No city is as plain as it seems. Each city has some interesting facts unknown to the rest of the world. The same is with Bangkok. This article discusses some of the top interesting facts about the city.
An Urban Oasis on the River Of Kings
Thailand is one of the best places you can visit from India. Travel to Thailand is cheap and booking one of the Bangkok to Mumbai flights will cost you as much as any domestic flights. The cost of living is low and the shopping scene is filled with varieties and often very cheap! There are so many fun things to do in the city but there are also many interesting facts that remain unknown to many around the world
City with the longest name
Bangkok has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? But did you know that its actual name has 169 characters in total? The name is so ridiculously long that forget the rest of the world, even the people from Thailand are unable to pronounce it and call it Krung Thep. The full name is, brace yourself, ‘Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit’! Bet someone to pay the drinks for the whole table if they can pronounce it and they might end up breaking a glass or two!
2. Kings anthem played before every movie
In Thailand, there is a king and so before every function (school concerts, movies, etc) the King’s Anthem is played and everyone stands in reverence. Image credit- sevenfarmers.blogspot.com
The Thais are extremely patriotic and play their national anthem every chance they get. But did you know that before you sit down to comfortably watch a movie, of which you just bought the ticket, the theatre will play the King’s anthem before the start of the movie! So don’t get too comfortable yet, as you will need to stand up and pay your respects to the anthem by standing while it’s being played.
3. The third washroom
The increasingly high number of transgenders in Thailand are known to the whole world, but did you know that the country actually has a separate washroom for them? Next time, you rush to a public washroom, don’t be surprised if you see a third washroom! One is for men, the other for the women and the third is for the transgenders.
4. The place where Redbull originated
Red Bull Energy Drink
Did the famous Red Bull drink ever help you through the night before having to submit an important paper the next day? Then you have one person to thank, Chaleo Yoovidhya from Thailand. This is the man who pioneered and created this energy drink which has today grown into a multi-billion worth power drink company that has its reach in all corners of the world and all major sporting events.
5. Dubbed Venice of the East
Nightlife in Thailand Image credit- www.gapyear.com
Thailand plays home to one of the most exciting and happening nightlife scenes in the world. The nightlife scenes are so epic here that it has been dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, primarily due to its nightlife and some parts owing to its beautiful layouts of various canals portraying a landscape like that of Venice in Italy.
Apart from these, there are many other interesting facts about the city like how all the temples of Thailand are imprinted on the back of the Baht coins. All these and more makes Bangkok all the more fascinating!
There’s something awfully familiar about Europe, even to those who haven’t been there yet. The continent has been a muse for many and a dream for most. Its famous buildings and romantic waterways have had the world coming to it since time unknown. But, it is not defined by just the metallic opulence of Paris and the architectural genius in Rome. It is defined by the small unknown stops that are missed when rushing from one must-see to the other. The tiny, reclusive places that don’t end up on most lists.
So, if you feel that the Eiffel Tower is nothing more than a pretentious pile of scrap and the Big Ben is a waste of time, then I think you might like my alternative guide to experiencing Europe.
We love lakeside towns. There’s something hopelessly alluring about them. Right from the calm waters to the vibrant sunrises. The sleepy Lithuanian town of Trakai is all that and more. Squeezed between two lakes and an easy drive from the capital, Vilnius, this cluster of castles and wooden huts is an easy city getaway for the locals. The region comes under the protected status of the Trakai Historical National Park and is one of the few places to catch glimpses of the Karaite culture.
The Trakai Castle in Lake Galve, a 14th-century Gothic construction with traces of Renaissance influences, is the major draw in this area. Follow that up with a visit to the Trakai History Museum before heading to the bespoke camping areas at Slėnje, 5 km out of the town.
Czech Republic’s second-largest city, Brno is everything Prague doesn’t want to be. A city that has mastered the art of balancing the old and the new; the young and the old. At first glance, you might think of this University town as another city racing towards modernity with its glassy facades and new-age designs, but stay a while longer and you’ll start noticing the subtle undertones. A lazy pullback into the Moravian way of life. The city’s history will slowly start showing itself in its castles and cathedrals.
Spend time at the Špilberk castle and the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul before experiencing the Functionalist architecture at Villa Tugendhat. The estuary under St. James Church is another draw for piqued minds. After a day of landmark-hopping, visit Náměstí Svobody, the city’s nerve center and revel in the city vibe with a glass of wine.
Lying on the tourist-trodden trail between Interlaken and Jungfrau, this fairy-tale town deserves more than an impatient stopover. Lauterbrunnen is one of Switzerland’s largest conservation areas, scattered with expansive trough valleys and thunderous waterfalls. It is also a favorable spot for mountain biking and hiking. Picture chancing upon lonely mountain inns around unexpected hilly bends.
We recommend gaping at the spectacle that is the Trummelbach Falls, our favorite out of the 72 falls in the region.
4. Roskilde, Denmark
Steeped in Viking culture, Roskilde, 35 km from Copenhagen, is a highly decorated ancient town situated in one of Denmark’s most scenic areas, the island of Zealand. It is one of Denmark’s oldest cities and served as an important Viking trading post, and the seat of the Danish crown for a long time.
Roskilde is a cultural fiesta for anyone interested in the legendary Viking traditions. Start with the Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the burial-place for many Danish Kings and Queens. The Viking Ship Museum and the Roskilde Museum are good stops for getting all the info. you might possibly need about the area’s traditions. If you are visiting during late June or early July, then head to the infamous Roskilde Festival for some legendary antics and a Rock n’ Roll overdose.
5. Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt
Considered to be the oldest still-inhabited village in Europe, Hallstatt lies in a picturesque setting surrounded by the Dachstein mountains and the shores of the Hallstatt See. The village was a hotbed for salt production back in the day and you can catch glimpses of its salt-production days by visiting the world’s oldest salt mines. Also, visit the Beinhaus for an intriguing display of decorated skulls exhumed from the village graveyard.
Hallstatt is also the world’s first cloned village with a full-scale replica in Huizhou, Guangdong in China.
6. Brest, Belarus
The eastern European nation of Belarus isn’t on most travelers’ radar owing to its stressed political environment, and long and complex history, but trust us when we say it’s probably the most surprising travel destination in all of the Europe. While Minsk, the capital, might be the most heard of city in the country, the border town of Brest offers an exquisite mixture of history, architecture and nature.
St. Nicholas Church in Belarus
Established by the Slavs, Brest went through several invasions during the course of its history and was under the Soviet Union till as late as 1991 before it finally fell under Belarus’s territory. The Brest Fortress, a World War II memorial, is the most important attraction in the city. Just walk the grounds and spend some time at the museum to try to understand this memorial’s complicated history. Brest is also home to some interesting museums like the Museum of Confiscated Arts and the Museum of Railway Technology. After the cultural and historical initiation spends time wandering around Nabierežnaja and Hohaia St. and enjoy the town’s laid back vibe.
7. Kosice, Slovakia
Tucked away in the valley of River Hornad, Košice is Slovakia’s second-largest city and served as the European Capital of Culture in 2013. The city is close to the Hungarian, Ukrainian and Polish borders and is easily accessible by a good network of roads and rail. It is also an artistic hotbed with several theatres holding performances all through the year.
St Michal’s chapel and st Elisabeth cathedral south view
Košice has the highest number of palaces in Slovakia and is a cultural cauldron in terms of architecture with a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau. The main attractions are the Gothic St. Elisabeth Cathedral and Immaculata Statue, both examples of Baroque architecture. Most of the town’s sites are present around the well-preserved historical center and the main street (Hlavná ulica) and can be leisurely covered on foot in a day.
8. Oulu, Finland
If there’s one reason to visit Oulu, apart from the spectacular beach and the enticing walkways, it’s the locals. The Finns are a warm and enthusiastic lot and they’ll welcome you into their homes just like they welcome the first speck of summer sunlight. The city, named after the river Oulujoki, lies on Finland’s western banks, opening up into the Gulf of Bothnia.
Oulu hydro energy
Summer is the best time to visit as the city collectively breathes a sigh of relief and prepares to let the sunny warmth enter their lives. The waterfront Kauppatori (marketplace) springs into action with several food stalls and restaurants dishing out the eclectic fare. Follow up an afternoon spent ambling around the market with an easy jaunt to Pikisaari, a former industrial region transformed into a close-knit artistic community. We recommend a short visit to the Sailor’s Home Museum, Oslo’s oldest house, to get a glimpse of life in the 18th century. Spend the next morning admiring the restrained flamboyance of Oulu Tuomiokirkko (the main church) and then dive into the many museums describing Oulu’s every facet from being a shipping town to the modern, high-tech metropolis that it is now.
9. Giethoorn, Netherlands
Give the term ‘on the road’ a miss for this one. Giethoorn, 120 km from Amsterdam, is a village with no roads. Arguably the most famous spot on our list, there is something about this tiny village, also called the Dutch Venice, that kept floating around in our heads. With over 150 wooden bridges, 4 miles of canals, and some spectacular farmhouses, this town merits a halt during your trip through Holland. All tourist go to Amsterdam, Giethoorn can turn out to be best travel destinations in Europe.
Founded in AD 1230 by fugitives from the Mediterranean, Giethoorn became famous after being used as a setting in Bert Haanstra’s 1958 comedy, Fanfare. The summers bring in a throng of tourists in boats and gondolas, changing this hamlet, home to 3000 people, into a thriving circus affair. Although the thought of rowing along the canals on a warm summer afternoon is very enticing, we recommend visiting Giethoorn in the winter, when the canals are frozen over. Ice skate your way through the village, stopping only to enjoy the outstanding views.
10. Leiria, Portugal
Leiria e Castelo
Cradled between Castle hill and Rio Lis and surrounded by Portugal’s biggest cities (Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra) Leiria is a medieval town flirting with modernity. The Leiria castle towers over the town’s red-roofed town center.
Have you been to these best travel destinations in Europe?
A Scenic Escape To The Magical Alps: Things To Do In Stunning Switzerland
Everyone has once dreamed, planned or even conspired for a Swiss holiday. Just like a star, Switzerland commands the attention of the eager traveler, is rather extravagant in its tastes and boasts of unspeakable beauty. Everything extracted from this wonderful country carries the luxury with it– Swiss chocolates, Swiss watches, Swiss cheese. Home to the Alps, the Swiss landscape has been the magical setting to many stories, from children’s favorite Heidi to Mary Shelley’s Gothic monster, Frankenstein; this alone should give you the sheer variety of views and things you would encounter here. No Switzerland itinerary can boast of having seen it all, but like everything Swiss, it can boast of quality over quantity.
Picture credit: Transformer18
Getting Around
The Swiss railways promise comfort with great views of the running landscape from your window. Various lines connect almost the whole of the country. Buses and boats are also great options. To make your journey easier, you can book the all-encompassing Swiss Travel Pass by Switzerland Tourism that gives you access to any kind of public transport in the country.
Places to visit in Switzerland: Zurich (Day 1 & 2)
Picture credit: Mariusz kluzniak
The most desirable city in the world, the most livable city in the world and the birth-point of art and music movements, Zurich’s multiple identities have coagulated brilliantly into one multi-dimensional, vibrant and chic city. It’s fast-paced life, lively night scene and more than 100 art galleries and museums, have all come together to make sure this city becomes the very first experience of the Swiss traveler. In fact, so great is its fame that it is often misconstrued as Switzerland’s capital (over its actual capital, Bern). No Switzerland Itinerary gives Zurich a miss.
Note: Get a ZurichCARD as soon as you reach here. It will give you access to the city’s railway system and some of its museums, trams, cable train and boat services.
Amazing things to do in Zurich
1) Enjoy a Relaxing Boat Ride on Lake Zurich
Boat ride on Lake Zurich Picture credit: Thomas Woodtli
2) Enjoy the Aesthetics of Contemporary Art
You are likely to stumble upon a gallery on every street, but you should specifically look for the Kunsthaus, Kunsthalle or the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst.
Picture credit : Kevin
3) Enjoy an Evening of Opera
Opernhaus Zurich has an in-house opera, theater and ballet group that put up some popular performances in its elaborately built Opera house.
Picture credit: kuhnmi
4) Cycle around the city
Zurich has the coolest service of renting out bikes for free! Take one and wheel off to some of its historical landmarks or just enjoy its routine beauty.
From rummaging through chocolate shops like Confiserie Sprungli and Confiserie Teuscher to taking chocolate tours around the city, the Swiss Chocolate is a dream come true.
Traveling between these two places can be made much more fun if you head to Lucerne, which is around an hour away from Zurich and hop on the Golden Pass Railway which will take you through exquisite views of Lucerne, Interlaken, Zweisimmen and Montreux. The Golden Pass is one of the most recommended railway journeys on a Switzerland Itinerary. From Montreux, you can take another train which will take you to Geneva in about an hour.
Describing Geneva as the world center for peace (headquarters to both the United Nations and the Red Cross) is somewhat an oxymoron. The bouncing, zipping, swishing, racing nerve of the city can infuse energy even in the laziest of tourists. The second gem of from places to visit in Switzerland list, Geneva outdoes its diplomatic image with its warm and welcoming markets, museums and natural landscapes. If you are looking for a good time, it doesn’t get better than Geneva.
Amazing things to do in Geneva
1) Find Treasured Souvenirs and more at the Plainpalais Flea Market
Zermatt is a small snowy village at the foot of the gigantic Matterhorn peak. It’s a humble and quiet destination away from the glitz of Zurich and Geneva. To be honest, this is a sort of a stand-by on your Switzerland Itinerary; a resting place before you, once again, get swept off by the vivaciousness of St. Moritz. Apart from being home to snow adventures and breathtaking views, Zermatt is also the starting point of the Glacial Express – the almost unmissable experience of Switzerland tourism.
Amazing things to do in Zermatt
1) Take a ride from the highest cable car station in Europe: Matterhorn Glacial Paradise
This is undoubtedly the most loved train journey in the world. It is also a slow journey, about 7 hours that takes you across the wild, snow-covered Alps. It starts from Zermatt crosses Davos and drops you in St. Moritz. This is your railway journey of a lifetime!
Places to visit in Switzerland: St. Moritz (Day 6 & 7)
The international ambassador for skiing, St. Moritz has become synonymous with the adventure, charm, thrill and the smothering beauty of the Swiss Alps. The point of origin for winter adventures, this alpine town has invited enthusiastic tourists, mad adventurers and pro-athletes and treated them with gorgeous mountain slopes and frozen lakes. Its resting beauty is complimented by its sophisticated infrastructure of some of the most luxurious and prime ski resorts, hotels, restaurants and galleries. Adventure and luxury know no better place to reside than in the cradle of the Alps, here in St. Moritz.
Amazing things to do in St. Moritz
1) Go Skiing and Beyond
You can oblige to the natural cliché of the ski resort or go for the adventure less taken with ice skating, kite skiing, curling, tobogganing, ice sledging etc.
The 19th-century Swiss artist, Serangtini is much celebrated for his realistic paintings of the Swiss landscape. The museum hosts his largest collection of artwork in the world.
4) Walk through Local History at Engadine Museum
Takes you from the modern to the prehistoric past of the local culture.
If you enjoyed the earlier post on Fascinating Malaysia, then the following events happening in Malaysia are not worth missing out.
Events happening in Malaysia during March and April 2016
8Th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2016
11 March 2016 -13 March 2016
The Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will return from March 11-13. Pic courtesy of MyBalloonFiesta, February 20, 2016.
Venue Millennium Monument, Precinct 2, Putrajaya
View colourful hot air balloons from around the world. The fiesta features balloons in various shapes and sizes resembling a teardrop, clown, elephant and even Darth Vader.
2. Raptor Watch Week 2016
12 March 2016
Raptor watch week Image courtesy Malaysia travel
Venue Tanjung Tuan, Malacca
Image courtesy-malaysia.travel
Birdwatchers converge in Port Dickson to watch the annual migration of these birds of prey, on their journey back to the northern hemisphere.
3. Thai Water Festival Songkran
13 April 2016-15 April 2016
Thai New Year celebration Image courtesy www.songkranwaterfightfestival.com
Venue Thailand
The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day from 13 to 15 April. The word “Songkran” comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti literally “astrological passage”, meaning transformation or change. The Songkran Festival is also known as the Thai New year or Thailand Water Festival, originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha.
4. Regatta Lepa
22 April 2016 – 24 April 2016
Semporna Sabah Regatta Lepa
Venue Semporna, Sabah
A colourful festival that pays homepage to the lepa, a traditional single-mast sailing boat of the Bajaus of Semporna. Witness the crowning of the most beautiful lepa, the Lepa Beauty Pageant, cultural performances, fireworks display and much more.
5. Pesta Air Labuan
29 April 2016 – 01 May 2016
Labuan International Sea Sport Complex image courtesy event-carnival.com
Venue Labuan International Sea Sport Complex, Labuan
This is the biggest annual event in Labuan. Major competitions include the Labuan International Deep Sea Fishing Tournament, Cross Channel Swimming Challenge and Round Island Kayak Challenge.
6. Nasi Ambeng Carnival
15 April 2016- 17 April 2016
Nasi ambang/ambeng is a Javanese rice dish made up of spiced/fried/gravy chicken, chilli paste, serunding (Malaysian meat floss), vermicelli, tempe (Indonesian fermented soybean cake) and salted fish. It is really popular in Johor but not common in KL Image courtesy Nasi ambang @ Pasar Ramadhan Kelana Jaya
Venue Homestay Banghuris, Sepang Selangor
The aroma of ‘Ambeng Rice Festival’ is guaranteed to beckon visitors, both local and international to enjoy the uniqueness of this dish.
So, mark your calendars and head to Malaysia, truly Asia.
