Changi Airport Special: Vientiane, Laos

If New York City is “the city that never sleeps”, then Vientiane would be the city that is always in slumber. The small city (although the largest in Laos, also the capital) moves at a very laidback pace, so do not mistake it as the locals being lazy or unpunctual. It would be best to take it as a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of our hectic and hasty lifestyle.

Splendid Buddhist stupa Pha That Luang, national symbol of Laos. Photo credit: danau_info on Flickr, used under Creative Commons.

Changi Airport Special: Kochi, India

Kochi. No, not the one in Japan, but the one in the land of rich culture and history, India. Kochi, formerly Cochin and also known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, is a small city in the state of Kerala, with beautiful waters that makes for great aqua tourism.

A place that you must go to is Fort Kochi. There, you will able to see the famous Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) and Mattancherry Palace.

Photo credit: Tim Moffatt on Flickr, used under Creative Commons

Changi Airport Special: Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Yogyakarta, Jogjakarta, Jojga and anything along those lines — these are all referring to the same place. This city on Java in Indonesia is a famous tourist destination thanks to its proximity to the ancient Buddhist temple, Borobudur and ancient Hindu temple, Prambanan.

A wayang kulit show is often accompanied by gamelan music in the background. Image by Arian Zwegers on Flickr, used under Creative Commons.

Changi Airport Special: Yangon, Myanmar

It has been long said the change is the only permanence. And it is Change that best describes the story of Myanmar – from Burma to its current name, from the old flag to the new one, and from Yangon to Naypyidaw as its capital city.

Even though it has been stripped off its capital title, Yangon is still the country’s economic and commercial hub. Here, you can find sacred sites, stunning nature and both traditional and modern activities. Yangon today is an amalgamation of sacred sites set amongst stunning natural scenary, and a slew of modern activities by the young of the country, who have found modern ways to embrace classic tradition. Although like in most places, the impact of the media and popular culture is evident here, Yangon capture uniqueness as a nation with pockets of tradition both hidden and proudly displayed to travellers eager to soak up the culture.

People praying in the pagoda and the extremely pretty interior.

Shwedagon Pagoda, the main tourist attraction. It is no wonder too, with such beauty.

Shwedagon Pagoda, also known in English as the Great Dagon Pagoda or Golden Pagoda, should without a doubt be the first stop in anyone’s itinerary while in Yangon. The pagoda and stupa are rich in both history and adornment, with the gold plating and gemstones that have been set into it.

As a rule of thumb, it would do well to remember that foot-wear is not allowed into most Asia religious temples or sites. You should come earlier in the morning, before the sun is high up, so that you can avoid burning your feet on the heated tiles. You can throw your shoes into a plastic bag and carry it around inside – convenient if you are planning to exit from a different entrance than the one you entered from (there are four entrances). You are also advised to be dressed in something reasonably decent.

No need to be turned off at the idea of shopping in a “market” as the stalls and shops inside and all well-organised and clean.

You can find traditional Myanmar outfits here too. Never mind that you are not going to wear them every day, it still make for a good keepsake!

Enjoy the nature at Ngwe Saung Beach with its long stretch of clean sand, water and palm trees. It is about a five to six hours’ drive from Yangon, but the travel will most definitely be worth it for this scenic beach. There is also an Elephant Camp not too far away, open to visitors.

Spare some time to appreciate and take in the view of the lovely beach.    

If you are up for some adventure, hop on an elephant ride from the elephant camp which will bring you hiking through the jungle.

Images courtesy of "Myanmar: Choice to travel Asia" at http://www.myanmars.net/

There are 56 weekly flights operated by Silk Air, Jet Star and Mynmar Airways from Changi Airport. 

Changi Airport Special: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap, Cambodia. A rapidly developing city that is rich in history and heritage. Housing Angkor Wat and plenty more beautiful temples, Siem Reap has been a very sought-after travel destination these past years. Especially for those looking to be immersed in another culture, a trip to this city will be very enriching. A short flight away from Singapore, Siem Reap creates in travellers a love for history and geography, and more significantly, nature.

One cannot ever think of going to Siem Reap without planning to visit the temples in the Angkor Complex. In fact, more than two to three days should be spared just to explore these breath-taking ancient architectures. The temples are so sacred to the Khmers (Cambodians) that it has been recognized as a national symbol on the Cambodian Flag. During the horror of the Khmer Rouge, the Angkor Wat remained untouched, or slightly scathed at most. This was easily explained: No Angkor Wat, No Cambodia. A good week in Siem Reap will be just sufficient to purchase a 3-Day temple pass, enjoy the luxurious spas, the food and dabble in some light shopping. 

Angkor Wat – the largest Khmer temple in the world. The surrounding moat reflects the structure, which makes for an unbelievably picturesque view. The moat is also a sign of power and preservation, as it has prevented the temples in the interior complex from being consumed by the forest.

Banyan trees thrive in the middle of the Ta Prohm Temple, literally. The trees grow on the building itself with their roots cracking and destructing walls. Some restoration efforts have been going on, but for the most part it was decided that Ta Prohm would be left as is for the uniqueness that it is.

A traditional Khmer Sculpture signifying the churning of the Ocean of milk, and Hindu mythological tale.

It is definitely a wonder how – with the lack of machineries in the era during which these temples were built in – such intricate sculptures and carvings could possibly be created.

Although it might take quite a while to get there from Siem Reap, a trip to The Great Lake Tonle Sap would be relaxing. A real eye-opener would be to observe how the people of the Chong Khneas floating village live. Do not be surprised if you see young children selling canned drinks on boats or even carrying snakes around their neck as they charge tourists for entertainment. 

Come night time, head over to the Angkor night market to shop for cute handicrafts – don’t forget you have to shop for souvenirs to bring home for your loved ones!

 Siem Reap is less that 3 hours away from Singapore’s Changi Airport. Every week, there are 22 direct flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Siem Reap, operated by Jetstar Airways and Silk Air.

Images courtesy of http://www.tourismcambodia.com/, http://www.photo.angkornightmarket.com/ and Wikipedia.