The city is home to several hidden gems, including a royal palace, a famous temple, and a vibrant night market. Be sure to visit the Silver Pagoda for a stunning photo opportunity, and explore museums that reveal humanity’s darker side. The city also has a unique atmosphere, largely because it was completely emptied during the Khmer Rouge period, when residents were forced to return to rural areas to cultivate rice.
Visit the Silver Pagoda for a lovely photo of something so beautiful or museums showing the darker side of humanity.
It also has a strange presence about it mainly I suspect due to the fact that during the Khmer Rouge period the whole city was emptied of people as they were forced to go back to the rural areas to help grow rice.
4 years of abandonment
The city almost feels disconnected from its residents, as it was nearly empty between 1975 and 1979. It’s difficult to explain, but it definitely has a distinct vibe compared to other Asian capital cities. While it may not have the backpacking tourist atmosphere of Siem Reap, it still offers much to discover if you know where to look.
Called Loy Krathong it is a picturesque evening festival in Thailand on the 12th lunar month in November.
Description
Loi Krathong is a Siamese festival celebrated annually throughout the Kingdom of Thailand and in nearby countries with significant southwestern Tai cultures.
I was invited last night to participate in the yearly festival celebrated in Buddhist countries in Asia.
Reason for the festival?
The celebration is for the people to design, make or buy floating rafts.
Decorated with candles, incense sticks and lotus flowers, they place them in rivers, lakes and canals to give thanks and pay respects to the goddess of water.
People insert the rafts with a few coins and sometimes old clothing or strands of hair, which is said to get rid of bad luck in your past
I went to the local university, where they have a big lake and an equally big crowd.
A huge stage where Thai dancers were performing, along with some great music.
We found a spot next to the lake and readied ourselves to release the lotus rafts.
I think the culture here in Southeast Asia is what, in part, attracts me to this part of the world.
The whole community gets involved to celebrate these festivals They meet in huge crowds and enjoy being together. Friends meet and greet and eat
(I have found that this meeting up then involves going somewhere for food:) another reason I love this part of the world)
Wat Saket, also known as the Temple of the Golden Mount, is in the heart of the old city area of Bangkok
Fancy a climb?
A good workout, with around 300 steps to reach the top.
Best to go in the evening, as you can ring the bells and see the sunset over historical Bangkok with some great views
As you ascend the mountain, you will see a graveyard which used to be where they cremated people who were too poor to be buried, and during a mass plague, thousands were cremated here.
I guess with so many people unknown buried there, it is understandable the place has become overgrown with vines
A Buddha relic sent from Sri lanka was put inside the mount in the early 20th century and placed in the Chedi
The Chedi, or Stupa, is a Buddhist mound-shaped structure that houses relics and is a place of meditation
Its origins go back to the Ayutthaya period (1350- 1767 AD), where it was originally named Wat Sakae and is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok
During King Rama I’s reign (1782-1809) the temple underwent major renovations and was renamed Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan
TIP OF THE POST
Great views for getting panoramic shots of Bangkok skyline and it is only 50 baht to enter so whilst smaller than most it is a must on your visit if you in Bangkok for more than a few days
Located in the province of Nonthaburi, north of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, this area has been my base for a while. It embodies Thai culture, with not many foreigners (farang) around—though there are a few, including me. The variety of food here is abundant, featuring popular dishes such as Pad Thai and Green Thai Chicken Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan Kai). Additionally, there are Isaan (northeastern Thailand) favourites like Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad), along with my personal favourites, Spicy Mango Salad and Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup).
Although originally a Lao dish, Som Tum is a staple dish in Thailand.
Depending on where you get it from, it can be spicy or very spicy.
It also has a smell that is quite strong and potent at first.
This comes from the sauce or juice used to cover the salad, which, after a while, you become used to.
“I wanted to do the dishes service by showing you how good they really look. Some of the images on this page are supplied courtesy of a friend I have met over here who is a much better photographer than me
All involving turtles, hence why it is called Kusu which means turtle or tortoise in Chinese and why it has a preserve here.
Go visit and enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere along with the Muslim Kramat atop 152 steps.
It is said that couples come to make a wish to start a family, or childless couples pray to be blessed.
Along with a Chinese Temple and beautiful, clean beaches, it is an ideal location to swim, relax and sunbathe away from the metropolis of Singapore
See the Turtles basking in the sun or retreating to the shade of their enclosure
The food area was under construction when I visited in September.
So next year, I imagine there will be better facilities for you to rest and eat, and you can spend time on the beach and catch the boat back later in the day.
TIP OF THE POST “Aim to catch the early ferry it will give you more time, and if you see everything earlier enough you can hop on the ferry to St. John Island in the afternoon and look around there”
Graham, September 2018
Directions to get here
Head to Marina South Pier (next to MRT station)
Buy a ticket from the Singapore Island cruise kiosk
Boat leaves at 10 am and 2 pm
Remember to check the last boat back, which is around 4 pm
As an island in Southeast Asia, Singapore has a unique character.
Since its early independence, it has had to fight for everything, even relying on neighbouring Malaysia to supply its water.
So you would be forgiven for thinking that, being quite small, it has to utilise every inch of land at its disposal to generate a self-sustainable economy.
It would have little time left, let alone space, to protect and keep some of the most beautiful nature reserves as well.
But with a few small islands around the mainland, Singaporeans have many options to visit and enjoy nature, and one such is Pulau Ubin.
(just off the north-east coast and close to neighbouring Malaysia)
Here you will find beautiful walks and bike trails which will take you back to one of the last places you can see the old Singapore of the 1960s
Kampong lifestyle, which was the native village in many countries across Southeast Asia
Preserved a Chinese Kampong house
A kampong house
Just a thatched hut by the stream,
But it stays long in my lingering dream.
A kampong house that gazed upon the sea,
Obscured by blossoms and bushes under a tree.
*****
Along the old Changi beach at night,
I strolled in solitude with silent feet,
And saw new houses, flashing in floodlight,
Mock a lost kampong on a dim and dusty street.
*****
And men will dream, and dream and forever dream,
Of the carefree kampong and its old-time grace.
Some grew weary, watching the towering city gleam,
Seek the kampong magic in the old kampong place.
I love the poem, and it beautifully captures the contrast between the island and the mainland, the old and new of Singapore.
A great place to stop for a drink; the guy has lived here all his life.
TIP OF THE POST
“Bring cash as there are no ATM’s or places to pay with card, also good footwear and a hat to help with the heat, I also recommend renting a bike as the trails go off into the hills and its worth it for the easiness of getting back to the boats”
Graham, October 2018
It is also a great place to camp at night; it has some beautiful, clean beaches on the other side of the island overlooking Malaysia.
But it is worth letting the authorities know you intend to camp overnight, just in case there are any emergencies.
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A great place to stop for a drink; the guy has lived here all his life.