Admire the beautiful Sea of Stars in Maldives

The Maldives has a reputation for world-class resorts, incredible beaches and landscapes that look even better in person than the photographs. But something even more spectacular, mysterious and romantic takes place on these islands in the Indian Ocean, the glowing and sparkling Sea of Stars.

Where?

On Vaadhoo Island, one of the islands of Raa Atoll in the Maldives. It is a tiny island with just over 500 inhabitants, but its Sea of Stars phenomenon has firmly planted it on the global map.

When?

The Sea of Stars in the Maldives depends on several factors, including the year’s climate and the growth of the bioluminescent plankton. Nobody can predict when and where the event will occur. Vaadhoo Island in the Raa Atoll is the most well-known spot. But it can also be viewed on one of the 1200 other islands in the Maldives in the right conditions too. According to locals, the spectacular event is more prevalent from late summer to the end of the year.

What causes the incredible Sea of Stars?

Among the tropical fish, sharks and coral in the Maldives’s Indian Ocean live billions and billions of micro-organisms, including dinoflagellates, which are a type of phytoplankton. But what differentiates the Lingulodinium polyedrum from other organisms is their unique ability to generate light. Stress, caused by the movement of the sea and waves, leads the plankton to emit light, or bioluminescence as a defence mechanism in a similar way to some fireflies. The bioluminescent light has an electric blue-neon colour, radiating further as each wave breaks. The speculator phenomena is one of nature’s rarest events. It is so remarkable, Hollywood decided to feature the Sea of Stars in Ang Lee’s award–winning Life of Pi to illuminate the sea for the lost protagonist.

Don’t set your hopes too high

As nature is unpredictable, nothing is for sure. Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the world’s most beautiful islands in the hope of experiencing the Sea of Stars might not be a wise decision. Nature does as nature pleases and an element of luck helps. Plan a holiday to the Maldives for the luxury, beaches, snorkelling and diving. Seeing the Sea of Stars should be a bonus, not a given.

Is there anywhere else in the world quite like it?

Dinoflagellates — the ultra specific type of phytoplankton at Sea of Stars — are not the only ones to produce this beautiful bioluminescence. Other marine animals like krill, deep-sea squids, and anglerfish are also able to produce light. Within the Maldives you can see something similar on the islands of Mudhdhoo and Rangali. Similarly, bioluminescence has been seen on the shores of the Lakshadweep Islands in India, Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and on the coast of Leucadia in California.

Source Internet

Top tourist attractions in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul offers an intoxicating mix of old and new. Ancient temples and palaces lie side by side with towering skyscrapers, thriving shopping, and sleek, modern buildings.

Hangang Park

Bordering the Han River which flows through Seoul, Hangang Park actually consists of 13 distinct parks and there are loads of leisure activities for visitors to enjoy. With swimming pools, bike paths and football pitches lying alongside tennis courts and large green spaces, there is something for everyone, and there are also lots of watersports on offer such as yachting and water-skiing. Relaxing amongst the nature of Hangang Park will refresh you and leave you ready to explore the rest of Seoul’s amazing sights.

Cheonggyecheon

Wandering along this artificial stream that runs through Seoul is an increasingly popular thing to do; Cheonggyecheon’s peaceful ambiance makes you feel like you are a million miles from the city’s bustling streets. Plants and trees line the scenic walkways that border the stream. At night, street performers put on entertainment while light shows so prettily illuminate the water. A tranquil spot, use Cheonggyecheon’s secluded paths to get about the city with ease.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Inside the five huge halls, you can find the Design Museum, which offers an interesting look at innovative and creative Korean designs, as well as the Design Market, where you can try out new inventions and experience cutting-edge technologies that have just hit the market. There are loads to see and do, and numerous conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, and fashion shows are hosted here, so keep an eye out for any event that particularly interests you.

Noryangjin Fish Market

The largest and oldest market in South Korea, Namdaemun is a bustling place to visit. You can buy anything from cheap jewelry and clothes to traditional souvenirs and electronics. A very popular place among tourists and locals, there is a dynamic feel about the market, with colorful advertisements popping out at you from every angle. With lots of great restaurants and food stalls, it is also a nice spot to head if you want to sample some of Seoul’s fantastic street food.

Lotte World

A very popular attraction amongst locals, Lotte World is very much Seoul’s version of Disneyland. Children will barely be able to contain themselves once they see all the rides. Whether it’s splashing log rides that you’re after or the adrenaline filled ‘French Revolution’ roller coaster, Lotte World is one of the best places in Seoul if you’re looking for a fun time out.

N Seoul Tower

One of the most recognizable landmarks in South Korea, the tower is located on Mount Namsan. There is a fun cable car ride which you can take to reach it. On one roof terrace, there are thousands of locks, left by lovers to immortalize their eternal love. At night, the observation and communication tower is delightfully illuminated against the dark sky and the panoramas of Seoul lit up in the darkness is equally mesmerizing.

See more: Spend a day exploring DMZ in South Korea

Source Touropia

Mut, the traditional food on Tet in Vietnam

Mut Tet (Tet jam) is not a food to serve in a meal during Tet holiday, but more like a snack to welcome guests in this special period. Mut is always kept in beautiful boxes and placed at the table in the living room, and it is the main food for the owners and guests to taste when they are talking, enjoying over a cup of tea.

Unlike Western jam, which is usually in liquid form and served with bread, "Vietnamese jam" is mainly in dry form, usually dried fruits and some kind of seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds).

Coconut jam

Coconut jam is the oldest, through many years with all our Vietnam. Over many changes, traditionally coconut jam still keeps taste: just sweet, moderate fat, chewy and crunchy, very interesting. Coconut Jam is an option and is the favorite of the majority of people. The chef has impressive creations when they make many unique coconut jam. Coconut jam just has a monotonous white color, at the moment coconut jam has seven natural color liked such as pandan coconut jam, chocolate coconut jam, milk coffee, milk.

Bean jam

Each kind of bean has its own interesting shape, so you can make your own type of jam with your own favorite kind of bean. It is easy to make bean jam. Boiling beans with water and then mixing with sugar. The meaning of beans jam is the success for everyone. Some of the kinds bean jam: bush bean jam, peanut jam, and lotus seed jam.

Bulb jam

With the buttery taste of bulb, we easily to make a lot of delicious bulb jam such as potato jam, sweet potato jam and carrot jam.

Read more: Vietnam's traditional foods during Tet

Kumquat jam

To be hometown of cranberry, so Hoi An is also famous for folk cranberry jam. Making cranberry jam is a meticulous process but very exciting for the housewife: selecting fresh cranberry fruits on twigs, to peel, seed and heat until they turn into jam. The cranberry jam jar finished with a clear golden color of crystallized sugar, look just want to eat immediately. Kinds of cranberry jam have various tastes to suitable with each person: dry cranberry jam, wet cranberry jam, cranberry jam attach peel. Cranberry jam is bitter and sweet, so it has positive effects on digestion, cough and some other diseases.

Source Hoian Tourism