Sa Pa, a mountainous area in Northern Vietnam, is home to some of the officially recognized 54 ethnic minority tribes. It is the center of tribal culture: the H’mong, Red Dao, Tay tribe, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and the Xa Pho tribes call it their home. The Hmong ethnic minority form the majority of Sa Pa population. They originally came from China 300 years ago.

Hội An Lantern Festival is run on the 14th day of each lunar moon when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. Much of the activities are centered at the An Hoi Bridge and along the banks of the Hoai River. The release of lanterns on the rivers is said to bring good fortune and love, as well as health and happiness.

Throwback to the time when I visited the birthplace of St Nicholas in the ancient city of Myra in today’s Demre, Antalya, Turkey.

Pamukkale (Turkish for 'cotton castle') is a natural, mineral-rich thermal site that looks like a winter wonderland but has actually warm water running down the hillside, leaving white calcium deposits called travertines that coat the hill like a frozen white curtain.

Kayaköy (“kaya-“ = rock, “-köy” = village) is an abandoned village 8 km south of Fethiye in southwestern Turkey. Formerly part of the ancient province of Lycia it was known as Livissi.

This interior design was typical for a mansion (konak) in Turkey from the 17th century until the late 18hundreds.

Pura Vida, indeed.