Temple Series: Bayon & Ta Prohm
Posted: July 6, 2017 Filed under: B-ROLL ADVENTURES, TRAVEL | Tags: Angkor Wat, backpacking, bayon, Cambodia, Cambodia Temples, Siem Reap, ta prohm, Temple Series, Travel Leave a commentBAYON
I visited the inner circuit temples: Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm twice. Doing so allowed me to leisurely wander about and fully take in the experience. 
The only temple photo I didn’t take.
One of the guards offered to take my picture and I had no idea this is what he had in mind. I guess a lot of tourists do this shot and I find it so funny because it’s something I’d never think of taking.
TA PROHM
Seeing nature taking over, Ta Prohm is both beautiful and melancholic. 
Cafe Hopping – Ho Chi Minh
Posted: July 5, 2017 Filed under: ART, TRAVEL | Tags: alternative art area, art arcade, cafe, cafe apartment, cafe hopping, coffee, coffee culture, dong khoi street, ho chi minh, kujuz 3son, l'usine, le loi street, saigon, Travel, vietnam, vietnamese coffee Leave a comment
The coffee culture in Ho Chi Minh is exciting, vibrant and trendy. Whether it’s a commercial cafe chain, a stylish 3rd wave coffee shop or a humble street stall, the coffee will be delightful and the experience, unique.
I was overwhelmed with all the options and wanted to have coffee at almost every cafe I saw while walking around the city. I’d make a metal note to come back to a particular coffee shop, expecting I’ll like the next one I see even more. At one point it was frustrating because I obviously can’t visit all these cafes (and consume so much caffeine) during my one week trip. I decided that I’ll leave it up to exploring and some research to get the best cafe experiences I can.
Here are the cafe hopping highlights.
CAFE APARTMENT
Along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Cafe Apartment houses 9 floors of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. I did some research and came across a blog post by Vietnam Oracle (http://vietnamcoracle.com/) describing it as “a ‘chocolate box’ of independent coffee shops”. Of course I had to check the place out and it did not disappoint.
L’USINE
L’Usine – Dong Khoi
L’Usine has two branches and I made it a point to visit both. I recently found out that there is a third at Le Thanh Ton street. I cannot express how much I looked forward to visiting this cafe, specifically this branch in Dong Khoi. It is definitely the highlight of my cafe tour.
It’s more of a complex than just a cafe.
Dong Khoi street has been at the center of life in Saigon since French colonial times. Today, it is home to many of Saigon’s memorable French colonial era buildings. It’s no surprise that this chic cafe is located in an area with so much character and history.
Sunday brunch
Art Arcade
To get to the cafe, you enter the building through the Art Arcade. An assortment of trendy cafes, restaurants and bars are housed in the building as well. There’s even a gallery above L’Usine!
L’Usine – Le Loi
Day #7: I felt that enjoying a cup of coffee at my favorite cafe is the perfect way to say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh city.
ALTERNATIVE ART AREA
Kujuz 3son, Alternative Art Area
I am drawn to any creative space and as the name suggests, the Alternative Art Area is exactly that.
Photologue: Mui Ne, Vietnam
Posted: July 4, 2017 Filed under: B-ROLL ADVENTURES, TRAVEL | Tags: backpacking, fairy stream, mui ne, mui ne fishing village, red sand dunes, sand dunes, Travel, vietnam, white sand dunes Leave a comment
Went to Mui Ne for a few days to check out the sights.
1: White and Red sand dunes
2. Fairy Stream
Took some effort to get to the top but the view’s worth it!
3. Mui Ne Fishing Village
Temple Wandering – Ayutthaya, Thailand
Posted: July 4, 2017 Filed under: B-ROLL ADVENTURES, TRAVEL | Tags: ayutthaya, backpacking, temple, temple ruins, Temple Series, thailand, wat mahathat, wat phra ram, wat phra si sanphet, wat ratchaburana Leave a comment
There are 39 temple ruins spread around the Ayutthaya Historical Park– all unique and built for different reasons. I was expecting the park to be packed and touristy but it was the complete opposite. The luxury of space and peacefulness made me feel I had the temples all to myself.
Exploring is pretty straightforward. All you need is a map of the park. Then, enjoy walking to the temples or rent a bicycle for the day. No one bothers travellers and Tuk tuks are just around if you need one.
You’ll want (and need) to take breaks at the charming cafes and restaurants that are all within walking distance. Wandering around Ayutthaya was a very pleasant and unexpected experience and is easily the best solo temple trip I’ve done.
Here’s a photologue of some of the temples that I was most interested in.
WAT MAHATHAT
Iconic Buddha in Bayan tree
Wat Mahathat, the “Temple of the Great Relics” is the symbolic center where the Buddha’s relics were enshrined.
WAT PHRA SI SANPHET
Wat Phra Si Sanphet is known for its three Chedis. The Chedis are believed to keep the ashes of three Kings : King Trailok, King Borom Ratchathirat III, and King Rama Thibodi II, as well as Buddha relics.
I enjoyed this temple the most. There are a lot of interesting areas to explore around the expansive compound. Even if most of the structures are in ruins, it still retains its magnificence.
WAT PHRA RAM
Picturesque entrance of Wat Phra Ram
Best part are the views you get walking around the main prang.
WAT RATCHABURANA
Also called the “Temple of Royal Restoration”, Wat Ratchaburana was built following Khmer design concept. Its design resembles the early mountain temples of Angkor.
Photo Series: Hostel Living, Thailand
Posted: October 26, 2016 Filed under: ART, B-ROLL ADVENTURES, TRAVEL | Tags: 3howw hostel khao san, 3howw hostel sukhumvit 21, ayutthaya, backpacking, bangkok, bed station hostel, box hostel n cafe, chiang mai, chill in beach cafe and hostel, d'feel hostel, fin hostel, hostel, hostel art, hostel art parts, hostel hopping, hostel living, hostels thailand, huan saran guest house, koh samui, pai, pai circus hostel, photo series, phuket, southeast asia, stockhome hostel, thailand, the blocks hostel, Travel Leave a commentI stayed at 9 hostels and 1 guest house during my month-long trip around Thailand. Here’s my (incomplete) hostel living photo series taken with my Go Pro Hero 3.
#1: 3Howw Hostel – Khao San, Bangkok
#2 : 3Howw Hostel Sukhumvit 21 – Sukhumvit, Bangkok
No Go Pro shot so here’s a photo taken at the hostel which is part of another series: Hostel Art Parts
Hostel Art Parts : 3Howw Hostel Sukhumvit 21
#3: Stockhome Hostel – Ayutthaya
#4: Box Hostel n Cafe – Chiang Mai
#5 : Huan Saran Guesthouse – Pai
No Go Pro shot. The Circus Hostel is where I spent most of my time in Pai.
The Famous Pai Circus Hostel – Pai
#6: The Blocks Hostel – Sukhumvit, Bangkok
#7: D’feel Hostel – Patong, Phuket
#8: Fin Hostel – Kata, Phuket
#9: Chill Inn Beach Cafe and Hostel – Koh Samui
#10: Bed Station Hostel – Sukhumvit, Bangkok
White Temple, Chiang Rai
Posted: October 26, 2016 Filed under: ART, B-ROLL ADVENTURES, FILM, INSPIRATION, TRAVEL | Tags: backpacking, chalermchai kositpipat, chiang rai, southeast asia travels, temples, thailand, Travel, video, watrongkhun, white temple, white temple chiang rai Leave a comment
I’ve seen my fair share of temples around Southeast Asia but the one I’ve been dying to see is the Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Chalermchai Kositpipat’s masterpiece is the most magnificent, strange and beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
The Heaven part of Chiang Rai
Here’s a short video I took walking in.
INSANE DETAILS!
You have to walk through “Hell” to get to “Heaven”.
Creepy, cool surprises
There are 2 parts of the Wat Rong Khun, the temple and Kositpipat’s gallery. Unfortunately they don’t allow photo taking in the gallery but you can imagine how inspired and magical his art is. Below are some prints I bought at the gift shop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIEf0GzhXrU/?taken-by=biankaismad
Monkey Forest, Ubud
Posted: May 1, 2016 Filed under: B-ROLL ADVENTURES, FILM, TRAVEL | Tags: bali, go prohero 3, indonesia, monkey forest, monkey forest bali, monkey forest ubud, raw impulse travels, Travel, ubud 2 Comments
I enjoyed our afternoon at the Monkey Forest. It was one of the many things I wanted to do in Ubud. People are either: interested and excited or intensely afraid of this place. Good thing my friend, Kara was on the same side of the spectrum as me. We treated the afternoon as an adventure, excited but still wary about the monkeys’ behaviour. The Monkey Forest is essentially a forest so it is quite large and takes some time to explore.
Favorite photo. Perfect mix of creepy, sexy, cool.
Just chillin’
I know we’re taking pictures
Monkey moments video
https://www.instagram.com/p/64cY8dIj4n/?taken-by=biankaismad&hl=en
Small monkey
Slightly larger monkey
LARGEST MONKEY!
Monkey Temple
There are grand structures and ruins that reminded me so much of Ta Prohm in Cambodia. It invoked the same vibe, the forest taking over with the additional chillin’ monkeys. The forest is absolutely beautiful.
The monkeys weren’t scary at all and just hung out all day. They’re used to people and based on experience, they’re much nicer than the ones at the Uluwatu Sea Temple. I took off my sunglasses and hat before entering and their handlers told us that we don’t have to worry. The monkeys here don’t grab stuff except for food from time to time. They have a stand at the entrance where you can buy bananas to feed them.
Bali: Sea Temple and Dreamland
Posted: April 30, 2016 Filed under: B-ROLL ADVENTURES, FILM, TRAVEL | Tags: bali, dreamland beach, indonesia, jimbaran, rawimplusetravels, Travel, uluwatu, uluwatu sea temple Leave a commentULUWATU SEA TEMPLE
Sky magic
I’ve been to quite a number of temples traveling around Southeast Asia and it never loses it’s appeal. My goal is to always visit ones I find special and the Uluwatu Sea Temple is no exception. Perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 metres above sea level, it boasts an amazing view and breaks the typical vibe of temple visits.
It’s a famous sunset watching spot and it’s clear why. This sky magic is good enough for me.
Short video around the temple
Favorite BTS shot
Bali has a monkey forest (which I’ll talk about in another post) but this temple is known to be home to a lot of playful and naughty monkeys who grab whatever they can get from tourists. If you plan on visiting, do yourself a favor and keep lose items that they can easily grab from you like sunglasses, hats and other knick knacks. We saw a couple of tourists lose their sunglasses to monkeys that day.
The temple lends these bright violet (for girls) and yellow (for boys) sarongs to tourists who are in shorts or short skirts.
DREAMLAND BEACH
Dreamland beach sounded and looked so promising until we got there. Don’t be deceived. In my opinion, there’s nothing dreamland-like about it. This nice sunset, friends and beers made the trip there much better.
Sunset Session timelapse
Bali: Villa Photologue
Posted: April 30, 2016 Filed under: B-ROLL ADVENTURES, TRAVEL | Tags: bali, bali villa, indonesia, rawimpulsetravels, Travel, ungasan villa Leave a comment
One of the best things about traveling to Bali are the beautiful villas you can rent out. We chose this villa in Ungasan and booked through Airbnb. We wanted to stay in an area that’s more scenic and this seemed perfect. Jimbaran and the Uluwatu Sea Temple are nearby so it was easy to go sightseeing. The 2 outdoor showers were a high selling point too! Note that you will literally shower with the birds and the bees. Here are some pictures of our home away from home.
Bali: A day in Seminyak
Posted: April 18, 2016 Filed under: ART, B-ROLL ADVENTURES, FASHION, FILM, TRAVEL | Tags: bali, indonesia, motel mexicola, potato head beach club, raw impulse travels, sardine restaurant, seminyak, seminyak beach strip, timelapse, Travel Leave a commentPotato Head / Sardine / Seminyak beach strip / Motel Mexicola
Seminyak is one of two favorites, Ubud being a close second. Everything is so pretty, colorful and vibrant. Will let my photos do the talking 🙂
Seminyak Beach Strip
Sunset watching at La Plancha
Long and pretty sunset. So much activity on this beach.
Potato Head Beach Club
Sardine Restaurant
Motel Mexicola
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