5 Amazing Cities In India You Can’t Give A Miss

Rishikesh Sunset

Are you planning your first trip ever to India? What comes to your mind when you think of India? Probably the majestic Himalayas, saints wrapped in saffron, cheerful people, lots of colours, spicy indian food, and not to forget the world famous indian ‘chai’. And yes, what’s India without its Yoga? India has often been associated with spirituality and meditation, and yoga originated in India.

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Penang Hill: Sunrise and Nature Walk

I wanted to end my last day in Penang with something breathtaking and worthwhile. I didn’t get my desired sunset at Kek Lok Si temple so I made sure to wake up early for the sunrise this time at Penang Hill. Hoping the odds for good light would be better. Also known as Bukit Bendera, the distinguishing peaks seen from the city of George Town is easily accessible. With only around 6km from the city center to its jump-off at Air Itam, it’s one of the favorite cool escapes for the locals and tourists alike.

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Whale Watching Cruise: An Incredible Surprise for Any Occasion

Whale watching cruise in Sidney

Buying a gift for a friend or family member can be difficult, most of us end up aimlessly wandering around the shopping mall hoping to find something that they’ll like and not succeeding. It often gets so close to their birthday that we give up on the idea of a perfect gift and go with something generic like a watch, perfume or a piece of jewellery. Instead of the usual, boring present, why not present them with something they’ll never forget?

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Kek Lok Si Temple: Impressive Temple of Supreme Bliss

I was looking for a place to take night photos in Penang when an image of a beautifully lit Kek Lok Si Temple popped up on my searches. The fantasy-land like lights of the temple would offer plenty of photo opportunities especially after sunset. Reading more, I learned that there’s a lot of superlatives going for this temple. Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. It has the tallest Buddhist pagoda, tallest granite pillars and the tallest statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. My interest deepened that I made sure to hop a bus at KOMTAR to Air Itam one afternoon in Penang.

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Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival celebrates its 3rd year

I grew up with jazz music as one of my soundtracks of my youth. I can clearly remember beach trips with family with smooth jazz setting the mood in the air while lounging by the sand and sharing stories with siblings and parents. Kenny G, Swing Out Sisters, Style Council where blaring through cassette tape players then. Then came modern jazz artist that accompanied travels like Norah Jones, Michael Bubble and some Everything But the Girl. I may not listen to them as often lately but memories associated with them are always pleasant and strong. Music somehow makes our lives more sweeter. Memories of road trips more vivid with songs. And with much excitement I’ll be visiting Kuching, Malaysia next week for the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival. Now on its third year this 2019, this festival brings together a round of talented jazz art from Asia and beyond on a 2 day musical festival this 27-28th of September, 2019. It would be a good opportunity to get familiar with other talents from our neighbouring countries.

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Charm of Old George Town and Street Art Spice

A couple of Zacharevic's murals in George Town

The gorgeous colonial city of George Town consists of more than 12,000 old buildings and structures of varying Asian and European influences. From Charming shophouses, jetties and temples, colourful Indian temples, Muslim Mosque and British colonial government offices earning its place under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 2008. It’s a real delight to stroll around the city and feel being transported back in the old world of Penang. In 2012, Penang municipality decided to breath life into this old walls by incorporating street art into public spaces. While I love street art, done wrong can make the place messy. But seems like George Town found just the right artist for the job.

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