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Posts Tagged ‘culture’

What You Should Know About Cebu

February 10th, 2011 No comments

Cebu City has a number of places that you should see. You will never run out of activities when in Cebu. Inspite of its being a modern business city, its origin and history is still there. Cebu City is well know as a tourist destination that is why it ranks better than any city in the south. Its income gets more from being a tourist destination. In Cebu, you can see beach resorts and business wonderfully blending with each other.

Cebu’s history and its wonderful landscapes give travelers a wonderful experience. Especially when the do love sighseeing. You can also enjoy the amazing views of nature by looking at the forest, mountains and oceans. By just seeing them, you will already enjoy. Monuments also tell about its history. You will surely enjoy diving, snorkeling and any water activities in the Philippines as it is well-known for its water life.

If you are interested in getting extraordinary souvenirs, Cebu is the best place to be to shop. Native and current pieces are available in different stores in Cebu. Thus, shoppers don’t have to worry. Cebuano’s products are already exported worldwide as they are wonderfully made. Locals in Cebu use their creativity and imagination to create accessories that came from exotic materials. Some of them are from sea shells, snake skins and corals. Jewelries are not the only ones created in cebu but also furniture. They mold stone, bamboo and rattan to make wonderful furniture. Even in market places, you can buy coasters, lampshades, bags, placemat or anything that you might need. If you have a craving for sweet food, you might want to taste otap, bottled mango preserves and turrones.

Getting hungry is the least that you might experience in Cebu as there are many places to visit for food. Different choices of food are available for every people. The main reason why tourists get attracted with the food is simply because it is different. Unlike any humid climate place, Cebu has different dishes. Sauted dishes and soups are always there. It is neither strong in taste nor blund. It just has defined flavor. Should you want something different, try their chili sauce. It’s made from sili or commonly known as dynamite chili.

Enjoy your travel. Make it worthwhile. And you do not have to make it expensive.

Cebu has a number of cities that you might want to visit and explore. It would surely offer you something worth remembering. You might also want to know about Argao. It’s just one of the many places in Cebu that you should not miss. Enjoy.

Discover the Sights and Sounds of Cambodia

March 11th, 2010 No comments

As a tourist you have several places to visit in Cambodia, starting from the country’s second biggest city, Battambang, located in the north-western province of Battambang. The city’s architecture, especially the Buddhist temples have a unique French touch, while you will also find some rare and worthwhile items in some nearby French stores. The city gives an overall feeling of peace and tranquility as the soothing lush green countryside gives you a much deserved break from your routine urban life.

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia houses a gem of a tourist attraction in the Royal Palace. The capital city has a remarkable characteristic that its location is the same where three rivers meet up. The Royal Palace attracts many visitors as it has many wonderful works of art and precious statues, moreover, it stands along the river which adds to its beauty and glory. Inside the Palace, ‘The Throne Room’ marks the place where rituals and ceremonies where held in old days, while ‘The Napoleon Room’ shows the lasting mark the French have made on the Cambodian traditions. ‘Silver Pagoda’ is a special place to visit in the Palace as it the home of a life-size statuette of Buddha. The features of this statue are truly mind-blowing as it is wholly made of gold and is also ornamented with diamonds. Life-size Buddha statue made of solid gold acts a major tourist attraction and many people head towards the ‘Silver Pagoda’ to set eyes on this true piece of art. With the ‘Silver Pagoda’ statue set aside, you will also find several smaller Buddha statues in the Royal Place.

If you have a passion for precious jewelry, the capital city’s markets are the right place for you to buy the best jewelry made of gold and silver. Apart from the appetizing food, tourists like to collect artifacts and items of apparel from shops in Cambodia.

Spectacular frescoes decorating the Palace’s walls very accurately depict the epic Ramayana, while you can also set your eyes on works of art both pre-Angkor and post-Angkor in the beautiful National Museum made of red brick.

In your trip to Cambodia you should also visit ‘Angkor’ which was the capital city of the Khmer Empire and is regarded as a center of Hinduism in the region because of its magnificent temples. Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are two of the most famous tourist attractions in the city; meanwhile, the highly decorated gates of two temples in Bayon and Prohm are also worth visiting. Despite the fact that the city hasn’t retained its old glory and grandeur, it still has a touch of mystery and you will be fascinated by its sights and places.

Sihanoukville is rapidly getting popular as a beach resort among tourists especially in summer. You can have some real fun at the beach as apart from swimming and scuba diving you can always choose to relax under the sun and get a tan. You can even rent a boat and give your family a closer peak into the aqua life living in the shores of Cambodia, while you can also sail to neighboring picturesque islands.

Find out more about Cambodian entertainment like Khmer movies and Khmer dubbed at www.KhmerAccess.com

The Uniqueness of Chinese New Year Symbols

November 17th, 2009 No comments

Symbolism is a prominent phenomenon with very strong links to the Chinese culture. Amongst the many aspects of the Chinese culture that revolves around the use of symbols is the event of the Chinese New Year.

The Chinese New Year is not accounted from the 1st of January as the rest of the world follows, in relation to the solar calender. The various symbols and customs that are associated with the Chinese New Year have a cultural and historical significance prevalent amongst the Japanese people.

The Chinese New Year symbols have an interesting and inspirational visual beauty of presenting profound meanings in the most splendid way possible. Their collection is considered to be a balanced art between form and function.

The unbeatable physical artistry of the Chinese New Year symbols is a proof of the region’s artistic talents and beauty. Each comes with a particular meaning that gives us an insight of the beliefs and traditions of the people of China.

Identification of when correctly Chinese New Year lies in comparison to the Western New Year can be discussed now. The difference lies in the fact that the western world follows the solar calendar whereas the Chinese conventionally follow the lunar calendar.

The cycles of the moon is what selects the basis of the lunar calendar. This is one of the reasons why calendars printed in China contain both the Gregorian as well as the Chinese lunar calendar dates. Such easy calendars help to compare the dates and keep us updated with the current trends.

The expectations that come with the arrival of the Chinese New Year is to have a satisfied and happy spirit and hopefully some prosperity. Thus, the collection of Chinese New Year symbols are considered to be positive with due respect to their meanings.

Flowers are amongst the most prominent symbols of the Chinese New Year. Traditionally the Chinese were more inclined towards making use of natural products hence flowers were the ideal choice. The plum blossom and the water narcissus are amongst the two most popular Chinese new year flower symbols.

Beside flowers, another important New Year symbol is the hong-bao which is actually what is known as a lai-see envelope. Kids of the family are handed over these envelopes consisting of money by the elders on the eve of New Year. This is regarded to be one of the Chinese New Year signs.

There are many regional variations on Chinese New Year symbols . To learn more about ancient symbols from China click on the links.