Founded in 1586, Erdene Zuu (100 Treasures) is the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Over the years, the monastery went through periods of neglect, as well as periods of great revivals and prosperity. Erdene Zuu was perpetually in a state of fortification - building enclosure walls as protection against multiple invasions by Dzungar soldiers. Each …
We did not see it coming. A beautiful lake and an inactive volcano in the same location. Seemingly separated by an invisible line, the extreme beauty of the two environments could not be more different. An extinct volcano dominates the barren landscape while adjacent to it lies a beautiful lake - giving life to plants, …
Our Central Mongolia & Gobi Desert adventure is best described as a daily routine of hitting the steppe / grassland after breakfast, driving 5 - 6 hours to the next attraction spot before settling down for the night in a nomadic Ger. Day 3 had a most welcomed deviation. Enroute to Yolyn Am, we stopped …
Street art continues its invasion into many parts of Kuala Lumpur, popping up in the most unlikely places, enlivening neighbourhoods. The simple act of transforming a dingy wall into a beautiful work of art can produce a positive feeling and evoke emotional responses from the community. I have included some of the newer murals spotted …
Though I was expecting another day of interesting sights I was not prepared for a 400m-long jigsaw of white-sand cliffs, streaked with a kaleidoscope of pastel shades ranging from purple to red and orange. Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) is a line of cliffs formed by the fracturing of the earth's crust millions of years ago. …
It was a beautiful winter's day to be outdoors with temperatures at a comfortable 10C. Deciding to visit the Kröller-Müller Museum in Hoge Veluwe National Park, we made good time from Lochem, arriving at the Hoenderloo entrance in an hour. Apparently, everyone had the same idea, resulting in a long queue of cars waiting to …
Continue reading Kröller-Müller Museum : Art, Van Goghs & Sculptures
From Bayanzag, a 3-hour drive on flat plains and basalt rock terrain was a prelude to our first glimpse of brown rolling hills. Breaking the earthy landscape with a streak of blue and green is the Ongi Gol, a desert river lined by a spattering of trees. Nestled on the south and north banks of …
DETOURism is the willingness to travel differently, following the less trodden path, stumbling into unique experiences, and seeing our surroundings with new eyes. it entails exploring your surroundings, often associated with being a tourist in your own area, and going with the flow, going where the day takes you and opening yourself up to chance …
One great sculptured wall we named the “Flaming Cliffs,” for when seen in early morning or late afternoon sunlight it seemed to be a mass of glowing fire.The New Conquest of Central Asia by Roy Chapman Andrews The sandstone rocks of Bayanzag are popularly known as the 'Flaming Cliffs', due to the reddish tint in …
While researching for attraction spots in Luang Prabang ahead of my Christmas 2016 visit, the UXO Lao Visitors Centre popped up and I added it to my must-see list. The centre has left an indelible impression on me to this day, and I strongly urge as many people as possible to visit for an eye-opening …
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