Monday, 15 July 2019

6 best homestays in Cambodia

6 best homestays in Cambodia
There is nothing like putting up at a homestay in Cambodia when you are in the country. You get a close-up look at local culture and lifestyle and get to meet great people who can show you the best places to go to. If this is your idea of the perfect accommodation, these are the best homestays in Cambodia to check out.

Kralanh Homestay

Kralanh Homestay
Get a taste of the simple life at Kralanh Homestay, a cheap homestay in Cambodia set near a rice field that you can visit. It also has a small pond. It is located near a hut that bibliophiles will love as it is filled with books.

Homestay in Krabei Riel, Siem Reap

Homestay in Krabei Riel, Siem Reap
This is another homestay in Cambodia’s Siem Reap that offers travelers a taste of comfortable village life. It is located about 8 kilometers from the downtown area. The accommodating hosts can be requested to arrange transport and provide tour information if required.

Read more: Top cultural activities in Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Natural Homestay

The Natural Homestay
This Cambodia homestay in Siem Reap boasts spacious, comfortable rooms that are ideal for couples and families. It has a pretty garden, parking facilities and bikes you can use to get around the neighborhood. It is a little over 2 hours away from the center of town.

Chiro Village Homestay

Chiro Village Homestay
For an authentic Khmer village homestay experience, Chiro is recommended for you, which is registered as an NGO. It gives you a unique insight into local culture and customs.

Bunyong Homestay

Bunyong Homestay
Stay at charming Bunyong which offers serene lake views and is only about 4 kilometers from Pub Street. The homestay in Cambodia offers numerous amenities so that you are not left lacking.

Meas Family Homestay

Meas Family Homestay
To the south of Phnom Penh is Meas, a homestay in Cambodia that is welcoming and comfortable. It has private rooms and bungalows as well as a restaurant and a bar. It is a perfect place to stay if you are looking for a resort-like feel and ambience.

Source Traveltriangle

What to do in Hue, Vietnam

What to do in Hue, Vietnam
The historic city of Hue is worth a stop in your trip through Central Vietnam. Here are some of the must-see sights that you’ll enjoy.

Gaze up at Thien Mu Pagoda

Gaze up at Thien Mu Pagoda
Located on the north side of the Perfume River, on elevated ground, the Thien Mu Pagoda is an important religious and spiritual site. One of Hue’s most-visited attractions and a symbol of the city, the soaring pagoda features intricate details and beautiful sculptures. The surrounding area has many fragrant and colourful flowers too.

Discover the Imperial Tombs

Discover the Imperial Tombs
There are several important imperial tombs in Hue, the final resting places of the emperors of old. The most visited tombs include those of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc.

During his life, Minh Mang started to build his own lavish tomb. It took three years to finish, but, unfortunately, the king died four months after construction began.

Tu Duc Tomb was built on the orders of the emperor himself. It is situated in a stunning area that includes a small lake. Interestingly, even though the tomb was created by the emperor, he decided to be buried in a different, secret place. So, although people can honour the late emperor here, it remains a mystery as to where his remains actually lie.

Khai Dinh Tomb is often considered as the last cultural remnant from the Nguyen Dynasty. This magnificent tomb took a decade to be finished.

While these three tombs are generally considered the most interesting from a tourist’s point of views, there are a further four tombs in the area that are open to visitors. I didn’t visit these, having just a couple of days in town, but if you have longer they would surely add more insights to your stay.

Explore the historic citadel of Dai Noi

Explore the historic citadel of Dai Noi
Dai Noi, the old citadel, is one of Hue’s most-popular tourist attractions today. A cultural and architectural heritage from the Nguyen Dynasty, the expansive complex includes several museums, ornate pavilions, and interesting sculptures, all surrounded by imposing walls. Although the citadel suffered much damage during wars, several sections have now been restored. Albeit popular, it’s still fairly quiet, partly thanks to its large size. It’s easy to escape the crowds and enjoy the peaceful air as you reflect on the site’s history and admire the remaining details. As you wander through the complex, passing crumbling walls and overgrown patches, take a moment to imagine how splendid it must have been in its heyday. Climb up onto the front section of the wall for good views over the site and to see cultural objects displayed with pride.

Visit the Japanese Bridge / Thanh Toan Bridge

Visit the Japanese Bridge / Thanh Toan Bridge
The charming Thanh Toan Bridge, also known as the Japanese Bridge, lies a few kilometres outside of the city centre. Located in the sleepy countryside, it was constructed in the late 1700s to connect two sides of a small village. The pretty bridge features elements from both Chinese and Japanese cultures. Today, villagers often sit and chat on the quaint and picturesque bridge and pray at the small shrine, providing a terrific window into local life.

Admire the Perfume River 

Admire the Perfume River
The delightfully named Perfume River is a source of local pride. You can stroll and cycle along the scenic banks, but the truly perfect way to enjoy the views, cool weather, and ambience is to take a boat trip along the waterway. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and travel back in time through the city’s rich history. Don’t miss one of Hue’s cutest riverside attractions too: the I Love Hue sign! It’s great for selfies!

Pick up souvenirs at Dong Ba Market

Pick up souvenirs at Dong Ba Market
Sitting on the edges of the Perfume River, Dong Ba Market is one of the oldest and biggest markets in Vietnam. It provides a good opportunity to discover traditional Vietnamese items, local dishes, handicrafts, and so on. Additionally, many tourists do not go to the market just to shop; the market is also a great place to observe daily Vietnamese life.

See more: Come to Hue and visit its most popular royal tombs
Source: Internet

Friday, 12 July 2019

Visit the cutest places in Seoul, South Korea

Visit the cutest places in Seoul, South Korea
Renowned as a shopping capital and a country with numerous historical wonders, Korea does not conventionally pop into mind when you mention the word ‘cute’. Dispel this myth, for here are our top picks on where you can find Seoul at its pinnacle of cuteness.

LINE Store

LINE Store
Brimming with an immense galore of LINE merchandise up for grabs, the LINE store at Ehwa definitely comes in at the top of our list of cute places in Seoul! Be sure to drop by this Instagram-worthy store when you’re shopping in Ehwa, especially since it’s only a short distance from the main fashion street. This place is virtual reality-come-true with the LINE characters from your chat app morphing into irresistible keepsakes!

I couldn’t stop gushing over the array of merchandise available! Pose with the stars of the show, a life-sized Brown or Cony that welcomes you upon your entrance.

The most arresting feature of this store is the quaint brick wall that hits all the right notes in the visuals department, displaying rows of Brown bears dressed in a plethora of outfits. And if you can’t get enough of the charm of this store, there is a little booth in which more LINE plushies await to greet you… This has got to be the epitome of cuteness, hands down!

Address: 59 Ehwa Women’s University Road, 56-136 Daehyun-dong Level 1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울 서대문구 이화여대길 59 대현동 56-136 1층)

Teddy Bear Gallery

Teddy Bear Gallery
The child within each of us can never resist cuddly teddy bears, what more a whole gallery of them! This slightly obscure find within the N Seoul Tower is not to be missed the next time you’re there.

With teddy bears in all shapes and sizes, this is a haven if you’ve got a soft spot for cuddly plushies and collectors’ items! Go ahead and purchase your favourites, because some of these teddies are truly rare and unique. Now you know that the locks of love and observatory tower aren’t the only attractions at N Seoul Tower!

Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가) )

Ihwa Mural Village

Ihwa Mural Village
Tucked in a secluded area, this humble yet extraordinary residential area is worth the trek up Naksan Mountain – it’s a tourist paradise where modernity and tradition meld into a harmonious concoction. We were surprised to find shops selling intricate costume jewellery, a plenitude of souvenirs, and even a few cafes brewing the whole range of coffee beverages!

Be dressed in your best; you will definitely want to look as gorgeous as the hand-painted murals which are pure artistry. Besides posing for your #ootds against the murals in the village, you can also enjoy the tranquillity of this place away from the bustle of the city.

Address: Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 이화동)

Yeouido Hangang Park

Yeouido Hangang Park
If you’re visiting Korea during spring, don’t miss out on chilling at Han River Park. This is the time to behold flowers in a riot of vibrant colours here. You can literally take your time to smell the roses! Prepare your selfie stick for the highlight of the park — the cute “I Seoul U” sculpture that lends itself to enhancing the aesthetics of your Instagram feed.

Have a languid evening lounging on picnic mats with food and drinks purchased from the street food stall nearby and give yourself an auditory treat as you listen to the buskers perform. The refreshing breeze and panoramic views are sure to liberate you from all your troubles. Cheers!

Address: 330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의동로 330 (여의도동))

Souvenir shop at Anguk Station

Souvenir shop at Anguk Station
Still find yourself short of souvenirs for your friends and family back home? Suppress that sigh and make a beeline for this little souvenir shop near Anguk Station! Souvenir shopping was unbelievably fun for me when I stumbled upon this trove of delights.

This lovely shop is a cavern housing an amazing variety of souvenirs — from themed handmade dolls decked primly in hanboks (the traditional Korean costume), to gold-plated bookmarks that depict icons of Korea such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace. There are also purses made from rich textiles, novelty keychains, elegant fans adorned with intricate carvings and calligraphy paintings. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. We assure you that your friends and loved ones will simply adore you for these souvenirs!

How to get there: Walk to the shops near Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2

Source: Internet