During my trip in Egypt, I once asked five Egyptians about their top vacation destination, and they all recommended Hurghada along the Red Sea coast! Hurghada gave me a feeling very much like "Taichung," with its attention to architecture and greenery, which set it apart from other cities.
Luxor, also known as the ancient Thebes, was dedicated to the worship of the Sun God Amun and functioned as the capital of ancient Egypt's New Kingdom. Temple ruins stretch across Luxor and Karnak.
Aswan, considered the birthplace of Egyptian civilization, is unlike the bustling and crowded Cairo. It has a unique sense of leisure and tranquility. Unlike other cities, feluccas and cruise ships crisscross on the Nile River, creating a distinctive landscape in Aswan.
In Luxor, Egypt, one of the world's top three favorite hot air balloon spots, I can't promise it's the absolute most stunning high-altitude view on Earth, but it's undeniably a one-of-a-kind flying adventure. Luckily, we caught a rare eastward wind that carried us right over the Nile River, whisking us from the Valley of the Kings to the Karnak Temple!
Apart from the pyramids, Abu Simbel is the most magnificent image of Egypt etched in my mind!
In museums of other countries, you may find a combination of foreign artifacts or international exhibits. But not in Egypt!
Ang Thong, located 40 kilometers away from Ayutthaya, is a place where English is rarely spoken, making it challenging to book a Grab ride. Surprisingly, it boasts the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand, along with the largest outdoor reclining Buddha. Despite having such remarkable cultural treasures, tourism hasn't flourished here, probably due to transportation difficulties and the scattered nature of the temples.
Spent a full two days exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site.
A century ago, Thailand's waterways were even more developed than its roads. Today, many places in Thailand still maintain the traditional way of life in the countryside by the water. One such place is the Damnoen Saduak floating market, which has a history of over a hundred years.
My first dream of 2023 has finally come true!