RealTravel Reveals Top Ten Tips for Traveling in Asia

Los Altos, CA (PRWEB) July 26, 2007 -- RealTravel (http://realtravel.com), a travel blogging and travel guide (http://realtravel.com/) site that helps more than half a million people plan trips with advice from other travelers every month, today announces top 10 tips for traveling in Asia, according to RealTravel editors and bloggers Aaron and Katy.

1. Snorkeling around Koh Tao Island, Thailand

Koh Tao is a small island located in the gulf of Thailand, famous for its fantastic diving, with water clear as glass and packed with colorful fish and coral. ?Many of the coral reefs here were well marked and protected from boat anchors, unlike many of the other islands we visited in Thailand,? shares Aaron and Katy. ?By swimming out just a few dozen yards from the beach near our hotel we were able to spot clownfish playing in bright pink anemones, angelfish the size of dinner plates, and even a small octopus.?

2. Sightseeing in Jodhpur, India

The city of Jodhpur must be added to any trip planner (http://realtravel.com/). At the center of the old city is Mehrangarh Fort, built straight out of a sheer 150 meter high hill. Towering above the town like an ancient skyscraper, it glows a gorgeous red during sunrise. The city immediately surrounding the fort is painted bright blue and appropriately nicknamed the Blue City. ?The color contrasts of the fort and the rest of the city were breathtaking,? writes Aaron and Katy. ?We had a great time exploring the narrow alleyways of the blue city which looked an even brighter technicolor blue up close.?

3. Bargaining in Asia

When traveling through Asia, travelers will find that bargaining customs vary from country to country. Whether you participate in this activity or not, learning about local norms can be a fun aspect of traveling. Aaron and Katy share their experiences: ?This was a great learning experience for us. The techniques that work in one country may not necessarily work in another country. We had to adapt, and learn the personality of the country we were in so that we could bargain effectively. The game of bargaining is one that every tourist should attempt. We felt that the bargaining techniques that we had to employ and adapt from country to country were a reflection of the country and helped us to think like the locals wherever we were.?

4. Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand

Though Aaron and Katy visited hundreds of temples and palaces throughout Asia, the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, found in any Bangkok travel guide (http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html), is the one that continues to stand out the most in their memory. ?The expansive grounds are crammed with temples, palaces, and statues of mythical gods and demons,? they recall. ?It is also home to Buddhism?s most sacred figure, the emerald Buddha. Bring your camera, carry lots of film or pack a big memory card because you?ll need half a day to explore this mystical complex.?

5. Daily giving and receiving of alms, Luang Prabang, Laos

Aaron and Katy describe their impressions of this unique spiritual event: ?Each day at the first light of morning, the 150+ monks of Luang Prabang don their saffron robes and line up for their daily walk through town. As the monks congregate, sleepy Laotians bring out prepared sticky rice and other food staples, and kneel on the street awaiting their arrival. Tourists and locals alike wake up early to watch the monks walk through town to receive their daily food offerings. It?s a touching event to witness and it filled us with an overwhelming sense of community.?

6. Overnight train in second class seat, China

One aspect of traveling that?s often interesting is to experience a destination as a local might. Aaron and Katy recall their overnight ride on a Chinese train: ?We were crammed, shoulder to shoulder and knee to knee. Boxes and bags piled up above us and below our seats, pushing against our feet and calves?As the train ride went on deep into the night we observed our neighbors settling in for the night; changing into pajamas in the aisles, and trying to get comfortable in a car filled with too many people, a dense cloud of cigarette smoke, and bright lights that would never extinguish. We too tried to find a moment of rest in our non-reclining chairs. Traveling in an overnight 2nd class chair in China was one of the most excruciating and touching times of our trip there. This was the real China, and we felt that we were part of it for a moment.?

7. Night Market in Luang Prabang, Laos

Every night, as the heat of the day begins to fade, the main street of Luang Prabang is transformed into a night market. Blankets are laid down on the streets, tables are propped up, and beautiful handicrafts emerge. ?The market is fun, lively, and the items for sale are creative and of great quality,? writes Aaron and Katy. ?It is easy to walk freely, pause and look, and not feel hassled in the least by any of the salesgirls. We enjoyed this market the most of any in Asia.?

8. Climbing the stairs of Mt. Huangshan, Huangshan, China

The Chinese have built a seemingly endless staircase high into the mountains that leads to a network of catwalks running along sheer 1000 ft cliffs. An ascent up these stairs is a great reminder of both what humans are capable of creating as well as the natural beauty of our planet. ?It was one of the most surreal places we have been on earth,? recall Aaron and Katy about what they now consider to be their favorite mountain range in Asia.

9. Spinning prayer wheels at Gandan Monastery, Ulan Baatar, Mongolia

A land of rich culture, spiritual vitality, and a unique, desolate beauty, Mongolia is a fascinating travel destination. ?Bundled in down jackets, hats, and gloves, and breathing in the crisp air, we explored the Buddhist monastery in the capital of Mongolia,? writes Aaron and Katy. ?Walking the perimeter, we spun the prayer wheels that lined the path, and thought good wishes. We left the simple monastery feeling peaceful and meditative from the prayer wheel spinning.?

10. Camel Safari, Jaisalmer, India

What better way to experience a desert safari than atop the back of a camel? ?We were prepared for the potentials pitfalls of our foray into the Desert during Indian summer heat that had already been reaching up to 110 degrees,? describe Aaron and Katy. ?We boarded our jeep, geared up with plenty of water and hats, and bounced through the desert scrub toward our camels. It was beautiful. On the dunes, we hopped off our camels and ran around taking pictures and enjoying the changing colors of the sands and sky as the sun began to set. The day ended and we enjoyed our last views of the desert from an open air jeep with Indian music in our ears.?

RealTravelers Aaron and Katy (http://realtravel.com/member-m3082520-aaronkaty.html), a couple from Boston, share their stories and collection of travel photography in their blog, Katy and Aaron?s World Trip 2007 (http://realtravel.com/united_states-trips-i3082599.html), archiving their numerous globetrotting adventures.

About RealTravel

Named "Best of the Web" by Forbes and BusinessWeek in 2006 and Best Online Travel Community of the Year in 2007 by the Association of Travel Marketing Executives, RealTravel is a travel blogging and travel guide site that helps more than half a million people plan trips with advice from other travelers every month. Visit us at http://realtravel.com

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Christina Brzica

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