Asia Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Wangechi Gitahi Travels

Asia

Taiwan 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.It is officially called the Republic of China (ROC) but most people refer to it simply as Taiwan. It was previously known as Formosa and its capital city is called Taipei. 2. It is an Island located in East Asia and is bordered by China in the West, Japan to the North East and Philippines to the South. 3. They dominantly speak Chinese and still use traditional Chinese characters in writing. 4. It has 14 recognized aboriginal tribes and a a population of about 23million people . 5.Their dominant religions are Buddhism and Taoism 6. The ladies are afraid of the sun and the rain. When the sun is high, they will have their umbrellas up to reduce exposure to the suns rays and when it rains, even a little, they have to be well covered in ponchos and umbrellas to avoid the effects of (acid) rain. 7.Their trash collection…

Asia

Thailand 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.It is officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand and its capital city is Bangkok. 2.Their official language is Thai but most of them also speak English especially in the major towns. 3.The head of state is a King while the Prime Minister is the head of Parliamentary government. 4.It has the second largest economy in South East Asia and is made up of 1430 islands. 5.The dominant religion is Buddhism and they are open to all religions. 6. It is the only country in South East Asia that was not colonized by a European country 7.It is densely populated, especially in Bangkok. 8. It is bordered by Myanmar /Burma to the North and West, Laos to the North and East, Cambodia to the South East and Malaysia to the South. 9. The head is revered by the Thai people, thus never touch someones head, even children. The feet on…

Asia

Dubai 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.Dubai is an Emirate in the United Arab Emirates(UAE), they are seven in total-Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras-al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. 2. It is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. 3. Each of the United Arab Emirates is ruled by an absolute monarch, a prince. 4. Arabic is the official language but English is spoken in most areas. 5. It is located in South West Asia and its region is commonly referred to as the Middle East. 6. The dominant religion is Islam and thus they are generally conservative. They are however a very open country and thus it is very cosmopolitan. 7. Its culture is dominantly Arab culture and is considered one of the strongest super powers in the Arab World. 8.Much of Dubai is desert. It has thus reclaimed some land from the Persian Gulf and developed areas like Palm Jumeira and…

Asia

Hong Kong 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.Hong Kong’s official name is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or Hong Kong SAR. 2.Hong Kong’s official languages are Chinese (Spoken Cantonese) and English 3.It is located in East Asia and Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and several other smaller islands. There are 263 islands in Hong Kong. 4.It has the worlds highest number of skyscarpers with most buildings being over 14floors 5.It is the most expensive country in the world to buy a home in 6.It is a leading financial hub, worldwide 7. Hong Kong is a generally safe country with with very low crime rates. It is safe even for females to travel at night 8.The airport staff at the Hong Kong International Airport get an A+ in customer service. When we arrived, to my amazement, I was received with a wheel chair as I was travelling with the aid of a…

Asia

Blast from the past in Melaka

By Wangechi Gitahi

Melaka also referred to as Melacca is a beautiful city located to the South of Malaysia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is currently my favourite place in Malaysia as it is full of culture. There are many old buildings, some in their natural old state with others having been rehabilitated by the government. Things to do in Melaka/Melacca 1.Visit the historical buildings a) I got to visit Christ Church Melaka, which is the oldest functioning Protestant Church in Malaysia. Its construction begun in 1741 and was completed in 1743. It has been beautifully refurbished and one of the main buildings you will see upon arrival. b) A FAMOSA This was a former Portuguese fortress that was built in 1511 and is the oldest surviving European architectural remains in South East Asia. It was partly renovated by the Dutch and as you walk around it, you can see…

Asia

Shocking Penang

By Wangechi Gitahi

Penang is located on the North Western coast of Malaysia and is the second largest city. Its capital city George town is one of the oldest towns in Malaysia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you move around the town you will at times feel like you took a time travel into the past. My Highlights : 1)History and culture George Town is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a walk through the town will enable you to appreciate its history and culture. The area is inhabited more by the older generation and most of the buildings are really old. The government however, has tried to restore some of them. 2) Sweetenham Pier Cruise Terminal: This place is a beauty to behold. This is both the entry point and exit points of those travelling here over water. The pier handles millions of passengers yearly from the public…

Asia

Malaysia 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.Malaysia is located in South East Asia and its capital city is called Kuala Lumpur 2. The official language is Bahasa Malay though most people also speak English. 3. The official religion is Islam and is open to people of all faiths 4. It was colonized by both the British and the Japanese 6. The infrastructure in Malaysia is quite modern with it being home to the Worlds tallest twin towers, Petronas towers 7. The men and women do not mix much. In some of the public service buses and trains, there are clear separations “Women only”, “Men Only” 8.It is generally a conservative area so be cautious of your mode of dressing, adhere to the dress codes in the respective areas. 9. It has a population of about 30 million people 10. Kenyans receive a free tourist Visa at the airport, upon arrival. Ensure you have all your travel requirements in…

Asia

Bali, a true Beauty

By Wangechi Gitahi

Bali, you are truly a wonder, everything from your deeply cultural nature, to your amazing friendly people, to your diverse scenery. It is a shame that you have been wrongly perceived as a destination only for the elite, a reason that has kept many people away from exploring your beauty. I am glad I ventured here, and confirm, you welcome all sorts of budgets.The below is what we got up to: Ubud This is my favourite place in Bali, you will be amazed by its beauty and the culture of the people. The residents of this area are very traditional and thus, it is a cultural haven, my kind of place.. This place chose to expose its beauty to me, and I now understand why people speak with such awe about it. The culture The residents of Bali have managed to keep their cultures alive in their daily living, a…

Asia

Cultural immersion in Yogyakarta

By Wangechi Gitahi

This is a city that is located in Java and it is commonly referred to as Jogjakarta or Jogja. The area is ruled by a Sultan and the communities here are still very traditional. You will be overwhelmed by the culture in this area. Highlights of my trip: 1: Visit to Borobodur: The Borobodur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site having been built in the 9th century as a buddhist temple. It has been well maintained and I highly advise a visit as it is not only a beautiful masterpiece, the carvings on the wall tell stories about their culture. I highly advise one to arrive early, so as to enjoy the place before it is thronged by people. At the entrance, everyone is given a sarong to wear across their waist as a form of respect. I only discovered that it was a buddhist temple when we walked to…

Asia

Jakarta

By Wangechi Gitahi

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia and has a population of about 9.6 million people. It has a high population and thus heavy traffic, it be motor vehicle or motorbike is common.The people are very friendly though be prepared to take many pictures with strangers as “Black Africans’, seem not to be a common occurrence. The following were my highlights: 1.Monas: This is the National Monument of Indonesia, it is about 132 meters tall and is a symbol of their fight for freedom. There is a National History Museum within the compound that tells the history of Indonesia through dioramas i.e 3 D miniature models, paintings and stone wall carvings. In the museum, the figurines have both Bahasa and English explanations thus one can easily understand what is hapenning. 2. Ancol: This is a somewhat theme park that has anything and everything. My highlight of this place was the…