Particularly attractive attractions recalled by those in travel
Ian Stalker
The Ancient World is remembered in part for its Seven Wonders and it appears that the modern world has plenty more, given the ease with which those who work in the travel industry list attractions that wowed them.
Travel Courier asked several people who work in travel to identify sites that they found particularly memorable.
Here are their choices:
Renata Snidr
NARAT
Renata Snidr views Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest Monastery as a truly lofty travel high-light.
Snidr, with NARAT, says the monastey serves as Bhutan’ “iconic” attraction in the same way that the Eiffel Tower, Petra, and Machu Picchu do for their countries.
“Perched 3,000 meters above the Paro Valley, Tiger’s Nest Monastery is the defining image of the home nation,” she says. “It symbolizes to me everything magical about Bhutan; a country considered the ‘last Shangri-La’,’ where ancient culture, rich traditions and mystical Buddhism all intertwine seamlessly with magnificent nature inside this incredible Himalayan kingdom that measures growth by Gross National Happiness. The monastery shrine contains beautiful paintings and artifacts central to Bhutanese spirituality and its way of life.”
Snidr hopes to revisit Tiger’s Nest Monastery which, like Bhutan, “seems like a fairytale place that time forgot. The arduous trek to get to the monastery is humbling in many ways; chief amongst this is the deep appreciation one gains of pristine nature which you become immersed during the process of getting there. The trek acutely amplifies the beauty of nature as a whole and the need to preserve it for future generations. Bhutan is the only country in the world that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces, due to its natural wealth. Trekking in Bhutan removes you from the demands of work and rejuvenates you in mind and spirit.”
Snidr says Bhutan was almost completely cut off from the world for centuries, which isolated its unique culture from foreigners until the mid-1970s, and those lucky enough to visit won’t find hordes of tourists.
“The government fiercely adheres to a policy of high-value low tourism with less publicity that preserve its culture and traditional ways of life, and that includes a daily visa fee for foreigners,” she states. “By foregoing mass tourism, Bhutan has avoided large crowds of tourists whilst maintaining good tourism revenue. Visiting Tiger’s Nest Monastery you encounter far less crowds than visiting other international heritage sites and because of this policy, it makes for an even more engrossing experience.”
Puangpen Klanwari
Tourism Authority of Thailand
“Easily accessible by a short flight to Trang and a one-hour drive, this hidden gem features Thailand’s largest fresh water lake, which includes the Thale Noi Waterfowl Park Reserve,” Klanwari reports. “In addition to the reserve being home to more than 180 species of waterfowl, migratory birds, and indigenous birds, it also features unparalleled beauty and scenes of local lifestyles. Visitors can experience spectacular views in early morning when the lake is engulfed in beautiful pink lotus flowers, local fisherman are checking their nets, water buffalo are quietly grazing on the water’s edge and local farmers are planting rice. The best time to view the pink lotus flowers in bloom is from February-March, while the bird population is at its highest from October-March.”
Beyond the beautiful natural attractions, Phatthalung is also regarded as the birthplace of Nang Talung, shadow-puppet play and the Nora dance, Klanwari adds.
