STI: dr hols

April 21, 2009

dr hols

 

In October, I will be touring Turkey for two weeks. What historical sites can I visit?

 

Karen Chua

 

According to SA Tours, you should stop by the Hippodrome Square where horse and chariot races were once held. However, only fragments of the original structure remain.

 

Head on next to St Sophia, a mosque-turned-museum which is known for its massive dome-shaped structure and ancient Byzantine architecture.

 

Also not to be missed is the distinctive blue-tiled Blue Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Istanbul.

 

If you go to Cappadocia, visit the underground city of Kaymakli. It is said to date back to 2000 BC and could hold about 5,000 refugees during war time.

 

Check out the carved-out bedrooms, kitchens, dining halls and wine cellars there. There are also rock-carved churches and chapels.

 

In Pamukkale, explore the Cotton Castle, a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is made up of fascinating white terraces and pools formed by hot-spring water from the mountain.

 

You can also visit the legendary city of Troy to see the ruins and the reconstructed famous wooden Trojan horse.

 

I am an avid backpacker and would like to visit Kenya. What should I see and where can I stay there?

 

Sharon Tan

 

When you arrive in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, head to the Aberdare National Park. There is a Treetops Lodge at the beautiful mountain range where you can spot wildlife from the hotel decks.

 

The hotel sits in front of a watering hole, so you may be able to spot animals such as elephants and lions.

 

Next, make a stop at Lake Nakuru National Park. It is famous for the thousands of flamingoes which gather here. Be on the lookout for other wild game.

 

If you travel between July and August, you might catch the migration of zebras and antelopes at the Masai Mara National Reserve.

 

At the Masai village, there is a lodge where you can put up for the night.

 

Include a visit to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake north-west of Nairobi that is home to more than 400 species of birds and a big population of hippos.

 

Take a lazy afternoon cruise across to Crescent Island for more wildlife spotting.

 

I am planning a seven-day free-and-easy tour to Kyushu, Japan. What attractions are there in northern Kyushu?

 

Lim Li Teng

 

Start in Fukuoka with a trip to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The historical and picturesque grounds are home to 6,000 plum trees.

 

The Huis Ten Bosch theme park and resort is also a must-visit.

 

Modelled after a 17th-century Dutch town, it has quirky museums dedicated to teddy bears, bells and music boxes and an exciting line-up of 3-D animated sets and exhibitions.

 

In Nagasaki, visit the Peace Park, which commemorates the atomic bombing the city suffered in 1945 during World War II.

 

You should also visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, which preserves evidence of the bomb blast.

 

If you like nature, visit the 300-year-old Suizenji Park, which has beautifully landscaped gardens.

 

Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, a city famous for its castles, is now a museum.

 

But it has been reconstructed to resemble the castle that was invaded by samurais during Japan's last civil war in 1877.