Travel Tales from Asia

Traveling to Taiwan is a glorious experience for anyone who loves food, because as Taiwan was always a cultural melting pot and economic center of Asia, it has brought together a lot of different food traditions – from mainland China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, the Philippines and South East Asia as well as some of the Pacific Islands and Indian fare to the west, Taiwan has a grand mixture of tastes and recipes.

A saying in Taiwan goes: “A snack bar is within three steps of you and a large restaurant within five.”

Chinese fare
For a start, in Taiwan you can get every type of local and regional food from China – such as Tianjiang, Beijing, Shandong and southern food such as Sichuanese, Hunanese, Zheijiangan and Guangdong.

International food
Since Taiwan is a multicultural global hub, any tourist there who wants to experience food from back home will find it very easily. From any type of junk food from the USA, to Italian pizza, to Mexican tacos and Spanish fajitas; from halal to kosher everything is available in large quantities.

Local food
Local food is largely based on the staples – rice and noodles. These are flavored with natural and fresh flavors, such as fresh meat (pork, beef, chicken) and vegetables. Food that seems exotic to a tourist but that is a delicacy enjoyed by locals are snakes, dogs, spiders, cockroaches, grasshoppers and monkeys. All sorts of seafood are also used and not much is spared unless it is truly toxic.

Another specialty of Taiwanese food is that it is often mixed with medicinal herbs and plants. Thus medicine in Taiwan is most often consumed in this way and it also depends on the season.

Snacks
Some famous Taiwanese snacks are pearl milk tea (made from tea, milk and sago pearls which are chewy).

For most travelers, booking Viking River Cruises or multi-city land tours is extremely exciting but, for some, the thrill of visiting a far-away destination can be tainted by the thought of the long international flight that is required to get them there. Most travelers agree, being uncomfortable on a long flight can definitely start what should be a pleasant holiday off on the wrong foot, but there are ways to help your necessary travel time be as comfortable as possible.

Reserve a good seat
Even within the same class, some airplane seats are much better than others. Consider an aisle or exit row seat for the most leg room, or a window seat if you want to rest your head to sleep. It’s best to try to avoid seats near the lavatories as other passengers will be accessing these throughout the flight which can be disruptive, particularly if you are trying to sleep. Some travelers opt to sit near the back of the aircraft for long flights. This is good if you don’t mind the noise produced by the engines because certain aircraft (such as the Boeing 747), have a large area behind the last row of seats that gives you plenty of space to stretch.

Be Comfortable
When taking a long flight, it is always wise to wear loose clothes with options for layering if you become cold. Also, if you want to take your shoes off during a flight, slip-on shoes are best since shoes that tie can be difficult to put back on at the end of the flight. Bring a neck pillow to provide firm neck support and keep your head from tilting while napping. There are small neck pillows available that can easily fit into your carry-on luggage and even some inflatable options that are smaller still.

Prevent Boredom
Make sure you bring things to entertain yourself during the flight. Even if you happen to be interested in the in-flight movie, they don’t start right away and the music selection can be quite limited. If you bring an iPod, you will make sure you have the music and movies that you like. If possible, choose an airline that offers AVOD (Audio Video on Demand), which is a TV screen in front of your seat that lets you choose what you want to watch or listen to. Regardless, it’s a good idea to bring your own headphones as the headphones available on the plane (whether for purchase or for free) are generally fairly poor quality. In addition, it’s good to always have a book and magazines with you since unforeseen flight delays could prevent the in-flight entertainment from being available and could cause your iPod to run out of battery before your flight is over.

Stay Hydrated
The air in a plane is very dry and may dehydrate your system so it’s extremely important to stay hydrated during your flight. Although you can request water from the flight attendants, it is a good idea to bring plenty of water on board with you as well. You can purchase bottled water in the airport (once you pass security) or, if you prefer, you can bring an empty stainless steel water bottle to fill from a water fountain. Just remember that you should never drink the water from airplane bathrooms as it may contain bacteria.

Fight Hunger
There’s nothing worse than being hungry on a plane. Since plane food is quite poor on many airlines, you may want to consider bringing your own food on board to make sure that you are not hungry during the long flight. As an alternative to the regular meals, many airlines offer vegetarian, Kosher and other special meals if you order in advance. Because the airlines have to specially prepare your meal, it is always fresher (and usually better) than the standard meal options. Plus, passengers with special meal requests are almost always served first. In addition, take some snacks with you. Protein bars are particularly helpful if on a long flight as airline meals tend to be low in protein.

By following these few tips, you can help make your flight more comfortable which will make it more likely that you will land feeling happy and ready to start your vacation.

This is a guest post.

Last year we traveled to the Maldives for our honeymoon and I can honestly say that it is heaven on earth. The Maldives is the smallest country in Asia and it is made up of around 1,190 coral islands, which are surrounded by warm cobalt blue waters. It is just paradise! I would definitely recommend this destination to anyone who wants a luxury holiday or romantic break.

Just imagine waking up in a luxury villa and looking out the window of your room to see translucent waters below you. That is exactly what it is like in many resorts in the Maldives. We stayed in one of the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa’s water villas, which was actually located in the sea. The photographs we had looked at of our villa prior to traveling were nice, but seeing and experiencing it in person is something else. We had breakfast every morning on the beach before soaking up the sun and exploring the coral reefs.

As you can imagine, a holiday in the Maldives is not cheap. You will definitely pay for peace, luxury and exclusivity, and of course the service you receive is faultless. From our experience you are more likely to spend less by booking all-inclusive packages or full board deals, which include flights, transfers, accommodation and catering. However, it is a good idea to shop around as you can still find cheap flights and accommodation by booking them separately online. We flew with British Airways, which is one of the most popular airlines offering direct flights from London Gatwick to Malé International Airport.

A holiday in the Maldives will probably be the most expensive you ever go on, but it is a once in a lifetime experience. Get your money box out and start saving now!

taiwan lantern festival

Taiwan is world famous for its festivals which date back to thousands of years ago.

Taiwan Lantern Festival
Every year for example they hold the Taiwan Lantern Festival. This now 20 years old and takes on ideas from ancient Chinese culture. Lanterns represent dead relatives and other spirits and are released into the air or onto rivers in their thousands during the Chinese New Year and the Lunar Festival.

In the Taiwan Lantern Festival, participants parade through the streets carrying lanterns in their hands.

Taipei and Kaohsiung Lantern Festival
There is also a Taipei and Kaohsiung Lantern Festival which is celebrated as a national festival as well as a major event in both cities.

The festival takes place at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial hall and there is even a gigantic lantern which is made to represent the current Chinese zodiac animal. During this festival the Love River is ablaze with thousands of lanterns slowly sailing out to sea.

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
The unique event of the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is when thousands of lanterns are released into the sky with some helium. The lanterns hovering through the air are beautiful to behold but have ironically contributed to many UFO sightings as well. Lanterns were used in the past in this way as warning signals to let family members know that you are safe. Today they are used as a symbol of good fortune.

Yenshui Fireworks Festival
The Taiwanese have been using fireworks and gunpowder for about 5,000 years – in fact, it was Marco Polo who brought this item back to Europe in the 15th century.

During the fire festival to the God of War in the temple in Yenshui, there is a massive fireworks display that is hard to forget if you’ve ever seen it. There is also a parade throughout the city with firecrackers being hurled day and night for several days.

When you are visiting a country such as Thailand it is always best to understand a bit about the culture that you shall encounter and certain types of behavior that you should avoid. The way the Thai people view and talk to each other or what is acceptable can be vastly different to what you expect and some off the cuff remarks could be inflammatory even although that is not your intention.

The first thing is that Thailand is a Buddhist country and it is difficult to get away from Buddhist symbolism during your visit. It is essential that you dress politely if you are visiting any religious place so you should not show your legs or arms as you may discover you are refused entry. You also have to respect their beliefs at all times as it is not a joking matter with their religion for them and the tolerance of what may be interpreted as a little joke is very low.

You shall probably already know about the Buddha. However in Thailand you should not climb over any statue no matter the size and in some places you are not allowed to take photographs of certain Buddhas so it is important to ask before you take. With monks, they are not allowed to touch or take anything from a woman, so do not ask. Also the monk shall not shake your hand even if you are a man and if you are on a bus look out for seats left especially for monks. It is disrespectful to sit on them.

Apart from religion the other main sector that you should not be disrespectful to is the King and the royal family. It is actually against the law to say or do anything that is disrespectful to them as they are revered by the people and anything that is seen as damaging or against them is a very serious matter.

These are only a few of the things you have to keep in mind when visiting Thailand. There are others which are regarded more as personal etiquette when greeting people but due to its position within Thai society things connected to religion take on extra significance.

Olu Deniz is a fantastic holiday destination for families, couples and groups of all ages but it’s important to pick your hotel carefully; you don’t want all night parties next door while your children are trying to sleep or kids running around, dive-bombing the swimming pool on your romantic getaway. So we’ve put together a compilation of some of the best hotels in Olu Deniz to help you book the perfect accommodation for your Turkey holiday.

Hotels for families
The most popular family-friendly hotel in Olu Deniz according to TripAdvisor is Lykia World Olu Deniz. Not only is it a five star luxury hotel in a stunning area of the resort but reviewers have also commented on the amazing quality of the restaurant’s food, the beautiful hotel gardens and the 19 swimming pools so there’s something for all ages! Sometimes family holidays need to be a little less luxurious but still packed with action and this is where the Karbel Sun Hotel comes in. It’s just 300 metres from the famous Belcekiz beach, 100 metres from the centre of Olu deniz and the beautiful Blue Lagoon is only 10 minutes’ walk away so it’s perfect for being right in the centre of the resort and there’s a childrens’ pool and play area too so you can relax whilst the kids keep busy.

Hotels for groups
The best accommodation for lively groups is in the centre of the resort so hotels such as Tonoz Beach hotel (just 30m from the beach), Hotel Asena (100m from the beach) and the ATA Lagoon Hotel are great choices. TripAdvisor reviewers have picked the Belcehan Hotel as one of their top choices for groups and it’s easy to see why with its large pools, snack bar, restaurant and beautiful surroundings but if you want something a little quieter, the Olu Deniz Resort Hotel is worth a look.

Hotels for couples
LykiaWorld is also a popular choice for couples as the beautiful rooms, massage services, adult pools, quality restaurants and its position right next to the beach make for a perfect romantic holiday in the stunning Turkish sunshine but if you need something a little less pricey, the villa-style Dorian Hotel is a great choice. It has everything you need including large pool, beautiful gardens and entertainment programmes, but without the hefty price tag.

Before setting off on your long-awaited holiday or business trip, it is important to consider taking out a travel insurance policy to ensure peace of mind during your travels. The tricky part is choosing the right policy based on your needs and your destination. Travel Insurance can protect you financially after unforseen events, such as illness, or if you have personal belongings lost or stolen. This article will aid in determining what to look for in a policy.

Experts recommend choosing a policy which has medical coverage of at least 5 million dollars. Such a policy should also cover personal liability, this is important in case you accidentally injure someone else while aboard. Make sure that your medical cover includes repatriation in the event of a medical emergency, ensuring you will be brought home in the event of severe illness.

Other variables in selecting a travel insurance policy will depend on your individual needs. If you are hiring a car or need cover for expensive equipment that you’re taking with you – most companies offer different levels of cover from comprehensive travel insurance to budget travel insurance.

Budget Travel insurance can be a great way of attaining inexpensive cover and peace of mind during your travels. The best place to start is by doing a travel insurance comparison online at as many providers do not have a bricks-and –mortar storefront, allowing them to bring costs down and provide services at lower costs. If you are renting a car while on holiday here is a tip: most travel insurance policies that cover rental vehicle excess will be much cheaper than what is available through hire companies.

As with any contract, it is important to check the fine print when taking out a travel insurance policy. Make sure everything that you require is covered in the policy, especially if you’re taking part in adventure sports such as rock-climbing or skiing.

It’s worth taking the time to understand what travel insurance policies cover, carefully choosing a policy that is within budget and will meet all travel needs.

Asia fascinates me and it really does seem to be the place to go these days…..especially for anyone planning a honeymoon or romantic break. I had traveled to Thailand, the Maldives and Indonesia, so the next destination on my list was the Philippines; a country which is sometimes overshadowed by the more popular tourist destinations. Unlike these resorts, the Philippines tends to attract fewer tourists and so it is a good place to go to avoid crowds of holidaymakers.

The Philippines is an archipelago located in the western Pacific Ocean. Some 7,000 tropical islands comprise this archipelago and they are renowned for their natural beauty both above and below land, as well as the people, culture and isolated beaches. In my opinion the Philippines is a destination for everyone regardless of budget as you can find anything from cheap accommodation perfect for backpackers, to luxury hotels for honeymooners and couples, or travellers in need of relaxation and pampering. There are also lots of different restaurants suitable for all travellers. Having said this, flights to the Philippines are expensive, but you should expect to pay similar fares for airline tickets to most destinations in Asia. If you are booking flights and accommodation separately, it is a good idea to use search and comparison websites to find the cheapest flights.

I love visiting countries in Asia because they are so different and are rich in natural beauty. The Philippines is by no means an exception to this rule. I spent about two weeks travelling in the Philippines to discover the rainforests and some of the most unique flora and fauna in the world. Before returning home I enjoyed a few days diving around Palawan Island. I had the chance to see Tubbataha sharks, turtles and explore hidden caves and life in the coral reef. What an experience!

My advice is start planning your trip to the Philippines now! It is one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

One thing that characterizes many visits to Korea is the vast crowds of people that you’re likely to come across no matter where you are. Luckily, this kind of experience tends to remain a part of a trip to one of the major cities. But if you’re the kind of person who would rather get away from the rat race and avoid large crowds, then Suncheonman Bay may be the place for you to go!

Suncheonman Bay is an incredible wildlife habitat made up of spacious tidal flats and reed fields which are in themselves a stunning landscape to take photographs of. In addition to the view though, the place is literally teeming with thousands of organisms, many rare and unique to the region. Suncheon itself has many tourist attractions – Seonamsa Temple which is celebrating its millenium, Naganeupseong Folk Village which dates back to the Joseon dynasty even though it is still inhabited and last but not least Suncheon Drama Film Set, which is the shooting location for many Korean popular TV shows and movies.

The Suncheon region is a mixture of both natural and ecological beauty and irreplaceable history in Korea.

Suncheonman Bay Eco-Observatory
The eco-observatory in Suncheon is one of the most popular destinations in the area. It is both a scientific station and a tourist hot spot. The center carries out research and also provides teaching in the ecology of the area. There is a collection of galleries, a theater, an ecology classroom and even a center to hold seminars. Outside, there is also a wetland observatory.

It’s possible to watch a host of wildlife such as migrating birds on CCTV cameras.

It’s very easy to get to Suncheonman Bay Eco-Observatory – it’s close to Yeosu airport which has direct links to Gimpo airport in Seoul.