Southeast Asia Forum

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2011-08-23T16:20:10+08:00

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Singapore Heritage

2010-02-18T10:46:34+08:00

Although Singapore is a relatively young country, it does have an interesting Heritage too. Find out more on http://www.yesterday.sg

Dragon’s swimming pool

2011-09-06T17:15:41+08:00

Halong Bay(literally: “Descending Dragon Bay”; Vietnamese: Vịnh Hạ Long) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, located in Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. Administratively, the bay belongs to Hạ Long City, Cẩm Phả town, and part of Van Don district. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.

Halong Bay is a bit of an oddity really, the beauty of the mysterious, mist shrouded islands that dot the bay standing in stark contrast to the rather seedy little town where you will find yourself billeted. Halong Bay is magnificent – a collection of 3000 or so mountainous islands that rise out of perfectly still emerald coloured water of the Tonkin Gulf. Halong, so the story goes, was created by a large dragon that lived in one of the nearby mountains – the bay was carved out of the rocks by his flailing tail as it ran down from his mountain top hideaway to the coolness of the sea, leaving just the craggy peaks of the original landscape.

Ha long means, literally. ‘Where the dragon descends into the sea’ and up to the present day there have been reports of a large, mysterious marine creature known as the Tarasque in the waters… sadly Tarasque seems to be as camera shy as its Scottish cousin, Nessy! One thing to be aware of is that Halong is much like a giant waterlogged national park – tourists on the cruise boats out to islands like Cat Ba etc will inevitably be approached by local entrepreneurs selling shells, coral and broken bit of stalagmite/tites from the island grottoes – whatever you do do not make these purchases as, not only is it illegal, it encourages the destruction of this magnificent natural wonder.

Catba Island is one of the few ‘inhabited’ islands in the bay, being home to several minuscule fishing villages. The rest of the island is a national park dedicated to the preservation of several ecosystems – waterfalls, magrove froests, hills and lakes all make the trip out to Cat Ba worthwhile. There is also an 18km hike for those wanting to stretch out their sea-legs with a bit of yomping and caves too (tho take a torch if you’re wanting to head into these!). For paleontologists and archeologists a further point of interest will be Cai Beo Cave where stone age tools and bones (around 4500 BC) have been found.

Back on mainland there isn’t much to be said really – it is an aspirational ‘sin city’ by all accounts – nothing terrible to report, just a bit drab and uninspiring when compared to life on the ocean ripple in the bay itself… There is a selection of restaurants and bars along the sea front, and a moderatly large looking funfair… all in all it’s a bit like Southend-on-Sea in the UK with a better view . . . okay, but nothing special . . . the islands on the other hand . . . now THEY are something!

Source : Dragon’s swimming pool
Read More: Halong Bay Travel

Me Cung Grotto

2011-09-05T16:13:36+08:00

Two kilometers south-west of Ti Top Beach is the Me Cung Grotto or Bewitching Grotto. It formed on Lom Bo Island, and seen from afar, the entrance is like the roof of a house denting the island’s side.

After a narrow crack only allowing one person through at a time, many partitions appear. These chambers are somewhat small and narrow, but very refined, and with many stalagmites and stalactites bearing beautiful forms.
Threading your way through narrow passages, you find a dim light from afar, which signals the exit of the grotto. On getting out of the grotto, climb up several rugged stone stairs and look down, you see a large round lake surrounded by the mountain. Its waters is blue all year round. The lake is home to many kinds of fish, shrimps, octopuses, algae, see weed, and coral. Lying adjacent to the lake there is an area of old trees popularly known as an alluring “royal garden”.

It is dry and well-ventilated, and features a thick layer of shells forming the foundation of the entrance. Formerly, this layer was 1.2-meter-thick and semi-fossilized. In the course of research, there was also a fossilized animal’s skeleton discovered in the interior. The Me Cung Grotto has been recognized by archaeologists as one of the vestiges of the pre-Ha Long new Stone Age culture, that existed between 7,000 and 10,000 years ago.

Pushing into the grotto, tourists feel like walking in a palace of a Persian king. Hearing the murmur from out of nowhere, you think that Scheherazade is telling the stories of the Thousand and One Nights for her king.
On the island, there are many ancient trees casting long reflections on the water of the bay. They are home to many species of birds and animals (monkeys, chamois and varans).

Source : MeCung Grotto
Read more :Halong famous landscape

Halong Bay Beauty

2011-08-31T15:07:22+08:00

Halong Bay is famous for its scenic rock formations. “Ha Long” is literally translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons.”

Prior to the 19th century, this name was not recorded in any document or archive. When mentioning the present-day Quang Ninh Sea or Ha Long Bay, old historical books often referred to them by the names of An Bang, Luc Thuy or Van Don. Not until the late 19th century did the name of Ha Long Bay appear on a French Marine Map.

Halong Bay is a beautiful area with 1969 limestone islands jutting imposingly upon the skyline. Unfortunately the place is a tourist trap and the unique panorama is spoilt by a tremendous amount of “junks” which are in fact slimly disguised tourist boats that bear no resemblance to the authentic Chinese sailing vessels of the same name. These diesel-powered floating money-makers careen about the bay with casual indifference to safety as they bump and crunch against each other in a frenzy to drop their fares onto the obligatory island or floating shop before depositing the harried passengers back at Halong Bay dock feeling like they’ve been cheated out of their Dong, even if that isn’t particularly true. The romantic setting is forever spoilt by the cattle-market mentality. Still… nice scenery.

Some famous landscapes in Halong Bay are : SungSot Cave, ThienCung Cave, BaHam Lake ...

THE KAMBAWZATHADI PALACE

2010-06-16T15:06:58+08:00

THE KAMBAWZATHADI PALACE
by:Harry Hpone Thant

It was the time of powerful Kings and valiant heroes, epic battles and marvelous palaces. In the late 15th century Myanmar was in turmoil. The Bagan Empire had disintegrated. The Bamars were concentrated around Innwa in the central regions of the country and the Mons were in the lower part. A series of bitter fighting that lasted for 40 years wrecked the countryside. Many fled to Taungoo, at that time a Bamar outpost not far from the Mon capital of Bago(Pegu). Taungoo became strong and contested the Mons’rule and after the defeat of the Mons, the Bamar Kings from Taungoo had founded the Hanthawaddy Dynasty(first it was called the Taungoo Dynasty) by 1491. King Mingyi Nyo was the patriarch of this line of kings but the two most powerful monarchs of this period were King Tabin Shwe Hti(1515-1551) and King Ba Yint Naung(1551-1582).

Tabin Shwe Hti, named because he had one strand of golden hair on his head, came down often from his Royal Capital of Taungoo to fight with the Mon armies of Bago. But one tale that went into history was his daring challenge to have a Royal Ear-Piercing Ceremony on the platform of the Shwemawdaw Pagoda at Bago, right under the nose of his enemy.

But the King that really made history and established the 2nd Myanmar Empire was the brother-in-law of King Tabin Shwe Hti. His name was Bayint Naung or the King’s elder brother. He became King of the Hanthawaddy Dynasty after King Tabin Shwe Hti. He fought to expand his Empire. At its height the 2nd Myanmar Empire included almost all areas of present day Myanmar as well as parts of Manipur in present day India, Chiang mai and Ayudhaya in Thailand. His Empire also went as far away as Vientien in Laos(known at that time as Linzin). But what he is more remembered is his grand Kambawzathadi Palace in Bago.

After the consolidation of his Kingdom King Bayint Naung(also referred to as Ba Yint Naung Kyaw Htin Nawrahta in some history text books) decided to build a palace for himself. Construction was said to have started in 1553. The plan called for construction of the palace on the south of the Shwemawdaw Pagoda with two courtyards. The Inner Courtyard would have 6 main buildings plus other smaller complexes, about 70 of them in total. Then there would also be an outer courtyard to house the other members of the royal retinue.

The Main Audience Hall, where he would receive his subordinate lords on their annual homage paying ceremonies and to be use for all official ceremonies, the Treasury, Sleeping Quarters for his Chief Queen and other royal consorts and concubines would be in the inner court. His favourite daughter Princess Raja Datu Kalaya was to have her own accommodations also. Even the Royal White Elephant would have his own stable as well as pens for the other fighting war elephants. The Palace was finished in 1553.

The various lords and governors of the provinces were commanded by the Court to contribute building materials for the palace. According to ancient records discovered there were 222 Teak pillars used in the construction of the Main Audience Hall, all contributions from the lords and other courtiers of the court. Some of these pillars can be seen inside a shed by the side of the reconstructed Main Audience Hall. Some stumps even have names scratched on the bases, presumably of the lord who had sent it to the palace construction. These pillars were unearthed not very long ago during excavations for recontruction of the Palace by the government in1990 and are supposed to be from the gutted Royal Palace which fell victims to its enemies in 1599.

Caesar Frediricke, a Venetian merchant who visited Bago during its glorious days, said, ” The King’s Palace is in the middle of the Citie, made in the form of a walled Castle, with ditches full of water around about it, the Lodgings within are made of wood all over gilded, with fine pinnacles, and very costly worke, covered with plates of gold”. Another Portuguese merchant named Souza also described the palace as” even the lowliest room was covered with gold and murals. There were roofs made of gold sheets on some of the buildings and in some rooms there were life-size gold statues of the King and his Queens studded with gemstones”.

But all that glitters had come to an end in 1599. The magnificent Kambawzathadi Palace, with its shimmering gilded roofs was torched and the mighty Hanthawaddy Empire was destroyed by invading armies.

Now only the re-constructed Main Audience Hall and the Kings’s Sleeping Quarters, the Bamayathana Hall (Bee Throne Hall), stands as mute tribute to the powerful old days.
photo:Sonny Nyein

I can’t remember which email address I use to log in to Facebook.

2011-08-23T16:19:20+08:00

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Cultural Heritage Tour To rajasthan in Incredible India

2011-04-19T19:26:38+08:00

Rajasthan is the land of mystery and the natural treasures lying in its incredible land. It shows the true and all colors of the majestic India, with varied culture, traditions. The artistic state of India highlights the tremendous folk dance and songs popular worldwide.
Explore Rajasthan at its best byRajasthan Tour Packages, made as per your choice. A perfect holiday destination with rich heritage, wildlife, and culture wins your heart.

Stay in Heritage hotel of Rajasthan and enjoy luxury with heritage.

Cultural Heritage in Thailand

2010-01-27T13:14:00+08:00

The community of Pak Thong Chai district in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) and Jim Thompson’s Thai Silk Company seemed to share so much in common that the globally renowned Thai silk brand decided to establish its farm in the foothills of Phrayaprab, just 25 km from the center of town.

Covering 718 rai (115 hectares), Jim Thompson Farm was established in 1988 in order to assist the company in sericulture and silk production. The site includes a plant that produces reels of silk, a weaving production center, as well as a plant manufacturing patterned silk fabric.

As well as being involved in the cultivation of silk worm eggs, the farm also conducts comprehensive research in order to improve the native species.

Sa Pa Market – A cultural beauty of Viet Nam

2011-09-12T12:20:00+08:00

The Sapa Markets are attractive places for visitors who are keen on exploring traditional cultures.This cultural activity has a long history and is still significant in the modern life of the minority people.
This market of the Hmong and Red Dao minorities takes place every Saturday night. The market is a place for trading and exchanging local goods and products, as well as a meeting place for young people who seek partners by singing love songs and playing pan-pipes and mouth organs.

When the sun goes down, the H’Mong and Red Dao boys and girls cluster together in groups of five to ten. Looking and smiling at each other, they sit side by side in the dim yellow light and sing and talk through the night. When they have met their soul mate, they exchange gifts and make plans to see each other again the following week.

This cultural activity has a long history and is still significant in the modern life of the minority people. The Sa Pa Market is an attractive place for visitors who are keen on exploring traditional cultures.

Source : Sa Pa Market – A cultural beauty of Viet Nam
Read more : Sapa travel guide