Thursday, 8 November 2018

Useful tips before going to Bhutan

Useful tips before going to Bhutan
Travelling to Bhutan is getting more and more popular. This so-called "happiest place on earth" is a dreamland for people who want to seek for true happiness. However, there are some tips to take note if you don't want to end up violating Bhutan's law.

1. Travel during a festival

Travel during a festival
There are many festivals happening throughout the year in Bhutan, the popular ones such as the Paro and Thimphu Tshechu take place during the high tourist season. Festivals in Bhutan usually showcase colourful dances in elaborate costumes, with Bhutanese dressing to their best and unsurprisingly, it's one of those things turning out to be huge tourist draws.

2. Languages used in Bhutan

Languages used in Bhutan
The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, but most Bhutanese are fluent in English as that is the basic education so communication shouldn't be a problem.

3. Prepare Indian Rupee beforehand

Prepare Indian Rupee beforehand
The local currency is the Ngultrum, which is pegged to the Indian Rupee. 
Note: The Indian Rupee in denominations of 500 and 1000 are no longer accepted in Bhutan.

4. Refrain from smoking

Refrain from smoking
Bhutan is the only country in the world that has banned the consumption and sale of tobacco, resulting in smoking being largely disallowed in public places. Having said that, consumption is not completely prohibited in Bhutan so if you want to smoke, bring your own cigarettes and ask your guide where you can light up.

5. Taking photos is not allowed in some areas

Taking photos is not allowed in some areas
When taking photos/filming inside Dzongs, monasteries, temples, or any religious institutions, check with your guide whether it is permitted as some areas do not allow it. 

Source: Internet

Rua da Felicidade, the blissful street in Macau

Rua da Felicidade, the blissful street in Macau
When you travel to Macau, a picture of Lisboa Casino would appear in your mind, including luxurious hotels, shopping malls and so on. These are definitely attractive spots in Macau. But we cannot forget that Macau has a long history. Rua da Felicidade is one of them. It is a historic street in the southwest of Macau Peninsula. The name comes from Portuguese, which means blissful street.

History

Rua da Felicidade, the blissful street in Macau
Rua da Felicidade, meaning ‘the street of joy’ was built in the middle age of Qing dynasty by Macau governor-general. Then, two rich merchants bought it. With their management, it rapidly developed into an entertainment street. Rua da Felicidade was divided into two parts. One is cluster of brothel and teahouse while another part is a perfect place for taking drugs and drinking.
Once you come here, you will find that the street is preserved so well by the government that as if you have come back to hundred years ago. It is a kind of magical time traveling.

Unique heritage site

These days, lined with small retail shops and local eateries, the street is completely reborn and has become one of the most emblematic and unique heritage sites in the city. Some movie lovers may even recognize the street from the Hollywood film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, where it featured as a backdrop in some scenes.
Rua da Felicidade, the blissful street in Macau
One of the street’s most notable eateries is Cheong Kei Noodle (68 Rua da Felicidade), considered one of the well-known noodle houses in the city. Here, they still make noodles using the traditional method of a bamboo pole to knead the dough. The prawn roe wanton noodles are a must-try.

Don’t miss the delightful Belos Tempos teahouse (10 Rua da Felicidade), which serves delicious Portuguese-style food, as well as Macanese favourites such as minchi rice.

The street is also home to Macau’s oldest guesthouse. The SanVa Hotel (65-67 Rua Da Felicidade) has been operating as a guesthouse since the 1930s. With more than 30 rooms and some of the most competitive room rates in the city, it is well worth considering. Not only will you be in the heart of Happiness Street itself, you will also be on the doorstep of Macau’s main sites and attractions.

Food

Rua da Felicidade, the blissful street in Macau
For the popularity of any place, its cuisine is one of the major contributing factors and a source of attraction for the tourists. If you have been fortunate enough to travel around Rua da Felicidade, then you must have an idea that Rua da Felicidade is enriched in providing you a countless number of cuisine varieties that differ from one another according to the provinces. Rua da Felicidade is really world famous for its cuisine. Specialties are Tian FaWan fin and Shrimp eggs.

Tips

Walking here in the morning is such a joyful relaxation, people can feel the strong atmosphere of history from the red windows. You can have your breakfast in the tea shops to experience the local food culture.

Source Culture Trip

Wednesday, 7 November 2018

10 must-try foods in Indonesia

10 must-try foods in Indonesia
Indonesian cuisine is one of those things that attract tourists the most. The foods can vary from spicy to sweet, sour to savoury yet they all taste super duper delicious. Thus, it's a must to try these 10 dishes which are Indonesian's pride.

1. Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng
Literally meaning "fried rice" in Indonesian, Nasi Goreng is an Indonesian rice dish with pieces of meat and vegetables added. It can refer simply to fried pre-cooked rice, a meal including stir fried rice in a small amount of cooking oil or margarine, typically spiced with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), shallot, garlic, ground shrimp paste, tamarind and chilli and accompanied by other ingredients, particularly egg, chicken and prawns.

2. Satay

Satay
Satay, or sate in Indonesian spelling, is a dish of seasoned, skewered and grilled meat, served with a sauce. Satay may consist of diced or sliced chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, fish, other meats, or tofu; the more authentic version uses skewers from the midrib of the coconut palm frond, although bamboo skewers are often used. 

3. Beef Rendang

Beef Rendang
Rendang is a spicy meat dish which originated in ethnic group of Minangkabau people, and is now commonly served across the country. One of the characteristic foods of Minangkabau culture, it is served at ceremonial occasions and to honour guests. In 2018, rendang is officially recognised as one of 5 national dishes of Indonesia.

4. Sop Buntut

Sop Buntut
Sop Buntut is made of slices of fried or barbecued oxtail, served in vegetable soup with rich but clear beef broth. It contains boiled potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, leek, celery, and fried shallots. Indonesian sop buntut is seasoned with shallot, garlic and native spices such as black pepper, nutmeg, and clove.

5. Indomie

Indomie
You don't really have to go to Indonesia to taste Indomie, but it's certainly worth having while you're there! After all, this country is home to the instant noodles that every college student loves. With a world of flavours at your disposal and at less than a dollar a pack, you could easily live off of this Indonesian dish. Best of all, you'll find Indomie literally anywhere — from restaurants to corner stores.

6. Martabak

Martabak
This sweet Indonesian food is the country's spin on a pancake, usually filled with anything from chocolate and nuts to cheese. Think crepe but thicker. These sweet treats are only sold in the evening and night, so you might have to wait for your midnight snack to give this one a try.

7. Pempek

Pempek
Pempek, mpek-mpek or empek-empek is a savoury fishcake delicacy from Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia, made of fish and tapioca. Pempek is served with rich sweet and sour sauce called "cuko" (vinegar sauce). Sometimes local people also add yellow noodles for variations.

8. Tumpeng

Tumpeng
Tumpeng is a cone-shaped rice dish with side dishes of vegetables and meat. The rice cone is erected in the "tampah" (rounded woven bamboo container), covered with a banana leaf, and surrounded by assorted Indonesian dishes. In 2013, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy promoted tumpeng as one of 30 Indonesian culinary icons and gave it the status of official national dish of Indonesia in 2014, describing it as "the dish that binds the diversity of Indonesian various culinary traditions."

9. Tempeh

Tempeh
Tempeh is a traditional soy product originating from Indonesia. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form. Tempeh is the only major traditional soy food that did not originate from Greater Chinese cuisine.

10. Gado-Gado

Gado-Gado
Gado-Gado, also known as lotek, is an Indonesian salad of slightly boiled, blanched or steamed vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, boiled potato, fried tofu and tempeh, and "lontong" (rice wrapped in a banana leaf), served with a peanut sauce dressing. In 2018, Gado-Gado is promoted as one of 5 national dishes of Indonesia.

Source: Internet