At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we love places that awaken our senses, interest and emotions, and that is why today we are bringing you to one of the most unknown places to tourists, the temple-caves located in Myanmar.

We are talking about the Powintaung caves or “Pho Win Taung”, a group of 492 Buddhist caverns (947 caves) north of Burma (Myanmar), whose name means “Solitary and Isolated Meditation Mountain”.

Most caves date back to the 15^th Century, however, many of them are not natural caves but caves dug by men. Despite this, it is an important place for pilgrims and Buddhists which is why not all the caves may be visited by non-believers.

On the inside of these caves there are Buddha-related works of art. The caves are believed to hold around 2,600 statues, not including some paintings on walls also depicting Buddha.

One of the most significant caves is “The Labyrinth Cave”, which dates back to the 18^th Century, which has more than 70 images of Buddha.

Legend has it that an alchemist with supernatural powers called U Po Win (hence its current name), lived in the cave. According to the popular tradition in Myanmar, he was a “Zawgyis” considered all powerful as he could fly, breath under water, heal, was able to use teleportation, etc… That is the reason why people believe there is a special aura there of mysticism, power and magic.

If you also enjoy discovering places with an Asian mysticism, we recommend you come visit us at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa where you will have a fully Asian experience.

Today, at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are visiting Asia in a traditional and very original way, hard to find elsewhere, the Tuk-Tuk.

The tuk-tuk is a motor tricycle broadly used in some parts of Asia. Also known as “autorickshaw”, “auto ricksha”, auto, tuk-tuk, and moto-taxi. They are often used as taxies and delivery vehicles, although in some places they are mainly used by tourists.

The first tuk-tuks started back in the 60’s combining rickshaws and motorcycles, made in Japan. A few years later, they were exported to many other Asian countries. They quickly made it in countries like India and Thailand.

Tuk-tuks are very commonly used in Bangkok.

However, there is also another kind, a light motor tricycle vehicle, whose top part is used to carry load. These cargo vehicles were already used in Italy in 1948, and were known as “ape” (made by Piaggio Ape) and sometimes used to carry passengers.

It is common to haggle before agreeing on a price, to make free use of them, but in return you will be brought to shops around Bangkok that pay tuk-tuk drivers with fuel vouchers for bringing customers to them.

But rest assure, at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa you will not need to be transported anywhere. Just go for a stroll around our gardens and swimming pools and you will feel as if you were in Asia. Come and see for yourself. We await your visit.

At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we have 7 very different swimming pools where you can relax. Today, we are going to Indonesia, where there are three different colour lakes in a volcano.

We are talking about Flower Island, an island part of the Sunda Islands, east of Sumbawa and Komodo.

The Kelimutu Volcano (active, although its latest eruption was in 1968) it is 1639 high, and its 3 different colour lakes in its three craters make it unique as they change colour at different times of the year.

According to scientists, the change in colour is due to the mix of steam and gas on the inside at high temperatures causes a chemical reaction which results in changes in the oxidation of the elements present in the lakes and other elements are in turn released.

The inhabitants of Flower Island believe that when someone dies, their spirit is immersed in one of the three lakes depending on their personality and age:

• Tiwu Ata Mbupu: the lake for the souls of parents and the elderly, black.

• Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai: the lake for the souls of young people. This is the largest of the three of them. It is generally turquoise or light blue.

• Tiwu Ata Polo or Enchanted Lake: the lake for those who have committed a crime. This lake is the one with the most changing colour. It is sometimes red, turquoise or white.

If you also feel like swimming in crystal clear waters, come visit us at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a luxury resort in the Mediterranean where you can enjoy all we have to offer and our 7 swimming pools. We look forward to welcoming you!

Today, at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are showing you the world of Thai theatre. Did you know that there are different types of drama dances? We are going to tell you all about them here.

In Thailand there are different types of drama dances:

• “Khon” or Masked Dance: Was a result of the evolution of the shadow theatre. All dancers wear masks representing the main characters of the Ramayana: Ogres, monkeys, demons, Rama and Sidha, the heroin.

• “Lakhon” or Danced Theatre: In ancient times this type of dance was only represented in the royal palace by women. There was another outdoor version of the dance, the “lakhon nok” that used to be danced anywhere, in front of an audience, and represented by mixed-sex performers.

• “Likay” or Popular Theatre: Is the village version of danced theatre. The topics were about legends, feelings, everyday life, wars, etc. The spectacular costumes of the performers stand out.

• “Nang Talung” or Shadow Theatre: It also represents the Ranayama. The characters are made of buffalo skin and stuck on bamboo sticks held by the performers over their heads. This type of dance has a strong Indonesian influence as it is their tradition to also use this type of puppets.

• “Hun Krabok” or Puppet Theatre: These performances are a must in Thai festivals, in pagodas and weddings. They often tell epic stories about Thai mythology, and the puppets are held from the bottom with bamboo sticks.

Come and enjoy a true Asian experience at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a luxury resort in the Mediterranean where you will experience Asian culture without leaving your country.

We love relaxation and wellbeing at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, and beauty, a subjective and volatile luxury which is part of us and can be found in the small things we all like.

Today, we are going to talk about the beauty of Thai Traditional Dance, a type of art which is beautiful by nature.

Thailand is a culturally rich place, full of artistic displays and performing arts. One of the most stunning forms of expression that can be seen in this Asian country is its traditional dance.

Nowadays, there are different types of Traditional Thai Dance, there are dances that are more than 400 years old that have barely changed over time, and there are other types of dances that have been more influenced by other cultures.

This is a popular type of art, danced at parties and weddings, a graceful and expressive dance associated with Thai traditions, religion, social activities and popular beliefs. The delicate movements of the dancers, their hairdos, and their outfits stand out as they are attractive, ornamented and colourful.

This is a way to express feelings, a dance in which the posture of the performers is key.

Thai dancers stand straight from neck to hip and move up and down using only their knees as they follow the rhythm of the music. Their arms and hands are held in curvatures at different levels, but not like in ballet. The beauty of the dancers depends on how these curves and angles are held in relation to the proportion of their bodies.
If you also enjoy beautiful Asia, come visit us at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, an Asian luxury resort where you will enjoy a unique experience.

One of the main things that defines the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is the fact that we represent a temple of relaxation and wellbeing for all your senses. That is the reason why today we are bringing you to a quiet temple in Hiraizumi, where peace and nature surround you.

We are talking about the Chuson-Ji Temple, one of the most significant Buddhist temples, supposedly founded in the year 850 by Ennin, although most academics believe that it was founded by Fujiwara in the year 1100, as there is no archaeological or historical trace showing that there was Buddhist influences at that time.

The main feature of this temple in the middle of the wild, is its mausoleum, called “Konjiki-Do”, one of the most beautiful and elaborate buildings in Japan and in the world. The Chuson-Ji Temple was recognised Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2011.

Konjiki-Do, which means “gold”, is a mausoleum containing mummified remains of the leaders of the Fujiwara clan who ruled during most of the 12th Century.

It is made out of wood and fully covered by “gold bread” (a fine layer of hammered gold, traditionally used to decorate) with inlaid pearl oysters.

There are three altars on the inside of the building, and although there were 33 sculptures originally, 11 per altar, nowadays there is one missing, the Niten.

Konjiki-Do was previously built outdoors. However, a wooden building was built around it to protect it from the elements. It is now located behind a thick acrylic glass screen and can only be seen from the front.

At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you can enjoy, first hand, a true Asian experience at our luxury resort in the Mediterranean. Come and enjoy our very own temple!

One of the things that stand out in Asia is the general longevity of the Asian population. At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we wonder what their secret is.

Statistics say that, more specifically Okinawa is the region in Japan with the highest number of elderly inhabitants over 100 years old. Many of us wonder what lies behind this; health and wellbeing seem to prevail.

Their secret…

Locals say that they owe their longevity to their tropical climate as well as the local cuisine.

Although we cannot bring their climate over to you, we can work out what kind of dishes they prepare and which ingredients are the most commonly used in their cuisine.

Ryukyu cuisine, combines recipes from Japan and China and is the result of those culinary arts taking the best from both of them and using tropical elements as star ingredients.

These are some of their main dishes:

• “Okinawa Soba” thick wheat noodles and pork meat.

• “Champuru”, a Little lighter than the previous dish, consists of a combination of fried vegetables mixed with a thick and nutritional stew, including: pumpkin, bitter melon and wheat noodles (thinner and fewer noodles).

• “Tempura”, typically used in Okinawa, is a little thicker than what we are used to, but it is highly recommended.

• Pork is the main source of protein in most local dishes. There is an Asian version of what we know as black pudding, called “chii-irichii” made with fried blood and vegetables.

• “Nakami” is a very popular pork soup, often used to treat colds and flus and other illnesses. It is very energetic.

• Fish is also one of their main food products. These are some of the main fish dishes:

1. “Irabucha”, a parrot fish recipe.
2. “Mibai” a grouper dish.
3. High quality “Sushi” and “Sashimi”.

• “Toofuyo” is a very special delicatessen: a type of blue cheese made from fermented tofu often served with rice liquor called “Awamori”.

Secrets that will help you live longer and details about Asian cuisine. What else could you ask for? At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we also offer you peace for you body and mind. An unforgettable luxury stay in the Mediterranean…

Are you lucky enough to have been to the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa? If you haven’t… Today, our post is all about luck. We are bringing you to Tokyo and we are telling you about the most fortunate place in the world, the Gotokuji Temple.

This original temple is known for its cats, and is also known as “the Temple of the Cats”.

It is said that the popular Maneki Neko was born there, a white lucky cat that has nowadays become an emblematic Asian ornament which waves its paw and represents good fortune.

Legend has it that in the 17^th Century, in times of Edo, the temple was very very poor but the monk who lived there always shared his food with his cat.

One day, a feudal lord was caught by a storm and he took shelter under a large tree near the temple. The lord saw the white, black and brown cat waving its paw showing him the way to the temple door. The man was puzzled and decided to take shelter inside the temple and get close to the cat to get a better look. As he approached the temple, the tree was struck by lighting and turned to ashes.

The man was so grateful to the cat for having saved his life that he donated fields of rice and crops and financed all repair work to help it grow. The temple did well eventually and prospered.

When the cat died, a warm funeral was held for her, hence the temple’s current name “Temple of the Cats”. In addition, an area of the temple’s graveyard is exclusively reserved for cat burials.

The Gotokuji Temple was expanded under the sponsorship of the Li clan, and many family members were buried there. A hall was built and dedicated to Buddha Butsuden, as well as a ritual and pray hall, and a small temple devoted to Maneki Neko with a pagoda where there are figures of carved cats.

There is also an office/shop where you can purchase cats and wooden carvings for good fortune.

If you also believe in good fortune, come to the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a temple of relaxation where we will pamper you; a luxury resort in the Mediterranean where you will live a totally Asian experience.

Today, at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we feel very spiritual, relaxed and refreshed after our Thai massage, and we are going to tell you about Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan Buddhism is Buddhism as we know it nowadays. It developed in the Himalayas and is also known as “tantric Buddhism”.

This type of Buddhism is followed by 6 % of Buddhists and is one of the most practised doctrines and one of the best known in the East.

There is a clear division within this religion, monks and laymen. Monks are relevant figures in public social life, they are highly respected people treated as “deities” because they are the closest ones to Buddha.

Many objects and charms are used in Tibetan Buddhism, generally bronze objects which are essential during religious ceremonies. They each have a specific function:

• BELL OR GHANTA: Represents the symbol of male and female energy all at once.

• VAJRA OR DORJE: the vajra represents a spiritual authority and it is called “cetro diamantino”.

• DAGGER OR P’UR-BU: this object is used in tantric Buddhist rituals. In Tibet, its followers invoke demons and it can only be used by tantric priests.

• PRAYER WHEEL: made out of different materials from wood or silver, to gold, jade or ivory. Manufacturing this beautiful object is almost a whole industry in itself for people in exile.

• PRAYER BEADS: similar to rosary beads, made out of wooden pearls or semi-precious gemstones like coral or the turquoise. They are used to pray just like beads are used in the Christian religion.

• CEREMONIAL BANNERS: these are very important objects in Tibet. They consist of long strips of thin fabric tied longwise to long sticks. These sticks are placed on the ceilings of homes, temples and any place sacred. It works similarly to the prayer wheel: with every movement of the fabric, there is a prayer sent to the gods.

• CHARMS: are often worn around the neck to protect from evil. They represent different deities and are often figures carved on wood or metal, although there are also some made out of semi-precious gemstones.

If you wish to see other beautiful Asian objects, come to visit us at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a luxury resort in the Mediterranean where you can experience Asia.