Showing posts with label asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asia. Show all posts
It was quite literally, just one afternoon in Saigon.
Apart from the long commute from the airport to Zone 1, we did manage to visit some sights!
OUR 1 DAY ITINERARY
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Ho Chi Minh City Hall
- Cafe Apartments
Saigon is split into districts, and so most of our itinerary landed us in District 1 since it's the city center. We managed to see most places in District 1, everything was in walking distance. If we had more time, maybe in the morning or another day, we could have gone to other places but here's what we managed.
SAIGON CENTRAL POST OFFICE
One of the most iconic tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City, it's actually a functioning post office to my surprise.
With beautiful colonial architecture and ornate decorations, it felt like I was back in Europe. Inside though are regular people sending letters, the tourists and merchants selling trinkets and souvenirs to said-tourists. I didn't manage to get some, unfortunately. Only some photos.
One of the most iconic tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City, it's actually a functioning post office to my surprise.
With beautiful colonial architecture and ornate decorations, it felt like I was back in Europe. Inside though are regular people sending letters, the tourists and merchants selling trinkets and souvenirs to said-tourists. I didn't manage to get some, unfortunately. Only some photos.
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
There is a surprising amount of French Colonial Architecture here in the city, like the Notre Dame Cathedral. And like the Notre Dame in France, it was closed for construction. Oh well.
Tall at 60 meters, the stained glass windows and all-red brick were imported from Marseille. It is still a functioning church with a Virgin Mary statue right in front. It's one of the few strongholds of catholicism in a largely Buddhist Vietnam.
Tall at 60 meters, the stained glass windows and all-red brick were imported from Marseille. It is still a functioning church with a Virgin Mary statue right in front. It's one of the few strongholds of catholicism in a largely Buddhist Vietnam.
HO CHI MINH CITY HALL
It was closed by the time we arrived by 5.
A pastel yellow fixture that oversaw the long walk. The city hall is one of the most iconic and well-preserved landmarks in Vietnam, with a statue of Ho Chi Minh in front of the main building. I wish I could have gone inside but I'll settle for next time.
CAFE APARTMENTS
It is what it is. A stack of cafes and shops in an apartment block.
I've never seen anything as cool and eclectic as this. We trudged up the stairs to see different shops as there are no layouts for the floors. It's the fun kind of maze, finding little treasures on your adventure. We found ourselves at a small bakery to rest before we went back to the airport.
Photos by
The one place I wished we did got to was Ben Thanh Market but it had closed early, and the night market opened later. We didn't have enough time to visit and make it back to the airport on time.
Still, Vietnam left me a sweet taste and a longing to go back. Only time will tell when.
Still, Vietnam left me a sweet taste and a longing to go back. Only time will tell when.
Have you ever been to Saigon?
Where is your next destination?
with love,
Bash Harry
Busan is a treasure hidden in South Korea, the second-largest city in South Korea. Bigger than Seoul but quiet in its character. The weather at 6 degrees greeting us with a cool breeze. I ran out in just a t-shirt, I missed this kind of air. Cold but welcoming.
We spent 4 days in Busan, exploring what it had to offer so here is our little Travel Guide to Busan!
DAY 0.5
- Chinatown, Texas Town, Russian Town
DAY 1
- Mayor’s Residence
- Hauendae Beach
- Haedong Yonggung Temple
DAY 2
- Gamcheon Culture Village
- Busan International Film Festival Square
- Jagalchi Fish Market
- Busan Traditional Arts Centre
- Shinsegae Centum City
DAY 3
- Busan Cooking Class
- Cafe 38.5
- Seomyeon Street
- Bay 101
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP
HAUENDAE BEACH
Haeundae Beach is Busan's most famous beach with its white sands reaching far that stretches 1.5km long. The shallow bay and city skyline reminds me of Singapore, if not bigger. We went when it was quiet, the sun and wind hitting our skin.
Our tour guide, Hailey told us it was better in the Summer, filled with locals ready to swim when the cultural events and festivals happen frequently. I didn't mind though. I think I just in awe how silky the sand felt between my fingertips.
Our tour guide, Hailey told us it was better in the Summer, filled with locals ready to swim when the cultural events and festivals happen frequently. I didn't mind though. I think I just in awe how silky the sand felt between my fingertips.
HAEDONG YONGGUNG TEMPLE
Described as 'The Most Beautiful Temple in Korea' and I agree.
'At least one of your wishes will be answered here through sincere prayers' is Haedong Yonggung Temple's motto - and maybe it rings true. I know prayer brings peace, and seeing people pray in this holy temple gives me hope.
The Buddhist temple is nestled along the shoreline, a rarity since most temples are up in the mountains. It's a far walk to its main temple, but every step taken shows you a view you've never expected. Even if you might get lost like I did.
'At least one of your wishes will be answered here through sincere prayers' is Haedong Yonggung Temple's motto - and maybe it rings true. I know prayer brings peace, and seeing people pray in this holy temple gives me hope.
The Buddhist temple is nestled along the shoreline, a rarity since most temples are up in the mountains. It's a far walk to its main temple, but every step taken shows you a view you've never expected. Even if you might get lost like I did.
GAMCHEON CULTURAL VILLAGE
I have never been to a place like the Gamcheon Cultural Village.
Known as the Santorini or the Machu Picchu of Korea, the houses are built in staircase-fashion on the foothills. Paintings and murals cover the village in vibrant colors to catch our eye. The government, village, and artists collaborated to renovate it in 2009 to become a tourist attraction.
They certainly succeeded.
BUSAN TRADITIONAL ARTS CENTRE
The Busan Traditional Arts Centre recently opened in April 2019. It's a base for local traditional arts, cultural exhibitions, and cultural properties. We met the artists of the trade like a shoemaker of Korean slippers and the Buddhist monk who specialized in calligraphy.
It was a short visit but showed us the importance of cultural tradition for Busan. I always admired classic art forms, only they could do so well.
CAFE 38.5
Photos by
Danial Aldani
When I say this is the coolest cafe ever, I say it is the coolest. Cafe 38.5 is located somewhere in Yeongdo-gu, four floors of floor to ceiling windows with a scenic view of the coastline. Let me just say it was absolutely magical.
We had gone when the weather was perfect at 16 degrees. On the fourth floor, we accessed the slanting rooftop and sat there as we ate the amazing pastries. The sky clear and seaport close by, it felt like I was in a K-Drama and my leading man was going to show up any minute.
He still hasn't.
The media trip was sponsored by
Busan Tourism Organisation
Busan Tourism Organisation
If you'd rather watch instead, I do have the trip in two videos! Even though it was three days, it felt like one loooooooong day filled with walking, food and good company. I'd love to go back again with my family next time.
H E L L O T O K Y O
Part 2 of this Travel With Me: Japan Edition.
I spent my December in Japan, spending the first half in Yokohama and the second half in Tokyo. Tokyo is distinct, unlike any city I've visited. A melting pot of both tech and culture. Japanese characters up on billboards, bold and cute to behold.
So why not film it?
I spent my December in Japan, spending the first half in Yokohama and the second half in Tokyo. Tokyo is distinct, unlike any city I've visited. A melting pot of both tech and culture. Japanese characters up on billboards, bold and cute to behold.
So why not film it?
Y O K O H A M A I S . . .
Cold. So bloody cold.
Last December, I was lucky enough to travel to Japan over the holidays. A foreign country, rich in its unique culture. We spent the first few days in Yokohama, Japan's second largest city. Surprising as it was quiet and almost desolate when we stayed there.
We managed to film some of our travels. So here is my first Travel With Me!
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