This is the third edition of an ongoing series of reviews on properties (budget hotels and hostels) we’re staying at during our travels in Asia, as part of our partnership with HostelBookers.com. As we journey around Southeast Asia, Bangkok has been a frequent stop for us – since it’s a major hub in the region. Our Songkran [...]
This is the second edition of an ongoing series of reviews on properties (budget hotels and hostels) we’re staying at during our travels in Asia, as part of our partnership with HostelBookers.com. On the streets of Hanoi, traffic ebbs and flows as slick chrome scooters weave between old-school rickshaws and pushcarts. Miniature stools and tables line the alleys, [...]
n Northern Vietnam, thousands of grottos and limestone cliffs dot the emerald waters of Halong Bay. Junk boats ply its water, against the natural backdrop of dark green rock formations shrouded in mist. The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments to evolve into the picturesque site it [...]
Emerald green rice terraces shimmered in the distance, as water buffaloes ploughed through the soggy field. In the backdrop, the towering Hoang Lien Son mountain range lay shrouded in mist while clusters of bamboo huts sprawled across its foothills. It had rained the day before and now the poetic landscape seemed even more beautiful than ever. We had left the town of Sapa in Lao Cai [...]
fter three weeks of traveling around the Philippines, we simply wanted to kick back for a few days in Crusoe-esque splendor – and on Sumilon Island we did just that. Located 10 km from Cebu island, it might be just a hop away from civilization but it sure felt like a world apart. Landing on [...]
ou can’t come to the Philippines and not go scuba diving,” said American dive master Gary Finney. Sporting an army-style crew cut, the expat continued to explain why, “The Philippines has some of the highest concentration of reef-building corals in the world, and here on Negros, we’re lucky to be surrounded by them.” We were [...]
Before coming to Myanmar, I had no clue what to expect – many friends have told us how amazing the country is, but only upon stepping foot on its holy soil, visiting its thousands of pagodas, navigating its chaotic streets, and talking to the Burmese, did I understand how captivating this country is. From the [...]
ilipinos have always bonded through food,” said Ivan, “The best deals have been settled on the dining table.” With that, we began our journey into the Philippine culinary world. In Manila’s Binondo district, also known as Chinatown, we met up with our guide, Ivan Mandy, who co-owns Old Manila Walks, an outfitter that aims to unpeel [...]
he air was thick with humidity. We followed the trail that snaked through the dense tropical foliage, pushing past thick molave leaves as we ventured further. “Shhh…” Our 18-year-old park ranger, Ijie, stopped us in our tracks and pointed at a branch hanging above our heads. There they were – two furry critters hugging the [...]
This is the first edition of an ongoing series of reviews on properties (budget hotels and hostels) we’re staying at during our travels in Asia, as part of our partnership with HostelBookers.com. Cebu City, the second largest metropolis in the Philippines, is a blur of chrome jeepneys, traffic fumes and eclectic street food stalls. The chaos and [...]
It’s wet, it’s wild and it’s loud. Songkran festival is synonymous with massive water wars and street parties. In Thailand and many other parts of Southeast Asia, Songkran is celebrated as the traditional New Year’s Day. Traditionally, people celebrate by paying respects to the elders and visiting the temples to pray or give food to monks. The splashing of [...]
Loud, explosive and complicated, the metropolis of Johannesburg is undoubtedly the beating heart of South Africa. Straddling between extremes, Jo’burg (as locals like to call it) is packed with modern skyscrapers and massive malls, as well as dodgy neighborhoods and gritty townships. The South African capital has a reputation as a crime-ridden city pockmarked with remnants of the country’s troubled past. But [...]
At the end of 2011, I spent a month traveling overland through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with G Adventures. This was definitely one of the best trips of my life: experiencing the backcountry of Southern Africa, camping out in the wild, meeting lifelong friends – all of which I would have missed if I’d traveled independently. While amazing [...]
n the far distance came a spray of water and the faint outline of an enormous animal resembling a whale. We watched in awe as it glided gently by the bow of a small fishermen boat, following its circular motion. There was no time to waste: we quickly hopped onto our bagka boat - mask, fins and underwater camera in hand. The animal was [...]
From endemic wildlife to bizarre stone forests and unexplored beaches, remote Madagascar may just be one of Africa’s last great unknowns. By: Nellie Huang | Originally published in WildJunket Magazine April/May 2012 t was a tail. A very long, white and bushy tail. It swung back and forth in our direction, combing the breeze for [...]
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cathy: wow - sad hear you had a such a negative impressi...
Steven Scott: Nice post. I'll try the Splendid Star the ne...
Steven Scott: Very interesting and honest travel post. Vietnam ...
Ian Williams: It was a very nice and resting place to have a vac...
The Travel Tart: You should try riding on a flatulent camel for a c...
