Istanbul, 1453. Around two thousand years earlier Buddhism began to spread across the Indian subcontinent, and for more than one millennium Buddhist kingdoms and empires…
Saigon through More Appreciative Eyes
Earlier last year, I had the thought of going to New Zealand in April. However, due to the absence of direct flights from Jakarta to…
South Sulawesi: From Cave Art to A Modern City
These days, reading about the resurgence of racism in many parts of world often makes me wonder what went wrong since the abolition of apartheid…
The Three Lakes of Bedugul
A long time ago in the north of Bali an ancient volcano erupted, leaving a giant caldera in the aftermath. While studies on this past…
Ta Som: A Serene Sanctuary
If someone mentions an ancient Khmer temple entangled with giant tree roots, you would probably think of Ta Prohm, the iconic centuries-old ruins that are…
The King’s Father and the Serpent
What would you do if you became the ruler of an empire with a history spanning centuries and known among its neighbors for its majestic…
West Kowloon: Hong Kong’s Soft Power Push
Hong Kong has always been a place where new buildings and skyscrapers are constantly added to the skyline. However, it is now in the middle…
Bali is (Still) a Good Idea
Imagine waking up to a view of fiery skies with silhouettes of volcanic peaks. And when the sun has risen higher on the eastern horizon,…
Kaohsiung’s Artistic Trio
One of the things true global cities have in common is the presence of world-class cultural institutions where people from different corners of the globe…
Sydney or Melbourne? The Reveal
“So, is it Sydney, or is it Melbourne?” the inquisitive Australian anchor at her studio in the country’s biggest city asked a reporter in the…