unesco

Perak, Malaysia: Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site [SP]

Posted on December 4, 2013

The 11,000 year old Perak Man is the oldest, most complete human skeleton found in Southeast Asia Something I’ve associated the most to the state of Perak in Malaysia from high school science lessons is its eponymous archaeological discovery, the 11,000 year old remains of Perak Man – the oldest most complete human skeleton in Southeast Asia. It was was discovered in 1991 in Guah Gunung Runtuh cave in the Lenggong Valley.Last year, four archaeological open-air and cave sites inRead More→

Race Across The Terrace: Batad Rice Terraces (Part Two)

Posted on February 27, 2012

Sunrise hike across the rice terraces The next morning, the sun filtered through two curtains: my room’s and the village’s. As I opened mine, I could see the terraces veiled in fog, which gently unraveled as golden light spilled into the bowl-shaped valley. From the balcony of the Hillside Inn, the village far below was waking to another day amidst one of the most spectacular landscapes in the country.A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Batad Village is an international backpacker’s destinationRead More→

Race Across The Terrace: Banaue Town (Part One)

Posted on February 27, 2012

Elderly Ifugaos pose for a snapshot at Banaue Viewpoint Swoosh! Another tree branch barely missed my head.It’s been 11 hours since I left Manila, with the last hour’s ride proving to be a branch-dodging, butt-bruising and utterly hair-raising experience not inside but atop a jeepney overloaded with young boys spitting red moma, sacks of fresh greens, and a black native pig kept cool with some large leaves. While we bore the summer’s heat, the wide-eyed swine was comfily bound forRead More→

DIY Walking Tour – Vigan City

Posted on January 10, 2012

  Location: Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Starting Point: Crisologo Museum End Point: Crisologo Street Distance: 3 km Duration: 8 hours   Along cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop through beautifully weathered mansions finished with terracotta roofs, capiz shell windows and wrought-iron grillwork. No other town in the Philippines evokes old-world allure better than the provincial capital of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, 408 km north of Manila.   Chinese merchants frequented this trading post, strategically located on the mouth of the Abra River, long before the Spanish Crown,Read More→

George Town & Melaka: Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca

Posted on May 12, 2011

Stadthuys (Red Square), Melaka If the Philippines has Vigan, Malaysia has the World Heritage cities of George Town and Melaka. Having the opportunity to visit Singapore frequently for business trips has afforded me leisurely side trips to Peninsular Malaysia from time to time. My favorite getaway is Melaka, a former settlement of the British East India Company which still retains much of its colonial, small town charm. It is a city that wakes up the senses: the architectural textures ofRead More→

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Posted on September 7, 2010

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. Before the discovery of a Mexican river in 2007, this underground river was reputed to beRead More→