Your Favourite Place In The World

You’ve returned from your holiday, tired and happy, and soon find yourself back in the frenetic rat race of work and weekends. Memories of your jam-packed vacation are relegated to your album which you have yet to extract and file, and you’re eagerly asking: where next? Yet believe me, there exists another type of traveller who, contrary to the norm, is thinking: I want to go there again.

Just why do travellers choose to revisit a place time and again? Can a trip affect us enough to create indelible memories and a yearning to return?

Revisits can be fun!

Whatever the reason may be, revisits can be fun for the seasoned traveller. We are better prepared, and can navigate the city like the locals. The usual sights are passed over as we hunt down more elusive tourist spots, restaurants and experiences that perhaps only locals know. We go back to a place with fresh eyes and compare what’s new and what’s changed.

The ‘feel good’ factor also plays a part. Perhaps it’s an annual tradition for your large family to hold gatherings and these trips rekindle familial bonds. Other times, we return just to catch up with the locals who have become our friends, or to experience the warm hospitality of hotels where we’re remembered by name.

Soon though, you might find yourself bringing people there, their interest being piqued after you continuously wouldn’t stop talking waxed lyrical about the place.

Another hint that the travel-bug has bitten deep is if you return home and start 

a) cooking up cuisine from that country, 

b) learning the language, 

c) buying books and reading up on everything you could get your hands on for the country. 

Interest has just been raised a notch to obsession.

Paris, Venice, Milan? Where would you like your ‘Second Home’?

Beware though, if the time you spend staying in a place tops the months you spend at your de facto home, if you keep leaving stuff at your ‘second home’ and find it increasing bothersome to go back to fetch more, you may just end up relocating your home and life. After all, life’s short, and if vacations there made you happy, what’s stopping you spending your golden years in a permanent holiday?

Sakura & Hanami

Sakura, a name that we’re familiar with
and a name that always linked our imagination to Japan.
Like the snowing view in Europe, Japan is famous with its Hanami festival with these magnificent clouds of pastel pink and cream blossom view. It’s like a fairy tale illusion.



Hanami, the festival of Sakura (also known as cherry blossom) flower viewing,
is believed to have started since the Nara period. It was origin from the Dynasty Tang of China custom, which Chinese celebrating the blossoming of the plum trees.
Like the Chinese, the Emperor Saga practices the Hanami festival celebration
with composing verse while drinking sake and having al fresco.
The Hanami festival was allowed to celebrate only by the Imperial Court in Kyoto
until the Samurai in Tokyo adopted the tradition, and Hanami gradually became a widespread customary practice for Japanese.



For Japanese, Sakura is not only symbolising the beginning season of rice planting,
but it also linked to divination of the upcoming harvest.
It also symbolise clouds due to their nature of blooming en masse and being an enduring metaphor for the evanescent nature of life. With Shinto beliefs, the Hanami festival became renowned and widely practiced by Japanese.



Although Japan has not adopted Sakura as its national flower,
however, Sakura was once and still the crest of the Japanese imperial army which symbolising glory of a life dedicated to duty.
The Sakura with anchor symbol was also adopted by the Japanese Imperial Navy.



So now, you’ve learned something about Sakura and Hanami.
But here’s the question- What should you do in celebrating Hanami?
One of the traditional ways to celebrate this beautiful pinkish season is by holding the well-known Tea Ceremony under the laden boughs of the Sakura trees.

However, in this generation, modern celebrants are tending to hold a picnic party with family and friends under the shade of sakura tree.
Most of the popular spots of Hanami are required to do your own reserve in advance, or you’ll be surprise to find the parks of Hanami celebration will be fully occupied.







Besides day, sakura can be viewed at night too. Lighten paper lanterns were hanged on the Sakura trees, which highlight the fragile delicacy of the scene.
The view of Sakura on daytime could brings you the feeling of a lively Japan, while by viewing the night view with Sakura, you’ll definitely feel the Zen in you.

The variations weather makes Hanami a long-lasting season.
It begins at the first month of the year in Okinawa, continues with Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka during March to April, and it ends in Hokkaido by May to June.

I guessed this is part of the reason why everyone would love visit Japan…

6 Travel Photography Tips

Open most travel albums, and chances are you’ll find that the majority of photos merely tell the story, “I have been here.” With every turn of the page, you will be greeted by the sight of the same stances, smiles, and composition.

However, with just small changes to photo-taking routines, you could create results that are far more interesting and which may stand out from the usual holiday albums you see.

Off-Centre Subject

Much has been said against dead-centre subjects. Instead, recompose with off-centre focal points to give photos an artistic feel.

The rule of third makes photos interesting

Non Eye-Level Photos

Want to go from good to great? Be an active outdoor photographer by stooping or climbing, and angle lens skywards or ground-wards to get a different perspective. It helps compose unique photos, which tell the story from different angles.

Look for interesting angles

Acting

Sometimes you’ll see funny road names and signs that just beg to be spoofed, so don’t waste the opportunity. Or get local by doing the wai (beside a wai-posing Ronald McDonald) in Thailand, or the shaka in Hawaii. What’s more, if you can pull off a suave Fred Astaire pose on a normal street, you not only show a sense of humour, you’re also conveying you are having a great time on your vacation.

Runway

Mix casualness with style. Add a bit of glamour to your photos by remembering that models don’t always smile and look directly at the camera for those cool, publication-worthy shots. This technique may need practice, learning and a whole lot of thick skin to perfect especially in tourist-crowded areas.

Candid

NatGeo-like, candid shots are not just reserved for birthdays and weddings. The secret to achieving them? Just refrain from saying ‘Cheese’, snap away with the camera, but be prepared to suffer the delight / ire of family members upon your return.

Side-Profile

Imagine this - your son is standing in awe before a museum case. By snapping a side-profile, you get both your son and the artifact in one shot. It’s an interesting way to present itinerary stops in a different light.

Holidays can be not just fun, but a chance to flex your creative muscles. For instance, if you like movies, why not create a video album of your trip? Simply capture short reels of video as you travel. Once you can return home, you can compile them to create an impressive home movie to show your guests, colleagues and relatives. Bring your holidays to life and let everyone share in the amazing sights and scenes you experienced first-hand.

Ghost Festival

Have you ever watched horror movies of Hong Kong production?
If you did, you may notice that there're always some old ladies in the movie burning incense, joss paper or paper-mache forms of clothes, cars, houses and earthly items? Or you may be seeing some operas being performed outside of the temple.




The 14th day of the seventh Chinese lunar month is known as the Ghost Festival
(Also known as Hungry Ghost Festival or Yu Lan), and this is when the Chinese will show their honour to their deceased ancestors as well as the others ghosts and spirits.
The Buddhists believe that during this month, the gates of hell are opened.
Ghosts are free to roam the Earth. If it sounds like a holiday (for the ghosts) You’re right! As even ghosts need a break.



The living descendants will burn incense and joss paper
as food and money for the spirits.



Chinese opera is performed for all spirits, gods and also human beings to watch.
It's like a holiday to spend eating out, shopping around and watching a movie.



Ceremonies will be held by Buddhists or Taoists to relive ghosts from suffering as well.



Since it's a holiday for the ghosts and spirits, you might be walking in the same road at the same time with them. As long as you show your respect and try not to offend them during their happy holidays, the 7th month of lunar calendar will be no different from your common July. But how does one avoid close encounters with the spirited kind?



Since the descendants will worship the ghosts and spirits by burning incense and joss papers, make sure you do not step over their 'foods, clothes and money', which will be placed by the roadside. Just as when you're eating, you will not be happy if someone comes across and comments how disgusting your food is.
So, never make any comment about the smell of burning incenses or joss papers.




Don't ever try to act cool by cursing or swearing around. Who knows if the ghost was just in front of you when you shout out your 'bad words'. For guys, do not to pee anywhere. 'They' might just be standing by your side and didn't get to move away in time.
Also, remind yourself often not to answer if you hear your name being shouted when you're walking on your own at night.




There are more do's and don'ts. However, ghosts and human have something in common - respect for each other.
So, if you did something wrong unintentionally, make your apologies.
Even Confucius said,
"Respect ghosts and gods, but keep away from them."

Almost Free Travel

How much can thrifty travellers shave from travel costs? Some people save to prepare for trips across the globe. Yet others prefer short trips to surrounding countries to enjoy more frequent getaways with less damage to bank balances.

Sometimes though, all you need is a small outlay to start your journey. After that, the momentum of thriftiness…helped with some creative survival techniques, could very well reward you with an extended period of free, or almost free, travel.

Well then, how would a traveller get to travel free? Read on!

Volunteering on travel

Many countries have non-profit organisations (NGOs) that regularly welcome help from passing travellers. What’s more, people looking to donate their time, effort and money can choose from organisations involved in education, youth or conservation efforts. 

Working on travel

If you find yourself running out of cash when abroad, you could look to casual work like waiting tables to sustain your globe-trekking. Many youth hostels and organic farms offer bunks in exchange for work, and you could also teach. 

However, you should check visa restrictions of the target country before responding to any Help Wanted ads, to ensure that you are legally able to work part-time.

Travel slow

It’s been said before – travelling slow can save you a bundle. If you traverse countries on two wheels, and also stick to more frugal hostels, food and sightseeing, you won’t be rushed for time to catch the next flight or train out. 

 

You have the leisure of free time to discover countries in more depth.

Learn a skill

Be it being a chef, photographer or musician, having a skill increases your chances of getting work, wherever you arrive, and where you lay your hat. There’s also another perk when working closely alongside locals, you’ll pick up the language in faster time. 

Now isn’t that a perk? Adding a new skill to yourself simply by travelling?

Be an actor

Off tangent? Not if you consider that the cast of Flipper filmed in the exquisitely beautiful Caribbean islands of Bahamas. And Julia Roberts enjoyed the scenery of three continents in Rome(Italy), India and Bali(Indonesia) when filming the blockbuster Eat, Pray, Love. Of course, we aren’t all veteran actors, but it’s an idea.

---

Travelling is all about choices, and you may be surprised how your choice to go for it low-cost may actually bring about welcomed results.  

For one lucky traveller, budget travel managed to save him more than a year’s worth of expenses, compared to what he would spend at home in the course of a year. So if you’re in need of a gap year, an extended holiday, or career break, going it the (almost) free way could be the answer to your wish to see the world on a shoestring. 

Coffee Shop Talk: Wonderfully Weird Food from Asia

If planet Earth faces a shortage of regular food and meats, it is probably the time that little-heard Asian food will save the day and become the staple of the future. Do you know that those critters with bug-eyes and too-many-legs could become delectable cuisines? A note though - after researching countless creepy crawlies for this topic, I am convinced that Asians have a certain rebellious streak against that well-meant and reasonable warning – don’t put that in your mouth.

What …did I just Eat?

---

Bee Larvae, Thailand

A healthy food source?

Thailand fried bee larvae

Take Thailand for example. For the Thai people, bee larvae are their definition of nutritious, protein-rich food. Deep-fried and salted, these roadside dainties reputedly taste like crunchy prawns. 

A worrying report however is that bee larvae may just play a big role in the taste secrets of the famous cola, Pepsi. It’s been said… that PepsiCo sends its R&D robot worldwide to taste fruits, plants, bugs and yes, bee larvae, possibly in the ongoing effort to enhance the closely-guarded formulas that makes their cola taste so addictive.

---

Rice Bug (Water Bug), Thailand

In authentic cooking, essence of ca cuong (water bug) is also added to Thai Fried Rice (Khao Pad), giving it a very unique, sweet taste

And believe us, Thais do love their six-legged friends... dipped in either spicy or sweet sauce. Have you seen a rice bug before? In Thailand, rice bugs usually flutter around lamps, look like giant cockroaches and are a pest as they damage rice crops. But once they become the deep-fried version, they look just like crispy rice balls, with a ‘unique’ flavour. The other dining method, recommended by enthusiasts (if you would like to be called a rice bug connoisseur) is to squeeze out the rice and down it with hot sauce.

---

Pickled Shiokara, Japan

Various types of shiokara

Now over to Japan, where a unique pickle called shiokara is not your average vegetable-and-vinegar variety. These are salted and fermented marine animals that could range from the common squid to the expensive abalone. It is an acquired taste; not all local Japanese population are fond of it, but some consumers eventually find it addictive.

---

Raw Sea Slug, Korea

Korean raw sea slug

Weird and wonderful foods have also moved up the chain into the realm of the restaurant menu, such as Korea, where the sea slug is a delicacy served up raw. These passive creatures are cleaned and sliced, after which they emerge on platters where diners can eat it with a variety of dipping sauces. 

It tastes crunchy and is somewhat similar to radishes. According to some, it’s palatable, as long as you don’t see it pre-cleaning or if you have it with a beer or two. The human appetite for novelty knows no bounds.

---

Still, it has been said that these two sources, seafood and insects, could be the answer to the world’s increasing food production demands. In fact, food companies could lead the way in research and marketing. If McDonalds can bring ethnic foods to the masses like the McAloo Tikki, there’s hope yet for the human race to survive, albeit in a weird reversal of roles where fast-food chains are called to supply cultural and nutritious snacks. 

Limited local flavours launched by McDonalds include McAloo Tikki, Big Bulgogi Burger, CroqueMcDo & Maharaja Mac

If that would happen, the clock would be ticking for the bamboo larvae or those singing crickets in our backyards. And humans would be solving two problems at once, food shortage and pest invasions to our farmed crops. That said, fried sago larvae, anyone?

Scorpion, cricket, worm? How brave are your culinary adventures? Tell us below!