Asia Archives - Page 3 of 9

May 13, 2016 by Arlene

6 Mouthwatering Must-try Dishes in Bandung

Indonesian cuisine is some of the finest in the World, the influences that have led to modern day Indonesian food comes from more than 300 tribes that have occupied the World’s’ biggest archipelago throughout the centuries. The food is full of flavours, spice blends, colour and vibrancy and is incredibly varied. Last year I took a trip to Bandung and made it my goal to try as many different types of Indonesian food as I could, well that is exactly what I did and here are my 6 favourite dishes that I tried, and that you need to try too.

Ikan Bakar

Literally translated as burned fish, Ikan Bakar is a meal made using fish or seafood that is chargrilled over an open flame. Usually the dish uses carp or another freshwater fish and they marinade the fish beforehand in a blend of spices and herbs such as garlic, chile, coriander, salt and many more to create a unique flavour for the dish.

Nasi Tembel

This dish can be found commonly around Indonesia, it is rice that is steamed inside banana leaves. The leaves give the rice a unique flavour and smell and leaves you with a fresh and clean taste in your mouth. Usually the rice is served with anything form a mixture of fresh vegetables to chicken, pork or beef but in the meal it is the meat or veg that accompanies the rice, and not the other way around.

Ayam Goreng

Ayem Goreng, directly translates as fried chicken and let me tell you that KFC does not have a patch on it. Unlike the southern American style of fried chicken, this dish doesn’t use batter and flour as it is deep fried in coconut oil which not only beautifully browns the outside of the chicken but leaves it crispy and pack with flavour.

Bakwam Galang

When I was staying in Bandung my hotel was the Bukit Dago hotel, just 5 minutes from my hotel was a little lady who served this beautiful dish on the street. Bakwam Galang is an Indonesian stew that has meatballs made from meat paste or beef, vermicelli, and fried wontons and it is simply delicious. The flavour isn’t too strong and the soup really lends itself to the flavour of the meatballs. A beautiful dish and one that you can find everywhere.

Krechek

For this of you looking to try something a little different then consider this spicy stew dish that is made using the skin of a cow. The dish is packed with flavour and heat and is usually filled with soy beans, potatoes, coconut milk and sometimes tofu. Full flavoured and very interesting.

Gudeg

Gudeg is beautiful dish that is made using an unripe jackfruit with palm sugar and coconut milk with spices such as bay leaves and coriander thrown in for a sumptuous flavour. The texture of the dish is like caramelised onions and it has a meaty taste to it whilst not actually containing any meat. A beautiful side dish and one that I could not get enough of during my stay.

January 14, 2014 by author

The Natural Wonders of Urumqi, China

Urumqi is one of those places in China that one should definitely pay a visit to. It is located in the north western section of the country and is home various tourist attractions and destinations. It is a place also rich in history and culture, given the many ethnic groups that made this place their home. Also, it is nearest to the tomb of the terra cotta warriors, which is another plus for those visiting the place.

Urumqi is filled with so many things to see and do, and though most of them reflect the modern lifestyle of the people, the most beautiful tourist attractions would have to be there natural wonders.

There are many places to visit in Urumqi and here are the top three natural scenic and beautiful destinations that you must include in your travel itinerary.

Heavenly Lake

Imagine a lake with crystal clear waters, so clear in fact that it mirrors the majestic snow-capped mountains in its background. That is Heavenly Lake, a very suitable name for something that seems to have been heaven sent. This crescent shaped lake is located in the eastern section of Urumqi. It has calm yet deep waters, the deepest part being almost 400 metres deep. The lake is formed by the melted ice and snow from the Tianshan Mountain (also referred to as Heavenly Mountains). The towering mountains and the crystal waters are more than enough reasons to visit the lake.

Southern Pasture

This is another beautiful spot in Urumwi, China which. The southern pasture is a field of green and lush grass, with rolling hills and mountains dotted with green and robust trees. As the name suggest, this place is the perfect grazing or pasture land for many grazing animals. And if you think that all you will see here is grass and animals, then you’d be wrong. This place abounds with various natural wonders like valleys, waterfalls, and majestic mountains. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to witness the traditional horse-racing events held by the locals. Otherwise, you can rent a horse and go through the whole place on a guided tour. Alternatively, you can simply sit on the grass and enjoy the wonderful view of animals and vegetation and traditional people.

Red Hill

Red Hill is one of those beautiful tourist attractions of Urumqi, China which cannot be easily missed. This hill overlooks a beautiful Urumqi landscape and is relaxing and amazing at the same time. The name is taken from the aubergine rocks of the mountain, which when hit by the sun reflect a bright red colour. This place has been developed for tourism and such you can find modern amenities and entertainment. If you’re not up for that, you can simple hike the dedicated trails until you reach the top, and get to admire the wonderful view of the city of Urumqi.

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Photo by andreelau on Flickr

December 30, 2013 by author

3 Great Places to Enjoy New Years Eve Fireworks Displays

No New Years Eve celebrations would be complete without a grand display of fireworks and light shows. This is one of the most anticipated events of many people, and if you’re looking for some place where you can enjoy spectacular views of the said event, then you should definitely take a look at the list below.

London, United Kingdom

London provides one of the best fireworks displays not only in United Kingdom but in the whole world as well. Come New Years Eve, the London Eye is all ablaze with lights and pyrotechnics, while the dark skies are peppered with exploding fireworks of various kinds.

Best Viewing Spots: When you hear Ol’ Big Ben’s twelve chimes, be sure that you’re in one of the following places in order to get the best views of the fireworks display: the Victoria Embankment in the northern section of the Thames River, the Waterloo Bridge and he Westminster Bridge. Don’t even bother about getting near the London Eye since the whole perimeter is always bordered off by the police during the celebration.

Sydney, Australia

One of the most popular cities during New Years Eve is Sydney, Australia, being one of the most widely televised fireworks display all around the world. But why not? During this time, One of Australia’s most iconic structures – the Harbour Bridge – is all geared for one of the best spectacular pyrotechnic shows in the world.

Best Viewing Spots: There are many vantage points where you can enjoy this grand display of fireworks in Sydney. First of course is the Sydney Opera House. Second, there are the Sydney islands – namely Goat Island and Fort Denison, which directly faces the Harbour Bridge. Lastly, you have your own boat or can afford to shell out some cash, you can join the different New Years Eve Cruises in Sydney Harbour.

Hong Kong, China

China is known to be the origins of firecrackers, and so it is but normal that they put up one great fireworks display. The best place in China to see such display would have to be Hong Kong. They have one of the most innovative and unique fireworks displays which never fail to surprise the world. There are two places worth mentioning, namely Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Disney World.

Best Viewing Spots: If you’re watching in Victoria Harbour, then there shouldn’t be any problem since most of the best viewing spots are located around and near the harbour, and since most of them are public places, you don’t have to pay any fees to be there. However, these places are bound to fill up very quickly, so you may want to go there a bit early. If you don’t want to squeeze yourself amongst a throng of watchers though, you can book yourself a ticket for one of the many cruises in the harbour, where you’ll get to enjoy the fireworks display as they happen right above you (Watch out for falling debris, though). Have a Happy and Safe New Years Eve Everyone!

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Photo by bayasaa on Flickr

December 12, 2013 by author

Chichibu: A Natural Haven

Chichibu City is located in the Saitama prefecture of Japan. The city is popular for its festivals during autumn season. The scenic landscape of Chichibu is splendid as most of the areas are left untouched. The city offers a relaxing view and stress free environment with majestic gardens, mountains, parks, and more that could captivate anyone’s eyes as well as feelings.

The beauty of Chichibu is elegant to see, and would make anyone’s trip a truly memorable one. Chichibu is a city waiting for anyone to experience the natural scenery in it. There’s no doubt your visit in Chichibu will be a magnificent one with memories that will surely last a lifetime.

Gorgeous Scenery

Chichibu City has some of the finest landscapes such as the Okuchichibu Mountains which offers a breathtaking view overlooking the interior of the mountains. The forest that leads to the mountains is superb with trees swaying back and forth as the wind blows, which is always remarkable to watch. The refreshing scene always makes me eager for a picnic or rest. But if you’re like me, I get bored quickly while resting so when I wait for my friends to get themselves together for our next trip, I always play some of my favorite online games; the best being poker. Bwin online poker games are simply accesible and help you learn the tricks of the trade very easily. Soon, you’ll be playing like a pro and can possibly even make money while you travel around. Woo!

After a nice round of online poker and a relaxing break of seeing mountains, now it’s time to head to another scenic site of Misotsuchi, with its splendid display of natural icicles. The icicles can best be seen during the cold weather of January to February and witness the formation of icicles which is slowly being build up by dripping waters. The scene is so wonderful to watch as if one is inside a fairy tale.

Festival

Chichibu City is widely known for its night festival especially during the Chichibu Yomatsuri held annually in December. The event lasts for three days with fun filled activities. The floats in the festival are heavily ornate with carvings, tapestries, and lanterns with some accompanying music. The floats’ shape like houses is paraded into the streets and there are some displays of kabuki plays in the afternoon.

The floats’ lantern decorations are lighted during the closing stages of the festival with magical portrayal of a colorful atmosphere. The lighted lantern is astonishing to see which makes one feel enlightened with revived energy. The climaxes of the event are a spectacular two and half hours of fireworks display and watching the genius of Japanese pyrotechniques.

Autumn Times

During autumn season when most feel excited to watch and unfold the brightly colored leaves of red and yellow. The remarkable scene of autumn foliage will surely brighten anyone’s mood. The trees displaying cluster of beautifully colored leaves shedding. Arakawa River gives a scene of forest trail with colorful environment that should be enjoyed by all.

The autumn foliage will take place around October to December that gives an astonishing view of the neighboring surrounding. The fascination of the autumn leaves is a relaxing thing to do with the time to enjoy a memorable adventure and scenery. The shedding of leaves in bright colors is a highlight during autumns, just like the cherry blossom in spring.

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Photo by 16582492@N00 on Flickr