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Binh Tay market in Cholon
I visited the big Ben Thanh market and did not like it for two reasons – the vendors were too pushy and there were too many touts. My favourite market in this city is certainly the Binh Tay market in Cholon. This market caters for the Vietnamese locals and therefore prices were very reasonable and I also found the vendors friendly.
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Here and There in Ho Chi Minh city
There are a lot of interesting places to see in Ho Chi Minh City and its surrounding area and it is best explored on foot. Don’t forget to wear a pair of sunglasses and a hat – it can be very hot! If possible leave your important documents like passport in the hotel’s safe.
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Temple Visit
Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu (The Pagoda of the Lady Thien Hau) is a Chinese style temple located on Nguyễn Trãi Street in the Cho Lon (Chinatown) district of Ho Chi Minh City. The roof of the pagoda tells fantastic tales taken from traditional Chinese lore, while the walls are covered with lacquer paintings of various spirits and deities. This temple should be a “must visit” place in this city.
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People Watching in Seminyak
Balinese people including the expats who are staying there are warm and friendly and most of them go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. The Balinese love children…it is rare to hear a Balinese adult shout or scream at the kids. I realize the Balinese don’t focus on negativities and so very positive.
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Villa Life in Bali
We had a comfortable and enjoyable stay in a villa in Seminyak. The villa was extremely well taken care of, and was perfect for my holiday. There are plenty of small restaurants within walking distance from the villa, as well as shops for shopping and window shopping. The staff are very friendly efficient and unobtrusive. The swimming pool is very private and a lot bigger than the usual pool provided at other locations.
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Temples and Shrines Everywhere
Bali is also known as the Island of Thousand temples! You get to see a temple or a small shrine everywhere you turn with regular prayers and rituals spanning life from birth to death. The temples are unique in architecture and design. The temples are clean and well maintained and very popular with tourists from all over the world. Do not wear shorts or a sleeveless blouse or shirt to the temples.
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Sambals and Warungs
Bali’s staple food is rice and it is served with mild to spicy dishes. Though Balinese are mostly Hindus, they do eat beef and some of the Muslim Balinese eat pork too. Spicy condiments like sambal are always served as accompaniment to the dishes. If you are not cooking at home, there are the street food stalls called “warungs” and you can get about everything you need to fill up your stomach. Bali also has several nasi padang stalls from Sumatra
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Cooking at the Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo
I was invited to cook and teach some seafood dishes to the chefs at the Jetwing Lagoon in Negombo. This hotel is about 45 minutes drive from Colombo and was my last stop this time around. The admirable architecture of the resort, which was originally designed by a world renowned architect named Geoffrey Bawa. The resort lies on a thin strip of land between the Indian Ocean and the large Negombo’ lagoon, and due to its water features the property boasts of a very relaxed and tranquil resort in the western coast of Sri Lanka and you can witness an awesome sunset every evening!
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Paddy Villa at Jetwing Vil Uyana Hotel
I stayed in a Paddy Field Villa in the midst of paddy fields. I liked the villa especially the open shower concept and the enormous sunken bath tub and the beautiful four poster bed with fine mosquito net draped around it. The villas at Vil Uyana are built around a lake – home for a few marsh crocodiles, lots of fish and surprisingly large bright green frogs and many species of butterflies and birds. I enjoyed my stay in this beautiful place with all the wildlife around me. The staffs of Jetwing are always helpful and efficient, and the food at the Apsara restaurant was of excellent quality.
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Tea and Spices at Nuwara Eliya
If you ever go to Sri Lanka, ensure that you visit the highlands like Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. I was at Nuwara Eliya recently. The Colombo-Kandy-Nuwara Eliya motor road offers a exceptionally scenic and spectacular drive. Nuwara Eliya, the highest city in Sri Lanka lies at an elevation of 1890 meters above sea level and lies beneath the tallest peak of the island, Mount Pedro – 2555 meters. Nuwara Eliya is a favourite destination for all tourists to Sri Lanka as well as the people who live there because of the cool, sometimes frightfully cold weather and for quaintness of the place. During peak seasons, all the accommodation rates will…
