By Ricko Tindage, Director of Sales at Elite Voyages

Since “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” was released in the U.S. in 2000 and eventually garnered the Oscar in 2001 for best foreign-language film, this martial arts movie has captured the imagination of American and international audiences worldwide. 

I was fortunate to visit Anhui Province in November of last year, where many of the shooting locations of 鈥淐rouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon鈥� were located. This movie was so groundbreaking, helmed by Mr. Ang Lee as director, that many pundits in Hollywood did not give too much attention to it before its release. Yet the film, released in December 2000, would earn $128 million in the U.S. (or roughly $218 million today) and became a box office hit. The movie became what remains by far the highest-grossing non-English-language film, receiving 10 Oscar nominations and winning four. 

One scene that many audiences won’t easily forget is the sword fight scene between the two main characters while flying over the bamboo trees. This fight scene became a classic in itself. In 2023, the movie celebrated its 20th year, and a re-mastered version on DVD was released for a new generation of movie buffs. There’s no question that the film became a classic, and anyone who has watched this film treasures it as a collectible item. 

Two locations for 鈥淐rouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon鈥� where they made the movie that I visited鈥� are Huangshan (Mt. Huangshan or Yellow Mountain), and Hongcun Village. 

Yellow Mountain, also known as Huangshan in Chinese, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was inscribed on the list in 1990 for its remarkable scenery, including granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and cloud formations. The mountain is famed for its unique geological formations, including peculiarly shaped granite peaks, hot springs, and ancient, gnarled pine trees that cling to the rocks in improbable locations. The scenic area encompasses notable peaks like the Lotus Peak, Bright Summit, and the Heavenly Capital Peak. Huangshan has been the source of inspiration for Chinese poets, painters, and philosophers for centuries, embodying the quintessential beauty of the Chinese wilderness. 

Hongcun and Xidi are traditional villages dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These two ancient villages are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notable for their distinctive architecture and their layouts that reflect the traditional Chinese Feng Shui and rural life. Xidi and Hongcun are characterized by their narrow lanes, ornate Huizhou-style houses with white walls and dark tiled roofs, and elaborate carvings that decorate windows, doors, and beams. Both villages are set against a backdrop of picturesque landscapes, with Hongcun famous for its water system designed to resemble the shape of an ox, demonstrating an ingenious integration of the community with its environment. 

About the author:鈥�Ricko Tindage is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Elite Voyages. In addition to selling and marketing to the travel agent community, he creates new tour products.鈥� Originally from Bali, Indonesia, Ricko has called Los Angeles home since 1981.鈥� His academic background was in hotel management. He has had hotel stints in Jakarta, Indonesia; Brussels, Belgium and Los Angeles. Instead of a career in the hotel industry, the tour and travel industry has shaped the majority of his professional career.鈥� He started in the travel industry in 1990, Ricko has always been in the hospitality industry, even his spouse was a former director of sales at a major U.S. hotel chain. Before working for Elite Voyages he served in several major U.S. tour operators namely UNIWORLD River Cruises and SITA World Tours. In between, he has developed and created small boutique-style tour operators specialized in incentive travels, honeymoons, destination weddings, luxury travels, and leasing private jets. One of these tour companies was Romance Travel Concierge, a luxury boutique outfit based in Pasadena, CA, and he was president of the company.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

About Elite Voyages:鈥� Bespoke journeys are our specialty at Elite Voyages. Founded in 2019 as a luxury entity for Chinatour.com (established in 2002) our parent company, we have been strongly a believer in providing鈥�the most authentic and enriching tour experiences鈥�for our discerning travelers through the relentless commitment of our earnest and鈥�knowledgeable team before, during and after all journeys. Nothing is left to chance鈥�when every itinerary is carefully planned 鈥� selecting the鈥�best accommodation鈥�guests鈥�can enjoy, exciting connoisseurs with select鈥�culinary exploits, and amazing travelers鈥�飞颈迟丑鈥�must-see sights and entertainment鈥�鈥� so that every guest can always be assured鈥�of top quality and uniqueness in travel experiences.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

The post Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon…Anyone?聽 appeared first on 性视界 Blog.

By: Jamie Gallerani for EF Go Ahead Tours

If Southeast Asia guarantees anything, it鈥檚 to welcome you鈥攁nd then to wow you, in that order. Here, wonder shows up as bowls of piping hot pad thai and plates of skewered satay, served by street food vendors at energetic markets. Or in the quiet of remote landscapes that only locals know about (but that you can visit if you know where to go). It鈥檚 a dynamic, intriguing part of the world, and the red thread of it all is the people who call it home. Here are six moments that bring the spirit of Southeast Asia to life. 

1. Seek out dragons and coral-dusted beaches on Komodo island in Indonesia 

The intrigue of Indonesia hits a high note on the island of Komodo, where pink-sand beaches unfurl around rugged hillsides and tropical forests. Here, in the UNESCO-listed expanse of Komodo National Park, you can glimpse the largest species of lizard in the world: Komodo Dragons. In fact, this is the only spot on Earth where travelers can see these famed reptiles in the wild. It鈥檚 a place fit for a bucket list鈥攁nd a swim, since the coral-rich, turquoise waters off the coast are magical, too. Pair dragon spotting with sun soaking on Pink Beach, and you鈥檒l return home with memories of two uniquely Indonesian experiences.  

2. Contribute to local livelihoods at an innovative dairy farm in Laos  

Authentic moments are easy to come by in Laos. Very few tour operators visit this off-the-beaten-path destination, so if you get the chance to go, grab it with both hands. You鈥檒l be rewarded with some of the best community-centric, cultural experiences in Southeast Asia. One of them? Stopping at the Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm, which is the first place in the country to sell buffalo milk dairy products. Expats started this sustainable, ethical enterprise in Luang Prabang after realizing that Laos had an abundance of water buffalo that weren鈥檛 being used for milk. So, they began renting female buffalo from local farmers, and the rest is history. Responsible travel and animal welfare are the name of the game at the farm鈥攁nd visiting is a do-good, feel-good dance, since you鈥檒l be supporting local livelihoods in a direct way.  

3. Weekend like a local in Ninh B矛nh, Vietnam 

Vietnam is a stunner no matter where you go, but seeing places that the locals themselves seek out is a treat. Cue: Ninh B矛nh. While most people have H岷� Long Bay on their can鈥檛-miss-it list, not everyone goes to this hidden gem. Vietnamese travelers make their way here on weekends to boat down rivers that wind past limestone mountains鈥攁nd if anybody knows the best places to go in Vietnam, it鈥檚 the locals. Take in all the beauty, and then soak up even more at Bich Dong, a temple-style pagoda that鈥檚 surrounded by lotus flowers and vines.  

4. Step into the storied traditions of Mae Kampong in Thailand 

See rural Thai life in vivid color at Mae Kampong, a village that鈥檚 sitting pretty in the mountains east of Chiang Mai. Here, an indigenous hill tribe farms for coffee, mushrooms, and bai miang, a type of tea that has flourished in the area鈥檚 fertile soil for more than 200 years. There are scenic cafes that offer bird鈥檚-eye views, and the villagers also collectively own and run an eco-tourism experience that centers around welcoming visitors for homestays. It鈥檚 a balanced, beautiful dynamic that guarantees an authentic look at local traditions, and directly benefits the locals who share them. That paired with all the greenery and scenery of the landscape makes for a memorable visit.  

5. Gain historical context at the Landmine Museum in Cambodia  

Impactful history seeps from every corner of Southeast Asia, and understanding the region鈥檚 story starts with stepping into the past. That鈥檚 especially true in Cambodia, where decades of conflict have left an unforgettable mark on the country and its people. Traces of the Khmer Rouge regime and Vietnam War are still felt, and some of the darkest moments are laid bare in the Cambodian Landmine Museum. Former Khmer Rouge child soldier Aki Ra founded the organization, which is dedicated to removing landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO) from the country. Cambodians are still impacted by these dangerous remnants for war, and the entrance fee for your visit supports the UXO鈥檚 continued removal. 

6. Wind through famous hawker markets in food-centric Singapore 

Energy buzzes in what鈥檚 known as the Lion City, where futuristic architecture, neon art installations, and chrome skyscrapers sidle up next to orchid-dotted greenspaces and meandering rivers. Even with all those marvels, some of the most culturally rich places are the famous hawker markets. These open-air foodie havens have colonial roots and offer up a diverse culinary scene, which reflects the influences of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian immigrants. Stalls sizzle with Singaporean staples like Hainanese chicken rice and fried carrot cake, diners chat elbow-to-elbow at communal tables, and daily life ticks along in a whirlwind of shared stories, chess games, and busker performances. Visit for an inside look at social life in Singapore鈥攁nd discover just why these hawker markets have earned a spot on UNESCO鈥檚 list for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.  

About the author 

As a Senior Copywriter for EF Go Ahead Tours in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jamie Gallerani has been sharing the magic of seeing the world with others for more than nine years. Her love of travel took root during a homestay in Mannheim, Germany, and has since taken her to 20 countries and counting. From studying in Florence to sipping corn beer with Peruvian Highlanders in the Sacred Valley, she鈥檚 found inspiration and connection around the world鈥攁nd strives to capture the wonder of experiencing new cultures in her work. When she鈥檚 not writing about guided group travel, she鈥檚 looking for her new favorite memoir, visiting her family on Cape Cod, and reminiscing about how blue the water on the Amalfi Coast is. 

About EF Go Ahead Tours  

EF Go Ahead Tours offers more than 200 guided trips across six continents. Every tour is carefully planned with a maximum group size well below the industry average and has the perfect balance of guided sightseeing and free time to explore. EF Go Ahead Tours is a division of EF Education First, the world鈥檚 largest international education company, which was founded in 1965. The company鈥檚 mission is to open the world through education, and they have more than 600 offices and schools in 50 countries. 

The post <strong>6 local moments that connect you to the heart of Southeast Asia</strong>聽 appeared first on 性视界 Blog.

By: Elite Voyages

The Balinese celebrate their new year like no other. One of the most well-known Balinese public holidays, celebrations last for six days and include parties, parades, prayers, and a whole Day of Silence, also known as Nyepi Day. Visitors to Bali at this time are encouraged to join in the festivities, especially the memorable Ogoh-Ogoh parade on the second day. However, visitors are required to respect Silence Day, the most unique day of the festivities. 

If you鈥檙e, these insights will help you prepare to blend with the locals and truly enjoy the experience.   

The official Nyepi Day in Bali in 2025 is Saturday, March 29, 2025.  

Melasti Day 

Two days before Nyepi, on the first day of the start of a new 鈥淐aka鈥� year, Hindus from different villages get together and walk in long colorful processions toward the coastline. It鈥檚 a wonderful parade and one of the best opportunities to capture an iconic Balinese tradition on camera. The ritual is meant to purify sacred objects that belong to several temples. At the same time, people acquire sacred water from the sea. 

Ogoh-ogoh Parade 

The highlights of the day before Nyepi without a doubt are the Ogoh-Ogoh parades. During sunset (between 5 pm and 6 pm) the Balinese parade the streets of their village with gigantic statues that take approximately two months to build. Ogoh-Ogohs are made of bamboo and paper and represent evil creatures. During the parade, a passionate but deafening mixture of the kulkul, claxons, Gamelan (traditional Balinese musical instrument), and drum music is played. The idea is to make as much noise as possible to scare away evil spirits. 

Parades take place all over the island, but the most famous ones can be observed in the streets of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak. If you鈥檙e not one to enjoy a long and loud procession, then check with the reception of your hotel, as many hotels build and parade their own Ogoh-Ogoh as well. In an attempt to put an end to any evil influences in life, the statues are burned after the parade, followed by a great party when the Balinese drink and feast till late. 

Nyepi Day 

The most important and sacred Hindu holiday in Bali, Nyepi Day, is also a general public holiday throughout the rest of Indonesia. Nyepi Day is part of the six days lasting Balinese New Year celebrations. As opposed to most other cultures in the world, where people often flock to the streets to celebrate the arrival of the new year with music, dance, and fireworks, in Bali the streets go empty, and the island turns all dark and quiet. That鈥檚 why Nyepi Day is also often referred to as Silence Day. 

This unique celebration happens on the third day of the Balinese New Year and falls the day after the dark moon of the spring equinox. On this day, day and night are of equal duration. The name Nyepi means 鈥渢o keep silence,鈥� and even Ngurah Rai, the international airport of Bali, closes for 24 hours. 

So, why are the Balinese spending a long day in complete silence? The reason is that they use this day to connect more deeply with God, through prayer, self-reflection, fasting, and meditation. On this day people do not work, eat, or play. Anything that could disturb the connection with God is prohibited. The complete silence is based on the four general rules of Catur Brata: no fire or light, no form of physical working, no movement or traveling, fasting, and no entertainment. 

However, there鈥檚 also another story to this unique Day of Silence in Bali: after all the exuberant celebrations of the first two days of the Balinese New Year, the island goes into hiding to protect itself from evil spirits. By observing complete silence and darkness, evil spirits will pass over and either not notice that there鈥檚 an island beneath them or believe that it鈥檚 a deserted island; either way, they will continue their journey to another place. 

Important remarks if you are on the island on this Silence Day: 

• Many visitors to the island purposely chose this day to be in Bali to experience this unique Hindu tradition/religion that has been observed for hundreds of years.  

• No planes will land or take off for just one day (24 hours). All traffic across Bali will be stopped. All shops are closed. No pedestrian traffic is allowed on the beach or the streets. 

• Tourists are free to do as they wish on this day but must stay indoors and make sure that any lights cannot be seen from the outside. What it means as a guest in a hotel, you鈥檙e free to roam the hotel grounds on this day without stepping outside the hotel vicinity.  

• Some visitors might balk at the idea of spending 24 hours of their vacation subject to restricted activity, but the meditative silence of Nyepi, the most sacred day of the year in Bali, is powerful and worth experiencing. 

About the author: 

                                                 Ricko Tindage, Director of Sales and Marketing at Elite Voyages 

Ricko Tindage is Director of Sales and Marketing at Elite Voyages. His task besides sales and marketing to the travel agent community鈥s also creating new tour products. 

Originally from Bali, Indonesia, Ricko has called Los Angeles home since 1981. 

His academic background was in hotel management. He has had hotel stints in Jakarta, Indonesia; Brussels, Belgium and Los Angeles. Instead of a career in the hotel industry, the tour and travel industry has shaped the majority of his professional career. 

He started in the travel industry in 1990, Ricko has always been in the hospitality industry, even his spouse was a former director of sales at a major U.S. hotel chain. Before working for Elite Voyages he served in several major U.S. tour operators namely UNIWORLD River Cruises and SITA World Tours. In between, he has developed and created small boutique-style tour operators specialized in incentive travels, honeymoons, destination weddings, luxury travels, and leasing private jets. One of these tour companies was Romance Travel Concierge, a luxury boutique outfit based in Pasadena, CA, and he was president of the company. 

                                                                       About Elite Voyages: 

Bespoke journeys are our specialty at Elite Voyages. Founded in 2019 as a luxury entity for Chinatour.com (established in 2002) our parent company, we have been strongly a believer in providing the most authentic and enriching tour experiences for our discerning travelers through the relentless commitment of our earnest and knowledgeable team before, during and after all journeys. Nothing is left to chance when every itinerary is carefully planned 鈥� selecting the best accommodation guests can enjoy, exciting connoisseurs with select culinary exploits, and amazing travelers with must-see sights and entertainment 鈥� so that every guest can always be assured of top quality and uniqueness in travel experiences. 

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By: Heidi Durflinger, President of EF Go Ahead Tours 

The beauty of Bhutan struck me before I even set foot in the country. As I flew into the town of Paro, I was awed by views of the Himalayas and fields of rice paddies鈥攊t felt like I was in a fairytale. I came to Bhutan in September 2022 as part of a travel delegation attending the inauguration of the Trans Bhutan Trail, but I found that the splendor of the country stretches far beyond the reaches of the 250-mile trail.聽

For the past several years, the Bhutanese people have worked together to restore this pilgrimage and transportation route, which has connected villages and regions across the country for centuries. Joining the celebration of the site鈥檚 reopening after 60 years was an honor, and it was incredibly peaceful and scenic to walk along the trail, over bridges, across streams, through forests, and past fields. I felt a strong sense of community in every village and home we were welcomed into throughout the journey. After hiking to Lingmukha, villagers invited us to sit down for a cup of traditional butter tea paired with a lunch of red rice, peppers with cheese, and green beans. They were so kind and generous, and they shared how hopeful they are about the jobs the trail can bring to the community.鈥��

The Bhutanese people have a strong belief in the value of community and helping one another, and the trail鈥檚 reopening has allowed them to stay connected and continue telling the story of their country. My favorite part of going on our tours is learning the stories behind the places we visit and connecting with the people who call those places home. Our mission at EF Go Ahead Tours is to open the world through education, and our tours aim to bring history to life and highlight how it鈥檚 shaped culture today. While travelers will soak up the country鈥檚 beauty on our guided tour of Bhutan, it鈥檚 the stories, shared meals, and conversations that make the adventure so special and immersive. Shared moments across cultures allow us to not only see a place, but truly experience it.聽

Traveling to Bhutan with a group and following a thoughtfully planned itinerary alongside local guides allowed me to gain a deeper connection to the country. The local experts knew the best paths to hike to bring us to remote villages and connect us with the true beauty of the country: the people. As my group and I hiked along the trail on the day of the grand reopening, people in the community handed out butter tea and apples. Everyone was so giving and we ended the day dancing, singing, and celebrating a trail that connects people and brings stories of the past, present, and future to life.鈥�

I felt this sense of community throughout my trip, but it culminated during my visit to Tiger鈥檚 Nest, which is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site and one of the most well-known places in Bhutan. As my group and I climbed the last of the 700 steps leading to Tiger鈥檚 Nest, we rounded the corner to the monastery and saw Buddhist monks who had journeyed across the country to come here. They were all singing and chanting prayers in unison. That, paired with the view of the sacred site tucked into the Himalayan mountains, had me in tears. It鈥檚 like nothing I鈥檝e ever seen before.聽

Seeing the world has taught me to be present and soak in these moments, and trips like this inspire me to reflect on just how much travel gives us. When traveling, it鈥檚 the beautiful connections that have stuck with me the most. I look forward to seeing how the reopening of the Trans Bhutan Trail and our new guided tour offers this same opportunity to more travelers across the globe.聽

All Photos Courtesy of Heidi Durflinger

About the Author 

Heidi Durflinger, President of EF Go Ahead Tours, has 20 years of experience in the travel industry in both direct-to-consumer and group affinity educational travel. Heidi鈥檚 extensive background in the travel sector includes sales strategy and leadership, customer experience, market innovation and development, quality control, and risk management. Her interest in cultural exchange stems from childhood. Her family brought the world to her small hometown in Kansas by hosting international students for 10 years, giving her a truly global extended family. She has lived in Mexico and Spain, and is currently based out of the EF Go Ahead Tours Boston office. Wellness, adventure, food, fitness, and travel are her passions. 

About EF Go Ahead Tours

EF Go Ahead Tours offers more than 200 guided trips across six continents. Every tour is carefully planned with a maximum group size well below the industry average and has the perfect balance of guided sightseeing and free time to explore. EF Go Ahead Tours is a division of EF Education First, the world鈥檚 largest international education company, which was founded in 1965. The company鈥檚 mission is to open the world through education, and they have over 600 offices and schools in 50 countries. 

The post A first-person account of the Trans Bhutan Trail: memories of connection and community in one of the world鈥檚 most remote destinations聽聽 appeared first on 性视界 Blog.