Podcast appearances and mentions of john saboe

This is Rob's second appearance on the C44 Show. Almost three years ago to the day, he and Marla Estes joined me in my apartment studio in Ashland Oregon to talk about the work they were doing to Bridge The Divide between the Left and the Right. Now abandoning that futile effort, Rob is concentrating his efforts on teaching critical thinking to high school seniors and giving his time to the non-profit organization FAIR Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (fairforall.org). Now in his sixties and retired, Rob has dedicated his life to empowering others to think for themselves. Also on the show is podcaster and video blogger John Saboe.

I met Conner Smith in 2019 at his parent's sweet shop Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory located just below my apartment in downtown Ashland, Oregon. We swiftly hit it off and I found myself spending more time than I could have possibly have imagined visiting Conner at work and sharing stimulating conversations. Upon reaching eighteen, Conner dropped out of high school to complete the task on his own supported by his parents. Upon completion, Conner departed for Thailand to reunite with his girlfriend. The rest is history. Also on the show is friend and fellow podcaster John Saboe talking about the latest Covid outbreaks in Vietnam.

It's Halloween 2020 and I'm still here in Saigon, Vietnam where I recently had the pleasure of meeting fellow podcaster and all around good guy from Canada, John Saboe. On C44 Show#90, John shares a bit of his upbringing as well as how he and his incredible voice found their way into the world of radio broadcasting upon entering high school. After a successful career as an on air personality then sales executive in an industry on the decline, John decided to follow his dreams and headed to the Far East in search of new and interesting places to tell stories while inspiring others to follow their path and seek new adventures of their own. John has spent the last seven years in Asia producing his audio and video podcasts while training others on how to be successful with their own projects. John is here to teach us how easy it is to do what you love and life the life you want.

In these days we are being tried in ways that maybe we have never experienced. In this cast we talk about the answer in Jeremiah 17 on how to act in these days as one one sees the good when it comes and not to be consumed with the bad. Please join our special guest John Saboe and Host Jason Moore as we unpack this topic

I’m sitting at the entrance to Dingboche village on the trail to Everest Base Camp, somewhat in disbelief that I’m able to bring you an update from this amazing place in the heart of the Himalaya. Looking at the white Buddhist stupa and this valley enveloped in fog and clouds and sharing stories from this latest adventure makes me appreciate how lucky I am to be here. You can also follow me on Instagram, johnsaboesfareasttravels, and Facebook, Far East Adventure Travel, and YouTube, John Saboe.

Kyoto is located in the central part of Honshu Island, Japan and was the imperial capital of the country for over a thousand years. It is also known as the City of Ten Thousand Shrines. It is an absolute must see on a visit to Japan. To get some expert advice on how best to spend your time and get the most out of your stay in the city I spoke with Niall Gibson expert guide, travel planner and managing director of kyotofun.com and myjapanadventure.com. from his home Kyoto. And please some advice on how to conduct yourself in this polite culture. I first set off on foot near the Yasaka Shrine To get a feel for the city. Wait a minute what the hell is this? Hari Kirshnas? In Kyoto? Well it’s an international city so anything is possible but not my idea of traditional Japanese culture. So I moved on to the Heian Shrine. It is a top ranked shrine by the Association of Shinto Shrines. Heian dates back to 1895, a relatively short history compared to other important temples and shrines in Japan. Outside the shrine on a busy road in Kyoto sits It’s Torii Gate, one of the largest in Japan. Built in 1929 it’s over 24 meters high. A torri gate symbolizes the transition from the profane to the sacred. The orange, green and white buildings inside are meant to be replicas of the old Kyoto Imperial Palace. The Heian Shrine’s gardens are some of the most impressive in all of Japan. If you’re timing is good you’ll see a stunning display of cherry blossoms in the spring. If you’re timing is good…. No matter what time of year taking a stroll through the gardens is a true zen experience, and hey you can even step over these stones. The same ones Scarlett Johansson hopped over in “Lost In Translation”. I left the Heian Shrine totally refreshed from my walk through the gardens and headed back to Gion to take a walk through this traditional neighborhood, where I’ve been told real Geisha’s can be seen. Actually the correct term or name for a Geisha in Kyoto is Geiko and an apprentice is called a Maiko. But my best sighting was just the many tourists who come and dress up in traditional kimonos and walk around and pose for pictures. I took another suggestion from Niall and made my way to Arishiyama, about a 30 minute train ride from central Kyoto to see the Tenru ji Buddhist Temple and finish off my visit with a walk through the world-famous Bamboo Grove. Arishiyama is home to several temples and interesting sites to see including a monkey park where over 170 monkeys reside. It’s also a spectacular place to visit for the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains, especially during the spring and fall. I made my way to Tenru ji-the head temple of the Tenru branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Construction was completed in 1345 but the temple has subsequently suffered through many fires and the buildings that currently stand here were reconstructed in the last half of the 19 and early 20th centuries. Tenru ji is surrounded by beautiful gardens and was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994. It’s North Gate is the entrance to the famous Sagano Bamboo Grove. It’s no coincidence that bamboo gardens or groves in Japan are usually situated near Shinto Shrines or Buddhist Temples. The bamboo represents strength, a symbol intended to ward off evil.If you want to truly experience the wonder of this place and it’s magical sounds, visit early in the morning or late in the day. That’s it for this week’s Far East Adventure Travel Podcast. Don’t forget to like the Far East Adventure Travel page on Facebook and for more inspiration subscribe to John Saboe on YouTube:http://bit.ly/2ni8SSjyoutube visit fareastadventuretravel.com Until next time this is John Saboe. Safe travels and Namaste!

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is made up of 5 small islands between 5-8 kilometers off of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah Malaysian Borneo. In this episode I’m heading for one of the smallest, Pulau Sapi, or Cow Island. It’s one of the least developed areas of the park. Great beaches, diving and snorkeling with a bonus chance of seeing some monitor lizards up close in the wild. Sapi Island can be reached by boat from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in KK. You can purchase a ticket directly to the island or get a multi-island ticket. This is a half-day or day trip for most. There are no hotels on Sapi but with prior permission from the park’s office you could camp there. Pulau Gaya, the largest island in the group at 3700 acres compared to Sapi at just 25 has resorts and more amenities. This is one of the finest beaches in the park. I’ll spend a little time here but first I’ll do a quick hike around the island where I may see the lizards and some macaques. This is the map I had to work with, not exactly detailed but the island is only 25 acres. In the worst case I’ll just swim if I get lost on land. Right out of the gate I get a quick glimpse of a monitor lizard but it quickly dashes into the forest. The trail that runs the perimeter of the island takes about 45 minutes to hike around with some nice little private beaches you can stop at along the way. Here’s a pretty cool adventure. Take a boat to Pulau Gaya, then zipline to Pulau Sapi. You can reach speeds of up to 50km/hr on the 250 meter crossing of the two islands. It’s also possible to swim from island to island, but as there are no lifeguards there, do it at your own risk. Back near the center of activity on Sapi close to the main beach and bbq area I found the biggest gathering of monitor lizards. These are actually water monitors, locally they’re called biawak. The males can reach up to 3 meters in length and weigh up to 50 kilos. They are very adept at swimming, and can stay underwater for up to a half-hour so watch out! You may see them catching a wave next to you. They’re more scavenger then predator so you probably won’t find them attacking people unless you get to close in their space, like some foolish tourists who try to include them in their selfie. These lizards carry a deadly bacteria in their mouth and their claws could tear a sizable chunk of flesh out of you so be careful. Monitors defend themselves with their tails, claws and jaws. These lizards are carnivores and will eat birds, rodents, snakes, crabs and even carrion, similiar to their bigger cousin The Komodo Dragon. Their main hunting technique is to run after their prey once spotted. They also have an amazing one way breathing system that can be traced back to dinosaurs. Pulau Sapi was a great half-day getaway from Kota Kinabalu and in between bigger Borneo trips. An easy boat ride gets you to a pretty nice spot for beach, relaxation, absorbing recent travel and cultural experiences, and even a little exotic animal viewing. It’s back on the boat to KK and more adventure in Malaysian Borneo with Far East Adventure Travel The Podcast, I’m John Saboe, Thanks for joining me, safe travels and Namaste!. "KKMap3". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KKMap3.png#/media/File:KKMap3.png

023: A Small Audience Can Be A LARGE Revenue Source With John Saboe In this week’s episode of the Podcasters Unplugged show we chat with John Saboe from the Far East Adventure Travel Podcast. John travels around Asia to places such as Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, India, and MANY more and has in-depth conversations about his journies on his podcast. Through his podcast, he has been able to grow his brand and utilize the audio medium to make himself an authority in the travel space. Go to this link if you are wanting to learn how to build a website for your podcast Links Mentioned In This Episode:  Audacity – The free audio editing software that Justin uses to edit/record his podcast! Libsyn Hosting – An excellent choice to host your podcast. — Use our promo code “VALUE” at checkout for 2 FREE months of hosting. Adobe Audition – Great audio editing software. Audacity — Free audio editing software Connect With John Here:  Check out the Far East Adventure Travel Podcast Here Social: Facebook — Twitter — YouTube Channel Support The Podcasters Unplugged Podcast Here: If this podcast is bringing you value SUPPORT THE SHOW AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: Libsyn — Use OUR PROMO CODE “VALUE” when you are signing up for your Libsyn Hosting account to receive 2 FREE MONTHS. Patreon – Get Your Podcast Featured On The Show AND Have Me Review Your Podcast Personally Each Month And Help You With Your Journey. Audio Blocks – Sign up for $99 PER YEAR for great audio to use in your content. Audible – Sign up for Audible and get a FREE Audiobook Using our link Check out our other shows here: YouTube Creators Hub — A podcast focused on helping you with your Online Video presence. Each week, I interview an online video creator and chat with them about their strategies and journey as it relates to growing their YouTube channel. Online Business Realm — This is a podcast that will help you with actionable tips and interviews, that will help you grow and start your online business and escape the 9-5.

Mt.Everest(Sagarmatha)8848m, view from Kala Patthar-5545m in Nepal's Khumbu Valley region[/caption] It’s one of the most coveted treks in the world. Everest Base Camp, Nepal. Far East Adventure Travel is proud to present two podcasts completely devoted to the magic of trekking this region. From crossing the sometimes trecherous Chola Pass to the final steps arriving at Everest Base Camp. And an early morning ascent of Kala Patthar for one of the best views of Everest in all of Nepal. Join me John Saboe for one of Asia’s great adventures. Trekking to Everest Base Camp. Everest Base Camp, Nepal. Right from the start I was in for a hair raising experience. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, rated as one of the most dangerous airports in the world is often canceled in October, the busy season due to weather conditions. If it’s not cloudy or windy in Lukla, it is in Kathmandu, making it extremely tricky to complete scheduled flights. You can be stranded in Lukla for days waiting for a weather window. Same this goes in Kathmandu. Days! You can avoid the whole worry of flight delays and dangerous weather conditions by trekking all the way to Lukla. Take a bus from Kathmandu to Jiri, about 9 hours. Then just walk for a week! For me, I was extremely lucky to be on one of the first flights that day from Kathmandu to the start of the trek with favorable weather conditions. Previously I had trekked in a couple of regions in Nepal and had been to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. Up until now I had avoided the EBC trek for more remote and quieter trails in Nepal’s Himalaya. But this was the same ground that many mountaineers had trampled including the first two to summit the world’s highest mountain, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. My curiousity with the trails, the lore of the region and the super friendly Sherpa people that make up the largest ethnic group in the Khumbu Valley could no longer be suppressed because of some crowded trails and teahouses with wine bars. As we approached Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla I couldn’t help but think about the History Channel show Most Extreme Airports. In 2010 it rated Tenzing/Hillary the most dangerous airport in the world. There’s no chance for a go around, meaning an aborted landing on final approach due to the high terrain beyond the northern end of the runway. At the southern end, a steeply angled drop into the valley. A safe landing, and an exciting start to one of the world’s great treks! Just have to dodge a few yak before we started. Good practise for the crowded trails we were about to enter. Lukla actually means place of goat or sheep, but all I ever saw were yak, and maybe some horses. As this town is the start and finish for trekking in the Khumbu and Gokyo Valleys there are many lodges, guesthouses, restaurants and even an Irish Pub here! One last stop at the police station for permit checks and we were on our way. At Thadakoshi the first of many steel suspension bridges over the Dud Khosi River we would cross. We took a rest and lunch at Phakding, where most stay the night before trekking onward the next day to Namache Bazaar. The porters with boundless energy take a break for a game of volleyball. I had heard that the trails in the Khumbu Valley were crowded in the peak season in October but I was not prepared for the constant herds of yaks used for moving in camping and supplies for the big trekking groups as well as just bringing goods into the valley for many guesthouses and lodges here. Always remember to move to the side when you see caravans coming. These creatures can get quite nasty. It’s always a great experience to hike through different landscapes and geography on a single trek. The lower Khumbu Dud Khosi valley is full of grazing animals, rich forests and waterfalls. We arrived at our lodgings for the night in the village of Monjo at an altitude of 2835 meters. The guesthouses at these lower elevations are quite luxurious compared to the high altitude. So it’s a good time to appreciate an attached bathroom with a flush toilet and hot water. The next morning we were heading to the gate of Sagarmatha National Park, Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mt. Everest. Including Everest, the park is home to 8 peaks over 7000 meters high. It’s also where rare species like the Snow Leopard and Lesser or red panda reside. This is also another police station where permits are checked and trekkers registered. The next stop would be Namche Bazaar, the second largest village in the Khumbu Valley that also has the claim of being the most expensive town in Nepal. Most everything transported into Namche Bazaar must come in on the back of a horse or yak. Sorry though no Mr. Doughnut here, and one piece might cost up to $3. It’s also an acclimatization stop with most staying over two nights before heading into the high Himalaya. More steel suspension bridge crossings and busy trails before a brief rest stop. This one with special prominence as the first chance to gaze at the top of the highest mountain in the world, Everest. One last checkpoint before arriving in Namche Bazaar and a customary kora of the Buddhist stupa that greets you at the entrance to the village. It’s a good place for a two night stay with lots of shops where you can pick up last minute trekking supplies. There’s also plenty of cafes and souvenir stalls. The next morning we walked up the steep steps of the village for an acclimatization hike and to fix our eyes on the most famous peaks on the planet. Just an everyday place for these kids from the Home Away from Home School, where children in the Khumbu Valley can get a solid education without being separated from their families. The snow-capped peak to the left-Mt. Everest 8848meters. The highest surface point on the planet, the roof of the world. The weather can change without warning at high altitude. Within minutes our views of some of the most prominent peaks of the Khumbu Valley disappeared. Ama Dablam, not the highest but certainly one of the most beautiful mountains in the world at first thickly veiled, eventually vanishing in the clouds. The hundreds of trekkers continued to move up from the village,views or no views, putting in their necessary acclimatization time to ensure a successful Everest Base Camp trek. We had finished our work for the day and were back to the crowds, traffic jams and gridlock of Namche Bazaar. The next morning we returned to the trail with the spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam joined by the hundreds of others who were on EBC itineraries. Nearly 10,000 tourists will visit the Khumbu Valley or Everest region on average in October, the busiest time of the year. You really must pay attention when trekking these trails especially when so many others are walking both ways. Not to mention the hundreds of horses and yak used to pack in gear, food and other supplies. Stopping on the trail and stepping out of the way of trekkers and animals is the best way to enjoy the breathtaking views. You must! It was time to move off this trail at Sanasa and head for the Gokyo Valley. Later to rejoin the trail to Everest Base Camp after crossing the Chola La Pass. The Gokyo valley’s trails are much quieter even in the busy month of October compared to the Khumbu Valley. Adding a few days to an Everest Base Camp trek will send you into a Shangri La of high altitude lakes, the highest in the world, and breathtaking views of the Himalaya. Arriving at Gokyo Village with Cho Oyu, the 6th highest mountain in the world and a sunrise view of Everest and sister peaks from the top of Gokyo Ri was challenging with rewards few ever get. Returning to the Khumbu Valley and resuming the trek to Everest Base Camp would take us across the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in Nepal and possibly the whole Himalaya before arriving at Thangnak for an overnight rest. The next morning we would rise early for a summit of the Chola Pass at 5420 meters. This is a challenging portion of the trek with a required early 4am rise and the first hour or so in complete darkness with only a headlamp for light. I personally struggled a little on this day with a slower pace due to a strong cold I was fighting off. This can be a dangerous pass to cross with an unstable glacier at the top and slippery sections. The approach is steep and perhaps even more dangerous if you are coming from the other direction and the Khumbu Valley. A favorable weather window is important as the pass is almost impossible to cross after a heavy snowfall. Success and overwhelming joy was shared by all that day under sunny skies. There was still a few trekking hours to log in before arriving at our next stop, Dzhong lha. The views while crossing back into the Khumbu Valley were heart-stopping with Ama Dablam at 6170 meters commanding our attention as we descended into the valley. Ama Dablam means mother’s necklace, the long ridges on either side like a mother’s arms cradling a child. The hanging glacier like the double pendant worn by Sherpa women. It felt especially rewarding when we arrived in Dzhong lha after the longest and hardest day of the trek. The accomplishment of crossing the Cho La pass felt like a big check mark ticked off. It was now time to rest in the dining hall and warm up by the yak dung fuelled fire. Some of the most exciting days of the Everest Base Camp trek were still ahead. So pile on the dung my friend, we need to stay warm! Next time on Far East Adventure Travel Podcast heart stopping views of the Himalaya and the conclusion to The Ultimate Trekking Adventure-Everest Base Camp. Please like the Far East Adventure Travel Facebook page. You can also follow me on Instagram, Google+, Twitter and Periscope, with live streams from Asia. All of the links are at fareastadventuretravel.com. That’s it for this week’s episode, thanks so much for joining me, until next time this is John Saboe, safe travels and Namaste!

 A view of the conical-shaped Adam's Peak - Sri Pada, from the town of Dalhousie[/caption] Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada is located in Central Sri Lanka and is a 2200 meter conical shaped mountain. All religious faiths on the island consider a hike to the top the holiest pilgrimage. Most will make their ascent in the early in the morning to reach the peak for sunrise. I had left Dalhousine, the small village at the base of the main route just after 2am. Plenty of time I thought to enjoy the sunrise. Sri Pada actually means sacred foot- print. Near the summit lies a rock formation in the shape of a footprint. For Buddhists it represents the buddha’s footprint. Hindus regard it as Shiva’s. In the Muslim and Christian world it is Adam’s. If you ever go you will wonder how I ever got off course. The route is well marked and lit through the night but I did take a wrong turn and ended up in the nearby tea plantation hills for awhile... Finally I found my way down and got Sri Pada really has a special feel. As you walk up the steps you will come across many rest stops and tea and snack shops open all night. As well as plenty of places for prayer and worship. While I was heading up a small group were carrying a man down on a stretch- er. Later I was told an elderly couple were making their way to the top when the man collapsed from exhaustion. He was carried down while his distraught wife followed. It is a strenuous hike. Plan on anywhere from two and a half to four hours depending on your fitness level and the amount of rest stops you make. Leaving Dalhousie between 2 and 2:30 should give you enough time to reach the top for sunrise. As incredible as the views were I was most overwhelmed with the hospitality and friendliness of the Sri Lankans. There are simply no better people on the planet. Finally at the top and the prized view of the triangular shadow of Sri Pada seen only at sunrise. A meaningful hike with amazing views amongst the spirit of the Sri Lanka people. For Far East Adventure Travel.com this is John Saboe. The post Sri Lanka’s Greatest Pilgrimage-Sunrise Climb To Adam’s Peak appeared first on Far East Adventure Travel.

Robert Kelly is a Lonely Planet author and freelance writer who for the past 20 years has been living in Taiwan and most recently Malaysia. His insights and knowledge of the culture, customs and diversity of East and Southeast Asia is vast. His most recent project is the audio podcast Travel Tape, a documentary style travel guide that dives deep into the cultures, history and stories of some of the most fascinating places around the world available-in the iTunes Store. I recently spoke with Robert about his new podcast series and life in Asia from his home in Kuala Lumpur.Robert has also worked for the BBC, The Wall Street Journal, Taiwan Review, The South China Morning Post as well as several other travel publications. In part one of our conversation Robert talks about his time in Taiwan as well as adjusting to life in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I also posed the question are there still places that haven’t been discovered yet in East and Southeast Asia. Next time on Far East Adventure Travel Part 2 of my conversation with Lonely Planet author and the host of the podcast series Travel Tape, Robert Kelly.Don’t forget to follow Far East Adventure Travel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Periscope. All of the links are at fareastadventuretravel.com. I would love to hear from you with feedback or suggestions for the podcast, send me an email, john@fareastadventuretravel.com. If you like what you’re listening to please write a positive review on the Far East Adventure Travel podcast page in the iTunes Store under the ratings and review tab.That’s it for this week’s episode, thanks so much for listening. Until next time this is John Saboe, safe travels and Namaste!

On April 25, 2015 a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8  shook Nepal triggering one of the worst catastrophes in the history of the country. Many aftershocks followed, thousands were killed, more were injured and left homeless. The country was shaken by another serious tremor registering 7.3 on May 12th right about the time I was scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu. I was there to document the current situation and to assess conditions for travellers. However my flight’s descent into Tribhuvan Airport was delayed for 90 minutes to allow for safety checks.When I finally arrived at the airport and hired a car to take me into the Thamel section of the city I found the normally busy and vibrant streets almost completely vacated. From a previous Periscope live stream here’s my account of what I saw as I traveled from the airport to the Thamel section of Kathmandu that day.Thanks so much for listening to Far East Adventure Travel. There will be more to come on the 2015 earthquakes of Nepal and the current conditions for travellers visiting the country.You can also follow the Far East Adventure Travel and Far East Adventure Travel Nepal Facebook pages for images, videos, and more stories and inspiration for your next big adventure in Asia. You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Periscope, all of the links are at fareasttravels.comThanks so much for listening, until next time this is John Saboe. Safe travels, and Namaste!

Kagbeni is one of the most interesting villages in all of Nepal with it’s take on Western shopping and food culture. But it’s much more than that. Ancient Bonn Animist beliefs, statues and a picturesque location in the Kala Gandaki, the world’s deepest gorge, .  Join me John Saboe for a special edition of Far East Adventure Travel Podcast on the Buddhist trail to the Upper Mustang-The Medieval village of Kagbeni, Nepal The Kag in Kagbeni was once Ghag, meaning center and it is,  with the important Buddhist/Hindu pilgrimmage site Muktinath to the east and the town of Jomson to the south. The beni in Kagbeni means confluence of two rivers where the Kala Gandaki and Jhong Rivers meet is where the village sits.It’s also the furthest north you can trek without a permit to the former Kingdom of Lo, the restricted Upper Mustang region. It’s an enriching experience just walking through the village admiring its’ almost 600 year old Buddhist monastery and observing everyday life. I wanted to get a deeper understanding of Kagbeni’s history and it’s ancient beliefs that still sculpt the life of the town today.  So I asked Dara Tsepten, the managing director of the YakDonald’s Hotel and restaurant and a native of Kagbeni to give me some background and context to the town’s most significant sites. It certainly explained this God’s appearance of being in a perpetual state of bliss and a village hungry for making babies.Dara showed me the archway which contains two prayer wheels. We then visited Dara’s grandparents home. This mask  was once used by his grandfather for an almost forgotten village dance. Excerpts from "Ancient Gods, Ghosts, And Grains-Kagbeni, Nepal".

Chiang Mai, Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations of Southeast Asia easily accessible by plane, train or bus.  A historic old town filled with Buddhist Temples, restaurants, and cafes along with markets, bazaars and modern shopping malls Chiang Mai has something for everyone. Chiang Mai has also become an attractive base for digital nomads and entrepeneurs to live, with it's inexpensive lifestyle and up to date infrastructure.The city is considered the cultural center of Northern Thailand. It's old town is filled with Buddhist temples and historic buildings.On my most recent trip to the the capital of Chiang Mai Province I visited the Sunday Walking Market. Thousands of locals and travellers are drawn every week to the center of the old town for food, entertainment and a vast array of local handicrafts, clothing and other goods for sale.  I also paid an early morning visit to one of the town’s most significant Buddhist temples, Wat Chedi Luang where the monks can be see in their pray rituals everyday.Wat Chedi Luang is in the historic center of Chiang Mai and is one of the most iconic images of the old town, with it’s chedi that was partly destroyed by an earthquake in the 16 century. An early morning visit is highly recommended to enjoy it’s naturally peaceful setting and to sit in the main newer temple while the monks conduct morning prayers.Thanks so much for listening to the  Far East Adventure Travel  Audio Podcast. Don’t forget to check out the video version of the podcast on iTunes.  Follow me on TwitterPerriscope and Instagram and also watch for live streams on the Far East Adventure Travel Facebook page. You can find all of the links at fareastadventuretravel.com . Until next time this is John Saboe, safe travels and Namaste!

 Dihua Street or Grocery Street is where many residents of Taipei, Taiwan head to for stocking up on food, snacks and treats for the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year. I recently visited the famous shopping market just two days before New Year’s Eve. I was there to shop, sample food, indeed why many people pay a visit and talk to some Taiwanese about why they enjoy Lunar New Year.Dihua market, for most of the year is Dihua Street-a center in Taipei for traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, fabrics, incense, and Taiwanese tea processing. First constructed in 1850, it’s original name was Center Street.This is the busiest time of year for Dihua street, with extra food stalls and vendors using all kinds of tactics to get your attention. Most of which are pretty friendly.Sampling is big here and many people come just to load up on the freebies. If you’re new to the food of Taiwan it’s a great place to learn about some of the traditional snacks and newer items with ingredients that can range from peanuts to dried fish.It’s Taiwan, so of course there’s always someone cooking food around the corner.The southern portion of Dihua is the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to Dutch rule from 1624-1661.In Taiwan many markets were built around temples and Dihua is no exception with worshippers getting in their last wishes for the year, or perhaps a good start to the new year. Thanks so much for listening to Far East Adventure Travel. Don’t forget to check out Far East Adventure Travel  the video podcast on iTunes and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Periscope and Twitter. All of the links are at fareastadventuretravel.com.  Until next time, this is John Saboe safe travels and Namaste. 

It’s often overlooked or just a mere stopover to or from Siem Reap, home of the famous ruins of Angkor Wat but Battambang Cambodia should be on your radar of places to visit in this country. Full of Khmer culture, early 20th century French architecture and a unique charm unlike anywhere else in Cambodia. Join me John Saboe for an exploration in and around Battambang, Cambodia in this episode of Far East Adventure Travel Podcast. Probably the number one site to visit in Battambang, Cambodia is the world-famous bamboo train. Made from left-over tank wheels, small-powered engines and a bamboo platform it’s a metaphor for the people of this country who’ve adapted and overcome incredible devastation and hardship to their culture and way of life. But this town, the second-largest in the country has so much more to offer. On my last trip through Cambodia I stayed in Battambang for several days exploring the town and discovering it’s charm. To find out a little bit more about Battambang from a native’s perspective and why it’s so appealing I spoke with artist Kchao Touch, who also owns the wonderfully eclectic Jewel In The Lotus Antique and Arts Shop in the arts quarter. The sounds of a memorial can quickly fade out to a wedding celebration, sometimes lasting for three days. Most Cambodian weddings are now only celebrated on a single day. This memorial in Battambang lasted for several days. Another uniquely Southeast Asian tradition respected every day in Battambang is the morning alms. For good luck lay people bring a food offering to the local Buddhist monks that wander the town in return for a blessing. Excerpts from "Bats, Beauty, Arts And Culture-Battambang, Cambodia  

Excerpts from Kyoto-City Of 10,000 ShrinesKyoto is located in the central part of Honshu Island, Japan and was the imperial capital of the country for over a thousand years. It is also known as the City of Ten Thousand Shrines. It is an absolute must see on a visit to Japan. Because there are so many sites  I met my expat friend Niall Gibson, who is a guide and travel specialist living in Kyoto to get an expert opinion on what to see in a short time.I first set off on foot near the Yasaka Shrine To get a feel for the city. Wait a minute what the hell is this? Hari Kirshnas? In Kyoto? Well it’s an international city so anything is possible but not my idea of traditional Japanese culture. So I moved on to the Heian Shrine. It is a top ranked shrine by the Association of Shinto Shrines. I made my way to Tenru ji-the head temple of the Tenru branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Construction was completed in 1345 but the temple has subsequently suffered through many fires and the buildings that currently stand here were reconstructed in the last half of the 19 and early 20th centuries. Tenru ji is surrounded by beautiful gardens and was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994. It’s North Gate is the entrance to the famous Sagano Bamboo Grove. It’s no coincidence that bamboo gardens or groves in Japan are usually situated near Shinto Shrines or Buddhist Temples. The bamboo represents strength, a symbol intended to ward off evil.That’s it for this week’s Far East Adventure Travel Podcast. Don’t forget to like the Far East Adventure Travel page on Facebook and  visit fareastadventuretravel.comUntil next time this is John Saboe. Safe travels and Namaste!

Excerpts from "Ultimate Trekking Adventure-Everest Base Camp, Nepal Part 2Having completed one of the toughest days of the trek it was time to move back onto the busy trail to Everest Base Camp. The trail from Lobuche to Gorakshep is only about 5 kilometers but at an average elevation of over 5000 meters it is still challenging, especially when you have a hill to traverse like this one.This is one of the most spectacular panoramas in the entire Himalaya with more up close views of Nuptse. And you’re last look at mighty  Everest in the center  before descending further down into the Khumbu Glacier.Finally you find yourself putting in the last steps to the Base Camp marker at 5360 meters. This was the year that 16 Sherpa guides lost their lives in an avalanche on the Khumbu Icefall. All Everest mountain guides had refused to work the rest of the season out of respect for the victims.  It’s power is best described though in a quote from American filmmaker, climber and 5 time Everest summiter David Brashears. “The mountain doesn’t care whether we’re here or not. It doesn’t compete with us. It isn’t burdened by our hopes and dreams. Everything it means to us is only what we bring to it. It’s what the mountain reveals about us that has any lasting value.”Please like the Far East Adventure Travel Facebook page, you can also follow me on Twiiter, Periscope, Instagram and Google+. All of the links are at fareastadventuretravel.com. That’s it for this week’s Far East Adventure Travel Podcast, thanks so much for joining me. Until next time this is John Saboe, safe travels and Namaste!       

It’s one of the most coveted treks in the world. Everest Base Camp, Nepal. Far East Adventure Travel is proud to present two podcasts completely devoted to the magic of trekking this region. From crossing the sometimes trecherous Chola Pass to the final steps arriving at Everest Base Camp. And an early morning ascent of Kala Patthar for one of the best views of Everest in all of Nepal. Join me John Saboe for one of Asia’s great adventures. Trekking to Everest Base Camp.Everest Base Camp, Nepal. Right from the start I was in for a hair raising experience. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, rated as one of the most dangerous airports in the world is often canceled in October, the busy season due to weather conditions. If it’s not cloudy or windy in Lukla, it is in Kathmandu, making it extremely tricky to complete scheduled flights. You can be stranded in Lukla for days waiting for a weather window. Same this goes in Kathmandu. Days!You can avoid the whole worry of flight delays and dangerous weather conditions by trekking all the way to Lukla.  Take a bus from Kathmandu to Jiri, about 9 hours. Then just walk for a week! For me, I was extremely lucky  to be on one of the first flights that day from Kathmandu to the start of the trek with favorable weather conditions.