January 2021

hon thom, phu quoc, cap treo water, Phu Quoc Nightlife

Phu Quoc Nightlife – What You Should Know

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Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island located on the Gulf of Thailand. Although its main industries are fishing and agriculture, tourism is becoming its fastest-growing industry. The island’s main produce is fish sauce and black pepper.

In this post, we explore where Phu Quoc is and the things you can do at night in Phu Quoc. Read on to know more about:-

  1. Where is Phu Quoc?
  2. Is the island worth visiting?
  3. Is Phu Quoc a party island?
  4. What is there to do in Phu Quoc at night?
  5. Any other things I should know before visiting Phu Quoc?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means, if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer Policy for more information.

Where is Phu Quoc?

Before we start on Phu Quoc nightlife, it is essential to know where Phu Quoc is located. Phu Quoc is located in the Gulf of Thailand and consists of 21 small and uninhabited islands.

Since 2014, the Vietnamese Government allowed all foreign tourists to enter the island, visa-free for 30 days. This has contributed to a gradual rise in tourism. The Telegraph gives 10 reasons why you should visit this island soonest.

Is the island worth visiting?

Yes! Forbes recently listed Phu Quoc as one of the 10 most beautiful beach destinations in Vietnam. Some of the most beautiful beaches on the island are Sao Beach, Ong Lang Beach, and Thom Beach. One of the reasons why Phu Quoc is worth visiting is because it’s cheap there, VND$100,000 (USD$ 4.33).

The second reason is that Phu Quoc is relatively unknown. This means quieter beaches, cheaper accommodation, and no overcrowded restaurants. If you are unsure, check out the 7 reasons why you should make a trip to Phu Quoc.

Is Phu Quoc a party island?

TripAdvisor has recently revealed their Travelers Choice Best of the Best list where Phu Quoc emerged number seven. Phu Quoc offers a relaxed nightlife. For a relaxed Phu Quoc nightlife, the famous bar on the island is Rory’s Beach Bar which has vegetarian-friendly options. Luxury Travel offers an extensive list of the Top 12 Bars in Phu Quoc.

What is there to do in Phu Quoc at night?

Enjoy the serenity of Ong Lang Beach

Phu Quoc beach, Ong Lang beach is a romantic beach that offers serenity and clear waters and fine sand
Image Credit: Vietnam Coracle

BBC Travel describes Ong Lang beach as a romantic beach. Whilst Sao Beach is crowded, Ong Lang beach offers serenity. Ong Lang is untouched by tourism. With crystal clear waters and stony sand, Ong Lang is pristine. Ong Lang beach is often compared to Maldives because of its clear waters. Movenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc has recently announced the opening of their newest resort on Ong Lang beach.

While waiting for the beautiful sunset, there are several activities to keep your adrenaline high. Some of the things you can do are:-

Car Racing: This is a new sport where you can rent low powered cars and race on a 320 meter stretch on this beach.

Swimming, diving, fishing & kayaking: These are the other options that are available. The best time to go is before sunset as the tide rises and the waves could be dangerous for those activities.

Sunset at Din Cau Rock

sunset at Din Cau Rock, Phu Quoc nightlife
Image Credit: Gala Tourist Asia

Another place to experience stunning sunset is at Din Cau Rock. The Din Cau temple was built in 1937 and underwent renovation works in 1997. This temple has legends passed down over several generations. One legend is that during the 17th century, there was a flood of migrants from Central Vietnam. The rocky outposts provided a sense of gratification as they landed.

They built the shrine to prevent disasters at sea. Today, fishermen pray at this temple before going out to sea. They seek protection from the deities and to have a good bounty. This temple can be said to be a smaller version of the Tanah Lot temple in Bali.

Experience the lively Din Cau Night Market

Cho Dem Dinh Cau night market, Phu Quoc nightlife
Image Credit: Luxury Cruise Mekong

CNN Travel has listed a visit to Din Cau night market as one of the best things to do in Phu Quoc. The night market boasts friendly vendors and a foodie haven. This place has about 50 stalls selling fresh seafood and Vietnamese cuisine. This mall is pedestrian-friendly and is located about a 5-minute walk from Din Cau Rock temple.

Watch the water puppet show at Dao Ngoc Water Puppet Theatre

water puppet show, Phu Quoc nightlife
Image Credit: By Gryffindor – Wikipedia Commons

The Jakarta Post Travel Guide lists the water puppetry of Vietnam as a must-see for tourists. Water puppetry is an act of making puppets dance on water, so to speak. This tradition dates back to the 11th century and is based on Vietnamese folklore. The puppeteers are hidden behind a screen and would appear at the end of the show.

The water puppets are made of lacquered wood and can weigh 15 kilograms. The Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre has launched a new show, named “Trang” (The Moon). According to Vietnam Plus, this new show creates a contemporary art show by combining the moon, land, and water symbolism in art puppetry.

Any Other Things I Should Know?

Best Time to Visit

Phu Quoc, being an island, has a tropical climate. However, it has two seasons. The seasons are dry seasons from December to March and the rainy season from April to November. During the dry season, temperatures can soar up to 34 degrees. During the rainy season, temperatures are much cooler with intermittent rains.

The weather is most settled during the months of December to March. The coolest months are from August onwards as the temperature dips to 25 degrees.

How to Get to Phu Quoc?

By Plane

Due to its gaining popularity, most major airlines such as Air Asia, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar, Bangkok Airways, Asiana and China Southern make frequent flights to the island destination. According to the Centre for Aviation, Air Asia was the fourth foreign airline to serve Phu Quoc.

By Boat

Superdong is a major boat provider to Phu Quoc from Ha Tien, Rach Gia, and Hon Chong. The journey usually takes 2 hours. The ticket prices and availability are on their website. Small ferries take about one and a half hours to reach Phu Quoc. These smaller ferries cost about VND$ 230,000 Dong ($10).

What are the attractions in Phu Quoc?

There is more to Phu Quoc than its nightlife and relaxing beaches. If time is on your side, you can check out the 10 best things to do in Phu Quoc island. Some of the attractions you can visit, in no particular order, are:-

  1. Vinpearl Safari
  2. Phu Quoc Prison
  3. Sunset Sanato Beach Club
  4. May Rut Island

Deccan Herald has listed Phu Quoc as one the best places not to miss for a full Asian experience in Vietnam. The Guardian lists Phu Quoc as an island best for beach lovers. Whether it’s for the beaches, the nightlife, or the attractions, Phu Quoc is a must-visit island, for sure!

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ipoh, old town, trishaw, hidden gems in ipoh

The 6 Hidden Gems in Ipoh Worth Discovering!

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A hidden gem is something that is not known to many people know about or something which is truly outstanding. In this blog, we will explore the hidden gems in Ipoh. Some of these places can be covered as a day trip combining several places.

These are some of our highlights in our quest to find the hidden gems in Perak:

  • TT5 Tanjuang Tualang Tin Dredge
  • Kellie’s Castle
  • The Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan
  • Tasik Cermin or Mirror Lake, and
  • Tua Pek Kong Temple

You can find answers to these questions in this post:

  1. Where is Ipoh?
  2. What are the hidden gems in Ipoh?
  3. Where can I go at night in Ipoh?
  4. What can I buy in Ipoh?

Let’s dive in!

Disclaimer: Some of the links here are my affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA COST to you. Please read my Disclaimer Policy for more information. Hope you find the information here useful! Thank you!

Where is Ipoh?

Ipoh is the capital city of Perak in Malaysia. There are several hidden gems in Ipoh and for this post, we will only focus on 6 places. Ipoh is about 111 miles north of Kuala Lumpur and 76 miles East of Georgetown in Penang. Based on the 2010 census, Ipoh is the fifth largest city in Malaysia.

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What are the Hidden Gems in Ipoh?

TT5 Tin Dredge in Tanjung Tualang

TT5 Tanjung Tualang, Hidden Gems in Ipoh, Tin Dredge
TT5 Tin Dredge in Tanjuang Tualang

The first hidden gems in Ipoh which we explored was TT5 Tin Dredge in Tanjung Tualang. This gem takes the first spot as it is the last tin dredge in Malaysia. This gem is located about 21 miles from Ipoh city center. This tin dredge was built in England in 1938. And was upgraded in 1963. It was in operation for 44 years until 1982 before retiring. There is a museum within its vicinity if you want to know more about tin mining.

Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan

Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, Clock Tower
Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan

The next in our hidden gems in Ipoh was the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan. Because it has a leftward slant, this tower is often compared to the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. This is the similarity between these two towers. This tower is located about 68 miles from Ipoh city center. It would be wise to bring a compact travel umbrella with you when visiting the leaning tower as it is exposed to the elements.

Leong Choon Chong built this tower as a water reservoir. Although the building looks like an 8-level building, it is in fact three levels. The water reservoir is on the third level. The tower was converted to a watch tower during the Japanese Occupancy and is still in use to date.

Tua Pek Kong Temple in Sitiawan

Tua Pek Kong Temple, Setiawan,
The large statues at Tua Pek Kong Temple

The third of our hidden gems in Ipoh is the Tua Pek Kong temple in Pasir Panjang, Sitiawan. This temple is located about 52 miles from Ipoh city center. This 100-year-old temple is famous for its huge statues of Chinese gods. Tua Pek Kong temple is unique in that it has 98 statues of Chinese deities and a walkway that displays the Chinese lunar zodiac signs.

Victoria Bridge in Kuala Kangsar

Victoria Bridge, Kuala Kangsar, Abandoned Bridge
Victoria Bridge

The next on our list of hidden gems in Ipoh is Victoria Bridge. This bridge is located about 35 miles from Ipoh. This single-track bridge is in the town of Karai near Kuala Kangsar. Perak State Railway constructed this bridge between December 1897 and March 1900. Interestingly, this bridge was in use until 2002. To support the double-tracking and electrification of the Ipoh-Padang Besar route, a new railway bridge was built and this bridge was abandoned.

Do you know that this bridge has often been compared to the Kellie’s Castle in Batu Gajah

Kellie's Castle, Batu Gajah, Abandoned Castle
Kellie’s Castle is a remnant of Ipoh’s past

This castle is one man’s labor of love. This castle is located about 12 miles from Ipoh. William Kellie Smith left Scotland in 1890 and ventured into Malaya. He became the owner of Kinta Kellas Estate and Kinta Kellas Tin Dredging Company. He returned to Scotland and married his childhood sweetheart, Agnes who bore him a daughter. They named her Helen.

William wanted a son and 11 years later, they were blessed with a son named Anthony. To celebrate the birth of his son, William built Kellie’s Castle. William later contracted pneumonia and died in 1926. His wife left Ipoh and never returned. The site was used as a film location for

.

The castle is believed to be haunted by the spirits of William Kellie and his daughter Helen. Local legends state that the castle has many hidden passageways and secret underground tunnels. Do you know that Malaysia’s first elevator is located inside Kellie’s Castle?

Tasik Cermin in Ipoh

Mirror Lake, Tasik Cermin, Ipoh
Mirror Lake or Tasik Cermin

Tasik Cermin or Mirror Lake is located about 4 miles from Ipoh city center. There are two lakes within these karsts. And one only is accessible. This lake was not an official tourist landmark. With social media, this lake has gained nationwide recognition and is now the least hidden gem in Malaysia.

Where can I go at night in Ipoh?

Ipoh doesn’t have the best nightlife when compared to Kuala Lumpur and Penang. However, there are places where one can go to have a relaxing night after a day of sightseeing. The places are:-

  1. Enjoy the view at Ipoh’s 2 Rooftop Bars. These bars are located at MU Hotel and Weil Hotel. The rooftop bar at MU Hotel is MU @ The Top. This bar offers a panoramic view of the limestone hills in the background. The Deck is the rooftop bar at Weil Hotel. This bar offers a view of Ipoh city.
  2. Spend some time at Jeff’s Cellar. The best bar in Ipoh inside a limestone cave. This restaurant is on the Malaysian Tatler.
  3. For late-night dessert, check out Ipoh’s dessert street, Tong Sui Kai. The famous stalls numbers 27 and 28 offer various concoctions of mixed fruit ABC (Air Batu Campur) or Mixed Ice Water.

What are the free things to do in Ipoh?

Ipoh has plenty of free things to do which are:-

  1. You can visit the Ipoh World Museum at Han Chin Pet Soo. Ipoh World is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote awareness, appreciation, and the rich heritage of Ipoh. This museum is their first step in achieving their objective.
  2. The second free thing is to visit the Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens. This temple is about 15 minutes drive from Ipoh city center. Why not bring out your inner Zen by spending some time amongst nature.
  3. Explore the #TheArtofOLDTOWN. These are art murals by Ernest Zacharevic. The famed artist who painted murals in Georgetown. Take a stroll along Ipoh Old Town and admire his artwork, it is worth it! TimeOut gives us a peek into his work.
  4. Concubine Lane. No trip to Ipoh is complete without a visit to this street. This street is Ipoh’s answer to Jonker Street in Melaka and Armenian Street in Penang.

Is Ipoh worth visiting?

Yes! Culture Trip gives 11 reasons why Ipoh should be on your list. Ipoh gives a relaxing vibe to those who visit. There is, after all, no rush. Ipoh is famous for its food and over the years, Ipoh has become a Hipster City. There are endless cafes to delight your taste buds. Why not check out the 7 Trendy Cafe Spots on your next trip?

What can I buy in Ipoh?

Ipoh is famous for its food and the things to buy are:-

  1. Ipoh White Coffee. You can’t leave Ipoh without buying the Egg Tarts. The egg tarts here are Chinese style which comprises two parts. The flaky base and custard-like pudding make the tarts light and airy. The best place to get egg tarts are Choy Kee and Hong Kee Confectionary. You can try making these lovely egg tarts with these Ipoh Kaya Puffs. The best place to get the Kaya Puffs is Sin Eng Heong who have been in business for over 50 years.
  2. Tambun Pomelo. Pomelo’s and Ipoh are synonymous. Tambun is famous for these fruits, hence the name Tambun Pomelo. Locals believe that the water from limestone hills make the Pomelo’s sweet and irresistible.

Ipoh is on CNN Travel which describes it as a gateway to beautiful caves and hot springs. Ipoh is about food, caves, hot springs, and many more.

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The 6 Hidden Gems in Ipoh Worth Discovering! Read More »

5 star hotels nubra valley, hdr, jammu, mount

5 Star Hotels in Nubra Valley – Luxury At Its Best

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Nubra Valley or Dumra is in the northernmost part of Jammu and Kashmir. The name was derived from the Tibetan term “ldumra” which means the Valley of Flowers. The area is known for its snow-capped majestic peaks and beautiful scenery which is home to several 5 star hotels in Nubra Valley.

Disclaimer: Some of the links here are my affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer Policy for more information. I hope you find the information here helpful! Thank you!

Where is Nubra?

Nubra is a township in Ladakh. It is 93 miles from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, and 688 miles from New Delhi. Nubra is a tri-armed valley with Shyok & Nubra Rivers meeting the form of the valley. 

The valley separates the Ladakh and Karakoram mountain ranges. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit to visit while Indian nationals require an Inner Line Permit to visit Nubra Valley.

Nubra and Zanskar Valleys will be connected to the national grid to boost tourism in the area. These two valleys have the potential for tourism. This is because they are between Karakoram Range, Siachen Glacier, and Baltistan Region.

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What are the 5 Star Hotel Nubra Valley?

Lchang Nang Retreat

The first of our 5 Star Hotels Nubra Valley is the 17-room Lchang Nang Retreat. This retreat began with a mission to combine comfort and simplicity with the aim of peace and tranquility, literally heaven on earth. The name means “House of Trees” and with this view, we can see why.

This retreat has elm, apricot, and apple trees. This gives the feeling of living on a farm. For those seeking calm and tranquility, the Siachen River flows at the retreats of western boundaries. Each individual cottage was made using mud, stone, and poplar and is equipped with modern amenities such as luxurious pillows, cotton sheets, handmade rugs, and ensuite bathrooms.

Some positive reviews include the friendly and helpful staff while maintaining the perfect balance between comfort and sustainable eco-tourism. Guests also loved the professional check-in and check-out process and the views from the rooms. However, the downside is that there is poor internet connection in the area.

Mystique Meadows Earth Homes

The second of our 5 Star Hotels Nubra Valleys is Mystique Meadows Earth Homes. This resort emphasizes the “getting lost in nature” vibe. The common feature in all cottages is the Karakoram mountain range and outdoor seating.

Accommodation

Thirteen mud-brick cottages provide comfort and relaxation to ensure a memorable holiday in Nubra Valley. The single room starts at INR₹ 6,000 ($83). The double occupancy room is INR₹6,600 ($90). The rates are available here.

Activities

The activities here are a candlelight dinner or experiencing the culture of the Ladakhi community. Private tours can also be arranged. This retreat also has activities beyond Nubra which include ATV rides or visiting Turtuk village.

Turtuk Village is a hamlet in Ladakh which is 1.5 miles from the India-Pakistan Line Of Control (LOC) border. The village is populated by Balti people who are of Tibetan descent. This is the last village on the Indian side before the LOC.

Do you that this village was only opened to tourists in 2010? 

Nubra Ecolodge

The third of our 5 star hotels in Nubra Valley is Nubra Ecolodge. This ecolodge is a family-run venture and faces the confluence of Shyok and Nubra Rivers. The family’s 11-acre farm has willow, apricot, apple, and poplar trees. The 360° view has the Karakoram, Nubra River, and dunes.

Accommodation

This retreat has 10 beautifully appointed guest rooms that come with gorgeous views of the mountains and valleys. Each room is equipped with lockers, a heater, towels, and free WiFi. This retreat is ideal if you are looking for some peace and quiet with fewer crowds.

Activities

The 32 meter Maitreya Buddha and Samstanling Gompa are nearby. 

Hotel Karma Inn

The third in our 5 Star Hotels Nubra Valley is Hotel Karma Inn. This hotel has 27 rooms and is equipped with modern facilities and amenities. Some of the features of this hotel include a doctor on call and free WiFi. The on-demand facilities include campfire and adventure activities. 

Silk Route Cottages

The fourth in our 5 Star Hotels Nubra Valley is Silk Route Cottages. This resort is for adventure seekers. The wooden cottages are complete with modern amenities. This resort offers ATV rides in Khalsar Village, where the world’s highest sand dunes are located. Guests can also opt for river rafting down Shyok River. 

Olgok, The Guest House 

The last in our 5 Star Hotels Nubra Valley is Olgok The Guest House. This guest house offers 10 rooms each equipped with modern amenities and mountain views. The rooms are categorized as Standard Room, Deluxe Double Room, and Four Bedded Room.

Frequently Asked Questions on Nubra Valley

Is Nubra Valley Worth Visiting?

Yes! Absolutely! Definitely!

To answer that question, let’s take a look at why it is worth visiting in the first place.

  1. Mountains and cold-deserts
  • Only in Nubra Valley, Leh & Ladakh as a whole do you get snow-capped mountains, lush green mountains, clear blue skies and beautiful starlit nights. This area is in a remote region in India. You won’t even get roaming mobile data, that’s how remote it is!
  1. High Altitude Lakes
  1. Monasteries and Gompas
  • Nubra Valley is home to two major monasteries which are Samstanling and Diskit Monastery. Samstanling Monastery is new as it was founded 140 years ago. Diskit Monastery has been around since the 14th century.
  1. Unique Flora and Fauna
  • Nubra Valley is home to the Asiatic Ibex, Ladakhi Urial, Yaks and Bactrian Camels which are not found anywhere else is the world.

What is Nubra Valley Famous For?

Bactrian Camel Safari

bactrian camel safari, nubra valley, hunder ladakh
Image Credit: John Hill (Wikipedia Commons)

These camels are one of the last remnants of Asia’s Silk Route. These camels would carry heavy loads on the rugged terrains of the Silk Road. In 2014, UNESCO listed the Chiang’an-Tian Shan Corridoor, which is China’s portion of the Silk Road as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These camels were on the brink of extinction, however, tourist safari’s on Nubra Valley brought them out of it. 

Sand Dunes of Hunder

sand dunes of hunder, nubra valley, leh berry, mountain, clear blue skies
Image Credit: Akhnaten Mallya (No Fixed Address)

These sand dunes are located in Hunder which is 6.2 miles from Diskit village. This village stands as an oasis in a cold desert. To reach this oasis, one has to pass Khardung La Pass. 

Hunder is a must-visit for two reasons. First, the Bactrian camel safari. The second is Leh Berry or seabuckthorn. This fruit grows wild and has medicinal values such as reducing altitude sickness and improves memory.

This Himalayan desert is dotted with berries. These berries are an initiative to cultivate seabuckthorn on a major scale. 

Diskit Monastery

diskit monastery, nubra valley, little tibet
Image Credit: Shikha Gautam (Times of India)

Diskit Monastery is the largest and oldest monastery in Ladakh. The history of this monastery dates back to the 14th century. This monastery is on a hill above the flood plains of Shyok River. This monastery has a statue of Che Rinpoche or Crowned Buddha in its prayer hall.

Maitreya Buddha

maitreya buddha statue, nubra valley, diskit monastery
Image Credit: Pavithrah (Wikipedia Commons)

Maitreya Buddha is the future Buddha. He is the One who will appear to teach dharma forgotten by the human race. Maitreya is always seated. This is a symbol that he is waiting for his time to descend to earth.

In Nubra Valley, Maitreya’s statue is 108 feet tall and beautifully decked in gold and red. He faces Shyok River towards Pakistan. 

Do you know that Shyok River literally means River of Death?

Shyok River

Shyok River, a tributary of the Indus River flows through Ladakh and enters Gilgit-Baltistan. It is called the River of Death because travelers on the Silk Route have perished at the upper reaches of the river. It is treacherous and many have risked their lives crossing that route.

Tso Moriri Lake

tso moriri lake, mountain views, clear blue skies, reflection of river and skies
Image Credit: Prabhu B (Wikipedia Commons)

One of the most beautiful lakes in Ladakh. Tso Moriri is a traditional Tibetan term that means “Mountain Lake”. Karzok is a village on the shores of Tso Moriri. This lake is the largest high-altitude lake in the region and in India.

Conde Nest Traveller India featured this lake in its recent publication. Tso Moriri is Ladakh’s hidden jewel at 14,000 feet above sea level.

For those in search of inspiration, Nubra Valley has its share of inspiration. It is the story of how one monk shaped the future of underprivileged kids. 

Nubra Valley, a mystical land, an epitome of beauty with vast mountain ranges is what makes this place breathtakingly beautiful. Nubra Valley is also one of the ten most beautiful travel destinations in India.

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