World Walker

We have now left Tibet and are now in mainland China. On the 22nd July, we wake in our tents to a freezing cold morning. It is difficult to motivate ourselves to crawl out of our tents. At least we are not on cooking duty and after our french toast, we are a little warmer and feel some energy to pack away our A frame tent.

Since leaving Lhasa, the road has been in much better condition with tarmac and only the occaisional bump which sends the passengers sitting on the back seat of the bus a couple of inches into the air. As we cruise along, the air is really cold and we soon resort to pulling down the plastic windows in order to keep warm.

Everyone leaves Golmud in really high spirits and we now drive out of the mountains and enter the mysterious Quidam Depression. This region is a flat expanse with salt appearing in crystals on the top of the ground. It is a mystery because geologists dont really understand how such a basin can form in an area of enormous mountain uplift. For miles and miles the ground is dug up where the salt is being harvested.

The next day we wake to a feeling of warmth within the tent. This is the first morning that the sun has greeted us in this way and it feels great. This morning pancakes with bananas and honey are on the menu.

We continue driving through the Quidam depression. The landscape is still flat and now we begin to see some signs of life. First we see patches of grass, then we see a wild camel(two humps) and finally we see some water.

The river bed is really beautiful but we now realise that it is extremely dry and hot (38C). It’s hard to imagine that we were freezing cold a few days before whilst we lie helplessly on patches of shady sand. Our chinese guides Ding and Tommy (aka Dong) look horrified in the heat to think that we are only half way through our trip and that we only have a total of 6 hotel nights left. They tell us that from now on things will only get hotter.

As the sun sets again the temperature cools and the colours of the banks of the old river bed light up a golden colour. Tonight we sleep outdoors under the stars. We sleep early and watch shooting stars zip across the milkyway. Again we see the moon slowly rise and illuminate the campsite and it is a beautiful evening.

The next morning we visit the 1000 Buddha caves. Dunhuang is famous for its buddha caves and this set is smaller and less known than the Dugao caves which we will visit in a few days time. The entrance to these caves have been restored with some modern looking “cave” like material. Each cave is kept behing steel locked doors and huge panes of glass on wheels protect the paintings from any physical damage. There are only 16 caves at this site and not all of them are accessible today. We cram into each cave and see the bright colourful paintings. The art work in these caves orginates some 1500 years back. There are paintings of buddhas (which strangely look Indian), sitting statues and angels (which look a little out of place). Some of the iconography looks stangely like mediaval christian art.

After the Buddha caves we drive on to visit crescent moon lake. This is described in ‘Let’s Go’ as a huge sandune which offers opportunities for sandboarding, paragliding and sand squeeking (the sand is supposed to make a belching sound as you walk on it). Sadly this place has turned into a huge tourist trap. We have to pay a staggering 100Y entrance fee (GBP 7). Then we get ripped off with a bus ride which the driver says will save us a 30 minute walk (more like 5 minutes). I feel deflated by the time we reach the towering sandunes and quite fed up when we are told that there will be no activities for the next 5 hours because of the lunch break. We attempt to find someone that will take us paragliding but there is not an instructor to be found. This seems hardly suprising as we all begin to get very hot. John and a couple of others opt for the sand boarding experience. They whizz down a small section of the sand dunes on wooden sledges and get covered in sand.

We stop in Dunhuang for 2 nights. There isn’t too much to do here apart from visit the caves but we all enjoy our corporate looking hotel, showers, snacks and air conditioning. During the first evening we go to the bustling night markets. Here there are plenty of craft and food stalls. John has the muslim lamb kebabs with rice and I eat the fresh perch with a couple of lamb kebabs. We round off our meal with some huge slices of melon -perfect.

Henderson wave bridge chic style is Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge, length 274 meters, 36 meters high from the road, about equal to 12-storey HDB flat, wide and 8 meters, to provide a viewing of the new pedestrian height of the bridge are in the peak waves back and forth between, movement.

Henderson wave bridge is Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge, unique style, as if the deck after the superseding the old, there are four peaks and three troughs, the wave-shaped design gives a visual impact.

It convergence of Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park, both ends of the gap more than 7 meters.

Full-bridge with barrier-free setting, Deck, there is no ladder, but with handrails, Deck, convenient for the elderly and wheelchair users. Arch crest is also awnings, benches under the awning open to visitors.

Seoul Korea, the real city that never sleeps. Within Seoul you will find countless entertainment venues, beautiful lights and sounds, and food beyond your wildest dreams. Seoul bustles with life after dark, and people fill the streets and shops. This is the city that never sleeps, and one that you will not soon forget.

When To Visit Seoul

You should visit this city when the weather conditions aren’t as severe. While all seasons here are unique and interesting, Autumn is usually the most comfortable. In the fall months you will experience bright colours on the trees, warm but sunny weather, and minimal rain. Winter is usually cold and wet, but it is a good time for winter sports. Summer is wet and extremely hot, but still fun if you would like to participate in some of the summer events.

Getting Around Seoul

While here you can take taxi’s, bus, tram, boat, or your own car or motocycle. Taxi rides can become quite expensive, but tipping isn’t required here. Buses are likely the cheapest but may also take the longest and become the most confusing. Trams are best for short distances when you are simply too tired to walk, and car rentals are by far the best choice to minimize getting lost or dealing with drivers. The SeoulStation offers the 350km/h train, which will get you to your destination in the blink of an eye. Experiencing some of the public transportation here is an amazing chance to experience the city for what it really is!

How Much Does A Trip Here Cost?

A trip to Seoul is only as expensive as you make it. Since tipping isn’t required or even expected here, you will save some money by simply not tipping at all! Food and hotel are moderately priced. If you plan to splurge and go with luxury hotel and food, then obviously your trip will cost much more! You can minimize your travel expenses by not purchasing extra things, and by booking far in advanced. The more you plan ahead the cheaper your trip will be. It doesn’t hurt to travel during the down months either, which is usually Autumn!

What To See In Seoul

When visiting this city you can experience the food, the culture, museums, and shopping areas. There really isn’t any restrictions on what you can find. You may be surprised by some of the things you stumble across, but for the most part everything is thoroughly enjoyable. The museums and parks here are truly something to behold, and make for a great day out and about.

What To Expect

When visiting Seoul you can expect to do plenty of walking. Even with public transportation, elevators, and escalators, you will most likely be on your feet. This can mean walking for 9 hours each day, with the exception of sitting down for meals and entertainment. You can also expect very few people to know English. You may want to take a translation book with you so you are not scammed or ripped off!

Siberia is a country of unexplored regions, vast tundra, breathtaking landscapes, and awe inspiring power. Siberia is filled with a lot of nothing, but it makes a perfect travel destination for the true adventurer deep down inside of us. There are a number of unique things to do while visiting Siberia, including taking the famous Trans-Siberian Railway to Moscow. If you plan on visiting this country it’s probably a good idea to start with Moscow, take the train into Siberia, and then go back to Moscow. It is also important to note that the proper identification, passports, and visas are extremely necessary for travel through some of these regions.

Eco-Tourists will relish in the Siberian landscape. Mountain climbing, hiking, and nature activities are generally appreciated by the toughest of all travelers. Lake Baikal is one of such locations. Here you will find the worlds purest water. This freshwater lake is also the worlds biggest and deepest, and provides over 1/5 of the worlds freshwater. Lake Baikal is highly protected. If visiting the area you will have to follow some strict rules regarding the safety of the wildlife here as well as the purity of the water.

Taking the Trans-Siberian Railway is an interesting experience. It will cost more if you are coming from the United States and to one of the cities where the train starts. Either way, train rides are relatively cheap considering the distance you go on each trip. Prices are currently not as well known, but you can expect to spend less than $1,000 USD for a 6 day train ride round-trip.

As far as activities go, athletic individuals will find Siberia to be very physically demanding but highly rewarding. You can whitewater raft, dog sled, pick mushrooms in the forests, and do plenty of alpine sports. Clearly if you are not physically fit, visiting Siberia isn’t for you.

Advice for Traveling Around Siberia

Always purchase tickets for the train in advance. You will pretty much be dependant on using the train, so prepare ahead. It doesn’t hurt to know a bit of Russian or at least have a Russian friend that you can trust.First class is highly recommended for the long train rides. You get a shower and you get to be alone, however being in second class will allow you to familiarize yourself with locals and people that enjoy the rugged aspect of traveling.

Always remember that visas are extremely important. You put yourself at great risk if you try to enter a country without the proper documentation. Always be sure that you have your shots as well. The best thing to do for booking trips to desolate areas, is plan ahead. Ask experts that you can meet with and never rely soley on online reservations or booking.

In general, the more you are prepared the better off you are. A trip to Siberia and through the bordering countries isn’t an easy trek, but it is highly rewarding and a wonderful experience.

My family and I were on holiday in beautiful Montenegro, when we decided to take a daytrip into Kosovo – to the town of Pejë (in Albanian) / Peć (in Serbian). Of special interest to us were two spectacular Serbian Orthodox monasteries: the 14th century Dečani Monastery and the 13th century Patriarchate Monastery.

Travelling in the Balkans is wonderful: stunning nature, a mixture of cultures and influences and warm people. But it also requires lots of patience and flexibility, a spirit of adventure and the understanding that things don’t work the same as in other European destinations. As long as you are willing to accept this, you will certainly find this a rewarding destination.

This self-imposed patience and flexibility was sorely tested on our first attempt to cross into Kosovo from southeastern Montenegro. Although we missed the turnoff to Kosovo at the Montenegrin border town of Rožaje, road signs and our map confirmed a second border crossing into Kosovo. We were surprised by all the shepherds using what was essentially a road to an international border crossing as a grazing area; we were increasingly suspicious when the asphalt ended and the twisting dirt road became narrower and narrower. We stopped to ask, in our bad Montenegrin, two women herding cows if this was the road to Kosovo. After having (rightfully) laughed at us, they pointed out that this road had been in disuse for years and that we would have created a lot of problems with the soldiers at the border. Lesson learned : don’t always trust maps or even road signs in the Balkans – always check with the locals.

We managed on attempt number two and crossed into Kosovo from the Rožaje border crossing. European nationals only require an identity card to enter Montenegro, but a passport is necessary in Kosovo. Border crossing is smooth, but Kosovo is not recognized in international auto insurance policies, so you must also pay a mandatory 50 euro fee for Kosovar insurance (yes, even for a day). The drive through the Prokletije mountains and down to the valley of Pejë below is stunning and we were reminded of Switzerland or Austria. In the summertime, children sell berries they have picked in the forests along the road and they can often jump in front of cars, so drive cautiously. The road conditions are good.

Pejë itself is a bustling, chaotic city with a tremendous amount of rebuilding underway. Road signs are erratic. However, there are many KFOR soldiers posted along the road and we asked for directions quite a few times to ensure that we were on the correct road to the Dečani Monastery.

 The Serbian Orthodox Dečani Monastery is just a few kilometers out of the city and is in a  picturesque spot at the base of the Prokletije mountains. The stunning monastery, said to be the best-preserved medieval church in the Balkans, was named a UNESCO Heritage site in 2004, declaring it a place which “[combines] the influences of the eastern Orthodox Byzantine and the Western Romanesque traditions. The style played a decisive role in subsequent Balkan art.”

Dečani and the Orthodox priests living within it continue to be under the protection of Italian soldiers. You must have your passports ready. You will go through a check point and a  barricaded area before being told to park. Your documents and bags will be inspected and you are accompanied to the door by the soldiers. When we passed through the heavy gates, we felt as if we had been transported to another world. We were struck by  the absolute beauty and tranquility of this monastery constructed at the beginning of the 14^th century by  King Stefan of Dečani.

Photo courtesy of the Dečani Monastery web site

It is all stunning: the beautiful marble facade, the fantastically preserved frescoes, the picturesque monastery housing and flowers – all surrounded by walls with views outside to the Prokletije mountain range. We spent a long time examining the details of the frescoes extending throughout the entire surface area of the walls.

Photo courtesy of the Dečani Monastery web site

After considerable time at Dečani, we drove on to the Patriarchate Monastery, closer to Pejë and at the entrance of the stunning Rugova gorge. The 13^th century Patriarchate is home to Serbian Orthodox nuns and is also under the protection of Italian soldiers. The soldiers were very professional and efficient – photographing our car and its license plate and following procedures similar to those in Dečani before allowing us entrance. The frescoes here are also spectacular and span from the 13^th through the 16^th centuries, although they are less well-preserved than those at Dečani. As in much of the Balkans, with its history of centuries of invasions and fighting, one is always in awe that these beautiful places still exist at all. We felt incredibly lucky to have visited these stunning landmarks and highly recommend a visit to these lovely monasteries.

 We had very little time left for exploration of Pejë, but the Kosovar people were warm and welcoming to tourists. There is clearly not much tourism yet, so they are happy to encourage you to travel to other parts of Kosovo. We had an excellent lunch before bracing for the mountain drive back to Montenegro.

Location: Hanoi – Vietnam
Photo: Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Quarter, Vietnam.

Travel Photo Gallery: Hanoi Photo Gallery

In 2004, one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory occurred: a 9.3 magnitude earthquake in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The earthquake, not so devastating; the tsunami on the other hand, decimated many regions in southeast Asia. There is no official figure, but estimates peg the casualties to be around 230,000 people across 14 countries. It sounds pretty hard to believe, but it’s been 5 years since.

Thailand was one of the hardest countries hit by the tsunami, with an estimated 6,000 people killed by the tsunami. Even more shocking was the massive amount of structural damage – entire cities destroyed. If not by flood, then by debris – the tsunami carried boats dozens of miles to the interior, and there’s no doubt the boats took out many structures along the way. One of the hardest hit areas were the tourist areas like Phuket and Phi Phi. Anyone that came to visit in 2005 would have been met with destruction and decay. But how’s the tourism industry doing now?

The tourism industry has rebuilt itself, this time newer and better. For instance in Phuket, already open or to be opening soon, you can find four new Marriott’s, the Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, a Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, as well as 4 other boutique/luxury hotels. This is in addition to the host of other luxury hotels already in the area as well as the more affordable hotels. That’s the best thing about Thailand though – whether you’re a trust fund baby or a poor college student, you’re sure to find accommodations to fit your needs.

Some have said that the hotel industry in Thailand is bloated – Phuket alone has 47,000 hotel rooms! As such, occupancy rates have tanked – a mere 57% in 2009. Most of the decline in tourism is directly related to the worldwide economic collapse, but that doesn’t seem to deter the citizens from trying to make a buck. At any one of the many popular beaches you can find vendors hawking everything from blankets to massages. But, if a vendor asks if you want to take a picture with a baby gibbon, don’t – the babies can only be taken if the mothers are killed, and hundreds of gibbons are killed every year for this exact purpose. In fact, there even exists a Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, a group dedicated to rehabilitating gibbons that were requisitioned for tourism.

Thailand has once again become a great place to visit. The ailing economy means that even the most high end hotels are cutting rates in an attempt to lure customers, and you have much more bargaining power these days. Thailand is arguably one of the best bang-for-the-buck vacation destinations at the moment.