Places to visit in Makassar, Indonesia

Makassar located in South Sulawesi is a city with a hidden wealth of things to do and see in Indonesia. As the main port of entry to the island of Sulawesi, Makassar tends to be seen mainly as a stopover to Tana Toraja and the rest of Sulawesi's hotspots.

Makassar Strait

The islands off Makassar call for a whole day's worth of lazing at the beach, snorkeling to see the fish and sea urchins, and one last beachside picnic before heading back to the city. There are 2 islands you need to visit: one is the Samalona Island - a favorite getaway for locals who love to picnic by the sea or rent a house on the island for an overnight visit and another is Kodingareng Keke - a sandbar with white sand where you will find at any top-rated beach in the world.

Floating Mosque

Losari Beach or "Pantai Losari" has a lively stretch of activity buzzing with locals. Although it's along the coast, there is no direct access to the beach so it is more of a boardwalk. The key landmark here has to be the floating mosque, which does look from some angles like it’s floating on the water.

Stone Forest

The trip to Maros’ “Hutan Batu” (Stone Forest) is one of the most scenic in Makassar. A one-hour drive from the city takes you to the Rammang-Rammang Pier in Salenrang, from here you’ll board motorized canoes that speed down the Pute River, past cliffs, jungle, bridges and traditional Sulawesi houses. You’ll disembark at a village next to rice fields, all surrounded by towering karst mountains that give the place its nickname. The “Stone Forest” is supposedly the second-largest karst landscape in the world, offering a series of adventures in and around the limestone cliffs.

Fort Rotterdam

Don't forget to take in colonial history at Fort Rotterdam. After 1667, when the Dutch conquered the Gowa Kingdom that ruled over South Sulawesi, they cemented their rule by destroying the Gowa King's existing fortifications and building a Dutch star-shaped fort over the ruins. The fort served as a nucleus around which the city of Ujung Pandang, later Makassar, grew over the centuries.

Pantai Losari

To see Makassar at its most spontaneous and fun, visit Pantai Losari just before the sunset hours. The Pantai Losari seaside promenade is a favorite stop for locals and a tried-and-true magnet for local atmosphere. After the sun sinks completely below the horizon, walk north up Jalan Penghibur for an early dinner at the kaki lima (food stalls) lining the sidewalk.

Read more: Things you don't know about Indonesian cuisine

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The ideal places to shop in Colombo, Sri Lanka

If you are planning on spending your vacation in Colombo, Sri Lanka, then you are sure in for a treat. Colombo, the bustling capital of Sri Lanka is known to provide visitors a wide range of activities to make their stay extremely enjoyable. One of the favorite activities is shopping.

Barefoot

Photo @Barefoot

Designer Barbara Sansoni is beautifully laid out shop, located in an old villa, is justly popular for its bright hand-loomed textiles, which are fashioned into bedspreads, cushions, serviettes and other household items. You will also find textile-covered notebooks, lampshades and albums, and a large selection of stylish, simple (but not cheap) clothing. There is also a lovely courtyard cafe.

Good Market

The Good Market is the best shop in the city as it sells all sorts of organic products, from snacks, to produce and skin and hair treatments. All products are sourced locally and follow strict organic guidelines. Every Saturday, the Good Market sets up a pop-up market at the Colombo Racecourse with lots of vendors, such as small business owners, that sell handmade products from all over the island.

Arpico Supercentre

Arpico supercentre is a great place to shop for your daily essentials and a host of other goods that you might need during your stay. This leading supermarket chain has a number of outlets in Colombo and the suburbs so you can grab anything you need from the nearest store.

Odel

Odel is one of the most established hot spots in Colombo for shopping. It is the Sri Lankan equivalent to Myers or David Jones, an elegant department store. In the recent past it has taken a new face and likely to become possibly the largest mall in time to come. There are lots of little interesting shopping discoveries to find in Odel.

Paradise Road

Another amazing shop for special home products is Paradise Road. Apart from gorgeous minimalistic house linen, their hand-painted mugs and plates are a favourite. Their canvas bags printed with the Sinhala alphabet and woven pillow covers are also beautiful. On the second floor, you will find a room filled with only white dinner plates and bowls.

Arcade Independence Square

Another massive restoration of a colonial landmark! In this case, the sprawling colonial 'hospital for the insane' has been reborn as an upscale mall after spending the last few decades in bureaucratic decrepitude. It has dozens of upscale international chains, a good food court and some high-concept eateries. Between expenditures, rest up in the gardens.

Ridhi

A small shop that carries silver jewellery if you are looking for a piece to take home with you. It has some great designs of jewellery from rings to entire sets of jewellery. The speciality of this store is that the designs are a mix of local traditional designs combined with contemporary styles.

Dilmah T-Lounge

Dilmah is one of the most famous teas in Sri Lanka and they have a couple of shops in Colombo where they sell all of their tea varieties. From the classic English Breakfast to Earl Grey, Dilmah offers an extensive collection of loose leaf tea and pyramid tea bags. Not only do they have the largest selection of teas in Colombo, they also sell books published by the Dilmah foundation. You can find books about Sri Lankan birds, butterflies and more. The gift boxes are perfect for taking back home, along with their special coloured sand clocks to make the perfect tea.

See more: Take the chance to discover Sri Lanka

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Best desserts you must try in India

Mithais, or sweet treats, are an integral part of Indian cuisine. While they’re enjoyed during a hearty meal, sweets and desserts are also central to Indian festivals. Here are some of the most delicious Indian desserts that you need to try on your visit to the country.

Laddu

Laddu is the most popular festive treat in India. There are many different versions of this favourite sweet and the most popular is motichoor laddu. It is believed that the dessert was invented by an ancient Indian physician, Susutra, who used sesame laddus as an antiseptic to treat his surgical patients. Laddus are also the most common sweet offerings made to God.

Kheer

There are a lot of different milk-based puddings in India and kheer is one of the most-loved among them. It is made by boiling rice with milk and sugar and later garnished with saffron, cardamom, dry fruits and nuts. Kheer, phirni and payasam are all different variants of Indian milk puddings. In South India, rice is replaced with vermicelli and the dish is called seviyan.

Gajar ka halwa

Gajar ka halwa is a dessert made from grated carrots, which are first simmered in milk and cardamom. The mixture is then fried in ghee (clarified butter) and sugar. Finally, the dish is garnished with dried fruits. The dessert started becoming popular during the Mughal period and today, it is served during both Hindu and Muslim festivals in India, including Diwali and Eid al-Fitr.

Sandesh

Bengalis are known for their love of sweetmeats and sandesh is one of West Bengal’s most popular treats. Sandesh is traditionally made from chenna, a residue of curdled milk. Some believe that the dessert was inspired by the cheese-based dishes that early European traders brought along with them to the city of Kolkata.

Kaju barfi

Kaju barfi is a cashew-based Indian dessert similar to fudge. It is traditionally shaped like a diamond and is one of the more expensive sweets found in the country. It is therefore considered a valued gift during festivals and special occasions.

Kulfi

Kulfi is the Indian version of an ice cream. Like many Indian desserts, kulfi has also been borrowed from Persian cuisine. It was made popular when the Mughals settled down in India and the dessert is also mentioned in the literature of this period. The flavour of kulfis is often enhanced with pistachios and saffron.

See more: 6 best curries to try in India

Source: Internet

4 must-visit flower gardens in Da Lat

Da Lat is “thousands of flowers city” in Vietnam Central Highlands. It would be a huge mistake for tourists to skip its collection of flower gardens. From the city’s immense one to local farms, people are supposed to be drown in the beauty of this “Kingdom of flowers”. 

The best time to see the vast charming attractiveness of this Da Lat “speciality” is in winter season, especially in December and January when the Flower Festival is held.

Langbiang Flower Farm

This site is about 5km from the centre, on the way to Langbiang Mountain and Suoi Vang Lake.
Besides traditional kinds like rose, lily, chrysanthemum, this 7-ha-farm is famous for eustomas. This kind of flower has made Langbiang Farm famous all over the country.

After a walk through 20 greenhouses stretching from the slope to the foot, it is great to visit the large flower exhibition room and listen to music.

Address: 42 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street, Da Lat City

Da Lat Flower Park

Being the top must-see in Da Lat, this is located at the end of Xuan Huong Lake, close to the romantic Cu Hill, just about 2km from the city centre. This used-to-be Bich Cau Flower Garden has been renovated and renamed to a flower garden of the city, where visitors can enjoy the biggest selection of flowers in Da Lat.

It is also an appealing attraction on the occasion of annual Flower Festival, with hundreds kinds of species such as, hortensiases, mimosas, roses, as well as other imported kinds like daffodils or lilies. Especially, this natural museum houses a garden of orchids and a garden of thousands cactus from Africa.

Address: 2 Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street, Da Lat City

Anh Quynh Orchid Farm

Anh Quynh Orchid Farm is famous for its cultivation of orchid, especially cymbidiums. Mr. Quynh, owner of the farm has successfully applied the technique of growing orchid on husk, which helps solve the problem of natural substrates. He is also known as a pioneer in planting new species of flowers in Da Lat.

Address: 44B Van Kiep Street, Da Lat City

Lam Sinh Farm

Similar to Anh Quynh Farm, this farm focuses on cymbidiums. However, Lam Sinh Farm of Mr. Che Quang De is even bigger. Its owner is the “King of Cymbidiums” in Vietnam with more than 20,000 orchid pots. It was his great dream with cymbidiums, “the queen of flowers”, that motivated him to move 20km from the city centre, to reclaim 22 ha land.

Address: Ap Lat Valley, Da Sa Commune, Lac Duong District, Da Lat City

Read more: 5 vegan restaurants you should try in Da Lat

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What to do in Goa, India for couples

A little confused with so much to choose from? Yes, Goa can overwhelm you with its offerings, but to ensure you get the crème de la crème of this paradise, we have put down a list of incredibly romantic endeavors that you and your partner can do together, while you are in India.

Play with the water goddesses of Goa

Apart from the Arabian Sea, Goa can cast a spell on you with a series of waterfalls and lakes. Enjoy the pristine Dudhsagar Falls by foot or jeep, take a dip in the rapturous waters of the Arvalem Falls and watch the gorgeous sunset at the Salaulim Dam. You can also walk through refreshing streams to see the splendid Dudhsagar Falls do its thing between two neighboring hills.

If music be the food of love on, play on

Woo your sweetheart by taking him or her to one of the most romantic restaurants in Goa—the O’Coqueiro Restaurant, which literally means ‘coconut tree’ in Portuguese. The restaurant is a perfect setting for two—a charming Portuguese ancestral bungalow set amidst lush foliage is sure to stir the romance in your soul. The restaurant serves delicious Goan cuisine and a renowned music band plays a medley of light-hearted music on Friday.

Unravel the natural beauty of Goa together

Embark on an enthralling one-hour trek from Chorla Ghat to the pinnacle of the Vagheri Hills and let the gorgeous terrain intoxicate you with its exotic wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Spice up your romantic itinerary with an ocean trek from Kochra-Shriramwadi to Neuti Beach. Plunge into the waters together from the 20-foot-high rock (6 meters), have a leisurely lunch and then go see the historic Neuti Fort before sunset. Looking for a place to propose? Sonsogor is one of the highest peaks and virgin territory at that. The stunning view of the natural surroundings is the perfect setting to pop the question.

Explore the history of Old Goa

Yes, history can be romantic too. Have a hearty breakfast at one of the wayside cafes in Old Goa, don a comfortable pair of sneakers and explore the charming churches and cathedrals by foot. Go revel in the age old architecture of the Iberian façade and fabulous mosaic work of Sé Cathedral, the wood carvings and beautiful paintings of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the richly gilded altars of Basilica of Bom Jesus, and finally the grand old queen, the Convent of Santa Monica, with its intimidating beauty and miraculous cross at the altar.

See more: 7 nightclubs in Goa, India

Source: Internet

Get to know Philippines' national dish, Adobo

The roots of the Philippines’ most well-known dish are not easy to trace, but we do know a few things about the origins of adobo, and how it’s evolved into the dish Filipinos love today. Read on to uncover the many faces of adobo, and why it inspires such devotion in its fans.

Few subjects in the Philippines raise as many differing opinions as the right way to make adobo. It’s a topic everyone feels passionately about, whether they cook or not. The reason is that a good adobo is a life-changing dish. Everyone wants everyone else to experience the epiphany, but the devil – as they say – is in the details, and the details can be squabbled about endlessly.

How to make Adobo

At its most basic level, adobo is a dish of protein braised in vinegar and spiced with garlic and black peppercorns. Beyond that, there is very little agreement. But let’s backtrack a bit.

We know the Malay voyagers who originally landed in the Philippines used vinegar and salt as a way of preserving food, keeping it edible for longer. In the hot tropical climate on the islands, vinegar appears again and again in traditional recipes, dating back to a time before refrigeration. Filipinos were already preparing their protein in a marinade of vinegar and salt before the Chinese traders arrived.

A simple pork Addobo/ Source Ernesto Andrade

Some of the Chinese traders, who ventured all over the region selling their wares, settled in the Philippines. They brought with them a number of ingredients that were quickly adopted by the locals, including ‘pancit’ noodles, and soy sauce. In many parts of the Philippines, soy sauce came to replace the use of salt in home kitchens, and so soy sauce is still considered a key ingredient of a good adobo in most households.

When the Spaniards arrived, they saw how the Filipinos used vinegar to marinate their chicken, pork, and fish. The Spanish word ‘adobar’ refers to a marinade or pickling sauce. In his writings, Pedro de San Buenaventura labeled the Filipino version ‘adobo de los naturales’ – adobo of the natives. The name stuck.

As each region of the Philippines has its own produce and preferred flavor profile, there are different versions of adobo across the islands. Where seafood was plentiful, adobo ng pusit (squid adobo with squid ink) became popular. In Southern Luzon, where heat and coconut milk are popular ingredients, adobo ng gata (adobo with coconut milk and green finger chilies) emerged. There are countless twists on adobo, and around the Philippines, you’ll find versions that include sugar, liver, potatoes, morning glory, laurel leaves, the list goes on.

Beef cheeks and tendons Adobo

In recent years, adobo has moved beyond its roots as a humble island dish, delighting diners at Filipino restaurant Purple Yam in New York and even the affection of former US President Barack Obama. Up-and-coming Filipino chefs shred the meat from adobo stew to create savory flakes to top salads, or to stuff in sushi. Adobo has featured on shows like Top Chef, and remains the ultimate test of any Filipino cook’s mettle.

Read more: Top dishes you need to try when visiting the Philippines

Home-made Adobo served with rice/ Source Pulaw

At its heart, adobo is a process of cooking, not a recipe. The tang of the vinegar is softened over low heat, intensifying the flavor of the meat, and creating a silky, mouthwatering sauce that is always, always served with fragrant white rice. Adobo’s long journey, its melding of cultures and ardent defenders all come together to tell a diverse and delicious story.

Source Esther De La Cruz/The Culture Trip

What to buy as souvenirs from Philippines

The Philippines is a country with full of culture and history. It is blessed with delicious cuisine, unique shops, beautiful scenery, white sandy beaches, and friendly people. It is a great way to spend a dream vacation. 

Filipinos have a word called “pasalubong.” This means “something for welcoming me back,” and shows the giving spirit of the Filipinos. There are many options available when looking for something to bring back to your friends and family, and they will surely love getting a little taste of the Philippines. Here is a list of popular things to buy in the Philippines.

Dried Mangoes

The Philippine mango is known worldwide for sweetness and silky texture. You can find the best mangoes in Guimaras, Zambales, and Cebu. They preserve it as a dried fruit to hold the full intensity of the flavor. Eat dried mangoes as a snack or use it to top your ice cream. It is chewy and leaves tartness in your mouth.

Chocnut or Chocolate Peanut Bars

Everyone loves Chocnut, especially the Filipino. It is a small candy bar that almost all of us is familiar with. It is a sweet mixture of peanuts, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. You will feel nostalgic after every bite.

The ‘I love Philippines’ T-Shirt

There is no way you can miss out on these perfect Filipino souvenirs. The T-Shirts that say ‘I love Philippines’ is truly one of the popular souvenirs picked by too many people.  Make it a point to wear this T-Shirt at least on one of the days when you are touring here.

Carved Wood 

Around the islands of the Philippines, you will find carved wood in the form of different figures, bowls, ashtrays and much more. Carved wood is such a gift that is both pretty and useful.

Polvoron

Polvoron is a favourite childhood treat, for adult as well. It is a crunchy and crumbly fun-to-eat snack that comes in different flavours. Ingredients are mainly powdered milk, butter and toasted flour. They are moulded into oval or round shapes. Traditionally, polvoron was made special with rice crisps added to the mix. These sweet treats are great anytime. They are also great as gifts or giveaways during the holidays.

Tikog Slippers

Tikog is a grass that grows in the swamp near the ricefield. The locals dry and use it to create handicrafts like slippers or flip-flops, decorations, and adornments.

Tikog slippers is a comfy partner to your feet on any walk. Get trendy with its vibrant colors and good-looking designs. The product earned international recognition with exposure in magazines, websites, and other printed materials.

The Philippine Tea

If you are a tea lover, this is surely one of the things you need to grab. The Philippines tea tree which is known as Carmona Retusa is truly famous and the leaves of the tree are known to be effective in curing cold, cough, fever and lot more too. So, bring home some of this specific tea and your friend and family would appreciate it.

Read more: Taste the most popular desserts in the Philippines

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Things you should not do when visiting Myanmar

Most of the norms in Myanmar are heavily influenced by the richness of its ancient history steeped in Buddhism. The following list is a guide to understanding the layers of tradition in the culture as well as its quirkiness. It’s important to remain tolerant and aware of what could be considered insulting to locals, while also discovering why Myanmar enchants so many.

Don’t wear a longyi without underwear underneath

Myanmar people enjoy seeing foreigners dress in local garb, particularly for special events such as weddings and temple outings. But, wearing traditional attire takes practice to ensure it’s worn just right – or you risk the potential to give everyone an eyefull as you walk down the street.

While going without undergarments might be a preferred way to cool off during Myanmar’s hot summer months, it’s not recommended for first-time longyi wearers, especially, in order to prevent public humiliation.

Don’t ride a motorbike in the city center of Yangon

This is actually a law. Motorbikes are supposedly banned in the main parts of Yangon for safety reasons. This may take some getting used to since most other major hubs in the region allow the use of motorized bikes. Motorbikes and electric scooters can be ridden in townships on the outskirts of Yangon as well as in other cities.

Don’t sleep without a mosquito net

Myanmar is tropical, and with tropical climates come monsoon rains, excessive heat and humidity, relentless mosquitos, and supersized pests. Sleeping within some sort of protective netting is advised whenever possible, and not only to keep out the mosquitos. Think spiders, cockroaches, and other creepy crawlies.

Dengue Fever is prevalent in several locations including the Yangon region, but Malaria tends to stay put in more rural areas. Nets can be found at most stores for a decent price. The majority of hotels or guesthouses don’t provide them.

Don’t pat someone on the head

The head is considered the highest, holiest part of the human body in Myanmar. This belief is deeply rooted within Buddhist spirituality, and has set the scene for a possible cross-cultural blunder to take place. It’s true that travelers are often granted much more grace should a head be accidentally or unknowingly touched, but it could be considered a sign of disrespect to older generations in particular.

Don’t let your feet do the pointing

Contrary to the head, feet are seen as the lowest, dirtiest part of the body. It’s very rude to point at religious objects, at people, or really at just about anything with your feet in Myanmar – whether that pointing is done unintentionally or not. It’s also thought of as quite rude to point a finger at an image of Buddha, or even in the general direction of a well-known religious site.

Don’t wear shoes or socks in sacred spaces

It’s of utmost importance to respectfully remove socks and shoes or sandals before entering sacred spaces in Myanmar. Many pagodas even have a place to store footwear for a minimal fee. Ancient, less traversed temples such as several found in Bagan don’t offer the most comfortable or safe terrain to go barefooted upon, so use caution when stepping.

Don’t improperly use the image of Buddha

Portraying the image of Buddha in ways deemed inappropriate in Myanmar may result in severe consequences. A good example of what not to do happened in 2015 when a man from New Zealand was jailed for approximately 10 months. His crime? Using a depiction of Buddha wearing headphones in an advertisement. News of this case made international headlines, and serves as a testament to how serious Myanmar takes religious mockery.

Images of Buddha in the form of tattoos should be covered (especially if on the lower extremities), prints resembling Buddha on clothing shouldn’t be worn, and posing inappropriately with a statue of Buddha should never, ever seem like a good idea at the time.

Don’t forget to bring toilet paper

Toilet paper isn’t always an option in public restrooms throughout Myanmar, so be sure to pack some tissues if this is a necessity. Sprayers or ‘bum guns’ are usually available to help rinse after going to the bathroom. In less populated parts of Burma, it’s more common to see an area near the toilet bowl or squat toilet filled with water, and a smaller dish to help with flushing and cleansing.

See more: 6 reasons why you should visit Myanmar

Source: Internet