Let’s Visit Asia

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the word, a panography, also called panoramic panography, is a format of photography that displays an image with exceptionally wide fields of view.

The WHTour.org has compiled already over 200 panographies of sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and more are going to be uploaded in the near future. I’ve checked out some of the images, and it truly brings a different dimension to looking at travel photos. The images are brilliant, and you can “drag” the image with your mouse, to give you a 360° view of the area– not …read more

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The new season of the Travel Channel series Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations premieres tomorrow, Monday, July 7, featuring the landscapes and cuisines of Laos. Here’s a preview:

Catch it at the Travel Channel, on Monday, July 07, 10:00PM ET.

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In the last several months, tourists have been flocking to these cities. Alas, there’s more to Asia that lures the tourist than just the stunning tropical beaches. So yes, if you can make it, go and explore before they truly become Asia’s lost gems.
Read Bangkok Chief of Bureau Denis D. Gray’s observations and lamentations on how tourists have taken over these places.
A fusillade of flashing, jostling cameras and videocams is triggered the moment Buddhist monks pad barefoot out of their monasteries in a serene, timeless ritual. A forward surge breaks into the line of golden-yellow robes, and nearly tramples kneeling …read more

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Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or just wanted to treat a special someone to a truly romantic experience, check out Orient Express’ list of Romantic Getaways in South-East Asia. Among their top-picks:
1. Road to Mandalay, Myanmar
2. Jimbaran Puri Bali, Indonesia
3. The Governor’s Residence, Yangon
4. Napasai, Koh Samui
5. La Résidence d’Angkor, Cambodia
6. Eastern & Oriental Express
7. Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali
8. La Résidence Phou Vao, Laos
February 14 or not, I hope you get the opportunity to discover Asia’s most romantic destinations, rekindle romance and spend love-ly time together with your significant other soon!

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International Herald Tribune columnist Denny Lee listed 52 places to go in 2008 and number 1 on his list is Laos. He says:
Vietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina’s next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Wat Phou temple complex and the capital city of Vientiane are drawing culture seekers. Luxury teak houseboats are cruising down the Mekong. And global nomads are heading to Luang Prabang to sample the Laotian tasting menu at 3 Nagas or hang out by the infinity pool at the seriously upscale Résidence Phou Vao.

The 3 Nagas Executive …read more

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Particularly when you travel to countries within the same region (East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia), you’ll encounter sights, food and local behavior that is shared among the different countries. They may have some local twist or flavor to spring rolls, for example, but it’s basically the same. Different localities would adorn their temples and other places of worship differently, but the habits and traditions are quite similar.
Hyo, traveling across the countries along the Mekong River, phrases it jocularly, but they’re quite true:
The locals will reassure that each song you’ll hear is a different one, but how can …read more

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