Top 6 to do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

1. War Remnants Museum - 28 Vo Van Tan. One of the best museum’s in Vietnam. There is an outdoor display with aircraft, tanks, bombs and other military hardware, as well as an indoor photographic display. Photos were taken by war correspondents during the French and Vietnam Wars. Very moving and extremely powerful images, a must for all.

2. Reunification Palace – 106 Nguyen Du. Along with the War Remnants Museum, this is on of the best places to visit in HCMC. The former HQ of the South Vietnamese Government, the Palace was taken by the North in April 1975. Now you visit the site, have a free guided tour and check out a great video at the end. Worth the effort!

3. Ben Thanh Markets – Even if your not into shopping, Ben Thanh Markets are something else. Small isles, huge variety and tough sellers make for an action packed visit! If you are into shopping and bargaining this is heaven! In the evening the markets close and the night Food Market opens. Cheap and tasty food is a great way to end the day!

4. Giac Vien Pagoda – 247 Lac Long Quan. Founded some 200 years ago, this is one of my favorite pagoda’s to visit. Set in District 11, it’s a bit of an effort to get out there, but as they say “it’s not just about the destination; it’s also about the journey!” The easiest way there is to get a Motor Bike Taxi (Xe Om). The pagoda is open from 7am – 7pm.

5. Cafe Hopping – HCMC has grown in size and in population. Business is booming and the younger generation is making some good money. With that, there are now many trendy and funky cafes all around the District 1 area. A great way to spend an hour or two is simply by having a coffee and watching the passing people. You could seriously be in Sydney or Melbourne!

6. Cyclo Ride – A must for all visitors to HCMC! Jump in and go for an hour around the city. Best time for me is at 5pm’ish to enjoy the peak and finish at one of the riverside Hotels for a rooftop cocktail!

Read More …

World's first Bats monitoring in Deer Cave, Sarawak

Prince Albert II of Monaco, who is on a three-day visit to Sarawak, the other Malaysian state on Borneo Island, today launched the world’s first digital remote-controlled bats monitoring system at Deer Cave, one of the many caves within the Mulu national park.

The RM800,000 (US$254,000) system, also known as the Mulu BatCam, utilises five remote controlled television cameras and infra-red lighting inside the cave. The system will be able to show spectacular details of the bat colonies inside. The system is developed by an Australian company and enables visitors to observe the bats regardless of the weather conditions.

The Deer Cave has the largest cave passage in the world and is the only known place in the world to have 12 different species of bats. The Mulu national park, which has the largest cave system in the world, is one of two World Heritage Sites in Malaysia.

Read More …

Seoul Youth Hostel

I have never stayed personally here but when I was looking around for another alternative budget place to stay around Myeongdong area; Seoul Youth Hostel sprung directly right in front of me eyes after a few Google searches. It is just the right option for a shoe string budget traveler like me. ^^

Pictures courtesy of Seoul Youth Hostel

Official website: http://www.seoulyh.go.kr/english/info_1.php

Booking: Must be done through http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel034080.en.htm

Membership Rate: Youth :15,000 won / Adult: 17,000 won
Non-Membership Rate: Youth :17,000 won / Adult: 19,000 won

Available rooms: 6 beds per room / 8 beds per room / 10 beds per room


Hours of Operation: Rooms Check-in- 1 p.m./Check-out- 10 a.m.


Restaurants: Breakfast: 7a.m.-9a.m./ Lunch: 12 p.m.-2p.m./Dinner: 6p.m.-9p.m./ Beverages- 10 a.m.-10p.m.


Address: 4-5, San, Yejang Dong, Jung gu, Seoul, Korea


Telephone No: +82-2-319-1318

E-MAIL: seoulyh@seoulyh.go.kr

Note: Please leave a message at their discussion board to check for available room before booking via HiHostels.

My opinion: Judging by the available rooms offered; if you are coming to Korea with a group of 6/8/10 people then Seoul Youth Hostel would be the best, clean, safe and accommodating place for budget travelers. The only problem is that the place is fully booked most of the time so you have to book real early.

How to become a Youth Hostel member? 
I will explain it in another post. ^^

Read More …

Pai Mae, Thailand - Peacefull

Pai district is situated about halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Sorn, the misty town on the Burmese border. At about 600 meters above sea level, surrounded by high mountains. Pai offers one of the most fertile and beautiful nature in the North of Thailand, clean air and no pollution. People from many different tribes live here peacefully together and still maintain their traditional way of living.

The serene Pai river runs from the northern border with Burma through Pai town and along virgin jungle to Mae Hong Sorn. Hardy adventurers use this route for exciting rafting.

How to get to Pai?
Start from the main tourist hub: From Chiang Mai on route 1095 towards Pai it is 132 kilometer. The bus from Chiang Mai Arcade bus station takes about 4 hours.
Buses from Chiang Mai to Pai:
7.00, 8.30, 10.30, 12.30, 16.00
Buses from Pai to Chiang Mai:
7.00, 8.30, 11.00, 12.30, 16.30
From Mae Hong Sorn town: Along this route pine trees and wild vegetation line both sides of the gently rising road passing nice scenery along the way. In Mae Hong Sorn are motorbikes and jeep available for rent.
Population of Pai
Mainly Thai Yai (from Burmas Shane state) and hill tribes (Lisu, Lahu, Karen). In town mainly Thai, Thai-Chinese, some Thai-Muslim and some foreign residents.
Occupation in Pai
Agriculture - mainly garlic, rice, fruits, lychee, cotton
Climate in Pai
Cool season: 12? C - 28? C from November - March
Hot season: 24? C - 35? C from April - June
Rainy season: 24? C - 32? C from July - September
Tourist Attractions in Pai and around
Old temples:
* Wat Nam Hu
* Wat Phra That Mae Yen (mountain temple)
* Wat Klang and Wat Luang (temples where Thai Yai / Burmese architecture is preserved)
Wonders of nature:
* Ta Pai hot spring
* Pong Duad hot spring
* Mo Paeng waterfall (near Lahu village)
* Mae Yen waterfall
* Lod caves (these are beautiful and ancient caves on a large area where graves of prehistoric civilization was found. The area is a national park with lots of different birds.

Activities in Pai
* padelling rubber boat along Pai river
* adventure rafting and canoe along Pai river
* explore caves or go mountain trekking
* elephant riding through jungle
* mountain bike cycling or motorbike-trekking (Nop's bike shop offers 2 - 3 - 4 days motorbike trekking with 250 ccm trail bikes around northern part of Mae Hong Sorn province. Guide available or on your own. Also available Honda Dream, good maps and other information.)
* jungle-treks: Pai is well known as a base camp for trekks to hill tribes. Walk through green jungle and spend the night in a hill tribe village to experience their traditional way of life. In Pai there are local or hill tribe guides and porters available.
* Herbal Sauna and Thai Traditional Massage as well as herbal medicine or Burmese Massage
* Reading (Nop's book shop)
* Thai cooking course at Peter's and Wandee's Hut in Mae Yen

Culture in Pai
Both local Thais and hilltribes still keep their traditions alive by their traditional dressing, house style, food and entertainment.
Here are some of the highlight festivals:
* Loy Kratong (full moon night in November)
* fireworks competition at Wat Luang (beginning of November)
* Kin Wo (hill tribes New Year, February)
* Thai New Year (13 - 15 April)
* bamboo throwing festival (to ask for rain, May)

Facilities in Pai
Pai is a small town but can offer enough facilities such as a post office, hospital, long distance call and fax service. Accommodations and food are good and cheap. Most of the guest houses are in town and the scenic most beautiful ones are along the river. Local restaurants and western style restaurants are available (e. g. Chez Swan Restaurant, Thai Yai Restaurant) with home made brown bread.

Read More …