Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 166 of 195

Tam Bui: I love telling story with pictures

Being stunned by worldwide landscapes, Tam Bui or Pu Gung Ying loves to tell his journeys by capturing beautiful photos.

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About me and my passion for travel

I love telling stories with pictures. Travelling gives me more photographic material for my stories. I’m a world wanderer who loves to explore every corner of this wonderful world.

2017 plan

2017 promises to be filled with new and exciting adventures. My first trip will be to visit the Holi Festival in India this April. My next destinations will be Egypt in May, Sala De Yuni (Bolivia) in July, Mongolia in September, Loi Krathong festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November. I also hope to finish my second travel book, to be published in early 2018.

2016 trips

2016 ended with four exciting trips for me: exploring the mysterious country of Myanmar, a thrilling journey to Larung Gar (Tibet) and autumn in Northwest China (Guangxi, Yunnan, Beijing). China was also the final destination in 2016 for me to complete my first travel book, to be published in April 2017.

Travelling style

I travel to photograph, so most of my destinations have rich ethnic culture. I want to first explore destinations in Asia like India or China, before exploring other continents like Africa or South America to visit Egypt, Bolivia and Madagascar.

Travel Luggage

I love photography so camera equipment is a necessity; everything else needs to be as light and compact as possible. My luggage usually consists of 3 outfits, my kindle, laptop, smartphone, camera, outlet, bankcard, and passport. I have to go everywhere with my North Face climbing shoes, it is my lucky charm.

Tech gadget

My camera and laptop are must-haves on every trip for me. I also want to use a portable Wi-Fi router on my future journeys to stay connected and upload my photos regularly.

Memorable moment

My most memorable and thrilling experience was my journey to Larung Gar (Tibet) where I was detained at a police station. After spending almost an entire day on the bus, only 30 kilometres away from the destination, my bus was stopped by border patrol, only Chinese nationals could enter, and foreigners were detained at the police station and forced to return home the next morning. I did not give up.

When I was escorted to the nearby hotel to stay for the night, I sneaked out and asked locals to put me in the back of their car and travelled at night to avoid the police. After one hour of waiting anxiously, I reached Larung Gar and got some of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever taken.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Tran Thuong: I want to experience many things and capture every moment on the road

From the manigicent Nothern moutains to the stunning Southern islalnds, Tran Thuong has set his footsteps on many beautiful Vietnamese landscapes as well as legendary spots worldwide. Wanderlust Tips December issue has shared his experience about his unique journeys.

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About me and my passion for travel

My greatest passions are travel and photography. I want to experience many things and capture every moment on the road. Besides taking photos of nature, I love to explore and discover the local lifestyles and cultures at every destination.

2017 plan

I have plenty of plans for the new year: conquer the mountains in the Northwest Vietnam; visit Southern islands like Cu Lao Cau, Phu Quy, Tho Chu; visit seasonal destinations during flower season, harvest season, rainy season; visit Japan during cherry blossoms season; and discover Europe in autumn.

2016 trips

Two of my longest trips this year were my motorcycle road trip around Ladak, India and my journey to Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in China. I also spent a few short trips visiting familiar destinations and had some new experiences in Vietnam.

Travelling style

As a photography enthusiast I love visiting places with beautiful scenery and unique culture. I also love mountain climbing and trekking because it helps me improve my physique and conquer my fears.

Travel Luggage

For a travel enthusiast like myself, luggage is always light because I only bring the necessities. Must-haves for me include my camera and for some trips my drone. If I’m riding of course I need a bandana, a multifunctional scarf, gloves and quick-drying clothes.

Tech gadget

Must-have tech for me is a camera and I want to bring a compact drone on every journey.

Memorable moment

My most memorable trip was a motorbike road trip around Ladakh, India with my friends. We drove over some of the highest mountain passes in the world, covered in thick snow and biting cold, and we saw some of the most magnificent scenery at the foot of the Himalayas. The other memorable moment was when I watched the sunrise at Pango lake on the border between India and Tibet, which gave me an indescribable feeling. Or when my bike fell on a sandy hill. These are unforgettable memories.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Nguyen Hoang Bao: My biggest passion is to discover new destinations

Discovering corners of 70 countries, spanning over 5 continents, Nguyen Hoang Bao, who is known as Foot Steps, has spreading the spirit of travel too all people around him. He has shared his love of travel with readers of Wanderlust Tips December issue.

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About me and my passion for travel

I am currently a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City University, but my biggest passion is to discover new destinations. My ‘fortune’ is the stories I’ve acquired after visiting 70 countries, spanning over 5 continents.

These stories are documented in my book “Doc Hanh” (Lone Travel), my brainchild, conceived after wandering along the Silk Road.

2017 plan

In early 2017, I will take a long trip – from late winter to the end of spring – starting from cold Hokkaido, Japan and ending in Southeast Russia. On this journey I will experience the cold in different regions, riding on a train across the prairie of Siberia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Eastern European countries, and I hope to welcome the spring in Greece.

I am intrigued by train rides across the Eurasian continent, some of the most spectacular train routes in the world, spanning over 9,000 kilometres from Vladivostok to Moscow.

My stops are numerous countries with diverse cultures, religions and rare natural landscapes; this is a three-month journey I cannot resist and it is happening very soon.

2016 trips

In 2016, my enriched my fortune with two long trips. The first was to wild East Africa, home to amazing national parks. The second was to the autonomous region of Xinjiang Uyghur in northwest China, where there are still relics of the first arduous journeys of the traders on the Silk Road.

Travelling style

My passion is exploring new cultures on every journey. In every new place, I learn more about unique cultures that are new to me and that I’ve never seen or heard of before. On these journeys, I collect knowledge that helps me piece together a colourful world.

The world is multidimensional with its many different cultures, religious beliefs, languages and customs, but what everyone has in common is love.

Travel Luggage

My suitcase or backpack is always light, with only necessities like clothing, a first aid kit, survival tools, smartphones, my laptop, a small notebook to log the journey and a tape recorder to help me store every feeling on the road. Travel guidebooks are my companions on every journey, and they have helped me through many problems when I needed them.

Tech gadget

My long trips would not be possible without a smartphone, equipped with a variety of features: Internet connection, a camera, and several travel apps.

Memorable moment when discovering amazing lands

Travelling the Silk Road was a journey that gave me many valuable experiences. Each country made me feel like I was in a different world.

Kuwait is a wealthy country torn between modernity and tradition, between religious practices and modern luxuries; Iran, a land filled with touching stories contrary to the stories you see on the news.

Persian culture is clearly told through the eyes of an Iranian girl in strict religious clothing.

Turkmenistan represents a land unfamiliar to the amateur tourists but is rich in history; or Uzbekistan’s Bukhara citadel, filled with the hallmark of an ancient paradise. I was mesmerised by nomadic festivals held in Song Kul Lake, where snow mountains challenge every visitor.

I experienced haunting roads and met people who have overcome the toughest climate on the divine Pamir road. These stories are never-ending, and my journeys, hopefully, will be never-ending as well.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Rosie Nguyen loves to be embraced in nature

Get inspiration for your next adventure from the passion and 2017 travel plans of a selection of travel bloggers. Nguyen Hoang Nguyen or Rosie Nguyen has been wellknown among Vietnamese. She has share with Wanderlust Tips December issue her plans for 2017 journeys.

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About me and my passion for travel

I’m an author, facebooker, culture and travel blogger, and a yoga teacher. Beside spending time writing and teaching yoga, I love backpacking and wandering to new places, preferably with a book. I’ve been to 20 countries.

2017 plans

2017 will be full of new adventures. I want to explore more countries in South Asia: the Valley of Flowers, a national park in Uttarakhand, India with heavenly scenery, Nepal, home to colourful Kathmandu and the Everest Base Camp, a destination for trekking lovers. I also want to visit Tibet, home of the Dalai Lama, with secluded temples on hillsides and spectacular natural scenery. This place is special for me because I would love to meditate on Mount Kailash, one of the most sacred places of Tantric Buddhism. Tibet is on of the places I must visit before I die, and 2017 is the year I will make this dream come true.

2016 trips

2016 was the year that I was determined to spend more time focusing on my personal projects, but my feet could not stay still. Along with carrying out some personal projects, I did manage to visit quite a few places: I visited Kyoto on a trip sponsored by the Japanese government; I visited Chiang Mai in Thailand thanks to the invitation from the Tourism Authority of Thailand; I went diving in Phuket in Thailand to celebrate my birthday; I visited Jakarta to attend the Asean Blogger Conference.

I realised that I only travel to foreign countries, and have never even seen many places in my own country. 2016 was the year that I visited the most places in Vietnam. In August, I visited Ly Son island to participate in a project for waste management and coastal protection. In September, I participated in “Chuyến Xe Tuổi Trẻ” (Journey of Youth) and travelled across Vietnam to meet, talk to, and inspire youths and encourage them to read. In November, I visited Da Nang and Hue to organise a reading.

Travelling style

I love nature and outdoor activities. Mountains, beaches and forests have a special appeal to me. Therefore, I always choose wild destinations so I can be at one with nature and fulfil my love for mountain climbing, hiking, or scuba diving.

Travel Luggage

I have a habit of keeping my bags light on every trip. With some quick-drying and light yoga clothes and walking shoes, I can conquer the world. A sarong given to me by an Indonesian friend, who bought it on Bali. It’s extremely useful, I can use it as a wrap when I visit temples, use it as a mat to sit on when I’m at the beach, or as a towel when I go swimming, as a yoga mat, or as a scarf when it’s cold.

Tech gadgets

A portable Wi-Fi router, the size of a backup battery, which can automatically connect to mobile networks when you’re aboard, lets you connect to the Internet wherever you are. As a blogger/facebooker, my work depends largely on social media and I need to constantly update my online presence. This device helps me work and connect with my friends and family while I’m moving.

Memorable moment

I’ve been to many places in the world, but the most memorable for me was one in my motherland. It was a 100-kilometer long trekking trip along the Ta Nang – Phan Dung road, known as the most beautiful road for trekking in Vietnam. My companions and I walked in the forests for 5 or 6 days, every day we travelled over 30 kilometres wearing a 20-kilogram backpack.

We didn’t have enough food, didn’t shower for a few days, and even had to drink water sparingly, but we had some wonderful memories too. We slept under the starry sky, embraced the entire universe, collected bamboo by the river to kindle a fire and cook some rice and dried fish, and played games with friends and send our laughter as echoes into forest. The trip allowed me to see that I can achieve things I thought were impossible, and I was so proud to have overcome my own fears of this thrilling experience.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips travel magazine’s January issue 2017: Flavours of Tet

January issue 2017 of Wanderlust Tips Magazine will bring the warmest flavors to Tet holiday and suggest great journeys for a new year.

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Tet (Lunar New Year) comes bearing gentle sunlight reflecting on fragile peach blossoms. Children delight with new clothes and toys, their faces lit up with a constant smile. The skilful hands of the women of the house prepare traditional feasts…

And these Tet feasts are not merely food, but wishes for a full and prosperous new year. With a little twist the indispensable traditional ingredients renew the flavours of Tet. Everyone who’s been away from home during Tet has surely missed gathering with their family for the Tet feast, sharing memories from the year passed and looking forward to a blissful new year.

Nobody knows when it happened but the definition of ‘Tet’ has been expanded beyond the borders of one’s own home and the traditional Tet values. Modern Tet can mean travelling with one’s family, spending time together, enjoying a new spring and relaxing after a long year. To prepare for a perfect journey, do not forget to plan your budget so you can comfortably enjoy your vacation without having to worry about money.

There’s nothing better than to enjoy a relaxing vacation with your family during the new year celebration. Spring vacation is a unique experience with its unique tastes, refreshing your mind and body, so you can return feeling fully refreshed and ready to take on the challenges of a new year.

We wish you a wonderful, inspiring new year with endless journeys!

Wanderlust Tips

Indulged in the most romantic spots around the world

Whether you’re in the first flush of love or have a ruby wedding anniversary approaching, 50 destinations shown up in the latest book of National Geographic would grant you an option.

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The World’s Most Romantic Destinations: 50 Dreamy Getaways, Private Retreats, and Enchanting Places to Celebrate Love, by National Geographic – has revealed the spellbinding locations to enchant your partner with. They range from cobbled streets of Italy to the sand-kissed beaches of Hawaii, from Paris in springtime, to Victoria Falls in the summer, you and your loved one will never stop being amazed by the breathtaking landscapes.

Daily Mail | Wanderlust Tips

Quest Festival – Art, music & revelling in nature

The quiet forest awakens with the burning passionate sound of music and beautiful artistic performances that resonate deeply with everybody.

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Thu Phuong, a marketer in Hanoi, has heard about big and exciting music festivals being held in nature in the West, but she never thought she would have this experience in her own hometown.

Quest Festival is a world-class, premier music festival in Asia, put on by event organiser from around the world. When Quest first released information about its return, Phuong’s friends quickly shared it with her, and invited her to this exciting getaway.

It took just a few clicks and they received their tickets to the festival, alongside bus tickets and their tent allocation. Located only 40 kilometres from Hanoi’s city centre, the event is hosted at Son Tinh Camp. This unique eco-friendly camp is located next to a romantic lake, surrounded by forest and overlooks the majestic Ba Vi mountain. It is an ideal place for camping, an indispensable part of the Quest Festival experience.

Right after their arrival, the group eagerly went out to discover everything this festival has to offer. They started with rope games right by their tents, and everyone had a great time trying to walk on a tightrope.

Though having fun with the games, the sound of music drew the crowd towards the Emperor Stage. The stage had eye-catching décor of a face wearing a crown representing Van Lang culture, reminding people of the Hung King. The theme of this year’s festival was the myth of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh.

The Emperor Stage provided alive and diverse musical experience, from funk, jazz, hip-hop, beatboxing, rock, country to traditional Irish and Celtic music. Meanwhile, Thuy Tinh Stage and Quest Embassy Stage were the places for EDM fans to go revel. The white ice representing the angry heart of Thuy Tinh dramatically changed colour over the course of the performances. The dome and arches of the stages transformed thanks to the lighting effects in sync with the beat of the most talented DJs from Hong Kong and Thailand, fanning the flames of passion for music lovers.

After seeing numerous musical performances by both Vietnamese and foreign artists, Phuong was completely overwhelmed by the performances at the Quest festival. “Performances combine music and lighting, igniting the entire forest. There’s never been such a grand musical event in Vietnam, with the participation of 150 artists from Vietnam and abroad: Say Yes Dog from Luxembourg, Windstar Soul, Squideye from the USA, Phaze from France, Matt Montez Duo, Jon Kennedy from the UK, Aqatuki from Japan, Hazard Clique, Kimmese, Phuc Tap and Saigon Soul Revival from Vietnam. Every stage looked and sounded amazing,” Phuong said.

Ha My from Ho Chi Minh City thought that the performances at Quest Festival were diverse, providing options for the audience and satisfying music fans with different tastes. “Music is played non-stop for three days straight. You can ‘rock’ at night-time, in the morning, and even in your dreams, if you’re up for it,” My said enthusiastically: “I hope that Quest will soon come to Saigon so that Saigonese can enjoy this amazing cultural event.”

In addition, to live music, the Khong Sao Commune theatre (the name represents all those people who had ‘no problem’ during the battle of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh) showcased diverse performance arts including theatre, improv, contemporary dance, fire dance, slam poetry, magic, and circus acts.

In addition to watching, the audience could also discover their artistic talent by participating in workshops for improvisational theatre, juggling, yoga, face painting, colour painting with special materials and installation art with artists.

There was also an outdoor cinema for movie fans to enjoy short 3 to 10-minute films by Hanoi Doclab, one of Vietnam’s leading independent film producers, showcasing the latest from the indie film movement in Vietnam and the South East Asia. The myth of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh was also retold in an independent film here. “Not only was I able to discover the novelty of Western culture, but we also revisited the fascinating culture of Vietnam, in a whole new light. Our foreign friends, in their creative ways, have made me realise the beauty in our traditions and legacy, and we need to appreciate and preserve them,” Phuong said.

When you need to take a break from the music and the bustling activities, you can discover European, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine without using cash. Your cashless wristband allows you to deposit money and pay electronically in seconds.

Or you can enjoy nature by swimming in the lake, sitting on a swing hanging from a tree or joining your group of friends out in the green to enjoy a cold beer, or simply watch the clouds. “I love the atmosphere at Quest. It’s so crowded and loud but so fun and freeing. I have made so many new friends from different countries,” said My: “one thing I learned from them is to work hard and play hard, in the most spirited way, and to be yourself without any hesitation. You’ll see that life’s so beautiful.”

Jin Nguyen | Wanderlust Tips

Tsaatan community: The last reindeer herders in Mongolia

If someone asked me ‘which one of my journeys was the most memorable and frightening?’ I would answer: “It was the one visiting the nomadic Tsaatan tribe.”

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Hit the road with an open heart

The people of the Tsaatan tribe are the last reindeer herders in Mongolia. For thousands of years, they have lived deep in the Taiga forest, secluded in the remote Northern region of the country, with harsh climate. It is the border area between Russia and Mongolia. The Tsaatan people have maintained a nomadic lifestyle throughout their history, hardly seen anywhere else in the world today.

This is an interesting place, but one that does not appear on Lonely Planet’s “Must-do’s in Mongolia” list, as it’s extremely costly and difficult to reach.

You need to have an open heart to find this journey worthwhile. Leaving behind all of my preconceptions, I decided to find a way to this wilderness to satisfy my burning sense of adventure.

You can see a few huts or a few reindeer by Khuvsgul Lake in Moroon, but that is not where you can find the Tsaatan. They don’t and traditionally never have lived near Khuvsgul Lake. In recent years, a small number of Tsaatan families have moved nearer to the lake to take advantage of the tourism boom. However, this area is not a good living environment for reindeer, because there is no food and the climate is too warm for them.

Many Tsaatan people are determined to stay in the Taiga forest, where they suffer severe weather conditions in order for their reindeer to live in a good environment. I was determined to visit this place and discover this unique tribe.

An arduous journey

To visit the Tsaatan tribe, you have to take an 18-hour cramped bus ride from the capital of Ulaabaatar to Moroon, a nearly 700-kilometre journey. From Moroon, you have to take another 15-hour bus, which runs only once every few days, to travel 300 kilometres to Saganuur. Never have I endured such a terrible journey. The road was bumpy, and the bus was overloaded with goods and people, ready to break down at any moment. The first thing you should bring with you is good health.

After reaching Saganuur, I asked the guide to help me obtain permission to enter the border area between Russia and Mongolia. This permission must be obtained in Moroon or Ulaanbaatar prior to your arrival. If you don’t have it, you can be fined a large amount of money.

After obtaining this permission, I was ready for the next part of the arduous journey: a long stretch on horseback, across the muddy Taiga forest to reach the Tsaatan community. If you’re not used to horseback riding, prepare for a lot of back, hip, and leg pain.

The cold in the beautiful Taiga fores

I reached the Tsaatan at the end of September. Not the ideal time to visit, as a rainy, snowy and numbingly cold morning in Saganuur awaits you. Odaa. my guide, recommended that I take a raincheck and postpone the journey for one day. “It’s raining and the snow is knee-deep and very cold. You’ll be crying when you see it,” Odaa warned me. I shook my head stubbornly: “No! I won’t cry, I want to leave today.” Odaa shrugged and introduced me to my horse. The horses were shivering from the cold, and I felt bad for them. I softly stroked a horse to comfort her.

Odaa helped me up a horse, and we started our journey from Saganuur to reach the Tsaatan. On horseback, I felt like I was lost in a fairytale. In the midst and the cold, the scenery before my eyes was magical. A woman, wearing blue traditional Mongolian clothes and a red scarf, was standing with a flock of sheep amidst the fog and the drizzling snow.

Our horses passed the sheep and entered the dark woods of the Taiga. I had never seen such a hauntingly beautiful scene. It reminded me of the landscape in the movie “Snow White and the Huntsman”. The forest was covered in fog, and the golden canopies of the pine trees were covered with snow.

Words cannot describe the beauty of nature. Despite the beautiful landscape around me, I still had to face the reality that both my horse and I were freezing and exhausted. I had been warned that it would be extremely difficult to pass through the Taiga forest. The road was covered with a layer of soft snow, underneath which was the wet mud and grass. Odaa told me that sometimes the mud is knee-deep, which means you can only travel by horse. You can hire a horse for 20,000 Mongolian Tugrik per horse per day (US$8.5) and you can hire a guide for 40,000 Tugrik per day (US$17).

I remember vividly that we were still in the woods when darkness fell. Odaa said that there were wolves roaming around the forest. At 9:30 p.m. we were engulfed in darkness and cold, which made the setting even more indescribably scary.

Odaa led the horses to turn around to find an abandoned barn on the edge of the forest. That night, we had to set up tents and sleep in the cold. It was a daunting night. The cold of the Taiga forest at night made us want to give up. Despite being exhausted, the numbing cold kept me awake. “You will freeze,” the words of warning of a friend were on repeat in my head. I was helpless in the cold night and I started to feel the frostbite. Another piece of advice: If you don’t want to sleep in the cold like we did, you should depart from Saganuur before 10 a.m.

Reaching the Tsaatan’s land

The following day, we continued the difficult journey, tired from the cold and the lack of sleep, but still determined to visit the Tsaatan tribe. We passed snowy forests, and arrived at noon. After visiting the hut of a local and enjoying some tea and bread made from reindeer milk, we rented a tepee to make our home for the next few days. The price is 10,000 Tugrik per person per day (~4usd). A tepee is a tent from ancient times, that today only the Tsaasan use. Tepees for rent are often empty, with only a stove and firewood to keep you warm from the cold of the Taiga forest.

‘Tsaatan’ in the Mongolian language literally translates to ‘those who have reindeer’, because their lives have been tied to reindeer for thousands of years. They rarely eat reindeer meat, because the milk is their main source of food. They use it every day to make tea, butter, and bread. When you’re here, you soon realise that the Tsaatan’s food is very monotonous. So my third advice to you is to bring enough food for yourself, because the Tsaatan only make enough food to sustain themselves, and do not have excess to sell or give away.

You can buy souvenirs made from reindeer horn, or you can hire a reindeer for a ride and enjoy the picturesque scenery of the snowy mountains. You can hire a reindeer for 5,000 Tugrik per reindeer per person (~2usd). It is hard if it’s your first time riding a reindeer, because their bodies are not as balanced or sturdy as a horse’s.

As a nomadic tribe, the Tsaatan relocate after every 5 to 10 weeks to find new food sources for their reindeer. In summer, when the weather is warmer, different families of a tribe stay closer together. In winter, when food sources are scarce, each family relocates to a different location, often 3 or 4 mountains apart. Thus, my forth advice to you is: if you plan on visiting the Tsaatan, it’s best for you to visit during summer so you can visit the entire tribe in one location.

If you wake up one morning to find the tepees have disappeared, do not be alarmed. This was one of the most memorable moments in my life. On the fourth day of the journey, I woke up to an empty campsite. After asking around, I came to learn that the tribe was packing up to move elsewhere for a new food source for their reindeer. If you find yourself in this situation, stay calm and call your guide, and ask him to pick you up on the same day. The Tsaatan use only one cellphone network, so even when they are up in the mountains, they can contact the outside world.

The three sleepless nights I had thanks to the cold still haunt me until this day. My last night in the Taiga, I decided to ask a Tsaatan family if I could spend the night in their tent. That night, I slept in the warmth and witnessed the everyday life of a Tsaatan family. I sat with them by the fire, ate pine nuts, and listened to their songs and stories. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Without the cold nights, I would not have had this warm and sweet evening.

A journey to visit the Tsaatan tribe is definitely not for those who look for comfort. But it is perfect for those who seek an experience, who wish to explore untouched lands and the culture of people who still live the same way their ancestors did thousands of years ago.

TIPS

Obtaining a visa to visit Mongolia

It is not difficult to obtain a visa to enter Mongolia, but you need someone from Mongolia to send you an invitation. You can get a service, priced at US$30 – 50 per invitation. The sender will send the invitation directly to the Embassy of Mongolia in Vietnam via email. After a few days, you will get an invitation code.
Next, you will need to prepare a 3×4 photo, your passport, invitation code, and 25usd (if you are getting your visa at the Embassy of Mongolia in Hanoi) or 40usd (if you are getting your visa at the Embassy of Mongolia in Ho Chi Minh City). You can pay by transferring the amount to the Embassy’s Vietcombank account and bringing the receipt with you to the Embassy.
At the Embassy, you will need to fill out a form. After everything is submitted, you will get a visa within one week.

Getting there from Vietnam

Flying from Vietnam to Mongolia is expensive. Budget airfare ranges from 16 to 22 million VND (round trip), and you will need to transit in Hong Kong, South Korea, or China. Normally, it is cheapest to transit in Hong Kong. You can choose from airlines including Mongolia Airline, Hong Kong Airline, China Airline, and Korea Airline.

I flew with Mongolia Airlines connecting with Hong Kong Airlines, which transited in Hong Kong as that was the cheapest airfare at the time, priced at 8.5 million VND (one way). I was allowed 20 kilograms of checked baggage and 7 kilograms of carry-on. Each flight included a free meal.

What to bring?

You will need to be well-prepared for this journey, both in terms of information and things to bring: a sleeping bag, tent, waterproof boots and clothing, insulated mats, adhesive body warmers, pepper spray and food and water for a whole week.

In addition, you should find a credible guide and hire a horse. Your guide must be an experienced local, who can lead you safely, because it’s very difficult to call for help in emergencies. You have to be well prepared, and you should know that this cannot be a spontaneous journey.

Must-knows when meeting the Tsaatan

Before taking photos, you need to introduce yourself and ask for permission. If they don’t give consent, you cannot take photos.
When entering a local’s tepee, you should enter on the left of the entrance.
Do not refuse tea or food when they are offered.
Do not step over the Tsaatan’s food or belongings.
When you sit, hide your soles; do not point your soles at others.
Do not hand others things with your left hand.
When you point at someone or something, your palm needs to face upward.
Do not wash your dishes or clothing in the water source near the Tsaatan community.
If you can afford it, hire an interpreter, because the Tsaatan believe that tourists who come with an interpreter value conversation with them, and they appreciate that. Having an interpreter will also help make communication easier for you.

Wanderlust Tips

Tropical Christmas

No snow, no fireplace or reindeer, but celebrating a tropical Christmas is no less exciting and colourful. Visit the shopping and entertainment paradises Hong Kong or Singapore, join the Filipinos in wishing for a New Year’s blessings or have a hot Christmas in Australia, the land of the Kangaroos. Join Wanderlust Tips as we explore what’s in store if you opt for a warm yet enchanting Christmas.

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Christmas in Singapore – the city of light

Singapore doesn’t have cold winters and snow, but Christmas here is still fascinating thanks to the glamorous decorations and blissful cheers.

The 3-kilometer-long Orchard Road is the destination for shopping addicts, with dozens of hypermarkets and department stores. The street is filled with lights and colours, packed with activities and performances from Plaza Singapura to Tanglin Mall. Even if you’re not a shopaholic, you won’t be able to contain yourself after seeing discounted brand-name products including Wisma Atria or Takashimaya. You can even walk around an outdoor market, open only once a year during the holiday season. Even if you don’t enjoy crowded places, you won’t be able to refrain from joining the crowded streets filled with lights and a festive atmosphere, to greet the clowns or Santa Clauses parading the streets with their holiday spirit.

Where – What – How?

Saint Andrew’s Cathedral (11 St. Andrew’s Road – the biggest church in Singapore): Enjoy the stunning decorations and celebrate the moment when Christ was born in this spiritual atmosphere.

Orchard Road – a boulevard of light (about 3 kilometres away from the cathedral): Admire this brightly decorated street, with Santa Claus and snowman models dressed in brand clothes, enjoy street performances and sing carols in this warm atmosphere.

Christmas Wonderland (Gardens by the Bay): Indulge in a feast of light covering an area of 57,000 square-metres, get lost in a forest of150 Christmas trees, admire the 19.7-meter tall light sculpture Spalliera Castel Del Monte (which set the Southeast Asian record), hang out in an ice castle or ice rink and try 11 carnival games. You can also go shopping at Festive Market, which features English-style wooden booths selling 3D Christmas cards, homemade perfumes, and other beautiful handicrafts.

Time: 3:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets are 4 SGD (from December 2 to 8), 6 SGD (from December 9 to 15) and 8 SGD (From December 16 to January 1)

Merry Medley Flower Dome (Gardens by the Bay): Be mesmerised by this wonderful flower dome filled with the colours of poinsettia, red lilies, roses and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and do not miss the 9-metre tall Noble Fir Christmas tree.

Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from November 11, 2016 to January 1, 2017. Address: Flower Dome, Gardens by the bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive.

Universal Studios Santa’s All-Star Christmas:

Enjoy the snow, fireworks in the shimmering lights, and the music performed by artists dressed in Christmas clothes. Experience Santa’s Village where you can visit talking reindeers, gingerbread men, and Santa Claus on his sleigh ride. You can also watch the musical Bah, Humbug! featuring 17 famous characters like Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future and the little match girl. And you can watch beautiful ballet dancers in a splendid crystal ball.

Time: December 1, 2016 to February 1, 2017. Tickets are 36 – 74 SGD. Address: Resort World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway.

S.E.A. Aquarium: Merry Fishmas – Watch Santa Claus and the elves swim inside an aquarium with over 800 marine animals or craft your own Christmas decorations. You can also visit the Pokémon Research Exhibition to learn about the 700 Pokémon species and test your memory playing arcade games.

Time: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October 22, 2016 to January 2, 2017. Tickets are 23 – 35 SGD (included entry to the aquarium). Address: Resort World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway.

Cirque Adrenaline features the most dangerous theatrical acts, including motorbike stunts, high-flying trapeze artists, strong men, aerial acrobatic displays and a blazing fire act to heat up your holiday season.

Time: December 15 to 25, 2016. Address: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue. Ticket price: from 55SGD to 155SGD.

Hong Kong – An entertainment and shopping paradise

If you don’t know the best time to visit Hong Kong, you should book your tickets right now, because late fall, early winter, and Christmas is the ideal time to visit. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, lit in November, brighten up the entire city. Prepare to be overwhelmed by 3D light performances. And look out for your favourite Disney characters dressed in Christmas-themed costumes or watch Santa Claus swim around in the Grand Aquarium in Ocean Park.

Where – What – How?

Disney Sparkling Christmas (Disneyland Hong Kong): enjoy a fairy tale Christmas with Mickey Mouse and his friends, dressed in Christmas costumes. Enjoy beautiful snow on Main Street, USA and admire colourful Christmas trees filling the campus with the holiday spirit.

Time: November 12, 2016 to January 2, 2017

Christmas Tree (Statue Square): A splendid Christmas tree topped with a star stands out among the skyscrapers. Christmas caroles are being performed a few times a day from December 19 to 24, 2016. Santa Claus will pay a visit from December 9 to 11 and December 16 to 25. And you can buy lovelocks for 50 HKD to commemorate your time here.

Address: Statue Square, Central, Hong Kong. Christmas trees are lit from December 2 to 31, 2016.

White Christmas (Times Square): Shoppers can skate, throw snowballs, or build a snowman in the Snow Chamber, and enjoy a rare white Christmas in a tropical country.

Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., November 24, 2016 to January 1, 2017. Address: Time Square, Causeway Bay.

Hong Kong Pulse 3D light show: Admire amazing 3D light performances and enjoy the endearing adventures of the unlikely hero ‘Eddie the Elf’.

Time: 4 performances per night at 8:20 p.m., 8:45 p.m., 9:15 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. from December 25 to 28, 2016. Address: Open Piazza, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Ocean Park: Enjoy amazing illusions by famous magicians, a 21-meter-tall Christmas tree, watch Santa Claus feed the fish at Grand Aquarium, and sink your teeth into the wonderful world of Christmas candy.

Time: From December 17, 2016 to January 2, 2017

Australia – A summer Christmas

Christmas in Australia coincides with the start of summer vacation, so Australia has quite a special Christmas season. Don’t be surprised when you see Santa Claus wearing a tank top and sunglasses out on the streets, or an overheated Santa in his traditional snowsuit and thick beard, or a skateboarding Santa handing out gifts. Don’t be shocked when you see Santa on a sleigh pulled by kangaroos instead of reindeers, or even Santa riding fire trucks, because in the summer, a lot of bush fires happen in Australia.

A popular Christmas present is swimwear. Aussies often enjoy Christmas dinner after swimming a few laps, sometimes with a towel still wrapped around them. During Christmas season, Australians love to play sports: cricket at the beach, surfing and swimming instead of gathering by the fireplace like in colder countries. But like everywhere else they decorate stores, their homes, parks, churches and even their cars.

Boxing day follows Christmas and people still have time off, but stores are open. It is a time to barbeque on the beach, and shopaholics can enjoy the sales.

Where – What – How?

QVB Swarovski Christmas tree: This 24-meter tall Christmas tree is the tallest in Sydney. Shoppers will be enchanted by its nostalgic beauty with over 82,000 sparkling Swarovski crystals and 65,000 twinkling lights topped by a dramatic 2.2m wide crystal gilded star, with a total weight of over 6.5 tonnes.

Time: October 27, 2016 to January 8, 2017. Address: Queen Victoria Building, Sydney NSW 2000. Admission is free.

Lights of Christmas: An amazing celebration of lights and music, hosted by St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on its 75-meter façade. This year’s theme is ‘Joy to the World’.

Time: Performances take place daily from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Address: St. Marys Road, Sydney. Admission is free.

Boulevard of Light is located along Pitt Street Mall, decorated with thousands of LEDs. The forest of lights makes shopping at nighttime even more exciting.

Time: November 26 to December 24, 2016. Christmas carols every Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m. Address: Pitt Road, Sydney.

Garden Grubs: Make your own Christmas decorations with flowers and leaves. This programme is designed for children from 6 to 12 years. They can visit the Royal Botanic Garden and use flowers and leaves to create ornaments, wreaths or beeswax candles.

Time: From December 21 to 23. Tickets are 85 AUD per child. Address: Royal Botanic Garden, Ms. Maccquaries Road, Sydney.

The Philippines – Say a Christmas prayer

December in the Philippines is a time of changing seasons (between the rainy and dry season), so the weather is cooler. Christmas season starts in September, when people start to decorate with parols, a star-shape Christmas lantern that evokes the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings to the manger.

In many other places, Christmas has become festival of commerce, but in the Philippines, Christmas is still a sacred holiday. Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) is a Christmas tradition in the Phillipines. Many people will come to mass early in the morning for 9 days from December 16 to 24. Mass can start as early as 3 a.m., decorated with colourful parols. After the last mass on December 24, families eat a traditional Christmas dinner together. Noche Buena (Christmas eve feast) features hearty dishes including grilled pork, bacon, fruit salad and rice crackers.

There are eight languages used in the Philippines, and there are many ways to say “Merry Christmas”. In Tagalong it is “Maligayang Pasko” or “Malipayon nga Pascua” in Ilonggo.

Where – What – How?

Visit churches in the Philippines: There are countless magnificent cathedrals such as Manila Cathedral (Sto. Tomas, Intramuros, Manila), Saints Peter & Paul Parish Church (Calasiao, 2418 Pangasinan) , Quiapo Church (Quiapo, Manila), Paoay Church (Paoay, Ilocos Norte), which has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage and many other beautiful churches. There are four churches in the Philippines recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. Admire medieval architecture and attend a Simbang Gabi.

Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul) takes place in San Fernando – the ‘capital city’ of Christmas in the Philippines. Every year they create 7 to 10 parols, sized from 7 to 10 meters, all beautifully crafted and exquisite, valued at 10,000 – 15,000 USD each.

Time: December 19, 2016 to January 6, 2017. Address: San Fernando, Pampanga.

Ayala Triangle Lights and Sounds Show takes place every 30 minutes from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.

Time: November 2016 to January 2017. Address: Ayala Triangle Gardens, Ayala Avenue, Makati.

Christmas fairs: Christmassaya Bazaar & Grand Carnival takes place from now until January 15, 2017 at Riverbanks Centre, Marikina. World Bazaar Festival takes place at the World Trade Centre Metro Manila (Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City). The Grand Holiday Bazaar takes place from December 21 to 30 at Glorietta Activity Centre, Ayala, Makati.

Local festivals to celebrate Christmas: Maytinis Festival takes place on December 24 at Kawit, Cavite; Paskuhan Festival takes place throughout December in Imus, Cavite.

Vietnam – A warm Christmas

Cold or not, Christmas in Vietnam is always crowded, especially around churches, Christian communities and pedestrian street. On Christmas Eve, people pour onto the streets to celebrate, meet with friends for a nice meal, and take photos in front of beautifully decorated churches or in brightly lid streets. In big shopping centres, you can see giant Christmas trees complete with Santa Claus and reindeers.

Where – What – How?

Streets that sell Christmas decorations: You can find Christmas ornaments on Hang Ma Street (Hanoi) or Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street (Ho Chi Minh City). In addition to shopping, people come here to admire the splendid decorations and festive atmosphere.

Cathedrals: St. Joseph’s Cathedral (40 Nha Chung Street, Hanoi) with European gothic design, Notre Dame Cathedral (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) with roman architecture. Capture your memories and enjoy delicious food in the neighbourhoods around these churches.

Christian Communities: Photography enthusiasts can visit Christian communities in Ho Chi Minh City for the perfect background. From mid-December, famous Christian communities like District 3, Nghia Phat, Tu Duc and District 8 start to decorate the neighbourhood with lights and Christmas trees.

Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi): The entire streets are decorated with colourful lights and filled with a vibrant atmosphere brought by the crowd. Nearby shopping malls, cafés and restaurants add to the festive atmosphere.

Shopping malls in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are decorated spectacularly every year with different themes, designed to attract the eyes of passerbys. They make for the perfect background for your Christmas photos.

Vietnam – Korea Giant Lantern Festival 2016 This glowing celebration is sure to overwhelm you with colourful giant lanterns, including a ‘zoo’ of animal-shaped lanterns like peacocks, swans and elephants.

The festival will take place at Le PARC, Gamuda City (near Yen So Park), Phap Van, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi. Time: From December 3, 2016 to January 22, 2017.

Christmas at Hanoi Creative City: Music and street art events including a John Lennon tribute night (December 8 at HNCC’s Creative Square), the Hip Hop dance contest Halley Jam (December 12 at HNCC’s Creative Square) and The New District Flea Market (December 24 & 25).

Address: 1 Luong Yen Street, Bach Dang, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips

Travel the world without flying

Thor Pedersen 37 year old Danish man has started his unique journey to travel the world in 2013, leaving his family, girlfriend and job behind. Now he has set his foot on 122 countries out of 203 as scheduled. And he’s never taken a plane during the trips.

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Setting his own rules for the trip: no flights, staying at each country in at least 24 hours and never returning until the journey finished, Thor travelled by about 100 trains, more than 240 buses, and around 70 metros. “My longest trip was by bus in Brazil and it lasted 56 hours. I also spent 16 consecutive days in a small boat and four days on a train,” he confides.

Giving up a career of a soldier, he started his work in shipping, transportation and logistics industry. In 2009, he became an entrepreneur and worked in several countries such as Libya, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan.

“One day, my father sent me an email detailing the story of a traveller. This inspired me and I asked my friends what they thought about me travelling around the world. They were not convinced. Sometime later, I came across an old friend and while sharing my dream, he urged me to go for it. I never looked back since then. I was only 34 at that time,” he reveals. He has also done more than 200 trips by plane in his life.

Starting off his journey, Thor decided to live within a budget of 20 USD per day for the 203 countries he had to visit. This covers the cost of food, transport, visas and accommodation. His trip is funded by Ross Offshore. He spent minimum 2 days and maximum days in a country with a tight schedule.

The trip grants him a chance to meet up with many people of different cultures which he has never immagined. He witnessed many times the bright side of life which encouraged him to keep going and discovering the beautiful world. “I still remember how a very poor man welcomed me and gave me his bed and his pillow. In Cuba, when I was looking for a boat, a millionaire asked me to come over to his private villa in the Bahamas,” he narrates.

Depending on his own experience, the world is a safe place with many kind people. He has got much help from whom he met during the journey. “I have witnessed humility, generosity, and the caring nature of people. Some of my friends were shocked to see that I visited countries they considered dangerous. I explained to them that the world is a better place. There is a positive vibe in every corner of the world the country,” he avers.

After coming back home, he intends to write a series of books telling the story in his special world travel, get married to his girlfriend.

Defimedia | Wanderlust Tips