I think these pictures are reason enough to convince you why Unawatuna, in the Galle District of south western Sri Lanka, is an ideal place to be a beach bum. So why not slap on some sun lotion, grab a great book and recline on…
The seven-hour bus ride from the highlands of Nuwara Eliya, in central Sri Lanka, to Mirrisa on the southern coast was worth every moment, even if only for the picturesque detour through Ella. We meandered between mountains and hills, which tightly held onto clouds by…
I awoke on a mist covered-mountain overlooking Kandy Lake. Sun rays broke through the mist and illuminated the mountain. Someone played “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” on the trumpet, as girls hurried along in their white school uniforms. They held each other’s hands, their…
The Dambulla Cave Temples are best explored during Poya – the full moon festival celebrated each month by Buddhists throughout Sri Lanka. The majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhist and follow a lunar calendar. The day of the full moon is a national, public holiday and…
The birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka can be traced back to Mihintale and Buddhist monk Mahinda. Mihintale means ‘Mahinda’s Hill’ in Sinhalese and is often overshadowed by its larger counterpart Anuradhapura, which is a twenty-minute drive away. Due to the kindness of the head…
It might take some time and practice for the name to roll off your tongue smoothly. Anuradhapura is an ancient city, which was the capital of Sri Lanka for a thousand years. The Buddhist dagobas, high-rise temples, ponds and ancient palaces are vestiges of the cultural,…
Maintaining the lifestyle of the rich and famous may be expensive, but give it a try, even if only for a day. Clicking high heels create a rhythmic soundtrack, which embodies the glamour of Cheongdam-dong Luxury Street. This high-end street aptly captures the true essence…
I’m the kind of person who could survive purely on chocolate, sunshine, smiles and salmon sashimi – not necessarily in that particular order, but you understand. My friends and I arrived at Garak Fish Market, South East of Seoul Station, in the late afternoon. After…
When someone tells you they’re going to a sea parting festival, you can’t help but think that perhaps they are taking part in a modern-day re-enactment of Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. For centuries the Jindo Sea Parting Festival was surrounded by mystery, now it’s a…
The murals, mosaics, metal statues and quirky illustrated road signs make Naksan Park intriguing, especially if you have a curious gaze. It is nestled on a granite mountain, quietly observing the bustle below. Naksan Park resembles a camel’s hump: ‘nakta’ in Korean means camel, while ‘san’ means…
I wrote this article for Neh Magazine as part of my freelance work. I wander wide-eyed along the eastern wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, beneath the Gingko trees. You should visit Samcheong Dong with the intention of getting lost among the narrow paths and alleyways. It’s the…
Now that you’ve read Busan on a Budget, here’s my advice on where to go and what to do while in Busan. Beomeosa Temple At over 1,300 years old, Beomeosa Temple, which was built in 678AD, is Busan’s oldest zen Buddhist temple. Its ancient artifacts epitomise…
Busan Busan is one of the most popular beach resorts in South Korea, due to its premium location on the south-eastern most tip of the peninsula. The subtropical climate has thousands, nay, more accurately millions flocking to claim their square metre of beach during the summer months.…
While on holiday on Jeju Island, I couldn’t resist the chance to visit Udo Island for a day trip. This smaller island is named after its shape (it resembles a sleeping cow) and is located on the east coast of Jeju, only a 15-minute ferry ride away, which only cost KRW…
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty in Korea for over one thousand years (57 BC – 935 AD). It’s not surprising that it’s called the ‘museum without walls’ as it houses a wealth of ancient artifacts and natural treasures. It is one of the…
For over two hours we watched as gleeful faces, young and old, walked by waving brightly lit lanterns and twirling to the beat of Korean drums. The intricately decorated lantern floats, which were illuminated from within, came in a variety of themes, shapes, colours and sizes.…