Photos Footprints
Abbey Mui
Indonesia surprised me by how much lucious greenery was fostered within its borders. From cultural heritage site to resort destinations, I could always spot a variety of vegetation.
Indonesia Nungnung Waterfall is a serene and beautiful 165-foot waterfall in northern Bali. To get to it, we had to climb down a steep set of stairs and stroll through gorgeous and dense woods.
Borobudur is a 9th century Mahyana Buddhist temple in Central Java. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The temple design follows Javanese Buddhist architecture, which blens the Indonesian indigenous cult of ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana.
Masjid Jamek Mosque was built in 1907 by British architect Arthur Benisen Hubback. It is the oldest Islamic place of worship in Kuala Lumpur. It combines ancient Moorish, Islam, and Mughal architectural styles. It served as the main center of worship for the local Muslim community until 1965.
Malaysia I was surprised to learn how much of Malaysia’s history was shaped by religion. Different religions dominated throughout time as result of the ruling group.
Melaka Straits Mosque (Malay: Masjid Terapung Selat Melaka) was built in 2006. The mosque was built using a mix of Middle Eastern and Malay craftsmanship. It was built to look appear as if it is floating when the water levels are high.
Porta de Santiago, A’Famosa is a former Portuguese fortress located in Malacca, Malaysia. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Southeast Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only part of the fortress which still stands today.
Pulau Ubin is an island northeast of mainland Singapore. Bicycle trails and footpaths criss-cross the hills, going past disused granite quarries and traditional kampongs. It was definitely a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of mainland Singapore.
Singapore Gardens By The Bay
is a huge, colorful, futuristic park in the bay area of Singapore. Among the standout features are the famous Supertree structures, where I spent many evenings watching the light show and eating at Satay By The Bay.
ArtScience Museum
features major exhibitions that blend art, science, culture and technology. My favorite exhibit was Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests. Originally conceived to address the threat of flooding caused by rising sea levels, the Strandbeests are wind-powered creatures roaming the beaches, pushing and piling sand on the shore to form natural barriers.
Wat Chiang Man (Thai: วัดเชียงมั่น) was the first and oldest temple of Chiang Mai. The Buddhist temple dates back to the 13th century and is where King Mengrai lived during the time Chiang Mai was built in the 14th century. Inside, the famous crystal Budhha can be found.
Thailand White Temple (Thai: วัดร่องขุ่น) is actually a privately owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province. Construction began in 1997 and was completed in 2008, although new elements are still being added.
Wat Chedi Luang (Thai:วัดเจดียห ์ ลวง) was built between the 14th and 15th century. A large earthquake damaged the chedi and it now measures around 197 feet high.
Taiwan stays busy even after dark. I have vivd flashbacks to strolling through night markets with my aunt and grandmother. My senses were overloaded! Everything smelled amazing and I just about had a taste of every food that was sold.
Taiwan Bubble Milk Tea Chun Shui Tang (Chinese: 春水堂) claims to have invented bubble tea. Legend has it that the teahouse’s product development manager, Lin Hsiu Hiu, randomly poured her fen yuan into her iced tea drink during a boring meeting in 1988. The beverage soon became a top selling product.
Stinky Tofu Fried stinky tofu is the most common variety found in Taiwanese night markets and is considered to be less pungent than other varieties. It is most commonly served with pickled cabbage and garlic sauce.
Fall 2018, I was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad at the Singapore Management University. While I was there, I had the opportunity to visit many of the surrounding countries. I met many people that I call my friends to this day and learned something about each place that I was not expecting to.