Next Destination - Tropical Life

Mar112016 by Tropical LifeNo Comments

VIENTIANE, This capital city of Laos

This capital city of Laos has a somewhat different feel to it than my last two destinations. Vientiane has the buzz and vibes of a real city. However a charming laid-back ambience can be found in places here where French colonial charms mitigate the crowd effects. One of the most distinctive landmarks in Vientiane is the Patuxai arch that resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It is an impressive monument and has been covered in relief work depicting Hindu Gods. At the top are five towers of traditional Laotian style to where visitors can climb to for good views of the city. Pha That Luang or Great Sacred Stupa is a much-photographed site visited by all tourists. Located on a hill, this large golden stupa is covered with gold and the most important monument in Laos. The French bu...

Mar112016 by Tropical LifeNo Comments

My next destination was Luang Prabang in Laos

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My next destination was Luang Prabang in Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Situated in north central region of the country and now the capital city of Luang Prabang Province, this was the former capitol of Laos. With population about 50.000 people the city sits at confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and the Khan, that almost surround the city that lies beneath a temple-topped hill. The town is small yet very charming with a serene atmosphere and palm-lined streets filled with young Buddhist monks from the many surrounding temples. Numerous shops and restaurants occupy French colonial era buildings and there is a great night market selling local crafts. Fortunately my hotel, Amantaka is situated within walking distance of the main streets where all the major attractions are situated....

Jan262016 by Tropical LifeNo Comments

Macau City of the orient

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It is a name we have all heard, a name that conjures up images of a city of the orient, a crossroads where Portugese and Chinese cultures collide but how many of us have been there? A recently took a trip to investigate and found myself enjoying a stimulating and rewarding experience in a city that offers its own distinct atmosphere. The name Macau is known by many as the Las Vegas of the far east, a Mecca for gamblers across South east Asia. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a gambler but somehow the bright lights, larger than life interiors and cacophony of sounds from a thousand slot machines are strangely attractive. Once I stepped foot in Macau, I found myself energised and eager to seek out the attractions this city has to offer. The journey started wit...

Jan252016 by Tropical LifeNo Comments

The Heart of Phnom Penh

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Once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capitol and largest city. It is sited at the junction of 3 rivers, the mighty Mekong, Tonle Sap and the Bassac River. Once considered as one of the most French of French built cities in Asia, recent history has changed some of those perceptions. Now inhabitant by over 14 million people, Phnom Penh has been developed in steps to keep pace with neighbouring Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City and as a result the city has garnered rapid growth of both domestic and international visitors. Like the Phoenix, Phnom Penh is rising from the ashes of its devastating history. Without actually burying the past Cambodia is proud to show the tenacity of its people as they climb out of the dark days of the Khmar Rouge led holocaust. Monument...

Jan82016 by Tropical LifeNo Comments

Darwin is the capitol city of Australia’s

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Darwin is the capitol city of Australia’s Northern Territory or “Top End” as Australians like to call it. This multicultural cosmopolite has transformed itself over the last 40 years to become one of Australia’s major tourist hubs for both Australian and international visitors. Darwin lies on the tropical band that stretches across the topmost northern part of Australia. Like Bali it has its ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons with “the dry” delivering clear blue skies and refreshing sea breezes. Darwin is a modern city that has maintained some of its best colonial buildings. Parks, gardens and public events add colour and vibrancy to this once pioneer outpost on the Timor Sea. The Top End is teaming with wild life but it is not necessary to “Go Bush” to get close to Northern Australia’s oldest resid...

Sep172015 by Tropical LifeNo Comments

Japan

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Highly populated Tokyo is a great example of Japan’s urban living environment. This huge and wealthy metropolis makes good use of an advanced technology that blends gracefully with some of the fascinating aspects of traditional Japanese culture. Tokyo is one of the great cities of the world; it is a major destination for business, education, and holiday travel and ought to be a destination for everyone - sometime in life. Despite its size, Tokyo should not be thought of as a single city. It’s actually a constellation of cities and districts that merged together. Starting out from Bali, I took the AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur where I was able to catch a connecting flight on to Tokyo; Japan’s capitol. To experience the best of Tokyo one should select the most suitable accommodation for o...