Where are you going?
Places I've been to, and I'll tell you something about it.
SUMMER PALACE
Summer Palace, Beijing, China
Summer Palace is one of the famous tourist attractions outside Beijing’s city center. Often a stopover after going to the Great Wall, it’s a huge complex, impossible to explore in just a couple of hours. So if you don’t have much time, it’s important that you identify which structures you’d want to see in this place. Empress Dowager’s marble boat is a must, plus a couple of intricately carved temples and halls.
TOMBS
Tomb of Minh Mang, Hue, Vietnam
I was surprised to find out that there’s more to Hue than its walled city. With the numerous tombs around the Citadel, a day is not enough to explore the city. It’s interesting to explore the different tombs as each one of them are different. This particular one, the tomb of Minh Mang, has the biggest complex. Too bad the tombs aren’t open for public viewing, but the actual area where his tomb is is really a big hill the public has yet to see.
PILED
Wat Sisaket, Vientiane, Laos
One of Vientiane’s famous temples, Wat Si Saket has an overwhelming buddha collection, including these ones that are just stacked in one of the locked areas in the temple grounds. With numbers and numbers of statues just piled up, I wonder what they plan to do to these sacred figures as they wait to be restored.
BAREFOOT
Bagan Archaeological Site, Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan is probably the least visited amongst the archaeological sites in the South East Asian region, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t the best. Located in the middle of Burma, Bagan’s land is arid, with scorching temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees celsius. It didn’t help that we visited Burma at the height of summer, but that didn’t stop us from exploring the thousands of ancient temples here in this city. What was the hardest part? Other than the constant rehydration, we had to endure walking barefoot, as you can never walk in these temples with shoes or sandals. These ancient temples are still considered sacred so no matter how toasted your feet becomes, you really are left with no other choice but to bear the pain. It was excruciating, but it added up the adventure that is Bagan.
DUMPLINGS
Duy I Chu, Quianmen, Beijing, China
Said to have the best dumplings in China, Du Yi Chu is famous for their shao mais. With a history that goes a long way as 200 years, they have said to have mastered the craft of making shao mais, and it is seen in their unique way of preparing their wrappers. It is best to come in before noon or late in the afternoon as it gets packed during peak hours, and the lines become rediculously long.
AIRPORT
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand
I rarely take out my camera at airports, but this view is just worth the effort of doing so.
One of the most impressive airports (structurally), Suvarnabhumi never fails to amaze me every time I walk inside its walls. The view going to the gate is a very memorable spot, primarily because of the beautiful massive metal ceiling that greets you the moment you turn right from the main terminal.
MEMENTO
World Heritage City, Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An is a city that has tons and tons of souvenir items for tourists. Similar to Luang Prabang, there’s a street vendor selling some unique gift item at almost every corner. There’s no way one could leave without buying any item from this city.
SKY
Coron, Palawan, Philippines
With clear blue beautiful skies such as this one that I was able to capture during a trip to Coron, while on our way to see the beautiful limestone cliffs of the region, isn’t it indeed more fun in the Philippines?
STRUCTURAL
Downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA
Interesting architecture and amazing buildings comprise downtown Chicago, and that’s enough reason for one to visit the city. Boasting of iconic structures, it’s best to see and explore the city by foot. No matter where the streets will lead you, there’s always something interesting to see, and something new to experience.
ARC
Patuxai, Vientaine, Laos
One of Vientiane’s landmarks, Patuxai is reminiscent of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. Labeled as the Asian version of it, this landmark actually remains unfinished. It was a bit odd seeing this landmark in this sleepy city, with occasional tourists and monks walking from one side to another, taking photos.
