FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: culture

  • Guide to China’s Festival – A Year of Fun in the East

    China certainly knows how to throw a party. Most times of the year you’ll find the locals celebrating one of their many annual festivals. The country’s cities regularly explode in a rainbow of colors and sounds, and the locals love it when tourists join in the fun. That’s perfect for frugal travelers, as most of the entertainment is free or close to it! In this article, we reveal the ways this Asian travel hub celebrates.

    China’s festival calendar kicks off in late January or early February with its most important celebration, Chinese New Year. While the festival technically runs for 15 days from the eve of Chinese New Year, the festivities are concentrated in the first two days of the event. At this time parades fill the city streets and fireworks light up the night skies. Families feast on pigs, chicken, ducks, and sweet treats. As it’s based on the lunar calendar dates vary, but in 2013 Chinese New Year falls on January 23.

    You’re not left waiting too long for more fun; the Spring Lantern Festival begins on the final day of Chinese New Year celebrations. Cities string up brightly colored lanterns to commemorate the changing of the season, and children make paper versions to parade down the streets. It’s also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day, but as the event is so family-focused most lovebirds don’t get much time for romance!

    In early April it’s time for the Ching Ming Festival, a sombre but beautiful event that pays tribute to relatives passed. Chinese people generally don’t visit cemeteries, so it’s quite an occasion when the festival rolls around. Families sweep their ancestral graves clean and leave offerings for the dearly departed, including food, burning incense and joss sticks.

    Later in April, or in early May depending on the lunar calendar, the Chinese pay tribute to the protector of fishermen on Tin Hau’s birthday. Streamers and pennants decorate hundreds of boats in China’s harbors. They make their way to the country’s Tin Hau temples and pray to the goddess of the sea for lucky catches in the coming year. It’s quite a sight to see these brightly embellished vessels making their journey!

    May’s Cheung Chau Bun Festival is one of the country’s most unusual. Cheung Chau is only a small island, but thousands visit every year for the festivities. The event began during the late Qing dynasty, when locals prayed to the god Pak Tai and created statues of deities to rid their city of a plague. It seemed to work, and the locals have repeated the rituals ever since! How the festival’s highlight, a scramble to the top of a tall tower of buns, came to be though, we might never know!

    With an estimated 80% of Chinese people practicing Buddhism, it’s unsurprising that Buddha’s birthday is also honored. It’s not the country’s most colorful festival; little happens beyond the annual bathing of the Buddha statues at China’s temples. But it is a national public holiday!

    The energy level picks up in June when the country hosts its annual Dragon Boat Festival. Elaborately decorated dragon boats go head to head over three intense days of competition. Spectators cheer the rowers on from the shore, typically with a beer in hand!

    In August, China celebrates the Hungry Ghost Festival, a spookier version of the Western Halloween. The Chinese believe restless ghosts roam the earth during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. They do their best to placate the spirits by leaving food for them, burning Hell Bank Notes and paper iPhones, and performing traditional operas.

    In September it’s time for the Mid-Autumn festival, celebrations that are second in scale only to Chinese New Year. As well as a chance to pay homage to the new season, it also commemorates the time when China overthrew its Mongolian dictators. Lanterns decorate the cities and brightly colored dragons dance down the streets. Make sure you try the moon cakes, a special pastry filled with salted duck eggs. Tourists don’t always know what to make of them, but they’re a Chinese favorite!

    A traditional lion dancer at Chinese New Year celebrations
    A traditional lion dancer at Chinese New Year celebrations

    The Cheung Yeung Festival in October rounds out China’s annual celebrations. It’s dubbed the hiking holiday after a folk story about an old man saved from death by hiking to higher ground. Join the locals trekking China’s hills to burn offerings in his honor.

    No matter when you visit China, it’s the right time to have fun at one of its famous festivals.

  • Learn Fijian – Speak Like a Polynesian Local

    When you’re vacationing in Fiji you’ll hear many unfamiliar words. While English is the predominant language, several Fijian words have made it into the everyday vernacular.


    Learning these key terms and phrases will help you feel like a local in no time. Bula is the most common greeting in Fiji. By repeating this word to a friendly local you are wishing them health and a good life. You may occasionally hear Fijians say the longer forms of the greeting, "Ni sa bula" or "Sa bula," but simply responding with the word bula is acceptable. While bula is an acceptable greeting at any time of day, there are more specific salutations if you can remember them. "Ni sa yadra," or more informally "yadra," means good morning. Note that yadra is pronounced like "yandra," with an n sound. [caption id="attachment_2880" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The national flag of Fiji"]fiji photo[/caption] If you're saying goodbye at the end of a big night of cocktails you might use the phrase "Ni sa moce." It translates as "sleep," but is used in place of goodbye or good night. If that phrase is a bit of a mouthful, you can always use the more informal shortened one, moce. Note that the c in moce has a th sound. When you're interacting with Fijian resort staff, remember to say vinaka, which means "good" or "thank you." If you're particularly impressed by the service you receive you might say the more enthusiastic "Vinaka vaka-levu," which means "thank you very much." Talanoa is the Fijian word for storytelling, one of the favorite pastimes of the friendly Fijian people. Don't be afraid to sit down with anyone asking you to join them for a talanoa tea. The locals are not nosey when they enquire about your origins and relationships; they simply want to learn about your culture the way you're learning about theirs!

  • Weird and Wonderful Cosplay in Japan – Anime Culture in Tokyo’s Akihabara District

    There are many wonderful but weird things in Japan, and they don’t get much weirder than the Cosplay culture of Tokyo’s Akihabara district.

    Every Sunday the main street is closed to cars and taken over by the wildly dressed locals. Cosplay, or Costume Play, brings together fans of the Japanese comics and animations known as manga and anime. Through their distinctive dress they celebrate their favorite characters and entertain passers-by.


    Akihabara is one of the few places around the world that curious onlookers can learn about the world of Cosplay. Ordinarily enthusiasts only don their costumes for conventions and other gatherings, away from the prying eyes of the public. While the parade happens on the weekend, Akihabara still offers plenty to Cosplay enthusiasts and the curious through the week. Most large department stores have Cosplay floors dedicated to the wacky fancy dress favored by Cosplay fans. Other smaller boutiques like Cosmate and Cospa Shop Akihabara also specialize in these flamboyant costumes. They're certainly worth browsing, and a few trips to the change room, even if you don't intend to take any of the attire home. [caption id="attachment_4328" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A Cosplay maid in Tokyo"]A Cosplay maid in Tokyo's Akihabara district[/caption] And then there are the Cosplay restaurants, a phenomenon which began in Akihabara but has now spread around the world. The wait staff dress as anime styled French maids, and in some rare circumstances butlers. They play their roles well, making customers feel that they are not regular diners but the employers in their private home. Of course you'll be fed, but a meal here is about entertainment as much as filling your belly. So give yourself over to the fantasy, and explore a world unlike your own in the Akihabara district.

  • Discover Maori Culture in New Zealand

    The traditional ways of the Maori people are fading as the original inhabits of New Zealand assimilate with the Europeans who now call New Zealand home.

    // <![CDATA[
    google_ad_client = "pub-5653857226981358"; /* Frugal Monkey, 336×280 */ google_ad_slot = "2061266273"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; // ]]>
    // ]]>

    However there are still many places around the country that allow you to experience the culture of these indigenous people.

    Many historians regard Waitangi in the Bay of Islands as the birthplace of the modern New Zealand nation. It was here that the white settlers and native Maoris came together to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, an agreement which gave the Europeans the rule of the nation and the original inhabitants their land rights. Its history makes Waitangi a great place for learning more about Maori culture. Today Treaty House, the site where the original pact was signed, is a meeting house decorated with intricate wood carvings. A waka, or war canoe, is also on display. It was built to celebrate the centenary of the treaty, and photographs show exactly how it was done. The Waitangi National Reserve also offers Maori tours twice daily and cultural performances called He Toho. The women dance while the men channel their warrior traditions with the haka.

    A Maori warrior
    A Maori warrior

    While Rotorua has a reputation for extreme sports, it’s also rich in Maori culture. After you’ve worked up an appetite with the bungee jumping and white water rafting, make sure you visit the Tamaki Maori Village for dinner. The Maori people serve up a traditional hangi feast, which will fill you up while offering an insight into Maori traditions.

    Wellington has New Zealand’s National Museum, which is also known by its Maori name Te Papa. There are more than 30, 000 artifacts there, including clothing, weapons, jewelry, and tools. The museum also tells the history of the Maori people, from their early settlement to interaction with the white people. On Wednesday nights the museum hosts Taonga Mataora in its meeting house. This cultural event includes dancing, dinner, and a few cheeky cocktails.

    If you’re in the mood for more museums you can’t go past the Tairawhiti Museum in Gisborne. It centers on the arts and crafts of the Maori people living on the North Islands East Coast.

    // <![CDATA[
    google_ad_client = "pub-5653857226981358"; /* Frugal Monkey, 336×280 */ google_ad_slot = "2061266273"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; // ]]>
    // ]]>

    Local artists sit alongside prominent artisans from the rest of the world. It’s also a great place for souvenirs, with many of the artworks available for purchase. While in Gisborne make sure you visit the Te Poho-o-Rawiri, which is open to the public whenever official Maori business isn’t going on. The decorative wood carvings look much more impressive and authentic here than in any stuffy museum.

    While in New Zealand you don’t want to miss the Maori culture. It’s always just there below the surface, a reminder of this country’s proud heritage and history.

    [Image Source: Geoftheref/Flickr]

  • Get Inked in New Zealand – Maori Tattoos and Kirituhi

    The ultimate souvenir of any vacation is a tattoo, a permanent reminder of the place you have visited and the things you have seen. Many visitors to New Zealand hope to get inked in the traditional Maori style, but there are a few things to consider before you go under the needle.

    A Maori warrior
    A Maori warrior

    Maori tattoos, or ta moko, are not tattoos as we know them. Instead of puncturing the skin with needles, moko artists carve the skin with chisels, known as uhi. This leaves textured grooves in the skin, rather than the smooth surface of a traditional tattoo.

    Maori tattoos are a key part of the culture of these native people. They show respect for tradition, and a commitment to one’s Maori identity. Men typically wear the tattoos on their thighs, arms, faces, and buttocks, while women are tattooed on their chin and lips. Every tattoo is unique, recounting the story of its wearer, their family, and their place in their tribe.

    Given their cultural significance, many believe that only Maori people should wear ta moko. In fact, many Kiwi tattoo artists refuse to give moko tattoos to those without Maori blood. However, many artists will replicate the style with comparable tattoos known as kirituhi.

    These tattoos do not contain the family genealogy or stories of the moko designs, and so do not offend the Maori people who are protective of their culture. For anyone who likes the style of these eye-catching tattoos, this culturally sensitive compromise will usually suffice. If you are interested in getting a kirituhi tattoo while in New Zealand, visit Uruora Moko Studios in Tolaga Bay, Otautahi Tattoo in Christchurch, and Electric Ink Tattoo in Levin and Paraparaumu.

    [Image Source: Geoftheref/Flickr]

  • Tourist Tips for Dealing with Beggars in India

    Tourists visiting India are often shocked by the number of beggars in the major tourist centers.

    Their presence is somewhat confronting, especially if you hail from an affluent part of the world, but by following a few simple tips they need not detract from your vacation experience. Beggars are most prevalent in tourist areas, as these people look to take advantage of unknowing visitors. Many congregate around tourist attractions, shopping districts, and railway stations. You might also see them near major traffic intersections, where they approach stationary cars at traffic lights. While beggars in Western countries are generally homeless people, this is not always the case in India. Beggars often make more money than they would in paid employment, and so opt to walk the streets. As a rule, you should ignore any beggar who seems healthy and able bodied to avoid being exploited. Of course, it can be more difficult to disregard a beggar if they are handicapped, elderly, or very young. In these instances it's often better to give food rather than money which may be spent on alcohol, or end up in the pockets of parents. Do not be suckered in too easily though. Beggars often go out with children and babies that aren’t there own to play on Western sympathies. If you would like to give money, always make sure it is a small amount. Between two and 10 Indian rupees is an appropriate sum. Otherwise you may attract more beggars who hope to share in your wealth. It's also wise to hand over money as you are leaving an area rather than arriving; loitering will also attract more beggars. Remember that while you may have a generous spirit, there are many beggars in India. It would be impossible to help them all, so you should not attempt to try. While it may seem cruel, it is often best to ignore India's beggars and focus on all of the wonderful sites this country has to offer.

  • Walk the Sacred Path of Kumano Kodo in Japan

    For a hiking experience with a difference, consider taking the spiritual path of Kumano Kodo in the Kii Mountains near Osaka, Japan.

    The walking trail has the awesome views all explorers crave, and a cavalcade of sacred sites to boot. The track has been walked by Japanese emperors since the 10th century. In 2004 it was approved as a pilgrimage walk by UNESCO, joining Spain's Way of St James as the only trek with this status at the time. Kumano Kodo reflects Japan's diverse spiritual paths, with a mix of Buddhist and Shinto shrines. Unlike many walks, there is no single track to follow. Instead it's made up of collection of main thoroughfares and smaller subtracks. Tea house and protector shrines are interspersed with the larger sacred sites, Kumano Sanzan and the three Japanese temples known as the Three Grand Shines of Kumano.[caption id="attachment_3767" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Plan a Japan Trip"]Map of Japan[/caption] To walk the entire track would be a massive undertaking taking around six weeks. Most tourists instead opt for a shorter day visit or multi-day trek. The Kumano Kudo tourist website suggests a number of routes for tourists to follow. After a long day hiking the mountains, soaking in one of the four hot springs scattered on the trail is the perfect way to ease your tired muscles. While you can follow your own path, those preferring to experience Kumano Kodo with a group can book a tour with Kumano Experience.

  • Respecting Vietnamese Culture – Dos and Donts for Your Vietnam Vacation

    Vietnam is a safe and friendly country, but its unique culture can come as a shock to foreign travelers.

    As with entering any country, it’s important to be sensitive of these customs and do your best to fit in. The advice you'll find here will help you avoid making any embarrassing faux pas. Friendliness is something the Vietnamese people pride themselves on, and you will never see one drop this happy façade in public. Travelers should do the same and avoid losing their temper, especially when bargaining in the markets or dealing with members of the hospitality industry. This kind of scene is interpreted as a loss of face for both parties. Vietnamese people dress conservatively, particularly by Western standards. While in summer it's especially tempting to wear singlet tops and shorts, the locals frown on foreigners who show too much skin. It's particularly important to dress modestly when visiting pagodas and other religious sites, as the Vietnamese see the wearing of immodest clothes in these sacred places as offensive.[caption id="attachment_1430" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Visit Vietnam"]travel to vietnam[/caption] This call for modesty extends to the wearing of jewelry or carrying of large sums of money. It is considered impolite to flaunt your wealth, and on a practical level it may make you a target for pick-pocketing. It also extends to behavior. While public displays of affection are accepted in the Western world, they are frowned upon in Vietnam. A couple may hold hands, but they should only hug and kiss behind closed doors. If you strike up a friendship with one of the locals there are some rules to remember when visiting their home. Shoes should be left at the front door before entering. Most Vietnamese homes have a family altar, a place where they can honor their ancestors and consult them on important family matters. Visitors should never sleep or sit with their feet pointing towards this family altar. It is also considered impolite to snap a person's photo before asking them. Many locals will be happy to star in your shot, but some will not. It's important to respect the wishes of any unwilling models. You should not push the issue or offer them money in an attempt to change their mind. You should also never take a photograph of a military installation, officer, or anything else to do with Vietnam's military. This may be seen as a security breach, and dealt with accordingly. While you may want to preserve your entire vacation, you should leave your video camera at home when visiting small villages. The locals consider these modern devices to be intrusive. There is a lot to remember when visiting Vietnam, but don't worry if you get it wrong. The Vietnamese people will appreciate your efforts and forgive any indiscretions.

  • See Sumo Wrestlers in Japan on Guided Tokyo Sumo School Tour

    In Japan, sumo wrestlers earn the respect of Hollywood actors and rock stars.

    The sport is the oldest martial art in the country.

    It was originally a form of ritual dedication which asked the gods for a prosperous harvest, although in time it developed as a form of combat. Modern-day tourists can get a glimpse of the strict training regime of future sumo champions on the H.I.S. Experience Japan website (if it's up!) or also see: Day in the Life of a Sumo tour in Tokyo. During the tour you'll meet the sumo stars of the future. These promising young athletes live and train on the premises, so they virtually breathe sumo. You'll also eat lunch with the coach, or oyakata, who'll share stories of sumo and a meal of their in-training diet. Clearly chanko, a blend of seasoned lean chicken, vegetables and rice, isn't the off-season diet of these chunky wrestlers! While sumo wrestlers have a reputation for being on the large side, there are actually no weight restrictions. It's not uncommon to see a wrestler taking on an opponent twice his size, and winning. These practice bouts are one of the most exciting parts of the tour. Salt purifies the ring before the near-naked wrestlers enter it. The opponents stare each other down, menacingly, before attempting to overthrow one another. Sumo is a game of strategy rather than size, so it's always exciting to see who will win. H.I.S. Experience Japan Day in the Life of a Sumo tour runs on Tuesdays and Fridays, except during Grand Sumo Tournament time. They cost $207 for adults and $161 for children.

  • Get Sexy in South Korea at Loveland Theme Park

    Asian culture might seem reserved, but a visit to Loveland in South Korea should correct that misconception. This very wicked destination is the country’s very own erotic theme park!

    Sculptures at Loveland
    Sculptures at Loveland

    The park features 140 permanent sexy sculptures alongside rotating monthly exhibitions. You could see a display of sex toys, some nude models, or some blue movies!

    Just like any good theme park, Loveland also has its mascots. You’ll meet the walking phallus Bulkkeuni and his lady love, the hat wearing vagina Ssaekkeuni. They’ll want to make your acquaintance, so make sure you say hello.

    Loveland is located on Jeju-do Island at the southern tip of South Korea. The tropical island is so popular with newlyweds that it’s been known as the Honeymoon Isle since the end of the Korean War.

    With so many South Koreans entering into arranged marriages and using their time on the island to discover their sexuality, Loveland couldn’t have found a better home. A visit is certainly an educational experience! Loveland is a 10-minute taxi ride from Jeju-do International Airport. Visitors should allow an hour to view the exhibits, although when films are showing it can easily take longer. It should go without saying that a visit to Loveland is no family outing, although there is a play area for children outside the park. It's also no place for modesty, so if you're shy about matters of the flesh I suggest you steer clear. But if you can see the silly side and embrace it, an hour or two spent at Loveland is a lot of fun.

    [Image Source: Sunxez/Flickr]