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Tag: Asia

Packing List For Thailand!
Thailand is a clearly a very popular tourist destination, attracting many people all throughout the year. With a great infrastructure and an abundance of places to shop, especially in the larger cities, anything that you’ve forgotten will be easy enough to pick up when there. Depending on the time of year, and whether you plan to head north to the mountains or south to the beaches, there are, however, a few things in your Thailand packing list that will come in very handy!
Packing List for a Northern Thailand Trip
If you’re planning to head north, there’s a high chance that you’ll spend some time enjoying the lush landscapes of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son. Jungle trekking is really popular.
As well as your regular clothing, footwear, and toiletries, here are some extra things to pack:
Hiking Boots
A pair of well-worn in, comfortable, and high-quality hiking boots (or shoes) will be invaluable if you’re planning on doing more than just a bit of light trekking. If you only plan to spend half a day or so in the jungle, a good pain of trainers should suffice. For anything more challenging though, sturdy hiking boots will assist greatly on the uneven and sometimes slippery terrain.
Mosquito Repellent
Whilst you can purchase mosquito repellent easily in Thailand, if you are susceptible to bites it is worth taking your own strong repellent. Note that products containing DEET are difficult to find in Thailand.
Swimming Gear
A bathing suit may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re thinking about Northern Thailand, but there are many gorgeous waterfalls, some of which are suitable for swimming. It would be a pity to get there and have to miss out on a dip in the cooling waters!
Mosquito Net
Depending on your choice of accommodation, a travel mosquito net, especially during the rainy season, really can help you to have a great night’s sleep.
See More: <The Ultimate Guide to Killing Mosquitoes!
Leech Socks
Mainly applicable for people who want to explore the jungle during the rainy season, leech socks can help protect you from the blood-sucking critters. Make sure you wear long pants and sleeves too.
Southern Thailand Trip
The south of Thailand is mainly known for its glorious beaches and islands. With hotspots like Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phi Phi, beach lovers will be in their element! Here are some things not to forget in your packing list:
Swimming Gear
It goes without saying that you will want a couple of bathing suits to hit the beaches whenever you want! Two is enough – one will dry whilst you wear the other. Do note that it can be difficult to buy very small or very large sizes from the many vendors close to the beaches, so don’t bank on being able to pick something up there. A beach towel is also beneficial.
Sunglasses
Protect your eyes with high-quality sunglasses – the sun can be intense in Thailand!
Sun Screen
Sun screen can be pretty expensive in Thailand, so it is often better to stock up before you go. Also, higher factors can be hard to find. This is especially important for people with sensitive skin who are prone to burning in the sun.
General Packing List For Thailand
There are some items that are useful no matter where you go in the Land of Smiles 🙂
Sarong
Whether you’re male or female, a beach sarong can really be one of those items that becomes your best friend on your travels! It’s not only great as a wraparound for the beach! Forgotten your towel? Use your sarong! Need a cover-up for visiting a temple? Use your sarong. Something to lie on at the beach? Feeling a bit chilly on the bus? Need something to protect your souvenirs? You guessed it – use your sarong!
Personal Hygiene Goodies
Certain essential hygiene essentials you might not be able to grab so readily in Thailand, especially in rural areas. Throw in your usual contraception (you can never be too sure!), a few spare plasters/band aids, a SheWee, and your menstrual cup (your not using tampons still are you?!)
Umbrella
Although you probably think you would only need an umbrella in the rainy season, and for sure it’s really useful then, an umbrella is also a great way to give yourself some instant shade in the brutal heat of the hot season. A high quality travel pop up a micro-umbrella in your bag and you’re sure not to regret it!
Enjoy your trip to Thailand! Thailand is an incredible destination. A sense of adventure, a friendly nature, and a desire to learn more about the local Thai culture are also highly recommended!
What essentials did I miss off the list?!
September 1, 2016
Awesome Destinations in India for Nature-Lovers
Do you love to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and spend some time relaxing in nature? Does your soul crave the sight of lush green meadows, towering trees, a variety of wildlife, and panoramic vistas? The large cities of India can be rather overwhelming at times for visitors, especially those that are visiting the vibrant and frenetic country for the first time. But there are plenty of ways to unwind and find respite from the chaos in a diverse assortment of natural spots all around the country. India can be a nature-lover’s dream!
Here are some of the top destinations in India for nature-lovers:
Pangong Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
Kashmir is often said to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and Pangong Lake certainly won’t leave you feeling disappointed. A delightful natural spot, the lake is spread over an area of 600 square kilometres. It is a stunning spot to establish a close connection with nature. Situated on the Indo-Chinese border, a large amount of the lake is actually within China. The shimmering and enchanting beauty of the lake in combination with the natural scenic views makes it a wondrous sight to see. Additionally, the lake changes its colours according to the seasons.
Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Tucked in the Himalayan Mountains within India’s Himachal Pradesh, the Parvati Valley is a stunning destination that nature-lovers will truly enjoy. Formed where the Parvati River and Beas River meet, the picturesque valley boasts cascading pristine waterfalls, dense pine forests, and rolling green meadows. A particularly breathtaking and serene spot is the hilltop meadow of Kheerganga, said to be a place where Lord Shiva meditated for many hundreds of years. Kasol is another beautiful spot.
Himachal Pradash is overall a terrific part of India for people who want to make the most of the great outdoors. Other places of natural interest include the graceful Deodar Forest, and Key Gompa, where nature and culture meet in a spellbinding manner.
Valley of Flowers, Uttaranchal
The state of Uttaranchal is located in the north of the country. It is also sometimes known as Uttarakhand. Lying towards the Himalyas, the Valley of Flowers is within a national park that is popular for its striking scenic beauty. Home to an array of rare and attractive flowers, make sure your camera batteries are charged before setting off!
Nubra Valley, Ladakh
Sitting at a high altitude, Nubra Valley has a cold temperature; make sure you pack plenty of warm clothes! The high desert area is pretty barren and wild, and offers views that just stretch and stretch into seeming nothingness.
Ladakh is a gorgeous area within the Himalayas and other places of interest within fairly close proximity of the Nubra Valley include the soaring Stok Range, which is popular with seasoned climbers and mountain hikers, and Leh, the magical capital of the region.
Havelock Island, Andaman, and Nicobar
Although India boasts many beautiful beaches, Havelock Island is perhaps THE place for beach-lovers. One of the biggest islands in the expansive Andaman and Nicobar group, join an co-tour to enjoy the lush green forests and go wildlife spotting. Combine days in the forest with relaxing time on the striking beaches, and maybe even go diving or snorkeling to fully-appreciate the spectacular beauty of the underwater world.
This is just a small selection of the many gorgeous scenic places to be found around India. Other places for nature-lovers include Coorg in Karnataka, Kerala’s hill station of Munnar, the verdant Darjeeling Tea Fields, and Jaisalmer’s sand dunes.
July 7, 2016
Awesome Wedding Photography Locations in Asia
Asia is a wedding wonderland, with excellent landscapes, cultures, customs, and service standards to make your special day as, well, special as it could possibly be! With plenty of amazing wedding photography locations in Asia, you can have the photographic memories as well as those firmly imprinted in your mind. From stunning cityscapes to surreal landscapes, couples are really spoiled for choice when seeking an amazing location for their wedding snaps.
Here are some of the best wedding photography locations in Asia … and you need to do now is book your photographer!
Lake Tamblingan, Bali, Indonesia
Bali is an uber-popular wedding destination, and there are plenty of gorgeous places around the Indonesian island to get the perfect wedding snaps. The sparkling Tamblingan Lake, however, really does top the list. Photographers usually take couples there for an early sunrise shoot; the lake is especially charming in the early morning because of the sun’s beams bouncing off the shimmering surface of the water and the dramatic and evocative mists that have all but cleared up by around 7 am. Peaceful and away from the crowds, be blown away by the lake’s magic!
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Weddings are all about romance, and if you adore the idea of magical photos whilst surrounded by twinkling lights and nature at its finest, then the picturesque Gardens by the Bay is a top choice in Singapore. Whether you opt for pictures by day or by night, you won’t be disappointed.
Kyoto, Japan
There are many beautiful places around Japan’s Kyoto that provide outstanding wedding photographs to remember your big day. Many couples head to the parks when they are filled with cherry blossoms. Sagano bamboo forest area is also incredibly photogenic, perfect for wedding pictures. Fancy something a bit more cultural? Kyoto has many traditional temples with enchanting gardens and ponds to shoot as your backdrop. Smile!
Yangmingshan, Taiwan
Taiwan has many surprisingly picturesque spots, but a good place for awesome wedding photos is in the park in the Pingdengli area. Home to many quaint cafes, these small eateries are quirky and uniquely decorated. If you’re looking for wedding pics with a background that’s a bit different to the norm, this place is well-worth checking out.
Phang Nga, Thailand
With dramatic limestone karsts rising up evocatively from the shimmering waters, plenty of lush greenery, pristine white sandy beaches, romantic and colourful long-tailed boats, and a super chilled out vibe, could you imagine a better setting to timelessly capture your love and happiness? Done your finery and get ready to pose for some amazing shots.
FRIM – Forest Research Institute, Malaysia
FRIM, which is better-known as the Kepong Botanical Gardens, is another lovely natural spot for sunning wedding photographs. The gardens are brimming with plants and flowers, and the glistening ponds, shimmering waterfalls, and quaint gazebos add even more to your snaps.
Samode Palace, Jaipur, India
Jaipur is often amongst the top places for a wedding photographer. Samode was formerly a beautiful and affluent location in medieval Rajasthan. Nowadays, it is a quaint town with hand-painted walls and a surreal palace right in the middle amidst the Aravalis. Combining evocative historical sites and superb nature, you’ll certainly smile when you look back at your wedding album.
Bagan, Myanmar
Home to hundreds and hundreds of atmospheric temples from times gone by, Bagan exudes mystery and inspires awe. Although a popular tourist destination, the sheer number of sites means that you’ll always be able to find somewhere quiet to smile into the lens and capture your happy moment. Close to the Irrawady River, you could also add some riverside shots to your collection. And, to really get that wow factor, how about taking to the skies in a hot air balloon and admire the views as you are photographed high in the sky?
From the Bund in Shanghai and Seoul’s eclectic backgrounds to the verdant countryside of Laos and places like the ethereal Halong Bay in Vietnam, you won’t be short on options for your wedding photographs in Asia!
April 28, 2016
Bangkok’s Bizarre Attractions!
If you are planning to spend more than just a few days in Thailand’s fast-paced and lively capital city of Bangkok, there are some truly weird and wonderful sights and attractions to complement he popular historic and cultural sights that most people put at the top of their sightseeing lists. You may be wondering where to go after you’ve hit up the famous sights such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Khao San Road, Wat Arun, the malls, Chatuchak Market and so on, or you may be looking to explore a stranger side of the city. Don’t miss these bizarre Bangkok attractions to add something new to your time in the City of Angels:
Museums at Siriraj Hospital
There are six different museums within the complex, with three that are particularly odd, perhaps bordering on the downright weird and macabre! The strangest are the Pathology Museum, the Forensic Museum, and the Parasitology Museum.
In the Pathology Museum you can gaze in a mixture of horrified curiosity and revulsion at preserved deformed babies, learn more about killer diseases and those diseases that have almost been eradicated, and see numerous other pathological exhibits.
The Forensic Museum is just as creepy and gruesome, with displays of corpses that have met unpleasant ends. There are victims of fatal accidents and people who died from horrific diseases and illnesses, as well as the preserved bodies of some of Thailand’s most heinous and infamous criminals. The Parasitology Museum has specimens of particularly nasty-looking and dangerous parasites – it is certain to make your skin crawl!
The Human Body Museum
Staying on the creepy and macabre theme, the Human Body Museum is another bizarre place that will send shivers racing down your spine. It is located in Siam Square, a somewhat unusual place for such an attraction amongst gleaming malls and trendy shops! The museum is quite clinical and houses 14 dissected bodies. The bodies originally came from Japan and have been sliced open to educate people on the inner workings of a human being. It is rather fascinating once you get over the fact that you are looking at parts of what were once real live people – the clinical atmosphere helps to make it seem less gross though.
The Corrections Museum
Housed within a former high security prison for some of the country’s worst criminals, the Corrections Museum is another of Bangkok’s strange attractions. As well as being able to see the cramped and incredibly uncomfortable conditions that inmates were kept in you can also see a terrifying array of instruments that were used to torture and punish people. Items include sharp objects that were used to beat prisoners, sticks that were driven under people’s nails, small boxes in which prisoners were locked and left in the baking sun, and hooks from which people were suspended – by their jaws! If it could possibly get any more dreadful, you can also see large nail lined balls in which prisoners were locked – for the balls to then be kicked around by an elephant!
You will also see the various different ways that have been used to execute people throughout Thailand’s history, learn more about the day to day life of inmates and see things that were common within in the prison community, be surprised at the inventive ways people tried to smuggle items into the prison, and there are also lots of old photographs. On a lighter note, one part of the museum contains handicrafts and furniture that have been made by current prisoners from all around the country. It is possible to purchase some lovely and good quality home items.
Tuptim Shrine
Although you will see many shrines and spirit houses all around Bangkok, and indeed, all around Thailand, this one is likely to be a bit different to most that you see! You will find it within the grounds of the Swissotel Nai Lert and it is to honour and give respect to the spirit of fertility – Chao Mae Tuptim. The shrine is adorned with and surrounded by hundreds of phalluses in all colours and sizes! There are giant stone penises, tiny wooden carved organs, and everything in between!
Some other bizarre Bangkok attractions include the bustling Amulet Market, Shadow Puppet Theatres, the “David Beckham” temple, and Wat Mahabut with its shrine to Mae Nak Phra Khanong.
March 8, 2015