And the Lefootprints Awards go to: Best and Worse of everything

So as my time in Asia recently came to an end and now I've decided I'll be throwing darts at other parts of the world map (Macchu Picchu is calling), it got me thinking about what I've enjoyed while I was there. What was it that kept me coming back year after year and also what didn't I enjoy about it? There was plenty of stuff that just wasn't worth flying 1000's of miles to see but what were they? So the awards for...

Highlights:

30,000 Tori Gate Shrine (Fushimi Inari Shrine) 

Take the winding trails of this beautiful shrine in Kyoto, Japan and you’ll be amazed by just how many tori gates line the paths of this place. I don’t know if there really are 30,000 of them but it feels like there are millions! Follow the paths up to the top of Inari Mountain and the picture perfect becomes atmospheric and eerily quiet.

Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)

This Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan has two floors completed covered in gold leaf. It’s beautiful and a must-see.

Shibamata Taishakuten Temple 

A lot of Japan doesn’t really feel like what it should but with a trip to this Tokyo temple you can be immediately transported to the real Japan. It’s made completely out of wood and features a traditional style garden and delicate carved decorations.

The Bamboo Train

The bamboo train in Battambang, Cambodia might look slow but it’s not. Have a go, it’s so much fun!

Chu Chi Tunnels  Fun and educational, you can experience these tiny 75-mile long tunnels in Saigon, Vietnam that were once a hiding place for the Vietnamese during the war. Bamboo rafting and elephant riding  Ever fantasied about being Indiana Jones? Well that’s what I felt like when I did this, just like I was in the movies! Touristy but none the less it’s an unforgettable experience.    Floating villages and markets They come in different styles and sizes from touristy markets to entire communities and some are better than others but they’re all an experience and no 2 are quite the same. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) It is rare I get amazed by a temple but this one in Chiang Rai, Thailand is exceptional. Considered blasphemous by many locals, the unconventional temple features all manner of things from illustrations of Spiderman to creepy hanging heads. It really is one of a kind and is highly recommended if you’re ever in Thailand.

Erawan National Park 

One of Thailand’s most popular attractions and it’s easy to see why. The seven tied waterfalls are spectacular and the best I’ve seen so far. There are also 5 caves consisting of interesting stalactites, stalagmites and limestone formations to explore as well.

Mount Merapi  Feel the force of nature with a visit to Indonesia’s most active volcano and witness the nothingness left by the eruption in 2010.  A reminder that human’s are powerless to stop mother nature. Truly an experience not to miss.    Kawah Ijen In Indonesia kawah means crater and if you do manage the 2,600 meters to the top of this one you’ll be rewarded by magnificent views of the world’s largest sulphuric lake. You’ll also get to witness what must be one of the hardest jobs in the world, sulphur mining in action.   Banaue Rice Terraces 2,000-3,000 years ago these rice terraces in The Philippines were carved from the land by the hands of the tribes’ people of Ifugao. Considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world and the 8th wonder to, this really should be on your bucket list.     Angkor Wat Temple Complex  If I was asked to choose the best thing I’ve seen, hands down it would be the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor in Cambodia. This place is so vast and every which way you look there’s something of interest. If you only get to see one thing in Asia, make it this. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town About 2 hours drive from Shanghai, China lays Zhujiajiao, a picturesque water town a world away from ultra modern Shanghai. It’s considered by many to be too touristy but I really enjoyed my time here and consider it a highlight from my trip to China.   Miajima and Hiroshima Hiroshima doesn’t have a lot to do but what it does do it does well. It’s quiet, relaxing but also eerie and feels more like one huge graveyard rather than a city. Everywhere pays homage to the atomic bombing that took place on the 6th of august 1945 and all around there are tragic reminders of the lives that were shattered that day. 2 hours boat ride away is Miajima, in the list of the world’s top 5 beautiful places it really is an awesome sight, the famous floating tori gate is fantastic and the wild deer will you keep you entertained for hours. Make sure to stop by if you’re ever in Japan. All hype:

The Great Wall of China
They say it’s great but it’s just a wall and not a very tall one either, the views were pretty good and it did seem as if it went on forever but I was a little disappointed with the Mutianyu section of the wall.

Puerto Princesa Underground River
It may be the world’s largest one and the only nominee of Philippines to make it in the new 7 wonder list but it’s just a river under a mountain. It has a few interesting formations but you can see those kind of things in most caves, worth a look but only if you're in PP anyway. 

The Golden Triangle
More of The Mekong River, as if you hadn't seen enough of it already...

Food:
Favorite: Chinese
Least Favorite: Japanese
Best Dishes: Northern Thai Curry (Chiang Mai), rice soup (various), crepes (Harajuku)
Weirdest: Scorpion (Bejing), dog (Banlung) and balut (Manila)


Money:
Least expensive: Thailand
Most expensive: Japan
Most scams: Vietnam

Least scams: Japan 

Misc: 
Best skyline: Hong Kong
Worst skyline: Jakarta

Best music: Vietnam 

Worst music: Cambodia

Most beautiful places: Hong Kong, Banaue, Kuala Lumpur and Miajima

Favorite cities: Lopburi, Tokyo, Hoi An, Beijing, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Manila, Hiroshima, Kanchanaburi and Battambang. 

So that was The Lefootprints Awards, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed reliving some of my best moments. I’d love to hear about where you've been to so please leave a comment or subscribe and tell me all about your favourite and least favourite places, which place had your favourite munchies or even if you just think this post was a load of rubbish and Cambodia has the best music ever.