Taichung, Taiwan

Taichung, Taiwan, Asia

By Lianne Choo

Taichung: Taiwan’s Third Largest Jewel
Explore a world of food, culture and nature.

Taichung is the third largest city in Taiwan and is a jewel that many tend to overlook. Stay off the
beaten path and shrug aside the more obvious travel choice of Taipei and head further south to discover Taichung’s endless array of food, culture and nature. With a mix of luxury condos and colonial buildings, Taichung is a brilliant collision of old and new.

One of the things that Taichung is most famous for is bubble tea. Bubble tea is said to have been created at the original Chun Shui Tang teahouse so whether you are a fan of bubble tea, you have to make the effort to head over just so you can say that you had the ‘world’s original’ bubble tea.

Something else to experience in Taichung would have to be a night market. Head to the Feng Chia night market, the largest of its kind in Taichung. Stretching over several blocks, you are in for a real sensory treat. Must-try foods are Taiwan’s famous popcorn fried chicken, chicken chop, fried squid, stuffed chicken wings, stinky tofu, and grilled sausages.

One of Taichung’s main attractions is its maze of streets. Comprising of endless restaurants, auto garages, bars, and boutiques, Taichung offers visitors a vibe that closely resembles that of Japan. That being said, Taichung residents have a love for karaoke and these singing parlors are abundant in the city. Taichung is not well known for its nightlife and many say that clubbing is almost non-existent. However, all Taichung residents need to have a good time is a microphone and some cheesy music and they are all set to enjoy the rest of the night.

When navigating the narrow streets, beware of impatient scooters as they are known for paying zero
attention to their surroundings. The rule of thumb is to look out for them because they certainly are not going to look out for you. Collisions are common and are usually settled quickly without the interference of the police. Scooters are the main form of transportation for most Taichung residents although many others opt to drive or take the bus, which is an extremely efficient form of public transport. Visitors are advised to rent a car as this will give them the chance to explore Taichung’s myriad of natural wonders located outside the city centre.

Dakeng Scenic Area is the closest form of nature available to the Taichung urbanites.  Located 30 minutes away, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking and camping. Although it can get rather busy over the weekends, it remains pristine and perfectly maintained.

At the end of the day, one of the best things about Taichung is its people. Even though many do not speak English, they will try their level best to help tourists out, making Taichung one of the nicest and friendliest places in the world to visit.

asia

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, القاهرة" - Al Qahira” Egypt

By Reham Rassmy

Cairo is the capital of Egypt, and one of the most beautiful cities in the Middle East which is famous for its unique history.

"Jewel of the East", as it is sometimes called, had been established by the Fatimid Commander “Jawhar the Sicilian” on year 969 AD.
When you visit Cairo, especially the Islamic places such as Khan El-Khalili, Al-Hussien, Al-Azhar, you feel like you are living in the old centuries and by the way, our famous late author (Nobel Prize Winner in Literature) Mr. Naguib Mahfouz, used to write his novels while enjoying his stay at Al-Fishawy coffee in Khan El Khalili.
Cairo and Giza are Known as Great Cairo, so when you are in Cairo you can visit the Egyptian Museum (known also as Cairo Museum), Old Islamic & Coptic Cairo, Khan-Khalili, a Nile Cruise at the sunset time, Pharaonic  Village, Azhar park, Whirling Dervishes shows in Saqiet El-Sawy, Cairo Opera House, many great Malls such as Citystars mall in Heliopolis, Tahrir Square off course where the Egyptian Revolution against the former president has occurred in 2011, Media production city in 6th of October, and much more..... are some of the places that are worth a visit when you are in Cairo, to name a few

In Giza you can visit: Great Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur if you have time , Don’t miss going there, it is worth visiting by all means.

A lot of Egyptians enjoy their weekends and vacations in the open air, they love having small boats at the Nile (felouka), enjoying traditional culture in Saqiet El Sawy, and many of them like going to malls where the most and various brands are exists.

Cairo has an extensive road network, rail system, subway system and maritime services.
Road transport is facilitated by personal vehicles, taxi cabs, privately owned public buses and Cairo microbuses. Cairo, specifically Ramses Square, is the centre of almost the entire Egyptian transportation network.
The best time to enjoy Cairo in a good weather is during October to April, so If you are travelling in Summer so Loose and light cotton clothing is absolutely essential. For women it is strongly advisable to dress conservative specially when visiting churches and mosques women should not wear shorts, mini-skirts or tank tops.
Bring shirts that cover your shoulders or T-shirts are fine, cover your legs with long, cotton skirts or jeans. If you follow this formula, it indicates a respect for the culture.

When you are hungry, you have various of traditional and tasty Egyptian fast food that is being served everywhere you go, such as Koshary (rice, lentils, caramelized onions, garlic and chickpeas, pasta and tomato sauce), fava beans (ful medames) and falafel, these are the most famous traditional food that you will find wherever you go. In addition to global restaurant companies, which offer their services everywhere.

Egyptian people are very friendly, helpful, and have a great sense of humor. Most of those people have graduated from universities and many of them speak good English and can communicate with you well if you need some help.
 If you want to visit a country that mixes traditions and modernity, I recommend for you my beloved Egypt, I am sure that this visit will remain in you mind for a very long time.
At the end, we have a famous saying that whoever drinks from the Nile he must get back again.

Alexandria, Egypt

An invitation to Alexandria, the pearl of the Mediterranean

By: Amna El-Tawil

When you hear the word Egypt, you think of the pyramids, the sphinx and pharaonic temples. What Alexandria has to offer is a slightly different Egyptian experience, however. This Mediterranean city has its own distinct culture and even its own unique weather. This is where Mideastern meets Mediterranean, and where the small city feel intertwines with metropolis features, leaving you with that very distinctive Alexandrian sensation.

What to wear
Alexandria is a pleasure to visit in every season. In winter, it’s at its quietest. The streets are washed with the pouring rain, and lay glistening under the city lights. It is one of the very few cities with rainy winters in Egypt. While hot blooded locals cover up in parkas and coats; those coming from cold countries will not feel the need for warmth. In fact, December in Alexandria is only slightly colder than summer in London during the day.  The winter temperature falls between 10 degrees Celsius at night and 20 degrees in the morning.

Alexandrian summers are all about the sea, the beach and the long sea-side Courniche.  You can go jogging in the morning while enjoying the scenery, and then have a light breakfast at one of the many sea view cafes. You will want to pack the lightest possible cloths. The temperature is usually in the mid-thirties and rises to forty degrees Celsius during the day. Summers in Alexandria get crowded as it is
considered a vacation spot for many locals from other cities. I would say the perfect ‘summer’ experience you can have in Alexandria would be in May and June. The heat is not as brutal, the beaches not as crowded, and the sunshine beautiful as ever.

Where to go

Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The modern day Library of Alexandria was built as a tribute to the Ancient Library of Alexandria that was accidentally burnt on the hands on Julius Caesar in 48 BC. Marc Anthony later gifted Cleopatra a collection of books to replace the burnt books.



Library and Museums
The modern day library is considered the main French library in Africa, and houses a rich manuscript museum, in addition to a museum of late Egyptian president Sadat; Nobel Prize winner and the initiator of the first peace treaty with Israel in the Middle East.

Concerts and Events
If you are looking for a night of free or very cheap, yet high quality entertainment, check the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s event calendar. The library is home to many cultural events, and is considered the perfect place to attend a film viewing, a short lecture, a play or even a topnotch underground music concert (you would be surprised how good some of the local bands are).

· Down Town Alexandria
This is one of my favorite places in Alexandria, specially in winter. Down town Alexandria is the ultimate place for a long walk while window shopping and people-watching. You will find many merchants; some may be pushy, but a simple firm ‘no’ will put them off. If you are looking for souvenirs, this is where you will find them, just make sure you haggle to at least half the starting merchant offer.


Souvenir merchants in front of Qaitbay Citadel, down town
If you are lucky enough to have the chance to visit in winter, stroll the down town Alexandria streets for a feel of aged class and splendor in the ancient cafes and restaurants. Two restaurants you must try during your visits are located in down town: Santa Lucia; an upscale Italian offering live entertainment, delicious food, and the best service in town, and China House; a restaurant located on the roof of Cecil hotel offering one of the best views of the Courniche and the sea.