Wherever you go to Hong Kong, there are many things that you can do. There are a lot of attractions in Hong Kong, and it has a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you are a shopping person or a travel person, this country will provide almost everything. So today, in this article, we will talk about one of the most popular attractions of the Hong Kong region, which is The Kowloon Park.
Kowloon Park
Kowloon Park is located in the middle of the biggest shopping district Tsim Sha Tsui. It is one of the largest parks in Hong Kong. In 1970 this park was officially opened for the public, and after that, it quickly turned into a great tourist place for everyone. It’s filled with many attractions for tourists and locals.
If you like greenery, peace, and nature, this park is for you. Kowloon Park covers an area of 13.5 hectares, so you can say that it’s pretty big. You can visit the Kowloon Park on any day of the year, and it’s open from 5 am to 12 am.
Do you need to pay to enter Kowloon Park?
Kowloon Park is a public park that got opened for everyone in 1970. So since it’s a public park, the entry inside the park is free of charge. Although if you want to use the canteen and other facilities there, that will work for sure cost you some expenses.
Things to do when you in Kowloon Park
Visit the Chinese garden.
One of the best things about Kowloon Park is the traditional Chinese garden. The Chinese garden is a combination of grass and concrete. When you walk through the garden, you will see 2 pounds and many Chinese pagodas. There is also a maze where you can enjoy walking. Take your time and sit on the benches while taking a walk and enjoy the sunlight.
Visit the bird lake
If you go to Kowloon Park, there is nothing more beautiful to see than the bird lake. The lake got named the bird lake because when you go there, it’s always filled with beautiful pink flamingos. It’s just quite relaxing and soothing to the mind and also provides you a peaceful environment.
Walk on the 200-meter covered pathway in the rain.
It’s something that you might be able to do if you are in the park and it suddenly starts raining. At Kowloon Park, there is a sheltered pathway where you can walk while enjoying the sound of the rain. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you like rain, it’s just the thing for you.
Take a swim in the pool.
Kowloon Park has two pools, one is an outdoor pool, and another is the indoor pool in the sports section. You can always go there and take a swim, make sure to go on weekdays before the school ends, or else it will get way too crowded.
Watch the Sunday show.
Every Sunday in Kowloon Park, there is a live dragon show, and mixed martial arts performances, the show starts at precisely 2:30 pm and goes on till 4:30 pm. It’s a must-see thing if you visit Kowloon Park on Sunday.
If you are planning a Hongkong trip, connect us at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com
Cebu is one of the most popular tourist destinations. In recent years it has witnessed a colossal upsurge in the number of tourists visiting it every year. If you have also planned a trip to Cebu, then you must ensure that you do not miss out on visiting certain places and doing certain activities.
Diving with Whale Sharks
To witness the biggest fish across the globe, you ought to be on the coast of the Philippines. These magnificent creatures called “sharks” are the gentle beasts that in reality are totally different from what we can even imagine. On the island, therefore you must not miss out on an opportunity to not only witness but also swim alongside the mighty Whale Shark. Irrespective of the time of the year you plan to visit the place, you can have this experience as fishermen feed the sharks to keep them around even in winters.
Visiting Mountain View Nature Park
Mountain View Nature Park is one of the must-visit places in Cebu. This is one place that has in store one or the other thing for all the people of your family. Irrespective of the age group to which you belong, you will find an activity that interests you and keeps you busy at this place. the stunning tropical views of the rolling hills amidst the peaceful jungle life is one thing that is going to fascinate you for sure. You can have a clear view of the far off places from a spot at this park.
Basilica del Santo Nino
One of the oldest Catholic Church is located in Cebu. Founded in 1565, Basilica del Santo Nino is a must-visit place if you are in Cebu. Walking around the church halls will give you peace from within. You can also explore the ancient paintings, as well as the gorgeous archways apart from the stained glass windows. To put it in other words, this is undeniably the perfect piece of architecture that is literally stunning.
Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary
If you are a nature lover, then you must not skip visiting a beautiful butterfly sanctuary situated in Cebu. Here you are allowed to take a walk through the mini rainforest well supplied with the tropical plants as well as flowers. Besides everything else, the most stunning aspect of the sanctuary remains to be the gorgeous butterflies that keep fluttering all around. The pro tip is that you need to be ready with your camera as you an anytime get an opportunity to click a perfect picture.
Taoist Temple
In the subdivision of the Beverly Hills of Cebu, there is located a stunning and awe-aspiring Taoist Temple. This temple is located 300 meters above the sea level has a lot of steps that are steep along with the trails that are winding that will scare the hell out of you but will surely be an adventure for all. The view from the temple is totally amazing.
Cebu Westown Lagoon
Cebu Westown Lagoon is basically a man-made lagoon that features some of the most refreshing pools of water as well as gazebos. You also get to witness the water fountains along with Jacuzzis as well as giant pool slides.
To wrap up, these are some of the most beautiful places to visit in Cebu and some of the most amazing things to do there. Apart from these, there are a lot of other activities that you can indulge in depending on the availability of time at your disposal.
Ever wonder that Ram and Sita from Ramayana were the epic travelers, who during their exile of 14 years traversed almost the India and parts of Srilanka.
For a few, it might be a fiction, but what is interesting is that the journey mentioned in Ramayana during his exile has its footprints across India.
Sharing the list of Places that Ram, Sita Lakshman, and his Vanar Sena traced and some places which are related to Ramayana otherwise and how these places are popularly known to the modern world.
Ayodhya
Ayodhya, a small place near Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh is the birthplace of Ram, where he was born to Kaushalya and King Dashrath. It is where Ram Rajya actually exists. Currently, Ayodhya is also known as the temple city of India due to the plethora of temples. The celebration of Ramnavmi is worth watching in Ayodhya.
Janakpur
Janakpur is the birthplace of Sita. The legend goes like that she was not born to Raja Janak, instead, he found her while plowing the land and her presence brought the rains to the place, which finished the long-lasting drought of Janakpur. Ram was married to Sita in Janakpur only.
Currently, it is known as Sitamarhi and is now south-east of Kathmandu. There is a special festival and celebrations occur on the marriage anniversary of ram & Sita. Janakpur is also one of the holy sites on the route of Parikrama (holy circle) which is carried out by devout Hindus as a form of worship along with Ayodhya, Kashi, and Brij in India.
Allahabad
In order to go beyond Ayodhya, when exile was given, Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman crossed the river Ganga from Prayag, which is popularly known as Allahabad now. The place is famous for its Sangam point and witness tourists during Kumbh Mela.
Chitrakoot
Currently situated on the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, this place is famous for its beautiful Hindu scriptures. In Ramayana, it is the place where Bharat came to persuade Ram to come back to Ayodhya, and when Ram denied, he took his slippers. The trio spent a lot of time here. In the current Chitrakoot, everything relates to Ram.
Chitrakoot is a spiritual retreat, thronged almost throughout the year by the travelers, who have a penchant for the unknown and unexplored
Dandakaranya
Dandakaranya is a present-day Bastar which includes parts of Odisha, Chattisgarh. The trio was believed to stay in these Jungles for the majority of their exile time. Khar and Dhushan were killed by Ram in these jungles only.
Nashik
Modern-day Nashik, is the home of the trio and find its mention in Ramayana as Panchvati. Nashik got its name because, it is here, where Lakshman actually cuts the Suparnkha nose. Ram built a small home at Panchvati and it is where events like Sita abduction happened. Visit the Kala Ram Mandir which is one of the most famous temples in Panchavati. Among other places, you could visit the Sita Gufa (The Cave of Sita) and Kapaleshwar Mandir. Every 12 years pilgrims come here to witness Kumbh Mela.
Hampi
Kishkindha or modern-day Hampi (Karnataka) was the kingdom of apes. It is the place where the famous Sugriv Bali fight happened during Ramayana. Today, Hampi is one of the UNESCO sites. Ram and Lakshman met Hanuman and Sugriv at Kishkindha only.
You can visit Virupaksha temple, Vitthala temple. There is a cave on the bank of the Tungbhadra river where Sugriva is said to have hidden Sita’s jewels for safety. There are marks and streaks on the rocks, which are said to have been made by Sita’s ornaments.
Lepakshi
Lepakshi Lepakshi is a famous archaeological place in Andhra Pradesh. In Ramayana, this is where Jatayu ( demi-god in the form of the eagle) tries to fight Ravana. Jatayu gets hurt and falls down by the time Rama arrives. Jatayu is rewarded in the form of moksha (liberation) by Rama. It is said that this event happened in Lepakshi
Veerbhadra Temple is the must-visit place while you are in the city. A large Nandi, which is supposed to be the largest in the world takes care of the city.
Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram, which is currently one of the char-dhams is the place, from, where Ram and his vanar sena actually started their journey to Srilanka. The place is famous for the beautiful Vivekananda temple and Shiv Temple. The story says, Sita also established a shivlinga on her way back from Srilanka.
Dhanuskodi
Dhanuskodi is now an abandoned coastal village. It is at the tip of Pamban Island. The interesting part of Dhanuskodi is the existence of Palk Strait (Rama Setu). It is believed that Rama with the help of apes built this bridge to go to Lanka. However, there are many mysterious things about Rama Setu which will surprise you!
Ashok Vatika
Modern-day Hakgala Botanical Garden in Srilanka is the Ashok Vatika where Sita was where Sita, was held captive after her abduction. The legend goes like, Sita denied stay with Ravana and chose to stay under the Ashok tree, waiting for Ram throughout her abduction.
Talaimannar
This was Lord Rama’s first stop in Sri Lanka from where the conflict with Ravana’s mighty army began. After a lengthy battle, Lord Rama killed Ravana and then made Vibhishana as the king.
Currently, this place is located on the northwestern coast of Mannar Island. You can reach here by road from Mannar which links the island to the rest of the country through a causeway.
Most of the above places hold prime importance and are on the pilgrims’ bucket list. Needless to say, Ram literally traveled to the whole India, parts of Srilanka and Nepal too. This travel itinerary is indeed an interesting one especially for those who want to relive mythology.
The image that comes to one’s mind when one thinks of Hong Kong is a chaotic city full of skyscrapers, corporate culture – and what with it being one of the biggest business hubs of the world, it is hardly surprising. But it hardly true, more than half of Hong Kong is a rural area and it has lots of mountains in it offering you options for amazing hiking experiences. Today we bring you a list of top 8 Hiking trails of HongKong:
1. Sunset Peak Hiking Trail
The highest peak in Hong Kong is located in Lantau Island and offers a trail that, if you wish it, can be as long as 70 kilometers. Along the way, you will come across Hong Kong’s International airport, a couple of historic sights, and lots of stunning sights created by nature including some small waterfalls. The peak is the highest point in Hong Kong and is, as the name suggests, is the black to see the sunset in Hong Kong.
How to reach Sunset Peak Hiking Trail?
You can take an MTR to Tung Chung and from there a 3M bus that will take you into Mui Wo on the island. You can also get a ferry to Mui Wo from Center Pier.
From Mui Wo, you can now walk or just take a 5-minute taxi up to Pak Kun Au. Here, you must lookout for the lush picnic site. This is where you’ll find the signposts for Lantau Trail Stage 2 and Sunset Peak, marking the beginning of Hike.
2. Lantau Peak Hiking Trail
This is the second-highest peak in Hong Kong at 934 meters. The trail shares much with Sunset Peak Hiking Trail in the neighbor of which it is located.
At the top of Lantau Peak, there is the grand Big Buddha statue and monastery, which is an awesome place to click some snaps and grab some food. And you can take the Ngong Ping cable car back down the mountainside and enjoy some more incredible sights along the way.
The hike is rendered different from incline along the way but rendered somewhat easier by the paved paths which form most of the trail.
How to reach Lantau Peak Hiking Trail?
The starting point is between Mui Wo and Tung Chung and can be reached by taking the MTR to Tung Chung or Mui Wo and then you must cover some distance on foot or get a lift.
3. Dragon’s Back Hike
Located on the southern side of Hong Kong island, Dragon’s Back Peak has been declared the best urban hike in the whole continent Asia by Time Magazine. It is also the hike that you are most likely to be recommended to take if you ask the locals.
There is nothing urban-like despite what Time says about this trail except for the fact that it is so deceptively close to Hong Kong’s skyscrapers. Despite being so close to the urban world though, nature breathes freely on this hike and spreads its beauty freely. Along the trail, you will be greeted by stunning views of Clearwater Bay and a number of uninhabited islands of the South China Sea.
The ridges of Shek O forms this 4-hour long Hike and Shek O rests on the end of this trail. Shek O is a small village with a few bars and restaurants as well as a couple of excellent beaches. The cherry on the cake – you can try surfing here. The only place in whole Hong Kong where you can do that. You can also try paragliding or try flying kites.
How to reach Dragon’s Back Hike Trail?
You can reach the Dragon’s Back by taking the omnibus from Shau Kei Wan MTR to Tei Wan. From there, the trail is 1 kilometer uphill on the road and some signs stand announcing it.
4. The ‘Peak’ Hike
If you are in for a rather challenging hike, the “Peak” Hike is one for you. The spot is highly recommended locally and highly loved by tourists too. However, tourists are mostly dependent on trams that land them directly at peak. However, the pleasure-driven from panoramic sights Peak offers are far superior if you reach thereafter that challenging hike that precedes it.
The challenging hike has to offer is mostly exhausting effort needed on this hike that inclines heavily upward. You can, of course, take the tram on your way back.
How to reach the Victoria Peak Hike?
Though there are a number of ways to reach it, we recommend is starting from the grounds of the University of Hong Kong.
5. Lion Rock Trail Hike
Next in our list of 8 best hiking trails is Lion Rock Trail Hike. The trail gets the name from Lion Rock Country Park. This park forms part of the MacLehose Trail, which crosses the New Territories from east to west.
The most difficult trail in this list challenges you with hard peak climbs on stone tracks or off-road tracks but you are rewarded with some of the most stunning views of New Territories not to be found elsewhere. You will really need to be for this one as the not only trail is hard but you must also make your way back down.
How to reach Lion Rock Trail Hike?
Take a taxi to Gilwell Campsite that runs across Beacon Hill and ends at Tai Po Road. There are several other points too from where you can jump in.
6. Lamma Island Family Trail Hike
Lantau Island is already featured in our list for two hiking trails. The island full of lust greenery is free of traffic or vehicles of all kinds. Though you can take a ferry to the island; there is also the option of the Family Trail hike. This beautiful trail makes its through the island’s green interiors that lies between the two main villages of Yung Shu Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. Yung Shue Wan is the capital of the island and has a few bars. Sok Kwu Wan village is famous for its seafood restaurants. There are also a couple of beeches on this really easy trail.
How to reach Lamma Island Family Trail Hike?
A ferry can be taken from central ferry piers to Yung Shu Wan where the trail starts at the end of the single main street. From Sok Kwu Wan you can take a ferry for your way back – you must check if one is available before starting as ferries here are infrequent.
7. Tai Mo Shan Hiking Trail
An extinct volcano, it is famous for its green tea. At 957 meters, it is the highest point in Hong Kong. Aside from panoramic views of Kowloon reservoirs, Truen Wan skyline, and mainland China; some cows and snakes can also be spotted.
How to reach Tai Mo Shan Hiking Trail
To get to the starting point, you must take the MTR red line to Tsuen Wan, Kwai Hing, or Tai Wo Hau Station and from there hire a cab to Lead Mine Pass.
8. Tai Long Wan Honking Trail
Last in our list of 8 best hiking trails is Tai Long Wan Honking Trail. Leave early if you want to cover it in a day. This 12-kilometer Long trail starts at the end of Sai Wan and takes you through beautiful coves like that of Sai Wan and Chek Keng. If you don’t like crowds, it will be the perfect destination for a getaway as it’s still relatively unknown to tourists. Tai Long also boosts of 4 immensely beaches. It is also an amazing camping sight. For conventional hotels go to Sai Wan or Ham Tin.
How to reach Tai Wan Honking Trail?
To reach the starting point, you must take the village bus 29R at Chan Man Rd (the stop is in front of McDonald’s) to Sai Wan Ting (which literally means West Bay Pagoda) from where you can start the trail.
This is all from us. We hope this helps you in choosing your hiking trail next time you visit Hong Kong. ☺
South Horizons in Ap Lei Chau district in Hong Kong is buzzing with tourist activity these days. The place is surrounded by village houses and a sea bay. Here is a list of things to do in South Horizons:
Promenade and Parks
There are plenty of lush green parks in South Horizon as well as an 800-meter-long promenade wherein you can go on a scenic walk. The best time to visit is evening as the sun is about to set because the video of the windmills along with the sunset is spectacular. There are more than 50 species of plants lined up in the promenade and you will be glued to the camera as you try capturing it all.
Bafang Dumpling
Address: Bafang Dumpling, Shop 5, G/F, Marina Square West Centre, South Horizons, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, p. 25187678, 鴨脷洲海怡半島海怡西商場地下5號舖
It is not possible to visit Hong Kong and not have cravings for dumplings. This Taiwanese Dumpling chain “Bafang Dumpling” is the perfect spot for all your cravings and is a must-visit place if you are in the South Horizons. It is surrounded by other clubhouses so it can easily be missed out, yet if you go inside, you will find a culinary delight. All sorts of boiled and fried dumplings are available along with a variety of bubble teas. The whole meal will cost you less than $50 and you can try different flavors of dumplings and tea. Passion fruit green tea is a must-try.
Prada Outlet
Address: Prada Outlet, 2/F Marina Square East, South Horizons, Ap Lei Chai, p. 2814 9576, 香港鴨脷洲海怡半島東翼商場2樓
One of the only two Prada Outlets in Asia is located in South Horizons. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday (10.30 – 19.30) as well as Monday and public holidays (1200 – 1900). You cannot miss shopping at these outlets because here you can get the older collection at a 50-80% discounted price. There are some fantastic deals for out-of-season fashion items like winter coats during summer and beachwear during winters. You can stock up for the right timing with a discounted price of $2000- $7000. If you are a fashion fan, you will be amazed by the collection and the prices.
Amphitheatre
In South horizons, you will find plenty of amphitheaters everywhere but the main one is located in the promenade and is all the hype during festivals. There are magic shows, dance performances and it is all the buzz during the Chinese New Year.
MCL Cinemas
It is one of the only cinemas in the area and if you are tired from exploring the residential area, this is the time to watch the latest English, Chinese or even a Hindi movie at MCL theatre, located at the top floor of Marina East. They even have a discount for senior citizens.
One of the things that you must definitely consider doing if you are ever in Vietnam in the future is to cruise on Ha Long Bay.
The Ha Long Bay is a majestic bay comprising of nearly 2,000 limestone islands. The natural spectacle has been declared a UNESCO World Cultural Site.
How to reach Ha Long Bay?
A bus ride from Hanoi in Vietnam will land you on the bay in about 4 hours.
What to eat?
Food is easily available in the region and non-vegetarian food, especially fish, is the most common but a large number of vegetarian alternatives are available. The quality of food on a cruise depends on the quality of cruise – generally expensive, the more expensive a cruise is, the better the quality of food is.
What is the best weather to visit Ha Long Bay?
Though Ha Long Bay is awesome in all weather; the best time to visit it is on a clear sunny day.
What to do in Ha Long Bay?
The junk boats in the bay made of old wood add a flavor of bygone days to the natural beauty of the place.
1. Go Cruising
The best thing it does in Ha Long Bay is to do go cruising. It is a relaxation in the cradle of nature that will warm welcome to you on a holiday especially if you are coming from noisy city of Hanoi
2. Visit local floating villages.
yes, you heard it. Floating villages! A bamboo ride will take you to these small almost entirely self-sustained island villages. They have few homes and often each home has a small fish farm of its own. The people are engaged in fishing and pearl trading and have lived here for centuries.
The villages are far away from the nearest mainland, and so in order to protect them from the excesses of Bay and wind; they are built on large buoys which is what earns them the title of floating villages.
Even little children take a boat to their small, one-room classes.
3. Go Kayaking
A journey to the Ha Long Bay is incomplete without Kayaking. If your restless limbs won’t let you rest in cruise; this physical sport might appeal to you even more. Nevertheless, everyone must have this unforgettable experience.
4. Sunsets
Only very few sights are as impressive as a sunset in Ha Long Bay, it’s orange light filling the whole view with its stunning beauty.
5. Sunrise
Rising earlier in the morning here will pay yours incredibly in the form of sight of an amazing sunrise that will greet you.
6. Go fishing
If fishing is your thing, it is another thing on cards. And what better way to spend time as you wait for the sun to rise.
7. Caves
The cave tours will take you to limestone caves found on some of the islands. Being on small islands the caves themselves are quite small but that doesn’t take away from their immense beauty. They were cold and aptly lit by soft lighting which showcased their beauty best.
The Sung Sot Grotto or “Amazing Grotto” has some of the best caverns. On the other hand of them is a cliff, offering a panoramic view of the whole bay.
The downside is these caves might easily get crowded.
8.. Cooking Classes
You can take cooking classes on your cruise and learn to cook some local delicacies!
Tips
Some tips on the selection of a cruise:
1. The price you pay for the cruise is normally an indicator of the quality of your experience (budget, mid-range or luxurious).
2. If you want to save some bucks at the expense of some inconvenience; you should book a cruise locally in Hanoi with one of the travel agencies. The inconvenience is in hunting for the agency that offers the best price. Book online to avoid this inconvenience.
3. Make sure your cruise offers everything you wish to do. After ensuring it, double-check it.
4. The smaller the boat, the more personal the experience it produces. Thus, we recommend ensuring the size of the boat is right for you.
5. Try to go for cruises that take you to less-traveled places in order to avoid crowds.
Tidung Island is an island in Indonesia that is located close to the capital city Jakarta. The Tidung Island is classified as Big Tidung and smaller Tidung and since the small island is mainly just covered with Mangrove forests, the bigger island is a place of tourist attraction.
The best part about this island is that it is mainly undiscovered and a less talked about place among tourists which makes it less crowded and relatively cheap! What else could you ask for? It is a large island with a single road in the middle. White sand beaches and clear blue water for as far as eyes can see. The island is basically a breeding ground for mangroves and the seeds are planted once a year.
How to reach:
From a port in North Jakarta (Muara Angke), you can either reach Tidung by a slow wooden boat or ferry or speed boating. The ferry would take 3 hours to reach while the speed boat would take you there in one and a half hours. The ferry timing is 7 am sharp and since it only leave once a day, make sure you are on it.
Lodgings:
The island is not commercially developed and is maintained locally by the people who live there. The lodgings are available on the big island of Tidung Besar as the smaller island is uninhabited. The people of the island have decorated their homes and fitted air conditioners so it is quite comfortable. It is a community-based island so instead of expensive hotels and resorts, you get to stay with the locals in their homes. Don’t worry they are quite charming and nice!
Tidung Waters are shallow and there are coral reefs, tropical fish and exotic sea creatures in it. The underwater world is one marvelous part of the island and if that does not tempt you to visit here, I do not know what will. It is the perfect place for marine tourism and diving for beginners. People interested in studying coral reefs may also visit.
There are also tree houses near the beach where you can sit back and enjoy the delightful blue waves. Also, it is one of the most pocket-friendly places to visit. A trip to Tidung will fit right into your budget and it is a better and cheaper option than the other crowded or expensive islands. This is a place of peace and quiet where you can hide from the noisy city and just live in the moment.
The most popular thing about the island is the bridge connecting Small Tidung and Tidung Large. It is a long bridge and locally known as ‘Bridge of Love’. At the beginning point of the bridge, locals often demonstrate diving into the beautiful blue water, entertaining the tourists and filling them with a desire to jump into those waters themselves. The end of the bridge lies at the small Tidung island where you may cycle along the paths, or relax at empty white sand beaches, soaking in the sun and filling your sight with beautiful scenery. The bridge itself offers picturesque views but crossing this bridge needs a strong courageous heart and is no child’s game.
Tidung Island also offers water sports facilities and many water games for the thrill-seekers and people with an adventurous spirit.These water game facilities are available at the western part of Large Tidung.Visit Tidung for a family getaway and you will have so much fun that you will not want to go back home. It has all the necessary fragments of paradise, so don’t miss out!
During our last trip to Malaysia, we stayed at ITC Sheraton. Located in the city center of Kuala Lumpur and just steps away from the city monorail and LRT (Light Rail Transit) lines via Dang Wangi Station) and Monorail via Medan Tuanku Station. It sits amidst amazing tourist destination nearby including Chinatown (15minutes), Buli Bintang (10 minutes), Central Market (10minutes), HSC Medical Center (15 minutes), Prince Court Medical Center (15 minutes)and National Heart Institute (15 minutes). Both Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1 and 2 are only an hour’s drive and airport transportation is available. Moreover, it provides airport transportation. Moreover, over our long history of international tours ‘Sheraton’ has become a trusted brand name with us and we have often come to depend on it over time.
This amazing hotel has nearly 400 rooms – some smoking and other non-smoking. Our rooms – the standard ones were amply spacious, tidy and well-ventilated with air conditioning, a walk-in closet, nice comfortable pillows, clean toilets, and flat television screens. The rooms came with safe and ironing facilities. The toilets had free toiletries as well as a bathtub. The suites, VIP rooms, and family rooms are also available. Of course, room service is available. The best thing about the rooms though was the presence of a mini bar in the room. There is also a business center and facilities for holding conferences – making it perfect for business tours.
The hotel provides free high-speed WiFi internet, an outdoor swimming pool we took full advantage of, a fitness center with Gym or workout room – which is a facility of great importance for someone like us who travel a lot. There was also a lounge with a bar. And we highly recommend taking advantage of the Mandara spa here. Free parking facility available and they also avail rental cars.
The front desk is opened all hours and can be approached for currency exchange, tour arrangements, concierge services, etc. The staff was friendly, eager to serve and hospitable – all smiles and well informed as they answered our often stupid questions and put up with our mildly annoying eccentricities.
The best part about ITC Sheraton though is amazing food. Delicious varieties of local as well as international seafood are available in as many as 5 in-house dining options. Its Celestial Court restaurant offers authentic seafood which we, Ghoomophiro Sisters, could never have enough of. If you are looking for something romantic, Villa Danieli is the place for you. Styled after a rustic country home, it is a free-standing trattoria perfect for romantic Italian dinners. For International Cuisine you can and should try dining at Essence.
The prices are starting from approx 6000 INR and go on to more than double that rate. Given its prime location in a spot which attracts tourists from all over the world and the incredible perks it offers, we found the price very reasonable. The panoramic views of skyline available from the building and some of the open spaces made it seem like a lot to us.
Much like other Sheraton hotels, ITC Sheraton at Kuala Lumpur more than met our expectations. They have a way of being a one-stop solution to all your tourist needs and still managing to delight you. Their high rating of 8.7 at Booking.com is for very good reasons. Thus we personally highly recommend ITC if Malaysia (Truly Asia) is your next tourist destination.
One of the Asian destinations that are on almost everyone’s list is Hong Kong because not only is the airfare quite cheap but also the shopping experience won’t burn a hole in your pocket. The dynamic culture of the place and its tech-markets are also added bonuses. It is impossible for one to forget the delicacies of Hong Kong since the culinary experience is one of the things Hong Kong can be remembered by. But before you visit Hong Kong, let’s clear some confusion regarding what this “country” is all about.
Is the Hong Kong part of China or are they a separate country? It is not quite easy to understand. While Hong Kong has its own currency, passport system, and legal system, Hong Kong is called the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) which whether they like it or not, is a part of China. But hey, did you know that Hong Kong was under the United Kingdom’s rule till 1997? So, there exists a Hong Kong Basic Law between China and Britain. Under this law, Hong Kong gets to have its own political, economic and governmental systems making it into a separate country from China. Therefore, they retain their passport system, currency and are basically autonomous.
If you ask someone living in Hong Kong whether they are Chinese, you will get different answers depending on their ideology and political leaning. Some of the Hong Kong citizens would tell you they are Chinese but NOT Chinese at the same time. They have no problems in being called Chinese because of their ethnicity and culture since they are genetically Chinese. But they do not wish to accept that they are under the Chinese rule and thus refrain from becoming Geopolitically Chinese. They still follow the Chinese culture and lifestyle though.
Now that the confusion is clear, these are some things you should know about Hong Kong:
#1: The Greenery in Hong Kong
Most foreigners have this perception about Hong Kong that there isn’t much greenery there but that is not true. Their green spaces include country parks that are not as big and sprawling as Central Park or Hyde Park but are still pretty green. In fact, 2/3rd of Hong Kong is made up of countryside with lots of greenery all around. It is a different matter, however, that you cannot lie down in the parks or take a sunbath there but hiking in lush green surroundings is encouraged and so the average Hong Kong citizen is taking more liking towards hiking.
There are a number of small mountains spread in Hong Kong and many beautiful islands as well. So if you are visiting Hong Kong, do head to the geological parks, go trekking there and climb up to Sunset Peak. The natural wonders in Hong Kong are also worth appreciating especially the Basaltic columns.
#2: Not all Hilly around here
Apart from Hong Kong Island, you won’t find hills in the New Territories of Hong Kong. The towns are all flat and though there are some regions in Hong Kong with beautiful hilly topography because of volcanic, you can rest assured you won’t be gasping for breath while wandering around Hong Kong.
#3: Get an Octopus card, it is used everywhere
Octopus card used to be a means for paying for different kinds of transports but there days, it has become its own form of payment. You can use it to pay at shops, at convenience stores, cinemas, restaurants and even at hospitals. If you don’t know what an Octopus card is, it is just like London’s Oyster card except that it gives you plenty of discounts and you can easily buy one at any convenience store or any MTR station for $6.40+ or HK$50. The Octopus card is widely used by Hong Kong’s population but there is a story behind its name too. Since Octopus card was meant for traveling, the number 8 represents the eight different directions like north, west, south, east, northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast. In the Cantonese language, it is called Baat Daaht Tung translating to “Eight-arrived pass” or “go everywhere pass”. 8 is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture as well and thus the English name Octopus since Octopus has eight tentacles.
#4: Hong Kong believes in being late
It did not mean that in a negative sense but the markets of Hong Kong open up late and stay open till late. It does not mean that all shops open late but many boutiques start opening around 11 am in the morning. Shopping malls are a different matter altogether but if you are planning to visit the markets and see the local private-owned shops, plan your shopping endeavors for afternoons and evenings. Lunchtime would be considered the best since the shops remain open till 8 pm in the night and that will give you plenty of time to head to different shops and spend as much time as you want.
#5: No Museum Fees on Wednesdays
No idea about the reason behind this but if you are going to any government museum, schedule it for a Wednesday since you won’t have to pay any fees. But you must remember that this will be the day when museums will be most crowded as well as schools often take the museum trip on Wednesdays. But it sure is a nice way to save some money that you can spend on food and snacks later on.
#6: Get ready for the stares
If you aren’t Asian, you are going to get stared at but that is completely normal. Even if you are Asian but dressed oddly, the locals will look at you and judge you too. It is nothing to feel bad about since they do it to everyone. Staring and being a bit judgy, gossiping and whispering in the corner, it is all part of the culture.
But one thing that makes the stares endurable is when locals ask you to take selfies with them. Hong Kongers love taking pictures with foreigners. If you are visiting Disneyland especially, get ready to be swarmed by school girls who will mob you until you take tons of pictures with them. You don’t need to be famous to get all the love and attention in Hong Kong.
#7: Hong Kongers live a fast life, so don’t get in the way.
If you travel in Hong Kong by public transport or walk around the Mass transit railway while it is rush hour, you will get to know that Hong Kongers do not tolerate people getting in the way of wherever they are going. You might be just wandering around the market in Hong Kong during the weekend to get a vibe of the place but people will shove you, push you aside, sneer at you and ‘tsk’ ‘tsk’, it is better to just get out of their way. It is just that people in Hong Kong have such a busy and fast-paced life that they do not have time to slow down and wait for the other person to pass.
#8: If you see scarves and boots, don’t worry it still is summer
People in Hong Kong are not accustomed to cold temperatures. Anything below 20 degrees is cold for them. Since Hong-Kong is a sub-tropical area, the temperature remains around 27 degrees. This is why when it is below 20, you will see people wearing scarves, mufflers, jackets and even fur boots even while you are comfortable wearing a half-sleeve tee and shorts. Winter is an odd concept in Hong Kong.
#9: Hong Kong food = take-out
People live near shopping malls and restaurants which mostly have food stalls that are affordable and delicious. So people in Hong Kong love to eat out. You will find people more eager to have take-out or eat at a restaurant than cook in their own kitchen. Moreover, the busy schedule does not leave much time to pack lunches or cook own dinner. With no cooking comes additional benefit of not having to go grocery shopping often, no washing dishes and no cleaning the kitchen all the time.
#10: Surname comes before the first name
The trend does not only exist in Hong Kong alone. In China, as well as many other oriental countries, people put their last names before their names. So, make sure that when someone is introducing themselves or someone else to you, you don’t get confused, especially if it is not an English name. Suppose you hear the name Chien Yu-Chin, then Chien is the last name or as the Hong Kongers say the family name while Yu-Chin is how you should address them. It is definitely easier to ask for nicknames or just give one yourself.
So, here was the list of ten things you should know before you visit Hong Kong so you can merge and conversate with the locals well, without offending anyone. Have a lot of fun exploring new things.
From historical temples to pristine, unspoiled beaches, Cambodia has something to offer every traveler. We’ve outlined a few must-visit places along your tour of the South East Asian country. So, what are you waiting for? Book your visa, sort travel insurance, grab your passport and get exploring.
This awe-inspiring wonder of Siem Reap is one of the world’s largest religious monuments and attracts an estimated 2 million tourists per year. Originally designed as a Hindu temple, it became a Buddhist place of worship towards the end of the twelfth century. The magnificent temple is a sight to behold at any time of the day but it is best enjoyed at sunrise when the sun rises behind the famous towers.
Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital city was once known as ‘the pearl of Asia’ and with its thriving cafe and restaurant scene, bustling streets and stunning historic sights, it’s not hard to see why. Travel writers, such as 1Cover’s Ben Groundwater, admit the city can be chaotic, but with a bit of research, you’ll fall in love with it. Be sure to visit the National Museum for a glimpse of Khmer sculptures and insight into the history of this fascinating country, dating back to the pre-Angkorian era. Cambodia, is, of course, steeped in tragedy and those interested in learning about the killing fields of Khmer Rouge should seek out the Tuol Sleng museum.
Away from the busy streets of the capital, Battambang and its surrounding countryside is home to some of the most picturesque and tranquil scenery in the country. The center of the city is packed with colonial-era architecture and is a short distance away from temples such as Phnom Sampeau and Wat Ek Phnom. Popular tourist activity is catching the Bamboo, a famous train consisting of carriages made from wood and bamboo, which transports travelers between Battambang and the village of O Srav.
Prasat Preah Vihear temple
Another must for history aficionados is Prasat Preah Vihear temple, close to the border with Thailand. Less famous than Angkor Wat, it is nonetheless remarkable for its breathtaking views. Located on top of the Dangrek Mountains, the temple is comprised of numerous intricate pavilions which are connected by causeways. This UNESCO World Heritage site is typically visited by tourists coming from Siem Reap on a day trip, but bloggers do warn you of its remote location.
Kampot
For a taste of the old world, Kampot, along the river of the same name, is another place to add to your itinerary. With its quiet streets lined with impeccably restored old buildings, this chilled out the city is great for unwinding. It is typically used as a base for trips up the Bokor Mountains and tourists can also visit its pepper plantation, exploring the fields in which they are grown, learning about different varieties and trying meals cooked with these.
After so much history and sightseeing, a trip to the beach will definitely be on the cards and there’s no better place to idle by the shore than at Koh Rong Samloem. As beautiful as the more famous Thai islands to the West, but much quieter, these unspoiled beaches will provide respite to any weary traveler and are the ideal end location for your trip to Cambodia.
