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Asia

All the places in Asia I’ve been to.

, Myanmar

Soon U Pon Nya Shin Paya Pagoda and a Hundred More Pagodas on the Hills in Sagaing

September 17, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Soon U Pon Nya Shin Paya Pagoda is one of the richly-decorated Buddhist temples on a hill in Sagaing. Of all the hundreds of pagodas in Sagaing, this one is the most-visited paya. Buddhist devotees flock here to give their offerings to the Buddha. After my sightseeing tour in Mingun

, Singapore

The Rain Vortex at the Jewel at Changi International Airport in Singapore is Mesmerizing

September 4, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The Rain Vortex at the Jewel at Changi International Airport in Singapore is mesmerizing. It was the first “tourist attraction” I’ve seen in Singapore. A friend picked me up at the airport and despite carrying my 14-kg backpack, we took a short bus ride to The Jewel. The Jewel is

, Indonesia

Tukad Cepung Waterfall in Bali – The Most Dramatic of All

September 2, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Tukad Cepung Waterfall in Bali is the most dramatic of all waterfalls I’ve been to. It’s quite a ride from Canggu to the waterfall on a narrow, zigzaggy road. But, when you arrive, it’s all worth whatever trouble you have on the way. Promise! How much? You need to pay

, Myanmar

Mya Thein Dan White Pagoda – The Most Photogenic Pagoda in Mandalay

August 27, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Mya Thein Dan White Pagoda is the most photogenic pagoda in Mandalay or in Myanmar. The locals also call it, “Hsinbyume Pagoda.” These photos will prove that and they will certainly make you jealous to the bones! Unlike other pagodas I’ve seen in Southeast Asia that are bathed in gold,

, Myanmar

Views from Mandalay Hill

August 25, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The views from Mandalay Hill won’t really sweep you off your feet if you’re expecting a jungle of skyscrapers. Instead, you will be able to see towering golden stupas littering across the city plains. Believe me, you won’t be able to count them all. There are just too many of

, Myanmar

Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda in Mandalay Enshrines Myanmar’s Largest Marble Buddha

August 23, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda in Mandalay enshrines Myanmar’s largest Buddha image made of marble. And of all the pagodas I’ve been to in Mandalay, this was the busiest. Buddhist devotees come and go – some of them are from a faraway land. It’s free to enter, as long as you

, Indonesia

Sekumpul Waterfall – Bali’s Best Waterfall?

August 17, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Is Sekumpul Waterfall (Air Tejun Sekumpul) the best of all waterfalls in Bali? I think and believe so. It’s not just the best but, perhaps, the most dramatic of all, too! And for sure, it is the tallest cascade in the whole island! The mid and northern part of Bali

, Singapore

The SuperTree Grove at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

August 11, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The SuperTree Grove at Gardens by the Bay is one of a kind tourist attraction in Singapore. Such a concept is, perhaps, a pioneer in the world on how we see trees. It’s not just a man-made tree but there’s more to that. There are 18 super trees in the

, Myanmar

Shwe Indein Pagodas – The Ruins You Have to See Now

July 28, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Shwe Indein Pagodas are the ruins that you have to see now. Why? Because new pagodas keep building up around the old ones and it’s not a good thing. Sooner or later, you can’t anymore see which ones are old and which ones are new. Fortunately, there were only a

, Travel Itinerary

Mt Popa: A Half-Day Trip Outside Bagan

July 22, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Mt Popa can be explored for a half-day tour outside Bagan. It’s a 50-kilometer journey but due to its unpaved road conditions, it took us an hour and a half to get there. Well, some parts of the road are under construction though. So, hopefully, it gets better in a

Golden Hour in Bali Sunset Hotel Hostel Villa

, Indonesia

Uluwatu Sunset Point – Where You Should Watch the Sundown in Bali

July 12, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

At Uluwatu Sunset Point, everything turns golden at sundown. It is, for me, the best place to watch the sunset in Bali. The sun is directly facing the cliff – and what/where a better way to end the day than here? Ok, there are many sunset spots in Uluwatu for

, Malaysia

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building – Is This The Most Beautiful in KL?

July 10, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Is Sultan Abdul Samad Building the most beautiful of colonial architecture in Kuala Lumpur? I think so. Though designed by a British architect, A.C. Norman, there is nothing British in it – as far as I’m concerned. I mean, if you look at the facade, there’s no trace of British

, Malaysia

Merdeka Square is Kuala Lumpur’s Most Historical Area to Visit

July 8, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Merdeka Square is definitely Kuala Lumpur’s most historical area I visited while in Malaysia’s capital city. It is, for sure, a tourist attraction you must not miss when exploring the city. You have never been to Kuala Lumpur without visiting this square. Historically, the field here was once used for

, Malaysia

Inside Masjid Negara – Malaysia’s National Mosque

July 6, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s National Mosque completed in 1965. In many city tours, this mosque is one of the tourist attractions where tour buses stop. At first glance, with the absence of the tall minaret, the structure of Masjid Negara doesn’t look like a mosque. Well, it’s

, Indonesia

Tirta Empul Temple – Bali’s Sacred Spring Pool

July 2, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Tirta Empul Temple in Bali (just a few minutes outside Ubud) is the island’s most sacred temple for the Hindus. Everyone is welcome to visit the temple as long as you are dressed properly. That means, no exposed flesh (arms and legs). A sarong at the entrance can be borrowed

Elephant Cave Temple Monster stone statue

, Indonesia

Elephant Cave Temple – Where Elephants Are Nowhere to be Found

June 25, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

At Elephant Cave Temple, the elephants are nowhere to be found. Nada. Zero. Nil. This is a sacred place for Hindus in Bali and it is rich in cultural and archaeological importance. Not far from central Ubud, the temple is just a few minutes away via a scooter. It’s also