As visitors can’t fail to notice as they travel, Burma is a richly diverse country with 135 official ethnic groups. While the Bamar people form the majority today, few other groups share the historical significance of the Mon. For the traveller wishing to appreciate Burma’s culture as best they can, knowing something of the Mon is essential. Read on for an introduction to their history and culture.
Introducing the Mon
The Mon are one of the oldest peoples of Southeast Asia and played an instrumental role in the history of the region. It was Mon who were reached by Theravada Buddhist missionaries from Sri Lanka and therefore the Mon who were instrumental in helping the religion to travel; Burma and Thailand are still Theravada Buddhist countries today. Much of Mon culture has been assimilated into Burmese culture in the intervening centuries, and certain aspects of Burmese tradition today (such as written language, spirit belief and dances) have identifiable Mon roots. Read more »
Nurturing Thailand’s coast in the south west will bring you to an island named Phuket. From a distance, you will see that the island looks like a hill (in their language it is ‘bukit’). It is for this reason that the island got its name. So, what is the wonder of Phuket Island? The answer is simple. It is its nature that gives wonder to the island.
This island is famous for its beaches, tours and viewing points. The shrines and various temples narrate tales of faith, history and the bravery of its ancestors. There are also festivals that showcase the culture of the place. But what are really fabulous are the natural wonders which are not manmade. Read more »
I have been in Shanghai, China for about 3 months now taking Chinese classes on a weekly basis. Being new in town, I’ve met a lot of different people and I realized that the same question always arises: “Why are you learning Chinese and why did you come to China?”
First of all, Chinese is the most spoken language in the world. China not only has the highest ranking population in the world (1.3billion) but in almost every large city you go to, especially in Asia, you can always find a Chinese community. Read more »
When you think about vacation, what do you envision? A cruise? Immersing yourself in Europe? Best beaches in the world? Skiing? There are many different types of vacations that one can take. They reflect your personal interest and desires. There are other types of vacations that you can take. These are the vacations that people usually want to take but are too afraid. Whatever the reason, these are the vacations that usually get a look of bewilderment when talked about. We will look at a few off beat vacations and see why they should be included in the list of potential adventures for your next vacation. Read more »
People around the world travel for numerous reasons like business, vacation, education, etc. Regardless of the type of the trip, travel accessories do play a significant part in making any trip comfortable. It is advisable to plan for your trip well in advance to avoid discomfort and hassles while on a trip. You can begin by collecting information about the place where you are planning to go, for example, the weather, local customs and traditions of the place. You can also take into consideration the mode of traveling which can alter the choice of suitable accessories. Although, it is good to plan everything beforehand, there are situations when you just have to pack and leave. Read more »