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Josh Cohen

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Hue Vietnam – Experiencing The Crown Jewel of Asia

November 23, 2014

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Hue Vietnam – Experiencing The Crown Jewel of Asia

Hue, a jewel in the crow of Vietnam, a place showcasing the past of the Vietnamese feudal empire, resonates with Vietnam’s glorious past. Think of palaces and pagodas, history, tombs and temples, all encapsulated in one city, then only will you be able to understand how glorious Hue really is.

Tomb of Khai Dinh emperor, Hue, Vietnam.

Hue Vietnam, undoubtedly has a lot to offer to its visitors.

Its buildings that are remnant of its past stand proudly, demonstrating the power of Vietnamese emperors of yore, and continue to attract lots of tourists from around the world.

The charm of Hue Vietnam arises from the fact that it is located on the Perfume River, which presents a scenic view at all times. When I visited Hue, it seemed to me to be a blend of its past and present, as there were luxurious hotels surrounding the worn Citadel walls, yet efforts that are made to preserve the grandeur of the city were quite visible too.

When I reached Hue Vietnam, I decided to visit some of the pagodas and tombs of the emperors that were at the south of Hue.

I noticed that almost all the sites in Hue are located around the fortified Citadel, which has also been claimed as a World Heritage Site.

I walked along the Trang Tien Bridge to see the gloried Citadel, also known as the Imperial City. It was absolutely stunning and I just fell in love with the brilliance of its architecture. The Citadel has a prominent tall flag tower, along with ten ornate gates guarding its grand palace. This ancient place was just magnificent.

I also visited the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is between a river nd a pine forest. The golden Buddha near it was quite fascinating for me. The Pagoda had seven tiers, and presented amazing architecture.

Then I went to visit the tomb where Emperor Khai Dinh was buried, and this was a truly beautiful tomb. It had bejeweled walls and its high rising ceilings were also decorated quite intricately. I actually took a lot of time to explore this beautiful tomb in its entirety. This tomb had a life size statue of the emperor as well and an incredible site in Hue Vietnam.

One of the best places to visit in Hue Vietnam turned out to be the Vinh Moc tunnels. Vietnam had been at war with the Chinese, Americans, and French in the past; hence its buildings are all full of stories to leave its visitors enthralled. This tunnel was built for protection, and it felt eerie when I entered them. I just can’t imagine how the Vietnamese soldiers could have lived in these tunnels for years and years.

The trip to Hue would have been incomplete had I not visited Vietnam’s largest marketplace. Buzzing with tourists, the market had the famous conical hats, souvenirs, bronze good, sesame sweetmeat and much more for everyone. It’s so huge that it is very easy to get lost; in essence it is a shopper’s paradise. It was one of the craziest markets that I have seen in my life; however it was more for locals than for visitors like me.

But that is what I like the most, that local atmosphere.

The trip to Hue was like a trip back in Vietnam’s historical times. I really enjoyed each bit of. It was quite exquisite, and I would recommend Hue, to everyone who goes to visit Vietnam. You just can’t miss this historical masterpiece in Vietnam.

Enjoy!

Ski Italy – The Picture Place for Winter Fun

November 23, 2014

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Ski Italy – The Picture Perfect Place for Winter Fun

Northern Italy, along the border with Switzerland, is dotted with ski resorts and is the best place to Ski Italy. There are some which are well-known for being extremely challenging, offering intriguing and tricky runs for expert skiers all through the winter.

But there are also resorts with much more open slopes perfect for families and beginners. I have yet to come across one which perfectly encompasses these two elements, they all seem to be blend well towards one or the other.

Ski Italy – Arabba

Arabba is a small village located in the Dolomites. It is surrounded by ridges which provide access to other ski areas so there is no shortage of pistes and slopes. There is guaranteed snow throughout the winter months and plenty of challenges for experienced skiers.

The village itself is very small but you really get the sense of being immersed in the mountain environment. There are a variety of black runs which are tricky and exhilarating. It’s not the best resort for beginners, so perhaps not a great choice for a family vacation. A great choice for a couple’s vacation if you are expert skiers, or a boys’ trip away.

The Ornella run which goes down to Pescoi. It is one of the biggest sources of entertainment for locals and is extremely tricky even for the most expert of skiers. It’s totally worth it as the ultimate adrenaline rush and is a local challenge for visiting skiers.

Ski Italy – Passo Tonale

Passo Tonale is where the Italian national ski team goes to train. There is guaranteed snow from October all the way through to May and so is a favorite amongst ski addicts.

There are two ski schools and the nursery slopes are perfect for learning to ski from scratch.

The marked pistes are not very challenging at all so are much more suited to beginner and intermediate skiers. There are numerous bars, cafés and restaurants for après-ski fun and relaxation.

There is a supermarket should you prefer to cook in-house and plenty of leisure facilities. The resort is really geared up for families and has a lot of deals offering free ski passes for kids and really great value family accommodation.

It is typically not as attractive to young people or couples as there is not a huge amount of exciting nightlife.

Ski Italy – Cervinia

Cervinia is a resort located at the base of the Matterhorn with very open slopes. It is high up and there is little protection from the bright sun so sunscreen is an absolute must. On a clear day it is a beautiful place to ski. The pistes are well-marked and relatively well-maintained.

But, when the weather turns bad, there is no protection from the elements and the slopes can become pretty dangerous. Most of the lifts in Cervinia are fast, they have replaced most of the old, slow lifts so very few of these remain.

Cervinia is a family resort really, making it one of the best places to Ski Italy.

There is also plenty exciting for expert skiers. The few black runs may be a little easy for the most advanced skiers, but they’re tough in their own right.

The off-piste skiing would be more attractive to experienced skiers and heli-skiing is an option.

Cervinia has over 50 restaurants, so you will never be stuck for somewhere to eat. There is a natural ice rink which is pretty cool and a fitness center. Some of the hotels have pools but there is little entertainment for non-skiers. It’s a great resort for a first-time family skiing vacation, as long as all of you plan on hitting the slopes.

Cervinia was the first place I took my wife, whom was my girlfriend, Katy to Ski Italy.

We were living in Israel at the time and it was quite an experience to get there. I’ll be writing about the entire story in another article. But the place is really beautiful, great teachers, awesome food, sights that take your breath away, and perfect places to stay.

And the other cool thing of Cervinia, you can ski down the backside to Switzerland! But be careful, the lifts do close at a certain time and it may not be the best thing to be stranded for the night!

Oh, and depending upon when you come to Northern Italy, The Dolomites are an incredible place to see.

Enjoy!

Bangkok Museums for Tourists and History Lovers

November 22, 2014

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Bangkok Museums for Tourists and History Lovers

The Bangkok museum are numerous and put on display a number of awe-inspiring and eccentric, compilations. These museums offer visitors a breathtaking insight of Thailand’s multihued civilization and exclusive legacy.

The display of the Bangkok Museum are located in buildings as fascinating as the contents they have to present. These include the Kamthieng House, a nineteenth Century house and a past residence of a farmer, Bangkok Folk Museum plus Jim Thompson’s House. An excellent museum to start with is the National Museum.

National Museum

In the past foundation of the eighteenth century Wang Na Palace, The National Museum showcases the biggest anthology of Thai talent and relics in the whole country.

It is certainly important to pay a visit to. Established by the Emperor Rama V to display the gifts and antiques given to him, it once upon a time had a status of being an ill-organized assemblage of filthy remnants.

However, that has at present altered by means of shows now prearranged into three quarters which are also consistent with the Thai culture, and fine English-language accounts available.

Bangkokian Museum

This Bangkok Museum is just not an antique palace, or an ancient times regal dwelling; this is a steak home.

Located not far away from Central Post Office, this Bangkok Folk Museum is an archetypal Bangkok kin house. Mutually the interior and unique domestic items, as well as the long established home paraphernalia in addition to bits and pieces of traditional importance, offer an existing state of affairs of the middleclass Bangkok populace in the era of World War II.

The whole lot is categorized and put on display with the competence and meticulousness of a greatly superior museum, plus the owner Mrs. Waraporn Surawadee organizes guided tours.

Seashell Museum

In the beginning, The Shell Museum seems to be a location concerning just conchologists (certainly you recognize who conchologists are) and various shell collectors, this museum is an amazing place to pay a visit to when on holiday, particularly in a large city.

On the other hand, this extraordinarily great compilation of beautiful shells is showcased in an extremely clever way.

Seashells are so much more than just gorgeous objects, or a frailty on your platter. Shells have surprising traits and a number of them are amongst the most lethal living beings on earth. They have been elements of our past from time immemorial.

Bank of Thailand Museum

A Bangkok museum devoted to some of the mainly grave careers recognized by mankind might not appear to be a convincing method to use up a morning.

That being said, The Bank of Thailand Museum (situated at Bangkhunphrom Palace), takes guests on an exciting and fascinating outing all the way through the monetary development in Thailand.

Jim Thompson House

The beautiful garden-enclosed complex located on the river-bank of Saen Saeb Canal could have gone entirely ignored, if it had not been for a bequest left lingering by an adult American gentleman by the name of Jim Thompson.

His graceful housing commune, which comprises of six customary Thai teakwood homes conveyed from Ban Krua society and Ayutthaya, echoes Jim Thompson’s thirty-year old love affair of Southeast Asian fine arts and artistic heritage.

These are just some of the amazing Bangkok museums and places to see in Bangkok. Be sure to stick around to learn about more!

Enjoy!

Lotte World: The Fun-Packed Destination in South Korea

November 22, 2014

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Lotte World: The Fun-Packed Destination in South Korea

In my opinion, Lotte World is the best place for entertainment and sightseeing in South Korea. This entertainment packed place has so much to offer especially if you want to explore plenty within limited time.

The place is popular among foreigners, as well as local residents with nearly 6,000,000 people visiting every year to enjoy the rides, ice skating, shopping and eating.

With its amusement park, sports center, shopping center, and folk museum, I can guarantee that this place can add thrill and relishing memories to your trip.

Lotte World is divided into the ‘Adventure Land’ and ‘Magic Island’.

The indoor Adventure Land features districts, each representing different country with various facilities and souvenir shops. Laser shows, parades, films and a wide range of international cuisines are the key highlights of these districts.

On the other hand, the outdoor Magic Island boasts a Magic Castle along with thrilling rides you can’t find anywhere else.

Lotte Magic Island

The collection of high-tech rides in the amusement park, ranging from tranquil rides to exhilarating roller coasters, offer fun and excitement to everyone in the family. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Spin are the top attractions for locals, as well as tourists here.

You can enjoy the exuberance of a steeping drop from very high altitude or get the thrill of being inside a tornado in Gyro Spin. Besides these rides, the park offers laser shows and parades where nearly 200 performers dance to the music to add to the excitement.

The Adventure Land

As you would start your journey to the indoor area, you would surely be surprised to see how each floor carries a new story to unveil and new joys to explore. Here is what you could expect there.

Sports Center

After the rides, you might love the fun of ice skating as well as bowling in the indoor Lotte World.

The indoor arena offers world class sports center featuring jogging track, swimming pool, health clinic, tennis courts, and indoor golf range.

In addition to this, you can get rid of your day long stress at the upscale salon, rest area, or sauna located within the arena.

Folk Museum

Visiting the Lotte Folk Museum is a great way to get a peek into the history and culture of South Korea. The miniature along with life sized representations offer an amazing chance to learn about the everyday life and special events in the country.

The museum trip will take you through the history of the country, its village life, traditional Korean market and traditional Korean style wedding to let you get a peek at the core aspects of the culture. To make learning easier for children and teenagers, cultural programs, performance events, and special exhibitions are also held regularly.

Shopping Center

The International Market Street is just the right spot to shop. You can find everything here from clothes and accessories to a wide selection of local and international cuisines. The specialty shops surrounding the centrally located food court offers an amazing view of ice skating.

If you are visiting South Korea, you would should not miss the chance of enjoying the most unique experience of this country, Lotte World.

Enjoy!

Japan Transportation – The Needed Basics

November 21, 2014

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Japan Transportation – The Needed Basics for Tourists

Exploring any country requires a travel guide, either in the form of a book, a person, or a blog to point out the places that are a must-see. And when traveling here, Japan transportation are the best ways for getting around the cities and country.

Another requirement is of a basic understanding of the language that the locals speak, so you can at least order food without stumbling and ending up with something completely un-edible.
But I admit, it sure is fun trying!

One more essential requisite for travelling to and exploring a country, especially one as diverse as Japan, is having knowledge of the available transport options at your destination.

Without this knowledge, you will be lost the minute you step off the plane.

If you are lucky enough to have a private car coming to pick you up from the airport, kudos, but if not, then you have come to the right place where I will guide you through the many Japan transportation options that are available to a tourist in Japan.

Japan Transportation – An Extensive System Mapping Throughout The Country

Japan is well-known and famous for its highly extensive options of transport, that are found everywhere in the country – even the small cities. Other than the vast and efficient train systems that run in the country, there are also various other transportation options which are just as attractive choices as the bullet train if you are a tourist.

Within metropolitan areas and between large cities, the public transportation system of the country is efficient and organized. The local population favors the system not only for the convenience it offers but also because of the qualities that are characteristic of the nation i.e. its punctuality and the awesome service.

Japan Transportation – Traveling by Train

The four major islands of Japan are connected by a vast and reliable network of trains. For visitors, nothing is more convenient than travelling around Japan by train. Following are the types of trains you should know about before embarking on the journey.

Local Train: stops at every station.
Rapid Train: skips some stations.
Express Train: stops at even fewer stations. Japan Railways charge a separate fee, in addition.
Limited Express Train: stops at major stations. The fee is between 500 and 4000 yen, in addition the base fare.
Super Express Train: is only operated by Japan Railways, and runs on separate tracks. The fee is between 800 to 8000 yen, in addition to the base fare.

Japan Transportation – By Boat

The nation is connected with ferry services scattered throughout the island. There are two benefits of using ferries for transport:

1) You can easily get from one place to another

2) You can discover new places

The schedule of this service varies in the price of the ticket – from travelling and arriving between adjacent islands in two hours, to making 1½ day trip for the same route.

Most ferries carry cars, bikes, and motorcycles too.

Japan Transportation – By Bus

In almost every Japanese city there is bus service; however, it is usually not a good option for foreign travelers. However, in many of the tourist towns, buses especially for tourists often run from the main railway station. Cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto even run tours in English, for its foreign visitors.

Travelling in Japan is not so difficult once you understand all the various options at your disposal. Travel safe!

My absolute favorite method of Japan transportation travel is by train.

It is very easy once you get the system down (be sure to check out my article on riding the bullet train in Japan). In major cities, the subway lines are owned and operated by multiple companies making switching difficult as each company only produces a map for their lines!

This means walking up to 4 maps possibly and writing down which stations to change on.

But, it’s part of the excitement and the adventure! Bus’s are great, too, but it is best to do your homework before you go. There isn’t much English posted around so best to try planning your route before hand. When I went skiing in Nagano several years ago, I had to take 2 trains and 2 bus’s. But a little planing beforehand, everything was super fun!

Enjoy!

Lizard Peninsula Cornwall – Visit of Grandeur and Tranquility

November 21, 2014

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Lizard Peninsula Cornwall – Visit of Grandeur and Tranquility

The Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall England, a destination as exquisite as its name, stands proudly in the sea. Paradoxically, the peninsula presents a rugged face to the rudiments but the climate is probably one of the warmest in Britain.

Unpolluted by industries the air is crisp, clear and fresh, making breathing so much easier than it is out in the cities at Lizard Peninsula.

Small villages protected by the giant cliffs and towering rocks make you travel back in time and experience what you cannot in today’s busy world. Since it has flat terrain, exploring it on foot or on a bike is ideal.

porthlevencyclehire.com is a great place to rent bikes and you can do it online.

Hiking has always been one of my most beloved hobbies. Hiking through The Lizard Peninsula with my wife was my dream.

It is recognized in Britain as one of the most important pieces of land where more than fifteen of Britain’s rarest plants can be found.

Stunningly beautiful throughout the year it can be quite rightfully said that there is no place like it in the whole of Britain. The area is also famous for the wildlife that it proudly boasts of. The Lizard has remained an inspiration for artists and writers who were spellbound by the stunningly beautiful scenery that it had to offer.

When we visited The Lizard Peninsula we could see seals and even basking sharks. This left me open mouthed. The imposing cliffs have a beauty of their own. The views from this stretch of Cornwall are breathtaking. You will get to witness everything imaginable once you visit The Lizard Peninsula. From the storm ragged harbors in the west to the small but sheltered villages in the east there are a number of locations you can visit.

The colorful boats pulled up on the beach and the cluster of houses with thatched roofs gave the surroundings a peaceful look. To get outside the routine hustle bustle of the city and into the serene exquisiteness of insignificant fishing villages such as Cadgwith and Mullion Covecome where people depended so highly on the sea for their daily livelihood left me wondering about the lost tranquility in our lives.

The most prized possession of The Lizard Peninsula by all means is the Kynance Cove.

The tough climb downwards is worth the clean yellow mounds of rolling sand the gigantic red and green serpentine rocks polished by the sea over centuries and the magnificent roaring blue sea. BBC describes the coast as “one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the South West.” And my wife and I could not agree less.

cadgwith harbour and bay fishing village and port cornwall england uk

Helston is one other such place that I would like everyone to visit. To experience the Furry Dance, a prehistoric pagan festival, visit The Lizard on May 8. The dance celebrates the passing of winter and the arrival of spring. The dancers wear the Helston’s symbolic flower Lily of the Valley to follow the tradition. This experience will always be one of the very best.

My trip to The Lizard was one of those breath taking experiences where time flies fast but leaves a long lasting impact on your mind for days to come.

The Lizard Peninsula remained a topic of discussion for many days in our house. Reliving the memories refreshed us. Planning a trip again would not be a bad idea come to think of it!

Enjoy!

China Nightlife Scene – From Night Clubs to Relaxing Bars

November 20, 2014

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China Nightlife Scene – From Night Clubs to Relaxing Bars

There I was. Gawking in doubt. Was it the throb of the drums pounding through my torso? Were they the laser lights and golden chandeliers distributing rays of light shimmering in all directions? And is this an assemblage of totally wasted businessmen dripping their drinks as they danced collectively on the floor? The China Nightlife Scene!

Yes. The response is yes! Yeah, this is utterly ludicrous. Yes, I will drink an additional whisky and juice. And YES, I am still speculating about how I got here.

A crowd of young people dancing in a nightclub

Two words actually encapsulate the nightlife the China nightlife scene: Absolutely wacky. Sure. In the top tier metropolises, you can stop over at the bar for a glass of Guiness. And you can find foreigner monopolies to satisfy the longing for foreign ferments and well-known corporations, but this is not why you are vacationing here.

You traveled to China for the venture. Pull your socks up and hold on fast as carousing in China is one amazing experience.

China Nightlife: Local bars

Local bars exist in the region of high-rise neighborhoods in chief cities of China. You are not going to locate a lot of foreigners at this juncture. These bars are inconspicuous, have little liveliness, nevertheless can be an amazing place to get a beer if you desire a calm societal setting. Throughout the point of time I was residing in China, I witnessed very few bars. Trust me – it is low key.

If you want bars as we know them in the west, really only main cities will have them, Shenzhen, parts of Dongguan, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, and a few in Qingdao.

China Nightlife: Nightclubs

The image of city in Beijing,Asia — Plenty to do in Beijing

If you make a decision to stop over at clubs in the top tier cities for instance Shanghai and Beijing, you are expected to discover women who like to prey on lone foreigner travelers. They will lure you for a small drink and then tea swindle you! Be careful! On the other hand if you visit a bar in lower tier cities, WHAM! You are bound to witness the divine grail of China’s nightlife.

Talk to someone for only a short time and drinks are bound to magically appear in front of you. If you dance on the floor people will pledge you are the modern Justin Bieber. The ambiance is extremely absurd. Live amusement, deafening music, wannabe gangsters, ULTRA stimulus for all the senses. Overall, a sensory overload for the wayward tourist.

But please head my warning, or advice, or whatever you may call it. There are lots of different kinds of “clubs” in China Nightlife.

Most are “real” but enough are scams or offering well… unintended services… Great story behind that but just keep mindful if you’re in a new place and not with someone that knows the area.

Foreigner Joints

Chengdu, Shanghai, Xi’an, Beijing, and a range of foreigner traveler locations around China offer you Foreigner Joints. If you are longing for an ambiance that is similar to your home, you should definitely just stay in these towns.

Foreigner joints for China nightlife are there to provide more often than not to the expat group of people living in the city. Chengdu’s Shamrock or Beijing’s Paddy’o Shays are the leading exemplars. A broad assortment of overseas food is typically on hand. The mood seems picked up exactly from the U.S.A.

These businesses are suitable if you want to have a good time, and to tender a number of the comforts found at home.

When on a visit to China, experiencing the nightlife is a must! You should definitely give it a go to experience some of the best drinks, atmosphere and of course people of all times.

And I know I said it plenty of times, but I don’t consider myself a partier by any means. But there are lots of things to explore and enjoy and I know many people that this is what they lived for!

Oh, and make sure to watch out for this scam if meeting some people you don’t know for the first time.

Enjoy!

Israel Customs – To Tip and Cultural Knowhow’s

November 20, 2014

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Israel Customs – To Tip or Not and Cultural Knowhow’s!

Israel is a liberal country, and yet sometimes awkward situations develop because one is not aware of the customs and traditions observed over here. Now, who would really take a stock of a nation’s mores before visiting it? That’s what friends are for, and if for instance you do not know anybody over here, you should try to find a bit about Israeli customs from online resources like this blog post before visiting.

It would definitely help in averting unwanted situations.

Israel Customs – Tipping in Restaurants

I have witnessed a couple of awkward situations myself where visitors had offended the waiter and vice-versa by leaving a tip which is seen as way down below average over here, and hence seen as a mark of displeasure. The general tipping rule is between 10% and 15% of the actual bill, with 12% being the average.

It is better not to pay anything rather than tip something which is seen as ungracious. And the waiters expect cash, preferably in Israeli currency, Shekels, so it is always good to carry a bit of loose change in your pocket for such encounters.

Israel Customs – The Local Color

Miranda, a colleague of my cousin from London was shocked because she was prevented from visiting a mosque in the Old City, Jerusalem as she was wearing a tank top.

You can wear anything you like over here, but you must keep your legs and shoulders covered, if you are visiting a sacred place. If it’s a synagogue/mosque that you are visiting, then you must also keep your head covered.

A traditional Jewish lady is not expected to shake hands with a stranger. Apart from this, a handshake is very much part of the tradition over here. If you are sitting in a room with others, and a woman enters, then all may stand up as a mark of respect. But this is mostly in homes where you are invited, or in traditional places. Hotel lounges or restaurant foyers don’t necessarily follow this custom.

Israel Customs – Shopping and Meetings

Israelis love to talk, and bargaining is part of our existence. If you are buying anything from the traditional markets, then expect a solid round of bargaining before you can get your hands on your chosen item. Don’t get irritated, and don’t feel frightened.

In fact, you may gain an admirer, and a friend in the shopkeeper, if you manage to drive a hard bargain. It’s seen as a skill, and treated with respect.

If you have a business meeting, be on time. Punctuality is a norm, and expect informal talks to open the meeting. It is always a good idea to schedule your meeting a couple of days in advance. In the case of high ranking officials, it would take even more time.

When I signed the lease on my apartment, myself, the landlord, my realtor, and the lawyer were all sitting in the lawyers office. For a few minutes everyone caught up on old times without even a mention of business. It creates a friendly environment and I’ve seen how it can make doing business easier.

Mamilla shopping mall in Jerusalem Israel

Israel Customs – Gifts

Gifts are given and received over here as long as they are not too costly. You should not spend more than 20 dollars, if you want to gift your local business acquaintance. Flowers come in handy, as they cannot be seen as a bribe.

While these are just some basic Israel customs, they’re important and they go a long way. Be sure to check back for in-depth guides. And if you have a chance to check out more Jerusalem, be sure to read my article here about Discovering the Treasures of Jerusalem.

Enjoy!

Hawkers Market in Singapore – a Food Paradise

November 19, 2014

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SINGAPORE - Locals eat at a popular food hall. Inexpensive food stalls are numerous in the city so most Singaporeans dine out at least once a day.

Hawkers Market in Singapore – a Food Paradise

In Singapore; friends and colleagues don’t start conversations with a ‘hello’, but with ‘have you eaten?’ which says so much about the hospitability of Singaporeans itself.

There are many places where traditional Singaporean cuisine is available, but the quickest and cheapest way to get your ‘makan’, is at one of the many hawker centers scattered throughout the island.

Visitors to Singapore are aware of such markets where they can find good quality food, and at cheap rates. For those who don’t know, a hawker center or market is a building that houses rows and rows of stalls that serve a wide range of food, drink and dessert, made to order.

First Impression

During a visit to the Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown, I was stunned at the size of the place. Two rows, with over a 100 food stalls serving various specialty foods, with a cramped sitting area. I briefly wonder how one could eat at such a place with so much gusto as the place was packed with people, locals, and tourists alike.

After getting a taste of their famous Hainanese chicken rice, I finally understood what the whole fuss was about and was again in line for a second helping.

The sheer size and outward disorganization can be a little disconcerting for the first time visitor to a Hawkers Market in Singapore, but it’s not so hard to understand the basics of hawker market etiquette.

Following are basic guidelines that the newbie food lover can take help from, to get the most amazing hawkers market experience ever. I should know, as they are all tried and tested.

Find the Right Hawkers Market in Singapore

Decide on what you want to eat first. Each center boasts just a few noteworthy dishes by food cultures dominant in Singapore such as Malay, Chinese, Thai, and Indian among others.

You can also view Singapore’s excellent guide book of food, ‘Makansutra’, or visit hungrygowhere.com which will help narrow down your choices.

Find the Right Flavor for your Taste-buds:-

Singapore's famous chicken rice at hawkers food court — Singapore’s famous chicken rice at hawkers food court

Food in Singapore can be a little hard to swallow for tourists who have delicate palates; therefore, I recommend Lau Pa Sat in Chinatown, and Newton Circus near Orchard Road.

The first visit to any Hawkers Market in Singapore is bound to be confusing, but don’t worry.

There will always be someone who’ll help you out. One tip to remember, when deciding on the food to eat is look for a stall with the longest queue. There’s got to be a reason, or dish why so many people have lined up in front of that stall.

Seating Arrangements

When it comes to seating, hawker centers generally go by the rule of first come, first serve. You can even reserve the seat which you choose by placing colorful packet of tissues on the seat, which will inform others that the seat is taken.

Delivery, Take-away and Clean-up

Most stalls will deliver the food at your table, while others will require you to wait in line for your food. Stalls will provide you with eating utensils, and plastic packaging for take away.

I was extremely surprised when at the end of our meal; an attendant came to our table and started clearing up.

I sincerely hope this will help the first time visitor, to Singapore and/or its famous Hawkers Market in Singapore. You can ask questions or share experiences through my blog!

Enjoy!

Cuisine of Vietnam – Global Influence Keeping It All Local

November 19, 2014

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Cuisine of Vietnam – Global Influence Keeping It All Local

The quest for experiencing local and authentic cuisine of Vietnam took me to various markets, family kitchens, restaurants, coffee-houses and sidewalk vendors, where each different landscape provided the one aspect that is an essential part of traditional Vietnamese cooking, i.e. that impeccable balance of sweet and sour.

Cuisine of Vietnam – Yin and Yang

The cuisine of Vietnam is all about balancing different flavors in one complete dish using the local ingredients and herbs that are available according to the season.

As is the case with other Southeast Asian cuisines, preparation of food includes elements that complement the different flavors present in a dish of any particular region.

However, the two dominant themes that the avid traveler will find in Vietnamese cuisine is the staple of the country, rice and the all power-full fish sauce.

Incorporation of Rice and Fish-Sauce

Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world, and therefore has an abundance of the staple to support the primary diet of its citizens.

You will find at least a few rice dishes that are specialties of a particular region, in the traditional way it is made as well as in the form of rice noodles, porridge, sticky rice with fruit, rice paper rolls, fried rice, puffed rice snacks and of course the famous rice wine.

I have had rice in all of the forms that it can possibly be made into for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert!

Of course fish sauce is also a very important element in Vietnamese cooking, and is an ingredient that makes a regular meat and vegetables broth, a dish fit to be eaten by a king (or you).

Influence in local cuisine

In regards to what they eat and how they cook, the cuisine of Vietnam has been largely influenced by their neighbors and the effects of colonization.

Beef was first introduced into the Vietnamese diet and cuisine with the arrival of Mongol invaders, who feasted primarily on meat. Common beef dishes are pho bo, which is a noodle soup with beef and can be found in every region of the country each dish different yet the same.

Pho bo , Vietnamese rice noodle soup with sliced rare beef

Cooking techniques such as stir and deep frying, and the use of chopsticks for eating were adopted from the Chinese who ruled over Vietnam for a thousand years. Stir fried vegetables and meat; along with noodle based soups are dishes are a product of the influence, which can be found mainly in the north.

For the south of Vietnam, neighboring countries particularly Cambodia and Thailand introduced flat Cambodian egg noodles, various spices, and coconut milk which are ingredients more commonly used in that region due to its ability to locally grow them.

The dish that is accredited to French influence is the banh mi, which is a crusty, French baguette filled with meat paste and a combination of grilled pork fillings, fish patties, and sardines with cilantro, daikon and pickled carrots.

Chased down with a glass of lime soda or rice wine, any meal will leave your mouth watering just by a thought of a next excursion.

And that is what always was amazing for me, personally. One may think that such a small country would have very local and traditional foods. While this is true and every home town has a staple food, the cuisine of Vietnam is rich and diverse in what someone may eat. I was shocked when my friends told me that they were eating a traditional Vietnam breakfast in the morning and a French dinner. Yet, all the meals are considered Vietnamese.

Oh yeah, and when you’re out enjoying all the great food, check out these awesome places to visit, too!

Enjoy!

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