Canada’s capital city and the fifth largest city in the country. I have been to Ottawa several times, but only a couple of them as a tourist. Guided Tours of Parliament Hill are provided free of charge that includes access to the Peace Tower, the House of Commons, the Senate, the Memorial Chamber and the library. Located steps from Parliament Hill is the National Gallery of Canada. The current building was designed by architect Moshe Safdie.
I Spy
Tea houses are dime a dozen in China. From simple street front locations to fancy modern ones in shopping malls. There are multiple tea varieties being offered and it is not uncommon for a type of tea to run into a couple hundred, or even in the thousands, of dollars for 50 grams. That being said, it appears that the cafe culture has taken hold, though not as extensive as the tea houses — yet. There are the local independents, and of course, Starbucks has arrived. As expected, the younger generation (though not exclusively) seem to prefer coffee shops. Speaking…
Zi Ying
Zi Ying is a small sea-side village located 150 kms east of Xiamen in the Province of Fujian. This is my grandfather’s hometown where his house still stands. During my first trip here in the late 1980’s, it was surrounded by dirt road and very few homes, which all needed major repairs. Today, all roads in the village are paved and the direct view of the sea from the house is a little obstructed with both new and renovated houses. The house was originally built in 1934 and an annex was added in the following years. During the Cultural Revolution…
Gulang Yu
The tiny islet of Gulang Yu across Xiamen Island was one of the first five treaty ports opened to foreign trade and residents after the Opium War in 1843. As one of the “concessions” in 1852, the island was set aside for foreign residence and then parcelled out to the British. This vehicle-free 1.7 sq-km island is full of European-style mansions overgrown with brilliant bougainvillea that were owned by consulates, foreigners and wealthy Chinese returning from overseas. Many are still owned by the families of overseas Chinese. The Catholic Church at Gulang Yu was built in 1917 and is still…
Xiamen
Located in Fujian province in the southeastern coast of China, the island of Xiamen (otherwise known by its Fujian name of Amoy) made it to Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice Destination for 2012. In 1387, the Ming Dynasty built a fort in Xiamen to guard against pirates. In the 1540’s, European traders first visited Xiamen as it was China’s main port for exporting tea. Xiamen became a foreign concession in 1903 as part of the “Treaty of Nanking”. Much of the island has prospered together with the other major cities of China when it was designated a Special Economic Zone in…
Manila
“Manila can be a very discombobulated place”, according to the Lonely Planet, “for it is a collection of towns, with no definable centre.” Still, you will find lots of raw energy and fun, with genuine smiles, happy-go-lucky attitude and graciousness, in every corner. Often maligned and misunderstood — many tourists skip Manila altogether and head straight to the powdery white sand beaches of Boracay or to the underground river in Puerto Princesa, one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. Manila does have its own charm to offer — and how it has grown up in the past…
Hong Kong
The confluence of sensory contradictions – this is Hong Kong. Gleaming modern skyscrapers, highly efficient and expansive subway system, Michelin-starred dining establishments stand side-by-side with bamboo scaffolding, the Star Ferry, and many street side food stalls. Welcome to HK! I have stayed at several hotels in Hong Kong over the years and the Upper House Hotel is simply one of the best. Located at the Pacific Place complex, trendsetting designer Andre Fu collaborated with Swire Hotels to create this very private and exclusive hotel that offers massive sized rooms, outstanding service and delectable food. This hotel delivers – from the time…
Singapore
From the serenity and simplicity of Bhutan, I arrived in the very global and on the surface, very consumer-driven city-state of Singapore. Initially, it is a bit of a shock to the senses coming from a landscape of rice fields, mountains and monasteries to a canyon of steel and glass towers, well manicured avenues and high end shopping malls. However, upon a closer look there is a cultural soul. I stayed at the Fairmont Singapore at Raffles City. Location is execllent as it is above a shopping mall with a subway stop and close to the central business district. Service is very…
Kadriche
Today is my last day in Bhutan so I say Kadriche or “Thank you” to the true Shangri-la! The surreal beauty of the landscapes, the warm hospitality of her people (from offering biscuits to weary hikers like me or to farmers graciously inviting me to their homes), their strong focus on environmental responsibility, and the introduction to the philosophical banner of Gross National Happiness instead of Gross National Product. (A revolutionary philosophy that places real value on things such as cultural heritage, health, education, ecological diversity and individual well-being instead of economic measures.) All the people I have met along…
Tiger’s Nest
Located in the Upper Paro Valley is the Taktshang Goemba, or the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The most famous monastery in Bhutan that is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of Paro Valley. Tiger’s Nest (elev 3200 m) was built in 1692 and considered a very holy place by locals and Buddhists. Many travellers into Bhutan consider this as the highlight of their journey to this Kingdom. This is my last hike in Bhutan that will take a total of 6 hours. The only way up is to walk or ride a horse. It took…
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