• Travel Guide : The Big Three Secrets of Asia

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    December 21, 2011 /  Travel Guide In India, Travel Guide In Japan, Travel Guide In Laos


    The Big Three Secrets of Asia

    The large continent liked Asia, there are still many places that only a few of people could have been there. Where are mysterious and amazing in Asia? Where are the secrets of Asia?

    Kong Lo Cave in Laos

    Kong Lo Cave in Laos



    Sarun suggested Kong Lo Cave in Laos. It is a big cave which has a 17-kilometer-length river passed through a mountain. The other side of this cave is a village in limestone valley. It is a miracle that there are people living behind the cave for hundreds years. In the past these people never contacted with the rest of the world. People on the outside don’t know about this village. When rain season comes, water will increase until it covers the cave and the villagers have to climb across the mountain to go out. For now it is very convenient to go to this cave and village, but you should go in dry seasons. Contacting with Kong Lo Village headman and use a villager’s boat to pass through the cave. There will be a view spot on the way or you can see villagers transporting pig and beers for trading. This trip takes only five hours.

    Kaziranga National Park - India

    Kaziranga National Park - India



    The secret of Tirapab is Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India. It is a very abundant forest and a home of many nearly-distinct animals. Travelers can experience wild life closely, not only tiger, but also elephant, jungle donkey, the highlight is one-horn rhino which used to left just twelve in the world but right now there are about thousand of them. It is a magical moment that we can see a rare rhino soaking in a mud. There are many strict rules about travel to Kaziranga National Park because of its dangerous. For example You can’t get off a car because you can be attacked by wild animals all the time. Realize that you are a visitor, don’t go too far and do anything disturbing animals.

    Kotoku Temple - Japan

    Kotoku Temple - Japan



    Ploy keeps her Asia secret in Japan, a group of Zen temples in the northern of Kyoto. Normally, there will be a traditional every year and they don’t open for public to go inside. They will open for public to go inside the temple and the area around just once in a year in Gyonofuyunotobi festival which is in autumn. The highlight is Kotoku Temple with a famous tea room and a beautiful Zen garden. If you come in Fall, the red and yellow of leaves will make you feel like walking in heaven not a temple.

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  • Travel Guide : The last stop at Uji‏

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    November 14, 2011 /  Travel Guide In Japan

    The last stop at Uji‏

    It was the last day of finding Sakura in Kyoto. It was my second time of travelling in Kyoto and I almost traveled thoroughly. Uji was the only one that left. It was on the south of Kyoto and I took trains passed it many times but never stopped by once. My friend commanded me that I couldn’t miss this town, so Uji was my last stop in this trip.

    I sat opposite to two women on a train. When I asked them about Uji, she seems so proud of this town and showed me her ten yen coin. The picture of temple at the back of the coin is Byodo-In Temple, the famous temple of Uji. This temple is famous about the bird of paradise and the beautiful statue of Buddha in a wooden temple. Weather forecast in website showed that no rains that day, so I didn’t bring an umbrella which was a mistake because it was raining when I got there.

    Byodo-In Temple - Kyoto

    Byodo-In Temple - Kyoto

    After I got a map and recommendations from information counter at the station. I started walking along a little street. Houses were decorated beautifully with flowers, there were a lot of Japanese sweets along the street. It was one of the specialty of Uji, sweets and tea.

    I planned to have lunch with bento at the foot of the bridge, but because of the drizzle I changed to eat bento beside a river. It was a perfect place, the big Sakura tree became my umbrella when I was eating. Someone was fishing on the left, the opposite of me was many beautiful houses and Sakura trees. Whatever I ate at this place, it was definitely delicious.

    After finishing lunch, I went to Byodo-In Temple. The first owner of this temple was Mijinaka Fujiwara. When his son was an owner, he changed the resident to a temple. This temple was inspired by the bird of paradise. Two birds, Ho and O, were on the roof of the temple. Foreigners called them Phoenix, the immortal bird. They were a story from the other side of the world that had something in common. So many people knew the bird of paradise at Byodo-In Temple as the Phoenix.

    Ho and O - Phoenix

    Ho and O - Phoenix

    There was a museum near the temple. I impressed with the recording of the renovation of the temple most. The video presented the process of renovation, the old temple before it was renovated, all of them were very impressive. It showed when science of construction and imagination of the story in history combined.

    The staff allowed only 20 people per round to come into the temple and photograph prohibited. The beauty of the statue of Buddha was so worth the wait. It was speechless exquisite. I was so sorry that I couldn’t take photos so I bought a book instead. There were plenty of photos in it.

    That day ended fast. I could not go to all places that were recommended. It was a good thing, actually. I could have an excuse to come to this town again.

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  • Travel Guide : Summer Travel in Kyoto

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    October 26, 2011 /  Travel Guide In Japan

    Summer Travel in Kyoto

    I fell in love with Kyoto like my guide-friend, Himoto thought I would be. The Harmony of opposition was very interesting. People in the old world and the modern world can live together happily, an uncle making charcoal, an aunt at a bathhouse, and many young man with colorful hair with young girls in a very short skirt riding bicycles. If you look for an elder, you might see them in a western suit going to see an opera or you might see them in kimono (the traditional costume) in a subway, acting like it’s a normal cloth but it’s not normal for us. It’s a fancy.

    Himoto used to live in Kyoto many years. She was a guide for me. She can explain about the wealth of culture in Kyoto. She thanked me for being her partner in this trip, but I am the one who had to thank her for bringing me to Kyoto. However we both fell in love in Kyoto and couldn’t wait for this trip!

    Philosopher's road in the northern district of Sakyo - Kyoto

    Philosopher's road in the northern district of Sakyo - Kyoto

    Himoto borrowed two bicycles from her Japanese friend for us. There was no better way to get to know Kyoto by bicycle. We started at the university and Botanical Garden, the Northern of Kyoto. We rode along the Philosophy Road. There were no Sakura flower in the summer, but we could see the leafy Sakura tree instead and that’s not bad. I remembered walking on a Sakura flowers which falling and lying like the most softness carpet ever in spring. I had no doubt why philosophers liked to walk and think on this street. Nature is the only one that gave the best power to our brain and our heart.

    We rode bicycles slowly from the Northern of Kamo river. There are many old food shops along this small road. Especially Demaji Futaba, it was a famous Mochi shop. Even a fierce guy, looking like a mafia had to stop his car and line up to buy some Mochi. Himoto was absolutely a fan of this shop. She used to eat Mochi from this shop and can’t wait to taste it again. We stopped our bikes and stand in a line waiting for our turn. The second when I had the first bite of Mochi. It made me smiled happily. I told Himoto that I would not forget this deliciousness and from now on I would think of Demji Futaba forever.

    Shijo - Kawaramachi road - Kyoto

    Shijo - Kawaramachi road - Kyoto

    That day our last stop was Shijo road. We walked aross Teramachi, Shinkyogoku, ended at Kawaramchi road. We ate and shopped around this area. There are brand name shops, local designer shops, second hand shops, Sage bar, and tons of restaurants. Himoto knew where to eat, where to shop, what to eat and what to shop, but she messed up with the direction. I was good at direction when I traveled. So I was her map and she was my detail. We were a perfect couple!

    A few days are not enough to know all about Kyoto. Many years for Himoto are not enough to get to know all about Kyoto, either. It’s like she said “No matter how long you live in Kyoto, It’s impossible to know all about this city.”

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