There are over 120 wats within the municipal limits of the city of Chiang Mai, and they are the cultural — and to many degrees the social — hub of the city. They are held in such respect than there is a building ban on building any high-rise structure within 93 meters of a wat, […]
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Sassy Bangkok fashion wear for everyday use: Introducing Kay Sachakul of The Oddyssee
When Prin “Kay” Sachakul says she wants her fashions for young women to be accessible for the average Thai lady, she means it. In the world of Bangkok fashion, she’s an iconoclast. Rather than locating her shop at a glitzy complex, she put her first shop on the second floor of the slightly down-market Siam […]
Read the rest of this entry »Top 3 in Jogjakarta, doorway to Central Java, Indonesia
Jogjakarta (also spelled Yogyakarta) is a beautiful city replete with colonial and traditional buildings, cultural events, and is a terrific central location from which to visit nearby temples such as Borobudur. Travel in Jogjakarta is easy by renting any of the colorful three-wheel becak pedicabs that are plentiful throughout the city. Jogjakarta Top 3 1) […]
Read the rest of this entry »Javanese Shadow Puppets at Jogjakarta’s Sonobudoyo Museum
Traditional shadow puppet theatre is an art form that attracts many to the island of Java, and one of the finest Javanese troupes we’ve seen performs nightly from 8 pm to 10 pm at Jogjakarta’s Sonobudoyo Museum. In this Ramayana show, the Walang Kulit Performance, you’ll see master puppeteers play out an elaborate story, accompanied […]
Read the rest of this entry »Ramayana Ballet Dance at Purawisata, in Jogjakarta, Java, Indonesia
Traditional dance is an art form that attracts many to the islands of Bali and Java, and one of the finest Javanese troupes we’ve seen is the Ramayana Ballet Dance troupe performing at the Purawisata Amusement park each evening at 8 pm. You can combine the show with a terrific dinner that begins at 7pm […]
Read the rest of this entry »Kecak Fire and Trance Dance in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
The character of Laksamana Traditional dance is an art form that attracts many to the islands of Bali and Java, and one of the finest Balinese troupes we’ve seen is the Taman Kaja Community’s Kecak Fire and Trance Dance. Held each Wednesday and Saturday night at 7:30 at the Pura Dalem Taman Kaja. The Kecak […]
Read the rest of this entry »Vigan: the Philippines’ jewel of colonial architecture
The picturesque west Luzon town of Vigan is relatively little-known, probably because it’s so damn hard to get there. A good 8 hours north by car from Angeles City-Manila, this town of fascinating colonial homes and two-wheeled carriages was founded in 1572. It makes for a wonderful 2 day stop, and if you can plan […]
Read the rest of this entry »Loi Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai, where lighted lanterns fly skyward
Every November on the evening of the full moon, a spectacle of lights can be seen in the skies of Thailand. Like oversized fire flies, thousands of paper lanterns (cohm) slowly fly over every town and city in the country. Below, the rivers are aglow with small Krathong boats made from bamboo, banana leafs, and […]
Read the rest of this entry »Morlam music: an Isaan pastiche of city and country
Morlam music, an infectious, riotous urban music originally from the Isaan northeast, is one of the predominant Thai musical genres you’ll find in Bangkok today. With its raging organ ostinados, high-flying guitar riffs, and rap-like vocal phrasing, morlam can be heard in street stalls, Thai bars, and taxi radios and VCD (video CD) players. A […]
Read the rest of this entry »Events and Festivals!
One of the greatest pleasures for the traveler is attending the great events and festivals of the world. Or stumbling across a local celebration that forever warms your travel memories. Share it here, your fellow travelers will thank you!
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