8 temples to visit in Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang, Laos was the former Royal Capital city and was designated an UNESCO world heritage site in 1995. The historic town contains French colonial architecture and more than 30 Buddhist temples, or wats, that welcome visitors and are home to monks and novices.

Wat Phon Phao

Wat Phon Phao is almost 2 miles (3 kilometers) northeast of Luang Prabang’s town center. It is a forest monastery that was home to famed and now deceased Buddhist abbot Ajahn Saisamut.

Wat Aham

Wat Aham’s sim, or ordination hall, was built in 1818. The first shrine on this site was erected in the 14th century to honor the two guardian spirits of Luang Prabang. These spirits are now said to live in the trees on the temple grounds.

Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat, or Temple of the Great Stupa, is ornate and very beautiful. It was originally constructed in 1548 and was restored in the early 1900s after being damaged by severe weather.

That Chomsi

That Chomsi is located at the top of Mount Phousi overlooking the Mekong. It’s a popular spot to hike in the late afternoon. Visitors are greeted at the summit with excellent views of the sun setting over the river.

Wat Pa Phai

Wat Pa Phai has a gold and red wooden fresco that depicts life in Laos in the 1800s. It was originally a forest monastery but the town of Luang Prabang has grown around it placing it well within the city limits.

Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

Wat Mai, or New Temple, is one of the largest temples in Luang Prabang and dates back to 1780. Before it was moved to the Royal Palace Museum, the Phra Bang Buddha statue was kept here. The image is returned annually to Wat Mai during Lao New Year in April.

That Makmo

That Makmo’s nickname means Watermelon Stupa. The temple’s formal name is That Pathum, meaning Stupa of the Great Lotus. This short and stout stupa dates back to the early 1500s and its architecture is unique in all of Laos.

Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong lies at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan on the north end of Luang Prabang. The temple was built in the mid 1500s by King Setthathirath and functioned as a royal temple until 1975.

See more: 8 reasons why Luang Prabang is so hard to forget

Source: Internet

Best souvenirs to buy in Manila, Philippines

Filipinos are generally known to exhibit the cultural habit of buying and bringing pasalubong (souvenirs) to their loved ones, whether a key chain, shirt, or food delicacy from a place they have recently traveled to. For travelers visiting Manila anytime soon who would like to buy a memento to remind them of their trip, finding souvenir items here surely will not be a problem.

Piña Cloth

There are many types of beautiful fabrics made in the Philippines, but the queen of them all is the piña cloth, which is extracted from pineapple fibers. When done the traditional way, the process of making piña cloth is hard and laborious.

Though it looks soft and delicate on the outside, this cloth is downright durable. It is often used to make the traditional Filipino dress, the Saya and Barong Tagalog, but you can also find bags, table linens, and other home décor made of this.

Philippine Pearls

It is said that the pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens. The pearl is the oldest valued gem, but unlike other gems, it is derived from living organisms, such as mollusks - the oyster. This hard and ideally round and smooth object is naturally produced and is cultivated or harvested. Pearls come in varied colors. In the Philippines you can take fancy in the various colored pearls, such as cream-roses, cream-whites, and assorted yellows and golds.

Kubing

Music is always a huge part of local culture, no matter where you are in the world. Musical instruments make great souvenirs, since they capture the spirit of a place through sound.

A popular instrument that will be easy to bring home is the “Kubing,” or jaw harp. It is made of bamboo and about 25 cm long, so it will be easy to pack. The instrument is played by pressing the mouthpiece to the lips and plucking the end to create a sound. Kubings are generally played during courtship (usually by the man) or in traditional ceremonies.

Barako Coffee

Grown mainly in Batangas, Barako coffee is the best gift to take home to your coffee-loving friends and family members. It is of the Liberica variety and is popular and well-loved for its strong aroma and rich fruity taste. You can serve it black or with honey or sugar as a sweetener, and it is best paired with the Filipino pan de sal or cakes and pastries.

Capiz Items

Capiz is both a geographical location and the name of a shell that is used largely in interior decorating and for decorative gifts and accessories found in the Philippines. Geographically speaking, Capiz is a province of the Philippines facing the Sibuyan Sea to the north. Capiz shell, which is used for decorative purposes, is the outer shell of the marine mollusk, Placuna placenta, found in the shallow coastal waters of the Philippines.

Banig products

Banig products are woven from grasses such as Tikog and Romblon, and have vibrant colors and patterns. Banig bags, banig mats and banig placemats can add a lovely pop of color to any home. Bring back the Banig mats for friends who are into camping or the outdoors, and Banig bags for those who love fashion with a funky touch.

See more: Top best shopping malls in Manila, Philippines

Get to know different types of Japanese crackers

Senbei are traditional Japanese crackers that have been enjoyed for centuries. The crackers were first introduced to Japan via China during the Tang Dynasty, but these early senbei were made from potato and had a cake-like texture. Modern Japanese senbei made from toasted rice were created during the Edo period, when the salty soy sauce variety of Japanese rice crackers became particularly popular.

In the eastern Kanto region, senbei are made from non-glutinous rice flour mixed into a dough and formed into flat discs that are baked or roasted over a flame. However, senbei made from glutinous rice can be found in the western Kansai region. Senbei are sold everywhere from supermarkets and department stores to yatai (street food stands) at outdoor festivals. Specialty senbei artisan makers also still exist, especially in older neighborhoods and districts.

Shoyu (Soy Sauce)

Soy sauce-flavored senbei are the most common flavor found in Japan. These senbei are made by brushing or dipping the rice crackers in soy sauce as they’re toasted over a flame, giving them a wonderful aroma and deeply savory flavor.

Seaweed (Nori)

Nori-flavored senbei are made by wrapping toasted rice crackers in a thin sheet of dried nori seaweed. These can also be made by mixing small shredded pieces of nori or aonori (powdered seaweed) into the senbei dough before baking.

Kuro Goma (Black Sesame)

While senbei are typically made with a dough of rice flour, black sesame senbei are made with a dough of flour and sesame seeds instead. The result is a deliciously nutty senbei cracker with an attractively speckled surface.

Togarashi (Red Chili Pepper)

For fans of spicy foods, togarashi senbei is sure to be a favorite. After toasting, the rice crackers are coated thickly in red chili pepper powder and flakes. The flavor can be too spicy for many Japanese people.

Ika (Squid)

Ika senbei, also called “ika-sen”, are one of several varieties of seafood senbei. Ika-sen can be made a few different ways, such as mixing pieces of grilled squid together with a binding agent and baking them flat, or by baking a single piece of whole squid onto the surface of a rice cracker. Not only does ika senbei have a striking appearance, but it’s incredibly delicious - the perfect accompaniment for a cold beer.

Ebi (Shrimp)

Ebi senbei, or “ebi-sen”, are made by mixing finely minced shrimp into senbei dough before baking. The color of the shrimp adds bright threads of red and pink to the toasted rice cracker when cooked.

Zarame (Sugar)

Although Japan has many kinds of savory rice crackers, there are a number of sweet senbei crackers as well. Sugared senbei is made with zarame sugar, known for its large crystals.

Read more: Enjoy the most famous egg dishes from Japan

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