Ghost Cave

Hang Ma, or Ghost Cave, is located in the highlands, Coc Village, Nam Xuan Commune, Quan Hoa District. It is sandwiched between the two imposing mountains of Pha Phung and Pha Hang.

Close to the Luong River, the 500-metre deep cave is located in an rough terrain, with only one access way. It was ideal for combat during wartime.

According to local elderly people of the village, the cave took it’s name because of the large number of soldiers who died there.

In order to pay tribute to the many anonymous men who gave their lives for their country, the local government decided to build a temple there, and recently it was opened to tourists.

Despite its disturbing history, the cave is quite charming, at the base of a range of limestone mountains. Visitors can take a footpath over the Luong River during the dry season to discover its beauty.

Ha Dinh Ta, Chairman of the communal People’s Committee, said that the cave is believed to be a last resting place of a number of soldiers who fought during the Lam Son Revolt during China’s Minh Dynasty, and was also used to flout the French between 1946 and 1947.

The communal government got approval from the district authorities to make the cave into an eco-tourism site in 2008, Ta added.

Some photos taken from Ghost Cave:

Sheer clifs

source form: dtinews

The tours have become particularly popular in spring, the best season to visit the mountainous area. But Sa Pa is popular from August to April, with foreign tourists flocking to the region.

Ta Giang Phinh is 25km from Sa Pa and is home to the Mong and Dao people. The 3,000m-tall Mt Ngu Chi Son is nearby and the second highest peak in the area, after famed Mt Fansipan.

The village connects with Sa Pa on a narrow road which snakes through the mountains, past native chayote. The mountains and valley of maize and terraced rice fields are seen on sunny days when the clouds clear.

“The village is a very new site that we included among our destinations last year,” said Green Sa Pa Tour Co director Dao Van Phong. “We want to introduce an isolated village where the lifestyle has yet to change. People living in the village are always hospitable, and visitors can take break at any house during the two-hour walk around the village.”

Phong said his company brought 500 visitors to the village last year.

As the village is nudged in the large Sin Chai Valley , 500m above sea level, tourists can easily find the local Mong people farming the terraced fields or trek through forests of cardamon. Locals often invite visitors with maize and perform the khen (bamboo pan-pipes) dance as they express their hospitality.

The women often stay at home to weave brocade for clothing. With families scattered in isolated spots around the valley and no means of transportation, the only way to get visitors to explore the village is by walking.

“We set up the village to represent the typical lifestyle of the Mong and Dao people,” said Green Sa Pa product manager Phung Gia Cao. “Tourists can explore the interesting culture of the Mong and Dao themselves.”

Nam Tam Village , in Lai Chau’s Binh Lu District, is another hour’s drive from Ta Giang Phinh and is in the heart of one of the largest granaries in the northwest of Vietnam . The village of ethnic Lao, Thai and Lu people, with a population of 2,600, sits on a bank of the Nam Mu River on low terrain and amid fertile paddies.

The scenery along the 45km route from Sa Pa to Nam Tam fascinates tourists. On sunny days, clouds dot the blue sky over the mountain ranges.

“Our van often takes many stops along the roadside for tourists to grab a quiet moment on sunny days,” said Phong.

As Nam Tam lies along a 20km stretch of the Nam Mu River, rafts are the most popular vehicle for locals to fish or transport rice during the harvest.

“You can easily find a raft on the river as the locals often fish in the daytime,” said Phong. “We have already set up a local service, so tourists can board a raft as soon as they arrive in the village. They can paddle themselves along the river and stop at any village along the bank.”Phong said his agency can also arrange rubber rafts instead of bamboo.

After a short stop on the river bank, visitors can mount bicycles for a 20km ride around the area.

“The cycling is a change after a few hours of rafting,” said Nguyen Anh Manh, a guide from a Hanoi-based travel agency. “Tourists can stop at several points in the village. They can even leave their bikes and keep walking if they want.”

“I’ve been assigned to take tourists to Sa Pa town for years,” Manh added. “Nam Tam and Ta Giang Phinh are actually the best places to stay the night.”

Nam Tam Village , which includes three hamlets, is a recognised place to make a homestay. Tourists can spend the night in a hamlet of the Thai ethnic group and view traditional folk dances around a campfire at night. The Thai people hosting the visitors offer grilled fish and meat as the tourists relax after a hard day of rafting and cycling.

“Travellers can dance with the locals, and roast fish over a wood fire for dinner,” said Manh. “A night in a stilt house will refresh you for your next day’s journey.”

Many tourists making a homestay in the village during the Lunar New Year when Thai people flock in with food and wine to celebrate the new year festival.

source form: dtinews

Holidays give the time to renew bonding with the family and friends; holidays can be enjoyed alone also. One gets a chance to get away from mundane daily work and worries; for some time at least there is a pause. The body and mind need it. Have you ever dreamt of putting up bag and baggage in a villa? Here you do not have lock yourself within the confined walls of a hotel room where you are not free to do as you wish.

Holiday villas are available nearly everywhere across the globe. Spending a vacation in one of these is a romantic dream. It is a cozy home but away from home without your privacy being infringed upon. It’s ideal for those who are close to each other for sharing intimate private moments. A villa by the seaside would be a great treat – if you are lucky enough to get one. Dawn will break across the vast expanse of water for both to share. Then you can swim and sunbathe as you feel. In the evening you can stroll along the beach for hours seeing the sun set across the horizon; you can wind up the day with a candle-lit dinner.

Children will also lap up seaside villa holidays. They will experience unending moments of joy that they will always remember – building castles in the sand, swimming, rolling in the sun etc. The right choice of villa holidays with the children will be Walt Disney Creations – Disneyland in California and alternatively Disneyland in Florida.

Remembering your elderly parents and grandparents? Thinking of their failing powers and feeling for them because they too want to spend quality time with their children and the grandchildren? The holiday villas would be one of the best experiences in their twilight years. Perhaps their ageing sensitive skin will not enable them to sunbathe or they might find swimming too exhaustive but otherwise they can enjoy the bounty that Mother Nature has to offer – the peaceful green and the ceaseless waves. Villa holiday is ideal for the elders. If budget is tight you can book cheap villa holidays. Such a holiday will renew the vigour of the old and tighten the bonds that bring together family members.

After a busy week crammed with hectic activity you will love to relax somewhere where there is peace and calm. Soothing villa holidays would be ideal for you. A warm massage and spa would bring back vitality to your body and refresh your mind. You can take evening strolls as you take in the sights and sounds of the new locality. It will bring joy as will shopping in the plazas. Returning to the villa there will be an intimate dinner waiting. All told – your weekend will be a special one. Do not delay – select your destination and start packing. It can be the best time of your life till date and only on a villa vacation you will know the difference and your heart will want to keep coming back!!

source from: articlesfactory

Tulum, located 15 miles south of Akumal, was once called “Zama”, meaning “place of the dawning”. This breathtaking place which sits on a cliff facing the east Caribbean shoreline offers many Mayan ruins and ocean views for a day or short visit.

It is generally accepted that Tulum was an major city in Mayan world between 1000 A.D. and 1600 A.D. Only the wealthy Mayans lived there, where the lovely views of the sea suggest the remains of an ancient country club. However, a 20-foot wall surrounds the city to keep invaders from both land and sea from entering Tulum.

This place was one of the first Mexican cities discovered by the Spanish Conquistadors, though the high walls dissuaded them from exploring it. At that time, Tulum was the only city still thriving when it was discovered.

It was the chief center of resistance during the 19th century War of the Castes, though later succumbed and signed a treaty with the Mexican government in 1935. In recent years, Tulum has become a major tourist attraction in the Mayan Riviera for those who like ancient architecture and craftsmanship.

Structures throughout Tulum feature several columns and intricate carvings. The most famous building ruins in the city include the Temple of the Frescoes, Castillo Pyramid, and the Temple of the Diving God.

The Temple of the Frescoes is well-known for housing multiple 13th century murals which picture ancient ceremonies highly regarded by the Mayans. One such mural depicts the Mayan goddess of fertility and medicine, Ixchel, which is extremely unusual. Outside, pieces of the stucco are still painted red; it is believed that at one time the entire city was encompassed in this same paint.

The Castillo Pyramid is known as a scenic place offering multiple breathtaking incoming sea invaders.

The Temple of the Diving God boasts a figure above the main doorway which shows a man diving headfirst toward the earth. Two similar frescoes are found at Coba in the Grand Pyramid, and are believed to reference the planet Venus. The image may also be called “the bee god” or “the god descending”.

Tulum offers a unique view into the lifestyles and living spaces of the elite Mayan civilization members. Contrasted with the intricate carvings and superb architecture, the surrounding walls speak to the city’s resistance to influence from outsiders over several thousand years.

source from: freetravelarticles

Fortunately, the New Steine Bistro provided just that. After a long day of soaking up the sun, my friend and I headed over for dinner.

We walked along the seafront, past the Brighton Pier, to New Steine Street and found the quaint hotel, a five-storey Georgian townhouse, only a stone’s throw away from the water, across from a charming park. We were weary and sun burned when we arrived. But we were quickly directed to sit at a table near the bar and given a menu to look over until we could be seated.

The bistro was cosy with light-coloured walls and cushioned booths to match, dark-wood tables and chairs, and colourful cushions. We sat near the large bay window that provided a distant view of the water. Our waitress promptly came to address any questions we had before taking our orders.

I had the pan-fried red mullet with cinnamon butter with rice, while my friend had the Scottish sirloin steak and chips.

Before the main course, we had appetizers of vegetable soup and pork pâté with warm toast. The pork pâté was enjoyable, and warm toast nicely crispy. The staff were friendly and the whole place had a friendly, local feel. There wasn’t a long wait between courses, and I quickly tucked in to a moist dish of red mullet. The cinnamon butter and rice combination really worked.

My friend’s Scottish sirloin steak had a great taste and the chips were thin, crunchy and scrumptious.

There was a bit of struggle cutting the steak with a not-quite-sharp-enough knife that caused a small, slightly embarrassing moment, but our waitress kindly brought over an alternative.

My crème brûlée was delectably creamy, yet light with a delicately caramelized top. The cappuccino ice cream was refreshing with a well-balanced flavour. Overall, the staff is astoundingly attentive and hospitable. The setting and appearance is charming and relaxing. A good option for winding down after a busy Brighton day.

New Steine Bistro
10-11 New Steine, Brighton, BN2 1PB
Tel: (01273) 681 546.
Website: www.newsteinehotel.com/restaurant-brighton.asp
Prices for a three-course meal for two people, excluding drinks, starts from around £25.

source from: worldtravelguide

After pulling together an email for Jim, with links to most of my Japan-related writings across this blog, the Perceptive Travel Blog and some other publications, I thought, why not put the same consolidated information in a helpful blog post?

I lived in Japan for awhile while serving with the Navy near Fukuoka, on Kyushu, and returned a couple of years back when my daughter was a preteen, staying for about a month and a half nearTokyo.

Japan is not an “easy” destination for families  –  that’s not to scare you off,  but so you’ll know that standing around feeling like a complete idiot (and usually a lost idiot who can’t determine north from south) is TOTALLY normal for a visitor to Japan. It’s worth it, though.

I always advocate pushing out of the coddled tourist bubble and striking out on your own, but it’s harder to do that with kids in tow. Mix it up – do the “weird stuff” (occasionally feeling like an idiot) and then allow occasional forays into McDonald’s or Starbucks for some feeling of familiarity. Your brain will need it more frequently than you’d think, especially with kids.

I don’t care what anyone tells you, English is not widely spoken, but it really doesn’t matter all that much. Do a lot of bowing and hand gestures; the Japanese will generally go out of their way to help.

Let me tell you, travel around Europe after that was (comparatively) a piece of cake.

My writings on Japan:

***  Here’s an article I wrote about taking a preteen to Tokyo, for the San Antonio Express-News:  Navigating Tokyo with a ‘tween.

***  One of my first posts – an itinerary for Asakusa to Odaiba in Tokyo. It can fill one whole day.

***  They’re everywhere and they’re awesome – one of the main things I miss about Japan – vending machines!

***  You need to know how to use a squat toilet.

***  If you plan to rent a car in Japan, stand by to blow up your brain by driving on the left.

***  Here’s my guest post on Away.com’s family travel blog about climbing Mt. Fuji:  Trip of a lifetime – climbing Fuji with a preteen.

***  Great side trip from Tokyo: Yokohama (try to see the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.)

***  Another good Tokyo side trip: the beaches at Zushi and Kamakura (see the giant Buddha, or Daibutsu, at Kamakura – here’s a Taylor family post about it, and an excellent description of the area by travelers Susan and Lars.)

***  Fun souvenir: Japanese children’s chopsticks and bento boxes.

***  More great souvenirs: Kappabashi Dori where you can buy plastic food.

***  Don’t miss the summer fireworks and local matsuri (festivals.) Check the Tokyo tourist Web site event calendarfor matsuri dates and locations, but you may also stumble across one going on in the streets so be ready to get swept up in the fun! One of my favorite blogs about Japan, AMPONTAN, has a whole category about Japanese festivals; most posts are titled Matsuri-da!

Guidebooks – I wore out my copy of TimeOut Tokyo and I’m a long-time fan of Frommer

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