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Egypt is a mystical country at the top of every explorers destination list. After all it houses the greatest monuments on earth. Its temples and pyramids are world famous and they have intrigued the human race for centuries.

While visiting this ancient city, you can imagine being back in the time of the Pharaohs. People still dress traditionally wearing their headscarfs and bedouin wraps. Call to prayer can be heard 5 times a day.  There is a strong sense of tradition in the land and you feel as if you are frozen in time. Visiting the great pyramids lets you imagine exactly what life would have been like thousands of years ago.

Pyramids of Giza Built in 2500 BC, it is unfathomable how they have survived the desert and elements for over 4000 years let alone how they were built in the first place. Seeing the pyramids by camel is highly recommended. You are away from the tour buses and crowds of people, and you are free to explore them way that they were meant to be seen, in peace and quiet and the footsteps an ancient people. You imagine yourself in a Lawrence of Arabia scene as you walk past the stones of this spectacular sight.

Another must see destination in Egypt is the Valley of the Kings. Located in Southern Egypt near the city of Luxor, a great valley houses 63 chambers of great kings. The most famous is King Tuts tomb, but there are many more to explore.

Make sure to conceal your camera, as it will be confiscated at the gate. Many people manage to smuggle their cameras into the grounds anyway, just be respectful of not taking photos inside the tombs. They will be taken away for sure as there are guards watching everything.

Rameses IV and Merneptah are two temples not to be missed. Well preserved and interesting, they are both quite different experiences. King Tuts tomb is most likely not open for visitors, but it is not considered and impressive tomb anyway. Only a handful of tombs are open to tourists at any one time, so you are at the mercy of what is open for viewing on the day of your visit. The chambers are all impressive though, simply for the fact that they are thousands of years old. But also with the grand scale of their size and for the scenes painted on their walls that have survived for centuries.

They are comfortable and almost cheerful inside.  They were large, bright and colourful giving a sense of peace. Albeit, there arent any sarcophagi left and all jewels and artifacts have either been looted in the past or moved to the Antiquities Museum. Still the valley is a very impressive sight indeed.

Don’t miss visiting the Hatshepsut’s Temple nearby. Another must see destination in Egypt, it is a temple made for one of Egypt’s most successful Pharaohs. What is so interesting about this temple is that it was made for a female king. It is amazing to see that Egypt was ruled by a woman for 21 years, in 1479 BC!

Built in harmony into the side of a cliff, Hatsheput’s Temple is considered to be the most dramatically situated temple on earth. Three tiers lead to the main grounds where statues and pillars create a labyrinth to explore.

It was here that a massacre occurred in 1997 killing 60 tourists. Over a decade later, peace has been restored and tourism is back to normal.  However you will see many armed guards around grounds

Luxor Temple While in Luxor, you cannot miss the Luxor Temple.  Located right in town on the Nile River, it is an impressive monument. It is lit up at night for breathtaking photo opportunities. A little travel tip…the McDonald’s right across the street has an incredible view of the temple, but not only that, has free Wifi. So you can have lunch, update your blog and take in the sights all at once.  

The last temple that you must see in Egypt is Abu Simbel. Located on Lake Nasser, it is bit harder to get to than the others, but well worth the visit. In the 1960’s it was relocated to a hight point on the lakes banks. With the construction of the Aswan Dam, it would have been buried underwater and lost forever. The relocation was a success however and it is alive and well ready to be viewed.

Ramses is an imposing sight. Standing 20-metres high, four statues of Rameses II sit side by side. They stand guard over Lake Nasser and it is truly and impressive sight. You can see these by taking a tour from Luxor which is recommended since it is a 280km trip or if you plan on going to the Sudan, there is a great view from the ferry heading to Wadi Halfa.

It is difficult to grasp just how ancient everything is in the country.  Everywhere you turn buildings are thousands of years old.  It is almost overwhelming to fathom that every building, structure and monument has a story to tell.

Read more on Egypts Famous Temples and Monuments…

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. A destination known for its famous war with the Americans throughout the 1960’s until 1975.  Learn all about what life was like in the jungle with an interesting visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 70 km from downtown.

In the heart of the jungle, 200km of tunnels were well hidden from American soldiers.  Originally built to protect the Vietnamese from French air strikes in the lat 1940’s to 1950’s, they were re-used during the 60’s as a staging ground for attacks on American troops.

The land was bombarded with napalm and agent orange in an attempt to wipe out the tunnels. Soldiers knew that they were there, but it was almost impossible to find. The jungle was wiped out and became a waste land, but you would never know it today. Trees and plants have grown back showing just how resilient this earth is.

Some guides are actual former soldiers that acted as translators for the Americans. They are filled with a wealth of information and if you really listen and forget that you are on a kitschy tour exploiting the horrors of  war, you can learn a great deal about the tactics used by a people filled with strong will to defeat a more powerful enemy.

The Viet Cong were very clever indeed. They would run through the jungle and disappear by sneaking into cave entrances camouflaged by having termite hills placed on top. Cayenne pepper would be sprinkled around the entrance to disrupt the search dogs senses. The cave entrances were small too. So small that even if the Americans found them, the large G.I.’s would not fit through. A blast would make the opening larger but it would also alert the people underground that they had been found and they could slip away to another part of the cave. They even had escape routes leading to the river to be swept away to safety.

When they did manage to make their way into the tunnels, they were greeted with booby traps. False floors caused the enemy to fall into a bed of sharpened bamboo poles. Spikes were placed on the floors and traps were set everywhere.  You had to know your way around the tunnel to escape injury.

Not only did the Americans have to deal with booby traps, heat and fear of not knowing what was around any corner in the jungle. They had the added burden of foot rot. Their heavy army boots didn’t allow for room to breathe and being in water and humidity took its toll on their feet making it impossible to walk.  The Vietnamese avoided this by wearing sandals made of tire rubber allowing their feet to breathe. These sandals are on display at the tunnels and you can even buy a pair as a souvenir.

It is impossible to imagine how people managed to live in these tunnels for several years. The passageways were very tight at less than a meter high and they were dark and filled with disease. They had to deal with insects and venomous snakes and the fear of being found out. However, the Vietnamese managed to carve out a way of life however building kitchens, living areas and first aid stations.

Your tour will take you to all of the different types of living quarters and rooms. It is a comfortable tour and the tunnel walls have even been blasted out to make it larger and more comfortable for tourists.  However, there are still some original entrances available to be explored and you will have the opportunity to go into an original tunnel yourself and crawl for 150 meters experiencing what it was like during the war.

First you will have to enter through a small hole in the ground. This is enough to make many tourists chicken out. Some people won’t even be able to fit inside and will not even have the option to go. But if you can manage to squeeze through, be sure to do so. You will have the one true experience of the day, feeling what it actually must have been like for a soldier to crawl through this claustrophobic space.

During your tour you will learn little tricks like how the Viet Cong tracked U.S. soldiers by following these fascinating plants that actually pointed in the direction that people walked. As you brush by, the leaves of the plants curl in the direction that you are heading. A dead giveaway for the unsuspecting American soldier.  You will try to food of the Viet Cong and you will visit different rooms that were camouflaged above ground, learning all about how the Vietnamese kept themselves from being discovered.

You will learn and experience a lot during your time at the Cu chi Tunnels, but it is not over yet. Before leaving, you can even fire an automatic weapon at the firing range. See what it feels like to fire an automatic weapon.

Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels will definitely give you a feeling as to what life was like during the Vietnam War.  It is unbelievable to think that these tunnels remained in tact through two major wars. One with the French and one with the Americans. If you are visiting Ho Chi Minh, they are certainly worth a visit.

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When traveling to Laos, there are many places and sights to see. But one of the most unique and interesting destinations has to be the Pak ou Caves.  Located near Luang Prabang you can hire a boat or songthaew to take you the 25 km down river.

Located directly on the Mekong River, the Pak Ou Caves are one of the most sacred sights in the country. They are actually still used as a place of worship. Every New Year people from Luang Prabang make a pilgrimage to visit the caves containing over 4000 Buddha images and statues.

The caves contain mostly the traditional tall standing Luang Prabang Buddha statues, but you can find Buddhas of all shapes and sizes.  As you approach the caves from the opposite side of the river, an incredible view unfolds. High limestone cliffs jut above the banks with a black hole cut into its side. As you come closer, you will see the white stairs leading to the upper chamber and know that you are about to witness something magical.

You can take the stairs to two different Chambers. The higher chamber Tham Pheung houses more of the buddhas than the lower cave Tham Thing. They are both impressive, however more light is let into Tham Thing. If you plan on visiting the caves, bring along a headlamp. It can be quite dark and it helps to see the statues better.

While the caves make for a great day trip from Luang Prabang, there are many things that you can do in town. The city is beautiful and there is no better way to see it than by bicycle.

A World Heritage Sight, Luang Prabang is not to be missed. As you ride your bicycle from temple to temple, be sure not to miss Haw Kham, the former royal palace. The bright colours of the temples are a treat to the eyes against the lush green vegetation. The inside of the temples are as impressive as the outside containing Buddha images, tapestries, jewels and artifacts.

There is no shortage of food in Luang Prabang. From traditional Lao meals to coffee and pastry shops. You will never go hungry or tire of the choices.  And after you have rejuvenated from a hearty lunch, you are ready to explore more of the sights, like a working Monastery. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a group of monks practicing their drums.

While in Luang Prabang, you must walk the steep hill to Phou Si. It has a spectacular panoramic view of the area and the sunset is certainly one of the most beautiful you will ever see.

Luang Prabang has a famous night market. Pick up all of your trinkets and souvenirs here. Be ready to barter hard though because it is definitely over priced. Restaurants line the streets and you will have no problem finding any food that you are craving to fit your budget.

Laos is a wonderful country to visit and you should make it top on your list before it is discovered by the rest of the world and overrun with tourists.

Read more on Spirituality in Laos, The Pak Ou Caves…

A small twin engine airplane is the only way to get to Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak Borneo, and looking out the window you will be overwhelmed with the vastness of the jungle that lay below.  Once you have landed on the isolated runway, you truly feel in the middle of nowhere.

The main event when visiting Gunung Mulu is a trek to the Pinnacles. An ominous stone forest standing tall in the middle of nowhere. It is not an easy task to see these beauties. You will have to book trip at the headquarters upon your arrival to get your permits and guides in order.

You can book your trek at the park headquarters. Check with other arrivals to see if they want to join your party. It is a great way to save on costs and to enjoy other peoples company. Once you are booked and ready to go, you can settle in for the night to arrange everything that you will need for the following days trek.

You will have to take a 2 hour boat ride into the jungle and then you will be let off at the foot of a trail where you will proceed for almost 9 km alone in the jungle.  You have to be completely self sufficient. Carry all food and snacks that you will need for the next 3 days and be sure to leave most of your packs contents at the park. You should take a small day pack filled with essentials only.

Don’t forget to tell your driver how long you will be at the Pinnacles. Give them an approximate time and exact day that you will meet them for a ride back to park headquarters. They will be ready and waiting for you when you emerge from the jungle.

After a long and adventurous boat ride where you will stop to look at amazing caves, villages and incredible scenery, you are let off to set out alone on an 8.9 km trail leading to Camp 5 where you will make camp for the night.

The trail is well marked and easy to follow, but you will have to cross a couple of rivers. Make sure to check for leaches after each time in the water. They are fast and latch on quickly.

Your destination, Camp 5 is in a beautiful location surrounded by large cliffs, a quiet stream and lush jungle. Here is where you will relax for the night before your climb. Be sure you bring an ample supply of food with you, because there isn’t any provided. There is a kitchen so you can cook whatever you bring, just be sure to take the waste with you when you leave.

There are dorm rooms to sleep in.  They are clean, but not exactly luxury. Two raised wooden platforms line the room on either side and climbers grab a mat to sleep on. It can make for a fitful sleep especially with the anticipation of an early rise to start your trek.

Waking before the sun comes up, you will get everything together that you will need. Extra water bottles, snacks and lunch need to be carried and you need to do all of this quickly because leaving early is essential. If you don’t make it to the beginning of the last section before 11:00 am, you will not be allowed to summit.

Many people that try to climb the Pinnacles do not summit.  It is not a high climb, but it is a technically challenging climb without safety ropes. You cross crevasses on metal beams and balance on rocks while holding onto a rope over head. It is a challenge, but the payoff is definitely worth the effort.

But try hard to be part of the group that makes it, because once you step off of the trail you are treated to the most incredible view you have ever seen.

Giant white stones, jutting out of the jungle like sharks teeth, the Pinnacles are  majestically poised for your viewing. The silence is unsettling and soon, clouds and mist roll in making the pinnacles even more ominous.  They turn to a darker shade of grey and take on an even more dramatic look as they tower over the trees.

You can only sit and look on for so long however, because the climb down is even more difficult than the climb up and you have to be back at camp before the sun goes down. It is a slippery and exhausting climb, but to be among the rare few that venture to this part of the world and make it to the look out for this magical view is worth every ache and blister.

Climbing to the pinnacles is definitely a highlight of any visit to Gunung Mulu, but there are other spectacular things to see here as well. An must is to take a 3 km trek out to Deer Cave to see 2 million bats circle above high in the sky at sunset at they feed on insects. Visit the Sarawak Cave, the worlds largest cave chamber and enjoy exploring its many trails, most notably the Head Hunters. If you are making a trip to Malaysian Borneo, make sure to take extra effort to visit Gunung Mulu National Park.

Read more on Can you Imagine Stone Pinnacles Jutting from the Jungle?…

You don’t have to fly half way around the world to experience East Indian culture, or enjoy its mysteries.

That’s right! Just escape to the Caribbean for some fun, sun, and sandy beaches and you can also discover a vibrant enclave of authentic Indian culture.

And the source of this enigmatic cultural duality?

The Exotic and the Exciting

Trinidad and Tobago are the most southerly islands in the blue Caribbean Sea. Sister islands where, believe it of not, 42% of the population is of East Indian decent, and where you can experience exotic East Indian festivals like Phagwa, the Hindu festival of colour; Diwali, the festival of lights; and Hosay parades. But it doesn’t stop there…

The Sensual and the Sublime

Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural diversity makes for the most exciting eating in the Caribbean. It’s a must for traveling gourmets, where food tourists relish such East Indian inspired delicacies as Trinidad Roti, Doubles, Baiganee, Phoulorie, Saheena, and curried mango to mention just a few. And…

East Indian culture has made other major impacts upon these sunny shores; for example: Trinidad boast the tallest statue of Hanuman, the monkey faced Hindu god, outside of India. And Chutney Soca, a calypsofied brand of East Indian music, is competing with Bollywood for the hearts and minds of young Trinidadians. It is this incredible fusion of sights, sounds and flavors that makes Trinidad and Tobago the most exciting cultural experience in the Caribbean.

The Passion and the Parade

Let’s add further to this cultural callaloo by letting you in on a not so well kept secret, Trinidad is one of the worlds premiere carnival destinations, rivaling Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and is arguably the world’s greatest show. Trinidad Carnival is an event that everyone who loves excitement and adventure should experience at least once. The spectacle defies description, and here’s the kicker… You are personally invited to join this amazing party.

The Misty and the Mysterious

Whether you’re a naturalist, birder, hiker, scuba diver, or just Joe-average explorer, Trinidad and Tobago has the adventure you seek. High in the steamy rainforest covered peaks of Trinidad and Tobago, and in its misty lagoons, hide and intangible array of birds and other wildlife; exotic endangered creatures like the West Indian Manatee and the Golden Tree Frog, that wait… Yes, wait in primal wilderness to be personally discovered by you.

The Tranquil and the Tempting

These enigmatic twin islands offer the most authentic Caribbean experience available. Not the watered down, theme park islands so often served to tourists, but the real Caribbean, with an exciting diversity of beaches where if you wish you can wine down, or while away the hours as you escape the world, only to find your self refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated.

Trinidad and Tobago offers more choice, more fun, and more excitement. So enjoy both the real Caribbean, and authentic East Indian culture on the adventure of your lifetime.

Read more on A Caribbean Adventure with an East Indian Culture Twist…