Category: DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES

My life had been thrown in a tailspin. We were moving 7,000 miles across the world from Fort Lee Virginia to Camp Henry in Daegu South Korea. We had to hire a realtor, find an apartment which took 3 months and get to all the Asian traveling we had imagined when we accepted this assignment. The year took us all over South Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia and Thailand and we’re just getting started. 2016 is going to be even better.

We stumbled upon the Korea’s Tea Museum after seeing a sign at the turnoff to our intended destination–the Boseong Tea Plantation. Happy accidents like this make travel unpredictable and sometimes ends up being the highlight of the day. We walked into the museum not knowing what to expect. We didn’t know if the exhibits would have English translations or if we’d spend a few walking around looking at pretty pictures.

We ended up parking along the railing at a overlook of the valley below. Steven pulled behind the last car, making sure to put enough distance behind it and us to maneuver out when it was time to go. He looked back and said there wasn’t enough room for more than one car to fit in behind us. And we settled in for an hour to wait for the sun to go down.

There aren’t any rides at this theme park, and you’ll enjoy it on your own speed. The only thrill you’ll receive is the thrill of accomplishment after climbing to the top of the mountain and enjoying the view of the entire plantation. But there are a lot of exhibits on the calming and medicinal uses of green tea and plenty of spots to enjoy the scenery on a beautiful day.

This post explores the lively energy of Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand, where nightlife, street food, and beach life blend into nonstop fun. From LadyBoys and ping-pong shows along Bangla Road to relaxing at Fisherman’s Harbour Urban Resort, it captures the balance between adventure and comfort while offering honest insights for first-time visitors planning where to stay and explore.

Building Phuket’s Big Buddha began about 10 years ago as a labor of love and will cost roughly 30 Million Baht ($850, 000) when it’s completed. Now, ten years later, it has become a revered monument by both locals and tourists. More than 1,000 people make the 6km trek up the mountain every day to see the huge Buddha that’s still under construction. It is taking so long because of its scope, as well as the fact that it is being funded by donations alone.

The first time I caught sight of the Big Buddha through one of the marbled windows at Wat Chalong Temple, its sheer enormity left me in awe. Its imposing presence dominated the landscape, living up to its name in every aspect. Set against the serene backdrop of the temple, the…