Phillipines: Boracay Island

Boracay Island is a great place for just lazing around. 7 km long, it is only one km wide at its narrowest point. 

Boracay is also well known for its now very rare gleaming white puka shells, said to be the best in the world. For years puka shells were dug out of the beach at Yapak and then sold.

Every day seems to be a holiday on Boracay - all you need to do is relax and enjoy yourself. Just get up, make some coffee and decide whether to go sailing, windsurfing or perhaps snorkeling and looking at corals. If you're curious you may get as far as the Caves of the Flying Dogs of Yapak' or Bat Caves on the other side of the island, where there are still fishermen who have nothing to do with tourism, except that they too have to pay higher prices in the stores.

For many people, Boracay is the typical Pacific island paradise. Whether this will change in the foreseeable future depends on how much building development goes on. Which will inevitably change the face of the island Out of all recognition. The new slogan seems to be 'concrete instead of bamboo'. Fortunately, so far most architects have succeeded in designing buildings that do not dominate their environment and fit in with the island around them.

Singapore: Foods to Try!

I don’t even know where to begin with this post.  As you’ve probably read in my other posts about Singapore, I claim this country to have the BEST food in the entire world.  From the 45+ countries I’ve been to, my stomach has never been more satisfied and impressed than it was in Singapore.  So, why is it so amazing?  First off, Singapore has hawker centers, which are giant outdoor food courts, with dozens and dozens of ethnic food vendors.  Everything is very cheap and beyond tasty.  It’s like heaven on earth.

Most of the food that is classified as “Singaporean” is really adopted from neighboring countries, with an added twist.  This is because the ethnic diversion of Singapore is 75% Chinese, 10% Indian, and the other 15% is a mix of Malay, Indonesian, Singaporean, etc.  Not surprisingly, the food is heavily influenced by these nations.  You will find classic Chinese dishes with Indian spices (or something variation like this), which makes many of the dishes unique to the culture.

Lastly, eating food is considered a national pastime and a unifying cultural thread in Singapore. Singaporean literature even declared food as a national obsession.  When I was in Singapore, I looked forward to every single meal (which was more like a binge-eating phenomenon). I must end my food rant before it gets too long.. but here is my top 8  dishes that you need to eat in Singapore:

Chilli Crab: This dish is, hands down, in my top 3 favorite foods of all-time! Chilli crab is exactly what the name sounds like: a fresh crab doused in a sweet and savoury, tomato based chili sauce.  The history of this national dish dates back to the 1950s, when the owners of Roland Restaurant did an experiment with crabs, tomatoes and chilli sauce.  Every restaurant has it’s own slight variation, but you can never go wrong with ordering this amazing dish.  It’s not commonly found in hawker centers, so your best bet is to find a restaurant. Just look at other peoples plates and find the best chilli crab that catches your eye!

Photo by ‘Alpha’ on Flickr

Hainanese Chicken Rice:  Nothing suits Singaporean food better than Chicken Rice.  Although the name isn’t very appealing, this dish is robust in flavor and will leave you coming back for more.  Originally from Chinese origin, the chicken is specially prepared in Hainanese style- steeping the entire chicken at sub-boiling temperatures in a chicken bone stock, and reusing the broth over and over again until perfection.  Mix in a little rice and ginger and you’ve got an incredbile meal.  This dish is commonly eaten in schools, hawker centers, and even major restaurants (basically everywhere).  And it’s super cheap!

Photo by Ben Lee on Flickr

Char Kway Teow: This popular noodle dish is a national favorite to the people of Singapore.  It consists of stir-fried flat rice noodles, over prawns, bean sprouts, deshelled cockles, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, Chinese sausage and eggs, mixed together with a light and dark soy sauce.  Traditionally, this dish is stir-fried in pork fat, making it somewhat unhealthy (but who counts calories when they’re traveling anyways).  Once you see this dish in front of your own eyes, it’s game over.  You’ll never think the same about any stir-fried dish.

Photo by Su-Lin on Flickr

Carrot Cake:  Known as Chai Tow Kway, this is NOT like the carrot cake you are used to eating (the dessert). In fact, it’s completely opposite and has nothing to do with carrots.  Carrot cake in Singapore consists of consists of cubes of steamed rice flour and white radish cake, fried together in an egg-like an omelette.  Then, it is mixed with spring onions and other vegetables and spices.  Carrot cake can be served as either white (plain) or dark (seasoned with sweet black sauce).  This recipe, enjoyed by everyone in Singapore,  is specifically common to the Teochew cuisines.  You’ll find this in every hawker center in Singapore.

Photo by ‘Lynac’ on Flickr

Wanton Mee: Originated as a Cantonese dish, typical Wanton Mee is a noodle dish, served in a hot broth with vegetables and wonton dumplings.  However, the Singapore version is slightly different.  In Singapore, people eat Wonton Mee dry with some light sweet sauce, slices of pork char, leafy vegetables and some delicious wonton dumplings.   You can get it spicy, or not spicy, and it usually comes with soup on the side.   It’s pretty damn tasty.

Photo by ‘Travis’ on Flickr

Kaya Toast:  If you want the best breakfast ever, then eat Kaya Toast.  This dish is commonly enjoyed by locals as a snack, and goes very well with tea and/or coffee.  Kaya Toast is prepared with kaya (coconut jam), and topped with eggs, sugar, coconut milk and pandan preserves. If you want, you can dip the toast in a soft-boiled egg for more flavor.  It’s nearly impossible to find a coffee shop in Singapore that doesn’t sell this magical toast.

Mee Goreng: Your Singapore food tour isn’t complete until you’ve tried Mee Goreng.  This dish, commonly found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, is made with yellow noodles that are fried in cooking oil.  It can take on any variety of other ingredients, such as onions, garlic, spices, chili, cabbage, tomato, egg, pickles and some kind of meat (fried prawn, chicken, beef).  Don’t count your calories on this dish, but nonetheless it’s one of my favorite SouthEast Asian foods. It is sold by most street vendors, hawker centers, and many restaurants around town.  It’s pretty spicy so prepare yourself!

Chwee Kuey: This dish isn’t a “fan favorite” per se, but it’s really unique and tasty.  It is a variety of steamed rice cake, made from rice flour and water mixed together.  Then, they are steamed and cut into round shapes (like a saucer), and topped off with radish and special chilli sauce.   It’s much different than any other dish I ate in Singapore (and in my life, really), but I absolutely recommend you to give it a try! You can find Chwee Kuey at any hawker center.

Is your mouth watering yet?  Mine sure is.

Vietnam: Ben Thanh Market Supermarket to the World

Vietnam: Ben Thanh Market Supermarket to the World

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City!  Formerly known as Saigon and to many locals, still known as Saigon.  Although there are many landmarks in this metropolis, there is one that truly does stick out.  I normally wouldn't write about a market or in Vietnamese "Cho", but this one is special and if you are travelling Asia on a budget, you will gain from reading this!  It's in the heart of District 1 and within a few blocks, you will find everything from Vincom to Bitexco Tower. Make sure you come and spend some time here.  The food is amazing and the market is FULL of trinkets and gadgets to buy.  Keep your money safe and beside you as it is busy and bargain for everything.  DO NOT PAY FULL PRICE!

 Information:  I honestly don't know much about the history about this market so I'll just give information about what to expect there.  If you are spending a day in District 1, Ben Thanh Market is a great place to spend your time.  Best time would be the night market but go from 2pm till 4pm inside and 6pm to 8pm for the night market.  Those are estimates of best times and not market hours. Outside there is traffic EVERYWHERE.  Everywhere is an understatement.  Walk slowly across the street and do not run, basically give the motorists time to move around you while you cross the street.  Inside, the aisle are generally very narrow but expect to spend hours looking at strange things and an assortment of clothes, purses, wallets, food, crafts, dishes and food.  Must try some "Che" there if you are going to get some snacks.

Location: Heart of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.  Ask any Taxi, Xe Om or driver to take you to Ben Thanh.  Beside Cho Ben Thanh is a huge park that many Vietnamese students will want to practice english with you.  When I say practice, they generally mean talk to a white person.  Myself being asian, they generally will talk to a white person from Sweden with no english before they talk to an Asian who was raised in the States.  I find that funny.  The park will also host many small groups that are playing badminton, working out or doing Vietnamese "Vo" or Vietnamese Martial Arts.  There is a massive turnabout in front of the market and if you stand in the middle, you can get some amazing photos.  In the area exists shops, Saigon Square, Bitexco Towers, Sunwah Towers and Vincom 1 and Vincom 2.  Basically anything tourist related is in a 4 block radius.

Transportation: From any hotel, just tell the Taxi driver or Xe Om (motorbike taxi) to take you to Ben Thanh.  If you go in a group of 2 or more, taxis are cheaper and they provide Air Conditioning.  Xe Oms are great individual transports but you need to hunt for a bargain.

Costs: Locals Do NOT Shop here.  Ben Thanh is a Tourist trap.  Of all the tourist traps in Saigon, Ben Thanh is the biggest.  It's over priced and quality is below par for many products.  Food is decently priced as it is everywhere. If there is one thing you need to do here, its bargain.  Learn to walk away because no matter how cheap you might have gotten it, its still overpriced.  Example, a knockoff Coach purse might "retail" for $100.00 but bargain it to $50.00 and you think its a deal.  It's not.  Bargain it to $20 and they will still sell it.  Personally I've bought them for $15.00 for $100.00 priced items and even then I think they are still making a pretty penny or two.  But Bargain, Bargain, Bargain.

Scenery: not much to say here except window shop and you will enjoy everything you see.  The night market and night food is amazing.  The Shrimps in the night market are massive and worth every cent.  The vast array of colors and smells will overload the senses but keep some perspective and you will get through it.

Good luck and happy travellings!


-Rardina

Thailand: Ko Phi Phi Islands is the Modern Day Shangri-La

Thailand: Ko Phi Phi Islands is the Modern Day Shangri-La

Travelling in Thailand and visiting all the tourists sites are one thing.  Spending a day on the beach in possibly the whitest sandy beaches and amazing blue water is another.  If you get a day off and would like to see what other off the beat spots there are in Thailand, consider the Phi Phi Islands or Ko Phi Phi and travelling there on a budget.  

Information: Let me clarify Ko Phi Phi.  Ko is Thai for "Island" and Ko Phi Phi is the largest of the islands.  There are six islands you can choose to visit but the beaches are on the main island and Ko Phi Phi Lee.  Some cool facts, there are NO Automobiles on the Islands so you can walk from one end of the island to another.  The islands shot to fame because of the movie "The Beach" and in December 2004, the Thailand Tsunami destroyed most of the island.  Since 2010, Ko Phi Phi has been restored to it's beauty!

Location: To visit Shangri-la, I mean Ko Phi Phi, you need to get out of the office, book a month's vacation to Bangkok, Thailand and other areas of South East Asia and make sure your bus ticket is covered from Bangkok to Phuket.  From there, It's a short 50km ride southeast of Phuket and a boat ride away.

Transportation: As covered earlier in Location, Plane to Bangkok, Bus to Phuket and to Had Nopparattara-Ko Phi Phi National Park.  From there, Boat it to one of the 6 amazing islands.  My suggestion is Ko Phi Phi Lee but Ko Phi Phi Don is another popular destination.

Costs: Medium to High.  Expect to get what you pay for. If you are travelling Asia on a budget, A tour from phuket that covers some of the tourist attractions on the islands for the day will set a person back $100 USD.  For a Hotel and beach resort will set anyone back from $80-$300+ (I can't afford the high end so I don't know the top end prices).  On the low end there are hostels for all you backpackers.  Day Tours can be had for $10 USD or 3000 bahts and that will cover food and beach time.  Food varies depending on personal tastes.  I can get away with $20USD a day but if you are a couple or with kids, expect to spend some money at established restaurants.  On the beach, save money and bring your drinks from the convenience stores across the street rather than buy them from beach vendors.  

Scenery: The pictures speak for themselves.  The water is magnificent, the beaches are amazing and the wildlife is picturesque. Make sure you snap pictures of the monkeys that can be hand fed!  The Islands are limestone and lush greeneries and you need to appreciate the view before it disappears one day.  Ko Phi Phi reminds me of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam at times.  Both are beautiful and offer amazing photo opportunities and both will keep you occupied all day.  The biggest differences are the way you spend your day.  In Halong you are not on the beach as much as you will be here.

Vietnam: My Tho - Forgotten City on the Mekong River

Vietnam: My Tho - Forgotten City on the Mekong River
Travelling in Vietnam on a budget and getting to see all the sites, here is one we recommend.  My Tho is just a small city outside of Saigon or Ho Chi Minh city.  It's yet to be found and offers countless hours of beauty and scenery.

Information: For most tourists that are travelling to Southern Vietnam, there are many destination spots and "Must Sees".  One of the less known but Amazing sites is just tucked in the corner of Ho Chi Minh City offering a Can Tho experience without ever needing to spend the 3 hours to get to Can Tho.  Can Tho is known for its morning Floating markets and river roads.  My Tho offers the same morning floating market and river road tours with less headaches and wasted travel time.


Location: 60 kilometers Southwest from the middle Ho Chi Minh City and Pham Nhu Lao backpackers area.









Transportation: Expect a 1.5 hour bus ride and cost is anywhere from $7.00 to $10.00 USD to get there and back. Going as a group?  Consider renting a taxi van.  Air conditioning, saved time for a couple of extra dollars is worth your investment and GREAT for your Asia travels on a budget.






Costs: Besides transportation costs, a tour with a group is estimated at $7.00/person or a chartered boat will cost roughly $55-75/tour (5-6 hours).  Lunch is extra and although there is an extravagant restaurant that can cost $15.00 a plate, I recommend the cheap CHEAP boat food.  Noodles, veggies, fruits and rice bowls.  A dollar or 2 will go a far ways here.

Scenery: Water, water, water and boats.  Beautiful plants and water coconuts and very photogenic scenery.  Amazing and Must see!  Don't take our advice only, you need to see it for yourselves.

Thailand: Wat Arun The Temple of Dawn in Bangkok

Thailand: Wat Arun The Temple of Dawn in Bangkok

Information: Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand stands off the Chao Phraya River and is one of Bangkok's most photographed landmarks.  Known in English as the Temple of Dawn, the scenery around Wat Arun consists of 4 smaller "prangs" and a large "prang".  The main prang stands a mere 250 feet high and it's width is roughly 760 feet with it's base surrounded by rows of carved monkeys and spiritual demons.  Every year Wat Arun is the main attraction of the Royal Tod Kathin Festival which celebrates the King and how he made his way down the river on his royal barges to deliver the monks new clothing.  

Location: What makes Wat Arun so attractive isn't just the prangs but the location of where it is.  Other attractions near it are Wat Pho, Chinatown and The Grand Palace. 

Transportation: If you are travelling this way to Wat Arun, the simplest, easiest and cheapest method is via skytrain to Saphan Taksin Station.  If you are in Bangkok's Nana area, you will need to take the skytrain to Siam Station and hop on the lower train to Saphan Taksin.  Saphan Taksin is the last stop on the Chao Phraya River at city pier.

Scenery: The narrow and steep staircases are surrounded with hand carved demons and monkeys.  This is an amazing site. It is very easy to spend hours climbing and taking pictures here and when you get tired, the scenery around Wat Arun and Chao Phraya River are magnificent.  Feel free to explore and be safe!

Indonesia: When to visit

Indonesia has typical tropical monsoonal climate. Due to its location in close proximity to the equator, the whole country averages a mild 23-28 degrees Celsius all year round. Indonesia experiences two seasons: a dry season from April through till September, and a wet season from October until March. Rainstorms are generally quick, although on occasion, they can last for several days.

Weather in Indonesia April
April brings with it lovely weather for a holiday in Indonesia, with low precipitation and the mild and pleasant temperatures for which the country is renowned.

Weather in Indonesia May
May in Indonesia is more of the same – beautiful tropical temperatures and low chances of rain. And because May is part of the off-peak tourist season, it’s rather easy to find fabulous hotel specials: great for a spontaneous trip!

Weather in Indonesia June and July
Excellent weather throughout the country makes this an excellent time to visit Indonesia. The tourist season tends to hot up in July.

Weather in Indonesia August – September
The August school holiday time is a great time to visit Indonesia, with calm seas and dry weather. Book early as it does get busy during this time. Indonesia enjoys the same excellent weather in September with better deals possible too.

Weather in Indonesia December
Steady temperatures keep Indonesia in December pleasant, even in the wet season. Roads can sometimes get washed out due to the rain, which falls, on average, 16 days out of the 31. Storms are quick, however, and December is a very popular time to visit Indonesia, especially during the Christmas season.

Weather in Indonesia January
Although January is right in the middle of the rainy season, in most areas of Indonesia it won’t rain for more than 16 days out of the month. Lucky holiday makers may miss the rain entirely, but even the occasional spot of rain won’t mess up your holiday in Indonesia.

Weather in Indonesia February
In February, the wet season remains in full swing; however the rain reduces slightly, lowering your chances of getting rained out during your holiday. The tourist peak season during Christmas and New Years is now over, meaning hotel and tour specials in Indonesia should be relatively easy to find.

Weather in Indonesia March
The wet season dies down and the rain reduces in March. Any washed out roads dry out or get repaired, and ferry travel is much easier during March. For a pleasant holiday in Indonesia, consider going in March.

Travel safe and have fun!

RM

*Original post