Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for asia
A Hindu Landmark in Singapore
By Linda Tancs
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. A historical landmark, the religion’s rich traditions are amply demonstrated through carvings of Hindu deities on the temple’s exterior, exquisite ceiling paintings in its main hall and five tiers of sculptures of deities and mythological figures in its majestic grand tower entrance. A bustling place of worship, the temple is also the site of sacred events like the annual firewalking festival.
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Singapore’s Floating Baby
By Linda Tancs
Marc Quinn’s monumental 2008 sculpture Planet has been donated for permanent display at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Popularly called “the floating baby,” the work of painted bronze and steel measures nearly 32 feet long and almost 13 feet high but appears to hover over the ground as if impossibly suspended. Gardens by the Bay is home to more than 200 sculptures from around the world, featuring unique pieces, intriguing crafts and stone works.
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World’s Largest Coffee Shop
By Linda Tancs
So, java lovers, where in the world is the largest coffee shop? The answer: South Korea. Boasting 2,190 seats and 3,600 square meters, Positive Space 566 in Gyeonggi-do takes the cake. Or should we say, bean. Opened in 2022, the shop’s four floors feature a variety of coffees and teas as well as baked goods, wood-fired pizza, pasta, salads and more.
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The Great Stupa of Laos
By Linda Tancs
Laos is a Southeast Asian country particularly known for its Buddhist monasteries. One of the most significant is Pha That Luang in Vientiane, where a reliquary reportedly houses the Buddha’s breastbone. Founded in the third century, the current structure was built by King Setthathirath (or Xaysettha) in 1566 after Vientiane became the capital city. The striking monument has a pinnacle covered in real gold with a set of painted turrets surrounding its central stupa. The temple is easily reachable by tuk tuk or bicycle.
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A Royal Trek in Nepal
By Linda Tancs
The Royal Trek is one of the best introductory treks in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It’s named for King Charles III, who explored the route in 1981 shortly before he married Princess Diana. It’s also known for its low difficulty level suitable for individuals of varying fitness levels and trekking experience. It follows a shrub-like path along the foothills of Annapurna, north of the Pokhara valley, that includes beautiful Gurung settlements, small hamlets, terraced farms, lush green forests and views of the Annapurna range featuring Machapuchhre (fishtail) and Langtang Mountain. The journey ends at Begnas Lake.
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Pagoda of the Celestial Lady
By Linda Tancs
Huế is a city in central Vietnam that was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors as well as the national capital from 1802 to 1945. It’s where you’ll find Thiên Mụ (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), an important spiritual center for Buddhists. Located on the banks of the Perfume River, each of the seven floors of the pagoda is dedicated to a Buddha that appeared in human form. The city is located on the main railway line in Vietnam running from Saigon in the south to Hanoi in the north. Its riverboat service is a convenient way to access the pagoda, located at Thien Mu Boat Station stop.
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Sun World
By Linda Tancs
Sun World Ba Na Hills is touted as the most significant resort and recreational complex of Vietnam. Located in Da Nang, it boasts stunning mountain views from one of its prized assets, the Golden Bridge, a pedestrian bridge supported by two gargantuan hands. The five cable car routes provide panoramic views as well. For a more grounded experience, head to the French Village, a faithful reproduction of a classic French village. You’ll also want to experience the indoor game zone and the first wax museum in the country.
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Seoul Music
By Linda Tancs
Divided into an upper and lower level, the Hyundai Card Music Library in Seoul, Korea, boasts an enviable collection of records from Korean hip-hop to Western classics along with music-related books and magazines. The record exhibition on the lower level includes a rare vinyl collection that features The Beatles’ 1966 controversial cover of Yesterday and Today and one of the nine existing albums of the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen. Upstairs you’ll find over 3,000 music-related books as well as every single issue of Rolling Stone ever published. Hyundai credit card holders get special benefits, like live performances in an underground concert hall.
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A Boomerang in Singapore
By Linda Tancs
Shaped like a boomerang, Pulau Ubin is a lush island off the mainland of Singapore, just a 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. A must for nature lovers, the site boasts the Chek Jawa wetlands, one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems. In fact, six major ecosystems – sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest – meet there. Be sure to climb Jejawi Tower, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views and irresistible bird watching.
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Monkey Business in Thailand
By Linda Tancs
The most honored population in Lopburi, Thailand, is its thousands of macaques, thought to bring good luck to the area and its people. No wonder they get their own festival each year on the last Sunday of November. The highlight of the event is the colorful displays of food (for them, not you), including sticky rice, fruits and salad. One of the oldest cities in the country, you’ll find some spectacular attractions (besides the monkeys) like King Narai’s Palace and Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, a historic temple. The city is about a three hours’ drive north from Bangkok.
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