10 Places to See in Asia Before You Die

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I am writing this lens in order to expose you to some of the best places to travel in Asia. Some of the ones I am including I have already been to and others are just on my to do list.

Did you see Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts? Did you know Julia is a Hindu practitioner in real life? Actually, I read the book BEFORE I saw this great movie. I would definitely recommend reading the book first so you don't know how it all turns out. Anyway I did enjoy the movie very much. Bali is one place that I have heard for quite a while is a great place to visit and after seeing the views in the movie I definitely have it on my travel wish list.

I am now getting the itch to travel to the Orient again. So be sure to check back often or favorite this lens so you will be notified of updates. I am now 63 and at the moment am semi-retired - wishing to completely retire very soon. So check back on a regular basis for more to come. Photo credit by Tsultrim Allione.

Eat, Pray, Love - the Movie

Eat Pray Love

Amazon Price: $4.96 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

This is an autobiography of a woman who is a writer and after a divorce, and a break-up she decided to travel to Italy (eat), India (pray) and Bali (love) and keep a journal of her experiences. I completely enjoyed this movie (I've seen it 3 times). It gave me the travel bug again!

Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) is a modern woman on a quest to marvel at and travel the world while rediscovering and reconnecting with her true inner self in Eat Pray Love. At a crossroads after a divorce, Gilbert takes a year-long sabbatical from her job and steps uncharacteristically out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life. In her wondrous and exotic travels, she experiences the simple pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of love in Bali. Based on an inspiring true story, Eat Pray Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world.

India

India is the birthplace of the following world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. There are many ashrams where one can stay. Some of the most famous ashrams include: Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry, the Osho Commune in Pune and Sai Baba's Andra Pradesh ashram. Since 1959 India has become one of the world centers of Tibetan Buddhism with both His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa living in Dharamsala, India. This is one place I definitely want to travel.

The Taj Mahal Video

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A Taj Coffee Mug

Lenses on Indian Topics

Visit Dharamsala, India

I wrote this lens as challenge #6 to become a Rocket Mom. Hope you enjoy it.
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Devigiri Coffee Estate Chikmagalur India

Jungle camping Devigiri Coffee Estate Chikmagalur Wildelife Experience-Devigiri Coffee EstateChikmagalur
Jungle camping Devigiri Coffee Estate Chikmagalur
Weekend get away with wildelife experience, stay in Tree hut/jungle camp/ Bungalow at Devigiri Coffee Estate Chikmagalur. Visit Kemmanagundi, Sringeri, Belur, Muthodi reserve forest .
Taste best coffee in the world along with Organic food at request
Starting at 1,200 Rupees (Indian) Per Night
>> Click For Details & Pictures
RealAdventures | Chikmagalur, India Hotels & Resorts | India Hotels & Resorts | India Vacations | Hotels & Resorts | Chikmagalur, India

Travel Books on India

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Buddha Under the Bodhi Tree iPad Case

Where Ever You Go in Asia Travel Light

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi

Amazon Price: $199.00 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

Don't lug around books or movies - try a new Kindle Fire or one of the other Kindle models. Cheaper than an iPad and lighter than books.

Japan - Tokyo

Japan is a great place to go to teach English. You can make a very good wage and you can also double dip by tutoring English at night. I always wanted to do this, but I owned a home and also had a cat and those things stopped me from actually going. Don't hold back - go do it now!

One of the World Heritage Sites in Japan is the Kii-peninsula where you can visit three unique sacred sites: Kumano Sanzan, Koyasan and Yoshino & Omine where the beliefs are a unique mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism. Here you can experience a blend of nature and religion in a powerful sacredness.

Japanese Lenses

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Collecting Japanese Netsuke Sculptures

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Getting Around Japan

I love Lonely Planet for travel information.

Hiking in Japan (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)

Amazon Price: $9.90 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

Japanese Raku Oriental Art


Raku Pottery Aumakua Vessel: Sea Turtle
- $ 69.99
The sea turtle often represents wisdom, happiness and long life. If a turtle enters your home, it brings with it the deep wisdom of the ocean and the gifts of relaxation and longevity. Our Raku Aumakua Vessel features the spirit of the Sea Turtle, beautifully displayed atop its' lid. The lidded vessel displays a fantastic glow of warm colors - glimmering shades of burnt orange, copper, blue, and maroon. Each piece is hand-thrown in clay, placed in an outdoor kiln and fired to over 2000-degrees. While molten hot, the vessel is placed in a pit with banana leaves and wood shavings that burst into flames. This intense, immediate reaction creates the one-of-a-kind variation on each vessel. Handcrafted in the USA and signed by the artist.

Donations to Give Shelter to Displaced Japanese

Tsunami and Earthquate Relief

The Salvation Army is helping with shelter in Tokyo and Sendai for Japanese who have lost their homes in this horrible disaster. Click here to donate.

After the tsunami many more people in the world are considering Are you prepared? Would you like to be self-sufficient, especially with your food?

Headquartered in Indianapolis, The Salvation Army Indiana Division is committed to Doing the Most Good for our neighbors in need, right here in central Indiana and beyond. The hungry and homeless, abused and addicted: Your generosity goes here. Thanks!

Thailand - Bangkok

In 1995 I traveled to Bhutan and Nepal via Thailand. We stopped for 3 days in Bangkok and enjoyed playing tourist there. I plan to expand on this section and add include some of the photos we took on this trip. So check back real soon - or just favorite this lens and you will get a Squidcast when it is updated.

One of the World Heritage sites which can be found conveniently right in Bangkok is the temple best known as Loha Prasat,, which is a multi-tiered structure that has 37 metal spires, signifying the 37 virtues toward reaching enlightenment. It is the third Loha Prasada or brazen palace in existence, modeled after the earlier ones in India and Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Exotissimo Travel - Tailor-made Tours in Southeast Asia

Exotissimo Travel - Tailor-made Tours in Southeast Asia

Learn More About Thailand

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Thailand's Architecture

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Auction Items from Thailand

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How Peter Opened an On-line Business and Moved to Malaysia

Business Without Boundaries

Watch a two minute video about how he did it.

There are PROFOUND messages in this new video...

1. It's NEVER too late to change your path.

2. If you follow your passion, they'll take you to some amazing places (like Malaysia!).

Bhutan

I traveled to Bhutan in 1995 and I LOVED it! I would recommend this trip to everyone. It was a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget, nor ever regret. This is an expensive destination, but worth every penny. If you really want to get away from the world this is the place - I saw no newspapers or TV the whole time - and totally forgot about "civilization" while traveling in this fantastically pristine country.

I would definitely go back in an instant if given a chance. To see a bunch of my photos and learn more in depth info on this small Himilayan country - visit my other lens. This photo is a huge prayer wheel outside of one of our hotels.

I was interested in going there because I am a Buddhist - if you want to see the inside of any temples, not just the outside, be sure to take a letter from your Rinpoche stating that you are a Buddhist practitioner.

Lenses on Bhutan

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Nepal - Kathmandu

This is a picture of the Annapurna Mountain range. I once had a Peruvian Shaman take my pulse and say "The spirit of the mountain said Annapurna." At the time I had never heard of Annapurna. Now I know it is a mountain destination in the Himalayas and someday I want to visit there.

Nepal is widely acclaimed for its unique art and architectural styles. The ancient palaces, temples, courtyards and streetscapes of Kathmandu Valley are protected as no less than seven World Heritage Sites

Great Stupa of Boudha in Kathmandu Poster

Nepal Lenses

India Nepal Bhutan Motor Cycle Tours- 2010 - 11

India Nepal Bhutan Motor Cycle Tours- 2010 - 11 Enfield Classic bike 500 CC
India Nepal Bhutan Motor Cycle Tours- 2010 - 11
India Motorcycle Safari Tours 2010- 11 Booking Open - BEST PRICE GUARANTEED ! Trans Himalayan Motorcycle safari -July & August 2011, Sikkim Bhutan- Oct,10 .Rajasthan Pushkar fair- Nov,10. Fully Guided & escorted tours. GAY couples welcome !!
Starting at US $3,500 Per Trip
>> Click For Details & Pictures
RealAdventures | New Delhi, India Motorcycle | India Motorcycle | India Vacations | Motorcycle | New Delhi, India

iTunes from Nepal

Track Artist Album  
Shiri Shiri Phasyan Himalaya and Nepal Himalaya and Nepal
Essen Nepal Pure Bar Lounge Atmosphere, Vol. 2
Nepal Lucyan & Sourabh Bose Prayer for Peace - EP
Sherpa Himalaya and Nepal Himalaya and Nepal
Shim Shime Panima Jyales Himalaya and Nepal Himalaya and Nepal

Arresting God in Kathmandu

by Samrat Upadhyay

Arresting God in Kathmandu

Amazon Price: $5.32 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now



This book earned the author a Whiting Award. Takes place in Nepal.

Visit Tuva

Are you interesting in Russian history? Or the Mongols? This is a remote place where Shamanism still reins supreme. They have a very unique culture.

Uvs Nuur Lake is a World Heritage Site and one fabulous lake and Basin. If you are interested in seeing the Steppe this is considered the best preserved natural steppe in the world. This Uvs Nuur Basin is in fact the largest land area for a World Heritage Site and has approximately 180 species of birds and 50 plus types of mammals.

Uvs Nuur Lake basin is inhabited and has been used for nomadic pastoralism for thousands of years, the mountains, forests, steppes and deserts are extremely important habitats for a wide range of wild animals, many of them threatened or endangered like the snow leopard and the ibex.



Exotissimo Travel: Explore Southeast Asia in Style

Tuvan Ball Cap

Featured Lense on Tuva

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Most Countries in Asia Have Bamboo Forests

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Bali

Bali is a Hindu island in the Indonesian archipelago. The island's Hinduism was imported from India via Java. There was an Islamic uprising in Java in the sixteenth century and the Hindu royal family fled to Bali. They brought with them their royal families, craftsman and priests. It is not an exaggeration to say that everyone is Bali is descended from a king, a priest or an artist.

Bali has a culture where the collective is absolutely more important than the individual. The island has seven unpredictable volcanoes. Religion is of paramount importance here. Offerings and rituals are a constant. For the wanderer Bali is a great destination. Such lush beauty.

Waterfall, Bali, Indon


Buy at AllPosters.com

Photos of Bali

curated content from Flickr

Tibet

mantra stupaTibet is getting easier to reach recently. Actually the Chinese are planning to offer airline travel from Europe to Lhasa soon. There is also a train now.

This is a picture of a Mantra Stupa taken from the inside looking up. Isn't it beautiful?

I will be adding to this Tibet section and all sections over time so bookmark this lens and come back for more soon!

Vintage Tibetan Auctions

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Hurray! Just Received a Fifth Squid Angel Blessing!

Whooo Hooo!!!

Thank you _Joan_ and Michey for honoring this lens with your blessing! Also to rgasperson who blessed it on March 17th, 2011.
I received a fourth angel blessing from emerald125 on May 29th, 2011. The fifth blessing was received from Geeve on 10/09/11.

This lens was awarded an Angel Blessing in December 2010 by Michey. The giant squid organizers here at Squidoo award Angel Blessings to their favorite lenses created by all-star Giant Squids. To learn more about the Angel Blessing Program,
click here.

Thanks to all five Squid Angels!

Even More Lenses on Asia


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Orbitz! Book Your Flight to Asia Today!

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A Gift for the Traveler

Marriott Gift Card

Amazon Price: $100.00 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

To make reservations or check locations go to marriott.com Marriott TravelCards may be used at all Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Vacation Club International (rentals only) and participating hotel retail, spa, golf or food and beverage outlets. Card is a prepaid card, not a credit card, and is property of and issued by MI Fulfillment Services, LLC.

Poll - What Is Your Favorite Country in Asia?

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Feedback from my Guests - Have You Traveled to Asia - What Was Your Favorite Place?

Reminder - I'd love a thumbs up if you enjoyed this lens! Thanks


  • OrganicMom247 May 6, 2012 @ 11:16 am | delete
    Lots of interesting place to visit.
  • nikitakapoor Apr 28, 2012 @ 6:11 am | delete
    Thank you for putting your efforts in creating such a great lens! Do drop by my lenses sometime and please do let me know how do you feel about them! :)
  • mary_lighthouse15 Mar 13, 2012 @ 9:56 pm | delete
    Hope to see Philippines in your list in the future:)
  • EMangl Oct 28, 2011 @ 2:34 pm | delete
    well well, way too many countries i have not seen so far, but i enjoyed hongkong, parts of china and thailand
  • Geeve Oct 9, 2011 @ 3:26 pm | delete
    Another great lens and thanks to the SquidAngel Dream Vacation Quest, another blessing :)
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About Rinchen Chodron

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Some Of My Other Lenses

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Make Plans to Travel to Vietnam

INDOCHINA TRAVEL VIETNAM-RECOMMEND BY LONELY PLANE Sapa Treck
INDOCHINA TRAVEL VIETNAM-RECOMMEND BY LONELY PLANE
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Travel vietnam, vietnam tour, vietnam travel, vietnam tours, tour vietnam, vietnam travel agency, Travel indochina, indochina travel, indochina tour


Starting at US $20 Per Person
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RealAdventures | Hanoi, Vietnam Travel Services | Vietnam Travel Services | Vietnam Vacations | Travel Services | Hanoi, Vietnam

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RinchenChodron

I'm Marsha Camblin.  My Buddhist name is Rinchen Chodron.  I'm a photographer and designer. Check out my Studio. For Clothing | Accessories... more »

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Asian Dinnerware Copper Karhai 

A Good Way to Visualize Places

Indian Copper Karhai Asian Dinnerware

Amazon Price: $45.50 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

Serveware Karhai or Kadhai is the Indian version of a Wok. It is a round deep pan made of heavy metal, with handles on both sides. The particular Indian serving bowl here is more suitable for serving dishes rather than cooking. Double metal sheets, stainless steel on the inside and copper on the outside with air cushion in between, enables food to remain warm for longer when served on the dining table. This Indian tableware is great for serving curries and lentils, even dry dishes as its depth can contain sufficient amount food for 2 persons. Besides giving a very authentic look it also gives a feel of traditional Indian dining.

Indonesia 

Lonely Planet Indonesia (Country Travel Guide)

Amazon Price: $20.20 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit.

A Fun Resource Book 

Secret Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Best Hidden Travel Gems (National Geographic)

Amazon Price: $20.54 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

.Find out about 500 gems to see when you travel that may not be commonly known about.