Maldives is an archipelago of 1,190 islands in the Indian Ocean, whose beautiful beaches have made an impact for centuries of visitors (Marco Polo once called the islands, “The flower of the Indies”). This predominantly Muslim nation has the smallest population in Asia, and is divided into 26 coral atolls.  As tourism is one of the major industries in Maldives, visitors are very much invited, even given a free 30-day visa upon arrival.

Here are a few things to do during your stay in Maldives:

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Posted in Beaches, Maldives, Things to do |

Taiwan acquired a taste for Japanese-style hot spring spas back when the Japanese occupied the island and missed the onsen of their home country, and started developing the existing hot springs for their personal use. Nowadays, many Taiwanese enjoy a long dip in the many spas in their country while sipping ice-cold beer and engaging in conversation with friends.

Here are 5 must-visit hot springs in Taiwan to include in your travel there.

Lisong Hot Springs: Considered by many to be the most beautiful in the island, Lisong is somewhat remote, nestled by the mineral-stained cliffs of the Sinwulu River. The hot mineral water cascading down the colorful side of the gorge while clouds of steam rise up all highlight the green, white, orange, yellow and brown minerals, creating a wonderful effect as you dip into the waters. The river besides the hot springs is at least 4 meters deep and surrounded by sheer cliffs, making it perfect for cooling off after a long soak in the hot springs. Only determined aficionados venture into Lisong, and they are well-rewarded with such an immersive experience.

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Posted in Attractions, Taiwan |

It is said that the Philippines is the center of Asia’s marine biodiversity, but it never had a world-class ocean park in the level of Japan, Singapore or Hong Kong. All that changed with the opening of Manila Ocean Park last February 2009, the first marine theme park to adopt a “fusion” concept, combining an oceanarium, a boutique hotel, mall, restaurants and open marine habitat, all in one complex. It is among the biggest and most advanced marine parks in the world, eclipsing its counterpart in Sentosa Island, Singapore and Hong Kong.

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Posted in Attractions, Philippines |

Intramuros is a walled city that served as the Spanish bastion of the Philippines back during its Spanish colonial days. Located along Manila Bay at the southern bank of the Pasig River,  Intramuros has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A fortress city which successfully defended against Dutch, Chinese and Sulu raiders at the time, the walls surrounding it measure 6 meters high and 3 kilometers long, enclosing 51 blocks of churches, hospitals, military housing, the Governor’s Palace and schools.

Here are several things to do while visiting Intramuros:

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Posted in Philippines, Things to do |

Chopsticks got a boost in popularity when the philosopher Confucius disdained the use of knives when eating.  “The honorable and upright man keeps well away from both the slaughterhouse and the kitchen. And he allows no knives on his table.” Another ancient practice, in which chefs  chopped ingredients to allow faster cooking time and less use of scarce fuel, led not only to the non-necessity of knives at the dinner table, but also the practicality of chopsticks when picking up bite-sized portions of food. Thus, the use of these pairs of long sticks in dining spread throughout China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Posted in Asia, Food, Guides |

Japan has not escaped the recent economic recession around the world. But despite the financial doldrums, a few industries have emerged unscathed. One of these is the love hotel industry, which pulls in an estimated USD 40 billion in annual revenues, more than twice that of the anime industry. Japan’s 25,000 love hotels, which provide intimate venues for lovers in a country short on privacy and space, pull in more than 400 million customers per year and show no signs of slowing down even in these times of trouble.

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Posted in Attractions, Japan |

The Forbidden City is a great example of imperial Chinese architecture, and is designed with the idea that the palace is the very center of a land that is the center of the world, the “middle kingdom” between heaven and earth. Decorations, numbers, even colors that are reserved only for use by the emperor are seen throughout the palace and other imperial buildings, and travelers who get the chance to visit Beijing’s central attraction will enjoy it more  when they know the stories behind each design.

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Posted in Attractions, China |

Designated by UNESCO as Southeast Asia’s first Global Geopark, Langkawi is a source of pride in Malaysia. This cluster of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea has lovely beaches, mangroves, rainforests, and natural wonders, each possessing its own legends.

Skim the mountainside on a cable-car ride: A Swiss-made cable car takes passengers all the way up to Mat Cinang, Langkawi’s second-highest mountain. At 700 meters above sea level, even neighboring Southern Thailand is visible from the mountaintops.

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Posted in Malaysia, Things to do |

The people of Thailand normally eat small portions of food several times in one day; thus, street food is thriving in Bangkok and other Thai cities.  Food vendors will tend to specialize in one dish, but as they are bunched up together along the streets, you can pick and choose from a variety of simple and affordable dishes.

Here are 10 Thai street food you must try in your visit to Thailand:

Grilled Coconut Pancake (Kanom Krok): A mixture of flour batter and coconut cream cooked in a dimpled cast-iron pan over a charcoal fire. After the flour mix is cooked, a sweet coconut milk topping is added, resulting in a treat that’s crispy on the outside yet soft in the middle.
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Posted in Food, Thailand |

Pojangmachas literally mean “covered wagons.” At night, the streets of Seoul and other South Korean cities become enveloped by makeshift plastic tents, while trucks and vans are converted into kitchens where all kinds of greasy food are prepared. These street vendors are so commonplace that they are regularly featured in Korean dramas as they  feed the nightlife of Korea, from the party-going teenagers to the white-collar workers out for late night drinking sessions.

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Posted in Food, Hong Kong, Korea |