Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A homeless man and his free hugs

A homeless man and his free hugs

I met him accidentally one evening wandering around Tha Phae gate in Chiang Mai. He was a small man, sat in a tricycle, with a beard that covered half his face but which still could not mask his bright eyes and warm smile. Looking at me, he spoke in accented Vietnamese: “Give me a hug”. This man opens his arms to strangers as if to welcome a long-time acquaintance.

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Luciano’s sad past

Those who have been to Chiang Mai (Thailand) must have encountered or even hugged this man at Tha Phae gate. He has always been there. The man is Luciano Pozzi. He’s 56. His life is a long, sad story, for most of which he has been separated from the outside world and alienated by others.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A homeless man and his free hugs

Luciano was born in Medona, Italy. From childhood to adulthood, he has been hurt by his closest relationships: “I’ve never had a happy family, I’m often neglected, so I get used to being alone” – he shared.

At the age of 30, he sold his house in Italy and went to live on a secluded mountain in the Himalayas. I was surprised to learn that he lived alone there for 17 years. He said, “Then, I still did not like human contact, I didn’t want to talk to anyone and only wanted to be left alone in my own world.”

He could easily have lived there for the rest of his life, but then, disaster struck seven years ago, when he had a motorcycle accident in India. The accident paralyzed his legs. He returned to Italy for medical treatment, only to be told that he would never walk again. “I didn’t want to believe it, I wanted to walk on my own two feet,” he recalled.

Luciano did some research and found hope for his legs in Thailand, which also suited his budget. Luciano decided to visit Chiang Mai to get treated with Mungkala (a traditional Thai acupuncture therapy). “My health gradually improved. At first, I had to walk around with two crutches, then only one. Now, I have this tricycle. I can stand, and can cycle. I feel much better,” he smiled.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A homeless man and his free hugs

But Luciano retained the same feelings toward society, he’s still antisocial and didn’t want to talk to anyone. Until one day…

A ‘miracle’ came

It was the holiday season a few years ago, and Luciano met an English man at the Tha Phae Gate on his way to Mungkala. This man and his family were giving out FREE HUGS. Seeing that Luciano was alone, he invited him to join them. “I tried to explain to him that I do not enjoy human contact, I want to be alone,” – Luciano recalled.

But the man refused to leave Luciano alone, trying to convince him: “We will make you feel that you never want to be alone anymore.” Each member in the family gave Luciano a warm hug. “My life changed. On Christmas Eve, I made an incredible decision, I decided to go out there and hug everyone – those who wish to give hugs in exchange for a warm smile.” That’s how he started giving FREE HUGS.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A homeless man and his free hugs

Every day at 9 a.m., he visits Tha Phae Gate and welcome hugs from strangers. This has become a daily routine for him. Luciano finds himself smiling more, finds more meaning in life, and makes more friends through free hugs. “A Japanese guy brought me a bottle of ointment and rubbed it on my hands. Another girl brought me cheese and crackers from Italy…,” he recalls.

I asked Luciano: “Has anyone ever refused a free hug?” and he answered, “Yes, you know, I’m a homeless man. Not everyone is willing to hug me. An Italian woman rejected me completely. When I reached out, she said ‘No, no, no, I don’t want to’. But I insisted ‘Come on, come on!’ She reluctantly embraced me and the next day, she sent me pictures of our hug. A long time after that, she came back and was willing to give me a really warm hug.”

There are sometimes reluctant hugs, they’re stiff, strained and fast. However, most of them are the warmest hugs, ones that I never got from my family or my son. This is the first time in my life that I find something meaningful. Every day, I give free hugs in exchange for smiles,” he said with a smile. “Free hugs – they’re wonderful. They changed my life.”

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A homeless man and his free hugs

Sometimes, when I think about Luciano’s story, I wonder, “If he had never got into an accident in India, would his life had changed, or would he have continued his quite lonely days in an alienated place, tormented by his past for the rest of his days?”

Life sometimes presents us with things that at first seem like misfortunes, but oaks only become stronger in the crosswind and diamonds are made under pressure.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A homeless man and his free hugs

Every new land and every new journey brings me new encounters with incredible people. I learn to observe and to listen, and I collect stories and valuable life lessons. I realize that the world out there still has plenty of beautiful things to see.

Mai Huong | Wanderlust Tips

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Hoang Giang and his opportunity to win the “Golden Ticket” to the North Pole

Our shared passion for travel gave me the opportunity to meet Giang Hoang. Sporting a dusty, weather-beaten look, he made an incredible first impression. If you know Giang Hoang for long enough, you’ll start to learn more and more incredible things about this energetic man.

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Hoang Le Giang is a 28-year-old traveller. He has been to over 30 countries and territories, explored the Himalayas 7 times, and was caught up in the devastating Nepal earthquake in 2015. He recently became the sole representative of Southeast Asia to explore the Arctic in the 300-kilometre journey of Fjällräven Polar. In the minus 30 degrees Celsius cold, he will plant the Vietnamese flag on the North Pole.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Hoang Giang and his opportunity to win the “Golden Ticket” to the North Pole

How did you start dreaming about visiting the North Pole? And how did you turn this dream into a reality?

I always want to visit places with harsh climates to learn more survival skills, to train to have an iron will, and more importantly, to challenge my own limits. The Arctic seems to be the perfect place. Besides personal gains, during my travels, I want the world to learn more about Vietnam, our people’s strength and determination, and our will to follow through even the hardest tasks. I also want to raise awareness about environmental protection through the images that I capture at the North Pole.

Getting a ticket to the North Pole was such a fateful event. I was visiting the Fjallraven website to find information about travel gear, and I came across the information about this contest. Visiting the Arctic has long been a big dream of mine, so I registered to participate immediately, with the fragile hope that I could call for enough community support.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Hoang Giang and his opportunity to win the “Golden Ticket” to the North Pole

How did you ‘campaign’ for the ticket to the North Pole?

It was truly a tough and intense battle. This was the first time in my life that I had had to swallow my pride to call for support and ask people to share and vote for me. My strongest competitor was a representative from Mongolia. Her votes increased very quickly, and she even appeared on television to call for votes. Thanks to support from the online community, after a few days, my votes surpassed hers and I was ‘safe’. Soon after that, I had another worthy competitor from Estonia. His first appearance had already got 28,000 votes, and after one day, he had got 40,000. It was unbelievable. Fortunately for me, social media had the incredible power to spread my message. Thanks to this, those who I had never met could understand my story, my aspirations and my efforts. Finally, I won a ticket to reach the North Pole.

How have you been planning and preparing for the upcoming trip to the North Pole?

I work out every day to train my physical abilities. I’m also saving money, so that after this trip, I can explore some nearby countries as well.

After winning this competition, you became quite famous, admired and respected by many people. How do you feel about this?

I am so happy to have received the support of so many people, companies, famous bloggers, and the travelling community. Many called for support on my behalf, some even spent sleepless nights watching out for votes. It’s something I really appreciate. There is nothing that makes me happier, and I thought that even if I didn’t win, gaining people’s trust and support were a big enough prize.

I feel that I haven’t done enough to return the favour to the community. So, I want to spread positive life messages, to help find meaning in life and inspire others to follow their own dreams.

Can you share some travel tips with us?

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Hoang Giang and his opportunity to win the “Golden Ticket” to the North Pole

I travel to learn – to explore the world and learn about myself. I don’t travel because everyone else travels. I don’t follow any certain formula, I don’t travel to get stamps in my passport or to take photos to brag about.

Travelling alone is very interesting, but I love having a travel companion because it’s safer and cheaper. The key to a good journey is good physical strength, so I exercise regularly to maintain good health. I also make sure to do thorough research of the itinerary, to find a suitable travel companion and even take the time to learn some basic sentences if I visit countries who speak different languages.

Make sure to tell your family and close friends about your journey, in case something happens. I, as well as many others, like ‘going off the face of the earth’ for a few days, but that’s not always practical. Don’t let your ego cause pain to those at home.

What is your most memorable experience during your travels?

This is a sad memory. It is an incomplete journey to Everest Base Camp. I was eager to experience the night at Everest Base Camp, and admire the snow-covered Everest under the starry night, but we were forced to come down the mountain because a travel companion had severe altitude sickness. I regret this because I don’t know when I will have the opportunity to go back.

How have your travels impacted your life?

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Hoang Giang and his opportunity to win the “Golden Ticket” to the North Pole

 I redesigned my life to suit my passion for travel, from my work and my physical training, right down to my travel preparations. My journeys help me to learn so much about life and even business. They give me patience and help me love life.

Many people often wonder: “How do I make enough money to travel the world?” Can you answer this question?

I think the more important question is why do you want to travel the world, and what does ‘travel the world’ mean to you? Do you travel to show off, to learn, or for some other reason? If you have your goals and you are determined enough, you’ll motivate yourself to make and save enough money.

Many people think it’s selfish for young people to give up everything to travel and explore the world. What do you think about this?

Is it selfish to live just to make money? Is it selfish to be expected to live for your family? What is selfishness anyway? You are the only one who can judge yourself, nobody else has the right to judge your choices, and you can never really please everyone anyway.

For me personally, I live for the present. Joy should not be delayed, because you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Life is not permanent.

How do you think travelling benefits the community?

 There’s a Vietnamese proverb: “One day of travel teaches you a basket of wisdom.” Your journeys will enrich your life, you will learn more and live better. You will inspire others. If each and every person can do that, society will be better. I don’t want to be unrealistic, but my thoughts are very simple: every one of us is a frog who lives in a different well, and the bigger wells are always better than the smaller wells. And that’s why I travel.

Mai Huong | Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Gary Leong - Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

Gary Leong – Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

“But for me, my calling is to help bring awareness that we ought to live in harmony with nature and contribute actively to preserve our natural world & all its inhabitants.” – Gary Leong.

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  1. The press has previously called you a forest lover who came up with the idea of a resort amid Cat Tien forest. Why was Cat Tien your top choice?

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Gary Leong - Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

Gary:  Many people do not realise that the forest we have in Southern Vietnam – known as the rainforest, is the richest biodiversity zone on our planet for plants, trees, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals to live and thrive in. It took millions and millions of years to evolve and reach this perfect (though harsh) living condition. The rainforest in Cat Tien National Park – like the Amazon of Brazil or the Old Growth Rainforest in Taman Negara, Malaysia; is among the very rare living jewels we have in the world.

I have been a regular visitor to Cat Tien National Park for the past 20 years. I visited this park whenever I could find time from my busy schedule as the Country Head of an international multinational corporation. Being here allows me to have some rest and have new learning experiences when I spend time in the jungle.

In the 20 years of my relationship with the rainforest, I realised that the jungle and its inhabitants need our protection. If we do not do anything, there is a good likelihood that the plants and trees could be illegally harvested and all the jungle inhabitants within the park will end up being killed, trapped, eaten or sold as pets for profit.

All our national parks have rangers to patrol and protect the area but they cannot be doing this forest guardianship alone. This effort should be the collective responsibility of the people of Vietnam and I am merely playing my role in this effort to help protect and preserve the natural heritage of the country.

  1. Please share with us the reason why you have decided to put your idea into practice?

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Gary Leong - Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

Gary: I once read somewhere that before we pass away from this world we should do something good for it. There are many good people doing their part to bring peace, alleviate poverty, improve our knowledge, make use of resources more efficiently and so on. But for me, my calling is to help bring awareness that we ought to live in harmony with nature and contribute actively to preserve our natural world and all its inhabitants.

  1. What experience and style of accommodation can guests expect at Cat Tien Jungle Lodge?

Gary: Our concept, design and facilities at Jungle Lodge & Farm Stay are aimed to infuse a sense of open space, natural ligh, introduce tranquillity and harmony and allow mother nature, the wind, rain, rustling of the trees or the calls of birds, insects and animals gently whisper to our inner being that we should not rush through our lives with tasks, activities, goals and material achievements and overlook living in balance with nature.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Gary Leong - Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

We provide a clean, functional and comfortable place for our guest to stay in when visiting the national park and the surrounding countryside. We keep things simple and friendly so our guests upon stepping into Jungle Lodge or Farm Stay will quickly feel at ease as if they have just returned to their natural home after being away making a living in the hectic world we are so familiar with. If we can achieve this, then perhaps, our goal of being ‘Your Window Into Nature’ can be realised.

  1. You have had a long career in the insurance industry. How hard has it been for you to manage Cat Tien Jungle Lodge?

Gary:  I believe in the ability and greatness of the human spirit. We are born without special skills but through effort, trial and error plus endurance, we can learn new skills, gain insight and achieve greatness in anything we set our focus on. In all learning experience, we make mistakes, we fall, we feel pain and at times we have doubts and lose confidence too. But by picking ourselves up and trying again and learning again…we become better at what we set out to do. I have had my good share of this when I started the Jungle Lodge project. I think, I am a slow learner and therefore need to fall and pick myself up more often. But the point is to just do it. Set your vision to the greater goal and all the bumps along the way are something you can look back on one day and realise that all the great people we know in this world, have the same spirit of not giving up!

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Gary Leong - Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

  1. What have you and your team been doing to protect Cat Tien natural reserve?

Gary: My first challenge is to educate my team not to catch, kill, eat or pickle wildlife into rice wine whenever they encounter it at the Jungle Lodge or Farm Stay. This is not easy as it is the culture of the Vietnamese to eat anything that has its back towards the sun. And I am still not fully convinced that they have become the wildlife and environmental protectors that I had hoped for them to be. It’s an evolutionary process but I do see encouraging behaviour and thus it gives me hope.

  1. What activities can travellers enjoy while staying here? How do you suggest tourists spend their time while staying with you?

Gary: The amount time one should spend when visiting Cat Tien National Park is three days and two nights. You can make a day trip from Saigon or Dalat or a two-days-one-night excursion, but it will be a bit of a rush. So my recommendation is to give yourself more time to come home to our natural world.

But once in VQG Cat Tien, we can embark on early morning walks or tracks into the forest. Bird watching is a great hobby and you only need binoculars and a field guide for birds. One can ride a bicycle or boat along the rivers along the boundaries of the national park or slow ourselves down to take in the clean, fresh and oxygen filled air as we relax, listen to friends and loved ones or catch up on some reading or music. The itinerary is relatively open and we shouldn’t jam pack our break time the way we do in our working schedule.

For me, anytime is a good time to visit the Jungle but we do have seasonal differences. May to October is the rainy season with cool breezy weather and damp conditions in the jungle. The plants are growing new leaves. Butterflies are everywhere and the jungle is in full bloom. It can also be quite romantic to cuddle up to loved ones with a hot chocolate (or book) in hand while it’s pouring outside.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Gary Leong - Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

November to February is the coolest period of the year with misty mornings, dry weather and plenty of migratory birds. The nights can be chilly and the stars are clearest in the night sky.

March, April and May is the hottest period in Cat Tien. The ground is dry and the trees are brownish but the animals are easier to see as they concentrate around shrinking watering holes or grasslands.

The best time to visit the jungle is early in the morning (6.00 – 9.30am) or late in the afternoon (3.30 – 5.30pm). Birds and wildlife are generally more active during this period. Midday, when it’s the hottest is best spent resting in the room, at the pool or in a hammock next to the river under the shade of the trees.

  1. What have you and your company been doing to help local people get involved in the travel sector?

Gary:  Eco-tourism though not new to the travel industry is a recent development in Vietnam. We are helping spread the proper understanding of what a sustainable eco-tourism model should be like. Resort, Farm Stay, Home Stay and services that are associated to eco-tourism should not merely be a commercial entity. Businesses should also engage and involve the local community in protecting the natural areas like the national park, lakes, waterfalls, caves, nature reserves, mountains, marine parks and so on, which eco-tourism draws its attraction from.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Gary Leong - Principal of Cat Tien Jungle Lodge

When the local community has an economic stake in eco-tourism development, they will then help to preserve the natural beauty of the area and not cut the forest down or trap its wildlife or pollute the environment. This will then preserve the natural attraction of the area for the long term. We have our Community Development Program, which we deploy to enrich the local community living around Cat Tien National Park. For details, you can go to our website https://cattienjunglelodge.com/ and look at our sustainability section to see what we are currently engaged in.

The other aspect of our involvement in the travel business is to raise the awareness of our natural world. This we do through our Wildlife Protection Initiatives which includes organising nature talk, training of nature guides, the showing of wildlife documentaries at Jungle Lodge, all to create environmental awareness and collaboration with entities that aim to protect and preserve our wildlife, its biodiversity and its habitats.

  1. Have you thought of opening another similar resort in a different eco-tourism area? 

Gary:  Cat Tien Jungle Lodge & Farm Stay is still in its foundation stage. We need to pin down our services and achieve operation excellence. This will take time as it is a practical approach and human capacity building takes time.

Having a marketing and promotion plan to put Cat Tien National Park on the tourism radar is also on our to-do-list. We can already see activities and awareness in VQG Cat Tien picking up. This is an encouraging sign and our next area of engagement will be to help the community around the national park’s buffer zone to get more active in rendering goods and services to the customers. In coordinating these efforts, we can influence and promote quality products and services to the guests plus help mitigate the tendency to overcharge by opportunistic traders.

There could be opportunities to be involved in other similar eco-tourism projects. And if the main objective is to protect wildlife and biodiversity via eco-tourism, as per the model we have adopted, I will be most happy to render my time and energy to do so. After all, I gave up my successful CEO position in a global multi-national corporation with a view to make a positive contribution to our planet before my time is up.

  1. What is your on take on Vietnam after years of living here? What impresses you most in regards to food and culture? 

Gary:  I love Vietnam for the simple reason that it had a very tough beginning as a nation but the Vietnamese people in all their differences are still one in their core and drive. The Vietnamese people are never afraid to work hard and play hard. You know the value of sacrifice and patience and strive to improve yourselves for a better future. These are the fundamental ingredients to achieve success and I believe Vietnam will be a shining light in South East Asia. I am lucky to be a witness and be part of your goal towards greatness. I only hope that we do not lose your living jewel, your jungles that is, in the process. You have your rainforest and all its wildlife, medicinal plants and biodiversity gene pool as your natural heritage. Treasure and protect it for once it is gone, you can never get it back!

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

Get yourself these 10 smartphone apps to be rid of any worries during your travels – from language barriers to lack of tourism services.

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GPS apps

A true explorer seeking to wander through forests and conquer the wilderness must have a GPS tracker. If you need to find out the height, direction or coordinates of a location, a compact smartphone app is your friend. These GPS apps don’t require internet connection, and some are even equipped with offline maps, which can come in handy for those preferring the roads less travelled. We recommend: GPS.me, GPS Direction, Google Maps, Waze, Here Maps, In Route, Scout GPS, MapQuest, MontionX GPS and GPS Trip Journal

Language Apps

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

When you visit a new place, there’s nothing better than understanding the local language, or at least speaking English, which is spoken widely. Unfortunately, this common language is not so common in a few places in the world, and if your body language cannot suffice, having a language app can be a lifesaver. You should get one that works offline, as that will be more convenient during your travels. We recommend: Google Translate, iTranslate, Waygo, iHandy and Voice Translator.

Map apps

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

There are countless options for map and navigation applications for iOS and Android. A few offline apps allow you to download information about your destination before your trip to use later when you cannot access the Internet. Google Maps is the most popular app, and Maps.me is a useful app that you can use offline. You can find your destination, get directions, and even find restaurants, hotels, bus and train stations on these applications. A few other options we recommend are Apple Maps, City Maps 2GO, Sygic, Pocket Earth, World Maps Offline, Galileo Offline Maps and OSMand.

Hotel booking apps

Many booking apps pack a comprehensive inventory of hotels, motels, restaurants and landmarks. You can use these apps even when offline by downloading information about your destination before your departure. Many applications allow you to book hotels and even homestays. We recommend: HostelWorld, HostelBookers, HotelTonight, Jesetter, Booking.com, Hotel Quickly and In2nite.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

Flight booking apps

If you’re going on a spontaneous adventure without a return flight or your next destination, having a flight or transportation searching app can come in handy. These apps help you find the cheapest flight by comparing millions of flights from airlines around the world. They also display detailed information about the flights including time, duration, layover period and airfare, all of which help you plan the perfect journey. We recommend: Skyscanner, FlightBoard, FlightTrack5, GateGuru, FlightView Free, iFly Airport Guide and flightradar24.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

Wi-Fi apps

Internet connection is almost indispensable in the modern world. When connected you can easily find information in a new city, share updates about your trip online and stay connected with your friends and family. Internet connections are not always free, especially in expensive countries. Wi-Fi finder applications will help you find free hotspots or give you the passwords of nearby Wi-Fi networks. We recommend: Free Wifi Connect, Wifi Temple, Wifi finder, WifiMap, Wiffinity and Map Wifi.

Weather Apps

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

Weather can greatly affect your trip. If you’re planning to see the sunset in Bagan, rain may be the unexpected guest that ruins your evening. Weather applications let you know the weather conditions, sunrise and sunset times and wind direction and speed 7 – 10 days in advance so you can plan your itinerary. We recommend: WeatherPro, 1Weather, Accuweather, Eye in the Sky Weather, Google Now, Go Weather Forecast and Widgets, WeatherBug, The Weather Channel, Weather Underground, Yahoo Weather and Weather YoWindows.

Photo apps

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

Thousands of apps allow you to edit, customise and add filters to create the perfect photos to share with friends online. Other applications allow you to store photos online, so your photos won’t take up storage on your phone. We recommend: Instagram, Camera VSCO, Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Photoshop Touch, Snapseed, Afterlight, Mextures, Filterstorm If, FaceTune, Camera +, Pixlr, PicsArt and Repix.

Security apps

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

Many apps can protect your phone from harmful websites and viruses designed to steal information. Some apps allow you to trace your lost phone, telling you its exact location and even disable your phone when you cannot find it. If you have an iPhone, you can use Find My iPhone. Other applications we recommend are: CMS Security, Kaspersky Internet Security, Anti-Malware, AVG Antivirus Security, ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus, AVL, Bitdefender Mobile Security, McAfee Mobile Security and LastPass Password Manager Premium.

Calls and messaging apps

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | 10 must-have travel apps for savvy travellers

You can’t always connect to regular cellular networks to call your friends and family, and of course international calls are expensive. The solution is communication apps that allow you to call, text, send photos and video chat. If you’re travelling in a group, the applications will turn your phone into a walkie-talkie, which is helpful in a small area. Not only during travels, but also for every day use we recommend: Viber, Zalo, Line, WhatsApp, KakaoTalk, Nimbuzz, Tango, Kik, Skype and Zello.

Wanderlust Tips

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Travel Tips for Iran

Many people visit Iran to experience the delights of the ancient Persian Empire. With enough pre-planning and advance research, you can easily avoid the limitations and stresses that come with travelling. Use these 10 tips of Wanderlust Tips to help get you started.

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Visa:

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Travel Tips for Iran

  • Visas on arrival are only available at airports, and they are now valid for 30 days. If travelling on land, you will have to get a visa at a consulate ahead of time. If there is proof of entry to Israel in your passport, you cannot enter Iran.
  • Vietnamese nationals need a visa, which can be issued by the Embassy of Iran located at No. 54 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. This visa allows you to stay for 30 days and expires within 6 months. It will take 10 – 15 days for you to obtain a visa.

Transportation to Iran:

  • From Vietnam, you can take Thai Airways from Hanoi to Tehran, transiting in Bangkok (daily direct flights between Hanoi and Bangkok). A return flight from Tehran to Bangkok departs every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Currency:

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Travel Tips for Iran

  • Credit/Debit cards do not work in Iran. You have to bring all the money you will need in cash, and change money once in Iran. US Dollars and Euros are the best
  • Prices are given in Toman, not Rials. 1 Toman = 10 Rials. People will also abbreviate: for example, if someone tells you something is “5”, they mean 5,000 Toman/50,000 Rials. It’s confusing in the beginning, but you will get it! Just add an extra “0” to the price to figure out the price in Rials.

Transportation in Iran:

  • Buses are the cheapest and most common form of transportation between cities. There are also domestic airlines, for those that want to save time and don’t mind paying a bit extra.
  • Want a comfortable bus ride? Get a VIP ticket. VIP buses have bigger seats that recline further, and you usually get a snack box for the road. They’re usually twice the price of mahmoolys – regular tour buses.
  • Don’t sit next to people of the opposite sex unless you know them. It’s an unspoken rule, and people will often shuffle around on buses and in cars to get the order right. If there’s no other option, just sit – it’s not the end of the world.
  • Any car can be a taxi. Enterprising locals will often act as unofficial taxi drivers. It’s fine to use their cars, and they’re a bit more flexible with their pricing than official taxis.

Clothing:

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Travel Tips for Iran

  • Women have a strict dress code. Your head has to be covered, your shirt needs to cover your bum, and you can’t wear short sleeves, 3/4-length max.

Accommodation:

  • Iran has a big hotel chain – the Caravanserai and many cheap hotels and hostels. You should book early using OTA sites or professional tour providers for the best price.

Cuisine:

  • Iranian cuisine is influenced by Middleastern, Pan Asian, Russian and European cuisine, which makes it diverse. Dishes often combine many different spices and ingredients.
  • Tap water is safe to drink unless stated otherwise. There are also plenty of water fountains all throughout the cities, so bring a reusable water bottle!
  • Forget coffee, it’s all about tea. Tea is the drink of choice, though you’ll occasionally encounter tiny coffee shops, and coffee is more common in touristy areas
  • When drinking tea, put a sugar cube in your mouth then take a sip. This is the Iranian way of drinking tea.
  • You don’t need to tip. Tipping isn’t common unless you’re at a really nice restaurant, or you were very, very satisfied with a service you received.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Travel Tips for Iran

Souvenirs:

  • People often associate Iran with its famous handicraft carpets, but ceramics and glassware are also exquisite handicrafts to buy.

Other:

  • Hotels will keep your passports while you stay. However, you’re required by law to always have your passport on you. Either carry around copies of your passport while outside or give the hotel copies and ask for your passport back. Make sure you have a copy of the information page and the page with your Iranian visa, including your entry stamp.
  • It is okay to go to strangers’ homes. They just want to show you the famous Iranian hospitality! If someone invites you, do accept. Girls, take note: if a man invites you, it’s not proper to accept unless his wife or other women are present, or you’re travelling with a boy.
  • Don’t take photos of power plants, factories, transportation hubs, or anything military or police. You don’t want to look like a spy. The government does not like spies.

Abang Fadli bin Abang Alibasah | Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Irresistible Iran: 2 weeks discovering persia as a solo traveller

Irresistible Iran: 2 weeks discovering Persia as a solo traveler

Two weeks was not enough for me to explore Iran – I only explored Tehran, Esfahan, Yazd, Shiraz and Kerman.  People keep asking me why only travelled in Iran for two weeks instead of a month. The answer is that as a Malaysian, I get a free 14 days visa to enter Iran, which is good news for me, as a backpacker, money is always tight. And it is one more reason to return to this amazing country.

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A wise decision

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Irresistible Iran: 2 weeks discovering persia as a solo traveller

Iran is the second largest country in the Middle East and the 18th largest in the world. Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, hosts nineteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites and boasts beautiful landscapes stretching from dense rain forests to snow-capped mountains and desert basins.

I boarded a plane from Kuala Lumpur to Tehran nervously as I did not prepare well and had no itinerary. There being very limited information available online is one challenge, plus bad news on the media made me think twice before I decided to go. Two weeks before my trip, I decided to cancel the trip as my parents did not approve and their blessing matters to me. At last, they gave me the green light to go and travelling to Iran is one of best decision I ever made.

Tehran – A Beautiful City

It cost me about IRR 700,000 (USD 22) for a one-hour taxi ride from Tehran Imam Khomeini International airport to the Seven Hostel (dorm, 15 USD per night) – the only option to get to the city, as the metro connecting it to the airport is still under construction.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Irresistible Iran: 2 weeks discovering persia as a solo traveller

On the second day in Tehran, all the shops and attractions were closed, as it was an Ashura celebration. For Shi’a Muslims, Ashura marks the Remembrance of Muharram, and commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram. The biggest Ashura celebration in Tehran was at the Grand Bazaar. I was so impressed with the people of Iran, who I found to be wonderful and friendly, everyone offered to be our guide for the event. I was so full as there was free food everywhere during the celebration.

My favourite place in Tehran – thee Golestan Palace, is one of the oldest historic monuments in the city, and of world heritage status. It consists of gardens, royal buildings, and a collection of Iranian crafts and European presents from the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the spots inside the palace that blew my mind was the most famous of the halls called the Mirror Hall. This relatively small hall is famous for its extraordinary mirror work. No photos are allowed to be taken in this hall.

When I arrived at Azadi Tower, its facade was under construction. The Azadi Tower, Tehran’s most iconic landmark and symbol of Tehran, was built in 1971 to celebrate 2,500 years of the Persian Empire. The name, which means Freedom Tower, was changed in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution. It is made of eight thousand white marble blocks brought from the Esfahan area and was designed by Iranian architect Hossein Amanat, with elements of old Persian and Islamic architecture.

In Tehran, there are numerous beautiful parks and most of the people in Iran love picnics. Shahr Park is one of the best parks in the city. I really enjoyed my evenings in this park and went twice. Did I mention the various beautiful flowers in this park? And I heard that during winter you can ice-skate at the park. Sounds amazing right?

Esfahan – Pearl of the Middle East

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Irresistible Iran: 2 weeks discovering persia as a solo traveller

From Tehran, I continued my journey to Esfahan with a six-hour night bus ride (IRR 330,000, VIP Bus).  From the terminal I took a taxi to Amir Kabir Hostel (dorm, 10USD per night), which is situated in the city centre and in walking distance of the Imam Square.

As Esfahan is also known as the Pearl of the Middle East, it was no surprise to find it was more touristic than Tehran. Esfahan has a lot of amazing attractions and is rich with history. The best thing is that most of the main attractions are walkable and close to one another.

Do not miss out on the Vank Cathedral – the centrepiece of the Armenian Georgian community of Esfahan. The Armenians became an influential minority in Esfahan when they were recruited by the Shah to assist the state in cementing control of a lucrative silk monopoly.

Imam Square is the place where I spent the most time in Iran. It is huge and includes a big pool with a fountain at the centre and a beautiful garden full with locals out for a picnic every evening. You can shop for interesting items and souvenirs at the bazaar around the square. This is where Ali Qappu Palace, Jame Mosque and Lotfollah Mosque are located. You can find numerous restaurants surrounding the square.

I made a day trip to Varzaneh with four other travellers. Varzaneh is a one-and-a-half-hour journey from Esfahan. Varzaneh is famous regionally and all over the world for its spectacular desert, ranked as one of the most accessible deserts in Iran. Unique to Varzaneh are the local women’s costumes. They wear completely white chadors, while women in the rest of Iran, mostly wear black chadors.

Yazd – Desert Paradise

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Irresistible Iran: 2 weeks discovering persia as a solo traveller

I continued my journey to Yazd with a 5-hour night bus ride (IRR 250,000: VIP Bus) and stayed at the Orient Hotel (dorm, USD 15 per night). After a while travelling through the dusty desert, the surrounding mountains suddenly appear and they aren’t the only peaks in sight. First, you see the Yazdi minarets and then the famous badgir towers – a form of medieval air conditioning, which funnels any passing gust of wind down into the baking city below. Yazd is incredible because it doesn’t seem natural for a city to thrive in the middle of a desert, yet UNESCO lists it as one of the oldest towns on earth, with an estimated 2000 years of permanent human settlement.

I took the whole day to visit the three spots Kharanagh, Meybod, and Chak Chak. Do not forget to head out to the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and gaze in awe at the Atash Behram, which has been burning for over 2000 years. Around sunset, take a taxi to the Towers of Silence to be part of a weird and wonderful Zoroastrian ritual.

Shiraz – City of Roses

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Irresistible Iran: 2 weeks discovering persia as a solo traveller

After a 6-hour journey from Yazd on a night bus (IRR 360,000: VIP Bus), I arrived in Shiraz. Staying at Taha Hostel (dorm, 15USD per night), a family run hostel made my Iran trip wonderful as they offered excellent hospitality. Shiraz is blessed with a beautiful Persian garden. Eram Garden is the best place to visit if you want to experience a Persian Garden. When I was there, I just wished I were living there.

One of the highlights for me in Shiraz was Nasir al-Molk Mosque. Widely known as the “Pink Mosque”, it is also called the “Mosque of Colours,” the “Rainbow Mosque” or the “Kaleidoscope Mosque”. This is a space where light and worship intertwine. The mosque comes to life with the sunrise and colours dance throughout the day like whirling dervishes. It reflects on the ground, walls, the arches and the towering spires. It even reflects on the visitors as if a colourful ball was hit by the first sunray and explodes into thousands of butterflies.

Pasargardae, Necropolis and Persepolis brought another mind-blowing experience for me. Each story of the places amazed me and made me want to learn more about Iran. Necropolis is a large ancient cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments. Founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models. The importance and quality of the monumental ruins make it a unique archaeological site.

Abang Fadli bin Abang Alibasah | Wanderlust Tips

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Everywhere I go, there is love!

We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our media will accommodate” – That’s what a traveler has in mind when she packs a luggage and goes on the way. Accompanion with Wanderlust Tips, Let’s discover thoughts and emotion of Vietnamese travelers after their trips.

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  1. Van Nguyen
Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Everywhere I travel, there is love!

 

When I set foot in Hong Kong, the first that struck me were all the flavours of life. The smell of street food, the sound of traffic, the laughter of people and the hustle and bustle of life here, all blend together in a unique harmony. For me, the beauty of Hong Kong is not only found in the glamour of luxury shopping malls, or expensive restaurants, but also in the vitality of the culture, hidden in the shadows of the skyscrapers. This hidden beauty was what impressed me more than anything.

The intense mix of tradition and modernity has created the special metropolis that is Hong Kong, a place where West and East meet and a dream come true for city explorers.

2. Linh Lena

Dong Van in Ha Giang province with its immense mountains and clouds, and its winding Ma Pi Leng Pass is compelling to visit and explore. So three pilgrims, two Australians and one Vietnamese, packed only necessities and started travelling. From Hanoi, we took a bus to Ha Giang province and then rented bikes. The pass is only 3 – 4 metres wide, and our companions on this road included buffalos, hogs and dogs! The herds of buffalo crossing the road on our journey amazed us. On one side was the mountain, and on the other the cliff, but we still saw local men riding motorbikes fearlessly without helmets, which shocked us.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Everywhere I travel, there is love!

The pristine landscape on our journey made us fall in love. Unfortunately even the best camera cannot capture the majestic landscape. From the top of Ma Pi Leng pass, we could see the blue Nho Que river, decorating the mountain like a silk scarf. On the top of the mountain amid its immense natural beauty, surrounded by the heavenly mountains and clouds, we were ecstatic and proud of our homeland.

The food in Dong Van is not diverse and on the expensive side, but fresh and delicious. I still remember the taste of stir-fried wild vegetables and beef. The dish was sweet and savoury, completely different from the artificial flavours of food in the cities. At twilight, the sunlight shone down on the desolate and immense mountains, which compelled us to stop and enjoy the scenery for a while. On our way back, I told myself that I must return to visit someday.

Van Nguyen & Linh Lena | Wanderlust Tips

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Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower: Experience a new space at The Lounge

Approaching the completion of the large-scale renovations at Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, the hotel lobby lounge, which has undergone a dramatic transformation, was officially re-launched  on 24th October 2016

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Located in the heart of Saigon and designed by the acclaimed design and planning firm Noor Design, The Lounge is an intimate space geared toward relaxing and enjoying great company in a space that feels singularly like a combination of Saigonese traditions, styling from the heydays of the city and local materials, adding the flavor to a contemporary and elegant backdrop.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower: Experience a new space at The Lounge

The space is arranged with connection and socializing in mind. Settle into plush seating, ranging from sofas to oversized armchairs in oxford blue, deep saffron and denim stone gray which frame myriad coffee and long wooden tables, and bar stools surrounding a longer elegant black high table.

This reinvention of a luxurious lobby bar adds a new dynamic to the hotel and creates a new destination in the city. Residents and travelers to the city alike can convene in this intuitively arranged space to socialize and connect over a cappuccino, specialty coffee, delicate afternoon tea sets, or a tropical fruit punch, wine and cocktails. If you’re looking for a bite, The Lounge’s culinary options range from soup, Vietnamese pho, salad, and sandwiches to sushi platters.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower: Experience a new space at The Lounge

With its unique and contemporary “salon” environment, the new lobby lounge is the perfect place to relax after a long day of work or to start the day before an excursion into the city.

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

  • Add: 88 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC
  • Tel: (+84) 8 3827 2828
  • Fax: (+84) 8 3827 2929

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Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The Anam Resort: Abundant promotion packages to celebrate the grand opening

The Anam Resort: Abundant promotion packages to celebrate the grand opening

The Anam Resort has been lauching abundant packages to immerse its guests in classy comfort of a true 5-star colonial beach resort to recall a bygone area of Indochina. The resort will celebrate its grand opening in April this year.

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With the specially designed Spa Package, guests can enjoy two 60 minute body treatments per person and private car airport transfers and buffet breakfast for a 2 night stay at Garden View Villa. Package Price: USD627 (includes 5% service charge and 10% VAT).

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The Anam Resort: Abundant promotion packages to celebrate the grand opening

For City Escape Package, the resort stay boasts a beachside tropical hideaway including two nights at Garden View Villa with buffet breakfast, airport transfers and a USD80 F&B / Spa Service credit per package. Package Price: US$ 468 (includes 5% service charge and 10% VAT).

Honeymoon Package would make your special time together the holiday of a lifetime. The package offers 3 nights staying at Garden View Villa with a complimentary room upgrade, a bottle of wine, a romantic dinner on the beach, our Special Honeymoon Paradise Spa package (one 2 hour couple treatment with a selection of body massages and natural handmade scrub with milk bath), premium private car transfer, special turn down services and buffet breakfast. Package Price: US$ 956 (includes 5% service charge and 10% VAT).

Don’t forget to enhance the family close connection with the Family Package which caters to the cormfort and affordability of a travelling family. Families with children receive a 50% discount on a connecting room.

All the packages are valid to December 20, 2017.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The Anam Resort: Abundant promotion packages to celebrate the grand opening

The Anam is located on Northern Cam Ranh Peninsula, just 20 minutes from Cam Ranh International Airport, and 30 minutes from Nha Trang city, one of Vietnam’s iconic beach destinations. It is easily accessible by road, rail or air, just an hours flight from Ho Chi Minh City and an hour and a half from the capital, Hanoi. The resort boasts over 300 meters of absolute beach frontage on one of the world’s most beautiful bays. There are stunning views across the ocean and its islands to the east and the rugged jungle clad mountains to the west.

With warm tropical breezes, swaying palms, and the ocean literally at the doorstep, The Anam’s signature designed villas, nestle harmoniously into the surrounds. It is as close to paradise as one can find.

The Anam Resort

  • Add: Long Beach, Northern Peninsula Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
  • Tel: (+84) 583 989 499
  • Fax: (+84) 583 989 498

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Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Dream Hotel Group to operate new beach resort in Vung Tau

Dream Hotel Group to operate new beach resort in Vung Tau

The new luxury lifestyle and entertaining resort Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa,which is located in Long Hai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province will be opening in the upcoming summer months of 2017.

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Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa is just 90 minutes away from Ho Chi Minh City and promises to bring to travelers a new level of “beach destination” unrivaled in Vietnam.

Our team is very exciting to the first debut this April” said Dream Hotel Group’s Managing Director Asia Pacific, Mr. Kevin Wallace. “With thousands of visitors expected at the show, including the media, travel agents as well as travelers from Vietnam and around the region, this is a tremendous opportunity to show all that the Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa has to offer to luxury guests as the newest lifestyle beach destination in the region.”

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Dream Hotel Group to operate new beach resort in Vung Tau

The Vietnam’s top lifestyle beach destination is nested over a 22 hectares landscape, tucked between a gentle mountainous landscape and a pristine Pacific Ocean coast line. The spectacular retreats shine out from an eternal sunrise facing a 700-meter long private beach.

Under the management of Dream Hotel Group, the 347-villa (1,002 room keys) resort destination will be the first international villa resort in Ba Ria Vung Tau province, featuring an array of fashionable dining venues, an incredible sky bar, a 2,000sqm interactive swimming pool, a 1,400sqm Dream Nirvana Spa, 24/7 fitness center. For event and business function we will feature a convention hall which spans over 1,100sqm.

The spectacular signature Dream Beach Club promises to be the largest international beach club in Vietnam

Dream Hotel Group: Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa                                        

  • Add: 44A High Way, Phuoc Hai Town, Dat Do District Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam.
  • Website: www.dreamoceanami.com

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