Chandler in Travel Mode

If you love Amazon rain forest and want to know more about it, then a visit to Manaus in Brazil is ideal. This is a city located in the South American jungle that is known for its colonial houses, handmade crafts, and very humble locals. 

Sights and Sounds of Manaus

 

• Get to the Origin of the Amazon River

 

Take a boat ride about 10 kilometers away from Manaus to see the origin of the very popular Amazon River. This is the place where the rivers Rio Solimoes and the Rio Negro join together. It is a picturesque and spectacular lakeside view that you should never miss. 

 

• Victoria Amazónica Water Lily

 

This is the largest water lily in the world. It is named in honor of Queen Victoria. It is seen in abundance at the start of the Amazon River close to Manaus. The circular leaves of the lily are very attractive to the eyes and can grow up to 2.5 meters in diameter. I loved its look and got it perfectly captured on my camera. 

 

• Teatro Amazonas

 

If you love old architecture, then this French styled Amazonas Theater will surely impress you with its great looks. It was built in the 19th century and the locals have taken great efforts to preserve this building. You can take a guided tour of this building and get to know more about the history, arts, and culture of the bygone era of Brazil. 

 

• Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls

 

The Land of the Waterfalls is a sight to behold and never miss this place when you travel to Manaus. It is located about 2-hour drive from Manaus that also passes through a mysterious jungle. This is a glassy and cascading waterfall that also gives you the opportunity to splash and swim.  

 

• Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa

 

This is a unique market where the entire building was shipped in the 1880s from Europe. It is the best place to shop for the local souvenirs and is very famous for its handmade leather products.

One of the cities that I found with a large expanse of land in the Philippines was Puerto Princesa. It is known to be the capital of Palawan and acts as a gateway to the El Nido region. There are certain landscape characteristics and urban developments here that are worth exploring.

City Features

Though most travelers prefer the beach destinations on the west coast of this country, I found certain characteristic features worth exploring here. For instance, an underground river flows by this region called Sabang. It is a subterranean river here and is worth a visit with a day trip out of the city. Sabang is idyllic as a resort destination and is a short distance from the city. Within the city, I found nightlife interesting as well as boutique hotels and food scenes worth exploring.

Places to Visit

I took on a sightseeing tour here that included a prison and penal farm at Iwahig. It is located about 15 km from city proper and allows visitors to interact with prisoners, check out their handmade souvenirs and performances.

My next stop was at World War II museum which is a privately owned premise of Eugenio Mendoza.

The local tours also take you by Plaza Cuartel, it being a cathedral dedicated to Immaculate Concepcion which also houses a war museum. Another museum that is part of the sightseeing, itineraries is an environmental enforcement museum which has interesting exhibits such as dynamites, chainsaws, boats and other items.

Promenades and Eateries

Nagtabon is a beach area here that has shallow water and white sand that makes it popular for tourists. I spent a night at a resort here as well as stopped by Artisans, a world cuisine themed restaurant, Kalui where one can try Balinese food as well as La Terrasse which has stewed meats, seafood, and pasta on the menu.

One of the lesser-known destinations that I traveled to in Vietnam is Phan Thiet. It is a port city that has bustling activities by the seaside and it is known for the fish sauce that is made and traded from here to other parts of the country and to other countries as well.

If you are used to the distinct smell of the sauce, you will be amazed to know that millions of liters are produced here every year. The town might not have many historic attractions to view but the quiet corners of the streets, the fishing harbor are scenes that are worth visiting and exploring in a leisurely manner.

Places to Visit

When I was here I spent my days walking around town. The fishing boats of bright colors by the harbors were a sight to see and so are nearby local attractions such as the Ke Ga lighthouse or the Ta Cu mountain range.

The lighthouse is an interesting construction, located south of the city which was constructed here during the French reign. It was built in the years 1899 and it is located on an islet of rocks that is about 300m from the main shore-land.

I would suggest that you take a day tour to the Ta Cu range. Here there is much to see such as the reclining Buddha that is 49m in length and is the largest construction here. The pagoda in which it is housed was built in the year 1861 while the Buddha statue is a later addition, in the year 1972.

Another place of interest here is the Van Thuy Tu temple which is devoted to the whales, considered as divine beings by the fishing community.

Food and More

I also enjoyed exploring the local marketplaces here. One of the main attractions in local cuisine is seafood. There are several small eateries by the promenades on the beaches where you can enjoy dishes of crab, shrimp, and fish.

The city was briefly named as the capital of the Inca Empire. It is surrounded by small cliffs and is a city where you will find the ancient architectures of Peru. There are temples and palaces and colonial buildings going back to literally a hundred years. The streets here are concretely cobbled with pink stones making it look really medieval and outstanding in this modern world. The city literally has wealth when it comes to historical monuments and heritage sites. If you are the ones who love going through history, this is definitely the place to visit. Here is some must-see in my opinion.

Santo Domingo and Corsicana

This site hosts a church; it was once the ruins of the very famous castle of the Corincancha and now is turned into this heritage site. This was named as the courtyard of gold, due to its beautiful infrastructure and interiors. However, after the restoration it’s not the same but remains of the old shiny architecture can still be found and spotted there. You can take the guided tours by several guides which are not paid. The rocks that are used in the making of the ruins are white and pearl shaded. Some parts of the site have been restored by the same volcanic rocks that were the reason for it getting ruined. You will love taking the tour from the top of the site to the bottom. It also has crypts that they give you tour of with some amazing stories to go with it.

Sacsayhuaman

This is one of the most loved, popular and reputed complexes you would ever have been to. This has been named as one of the most significant heritage ruins of Peru, by the locals who reside there. The city held much religious importance and as well as the military. The place was once used as a base for military and once it got ruined, people used to religiously pray in the very same spot for the peace within of the militants who gave their lives here. The place is a must visit, given the kind of importance it holds.

Hakone city is popular for its mountainous areas. The natural beauty impressed me to great extent. In fact, I think I have to come back to take in more of this bliss of nature. There are various attractions to check out. Take a quick look at some of them.

Hakone Onsen

In this region, I came across hundreds of onsen baths. They are either under resort or hotels or are open to the public. I couldn’t imagine staying in Hakone and not going for an onsen. It would have been like visiting Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower. If you will visit happen to have one under your resort great. Otherwise, pay a small fee to take a dip in the public onsen.

Hakone Shrine

Local considered being a magical place as it is always either covered in mist or glows in a strange light. It is towards the end of Lake Ashinoki and is set in an old forest. As I walked towards the shrine, I found lanterns all along the way. Trust me; the path leading to the shrine is as mystical and beautiful as the shrine.

Lake Ashinoko

This is actually a volcanic crater which is popular for its scenic beauty. You can catch a glimpse of the might Mount Fuji. I took a boat tour around the lake. There are boats which have been designed to appear like the warships from Edo-era. In case you do not want to take a boat ride, you can enjoy the view from the shore.

Owakudani

It is a crater that had developed because of the major eruption at Mount Hakone. This area too is worth exploring. The eggs that are found here are known to add 7 more years to your life.

Gifu is centrally located in Japan. The natural beauty of the city simply enthralled me. Apart from the beautiful nature, the city is known to have contributed to the history of Japan, too. It has been privy to many battles in the past. As a matter of fact, it is the history and natural beauty that has made it so popular among tourists. There are several attractions that I came across which can be an interesting visit. Take a quick look at some of them.

Spend a Night at Shirakawa Village

On top of my list was Shirakawa village. This has been declared as the World Heritage Site. Here, you will find unique triangle shaped houses which had been designed to keep up with heavy snowfall in the region. Some of these have been reserved for tourists. It is a combination of rural and traditional living style. Staying in the cottage was a unique experience.

Take a Boat Ride to Watch Cormorant Fishing

Cormorant or Ukai is a conventional fishing method of Japan that piqued my interest. An event is held surrounding this fishing method where fishing masters gather for catching ayu in the river. Watching men catch fish by lighting flames was an impressive thing to watch.

Enjoy Hida Beef

Japan is famous for the quality of beef that it offers. Hida beef, one of the top quality beef is to be found in this city. It is tender and juicy. There are different restaurants serving delectable dishes of Hida beef. Trust me; each and every dish is just delicious. The only downside is that you might have to pay a heavy price to have the beef. However, it is worth spending money to have something like this. The taste is surely going to linger for a lifetime.

Las Tablas is a fantastic place to plan a vacation in Panama.  There are many options present that will thrill you, entertain you and take you to a new World. So, starting with the details of the city itself, it is the capital of Los Santos. The city has a small population of human and a massive collection of natural beauty. The city is well recognized as the national center of Panamanian folk. You will see here Panamanian Art, gastronomy, music, architecture, literature, and culture.

When I was in the city, I heard a lot about Belisario Porras Park, thus I decided to begin my city tour of this park only. Frankly speaking, I didn’t find this park much interesting. It is just a simple park that you can see anywhere in a city. Outside the park, you can see local people selling local gifts.

After the Belisario Porras Park, I headed to Museo Belisario Porras. The museum is not so big, but has some interesting collection of artifacts related to the life of Belisario Porras. He was the president of Panama three times.  

The Las Comadres beach has the true beauty of Los Santos. The beach has clean water and many stones all over the coast. The lake has got its name from stones present here. Two stones are present here named as Las and Comadres.

Pausilipo farm is declared as the national historic monument thus it has huge historical importance. This farm is the most prosperous farm in the region. When I visited the farm, I was impressed to see its beauty and have got lots of information about the history of the place.

Playa El Estero is the lovely beach of Las Tablas. It all types of beauty around with lots of picturesque scenes.

La Chorrera is an awesome place to spend a vacation, this I realized when I traveled to this city. You can come here with family, friends to have some amazing time. It is a municipality and a city in central Panama, which is located in the south-west direction of Panama City. The best thing about La Chorrera is the women here are beautiful, people are kind-hearted. Additionally, the city has a rocking nightlife.

The city is one of the largest in Panama and famous for its international fairs. It is also the home of Chicheme and Bollo. It is the home of San Francisco. The city has given many internationally acclaimed players.

Now, coming to the attractions of La Chorrera, then there is no shortage of it. I decided to spend three days in the city, but I stayed here for seven days. Some of the places where I visited and I found interesting are

Isla Tres Perros, this is the Panamanian island and it is located near the Panama Canal channel which is located in the southwestern part of Gutan Lake. The Island is amazing and safe for visitors. The other attractions of this city are

Feuillet Park, the park is wonderful and one of the major attractions of local people. You can sit in the park to have some relaxing time. I also enjoyed Isla Centinela and ServielectriDiaz, both are major attractions of La Chorrera. All these places are great to be with friends and family. There are lots of entertainment and fun options present.

Additionally, La Chorrera has some great restaurants and eating joints that serve authentic local food. You walk around the nooks and crannies of this city and you will many such food joints. I thoroughly enjoyed the food here.

Culiacan has to offer a wide range of possibilities if you want to spend a great time and have some fun. I found this to be a rural tourism. I enjoy extreme sports and took part in mountaineering and all types of outdoor activities. There are iconic places which will amaze you for the architectural style. If you are in Mexico, you should check this out for sure. Here are some of the attractions you need to look out for.

• Culiacan Cathedral

The cathedral was started being constructed in the year 1842 and it was complete by 1885. The large structure features an eclectic style. It has the characteristic of the baroque and neo-classic period. At the main façade, I came across the Saint Michael’s statue. It is considered to be the most significant one in the whole city and situated close to Plaza de Armas.

• Sinaloa Science Center

The Culiacan Sinaloa Science Center provides visitors with many different ways of finding more about technology and science. You will be surprised to find out what it has to offer. As a matter of fact, the science center offers answers to several internet questions. You are surely going to have a great time experiencing hearing, seeing, experimenting, and touching. I found the world’s largest meteorites in here. Here, you can interact with technology.

• Genaro Estrada Cultural Center

It has been made the center for all cultural activities like cinema, dance, and literature in the middle of ’60s by the state government. This is a big theatre which has the latest technological equipment and is put to use by theatres, dance and music companies all over the world. You will also find a famous art school here along with a movie theatre, and a big library.