KHYLA MARIE R.

EUGENIO FEBRUARY 07, 2025

LAOS
1. Lao Whiskey – Also known as Lao-Lao, this rice whiskey is a staple in Laos and is often homemade,
sometimes infused with exotic ingredients like scorpions or snakes for medicinal purposes.
2. Plain of Jars – A mysterious archaeological site with thousands of giant stone jars dating back to the
Iron Age, believed to be used for ancient burial practices.
3. Mekong River – One of the world's longest rivers, it is home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin and
the rare giant freshwater stingray.
4. Vat Phou – An ancient Khmer Hindu temple complex predating Angkor Wat, known for its sacred
spring believed to have healing properties.
5. That Luang – The most important Buddhist monument in Laos, covered in gold leaf, and said to house
a relic of Buddha’s breastbone.

MALAYSIA

1. Laksa – A spicy noodle soup with variations across Malaysia, the Penang version is sour and fish-
based, while the Sarawak version is creamy with coconut milk.

2. Mt. Kinabalu – The highest peak in Southeast Asia, with a unique "bonsai effect" causing dwarf trees
to grow at its summit.
3. Sipadan Island – One of the world’s best diving spots, formed by living corals over thousands of years
and home to swirling tornadoes of barracuda.
4. Petronas Twin Towers – Once the tallest buildings in the world, these towers feature a sky bridge that
moves slightly to withstand strong winds.
5. Batu Caves – A limestone hill housing a Hindu temple, famous for its 272 rainbow-colored steps and
a massive golden statue of Lord Murugan.

MYANMAR
1. Thanaka – A traditional yellowish-white paste made from ground bark, used for sun protection and
skincare by Myanmar locals for over 2,000 years.
2. Shwedagon Pagoda – The most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar, its golden stupa is believed to
enshrine eight strands of Buddha’s hair.

3. Ananda Temple – Known as the "Westminster Abbey of Myanmar," this temple features four massive
standing Buddhas facing the cardinal directions.

4. Golden Rock – A gravity-defying pagoda perched on a boulder that appears to be on the verge of
rolling off a cliff, yet has remained in place for centuries.

5. Mandalay Palace – The last royal palace of the Burmese monarchy, burned down during WWII and
later reconstructed using traditional methods.

PHILIPPINES

1. Lechon – A whole roasted pig cooked over charcoal, often the centerpiece of Filipino celebrations,
known for its crispy skin.
2. Coron – Known for its stunning limestone cliffs and crystal-clear lagoons, Coron is a popular
destination for diving, with its sunken World War II shipwrecks offering a unique underwater experience.
3. Tubbataha Reef – A UNESCO-protected marine park that serves as a nesting site for endangered sea
turtles and hundreds of coral species.
4. Donsol – Known as the "Whale Shark Capital of the World," where visitors can swim with the gentle
giants in their natural habitat.
5. Mayon Volcano – Famous for its near-perfect cone shape, it is one of the most active volcanoes in the
Philippines, with over 50 eruptions in recorded history.

BRUNEI
1. Nasi Lemak – A fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk, often served with sambal (spicy chili paste),
anchovies, and boiled eggs, popular across Southeast Asia.

2. Wasai Kadir Waterfall – A hidden gem in Brunei’s dense rainforest, offering a natural freshwater
pool perfect for cooling off.
3. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque – This mosque, with its golden dome, stands on an artificial
lagoon and features an ornate stone replica of a 16th-century royal barge.
4. Lapau Building – A significant government building in Brunei, showcasing modern Islamic
architectural influences, particularly evident in its elegant design and historical significance.
5. Kampong Ayer – Known as the "Venice of the East," this floating village consists of stilt houses
connected by wooden walkways, home to over 39,000 residents.

CAMBODIA

1. Prahok Ktis – A Cambodian dip made from fermented fish, known for its pungent aroma and deep
umami flavor, often eaten with raw vegetables.
2. Bokor Mountain – Once a French colonial retreat, this ghost town features eerie abandoned buildings,
including a casino and a Catholic church.

3. Koh Ker Temple – A 10th-century stepped pyramid temple that was once the capital of the Khmer
Empire, resembling Mayan architecture.

4. Angkor Wat – The world’s largest religious monument, originally dedicated to Hinduism before
becoming a Buddhist site, with intricate bas-reliefs depicting celestial dancers.

5. Silver Pagoda – Located in Phnom Penh, this pagoda gets its name from its floor, which is made up of
more than 5,000 silver tiles.

INDONESIA

1. Goreng – A term meaning "fried" in Indonesian, commonly associated with dishes like Nasi Goreng
(fried rice) and Pisang Goreng (fried banana).
2. Borobudur Temple – The world's largest Buddhist temple, featuring 72 bell-shaped stupas with hidden
Buddha statues inside.
3. Ubud Monkey Forest – A sanctuary home to over 1,200 Balinese long-tailed monkeys, known for
their mischievous behavior towards tourists.
4. Yogyakarta Sultan Palace – A living cultural center where the Sultan still resides, showcasing
Javanese royal traditions and performances.
5. Ikats and Songkets – Ikats are Indonesian fabrics with intricate patterns created through resist-dyeing,
while songkets feature luxurious brocade designs with gold or silver threads, both reflecting rich cultural
heritages.

SINGAPORE
1. Satay – A popular street food consisting of skewered and grilled meat served with peanut sauce,
originally influenced by Indonesian and Malay cuisines.
2. Marina Bay Sands – The world's most expensive standalone casino property, featuring an infinity pool
that appears to merge with the city skyline.
3. Sentosa Island – A man-made resort island that was once a British military base before transforming
into a tourism hub with theme parks and beaches.

4. Merlion Park – Home to the half-lion, half-fish statue symbolizing Singapore’s origins as a fishing
village and its modern transformation into a global city.
5. Sultan Mosque – One of Singapore’s most iconic mosques, built with glass bottle donations from the
poor to ensure everyone could contribute to its construction.

THAILAND
1. Pad Thai – Originally popularized as part of a national identity campaign in the 1930s, this stir-fried
noodle dish blends sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
2. Phi Phi Islands – Made famous by the movie ‘The Beach’, these islands have unique limestone cliffs
and emerald waters, making them a paradise for divers.
3. The Grand Palace – Built in 1782, it houses the Emerald Buddha, which is carved from a single block
of jade and is considered Thailand’s most sacred image.
4. Wat Pho – Home to the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand, measuring 46 meters long, and the
birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
5. Ayyuthaya Historical Park – A UNESCO World Heritage site, once the capital of the Kingdom of
Siam, now featuring impressive temple ruins from the 14th century.

VIETNAM

1. Banh Mi – A Vietnamese sandwich combining French baguettes with local ingredients like pickled
vegetables, pâté, and grilled meats, a product of French colonial influence.

2. Ha Long Bay – A UNESCO site with thousands of limestone karsts, many of which contain hidden
caves and floating fishing villages.

3. Saigon Notre Dame Basilica – Built with red bricks imported from France, this cathedral stands as a
symbol of Vietnam’s colonial past.
4. My Son Sanctuary – A complex of ancient Hindu temples built by the Champa civilization, partially
destroyed during the Vietnam War.
5. Cu Chi Tunnels – An extensive underground network used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War,
with sections now open for tourists to crawl through.