Category: Featured
Kim-oh-No She Betta Don't! “Cultural Appropriation”? In Japan it's “Cultural Appreciation”...
*Warning: If you’re easily triggered you might want to skip this introduction and head straight for the pretty pictures. But then again if you’re the oversensitive sort you really shouldn’t be reading a site called “Posh, Broke, & Bored”...
Now, I may not be an expert on identity politics nor the subtle nuances that separate “dressing up” vs. what some call “cultural appropriation” (but then again, when the thought police constantly shift the goalposts of what they deem acceptable, how does one expect to play the game? Well, that’s their whole point, but that’s another charged discussion for another day) but as a Far East transplant in the West I can tell you that us “Orientals” don’t waste time being offended when foreigners take an interest - however passing or superficial - in our culture. Why get mad when you can get mad money?
Case in point: all across Japan, especially in the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, locals have made the most of the tourism boom by opening kimono rental shops so that visitors can feel the fantasy when in Japan while receiving an education on the culture. Wearing kimono and yukata, even outside of Japan, is considered by the Japanese as appreciative and respectful of their culture when done properly and with reverence to the history and customs of the country. Keep your mind open, your intentions pure, your curiousity sincere, and your execution tasteful; and you not only open a dialogue with and engage with other cultures but also look bangin’ while doing it. This is my experience with wearing traditional Japanese kimono in the geisha district of Gion, Kyoto.
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September 01, 2018
BLUE-BLOODED: MY FAMILY HISTORY & CONNECTION TO THE FOUNDERS OF TAIWAN, THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA
The saying goes: History is written by the victors. If you ask The People’s Republic of China (PRC, commonly known as China) they'd tell you that the Republic of China (ROC, commonly known as Taiwan) is not its own country but rather a rogue state that, if the PRC has its way, would be unified with the Mainland despite the ROC’s audacity to break away from the glorious path of Communism. As for me, I have sympathy for the devil - I have much empathy for the struggles of Taiwan, the founders of which were on the losing side of history. This comes as no surprise given my family connection to the Kuomintang (often translated as the Nationalist Party of China), the Blue Party who have almost exclusively ruled modern-day Taiwan ever since the country's inception in 1945. My desire to delve deeper into Taiwan literally runs in my veins, and so, I recently travelled to Taipei to learn more about my illustrious ancestors, and explore the country born of their blood, sweat, and tears.
Today’s story, my take on one of the topics of this month’s #TRAVELLINKUP: PEOPLE THAT HAVE MADE AN IMPACT ON YOUR TRAVEL, is a brief introduction to Taiwan, the places to visit in Taipei to get a feel for the history of the country; and the remarkable story of a man whose passion, struggle, and sacrifice led me to visit the Republic of China.
July 01, 2018
KL Express: 24 Hours in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - What & Where to See, Eat, & Do
They said it couldn’t be done. That nobody could hit the ground running, straight off an overnight flight from Sydney to Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, and visit all the stops on my itinerary in less than a day; what with the infamous tropical humidity, heat, and the city’s notorious traffic to contend with. Well clearly they underestimate my determination to show a good friend (who finally took up my offer to visit me in Malaysia, since, like, forever) a much needed change of scenery and a whistle stop tour of the city I grew up in, as well as the prowess of my legendary travel planning. I’m not nicknamed YipAdvisor for nothing. Should you also find yourself in Kuala Lumpur for just a day, fret not - Luxy and I have done the footwork for you. Here is my itinerary for 24 Hours in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; with the added bonuses of what else we would have done had we not had other social engagements (Chinese New Year reunion dinner, I’m looking at you) as well as more Kuala Lumpur guides from other travel bloggers.
#YIPADVISOR
ALL PHOTOS OF ME BY LUX LIFE BLOG
March 09, 2018
Bollywood, but Bigger and Better:
An Epic Wedding Party at an 18th Century Fort in Jaipur, India
“Everything is bigger in Texas”? Darling, no. Everything is bigger in India...at least as far as weddings are concerned. My non-Indian friends, have you ever had the immense pleasure of being a guest at a traditional Indian wedding? Amazingly, despite enjoying a rather eclectic friendship circle across several international cities including my hometown, the mulitcultural Kuala Lumpur (incidentally, there are 2 million Malaysian Indians - that’s 7% of our population), at the ripe old age of 30 I had yet to partake in the festivities of an Indian wedding. So when the invitation came from one of my long-time friends - the first friend I ever made in London, actually! - to celebrate her nuptials in Jaipur the proper way ie. several hundred guests on at least a three-day bender of feasting, drinking, and dancing; the RSVP was a resounding YES. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity in more ways than one (I mean, most people would be so lucky to get married only once) and you can be sure I‘ll be there with bells on!
What follows are photos I don’t remember taking (even if I faintly recollect the scenes) of one of the most the most exciting evenings I’ve ever had: a night of colour, celebration, chaos all set in an 18th century fort in the hills of Jaipur, India. Oh, and there were elephants, too. I told you, everything is bigger in India!
February 18, 2018
Can I get an Angkor? So Nice, I Went There Twice: Angkor Wat in the Morning vs in the Evening (and why sunrise at Angkor Wat is Overrated)
With peak season in Cambodia (November to January) coming to a close and savvy travellers such as yourself (you clever thing, you) looking into visiting Siem Reap in the less crowded, less expensive off-peak season that is May to October, it seemed timely that my first Asia travel story of the year should be of arguably the most famous of Cambodian monuments - the instantly recognisable and incomparable Angkor Wat. You know by now, of course, my 2018 mission to see all the South East Asian countries I've yet to visit. With Vietnam, Singapore, my native Malaysia, Thailand, and now Cambodia under my belt, that leaves just six countries to go. I can't think of a better destination to kick off this year's travel stories with, so here are the first of my photo diaries from Siem Reap, Cambodia, and my observations on why sunset trumps sunrise at Angkor Wat.
January 17, 2018
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