Wangechi Gitahi Archives - Page 7 of 8 - Wangechi Gitahi Travels

Africa

Ethiopia 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

1.Ethiopia is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and its capital is Addis Ababa. 2. The dominant religion is Christian with most being Orthodox Christians. 3. It is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second most populous country in Africa. 4. It is bordered by Eritrea to the North and Northeast, Djibouti and Somalia to the East, Sudan and South Sudan to the West and Kenya to the South. 5. Ethiopia was never colonized during the “Scramble for Africa”, but was occupied by the Italians. 6. Ethiopia has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. The nine sites are Aksum, Fasil Ghebbi, Harar, Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Lower Valley of the Omo, Rock-Hewn Churches, Simien National Park and Tiya. 7.The Ethiopian Calendar has 13 months and it is 7 ½ years behind the Gregorian calendar. New Year in Ethiopia starts on…

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

Kuala Lumpur

By Wangechi Gitahi

My arrival into Malaysia was met by excitement, pomp and galore, I actually felt like a VIP. How had the government learnt of my arrival and therefore planned for me to be received by a group of Malaysian Dancers, to be welcomed by their songs and dances and get an immediate fix of my cultural appeal. I wish this greeting was all mine, but instead, it was for all visitors arriving at that time as they were promoting their tourism campaign-Visit Malaysia 2014. I was in Kuala Lumpur for very few hours but managed to experience the below: Petronas towers: A trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia would not be complete without a visit here. It held the title of the tallest building in the world while having 88 floors from 1998-2004 and still holds the title of the worlds tallest twin towers. Batu Caves: It is prominently known for the…

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…

Asia

Indonesia 101

By Wangechi Gitahi

Indonesia is found in South East Asia and is known officially as the Republic of Indonesia. Its capital is Jakarta It is the largest archiepelego in the world having about 17,508 islands. Their official language is Indonesian Bahasa although most people also speak English It is the worlds largest Muslim majority nation and is open to all religions . The men and women do not generally mix and thus you will find Men and Women sitting in separate areas in most public transport. The population of Indonesia is over 260 million people . There are over 200 ethnic groups, which translates to lots of cultures to learn about. It has varied biodiversity attractions from over 400 active volcanoes, to being home to the Komodo dragon Most places and homes use water in the toilet instead of tisssue paper. Ensure you carry adequate supply of tissue as you move around The…

Asia

Singapore on a budget

By Wangechi Gitahi

Singapore is a very developed country located in South East Asia. It has won many accolades and is currently referred to as a financial hub. Narratives on travel to Singapore cautioned that it was too expensive and thus one should plan a very short trip. I wish I hadn’t been scared off and had opted instead to plan a longer visit as budget travel is possible. 1)See and visit the Garden by the Bay This Garden is indeed a spectacle-especially at night when the lights are on. It is made up of several tall metal structures lined with an array of exotic plants, flowers and lights. One can enjoy a great view and picture from a distance due to the great height of the garden structures. Make sure you visit the outer gardens which are free to visit, the inner ones have an entrance fee charged. You can carry a packed…