Environment
Ancient Pillars to the Sky
The ancient Yakusugi trees of Yakushima are amongst the very oldest and largest of Asia’s living things. These evergreen cedars can be found on the circular island of Yakushima, lying near the southern tip of the Japanese archipelago with a mountainous interior that is mostly forested wilderness. These World Heritage-listed groves, called Cryptomeria japonica, are the national tree of Japan and are nestled within the valleys of these hills.
Read More
Environment
Thar be Dragons
‘Hic sunt dracones’ (Thar be dragons) – that’s the terrifying inscription left by map-makers more than 500 years ago to warn medieval explorers of the mythical creatures lurking beyond the bounds of the known world. According to these legends, man-eating dragons inhabited the far-flung islands of East Asia, surrounded by treacherous waters teeming with sea serpents. At the time, few dared to venture ‘off the map’.
Read More
Heritage
Quiet Soul of the Desert
Petra sits at the crossroads of Arabian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures. Here in the peace of the Jordanian desert, Justin Ong explores the routes and ruins of the Nabataean city, a civilisation ahead of its time.
Read More
Culture
Inside the City of Darkness
Kowloon Walled City – 300 interconnected high-rise buildings, built without contributions from architects or engineers, and home to nearly 40,000 people. This was the most densely-populated place on the planet until its demolition in 1993.
Read More
On Assignment
Removing the Curse of Division
Famagusta, once a flourishing port has since come to pieces – schools and businesses share the space of medieval churches, some intact, others derelict. Turkish soldiers seal the coastline to intruders. The tourists have long gone and even the locals look abroad for opportunities.
Read More
Heritage
The Ghosts of Gunkanjima
In Gunkanjima, ghosts live on in the memories of former inhabitants of the fortress island. The site has since been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the behest of those born there, who hope that all who henceforth visit the island can learn from Gunkanjima’s rise and fall.
Read More
Environment
Prominence
Prominence, while not a gauge of the difficulty of the climb, is another good measurement of the height of a mountain.
Read More
Travel and Adventure
HUẾ MY LOVE
“Huế Tinh Yeu Cua Toi” (“Huế My Love”) is one of the many songs written about the beautiful city of Huế. Visiting the city, you’re almost certain to hear one of the many Huế songs playing in coffee shops.
Read More