1) Jakarta, Indonesia
That cool one in the middle is Wisma 46, the tallest building in Indonesia reaching 262 meters high.

2) Manila, Philippines
This photo may make Manila look small, but don’t let it fool you! I love the almost-sepia coloring, including the light reflections.

3) Singapore, Singapore
This one just leaves me speechless. Sorry!

Kuala Lumpur

4) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
With the famous Petronas Twin Towers and the KL Tower, most people know this skyline without ever seeing it. If you’re wondering about that tall building to the right, it’s the vista tower.

5) Bangkok, Thailand
Now this one just makes Bangkok look tremendous, but it really is. This is actually the view from Vertigo Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel.

Photos by yohanes budiyanto, R924, erwinsoo, Ezry Rahman and John_DL

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From temples and mosques to hotels, architecture in Southeast Asia is creative, detailed, and extraordinary. With that being said, I wanted to share some of these stunning works of architecture photos with you.

Thailand:

1) Grand Palace, Bangkok
Now this is a site to marvel at! Those statues are actually half man-half bird.

Singapore:

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

2) Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Singapore
Located in Chinatown, this temple is home to Buddha’s tooth relic!

3) Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Taken during the famous light show, this hotel is a gem, architecturally speaking. It really gives off Singapore’s futuristic-ness!

Malaysia:

4) Petrones Tower, Kuala Lumpur
Almost everyone who has traveled to KL has a shot or two of this landmark, but not everyone can capture it the same way!

5) Malacca Straits Mosque, Malacca
Located on Malacca Island, this mosque is one of the world’s most beautiful mosques. This photo truly takes my breath away!

Photos by Greg Knapp, kyeniz, unknown_obj, Tony George and Dave_B

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Ingredients needed (quantity depending on serving)

• Chicken or pork
• Potatoes
• Vinegar (coconut, rice, or cane)
• Soy sauce
• Onions
• Garlic
• Brown sugar
• Salt & pepper

As there are no particular measurements, trust your judgement and taste-buds!

This video is pretty straightforward and proves just how easy this dish really is.

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Ingredients for 2 servings:

• 2 cups of wheat flour
• ½ cup of coconut milk
• 1 screwpine leaf
• ½ cup of shredded coconut
• Palm sugar
• Salt

If you like to make pancakes or crepes, you’ll love making Kuih Ketayap especially if you follow this simple, under-two-minutes video.

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Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 2 cups of long grain rice
• 2 pandan leaves
• Ginger
• Fenugreek
• ½ cup of coconut milk
• 2 cups of water
• Pinch of salt

I found this great video video to guide you in preparing your rice. It also includes a bonus recipe for Sambal – a spicy Southeast Asian condiment (ingredients below).

Ingredients for 4 servings of Sambal

• 15 dry red chillies
• 5 shallots
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 1 stalk of lemon grass
• 5 tsp of brown sugar
• ¾ cup of tamarind juice
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup of dry small anchovies

Good luck and happy cooking! Please comment and let us know how your dish came out.

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1) Q Bar

For the party like a rockstars, Q Bar is the place for that city feel nightclub experience. It is posh, chic, and trendy making it internationally famous to fashionistas and socialites from New York to Dubai to Tokyo. You can easily spot an A list celebrities in this joint – sightings of Matt Dillion, Owen Wilson, and Collin Farrell have been reported! Don’t think you have to be oh so swanky to get in either, backpackers integrate themselves nightly.

2) Check Inn 99

You can’t get a fun atmosphere better than Check Inn 99 with steak, cabaret, and dancing! This place has been around since the 60’s as a well-known Bangkok Cabaret Bar and Restaurant. Attracting an older crowd, Check Inn 99 has an extremely laid back vibe without any pretentiousness in site. The Music of the Heart band plays nightly while Sunday afternoon is their famous Jazz event. Oh and the food is excellent! It’s a steakhouse, but also offers European and Thai dishes.

3) Sky Bar

As a lover of heights, I love discovering cities from high above looking down. Sky Bar, located on the 63rd floor of The Dome at State Tower, is one of the world’s highest open air bars offering amazing views of Bangkok. There is something completely romantic and sexy about sipping a cocktail while admiring the night below hence why Sky Bar is named one of the coolest bars that Bangkok offers.

4) Siam Niramit

Much different than the rest, Siam Niramit is an award winning performance about Thailand’s history, legends, beliefs and local festivals. It may already sound touristy, but it’s well worth it! Siam Niramit, which plays nightly at 8pm, features over 100 performers, stunning set designs, amazing special effects and gorgeous costumes. It’s fun for all ages, and it even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for such a gigantic stage!

5) Saxophone Pub

For jazz aficionados, the Saxophone Club is as jazzalicious as it can get! Since 1987, the Saxophone Pub has been providing visitors with live funk, blues, pop jazz, and more, every night of the week. Notice that it’s a pub so you can’t expect too much smooth jazz. This joint provides the jazz to get all up on their feet!

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Also known as Khao Pad, this dish is one of the most common dishes in Thailand (& many other Asian countries) and comes in a variety of options. From pineapple fried rice to chicken fried rice, this dish is perfect for lunch and simple to whip up.

Ingredients for 1-2 servings:

• 2 cups of cooked white rice
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 1 chicken breast (can be replaced with shrimp, pineapple, crab, etc)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of black soy sauce
• 2 green onions
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce

Remember Aunchalee who taught us how to make Papaya Salad? Well here she is again to teach us how to make fried rice!

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The following infographic highlights some interesting statistics, such as how old are the backpackers and why are they traveling. If you’re a backpacker, please let us know what motivates you to travel (in the comments below).

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Family in the mosque during Hari Raya Haji

As mentioned in Top 5 Festivals of Singapore, there’s a festival known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, but what’s coming up is a similar Muslim festival called Hari Raya Haji or Eid al-Adha. This festival of sacrifice lands on the 10th, 11th, and 12th day the Dhul Hijja month, which ends up being 70 days after Ramadan. All three days being a time to remember, eat, drink, and be merry. In 2012, October 26th will mark this special day for practicing Muslims.

Hari Raya Haji celebrates the end of the Hajj, which is the largest annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is a perfect example of the Muslim’s dedication to Allah. And observing the Hari Raya Haji Festival is no exception. The festival begins with prayer offerings at local mosques and then turns into bloody sacrifices. Sheep, cows, camels, and goats are slaughtered as a symbol of the Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his own son’s flesh and blood. It may sound gruesome, but that’s culture for you! After sacrificing the animals, their meat is passed around amongst the Muslim’s, especially to the less fortunate. Now the gruesomeness doesn’t sound so bad, right?

Hari Raya Haji reminds us to share with the community and to give thanks. The best part of the public holiday is enjoying a hearty meal with friends and family. Other traditions include wearing new clothes and giving gifts to children. If you are in Singapore on October 26th, make sure to visit Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam for bazaars, a great vibe, and a better understanding of this Muslim holiday.

Photo by Azhaaarry

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You’re probably wondering what made him so great. Well, King Chulalongkorn reigned from 1868 to 1910, making huge changes that socially and economically helped Thailand develop for the better. For example, he abolished slavery, established post and telegraph services, created a ministerial system, and expanded the communication system through the construction of railways. But those are only to name a few. He is also famed for his passionate Thai nationalism, and for his power to fight off any European colonialism. King Chulalongkorn prevented Thailand from being colonized, which now makes Thailand the only country in South East Asia uncolonized by another country. Thai’s are extremely grateful for everything that the King has done to shape the country to what it is now.

Each year on the anniversary of this death, Thai’s show their respect by bringing wreaths of flowers to the Equestrian Statue in the Royal Plaza of Bangkok or at their local statue of King Chulalongkorn. Ceremonies are also held around the country. There may be a specific day to honor the beloved King, but in reality, he is honored every day. A picture of him can be found very easily in almost every home, and even on the streets. Long live King Chulalongkorn!

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1) Chinese New Year

When: Days 1 to 15 of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar (usually during the first two weeks of February)

The two long and exciting weeks of Chinese New Year are anticipated each year with such a high population of Chinese. It’s safe to say that Singapore has the closest festival to the real thing. The streets of the city become alive, especially in Chinatown. Highlights include the Street Light Up, Chingay Parade and the River Hong Bao.

2) National Day

National Firework Display

When: August 9th

It would be extremely rude not to mention Singapore’s birthday! The nation was born in 1965 and is growing stronger and stronger each year so there is reason for such a grand celebration. Each year on August 9th, Singaporeans hold their flags high and celebrate with several traditions including a massive firework display.

3) Hungry Ghost Festival

When: The 15th night of the seventh lunar month in the Chinese calendar (usually in August)

Observed by Taoists, Buddhists, and Chinese folk religion believers, the Hungry Ghost Festival is believed to be the time when the gates of hell open, resulting in a mixed environment of living and deceased. Therefore, main festivities are circled around warding off the deceased. The living do this by burning incense, joss paper, candles, and fake money. They even put on performances and leave the first row empty (for the dead)!

4) Singapore Arts Festival

When: End of May to end of June

The second true Singaporean festival, the Singapore Arts Festival is for all culture buffs. Each year from the end of May to the end of June, the city becomes a mecca of the arts with theater acts, international dance ensembles, music and art installations. There’s some great talent to be seen and heard!

5) Hari Raya Aidilfitri

When: The first day of the month of Shawal (usually in August)

With such a strong Muslim community in Singapore, this list would not be complete without one of the biggest Muslim holidays, Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This day marks the end of the fasting Ramadan month. This colorful festival brings Kampong Glam and Gelang Serai to life complete with performances and street bazaars selling everything from wind-charms to yummy treats.

Photos by Nestor’s Blurrylife, kyeniz, photo_gratis, kodomut and coolinsights

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From how to dress to how to say hello, this funky infographic sums up just a few important facts for Thailand…

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