Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is bursting with kinetic energy. Din! The work of ongoing construction. Clink! The rhythm of metal craftsmanship echoing down the alleyways. Beeeeep! The commotion of a busy street corner
A trip to Uzbekistan wouldn't be complete without a stop in the holy city of Bukhara. Not only will you find amazingly well-preserved architecture here, but you can also experience a traditional hammam in this town. Here’s a complete city guide with the top things to do during your time here!
A dark wading bird with a long, down-curved bill. Although the Glossy Ibis in North America lives primarily along the Atlantic Coast, it also can be found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia
Every now and then, we hear about funny architectural fails where lack of taste meets poor aesthetics and greets atrocious execution. Check out our previous features with such examples here, here, and here.
There are so many great things to do in Larnaca Cyprus like Finikoudes Beach, Larnaka Medieval Castle, Zenobia Wreck & Larnaca Salt Lake.
Things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka Ella is full of amazing things to do, from hiking the green mountain peaks to jumping in refreshing waterfalls. The town
Wondering where to stay in Ella, Sri Lanka? This is a guide to all the best places to stay in Ella including budget accommodation right through the luxury resorts. Find yourself the perfect accommodation in Ella!
Wondering what the best things to do in Kalpitiya are? From kitesurfing to wildlife spotting, feast your eyes on our epic list of local adventures, as well as our travel tips for Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka.
Shopping in Bangkok is some of the best in the world! Here's our breakdown of the different malls and Bangkok night markets, as well as maps & hours.
Mirissa became my favorite beach town in Sri Lanka. Here is a list of 10 awesome things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka.
Things to do in Kandy Apart from Sri Lanka’s stunning beaches, it is also famous for its religious sites and spectacular train rides. This is where
Kathmandu is home to many sights and experiences, but read on to learn about some of the more unusal and unexpected places to visit in Kathmandu.
When I was telling my friends about my (then) future trip to Southeast Asia, everyone had questions about Bangkok, Phuket, the Angkor Wat, Vietnam's coastline, and the Malaysian islands. However, no one asked a single
As one of Japan's best-preserved historical cities, there are lots of things to do in Kanazawa. Here's how to explore this Edo period gem!
Your guide for the best things to do in Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak, Kalimantan & Brunei.) From ancient rainforests to bustling cities to tropical islands...
The perfect 3 days in Luang Prabang itinerary so you have the best three days, including things to do, restaurants, accommodation and more!
Is a Kyoto tea ceremony high on your list of things to do in Japan? My review covers what to expect, how English speakers can book & more!
Here are 11 quirky things to do in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital. Baku is truly a blend of old and new, with an Old Town that dates back to the middle ages.
A guide to the Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang in Laos. One of the most amazing waterfalls in Southeast Asia!
Hi ! My name is ASAKO MIYAMOTO. Welcome to Hokkaido, and the "good old days" of Japan ! Hey, isn't ASAKO a "Japanese" name ? Yup, under the cultural and administrative pressures of the occupying Japanese, we Ainu in the North (just like the Okinawans in the South), we have been encouraged by the Government to dump our "embarrassing" old native names in favor of "civilized" Japanese names. After all, we won't officially exist or be recognized by the Government as an indigenous people apart from the Japanese until many years from now....in the year 2008. Until then, we will just go with the flow. * The modern-day, 21st Century Japanese will sometimes tell you that the AINU and OKINAWANS are not true Japanese. You may then ask the Japanese if these prior and older occupants of Japan, if not true Japanese, are exempt from paying JAPANESE INCOME TAX. The Japanese will then answer that, on second thought, the Ainu and Okinawan ARE Japanese after all, and they better pay up --- at least from Feb 15th to March 15th (Tax-Time in Japan) ~ ! After tax time is over, the Okinawans and Ainu revert to being "not really Japanese" * Is "Japanese" a "race" ? Is it a nationality ? Is it both ? For example : Is a blond-haired, blue-eyed Hollander who obtains Japanese citizenship now "Japanese" ? Every Japanese Government Official I've ever talked to on the subject (and that's quite a few) have repeatedly all told me the same thing : "Such a Hollander would NOT be Japanese. He would be a FOREIGNER with Japanese CITIZENSHIP". But, if you push further and ask the same thing about the ethnic, indigenous AINU and OKINAWANS, they will squirm, sweat, and suck air through their teeth like a bargain-store vacuum cleaner, all while tossing out a variety of "politically correct" answers that are harder to grab than a bar of wet soap on a water slide in a middle of a typhoon. * This pretty Ainu girl seems to know that she is pretty, and that every red-blooded, full-bearded, bear-hunting man in the whole village is probably after her. I have no doubt she's going to get EXACTLY what she wants. I can see it in her eyes. And speaking of her eyes, one wonders of she is really a Japanese model or an actress dressed like an Ainu. And that brings up the subject of "intermarriage" and "assimilation".... The "pure" Ainu were more of a hairy Caucasian type than a smooth-skinned Mongoloid Japanese type. However, the word "pure" is a hard thing to define after a millennial of gradual interaction on the fringes of these neighboring cultures.By the time of this 1900-1920 photo, a steady stream of Japanese "immigrants" had already begun diluting the pure strains that remained in Hokkaido, and "Japanese" body and facial features were becoming the norm in many places -- especially closer to the larger ports and cities. A few photographers specifically sought out more "pure" pockets of Ainu that remained in order to document what they could. Photographer H.G. Ponting, while in love with the country of Japan, was openly disgusted with the Japanese Government's treatment of the Ainu in these regions of as yet un-assimilated "last hold outs". See: www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/2344269135/ and notice "un-Japanese" faces -- except for the Ainu woman on the left who shows a very "Mongoloid" profile. Recently, a similar (though not as drastic) dilution of local ethnic and cultural characteristics has also taken place on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa during the years since WW2 --- more in the urban business spaces and areas around the US Military bases --- due more to the influx of Japanese from the Mainland than from intermarriage with the local US Military population who chose top remain on the island. In any case, the girl in the pic is a pretty one, and looks smart as a whip. See other sad and illuminating commentary at this link, and specially read the two paragraphs under "HISTORY". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Note that until the year 2008, the Japanese Government refused to acknowledge the Ainu's existence as a real indigenous people within Japan, often stating things like "no ethnic minorities exist in Japan" --- one of many typical government attitudes that Okinawa Soba, his wife, and three children lived under for 45 years. As we approach the year 2019, the Japanese bureaucracy still "officially refuses" to acknowledge that the over 1,000,000 ethnic Okinawans in the South --- along with their unique culture and languages --- constitute an ethnic entity, just as the Ainu remnants do in the North. Instead, the Japanese continue their inane proclamations that basically say the Okinawans are a special manifestation of the pure, homogeneous "Yamato Race" of Japan --- and must sacrifice their land, culture, and completely different local languages for the benefit of the greater good and protection of their "true Japanese" mainland neighbors to the north.
Ikseondong is one of Seoul’s hottest destinations. Wandering down Ikseondong’s retro alleyways, you almost forget that you are in Seoul, one of the most bustling and hectic places in the world - and this is what attracts locals and visitors alike. Here are the 15 best things to eat,
This amazing 2 day Ninh Binh itinerary covers the best things to do and places to visit in Ninh Binh from the Trang An Boat tour to Mua Caves!
Everything you need to know about Malaysia - incredible places to see, the best time to visit, the travel budget and more. Plan your Malaysia trip!
Shanghai is one of the most populous cities in the world with a population of about 26.32 million as of 2019. There are so many things to do in Shanghai,
Discover 10 Asia travel destinations 2024 that make your trip unforgettable. From islands to cities, from nature to culture, Asia has it all.
This guide 16 best things to do in Koh Samui has something for everyone from a party strip filled to remote beaches and yoga classes.
From desert landscapes in the Northwest to awe-inspiring alpine peaks in the south, China’s wide variety of climates have created unique and breathtaking sights.
A collection of my favourite photos from, my month long trip up the coast of gorgeous Vietnam countryside.
A complete travel guide to Thailand's biggest island including the best beaches, night markets, viewpoints, restaurants, resorts and more.
Our 2 to 3 week Cambodia itinerary and travel guide will take you from the temples to islands, and beyond!
Do you want to make your trip to one of China's most iconic landmark special? Find out why visiting the Great Wall of China at sunset is a must!
The laidback capital of Laos is a perfect 2 day destination and in this guide you can read about the best things to do, as well as where to eat and stay.
Vietnam
Just a few hours train ride away from Shanghai... Nanjing awaits. Recognized as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Nanjing is nestled on the delta of the Yantze River and boasts the perfect mix of a modern city with hundreds of years of history. Nanjing might not be one of every traveler's
The Kingdom of Ayutthaya is an incredible ancient Kingdom in Thailand which started almost 700 years ago and existed for over 400 years. Ayutthaya was - Inside The Ancient Kingdom Of Ayutthaya, Thailand - Photo Diary, Photography - Asia, Ayutthaya, Thailand - Travel, Food and Home Inspiration Blog with door-to-door Travel Planner! - Travel Advice, Travel Inspiration, Home Inspiration, Food Inspiration, Recipes, Photography
A Phuket cafe is home to a massive lotus pond where guests lay among leaves & float in river boats within the tranquil lake. Coffee prices start from S$3.
Hoi An stole our hearts, and it exceeded our expectations. We share what we think are the top things to do in Hoi An and the best places for delicious vegan food.
