The Phrathat Wat Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai’s most famous shrine – a Pilgrimage site for devout Buddhists in the area, who believe that Doi Suthep houses a sacred Relic from the Buddha. The Phrathat Wat Doi Suthep Chiang Mai is the most famous temples – a site of pilgrimage for devout Buddhists in the region, who believe that houses the sacred Doi Suthep relic of the Buddha.
(Strictly speaking, “Doi Suthep” refers to the mountain, but is also used as shorthand for the temple complex. “Wat Phrathat” refers to the fact that the temple contains a Relic of the Buddha, making it an extremely holy site for Buddhists .) (Specifically, “Doi Suthep” refers to the mountain, but also used as shorthand for the temple complex. “Wat Phrathat” refers to the fact that the temple contains a relic of Buddha, made a very holy site for Buddhists.)
Legend has it that, back in the 14th century, one of Buddha’s bones was brought to the area by a monk. Legend has it that, back in the 14th century, one of Buddha’s bones brought to the region by a monk. Just before it was to be enshrined at nearby Wat Suan Dok, the bone split in two. Just before it will be immortalized in the near Wat Suan Dok, the bone split in two. Nu Naone King placed one piece on the back of a sacred white elephant, which was then allowed to Roam. King Nu Naone placed one behind the sacred white elephant, who later left. The elephant climbed Doi Suthep, trumpeted, and died on the spot. Elephant ride Doi Suthep, moan, and died on the spot.
The King took this to be a sign from the heavens, and ordered the construction of the original Chedi on Doi Suthep. King considers this to be a sign from heaven, and ordered the construction of the original Chedi at Doi Suthep.
Songkran Festival – An uproar Thai New Year
Travel to Thailand March 23rd, 2010
The Thai New Year, or Songkran, is met with much excitement (and not a little dread from visitors in the know). Thai New Year, or Songkran, is met with a lot of fun (and no little fear of the visitors in the know). Songkran is known as “The Water Festival” – Thais believe that water will wash away bad luck, and spend the day liberally splashing water on each other. Songkran is known as the “Water Festival” – Thai believe that water will wash away bad luck, and spent the day splashing water independently of one another. You were warned! You’ve been warned!
Songkran actually begins on April 13, the end of the old year, and concludes on the 15th, the first day of the New Year. Songkran actually begins on April 13, the end of a long year, and ended on the 15th, the first day of New Year. Most Thais spend these days with their families, Rushing home to the provinces from which they came. Most Thais spend the day with their family, rushed back to the province from which they came. Unsurprisingly, Bangkok can be Relatively quiet at this time of year. Not surprisingly, Bangkok can be relatively quiet at this time year. As Songkran is an official holiday, all schools, banks, and government institutions are closed throughout the festival’s three days. As Songkran is a public holiday, all schools, banks, and government agencies to close all three-day festival.
Three Days of Songkran Three Days of Songkran
For Thais, Songkran is a time for purification – houses are cleaned and washed the Buddha statues, while younger folks pay their respects to their seniors by Respectfully pouring scented water on their hands. For Thailand, Songkran is a time for purification – cleaned houses and statues of Buddha are washed, while younger people paying homage to them with respect senior pouring scented water on their hands.
This tradition washes away bad thoughts and actions, especially when words of blessing are uttered. This tradition sweeping bad thoughts and actions, especially when the words spoken blessing.
On the first day of Songkran, Sungkharn Wan Long, Thais visit Buddhist temples to make merit: they give alms and food to Monks. On the first day of Songkran, Sungkharn Wan Long, Thai Buddhists visit the temple to make decent: they give alms and food to the monks. Thais also clean out their houses, sweeping out the old to prepare for the year to come. Thai is also clean their houses, sweeping the old to prepare for the coming year.
On The second day, Wan Nao, Thais carry sand into the temple grounds and build small pagodas called chedis to make merit. On the second day, Wan Nao, Thai carrying sand to the temple grounds and built a small pagoda called chedis to make service. The temples in their turn bring out their most sacred statues and allow visitors to douse them as a sign of respect. Temple, in turn, led to their statues of the most sacred and allows visitors to put them as a sign of respect.
The third day, Wan PAYAWAN, is the official first day of the New Year. The third day, Wan PAYAWAN, is the official first day of New Year. Images of the Buddha are washed with scented water … and on The Streets, the fun really begins. Buddha images are washed with scented water … and in the streets, the fun really begins.
Wet and Wild Wet and Wild
Everywhere you go, Thais Wander on foot and on flatbed pickup trucks, ready to douse the first dry soul they see. Wherever you go, Thai around the foot and in pickup flatbed trucks, ready to extinguish the soul of their first dry look. Teens throw buckets of ice-cold water at passersby, or shoot people with water pistols. Teenagers threw a bucket of ice-cold water on the pedestrian, or shooting people with water pistols.
Here are a few things to remember, in case you plan to be outdoors at the height of Songkran: Here are a few things to remember, if you plan to be outdoors at a height of Songkran:
Anybody who goes out during Songkran is fair game. Anyone who went out during Songkran is a fair game. Do not complain or Lash Out, or you’ll end up causing an international incident like the farang woman who slapped the boy who doused her! Not complaining or angry, or you will end up causing an international incident as a farang woman who slapped the boy who doused him!
Be dressed for the occasion – wear grungy clothes and waterproof your camera and electronics by bagging them in plastic. Dressed for the occasion – wearing shabby clothes and waterproof camera and electronics with them in a plastic pocket.
Prepare for the following indignities: ice-cold bucketloads of water, jets of water from roving trucks, and white powder smeared on your face. Be prepared for the following insult: bucketloads of cold ice water, the jet of water from the truck around, and the white powder smeared on your face. Be ready to see the lighter side of being targeted by roving groups of smiling Thais with buckets and waterguns. Ready to see the bright side of the target by groups around the smiling Thai with a bucket and waterguns.
Enjoy Songkran for what it is – a traditional Thai holiday with the added bonus of getting wet during those Thai notoriously hot summers! Enjoy Songkran what it is – a traditional Thai holiday with the added bonus became wet during the summer of famous Thai hot! See the holiday’s more traditional side at the Buddhist temples, where Thais go to make merit during Songkran. See more holidays in the traditional Buddhist temples, where Thai go to make services during Songkran.
Songkran is most joyously celebrated in Chiang Mai province, where the Locals kick it off with a procession winding from Nawarat Bridge to Wat Prasingh, and ending it with a water-splashing free-for-all. Songkran is celebrated the most glorious in the province of Chiang Mai, where locals kick it with a procession winding from Nawarat Bridge to Wat Prasingh, and ended with a splash of water-free-for-all.
In fact, every town has its own Songkran parade, complete with floats carrying beautiful girls wearing traditional Thai costumes. In fact, every city has their own Songkran parade, complete with floats carrying beautiful girls dressed in traditional Thai costumes. Schools showcase traditional dances performed by its Pupils, Songkran Beauty Pageants are held, and statues of the Buddha are displayed for lustral bathing. School displays of traditional dances performed by students, Songkran beauty contest is held, and Buddha statues displayed for lustral bath.
A Walking Tour Through the Hue Citadel, Hue, Vietnam
Travel to Vietnam March 23rd, 2010
The capital of Vietnam throughout the 19th and early 20th century was Hue, in Central Vietnam. The capital of Vietnam around the 19th and early 20th century was Hue, central Vietnam. The nerve center of the Nguyen Empire still stands, at least part of it does – the Hue citadel palace complex, with its high stone walls and the refined Palaces and temples behind them, were the center of Vietnamese governance and politics during the Nguyen Emperors’ rule. Nerve center of the Imperial Nguyen still standing, at least part of this – the Hue citadel’s palace complex, with stone walls and smooth high palaces and temples behind them, is the center of government and politics during the Vietnam Nguyen Emperor ‘rules.
The French conquered Vietnam in the late 19th century, but Decided to leave the Emperors in place as puppet rulers beholden to Paris. Vietnam defeated France in the late 19th century, but decided to leave the Emperor in place a puppet ruler owed to Paris. Reigning with the consent of the French, Nguyens ruled as the figurehead Monarchs at the Hue Citadel in 1945 till, when Bao Dai turned over the reins of government to the revolutionary government of Ho Chi Minh City. Rule with the approval of the French, Nguyen rule as a puppet king in Hue Citadel until 1945, when Bao Dai government control to reverse the revolutionary government of Ho Chi Minh City.
The Hue Citadel is about 520 hectares in size, sitting close to the banks of the Perfume River. Citadel in Hue is approximately 520 hectares in size, sitting near the edge of the Perfume River. The inner Sanctum is still open to the public continuous as it undergoes renovation. Sacred part of the still open to the public because of ongoing renovation. Most of the buildings were obliterated during the Tet Offensive in 1967, as the American push bombs helped the Vietnamese troops invading North back to Hanoi. Most of the buildings were destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1967, when the American bombing attack helped push the North Vietnamese army returned to Hanoi.
Directions Directions
Begin at the Ngo Mon Gate, the entry point across into the Citadel from the Flag Tower. Start the Ngo Mon Gate, the entry point to the Fortress the Tower across the Flag. You’ll pay the entrance fee of VND 55.000 (about $ 3) the gate at. You will pay an entrance fee 55,000 VND (about U.S. $ 3) at the gate.
The Hue Citadel is easily accessible via taxi and cyclo. Citadel in Hue is easily accessible via taxi and cyclo. They can take you straight to the Hue Citadel from your hotel. They can take you directly to the Hue Citadel from your hotel.
The tour will take about two hours and involves a fair amount of walking. The tour will take approximately two hours and involves quite a lot of walking. To fully enjoy your trip, you’ll need: To enjoy your trip, you’ll need:
* Entry fee to the Hue Citadel: 55.000 VND (about $ 3 U.S.) entry fee to the Citadel Hue: VND 55,000 (about $ 3 U.S.)
* Comfortable shoes comfortable shoes
* A camera camera
* Bottled water; Alternatively, you can also buy water along some of the many refreshment stands within the Citadel Grounds. bottled water; alternatively, you can also buy water along some of the many drinks stand in the Castle Grounds.
Vietnam village near the Chan May, Vietnam
Travel to Vietnam March 23rd, 2010
Chan May is found on the coast of central Vietnam and is conveniently located between Hue and Da Nang (also spelled Danang). May Chan is found in central Vietnam coast and is located between Hue and Da Nang (also spelled Danang). Cruise ships in Chan May port so that guests can travel to one of these two cities on tours. Cruise ship port in Chan May so that guests can travel to one of the two cities in the tour.
As the Crystal Symphony docked in Chan May, I could already see dozens of vendors waiting to sell their wares for good prices (after some negotiation). When Crystal Symphony docked at Chan May, I was able to see dozens of vendors waiting to sell their wares for a good price (after some negotiation).
We had to leave shopping for later since we had chosen a tour of Da Nang, with a Stopover at nearby China Beach and Marble Mountains. We have to go shopping for later because we have chosen a tour of Da Nang, with a stop at China Beach and Marble Mountains nearby. The road south from Chan May (Hue was north of Chan May) was scenic, and we enjoyed the tall sand dunes along the coast and numerous rice paddies and water buffalo in the fields. The road south from Chan May (Hue is the north Chan May) is beautiful, and we enjoy a high sand dunes along the coast and many rice fields and water buffalo in the fields. Add in the sight of Locals in their typical Conical hats, and we Knew we were in Vietnam. Add in the eyes of local residents in their distinctive conical hats, and we knew we were in Vietnam.
The bus crossed the lagoon at Lang Co, and we drove through the almost 4-mile tunnel under the Hui Van Pass. Buses crossing the lagoon at Lang Co, and we passed a nearly 4-mile tunnel under the Hui Van Pass. The scenic ride passed quickly as we lumbered towards Da Nang. A beautiful journey passed quickly as we stagger toward Da Nang.
A Weekend in Saigon
Travel to Vietnam March 23rd, 2010
Saigon is a pulsating metropolis that’s well on its way to becoming one of Asia’s urban hotspots. Saigon is a throbbing metropolis well on its way to become one of the Asian city hotspots. It holds its own competing with the likes of Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong in the Asian city break stakes, offering chic bars, great shopping and one of the world’s most delicious cuisines. This holds itself to compete with people like Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong in the Asian city break stakes, offering chic bars, shopping and one of the world’s most delicious cuisine.
Here’s how to make the most of a weekend in Saigon, taking in the best of the sights with a healthy dose of eating, drinking and shopping (the obligatory Triumvirate of any Asian mini-break!). Here’s how to make most of the weekend in Saigon, watching the best scene with a healthy dose of eating, drinking and shopping (mandatory triumvirate of every Asian mini-break!).
Friday Night Friday Night
Check in to your lodgings of choice and get primped for a night out, Saigon style. Check in to the inn of choice and get primped for a night out, Saigon style. Centrally-located options include the Park Hyatt (compare prices) or Sheraton (compare prices) if you have the budget to spare. Options is located in the center, including the Park Hyatt (compare prices) or Sheraton (compare prices) if you have the budget to spare. The 4-star Duxton (compare prices) is a great choice offering a comfortable stay for a little less outlay (rooms from U.S. $ 120 a night), while a friendly, reliable mini-hotel (if you do not mind that Faded 70s look ) is the Kim Long Hotel, just off main thoroughfare Dong Khoi Street, with rooms from U.S. $ 30 a night. The 4-star Duxton (compare prices) is an option that offers a comfortable stay for a little less expenses (rooms from U.S. $ 120 per night), while a friendly and reliable mini hotel (if you do not mind looking faded 70s) is Kim Long Hotel, not far from the main road Dong Khoi Street, with rooms from U.S. $ 30 per night.
For a pre-dinner drink in a buzzing setting, head to ZanZbar (41 Dong Du). For pre-dinner drink in the arrangement buzzing, head to ZanZbar (41 Dong Du). A low-lit bar with a contemporary design and friendly atmosphere, ZanZbar has an extensive drinks menu with some great cocktails (try the Lemongrass Collins), and a menu of delicious mod-Asian bar snacks. Low-lit bar with a contemporary design and friendly atmosphere, ZanZbar has extensive beverage menu with some great cocktails (try Lemongrass Collins), and a delicious menu-bar mod Asian snacks.
Saigon’s restaurants offer a multitude of cuisines, but Vietnamese food is no doubt at the top of your agenda. Saigon’s restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, Vietnamese food but there is no doubt at the top of your agenda. For a more refined introduction to Vietnamese food, Hoa TUC offers a great selection of local dishes in a chic setting. For a smoother introduction to the food of Vietnam, Hoa TUC offers many choices of local dishes in a chic setting. It is situated in the grounds of The Refinery (74 Hai Ba Trung), a little enclave of restaurants and bars which originally served as an opium refinery. It is situated on the ground The Refinery (74 Hai Ba Trung), a little bag of restaurants and bars which originally functioned as opium refineries.
Dishes at Hoa TUC are mostly in the U.S. $ 5-6 range and run the gamut from fresh salads to Vietnamese seafood. TUC Hoa plate in most of U.S. $ 5-6 range and run Vietnam ranging from fresh salads to seafood. You can opt to end the meal with Vietnamese-inspired ice cream with flavors such as ginger or young rice. You can choose to end the Vietnam-inspired meal with ice cream taste like ginger or young rice.
If more drinks are in order, head to nearby Caravelle Hotel’s Saigon Saigon Bar (corner of Dong Khoi and Lam Son Square) for one of the best views of the city lights, or cross the road to funky Q Bar for a nightcap beneath the Opera House. If more drinks in a row, head to nearby Caravelle Hotel’s Saigon Saigon Bar (corner of Dong Khoi and Lam Son Square) for one of the best views of city lights, or crossing the street to the funky Q Bar for a drink at the Opera house.
Saturday Saturday
Resist the Lure of the shops and cafes (for now!) By visiting some of Saigon’s most famous sites, the Reunification Palace and War remnants museum. Resist the temptation of the shops and cafes (for now!) By visiting some of Saigon’s most famous sites, the Reunification Palace and the Museum of War Remnants.
If walking from a hotel in the center, take a Sojourn along famous Dong Khoi Street until you reach the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is flanked by the historic central post office to the right. If walking from a hotel in the center, take the famous live along Dong Khoi Street until you reach the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which is flanked by the historic central post office to the right. After a little Detour here, keep going to the Reunification Palace (106 Nguyen Du) – the scene of the fall of Saigon and end of the war – you can take a guided tour of the retro-furnished rooms. After a little play here, continues to the Reunification Palace (106 Nguyen Du) – the location of the fall of Saigon and the end of the war – you can take a tour of retro-decorated rooms. If still in fashion history, head to the War remnants museum (28 Vo Van Tan, District 3) for a fascinating, if disturbing, display of photographs and other war memorabilia. If you are still in the mode of history, head to the Museum of War Remnants (28 Vo Van Tan, District 3) for interesting, if disturbing, display photos and other war memorabilia.
You’ll definitely be in need of a strong coffee by now (probably of the iced variety after all that traipsing around in Saigon’s steamy heat), so head to Trung Nguyen was behind Diamond Plaza (34 Le Duan). You will need a strong coffee now (probably from the variation of ice after all milling around in Saigon’s steam heat), so head back Trung Nguyen Diamond Plaza (34 Le Duan). An outlet of a famous Vietnamese coffee brand, this cafe offers tables in the shape of Vietnamese coffee drippers and a selection of brews from the country’s premier coffee growing region, the Central Highlands. An outlet of the famous Vietnamese coffee brand, this café offers a table in the form of drippers Vietnamese coffee and a selection of the countries main brews coffee growing region, Central Highlands. The smoothest variety is Legendee, produced using digestive enzymes from a local civet or weasel – it definitely tastes better than it sounds! Legendee finest varieties, produced using the digestive enzymes of the civet cat or the local badger – it certainly tastes better than the sound!
For a cheap and cheerful Vietnamese lunch, head to Quan An Ngon (138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia). For a cheap and cheerful Vietnamese lunch, head to Quan An Ngon (138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia). It’s likely to be crowded (usually with Rowdy local families) but the food is still worth the wait. This may be filled (usually with a local family scene) but the food is still worth the wait. The restaurant was set up to house the best street vendors from around the country, each particular Renowned for their photographs. This restaurant was established to accommodate the best vendors from all over the country, each known for certain dishes. You can walk around the restaurant grounds to see each cooking station in action. You can walk in a restaurant a reason to look at each cooking station in the action. Must-tries on the menu are the beef with chilli salt and the lemongrass clams. Must-try on the menu is the beef with salt and chili lemongrass mussels. Dishes here are very good value, averaging U.S. $ 2-3. Dishes here are very good value, an average of U.S. $ 2-3.
To walk off the feast, head to nearby shops, between Le Thanh Ton and Le Loi, around the cross-streets Pasteur and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. To walk from the party, head to the stores nearby, between Le Thanh Ton and Le Loi, around the causeway Pasteur and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. This is a great area for clothing, embroidered textiles, homewares and accessories. This is a great area for clothing, embroidered textiles, homewares and accessories. Check out Ipa-Nima (at 85 Pasteur, or at the new branch at 77-79 Dong Khoi), a colorful handbag emporium home to highly creative and unique bags and Wallets. Check out Ipa-Nima (at 85 Pasteur, or the new branch at 77-79 Dong Khoi), a color handbag emporium home to highly creative and unique bags and purses.
For an afternoon cafe stop, head up a dingy stairwell to La fenêtre Soleil (135 Le Thanh Ton), a bohemian, vintage-look space with high Ceilings, a chandelier, large windows and French Mismatched furniture. For the afternoon cafe stop, head of the stairs to the slums of La fenêtre Soleil (135 Le Thanh Ton), bohemian, vintage-look living room with a ceiling height, chandeliers, a large French windows and mismatched furniture. Try their ginger juice for something refreshing, or the Vietnamese coffee-flavored French toast while lounging on a couch or the canopied daybed. Try their ginger juice for something refreshing, or a sense of Vietnamese coffee French toast while relaxing on the sofa or daybed canopy.
Start your Saturday night out with a drink at Temple Club (29 Ton That Thiep), a place with the ambience of a stately gentlemen’s club. Start your Saturday night with a drink at the Temple Club (29 Ton That Thiep), a place with a majestic atmosphere gentlemen’s club. Upstairs is Quan Nuong, an excellent place for Vietnamese barbeque. Above is Quan Nuong, an excellent place to barbeque Vietnam. Here, you cook your own food in the center of your table, the Prawns arrive alive and the beer is topped off with ice – it offers a fun, local experience, and the food is delicious. Here, you cook the food yourself in the middle of your table, live shrimp and beer arrived, which ended with the ice – it offers a fun, local experience, and delicious food.
Amber Room (59 Dong Du) is a chic new late-night haunt for drinks in an intimate space, backed by cool tunes. Amber Room (59 Dong Du) is a new chic haunt the night for a drink in the intimate space, which is supported by great songs. Try the signature basil martini for something Vietnamese inspired. Try basil signature martini for something inspired Vietnam.
Sunday Sunday
A late start is no doubt in order, so head to Cafe Au Parc (23 Han Thuyen) for a leisurely brunch. A late start is no doubt in order, so head to the Cafe Au Parc (23 Han Thuyen) for a leisurely lunch. The high-ceilinged European style cafe offers fresh juices and breakfasts ranging from typical westerns combinations to the Middle Eastern inspired; all have a healthy bent. High ceilings European style cafe offers fresh juices and breakfast start from the west to the distinctive combination of Middle Eastern inspired; all have a healthy bent.
Take a trip to the famous Ben tanh Market if you have the energy to spare. Trip to the famous Ben tanh Market if you have the energy to spare. Have a quick look around (but put your best bargaining skills to use) and check out the interesting food stalls. Briefly to see (but put the skills the best bargains you to use) and check the food stalls are interesting. For lunch, Tib Express (54 Phan Boi Chau) is a cool, contemporary Vietnamese restaurant located across the road, with a great selection of fresh and cheap Vietnamese spring rolls. For lunch, Tib Express (54 Phan Boi Chau) is a cool, contemporary Vietnamese restaurant across the street, with many choices of fresh and cheap Vietnamese spring rolls.
For some last minute retail therapy, head to Saigon Kitsch (43 Ton That Thiep). For the last few minutes of retail therapy, head to Saigon Kitsch (43 Ton That Thiep). Here you can pick up colorful, kitschy notebooks and drink coasters, or propaganda art from Dogma upstairs for a fun souvenir of your stay Saigon. Here you can take a colorful, kitschy notebooks and drink coasters, or propaganda art from the dogma of the upper floor for a nice souvenir you live Saigon.
