Komodo National Park - Largest Dragon Lizard

Do you or your kids like to see the world's largest lizard? Or perhaps like to enjoy some of the world’s best marine life?

If so, then have a guided tour to Komodo National Park located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, a country in South-East Asia...read more

Komodo Dragon

The welcome signboard

Bangkok – City of Angels

Those who have been to Bangkok will usually said that the more time you spend in Bangkok, the more you will enjoy yourself. Why so? One of the reasons that I can think of is that it seems impossible to get bored, i.e. there are so many monuments, museums, exhibitions, restaurants, clubs, bars, shops and markets, which means there's always somewhere new to go, something else for you to try in those places of interest, places to see and places to visit in Bangkok.

The Grand Palace

What follows are some words of mouth that you probably want to know about:

1. The Grand Palace and the Temple of Emerald Buddha site as well as the Wat Po (i.e. Reclining Buddha) should be on everyone's Bangkok itinerary.
   
   
2. Bangkok with its Thai name as Krungthep (meaning City of Angels), is truly magical. If you stay on the river, It's a respite from the frenzy. You may want to know that Bangkok full Thai name is Krungthep mahanakhon bowon rattanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchatani burirom udonratchaniwet mahasatham amonpiman avatansathir sakkathatitya visnukamprasit, what a long yet interesting name!
   
   
3. One of the favourite things that tourists will enjoy is to hire a longtail boat just before sunset and work their way upriver towards the Grand Palace to see it lit up at night. They usually can stop at Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of the Dawn) and/or the Royal Barges on the way up during daylight assuming they are still open, and wander the little canals as well on their way up and back.
   
   
4. Taxis are cheap and air conditioned for tourists to visit those tourist attractions spots, and that street food ubiquitous and delicious.
   
   
5. If you want some peace go to the Suan Phakkard Palace and admire the five traditional wooden houses, which are filled with wonderful antiques and artworks.
   
   
6. Taking an express boat trip in Chao Praya River is an excellent way of seeing Bangkok, even allow you to stopping off to see the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and even Wat Po, containing the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand and perhaps also enjoy a traditional Thai massage there. Who knows you may also want to enjoy a cool drink on the terrace of the famous Oriental Hotel!
   
   
7. Bangkok is not a city to walk about as it is too hot and too busy. 

Whatever it is Bangkok can at first seem rather overwhelming to many, for example, the city is simply full with people, the roads are jammed with traffic, and the motorbikes can be seen carry the entire families, yet none of them wear helmets. Further the humidity and noise is exhausting, and the smell is a potent combination of drains, exhaust fumes and fabulous food. Well can we say that Bangkok is an exciting, ultra-modern and yet an absolutely traditional tourist attractions place?

Some close views of The Grand Palace

Other tourist attractions, interesting places and places to see, and places to visit that you might not want to miss are:

• Lumphini Park; 
• Chatuchak Market; 
• Chinatown and Pahurat, the Indian district; and  
• The National Museum.

Before I forget, choose your dishes wisely. If you can’t take spicy food, then learn to order dishes or say mai phet (meaning not spicy, and phet means spicy). Also ask for dishes without the nam pla if you're on a low-sodium diet, as this fish sauce is commonly used instead of salt.

Do enjoy yourself while in those places of interest in Bangkok and don’t be put off by its immensity, just go with the flow and you will find innumerable treasures and pleasures there!

Tokyo – Japan & Mt Fuji

If you are looking for places of interests that have something from beautiful gardens to theme parks, or fine art galleries to the biggest fish markets in the world or whatever from a city, then Tokyo in Japan might interest you.

Tokyo has over 30,000 residents, making it the largest metropolitan area in the world. In fact, Tokyo is one of the busiest cities on the planet, if you are there, you would agree with me that the pace of life there never seems to slow down but at breakneck pace.

Tokyo Tower

Besides a tourist attractions hot spot with a rich variety of cultural attractions and many places to see and places to visit, Tokyo has some of the best shopping in the world, you may find them in places like Ginza, Shibuya, Ikebukero and Shinjuku.

The Meiji Shrine

If you are interested to know more about Japanese history dated back from 1,500 years, then visit Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, there has twenty galleries filled with artifacts waiting for you to explore. Also, the National Museum of Western Art nearby has a large collection of Impressionist works, and other institutions there include the Municipal Art Gallery, the National Science Museum, the National History Museum and the Gallery of Far Eastern Art.

As for popular centre for nightlife, I suggest you to visit Shinjuku. In addition, Shinjuku is also home to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, which has both Japanese and European style gardens, and a tea-house where visitors can take part in the traditional tea ceremony while Ginza is home to the Kabuki-za Theatre.

If you happen to visit Asakusa, you will find places to see and places to visit like the Sensoji Temple, the Five Storied Pagoda and Nakamise, a traditional shopping arcade, as well as the Hanayashiki Amusement Park. As I know, Harajuku is a place where the young like to hang out. Azabu-Juban is upmarket and Akihabara is the place to head to buy electronics. Don’t miss to take a traditional bath in the hot springs in Azabu-Juban.

Other tourist attractions, places to see and places to visit that you might not want to miss:

• The bullet train;
• The trip to Mt Fuji. Mt Fuji is Japan most recognizable landmark and is situated about 100 km west of Tokyo;
• The Meiji Shrine;
• Shomben Yokocho; and
• Tokyo Tower.

Other things you might want to know about:

Taxi door – do not try to open the taxi door, as Japanese taxis have automatic door-opening systems.

Crossing the street – use care because in Japan, driving is on the left.

Tattoos – don’t flaunt your tattoos, as it is forbidden in many hot springs and other places of interest.

Japan Rail Pass – I suggest you to get it as the pass will offer you unlimited travel on Japan Railways trains, and is definitely less expensive than a regular round-trip ticket. However, this pass is only available to people with tourist visas and not other visas like student, business and diplomatic visas.

Greet with a bow – it is interesting to know that Japanese of all ages bow in greeting each other, and is something not to be surprised if you see them bow even on the telephone!

When to visit those places of interest? Any time of the year.

Samarkand in Uzbekistan - The Rome of the East

What is there to see in those places of interest in Samarkand? I would say, you will have incredible architecture, an enduring history and a dazzling mixture of cultures for you to explore.

You may want to know that Samarkand, which is strategically located in the Zarafshan Valley in Uzbekistan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest and most important cities of Asia. Further, it serves as a key entry point on any visit to places to see and places to visit in Central Asia.

The Registan ('sandy place') - a huge square in the centre of the city, consists of three huge madrassas, i.e. Ulugh Beg Madrassa in the west, Sherdar Madrassa in the east, and Tilla-Kari Madrassa in the middle, are sparkle with turquoise mosaic patterns and decorated inside and out with glazed bricks, mosaics and carved marble, representing the finest of Islamic art and architecture in the world.

Those have been to these tourist attractions have agreed that it is home to a dazzling array of architecture and culture, and Samarkand is majestic and beautiful to be seen, felt and touched. I believe that is the reason why Samarkand is acknowledged by tourists and travelers as ‘the Rome of the East’, ‘the pearl of the Muslim world’ or ‘the Land of Scientists’.

Uleg Beg Madrassah

I believe its dazzling array of architecture and culture is the result of being rule by the Persians, Alexander the Great, Arabs, Genghis Khan, Timur Gurkani (Tamerlane or Tamburlaine the Great), Turks and Russians, leading it to develop a culture consisting of Persian, Indian and Mongolian influences with a splash of both Western and Eastern cultures.

Among the many places of interest, places to visit and places to see that I feel you should not miss, shall include the following:

Gur Emir Mausoleum - the blue, ribbed dome that dominates the skyline of central Samarkand which houses the remains of Timur (i.e. the man that made Samarkand the capital of his empire and turn it into a magnificent centre of mosques and mausoleums) and his family. Do take a look at the broken, gigantic slab of dark green jade commemorating this once mighty ruler, it is said to be the largest jade stone in the world.

Bibi Khanum Mosque - restored by the Russian Government after earthquake damage in the nineteenth century. Its dome is considered to be the largest in the Muslim world and the multi-coloured decorated roof is one of the largest and most grand in Samarkand. With an impressive main gate of 35 m or 115 ft high, and looms above a noisy, crowded market brimming with colourful fruits, vegetables and locally grown spices.

Shah-i-Zinda - the tomb of the living king. This beautiful shrine is one of the oldest structures in Samarkand and is a popular pilgrimage site. In fact, it houses the shrine of Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, Qusam ibn Abbas, who brought Islam to the region.

When is the best time to visit those tourist attractions and places of interest? April to June, or September to October.