Visitor to Sapa in summer can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. In the morning and afternoon, it is cool like the weather of spring and autumn. At noon, it is as sunny and cloudless as the weather of summer. And it is cold in the evening. With no advance warning of a thunderstorm short and heavy rains may come at noon on any summer day. Subsequently, a rainbow appears, transforming Sapa into a magic land, which for years has been a constant source of poetic inspiration, lights up the whole region.
The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sapa is in April and May. Before that period, the weather might be cold and foggy; after that period is the rainy season. In April and May, Sapa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The clouds that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear into thin air.
Sapa has many natural sites such as Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo Forest and Ta Phin Cave.Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3, 143m. Hoang Lien Mountain Range is also called the Alps of the North Sea area since Fansipan Mountain is not only the highest peak in Vietnam, but also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high elevations.
The first thing you notice when approaching the resort town are some detached wooden mansions and villas perched on a hill top or hillside, behind thick pine forests and almost invisible on this foggy morning. Old and new villas with red roofs now appear and now disappear in the green rows of pomu trees, bringing the town the beauty of European towns.
Fresh and cool air in Sapa is an idea climate condition for growing temperate vegetables such as cabbage, chayote, precious medicinal herbs, and fruit trees such as plum, pear…
Sapa is home to various families of flowers of captivating colours, which can be found nowhere else in the country. When Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival comes, the whole township of Sapa is filled with the pink colour of peach blossom brought from the vast forests of peach just outside the town. Sapa is regarded as the kingdom of orchids. Here, orchid lovers are even amazed by the choice, when trekking in the forest filled with several hundred kinds of orchids of brilliant colours and fantastic shapes, such as Orchid Princess, Orchid of My Fair Lady's Shoe. Some orchids are named after lovely singing birds such as the canary, salangane's nest, and more.
Sapa is most beautiful in spring. Apricot, plum and cherry flowers are splendidly beautiful. Markets are crowded and merry, and are especially attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods and products. Market sessions are also a chance for locals to promenade and young men and women in colorful costumes to meet, date or seek sweethearts.
Visitors to Sapa will have opportunities to discover the unique customs of the local residents, enjoy the pure foods, and explore the charm of the Ethnic groups in Vietnam...
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Free Entertainment Ideas for Travelers
There are loads of fantastic ways to get free entertainment when traveling. All you need is a bit of research before you go and to think a bit laterally. Whether you get your entertainment from music, theatre, lectures, walks or museums there are free experiences all over the globe. Here are some ideas to consider when traveling at home or abroad:
1. Go for a hike or a bushwalk. Remember to pack enough food and drink and sunscreen. Enjoy the country’s scenery for free.
2. Gallery openings are a way to see local art and you might even get free wine and food thrown in!
3. Art walks and garden tours are where you visit local art galleries or homes with gardens for show. You get to meet locals and find out about the local art and garden scene.
4. Free nights at museums. Some museums are even open free all the time (for example The British Museum).
5. Visit the local churches. There is so much history and local culture to be experienced in places of worship and you’ll find a large majority of these have no entry fee, although some may ask for a donation.
6. Open mic nights at pubs where new musicians perform for free to an audience willing to listen. You never know which up-coming star you’ll get to hear.
7. Volunteer to be an usher at a concert, play or movie. Volunteer to help out at a conference or show. You’ll get to experience what’s on offer for no admission cost.
8. Visit the local library. Apart from getting to read books for free you get a different cultural experience in every library you visit. Libraries often have author visits and visiting speakers for generally free admission.
9. Find out if there are any free lunch time concerts.
10. Visit the local television station and see if any shows have live audiences for taping. Join in!
11. Go to the beach for the day.
12. Is there a local fair or festival on where you are visiting? If so you will probably find lots of free attractions there as well as paid ones.
13. Visit the local botanical gardens. In most countries these are free to visit and enjoy.
14. Walk around the city with your eyes open taking in all the sights. It’s amazing what sort of ‘free entertainment’ this will bring you!
15. Window shop. Some people can do this for hours! And it doesn’t cost you a cent.
16. And don’t forget, you can always purchase a local Entertain coupon book which will get you discounts on plenty of activities and entertainments, but can also offer some freebies such as “visit one day, get the second for free” or “pay for one person and the second visits for free”
Enjoy your free entertainment while traveling. There’s plenty of it around.
1. Go for a hike or a bushwalk. Remember to pack enough food and drink and sunscreen. Enjoy the country’s scenery for free.
2. Gallery openings are a way to see local art and you might even get free wine and food thrown in!
3. Art walks and garden tours are where you visit local art galleries or homes with gardens for show. You get to meet locals and find out about the local art and garden scene.
4. Free nights at museums. Some museums are even open free all the time (for example The British Museum).
5. Visit the local churches. There is so much history and local culture to be experienced in places of worship and you’ll find a large majority of these have no entry fee, although some may ask for a donation.
6. Open mic nights at pubs where new musicians perform for free to an audience willing to listen. You never know which up-coming star you’ll get to hear.
7. Volunteer to be an usher at a concert, play or movie. Volunteer to help out at a conference or show. You’ll get to experience what’s on offer for no admission cost.
8. Visit the local library. Apart from getting to read books for free you get a different cultural experience in every library you visit. Libraries often have author visits and visiting speakers for generally free admission.
9. Find out if there are any free lunch time concerts.
10. Visit the local television station and see if any shows have live audiences for taping. Join in!
11. Go to the beach for the day.
12. Is there a local fair or festival on where you are visiting? If so you will probably find lots of free attractions there as well as paid ones.
13. Visit the local botanical gardens. In most countries these are free to visit and enjoy.
14. Walk around the city with your eyes open taking in all the sights. It’s amazing what sort of ‘free entertainment’ this will bring you!
15. Window shop. Some people can do this for hours! And it doesn’t cost you a cent.
16. And don’t forget, you can always purchase a local Entertain coupon book which will get you discounts on plenty of activities and entertainments, but can also offer some freebies such as “visit one day, get the second for free” or “pay for one person and the second visits for free”
Enjoy your free entertainment while traveling. There’s plenty of it around.
Safety Tips for Budget Travelers in Foreign Countries
There are many things to keep in mind when traveling, whether you are a budget traveler or not. You obviously want to keep what money you have for your trip rather than lose it or have it stolen. You also want to keep yourself and traveling companions safe from harm. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your trip is safe and enjoyable in a foreign country.
1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.
2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.
3. Secure travel insurance!
4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.
5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.
6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.
7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress.
8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.
9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.
10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.
11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.
12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.
13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes.
14. Lock your luggage and label everything.
15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.
16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport.
1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.
2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.
3. Secure travel insurance!
4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.
5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.
6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.
7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress.
8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.
9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.
10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.
11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.
12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.
13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes.
14. Lock your luggage and label everything.
15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.
16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport.
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