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https://www.patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel I rely on public support to continue sharing travel inspiration from Asia! Become a patron of Far East Adventure Travel! Visit my Patreon page now! It's alway exciting when you first arrive in a destination like Kuching, the capital of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. The sights, food, people, the environment as a whole. I have so many great memories of Kuching in particular because I was able to easily explore the town by foot. Meeting local people, being invited into the Sikh Gurdwara for lunch and a tour. Walking in the old Kampongs, traveling by riverboat on the Sarawak River, and meeting the warm, friendly, and hospitable people of the region. I hope this episode gives you a taste of what this amazing place on the exotic island of Borneo has to offer! YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/user/shngmn
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https://www.patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel Please support my continuing efforts to bring you exciting travel inspiration from Asia! Become patron of Far East Adventure Travel! Visit my Patreon page to find out more! Dream Parade is a unique event in East Asia held every October in Taipei, Taiwan. A celebration of life, freedom of expression, and creativity the parade mixes world culture with Hakka, aboriginal, and Chinese traditions plus a little essence of Burning Man. I have covered many festivals and traditional celebrations in Taiwan but this was my first time covering the Dream Parade. I've always so for a few years now that if you really want to see some amazing rituals, festivals, and traditions no one puts on a celebration quite like the Taiwanese do and Dream Parade is no exception. A mix of Mardi Gras, and Brazil's Carnival in spirit the parade itself features aboriginal groups in drumming and dance sessions, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, giant floats and mascots, and of course samba dancers! Hope you enjoy these highlights from Dream Parade 2017 from Taipei, Taiwan.
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https://www.patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel Become a patron of Far East Adventure Travel and support travel inspiration from Asia. Get access to exclusive content and follow the link now! A visit to Kanyakumari, India is certainly a buck list item for anyone who loves the subcontinent. Being at the very southern tip it’s a popular destination mostly for Indians seeking a pilgrimage although with the emerging middle class in the country it is becoming just as much a vacation destination combined with a spiritual journey. Having spent a few weeks traveling through Kerala it was hard to resist an extra 3 hour bumpy bus ride from Kovalam Beach to the southern tip of India. With limited time I had to literally jump off the bus, find a place to stay, and make my way for the ferry line-up to visit the small little islands, or rock outcrops that were home to shrines. The first stop on the ferry ride is at Vivekananda Rock Memorial where a shrine was built in 1970 honoring Swami Vivekananda who was believed to have attained enlightenment on the rock. The second stop was at The Thiruvalluvar Statue. The statue that rises 29 meters symbolizes wealth and pleasures. After I finished my trip to the monuments I explored the small town that must swell daily with tourists and pilgrims that arrive by bus, car, and train. It’s definitely a circus atmosphere, with carnival acts, horse rides, and a little amusement park for kids. Of course besides the other temples that pilgrims and followers make their way to including The Kanya Kumari Temple and The Gandhi Memorial Mandapam, the site where the great Mahatma’s ashes were kept before their final immersion. Just to see and meet Indians, many that had travelled hundreds of kilometers was absolutely fascinating. Of course the top attraction for most are the incredible sunrises and sunsets, provided the weather is cooperative. We had an amazing sunset, the next day unfortunately overcast skies and light rains prevailed. Nevertheless it was one of the memorable adventures I’d ever experienced in India.
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https://www.patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel Get access to exclusive content and insider info on my travels! Become a patron now! Visit my Patreon page and check out the offers! I was so glad to see the Taoyuan International Airport MRT line open earlier this year. This finally brings Taipei in line as far as convenience and access goes, to it’s international airport, with other major cities in East Asia including Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Southeast Asian centers like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Like most airport trains across Asia they do not operate 24 hours a day so if your flight arrives outside of the 6am to 23:00 train schedule then you’ll have to use a bus, still fairly convenient or catch a taxi. At NT$160 for a one way ticket the Taoyuan Airport MRT is the bargain of East Asia for airport rail fares. As I mentioned in the video Taipei Metro offers a number of unlimited passes ranging from 24 hours to 72 hours. These passes are not valid for the airport MRT. If you’d like an unlimited pass that includes a return trip on the airport MRT then purchase the “Joint Ticket” at the airport MRT counter. At the airport and at Taipei Main Station you can purchase an Easy Card or iPass which you can load up and use on the airport MRT, Taipei Metro, many bus lines and convenience stores. This video should cover most of your questions regarding travel between the international airport and Taipei Main Station. For more information visit their website:https://www.tymetro.com.tw/eng/index.php
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https://fundly.com/far-east-adventure-travel-video-production-improvements Please visit my crowdfunding page! Your donation will help me upgrade video equipment to bring you better broadcasts and content from Asia! There has been much talk lately about the elimination of food stalls and carts on many of the streets in Bangkok, Thailand. On my most recent visit this was very evident in places like Pratunam where there used to me non-stop food carts on the streets of this mega shopping district. While exploring Chinatown it seemed like there were still many food carts on the streets and alleys but it’s possible there are not as many as there once was. This is a continuation of a live video stream from my exploration around Chinatown. Discovering electronics markets, exotic foods, and temples is what I consider one of the great joys of traveling. Having the time to just wander without the pressure of ticking off a list of attractions or sites is liberating. I hope you enjoy this casual walk through the streets of one of the most visited cities in the world, Bangkok, Thailand.
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https://fundly.com/far-east-adventure-travel-video-production-improvements Please visit my crowdfunding page. Donations help towards purchasing new video equipment. Thanks for your support! Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/johnsaboeofficial/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fareastadventuretravel/ Bangkok is one of my favorite cities in Southeast Asia. A modern city that's retained much of it's cultural heritage, it's fast-paced, vast, naughty, and filled with temples, markets, amazing food, entertainment and world-class shopping. It's also where you can find one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant Chinatowns. In this episode I explored some of the interesting lanes and streets where you can find everything from durian, the king of fruit, to Chinese medicinal remedies, fantastic street food, restaurants, and stores filled with gadgets, kitchen utensils, and pottery. I'm also looking forward to very soon bringing you live broadcasts from Asia on BlogTalkRadio and a chance to connect with you either by phone or Skype-stay tuned! Write a review for Far East Adventure Travel:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-travel-far-east-inspired-by-rick-steves-lonely/id1079513943?mt=2
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https://www.patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel Check out the offers on my Patreon page to become a sponsor and patron of Far East Adventure Travel!Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/johnsaboeofficial/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fareastadventuretravel/ What a thrill it was to watch the giant feast offering for the hungry ghosts at the recent “Pudu” ritual at Taipei, Taiwan’s Provincial City God Temple. During the 7th month of every lunar calendar year ghosts or “good brothers”, as they are politely referred to by Taiwanese, walk the earth potentially causing trouble for the living. Food, drink, other offerings, and prayers are offered to appease the wandering ghosts. Taiwan Provincial City God Temple in Taipei City, Taiwan holds one of the biggest “Pudus” on the 25th day of the lunar calendar month. The Taipei City mayor is invited every year to help initiate the event and thousands show up throughout the day to bring offerings of food, drink, and other items and watch the rites performed with help of Taoist and Buddhist monks. The local media was out in full force to cover the event and would probably out number any North American city of the same size. I was impressed with the amount and variety food that was brought to the Taiwan Provincial City God Temple and my friend Wayne Chen shared with me that many of the items are donated to charity as well as local aboriginal tribes in Central and Southern Taiwan once the rites have been completed at the Pudu. I want to thank the director of the temple Chan Ling Chuan and Wayne Chen for inviting me to the Pudu along with all of the wonderful volunteers that work very hard to put together this event. Taiwan is an amazing place filled with a fascinating rich vibrant culture. I hope on your visit you are exposed to these great festivals and rituals and the hospitality of the Taiwanese. fundly.com/far-east-adventure-travel-video-production-improvements I am in desperate need of upgrades to my video equipment. Please visit my crowdfunding page. If you enjoy these videos I create a donation will help me to bring you better quality content from Taiwan and across Asia. Thank you! John
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https://fundly.com/far-east-adventure-travel-video-production-improvements/dash Please support my crowdfunding efforts to raise money for new video equipment to bring you better videos and podcasts from Asia. $5, $10, $20 or more is most gratefully appreciated! This was truly an interesting experience visiting the Yimin Festival in Hsinchu County. My friend MJ and I set out to see one of the most unique cultural events in Taiwan, The Pigs Of God that are offered every year for the Yimin Festival held during the 7th month of the lunar calendar in Hsinchu County and other communities where Hakka people reside. The Hakka are the second largest ethnic group of Taiwan with a population of approximately 4.6 million in total, with the majority of the population residing in Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and Miaoli Counties in Taiwan. The Yimin Festival has become a controversial cultural event, mostly for the pigs that are purposely force-fed to extreme weights of over 800kg. This tradition actually does not go back to the beginning of the event but only began a few decades ago. Some influencial people in the Hakka community have called for the end of the force-feeding practise but it still continues today in many communities around Taiwan including Hsinchu county. After discovering the Pigs of God are not on display at the Yimin Temple in Hsinpu, one of the most significant temples and cultural centers of Hsinchu County we got directions to the closest site where we could see some of the pigs on display. To my surprise the event, held at one spot in Zhubei City this year, was not entirely made up of the force-fed pigs, but also included regularly raised pigs that were slaughtered for the festival. People also bring goats, chickens, and ducks, to offer Yimin. In Hakka culture Yimin are actually men that lost their lives defending the Qing Dynasty from rebels in the 18th century. You can read more about them here:https://festival.hakka.gov.tw/Festival-Content.aspx?a=816&l=2 https://www.patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel Become a patron of Far East Adventure Travel and gain access to exclusive content! Check out my Patreon page to see the offers! Thanks so much for watching the video! Subscribe to my channel for more videos on Taiwan, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
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https://fundly.com/far-east-adventure-travel-video-production-improvements/dash Please support my crowdfunding efforts to raise money for new video equipment to bring you better videos and podcasts from Asia. $5, $10, $20 or more is most gratefully appreciated! Ghost Month or The Hungry Ghost Festival takes place every year during the 7th month of the lunar calendar in Taiwan and other parts of Asia. This is the 15th day of the month which is also called Ghost Day. During Ghost month it’s believed the gates of the underworld are opened for the spirits to wander the earth, many without descendants. Offerings of food and drink are set out and ghost money is burned for the ghosts, or good brothers, a more respectful term the Taiwanese use. So why do they treat the ghosts this way? Because of the potential for disruption by the wandering ghosts during the month many people in Taiwan avoid travel, swimming, holding weddings, and putting off major purchases like a car or house. https://www.patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel Become a patron of Far East Adventure Travel and gain access to exclusive travel content from Asia. Visit my page to see the offers!
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fundly.com/far-east-adventure-travel-video-production-improvements Thanks so much for visiting my crowdfunding page! Your support will help me to create even better podcasts from Asia! Bangkok, Thailand has been one of the top 3 cities visited in the world for some time now. It's no surprise when you start discovering what Bangkok is all about. History, tradition, culture, shopping, food, and notorious red light districts. It's also of course a hub for Southeast Asia and a bridge to the middle east and Europe. On my most recent visit I saw for myself the clear sidewalks void of the famous street vendors of Bangkok. This has been reported for many weeks now but this was my first-hand look at the current street food situation. There are stalls to be found if you look around Chinatown, some of the tourist streets like Khao San Road but the vendors are gone all around Pratunam and the streets around Siam Paragon and Central World. It's disappointing but it's happening around other major cities in Southeast Asia, like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Governments in some cases want the sidewalks free of clutter so it's safer for pedestrians. That's certainly a valid concern for a city like Ho Chi Minh where it can be quite dangerous walking around stalls and parked motorbikes. It may just be the new reality of Southeast Asia. It may also be an opportunity for countries like Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar that are still considerably undeveloped and have plenty of growth opportunity with their tourism industries compared with a giant like Thailand. Regardless Bangkok is still an amazing city worth spending several days visiting. You'll no doubt end up in Pratunam, considered by most the center of modern and luxury shopping in Southeast Asia. Join me for an evening walk in Bangkok's shopping mecca district.
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fundly.com/far-east-adventure-travel-video-production-improvements Thanks so much for taking the time to view my crowdfunding page. I continue to strive to bring you better video content from Asia. I'm extremely grateful for your support whether it's $5, $10, $20 or more. In order for me to make what I do sustainable I need to expand my video on YouTube as well as continue to grow my livestreaming base and of course what started it all, the video podcast! Thank you for your support! For me a visit to Bangkok is not complete without a trip to see the Erawan Shrine, in the heart of Pratunam and the shopping district. The contrast between modern shopping, elevated trains, and the 4 headed Brahma shrine is sharp and unlike any city in the west. Unfortunately the shrine gained international attention in August 2015 when a bomb was set off there killing 20 people and injuring 125. Today there is still no conclusive evidence of who or why the bomb was detonated at the shrine. The Erawan Shrine was actually placed on this site because of bad luck believed to have been caused by laying the foundation for the Erawan Hotel on the wrong date. The builders consulted an astrologer who advised them to put the shrine on the site to counter the bad karma. In 1987 the Erawan Hotel was demolished making room for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Thai traditional dancers sing and perform for worshippers who pay a fee. You can order the full deck of dancers-8, or just 2 who will sing and dance while you pray. A live band accompanies the singers. The music, singing, and intense smell of incense against the backdrop of the biggest shopping district in Southeast Asia is intoxicating and addictive. I'll always visit the Erawan Shrine!
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patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel - Please visit my Patreon page to see the latest offers. For as little as $1/month you can get access to exclusive content. It's always challenging when you visit any city for the first time to decide on where exactly you want to stay. This video highlights my 5 favorite districts to stay in Taipei. The characteristics of each district are highlighted to make it easier to decide which one suits you best. Technically Taipei Main Station is not a district but falls in Zhongzheng but I think it's better to use Taipei Main Station when you're searching for hotels and other retail or services. The districts fall in order of transportation convenience with number 1 Taipei Main Station being the best and Xinyi District the area furthest away. Taipei City is not that expansive so if you stay in Xinyi it will take you approximately 20 minutes to get to Taipei Main Station by MRT. Zhongshan is convenient and has a some nice sites to visit including the Ningxia Night Market, Dihua Old Street, The Museum of Contemporary Art. Daan is great for shoppers, foodies, bar hoppers, and some nice parks and neighborhoods to explore. Ximending is the most energetic district with lots of choices for food, cafes, entertainment, street performers, and is completely safe even with the crowds that inhabit the place every night. Xinyi is the most luxurious of all the districts with the best selection of 5 star hotels, international restaurants, Chinese/Taiwanese fine dining, and the best Japanese food. Bars, hot nightclubs and one of the best selections of luxury goods stores in East Asia. Thanks so much for watching the video! Please subscribe to the channel for the latest videos from East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia! Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
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Far East Adventure Travel relies on viewer support to cover travel, broadcast, and production costs! Become a sponsor and patron now! Visit patreon.com to see exclusive offers: I thought it might be interesting for those who subscribe to the podcast and are curious about life in a place that faces typhoons regularly and might be traveling to Taiwan in the future see what it’s like to go through the hours leading up to a typhoon. I get many followers asking me about safety and what to do before and during a typhoon in Taiwan. I’m also thinking that Taiwanese who follow the channel will find it humorous to watch a foreigner talk about a typhoon and how we perhaps perceive it as more of an event than just an actual weather occurrence. I mentioned focustaiwan.tw as a good English language resource for foreigners in Taiwan. Taiwan television always has extensive coverage leading up to and during a typhoon but unfortunately it is only available in Mandarin. Of course you can also use apps like Windy or Storm to give you up to date weather information but I like Focus Taiwan for comprehensive coverage which includes transportation and other useful information. Of course flights will most likely be delayed or cancelled during a typhoon so if you do have travel plans that fall close to a typhoon you’ll have to stay up to date with your airlines as flights will either be delayed, or in some cases moved up to depart earlier than scheduled. The government can also call a “typhoon day” which means all services, offices, and schools will be closed. If a “typhoon day” is called it may also mean that many stores will be closed. Having some extra food and drinks on hand can be helpful if you’re in a smaller town or city in Taiwan but I’ve found especially if you’re in Taipei there are usually enough stores, cafes, and restaurants open to find something to eat. Of course this will also depend on the severity of the typhoon so there are exceptions. Having been through several typhoons now I am much more used to them as just part of the weather season but I still find following and tracking a typhoon extremely fascinating. Help others discover Far East Adventure Travel! Write a review in the iTunes Store:
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Kyoto is located in the central part of Honshu Island, Japan and was the imperial capital of the country for over a thousand years. It is also known as the City of Ten Thousand Shrines. It is an absolute must see on a visit to Japan. To get some expert advice on how best to spend your time and get the most out of your stay in the city I spoke with Niall Gibson expert guide, travel planner and managing director of kyotofun.com and myjapanadventure.com. from his home Kyoto. And please some advice on how to conduct yourself in this polite culture. I first set off on foot near the Yasaka Shrine To get a feel for the city. Wait a minute what the hell is this? Hari Kirshnas? In Kyoto? Well it’s an international city so anything is possible but not my idea of traditional Japanese culture. So I moved on to the Heian Shrine. It is a top ranked shrine by the Association of Shinto Shrines. Heian dates back to 1895, a relatively short history compared to other important temples and shrines in Japan. Outside the shrine on a busy road in Kyoto sits It’s Torii Gate, one of the largest in Japan. Built in 1929 it’s over 24 meters high. A torri gate symbolizes the transition from the profane to the sacred. The orange, green and white buildings inside are meant to be replicas of the old Kyoto Imperial Palace. The Heian Shrine’s gardens are some of the most impressive in all of Japan. If you’re timing is good you’ll see a stunning display of cherry blossoms in the spring. If you’re timing is good…. No matter what time of year taking a stroll through the gardens is a true zen experience, and hey you can even step over these stones. The same ones Scarlett Johansson hopped over in “Lost In Translation”. I left the Heian Shrine totally refreshed from my walk through the gardens and headed back to Gion to take a walk through this traditional neighborhood, where I’ve been told real Geisha’s can be seen. Actually the correct term or name for a Geisha in Kyoto is Geiko and an apprentice is called a Maiko. But my best sighting was just the many tourists who come and dress up in traditional kimonos and walk around and pose for pictures. I took another suggestion from Niall and made my way to Arishiyama, about a 30 minute train ride from central Kyoto to see the Tenru ji Buddhist Temple and finish off my visit with a walk through the world-famous Bamboo Grove. Arishiyama is home to several temples and interesting sites to see including a monkey park where over 170 monkeys reside. It’s also a spectacular place to visit for the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains, especially during the spring and fall. I made my way to Tenru ji-the head temple of the Tenru branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Construction was completed in 1345 but the temple has subsequently suffered through many fires and the buildings that currently stand here were reconstructed in the last half of the 19 and early 20th centuries. Tenru ji is surrounded by beautiful gardens and was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994. It’s North Gate is the entrance to the famous Sagano Bamboo Grove. It’s no coincidence that bamboo gardens or groves in Japan are usually situated near Shinto Shrines or Buddhist Temples. The bamboo represents strength, a symbol intended to ward off evil.If you want to truly experience the wonder of this place and it’s magical sounds, visit early in the morning or late in the day. That’s it for this week’s Far East Adventure Travel Podcast. Don’t forget to like the Far East Adventure Travel page on Facebook and for more inspiration subscribe to John Saboe on YouTube:http://bit.ly/2ni8SSjyoutube visit fareastadventuretravel.com Until next time this is John Saboe. Safe travels and Namaste!
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Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is made up of 5 small islands between 5-8 kilometers off of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah Malaysian Borneo. In this episode I’m heading for one of the smallest, Pulau Sapi, or Cow Island. It’s one of the least developed areas of the park. Great beaches, diving and snorkeling with a bonus chance of seeing some monitor lizards up close in the wild. Sapi Island can be reached by boat from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in KK. You can purchase a ticket directly to the island or get a multi-island ticket. This is a half-day or day trip for most. There are no hotels on Sapi but with prior permission from the park’s office you could camp there. Pulau Gaya, the largest island in the group at 3700 acres compared to Sapi at just 25 has resorts and more amenities. This is one of the finest beaches in the park. I’ll spend a little time here but first I’ll do a quick hike around the island where I may see the lizards and some macaques. This is the map I had to work with, not exactly detailed but the island is only 25 acres. In the worst case I’ll just swim if I get lost on land. Right out of the gate I get a quick glimpse of a monitor lizard but it quickly dashes into the forest. The trail that runs the perimeter of the island takes about 45 minutes to hike around with some nice little private beaches you can stop at along the way. Here’s a pretty cool adventure. Take a boat to Pulau Gaya, then zipline to Pulau Sapi. You can reach speeds of up to 50km/hr on the 250 meter crossing of the two islands. It’s also possible to swim from island to island, but as there are no lifeguards there, do it at your own risk. Back near the center of activity on Sapi close to the main beach and bbq area I found the biggest gathering of monitor lizards. These are actually water monitors, locally they’re called biawak. The males can reach up to 3 meters in length and weigh up to 50 kilos. They are very adept at swimming, and can stay underwater for up to a half-hour so watch out! You may see them catching a wave next to you. They’re more scavenger then predator so you probably won’t find them attacking people unless you get to close in their space, like some foolish tourists who try to include them in their selfie. These lizards carry a deadly bacteria in their mouth and their claws could tear a sizable chunk of flesh out of you so be careful. Monitors defend themselves with their tails, claws and jaws. These lizards are carnivores and will eat birds, rodents, snakes, crabs and even carrion, similiar to their bigger cousin The Komodo Dragon. Their main hunting technique is to run after their prey once spotted. They also have an amazing one way breathing system that can be traced back to dinosaurs. Pulau Sapi was a great half-day getaway from Kota Kinabalu and in between bigger Borneo trips. An easy boat ride gets you to a pretty nice spot for beach, relaxation, absorbing recent travel and cultural experiences, and even a little exotic animal viewing. It’s back on the boat to KK and more adventure in Malaysian Borneo with Far East Adventure Travel The Podcast, I’m John Saboe, Thanks for joining me, safe travels and Namaste!. "KKMap3". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KKMap3.png#/media/File:KKMap3.png
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Support production, broadcast, and travel costs by becoming a sponsor of Far East Adventure Travel! Visit my Patreon page to see the offers:patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel I find the history and relationships Taiwan has had with nations like the United States and Japan absolutely fascinating. Unfortunately due to the development and rapid growth particularly of Taipei and New Taipei City many buildings that were apart of the history of America's years of on island support are gone. The old U.S. Embassy has been replaced by the National Taxation Bureau. The U.S. Taiwan Defence Command is now the location of The Taipei Fine Arts Museum. I sense though that there are still places out there to be discovered and shared. Video Script: "In Zhongshan District, a vibrant area of Taipei where many luxury hotels are located sits an iconic building of the neighborhood with a past life deep rooted in American history. When it was first built the former U.S. Ambassador’s residence was originally used as the U.S. Embassy during the Japanese colonial period of Taiwan. At the time of it’s completion in 1926 it was considered one of the most beautiful buildings on the island. The Western design with square floor plan and Grecian columns originally served as an administrative office as well as living quarters for the ambassadors and their families. When the United States established a new embassy after WWII this became the residence of the ambassador. I liked that this building has been repurposed as a venue for films and a meeting place rather than a museum. I felt sitting in it’s converted atrium and enjoying the surroundings in an unhurried manner had alot more value as an experience then a walk through a building with roped off areas. Not only did I have a great time hanging out where a U.S. President once stayed I had a pretty interesting selection of movies I could choose to watch, from a documentary about an American photographer turned Buddhist monk to a Japanese man living with a bunch of cats. In 1950 the United States started deploying U.S. military personnel to the island to aid the Republic of China with training, support, and economic relief. Special Western style housing was built for personnel including this almost 14 hectare site in the Yangmingshan area of Taipei City where many houses still remain today. Some of the houses have been leased from the Bank of Taiwan and are occupied by local politicians, artists, and personnel of the American Institute in Taiwan, the defacto U.S. Embassy in Taipei. But it appears many are cafes. The most recent building of the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command era to spring back to life is the Yangminghsan U.S. Military Club, now a Cultural and Creative Park with American style restaurants. This was also the home of the Grass Mountain Teen Club for personnel families. The Bank of Taiwan and a local tech company have invested over $3 million dollars in the renovation which includes a vinyl listening room and museum. Yes they passed the taste test and there are some beautiful grounds and a rooftop deck to enjoy the spectacular Yangminghan Park setting." Getting To The Yangmingshan U.S. Military Housing and Brickyard 33 1/3:Take the Red Line MRT to Shilin, leave Exit 1 and walk to Zhongzheng Rd. Catch Bus #5 to Yangmingshan. The ride will be approximately 20 minutes before you'll get off at the Shanzihou Police Station stop. Walk across the street to Kaixuan Rd. You'll see signs for Brickyard, just follow those and you'll arrive there in about 5 minutes. This is also where you'll see many of the military houses that are either private, cafes, or empty. Getting To the Former U.S. Amassador's Residence(SPOT Taipei Film House) take the MRT Red Line to Zhongshan Station. Walk West along Nanjing East Road to Zongshan Rd. North. turn left and walk to #18. photos courtesy of http://taipics.com music: http://www.purple-planet.com
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Support Far East Adventure Travel by becoming a patron! Visit patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel to see exclusive offers starting at $1/month! Support Far East Adventure Travel by becoming a patron! Visit:patreon.com/FarEastAdventureTravel Mumbai is a fantastic city to visit with plenty of sites, heritage buildings, amazing street and restaurants. There are some things you need to be prepared for before you arrive. As I stated in part I you need to pace yourself to the incredibly stifling climate with breaks in air conditioned cafes, restaurants or shops. Staying hydrated is extremely important as any sign of fatigue will cause you problems with the next challenge, dealing with beggars. This unfortunately is the reality of major Indian cities and the beggars of Mumbai are relentless. Watching how locals react when they are approached is a great way to learn. You’ll notice that they do not respond at all to them and in fact are almost oblivious to their presence. This is probably the best way to handle beggars. If they see no reaction and cannot disturb you in any way they usually give up. The beggars job is not just to make you sympathetic, they are trying to agitate you in any way they can. If you get angry, frustrated, or emotional at all, they will continue to bother you until you give in. If you act like they aren’t there they’ll give up. You should always be cautious of where you are taking photographs around Mumbai. With a history of terrorist attacks police and authorities are sensitive to photography around certain sites. Photography is not permitted at the high and low courts, inside the C.S.T. train station, and the Bombay Stock Exchange. There was a heritage tour inside C.S.T. that apparently allowed photography but I’m not sure if it still exists. It’s always best to ask either security or if there are police at a particular site you’re interested in photographing. Crawford Market officially renamed Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market after a 19th century social reformer is one of the most famous markets of Mumbai where you can get everything from fish to fruits and vegetables and even live birds, dogs, cats, and other pets. Here’s a somewhat unconventional thing to do when visiting Mumbai. Head to Bandra in West Mumbai, considered the queen of suburbs and home to many famous politicians, cricket players, and Bollywood stars including one of the biggest ever, Shah Rukh Khan. Check out the locals who often hang outside his mansion waiting to catch a glimpse of the King of Bollywood! OK, let’s try talking to someone else. You can also visit the homes of Amitabh Bachchan, considered one of India’s greatest cinema actors of all time. Most taxi and autorickshaw drivers of the area know where all of these mansions are located. They’re happy to take you there! Thanks so much for watching the video! If you enjoyed it please give me a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel for more videos from East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia! Photo Credits-Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan:By http://www.bollywoodhungama.com Music:http://www.purple-planet.com
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Thanks so much for listening and subscribing to the podcast. Mumbai is one of my favorite cities to visit in India. Not only is it loaded with atmosphere and amazing heritage buildings from the British raj, it’s also where you can find some of the best street food and restaurants in the country. One of the most enjoyable experiences for me was sampling the incredible street food in Kala Ghoda and the row of stalls across the street from CST. Not only are the dishes absolutely delicious but the atmosphere in which they are consumed is wonderful with lawyers taking a break from the nearby law courts in traditional robes mixing with everyday working people from the area. There are definitely things to be cautious of when walking around Mumbai, especially the traffic which can be overwhelming for some. As well you will soon see that locals do not wait for green lights to cross a street so if you want to follow in their footsteps, extreme caution is advised. Beggars are also a concern. As a foreigner you will no doubt be approached by many. Unless you want a parade of them following you it’s best not to give them anything. They also approach locals but you will quickly notice that natives will not give them the time of day and simply move on as if they are not affected by the encounter. Showing no emotion will show them there is no hope so they will move on. Pacing yourself in the tropical heat and humidity is also extremely important. As I mention in the podcast, taking breaks in cafes and museums throughout your day of exploring will help you stay comfortable. Support Far East Adventure Travel with your pledge to my Patreon page! Visit now and discover great offers starting at $1/month:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4035923 Write a Review in the iTunes Store and help others discover Far East Adventure Travel: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-travel-far-east-inspired-by-rick-steves-lonely/id890305531?mt=2
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Taipei, Taiwan is a vibrant city that is rich in culture, history, street food, and religion. It’s safe, super-friendly, convenient and probably undervalued compared to the super Asian city destinations of Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul. Ironically many residents of those cities choose Taipei as a destination, enjoying some of those qualities that their city once had or simply lacks. Why the title 8+3 Awesome Sights To See/Do? Well most in Asia would be clued in to the significance of the number 8 and 3. In Chinese,(Mandarin), the word eight sounds similar to the word for prosper or wealth. It’s also similar sounding in Cantonese. The number 8 is an auspicious number. The number three sounds similar to the character for birth and is also considered a lucky number. There are three stages to a person’s life-birth, marriage, and death. So my wish is for prosperity and good luck for all those that visit Taipei, Taiwan and for the people of the city that have treated me with such great kindness and hospitality for the past 4 years. Would love to get your feedback on the video and ideas for future content. Also what other countries do you like to visit in Asia? Thanks again with many blessings to you! John Here is the list of the 8+3 sights with links for more details on transportation and extra background for your preparation. 8.Dihua Street:http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002090&id=418 7.Dongmen:https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/yongkang-street-永康街 6.National Palace Museum:https://www.npm.gov.tw/en/ 5.Ximending:https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/ximending-youth-shopping-district-西門町 4.C.K.S. Memorial Hall:http://www.cksmh.gov.tw/eng/index.php?code=list&ids=21 3.Longshan Temple:http://lungshan.org.tw/en/index.php 2.Shilin Night Market:http://www.shilin-night-market.com/how-to-get-to.html#.WWMSz1KB10s 1.Taipei 101:http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/index.aspx Din Tai Fung:http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/tw/default.htm Kao Chi:http://www.kao-chi.com King Mango:http://www.kingmango.com.tw/index.html +3 3.Beitou Hot Springs:https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/beitou-hot-springs-北投溫泉-xinbeitou 2.Songshan Cultural And Creative Park:http://www.songshanculturalpark.org/en/ 1.Elephant Mountain(Xiangshan):https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/elephant-mountain-象山-xiangshan Please check out my Patreon page for exclusive content and offers:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4035923
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Wine And Gourmet Taipei was one of the most challenging wine shows I’ve ever been invited to in the world. With a tasting selection ranging from Shochu, a Japanese distilled beverage, vodka like, to Australian Shiraz. Typically I would start at a traditional wine tasting with sparkling wine, moving on to light then more full bodied whites like Chardonnay, then the reds from Pinot Noir to Cabs then maybe if I’ve got anything left in me, ports and sherries. But there’s no way I could handle a diverse range of Japanese sake, shochu, craft beers, many fruit flavored ones, then an assortment of wines. The palate just can’t absorb all those flavors and intensities over a 3-4 hour period. So being in Asia I decided to focus on Asian alcohol and craft beers, including the emerging craft beer segment in Taiwan. Managing to finally pull myself away from the dazzling selection of Japanese Shochu and sake I made my way to the many Belgian beers that are available around Taiwan and the island’s homegrown craft beers including Bazu and Taiwan Head Brewers. I am really impressed with the range of beers, the quality and taste, and the actual infusions and flavors from Litchi, very refreshing and thirst quenching, to sour beers, tea infused beers, chocolate and more from the homegrown market. Craft brews are still relatively new compared with the North American market but interest, particularly with the younger generation is growing in Taiwan. Some purists might be put off by some of the fruit beers but I personally think they suite not only local food, but the climate, especially in Northern Taiwan with it’s extremely hot and humid summers. Nothing like quenching your thirst with a refreshing light litchi beer with maybe a plate of spicy squid on the side. Get exclusive travel content! Visit Patreon and become a sponsor of Far East Adventure Travel: http://www.purple-planet.com
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