Mandy asks…
MUST SEE places near Asia?
My husband and I are living in South Korea for two years and would love to travel as much as possible. We would love to visit Australia but of course that is much further from where we are. We love the tropics but have also thought about visiting Japan and Thailand. This is the beginning of much research but I figured a kick start with some suggestions from others would be nice. Any hidden gems that we haven’t thought about in countries near South Korea? I mean, we would travel as far as Australia as I said, so nothing in about that amount of distance is out of the question. Thanks for any help!
admin answers:
Hi,
As many travelers have been discovering, the last frontier of Asian tourism is the Philippines, and it is predicted that the Philippines will soon surpass Thailand as the next big destination of Southeast Asia.
In terms of beaches, Boracay Island in the Philippines is widely touted by tourism execs to be the best in the region. One Australian magazine actually said that Boracay is the world’s best beach.
In terms of diving, the Philippines, together with Palau and Maldives, are the top three diving spots, according to a diving magazine. The Philippines has 95% of all coral species in the world, and 90% of all fish species.
In terms of shopping, Manila is now “Asia’s top shopping destination”. 4 out of 10 largest malls in the world are in Manila: SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North, and Glorietta Center; Greenhills, Tiendesitas, and Manila Chinatown are the top flea markets than can rival any other market in Asia.
In terms of nightlife, Filipino singers and musicians fill Asia’s night spots and it is therefore imperative to say that bars and pubs in the Philippines are still the best in Asia. Not only it has a Western influence (so that mingling in will be relatively easy), it is also the second cheapest city in the region.
In terms of language, the Philippines is the world’s third largest English speaking nation in the world, and talking with the locals is a no-brainer. To add, the indigenous Filipino languages have been influenced heavily by Spanish, so that a Spanish speaker can recognize and communicate with some words.
In terms of history and culture, the Philippines has a few heritage sites like the Walled City of Intramuros (the largest remaining medieval city out of Europe), the Banawe Rice Terraces, and Cobblestone streets of Vigan. The Philippines is made up of a people of mixed Pacific, Asian and Latin cultural traditions and ancestry, and the resultant festive culture is unmatched in other parts of Asia, even Thailand.
In terms of variety of destinations, there are areas resembling deserts (Paoay Sand Dunes), New Zealand highlands (Batanes Islands), England limestone beaches (Biri Islands), swiss alpine sites (Bulusan National Park), Tahiti (Palawan Island), Hong Kong (Makati City), Bali/Phuket (Boracay), and many more.
In terms of distance, the Philippines is just 3 hours away from Seoul-Incheon, and there are cheap daily flights to the Philippines owing to the fact that the country is a major tourism destination for South Koreans.
Helen asks…
Does anyone know the name of this book?
I remember reading this book when i was in grade school. It’s about a girl, her mom, and her sister. They are in either Korea, Taiwan, or Vietnam (pretty sure Korea though) round about the time of WWII or Korean War. It’s about them escaping the country they live in and end up, that I know of for sure, in Japan. I know they have to dress more like men and travel at night, to avoid getting captured or something. It’s been years since i read the book and have wanted to read it again.
Any and all help appreciated. Thanks!
Also, it could just be that the family group is trying to get from North Korea to South Korea or something like that to escape the regime or military.. not entirely sure…
Actually, while i was waiting for someone to answer my question, i kept searching online and came across the book – So Far From The Bamboo Grove
admin answers:
All the plots you have shown prove this could be “So Far From The Bamboo Grove” by Yoko Kawashima Watkins.
It was very common among the fleeing Japanese female to cross-dress to avoid sexual abuses at the end of the war.
Robert asks…
Questions Not to Ask in Foreign lands???
Do you like this??? Is it funnny???
Questions Not To Ask In Foreign Lands
By
Gerhard Reinke
IRELAND
“Are you magically delicious or just angry and drunk?
This beer is black- did a leprechaun crap in it?”
FRANCE
“Can I get a side of Freedom Fries with that?
Aren’t the French just Germans who can make sauces?”
ITALY
“Is the Pope Polish? Does he have super powers like Jesus?
I could sure go for a can of Spaghetti-O’s! ”
POLAND
“Do you hire foreigners to screw in your lightbulbs?”
GERMANY
“Is this bratwurst kosher?”
TURKEY
“Where’s the hash at?
It’s cool to recreationally slaughter Kurds?”
KOREA
“Can you watch my puppy for a minute, or must you people deep fry him?”
CHINA
“This wall isn’t so great.”
ENGLAND
“Did you ever get a piece of *** from that Diana chick?”
SWEDEN
“Do you have any normal meatballs?
Want to hear a dumb blonde joke?”
YEMEN
“Yemen? That’s a stupid name for a country. What’s it mean — ‘Land Of Fanatics And Dust’ ?”
INDIA
“You don’t live in teepees?
Where can I get a good juicy steak around here?”
ETHIOPIA
“After a long day of travel, I’m famished. Hey – those flies sure love your pregnant son!”
CANADA
“You’re like Americans without money.”
SPAIN
“So, this is the country that’s not Portugal? Wow.
Your women can shave if they want to, right?
Where can I get some Cheez Whiz nachos?”
SOUTH AFRICA
“I liked it better the other way.”
MEXICO
“What’s that smell?”
SAUDI ARABIA
“Would you like to see my designs for a solar powered car?
Is it legal to beat your wives here, or what?”
RUSSIA
“Is it always this cold and economically devastated?”
UZBEKISTAN
“Can you spell Uzbekistan?”
GREECE
“I hear this place is a less expensive version of Italy.”
AFGHANISTAN
“Seriously, where is the real country… where is everything?”
JAPAN
“What’s Hiroshima? Is that a kind of sushi?”
AUSTRALIA
“How can we stop Mel Gibson? Is there a cure?”
AMERICA
“Was John Wayne gay?”
admin answers:
Interesting!
Maria asks…
Questions Not to Ask In Foreign Lands???
Do you like this??? Is it funnny???
Questions Not To Ask In Foreign Lands
By
Gerhard Reinke
IRELAND
“Are you magically delicious or just angry and drunk?
This beer is black- did a leprechaun crap in it?”
FRANCE
“Can I get a side of Freedom Fries with that?
Aren’t the French just Germans who can make sauces?”
ITALY
“Is the Pope Polish? Does he have super powers like Jesus?
I could sure go for a can of Spaghetti-O’s! ”
POLAND
“Do you hire foreigners to screw in your lightbulbs?”
GERMANY
“Is this bratwurst kosher?”
TURKEY
“Where’s the hash at?
It’s cool to recreationally slaughter Kurds?”
KOREA
“Can you watch my puppy for a minute, or must you people deep fry him?”
CHINA
“This wall isn’t so great.”
ENGLAND
“Did you ever get a piece of ass from that Diana chick?”
SWEDEN
“Do you have any normal meatballs?
Want to hear a dumb blonde joke?”
YEMEN
“Yemen? That’s a stupid name for a country. What’s it mean — ‘Land Of Fanatics And Dust’ ?”
INDIA
“You don’t live in teepees?
Where can I get a good juicy steak around here?”
ETHIOPIA
“After a long day of travel, I’m famished. Hey – those flies sure love your pregnant son!”
CANADA
“You’re like Americans without money.”
SPAIN
“So, this is the country that’s not Portugal? Wow.
Your women can shave if they want to, right?
Where can I get some Cheez Whiz nachos?”
SOUTH AFRICA
“I liked it better the other way.”
MEXICO
“What’s that smell?”
SAUDI ARABIA
“Would you like to see my designs for a solar powered car?
Is it legal to beat your wives here, or what?”
RUSSIA
“Is it always this cold and economically devastated?”
UZBEKISTAN
“Can you spell Uzbekistan?”
GREECE
“I hear this place is a less expensive version of Italy.”
AFGHANISTAN
“Seriously, where is the real country… where is everything?”
JAPAN
“What’s Hiroshima? Is that a kind of sushi?”
AUSTRALIA
“How can we stop Mel Gibson? Is there a cure?”
AMERICA
“Was John Wayne gay?”
admin answers:
Question not to ask (foreigners ie Non Americans) on an internet site such as this…
Do you have internet in your country?
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