Notes on Travels in Asia

Got some photos, got some stories, got some impressions, from years travelling, exploring and living in Asia. Ask for HiRes photos @ Askdrinasia at outlook .com. Copyright all photos published belong to Dag-Rune Zachariassen * All rights reserved *

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Welcome to a new home!

After some years on Tumblr it is time for a change.

You will find my new site for articles and photos from travels and living in Asia. The new site is a collection of posts and articles from this site, but with added content from other sites as well.

More categories, better handling of hashtags and better search options will make the new spot a better place to visit.

No login-wall and integration with more SoMe-spots are the other reasons for moving digital home.

Welcome!

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A night view from the pool

Cities by night are interesting.

Sneaking up to get some night shots from the top floor of the hotel gives a couples of perspective of why.

The first photo here is taken towards the My Khe beach. Da Nang is such a neat and well designed modern city.

And it is truly lovely in the evening. If you need partying along the river with its bars and restaurants, or more quiet street food venues. Like here.

Night cloudy backdrop

The other photo is taken just ten minutes earlier. It shows that photos taken just after sunset, the clouds and sky makes a nice backdrop in city night shots. The larger amounts of light from a city center gives a rich palette of colours as well.

But as the nights come quickly in South East Asia, you have to take your shots quickly.

This photo is taken towards the city center, and the main Han river of Da Nang. The area between Han River and the My Khe beach are the newer part of Da Nang.

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Old town daily life in the city of lanterns

The classic street of Hoi An old town are for obvious reasons a World Cultural Heritage site.

Cultural benefits of trade

The narrow streets, roads and alleys mixed with channels and river waterways represent a typical Asian trading port between 1500-1900 CE.

And as a trading port, this city in the old Champa Kingdom is filled with the cultural mix of architecture, arts and artefacts so typical for trade and human interconnections. And it has been like a human mix pot for several centuries.

A old town worthy to be part of our common World Cultural Heritage.

Hoi An is also proud to be called the city of lanterns. Another fact that is hard to ignore, both by day and night.

Or by sunset, when the boats are filling the channels offering a sunset boat trip with a lantern on the side.

Long term civilization actor

Cham civilization and Champa kingdom was a culture and a more or less continuous political structure and kingdom for 1500 years in South East Asia. The core geographical area was what we today know as South Viet Nam. Hoi An was its commercial center, My Son was its Spiritual center and Vijaja near present day Quy Nhon was its capital for most of the kingdoms existence.

The last Champa Kingdom was conquered by the Viet Nguyen Empire in 1832. The Cham nowadays is an ethnic minority divided between Viet Nam and Cambodia.

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A lady near the Celestial Lady

A lady strolling along the Perfume River pass Pagoda of the Celestial Lady.

Autumn muddy river from the rain washing out the dirt upstream. The fall means a new color and also new smell of Perfume River.

Flowers upstream falls into the river, and gives off the odors giving the river passing the Imperial City of Hue its scented name.

A powerful lady

At this bend in the river is the site of the Celestial Lady, an important figure in the myths of power and ruling in Viet Nam from old times.

The place has a pagoda and a monastery. And with the great tower, bell, exterior garden and the old Austin driving the venerable Thich Quang Duc to Saigon in 1963, it is an important cultural and historic site for visitors. Domestic and internationals.

The half year of monsoon seasons in South Asia gives its own pleasures. And challenges.

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Taking a colourful leave of the Forbidden City

The Hien Nhon gate/Cửa Hiển Nhơn is the main East gate out of the Imperial forbidden city in Hue.

It also leads into the main business district of the old town. As can be expected, the first few blocks are filled with sales booths for touristy things and gadgets.

Get some food and drink

More important, there are some nice hole-in-wall places to eat and drink in the area. If the Forbidden City has gotten the attention and time deserved, get something to eat and drink before continuing.

This gate is often referred to as the "colourful gate" for obvious reason. It is modelled after the Beijing Forbidden city with Feng Shui principles, Viet unique architectural style and principle of European styled military warfare and defences of the early 1800's. The Huế Imperial City and Citadel is a unique site.

The east gate even more so.

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Some chores never change

Sometimes we need to be reminded that vital duties has been around for thousands of years.

Here is a literary a layer to that effect.

The Perfume River, or Hương Giang or Sông Hương, runs through the former imperial city of Hue. It got its name from the time in the autumn when the flowers of the orchards up river falls into the river giving it a scent of flowers.

Daily life

As city rivers do, people live, work, fish, bathe, make food, transport and put waste in the river. These steps from the narrow roads down to the riverside are everywhere, showing the importance of the river infrastructure for the city and citylife.

And when the sun sets and temperature gets cooler, life along the riverside gears up for the socialising and experiences that comes with the night.

I took this photo after a long walk in the southeast part of Hue in 2016. The afternoon was grey and a bit wet, giving a high contrast photo with some dull colours. Except from the the 2 ladies and their clothing. So I enhanced them, and gave the rest of the photo a more classic patina.

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The yellow pagoda in Skóun

The small town of Skoun is where the National Road 6 and 7 splits today. But even if the place are offering a wide array of food and drinks for the road traveller, there are some more to see and experience.

One of them is the Yellow Pagoda, the main building inside the Wat area and the necropolis close by. A simple, yet splendidly decorated building with some intricate design details.

I attended a funeral for a good man in Skoun back in 2019, and got a lot of opportunities to look around and inside the temple area and wat.

Later I have visited in connection with parties, weddings and religious holidays like Pchum Benh. It is nice to revisit this pagoda from time to time.

Spiderville, Cambodia

Side-tracked about halfway between Phnom Penh and Kampong Thom along National Road 6/7, the small town of Skoun are considered the capital of spiders. More specifically, the capital of fried spiders as a food delicacy and snack.

Sometimes it is called Spiderville for exactly that reason.

It is, however, a tradition born out of need. During the civil wars, and especially during the Khmer Rouge years, the food was scarce. Hunger become a dominant factor of living under Pol Pots and his brutal mob gangs weird ideas of a society.

Having a large amount of spiders of reasonable size available, like black tarantellas, hunting, frying and eating spiders become a nutrient source of food. Seeing as spiders are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, it is not a bad choice as crisis food.

And after the civil wars, the habit was established. The locals continue to eat spiders as a snack, and after a while, offering is as a rite of passage for newbie travellers in Asia. There are other regions in Asia, like Thailand, where spiders are more common as food, and to have a (first) try in Spiderville Cambodia is not a bad choice.

Myself, being a big fan of spiders, do not eat them voluntarily. #spidersarefriends #notfood

Other options than a variety of fried spiders in Skoun are bustling, local markets. And some restaurants selling very good versions of local khmer foods. And some international options as well.

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At the foot of the Preah Vihear: Playtime!

Had lunch after several hours of driving, and now its more break time in the sun.

Remember being a child, and have access to a large sandy playground?

Yeah, that feeling.

Roadtrips are greater fun with great company. Even if they are small in size.

Getting ready for a step ride and hike

We prepared for visiting the temple on the hill, and got prepared for any occasion. Including cold wind, and some gifts for the shrines.

A Hilux was hired, our seniors in the travel party got inside up front, and the rest of us was the cool gang on the back.

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Getting B-roll from the locals

Getting photo coverage from the locals ads some special touch to photo memories from a trip.

Giving my backup mobile camera, or a backup camera in general, to the ever brilliantly talented ms N* is a way of getting new perspectives when travelling.

Being lighter and smaller, she is able to get to places and see motives I often miss. And being intuitively good at taking photos and a creative soul, the resulting shots are over average great.

A drop of colour and a drop of water

A good thing with an assistant is to have someone to show the scale of things. Like ms N* here, showing the size of one of the water basins before entering the first main temple constructions of Preah Vihear.

The Preah Vihear Temple complex is one of Cambodia most precious global cultural heritage sites, and getting around all of it takes time and several visits. Having some assistance from locals is a key to get the most out of a visit here. Personally, I have requested guides with a special knowledge of good photo spots at this mountain area.

And you may even have a sneak peak into Sisaket province i Isa'an in Thailand. From a safe distance, of course.

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The temple on the way to the market

An evening visit by the Sri Mahamariamman Temple was not intentional. Target for the evening was the Central Market nearby, for gifts and dinner.

Sri Mahamariamman is the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, easy to find, bordering Chinatown and close by Central Market. Beautiful lit up, the inspiration from temples in South India are obvious.

Added feature

The gate tower, the ornate 'Raja Gopuram' tower, was added 50 years ago.

The goddess Mariamman ( /mɒrı əˈmʌn/) and Mariaai, both meaning "Mother Mari", is the South Indian Hindu goddess of rain. She is the main South Indian mother goddess, predominant in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Māri is closely associated with the Hindu goddesses Parvati and Durga, as well as with her North Indian counterpart Shitala Devi.

One day I am going the check how this looks by daylight.

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An outlook to some Malaysian history

The surroundings seen from the skybridge between the two Petronas Towers, 42 floors up/170 meter above ground, contains some architectural landmarks as well.

In front is the Menara Public Bank (Tower Public Bank, the Malaysian name of the Petronas tower is Menara Petronas). Public Bank group of Malaysia is the largest bank in shareholder value in the country. It spreads its operations into several branches all over ASEAN, targeting retail and SME customers. The MPB is 170 meter tall, as high as the skybridge, but placed on a lower level slope.

W Hotel Kuala Lumpur to the left is like what you expect of a W hotel anywhere in the world.

Business and professional services all around

Wisma Golden Eagle Realty is the four blocks between W and MPB. They are office blocks rented to different businesses and organisations.

Australian High Commission is the lower building to the right of Menara Tower. Malaysia is still part of the British Commonwealth, as is Australia. Embassy-level diplomatic posts are called High Commissions within commonwealth nations, Embassy when situated in sovereign and fully independent nations. They provide consular assistance for Australians in Malaysia.

AmBank Jalan Yap Kwan Seng is the tall Tower to the right. Ambank provides a wide range of bank and financial services within its different branches, including banking styled by islamic rules. Its largest owner is the Austrialan ANZ Banking group. The Tower is the 29th tallest in KL.

The 19 floor tall Bangunan Getah Asli (Menara) to the lower right is one of the oldest office buildings in the area, built in the 1980s. The green roof smaller building is mostly carparking, with some smaller service outlets outside.

A view to the park

The view on the other side is mainly to the KLCC garden and leisure area. And northern Kuala Lumpur.

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A park framed with a modern city skyline

An evening in the KLCC park, close to the Petronas Twin Towers.

People gather around the open water basins, chat, play, eat and drink, surrounded by the Kuala Lumpur CBD. After a Malay cuisine tasting late dinner, we were heading back to the guest house.

We took our time. It was a splendid, cool night, we were jetlagged. And it was quite nice.

An evening meet by the Aquaria and Congress Center

On or walk back, we spend as much time looking at the city skyline as on the buildings.

Except this one. Suddenly coming into view, situated close by the Petronas Towers in the KLCC Garden, it is a bit overshadowed by a lot of tall buildings.

But this wavery architectural uniqueness, the Aquaria and Congress Center contains a mall, oceanarium and a Congress center.

And the evening view from the garden is stunning.

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The twin tower night stretch

The Petronas Towers stretching into the night are inspiring. It also demonstrates how the skybridge between the towers are under halfway to the top.

At 170 meter and 42nd floor, there is still 382 meter to the top. But the 58 meter long bridge is worth a visit by itself.

The topmost observatory deck is at 85th floor, 348 meter above ground.

A wise woman once said that stretching gives a career payback as years goes by. Actually, it is quite healthy, too. Inspired by Petronas or not.

Tallish neighbours

To the east of the Petronas, there are two other tall buildings.

The rectangular squared one is Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. It is 342,5 meter tall with 74 floors. In 2023 it is the 4th tallest building in Malaysia. It was build between 2013 to 2018.

The other circular cut off stove pipe is the Maxis Tower. That building is 212 meter tall with 49 storeys. It was finished in 1996 as phase 1 of the developing of the KLCC, KL City Center, of which Petronas Towers are the centerpiece.

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Rebels in a hood

You little rebels…

Visiting Malaysia is so interesting because of the vivid mix of culture, religion, people and rapid development into a high tech modern society. The country is also very safe, well organised and with impressive architecture and infrastructure. Including digital.

In the complex Sentral Station (sic) connecting rails, busses, metro and taxis together, there is also a modern mall, restaurants and cafés. Where young people hang out, like healthy youths do all over the world. Like these two.

Kuala Lumpur in 24 hours

Close by is the National Mosque, Chinatown and Indian quarters. Basically, visiting Kuala Lumpur in 2 days on a budget, you only need to find a hotel near KLIA and the Airport Express Train line. Then use the convenient railroad into this central raikroad station, explore the core services and sights on foot, enjoy a meal or two and take the rail fast and safe back for the night.

It must be the most easy accessible metropolis center in Asia.

One day will do to explore a lot of the central area. Including some shopping in a mall, or at the large market.

But to see more of the different part of the business capital, some more days will be needed. And maybe find lodging closer to the city, with easier access to different styles of food and drinks.

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After dinner stunning view

Late evening view at the Petronas twin Towers

Having dinner at the mall at ground floor of the Petronas Tower had this view as dessert.

It was and is stunning.

An architectural wonder by day or by night. Worth a visit or two, either up in the towers, or simply enjoy the shopping and dining in the mall from the Ground floor.

Six year the the absolute tallest

Petronas Twin Towers is 452m high and was ranked the tallest building in the world from 1998 to 2004. Then it was overtaken by the Taipei 101.

Later during our visit, we travelled to the top of the towers, enjoying the view and enjoying the vertigo.

But I still coming back to the photos of this evening walk.

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A blonde moment for a white lion

White lions are rare and highly appreciated, often considered divine and royal.

And sometimes you caught them strike a pose like a blonde diva.

These White Lion (Panthera leo) are not albinos, they are a rare mutation of colour in lions. And it only occurs in one area of the world: In the Kruger-to-canyons Biosphere in Southern Africa. The otherwise tawny prides here carry the gene, and even if the cubs are caught or killed, there are still white lions being born.

Careless care

Unfortunately, lions in South Africa are no longer considered threatened, meaning the trade in everything lion-related has increased. From trophy hunting to bone-trading for "medicinal" purposes.

This includes trading with white lions, even though they are pretty rare. For a time, they went extinct in the wild, but were reintroduced in the hunter free Kruger National Park in 2014.

In Thailand after the closure of Bangkok Dusit Zoo, there are white lions spread out to seven other zoos as late as 2018.

Passable conditions for big cats

The lion enclosures was each comprised of an outside spacious area and also a hidden den or night room at the back end of the enclosure.

The animals had a pond or a moat for bathing all filled plentifully. It was plentiful of grass and natural vegetation. The big cats had natural enrichment, scratching posts and pulley systems for food enrichment. Facilities had caves and some platformed areas to climb.

Health conditions of the animals was observed as good. No overcrowding, good body conditions and none visible injuries. By way of mental health, there was none observation of nervous, dissatisfied pacing. The cats performed in natural positive behaviours such as scent marking, sniffing, patrolling territory, sleeping and eating were all observed. The lions appeared relaxed and at ease with surroundings, as its stated in an animal welfare report, based on three inspections over five years until Dusit Zoo was closed down.

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Hangin' out with my buddy on a sunny day

Come on, we all have a that friend that really is half dragon and a bit scary, but still nice to hang out with on a hot day.

This couple really did not much out of the day. The Turtle kept his toes in the water, and as I was walking by several times, the large Water Monitor only changed the position of his snout. Something smelly, but not interesting enough to do something else.

Opportunistic and wide spread

The Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a large varanid lizard native to Southeast and South Asia. It is common from the coastal eastern India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Mainland SEA, southern China and Indonesia.

The monitors is highly opportunistic when choosing habitats, and it is semiaquatic. Meaning they are able to live near or in human habitats were there easy access to large water sources. Like Bangkok in Thailand, were I have seen several of theses varanids near the many rivers and channels in that city. Not very large ones, but maybe just under a meter length including their tails.

Moving and smelling the air, crossing the giraffe compound in Dusit Zoo. This one appx 80 cm long.

These animals reach breeding maturity when they are about 40 cm long and a weight of 1 kilo for males, and 50 cm for females. They normally grows up to 2 meter, but there are one specimen in Sri Lanka which reached 3,21 meter. The weight is a moderate appx 20 kg. But the max weight is over 50 kilo.

Their size and weight is second only to the Komodo Dragon lizards.

They are top-level predators, only natural enemies are crocodiles and humans. They eat a huge variation of food, from fish and rodents to human garbage and domesticated cats and dogs. They are not considered a direct danger for humans, but they may bite if cornered. Varanid bites are filled with oral bacterias that can lead to serious infections. And some of the variants may have venom glands.

Edible and skinned

It is an edible animal, hunted and served as a delicious source of protein in several South East Asian cuisines and in India. Globally, their skins are traded in millions for different type of leatherware products. It is not considered threaten. But habitats are threaten by loss and fragmentation.

No idea of a possible future as shoes and handbags.

The Red eared slider Terrapin turtle are not native to South East Asia at all, it origins in North America in Southeast around Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico. It is consider one of the worst invasive species in the world, being spread as a pet release or escapees. They are spread all over the Eurasian continent, from Scotland and Russia to South east Asia, the Pacific and Zealandia.