Asia (ex-Japan)
Traveling around Asia is generally safe, fun, and offers amazing experiences. It is a great spot for young travelers and also those who just need to get away to a place where people think and act differently. Here are some of my experiences and tips.
Asia (ex-Japan)
Vipassana: If You Meet the Buddha, Kill Him
Vipassana: If You Meet the Buddha, Kill Him This is an account of my first 10 day silent meditation retreat in Yangon, Myanmar Most Meaningful Experience: All of it. Unfortunately, I only had a few of my original notes – this is my best effort to account for a transformational experience. I have posted a…
Read MoreTop 10 things to do in Singapore
Singapore: Top 10 Favorite Things to Do Singapore is a great place to eat at Hawker Stans and just hang out I frequently visit Singapore – it’s one of my favorite places in the world for food, shopping, entertainment, and consistently hot weather. It also serves as a gateway to South East Asia, making it…
Read MoreConfronting Evil and Cleansing the Soul in Bhutan
Confronting Evil and Cleansing the Soul in Bhutan Learn how the Bhutanese purify their soul through a variety of rituals Most Meaningful Experience: Visiting the Tiger’s Nest was awe-inspiring Top tips – Visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which was spectacular both inside and out – Try to see an archery match to experience Bhutan’s national…
Read MoreTrekking to Everest Base Camp Day 5 – Descent
Mount Everest: Trekking from Day 5 to Descent Reaching the Summit with Friends was our Pinnacle Check out the first 4 days here. https://kdalive.com/trekking-to-mount-everest-base-camp/ Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche That night it dropped to around -15 degrees C and I had my sleeping bag zipped over my face, with only my mouth exposed to breathe.…
Read MoreBangladesh: An Unexplored Country of Cuisine, Commerce, and Cricket
Bangladesh: An Unexplored Country of Cuisine, Commerce, and Cricket Being hosted by E-generation was an amazing experience and taught us much about the local culture. Most Exciting Experience: Playing cricket with the team! Other meaningful experiences: – Celebrating the Day of Language – Experiencing the Muslim prayer time as a calming and meditative action…
Read MoreTrekking to Mount Everest Base Camp Days 1-4
Mt Everest Base Camp: Trekking from Day 1 to Day 4 Over time we could withstand the cold and conquer the mountain Most meaningful experience: Becoming one with our mountainous environment and the altitude is a powerful experience and I think why so many people strive to reach the summit. It is a feeling that…
Read MoreBhutan and Gross National Happiness in Action
Bhutan and Gross National Happiness Learn about how the Bhutanese government measures progress through Gross National Happiness (GNH) The real reason I wanted to go to Bhutan was to investigate the “Land of Happiness” after reading about the government policies that try to maximize this for their people. I thought this was intriguing…
Read MoreEnlightenment in the Kathmandu Valley
Wellbeing insights from Kathmandu, Nepal: • Understanding Nepalese Culture: Meeting truly genuine and humble people who do their best and stay happy on the journey. • Entrepreneurship: Focusing on the environment and betterment for all. • Perspective: Hearing about the caste system and realizing how lucky we are in the USA to have an equal…
Read MoreDiscovering Chengdu – City of the Panda
Discovering Chengdu, China – City of the Panda Chengdu has distinct food (not just spicy), culture, and scenery Most meaningful experience: Really enjoyed learning about the Chengdu culture of food, fun conversation, and history. Watch a traditional Sichuan “changing of the face” opera performance in Jinli Pedestrian Street Sample the local hot pots and deliciously…
Read MoreBorneo: One of the Best Dive Spots, left in the World
Bornea and Sipadan is One of the Best Dive Spots Diving in Sipadan is one of the last beautiful tropical places remaining Most meaningful experience: Diving in Sipadan, one of the best dive sites in the world. Exploring the island of Mabul where people lived basically and still enjoyed life. Diving the marine-filled waters of…
Read MoreAustralia, Aside from the East Coast
I gathered this information from a friend who had explored some other areas. 7 places to visit in Australia aside from the East Coast So you’ve done the East Coast of Australia and want to venture further afield to explore some of the country’s spectacular natural wonders. From the temperate rainforests of Tassie to the…
Read MoreAustralia’s East Coast
Most Meaningful Australian Experience: In 2001, I visited an old friend, baseball teammate Jamie McDonald in Australia. We took a bus trip all the way from Brisbane to Whitsundays. We had a great time and adventure; till this day we share that bond. #2: I probably couldn’t have been a Navy Seal. 13 top things…
Read MoreThe Incredible Diversity of India
The Incredible Diversity of India India at the turn of the Millennium India has been one of my regular travel locations since I first visited in 2001. Then I was part of a GE program working in the emergency call center business in Bangalore, Delhi, Bombay (now Mumbai) and Hyderabad. I fell in love with…
Read MoreFried Cheese Banana
In Indonesia and Malaysia, a popular dessert is fried banana with melted cheese. It sounds terrible for western palettes but it’s not bad actually! Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Read MoreTraveling Indonesia for 30 Days of Adventure
Traveling Indonesia for 30 Days I took a trip around Indonesia for 30 days and here is what I discovered Most meaningful experience: Making the challenging, three-day trek to the summit of Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island. Top Tips: Go freediving with the team at Fusion Freediving in Amed or venture to Labuanbajo to dive…
Read MoreSingapore’s Government Funded Innovation
How Singapore Built an Innovative Economy The Government fueled the transition from manufacturing to skills-based economy Singapore has developed an economy based on real technical innovation. From mid-90s, the government invested heavily in research centers to develop the skills and knowledge of its local people. It is the easy-to-do business hub for the emerging South…
Read MoreMalaysia: Penang, Malacca, and Georgetown
Most meaningful experience: Learning about the diverse history of Malacca and Georgetown. Cooking Class in Penang! Eating, eating and eating – the hawker stalls in Malacca and Georgetown are sensational! Top tips: – Get lost in the bustling streets of Malacca’s Chinatown and admire the diverse architecture along Harmony Street. – Learn about Penang’s unique…
Read MoreMyanmar’s Magic
Most meaningful experience: Taking a long train ride – just once – gave me a chance to see the countryside of Myanmar and appreciate the bullet trains of Asia. Watching people live on Inle Lake was magestic. Developing a new relationship with Wayne and Amber was special. Top tips: • Explore the…
Read MoreRe-Visiting Vietnam: 15 Years Later
Visiting Vietnam 15 Years Later Vietnam is an exciting country in terms of economic development and food Most meaningful experience: I visited Vietnam again in November, 2015 – more than 10 years after my last trip. Seeing the economic growth and the potential for more excited me. Spending time with new and old friends. Sleeping…
Read MoreSiargao Island, Undiscovered Philippines During New Years
Undiscovered Siargao Island – Surf, Singing, and Scary Typhoon 2014 Siargao (Shar Gaw) Island is a beautiful destination for tourists who like to go out of the way, explore remote places, and enjoy surfing / kitesurfing South East Asia is an incredibly popular tourist destination, and I often hear from people about their beach party…
Read MoreAsian Mobile Game Developers Coming to the West in 2015
Over the past two years, the western Android and iOS app stores have been dominated by three major developers: King, Supercell, and Kabam. The next 10 best-selling game developers — a list that includes household names such as EA, Gameloft, Disney — then take the bulk of the remaining global mobile gaming revenues. Chinese and Japanese game makers know…
Read MoreExploring Rajasthan and an Indian Wedding
Exploring Rajasthan and an Indian Wedding The most fascinating part of India is Rajasthan While most of my trips to India have been Mumbai based, in 2015 I had the opportunity to explore Rajasthan when I was invited to my friend Ranjan’s wedding. It was the most fun I may ever have had. Rajasthan is…
Read MoreIndonesia’s Fast Growing Tech Market
Indonesia’s Fast-Growing Technology Market Indonesia is exploding. Catch it while you can. Indonesia has quietly become a great place to do business. The country finally seems to have cast off many of the problems that plagued it for years. Investors are starting to notice. Tokopedia recently raised $100 million from Sequoia and Softbank, Zalora raised…
Read MoreWhat I Learned When the Power Went Out in SF and the Philippines
Over the past two weeks due to the wildfires in California, my power has gone out twice. AND I REALLY LIKED IT. Here’s why: 1. Turning off the power becomes a day off for everyone including the 7-11, Safeway, and gas stations. It is like a snow day or bad weather, but it’s even better because the…
Read MoreWant to Volunteer in Nepal? Here is a List of Non-Profits
Want to Volunteer in Nepal? Here is a list of non-profits from the embassy. 1. BASE 2. BSP Nepal Biogas Support Programme 3. CEHURDES Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies 4. CMF Centre for Micro-Finance in Nepal 5. Communicaction Corner 6. CVICT 7. CWIN 8. COPPADES 9. Didibahini 10. Ecohimal 11. Educate the Children…
Read MoreAn Anecdote About Doing Business in Asia
An Anecdote about Doing Business in Asia People often ask what I think the biggest differences are doing biz in US, China, and Japan. Here is how I can answer. A man walks into an American convenient store and asks for a Pepsi (Note: I prefer Pepsi over Coke so I’m using Pepsi in this…
Read MoreTop 10 Reasons You Know You Lived in China/Asia Too Long
Upon returning to the US, here are the Top 10 Reasons You Know you were in China/Asia too long: 10) You can understand everything that people say around you 9) When crossing the street, you feel uncomfortable because of the lack of speeding cars and bicycles. You wait until a car speeds by and then…
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