Category: Asia

Astana, Kazakhstan

12/6/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

A new, planned city that serves as the capital of Kazakhstan
Creative architecture that aims to be futuristic but feels like a vision of the future from 20 years ago
City feels fake, with little character, and reminds me of a smaller Dubai
No issues as a Sikh in the city or the airport and people are friendly
More expensive than Almaty but taxis are still super cheap
Main Sights: Bayterek Tower, Grand Mosque of Astana, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Presidential Park, Future Energy Museum,

Almaty, Kazakhstan

22/5/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££

The largest and most economically important city in Central Asia
Beautiful landscapes as the city sits beside the Ile Alatau mountain range
Very little English spoken in the city, although greater usage among the younger generation
People are relatively friendly, and I had no problems in the city or the airport as a Sikh
The city is affordable, although it is expensive to fly to, and the cost of food and accommodation was greater than I expected
Main Sights: Ascension Cathedral, Big Lake Almaty, Shymbulak, Kok-Tobe Hill, Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Museum of Folk Music Instruments, Almaty Museum, Abay Opera House, Almaty Central Mosque

Istanbul, Türkiye

1/5/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****1/2
Cost: £££

Culturally and historically one of the most important cities in human history
No problems as a Sikh at the airport or going around the city
Incredible variety of landmarks to visit, and a unique cityscape to see
From the UK - cheap to get to, and reasonably priced food and accommodation
Main Sights: Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus, Kadikoy, Taksim Square

Kyoto, Japan

20/3/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££££

Just over two hours from Tokyo in a bullet train
Cultural centre of Japan with over 2,000 temples and shrines
Large and unique concentration of Japanese pre-war architecture
No problems as a Sikh getting around the city
Main Sights: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion District, Yasaka-Jinja, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangendo Temple

Tokyo, Japan

6/3/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££££

No issues at the airport as a Sikh
People are generally friendly and polite, but have a distrust of foreigners
Relatively expensive city, and surprising still heavily cash based
Incredible metropolis that stretches for miles, with an endless things to see and do
Main Sights: Asakusa, Akihabara, Ikekeburo, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ginza, Senso-Ji, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Sky and Crossing, teamLAB planets, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck, Yoyogi Park, Zojo-Ji, Imperial Palace, Roppongi, Omoide Yokocho, Atago Jinja

Return to Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2/1/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

No issues at the airport and no issues in a very diverse and cosmopolitan city
City still feels a little fake with a focus on style over substance, 7 years after my first trip
Dubai continues to grow and expand and there are a lot more activities to do, especially with families
Main Sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future, Gold Souk, Global Village, Dubai Frame,

Kuwait City, Kuwait

19/12/2022

Summary

Airport Rating ****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££££

Small-dated airport, but no issues travelling through as a Sikh
A relatively strict city-state, especially when compared to some of the other countries on the Gulf coast
Not too much to do, main sights are shopping centres, but the locals are friendly
City is quite dull, but there are areas of beauty, particularly along the coast
Not as expensive as the UAE, but certainly not a cheap destination
Main Sights: Kuwait Towers, The Avenues, Souk Al-Mubarakiya, Coastal Walk

Return to Bangkok, Thailand

5/12/2022

Summary

Airport Rating **
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££

Airport loses another two stars since last review with another questionable experience
Bangkok is still sensory overload, in good ways and bad
Public transport is relatively extensive, cheap and easy to use
Things have become slightly more expensive since my last visit, but cost of living in the city remains manageable for those on holiday
Main Sights (this time): Wat Saket, Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market, Terminal 21, Ong Ang Canal, Khao San Road, Sikh Gurdwaras,

Luang Prabang, Lao

21/11/2022

Summary

Airport Rating •••••
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££

Comfortably one of the most beautiful cities that I have visited
Stunning landscapes mixed with gorgeous historical buildings
I can imagine it must get rammed during the busy season with tourists
More expensive than Vientiane but still very affordable
No issues travelling as a Sikh, although no local Sikh community
Main Sights: Phousi Mountain, Wat Xiengthong, Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang Night Market, Morning Market

Vientiane, Lao

7/11/2022

Summary

Airport Rating ••••
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £

Not easily connected from the UK, requiring connecting flights from larger neighbouring countries
No issues as a Sikh in the airport, or walking around the city (in fact, I got a lot of positive attention)
Expensive to fly there, but very cheap when you arrive
Lacks the x-factor that some other capital cities in neighbouring countries have
Main Sights: Wat Si Saket, Patuxai, That Dam, Vientiane Night Market

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Your Journey starts here

Astana, Kazakhstan

Summary

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Summary

Istanbul, Türkiye

Summary

Kyoto, Japan

Summary

Tokyo, Japan

Summary

Return to Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Summary

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Summary

Return to Bangkok, Thailand

Summary

Luang Prabang, Lao

Summary

Vientiane, Lao

Summary

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THE TRAVELLING SINGH