Asia’s Best Untouched Islands

Gone are the seasons when vacations are concentrated on certain months of the year. These days, when everyone seems to be always pressured from the daily work grind, holidays are craved anytime and anywhere. This means that most, if not all, of the usual leisure spots are constantly packed with people. Travellers who are tired of too crowded touristy sites laced with overpriced goods and services must look for hidden gems and do a bit of exploring.
Check out this list of Asia’s untouched island destinations.

Penghu (Taiwan)
The western coast of Taiwan is home to the 90 isles referred to as the Penghu Islands. These are rich with breathtaking views of the ocean and loads of natural wonders. The most popular attractions are the geological formations referred to as basalt columns, which are shaped by sun and wind.

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Yaeyama (Japan)
The southernmost and westernmost areas of Japan make up the Yaeyama Islands. They complete the 3 major chains of islands of the Okinawa Prefecture together with the Okinawa and Miyako Islands.
A total of 3 islands also make up Yaeyama: Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island, and Iriomote Island. Iriomote and Taketomi are composed of mostly jungle-like terrains while Ishigaki has the highest population level given that it is the main transportation hub for the region.
Collectively, the Yaeyama Islands are fantastic for those seeking to escape Japan’s fast-paced city life. The islets and surrounding beaches are ideal for snorkeling, diving, sunbathing, or simply divine relaxation.

Ko Yao Noi (Thailand)
Ko Yao, which means “long island,” is one of the last frontiers of unspoilt beauty and wildlife in Thailand. Undeveloped roads, mostly made of mere dirt and mud, make it all the more difficult to get from one place to another. Still, the rest of the island has so much to offer for adventure-seeking tourists.
The beach is a lot better during high tide as it is peppered with way too many rock pieces and coarse sand when the water level is too low. Because of the remoteness of the area, only a few establishments are available. Visitors can choose from a handful of guesthouses – all of which are located far from the pier so advance pick-up arrangements must be done. There are also some eateries available that serve mostly local dishes.

Virgin Island (Philippines)
Travelers to the province of Bohol in the Philippines seek out a hidden oasis aptly referred to as Virgin Island. It is called such as it is uninhabited and a trip here is not readily available to all. Boatmen who offer island-hopping tours suggest a side trip to Virgin Island in the middle of the trip. This usually entails an additional fee of about USD 10 over and above the agreed tour price as the place is located 30 minutes from Bohol’s satellite island of Panglao.

Hotels in Bohol
Once the stretch of the Virgin Island’s crescent-shaped sandbar comes into view, everyone generally agrees that the additional cost is worth every centavo. Guests docking on the island disembark at the tip of the sandbar, much farther out from the island’s main shoreline, and waddle in knee-deep crystal clear waters. During high tide, a huge part of the shore is submerged in water leaving only the coconut trees visible from afar.

Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam)
Phu Quoc Island of Vietnam is a silent beauty waiting to be discovered by the rest of the world. One cannot help but wonder how a rare gem can remain hidden from the public’s watch when it is only an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City.
Visitors craving an unadulterated island paradise will find everything that they are craving for and more in Phu Quoc. Travellers can hike into the island’s rugged jungle and frolic in glistening aquamarine waters that caress white sandy shores. Those who find serenity diving can see all forms of marine life from the surrounding coral beds.

The Most Historical Cities in America

America may only be a baby relative to many other parts of the world. However, that certainly doesn’t mean the country lacks an interesting history. Here are some cities in the United States with a rich cultural heritage:

New York City, New York
Originally settled by the Dutch in 1625, New York was conquered by the British in 1664. New York has since played an important role in American history. An important strategic point for the early colonists, the city was the gateway to upper New York and the Hudson Valley. Since the American Revolution, New York has become the financial capital of the world and a major center of academia, fashion and culture. The Big Apple was also the traditional arrival point for millions of immigrants. You can now visit Ellis Island and learn about the waves of immigration that made the United States the superpower it remains to the present day.


Boston, Massachusetts
Founded in 1631 by British Puritans, Boston is one of the oldest cities in America. It has played a vital role in many facets of American history - as the birthplace of Harvard, the American Revolution, aspects of the modern pubic school system and the burial site for many Founding Fathers. Of note as well, Boston is the birthplace to artists such as The Cars, Aerosmith and shockingly, Boston. When in the city, walk the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail for superb historic sites.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
As the first capital of the United States, the City of Brotherly Love has a lot of history on tap. Philadelphia is the home of Benjamin Franklin, the Continental Congress (all of them), the signing of the Declaration of Independence and of course, the drafting of the American Constitution. Throughout Philadelphia, you can learn about the founding of America, the history of the original Quaker colony, see homes dating back to the 17th century and get a tour by “Benjamin Franklin” himself. It’s a window into 18th century and revolutionary America that is only rivaled by Boston.


Jamestown, Virginia
Founded in 1607, Jamestown was the first English colony in the New World. The Virginia outpost almost folded due to conflict among early settlers before the discipline of John Smith and the cultivation of tobacco got the colony back in order. Jamestown subsequently became the major center of trade in Virginia. Today, historic Jamestown provides a window into 17th century America.

Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a major port city in the American South. It played a key role in the Civil War (the first shots were fired here at Fort Sumter) and is a time capsule of the “Old South.” The juxtaposition of white aristocratic wealth and excess against the haunting backdrop of slavery makes Charleston a fascinating place to visit. Much of the old plantation architecture has been wonderfully preserved and a visit to the city is a great way to further understanding of pre-Civil War America.

Savannah, Georgia
One of few to be spared from the ravages of the Civil War, legend has it that General Sherman declared the city of Savannah too beautiful to be destroyed. Tree-lined streets front iconic southern architecture. Iron gates shield plantation-style homes once owned by the upper crust of southern aristocracy. From mere observation one can still imagine conversations in the parlour about the future of the Union. All in all, Savannah is a wonderful step back in time and notably, a great place to sample honest-to-goodness soul food.

St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is the oldest settled city in the United States. Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles named this site after discovering it on August 28th, the feast day of Augustine of Hippo. The city confines contain numerous reminders of Spanish rule, the most notable of which is a classic fortification. The main base of defense in Florida for the Kingdom of Spain at the time, Fort Matanzas National Monument is now under the domain of the National Park Service.

Washington, D.C.
Though not the first capital of America, this city has a wealth of history as the political powerbase of the country. The result of negotiations between the first colonists (each state wanted it somewhere else), the city was sacked and burned during the War of 1812. Rebuilt to completion, today the capital draws millions of tourists every year to iconic monuments, memorials and the Smithsonian Museum complex. As the home of Congress and the White House, no other city can provide as much insight into the United States as Washington D.C.

Top Ten Historical Sites in the World

The world is filled with amazing things to see – both natural and man-made. There are many great historical sites built by ancient civilizations it is sometimes hard to just narrow it down to a few. Think of all the historical wonders list out there and how different they are sometimes. Everyone has their own list, including me. Below are the sites I find best, think give a great look at human history and civilization, and think every traveler should try to visit at some point. These are places so great that flocks of people fly from all corners of the world to see them each year. Yes you might have to put up with crowds but the he story these ruins tell is part of our humanities story and that is why I love them the best:
Machu Picchu

Located in southern Peru, this fascinating city lies on top of a mountain that’s only accessible by train or 4-day trek. It was an important cultural center for the Inca civilization, but was abandoned when the Spanish came. It is famously referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas.” The location was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. It was also named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Concerns over growing numbers of tourists have led to limitations on how many people can enter the site, though only by a fraction of what is necessary. Hopefully they will limit it even more so this site lasts for hundreds of years more.
Tikal

This Mayan city-state is one of the largest and best-preserved ruins of the civilization, and was a dominant force in the Mayan world. Located in Guatemala, this place lets you experience your inner-Indy early in the morning or late at night when the tourists go home and it’s just you and the jungle. It was very serene and one of the best travel memories I have. I particularly enjoyed seeing the sunrise from atop the temples. It’s a wonderful place to explore, deserves at least two days, and is easily accessible from neighboring Belize. (Random trivia: The city at the end of Star Wars: A New Hope? Tikal!)
The Pyramids at Giza

Over 3,000 years old, and we still don’t have a good idea as to how they were built or how the Egyptians got them so precise. The Pyramids align to the stars and the solstices and contain vast chambers we still haven’t opened. I mean what do those little chambers where people can’t even crawl through mean? How did they even build them?! Aliens? They are truly a marvel of human engineering that was fit for kings. The largest one, called the Great Pyramid, was built by the Pharaoh Khufu and has limited access to it. You will also find the Sphinx in this area, another historical site that baffles researchers with its mysteries and is the subject of many conspiracy theories. Due to the Egypt revolution in 2011, tourism is drastically down though the revolution is over. If you ever wanted a time to have the pyramids to yourself, now is the time to visit.
Angkor Wat

This ancient city in Cambodia was the center of the Khmer empire that once ruled most of Southeast Asia. This empire went extinct, but not before building amazing temples and buildings that were reclaimed by the jungle for hundreds of years. Though Angkor Wat is packed with tourists, it’s still breathtaking to see. And the temple regions to the north and south see far fewer tourists than the main temple group. (Though admittingly, some of them are simply piles of stone rubble now.) The best time to visit is early in the morning before the tour groups arrive and stay late. The most popular temples are Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom, and Angkor Thom and they always have crowds. In order to really experience the temples, you’ll need to purchase the three- or five-day pass.
Petra

Carved into a canyon in Arabah, Jordan, Petra was made famous by the third Indiana Jones film when he went to find the Holy Grail. Since then, everyone goes to look for it. It was “discovered” in 1812 by a Swiss explorer who followed some local tribesmen there. Prior to that, it had been forgotten to the Western world. Though its founding is not known, it appears this place had settlers as early as the 6th century B.C. Under Roman rule, the site declined rapidly and was abandoned by the late 4th century. In 1985, Petra became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is now one of the coolest and biggest attractions in the world.
Stonehenge

Located near Salisbury, England, this megalithic structure is over 3,000 years old, and its stones come all the way from Wales. Scholars still are not sure how the builders got the stones from Wales, and have tried to replicate the feat with dismal results. Stonehenge is now fenced off, and you can no longer go into the circle. Visitors can only walk around the attraction. But it’s worth visiting for the mystery behind it and the really good audio tour.
Colosseum/Forum

The Colosseum and the Forum are right next to each other in Rome, so I included them together. Remnants of a civilization that once controlled the “known” world, these sites are breathtaking not only for their beauty but also for their history and age. You’re standing in the spot Caesar walked and gazing into the arena where gladiators battled to the death. The Colosseum has slowly crumbled throughout the ages and much of it is restricted now, especially the floor and basement where everything was organized. The Forum is great to walk around (and it’s free!!), though a ticket is required for Palatine Hill. I would definitely get a guided tour because the information presented by the authorities doesn’t go into much depth.
Parthenon

Though currently getting a face-lift (and seemingly has been forever), the Parthenon is still amazing and breathtaking. The ancient temple to Athena stands as a symbol of the power of Athens and a testament to Greek civilization. Moreover, it provides a great view of Athens and nearby ruins. The surrounding ruins, temples, and buildings are equally as wondrous. Built in the 5th century B.C., the temple used to house the treasury. Over the centuries, much of it and the surrounding structures have been destroyed by war and thieves. Luckily, the structure still stands… at least for now. Note that there is scaffolding along the right side of the structure and considering it has been there for over 5 years, I doubt it is going anywhere anytime soon. They do things slowly in Greece.
Easter Island

Located out in the Pacific Ocean and a special territory of Chile, Easter Island holds Moai statues that are the only thing left of a culture that once lived here. These gigantic and amazingly carved heads are just another reminder that primitive people are not really all that primitive. The stones that attract visitors to this island are made out of volcanic ash. Many still remain in the quarry, left by the settlers as diminishing resources on the island left their tribes doomed to war that finally killed them off.
Taj Mahal

Built in the 1600s, this building is a testament to undying love. Located in Agra, India, this white marble tomb built for Emperor Shah Jahan’s deceased wife is a must-see for everyone. In 1983, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Taj sees between two and four million tourists annually. There have been recent restrictions on tourism in an effort to help protect the site. However, the greatest threat to the site is the air pollution that is destroying the white marble the building is constructed of. It too was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.