A Korean Pilgrimage

Asia is truly is a region that has it all, offering almost any type of adventure that a traveler can imagine. But in between stints doing the most popular activities and visiting the most popular locations, plenty of people are finding new and more meaningful ways to connect with Asian people, culture, and history.

Of course there are plenty of great things to be said about spending time in Bangkok or Tokyo or Phuket or Phnom Penh and the experiences there are no less real or authentic than any other that the average traveler will have. But what happens when you put a bit of effort into going off the beaten path, to digging a bit deeper into the culture of your temporary home?

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Hong Kong from below and above

Hong Kong has long held a fascinating middle ground between east and west. Its British colonial past has heavily influenced everything from its political structure to the double-decker buses that zoom to and fro, while the city’s location in the heart of Asia has given it a spicy, distinctly Chinese personality lit by neon and laced with customs and culture from around the region.

Over the past several centuries, the area that is now generally known as “Hong Kong” – Hong Kong island, several small and large surrounding islands, and the chunk of land that extends down from mainland China called the New Territories – has been fought over, occupied, colonized and finally expatriated due to its strategic location and important role in the development of the region. Today, it’s one of the world’s great cities – a center of finance and shipping, a showcase for cutting edge tech, delicious food and soaring architecture, a travel hub, and a high-profile tourist destination.

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Big City Transit: Bangkok

Getting around in a city like Bangkok – with its reputation for record-setting traffic jams – is a daunting task for anyone unfamiliar with the system. Standing on the corner you’ll see taxis, tuk-tuks, buses, trains, motorcycles – even boats if you’re near a canal or the river. But if you know a bit about how it all fits together, getting around is actually pretty simple.

The first rule to keep in mind is that Bangkok’s public transportation system is designed to be used in a modular fashion – that is, one single mode of transport is rarely enough to get you where you want to go. Sure, taxis can go door-to-door, but they’re also at the mercy of traffic jams, construction, and VIP motorcades that frequently shut down roads. Real Bangkok pros mix it up a bit – a taxi to the train, the skytrain to station X, a motorcycle taxi to your destination.

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Bangkok Hotel Brunches Broken Down

When Bangkokians hop on a band wagon, they tend to ride it until the wheels fall off. Sometimes, however, it's worth seeing what the fuss is about – case in point: Sunday brunch. Brunch is not a new thing here – the Four Seasons has been doing one for years – but of late, the phenomenon has really been gathering momentum and we're seeing an increase in luxury food imports, along with free-flow wines, exotic meats and preparations usually reserved for dinner time.

Rather than just a lazy lunch to quell post-Saturday night indulgence, brunch in Bangkok has been elevated to the status of an important see-and-be-seen social event. This is partly because they're so lavish and expensive and partly because a lot of local families use the occasion as an excuse to spend quality time together. Brunch buffets in Bangkok are mostly attended by upper-class Thais and a smattering of expats, and are a bone fide part of the city's contemporary culture – not to mention a great treat if you’re a traveling foodie.

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Hotels of Note: The Continental Saigon

This is the first in a new series on the Agoda.com travel blog called Hotels of Note – a look at cool hotels with interesting histories, unique architecture or hidden stories that make a stay in their hallowed halls even more rewarding. No hotel is too big or too small, and we’ll examine everything from faded, grand classics to rustic, isolated lodges. 

The first hotel we want to look at is the Continental Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city boasts a population of over 7 million people and what sometimes feels like as many motorbikes. As the financial hub of the country, HCMC has been booming over the last decade.

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The Influence of French Cuisine in Modern Vietnamese Food

From the moment you arrive in Vietnam, you’ll be immersed in a world where there’s something tempting to eat everywhere you look. Vietnamese food is a diverse blend of healthy herbs, meat and seafood that’s packed with flavor, and delicious bowls of soup noodles that burst with freshness. Along with ancient and traditional recipes, there are numerous

Vietnam has a long and interesting history that has been shaped by the influence of many outside forces. While we won’t tackle everything here, it was during the Nguyễn Dynasty in the 1800’s, when the French established a colony in Vietnam, when things started to change rapidly. Among many things, the French brought their own food, which slowly but surely began to permeate into all aspects of Vietnamese life. Potatoes, asparagus, cauliflower, lettuce, and carrots are just a few of the ingredients introduced by the French that are now used so frequently in local cooking that they are considered a part of Vietnamese culinary culture.

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India’s Republic Day Celebration

If you are anywhere near New Delhi in late January, then you have a treat in store, for on 26th January India celebrates its Republic Day. In fact, the holiday is celebrated all over the country, in every town, with flag hoisting, parades, military reviews, cultural programs and more, but the Parade To Beat All Parades takes place in New Delhi. This annual extravaganza really is one of the more spectacular events of the year and is a set piece absolutely not to be missed.

The parade takes place along Rajpath, a long, wide avenue that leads from the Presidential Palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, to India Gate, the country’s iconic Arc de Triomphe-like war memorial.

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Not Your Traditional Salad – Ten Thai Dishes That Redefine the Word

For many westerners, the idea of a salad is pretty simple, and usually revolves around lettuce and other veggies. But once you start exploring other culinary trends, you’ll find that ‘salad’ is a pretty broad term, and nowhere is that more evident than in Thailand. The Thais use a multitude of fresh ingredients to make up a large variety of dishes that technically qualify as salad. I’m a huge fan of all of these, and here are ten of my personal favorites.

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Koh Tao: More than a dive

Every island has its own personality – one far more complex than its reputation ever suggests. Though these reputations might have been justifiably earned, it's worth setting aside your traveler expectations and exploring the lesser-known aspects of a destination, whether they're topographical, cultural or spiritual. This is perfectly true for the little rocky blob of land that is Koh Tao – Turtle Island – for it is far more than just a scuba diving destination.

However, it is easy to understand why Koh Tao is a renowned diver's destination – the part of the Thai Gulf in which it sits is crystal clear in places, sprinkled with small, uninhabited islands and brimming with marine life. At only 21 square kilometers, this reef-fringed rock that rises out of the ocean like a turtle’s shell is part of the idyllic Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao triumvirate. Each island has its own distinct personality and between the three, you can while away an entire Thailand holiday – or a lifetime, as some have found.

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Shopping in India – Tips, Tricks and Tactics

Many locations around the world bill themselves as a “shopper’s paradise” but in India, it’s definitely true. However – as with many things in India – you do have to know the ins and outs to really get the most out of it.

Over the last few years India has opened up its retail sector dramatically, and in most cities, malls abound. New ones are opening up every day – glitzy, air-conditioned, and full of shops selling exactly the same brands you can find in London, New York or Hong Kong. They’re likely of limited interest to the average tourist unless you want some air conditioning or to see a movie, since the best urban cinemas are often inside malls.

But for the visitor looking for a bit of Indian authenticity, there are far better, more traditional and much more interesting ways of finding that perfect holiday memento or handicraft.

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