Category: Beyond the Dot

Time Travel to the Cultural Revolution – Jiayang (嘉阳) & Bajiaogou (芭焦沟)
Beyond the Dot, China, Time Travel to the Cultural Revolution - Jiayang & Bajiaogou

Time Travel to the Cultural Revolution – Jiayang (嘉阳) & Bajiaogou (芭焦沟)

This was originally featured in my earlier blog post on Chengdu and Leshan, but I’ve decided to have a separate post for this instead of having it being lost in an old and long blog post. Located in Sichuan, China, is this preserved coal burning steam locomotive that travels deep into the mountains to a unique village where time has essentially stood still since the Cultural Revolution. Continue reading “Time Travel to the Cultural Revolution – Jiayang (嘉阳) & Bajiaogou (芭焦沟)”

Climbing an Active Volcano in Bali
Beyond the Dot, Climbing an Active Volcano in Bali, Indonesia

Climbing an Active Volcano in Bali

 

The sound of croaking frogs and buzzing insects surrounded me as I trudged through the rocky trail. It was still dark before the dawn and the land was still asleep, but for the restless souls like me trapped in this time between sleep and awakening. I could see in the distance, the moving pin-points of torches forming a broken line leading up towards the top of the mountain’s silhouette that loomed ahead of me. The humidity was unforgiving and I was uncomfortably drenched with sweat. What had started out as breathless excitement had soon degenerated into breathless exhaustion and I thought to myself “What was I thinking of? I could have been sleeping on the comfortable 4 poster bed of my hotel room and enjoying the complimentary buffet breakfast.” Continue reading “Climbing an Active Volcano in Bali”

A Bridge Too Far – Arnhem
A Bridge Too Far - Arnhem, Beyond the Dot, Netherlands

A Bridge Too Far – Arnhem

We all know The Netherlands (or better known as Holland internationally) as the land of windmills and tulips, and also not forgetting that they contributed wooden clogs and Heineken beer to popular culture. Besides the more well known cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Arnhem is a city  on the eastern side of The Netherlands. Most people may not know about Arnhem (sometimes spelled Arnheim which is the German name), but once you mention about the war film ‘A Bridge Too Far’, this city becomes prominent as it was the site of a famous battle in WW2. Continue reading “A Bridge Too Far – Arnhem”

On a Little Street in Malacca
Beyond the Dot, Malaysia, On a Little Street in Malacca

On a Little Street in Malacca

Malacca or Melaka in Malay is the capital city of Malacca state in Malaysia. Easily accessible by road from Singapore, it’s always crowded with tourists from Singapore and locally. Once a thriving Portuguese colony, it’s now a historical town with UNESCO World Heritage status. Besides the Portuguese ruins, the other centre of attraction is Jonker Street. Continue reading “On a Little Street in Malacca”

Zhouzhuang Water Village, Kunshan
Beyond the Dot, China, Zhouzhuang Water Village, Kunshan

Zhouzhuang Water Village, Kunshan

This is the oldest and most well known water village in China. Located in Jiangsu province and in the county of Kunshan, it is often called the Venice of China due to its numerous canals. It can be visited in a day trip from Suzhou or Shanghai.  If you have never seen a Chinese ancient water village before this would be a good introduction. Zhouzhuang has a history of more than 900 years old with many houses built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Continue reading “Zhouzhuang Water Village, Kunshan”

Cameron Highlands
Beyond the Dot, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Cameron Highlands

Named after William Cameron, a British surveyor in 1885, this hill resort is quite popular with visitors. At an average altitude of 1,500m above sea level, the air is cool and fresh and there are plenty of tea and flower plantations around for visitors to explore. The only way to get there is by road, and with the opening of the new highway from Ipoh, travelling time is now shorter and safer. Continue reading “Cameron Highlands”