culture

Indanan, Sulu: Malay-Islamic History at Camp Bud Datu

Posted on November 14, 2014

A military camp situated on a mountain overlooking the commercial center of Jolo with Masjid Tulay lording over the town, Camp Bud Datu in Indanan, Sulu is one of the safest and most scenic places to spend the night in the province, just like the Astana or Royal Palace Replica in Talipao. Interestingly, the military barracks has mock store signs of 7-Eleven and Starbucks, which serves kahawa sug or native coffee in branded coffee mugs that read STARBUCKS CAMP BUD DATU. The accommodatingRead More→

Penang, Malaysia: Experiencing Kampung (Village) Homestays

Posted on August 14, 2014

Enjoy Malaysian hospitality at a homestay in Penang Malaysia has an extensive network of village cooperatives throughout the country that run homestays for both domestic and foreign tourists. I’ve blogged about my homestay experience in Negeri Sembilan, and was given the opportunity to try out the homestay program in another state – Penang. At the Jom Jelajah Koperasi (Let’s Explore Cooperatives) 2014 media trip organized by Gaya Travel Magazine and Suhuranjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM), we got to visit four kampungs (villages) in Penang – the popular heritage stateRead More→

DIY Walking Tour – Davao City

Posted on June 14, 2014

Location: Poblacion, Davao City Starting Point: Museo Dabawenyo End Point: Magsaysay Park  Distance: 4 km Duration: 7 hours Emerging from a small riverside trading settlement of Bagobo tribes in southeastern Mindanao, the area we now call Davao City was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1844 in opposition to the Sultan of Maguindanao, followed by the official colonization of the region in 1848. In the early 20th century, Japanese settlers thrived in the city working in abaca plantations so muchRead More→

Melaka, Malaysia: Indian Peranakan Heritage of Kampung Chetti (Chitty Village) [SP]

Posted on January 15, 2014

Most travelers to Melaka or Penang may be familiar with the predominant Baba Nyonya or Peranakan culture of the Straits Chinese who flourished in the trading settlements. However, the heritage city is also home to other creole cultures, which evolved from the intermarriage of foreign traders with the native people some 500 years ago.Besides the Kristangs or Eurasian Malays of the Portuguese Settlement, there are the Chetti (also spelled Chitty) people, who are descendants of Indians traders from Tamil Nadu,Read More→

Melaka, Malaysia: Kristang Heritage of the Portuguese Settlement [SP]

Posted on January 9, 2014

The Portuguese Heritage Museum at the Portuguese Settlement showcases Kristang history and traditions The Portuguese Settlement – sometimes called Mini Lisbon – is a Kristang community in Ujong Pasir, five kilometers from the city of Melaka, Malaysia. The Kristang creole people arose in Melaka between the 16th and 17th centuries when the city was a port and base of Portuguese colonial rule. Portuguese men married native Malay women. The Kristang stock was later enriched by intermarriages with Dutch, British, Chinese andRead More→

Melaka, Malaysia: Taman Mini Malaysia Cultural Village [SP]

Posted on January 8, 2014

An Iban longhouse at Taman Mini Malaysia, a cultural park in Melaka The Taman Mini Malaysia is a cultural park located a few kilometers outside of Melaka city center, near the town of Ayer Keroh. This is the perfect place to visit if you are interested in traditional architecture, and have limited time, like most travelers, to extensively tour Malaysia. Artisans from every state oversaw the construction of the houses to ensure their authenticity.Each of the homes represents the architecturalRead More→