asia
All Asia-bound travelers need some guidance before tackling the largest and most populous continent on Earth.
Thailand
Visiting Thailand, I quickly understood why it is called “The Land of Smiles.” Everyone is friendly and eager to please! A single visit to any country never makes one an expert, but our visit to Thailand began to open up to us the brand new world of the Far East! Thailand is a gorgeous, tropical country, and its people are extremely friendly. Thailand is indeed a “Land of Smiles.” It is a Southeast Asian kingdom that has survived for generations which for many years the world knew as Siam. Its lush jungle atmosphere provides Thailand's visitor with beautiful vistas beyond explanation. Beware, though, the humidity is staggering! Staggering!!
By Kathy Slamp7 years ago in Wander
The Secret World that Exists Within Japanese Temples . Top Story - August 2019.
Traveling Japan, it is easy to see that everything is well ordered. Even for a country that is so well known in terms of allowing nature and modern construction to co-exist, most of the natural experiences within Japan are curated, careful to avoid the look of decay, wild overgrowth, or chaos. In contrast, within the ground of temples and sacred areas, wildlife frolic, plant life grows unchecked, and the separation between nature and modern life is blurred. This is not to say that the most important areas of temples and shrines are not well kept, but that you can find a secret world where nature finds a way, even in a society that seeks to control it everywhere else.
By Jessica Riffle7 years ago in Wander
Why I Couldn't Avoid This Iconic Place
On arrival in Tokyo's Narita airport, one of the first things you'll see are the huge posters of the the iconic image of Itsukushima Shrine plastered on the walls. The 55 foot tall Otorii gate is listed as one of the World Unesco Heritage Sites, is one of the most popular tourist stops in Hiroshima, Japan's eleventh largest city. This is one of the most photographed landmarks in the country, with millions of visitors, both domestic and international coming to walk among the dozens of buildings, that make up the traditional Japanese Shinto Temple.
By Grumble Bee7 years ago in Wander
8 Hour Singapore Layover
In the middle of our 30+ hour journey to Australia, we had a layover in Singapore. Now, Singapore wasn't really somewhere that was a bucket list place for me, and I didn't really have any sort of idea of what there was to do there. But when the cheapest flight to Australia included a long layover, we jumped at the chance to explore this city-state.
By Nicole Lauren Blake7 years ago in Wander
Best Things to See and Do in Hong Kong
Are you finally planning your Hong Kong adventure? It’s about time! Hong Kong is an amazing travel destination for everyone from adventurers to shopping maniacs and foodies, so you’ll probably find something that amazes you. But, before you pack your suitcases for your Asian trip, here are the must-do things to do in HK.
By Marie Nieves7 years ago in Wander
The Comprehensive Mountain Range of Sa Pa, Vietnam
If you have something for an upscale tourist area, then look no further but Vietnam's Sa Pa. Nature truly never lies—it's really phenomenal. The view from all angles clearly shows that the 350 kilometer mountain in northwest Vietnam is natural. With more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, pristine beaches, dynamically developing cities, mountainous areas, and various cultural and historical landmarks, Vietnam's tourism industry continues to be one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world.
By Osei Agyemang7 years ago in Wander
The Ghost at the Crossroads
6:00 AM. Winter in rural China. I wake up in darkness, alone, in an unheated dormitory room, boil water for tea in my contraband kettle. Throw on my heavy winter coat, scarf, gloves, two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks. Stumble downstairs to the dining room, where watery rice porridge and boiled eggs steam from their bowls. I steal an extra egg (only one per person allowed), I eat standing up, leaning against the window. A red sunrise is quickly overtaken by fog, as it had been every day this winter. I toss out my eggshells, and head outside where the dogs huddle in their houses.
By Luna Jennifer Cross7 years ago in Wander
How I Went from $1.60 to $4,000 in 48 Hours in a Foreign Country
Fifteen years ago, before social media, I wandered into a small theater in Portland, OR, where they were showing a documentary called What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? It featured Dr. Amit Goswami, a quantum physicist professor from UCLA who had scientifically concluded that we are all connected. He states that if we could let go of our egos, quiet our minds, and open our hearts, then we would have heaven on earth. He concludes that we are all Gods, connected by a hive mind of consciousness, and along with the laws of quantum physics he determines that it is our collective consciousness that creates our reality.
By LeLa Becker7 years ago in Wander
Campsite #11, Furano: Flowers, Food and a Bar to Meet Locals
Unlike my sunny escapade in Biei, my single night in Furano was a miserable drizzle. Here, I also chose a park to camp in, again for the reason that there wasn't really any other option for camping unless I had a vehicle to drive to a campsite or Michi no eki (the ones in this area weren't accessible by foot or public transport).
By Eli Sooker7 years ago in Wander
