John Saboe's Far East Travels

 Tibet is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world. It’s average elevation is 4900 meters or 16,000 feet making it the highest region on the planet and the reason why it’s called the roof of the world. The Tibet Autonomous Region is apart of the People’s Republic of China and there are several restrictions that apply when traveling there. All travel through Tibet must be booked through a tour company and special permits are required. You must also obtain a visa to travel in China before permits can be applied for on your behalf.For insights into cultural sensitivies and advice on what sights to include on a trip to the region I recently spoke with Norbu La, owner of Adventures in Tibet travel and tour company from his home in Lhasa Tibet. From the starting place for most visiting Tibet, Lhasa, there are many sites to see including The Potala Palace, Sera Monastery as well as one of the most important Buddhist Temples in the world, the Johkang.Mt. Everest is also an option for many especially thos

Senso ji is a Buddhist temple located in the  Asakusa District of Tokyo. It is the oldest temple in Tokyo dating back to 645CE. It’s one of the most popular sites to view in the city with over 30 million visitors a year. Thousands come daily to worship, pray, and eat! The Nakamise-dori is the street on approach to the temple that houses many shops. It was started in the early 18th century when locals were given permission to set up their own stores and sell goods.  In 1923 the Great Kanto earthquake destroyed many of the buildings. It was reconstructed then subsequently destroyed again during the bombings of WWll. It was rebuilt again after the war as a symbol of peace and rebirth to the Japanese people.The Hozomon or Treasure House Gate marks the entrance to the temple area. There are three large lanterns with the chochin, the largest one that hangs in the center of the gate. On either side two Nio statues, warriors that stand on guard to the temple.More from Tokyo’s Senso ji Temple but first check out what

Taipei’s MRT System is super efficient and very easy to get around on with all stops and information in English. If you’re staying in Taipei for more than a day make sure you get an Easy Card pass from the vending machines at all stops or pick-up a 1, 2, 3 or 5 day Taipei Pass at information counters. In this podcast we will make 3 stops on Taipei’s MRT Red Line. First from Main Station we’ll head for Yuanshan stop and the Dalongdong neighborhood, next a ride all the way to the end of the line at Xiangshan for a hike up Elephant Mountain, then back to finish off the afternoon at Liberty Square and the final Honor guard of the day at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.Yuanshan is the first elevated stop on the red line that finishes in the riverside village of Danshui. All stops before Yuanshan are underground.This is the old Dalongdong neighborhood with many historic buildings and quiet lanes to explore. Our destination here is the Confucious Temple and the Bao An Temple. Like most sites in Taipei there are Englis

The Gokyo Valley is a great alternative or add on to the standard Everest Base Camp Trek. Quieter trails, and spectacular views even of Mt. Everest.Gokyo is reached by walking the same trail towards EBC, following a two night stay in Namche Bazaar for rest and mostly acclimatization. It’s not long out of Namche before you take the turn for Gokyo at Sanasa.It feels like you’ve left a freeway for a country road especially if you do this in October.  The trails are quieter, the views, are absolutely spectacular and it feels a little more relaxed and almost  subdued, compared with the main path to Everest Base Camp.  The views of Everest, Lhotse, and Aba Dablam, on the busy trails just before the path that leads to The Gokyo Valley.Right away you’ll notice the big groups marching up to EBC on a tight itinerary are missing. The yak and horse traffic that moves with them drops off as well, allowing for more time to take in the views. It’s a relief not worrying  that a yak is going to take you off the trail with one

Tsukiji Market-Tokyo, Japan. Home to the world famous tuna auction where wholesalers bid on blue fin tuna worth tens of thousands of dollars almost everyday. For the lucky few who brave the early morning hour like myself recently it’s a chance to get up close to this unique arena of high stakes bidding on the most prized fish in the world.The lucky few? 120 to be exact. Some of the guidebooks and online blogs say to get to the information office at  Tsukiji markets Kachidoki Bridge gate entrance by 4am. Well things have changed and now I wouldn’t recommend arriving any later than 3:30 to get a spot, I got there at 3:35 and I was one of the last few admitted.Once in you’re given a map with instructions on conduct in the market and a colored vest to wear identifying you as a guest of one of two groups of 60. I was in the blue vest group, the last to visit the tuna auction that morning.The room is divided into two for each group. The first is led into the auction area at 5:25 and is allowed to watch for 25 minut

The Tonle Sap is the largest fresh water lake in all of South East Asia and provides more than half of the fish consumed in Cambodia.  Many floating villages, and communities made up of  houses raised on giant stilts depend on the resources of the lake as a way of life. Intertwined with the rising and falling of water levels.From Siem Reap it’s approximately 15km to the lake, about 20 minutes or more by tuk tuk. It all depends on the time of year. If it’s the wet season, it’s long and sometimes the routes are restricted or just unbearable to drive. I’m here in the dry season so it’s not so bad, until you hit the dirts roads, then it’s bumpy. My driver Davin has a tough go with dodging the dips in the road and constantly checks to make sure his bike is OK.Chong Kneas is one of the most famous floating villages of the area and is close to the boat ride that takes you to Battambang. I’ve decided to travel to another village Kampong Phluk instead. It’s a little more out of the way at about 40km from Siem Reap but

The Batu Caves are a series of limestone caves and cave temples located in Selangor, Malaysia. So easy to get to it even has it’s own train stop. I picked up the KTM Comuter train at KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur which can be reached via the Kelana Jaya line if you’re staying near KLCC.In less than 30 minutes the giant limestone outcrop was in view. Leaving the train station you are immediately surrounded by Hindu shrines and temples including this giant statue of Hanuman, the Monkey God.The Batu Caves gets it’s name from the Sangai Batu, the nearby Batu River, and it is also the tenth, Pattu in the Tamil language, limestone of Ampang Malaysia.The Batu Caves are one of the most popular Hindu Shrines outside of India. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, God of war. He is the son of the Hindu dieties Shiva and Parvati. The Murugan statue is the largest statue of a Hindu deity in Malaysia and the second tallest in the world coming second to the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue in Nepal.This is the site of the annual Thaipusam Fes

Hoi An is one of the most atmospheric towns in Vietnam boasting Unesco World Heritage status with beautifully preserved Japanese Merchant Houses and Chinese temples. I started out the mornings here in their open air market, one of the best ways to experience true local culture. There was the usual fresh produce and live birds and fish for sale as well as lots of flowers ready to brighten up homes for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations.Down by the river some men let me look in on their Buddhist puja, a prayer ceremony to celebrate the past year’s many blessings and good fortune.Right beside them the local ladies that offer boat rides were working tourists for fares. You may think it’s a little touristy but it’s a great way to experience Hoi An from a different perspective and to appreciate the Thu Bon river still very much a regular place for transit. Hoi An was once one of the busiest ports and Vietnam’s most important trade center in the 16 and 17th centuries.Had the river not silted up in the late 19t

Swayambunath or The Monkey Temple is one of the most significant temples to Tibetan Bhuddists of Nepal, perhaps only coming second in importance to Boudhanath, the largest stupa in the country.It is also called the Monkey Temple because holy monkeys live here. Why are they considered holy? It is said that Manjushri the bodhisattva of wisdom and learned raised the hill that Swayambunath sits on. When he let his hair grow long, lice grew eventually transforming into monkeys.This is a virtual walk in real time up the 365 stairs that lead to the platform of Swayambunath. Much of the inspiration of the temple comes from Newar Buddhism. The Newars are the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley. The Monkey Temple is an important site for many followers of other Buddhist schools and is also a place of worship for Hindus. It is one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal with evidence suggesting work began on a temple here in the 5th century.My favorite time to come is at sunrise. It’s also a popular fitness site fo

When Derek Cowan set out to backpack in Southeast Asia he wanted an experience more fulfilling than just a handful of memories on the party trail. So he researched a number of different volunteer opportunities finally deciding on helping out an organization in Vietnam.What began as a retreat from a distressful life in Scotland and recovering from a suicide attempt has now turned into his role creating and running the Help The Journey foundation.  Derek’s current project is monumental, rebuilding Thangpalkot 1 village in the Sindhupalchowk District of Nepal and all of it’s 86 homes destroyed by the earthquakes of 2015. This was the worst hit region in Nepal with almost 97% of all of the over 66,000 homes in Sindhupalchowk completely destroyed.I first met Derek in Kathmandu in November 2015 just as he was beginning his work in Nepal. I spoke with him recently while he was back in Kathmandu replenishing building supplies for Thangpalkot 1.You can help Derek Cowan rebuild Thankpalkot 1 village in Nepal by donatio

Most streets showed signs of damage from the earthquakes with crews tirelessly working to breakdown and clean-up the buildings that were too damaged to repairNyatapola Temple is the highest pagoda style building in Nepal at 5 stories. It was constructed in 1702 and was so well built it withstood the great earthquake of 1934 with only minor damage.  The upper storey was rebuilt after the earthquake. With the most recent earthquakes it has once again managed to survive with only minor damage.The giant chariot that carries Bhairab during the Bisket Jatra was still sitting in the square from the festival held in April this year.The Bhairabhnath Temple when first built in the early 17th century was only a one storey building. King Malla added an extra storey in 1717 and a 3rd storey was added when the temple was rebuilt in 1934 after that year’s massive earthquake. It appeared to have withstood most of the force of the 2015 earthquakes.Tachupal Square was the original central square of Bhaktapur and includes some

The Japanese call them Sakura, cherry blossoms and it’s one of the most celebrated events of the year when they bloom in the Spring. Hanami, is the viewing and appreciation of the blossoms and Hanami parties can be seen in parks all across the country.When I arrived in Tokyo recently it was just a little too early for the season. The lack of Sakura didn’t stop people from starting their parties early in Ueno Park, one of the most popular Hanami spots in the city. The plum blossoms as beautiful as they were in full bloom are actually the first real sign of spring in Japan. Plum or cherry blossoms,  that’s good enough of an excuse to get the party started. During the cherry blossom season a Japanese tradition is to find a spot under a tree, spread out a plastic picnic sheet and invite family and friends to sit and enjoy the blossoms or Hanami while eating and drinking, wine, beer, sake or just about anything.I checked out some of the rest of the park including the hexagonal Bentendo temple with it’s seasonal fo

I was staying in Battambang, Cambodia. While I was there I had to visit one of the area’s most famous attractions, the bamboo train. The bamboo train gets it’s name from the  bamboo deck or floorboard used that rests on top of the wheels that can transport anything from chickens and rice to people. In Khmer it’s called a Lorry and has been used since the Khmer Rouge shutdown of most regular train service in the country.  The Bamboo Train Station. Now where is the first class lounge? I could use a bloody mary about right now! Waiter?  Actually the place is quite charming and surprisingly not touristy feeling at all. At least not at the starting point in O Dambong, about 4 km from Battambang.The bamboo train solves the biggest problem of a single track train line. What do you do when two trains meet from opposite directions? In the case of the bamboo train? Simple-move one off the track. This experience alone makes this one of the world’s all time great train rides.A little heavy on the photo gear I know but I’

 Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market has a reputation of being one of the most popular night market’s in Taiwan. The Main street where the Dianji temple first started drawing patrons to the area is lined with food stalls serving some of the most popular dishes and snacks found in Keelung. This is a very tourist friendly night market with translations in Japanese and English, some are loose in their descriptions. Honestly lots of great tasting food but I wouldn’t consider alot of it nutritious. One of my favorite stalls serves oil rice, a sticky style rice with mushrooms and a delicious soup served with lumps of fresh crab meat. Being a port city there is an abundant selection of seafood and other interesting tasty treats.Further south, in central Taiwan lies the city of Taichung. The climate is drier in this part of the island making for a perfect environment for night markets. Taichung is world-famous as the place where bubble tea was invented.If you ask most Taiwanese people where their favorite place to go for

In this episode join me for one of the most exciting wildlife spotting adventures in Asia. I’m deep in the heart of Ratanakiri province in northeast Cambodia heading for the jungle and a chance to get up close to the rare northern yellow-cheeked gibbon. This week’s Far East Adventure Travel Podcast.Ratanakiri province is located in the remote northeast corner of Cambodia, bordering Laos to the north and Vietnam to the east. I had come to this part of the country to trek into the jungle. My goal-to get up close to a group of Northern yellow-cheeked gibbons that have been habituated to human presence. It promises to be one of the best photographic opportunities of this ape species in the world.Before I get back on the bike though I’m taking a break from the dusty roads and joining some loals  in a nice cold refreshing glass of sugar cane juice.  Veun Sai is located 38 kilometers north of Banlung, where we started the journey.  It was about a 30 minute wait before we would cross the Tonle San River by ferry.  An

 Dihua Street or Grocery Street is where many residents of Taipei, Taiwan head to for stocking up on food, snacks and treats for the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year. I recently visited the famous shopping market just two days before New Year’s Eve. I was there to shop, sample food, indeed why many people pay a visit and talk to some Taiwanese about why they enjoy Lunar New Year.Dihua market, for most of the year is Dihua Street-a center in Taipei for traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, fabrics, incense, and Taiwanese tea processing. First constructed in 1850, it’s original name was Center Street.This is the busiest time of year for Dihua street, with extra food stalls and vendors using all kinds of tactics to get your attention. Most of which are pretty friendly.Sampling is big here and many people come just to load up on the freebies. If you’re new to the food of Taiwan it’s a great place to learn about some of the traditional snacks and newer items with ingredients that can range from peanuts to dried

 Bukhansan National Park is almost 80 sq/km in size and is located so close to the urban area of Seoul, South Korea that it’s possible to take the subway here, like I did on this visit.  I started out in Insadong and transferred to line number 1 and rode the train until the very last stop of Dobongsan, which is actually the name of the mountain I’m going to hike up today. I think it’s important wherever you are hiking to stake out a place to have a beer or coffee and something to eat afterwards,. Some motivation or a reward to think about as you’re making your way to the top and of course something to contemplate as you safely get back down.It’s a bit of a hike itself just to get to the entrance of the park from the subway station, passing through what seems like a galleria of hiking and outdoor stores, Koreans love their outdoor gear. Plus  there’s loads of restaurants and stalls selling food. I’m going to grab some gimbap, Korea’s version of sushi, the perfect picnic or hiking meal. Some say gimbap was insp

Can’t think of a better thing to do when hanging out in a super modern city like Seoul, South Korea then to go for a bike ride. It’s a great way to see another side of life here besides the typical tourist things  like visiting temples, museums and going shopping plus it’s so up close to everyday life here.I actually got my idea for this ride from the latest Lonely Planet Korea guide with a few modifications to the route. Let’s call them accidental modifications.  I started out from Yeouido Park where you can rent bikes starting at 3000 won an hour, about $2.50 USD. Yeouido is considered the mecca for cycling in Seoul.First stop was the Mapo Bridge where there is a designated cycle path making it safe and convenient to check out the views.The Han River is the fourth longest river on the Korean Peninsula with a total length of almost 500km. This river was once a very large trade route with China through the Yellow Sea however due to estuary location at the borders of North and South Korea the river is no longe

It’s often overlooked or just a mere stopover to or from Siem Reap, home of the famous ruins of Angkor Wat but Battambang Cambodia should be on your radar of places to visit in this country. Full of Khmer culture, early 20th century French architecture and a unique charm unlike anywhere else in Cambodia. Join me John Saboe for an exploration in and around Battambang, Cambodia in this episode of Far East Adventure Travel Podcast. Probably the number one site to visit in Battambang, Cambodia is the world-famous bamboo train. Made from left-over tank wheels, small-powered engines and a bamboo platform it’s a metaphor for the people of this country who’ve adapted and overcome incredible devastation and hardship to their culture and way of life. But this town, the second-largest in the country has so much more to offer. On my last trip through Cambodia I stayed in Battambang for several days exploring the town and discovering it’s charm. To find out a little bit more about Battambang from a native’s perspective an

Excerpts from "Early Morning At The "Tomb Raider" Temple.The crowds that visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Angkor Ruins region can be overwhelming. Over 2.3 million people visited the site in 2014 making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Southeast Asia. On my last visit I spent many early mornings wandering the ruins including visits to Ta Prohm, the temple complex made famous by the 2001 film Lara Croft Tomb Raider.Ta Prohm was built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries in the Bayon Style which include face towers and naga carrying giant figures. Originally called Rajavihara it is located one kilometer east of Angkor Thom, the last great city of the Khmer Empire. King Jayavayerman Vll who ruled the empire oversaw construction of Ta Prohm from Angkor Thom,  where he ruled.Ta Prohm had been left almost in the same condition as it was found, with huge trees growing out of the structure which have literally taken over the temple, one of it’s striking features.Don’t forget to look