The index of my posts, sorted out by country.

Australia:

• Going Southeast to Reach the West. A prologue to the stories on Australia.
• Australia, Building A New Nation. A brief history of Australia.
• Sydney’s Symphony. Impressions of Australia’s biggest city.
• Enduring Icons of Sydney. A brief history of the city’s two most iconic landmarks.
• Melbourne’s Alluring Warmth. Impressions of Sydney’s perennial rival.
• Remembering the Fallen. A brief history on a monument to honor Australians who have served in war.
• Advance Australia Fare. From the world to Down Under.
• Sydney or Melbourne? The Reveal. My answer to this perennial question.

Austria:

• 5 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Vienna. Find out more why Vienna is my most favorite city so far.

Bhutan:

• Land of the Thunder Dragon. An introduction to the series of posts on the Himalayan kingdom.
• Bhutan: A Sunny Welcome. First day in Bhutan, from nice weather to great food.
• Thimphu: Up Close and Personal. A closer look at the Bhutanese capital.
• Entering the Divine Madman’s Land. The epicenter of Bhutan’s phallic obsession.
• Beauty Has A Name: Punakha. Exploring one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever been to.
• Paro: Bhutan’s Sleepy Gateway. From 17th-century dzong to an ancient Tibetan temple.
• The Ascent to Tiger’s Nest. Visiting the most iconic landmark of Bhutan.

Britain:

• A Travel Through Time, Coventry. A look into Britain’s 12th largest city.

Brunei:

• Opulent Bandar Seri Begawan. Shining golden domes in a very quiet capital.

Cambodia:

• Angkor Wat: The Khmer Jewel and Pride. Needless to say this is one of the places that you have to go in your life.
• The Enigmatic Faces of Bayon. A temple adorned with gigantic faces at the heart of an ancient Khmer capital.
• Ta Prohm: A Temple Amidst The Woods. A crumbling temple held together by large trees.
• Cycling around Angkor Archaeological Park. Explore the massive Angkor complex by bike and get healthy!
• Phnom Penh in a Glimpse. A short visit and a little peek to the Cambodian capital.
• The Cambodian Royal Palace. The palace of the Kingdom of Wonder.
• Great to See You Again, Cambodia! An introduction to the series of posts from my second trip to this country.
• Smitten with Siem Reap. How Cambodia’s second city has changed since my first visit.
• Roluos and the Beginning of the Khmer Empire. A visit to a group of temples east of Siem Reap.
• The East Mebon & Pre Rup: Stately Legacies in Eastern Angkor. Among the most impressive ancient temples along the Grand Circuit.

China:

• Inspired by Xingping. A small Chinese town with a majestic backdrop.
• Walking The Dragon’s Backbone. Everything in China seems to be made in a grand scale, including the rice terraces.
• When A Stranger Saves The Day. A story of true kindness of a Chinese young man.
• Shamian Island: The Perfect Conclusion. A much-needed respite after a fun but challenging week in Southern China.

Germany:

• Nuremberg: The Ups and Downs. A brief history of Bavaria’s second largest city.

Hong Kong:

• A Very Foggy Day in Hong Kong. The city of skyscrapers covered in mist and fog.
• An Even Foggier Day in Hong Kong. When the fog thickened, my frustration grew higher.
• The Exploration of Hong Kong’s Alleys and Beyond. Going deep into many corners of Hong Kong to understand the city better.
• Learning The History of The Fragrant Harbor. Get out of the crowd and learn the history of this fascinating city.
• A Laid-Back Escape from The Bustle of Hong Kong. If you are in the mood for relaxing in this city, Stanley might be the place to go.
• Kicking Off the Year of the Horse. A visit to Hong Kong for celebrating Chinese New Year.
• An Afternoon at Shek O. An idyllic beach right on the same island where skyscrapers dominate the skyline.
• Sai Kung: A Paradise, A Home and A Past. Mixed feelings on Hong Kong’s hidden paradise.
• An Oasis in the Concrete Jungle. An oriental garden amid Hong Kong’s tall housing estates and overlapping flyovers.
• Recollections of A Lost Icon. A story of a place the world has seen once and would probably never see again.
• Life in A Concrete Jungle: A Photoessay. Photographs from one of the most densely populated places on earth.
• Food of the Fragrant Harbor Part 1: Earth & Sea. Delicacies from Asia’s melting pot.
• Food of the Fragrant Harbor Part 2: Little Treasures. Heaven can come in small pieces of food.
• Tai O: Withstanding Rapid Change. A small fishing village amid rapid modernization on Lantau Island.
• Treasures of A Heritage Trail. A look at how life was like in the territory when the New Territories was still part of China.
• A Boat Away, A World Away. A jaunt to one of Hong Kong’s Outlying Islands.
• From Mei Ho House to the World. The humble beginning of a world-class Asian director.
• A Day of Retreat at Stanley. Revisiting one of Hong Kong’s laid back corners.
• An Unlikely Urban Sanctuary. A small piece of land in the middle of Hong Kong where rare birds find peace.
• Lai Chi Wo: A Lychee Nest No More. The story of a small village’s effort to preserve its wealth.
• Western Hong Kong Island: A Walk Back in Time. Tracing history in Hong Kong’s western Mid-Levels.
• Maritime Asia, Past and Present. A lesson from the short visit to Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
• Hollowed Hill and Enclosed Trees: A Photoessay. Photos from 1881 Heritage, an old building turned into a shopping center.
• A Tale of Three Cities: Hong Kong. Past, present and future of this financial hub.
• Hong Kong at a Slower Pace. Highlights of the fifth visit to the city.
• The Mills: Revitalization with Sensibility. Take a look at a beautifully-done renewal project in the city.
• Tai Kwun: A Reinvented Police Station. Take a look at one of Hong Kong’s most ambitious conservation projects.
• Island Life in Cheung Chau. How life at a much slower pace would look like in Hong Kong.
• A Quiet Comeback. Visiting the reopened Hong Kong Museum of Art.
• A Slice of Kowloon. A stroll around Yau Ma Tei.
• A Look at Hong Kong’s Hybridism. How dualism has defined Hong Kong.
• Sunset Peak and 2020 In Retrospect. A hiking trip that turned out to provide a glimpse of 2020.

India:

• Mahabalipuram: Rise of the Pallavas. Architectural heritage of an ancient southern Indian dynasty.
• The Cholas: Conquerors from Southern India. A brief history of one of the greatest Tamil dynasties in history.
• Vijayanagara: the Beginning. A glimpse of the otherworldly landscape of Hampi and a brief introduction to its history.
• Vijayanagara: the Golden Period. A story of an era when Vijayanagara was at its height.
• Vijayanagara: the Legacy. What remains from the once-largest empire in the South Indian history.
• Kochi: From Spices to Kathakali. Impressions of colonial vestiges in Kerala.
• Perceiving Kerala. Sights and impressions of Kerala.
• Goa and Catholicism in India. The beginning of more than four centuries of Portuguese rule in the Indian subcontinent.
• Chennai: An Enduring Charm. A side of India’s fourth biggest city rarely seen by outsiders.
• Pondicherry: Vestiges of French India. A short stay in Pi’s hometown.
• Thanjavur and the Doctrine of Lapse. A visit to the city’s former royal palace.
• Kolkata and the British Raj. A grand memorial in India’s third biggest metropolis.
• Madurai: Under the Watchful Eyes of 1,000 Gods. A short visit to Madurai’s impressive Tamil temple.

Indonesia:

• Jogja: The Soul of Java. Discover why the city of Jogja is truly the heart of Javanese culture.
• The (Friendlier) Face of Jakarta. The less exposed side of the “Big Durian”.
• The Great Heritage of An Ancient Javanese Kingdom. Find out more about thousands of years old UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the heart of the island of Java.
• Dvarapala: The Guardian Statue. Take a closer look at the ancient guardian statues of Javanese temples.
• The Dutch Charm in Jakarta’s Old Town. Take a little look at a more charming part of Jakarta.
• A (Failed) Leap of Faith at Tidung Islands. Idyllic beach on small islands just north of Jakarta.
• A Place Called Home. Home sweet hometown.
• Misty White Crater. Where mountain mist meets volcanic steam.
• Sweet Reminiscence of Tidung Islands. Some interesting pictures around Tidung Islands.
• The Confession of A Fledgling Traveler. First time in Bali, after 26 years.
• Ubud: The Heart of Cultural Bali. Discover cultural side of Bali.
• Bali’s Beach Getaways. Take a little look at some of Bali’s beaches.
• Fun, Fun, Fun in Bali! Some of Bali’s cozy and fun places to hang out.
• Karma Kandara and Nammos Beach. Paradise on The Island of Paradise.
• The Majestic Uluwatu Temple. A humble temple which is perched on the edge of a cliff, just amazing!
• The 26th Southeast Asian Games. 11 countries competing to be the best in Southeast Asia (I wish I were there!).
• The Approaching Excitement. December announcement of my upcoming travels.
• Cemoro Lawang: A Village in The Clouds. A serene village on the slope of an ancient caldera.
• Catching Sunrise at Mount Penanjakan. A perfect place to witness spectacular sunrise.
• Unearthly Mount Bromo and Tengger Caldera. A must-visit place for all volcano lovers.
• Bali: Revisited. An introductory post to my second time in Bali.
• A Fiery Afternoon at Uluwatu. Kecak dance, one of Balinese most famous dances, performed at the edge of a cliff.
• Close Encounters with The Monkeys of The Sacred Forest. Living side by side with animals is good for us.
• Feast of Colors at Ubud Market. A perfect place for shopping lovers and artistic souvenirs enthusiasts.
• Replenishing Holy Water of Pura Tirta Empul. The first post in 2012, with a reason.
• Elephant Cave: The Witness of Hinduism and Buddhism Harmony in Bali. Another great place where two different religions (presumably) lived together.
• An Excursion to Bali’s Highlands. Discover a more peaceful side of Bali.
• The Humble Yet Intricate Pura Taman Ayun. Another Balinese temple, but with different architecture.
• Pura Tanah Lot: A Temple at The Sea. The most amazing sight that I saw on my second trip to Bali.
• A Nostalgic Escape in Bandung. Revisiting the city where I spent my college years.
• Jakarta on A Sunday. A lighter side of the Indonesian capital.
• Candi Sukuh: The Naked Temple. Erotic? Mysterious? Captivating? I let you do the judging.
• A Legacy of The Great Admiral. Zheng He’s most significant legacy to the city of Semarang.
• Lake Toba: Nature’s Wrath Turned Into Eden. A place so calm and relaxing which was once a supervolcano.
• The Intriguing Culture of Samosir Island. This pristine island has an intriguing history which will fascinate everyone.
• The Legend of Samosir’s First Settlers. The King who started it all at Samosir Island.
• The King, The Missionary and The Trial Stone. A dark twist on the history of Batak people.
• Dance and Swing Until The Egg Breaks. The performance of a Batak traditional dance and what the place has to offer.
• Medan: Unexpectedly Interesting. This North Sumatran provincial capital is definitely worth a visit.
• What an Exquisite Deli! When Malay, Spanish, Indian and Arabic architecture combined: exquisite palace and mosque!
• Picture The World – Indonesia. Taking part in a project to create a mosaic of pictures from all over the world.
• A Taste of Home. Even a travel-addict misses delicacies from home.
• Blue Skies Over Bromo. This iconic volcano in Indonesia never ceases to amaze me.
• Tracing Jakarta’s History. A short visit to the once-thriving port of Sunda Kelapa.
• All Traditional at Prembaen Market. Warmheartedness in a thriving traditional market in Semarang.
• On the Bank of A Prehistoric Lake. A light read on a nice hiking trail in Bandung.
• Secluded and Mysterious Plaosan Temples. A glimpse of Java’s less-known ancient temple.
• The House of Indonesian Treasures. Take a look at what the national museum of Indonesia has to offer.
• Divide et Impera: From Borobudur to Vredeburg. How the old strategy of divide and rule created a profound impact in history.
• A Walk in the Neighborhood. Unexpected discoveries from strolling around my neighborhood.
• The Heritage of Cirebon. A look into the once thriving coastal kingdom on the island of Java.
• Gedong Songo: Prelude to Borobudur. A compound of five Hindu temples perched on the slopes of a mountain.
• A Gastronomic Adventure in Semarang. Spicy and tasty, mild and smooth, the stark contrasts of Semarang dishes.
• In Search of the True Bali. Exploring the last few remaining corners of Bali which are yet to be altered by mass tourism.
• Ubud: A Sensory Indulgence. Teasing the senses in the cultural center of Bali.
• Candi Gunung Kawi: A Shrouded Grandeur. A wonderful mankind’s creation in a beautiful setting of Central Bali.
• Kerta Gosa: Bali’s Palace of Justice. A small pavilion of justice with some dauntingly vivid ceiling paintings.
• The Unforgiving Rinjani. Taming the natural giant, only to be engulfed by its might.
• Lombok Beaches Part 1: Changing Faces. The pictures of Lombok’s pristine beaches, before completely changed forever.
• Lombok Beaches Part 2: Paradise Found. Truly a piece of paradise in a remote corner of the island of Lombok.
• Sasak Dishes: A Twist in Taste. The unique and addictive dishes of Sasak people in Lombok.
• The Fading Charm of the Little Netherlands. Exploring the Dutch colonial quarter of Semarang.
• Bromo: Third Time’s A Charm. Every visit to this breathtaking Indonesian landscape has its own story.
• Nusa Lembongan: Small Island, Big Allure. The island of paradise has its own often forgotten paradise.
• Nusa Ceningan: A Safe Haven for Birds. A safe place for birds in the time when more birds are caught and sold.
• Taman Sari: Life in The Sultan’s Own Backyard. A look into the ruins of Jogja’s Water Castle.
• A Day Without Temples in Jogja. Exploring Java’s cultural center, skipping the ancient temples altogether.
• A Glimpse of Malang. The impressions from a short visit to East Java’s second city.
• Medan’s Chinese Heritage. The oriental taste in Indonesia’s third biggest city.
• A Taste of the Archipelago. More culinary adventure from places around Indonesia.
• Venerating Gods and Spirits in Bali. A brief history on Balinese artistic finesse.
• Politics, Religion and Art at Jakarta’s Focal Point. My first visit to the capital’s focal point in 18 years.
• Feeling, Breathing Ubud. Snapshots from Bali’s cultural center.
• Tirta Empul: Spring of Gods. The history behind the fascinating ritual performed in this Balinese temple.
• Terraces of Life. On a land where rice terraces abound.
• The Moon and the Rock. Two of Bali’s less-visited tourism sights.
• The Jewel of Eastern Bali. Bali’s less-known beautiful sight, far from the crowded south.
• Peacefulness by the Water. Another less-known beautiful sight in Bali’s eastern region.
• A Smokey Business in Kaliasin. A humble beginning of a sought-after Javanese delicacy.
• A Night of Endless Captivation. One of the most amazing traditional dance performances in my life.
• Revisiting Bali’s Spiritual Monuments. Three monuments symbolizing the stages in human’s life.
• Places of Worship: Beyond the Structure. Short stories from some of Semarang’s most interesting places of worship.
• Anniversary of the Big Durian. The Indonesian capital turns 487 this year.
• The Tale of Two Temples. How a Majapahit priest laid the foundation of Balinese Hinduism.
• A Bat Cave Like No Other. Bats are not the only ones living in the cave, purportedly.
• Flores: From Maumere to Komodo. An overview of the magical eastern Indonesian island of Flores.
• Sikka: Traces of A Kingdom. A short visit to an unlikely historical place in southern Flores.
• Kelimutu: A Dream Fulfilled. A visit to the three colored mountain lakes on the island of Flores.
• Ende: The Birthplace of Pancasila. A little town where the nation’s ideology was born.
• Wogo and Bena: A Tradition Preserved. A glimpse of unique blend of Ngadanese ancient rituals and Catholicism.
• Life in the Land of Abundance. With rice terraces so vast and majestic, Manggarai is truly a place of wonders.
• Western Flores: Heading to the Dragons. Embarking on a journey to meet prehistoric creatures.
• Komodo: A Magnificent Conclusion. An unforgettable trip concluded in a tropical paradise.
• Dance of An Eternal Battle. Bali’s depiction of the eternal battle between virtue and evil.
• Candidasa: A Lesson for All. Learning from the mistakes of a Balinese coastal community to prevent it from happening again.
• A Mother’s Trouble. How Bali’s holiest temple is engulfed with mass tourism-related problems.
• Revitalizing A Haunted Building. Bringing back Semarang’s notoriously haunted building to its former glory.
• Tastes of the Island of Gods. Bali is known for its beauty, but its food has yet to get the same attention.
• An Epic Love Story, Retold. Incorporating Ramayana in one of the most iconic Balinese dances.
• Paris of Java, Past and Present. Understanding Bandung’s colonial heritage to revive the city’s long-gone charm.
• The Menjangan Part 1: Sweet Air & Birdsong. A Balinese eco-resort loaded with surprises from the nature.
• The Menjangan Part 2: Underwater Gardens. Stories and images from one of Bali’s most beautiful snorkeling/diving sites.
• The Dutch, the Caretaker, and the Little Girl. Impressions from Bali’s tranquil northern temples.
• Jakarta’s Focal Points: A Historical Perspective. One day, two focal points, three explorers in the Indonesian capital.
• Batukaru: Sight, Sound, Taste. A rejuvenating stay in Bali’s pristine rainforest.
• Bogor at A Glance. Impressions of Jakarta’s southern neighbor.
• The Burgeoning Pearl of the Musi. Images and stories from South Sumatra’s thriving capital.
• From Fish Balls to Submarines. Dishes from South Sumatra, relatively unknown to people outside Indonesia.
• Taman Ayun: Beauty in Serenity. A second visit to one of the most recognizable temples in Bali.
• Three Months across Indonesia. The highlights of my three-month trip across the country.
• Dieng: Dawn of Javanese Hindu Temples. On Dieng Plateau at the heart of Java and its history.
• Sailendra: From Shaivism to Mahayana Buddhism. A story of the beginning of the Sailendras and the Sanjayas.
• Dharanindra: King of Medang and Srivijaya. A brief history of King Indra, conqueror of foreign lands from Java.
• Borobudur: A Mahayana Buddhist Masterpiece. Images and stories of the world’s biggest Buddhist monument.
• Prambanan: Resurgence of Hinduism in Java. Javanese Hindus’ answer to Borobudur.
• Pramodhawardhani: the Buddhist Patroness in Hindu Java. An interfaith royal marriage in ancient Java.
• Ratu Boko: A Palace of Conundrum. Probably the most enigmatic ancient site in the Kewu Plain.
• Banda Aceh over the Centuries. A brief history of a land from which Islam spread to the entire archipelago.
• Rise of Islam in Java. When the once stronghold of Hinduism embraced Islam.
• Cirebon: A Cultural Melting Pot. A brief look at Cirebon’s history and how cultural assimilation changed the city.
• Candi Cetho: A Creation of Those Who Remained. A story on one of Java’s last major Hindu temples.
• Minangkabau: the Land of Buffalo Horns. A glimpse of the unique culture and architecture of the Minang people.
• Islands that Changed the World: Ternate & Tidore. What significance did these small islands have in the 16th century?
• Ternate: Science and Superstition. Alfred Russell Wallace’s playground happens to be a place where superstitions live on.
• Ambon: Colonialism, Peace and Music. The story of a city once ruled by the Europeans, and its recovery from conflicts in the past.
• Islands that Changed the World: the Bandas. The Banda Islands’ fertile soil is both a blessing and a curse.
• Run for Manhattan. A twist in the world history only a few people are aware of.
• The Banda Islands: Land and Sea. Both on land and in the sea, the Bandas are truly blessed with abundance.
• The Faces of Banda. The friendly people I met during my two-week stay in the Banda Islands.
• Medan: From Deli to Tjong A Fie. Beyond the rugged surface of Indonesia’s fourth biggest city lies precious cultural gems.
• Batak: From Traditional Beliefs to Christianity. A brief history on how Christianity reached this often misjudged community.
• Toraja: Where Life Revolves around Death. A glimpse of the unique cultural landscape of South Sulawesi’s highlands.
• Sweet Food from the Heart of Java. Javanese cooking and its association with sweetness.
• Baluran: Into the Wilderness. A slice of Africa in the remote corner of East Java.
• A Tale of Three Cities: Jakarta. Past, present and future of the Indonesian capital.
• Penataran: Appeasing the Mountain God. A centuries-old Hindu temple in East Java which still impresses today.
• Semarang: My Cherished Hometown. Slow, friendly, cheap, what’s not to love about this city?
• Fragrant Water and Putrid Air. A story on Banyuwangi and the crater of Mount Ijen.
• Ngempon, Twelve Centuries Later. A brief story on Semarang’s lesser-known ancient temple.
• South Sulawesi: From Cave Art to A Modern City. Home to the world’s oldest hand stencil and a thriving city.
• Architectural Gems of Old Cirebon. The lesser known Dutch heritage of this coastal city in West Java.
• Candi Badut: A Remnant of Kanjuruhan. What is left from an obscure eighth-century kingdom from East Java.
• Singhasari: Bloodshed and Beauty. Power struggles of a 13th-century Javanese kingdom.
• Singhasari: Rise and Fall. When the Mongols attempted to conquer Java.
• Javanese Royal Palaces: Surakarta. First of three posts on three formerly unified kingdoms of Java.
• Javanese Royal Palaces: Yogyakarta. Second of three posts on three formerly unified kingdoms of Java.
• Javanese Royal Palaces: Mangkunegaran. Third of three posts on three formerly unified kingdoms of Java.
• Radya Pustaka: A Forlorn Museum. The troubles Indonesia’s second-oldest museum faces.
• Blitar under the Radar. Stories and postcards from a low-key city in East Java.
• Banjarmasin: A Flood of Memories. Visiting a city I left more than three decades ago.
• Surabaya: Brash and Brave. A short account on Indonesia’s second largest city.
• Belitung through My Phone. It’s always wise to bring your camera when you travel.
• 10 Years in Jakarta. A reflection on my tenth year living in the Indonesian capital.
• Trowulan: An Ancient Javanese City. What remains from Indonesia’s only surviving ancient city.
• Trowulan: Beauty in Red Brick. From a once-buried temple to a towering modern-esque one.
• Killing Time in Semarang. Alternative places to visit in the Central Javan city.
• Bandung Part 1: Civic Spaces. Exploring some of the legacies of Ridwan Kamil.
• Bandung Part 2: Art Spaces. Some of the best art venues the city has to offer.
• ARTJOG 2019: A Retrospective. Stories and images from the most exciting art event I’ve ever been to.
• A Morning with Javanese Jesus. Visiting a unique church at the heart of Java.
• Ancol: Dreaming of Blue Skies. A throwback to my first city exploration in 2019.
• Embracing the Southern Lifestyle. Life in the southern part of Jakarta.
• Ngawen & Losari: Temples on the Outskirts of Jogja. Two lesser-known temples around Jogja.
• Sambisari & Kedulan: the Underground Temples. Two sites that were once buried deep in the ground for centuries.
• Candi Ijo: A Silent Witness of Change. Looking at the grand scheme of things from the perspective of an ancient temple.
• Post-Pandemic Travel Dream: Appreciating the Little Things. Dreaming of the day when the pandemic is over.
• Reminiscing the Old Normal. A nostalgia of life before Covid-19.
• Batujaya: Dawn of an Era. A quick visit to Indonesia’s oldest temple ruins.
• A Change of Heart about Semarang. This must be among the best things that happened to me in 2020.
• Kota Lama: Between Restoration and Reinvention. Semarang’s old town is at a crossroads.
• The Hong Kong and Paris Trips that Never Happened. A tribute to my father.
• Vestiges of Semarang’s Ethnic Quarters. Visiting the city’s Chinese, Muslim and Malay areas.
• New Spirit of A Grande Dame. How Semarang reinvents itself.
• Exploring the World, Pandemic Style. Jakarta’s international cuisine selection has grown even more exciting.
• A Slice of Taiwan in Semarang. Taiwan’s soft power at display in the city.
• Snippets of Yogyakarta. Images from my trip to this part of Java in 2015 that have never been published.
• A Short Escape to Ambarawa. A half-day trip to a small town near Semarang.
• Cisadon and A Look Back at 2021. A reflection on a really tough year for me.
• Garut: A Warm Welcome in A Cool City. On completing a trip that was long overdue.
• Raw Beauty of Papandayan. A pleasant hike to a picturesque volcano.
• Lessons from Kampung Naga. Revisiting a picturesque traditional village in West Java.
• Why Tegal? A trip down the memory lane to an unassuming city on Java.
• Jakarta, Three Ways. Exploring the Indonesian capital from three perspectives.
• Sarinah: A Compelling Restoration. A fresh look of Indonesia’s oldest department store.
• Tasting Jakarta. A compilation of Betawi dishes based on my experience.
• Candi Selogriyo: A Picturesque Detour. Visiting a small ancient temple in a beautiful setting.
• No Peacock at Candi Merak. A brief stop at a lesser-known ancient temple at the heart of Java.
• A Ride to the Past. Visiting Jakarta’s most beautiful train station and delving into its history.
• Puncak: Jakarta’s Lush Backyard. Visiting the mountainous region south of Jakarta.
• Mount Kencana: Into the Tea Country. A proper visit to an expansive tea estate in West Java.
• Prambanan: The One that Keeps Calling. My nth time visiting this endlessly fascinating ancient temple.
• Candi Bubrah & Lumbung: Overlooked and Underrated. A visit to two smaller temples near Prambanan.

Japan:

• Impressions of Japan. Impressions of one of my dream destinations.
• Osaka Calling. Impressions of Japan’s second largest city.
• Okayama Delights. This is a place I can see myself returning one day just to eat.
• The Invincible White Heron. The history of Japan’s most magnificent castle.
• Kurashiki: A Glimpse of Pre-War Japan. What Japan would have looked like if its cities were not bombed.
• Kyoto: A Prologue. The exploration of Japan’s former capital begins.
• Kyoto’s Pavilions of Beauty. Visiting ancient Japanese capital’s gold and silver pavilions.
• Nijo-jo: From the Hollyhock to the Chrysanthemum. A story on a palace for the shoguns.
• A Vermilion Dream. Impressions of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha.
• A Pilgrimage to Purity. Any visit to Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera should begin with a pure intention.
• Kyoto Sanctuaries: Yasaka Shrine and Chion-in. A Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple at the heart of Kyoto.
• Eating Well in Kyoto. From centuries-old establishments to modern restaurants, Kyoto is perfect for foodies.
• Chasing the Sun in Nara. A day trip to one of Japan’s ancient capitals.
• Heian Shrine: A Blast to the Past. How Japan’s national expo brought a long-gone palace to life.

Jordan:

• Jordan and A Travel Resolution Fulfilled. Country number 30 and the completion of 302020.
• Amman’s Layers of History. A brief history of the Jordanian capital.
• Along the Colonnaded Street of Jerash. A visit to one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world.
• Madaba’s Marvelous Mosaics. Underneath the roofs of the city’s churches lie spectacular mosaics.
• Petra the Magnificent – Part 1. First of two posts on this ancient wonder.
• Petra the Magnificent – Part 2. Second and final post on this great Nabatean city.
• Wadi Rum: Where Imagination Runs Wild. Experience Jordan’s magical desert.
• A Taste of the Levant: Jordan. Differences between Jordanian and Lebanese foods, and more.

Laos:

• Lao Food: I Lao You! Take a quick look at some of the most delicious dishes I’ve ever tasted ever!
• Vientiane: The Rush-Free Capital. Venture into Southeast Asia’s most laid-back capital.
• The Long Road to Luang Prabang. The ups and downs during the 11-hour minivan ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
• The Soothing Charm of Luang Prabang. A glimpse of daily life in Laos’ second city.
• The Wat and The Waterfall. Luang Prabang’s cultural and natural highlights.

Lebanon:

• Lebanon: Charming at Every Turn. An introduction to the series on this beguiling Middle Eastern nation.
• Beirut’s Scars and Hope. The convoluted history of Lebanon and its capital.
• Beirut Art through the Millennia. Beirut’s status as the region’s art hub has a long history.
• Into Lebanon’s Snowy Realms. This is a piece of the Middle East most people are unaware of.
• Bsharri and the Holy Valley. Probably one of the most beautiful places in the entire Middle East.
• A Valley Between the Snows. A journey to Lebanon’s notorious Beqaa Valley.
• The Temple of the Wine God. A visit to a spectacular Roman temple.
• Anjar: From the Umayyads to the Armenians. Discover this lesser-known gem of Lebanon.
• A Taste of the Levant: Lebanon. A glimpse of this nation’s exciting culinary scene.

Macau:

• Um Dia na Macau (One Day in Macau). Take a glimpse of the first European post in the Far East.
• Macau: the World’s Last Portuguese Colony. Macau’s past, present and future in brief.

Malaysia:

• It’s Kay-El, Not Kal-El. The story of Kuala Lumpur, a rapidly-changing city.
• Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and What We Can Learn from It. A wildlife sanctuary in the middle of a bustling city.
• Batu Caves and The Calling to Go to India. India is now in my top list thanks to this place.
• Just Passing Through, Kuala Lumpur. A short essay on my usual city of transit.
• Malacca: the Gateway to East Asia. A brief history of the once important port in the Strait of Malacca.
• George Town’s Light and Shadow. The history of colonial Penang.
• Penang and the Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia’s Chinese communities’ contribution to the region.

Myanmar:

• Yangon: A City-Sized Time Capsule. A city which struggles to live in the modern era without leaving its precious heritage.
• Shwedagon: More Than Just Another Pagoda. The heart of Burmese people’s religious life.
• Shwedagon: Buddhism in the Land of Gold. A second visit to Myanmar’s most sacred pilgrimage site.
• Bagan Rising. The rise of one of the greatest Buddhist empires in the region.
• Bagan: Into Turbulent Time. A series of assassinations in the darker period of the kingdom.
• Bagan: An Empire in Decline. The demise of a once powerful Buddhist kingdom in Southeast Asia.
• Indein: Abandoned and Forgotten. Images of a less-known corner of Myanmar’s Inle Lake.
• Nyaung Shwe: A Town on the Edge. Images and stories from the gateway to Inle Lake.
• Mandalay and the Last Burmese Kingdom. The fall of Burmese last monarch and the beginning of British Burma.
• Yangon, Three Years Later. In just three years’ time, changes are palpable in the city.
• A Waterworld Called Inle. There is more than just the lake.

Nepal:

• Bhaktapur the Resilient. Stories and images of one of the oldest cities in the country.
• Patan the Beautiful. History and images of Lalitpur, the ancient city of beauty.
• Kathmandu the Eclectic. Travel notes from Nepal’s capital seven months after the earthquake.
• Kirtipur the Brave. A small ancient town with an intriguing history.
• Pokhara: Beyond the Hiking Trails. The city is so much more than just a hiking base camp.
• Kathmandu’s Garden of Dreams. Visiting an unlikely oasis at the heart of the Nepalese capital.

The Philippines:

• Manila: Where Spanish, American and Asian Cultures Meet. Feeling and tasting the heart of The Philippine islands.
• Intramuros: The Heart of Spanish Manila. The remnants of the Spanish era in Asia.
• Manila’s Chinese Cemetery: An Extravagant Showcase of The Dead People. You think all cemetery is gloomy and scary? Think again!
• Within the Walls of Intramuros. Walking through a piece of Spain in Asia.

Singapore:

• Lion City. See, feel and experience life in Southeast Asia’s richest country.
• A Half-Day Visit to Half-Open Universal Studios Singapore. See what this place has to offer, for now.
• Singapore Through Times. A brief history of the small island-nation.
• The People Who Stayed. A story on the influence of Peranakan communities across Southeast Asia.
• Colonial Splendor of the Lion City. Visiting Singapore’s British colonial heritage.
• Building A Multicultural Singapore. Three enclaves, one city.
• The Red Dot: A Matter of Being Too Perfect. The matter of Singapore’s tourism campaign.
• Creating A City in A Garden. Singapore’s endeavor to go beyond a city with many gardens.
• A Tale of Three Cities: Singapore. How Singapore transformed into a regional financial hub.
• Tang Shipwreck: Digging into Controversy. Challenges in global archaeological excavation practices.
• Eastern Asian Religions under One Roof. Impressive religion-themed collection of the Asian Civilisations Museum.

South Korea:

• First Time in Seoul. Impressions of the South Korean capital.
• The House of Korean Treasures. Why the National Museum of Korea is a must-see place in Seoul.
• Destruction and Rebirth of Gyeongbokgung. The history of Korea’s grandest royal palace.
• Korean Food: Colors and Textures. Some of South Korean delicacies which I tried during my short stay in Seoul.
• Jongmyo: Walking alongside the Spirits. A brief history of South Korea’s most important Confucian shrine.
• Changdeokgung: The Finest of the Five. The most preserved of all ancient palaces in Seoul.

Sri Lanka:

• Colombo: Tickling The Senses. A brief introduction to my series on Sri Lanka.
• Anuradhapura: Among The Giant Stupas. Roaming through Sri Lanka’s most ancient town.
• Fresco Deco of Dambulla. A glimpse look into Sri Lanka’s best preserved cave complex.
• Polonnaruwa: A Timeless Elegance. A visit to a beautiful ancient city, concluded by the unexpected encounter with wild elephants.
• A Dream Palace, Sigiriya. An impressive palace ruins on the summit of a monolith, with a dark history.
• Kandy: More Than Eye Candy. Some interesting stories from my short jaunt to the country’s second city.
• The Sri Lankan Train Misadventures. The most intense train journey ever!
• Anuradhapura: The Advent of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. First part of Chapter 1 of the Spice Odyssey series.
• Sigiriya: A Lethal Ambition. A period when the kingdom of Anuradhapura was ruled from Sigiriya.
• The Great Heritage of Polonnaruwa. Heritage of Sri Lanka’s second oldest kingdom.
• Madu Ganga: Following the Cinnamon Scent. A half-day exploration into Sri Lanka’s wetland.
• Galle Fort: Battleground of the Europeans. The Portuguese, Dutch and British once fought to control this fort.
• Rejuvenated in Kandy. Sri Lanka’s second city never fails to impress me.
• Reviving Colombo’s Cosmopolitan Flair. Sri Lanka’s biggest city is indeed a gem waiting to be polished.
• Buddhist Treasures Beneath A Rock. Revisiting Sri Lanka’s cave temple in Dambulla.
• Memories of Anuradhapura. Images from Sri Lanka’s ancient capital.

Taiwan:

• Taipei: Thriving Amidst Uncertainties. A glimpse look at the capital of a country which constantly seeks for others’ recognition.
• Heading South, Going Indigenous. A train journey to the southeastern part of Taiwan.
• Taitung: Aspiring to be Inspirational. A small city trying to be interesting and inspiring, with a lot of homework to do.
• Orchid Island: Taiwan’s Tropical Paradise. A small island with abundant natural beauty.
• The Uneasy History of the Tao. Even a paradise has its own dark chapters.
• An Epicurean Adventure of Taiwan. The tastes of Ilha Formosa.

Thailand:

• Bangkok: A City of Many Faces. A little story and few pictures about the Thai capital.
• The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Get amazed by the true beauty of this Thai royal palace.
• Wat Pho: The House of The World’s Largest Reclining Buddha. Take a closer look at the world’s largest reclining Buddha.
• Wat Arun: The Temple of The Dawn. Climb the steep steps and enjoy the view.
• Golden Mountain: An Oasis at The Heart of Bangkok. Green and peaceful, away from tourist traps.
• Bangkok, Again. A short visit to the Thai capital.
• Bangkok and the Anglo-French Tug of War. A brief history of Thailand’s independence from European colonization.

Timor-Leste:

• Sights from Asia’s Lusophonic Corner. Part 1 of the chronicles of Timor-Leste.
• An Eye-Opening Journey to the East. Part 2 of the chronicles of Timor-Leste.
• Venilale: Putting Together Pieces of the Puzzle. Part 3 of the chronicles of Timor-Leste.

Turkey:

• Istanbul, A Prologue. The first post of a series of stories from the great city.
• The Architectural Marvels of Constantinople. Two great monuments, shaped by the intense rivalry between the world’s great religions.
• Istanbul’s Roman Footprints. Tracing the footprints of the once great empire in one of the world’s greatest cities.
• Grand Palaces of the Ottomans. The tale of two palaces and the once ailing country.
• Istanbul: A Feline’s Paradise. A photo-essay on the well-fed and well-treated cats in the city.
• Rumelihisarı: Built for Conquest. A great fortress built to conquer a great city.
• The Day when Coldness Brought Warmth. Heartwarming encounters in the middle of the Turkish winter.
• Istanbul’s Bazaars: Beyond Commodities. Stories of life of the people within the bazaars.
• Beyoğlu: Where Cultures Collide. A glimpse of Istanbul’s modern heart where cultures collide.
• Turkish Cuisine: A Delectable Experience. A photoessay on some of Turkey’s most amazing delicacies.
• An Aftertaste of Istanbul. 10 months on, the sweet memory lingers.
• The Fall of Constantinople. When Constantinople fell to the hands of the Ottomans, the world would change forever.

Vietnam:

• Ho Chi Minh City: The Face of A Rapidly Changing Nation. Explore Vietnam’s biggest city.
• Underground Guerrilla 101 at Cu Chi Tunnels. Experience the notorious underground network of tunnels of Vietnam.
• War Remnants Museum: Remembering The Atrocities of War. War is bad, and this is the right place to find out why.
• Reunification Palace: The Place Where Vietnam War Ended. The silent witness of the reunification of Vietnam.
• Harmony at The Great Temple of Cao Dai. Harmony in one of the most bizarre ways.
• Enchanting Vietnamese Water Puppet Show. Entertainment doesn’t have to be sophisticated!
• My Son: Beauty in Desolation. Remnants of what was once an influential power in central Vietnam.
• Hue Citadel: Echoes of Imperial Vietnam. A glimpse into the palace of Vietnam’s last dynasty.
• Hue Tombs: Opulence for Eternity. Each tomb is more lavishly decorated than the others.
• Da Nang and the Friendly Dragon. An exploration of Vietnam’s third biggest city.
• The Custodian of Champa’s Treasures. Not all is lost from the lost kingdom of Vietnam.
• Hoi An: A Revived Old Beauty. The story of one of Vietnam’s most picturesque port towns.

Multiple Countries:

• Eurotrip. A summary of my one-month travel in five European countries.
• Leaving Thailand, Entering Cambodia. Story and information about crossing the Thai-Cambodian border.
• Leaving Cambodia, Entering Vietnam. Story and images from the road from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City.
• In Search of Spices. Announcing the Spice Trip, the biggest trip I will be taking so far!
• Out of the Archipelago. Summary of months 4 to 6 of the Spice Odyssey.
• The Spice Odyssey, A Prologue. An introduction to the Spice Odyssey series on my blog.
• Sabang and Hikkaduwa: After the Tsunami. The present state of two places devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
• Zheng He and the Treasure Voyages. A story on one of the world’s greatest sea expeditions.
• Bounty from the Earth and Sea. Food in Southeast Asia prior to the arrival of the Chinese, Indians and Europeans.
• The Chinese Connection. Chinese influences in Southeast Asian cuisines.
• Influences from Bharat. How Indian spices and dishes changed Southeast Asian cuisines.
• Here Come the Europeans. How European colonization changed the way Asians eat.
• Food Nationalism. Is it even relevant today?
• 15 Years On. A reflection on my first international trip.

Miscellaneous:

• My 7 Links – A Quick Look to My Old Posts. 7 of my old posts for “My 7 Links” project.
• Versatile Blogger Award (of Mine). 7 random facts about me.
• My First Time Writing a Guest Post. I wrote for another blogger, for the first time!
• 7 Super Shots of What an Amazing World!. Just having fun for taking part in HostelBookers 7 Super Shots fun game.
• Awards Season 2012. From bloggers to bloggers, spread the love!
• Five Colors from What an Amazing World! Memories of blue, green, yellow, white and red of my past travels.
• Behind the Scenes at What an Amazing World! Five years of blogging, one constantly changing travel blog to take care of.

Infographics:

• 2012, A Look Back.
• 2013, The Journey Continues.
• 2014, A Year of Islands.