Asia Archives - Page 8 of 12 -

10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

August 31, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Istanbul is a culmination of Byzantine, Constantinople, and Ottoman art and culture. Although there were many eye-catching attractions in the city, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul stands out from the rest of the list. Tips for Visiting: Come in the morning before everyone goes in. The serenity of the place can

Philippines

Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban – the Philippines’ Answer to “Christ The Redeemer” in Brazil

May 1, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban or the Hands of Jesus Shrine is a must-see tourist destination located in Quezon province. It is famous for the legends that revolve around the healing church located in the area and also the staircase museum (sort of) of all the important biblical events. Considering the religious

Philippines

View of Taal Volcano from the Unfinished Marcos Mansion

April 30, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Approximately 90 minutes away from Manila, on the clearing above the subtly mighty Mt. Gonzales, there is an unfinished mansion or a palace that speaks of the cruelty of human extravagance when it reaches its epitome. Called the “Palace in the Sky”, it is hard to believe that the rustic

Sri Lanka

Colombo: What to do and see in Peetah

April 29, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Here are what to do and see in Peetah, a cultural, religious, and urban neighborhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is also a crowded market that sells everything you could ask for – from kitchen wares to tools and to beauty products. In my first 10 minutes of strolling around,

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: 8 Things to Do in Kandy

April 28, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

After Colombo, if any city that totally mesmerized me in Sri Lanka was Kandy. Dotted with interesting places to see here and there, you’d see Buddhist temples and ancient relics that represent its former identity as the capital of the ancient kings of this land. From the Tooth of Buddha

Sri Lanka

Gay-Owned Guesthouse: 5 Reasons Why You Should Stay at Mahasen by Foozoo in Colombo

April 27, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

One of the perks of traveling is that you get to stay in many hotels/guesthouses and you get to taste incredible local hospitality. Mahasen by Foozoo in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is one of those accommodations I’ve stayed where as soon as you enter the door, you feel like you’re welcome

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Top 9 Things to do and see in Colombo

April 25, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Colombo is an organized chaos. It’s the largest and the capital city of the island country, Sri Lanka. The best way to get around it is by tuktuk – if you don’t mind the heat and the dust. If you do, hiring an Uber is cheap so, your $10 can

Sri Lanka

My Walking Tour Around Galle Fort

March 1, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

On my walking tour around Galle Fort, I was accompanied by a Swiss friend I’ve never seen in a long time. We met and started our walking tour at the Clock Tower and ended it there, too. But before we burned calories and hardened our calves, we had our lunch

Sri Lanka

On The Road: The Scenic Ride From Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

February 26, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The scenic ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is one I’d never forget too soon. We meandered on a narrow highway that goes nowhere but up. As we ascend, the views down the valleys and hills are getting better and more splendid. I had to open the car window to

Sri Lanka

Photos: The Stunning Pedro Tea Estate in Nuwara Eliya

February 25, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Nuwara Eliya is known for its Pedro Tea Estate. Lucky me, the House of Leisure where I stayed is overlooking the tea plantation. The views were stunning from my vantage point – the balcony. We arrived at the accommodation just in time for the sunset. After admiring the stunning scenery

Sri Lanka

On The Slow Train – The Views From Nuwara Eliya to Ella

February 23, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

I decided to take a train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella after being on a car for 4 days. It’s for the experience of riding the infamous slow train in Sri Lanka. And for the magnificent views, too! It took us 4 hours to arrive at our destination – with

Sri Lanka

Buddha’s Tooth is Forever Enshrined in this Sacred Temple in Kandy

February 22, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The locals believe that The Buddha’s tooth is forever enshrined in this temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last capital of the Sinhala Monarchy. The city is, in itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, primarily due to the existence of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The City of Kandy is

Sri Lanka

The Lion Rock of Sigiriya is the Eight Natural Wonder of the World?

February 20, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

The Lion Rock of Sigiriya is touted by Sri Lanka’s Tourism Board as the Eight Natural Wonder of the World. In its tourism campaigns, Sigiriya Rock (its other name) is a ubiquitous poster attraction – to the extent it’s almost becoming synonymous to the country itself. Ask anyone who had

Sri Lanka

This Hindu Temple in Matale is Incredible and It Has a Very Long Name – Arulmigu Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam

February 19, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

This Hindu Temple in Matale is incredible and it has a very long name: Arulmigu Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam. Can you read that in 10 seconds? 😀 I bet you had to do it by syllables! 😀 After climbing the Pidurangala Rock in Sigiriya, we started driving to Kandy. Along the way,

Sri Lanka

The Incredible Murals and Frescoes Inside the Dambulla Cave Temple

February 18, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

In my previous post, I showed you what’s like inside the Dambulla Cave Temple – which I believe is the Sistine Chapel of the Buddhist world. Now, in this post, I’ll show you the colourful and extremely incredible murals and frescoes inside the cave temple. As you all know, the

Sri Lanka

Dambulla Cave Temple is The Sistine Chapel of the Buddhism World

February 16, 2018 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

I haven’t been to many Buddhist temples but I can surely claim that Dambulla Cave Temple is The Sistine Chapel of the Buddhism world. And I’ve been to both. Everything inside this Buddhist temple – from its craggy floors to its painted walls and roof and life-size statues – is