Jeremy Kressmann
- http://twitter.com/kressie42
Jeremy Kressmann is a writer based in Brooklyn, NY. He's currently on the road in Southeast Asia.
Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
South by Southeast: Taunggyi Balloon Festival
Daily life is a struggle in Myanmar. For the average local, working days are filled with long hours of backbreaking manual labor, meager pay and no weekends or vacation time. Considering this exhausting schedule, festivals and holidays are special times - a chance to kick back, relax and let loose. In Myanmar's Shan State, one of the most important of these festivities is the annual Taunggyi Balloon Festival.
Over the course of this annual eight-day event, teams compete to design and launch the most impressive hot air balloons: some shaped like giant birds, zebras and cows; others filled with a potent mix of fireworks; still others elegantly lit by flickering candles. Each balloon's launch is symbolic of Buddhist hopes for the purging of human sin, gently gliding off and disappearing into the heavens. More than 200 such entries are launched each festival season, continually rising throughout the day and night.
Surrounding this magnificent hot-air balloon spectacle is a chaotic and festive carnival sideshow: drunken men shout at giant gambling wheels, open cooking fires sizzle with pots of Mohinga soup and pig entrails and children scream with joy on huge Ferris Wheels (powered solely by jumping men). It's as if the Fourth of July, Las Vegas and a giant refugee camp had suddenly collided in one huge, heaving, wonderful mass of humanity and celebration.
During my visit to Myanmar this past month, I had a chance to visit the Taunggyi Balloon Festival and get first-hand taste of this awesome event. Wondering what happened? Keep reading below for more...
Gallery: Inside Myanmar
South by Southeast: Who goes to Myanmar?
Who does visit Myanmar these days? For Southeast Asia travelers exposed to a daily diet of CNN, Myanmar is literal no-fly zone, a destination with an infamous reputation for unrest, opium and political repression. Even as other "notorious" Asia destinations like Cambodia and Vietnam emerge into adolescence on the global tourist stage, Myanmar remains largely hidden from view - a mysterious actor shrouded in myth and secrecy.
It's been nearly two years since Gadling's Leif Pettersen first visited Myanmar, lifting the curtain on a country of sacred Buddhist shrines, Betel chewing and nary a fast food chain in sight. Not surprisingly, in the years since Leif's visit, not much has changed. As I soon discovered, everything moves more slowly in Myanmar, from the masochistic 15-hour bus rides to the condensed milk that slowly oozes into your cup of Burmese tea. This "slowness" is further exaggerated by Myanmar's isolation from the international community and the devastating Cyclone Nargis which hammered the country in 2008. The country's already-meager tourist industry is still reeling from the shock.
But while Myanmar is indeed a tough place to visit, it rewards persistence. For Southeast Asia travelers willing to move beyond the media reports, one of the most incredible destinations on earth awaits your discovery: deserted temple ruins, gorgeous beaches, awe-inspiring festivals and most importantly, some of the friendliest, most welcoming people on earth. And despite what you've heard, Myanmar is actually one of the safest places to visit in Southeast Asia. Intrigued? Let's start with a look at the details (and ethics) of visiting below...
Gallery: Inside Myanmar
Photo of the Day (11.22.09)
Today's photo comes to us from Flickr user SuBho_Photography, who caught this vibrant, dynamic shot. Though the photo doesn't say where it was taken, I picture the scene somewhere along the Ganges in India. I particularly like the sense of movement and rich colors: the arc of purple liquid, the man's outstretched arm and the tiny circular depressions from raindrops on the river surface. It's an image that feels full of life and rich detail.
Want your pics considered for Gadling's Photo of the Day? Submit your best ones here.
Photo of the Day (11.8.09)
Anyone looking for a taste Caribbean colonial charm should head for Puerto Rico's Old San Juan. It's an area with loads of atmosphere - brightly colored pastel mansions, cobblestone streets, and a surprising street art scene. I particularly liked the bold colors and gritty charm of this photo in Old San Juan by Flickr user robertrexdotcom. It reminded me of my visit last year, wandering the quiet streets.
Want your pics considered for Gadling's Photo of the Day? Submit your best ones here.
A taste of Seoul, Korea: Three nights
Korean food is hot! "Spicy" is probably the most prominent flavor in Korean cooking, but it's also a sign of the increasing popularity of Korean cuisine. Everywhere you turn these days, it seems like someone is talking about Korean food, from New York's superstar chef David Chang to the insanely popular Kogi food truck in Los Angeles. But for all the buzz Korean food is getting among eaters, many of us know little beyond the Korean basics of barbecue and Kimchi. What exactly do they like to eat in Korea? And why is everyone so obsessed with the food there?
During my recent visit to Seoul, I decided to investigate. Armed with only my camera and an empty stomach, I dived head-first into the sizzling center of Seoul's food scene, curious to discover what Koreans liked to eat. But before I started, I needed to find some help. As any local will tell you, eating in Korea is a communal experience, with dishes passed and shared among friends. To help me navigate my way through the bewildering array of Korean food choices, I met up with three of Seoul's top food experts: Dan from Seoul Eats, Joe of ZenKimchi, and Jennifer from FatManSeoul. Over the course of several meals with my hosts, I began to get a sense of the surprising, subtle and savory flavors that make Korean food so special. Want to get a taste of what Korean food is all about? Join along as we take a big bite of Korean cuisine – click below for more.
Gallery: Eating in Seoul
South by Southeast: In Bangkok? Head to the mall!
Bangkok means many things to travelers. The backpacker ghetto of Khao San Road. The sublime temples of Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. The seedy go-go bars of Patpong. But after visiting this crazy Southeast Asian capital for the first time, I'd like to suggest a new highlight in Bangkok: the malls.You're probably going to tell me I'm a spoiled Westerner, too acclimated to the comforts of home to get my hands dirty with some authentic Thai culture. But, perhaps it's time we all take a closer look at what Bangkok is really like these days. The famed "anything goes" destination of old is still there, hiding down back alleyways and puttering along on Bangkok's diesel spewing tuk tuks. But there's also an entirely new Bangkok under construction. An emerging city of modern mass transportation and shiny new temples of capitalism.
So what is it about Bangkok's malls that makes them so special? Like many malls back home, they've got all the usual amenities – the department stores, the food courts and the electronics boutiques. But there's also plenty that makes Bangkok malls entirely unique: outstanding and inexpensive food courts filled with authentic Thai cuisine, special events and top-notch cultural institutions. Sound interesting? Here's three reasons why you should head to the mall during your next visit to Bangkok. Click below.
Photo of the Day (11.1.09)
I'm feeling particularly ethereal today, and Flickr user cmvoekel's photo at the Tate Modern in London does a good job of capturing my mood. The geometric patterns of light, the shadows and the silhouettes of the people all suggest a scene that looks downright "otherworldly."
Want your pics considered for Gadling's Photo of the Day? Submit your best ones here.
South by Southeast: The Tao of long-term travel
But both sides of this debate get it wrong. No matter your perspective on the issue, the decision to take a long-term trip must be grounded in personal circumstances and aligned with reality. To do it any other way is to fall victim to the same old travel cliches.
So what is long term travel really about? And how is it different than a vacation? The answer to this question is complicated - there are as many justifications for long-term trips as their are places to visit. But in order to give some perspective to the topic, let's take a look at some of my own reasons for taking a long-term trip. Whether you empathize with me or think I'm an idiot, it will help explain why long-term travel isn't just "another vacation." Click below to see why...
Photo of the Day (10.25.09)
Want your pics considered for Gadling's Photo of the Day? Submit your best ones here.
South by Southeast: Welcome to Seoul
Seoul is not in Southeast Asia. But for a budget traveler like myself headed on to Southeast Asia, this South Korean capital has provided a perfect introduction to my trip. First-time Asian visitors "headed Southeast" often start in Tokyo, the neon Asian mega-capital of food, shopping and nightlife. Yet Seoul matches the urban amenities of Japan's uber-city pound-for-pound, all at a fraction of the price. When you add in Seoul's welcoming and friendly locals, surprising natural beauty and top-notch culinary scene, you've got the makings of a emerging traveler's hotspot.
So if you're planning a visit to Southeast Asia, skip that Tokyo layover and arrange a stopover in Seoul. Not only does South Korean carrier Korean Air offer convenient Asia connections from Chicago, New York, Dallas, Washington DC and Atlanta, it's also a great place to get over your jetlag and pickup last-minute travel supplies before heading onwards. Whether you're just passing through or end up hanging out stay a few days, you'll find yourself surprised and delighted with just how much Seoul has to offer.
Over the past few days here in Seoul, I've found plenty of reasons to justify sticking around. Ready to investigate this tourist-friendly, bustling Korean capital? Let's take a closer look at Seoul and review the basics of your visit? Click below for more.
