The Grand Palace, Bangkok – A Complete Guide
Bangkok’s Grand Palace is a wonder to behold but can be overwhelming to navigate. We break down what you need to know to make your trip as enjoyable as possible!
Temples
Angkor Wat, Cambodia: Temples, Tours and Tips!
Breathtaking and awe-inspiring, Angkor Wat astounds even the most unlikely of backpackers. Beer guzzlers are turned into Culture Vulture’s overnight as Chang Vests are replaced with ones that say ‘Angkor Wat is f**ing amazing!’ Hailed as one of the most magnificent examples of architecture ever created, it’s a site all travellers in Southeast Asia should see.
Bagan, Myanmar: Temple Climbing Banned!
One of the ‘bucket list’ things to do in Myanmar, if not the whole of Southeast Asia, is to climb atop a thirteenth-century temple in Bagan to watch the sunset over a magical landscape of 3,000 pagodas. Recently, however, this controversial activity has been banned. We find out why and when the ban came into force, hear from a backpacker who recently visited Bagan and look at possible other ways to get THAT view!
Turtle Release: The Buddhist Practice of Building Good Karma
One traveller visits Wat Rakhang (Temple of Bells) in Bangkok and receives a cultural lesson in the Buddhist ritual of animal release. Every day hundreds of creatures; turtles, eels, snails, birds and other animals are captured in cages, purchased by locals and then released back into the wild in order to gain merit.
Wat Pha Sorn Kaew: Thailand’s Most Unusual ‘Daliesque’ Temple
To me, this temple represents a new frontier in religious architecture. It’s a man-made wonder. This is my experience, and why I believe Wat Phra Sorn Kaew will be an ancient wonder of the world in 1,000 years.
Top 5 Temples, Chiang Mai – What Wats to Visit if You’re Tight on Time?
With over 300 Buddhist temples dotted all around Chiang Mai, you’re sure to be ‘wat-ed’ out quite quickly! So what if you only have a few days to explore this beautiful Northern city? Here’s our pick of ‘what’ wats you definitely shouldn’t miss out on, even if you’re tight on time…
10 Days in a Vipassana Meditation Retreat at Wat Ram Poeng, Northern Thailand
The Northern Insight Meditation Centre of Wat Ram Poeng is nestled on the secluded edges of Chiang Mai, surrounded by woods, just on the outskirts of the Old City. These days, its reputation as a Vipassana retreat has spread worldwide, resulting in thousands of meditators enrolling in search of enlightenment.
Black Tea and Burnt Feet, A Journey Across Sri Lanka
Travel writer, Ian Packham takes us on a journey across the colourful island of Sri Lanka, that’s a mix of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim religions. Tea, trains, soldiers and temples mark the route from Colombo to Trincomalee, giving an interesting insight into the unique culture of this beautiful tropical isle in the Indian Ocean.
Sukhothai Vs Ayutthaya – How Do You Choose Which UNESCO Site To Visit?
Central Thailand has two popular UNESCO World Heritages sites, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, both the homes of former ruling dynasties in the history of Thailand. Both sites, on the face of it are pretty similar and both are close to the well-trodden train route between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. So, if you have to pick only one, which should you check out?
The White Temple & The Black House: Chiang Rai, Thailand
Just five hours north from Chiang Mai, is the smaller, less touristy city of Chiang Rai. Many travellers arrive here on a northward journey from Chiang Mai to Laos and are already feeling ‘templed out’ by the 300+ temples that make up the ancient walled city of Thailand’s cultural capital. However, there is just one more experience that awaits the culture vultures amongst you! And we promise this one is worth a look! Dubbed the ‘heaven’ and ‘hell’ of architecture, the White Temple and the Black House will conjure a clashing of emotions. One dark, mysterious and almost sadistic, the other white, ethereal and other-worldly, these two opposing buildings couldn’t be more different…