
Manila Life is intense in Manila where visitors will find an unmatched choice of restaurants, entertainment venues, good hotels, large shopping malls and cultural attractions. Filipinos love to have fun and are excellent entertainers. Difficult to resist then a show or a concert in the metropolis! History aficionados will find beautiful museums such as the […]
Cordillera In The Mist
One weekend, a friend and I packed our bags for a trip to the northern mountains. Our plan was simple: from Manila, we would tackle the Cordillera loop, entering via Baguio en route to the Mountain Province and exiting through Banaue town in Ifugao. Traffic on the main route to Baguio was surprisingly light on […]
Gone Native In Ormoc
A bamboo raft, more like a floating cottage really, glides serenely on the dark water of the guitar-shaped Lake Danao, cited as the Cleanest Inland Body of Water in Region 8 for three consecutive years. There are no motorized vehicles of any kind allowed here, so the stillness is only broken up by bird calls, […]
Dos & Don’ts in Thailand
Do Do learn to greet properly people with the traditional wai (the hands positioned on or below the nose depending on whom the wai it is addressed to). Do take off shoes when entering a person’s home or a religious site. Do bow slightly when passing in front of or between people conversing as an […]
Tempting the Taste Buds: Eating Your Way Through Bangkok
There’s something about a visit to Bangkok that can transform you. You arrive not knowing galangal from a cheaplu leaf. You can’t even pronounce gai hor bai toey, let alone know what it is. And yet, by the time you leave, dried chili, lemongrass, and kaffir lime are your friends, and you know how to […]
Rice Dreams: Southeast Asias Stunning Terraces
It is a sight to take your breath away: row after row of human-built terraces snaking along the contours of a valley, bright green before harvest or starkly barren afterwards. The planting and harvesting are often done by hand or with simple tools, making the view even more photogenic. Although the result is remarkably beautiful, […]
Meet in Brunei
Brunei Muara Brunei Muara district is located in the northern part of the country. Despite being the smallest of Brunei’s four districts, it is the most populated as it includes Bandar Seri Begawan, the Sultanate’s capital city with a population of over 100,000. It is the seat of all Brunei administration, from ministries to departments, […]