Author - Chris

Must Visite Buddhist Temples

March 15, 2016

Buddhism has a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. Buddhism originated in India, from where it spread through much of Asia, whereafter it declined in India during the middle ages. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars

1.Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda (or Golden Pagoda) in Yangon, is the holiest Buddhist hallowed place in Burma. The birthplaces of Shwedagon are lost in olden times however it is assessed that the Pagoda was first worked by the Mon amid the Bagan period, at some point between the sixth and tenth century AD. The sanctuary complex is loaded with sparkling, bright stupas however the focal point of consideration is the 99 meter high (326 feet) high fundamental stupa that is totally secured in gold.

2.Bagan

Bagan, likewise spelled Pagan, on the banks of the Ayerwaddy River, is home to the biggest region of Buddhist sanctuaries, pagodas, stupas and remains on the planet. It was the capital of a few old lords of Burma who manufactured maybe upwards of 4,400 sanctuaries amid the stature of the kingdom (somewhere around 1000 and 1200 AD). In 1287, the kingdom tumbled to the Mongols, in the wake of declining to pay tribute to Kublai Khan and Bagan immediately declined as a political focus, however kept on thriving as a position of Buddhist grant.

3.Borobudur

Situated on the Indonesian island of Java, 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Yogyakarta, the Borobudur is the biggest and most well known Buddhist sanctuary on the planet. The Borobudur was worked over a time of somewhere in the range of 75 years in the eighth and ninth hundreds of years by the kingdom of Sailendra, out of an expected 2 million squares of stone. It was deserted in the fourteenth century for reasons that still remain a riddle and for quite a long time lay covered up in the wilderness under layers of volcanic fiery remains.

Top Tourist Attractions in Singapore

January 13, 2016

Chris

Travel Talk

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To select the top best traveler sites in Singapore could be terribly difficult task; this town is among the good cities of the planet, with its combination of European and Asian cultures. The charming colonial buildings co-exist with trendy high-rises and street markets with centuries old. Although the government may be harsh with the guests and residents who misbehave, however those travelers who abide bythe rules and laws are allowed to relish this multicultural town. Read More

Best Places for Afternoon Tea around the World

January 2, 2016

Chris

All Things Food, Destinations, Travel Tips

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Check out the best Places for Afternoon Tea around the World:

Mount Nelson, Cape Town, South Africa

Located at the foot of Table Mountain, Mount Nelson is one amongst the simplest places for tea. Besides the various tea varieties it offers the pleasant array of ancient buffet finger food. You can even enjoy a tea made from rose petals picked from the garden of the hotel.

The Strand Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar

A far-famed old colonial haunt of Rudyard Kiplingand Somerset Maugham, the Strand building is another place to go to for tea. The architecture of this building is unquestionably from a bygone era. Afternoon tea is served within the Strand Grill restaurant. The heavily tiered stands are laden with the foremost delicate petit fours, cakes and sandwiches.

Betty’s Tea Room, Harrogate

Known as one amongst the simplest places for high tea within the UK, Betty’s Tea area has been serving afternoon tea within the North Yorkshire spa city Harrogate since 1919. There are over fifty totally different teas and over three hundred breads, cakes and pastries to choose from.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, Canada

The Fairmont Empress Hotel has been serving afternoon tea to dignitaries and royalty for over a century. Its tea lobby is well-appointed elegantly with snug wing-back chairs, hand-carvedfurniture,and classy chintz fabrics. The most delectable sandwiches, pastries and scones are served on silverware and delicate bone china.

Have you ever been to one of these places for high tea? Which of these places for afternoon tea would you like to visit? Share your thoughts, please!

Image by GOC53,masochismtango,Neil T Under Creative Common License.

Extreme Tourism Destinations: North Korea

December 24, 2015

Chris

Destinations

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Extreme tourism is that the latest trend in vacationing. Several tourists are sick of ancient vacation destinations are seeking thrills that your typical vacation location merely cannot offer. Several of those places is also scary or maybe dangerous but for several travelers that’s a part of the allure. While there are varied places to expertise extreme tourism, this guide will go over one of the most remote and unknown, the East Asian nation of North Korea.

North Korea is one among the foremost closed and forbidden countries on the world. One of the last remaining Communist dictatorships, North Korea could be a totalitarian police state with very little to no freedom of data or movement. Any guests to North Korea are subject to monitoring during the entirety of their visit and aren’t allowed to deviate from the official government tour in any manner below penalty of immediate deportation or maybe imprisonment. Even famed journalists aren’t immune from prosecution, Laura Ling, a journalist with Current TV was imprisoned by the North Korean government for two months in 2009 for illegal entry into North Korea and were only released after intervention by former president Bill Clinton.

The official government tour of North Korea encompasses variety of sites, mostly related to North Korean information. one of the foremost outstanding locations could be a huge sculpture of the founder of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, settled on Mansu Hill. Another stop on the tour is that the U.S.S. Pueblo, that is an American warship which was captured by the North Korean government and now used as an anti-American propaganda museum. This theme is repeated constantly throughout the tour and variety of different sites are dedicated to opposing South Korean, Japanese and American propaganda. The Ryugong Hotel is not on the government tour but it is visible from nearly anyplace in the capital town, Pyongyang. This building is probably the foremost picture within the country. The building dominates the skyline of the capital and resembles a vast pyramid. One other highlight of the govt tour could be a visit to the North/South Korean DMZ or Demilitarized Zone, which is the dividing barrier between North and South Korea.

North Korea isn’t a straightforward country to enter. People from certain countries, as well as Japan and South Korea are strictly illegal from coming into the country. There are not any international flights into North Korea aside from occasional flights from Russia and China.

In order for the average Western traveler to enter the country one should first visit Southern China and apply for a visa at the North Korean embassy and either take a ferry or flight into Pyongyang. When entering North Korea an excellent deal of things don’t seem to be allowed to be brought into the country, as well as powerful cameras, GPS devices, cell phones, any printed literature and plenty of, more things. Before traveling to North Korea be sure to consult the North Korean consulate website for a complete and updated list of banned items. Bringing contraband into North Korea may result in very severe consequences and may not be tried.

Image by D-Stanley Under Creative Common License.

‘Tis the Season for Travel: Why You Don’t Want to Be Home for the Holidays

November 4, 2015

Chris

Destinations, Travel Tips

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As the air starts to chill and the leaves start to turn, many people are turning to their computers to book their flights home for the imminent holiday season. However, before you commit to flying home, you may want to consider going anywhere else. On the one hand, holidays with the family is comforting and simple — but on the other hand, the world is full of unique and exciting opportunities for those willing to explore. Instead of spending the season flying back and forth from your hometown, you should devote this year’s holidays to travel, and here’s why.

Destinations Are More Exciting

The vast majority of your vacation time is likely spent during the milder months in spring, summer, and fall, which means you probably have precious little exposure to how the rest of the world looks and acts when the weather gets wild. December is one of the most intense times of year around the globe, with the northern hemisphere locked in winter and the southern hemisphere enduring the height of summer. Plus, many of the world’s most important celebrations occur during the holiday season, and traveling during this time grants you access to cultural traditions you aren’t likely to find at home sweet home. The result is a more exhilarating and enlightening travel experience, which few true travelers should be willing to pass up.

For inspiration and motivation, here are some of the most beautiful and exciting holiday season destinations:

Reykjavik, Iceland. At the best of times, Iceland seems like an alien planet, but when daylight only lasts four hours and the green-blue aurora borealis lights up the sky, you are in for a fantastical treat. Plus, Iceland doesn’t believe in Santa Claus — but instead has 13 trolls who torment kids for fun.
Niagara Falls, Canada. Sure, the Falls are breathtaking when water is thundering over the edge in warm weather, but during wintertime, the Falls can actually freeze solid, creating a massive natural ice sculpture. Plus, the city of Niagara Falls bedecks itself with millions of glittering lights for the season.
Venice, Italy. Admittedly, the winter weather in Venice is absolutely dreadful — foggy and damp — but the relative dearth of travelers makes locals uncharacteristically upbeat. Some of Venice’s biggest tourist attractions are nearly empty around the holidays, which makes the twinkling lights reflected in the canals extra special.
Bali, Indonesia. It’s cliché to escape the holidays in the Caribbean; for at true traveler’s treat, you should head to Bali, where the weather is divinely warm. More likely than not, you won’t see a single sprig of holly or hear a familiar carol — which is just what some holiday travelers need.
Maui, Hawaii. Maui is a large tourist location with great nightlife and plenty of day-time activities. With plenty of Maui vacation rentals available there is something for everyone when it comes to accommodations. The warm sun and beautiful beaches definitely beat the cold weather back home.

Rates Are Cheaper

Airlines, hotels, and other essential service providers in the travel industry know full well that they rely on warm-weather tourists for the bulk of their income, which means they jack up prices when people are likely to go on vacation. Likewise, to entice off-season travelers, the travel industry collectively lowers its rates during the wintertime. Flights to Europe are at their annual lows during December, which means touring the continent during the holidays will give you the best deals you’re likely to get.

Appreciation for Home Deepens

While you are away enjoying new cultures, seeing new wonders, and experiencing the holidays like never before, you will inevitably compare what you observe with what you are familiar with at home. Plenty of alternative holiday celebrations are exciting and fun, but nothing is quite as comfortable as the holiday traditions you grew up with. Slowly but surely, your holiday travel will give you strong sensations of nostalgia and appreciation for the holidays at home.

Relationships Grow Stronger

Undoubtedly the biggest hang-up for holiday travel is the missed opportunity to see one’s family during such a special time of year. However, some psychologists argue that spending one holiday season away from home may help family relationships stay strong — and even grow stronger. Despite the atmosphere of intimacy, spending the holidays at home is more often than not an emotionally taxing experience. Granting yourself a reprieve from the stress of work and family will allow you to heal, so next year’s family holidays will easier to handle.

Image by kevin dooley Under Creative Common License.