Come to these places if you want to avoid the cold winter

This winter is too harsh for you to bear? It is snowing where you are living while you badly want to bask yourself under the sunlight? How about leaving everything behind for a while and flee to these tropical countries.

1. Sri Lanka

The weather varies around Sri Lanka, with a rainy season in the west and south from May to September, and in the north and east between October and February. With that in mind, March is the a good time to visit for sunny weather across the island: it’s hot, mostly dry and there’s only a small chance of rain.

2. Kerala, India

Head to India for beautiful beaches and retreats and all the fresh coconut water. It’s easy to find affordable accommodation in Kerala – or for something different, book a houseboat or take a cruise through the state’s famous backwaters. 

See more: The Bollywood filming locations you should visit in India

3. Phuket, Thailand

It’s home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, a string of white pearls in the Andaman sea running from Phuket down to Malaysia. 

See more: Phuket Travel Guide

4. Malaysia

Whether it’s snowing in the UK or not, March is one of the best times of the year to visit Malaysia. The rainy season is ending on the east coast, it’s still dry on the west, and it’s hot everywhere. Try coming to Penang and the lesser known city of Kuching on the island of Borneo. Comedian Phil Wang has sung Kota Kinabalu’s praises, while novelist Selina Siak Chin Yoke said she loves Ipoh. If you want to explore the region beyond Malaysia, find inspiration in our guide to south east Asia’s remote towns and secret beaches.

5. Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Lying just off the coast of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is the kind of place backpackers used to congratulate themselves on finding. Expect powdery white palm-fringed sands, clear warm waters and excellent diving. Spend a week at the Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort, perched on the edge of Bai Dai Beach, with idyllic views of the Gulf of Thailand from almost every angle. 

See more: Things to do in Phu Quoc Island

Source: theguardian

Top 10 tourist attractions in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, and for a reason, you can find almost anything here: crystal blue beaches, thick jungle, great food, cheap beachfront bungalows and some of the best luxury hotels in the world.

1.Similan Island

Located just 84 km northwest of the bustling crowds of Phuket, Similan Island is made up of nine primary islands and two far-flung ones, and also is one of the most popular diving destinations in the country. The word "Similan" is derived from the Malay Sembilan, means "nine" and each of the Similan island has a number as well as a name.

2. Ayuthaya Historical Park

Also known as Ayutthaya Historical Park, this popular tourist attraction contains the ruins of the second capital of Siam, which was founded around 1350. By 1700 Ayutthaya had become one of the largest cities in the world with a total of 1 million inhabitants. In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. Fortunately, renovations that began in the late 1960s restored the once-vibrant city too much of its former glory, allowing visitors to experience the eclectic array of architectural styles that can be found amid its grid-like patterns of moats, roads, and canals.

3. Phanom Rung

Sitting on an extinct volcano in northeastern Thailand, Phanom Rung is a Hindu temple regarded for its outstanding architecture. Located near the village of Nang Rong, this temple sanctuary was built by the Khmer culture between the 10th and 13th centuries. Constructed of sandstone and laterite, Phanom Rung was built to represent Mount Kailash, the sacred home of Shiva.

4. Wat Arun

Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is situated on the west Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is easily one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok, not only because of its riverside location but also because the design is very different from the other temples you can visit in Bangkok. Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, is partly made up of colorfully decorated spires and stands majestically over the water.

5. Prasat Hin Phimai

Prasat Hin Phimai boasts some of the most impressive Khmer ruins in Thailand. Similar in style (if much smaller) than those at Angkor, the temples were built during the 11th and 12th century, during which time the area was part of the Khmer empire. Though built as a Mahayana Buddhist temple, the carvings also feature many Hindu deities as explained in the visitor center.

6. Railay

Also known as Rai Leh, this popular rock-climbing destination is located in the Krabi Province on the coast of the Andaman Sea. Accessible only by boat, Railay boasts a variety of exciting attractions. Its more than 700 bolted rock-climbing routes are a major draw. However, there are also several stunning beaches, and visitors can also explore a series of caves. Accommodation on Railay ranges from inexpensive bungalows popular with backpackers and climbers to the renowned jet-set resort of Rayavadee.

See more: A perfect getaway in Railay, Thailand

7. Grand Palace

As the official residence of the kings of Siam and later Thailand since 1782, the Grand Palace is perhaps the most famous attraction in the bustling city of Bangkok. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the walled-in complex contains a compelling series of pavilions, halls, wats and other buildings interspersed with vast lawns, lavish gardens, and stately courtyards. Of the many sights here, Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is probably the most memorable.

8. Ko Phi Phi

A beautiful archipelago located in the Krabi Province not too far from Phuket is the only island in the group with permanent inhabitants. It has become the main tourist attraction because of the appearance in the film "The Beach" in 1999. Travelers go here to enjoy the beach and participate in a variety of water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking.

9. Lamphun

Lamphun was once the northernmost outpost of the ancient Mon Dvaravati Kingdom. There is an old fortress that guards ancient temples against when the city was an important defensive post for Queen Chama Thevi, one of Thailand’s most beloved rulers. The city does not promote or celebrate this ancient history too much, but it is quite a charming place as it sits on the Mae Kuang River. The most beautiful attraction might be the scenic 26-km (16-mile) country drive from nearby Chang Mai that gives tourists a visual taste of the beautiful river valley landscape.

10. Khao Sok National Park

Home to the largest expanse of virgin forest in Thailand, Kao Sok National Park is a must-visit destination for people who want to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Thailand. The remnants of an ancient rainforest stretch across the park, which is split by a dramatic limestone mountain range. More than 5 percent of the world’s animal species can be found in this lovely national park, which also boasts networks of dirt trails, soaring waterfalls, and a beautiful lake.

Source Internet

All you need to know about Kabuki, a Japanese art form

If you are a fanatic of Japan's culture, you must have heard about Kabuki. Kabuki is a fascinating art form in Japan, and it will be a shame to visit Japan without watching it once during your stay.

1. Kabuki, a traditional art of Japan

Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. In 2005, UNESCO announced kabuki as one of the 43 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

2. The origin of the word kabuki

Since the word kabuki is believed to derive from the verb kabuku, meaning "to lean" or "to be out of the ordinary", kabuki can be interpreted as "avant-garde" or "bizarre" theatre.

3. Kabuki was invented by a woman, Okuni 

The history of kabuki began in 1603 when Okuni, possibly a "miko" (priestess), began performing a new style of dance drama in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto.

4. Now, all kabuki actors are men

Men, generals, merchants, children, princes, princesses, young women, old women, ghosts and so many more roles are all done by men. How a person moves, and what they wear is the way they distinguish their roles.

5. There are two themes: kabuki kyougen and kabuki buyou  

"Kabuki kyougen" have stories, that actually happened in the past (ex. death of a general), or a fictional story set in a certain era. "Kyougen" means a play. "Kabuki buyou" is mainly dance. "Buyou" means dance. If you're new to kabuki, I recommend watching kabuki buyou first. You don't exactly need to understand what they're saying because they mostly dance.

6. Kabuki kyougen are based on the same world

In the stories, they use the same characters (some of whom really existed) in the same era, but alter what happened. As a result, there are several stories that contain the same world setting, but with different plots. 

7. The person dressed in black is invisible on stage

The people dressed in black are called "kurogo kouken". They move or hand props to the actors. The actors and the audience are not supposed to see them.

8. The makeup of kabuki

Makeup of kabuki is distinct to the character. The less human the characters are, for example ghosts and demons, the more bizarre the makeup becomes. It emphasizes the muscles and veins of the face. Red is used for the good characters, blue is used for the enemies, and brown is used for demons or hobgoblins. This method of makeup is called Kumatori.

9. Mie

"Mie" is a stage phase when the actor makes a pose in the heat of the moment. It's something like a stop motion moment in a movie. Mie emphasizes the picturesque beauty of the whole stage, including the actor.

10. When somebody is shouting during Mie, it's a praise

This act is called a "kakegoe". They are shouting the name of the actor, to praise the beauty of their acting. It is done by professional audience members. Never do it if you're an amateur.

See more: The gorgeous Takayama festival in Japan

Source: tsunagujapan