Rath Yatra: Hinduism's Gods Take a Vacation on June 27
Where in the World is Matt Lauer? He's in Bhutan...
Time Magazine designated Bhutan as one of the world's few remaining "Nanny States" where the government dictates many of the details of life a few years ago. NBC's Matt Lauer casts it in a somewhat warmer light today on the Today Show's "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" segment.
Bhutan is enchanting, mysterious, ancient, and open to visitors. And it is a happy place, a peaceful place.
The guiding principle behind Bhutan's state control of life? It's not Communism. Nor is it religion, per se. Bhutan's motivation for the unusual degree of control it exercises over life within its borders is more simple: survival. There are few places like Bhutan left in the world. You can't buy tobacco or smoke in public. Television has been around for less than 10 years. And democracy is slowly coming to the kingdom.
Whether it is the vacation of a lifetime or the nightmare of a lifetime will depend on how ready you are for Bhutan...
The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea and the surrounding area is incredibly beautiful. The history is fascinating. And some of the best spas in the region sit on the sea's shores. Be sure and work in a trip to the Dead Sea if you make it to Israel.
Half a Dozen Things To Do in Saigon
Vietnam is more than just a destination: it is an experience. And nowhere is this more true than in Saigon. Officially, the name is Ho Chi Minh City; but no one really cares. It's still Saigon, the soul of Vietnam -- with its leisurely pace, its traffic, its tree-lined avenues, cafes, markets, etc.
If you've never been to Saigon, you may think first of a war when you hear the word. But if you've been lucky enough to visit the city, there is a certain atmosphere and a life that comes into your mind when someone mentions the place. Even if your memories of daily life in Saigon date back to a time when Vietnam was at war, the memories are still pleasant...
- Saigon is the smell of fresh baked French baguette in the early morning hours.
- Saigon is slim young girls walking elegantly down the avenues in the white ao dai suits unique to Vietnam - pants with a knee length shirt that has a slit up to the belt line.
- Saigon is crowded noodle house and streets filled with bicycles and motor bikes and cyclos.
People who've been there smile when you say "Saigon."
East Asia 101
Asia is generally divided into geographical regions for the purposes of many discussion (like any good discussion where to go on vacation). East Asia (sometime also called "The Orient") offers a huge number of destinations for the prospective visitor. The region, which includes Japan, the Koreas, and parts of China, has a long history, incredible natural wonders, and some fascinating cultures. Want to know the region better? Take a quick look at East Asia 101...Hanging Out at India Gate
India gate is one of Delhi's most vibrant park areas. The structure started out as a war monument and continues to commemorate India's war dead, but it has become much more than that. It now serves as a gathering point for Delhi residents, especially at night during the summer months. The lawns and fountains around the monument draw crowds of people who simply want to be together and relax...Prambanan: A "Must See" if You're in Yogyakarta...
Singapore
There is so much to see and do. The city is a microcosm of Asia - complete with a South Asian community comprised of Tamils, Gujaratis, Punjabis and Malayalam; a varied Chinese fabric that includes Hokkien & Hakka, Cantonese and Teochew, and a few other groups; a small Arab community; and a representation of local Southeast Asia cultures that includes a large native Malay component, some Javanese, and the unique Malay-Chinese mix that gets referred to regionally as Baba. Almost any part of Asia can be tasted and touched in the small city of Singapore.
The majority of Singapore's population is Chinese, and no trip to the city is complete without a visit to historic Chinatown in Singapore. Chinese New Year, along with more regional Chinese traditions like the annual Chingay Parade, are spectacular cultural events in Singapore. Whether you're eating kway teow that you bought off a hawker stand or the suckling pig at a restaurant like Hai Tien Lo, Chinese food in Singapore is incredibly good. And just standing around watching the culture can be entertaining and insightful.
Without referencing a particular ethnic culture, there are scores of great attractions in the city. Sentosa Island has become a one stop sort whirlwind vacation destination - with beaches, world class resorts, miniature golf, a butterfly park and an orchid garden, a spa or two, and the Dolphin Lagoon and Underwater World. Of course, Singapore also has a world class zoo and the incredible Jurong Bird Park for visitors to enjoy. While Singapore is mostly a family destination, there are a few places in the city you wouldn't want to take the kids.
Singapore's Islamic community is a vibrant corner of the city's society. The heart of it is Arab Street. If you're interested in a truly cultural experience, drop by Cafe Samar on Baghdad Street in the Arab Street area of Singapore. You can dine on lamb with yellow rice and a yogurt sauce and perhaps smoke some flavored tobacco through a water pipe. There's no alcohol, but belly dancers sometimes entertain the guests. There's also the Zam Zam Restaurant across from grand Sultan Mosque on Arab Street. The restaurant is famous for its murtabak - a stuffed pancake filled with eggs, onions, mutton (or some other meat), and accompanied with a curry sauce.
Singapore's Indian community also contributes greatly to the life of the city. Little India is another great place to shop. And the Indian community’s contribution to the city's culinary scene is part of what makes Singapore such a delight to visit. Take these few restaurants, for example:
- Song of India Restaurant - a world class establishment that is becoming one of the city's signature restaurants.
- The Banana Leaf Apolo Restaurant - a great place to dine with locals and try one of South Asia’s most important dishes, fish head curry.
- The Mango Tree Restaurant - some of the best seafood on the island, with the taste of Goa mixed in.
- Gorkha Grill - Nepalese food at its best.
If the other attractions all disappeared, people would still come to Singapore to shop. Orchard Road is the city's premier shopping location. There are a dozen or more good malls and large department stores.
Singapore is hard to stop talking about, once you've been there. Colonial institutions like The Raffles Grill at the Raffles Hotel serve as a backdrop for more modern experiences in places like Club Street or Zouk (Singapore's most popular nightclub). The culinary scene is hard to overstate when you have choices like The mezza9 Restaurant (a theatre show kitchen concept with Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Western cuisine on the mezzanine level of the Grand Hyatt) and Blue Ginger Restaurant with its colonial atmosphere and its traditional Malay-Chinese food reflecting the local "Baba" culture.
If you can't decide what to do in Singapore, or Top 10 Things to Do in Singapore may help you. You may also want to look at a map of the city before you go. And there are some things you should know Before You Go to Singapore.
Enjoy Singapore...
Yogyakarta May Well Be Asia's Most Fascinating City
Coming Up: The Waisak Festival at Borobudur is Just Three Weeks Away...
Waisak, "Vesaks Day" to much of the Buddhist world, is a national holiday in Indonesia. Part of the reason is the historic Borobudur Temple Complex near Yogyakarta on the island of Java. Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist temple - and has been for about 1000 years.
On May 2, hundreds Buddhist monks in traditional saffron robes make a five-mile night time walk from the village of Mendut to the sitting Buddha at the top of Borobudur. It is quite a spectacle.
We have more than 50 images of Borobudur available in our photo gallery of the temple.