Visit Seoul's 5 best bakeries

Seoul is filled with unique bakeries and cafés, offering delicious pastries and baked goods. Here are five of the best to visit for the freshest breads and creamiest cakes in the capital of South Korea.

The Baker's Table

Having moved from Germany to South Korea, Micha Lichter started his career as a pastry chef at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in 1990. Since 2012, the European patissier has been producing some of Seoul’s finest breads and sweetest cakes in his own café, The Baker’s Table. With many saying it’s the best in town, you’d definitely be hard-pushed to find such a wide range of high-quality baked goods elsewhere. Not only your go-to destination to pick up supplies for toast and buns at home, it’s also the ideal brunch location for lazy Sunday mornings.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Originally from San Francisco, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse opened its first international outlet outside the US in the popular Garosugil area of Seoul. Before opening, the Seoul staff received two months of training in San Francisco in order to perfect the famous cruffin, a croissant-muffin hybrid. Today, it’s one of the South Korean capital’s ‘It’ bakeries and a popular destination to get that amazing Instagram shot in front of the pink LED sign saying, ‘I Got Baked in Seoul’.

Maybell Bakery

No list of the top bakeries in Seoul would be complete without a mention of this little gem in the Hannam-dong district. Why, you ask? Maybell Bakery is one of the few places in town that offers vegan options. In fact, there’s a wide variety of vegan breads warm from the oven, such as cranberry rye bread, rosemary rye loaf made from sourdough, and grain rye bread, to name a few. Be sure to get here promptly after 11AM when the shop opens, though, as the freshly baked goods fly off the shelves.

Bread Lab

If you happen to be in Hongdae, one of Seoul’s most action-packed neighbourhoods, be sure to visit Bread Lab. Located close to Hongik University, the wood-panelled café is a favourite with students. Not only is the menu filled with a variety of delicious breads, pastries and cakes (all reasonably priced), but there’s also a great selection of hot and cold beverages. On top of all that, Bread Lab also features a cosy terrace, perfect for basking in Seoul’s warm weather in spring, summer and early autumn.

Wood and Brick

Part of a small chain in the city, Wood and Brick is a hit with locals and visitors alike. In addition to a selection of fresh bread and pastries, the café-bakery is well known for its homemade macarons. Seoul’s large expat community also appreciates the wide variety of fine cheeses, olive oils and canned goods sold here.

See more: 7 best summer desserts in Seoul, Korea

Source: Internet

The reasons why you should travel to East Timor

When we think of South-East Asia the obvious things that come to mind are the beaches of Thailand, full moon parties, Aussies getting drunk in Bali, or sunset drinks on sunset islands in the Philippines. South-East Asia is very much way on the beaten track but there are still a few fairly untouched gems out there, and one of them is East Timor.

Pristine beaches and sacred sites

Closer to the capital there are a plenty of white-sand beaches that remains pristine and unspoiled. Areia Branca and Dollar beach are some of the famous beaches. There are some east and west of Dili which usually does not see much crowd. For a swim, the south coast is best avoided owing to the presence of giant saltwater crocodiles. To spend some night time at the beach, opt for one of the night tours that include dinner on the beach.

The first National Park of East Timor called Nino Santana National Park comprises of forested mountain ranges (known for its many species of orchids), Lake Ira Lalaro and Jaco Island. A trip to this park will also make accessible the many sacred sites, limestone caves, and ancient rock arts. The reef system that is adjoining the Park is part of the world-renowned Coral Triangle. Divers here can spot high diversity of coral species and marine wildlife.

Breathtaking biking

If the driving is too hair-raising, or expensive car rentals are not cheap, starting at around $70 per day, partly due to the sketchy state of the roads and often erratic local driving, then it is time to get on your bike. You will need to be fit, as there are the steep climbs and steeper temperatures (around 30 C most of the year, though it is cooler at night in the mountains).

The upside is that you will have more opportunity to take in the views than you would if driving, when vigilance is needed.
The Timorese roads are sometimes a challenge for even the most robust four-wheel drive, so no surprise, then, that the Tour de Timor has already acquired the reputation for being one of the world's most arduous bike races.

Best diving spots

The tropical marine water of Timor-Leste, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands are roughly in the shape of a triangle and is called the Coral Triangle. It is home to approximately 500 species of corals and the sites in East Timor are undisputedly one of the best for diving.

The untouched reef and marine life is any diver’s dream come true. Atauro Island is considered one of the top diving spots in East Timor with abundant sea life such as reef sharks, frogfish, turtles, whales, and more. Many Dili based diving companies offer international standard diving courses ranging from recreational to technical for the interested. If you are in scuba diving, then you should definitely check fantastic diving sites around East Timor. Another great news is that the country is not filled with tourists, so you can expect to have diving tours only for yourself.

Calm life and silent nights

East Timor does show that there is such a thing as too laid-back. Taxis often potter along at 20 kph despite empty roads, putting the mission-(beach) bound among us at risk of an embolism.
But this does also mean that East Timor is less crowded, less hectic and less built-up than the rest of Southeast Asia, partly down to the country's troubled past and slow pace of economic development a decade after independence.

Great street food

In case you had the missed the memo YPT kind of like street food a lot, and Dili has something even better than street food, it has BBQ located conveniently on the beach. Come here and kick back at the weekend to see how the Timorese like to knock a few back.

Read more: Do not miss these fascinating destinations around Asia in 2019

Source Internet

5 epic places in Malaysia you must visit

Despite the hot weather and often isolated monuments, it is always worthwhile to make the effort to go out and explore the amazing natural and man-made formations all around Malaysia.

1. Sipadan Islands (Sabah)

Known as one of the best diving spots in the world, the Sipadan Islands have a lot to offer for off-shore and underwater activities. While this may make it a specific target for ocean enthusiasts, there is still fun to be had for non-scuba divers. Revel in the quietness of the sandy beaches and little forest on the island where wild birds and other wildlife live undisturbed by human influence. The nearby islands offer a little more connection to civilization, with budget plans often leading visitors to the larger land of Semporna, where life remains a quiet occurrence without hordes of travelers passing through.

2. Pantai Cahaya Bulan (Kelantan)

This quiet beachside front is known for its romantic folklore of being a place for lovers to declare their romance by moonlight, hence the name of the beach. Located in the more traditional part of Malaysia, the beach offers simple Kelantanese treats of fried seafood and kite-flying. The trip to the beach from capital city Kota Bharu is an absolute scenic delight, with many little old villages and friendly locals living peacefully on the simpler side of life. While it may not be as elaborate as some beach attractions, enjoy the tranquillity of the sea breeze and sunsets while eating a hearty bowl of signature Kelantanese crab noodles. Be mindful that some parts of the beach may be unsuitable for swimming due to high currents and that large boulders have been set up to combat the unfortunate occurrence of erosion.

3. Desa Dairy Farm (Sabah)

The beauty of a dairy farm nestled at the foot of a great mountain may be closer than you anticipated. Save a trip to Holland or New Zealand by visiting the Desa Dairy Farm in Kundasang, Sabah, where fat black and white cows graze on green grassy knolls in cool weather with some goats. The dairy farm provides an exciting insight into how fresh milk is supplied and treated before being shipped away, and how the cows live in order to produce only the freshest quality. Also to enjoy besides feeding cute calves and goat kids are milk-filled treats such as ice cream, yogurt and cheeses all locally produced and flavored with Malaysia’s favorite tastes.

4. Pulau Jerejak (Penang)

Full of old ruins deep in its thick jungle, Pulau Jerejak has a notorious history among the people of Penang for being an island full of unpleasant occurrences. During its heyday of attempted utilization by British administrators, Pulau Jerejak has been home to leprosy and tuberculosis-stricken patients, a ceremonial resting ground for navy soldiers lost to the Indian Sea, a quarantine site, and most recently – until 1993 – a jail. A resort and spa now occupies the place, but remains in low traffic due to its controversial past. Great for explorers and lovers of nature reclaiming man-made structures, this island holds many secrets for those brave enough to explore it.

Read more: The most beautiful island resorts in Southeast Asia

5. Lepoh Falls (Kuala Selangor)

This small but beautiful waterfall is hidden away on the hills of Hulu Langat, a little way off Gunung Nuang. It takes a small road trip to get here from Kuala Lumpur, and the sights of quaint Malay villages along the way are sure to delight those who appreciate watching life slow down from the hectic city to the more relaxed countryside. Lepoh Falls are known for the cool mountain water running down its tiers, two of which form an amazing natural water slide into a refreshing pool surrounded by lush greenery, through which a two-hour hike is required to reach. Visitors to the falls mostly consist of the people living around it and the occasional group; so its advisable to go a little early to get the best picnic spots. Also, remember to clean up after yourselves as the waterfall is a free area and therefore doesn’t have official caretakers.

Source theculturetrip