As we approach Halloween, let’s move away from sundrenched beaches and ancient temples and take a trip into the heartbreak and despair of ‘dark tourism’.
Remembering the macabre past of a country is important to understand where that country is today, to educate ourselves and learn from past mistakes.
Here are our suggestions for grisly but necessary places to visit:
From ancient kingdoms and legendary heroes to mythical creatures and ethereal ghosts, Asia is steeped in local legends.
Many of these myths were born from civilisations responsible for creating art, monuments and feats of engineering, the likes of which we struggle to comprehend today. So let’s ask the question – did they really have to rely on stories that existed in their imaginations only, or were they based on true events…
So many people pass through Phnom Penh on their way to Siem Reap, but it’s worth lingering a while in this former French colony. With the perfect mix of history, culture and nightlife, Cambodia’s capital is the perfect place to begin your Khmer adventure.
Push your limits on your next holiday and combine it with a running event. Asia is host to some amazing marathons in locations of exceptional natural beauty and historical significance. These events allow you to venture into places inaccessible by road and to experience the friendliness and amazement of the locals.
We’ve put together a list of our favourite races in the region, all of which have long and short distances for both runners and walkers.
So arrange your travel itinerary around these scenic races and start training!
It’s so easy to get lost in translation in Asia as the languages are full of idioms, double entendre and wordplay. Some are derived from the culture and lifestyle, while others are just a result of a cheeky sense of humour!
Here are some words and phrases for which there is no translation, while others mean something quite different to their literal translation:
You may be surprised to know that sleepy Luang Prabang offers plenty of activities after the sun has set. Besides chilling out in the restaurants and bars, you can meditate with monks, meet some inspiring locals, or take to the streets to experience the colourful night market. Here are our suggestions to light up your nights in Luang Prabang:
With so many different islands, religions and ethnic groups, there is always some type of celebration going on in Indonesia. We’ve put together four Indonesian festivals not to be missed, ranging from celebrations of music and dance to kites and ceremonies.
High up in the Ba Na Hills in Vietnam, a bridge is causing quite a stir!
The newly opened Golden Bridge seems to float above the clouds suspended by a pair of giant stone hands that reach out from the leafy hillside. Stretching for 150 metres, the golden pedestrian bridge is lined with purple chrysanthemums. This unique walkway in the sky has been designed to make visitors feel as if they are on a shimmering strip of gold held up by the hands of God.
But this is not all that is strange on the misty mountain top!
It’s often said that the best camera is the one that you have on you at the time. Lucky for us, smart phone camera abilities are improving with each new phone release, making it easier than ever to take professional photos. With a little bit of know-how, most smart phones can take stunning, high quality photos:
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