Asia Travel Archives - Rachel's Ruminations

Looking down a long station platform. A digital monitor hangs from the ceiling, listing the trains.

Train travel in India: A step-by-step guide

Everything you need to know about train travel in India: how to book your tickets, finding the train and your place in it, about the different classes and some tips for the journey.

Traveling in India with ADHD

A personal account of my recent 2-month trip in India as a person with ADHD, plus some tips for traveling in India with ADHD.

A large and elegant building of white and red stone, seen from an angle.

UNESCO sites in Delhi: Everything you need to know

Delhi is home to three UNESCO sites – but which should you see if you only have a short time? Qutb Minar, the Red Fort or the tomb of Humayun?

A visit to Amber Fort outside of Jaipur, Rajasthan

Amber Fort outside of Jaipur is both a formidable fortress and an elegant palace. Read all about it here, with tips for visiting.

A man stirring something in a large wok, with trays of various snacks around the wok.

Travel XS review: Tailor-made tours of India

A review of Travel XS, an Indian boutique tour agency that arranges tailor-made tours. The quality of our samples – two hotels and four tours – was excellent.

Front facade with many windows, the upper ones blank.

Havelis in Jaisalmer

Havelis are a form of architecture common in Rajasthan, but the havelis in Jaisalmer are particularly beautiful. Read about what makes them special and which to visit on your trip to Jaisalmer.

A long view down a series of ornately-decorated red sandstone arches.

Agra UNESCO sites: Which should you visit?

All three UNESCO sites in Agra, India, plus one extra recommended thing to see, with advice for if you are short of time.

A few days in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

In a few days in Khajuraho, you can visit three great places: an outstanding UNESCO-listed historical site and two nature reserves. Includes advice for your Khajuraho trip.

Sunset over the sea framed by palm trees.

Promthep Cape: Breathtaking sunset viewpoint in Phuket

Promthep Cape, the southernmost point of Phuket Island in Thailand, is best known for its sunset views. Read here all about visiting Promthep Cape and what there is to do and see there!

Three gold-painted figures of buddha holding their hands together as if in prayer.

The Bangkok National Museum: Art and history of Thailand

The National Museum Bangkok, housed in a former palace, holds a well-displayed collection of art and historical objects, many related to the royal family. It’s worth a visit!

A bird with a long dark tail, bright yellow belly and bright red face and chest.

Where to go birdwatching near Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thoughts on 3 places for birdwatching near Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Suthep National Park, and Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir, with birdwatching tips and other things to see near each one.

Large hotel room with a big bed facing a wall that is entirely a window.

10 Places to stay in Bangkok (where I have actually stayed)

A list of places to stay in Bangkok in a variety of star and price categories, all of which I can recommend because I’ve actually stayed at them all.

Stairs up the structure show how high it is.

A Si Thep tour with Thailand Journeys

A review of a tour organized by Thailand Journeys of historical sights north of Bangkok: Si Thep and several other lesser-known sights.

A bed, a lounge chair and behind the chair a large window showing lots of skyscrapers.

Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit: A review

A thorough review of the Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit including its rooms, restaurants and facilities, plus honest recommendations.

In the foreground, an anti-aircraft gun; behind that, a tank, and a few more tanks visible behind that.

The Cambodian War Museum and Killing Fields, Siem Reap

Two places to learn about the violent 20th-century history of Cambodia: the Cambodian War Museum and the Killing Fields in Siem Reap.

A pool with lounge chairs and palm trees at Sea Sand Sun Resort & Spa.

Sea Sand Sun Resort & Villas: A review

Looking for a luxurious beachside resort not too far from Bangkok? Read this review of the 5-star Sea Sand Sun Resort & Spa on Jomtien Beach.

Blue water in an irregularly-shaped infinity pool, with the darker blue of the sea beyond, and a tall apartment building as well.

Bayphere Hotel Pattaya on Jomtien Beach: A review

An in-depth review of Bayphere Hotel Pattaya, Thailand – its location on Jomtien Beach, our room, the rooftop pool, and its restaurants.

A metal bridge - a pretty typical metal railroad bridge over a river.

A compelling WWII tour of the Thai-Burma Railway

The building of the Thai-Burma Railway in WWII is a story of resilience, heroism, cruelty, and tragedy. Read this review of a tour visiting the railway line and honoring the forced laborers who built it.

Looking up at the Metal Castle temple in Bangkok: white walls, golden spires.

16 best temples in Bangkok, Thailand

This extensive list of Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand includes advice to help you choose and plan your visit.

UNESCO sites in Cambodia: More than just Angkor Wat!

Cambodia has more that just Angkor Wat! Read here about all four of the UNESCO sites in Cambodia, with lots of advice for visiting them.

A view down the long reflecting pool to the Taj Mahal in the distance.

The Taj Mahal: 9 interesting facts + 11 travel tips

Answers to all your questions about the Taj Mahal as well as lots of great tips for visiting this architectural masterpiece in Agra, India.

How to choose a destination: Tips to consider before travel

Sometimes it’s hard to choose a travel destination. Say you have only two weeks’ vacation, and you want to get the most out of it. Here’s some advice.

large Buddha statue, sitting in Subduing Mara pose, enclosed by walls very close by and only a bit taller than the statue is.

Sukhothai Historical Park in Thailand

Sukhothai Historical Park was the capital of Siam centuries ago. Read all about what to see in this UNESCO site in central Thailand.

View of most of the temple buildings perched on rocky outcrops above the sea.

How to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Busan)

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple may be the most beautiful temple in South Korea, unusual because it is right on the coast instead of on a mountain.

Traditional single-story Chinese temple with a central entrance and typical Chinese roof lines. Ornate carving along the peak of the roof and some faded painting on the exterior walls.

Chinese Temples in Bangkok

Chinese Temples in Bangkok, Thailand, are different from traditional Thai temples. With plenty of photos to help you choose which to visit.

A float moving through a crowd full of large figures of court jesters with the typical jester hats.

Mardi Gras around the world – and Mardi Gras food!

Mardi Gras around the world has morphed into a range of different pre-Lenten celebrations. Read here about how different countries celebrate!

a market vendor in Hoi An, Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Anita Breland of Anita's Feast.

28 Practical Tips for Women Traveling Alone

Truly practical advice for women traveling alone. Tips for sleeping, eating, socializing and lots more travel advice for solo female travel!

Sapporo Snow Festival: A Winter Wonderland in Hokkaido, Japan

Read here about the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido, Japan, where you can see hundreds of amazing snow and ice sculptures.

Exploring the Brunei rainforest: Ulu Temburong

The Brunei rainforest in Ulu Temburong National Park was probably one of the most – to use the cliché – off-the-beaten-path places I’ve ever been. Especially when you consider there’s no actual “path” to get there! Brunei, a tiny country on the north coast of Borneo, is surrounded by Malaysia on three sides and the…

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