Thai people are very friendly and earned their country the name “Land of the smiles” for good reason. They are also very conservative (although it may not seem like it in parts of Bangkok). It is your responsibility as a traveler to do your best at following local customs and keeping the locals from becoming jaded toward future visitors. Don’t screw it up for the rest of us! Read the rest of this entry »

North India
The states in the northern part of the country like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh by and large are known for their slightly rich and spicy flavours. Commonly used spices are coriander, cumin, red chilli powder, fenugreek, garam masala and almost everything has a hint of onion, ginger, garlic and tomato. Read the rest of this entry »

Scotland is known for its scenic beauty. Every place in Scotland has some history behind it; there are many historic sites like burial chambers, standing stones, sepulchers, and castles of Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. The beautiful castles in Bothwell (Glasgow), Crathes village in Aberdeenshire and Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh (the British monarch’s official residence in Scotland), are some examples of the rich heritage of Scotland. Read the rest of this entry »

A traditional wedding in Jamaica typically meant the whole village or community where the couple lived was involved in the ceremony. Relatives of the couple, along with members of the community, prepared for the ceremony. While today’s modern couples often seek the assistance of wedding consultants or planners, once upon a time the responsibility for planning fell naturally to those who lived nearby and knew the couple. Read the rest of this entry »

Originally a type of worship in religious ceremonies, hula was performed to give thanks to Hawaii’s ancient gods and honor its chieftains. Later hula dances, chants, and songs moved from the temples into the secular world, their incantatory beauty entertaining and enlightening.
Accompanied only by voice or percussion instruments, male — and subsequently, female — hula dancers used their bodies to express the wondrous legends of the Hawaiian islands. Read the rest of this entry »