Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 158 of 196

Behind the Venetian masks: Giving Souls to the Masks

If you have been mesmerised by the splendid, mysterious and sophisticated masks that flood the streets of Venice do not hesitate to wander around the alleys to admire the making of them – here talented artisans give souls to the beautiful artworks. Venetian masks, as well as many other traditional handicraft products, are the quintessence of the culture, created by the hands and minds of skilled craftsmen.

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I was quite surprised to learn that among the thousands of masks that flooded the streets of Venice, only a handful were made in the traditional method. According to Davide Belloni, a young artisan, Venetian masks used to be handmade with natural materials such as paper, glue, pastels, and fabric. Now, most of the masks you see on the streets are machine-made, with pressed paper or plastic, and produced in China, Albania, Romania, or Bulgaria.
As a young artisan who inherited his family’s long-standing mask-making tradition, Davide found it difficult to accept the plastic products, a result of the globalized era. “Imagine, traditional Venetian masks made in areas dozens of kilometres away. Maybe it’s cheaper, maybe I will make more money that way, but one thing is for sure, it’s going to lose its soul and inherent meaning.”

Just like every other craft, mask making requires the artisan to have astounding and meticulous skills. Participating in a three-hour workshop with the artisan, which costs around 60 USD, you will be guided through the steps of making an artwork of your own.

The masking process begins as soon as you think of a person’s face. From your imagination, it will be initially shaped by clay mould and then plastered with loose plaster. After drying, the plaster cast becomes a model for the mask. After the plaster cast hardens, it is removed from the clay mould, and the absorbent paper – called cartalana – is placed on the cast. All layers of paper will be dipped in glue and placed tightly over the cast. Over 20 hours after the paper layers dry, a perfect mask appears, waiting for decorations from a skilful hand. However, not every mask is created from the same mould. Sometimes, it is the result of many different parts pieced together.

Davide’s shop has about 65 molds to make masks. Each of these molds can create masks with dozens of different decorations, making hundreds of unique masks. “Some take only a few hours to complete, some take days. Depending on the difficulty and material, prices range from 21 to 106 USD a mask,” Davide says. The most sophisticated and expensive mask is one with real peacock feathers, worth about 235 USD (about 5 million VND).

Contemporary influence

You have probably now realized that Davide Belloni is the heir of the Belloni family. His father, Mario Belloni, was one of the pioneers to bring back the wonderful Venice Carnival after nearly 200 years. Ca’maca is the family’s famed mask shop that every tourist must visit when coming to Venice.

However, following his family’s footsteps was not the first career choice for this young man. After 10 years studying and working all over the world – in England, Italy, Russia, Lithuania, and Germany – his passion for mask-making, imparted by his parents from his childhood, and his desire to have his own creative space, brought him back home. “I learned to paint the masks when I was a child in my parents’ workshop,” he recalls. “During my younger years, my father taught me a lot of mask-making skills when I worked there during the summer to earn my allowance.” His artistic root is both a blessing and a challenge for young Davide. Only a few weeks after coming home, he opened his own small workshop to recreate the traditional craft with a more contemporary approach. “My vision is to have a creative space where visitors can discover how to make a traditional Venetian mask. I also want to prove that it is possible to open a traditional handicraft business in Venice.”

Challengling traditional values

“Having parents in the industry is a blessing, but it is also a challenge for me,” Davide says. “While my parents take the safer route with their well-established shop, I want to invest in a company; while they want to keep the original motifs, I want to incorporate new elements, like contemporary motifs and shapes, or hold makeup and masquerade events with professional photographers.”

This means that visiting Mario Belloni’s Ca’maca and Davide Belloni’s Ca’maca are two completely different flavors of traditional Venetian masks. What makes this so special is that they continue to support one another in their own ventures, while respecting each other’s point of view. Perhaps it is because both the old artisan and his son are on the same side in the fight against the invasion of cheap, plastic, industrial masks. These comrades are on a higher mission, with a message to the public and foreign visitors about the uniqueness and originality of the traditional masks that are the soul of Venice. The added value of our masks is only in the awareness of their meaning and the deep connection to the very history of the place. If you displace that, you are going to have a poor result for sure.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

10 reasons you should travel to Taiwan

If you’ve been following any of the various lists of “top destinations you need to visit in 2016,” then chances are you’ve seen Taiwan at top the list. That’s why I decided to take my parents there, even though I travel solo most often. Predictably, they still have not stopped talking about how amazing Taiwan is since we’ve returned home. Taiwan, for many reasons, is truly a bucket-list worthy travel adventure.

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Food Galore

From exotic yet delicious tropical fruits that quench your thirst to amazing street food that serves you on the run, Taiwan does not fail to impress with its never-ending supply of unbelievably good eateries, literally, everywhere.

You don’t have to be a foodie to appreciate mouth-watering Taiwanese cuisine. Street food is where the city truly excels, ranging from grilled squid to fried chicken to oyster omelettes, from stinky tofu to beef noodle soup.

What you will find is plenty of dumplings, beef noodle soup, and steamed buns. You will find plenty of delicious delicacies around every corner!

Amazing Temples

Taiwan is a primarily Buddhist country, and it has more than 5,000 temples, ranging in size from single room shrines to vast multi-story complexes. All of these temples are not simply museums or relics of bygone era, but active places of worship. Some of them are located in the middle of mountain ranges, offering a stunning view of the Taiwan landscape. Taiwanese people worship a variety of deities, so you will often see many different statues of gods and goddesses in the temples.

Don’t miss Xingtian Temple, which is dedicated to Guangong, the god of war and martial arts. Visiting Longshan Temple, one of Taipei’s oldest, was an awesome experience, watching people chanting and praying, and smelling the incense in the air.

We are stunned by Chinese architecture, the rainbow of colours on the roofs, and the most awesome looking dragons and wise men decorating the temples. The oldest temple in Taiwan is in Makung, in the Pengu Islands, and has been in existence for over 300 years.

Night Markets

A trip to Taiwan isn’t complete without a visit to one of its famous night markets, a gathering place for tourists and locals alike. In addition to cheap bargains, Taiwan’s night markets are vital destinations to experience some of the country’s best small eats.

It is good to have a Taiwanese friend by your side to help explain what everything is. However, sometimes not knowing what you are eating is more fun! Night markets can be found in every town, and in major cities like Taipei, there are literally dozens! A few that I can recall include Shilin, Rao He Night Market in Taipei, Fengjia in Taichung, Huayuan in Tainan and Liuhe in Kaoshiung.

Mountains & Landscape

Taiwan is endowed with steep mountain ranges; therefore, great altitude differences occur throughout the island. The mountains mostly run from north to south.

One of most outstanding sights I witnessed in Taiwan is a roadside view of Hohuansan (“Harmonious Happiness” Mountain), from northern Chiayi County. Get up early enough on a clear morning and you will be greeted with views that turn Taiwan’s mountain scenery into glimpses of what might be called “paradise.”

And when the wildflowers are blooming across the meadows and valleys, mountain tourist designations in Nantou, Taichung, Hsinchu, Hualian, Yunlin, and Chiayi counties are full of vivid colours and plants and flowers that you’ve most likely never heard of or even seen before.

Taipei 101 – An Icon of Modern Taiwan

Taipei 101 is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world’s tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 feature prominently in international New Year’s Eve broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel literature and international media.

Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. Its postmodernist approach to style incorporates traditional design elements and gives them modern treatments. A multi-level shopping mall adjoins the tower houses to hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs.

Aboriginal Culture

For me, traveling is about learning the culture. There are many celebrations of aboriginal culture in Taiwan. Taiwan’s original inhabitants belong to Malaya-Polynesian ancestry. There are a total of 12 aboriginal tribes in Taiwan: Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Kavalan, Paiwan, Pinuyumayan or Punuyumayan, Rukai, Saisiyat, Thao, Truku, Tsou, and Yami. Each tribe has its own respective language, manners, customs and tribal structure.

Aboriginal people can be found almost everywhere in the mountains or along the East Coast. Each time you enter a village adorned with colourful geometric patterns or with a church – aboriginals are mostly Christians – you can be sure you are on aboriginal land.

Hot Springs

One of the most popular things to do in Taiwan is to immerse yourself in a hot spring with rich water that isn’t commonly found anywhere else in the world. If you’re surprised that Taiwan has hot springs, you might be interested to learn that it actually has one of the highest concentrations and greatest variety of hot springs in the entire world. There are over 100 hot springs in Taiwan and a few spots that offer stunning mountain scenery and nature as well.

Taiwan’s location next to an oceanic trench and volcanic system has allowed for an environment that produces hot springs naturally. The hot springs are also believed to raise energy levels while possibly treating chronic fatigue, eczema, and arthritis. The neighbourhood of Beitou is one of the best spots to enjoy both public and private hot spring baths. If hot springs are separated by gender, most people will opt to bathe nude.

The People

My parents and I agreed that the Taiwanese are some of the most kind and generous people we’ve ever met. Taipei is an extremely safe city, and the locals are always more than willing to ensure you have a trip to remember. Don’t be surprised if asking for directions results in someone actually escorting you to your destination, or if making small talk at dinner leads to sharing beers long into the night.

The Taiwanese are so friendly that it’s almost off-putting. After traveling through Japan and Korea, we had gotten used to people welcoming us into their store or restaurant, or trying to help us if we asked for directions. In Taiwan, though, people would help us without needing to be asked, going out of their way to see that we did not have any trouble. We were regularly blown away by their kindness, which was all the more shocking due to the precarious situation of their quasi-nation.

Hiking

It would be a shame to miss out on the stunning natural attractions just outside of the city. Taiwan, especially the northern half, has scores of outrageously good day hikes, most of which are free of such irritating hassles, and there are enough hikes of all grades to satisfy all but the most demanding of hikers. Long Dong is world-renowned for its rock climbing on dramatic cliffs that tower above the ocean. Alternatively, head to Teapot Mountain or Yangmingshan National Park for excellent hiking opportunities.

Taiwan’s finest hiking is in its astonishing high mountains, but with a very few exceptions (the peaks of Hohuanshan and the Southern Three Stars, which are still out-of-bounds over half a decade after Morakot destroyed the road leading to the trailheads).

The Memorials and National Museums

To view the world’s largest collection of Chinese art, head to Taipei’s National Palace Museum. Some of the museum artefacts date back thousands of years, including Buddhist pieces inherited from the Forbidden City. Most of the collection is high quality pieces collected by China’s ancient emperors. In 2008, it was the 15th most visited museum in the world. The National Palace Museum houses the world’s largest collection of priceless Chinese art treasures and has a permanent collection of over 650,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artefacts and artworks, making it one of the largest in the world.

Visit the stunning Chiang Kai Shek Memorial to see the National Theatre and National Concert Hall, and then climb the steps to the colossal statue and tribute to the late Chiang Kai Shek. Additionally, drop by the Sun Yat Sun Memorial to view the changing of the guard and learn more about the man considered founder of modern China.

Abang Fadli |Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

The secret for responsible tourism

Responsible tourism takes the effort of a whole community. Tourism has the responsibility not only to protect the environment but also to maintain and preserve indigenous culture.

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However, not all travellers are ready to behave environmentally sound and the knowledge is still limited. Here are some tips from Wanderlust Tips to help you have a destination-friendly holiday.

Before leaving

Choosing destinations and transports are the first two things that you have to consider seriously. Air travel is the most powerful way of carbon emissions. So it is recommended to avoid destinations that require getting there by the plane. In case travelling by plane is a must, remember to prioritise flights with fewer transit times or changing airplane times because carbon dioxide is generated the most in the process of take off and landing. You can measure your carbon footprint on

http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/index.htm?ref=www.nature.org.

If you buy a tour, ask your service provider if they have a commitment to responsible tourism.

If you are looking for a hotel to stay in, ask them simple questions to find out if they have a balanced development strategy with a mission to protect the environment.

The 10 simplest questions for hotels are:

Is this hotel a member of the Green Hotels Association?
Can visitors choose not to wash towels and bed linen daily?
Does the hotel employ local workers?
How does the hotel handle waste? Is it effective? Do they recycle and compost?
What is the hotel’s business plan for saving energy (electricity, water)? Does the hotel use solar energy to heat water and recycle water, which is not completely dirty, use slow-running showers or save toilet water?
Is your produce from local sources?
Does the hotel use 100% cotton? As using fabric from industrial materials is not sustainable.
Does the hotel try to cultivate on its premises?
Does the hotel’s system save energy? Are electric lights used in unnecessary areas or at suitable times?
Does the hotel provide guidance for employees and guests to participate in the environmental protection program?

Keeping your bag as light as possible, leaving everything unnecessary at home. Remember, the heavier the load, the more fuel the plane, train, boat, car and other transportation means burn. At the same time, it is recommended to bring reusable products such as tote bags and water bottles.

Choose to be a traveller instead of a tourist. People have pointed out the many differences between these two concepts, the most fundamental of which is that a traveller will place himself or herself in the flow of indigenous cultures, lifestyles and activities of local people rather than standing separately. For a traveller, travel is to explore a different culture, habits and lifestyles, not just for leisure or superficial visiting.

Turn off the fuel consumption equipment before leaving home.

On the itinerary

Use of public transportation. It is best to use buses to travel because bus routes always connect the main attractions. If there is no bus, consider walking or cycling before using other motorised vehicles. If you have to drive, avoid stopping the vehicles for a long time when the engine is still on, avoid stopping or starting suddenly, it is recommended to carry lightweight luggage and travel in groups to take advantage of a vehicle for many people.

Hire local guides. It’s a way for indigenous people to get involved in tourism, helping them to increase their income from tourism, and a great way to get to know the local people. Local guides will help you learn more about the culture, customs and traditional values at your destination. You should have your tour guide tell you what you can do and what programs you should participate in to protect the environment with indigenous peoples.

Follow a green lifestyle in the hotel: turn off the power when leaving the room, do not pour the water for shower from too high a position, and keep the towels clean so as not to wash daily.

Buy local products and food. Be sure to ask whether the products are illegally traded, or are in danger to avoid buying or selling these products. And remember to use recyclable or reusable containers.

Adhering to indigenous culture means that you need to know the culture of your destination, and participate in activities such as traditional festivals, holy places of worship, rituals, and local customs and understand the profound roots of the formation of these customs, practices, or beliefs.

Give back

Make up for the carbon emissions you caused when you made the journey, such as picking up rubbish, recycling garbage or planting trees. (This can be done before and after the journey, at any convenient time).

Introduce good services, saving fuel travel for visitors who are planning to travel.

Understand responsible travel

Responsible travel / tourism is a concept that emerged in 2002 in the Cape Town Declaration that was later recognised and widely used. Responsible tourism is a very broad concept and not limited to the impact of tourism on the environment.

Commonly speaking, responsible tourism is about “making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.” Responsible Tourism requires that operators, hoteliers, governments, local people and tourists take responsibility and take action to make tourism more sustainable.

Responsible tourism as defined in the 2002 Cape Town Declaration:

Minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts;
Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances;
Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
Provides access for physically challenged people; and
Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

The declaration concludes with a commitment ‘to work with others to take responsibility for achieving the economic, social and environmental components of responsible and sustainable tourism.

Wanderlust Tips

Crowd-free Paradises on Earth

When summer comes, everyone dreams of an idyllic blue beach under the sunlight, smelling the warm sea breeze, washing away all daily worries, and dipping their feet into the soft sand dunes to feel the passionate sense of the sea. And that’s where we are alone with the vast ocean. Here are 10 Wanderlust Tips for true paradises, for the ocean lover.

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Dam Trau Beach – Con Dao

Recently, Con Dao Islands (Ba Ria, Vung Tau Province) have been consistently listed at the top of beautiful and fascinating beaches of Asia, as well as worldwide. Con Dao Island has been chosen by Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, and most recently, CNN. CNN voted for Con Dao as one of the top 10 most peaceful islands in Asia. The fascinating place offers visitors beautiful nature, idyllic white sand beaches, colourful coral reefs, exotic rainforests, and fresh seafood.

Among the impressive beaches of Con Dao, Dam Trau Beach is considered one of the most beautiful, with never-ending stretches of smooth golden sand, and calm blue waters embraced by old-growth forests. Some people have compared Dam Trau to a piece of soft silk across a green carpet, half forest, half sea. Along the beach there are countless cliffs with abundant formations. On a rocky outcrop extending into the sea, there are two huge boulders that look like a couple of birds. Legend has it that this is the meeting spot of Ms. Trau and Mr. Cau, characters in a sad love story that has been told by Con Dao people for many generations.

Cay Men Beach – Nam Du

Na, Du (Kien Giang Province) is an archipelago located in the Gulf of Thailand – 65 nautical miles from Rach Gia. This beautiful archipelago is the favourite destination of Northern travellers. Nam Du has not developed much in tourism and is still idyllic with 21 islands and countless stunning beaches. Among them is Cay Men. The specialty here is coconut. The beach offers lush green coconut palms stretching endlessly along smooth sand, with the crystal clear water nearby and abundant coral reefs with colourful fish. Cay Men Beach is located in the Gulf of Thailand, so the water here is calm and clear blue, and at first glance it looks like a giant lake surrounded by solid cliffs. Few tourists have come to Cay Men and other beaches on Nam Du Island, so it still remains wild and poetic. Southern travellers who are especially concerned with protecting the environment have contributed to the preservation of the beauty of this place.

Phu Thuong Beach – Tuy An

Phu Yen is associated with Xep Beach, Mon or Vung Ro Beach, but there are still many beautiful beaches that have not been frequented by visitors, like Phu Thu Beach (An Hoa Commune, Tuy An District). The beach is located in the bow-shaped coastal area, which is bordered by two Northern rocky capes in the North and the southern cape of Yen Island, in the west of the land, Phu Quy Fishing Village, where fishermen are very nice and hospitable.

If Phu Yen’s famous beaches have become popular tourist destinations, Phu Thuong is still quite primitive, with no signs of being touched by human hands. The beach is far away from the residential area, so the water is absolutely clean. The sea is calm and quiet, and it is an ideal spot for you to relax in the cool water. Then, you can walk along the beach to the North or back to the Cape of Yen Island to the South. From the tops of the Cape, we can capture the whole view of Phu Thuong Sea. Admiring the majestic natural beauty will make you feel so tiny.

Ky Co Beach – Quy Nhon

It is surely no coincidence that people have given Ky Co many beautiful names, such as “Paradise Island of Quy Nhon” or “Forgotten Paradise.” The beach here is as beautiful as any of the famous ones in the Central region.

Located about 25 kilometres from Quy Nhon City, Ky Co belongs to Nhon Ly Island Commune. Ky Co Beach recently became famous and attracted tourists with the pristine beauty of clear water, calm waves, and smooth sand stretches. The crescent-shaped coastline with three sides bordering the mountains and one side bordering the sea makes Ky Co more impressive. Indeed, at first sight of Ky Co, anyone would want to rush into the sea immediately. Interestingly, large and small boulders are naturally arranged to form several “mini” saltwater pools that could hold about 5 to 7 people, so that a whole group of family or friends can soak in the cool blue water. In addition, Ky Co also offers a series of beautiful caves when tidal water recedes. If you have the opportunity, experience the feeling and thrill of exploring these mysterious cool caves.

Ho Coc Sea – Xuyen Moc

Far from the offshore islands of Central Vietnam, about 175 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, there is a beautiful and pristine beach that attracts many visitors: Ho Coc Beach in Bien Bien Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria, Vung Tau Province. Although it has been known of for a long time, Ho Coc Beach, with clear blue water, white sand, light waves and interesting rock formations, is still quiet and peaceful. Therefore, when arriving in Ho Coc, tourists can completely immerse in their own world with the waves, the sound of the sea in the wind, and all is calm and quiet. Come here – you can soak yourself in the blue water, take part in many exciting underwater games, explore the mysterious deep forest, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the white sand beach to admire the magical beauty that nature gave Ho Coc. When the sun begins to glow red on Ho Coc Beach, we can sit back with friends and family to enjoy a cosy seafood dinner and fully feel at peace in the Southern Sea. Indeed, Ho Coc is the ideal place for you to hide away from the crowds of your daily life. Coming here, you will find your heart calm before the lyrical scene of the ocean.

El Nido – Philippines

If you want to go to an ideal beach for summer parties, do not go to El Nido. You should only come here when you want to relax and explore one of the planet’s most pristine wilderness sceneries. There are bays, black cliffs, gorgeous waterfalls, rich vegetation, and crystal blue beaches. There are places where the sea is as calm as a reflective surface, with no ripples, and so clean that you can look at the colourful reefs or swimming fish while you are on a boat.

El Nido is not only famous for its abundant underwater ecosystems, but also for the stretches of white sandy beaches – truly a captivating paradise. It’s Nacpan, Seven Commando, Payong-Payong, Hidden Secret, and Las Cabanas. If you are an adventurous person, you will definitely enjoy exploring the mysterious white sand beach where they have to sail through a small cliff. Sometimes you will find a beautiful landscape beyond imagination: sea-lined lakes covered by 30-metre tall cliffs. This is the most beautiful destination of the archipelago around El Nido.

Gili Meno – Indonesia

Gili Meno Island of the Gili Islands is a mysterious wonder on this list – not Bali! Located in the Lombok Strait, about 35 kilometres West of Bali, the Indonesian island of Gili is surrounded by breath-taking landscaped beaches, cool blue water, and magnificent coral reefs.

Located between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, Gili Meno is the smallest and most pristine. The sea is gorgeous in green, with an endless stretch of horizon. These are the most unforgettable days. In the quiet space, it is only you and the vast ocean, soaking in the clear water, watching colourful coral reefs or sea turtles swimming in daytime. This is another impressive feature of Gili Meno. This tiny island, where there is no dock or roads, is a paradise that every traveller dreams of visiting.

Anse Soleil – Seychelles

Perhaps you’ve heard the name Seychelles, the archipelago with more than 100 large and small islands, considered to be the jewel of the Indian Ocean, near vast East Africa. The small island nation offers white sandy beaches stretching 491 kilometres along coral reefs, and marble and palm tree forests. The Seychelles are on conservation lists and is a Natural Heritage Site of UNESCO. Among the beautiful beaches of Seychelles, the most memorable is Anse Soleil, located in the South West of Mahe Island of Seychelles. This place exudes tranquil beauty with long sandy beaches and crystal blue water. It is an ideal place for those seeking peace and relaxation in the soul. You just take a walk along the beach, enjoy the gentle sea breeze, golden sunshine on the soft sand dunes, and all of your worries will disappear. When tired, you can stop at a small beach café that caters to all of your dining needs.

One thing to keep in mind is the cost of the Seychelles. It is extremely expensive, perhaps because the island is far from the rest of the world and there are not many flights here.

Hidden Beach – Mexico

Located just off the Mexican coast, in Banderas Bay, is the beautiful Marieta Islands. These islands are better known – until people discovered a beach hidden beneath a deep hole. Known as Hidden Beach, or Playa del Amor (Love Beach), it is surrounded by hilly cliffs. The only way to see the entire beach is to look from above, and the only way to get there is through a 2.5 metre water tunnel heading to the sea. Going through the hard way and get to Hidden Beach is worth all of the effort because you have touched heaven. Hidden under the “hole” are smooth white sands and cool clear water.

Most of the Marieta Islands have never been inhabited, which is probably a great condition for nature to create this beautiful landscape. Protected against any intrusion, Hidden Beach retains the pristine nature for the visitors to experience a paradise of their own.

Baia do Sancho – Brazil

It is no coincidence that Baia do Sancho is one o the names featured on the list of the world’s most beautiful beaches in 2017 by Trip Advisor. Located on the island of Fernando de Noronha in Brazil, Baia do Sancho attracts visitors with blue water, magnificent cliffs, and cute dolphins playing in the bay. The best thing here is the peace and quiet. Unlike the vibrant beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Baia do Sancho is an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation in the soul. The island immerses all of the senses of the visitor in nature: breezes of the sea, lapping waves, the salty flavour of the water, and a vast ocean scene farther than the eye can see. Explore by taking a stroll. Visitors will be amazed with the reality that they are walking in a paradise, and cannot begin to imagine how many more interesting things are waiting.

Although just a few names are listed, there are countless beautiful beaches all over the planet. This may be enough to inspire a soul to head to the sea and to inspire a heart yearning for exploration.

Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Diamond Sea Hotel Danang welcomed the 150,000th guest

On 22th May 2017, Diamond Sea Hotel Danang – a luxury hotel in Da Nang – marks its significant milestone by welcoming the 150,000th guest.

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On this afternoon, 22th May 2017, Diamond Sea Hotel Danang welcomed its 150,000th guest, Mr. Nguyen Huu Son and his family. This event is a milestone, marking the continuous development of Diamond Sea Hotel over the past 2 years. In an ever evolving destination like Danang Diamond Sea Hotel strives to keep delivering exceptional service and is looking forward to the next milestone.

Through this special event, Diamond Sea Hotel also expressed sincere thanks to their customers and hopes to welcome all the guests in the future

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Night Market Cuisine: Flavour of Taiwan

“Young people in Taiwan don’t cook very often. They eat lunch at the office and dinner at the night market with their family, leisurely walking around to enjoy the rich cuisine in these markets”.

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There’s a good reason that Taiwan has long been regarded as a culinary paradise and a wonder to tourists. Taiwanese cuisine is sophisticated, rich, and diverse, and showcases the creativity of its influences, a perfect blend of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and even a bit of Western, culture.

Thanks to well-developed agriculture and fishery sectors, Taiwanese cooks often use fresh, local ingredients, spiced with a bit of creativity, to create exquisite dishes for diners.

Taiwan is famous for its night market cuisine. You must stop by a food cart that sells the oyster omelette, the best representative of Taiwanese cuisine. This dish combines the seafood flavour of oysters, fatty flavour of eggs, as well as vegetables and sauces. Oyster omelette is always a popular dish for both locals and foreign tourists alike.

Walking around the market, you’ll be greeted by the faint stench of stinky tofu. Many people won’t dare to try it, but if you do, you will be addicted t this unique scent and enjoy its rich, sweet taste. It will surely be an unforgettable experience.

At food carts that sell fried and baked dishes, you will enjoy the creativity of ingredients in Taiwanese cuisine. You will encounter many strange dishes, that even after tasting, you will not be able to guess the ingredients. Tian-bu-la (tempura) is fried or baked fish paste of different shapes, served with a sweet brown sauce. Another odd dish is zhu-xue-gao, made from glutinous rice and pork, and popular among Taiwanese, thanks to the sticky rice and sweet taste of pig’s blood. The snack is covered in a layer of peanut powder and cut into slices.

Another dish worth trying at the night market is Jipai – fried chicken steak, made from chicken breast coated in a layer of flour and fried until the crust is crispy. You can enjoy the sweet taste of fresh chicken meat, juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. Each food cart has its own marinade, so the taste of this dish will vary.

If you’re not fond of fried snacks, you can stop by a street cart that serves fresh beef noodles. Hand-made thick noodles are cooked with tenderloin beef and vegetables. The best part of this dish is the soup stock, with rich flavours thanks to ingredients used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Ribs stewed in medicinal herbs are a great dish for cold winter days. Goat or pig ribs are cooked with roots, herbs, and dried fruits until tender. This is a healthy dish that helps nourish the body. The sweet taste of bone broth combines with the aroma of medicinal herbs will surely warm up diners.

If you do not enjoy the busy atmosphere of the night market, you can visit Lu-Wei Restaurant, which serves hundreds of dishes made from pig ears, legs, and hearts, chicken intestines, vegetables, and noodles. You will get a basket to choose your ingredients, and the chef will cook your ingredients in a pot. The flavours of this dish come from the broth that cooks the ingredients, and each selection will have its own flavour. These flavours are the secret of the restaurant, which also makes this dish appealing.

Visiting Taiwan, you must try hot pot, especially spicy hot pot (Ma la). The spice is not made from fresh chilli, but from six types of seeds and herbs to create a strong and rich taste: anise, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, dried chilli, and pepper. The aroma of anise and cinnamon adds to the unforgettable taste of the soup. The hot broth combines seafood, beef, meatballs, fish balls, vegetables, and mushrooms, stimulating all of your senses.

Finally, have some douhua for dessert, a combination of green beans, red beans, and taro, or a glass of boba milk tea will be a perfect finale for your culinary journey.

No matter how many times you visit Taiwan, walking in the culinary paradise, the night market is always a memorable experience.

Wanderlust Tips

The stunning facial inkings of Chin women in Western Myanmar

No landscape, no delicious cusine, and no leisure… The only thing that urges me to visit this place is the legends about the last generation of tattooed women here.

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Deep in the remote mountainous region of the Chin State, Western Myanmar, there lives a tribe whose women are world-renowned for their distinctive facial tattoos. For the Chin people, the more face tattoos a woman has, the prettier and braver she is. This tradition of the Chin people began in the 11^th century and was erased in the 1960s. The traces of this traditional practice will soon disappear as the last generation of tattooed Chin women fades into history.

Journey to Mindat, Chin State

This journey is off-the-beaten-path for Vietnamese travellers, simply because I could not find all of the necessary information on Vietnamese websites. I had to find information by other foreign tourists who have visited this place.

I chose to visit Mindat Town, where Ms. Daw Yaw Shen Ying lived. She was considered a world wonder because she was the last Chin woman who knew how to play the bamboo flute by nose. This town is also home to diverse ethnicities. Mindat is home to three people: M’Kaan, M’uun, and Uppriu. Here, I could observe the face tattoos of the three different groups.

After studying the map carefully, I chose the route of Yangon to Bagan to Pakkoku to Mindat. I stayed in Bagan for three days to explore the beautiful, mysterious city, before I embarked on a treacherous journey, with less than ideal conditions. The road from Pakkoku to Mindat was a rocky, dusty mountain pass, in a poor-quality car. There were times on the road when I felt I was literally covered in dust. It was so dusty that my red coat was covered with a layer of grey afterwards. The journey from Bagan to Mindat was about 230 kilometres, which took about 8 to 10 hours, and cost around 450,000 VND.

Mindat is a small town located in a remote, mountainous region with poor electricity coverage. At around 7pm or 8pm, darkness would cover the entire town, with only a few flickering lights shining through the bamboo houses. The temperature difference between day and night was significantly different; the day was hot and sunny, and the night was extremely cold. It might have been due to the long ride, but my body was not used to the sudden temperature change. I became fatigued, shivering in the cold.

Unexpected Trouble

I encountered an unexpected problem. In Bagan, I contacted an agency to hire a tour guide in Mindat, who would help me visit the Chin women in the village. Everything was final, but the guide did not show up the next day and did not send a message. I waited for half a day, and asked the homestay owner to get me another guide. I received the bad news that “All of the guides in the area are with tour groups climbing Victoria Mountain. They will return in two days.”

I remembered the reviews I read on the blog of Western backpackers who have been here: “Don’t think you will be welcomed here without a local guide,” “Nobody here speaks English, so without a local guide you will not be able to communicate with them.” I was upset, discouraged, confused, and disappointed. But I told myself, “I’m already here, I cannot give up now.” I took a deep breath, filled my backpack with snacks, and travelled into town alone to start exploring.

At the time, I had thousands of questions: “How do I find the Chin women?”; “How do I know which house to visit?”; “How do I get them to welcome me?” But before I could panic, I started to see the Chin women with tattooed faces. They appeared before my eyes, going about their casual daily lives. An Uppriu woman, whose face was covered with tattooed dots, sat in front of her house and cleaned her traditional jewellery with her mouth. Two M’Kaan women with interconnecting D-shaped tattoos on their cheeks sat in front of a house, chatting.

Meeting each woman, I quickly grabbed some candy from my bag, bowed to them, greeted them with a common greeting, and gave them the candy. The Chin women seemed happy with the gesture, and they smiled at me, tugged on my arms, and said something I guess was “thank you.” That’s how I started to learn about them, by politely greeting them, offering a small gift, and finding ways to interact more with them and observing them. It was probably my friendly smile, my curiosity, and my bewilderment that charmed them. That was how my first day started, by observing with my eyes and my heart.

Finding the Legends

My last stop in the journey was to visit Ms. Daw Yaw Shen Yin (90, M’kaan), the last woman in the world who knew how to play the bamboo flute with her nose. Thanks to this, she became the symbol of tattooed Chin women and was dubbed a heritage of the world.

I always felt that each journey was a wonderful moment in my life that allowed me to meet the legends I had seen only on TV or my computer screen.

After several failed attempts, the flute started to sing. Miraculously, the sound was emanating from the nose of the 90-year-old woman. I pressed the button on my camera to record, quickly snapped a few photos, and then faded into silence to take in the sounds. I couldn’t remember how many times I had seen her photos on international media and wished I could meet her at least once, just to sit and listen to her play the flute.

Her son-in-law shared that she had been unable to walk for two years now, and it was difficult for her to conjure the breath to play the flute. However, one habit never changed – every time she started to play the flute, she had to wear her prettiest outfit and jewellery. It was a joy for her to wear the jewellery she had her whole life, and play for visitors. She loved them and was sad that nobody made this kind of jewellery anymore.

I found myself to be very lucky then, because this was possibly my only chance to ever meet this heritage of the world, or hear her play the flute. It was a happy coincidence that I met Ms. Yaw Shen’s son-in-law, who spoke English well. He took me around to visit the last generation of the tattooed women and told me stories about them.

He shared that this tradition originated from an old tale. A cruel king used to kidnap Chin girls in the village to become his slaves and concubines. Chin families had to tattoo their daughters’ faces to prevent them from being kidnapped. “Over the years,” he told me,” tattooing on women’s faces became a tradition, a part of our culture. The tattoos on women’s faces became a beauty standard in everyone’s mind. We used to think that the more tattoos a girl has, the more beautiful and braver she is.”

TIPS:

The journey from Bagan to Pakkoku is only around 70 kilometres, which takes around 1.5 hours by bus. You can buy bus tickets at the Nyang U bus station for 10,000 Kyats a person (around $7.50 US). You can also take a taxi offered by local agencies for 30,000 Kyats for a 4-seater vehicle (around $22 US). After reaching Pakkoku, you will need another local bus ticket to reach Mindat, priced around 16,000 Kyats per person ($12 US). This journey is only 160 kilometres, but it will take around 8 to 10 hours, due to poor-quality car and mountainous terrain.
You should ask an agency in Bagan to book a room and local guide for you in Mindat. During peak season, there are a lot of tourists who visit Mindat for mountain climbing, so accommodation and guides are always overbooked. You should be prepared that sometimes a booked room and guide can still be changed last minute.
It is advisable to prepare a small gift, like candy, to greet and make acquaintance with the Chin women. You should approach them with a sincere and respectful attitude.
Before filming or taking photos, you should bow and ask them for permission.

Mai Huong | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Attractive june promtions at Melia Hanoi

Immerse in family atmosphere at Melia Hanoi on Father’s Day and enjoy excellent flavors of delectable buffet lunch featuring lobster, oysters, sushi, and sashimi. Many special promtions in this June including International daily buffet dinner, Seafood Extravaganza promise to sastify the most demanding foodies.

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On Sunday – 18^th June 2017, from 11:30 a.m to 2 p.m, a delectable buffet lunch featuring lobster, oysters, sushi, and sashimi station with an exceptional fine dining experience will be the most brilliant idea to celebrate the Father’s Day for a hero of your family. Moreover, on this occasion, for every group of 4 adults, 1 person will enjoy the meal free of charge.

♦ Price: VND1,200,000++/adult (including free flow of sparkling wine, house wine, beer and soft drinks)

VND720,000/child under 10

Every Friday and Saturday dinner from 6 p.m to 11 p.m, the chef team at El Patio Restaurant is proud to present most expanded gastronomic selection of seafood in town, featuring the freshest and most luscious ingredients.

♦ Price: VND825,000++/adult (without drinks)

VND890,000++/adult (including free flow of draught beer and soft drinks)

VND1,170,000++/adult (including free flow of 6 red wine & 3 white wine)

Melia Hanoi also offers guest International daily buffet dinner from 6 p.m – 11 p.m from Monday to Thursday. Particularly, from Tuesday to Friday 7 p.m to 9 p.m, there will be live music at Cava Lounge. The charming voice of Tina from Cuba every Wednesday and Friday will make your evening more special when emmersing in the sounds of the great song selection brought by in-house band in a cozy atmosphere.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Art of love: Fundraising concert at Meliá Hanoi

On 14th May, at the luxury hotel of Meliá Hanoi, the Fundraising concert “Art of Love” was held with the aim of assisting young children with musical gifted as well as gathering and training “Vietnam Sinfonietta” – an orchestra of young gifted talents.

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Sunday, 14th May was highlighted by a meaningful event held at Meliá Hanoi in its sponsorship: The Fundraising concert “Art of Love”. This unique concert was one of many activities of a loving project, which is also named “Art of Love”, founded by Mrs Nguyen Thi Nguyet Thu – the famous viola artist – with the aim of assisting young children with musical gifted.

Meliá Hanoi proudly presents the concert “Art of Love” as its main sponsor. The project “Art of Love” will bring the hope and faith, full of health, wisdom and good personality for our future generation, thus they can get on well with the community. Also, “Art of love” project fosters many gifted talents, supports them in “discovering” the world of art, give them the opportunity to assert themselves with positive thinking, then confidently devote to the society as the true artists.

At the concert, the audiences have immersed themselves in a space of love, swayed to the soothing melodies performed and been sympathetic to many touching story shared. Individual movements were warmly responded by massive audience applauses. There was also a mini gallery showcasing more than twenty excellent paintings, which were created by the talented hands of many young artists with autism.

In other words, the concert itself opens the gate to the treasure of classical music, charmingly make the academic melodies become the alluring “spices” to the spiritual life of individuals and families.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Off-Season Travel: Traveling to Feel

Why must we go to the sea in summer and climb a mountain in winter? Why only on Tet Holiday do we think about relaxing and travelling? During high season, we must fight against the crowds and fear being charged with high prices. Even after the journey, you wish you’d stayed at home and watched TV. It is much better than travelling and getting exhausted. The solution to this is off-season travel – which has become the choice of many people. Here’s why going against travel trends is a perfect choice.

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Why should you travel off-season?

Travel is time for you to relax, not be fighting against crowds. However, at some well-known destinations, such as islands in the summer, rushing through crowds is unavoidable in the high seasons. If you travel off-season, your trip will be perfect as you walk along the quiet beach, feel the peaceful, ordinary life at the place you’ve come, instead of hustling on the beach with a lot of people – such as last July in Sam Son Beach, Thanh Hoa. In the middle of high tourist season, Sam Son welcomes about 70,000 people, mobilises 10,000 labourers, and fills up 15,000 guest rooms. Imagine – from day to night, the beach here is always crowded with visitors. Vung Tau, Nha Trang, and other destinations are no exception.

Meanwhile, travel expense during off-season is only half that of the high season, with more efficient services. Moreover, airlines, hotels, resorts and travel agents often have great promotions to compete for and attract a smaller amount of tourists. Vu Thuy Linh of Hanoi, age 27, has just boasted to her friends that she booked a flight ticket for 2.5 million VND for a three-person family. In addition, because it is not high season, hotel rooms are guaranteed for early check-in and late check-out in accordance with flight times. Flight routes with expensive fares, such as 3 to 3.5 million VND from Hanoi to Phu Quoc at the beginning of the year, are now available for 1.5 to 2 million VND.

In addition to the benefits of price and service, off-season travel brings many exceptional and interesting experiences. Sometimes the high season is not the most beautiful season of certain destinations. Such is the case with Phu Quoc Island: the most ideal time for travelling there is from the end of October to April. During this time, Phu Quoc Island is in dry season, with blue skies, golden sunshine, and a peaceful ocean. Even though summer is the rainy season on Phu Quoc Island, the number of visitors is higher, and the price for rooms and flights increases. Therefore, instead of travelling in the summer, you could visit Phu Quoc Island in the winter or at the beginning of spring to admire the beauty of the nation’s Jade Island.

Things you need to know when you travel off-season

♦ Pick a suitable time. When you travel off-season, picking a suitable time is very important. To avoid risks with the weather, you should follow the weather forecast of the arrival destination to book trains and flight tickets accordingly. We do not need to travel when the weather is most ideal, but we also do want to avoid rain and storms. Bad weather conditions could make the journey difficult and dangerous and could lead to cancellations.

♦ Make a plan. After choosing your travel dates, you need to make a detailed plan as soon as possible. A detailed plan will help you prepare for accommodation, flight, train tickets, and departure dates. This makes your reservation process more convenient and economical. Moreover, the early planning will give you more opportunities to “hunt” for promotions of airfare, hotel rates, and travel agents, negotiate more beneficial accommodation conditions, and tour routes for the journey.

Suggestions for Off-Season Travel Destinations:

♥ Phu Quoc Island: For off-season travel to Phu Quoc Island, as we mentioned, October to April is the most beautiful season.

♥ Dalat: Go to Dalat after Tet Holiday (February, March, April) and when the high season of summer passes (November, December).

♥ Danang: Travel to Danang in spring (from December to February). At this time, the average temperature is between 18 to 23 degrees Celsius, with mild sunshine and cool wind.

♥ Sapa: Travel to Sapa at the beginning of the summer (from March to June). The weather is a little cold and a little sunny. Avoid travel on holidays or the days before Tet.

♥ Nha Trang: Travel to Nha Trang in summer and spring (from January to April). The high season for Nha Trang tourism is from June to September, so you should avoid these busy months. October and November is rainy season.

Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet