Category: Asia
-
Backdoor Bangkok Part III: The Canals of Rattanakosin Island
Walk I: Today’s walk follows the canals of Rattanakosin Island. Begin at the majestic Democracy Monument, then hop over for breakfast at a local favourite, Mont NomSod. Later, explore the iconic Giant Swing and Grade I Temple of Wat Suthat, before indulging in brunch at Jay Fai, a one Michelin-starred eatery. End the walk with…
-
Harajuku – Tokyo’s Trendsetter
Harajuku leads the pack in terms of funky world-class fashion, classy boutiques and stylish cafes. Handily located along the Yamanote Line, it’s a place to unwind and people watch (or gape, if you are at Takeshita Street) over the rim of a coffee mug, after being overwhelmed by the crowds of Shibuya and the rapacity…
-
A Bit About Ubud
Now lets talk a bit about Ubud. This administrative district of around 40 square kilometres is located in the uplands of the small Indonesian island of Bali, about 2 hours drive from the main city of Denpasar. Surrounded by rice terraces, lush tropical forests, mountains and ravines, Ubud attracts both tourists and devotees to visit…
-
Backdoor Bangkok Part II: The Old City of Thonburi
Walk 2: From Wat Arun to Siriraj Hospital This walk continues on from Part I, and connects the beautiful and iconic Wat Arun with the huge Navy headquarters fronting the river, followed by a delightful local market and ending with an educational yet morbid curiosity in the heart of Siriraj. When taking a ferry ride…
-
Backdoor Bangkok Part I: The Old City of Thonburi
Walk 1: From Krung Thonburi to Wat Arun (new updates in March 2025!) This half-a-day to full day walk splices together some of the hidden gems and dazzling jewels of the old city of Thonburi, formerly the capitol of Thailand. Besides savouring historic architecture and laid-back cafes along the riverside, it also provides an insightful…
-
Shibuya – Tokyo’s Meeting Place
Just two stations down the Yamanote Line, Shibuya is Shinjuku’s twin sister. It has the same energy and vibe, the same crowds, and the same type of stores. Shibuya’s most iconic feature is probably its famous scramble crossing just outside the station. One the busiest in the world, with up to 3,000 people crossing at…
-
Shinjuku – The Heart of Tokyo
Shinjuku, meaning “new lodge” in Japanese, is the beating heart of Tokyo. Since this is a district that overwhelms, perhaps getting a sense of the orientation helps. At the centre of the beating heart is Shinjuku Station – the busiest in the world – pumping out 3.6 million passengers daily through its gates, making it…
-
Tantalising Tokyo
Tokyo needs no introduction. It is a supercharged city; one of the top five destinations in the world. Feed off its energy by people watching at Shibuya crossing, store hopping at Ginza’s shopping mecca, or being dazzled by the bright neon lights of Kabukicho. When your eyes and feet start to get tired, pockets of…
-
Backdoor Bangkok
Bangkok, or by its official title, Krung Thep, is the average Singaporean’s mecca for shopping, eating, massages and merry-making of the debauchery kind. This bustling, high-energy metropolis of around 14 million sits at the mouth of the iconic Chao Praya river, itself a life-giving artery which is heavily laden with traffic as any one of…
-
A Tale of Penh’s Hill: Phnom Penh
Most tourists travel to Cambodia by way of Siem Reap to visit the majestic yet mysterious ruined temples of Angkor, and rarely spend more than a day or two in Phnom Penh. That’s a shame, because, besides Phnom Penh’s notoriety for being associated with the brutalised systemic killings under the Khmer Rouge, in which visiting…