Chủ Nhật, 12 tháng 2, 2017

“Ladder” soft noodle soup – Bún Thang

[IMG] 
Bun Thang - Hanoi Delicacy
Bun thang (“Ladder” soft noodle soup – Bún Thang)  is typical dish for Culinary Arts of Hanoi. It is said that Hanoi cuisine is very picky, subtle, and it is also true with Bun Thang.


Bun thang in Hanoi cuisine
Part of the attraction of this dish is that it is not so easy to find and so one doesn’t get to taste it everyday. Moreover, Bun Thang might taste delicious in one place but not necessarily be as good somewhere else.

[IMG]  
Bun Thang – Hanoi Delicacy
“Bun”, of course, is the Vietnamese word for round rice noodles, “thang” is a word of Chinese origin that literally means “a soup”, but the word also means “ladder” in Vietnamese. People say that eating Bun Thang is like climbing a ladder – just as you go up a ladder one step at a time, you eat one bowl after another of this delicious soup. Bun Thang, then, has little to do with any ordinary soup or potage such as snake-headed mullet soup and water dropwort soup, or with the soup made of crab paste, nep-tunia and water morning-glory.

When it can be served
In some families, there are old women who know how to make a mouth-watering Bun Thang – what a pity they show their skill only once or twice a year, after the first three days of Tet.

[IMG] 
Bun Thang – Hanoi Delicacy
People often have a party serving bún thang on the 4th or 5th day of the Tet holiday. When one feels tired of the square sticky rice cake or greasy food like pork pie, spring roll, trotter stew, meat pie, Bun Thang is the ideal dish. This delicacy satisfies all the requirements for an interesting soup full of sour, hot, and tasty flavors without being heavy or greasy. Like other kinds of noodle soup, this delicacy uses similar ingredients: round rice noodles blanched briefly in boiling water, broth, some protein, spices, etc. However, to make it perfect requires particularly strict and rigorous cooking techniques. A savory bowl of Bun Thang depends first and foremost on Thang or broth.
Bun Thang must be ranked highly among the culinary specialties of Vietnam.

Thứ Hai, 23 tháng 1, 2017

Things to See in India

[IMG] 
Things to See in India
India has been the cradle kept an ancient civilization invaluable human, so it has many famous tourist sites and attractions. Therefore, for traveling all wonderful landscapes, you should spend 1-2 months to travel around. Furthermore, most tourists don’t know or get the trouble with finding the holiday destinations in India and top places to visit in India. The post will show famous cities in India where you can travel to other things to see in India.

1 Mumbai- The most famous tourist place in India
Mumbai is one of the “must-see” destinations in India of any tourists. When visiting the city, you will learn more about economic- financial centers, you are also the fashion- film capital of India. It is the reason why the city has ancient and modern beauty. Therefore, when visiting the city, you will admire many features with ancient buildings, bars, restaurants, museums Prince of Wales, and the attractive fashion stores.

Mumbai
Mumbai
According to travel experiences, you can visit some famous destinations in the city such as Jehanggir art exhibition, Borivali National Park, entertainment venues and shopping.

2 Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Nagaur
3 cities which belong to Rajasthan state are the wonderful cities in India for traveling. However, in order to get the place, you can not use flight without bus or car because all 3 cities do not have an airport. When visiting each city, you will get a different feeling. For example, Udaipur is named “Venice of the East” with many lakes and the magnificent ancient architectures. If Jodhpur is called “the blue city” with greenhouses and castles and fortified fortress, Nagaur ancient city attracted tourists by rustic and antique unable to ancient.

Udaipur
Udaipur
According to travel experiences, the most attractive things about 3 cities is handicrafts which are made by workers who made it and to be in the magnificent palace that the king or queen who ever lived.

3 Tamil Nadu- Historical cities in India
The small pretty state Tamil Nadu is the ideal destination for you. You can begin to explore the state from Chennai to pretty villages, characterized fields Indian village to visit places like Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, and Madurai Thiruchirappalli.

Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Furthermore, Tamil Nadu has ancient hotels and rich cuisine, art programs are organized regularly, especially you also to witness the sophistication of French culture in Pondicherry surviving without having to France.

4 Ajanta and Ellora- The land of the art of sculpture
Two areas will give you an experience, a new vision of sculpture in India from the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD. The sculptures and monuments here are bold culture and religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism) of the Indian people. Besides unique and rich artistic value architectures, you also buy Painthan silk which is the famous silk in the world in Ajanta, Aurangabad.

Ajanta and Ellora
Ajanta and Ellora
5 Sikkim- the forgotten land
Sikkim was an autonomous, the independence kingdom of India, but India has annexed a few years ago. The land located on the lower hill of imposing Himalaya mountains which suited between Bhutan and Nepal.

Sikkim
Sikkim
When visiting wonderful cities in India, you will not be overwhelmed by the spectacular natural scenery, the way obstacles adventure, green tea hills; forests diffuse identity style but also inner peace. Besides that, you can walk around pretty villages and farms to learn more about the real life of local people.

Thứ Hai, 9 tháng 1, 2017

Tet holiday - the greatest classic holiday in Vietnam

[IMG] 
Tet holiday

 
Tet holiday (Tết Nguyên Đán) is the largest and oldest standard holidays in Vietnam. On this getaway, the bustling atmosphere handles the whole nation.

Tet holiday in Vietnam is the changeover concerning the old yr and The brand new year. Tet is regarded as the sacred, notable and solemn minute of just about all of the Vietnamese men and women. Tet is definitely the carrier on the everyday living conception, customs and beliefs that contains exceptional nationwide and reflecting the harmony concerning person and mother nature. Regarding the identify "Tết Nguyên Đán", the term "Nguyên" suggests the start; the "Đán" signifies early morning. Hence, Tết Nguyên Đán refers back to the commencing of a completely new 12 months.

[IMG] 
Tet Nguyen Dan

Other than, Tet holiday is definitely the occasion for your family gathering. On a yearly basis, on Tet holiday, virtually all Vietnamese people today including expatriates regardless of what They're undertaking and the place they reside nonetheless need to return their home to live in The nice and cozy atmosphere of loved ones and burn incense with the ancestral altar. For Vietnamese folks, likely household on Tet holiday may be the pilgrimage to the first supply.

Ceremony of ong Cong ong Tao
Ong Cong (Tudigong) will be the Lord from the Soil and the Ground. Ong Tao (Kitchen God or Mandarin tao) contains The 2 males plus a woman. The ceremony is held on December 23. On today, ong Cong is worshipped at the key altar while the altar of ong Tao is put inside the kitchen.

[IMG] 
Ong Cong Ong Tao

 
After the farewell to ong Cong ong Tao again the Heaven, folks start to make the planning for Tet holiday by tidying up their homes; cleansing ancestors choices, hanging pics and couplets and Placing flowers in solemn areas of their residences.

Tat nien festival (Reunion dinner)
The title of Tat nien signifies the completion of work during the aged yr. Inside the evening of thirtieth New Calendar year, people prepare a tray for ancestor worship. On Tet, at ancestral altars of all households, As well as kinds of cakes, mam ngu qua (5-fruit tray) is indispensable. From the North, mam ngu qua frequently is made up of green bananas, pomelo, oranges (or mandarin orange), persimmon and kumquat. Within the South, the five-fruit tray features coconut, custard apple, papaya, eco-friendly mango and fig. Five-fruit tray may be the bud of heaven along with the symbol of the will for the good life of human.

[IMG] 
Tat nien

Tat nien Competition Other than folks shots and couplets, flower is a vital spiritual issue of Vietnamese men and women in early days of spring. Family members inside the North often pick out peach blossom to embellish their homes while men and women within the South beautify houses with apricot. Peach blossom and apricot symbolizes spring buds of every family members in Vietnam. Some households position kumquat with jam packed with fruits within their front room for a image of abundance, luck and pleasure. It's the custom in The brand new 12 months time for many of the Vietnamese individuals that every particular person have to rearrange for entire payment and reduce the friction from the aged calendar year to are likely toward the harmony in the new yr.

[IMG]  
Giao thua

Giao thua (New year's Eve)
New year's Eve is a sacred instant of your yr. At some time of New 12 months's Eve, Vietnamese people hold Trừ Tịch ceremony. The meaning of the ceremony is throwing unfortunate matters with the outdated calendar year and having great things of the new 12 months.

New Year's Eve When Giao thua will come, the altar of ancestors is organized with fragrant incense and flickering candles; and other people stand in front of the ancestral altar clasping their fingers and creating a kowtow.
 

Thứ Hai, 14 tháng 11, 2016

TREKKING IN THAILAND: THE TOP ROUTES

[IMG] 

Thailand is ripe for trekking. From its dripping, pristine rainforests to its towering, mist-enveloped mountains, You will find a landscape that just begs you to obtain out on two ft and take a look at.

But the actual joy of trekking in Thailand here is nothing at all to accomplish While using the surroundings, it's the folks which make every single move depend, within the distant hill tribes scarcely touched by the skin globe towards the community guides whose unbridled passion and enthusiasm will lead you to a further knowledge of this fascinating place.

We've picked six of our favorite treks, led by a few of Thailand's most experienced and passionate guides. Lace up All those hiking boots and go trekking in Thailand on your own trip.

1. CHIANG MAI TO MAE HONG SON
An historic trade route at the time saw the pristine forests of Thailand's northern hinterlands fast paced with retailers. These days it is just trekkers who make their way with the forest-protected hills and misty mountains of Mae Hong Son, traversing a few of Thailand's most remote normal locations. You'll start out in Chiang Mai and devote between six and eight hrs a day trekking, around ridges, down into lush valleys and up on to mountain peaks.

You'll check out Huay Hee Karen village, being in a conventional household and Finding out regarding how the tribe live in harmony with their land. The trek winds up orchid-clad slopes before you decide to shell out the night time in Ban Huai Tong Kaw, where by ritual singers and sword dancers will entertain you. Complicated terrain, river crossings that Obtain your boots wet as well as a increased knowledge of this off-the-crushed-track place are all assured.

[IMG] 

2. CHIANG RAI TO CHIANG MAI
In relation to truly comprehension a tradition, gradual journey is greatest – which laidback trek via northern Thailand is surely that. You'll trek from homestay to homestay, hosted by community people and attaining an actual insight into village lifestyle. Your trek begins in Baan Tha Sob Van while in the Chiang Kham District and finishes in the northern capital of Chiang Mai. Inside the Thai Lue Local community of Baan Tha Sob Van you'll commit each day While using the locals inside the fields, ahead of heading west to Ban Dok Bua, an natural and organic farming community that aims to be solely self-sufficient.

From listed here you'll trek in the lush Doi Luang Countrywide Park to Ban Maena, a Lahu ethnic minority Group in Chiang Dao District, where you'll remain in a simple thatched hut visitor camp and head out for walks from the forest Together with the villagers, birdwatching and farming, prior to finishing up in Chiang Mai. An unbeatable solution for people who really need to discover Thailand and its individuals.


3. SRI PHANG NGA NATIONAL PARK, KHAO LAK
Trekking needn't imply slumming it. High-class boutique resort The Sarojin, inside the midst of the national parks within the island of Khao Lak, specialises in area adventures. Their Intense Trekking Experience, which covers 8km of wild terrain in Sri Phang Nga Countrywide Park, one of Thailand's largest nationwide parks and build to protect one of many region's previous remaining blocks of pristine rainforest. You'll hike previous cascading waterfalls, swim as a result of portions of the jungle which might be extremely hard to cross on foot and navigate your way throughout the untamed undergrowth employing a bamboo cane.

[IMG] 

4. KHAO POM, KO SAMUI
Positive, you can just sit within the beach and soak up the idyllic ambiance of Thailand's hottest island. Or you might take a look at a place number of people do: the jungle mountain of Khao Pom. This verdant wilderness is criss-crossed by lush trails, from your mangroves with the coast into the 635-metre-high peak in the island's centre. Head out with Samui Trekking from Maenam on the "avocado path" so you'll wind your way uphill throughout the vegetation right up until it provides technique to views out more than the island plus the Gulf of Thailand further than – a check out couple of people to this preferred island at any time see.

5. THE JUNGLE IN KANCHANABUR
The Karen, with their lengthy, ringed necks, may very well be Thailand's most properly-regarded tribe, but number of guests get to find Significantly about their standard way of lifestyle. Join this two-working day trek into your jungle close to Kanchanaburi therefore you'll be the exception, remaining With all the tribe from the Karen village of Nong Bang, sleeping inside of a bamboo hut, getting ready meal While using the locals and seeing a standard Karen cultural dance. The following day you'll journey a bamboo raft ahead of boarding the infamous Dying Railway again about the River Kwai into Kanchanaburi.

[IMG] 

6. PANG MAPHA, NORTHERN THAILAND
This round trek is a good introduction to village daily life in northern Thailand, remaining in two extremely diverse villages and viewing numerous much more. You'll trek via farmland and teak forest, Studying about bush meals and medicinal vegetation while you go, just before going for walks by means of rice fields and valleys to achieve Ban Pha Mon, dwelling to some Lahu tribe and – for 1 night time – you. You'll assist with the cooking and can also have a Lahu massage.

A 3-hour trek the following day can take you to your Karen village of Ban Muang Pam, wherever the regional shaman will teach you about standard medicine – or you are able to problem the locals to a match of soccer. Ahead of returning to Chiang Mai you'll take a bamboo raft in the 1666-metre deep Tham Lod cave, dripping with stalactites and also the obvious waters with the Nam Lang River.

Chủ Nhật, 13 tháng 11, 2016

RESIDING WITH THE LOCALS IN RURAL MYANMAR

[IMG] 

 
As visitors get started flooding into Myanmar (Burma), Melanie Kramers dives in the deep countryside to Stay like a local and discovers a beguiling mix of past and existing.

Hand-rolled cheroot clamped among her teeth, the aged lady stares tough at us and issues a guttural grunt. Although it looks like the kind of grumpy growl you'd anticipate from a monosyllabic adolescent, This can be belied from the vast grin her weather conditions-worn deal with creases into. It's a noise we'll hear commonly in the course of our 3-day trek in the countryside in Myanmar's eastern Shan Condition. As our manual Do'h later on describes, small-pitched grunts are how people today Convey agreement during the neighborhood Pa'o dialect.

 
Before arriving in Myanmar I'd wondered what kind of reception we'd get. It had been hard to Create up a picture of a country and people largely isolated from the globe for the earlier 50 many years. I'd found photos of flower-putting on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi introduced from residence arrest to take part in the very first democratic elections in a long time and examine foreign expenditure flooding in. Now I needed to see what everyday living was like within a country seemingly poised about the cusp of extraordinary alter.

Listed here while in the fertile farmland involving Kalaw and Inle Lake, the peasants manually working the fields seem caught inside a time warp. A group of 4 labouring Girls, donning chequered orange headscarves that get noticed vividly towards the drab mud, pause to wave prior to returning to swinging their hoes in unison. It seems like backbreaking operate during the fierce Sunlight. Common gender roles are Evidently described in these rural communities; Gals sow seeds and weed though it's down to Adult males to lead docile water buffaloes in weighty wood ploughs – then go ahead and take afternoon off.

But back again in the villages there are actually hints of recent influence, from the flash of neon inexperienced nail polish with a teenage girl's toes to trendy bleached hairstyles you may see in a very hipster bar. While agricultural function would seem entirely unmechanised, roadside stalls offer pale yellow gasoline in recycled whisky bottles to those Blessed more than enough to possess shiny, new imported Korean motorbikes.

Atop a house product of woven bamboo in contrasting shades, Do'h factors out an individual photo voltaic tile gleaming to the corrugated iron roof. He says it generates sufficient energy for an electric bulb or two at nighttime and to watch the occasional DVD. Within, a calendar bearing Aung San Suu Kyi's deal with – until finally lately unlawful – is currently proudly pinned up.

Inspite of these indicators, it's hard to judge the speed of modify amongst rural communities who we're explained to have very long desired to help keep to on their own to avoid govt interference. Formally, March 2nd is actually a community holiday to celebrate Peasants Day, however the villagers go on Doing work obliviously, having their relaxation days in accordance with the lunar calendar. Even so, we see a number of streets becoming built, indicating that modern, urban everyday living may possibly quickly be roaring into these distant spots.

[IMG] 

In dry season, the walk along dusty pink earth paths is simple, however the rigorous midday Solar necessitates strategic breaks underneath the shady canopy of sprawling 100-yr old Banyan trees. Beside a scarce river, emerald eco-friendly onion shoots are expanding inside of a seedlings nursery, when neatly ploughed furrows await potatoes on terraces stepped like an amphitheatre. I salivate above tall papaya and banana trees and am dissatisfied to understand the blossoming mango trees received't bear fruit until July. Do'h cracks open a white speckled custard bean. It's used a laxative, he points out. Not fairly what I used to be in search of.

In the afternoon we arrive at Kyauk Su village, property to about ten households, and scoop water in the well to wash off the rust-coloured dust trapped to our legs. Our smiling, grunting hostess signifies this should be performed from a bucket at one side, not exactly where the washing up usually takes place.

At 6.30pm night time arrives immediately and Unquestionably. Stars flicker brightly inside the velvety blackness. Sitting down indoors on bamboo mats at minimal round wood tables, we're served coriander-infused fish broth followed by fried noodles with tofu and garlicky watercress. Following a sugar repair of sticky peanut brittle, the village's youthful Males invite us to join them spherical a crackling campfire, using it in turns to strum a guitar and earnestly croon comfortable-rock adore songs. We can easily't have an understanding of the phrases nevertheless the emotion is palpable. Shamefully, the only tune our Worldwide trek team of 8 all know is Frère Jacques. The boys clap politely then return to their ballads.

Our communal first flooring bedroom is in excess of a cupboard space piled large with fresh ginger, which provides a piquant spice to goals. We slumber on slim mattresses lined up And so the soles of our ft position away from the Buddha icon on the flower-bedecked shelf, to stay away from creating grave offence.

I awaken into the gentle whoosh of wings and chatter of modest birds while in the rafters earlier mentioned my head. Outside would be the Appears of villagers commencing their day: the set-set of motorbikes as boys head into city, the rattle of coriander seeds remaining raked out to dry on a plastic sheet, youngsters actively playing and water buffalo lowing. Our hostess is available in with little dishes of rice and h2o to place to the shrine, and we have been dealt with to pancakes plus a thermos of steaming green ginger tea.

[IMG] 

I'm impressed by how welcome we're created to really feel as we pass through individuals's intimate life. Excitable young children, cheeks smeared with pale yellow thanaka paste, a purely natural Sunlight block constructed from crushed tree root, Fortunately showcase dance routines and pose for photographs. Hosts are frequently the older technology, who appear delighted to possess a new, a lot easier source of income now their difficult fieldwork days are more than.

But how much time will overseas holidaymakers be a fascinating novelty? Larger Puttu village, where we stay on our next night time, is an established foundation for trek groups, and it has a noteworthy distinction in environment. We're informed Myanmar been given about 300,000 travelers in 2011, which rocketed to 1 million through 2012, with figures established to shoot up far more this yr.

[IMG] 

Our seasoned guide reflects which the earnings furnished by amplified tourism will profit locals, but Unless of course managed sensitively a bounce in quantities could spoil the expertise guests are in search of. How will the Burmese adapt to fulfill the issues forward?

In Myanmar, locals greet each other by inquiring 'Where by Have you ever been? Exactly where are you currently heading?' In these altering times, it seems an exceptionally apt dilemma.