Archive for the ‘Asia’ Category
Destination of the month: Trans-Siberian Railway. There’s not a better time than September to embark upon this epic rail journey. This is the magic hour after the heat of summer but before the chilling cold of the Russian winter.
The Trans-Siberian journey can be taken many ways, I personally would recommend taking the trans-Mongolian route from Moscow to Beijing. You’ll get to see most of the highlights of the Russian trip including Lake Baikal and Irkutsk, but you’ll also get to enjoy the isolation of Mongolia and finish your journey in the orient. The trip takes about one week and transverses over 7,000 km.
Read about my personal experiences on the Trans Siberian.
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Destination of the month: Kandy, Sri Lanka. Kandy is a famous tourist town in the central hills of Sri Lanka. It’s located on a beautiful lake and is known for its lush rainforest and Buddhist temples. August is a good time to visit the area as it’s when the famous Esala Perahera festival takes place.
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Posted in
East Asia by
Dakota on July 30, 2009
The People’s Republic of China has been in the news a lot lately for their perceived over-reactions to swine flu and their quarantining of visitors. Having just come from China I thought I would share exactly what it is they’re doing.
All international flights arriving in the country are being screened on the tarmac by health professionals who are taking each passenger’s temperature.
At the border crossings they’re having visitors fill out health declaration forms and if a person has been to a country that China considers at risk, that person then has their temperature taken.
If a person is found to have a fever they’ll be sent to a doctor where if it’s determined they have symptoms of swine flu, they’ll be quarantined in a rural hotel for seven days. There’s no way around this quarantine, even if you would like to just turn around and leave the country.
In neighbouring Hong Kong health officials are screening temperatures of all visitors to the country at every air, sea, and land port.
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Posted in
East Asia,
Travel Guides by
Dakota on March 31, 2009
China will once again be allowing foreign tourists to visit Tibet after more than a year of Beijing imposed exile on the Himalayan region. Following last year’s uprising China had imposed a security crackdown which included restricting access to foreign travellers.
Starting on April 5th these restrictions will be lifted and foreign tourists will be permitted to visit and travel throughout Tibet. So for all of those who had their travel plans interrupted, your time is now.
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Posted in
East Asia,
Travelogues by
Dakota on November 13, 2008
I recently traveled to South Korea with a friend of mine and fellow contributor to Travelers Digest, Kurtis Sherwood. While there we decided to seize the once in a life time opportunity to travel across the DMZ and into the world’s most secretive state… North Korea!
It’s not going to be easy for me to explain North Korea, it’s truly a country like no other. But I digress.
Our trip started early at four-thirty in the morning in central Seoul. There we waited for the bus for our pre-arranged tour to the North Korean city of Kaesong. Normally guided tours aren’t our style, but that is the only way Americans and South Koreans are allowed to visit the DPRK. As it turns out our nations are not in the good graces of Kim Jong Il.
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Destination of the month: Seoul. Now is the best time to visit Seoul, the hot summer months have passed & the cold winter months are yet to arrive. Seoul is a beautiful city located along the banks of the Han River. Technically the largest city in the world, it’s truly a vibrant metropolis composed of various districts each one unique. I was recently in Seoul & I had an excellent time.
Please click on the following link for more information about Seoul: http://www.travelersdigest.com/seoul.htm
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Posted in
Southeast Asia by
Dakota on October 2, 2008
Name: Jackson
Question: I am headed to Vietnam with my girlfriend in December. Any recommendations?
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Posted in
East Asia by
Dakota on October 2, 2008
Name: Jackson
Question: I have a good friend going to HK this weekend for his brother’s wedding. Can you recommend some bars, & clubs for him to go? - Thanks.
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Posted in
East Asia by
Dakota on October 2, 2008
Name: Pamela Guiney
Question: I am trying to locate a catholic church near the Taipei Grand Hyatt hotel and the mass times. I have been unsuccessful finding any information on the internet. Please help. Thank you
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Posted in
Southeast Asia by
Dakota on October 2, 2008
Name: Ronald Bledsoe
Question: What method of transportation is available from Bangkok to Pattaya Beach? Thanks.
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