Legend of the Plain of Jars

The Plain of Jars – located on the Xieng Khouang Plateau of Laos, about 400 kilometres from the capital Vientiane – still remains an enigma to archaeologists and a mysterious and fascinating destination for tourists.

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The Plain of Jars has nearly 2000 stone jars scattered over an area of 25 hectares, and there is only a single stone jar that has remained entirely intact. According to the estimates of archaeologists, they date back 1500 to 2000 years.

At the three sites which are open to the public, there are hundreds of jars from one to several metres in height, and weighing from a few hundred kilograms to a ton. Each jar has a different shape and angle, but all are chiselled monoliths of mostly granite or sandstone. The jars have very thick walls, are large in diameter, and their mouths are round or oval. The bodies of the jars are quite smooth, and many of them have elegant shapes curving from the bottom to the mouth, looking as beautiful as jars made of china or porcelain. The insides of the jars are polished while the outsides may have had carved figures adorning them, but these have been worn away by the weather of thousands of years. Currently, only a few blurry carved figures remain, engraved deeply into the stone.

Looking at the stone jars, it seems like we are seeing the testimony of the miracle of a mythical region. Countless questions are raised in the moment of wistfulness at the border of the present and the past. During those ancient times, who could have moved thousands of stones weighing thousands of tons when the nearest stone mountains were kilometres away from the Plain of Jars. What kinds of tools did they use and how many years did it take to chisel out and create such a giant Plain of Jars? And what was the purpose of making these enormous stone creations? Of course, there are also many theories to satisfy the curiosity of visitors.

In the 1930s, a French archaeologist, Madeleine Colani, of the French School of the Far East carried out excavations in the area of the Plain of Jars and discovered many traces of human remains in a nearby cave along with fragments of bones and teeth (mostly juveniles) cremated in a number of jars. From this, Madeleine Colani hypothesised that the area of the Jars had been used as a burial site with the ancient people of the area using the stone jars to store people’s remains and also to store food. In 1994, a Japanese archaeologist, Eiji Nitta, excavated six pits around several large stone jars and found human bones in all six. However, only one jar contained cremated bones and teeth, while the others contained no signs of this at all. Because of this, he thought that the stone jars may have been used to house burial items. Although archaeological results offer some suggestions, they are only hypothetical speculation, not a strong and convincing scientifically-based answer.

I am not convinced by the archaeologists’ hypotheses. Archaeological results also show that many human bones were buried in a nearby cave and underground, while on the plain with thousands of jars, there are only a few containing the charred remains of bones and teeth. To chisel out stone jars like these requires a tremendous amount of time and effort (scientists estimate from ten years to hundreds of years), so they should have been used for some other purpose rather than just for the ritual storing of remains. As the idea of the jars containing the remains of the dead is not particularly convincing, the hypothesis of chiselling out the stone to carry gifts for the afterlife is even less so to me.

I prefer the legend of the origins of the Plain of Jars as told by the local people. It is said that this was the living place of giants and they crafted the stone jars to store water or to brew and keep rice wine. Perhaps they were a generation of people blessed with an enormous physique and extraordinary power, living at the same time as those who built the walls of the Imperial City in Tibet (according to Mundasep’s theory) (1). They chose this vast field to be their residence, and they carried from the mountains far away a thousand giant blocks of stone to create the Plain of Jars. Each jar is a testimony to the strength, skill and extraordinary diligence of those people. I like to look at those jars imagining that once they used to be storing wine or water, reflecting the faces of the pure and innocent people living in ancient times under a clear sky amidst the vast green plains.

When I sat inside a stone jar, looking up at the distant sky, I felt an invisible yet magical connection between the past and the present, between legend and everyday life. Walking through the Plain of Jars, I seemed to be able to travel back in time: present turned into history – history into fairytale – and fairytale turned into legend.

* Note (1): Erono Mundasep is an ophthalmologist, doctor of medicine and former director of the Russian Eye and Plastic Surgery Center. He is the author of well-known books including Where do we come from, Tragic message of the ancients and In the arms of Sambala.

W.TIPS

TRANSPORTATION

The Plain of Jars is a historic cultural area near the commune of Phonsavan, in Xieng Khouang province, Laos. To get there, most tourists choose to travel by car or plane.

>> From Hanoi, you can take a car to Laos along National Highway No.7 to Nam Can border crossing (Nghe An), passing through immigration into Laos. On the way, there are many places along the way with breathtaking views of the mountains and forests.

>> If you choose to travel by plane, from Hanoi you can fly to Vientiane or Luang Prabang, then continue your journey by plane or car to Phonsavan. Phonsavan is about 260 kilometres from Luang Prabang and about 350 kilometres from Vientiane.

ATTRACTIONS

You can rent a tuk-tuk to take a trip to visit the Plain of Jars or contact a travel agent to hire a tour guide for more detailed information during your visit.

WEATHER

Phonsavan has a humid, temperate, subtropical climate due to its high altitude and can be visited at any time of the year. In summer, the weather is quite hot and wet while the winter is short and dry. The average temperature in the hottest month (June) is 23.6 degrees Celsius while the December average temperature (the coldest month) is 14.8 degrees Celsius.

CUISINE

The dishes you should try in Phonsavan are Laotian sticky rice and Tam Maak Hung.

SOUVENIRS

Indigenous crafts made from wood and silk or embroidery works are the most sought after items.

Wanderlust Tips

The heartfelt charm of Phu Quoc island

Phu Quoc island in the South of the country has long been famous for the beauty of its blue sea, white sand and golden sunshine, enchanting tourists who come here. However, many people still do not know about the hidden charm of Pearl Island, a new symbol of unparalleled luxury and refinement in Phu Quoc, the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort.

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Located south of Truong beach, the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort features the privacy of a beautiful pristine beach with diverse marine ecosystem and the azure ocean.

With unique architecture shaped in the form of a starfish and surrounded by verdant jungle matted hills and landscaped gardens offering ocean views, the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is truly an ideal destination for a relaxing and peaceful holiday.

Miss Vietnam Do My Linh in an opulent ball gown became a beautiful and proud lady and seemed even more gorgeous with the extraodinary design of Bridge Suite of InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort.

The sharp cut lines, vivid details, gorgeous ruffling and soft chiffon fabric, stand out under the bright yellow sunshine of Phu Quoc, showing off the youthful beauty of Do My Linh.

Wanderlust Tips

12 The meanings behind warning lights on the car’s dashboard

Wanderlust Tips will give you the most useful information to identify the meaning of the car warning lights.

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Modern cars use a lot of new technologies with sensors, so when some features go wrong, the corresponding warning lights will light up. Many people are panicked when they see a warning light flashing on the dashboard. There are more than 60different kinds of warning lights, depending on the models and car manufacturers. Modern well-equipped cars that are full of electronics often have more warning lights on the dashboard. Of course, you do not have to remember the meaning of all these warning lights, but you should at least keep in mind the following 12 ones that often appear on current car models.

1. Oil pressure warning light

The oil pressure warning light is on when the oil pressure gets too low or the oil temperature gets too high. Another cause can be the failure of the oil pump or a blockage in the oil passage. Some vehicles don’t have the correct oil level, causing the oil pressure warning light to light up.

2. Engine warning light

The Engine warning light is the most frustrating and confusing among car warning lights, as it involves a lot of engine parts. When this light is on, it means that your car is having problems such a high-voltage cable and voltage divider damage, spark plug damage, faulty wind sensor, failing catalytic converter, faulty oxygen sensor, broken thermostat, etc.

3. Brake warning light

When this light is on, the most common cause most drivers encounter is that the handbrake lever is not fully released; so just pull down the handbrake and the light will go off. In some cases, a brake warning light indicates low brake fluid or the loss of oil pressure due to leakage. If the ABS light is on, the problem comes from the anti-lock brake system (ABS) of the car (faulty or dirty sensor).

4. Coolant temperature warning light

Many modern cars have a car temperature gauge system with a needle that swings from C (cold) to H (hot). When the car operates normally, the needle will stay in the middle section of the gauge, between the cold and the hot readings. If the needle moves to H, it means your car›s cooling system is too hot. In other vehicles, the coolant warning light will also light up to indicate that the engine is overheating. If you continue to operate the vehicle, it can cause damage to pistons, cylinders or other parts of the engine.So, as soon as the light is on, or the gauge needle hits H, you should safely pull over. Do not open the coolant tank or auxiliary coolant tank as water may leak and cause burns. In other cases, when vehicles operate continuously in overload conditions or the driver uses improper gears when car runs on the slopes, the cooling system can also be overheating. You also need to use a genuine type of coolant to help the engine operate more stable.

5. Airbag warning light

The airbag is designed to protect passengers when an accident happens. New modern cars often have at least two airbags, some even have more than 10. When the airbag warning light flashes on, it can be a faulty airbag system, maybe a broken airbag sensor, loose or dirty plugs.

6. Windshield washer fluid warning light

This light is on if the windshield-washer fluid is below the allowed level, runs out, or is too dirty. You also need to use the right type of windshield washer fluid for better cleaning.

7. Battery charge warning light

For some vehicles, the battery charge warning light will light up only when you first turn your car on. If it doesn’t go off a few seconds after the engine starts, there could be a problem with your car’s battery and electrical system. Therefore, some companies call this light electrical warning light. Some possible causes include a faulty alternator – the alternator does not provide enough electrical power for the car’s system; faulty battery – it does not provide additional power supply in certain cases when increasing the electronic loads; failing warning system.

8. Diesel particulate filter warning light

As the name implies, this light is only found in vehicles that use diesel fuel. Most diesel vehicles are fitted with a diesel particulate filter that removes soot from the exhaust gases to reduce emissions. This light is on when the filter is in trouble. If you want to check to make sure, it is recommended to drive to the highway and operate at a high speed for about 20minutes for the engine to heat up. The heat from the engine will be used to burn the soot, and the light will turn off. If the light is not off, quickly take your car to the garage for inspection.

9. Automatic transmission warning light

The automatic transmission warning light is usually displayed in the symbol of a round gear with an exclamation mark in the middle. This light turns on if your cars automatic transmission is faulty, either the sensors in the gearbox re damaged or the gearbox oil temperature is too high.

10. Low-fuel level warning light

This light flashes on if your car is running out of fuel, and you should refuel as soon as possible. Normally, when the light is on, you can still drive about 20kilometres depending on the type of car, but it is recommended to refuel at the nearest gas station. In this symbol, besides a gas pump, there is an an arrow; the side where the arrow points to is where the fuel tank lid is usually located, it helps the drive the car to the correct side of the fuel pump.

11. Electronic stability program warning light

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is fitted on many modern cars from compact cars. The light will flash on when the ESP is on and ready to activate when needed. Normally, there will be a button on the dashboard or near the gear stick to turn it off. Experts recommend that when driving in normal traffic, drivers should always turn on the system. In many line-ups, this system will automatically turn on when drivers start the car, and they will turn it off when not used.

12. Cruise control

Many modern cars are now equipped with cruise control. Drivers can set different speeds for the car to automatically move without using accelerator. This mode is very useful when driving on the highway or motorways. Depending on the type of car, there will be different colors to indicate the cruise control or deactivated.

Wanderlust Tips

Travel fashion collection: Tropical charm in Sheraton Grand Danang Resort

Appearing like the brilliant sunlight full of vitality from the tropical summer, flowing gowns exude their charming features under the blue sky in Da Nang.

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Supermodel Vo Hoang Yen oozes her gorgeous beauty in willowy yet powerful and fascinating outfits made in transparent white, mysterious blue, luxurious yellow, and sweet pink.

The harmonious green scenery of Sheraton Grand Danang Resort, which offers a full view to the South China Sea and the stretching Non Nuoc beach, is an ideal setting to enjoy your dreamy days.

The highlights of Sheraton Grand Danang Resort include a marvelous private beach, classy architecture, and a 250-metre long infinity swimming pool. In this perfect space, enjoy your morning under the bright sunrise or just relax in the sunset covering the whole space in magenta. Such a tropical summer is enough to create beautiful memories for any visitor.

Wanderlust Tips

Share the love: Explore Asia

The Asian continent is blessed with its rich natural landscape and unique culture, creating a strange attraction for all visitors. The four special characters appearing in the June 2018 issue of Wanderlust Tips magazine will share their impressive experiences on the exciting Asian journey.

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EXPERIENCING ADVENTURE SPORT ACTIVITIES IN PHILIPPINES

MAI ANH DUY, MANAGER OF EASY TRIP TOUR OPERATOR, HO CHI MINH CITY

I have visited many Asian countries, especially those in Southeast Asia such as Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Among those journeys, my first trip to El Nido, Palawan, Philippines is the most memorable one. That day, there was a storm, so all of the tours on the island were cancelled, and boats were not allowed to go offshore. In such weather conditions, my team of 4 people made a very daring decision, which was hiring a kayak to explore the island with the hope of avoiding a meaningless day on the island. El Nido was often busy with boats and ships sailing in and out, now there were only two kayaks of four daring people. Only with a mobile phone installed with GPS and some tips from the kayak owner, we successfully reached extremely beautiful water areas.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Share the love: Explore Asia

Also on this trip, I discovered Cadlao Lagoon – one of the most beautiful destinations in El Nido, the place that a lot of visitors usually miss out on. The storm was a blessing in disguise; we would not have been able to have such a special day if it hadn’t been for the storm. On the way back, sometimes the waves were so big that they made our kayaks flip out, the rain was so heavy and the winds were so strong. In the evening, after 8 hours of rowing the kayaks, our muscles in both hands hurt like never before, but it was an experience that I would never forget.

THE MIDDLE EAST IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF ASIA

TRAN MAI HUONG, BANK STAFF, HANOI

As a backpacking devotee, I often like to travel by myself to explore new places, new people and follow my passion. However, on a trip to Dubai only, I chose to book a tour from a local travel company because Dubai is located in West Asia; the Middle East Islamic countries have cultures and lifestyles that are very different from the rest of Asia.

When you arrive in Dubai, the first thing you will feel is the heat of the desert climate; there are not many trees while the leaves are covered by a pale brownish colour of sand. People who live here, in the midst of a hot desert all year round, both men and women have white skins as they are Arabs, and because of Muslim rules, girls have to wear Hijab covering their head and shoulders, even the whole face.

In Dubai, I have had many memorable experiences like camel riding, nighttime in the desert, and driving a jeep through sand dunes. Besides nature, when I travelled to each place, I also enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their lives; it made me feel happy to have become a part of life there.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO JAPAN AND THAILAND

DAO THU VINH, COMMUNICATION STAFF, HANOI

Due to my passion for travelling and the nature of my work, I have had many chances to visit a lot of countries in Europe and Asia. There are two places that I really want to return to in Asia, which are Japan and Thailand.

Japan is probably well-known for its special features from nature, culture to sophisticated and expensive cuisine. And the time when I travelled to this country, I could feel it fully. The way Japanese people respect each other, appreciate their culture and nature, taking care of themselves was so impressive to me, even though the custody and sense of “appreciation” sometimes tied them up in extremely stressful and busy lives, especially in big cities.

Thailand is a safe and pleasant destination when you need a short vacation; you can travel without thinking too much. I can find a relaxing space that is close to nature and extremely convenient anywhere in this country. In addition to friendly locals and good food, Thailand will definitely bring you the feeling of being at home.

ENJOY LOCAL DISHES IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE THEY WERE ORIGINALLY MADE

HUYNH BICH NGOC, MARKETING STAFF, HANOI

I have visited many European countries such as France, Italy, Greece and other Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, China, and Korea. During the trips, I especially love exploring the food. I find that Asian cuisine is very different from European cuisine. If European dishes are often the combination of butter, eggs, milk, meat, seafood, and fruits, Asian dishes focus on using a variety of vegetables and spices to make the food becomes less strong but still retain a special flavour.

I like Tom Yum from Thailand. This dish is a harmonious combination of fresh seafood, spices, and coconut milk to create sour, spicy, greasy and rich flavour, bringing a lot of sensations to diners when enjoying it. I was also impressed by the famous Peking duck when visiting China. This is a very typical dish in Chinese cuisine with crispy crust from duck skin, soft fat of the meat, which will surely leave an unforgettable impression on those who eat it for the first time.

Certainly, Asian cuisine has many other rich and fascinating dishes that we cannot name at once. I think when travelling far away and enjoying the local food in wonderful scenery, we can feel the ultimate sense of the taste.

Wanderlust Tips

Touching the dream of Baobab trees

The first time I heard about baobab trees was in my biology class when I was a child. From that initial knowledge acquired in my childhood, the name “Baobab” has intrigued me and nurtured an interest in these legendary thousand-year-old trees, inspiring me to explore extraordinary lands across the globe.

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RELIVING CHILDHOOD DREAMS

I gradually forget my dreams of baobab trees and the story of The Little Prince (by French writer – Antoine De Saint-Exupéry) and got stuck on the treadmill of life. Until one day, I saw a picture on Instagram of my Puerto Rican friend, he was walking barefoot on a dirt road with 2 rows of giant trees on either side at the Avenue of Baobabs. At that moment, I felt an electric shock run through my body and the dream of hugging the giant trees and whispering: “Hey you, you are so special, I have waited so long for this day” was awoken in me.

Without hesitation, I quickly searched for information about the journey to touch my dream of baobab trees at The Avenue of Baobabs located in Morondava, Madagascar. It would take quite a lot of time to fly to from Vietnam and I didn’t have many options in terms of different flight routes either. I was only sure that the capital of Antananarivo would be my first destination in Madagascar, then I would travel to Morondava. I had visited Egypt once before, a country in North Africa, but I had never made my way to any countries in West Africa. Therefore, this time, I decided to make plans to travel from HCMC to Nairobi – the capital of Kenya then to Antananarivo – the capital of Madagascar and on to Morondava – my final destination where the baobab trees were waiting for me.

After a 3 hour flight from Nairobi, I arrived in the capital of Antananarivo. Only staying for 1 night, the next morning, I was on my way to the land of the magical baobab trees. My car brought me through hills, villages and towns and on Friday afternoon, I arrived in Morondava. In the dry season, baobab trees shed their leaves and look as if they have been planted upside-down, as from a distance, the bare and spreading branches of the Baobab look like roots sticking up into the air.

The car kept moving, suddenly, I saw the giant baobab trees standing on the roadside, right next to my car. At that moment, I was bursting with happiness as after such a long journey, for the first time, I saw a real baobab tree. Nature rewarded me with a beautiful sunset as the red sun slowly went down beyond the horizon. The road was empty and the baobab trees appeared so majestic in the golden honey sunset, it was a natural light spectacle I’ll never forget, washing away all of my tiredness. However, on that afternoon, I could only see a few baobab trees along the national highway before darkness came and I had to save the Avenue of Baobabs for the next day.

THE GREAT PERFORMANCE OF THE BAOBAB TREES

I hardly slept at all that night as I got so excited when thinking about walking in the middle of the two rows of giant African baobab trees. I woke up early and left the hotel at 4am, it was still dark except for the streak of light coming from my car. The road to the Avenue of Baobabs was little bumpy and I was filled with anticipation. Then, I gradually saw one and then two baobab trees on the roadside.

When we arrived at the Avenue of Baobabs, stopping in the parking lot, I got out of the car and ran straight to the Avenue. I breathed in the cool air of the early morning and waited for the first light of the day to reveal the great performance of the baobab trees. 10 minutes passed and in the thin shimmering mist which appeared like a sparkling performance gown, the baobab trees were the stars of the stage, they were magically spectacular and imposing. I have never seen anything so magnificently gorgeous! I felt like I had found an incredibly precious treasure and that I was a passionate explorer.

The Avenue of Baobabs is 250 metres long, lined by over 25 giant baobab trees on each side and surrounded by many other kinds of trees though not standing in line. I kept walking along the road over and over again like a curious kid visiting Jurassic Park for the first time, touching the trees, hugging and caressing them. In the dry season, the joke of the ancestors of the Malagasy people seemed to come true: the Creator planted the baobab trees upside down with their roots sticking up in the air. From a distance, the green-brown velvety pod-shaped fruit at the top of the trees made them more vivid and strange looking. I admired them from one side to the other for a while. How beautiful! How stunning!

There are eight species of baobab tree in the world, and 6 of them only grow in Madagascar. Depending on their age, the baobab trees have different sizes and heights and locals say that the trees only grow 8 centimetres every 10 years. Therefore, some baobabs may look small but they are already many years in age while the giant ones which are about 30 metres have to be a thousand years old and even some can live to be 3,000-4,000 years old. Their roots are 50 metres long, but only lie 2 metres underground and they spread as widely as possible to increase their chances of absorbing the little amount of rainwater that soaks down into the soil. This water is then stored in their trunks, an ordinary tree can only consist of about 27% water while the baobab tree reaches 76-79%, which is a lot! However, the trunks of baobab trees are soft, so they are used to make strong fibres and dye and for firewood while the bark is used to make rope.

I returned to the Avenue of Baobabs several times to watch the sunset. Though a lot of baobab trees can be found in Morondava, only on the Avenue of Baobabs do they grow in rows, creating its beautiful scenery. The Avenue of Baobabs is a hidden gem which is arousing the interest of travellers and becoming a “new destination of the year” and attracting more travel enthusiasts and those who have a passion for exploring extraordinary destinations. Witnessing the sunrise and sunset on the Avenue of Baobabs has been the most stunning experience in my long voyage to 60 countries. And how about you, are you willing to make the long journey to admire this generous gift from nature?

W.TIPS

TOURIST VISA

Madagascar issues visas on arrival for Vietnamese passport holders. The tourist visa fee for a 30-day stay is about USD37 (~VND860,000).

TRANSPORTATION

There are many ways to travel from Vietnam to Madagascar, but I chose to fly from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Nairobi (Kenya), then take a flight to Antananarivo (Madagascar).

From Antananarivo to Morondava where the Avenue of Baobabs is located, you can take a one-hour domestic flight or travel by car for two days and one night. The road is not too bad, but it is quite zigzagging and undulating through the hills and there is no electric street lighting along the road. Travelling the 660 kilometres from Antananarivo to Morondava in the above conditions can be quite challenging and hence why it is a two-day and one-night journey. The most common itinerary is Antananarivo – Antsirabe (170 kilometres) on the first day and Antsirabe – Morondava (490 kilometres) on the second day. Madagascar’s towns are relatively rudimentary and far from each other, and the roads do not allow for cars to travel at high speeds, so it is reasonable to divide the trip and take a break in Antsirabe. I wanted to admire the nature and the daily life of the people in Madagascar, so I decided to hire a car, a driver and travel on the road.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Madagascar has a subtropical climate and every season bears its own beauty. However, it is recommended to visit during the winter time which is also the dry season when the weather will be more predictable and there are fewer storms.

Winter is from May to October, at this time the road is dry and the sky is clear, meaning we can watch the beautiful sunset and sunrise. This is also the time when the baobab tree is bare of leaves and may have fruit. The Avenue of Baobabs is a dirt road and during this season there is no rain so it is only dusty and not muddy. The lake by the Avenue of Baobabs is dry during winter, so you can walk out onto it and in September the view of the sunrise is very beautiful when watching from the lake. However, in September, looking from the lake across the highway, the sun goes down to the left side of the Avenue (behind the roofs of a few houses and groves) and does not fall behind the baobab trees.

Summer lasts from November to April. At this time, the road at the Avenue of Baobabs may be muddy on rainy days. The Baobab trees are green in this season and the nearby lake is full of water, so visitors can capture impressive images of the reflections off it. In particular, this is the most beautiful time to witness sunset as the sun sets directly behind the baobab trees.

CHOOSING SUITABLE CLOTHING

It is recommended to wear bright-coloured clothing with large colour patterns. You can wear accessories such as hats made of environmentally friendly materials, especially the typical Madagascar raffia hats that you can buy in shops along the road.

If you want to look like a true local, you can buy the baskets which people here often carry on their heads. In addition to the baskets, the stores also sell lengths of cloth shaped into a ring or ball which is needed to carry loads using the baskets. With all the necessary tools, you can act like a local, carrying a basket on your head.

TIPS TO CAPTURE THE AVENUE OF BAOBABS IN THE DRY SEASON

To capture the moment of sunrise, you should arrive from 5am. At this time it is still foggy and the avenue is almost deserted. At about 6.15am, the sun starts to rise up over the lake, the early morning light splashed over the baobab trees. At this moment, you should be standing at the lake to capture the rows of baobab trees and avoid a silhouette. Around 7.30am, the sun is high and though the view from the beginning to the end of the avenue appears ethereal, it is opposite the sun. Therefore, the best time to take photos is from 5.15am to 7.15am, after that time, a lot of tourists and locals will arrive making it hard to take beautiful pictures.

To capture the sunset, you should go to the Avenue of Baobabs from 6pm. However, at this time, the avenue is often quite crowded with tourists and local people, so it is relatively difficult to have photos taken between the two rows of beautiful baobab trees.

CUISINE

Try the fruit of the baobab trees but don’t eat too much because the high vitamin content of this fruit can upset your stomach. The fruit is brown and as big as a large melon with a hard smooth outer shell. Malagasy people use a piece of hardwood or a wooden statue of the baobab tree (the souvenir) to break open the fruit. Inside the hard shell, there is the white part but only the flesh surrounding the seeds is edible or can be used to make soft drinks. One fruit has many seeds which are a little tangy with an almost citrusy kind of flavour. The Malagasy people in the Morondava region love the baobab fruit and they buy and sell a lot of baobab fruit in the market.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

There are many other interesting attractions near the Avenue of the Baobabs such as the Baobab Lovers – two enormous Adansonia za baobabs which have grown to become entwined together.

On the way from Antananarivo to Morondava, you can visit Lake Tritriva – a lake at the mouth of an extinct volcano near the city of Antsirabe.

Watching Lemurs is also very interesting. This is a typical animal native to Madagascar found in national parks and private reserves.

Duong Thanh Tu | Wanderlust Tips

Share the love: Couples and honeymoon

With the theme of “Destinations for couples” in the July issue, Wanderlust Tips will introduce impressive destinations on the exhilarating journey of four couples with readers. This is a truly meaning trip because they overcame up and down moments and gained memorable lessons helping them become maturer and then love their partners more than ever.

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YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE

NGUYỄN NGỌC DŨNG – IRENE HOÀNG HẢI YẾN, JUST GOT MARRIED

We met each other when working together on a project, since then we have admired each other’s views on life and achievements. We fell in love and decided to get married and held the wedding in June.

During our time together, my wife and I travelled to the United States, Spain, Malaysia, and Thailand. The most impressive cities to us are probably Los Angeles and Las Vegas in the United States, where we registered our marriage and took wedding photos. The way people take wedding photos in the US is very different from that in Vietnam. They do not want us to pose in order to look beautiful, they do not edit photos, either. They just want us to talk and play with each other naturally. Then they capture our sweet moments that feature our true feelings.

I am pretty happy now because I have achieved about 80% of the goals I set for myself 3 years ago. I dared to come out and live with my true feelings, got married to my lover, and could travel with her anywhere. Those are all of my great dreams of life and we will continue to pursue them. I only want to tell everyone that “You only live once”, so be strong, dare to dream, and dare to act to get what you want because we only live once.

AFTER MANY TRIPS, WE ARE EVEN MORE IN – LOVE WITH EACH OTHER

DONG THI HUYEN THU – LE CONG THANH, BEEN MARRIED FOR 4 YEARS

Over eight years together, we have travelled to all parts of Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, and Turkey, and the trip to Tibet (China) was the most emotional. Tibetan scenery is so beautiful that no words could ever describe or no camera could ever capture. Conquering Everest Base Camp and facing altitude sickness left us many unforgettable memories.

On those trips, we had many happy times together, and we quarreled a lot as well; we argued several times on almost every trip. However, both of us always tried to forget the words we told each other when we were angry. When we calmed down, whoever found themselves at fault will apologize. When travelling together, it is easier to forgive because we both appreciate the moments we spend together and do not want to waste time by focusing on the sad feelings, and we always try to make the most of the trip.

After many trips, we are even more in love with each other than before getting married, because we have more opportunities to be together and care for each other. Also, the trips have brought us a lot of beautiful memories and pictures. Every time we fight or get angry at each other, looking at the pictures and remembering the beautiful moments will help us make up easier.

HOLDING HANDS, WE UNDERGO BOTH JOYFUL AND SORROWFUL MOMENTS

NGUYEN NGOC DUNG – NGUYEN TRONG NGHIA – BEEN IN LOVE FOR SIX YEARS

Since the time we fell in love, my sweetheart and I have travelled to a lot of places together. In Vietnam, we went to Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Buon Me Thuot, Sa Pa, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vung Tau. We have also travelled abroad to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Our most memorable trip was the time to Thailand in 2016. At that time, my lover forgot to write the hotel address as well as buy 4G sim at the airport, so finally, we got off at the wrong station. It was raining heavily, I could not find my way back to the hotel. Getting scared and anxious, I scolded and blamed my lover while he was looking very guilty and just kept listening.

Whenever thinking about such moments, I feel so sorry for him. Fortunately, we got some help to get to the hotel. After many trips and handling such situations, we got to know each other more, we learned to to live together and keep calm to solve problems.

My boyfriend and I intend to get married at the end of this year 2018. And we have decided to choose Korea for our honeymoon. The reason is that my lover used to study abroad in Korea; at that time, he wished to take his lover to Korea to visit his school. For me, I am a fan of Korean cosmetics and food. There are so many reasons for us to wait for this fun and memorable trip to Korea.

AT THE AGE OF RETIREMENT, WE FIND IT AN IDEAL TIME TO TRAVEL AND EXPLORE UNKNOWN PLACES TOGETHER

NGUYEN TRONG HAI – VU DIEU HUYEN, BEEN MARRIED FOR 38 YEARS

My husband and I love to travel, this passion comes from the desire to experience and explore the world, admire natural scenery, wonders, and historical relics around the world. We also want to check our knowledge and broaden our horizon as the world with many civilizations and cultures is changing every day. Up to now, we have visited 45 out of 64 provinces in Vietnam, 31 countries in the world, and have been abroad nearly 50 times. And we are planning to travel to South Africa and Egypt in the near future.

Each trip leaves us different impressions. This may be the mysterious beauty of nature, modern civilization, or the oldest culture in the world. Such different and exotic things have brought us so many indescribable emotions. Maybe not just us, most people love to travel and explore the world. However, to fulfill this passion, we also need to have time and money. That’s why at the age of retirement, we find it an ideal time to travel and explore unknown places together.

Wanderlust Tips

Share the love: Hello 2019!

2019 has just begun and many travellers will begin their journeys to find happiness and meaning in life. At this time, famous personalities share with us their passion for travel and plans for the new year.

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QUANG DAI TRAN – MODEL, TRAVEL BLOGGER – TRAVELING CHANGES YOU AND HELPS YOU GROW

TRAVEL INSPIRATION

I’ve had a passion for travel for such a long time. Since I was a child, I had a hobby of watching foreign films and cherished the dream of visiting the places in the movies. Places like Juliet’s Wall in Italy, the crowded streets and bustling boulevards where people start their dreams in New York, the gleaming lights of the highways in Wong Karwai’s movies which were an integral part of my childhood, or the scenery of a forest covered in white snow in the Norwegian Forest film directed by Anh Hung Tran evoking in us a sense of loneliness and sadness that I believe many young people experience.

When we get older and have chances to travel to where we want, from the provinces of Vietnam to countries in Asia and Europe, we experience more emotions and feel life more fully than we have ever felt it before. It is not just about the beautiful scenes, but also the life, people and cultures of different countries. I realize my childhood dream of travelling is always there, and it grows even stronger through journeys and gained experiences.

TRAVELLING TO MANY REGIONS OF VIETNAM AND MORE THAN 25 COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

I feel like when every day passes, every country that I have travelled to has helped me grow up in very different ways. You can find out how many fine wines there are in France on Google, or how majestic Myanmar temples are through photo pages, but when you really arrive in these places, you realize the grandeur and romance of a country that never can be fully expressed in a few simple words. I still remember the hustle and bustle of the trendy stores on the boulevards of New York, the peaceful tranquility in Bhutan, or a moment of absolute silence while watching the stream of people crossing the U Bein wooden bridge in an afternoon in Myanmar, where I sat on a small boat and felt like I was melting into the peaceful and gentle atmosphere of Taungthaman lake and my Traveling changes you and helps you grow heart was released of burden in the red sunset. Every place has left me with so many emotions from different beautiful and authentic experiences, so choosing the place I like most is so difficult.

However, perhaps after all, Saigon is always the place I choose to return to. Although I was not born and raised in the city, like many other people who have the opportunity to visit and grow up there, Saigon to me is always the closest and the most familiar of cities. It is where I feel: “Finally, I’m home” after every long journey when I see the sparkling lights of Saigon from the window of the aeroplane.

EXPECTATIONS IN 2019

Currently, I am nurturing many new projects which will be soon released. In 2019, I hope to visit more places and discover more interesting things which make life more worthwhile and complete. Thanks to everyone who always supports my new products as well as my trips and I hope I will have the opportunity to tell you many more interesting stories!

VY HUYNH – MISS TOURISM QUEEN WORLDWIDE 2018 – EVERY DAY I ALWAYS MAKE MY BEST EFFORT AS MISS TOURISM QUEEN WORLDWIDE

TRAVELLING MAKES LIFE FLOURISH

Like many other people, travelling around the world is my dream. When visiting different destinations, not only can we admire the fantastic landscape, learn about their unique cultures, but also enjoy many attractive local specialties, which make our lives flourish.

When I had just left Dong Thap to seek a career in Sai Gon, I was still young and didn’t have much money. However, I always took time to travel and explore the many regions of Vietnam. With a limited budget, I often travelled by myself and tried to manage to have economical yet enjoyable trips. Then when life got better and due to nature of my work, I had more opportunities to visit more places, not just in Vietnam, but many other countries around the world.

Up until now, I’ve visited more than 50 provinces in Vietnam, as well as some countries in Asia and Europe. Every place has left a different impression on me, however, the Philippines brought me the most cherished and beautiful memories. The Philippines is where I took part in Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide and stayed the longest in a foreign country. At first, everything was really new to me, but I realized the Filipinos were very kind and friendly. And of course, the Philippines was the place where I achieved my dream, where I had a chance to express myself and all my efforts were rewarded by the title of Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2018.

THE ROLE OF A NEW QUEEN

As I’ve only held the role of Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2018 for little more than 1 month, I’ve only just begun to make a contribution to the tourism industry of Vietnam and the world. However, before participating in the contest, I always took advantage of every opportunity possible to introduce Vietnam to international friends and learned about the culture of other countries to share with Vietnamese people. I think these were just small and simple acts yet they carried great meaning behind them, and though we won’t see the effects of these actions immediately, I believe when I stay patient and persevere in my role as an ambassador of Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide, these will bear fruit in the near future.

BEAUTY TIPS AND SECRETS

I don’t have many secrets (said with a smile). I’m quite busy and travel frequently, but I still spend 1-2 hours every day doing Yoga or going to the gym. I also choose a high-protein diet including chicken, beef, salmon and vegetables, limit my intake of sugary and starchy foods, and drink 2 litres of water per day. And you should make sure you get enough sleep instead of staying up late to keep your skin young and healthy.

PLANS FOR 2019

I always work with detailed plans, therefore, I have quite a lot in store for 2019. First of all, in my role as Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2018, I will continue to undertake work relating to tourism promotion as well as sustainable tourism development, and promoting Vietnam Tourism to the world is definitely one of those activities. Along with this, I want to develop myself and try to become an MC, it is really new and appealing to me. I also want to say thanks to everyone I get support from when I undertake any endeavor and I will always try my best to accomplish my mission and complete my responsibilities.

KHAC TIEP VU – BUSINESSMAN – I WILL TRAVEL TO MANY BREATHTAKING AND LUXURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE WORLD

A PASSION FOR LUXURY TRAVEL

At present, luxury travel is one of my priorities in life. I dearly love this travel trend and I even have a plan to pursue this passion. I often don’t choose easily accessible and popular destinations, and instead I love to conquer challenging ones, and of course, luxury is a must and fashion is also a priority.

PLACES I ALWAYS WANT TO COME BACK TO

I’ve visited and explored all the famous and beautiful sights of Vietnam. I have also travelled to about 50 countries including many famous tourist attractions in Europe.

Every city has its own unique beauty, but the land that left the deepest impression on me was Cappadocia in Turkey. The weather, the nature, and the local people here were so beautiful and harmonious, which touched my heart so deeply. In particular, the picturesque scene of hot air balloons floating up into in the sky at sunrise made a lasting and unforgettable impression in my mind. I hope to come back to Cappadocia once again and admire its scenery when it is covered in white snow. Besides Cappadocia, the beautiful island of Bali in Indonesia and the tranquil country of Switzerland are where I would love to revisit in the not so distant future.

PLANNING FOR JOURNEYS

Fortunately, I can run my business from a distance, so I have much more time and opportunities to carry out my travel plans. I always do careful research about the best time to visit, the location, and the most beautiful moments of the day in a different destination to make detailed plans for every trip. All of this I do to achieve my goals to enjoy, relax, and capture the rare and beautiful moments of where I visit. I love to keep these images as beautiful memories of my youth that I will be able to look back on.

PLANS FOR 2019

On 9th March 2019, I will hold the 12th Viet’s beauty on Sentosa island, Singapore. This is also the last show marking the ending of my evergreen youth, and that is why I’m pouring all my heart and soul into it. Everything promises to be truly spectacular and worth the wait as it has received the largest ever investment in comparison with previous shows. Then in May, I will organize the second Vietnam Night at the Cannes Film Festival. This is one of the major events I’m devoting my time to develop, with the expectation of building a new image for the Khac Tiep Vu brand.

Besides my work, I’ll spend time on my passion for travelling to explore the world. Every day, I search for special tourist attractions on Instagram and update my list of upcoming destinations. Every month, I plan to visit two places, one in Europe and one unique remote location. I hope to be a Vietnamese person who makes a lasting positive impression when travelling to beautiful and luxurious sights across the globe.

HA TRUC LE – MODEL, TRAVEL BLOGGER – LOVE OF BEAUTY AND PERFECTION

I HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO BEAUTIFY MY SURROUNDINGS

There are 3 reasons which drive me to do a fashion photo shoot. First of all, I have admired some international travel bloggers for years, especially the way they adjust a picture’s colour and tone to make it more beautiful. They have both good taste and greatly invest their time and energy. Secondly, I pursued a major in art at university as I have a strong passion for colour and composition, and I wanted to indulge in the creation of art. And finally, I have a passion for making my surroundings more beautiful through every frame.

The first motivation which drives me to do fashion photo shoots is to satisfy my passion for beauty. Every single place I visit, the clothes that I choose or items I use, are all important elements in creating the most perfect pictures. I believe in order to satisfy others, we must try our best.

FAVOURITE FASHION STYLE FOR TRAVEL

Maxi dresses are always my first choice as they are made of thin and light weight material which will lend you a beautiful and gentle look to have the best photos in any location. Also, I often mix bright-coloured clothes with accessories. Before travelling to any destination, you should do your research carefully, especially about the main colour of the background so you can choose the most suitable outfits with more outstanding colours. For example, in a location where there are many green trees, you should choose yellow and red clothes. And don’t forget to choose suitable accessories, as for me, the beauty of an outfit depends 70% on the accessories. If you don’t want to bring too many accessories, you can simply take wide-brimmed hats and a variety of bracelets, with these two accessories you will always look outstanding whether in a close-up or wide angle shot.

MOST IMPRESSIVE DESTINATION

When anyone asks me about this, my answer is always Japan. I really admire the culture, people, art and cuisine of this country. In the past, when I got to know about Japan through newspapers, books and films, I fell in love with the country and its people. And when I actually got the chance to come to the land of the rising sun, I was even more surprised and fell deeper in love. Japanese people are really hard-working, patient, and have good taste in fashion.

In Vietnam, Ninh Binh is where I want to come back to the most. Even now, when closing my eyes, I still remember the sense of happiness when exploring Trang An by boat and admiring the majesty of the breathtaking Bai Dinh pagoda.

NEW DESTINATIONS IN 2019

I’ve always wanted to discover many other cultures. And in 2019, I will try to travel to more places to capture their beauty in pictures. One of the destinations I’m hoping to visit in 2019 is Mongolia, home of yurt and vast green plains.

Wanderlust Tips

Colmar on the Alsace wine route

When referring to romantic cities and villages in Europe, especially in France, Colmar takes the cake. Colmar, the capital of haut Rhin department, and Strasbourg in Bas-rhin department are the two most beautiful cities of Alsace region in the northeast of France. Colmar features vineyards grown for winemaking and fairytale villages. The picturesque and peaceful green scenery of the village will bring a deep sense of peace to your soul.

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Alsace wine route is 170 kilometres long, stretching from north to south, running through rolling hills covered in green grape leaves and 70 prosperous craft villages. Alsace is home to a wide range of wines, of which the most famous are Muscat, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer. The wines have delicate aromas, with lots of juicy fruit flavours. While Muscat wine is often served with Asian spicy foods, Riesling and Pinot Gris are a great match when paired with fish, seafood, and white meat. Gewurztraminer- sweeter and more aromatic – pairs well with appetizers and desserts.

If you like wine with a sweeter flavour than the 4 mentioned above, Vendange Tardive (which translates to “late harvest”), made from overripe grapes which fully absorb the warm sunshine and moderate wind, has a sweeter and stronger taste. Personally, I am a fan of Pinot Gris vendange tardive which has a delicate fruit flavor that helps it maintain a fresh and natural acidity.

On the Alsace wine route to Colmar, make sure not to miss Petite Venise, the “Little Venice” of France. As the name implies, Petite Venise is a little old town located in the city centre, from Marché couvert, stretching through Quai de la Poisonnerie to Saint-Pierre street. In this town, there are small canals and pretty modest houses. These small houses and canals are what make visitors, including me, fall in love.

Though I used to find it amusing whenever I read articles with titles such as “If you haven’t been to Colmar, you haven’t been to France”, I had to admit that Petite Venise looks really beautiful in pictures. Small, traditional, and colourful wooden houses reflect off water from the gentle canal. They are decorated with red geranium flower trusses in the summer and covered in white snow and early morning mist in the winter. Petite Venise’s scenery is picturesque. Perhaps that is why Colmar is home to many poets and painters; the most famous ones are Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor who is best known for designing the Statue of Liberty, and painter Jacques Walz, also known as “Hansi”, who often paints the scenes of village life and family life in Alsace.

The early train at 8am took me from Strasbourg to Colmar as the dawn was gradually breaking. After arriving at the train station in Colmar, it took me fifteen minutes to walk to Petite Venise. The early morning was my favourite time of a day because the whole city was still asleep and Colmar appeared so peaceful and quiet. The small roads were getting more crowded as locals were slowly emerging from their homes to go to work. Some owners were opening their stores, and several elders were taking out their bicycles to bike to the local market. A pristine and authentic Colmar.

The Christmas market in Colmar opens from late November to the end of December. Here, visitors will find many little stalls on small paths at the city centre. In the cold air of the early winter, it is really interesting to breathe in the aroma of orange mixed with cinnamon from a mulled wine pot. Mulled wine is the most signature alcoholic beverage during the Christmas season in Europe. Alsace is famous for white wine, therefore beside hot red wine, it is also possible to find mulled white wine; it is really hard to find it anywhere else.

When the night falls, stalls selling candies, cakes, toys, and handmade ornaments light up brightly. The bright lights, vibrant music, and the crowds of people laughing happily warm up the atmosphere. In a mere instant, a few white first snowflakes fall down on the steps of the wooden houses. Winter, a season of love, is coming.

WTIPS

HOW TO GET TO COLMAR

Visitors can travel from Paris to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, in less than 3 hours by the most modern high-speed train in France.

Colmar is merely 64 kilometres away from the large city of Alsace. Every hour of everyday, there is a train that travels between the two cities. Travel time is about 30 to 40 minutes. Train ticket prices are around EUR9-EUR13 (VND238,000-VND345,000).

Tickets can be purchased on the website of SNCF or at vending machines at the railway station. You do not need to buy tickets in advance because there is not a big change in prices. In addition, in Alsace, you can buy Alsa+ tickets which allow unlimited access to a set of transportation services such as regional trains, buses, tramways, and cars for individuals or groups of 2 to 5 people. Thanks to the distribution of difference zones, you can determine the perimeter within which you wish to travel. Ticket prices range from EUR3.5 to EUR37.6 (VND90,000-VND1,000,000). This is very beneficial when travelling in groups or by trains which travel long distances, for example from Strasbourg to Colmar and vice versa.

CHRISTMAS IN COLMAR

Colmar Christmas market is open from 24th November to 30th December, from 10am to 7pm on Mondays to Thursdays, and from 10am to 8pm on Fridays to Sundays. On 24th December, it will open from 10am to 5pm, and on 25th December, it will open from 2pm to 7pm.

Markets in small villages near Colmar: During Christmas, you can visit any of the Noel markets which can be found in the small beautiful villages in surrounding neighbourhoods such as Kaysersberg, Éguisheim, Münster, Neuf-Brisach, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Rouffach, and Turckheim. It is called “Pays des Etoiles de Noël” (the Land of Stars) by the people of Alsace. Each village’s Noel market has its own theme that bears traditional features, and the theme is changed every year.

ATTRACTIONS NEAR COLMAR

During the Christmas season, there are three bus routes added to the regular bus routes from Colmar, which also includes Sundays. Ticket prices range between EUR8 (VND208,000) per person per day for the weekends, and EUR5 (VND130,000) per person per day from Monday to Friday. Tickets are available for purchase on the bus or in the Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr tourist offices.

– Route 1: Colmar – Kaysersberg – Riquewihr – Ribeauvillé – Colmar.

– Route 2: Colmar – Ribeauvillé – Riquewihr – Kaysersberg – Colmar.

– Route 3: Colmar – Eguisheim – Colmar.

TAKE PHOTOS OF COLMAR DURING CHRISTMAS

The best time of the day to take photos of the streets covered in shimmering lights is during the blue hour, 1 hour before sunrise and 1 hour after sunset. In Alsace, in December, the blue hour is from 6.30am to 7.30am and from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. However, before Christmas, many tourists flock to Alsace, so it is really difficult to capture the broad view of the beautiful empty streets in the evening. So, it is recommended to take photos in the morning. At this time, decoration lights are still on, so you can take the most romantic and magical photographs.

Some beautiful sites in Colmar: Rue des Marchands, the small bridge on Turenne street, Quai de la Poissonnerie, to name a few.

Bui Huyen Chi | Wanderlust Tips

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Zanzibar: The jewel island amidst Africa

Featuring unspoilt wilderness, tranquil and gentle beauty, Zanzibar is a precious jewel close to the graceful continent of Africa.

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Located in Tanzania by the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region with an area of 2,650 square kilometres. It consists of two major islands, which are Unguja and Pemba. The word “Zanzibar” comes from the Persian language, ultimately meaning “land of the Blacks”. However, another theory showed that it may be Arabic meaning “a beautiful country”.

IMMERSED IN A SEA OF TURQUOISE WATER

Zanzibar is famous for its colourful coral reefs, marine biodiversity, long smooth sandy beaches, and appealing turquoise sea water. In Zanzibar, the most well-known beautiful beaches are Nungwi and Kendwa beaches in the North, Pingwe and Paje beaches in the South East.

Each beach has its own characteristics and beauty. If you arrive and leave on the same day, you should visit Nungwi first. In Nungwi, the tide is not too high, so there is a lot of space on the beach for you to enjoy sunbathing, relaxing, and taking part in sports activities. You can hire a small boat for 2-4 people, and the fisherman will take you about 5 nautical miles offshore. The boat anchors at a rock cluster, where you can spend time swimming and admiring colourful coral reefs spread throughout the area. Under the crystal water, some colourful schools of fish swim happily, contributing to the vibrant sparkling beauty of the underwater world.

Paje in the Southeast is a little different from Nungwi; this beach has many coral reefs and a higher tide. During a visit to Paje, all your fatigue and troubles from daily life will disappear. Time seems to unfold simply yet extremely significantly.