1,001 Places To See Before I Turn 100

2018

2018-01-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

2018 is just round the corner. I have not gather my thoughts in writing on year in travel 2018 yet, and time is running short. It’s been a pretty good year for me both personal and professional.

Looking back I was glad I visited Cuba given the recent mystery sonic weapon attacks at the US embassy in Havana. This incident has made the Trump administration set new restrictions to travelers planning to visit Cuba. One of the biggest changes is to restrict “people-to-people” visa that thousands of Americans have been using in recent years. With Cuba off my bucket list, at least for now, I do look forward to the next 12 months in 2018.

I took two months break from work in the beginning of May 2017. It was one of the greatest joy of my life. I took time to reset my goals, reenergized, and regrouped my thoughts for the remainder of 2017 and ahead for the year that follows.

As I’m writing this, 2018 is less than 2 hours away. It is minus 10 degrees celsius in NYC. Tonight it is one of the coldest New Year’s Eve in Times Squares. Since my break last year, I got a new job which is closer to home. I got an acceptance letter for my masters program in Rochester Institute of Technology. The thought of moving terrifies me, yet while a chapter closes on one end, it opens up to a whole new chapter for the coming new year. I’m the only one who can determine what and how the story goes as these blank pages will be filled as time goes by, all 365 pages!

I’ll be heading to Malaysia for Chinese New Year. It falls on February 16, and this would be the Year of the Dog. I’m traveling with a friend and her family this time. We’ll be making a brief stop in Tokyo

on our return flight back to New York. I’m looking forward to this trip as I’ve fallen in love with the country after my visit to Kyoto/Osaka this year.

Flights have been pretty cheap in 2018 with lots of choices to new destinations and adventures. It is a windfall, and I’m loving it. I’m hoping to visit more places next year even though I have plans for other things heading 2018.

Like traveling to new countries with different cultures and taste in food, I’m looking forward to the New Year with anticipation.

Modern Guangzhou

2017-09-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

While Kyoto is known for its cultural heritage with numerous palaces, shrines and temples spread all over the city, Guangzhou has gone through modernization in the early nineties, and turning into an ultra-modern city showcasing futuristic architectures and fabulous Metro system.

The subway cars in NYC are usually crowded during rush hours; Guangzhou’s metro is packed with people no matter what time and day it is. While the stations are impressive with escalators and elevators for the convenience of the riders, it is the system that is so easy to use for any new travelers to the city. Like Kyoto, directions and locations are clearly mark so that passengers know where they want to go.The way in is always patrol by police with explosive detectors, use on all passengers (with bags) heading into the stations.

Satellite city within the city is amazing, for instance Baiyun Park has modern high-rises, museum, library, shops and recreational parks built to accommodate the ever demanding young affluent Chinese. As I was absorbing the wonderful experience walking along a walk lane, my flip flop snapped. With one flip flop on one foot, I felt silly but I didn’t care as I was enjoying the walk at this fabulous township.

I saw some amazing architecture in Guangzhou, notably Guangzhou Opera House, Canton Tower and the Public Library. Designed by Zaha Hadid, a well-known British Iraqi architect, the Opera House is also known as “Double Pebble”, a unique twin-boulder design set within an exposed granite and glass-clad steel frame. With contrasting color of one white and one dark grey boulder-shaped next to another, they do look amazing from afar.

Next is the Canton Tower, with both indoor and outdoor observatory at its top two floors. The outdoor observatory has bubbled passenger cars, travel on a track round the edge of the tower’s roof. Night scene is amazing as it gives me a perspective of how big the city really is as the city lights stretch as far as the eyes can see.

Guangzhou Public Library is a work of art. It’s the world’s largest open-stack public library with a large atrium as inviting a a window display at Bergdorf during Christmas. The 10-story building has gleaming passageways that connect one side to the other which reminds me of a shopping mall rather than a library. It probably wants people to feel welcome, and encourage them to browse and borrow books to read.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is an interesting place to go shopping for fake designer brands from shoes to clothes. The quality of these products are so good that it just feels wrong not to buy any. There are restaurants and street snacks alongside with shops that sell waxed ducks and Chinese sausages. Towards the end of the pedestrian street, there are 2 buildings selling nothing but jades and other gem stones and crystals. Prices range from dirt cheap to thousands of dollars. I never knew the varieties and colors available for these stones until I visited this place.

Guangzhou is the third largest city in China. It certainly gives a glimpse of China to any visitors coming to county for the first time. With its modern skyscrapers, it is an example of alpha city of the world. Yet the cultures and arts are well preserved in places like the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and The Temple of the Five Immortals. Roast sucking pig and Taiye chicken are among the specialities the city is being known for, they are not just delicious but delicacies in this part of China.

Only one word of cautious, do not order any pork wonton from any street vendor or coffee shop as there is a chance you might get a very strong pork smell from the wonton!

Luang Prabang

2017-09-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

Luang Prabang International Airport has only one terminal. Planes do not stop at the gate, rather passengers walk to entrance and proceed straight to immigration. It takes less than 10 minutes for the whole process, and it makes me wonder if there’s any illegal stuff being brought in without notice.

Weather in late May is a lot warmer than in Kuala Lumpur. Then again, the weather has been so unpredictable these days. The taxis which are pretty much run by the state have a fixed none negotiable fare although drivers are allow to take as many passengers as they deem fit.

This might be an interesting 5 day trip or it might not be as I check into my hotel booked from airbnd. Hotel is less than 10 minutes walk to the night market. The air-conditioner in the room is just for display purposes and the furniture in the room is definitely outdated for today’s standard. I decide to venture out after I checked in.

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage City situated at the confluence of two rivers; the mighty Mekong where the murky water runs fast and furious while Khan River on the other hand is shallow and pretty still with man made bamboo bridge crossing for the locals. Quite a contrast with big cities like Kuala Lumpur, LP is quaint, quiet and peaceful. As I follow the instructions given by the hotel, I see women and children selling flower offerings to the temples by the roadside. The Marigold flowers are arranged to the shape of stupa or perhaps pagoda in my opinion. I can only imagine the afternoon heat they have to endure for hours with just a hat or an umbrella. By 4 pm, local vendors are beginning to set up for the night market, which is open 7 days a week. Magnets, t-shirts, incense, and artwork are some of the things being sold here.

I head to Mount Phou Si, hoping to get some cooler air as it is a 100 meter high hill in the center of old town. At the summit is What Chom Si, a Buddhist temple and also the main tourist attraction on the hill. The air isn’t as cool as I thought, though it is airy. I decide not to stay for the sunset as the bugs are bugging me here.

The early morning alms giving to the monks is also another attraction in Luang Prabang. As early as 6 am, locals and tourists, Buddhists or non Buddhists, with cushions on the footpath, kneel down with sticky rice in bowls getting ready for the stream of monks emerging out from the nearby temples to perform the daily ritual. What’s so fascinating about the ritual is that it is being performed at the backdrop of Luang Prabang’s historic architecture the stretches from one end to the other on both sides. With almost no traffic in sight, and other distraction, attention is totally focused on the relationship between the alms-givers and the monks in their mandarin-colored robes. A beautiful sight and experience indeed.

Kuang Si Falls is a multi-stage waterfall worth visiting on any given hot day in LP. It’s roughly an hour and a half on a van from old town. Water is clear blue and at times may look jade-green. As much as I love to dive in, I decide not to as the place is crowded on and off the water. Towards the end of the walk, lies the highest water which drops approximately 200 feet from above to the pond of crystal clear water.

The 5 day stay in Luang Prabang passes by quickly. I got up to take a walk around old town early morning on my last day. As I head back to hotel, I notice a stall selling porridge and decide to try. It’s a large bowl of pork porridge served with a seasoned boiled egg. Delicious morning meal for a dollar before I head home with sweet memories in sleepy town Luang Prabang.

Osaka

2017-08-18T18:51:00.002-07:00

Osaka is just a half hour train ride from Kyoto.

Anticipating my visit to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan since I arrived in Japan few days ago, I must admit I’m quite excited about it since this would be my first ever visit to an aquarium in decades. Osaka, the city known as the “nation’s kitchen” when it served as the center for rice trade during the Edo Period is modern and has more millennials than in Kyoto as I’ve observed walking toward the aquarium which is located at the Osaka Bay area and close to Tempozan Ferris Wheel. As visitors enter the aquarium, they are bing greeted with an underwater tunnel of various fishes from the ocean. Rather than going straight to see the various species of the ocean, visitors are directed to take the elevator up the 8th floor where a bunch of playful otters chase each other on ground while others swim underwater trying to catch some fishes in the water. As I circle down the aquarium, I experience the various levels of both ground and marine life of the Pacific Rim region.

The “Pacific Ocean” located in the middle of the aquarium is fascinating. Whale sharks swim gracefully alongside manta rays, hammer sharks and other aquatic fishes in the largest tank in the aquarium. I could spend hours watching them swim back and forth, up and down in the surreal ocean environment. The jellyfish area is another interesting exhibit not to be missed. They just flow with the movement of water if there’s any, and some are so colorful that they are mesmerizing to the human mind. At the end of the exhibit, there’s an area where visitors can interact with some of the stingrays and penquins.

As night falls, I head to Dōtonbori, a tourist destination with large illuminated signboards hung above stores’ fronts. The place boasts a wide variety of traditional and modern Japanese cuisines from well-known restaurants to other food stalls. Weather at night in May is just beautiful, and with so many types of streets food to choose from, Dōtonbori is like a candy store for both young and old. As I go from one restaurant to another, I notice a brightly lit pharmacy. My curiosity got the better side of me. I have to go in, and here I find out that it’s a shopping paradise for shoppers of a different kind. If you are like me into things like Bandaid (Japanese brands of course) that heals aches and pains, face masks from snails’ saliva to snake’s venom, and other pills that would do wonders to the body, make sure you do not leave your American Express card at home.

An alternative to Dōtonbori is Shinsekai, smaller, less colorful but interesting. Shinsekai was once well-known for its criminal activity that flourished in decades until it slowly flourished to become a local tourist attraction. It is now a scene of locally run restaurants, clothing stores and other legitimate business outlets like mahjong clubs and pachinko parlors. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is the Tsutenkaku Tower. A well lit tower by night, it’s definitely a focal point of interest should I get lost wondering at night.

Fond of Kyoto

2017-07-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Fine wine is to be appreciated and only for special occasion. Kyoto is one of the few cities that should be cherished and remembered after your vacation ended and you are back home managing your regular routine.

I was the last to visit Kyoto/Osaka as all my friends have visited these two places. Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, and this explains why there are so many temples and palaces throughout the city. Two that really stand out in my opinion are Fushimi Inari-taisha and Kiyomizu-dera.

The bright red colored vermillion on each of the torii estimated by the thousands on the site alone in Fushimi Inari-taisha is a place that should be experienced by any travelers once in their lifetime. Characters are engraved on each of the torii, probably name and date of purchase by a Japanese business or an individual. The toriis are infused with the meaning of “wishes will come through” so as one passes these shrines pray for what you wish for, and they will come true! The walk up Mt Inari is about 2 hours so be prepared and make sure you have a bottle of water.

Kiyomizu-dera was one of the 20 finalists for the New7Wonders of the World. What’s so unique about the temple is that not a single nail was used to build the entire structure. The main hall has a large veranda, supported by huge pillars that juts out over the hillside. Unfortunately, the whole temple is currently under construction, and it’s covered with bamboo from the rooftop down to the bottom of the veranda, which offers an impressive view of the city. Still the crowd is not hindered to visit this massive structure. The complex offers various talismans and statues, bringing good fortune and love for those who seek and believe. Both men and women lined up to get their blessings by touching them.

With so many temples. shrines and palaces in Kyoto, it’s quite impossible to see all or even the few famous ones in a few days as I’ve found out. Besides the official residences and places of worships, Gion District is an alternative. The District is built to accommodate the needs of visitors to the Yasaka Shrine. It soon evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan. At about 5 pm, geishas are seen walking hurriedly to private clubs also know as Ochaya with an assistant following from behind. Like any other Hollywood stars, these geishas are movies stars in their own right. The cameras just click away the moment they are spotted by tourists in the area.

Weather is lovely in May. Day time is warm and comfortable. As soon as sun sets, air gets cooler. Kyoto is a well-planned city that adopted the grid pattern copied from modern day city Xi’an in China. It is both walking and bicycle friendly which makes living comfortable for people of any age and gender. The two most interesting things about Kyoto are the lack of garbage receptacles in most part of the city, and the cleanliness of the public restrooms anywhere in the city.

There is hardly any garbage receptacles. I learned the hard way when I had to throw plastic container and empty bottle water. It took me awhile before I found one. Amazingly anywhere I went, there was not even a piece of paper on the ground! Then there are the public restrooms, whether they are at the train stations or parks, in malls or restaurants, there are extremely clean. It really made me feel shameful of the public restrooms that I encountered either in New York or Kuala Lumpur. Some toilets are even equipped with music and water spray where both pressure and temperature can be adjusted to individual needs.

Friends told me that one can never gets bored visiting Kyoto. They are right. How could I?

Cuba

2017-05-16T15:37:00.002-07:00

You can call this a rush.

When I saw United Airlines offering its new route to Cuba for the first time, I made no hesitation and decided to go. I’m glad I did.

If you think of Cuba, you might thought of the Cuban crisis and Fidel Castro, the decay architecture and the classic old American cars. The Americans are coming, a new hope for the many poor inhabitants living in country. Elizabeth runs a tiny homestay at her place in a rundown neighborhood. She speaks almost no English but I could tell that she’s hoping things will be better moving forward. “Americano Wisconsin, Americano Florida”, as she points to the room I’ll be sharing with two other Americans. She is installing an air conditioner in the room to be more competitive. Air conditioner is not a necessity in Cuba, it is more of a luxury for most.

As sunsets, I see people sitting by the steps to their apartment, chatting with neighbors while kids either play soccer or a game of cat and mouse. This is not just the way to play catch up with friends but to cool off from the afternoon heat in their apartments.

Walking along the Al Pedro Boulevard, which is probably a 5 to 6 blocks by American standard, I could see classics such as Buick, Chevrolet or Ford zooming by with tourists taking wefie in the cars, and waving at people on the Boulevard. An hour ride is probably 40 to 50 CUC, which is more than the average income for the people in Cuba. A pretty good thought to know that this would help the livelihood of a family, a bitter pill to swallow to know that the locals are unable to enjoy the way these tourists are enjoying.

At most stores, common things such as detergent or soap are not as plenty as the ones in any US cities, not to mention the selections we have in America. I see some give the storekeeper a slip of paper. I learned that later, it is a system that establishes the ratios each person is allowed to buy, and the frequencies of supplies, hence explained the slip of paper given to stores known as bodega and depots. Most fresh fruits like bananas and mangoes with skins darkened are being sold at market. These are fruits you might see being sold in bag for a dollar in the US. I did not see any refrigerators at some stores selling meat. I hope the meat will be all sold before the day is over.

There are two sides of the Old Havana. One is where Cathedral de San Cristobal and other residences of famous people are located. Here you find cafes, restaurants, hotels and squares.

The other one is yet to be restored, where you will see the actual life of its inhabitants. Garbage, dogs’ poop and kids running in their neighborhood without the intrusion of tourists.

Before I came to Cuba, I did a little reading on the people of Cuba. They are friendly people and very helpful. Yes, they are, but not with a price to show your appreciation. However they are not as aggressive as one might encounter in other countries in similar situation where help is needed.

Despite the heat and discomfort at times, Cuba makes decay looks simply gorgeous and captivating. Cuba makes everything old looks new again. Cuba makes lack of personal electronic device a lot less significant in everyday life among its community.

These and everything else intrigue us all in Cuba for the first time.

Travel Now

2017-04-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

It is 2017 and May is almost here. My traveling documents are in hiatus since last November. Days are getting longer, and with spring in the air, it is time to get inspired and travel again. I’m taking 2 months off from work, and do some serious traveling this year.

First, I’m heading to Havana, Cuba for a few days, recognized as one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the World in 2015. Old Spanish buildings from the old colonial times and classic American cars are as iconic as the flashy billboards in Times Square. If you ask me if I know anything about Cuba, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In fiction, it would be a scene in the X-Men movie where a mutant with dragonfly wings spit acidic saliva at an army of naval officers and Bashee (a mutant with ultrasonic screams) hot in pursuit. But in reality, it was a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning their ballistic missile deployed in Italy, Turkey and Cuba.

In my mind, I look forward to the trip with both anticipation and reservation; anticipation that the visit would be both culturally colorful and historically rich, reservation if I should keep my excitement to the minimum since this would be my first visit to a communist country in decades.

Whatever it may be, I hope this would be an experience not to be taken for granted.

After Cuba, I’m heading to Osaka and Kyoto. I heard so much about Kyoto in particular. A search on the world wide web, Kyoto has so much to offer, from being a food heaven to culture and tradition practiced by the Japanese centuries ago. The temples, shrines, imperial palaces as well as gardens are bests of the best in Japan. I have seen them in pictures shared by friends in social media but now I have the opportunity to experience the sights and sounds myself. From Kyoto, I will head to Osaka.

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan. I just learned that the city was bombed four times during World War II before the Japanese surrendered. It should be interesting.

Luang Prabang is listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries but its great experience is watching hundreds of monks walking through streets collecting alms every morning. I am looking forward to this when I’m there.

My last trip to China was more than 15 years ago. I’m happy to include Guangzhou in my itinerary this time around. Some friends told me it’s the street food, others told me it is the nearby villages that are not to be missed. Either way, I’m planning not to miss any of them.

It sounds like a lot of traveling, with lots of culture to absorb. I hope after 2 months of traveling, my body and mind would be rejuvenated and get the much needed break we all need every once in a while.

As If We Never Said Goodbye

2017-02-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

It’s been 20 years since Glenn Close took Broadway by storm as Norma Desmond, a fading star from the silent screen era trying to make a comeback to Paramount. I have waited 20 years for a comeback, and it’s finally here on Broadway again for a limited engagement at the Palace Theatre in Times Square New York.

“Sunset Boulevard” is a musical based on an award winning 1950 film of the same title. Gloria Swanson played the main character in the film. Although Patti LuPone was the original cast as Norma Desmond in the London premiere, it is Glenn Close spellbinding closeups that made the musical so electrifying.

The live orchestra takes part of the space on stage, with every change of scene is either a chandelier dropping down from the ceiling or just a mere change of furniture. A semi-transparent screen projecting black and white old Hollywood footage at times separates the orchestra from the casts sets the tone of the whole musical. I particularly like a scene with men holding two spot lights chasing each other on stage creating an illusion of a car chase scene. Despite the limited space, audience never got bored as they are enthralled by the talents of entire casts in the show.

As Glenn Close makes her grand appearance, stepping out from metal staircase masquerading the grandeur of a mansion’s staircase, the crowd roar with approval and appreciation. Such a demanding role demands a commanding presence and Ms Close has it all, after all she has been in show business long before her “Fatal Attraction” days. She sings superbly, dance gracefully, and maneuver effortlessly. The memorable, “With One Look” has everyone at awe with her versatility as both an actress and a performer.

Michael Xavier plays Joe Gillis, the struggling screenwriter who got involved with Norma Desmond. Tall, and good-looking with a manly voice to match singing “Sunset Boulevard” in his trunks, few men from the audience whistle with approval. As the casts bow at the end of the show, I wish I could rewind and play the show once more to see if I missed anything the first time.

So Norma Desmond, give me a closeup once more as if we never said goodbye.

Oslo

2016-12-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

When I saw Swiss Air ticket to Oslo for less than $450 back in August, I told myself I had to go. Here I am today, a week before Thanksgiving in Oslo.

Weather is cold on my first day in Oslo. However, it is unbelievably calm as I head to Vigeland Sculpture Park, a beautiful park result of one man’s artistic approach to human form. Sculptures in a wide range of situations such as standing, walking and sitting donated by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, whom he had worked for almost 20 years creating 212 sculptures of bronze and granite.

The bridge is the first in the park featuring bronze sculptures of men, women and children playing or just simply posing for the camera. The focal point of the park is a 14 meter high monolith of intertwined human figures, representing human desire to reach out to the divine. Residing on the plateau around the monolith is granite sculptures of people in groups in various positions.

Day is clear and surprisingly windless, as I try to trace back from where I came from. Soon I find myself following a group of people heading to a neighborhood by the waterfront of urban renewal with high-end apartments, office space, retails, and restaurants. This neighborhood is the Tjuvholmen in the borough of Frogner in Oslo. High end restaurants and cafes along the boardwalk, speciality stores for your wardrobe and home, this area is definitely for people with deep pockets.

Offices and apartments characterized by unique architectural diversity and outdoor space. Towards the end of the strip lies the Astrup Fearnley Museum flanked by a sculpture park. The museum consists of modern and contemporary art, justified by the design and structure of the building itself.

Fredrikstad is a cosy city with deep historical roots, is just an hour train ride from Oslo. Downtown Fredrikstad is peaceful and gorgeous with cinema, cafes, shops and restaurants. As it’s almost Christmas, shops are decorated with reeves and selling holiday gifts and baskets. “Would you like to have coffee?” asked a shop associate as I browsed through some men’s styles and fashions at a store. What a great idea this is, and it would definitely makes shopping more friendly and personal.

At the center of downtown, city workers are erecting Christmas trees and Holiday lights. I make my way to the Old Town which is less than 10 minutes boat ride from city center. It is one of the best-preserved, and prettiest, fortress towns in Scandinavia. Unfortunately, my day here is wet and damp but I will not be dampened by the weather today. A bowl of soup would be nice. Unfortunately, soup of the day is the only hot item in the menu at this cafe. The rest is cold cuts, muffins and bagels. But I’m not complaining as the soup is delicious.

Where are the Christmas decor and market I asked a lady who runs a shop selling children’s clothing and souvenirs. “Oh, it is next week!”. Okay, I’m a week too soon; rows of houses between shops and cafes, I could imagine the crowd during Spring and Summer seasons in Fredrikstad.

The Holmenkollbakken hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics in ski jumping, cross-country skiing and Nordic combined events. It has been ungraded several times since the 1892 opening, from wooden superstructure to concrete tower. I can’t remember the number of steps climbing to the top (almost) but the structure is amazing either looking down from the top or down looking up.

Like any other Scandinavian cities, Oslo is not cheap. A small bottle of water is about $2.50 at Seven Eleven; think twice before you decide to use the toilet at the Oslo Main Train Station, it costs more than $2 per entry; and a plate of Phat Thai at a regular restaurant is $20.

And by the way, my soup at Fredrikstad cost $13.

It has been a pretty good year in travel for me in 2016. What’s in my traveling agenda for the coming year, Japan’s Osaka and Kyoto is on my list while I hope to find other great deals before deciding. Happy traveling 2017 to all that reads my blog.

Macau

2016-08-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

Macau is among the world’s richest regions, and its economy is heavily dependable on gambling and tourism. Inhabited majority by Chinese, it is one of the most populous places to live in the world. The Hong Kong International Airport provides ferry service for transfer passengers, making a visit to Macau an easy pass which I found out. After an exhaustive trip in Mongolia, I was looking forward to some relaxation and good food here in this tiny peninsula known as the “Las Vegas of the East”.

My friend and I stayed at Taipa, consider a new town of Macau with a growing residential area of mostly upscale apartment complexes. The old town consists mainly of old shop houses selling varieties of almond cookies in different flavors, gift shops, coffee shops, cafes and restaurants. My first bite was the pork chop bun, made famous by the locals in Macau. It reminded me of a burger but without all other ingredients that came with it. Temples are scattered everywhere in Taipa. Trees with roots hanging down from trunks are sacred places to place altars for people to worship. Tourists were not as much, but instead, locals were seen busy with their daily chores as though no one else was watching.

My friend took me to another side of the city for Macau’s famous Portuguese tart. It was at the original location where it all started. We bought a few and ate by the water which was still occupied by locals living makeshift houses dotting along the coastline. We stopped by the one of the new casinos in Taipa, Studio City 8, on our way back to the hotel. It was beautiful but unfortunately, the crowd was missing making it an almost deserted place. It was reported the new casinos were built to cater for the newly rich clientele from China but they were nowhere on sight. Perhaps they had found other places round the world to dispense their cash.

The ruins of Saint Paul’s Church is one of the most recognizable sites in the world. A UNESCO Heritage Site, the ruins is now consist of the southern stone facade sitting proudly on top of a hill. I had never seen so many people taking selfies with the facade as a background before. It was fun taking pictures of people taking selfies as each has a pose which was distinctively theirs. After we bought Macau’s famous almond cookies, we head to a local coffee shop for dessert. Ginger almond pudding served warm was one the best desserts I have tasted in years. It was so smooth yet tasty. I could have ordered the same one, but I had to try others as selections were pretty awesome.

At the heart of Macau downtown is the Senado Square. Tiled in wave of black and white stones, and surrounded by neo-classical buildings, the square is filled with activities. Old merchants are side by side with other fancy places. The Square also served as a platform for the locals to voice their opinions against the government which I witnessed.

I spent the last evening in Macau at Taipa, taking an early evening walk to a row of lime green Portuguese-style buildings located near a pond of water lilies with high rise buildings in the background. It was a serene atmosphere to contemplate after a long day of walking, shopping and eating in Macau. The place was a good photo op for wedding pictures. It is an interesting place to visit not just for the view but also a place to know a little history of Macau and Portuguese influenced in the peninsula.

I ended my trip in Macau that evening with a bowl soup of pork’s meat, intestines and liver. Delicious!

Ipoh

2016-07-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

Ipoh is an interesting city in Malaysia which is best known for its excellent local fare. People from as far as Singapore come to the city just to get a taste of its local dishes from Ipoh’s “Hor Fun” (a complete one-dish rice noodle meal) to “Nga Choi Kai” (chicken with beansprouts in soy sauce). I visited a friend who lives in Ipoh, and stayed at her beautiful house in one of the newly developed townships within the city. The city has changed so much, and it is fast becoming one of the best places in Malaysia to visit.

Row of old shophouses in the Old Town area turned into cafes, restaurants and specialty stores. Old coffee shops and mom and pop stores still coexist among the new ones, though they are slowly dwindling away. As soon as I arrived, my friend, Annie drove me to a coffee shop for “Nga Choi Kai”. Delicious and half the price for the same dish in Kuala Lumpur, capital city of Malaysia.

Ipoh is surrounded by limestone hills, so it is not hard to find limestone caves turning into temples notably Sam Poh Tong. The temple is the oldest and most famous cave temples in Malaysia. The temple facade dates back to the 1950s and a stiff climb of steps will lead you to an open cave with an excellent view of Ipoh and its surroundings. There are a few other famous temples in Ipoh, and it is quite impossible to see most of them in one day.

Annie suggested I see a new condominium development which is near completion. Price range from RM300,000 to RM450,000. Impressive design, almost as lovely as those in Kuala Lumpur and probably cost RM200,000 more. Later we stopped by an old coffee shop for lunch. An old man in his 90s’ was selling peanut pancake at RM1 a piece. It was delicious, and he was so active for his age. Looked like he enjoyed what he was doing, and also the place gave him space to get together with his friends. I bought the local biscuits and ‘heong beang’ (fragrant biscuits) to take home at the old town area. My dessert for the day was soy drink. It was a corner store that sells only soy drink (cold and hot) and “tau foo far”, soybean curd with liquid ginger or gula melaka. There was a bee line of people and cars waiting for their orders to be taken.

Concubine lane is rumored that wealthy Chinese merchants and British officers kept their mistresses away from the prying eyes of the wives. Abandoned for a number of years, today the row of shophouses are preserved and revived into a beautiful place, selling gifts, souvenirs and other knick knacks. Cafes too are slowly cropping up.

Ipoh may not have the elegance of a big city like Kuala Lumpur or as culturally rich as Penang, it does has its charm and delight. As I head to the train station for my departure back to Kuala Lumpur, I could sense the pride of the majestic building influenced from the British Indian colonial architecture. The Town Hall which is directly opposite the Main Train Station is another fine example of the neo-classical style by the British. If you take time to either walk, bike or drive, you will be able to see and experience a lot more in the once quiet town.

It’s no wonder Ipoh is voted by Lonely Planet as one of the top places in Asia to visit in 2016.

Images of Malaysia

2016-06-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

Mongolia

2016-06-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

I am doing the 3M this year; no it is not the 3M manufacturer of Post-it products that many of us are familiar with, they are the places that I visited during my Spring holiday - Malaysia, Mongolia and Macau.

Let me begin with Mongolia. It is a 10-day tour from Ulaanbaatar to the South Gobi and back. Tan Be Be, an avid traveler and a friend made all the travel arrangements to the place nickname as the Country of Blue Sky. Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia is better known as UB by the locals has just over 1 million people but rush hour traffic is as bad as places like New York City.

Sukhbaatar Square or Ginggis Square is the city’s main square surrounded by various government buildings including the State Opera House and the colonnade monument of various influential figures which include Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan. Not much activities going on here except it is a place for people watching Sun sets after 9 PM in May, and weather can be unpredictable. The owner of the hostel asked,” You not cold? You in shorts.” Really, I just flew in from NYC, and I had endured cold weather back in the days when I studied in Chicago. I could not help noticing the number of Korean restaurants and mini markets appearing in the capital. It seems like Korean has a strong presence in the business community, after all Samsung is one of the main financiers backing the new airport coming up in UB by year end.

The Gandantegchinlen Monastery , a Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery is another point of interests in UB. Buildings and temples scattered the surrounding area where hundreds of monks lived. Its main temple houses the statue of Megjid-Janraiseg (87 feet high), which means “the Lord who watches in every direction”. The moment I took my camera out, I was asked to pay. At that moment, I came to realize why iPhone is such an ideal accessory to have in time like this.

We travelled with a driver and a guide. Two other people from Germany joined us as well. It was a small group, which was good as I didn’t think it would be comfortable on the van we were traveling. The Russian van as the local referred to is built to withstand the harsh Mongolian weather and the rugged terrain. Journey was tough as we bounced around most of the time. It helped to have a smaller frame like myself compared to the German travelers. I could tell that they were not comfortable as one has to turn around the face the front as his seat was facing backwards. The wind kept coming on strong day and night throughout the entire trip. At times during the night, it was so strong that it gave me the scary feeling our ger (camp made of wooden frame covered with wool felt) might be blown away.

Landscape is beautiful in Mongolia. The Orkhon Valley, is an extensive area of grassland on both banks of the Orkhon River and it includes Kharkhorum, an old capital of Chingis Khan’s Empire. The grassland is still grazed by Mongolian nomadic pastoralists. The fun part was when we had to take a quick bath at one of the streams. The river was partially frozen and water was very cold. It was like a one two three done shower. We only had 2 proper shower during the entire 10 day trip, and believe me it was rather uncomfortable after 2 days.

The Flaming Cliffs is also known as Bayaanzag is a region of the Gobi Desert in the South Province of Mongolia. Large dinosaurs’ skeletons were found here, and the name was given by explorer Roy Chapman Andrews. The cliffs turned red especially sunset, hence the nickname by the famous explorer. A museum and tourist camp are currently being constructed to cater the increasing number of tourists coming here.

Khongor sand Dunes is known as the singing dunes. You can hear the movement of the fine sand when the wind blows across the desert claimed most articles I read online. Unfortunately, wind was so strong that I was trying to cover myself from the sand hitting my face that I could hear no music. As I climbed higher toward the top of the dunes, I found myself sinking deeper into the sand. A storm was coming, I felt tiny raindrops coming down. I hopped down as quickly as my legs could carry me.

Yol Valley is wide at the entrance, and gradually narrows into a remarkable gorge. As the guide walked us further in, weather got windier, colder and icier. It was amazing to see how thick the ice formation was at this time of the year. Beneath the ice, we came across a hole even a human being was able to pass through.

Tsagaan Suvarga or the white stupa is an impressive cliff shaped strangely by natural phenomenon. The colored layers indicated different times the cliff was shaped, and it is more impressive from afar looking like the ruins of an ancient city.

These are just some of the highlights from this amazing Mongolian trip. However, the country is not for everyone to visit at least for now in my opinion. A proper toilet is almost non existence outside UB. Most of the toilets which locals referred to as ‘the drop’ is either zinc or plywood built. These toilets are built several feet away from the ger tent. Ground was dug deep with two plank of plywood for you to squat while doing your business. Be warned, not all of them have doors.

Food is not amazing in Mongolia. Affected by extreme weather condition, meat especially goat and dairy (coming from sheep) and animal fats are primarily used in Mongolia’s daily diet. Eggs, spices and vegetables are seldom used in their diet. If you are not a meat lover especially goat’s meat, it is best to take some seasoning and chilly sauce with you. Looking back it was fun and definitely an eye opener for travelers expecting the unexpected.

People watching people in the selfie world in Macau

2016-05-17T23:13:00.000-07:00

Images of Mongolia

2016-05-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Washington DC to end the year 2015

2015-12-28T20:33:00.002-08:00

The National Mall in Washington DC is home to the country’s most famous monuments and memorials. I could not have asked for a better day to enjoy a walk in a 70 degree temperature here in mid December. The tree-line boulevard with museums and historical buildings on both sides of the mall offers one of the best sights in the country.

I’m told that this is the best time to be in DC, as most people are not traveling to this part of the country, and it seems like Congress is unofficially closed. It takes about three hours to walk from US Capital to the Lincoln Memorial. The cool fresh air makes a long walk seems like a stroll. Joggers with their gadgets strapped on their wrists, and parent walk their children in strollers, the National Mall is a joy to watch the world goes by.

It’s been awhile since I last travelled, eight months to be exact. I decided to go Washington DC for the weekend to experience the holiday season in the capital city. Turns out, it is not the place for the festive season. Decorations in most places are minimal at best. While I am disappointed, the city does offer solace to travelers looking for a little peace in the city.

I vaguely remembered my first trip to Washington DC almost twenty years ago as I stood near the Capital Hill looking at the Washington Monument. Now standing by the reflecting pool looking at the Monument once again, it has such a strong presence that words can’t be expressed.

2015 has been an interesting year for me. I went to Medellin for a friend’s wedding. Then I had a six week long break in Malaysia. I had 3 different jobs, and now the year is coming to a close. What do I look forward in the coming year 2016? I’m looking forward to my trip to Mongolia in May. I’m looking to purchase a drone to take with me to Mongolia so that I can take an aerial view of the landscape I have heard so much about. And, I hope that would not be my one and only trip next year.

Cool yourself this summer

2015-07-19T16:49:00.002-07:00

with Mango and green tea sorbet...

(Sweet and sour) Korean cold noodle soup with crushed ice...

and Chilled hasma in snow pear!

Jack at Washington Square Park

2015-06-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island

2015-06-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

My friend and I were lucky to get to Governors Island for the Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party last Sunday when the weather in New York was warm and nice for the first time in many months. Ladies lounging on the grass in their vintage linen frocks with inspired jazz age head pieces while the men were dressed smartly with suspenders and straw boaters.

To get to the island is just a 10 minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan.

Taipei

2015-05-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

I have everything all planned out before my 24 hour trip to Taipei. Unfortunately, my plans were all washed out by the rain which did not stop the entire time I was in the city. I landed at the Taipei International Airport at 8:00 pm, and I was all excited to venture out to the night market after I’ve checked in at the transfer desk for my night stay at the airport hotel but…… “Sir, we need to have your passport for a while, and we’ll return to you at your hotel room”, said the transit agent from EVA Air. I did not get my passport back till 11:00 pm that night.

I told myself I will have a good night sleep, and leave early at 6:00 am tomorrow. I did not do so until 10:00 in the morning, and the weather was still rainy and damp. I got enough energy to get dress and went to take a bus toward Taipei City. The bus stopped at the main train terminal. It was a large building with a huge hall in the middle on the ground level. Looking up, I could tell the second floor is a food haven for locals and tourists alike. There were Japanese,Korean, Italian, burger joint, fast food, cafe and pastries. I decided to try one of the many selections of noodle shops. It was a bowl of clear broth noodles with pan seared pork in black pepper sauce. And, it was a delicious and satisfying meal.

I decided to go to the underpass to explore after that. The underpass led me through a series of walkways with shops, and next thing I knew I was at the main bus station. The main bus station is huge as well with eateries and shops. I head back down to the underground and decided to take a train to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall which is just a couple of stops away.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a Taiwanese national monument, erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of Taiwan. It is surrounded by a park with the National Concert Hall on one side and the National Theater on the other. The Memorial has a huge bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek and there is a guard on each side. It was full of tourists all waiting for the change of guards. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. It seemed like my day in Taipei was exploring the transportation terminals in the city. I had to head back to the airport from there.

Although I did not get to see much of Taipei, it gave me a glimpse that Taipei is an interesting city to explore given the fact that it is one of the most interesting places to visit in 2014. Moreover, Taipei is famous for its eateries and night markets which I did not get the chance to enjoy.

Best of the Bests

2015-04-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Probably I am one of the last few who have yet to see Angkor Wat, one of the seventh wonders of the world today. The day is finally here as I landed at Siem Reap International Airport, and greeted by tuk-tuk drivers asking me where I would like to go.

The extreme hot sun in the morning and dust from the road make me feel uncomfortable as the driver takes me to the center of town. I’m all excited about Angkor Wat, and I booked the same tuk-tuk for the next morning to catch a glimpse of the rising sun behind the temples. “To see sunrise, we have to leave from hostel at 5 am”, the driver reminded me. “And it’s extra $5”, he said before taking off.

March is hot in Cambodia, and comes April it will get even hotter. I could feel the back of my tee shirt soaking wet as I stood at the hostel reception for an early check in. After a quick shower, sun block and hat, I head out to the Old Market Square. As I walked toward my intended place, I could see tuk-tuks everywhere, parked by roadsides as well as other hotspots where shops and restaurants are located giving me signs that demands are less than supplies. The Old Market offers almost anything and everything that one could imagine. With dim lights and most come from natural sunlight beaming from the rooftop, it makes me wonder what else could be crawling on the wet floor of the produced section. Other sections include souvenirs, clothing, food and there are even salons and manicures. On the other side of the Siem Reap River, is the Night Market. It is smaller, cleaner and definitely a lot more brighter. Here you find lots of silver, beads and other local designs. The day seems to get hotter by the hour, and fortunately streets are filled with vendors selling cold drinks as well as fruit shakes for only $1.

I find myself waiting for sunrise at Angkor Wat the next morning at 5.30. The prime spot is by the pond but unfortunately the area is already filled with delighted spectators. While the wait is long, sunrise happened very swiftly. By 7.30 am I’m at Sranh Srang and Banteay Kdei. In Sranh Srang, there is a concrete stage facing the lake guarded by two lion statues. This is a popular site for viewing the sunrise. Things get better from there. Ta Prohm is one of the most photogenic temples in Angkor. Trees and their trunks outgrown the ruins and some even perched through windows and doors giving the temple a look of a natural wonder. I’m glad I was there first before groups of Japanese and Chinese tourists throng the temple posing for pictures.

A few stops along the way, I finally get to Bayon. The temple’s most distinctive feature is the massive stone faces on most of the towers, all sides are adorned with these serene faces that could have lasting memory on anyone visiting the place. With these faces smiling upon me as I looked up, Bayon is definitely a place to find peace amidst the hot weather here at Angkor. I found mine here. Angkor Wat is the temple of all temples in Siem Reap. Do you know that it is the largest religious monument in the world? I didn’t know that but I felt my tired feet needing breaks as I tried to cover every spot surrounding this temple. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the pride of the people in Cambodia and it represents the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. I’m done for the day after admiring the endless walls of Hindu mythology with intricate carving from top to bottom at the temple.

There are lots more to cover at this massive UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I do not want to overwhelm myself on my first trip here. I’ll leave the rest for my next trip.

Battambang is less than 3 hours by bus from Siem Reap. Its old town center has one of the most attractive French Colonial architectures in Cambodia. A sleepy town with nothing much to do except for its infamous bamboo train which is a bamboo platform mounted on train axles powered by a small portable engine. As it consists only one track and one way, passengers from the opposite direction have to disembark and train has to be disassembled for the passing train. I met an Australian who just opened up a boutique hotel with an exclusive store selling soaps and other gifts and souvenirs. Business is slow he claims, and I could see why. One cook book costs $35 in US dollars! This is probably a week’s pay for most people here.

Looking back at the pictures today, I am glad I visited Angkor Wat. It gives me the impression that arts and history in Asia is very much alive, rich and colorful.

Quality of Life or Lifestyle?

2015-04-10T19:40:00.001-07:00

I travel back to Kuala Lumpur from the US since 2007. The last 7 years I have seen amazing changes in the city’s skyline. As the city progresses, countless new developments come in rapid pace and endless flyovers and light transit system intertwine with existing ones.

Highrise condominiums and retail complexes are mushrooming like wild fire in the city. Although there are improvements in some areas but are they truly beneficial to the Chans, Ahmads and Gopals?

Quality of life is an opportunity for the inhabitants to enjoy the space that mother nature has bestowed us. Unfortunately, we have been robbed by unscrupulous developers and greedy authorities with multi-million projects and diminishing green lungs. Quality of life is finding solutions to ease mobility for the residents to move from one place to another at the shortest period of time. Although public transportation has improved in general, progress is still in snail pace. Quality of life means freedom to express ourselves, but unfortunately, we have to watch our back constantly.

We may have world class hotels, designer shops, and specialty cafes but does the existence of these world class amenities actually improved the way we live? Talking to small business owners and cab drivers, everyone is trying to keep their noses above water. No one is happy at the direction the country is going. No one is happy that the once rich country is in huge debt. No one is happy that the officials are pretending that everything is fine with the country.

As I sat and glanced outside the window of the taxi, I saw uncertainties just like the many new flyovers and rail transit tracks shooting up above ground, polluting the once beautiful skyline with noise and concrete dull cement. It is such an ugly sight. We are being outpaced by countries that were once trailing behind. Cost of living has overtook our purchasing power of goods. A recent trip to Cambodia was a reality check to the value of the country’s currency. The fact is a price of noodle soup is pricier than one in Kuala Lumpur is something that the country should be worried about.

Quality of life? I think not. These changes are merely a lifestyle that we have to get use to them. A lifestyle that is merely a window dressing for the rest of the world to see. I’m experiencing a lifestyle of unaffordable luxury which was once attainable to the middle income families. Pretty sad for a country on its road to achieve develop nation status in 2020.

Ready for Angkor Wat

2015-04-06T11:03:00.001-07:00

As sun rises above Angkor Wat, hundreds of tourists flash out their cameras, phones, and iPads to take pictures of this enormous temple known as the seventh wonder of the world.

"I do" in Colombia

2015-03-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

The destination wedding that my friend has been planning since the beginning of last year is finally here. The place is in Medellin Colombia.

Medellin was notorious for its drugs cartel that it was once dubbed “the most dangerous city in the world”. Crime rate was 20 times more than the average in the United States back in 2008. The drugs cartel collapsed few years ago, and today there are millions of visitors to Medellin for its weather, affordable living and economic opportunities.

I decided to go visit Cartagena first. A day before my departure I received an email from Copa Airlines informing me that I have been upgraded to business class. “Hmmm, this is going to be a good trip”, I said to myself.

Cartagena is an attractive town with a city wall around its historical old town. Here you will find some of the finest Spanish architectures with narrow alleys, cafes and shops selling local designs and crafts. As sunsets (which is the best time), you can take a walk up the old city wall to enjoy the view with a nice breeze coming from the ocean. If you are hunger for some decent local fare, there is roadside stall selling ceviche not far from the entrance of the Clock Tower Building. The ceviche comes in different sizes and each has different price ranging from 5,000 pesos to 27,000 pesos. I chose a 20,000 pesos size cup with chipi chipi (small clams) and calamar (squids). It was creamy, delicious and hearty. Indeed a delicious meal to end my first night in Colombia.

There is an interesting part of the city where the historical Old City ends, and it is Getsemani, an up-and-coming trendy area with graffiti and rundown houses acting as backdrop for a lively neighborhood at night. This area is filled with local pubs, restaurants, and cafes intertwine with the local street vendors, and family run businesses. Plaza de Santisma Trinidad is a yellow 17th century church popular with locals. At anytime of the day or night, you’ll find locals sitting by its footsteps enjoying each other company while school children play soccer nearby. If you wander to Calle de la Sierpe, you find graffiti canvased on walls of well-worn buildings with Spanish arches. Here you will see locals in this neighborhood minding their daily chores with kids and their pets playing outside their homes.

If you get thirsty, stop a vendor for local coffee served on a paper cup. Or even fruits from a seller who can peel the skin off the fruit on the spot.

The San Felipe Castle is a huge attraction in Cartagena. It is a fortress sitting on top the Hill of Fan Lazaro, and it was built to protect the city from the pirates and war. After 5 pm is probably the best time to go as direct sunlight in the day can be extremely hot and dangerous. The castle is very well-preserved and it is striking for its grand entrance and maze of tunnels.

Before I took this trip, I heard so much about traveling on a bus from Cartagena to Medellin. The journey takes too long, the bus is freezing cold, and the movies just too loud. It turns out to be an interesting experience I had for a long time. Journey takes 14 hours, it is cold; I’m assuming this came from the altitude as the bus needs to travel uphill heading to Medellin. Instead of seeing lush greens, I’m seeing garbage lying all over along the way. As for the bus, my only complaint is the filthy toilet at the back.

Day before the wedding, guests from the US had dinner with the bride and groom to be. After dinner, the wedding couple arranged for a Chiva bus that took us round the city for a night of fun, dance and drink. Chiva bus is an artisan rustic bus used to carry people, livestocks and merchandise. These buses are varied in color and design with the character resembled the person who runs the bus as well as the person who painted it. I had no idea where we stopped, but at every stop there was always a photo op for everyone.

The wedding was held at Casa Santa Monica, a posh event hall in Medellin. It was a night of drinks and dance, food and wine, tears of joy and fun. Seeing the couple exchanged their wows was so touching and memorable. Thanks Ky and Juan for the invite. It was my first destination wedding and I’m pretty sure it would be on my mind for a very long time.

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia. It is located at 5,000 feet above sea level, which makes its climate as hot as other cities located at the same latitude, and temperatures can be cooler on the surrounding mountains and once sunsets, it just feels perfectly cool and nice.

Juan told me that it could be dangerous in certain parts of the city at night especially downtown. Being grew up in a tough neighborhood myself, I went first for the metro cable car ride. At the metro station San Domingo, I transferred for free for the cable car. It was a pleasant ride as the car ascend to the hilltop, with the slums of the Medellin below. I got down at the very last stop and took a walk. Heading back I went downtown. It was a pretty chaotic scene with street vendors everywhere, and as it was rush hour the metro was crowded with people heading home just like any big city in the world.

Plaza Botero and its surrounding is another interesting place to go. The plaza that leads to the museum feels like an open air museum as it is filled with bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, a Colombian sculpture known for creating bloated and oversized people and animals. I was told that the artist donated all of the sculptures at the plaza which are more than 20, and each has an estimated price tag of US $1M.

I find that the Colombians are extremely helpful when you approach them although communication between me and them are limited to ’si’ and finger pointing. As the walking tour guide was telling the group,” Tell all friends about what you see in Colombia, it is a very safe place to visit today.” I felt the same way too.

A trip the Medellin would not be complete without a day trip to Guatape. It is like going to Disneyworld but without the rides. The picturesque town is known as the Pueblo de Zócalos, named for the beautifully sculpted and painted depictions of village life that adorn the lower half of most buildings in town. The boardwalk by the waterfront is filled with local vendors selling beautiful handicrafts, souvenirs and food, and the adventurous can take a ride on the canopy zipline over the lake.

The region's most famous attraction is a 200+ meter high rock outcropping that towers over the surrounding area. It's officially named El Peñon de Guatapé, but more commonly known as La Piedra (The Stone). Over 600 stairs have been built into the side of this enormous geological marvel, allowing safe access to the top, where it offers spectacular views of the lake and surrounding areas, as well as snacks and drinks for the visitors. And who wouldn’t want a snack or drink after a long climb up to the top?

Sigiriya or La Piedra

2015-02-03T18:21:00.001-08:00

Sigiriya and La Piedra are two of the most intriguing rocks in the world. These rocks can be seen standing proudly from afar as one approaches the sites.

Sigiriya in Sri Lanka was built by King Kasyapa as his new capital. After his death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery. Reaching the top means clambering up a series of grooves cut into the rock with the assistance of the handrail. On top of the rock is the ruins of an upper palace with a view of its surroundings stretching as far as the eyes could see.

La Piedra in Guatape Colombia may not have any historical significance as Sigiriya but it is the pride of its residents. There’s a huge long crack which is conveniently wedged with a 650-step bricked staircase all the way up. At the top, visitors are welcomed with vendors selling snacks, fresh fruits and cold drinks. And the view is fantastic.

It is a long way up on either rock, but once you are up there you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that is satisfying.