What to buy as souvenirs in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has always been a known stop for most cruises thanks to some of the most unique and exquisite quality items available on this island. So when you are here, you need to keep an entire day dedicated for shopping. Scout the local markets, or roam tirelessly in the high-end showrooms but be sure to take back the unique varieties this island nation has to offer. Below is a list of what to buy in Sri Lanka so that you can carry home as lovely souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones.

Jewellery and gems

Sri Lanka is famous for its sapphires and moonstones. The mines in Ratnapura have a constant supply of precious gems and the gemologists on the island know where to import the best gems from as well. In the little town of the Galle Fort, gem stores sell gems on their own and in the form of jewellery as well. If you are buying gems and jewellery, it is best to use your bartering skills. There are also plenty of contemporary jewellery makers like Two Dots Jewellery, which you can find at Barefoot or via their online store.

Raksha masks

Unique to the Sri Lankan culture, Raksha masks are available in almost every souvenir shop in the form of masks, magnets, keychains, etc. They are believed to ward off the evil and protect the one who possesses them. The masks are worn while performing the traditional Kolam ritual and depict the ancient race of Rakshasas. The most commonly used masks are Naga Raksha (cobra mask), Gurulu Raksha (Mask of the Bird) and Maru Raksha (Mask of the Demon of Death).

Saris and sarongs

Sri Lanka’s local and traditional clothing is made up of saris for women and sarongs for men. Some women will wear sarongs as well but as a set with a matching blouse. There are plenty of places to find sarongs in Colombo and in the rest of Sri Lanka, but the best sarongs are from Barefoot. There are also saris at Barefoot and Selyn Fair Trade and you can find beautiful silk or batik saris in high fashion sari shops and via Fashion Market, an online fashion store.

Ayurvedic beauty products

Ayurveda is a traditional healing system practiced by Ayurveda doctors in Sri Lanka. This craft has been passed on to them through the generations. Lately, there are more local brands selling products using these age old remedies, and they are a perfect gift for your loved ones.

Dumbara mats

If you are a fan of the handwoven stuff, you must pick up Dumbara mats and cane handicrafts from the local shops. The villages around Kandy produce a lot of coarse fabric called Dumbara which is then woven into mats, bags, boxes, and baskets, typically in a geometric fashion. These can make for excellent gifts.

Read more: 7 reasons why you should visit Sri Lanka in 2019

Moonstone carvings

All Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka are graced by a half moon stepping stone at the entrance. These carved stones are called moonstones and have been used as religious imagery for centuries. These ancient carvings are now used in parks and modern temples due to their figurative and historic quality. Small moonstone carvings are made as souvenirs for tourists and small home shrines. They can be found carved in limestone or wood, in small to larger sizes. They make great conversation starters due to their history.

Source Internet

Top shopping malls to visit in Tokyo

Japan’s first shopping mall, Mitsukoshi, was established over one hundred years ago. Since then, a multitude of other one-stop shops have added themselves to the country’s cityscapes, whether they be for menswear or womenswear. The following are eight of Tokyo‘s best shopping malls.

Isetan

Isetan is a successful department store chain and brand with their home base in Shinjuku. The store does well in places like Singapore and Malaysia, where Japanese-themed events are held to engage shoppers interested in the culture. In Tokyo’s Shinjuku, a cluster of connected Isetan department store buildings cater to men’s fashion, beauty products and more. Isetan appeals to both the local and international crowd while shoppers can find anything from kimono accessories and herbal teas to bridal gowns and children’s toys.

Mitsukoshi

Along with Matsuya, Mitsukoshi is recognized as Japan’s oldest department store. It’s also one of the nation’s largest. Eight years ago, the company merged with Isetan to form Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings. The two chains remain distinct from one another, however, with Mitsukoshi being a little pricier and more upscale. The Chuo-ku location in Tokyo is one of their most notable. Mitsukoshi also operates stores in North America, Europe and Asia.

PARCO

PARCO is a major department store chain with branches in most major Japanese cities. One of their main locations in Tokyo, Shibuya PARCO, is currently undergoing renovations and will be closed for the next four years. Fortunately, they operate other branches like PARCO P’Ikebukuro Annex in Ikebukuro. PARCO tries to support local talent by encouraging popup shops. They also use a unique business model that combines retail with real estate services.

Marui

Marui is a major department store chain with stores in Tokyo and other large Japanese cities. Their iconic logo looks like ‘0101’, and is read ‘Marui’ in Japanese. The 0 resembles the Japanese symbol pronounced ‘maru’, meaning zero or circle. Marui targets a young, stylish audience between the ages of 20-35. Marui used to operate an online webstore selling Japanese street fashions overseas but has since been closed down.

Sogo / Seibu

The Sogo and Seibu department stores are both subsidiaries of Seven & I Holdings Co., the same company that owns the ubiquitous Ito Yokado supermarkets and Seven-Eleven convenience stores. You’ll find Seibu at big thoroughfares like Shibuya Station, making it a convenient one-stop shop for the busy commuter.

Tokyu Department Store

Tokyu will be a familiar name to anyone who’s ever travelled in Tokyo. The company not only operates their Tokyo Department store branches, like their flagship shop at Shibuya Station, but the ubiquitous Tokyo Hands multi-level hobby store. Tokyu Department Store carries a lot of local streetwear brands that appeal to a wide audience.

Matsuya

Matsuya, along with Mitsukoshi, is the oldest department store retailer in Japan. They carry a wide range of upmarket and luxury brands for the discerning shopper. Their Tokyo flagship store is located in Ginza.

Hankyu Department Store

Hankyu has four main stores in Japan and two locations in Taiwan (Kaohsiung and Taipei). At Hankyu MEN’S TOKYO in Ginza, find luxury and street fashion for men from local designers as well as those from abroad. Their main shops in Osaka and Fukuoka carry women’s clothing as well. Hankyu might also go by the alternative name Hanshin, since the umbrella company is Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, Inc.

See more: The most impressive buildings in Tokyo

Source: Internet

One day trip in Quang Ngai

Quang Ngai city is something of an overgrown village with no obvious attractions, so most visitors only drop by for a spot of grazing at lunchtime. The few travelers who venture here come to pay their respects to the victims of the most famous atrocity of the American War at nearby Son My.

Chung Tich Son My (Son My Relics)

It is exactly an ideal destination for those who have a passion for historical events and buildings. It is rumored that on 16th March 1968, a small village bore a brunt of a terrifying war disaster in which innocent ordinary people, including the old, women and children and so on were all killed. The death toll, after that, was claimed to reach up to 504- a dramatic figure in comparison to the population scale at that time.

Until the present days when Vietnam has been liberated from wars, this village is still under special maintenance and brought on display so that the locals can always commemorate those who passed away in that disastrous event and tourists can visit here for more information about Vietnamese history. Photos that depict the occurrence and carefully listed statistics will help people gain a deeper understanding and a special guide is always available on request for further support.

Sa Huynh

Nestled in South Pole of Quang Ngai province, Sa Huynh attracts a considerable number of seasonal tourists every year for its gorgeous seashore. Known as the largest salt flat in the middle part of the country, the destination has raised a special feeling of curiosity among travelers who first come here.

There are also a lot of things to discover in Sa Huynh, such as An Khe lagoon, Viba mountain, Tu Phuoc pagoda, Fish temple and the like. Besides, fresh exclusive seafood adds to the reasons why you should go to Sa Huynh once in a lifetime. And if you prefer to spend your nights here, don’t be nervous since a great number of qualified resorts and motels are there to cater for the accommodation demand of guests.

Nui Thien An (Thien An Mountain)

Classified as one national historical monument by Ministry of Culture and Information, Thien An Mountain has become a crowded tourist attraction for the past 20 years. To reach the summit, you can either resort to car or motorbike since the slope is not too steep. Besides, there is a shortcut leading to the peak that is designed only for hikers. From the top of the mountain, a breathtaking view of the whole province with rivers, fields, and villages will appear in front of your eyes, which makes you feel like grasping the nature in the back of your hand.

What’s more? You can also pay a visit to Thien An pagoda in the proximity if you still spare some time. It is especially busy during Buddhist festivals (Buddha Day, 4/15 in Lunar calendar) when the locals and visitors will gather for worship. Thus, take your time and you can explore new things here.

My Khe Beach

My Khe is in Co Luy hamlet, Tinh Khe commune, Son Tinh district, Quang Ngai with 7km long sandy beach. It is a great crescent moon shaped beach that makes a strong impression with its pristine beauty, quiet and romantic space of floating clouds, whispering waves.

Near the beach, there are a few quiet fishing villages, nestled on the vast sea, sporadic moored boats. Fishing boats and rustic basket boats lie next to the blue sea and white sandy beach.

Thach Ky Dieu Tau

This is a gorgeous spot located to the south of Sa Ky seaport in An Vinh Hamlet, Tinh Ky Commune in Son Tinh District. The picturesque site used to be among the top 12 landscapes of Quang Ngai extolled by artists in the past but now is in the top two and much loved by locals.

Nearby the cliff there are two huge human footsteps created from various stones and an open-air stone cave. When a wave flows into the cave, water will spray out from a hole beneath the cave that looks like a wine furnace. According to legend, a giant man carried stones to lock the seaport. But unfortunately, he dropped the last load of stones so it helped create two mountains and his footsteps were left behind.

In particular, tourists will find it interesting to see a black lava block consisting of many diverse stone shapes spreading out to the sea. According to scientists, thanks to the identity of these stones they can surmise that there was a volcano dated tens of thousands years ago at this location.

See more: Top 7 foods in Quang Ngai

Source MazeVietnam