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Asia

All the places in Asia I’ve been to.

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

, UNESCO Sites

Sandamuni Pagoda and a Jungle of White Stupas

June 3, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Sandamuni Pagoda is surrounded by a jungle of white stupas built in a similar style. The moment I saw it while riding on a tuk-tuk, I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. Looking from the outside gates, the soaring tiny spires of these pagodas beckoned any visitors or passersby.

Golden Pagoda Things to do in Yangon, Myanmar.

, UNESCO Sites

Shwedagon Pagoda in the Morning

June 1, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Shwedagon Pagoda in the morning is a must-thing to do when you are in Yangon. Out of the many tourist attractions in the city, this is the only one worth getting up early before dawn. You’ve got to experience the absolute serenity of this sacred place before the crowd starts

, UNESCO Sites

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is Pure Bliss in the Morning

March 7, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is pure bliss in the morning. Its serenity and the murmuring whispers of prayers are calming to the soul. At least that’s how I felt because I arrived there at 4:15 in the morning – earlier than most Buddhist worshippers. And way too earlier than most

, UNESCO Sites

Tongli Water Town is a Classic Chinese Village from the Song Dynasty

January 3, 2020 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Tongli Water Town is a good introduction to the classical Chinese village of ancient yore. Of all the water towns I’ve been to, Tongli ranks on top of my list. I went there to see the ancient waterways, but I got more than that. The bad news when visiting in

, China

An Ancient Water Town Called Xitang – A Morning Stroll

December 3, 2019 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

There is an ancient water town called Xitang, half an hour by train from Shanghai. This water village became famous when Tom Cruise shot Mission Impossible III here. It would be wise to watch the movie first to make your strolling exciting. I haven’t watched it yet, to be honest.