Things to Do in Asia

Located in the Dudh Kosi River Valley, Monjo is a small village in the Everest region of Nepal. It’s north of Phakding, where many hikers spend the first night of the Everest Base Camp hike. While Monjo itself isn’t a necessary stopping point, at 9,301 feet (2,835 meters) it’s a good alternative to bigger and higher Namche Bazaar (11,286 feet/3,440 meters).

The Basics

Monjo is the last village hikers will reach from Lukla before the start of the Sagarmatha National Park. The park checkpoint is located here, and there’s plenty of accommodation options. The town itself is not particularly memorable, but it’s a convenient place to stop. Many people hike from Lukla to Phakding, which takes about three hours. Hikers with more stamina or who arrived in Lukla early can continue on to Monjo, which takes around six hours.

Most hikers pass through or stop at Monjo on the Everest Base Camp hike, although there are lots of other hiking options in the area. These include the Gokyo Lakes, the Three High Passes, and the shorter Everest Panorama.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Learn the signs of altitude sickness before your trip, and be prepared to return to lower elevation if they appear.
  
• Accommodations fill up fast in the peak season. Hiking with a guide is not only safer, it will guarantee you a place to sleep.
  
• While most lodges (teahouses) in the Everest region are simple and comfortable, Monjo is home to an Everest Summit Lodge, a local chain of luxury lodges. 
  

How to Get There

Hiking is the only way to get to Monjo. Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu (a spectacular and nail-biting flight of about 30 minutes), then walk the rest of the way. Monjo is about the same altitude as Lukla, but there is some up and down along the way.

When to Get There

Peak hiking season in the Everest region, like most of Nepal, is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). The weather at low and medium altitudes is warm, and skies usually clear. Hiking in winter (December–February) is possible as long as you are well prepared for the cold. Monsoon season (June-August) hiking is not advised.

Visit Namche Bazaar on a Saturday 

Namche Bazaar is the largest town in the Everest region, located 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Monjo. If possible, aim to be there on a Saturday so you can catch the weekly market. ‘Bazaar’ means market in Nepali, and the town has been a Sherpa trading hub for centuries. People from nearby villages come to shop at the lively market.

Built by the Jesuits to repel an attack from the sea, the Monte Fort (Fortaleza de Monte) is the oldest military fortification in the peninsula of Macau. With construction beginning in 1617 the Monte Fort was also seen as a measure of defense for the minority Christians to defend themselves from ethnic Chinese who comprised the religious majority.

With walls over 330 feet (100.6 meters) long and walls nearly 30 feet (9.1 meters) high the Monte Fort was solidly built and capable of storing enough munitions to withstand a two-year siege. Though cannons were readied and defense preparations made, the only military action the Monte Fort ever saw was during an unsuccessful raid by the Dutch in 1622. Looking to gain an advantage in the lucrative East Asian trading route, the Dutch laid a surprise siege on the Portuguese at Macau. Heavily outnumbered and inevitably doomed, a Jesuit, Portuguese priest hunkered inside Monte Fort fired a lone cannon shot which miraculously struck a Dutch gunpowder storage. Devastated by the ensuing explosion the Dutch fell into retreat and ultimately failed in their effort to take Macau. Officially regarded as the only time the cannons were fired in defense, the same cannons today (though now defunct) now point at the towering Casino Lisboa and the ultra-modern skyline of Macau.

Classified as part of the UNESCO Historical Centre of Macau, visitors to Monte Fort are welcome to peruse the grounds of the old fort and walk through the subterranean tunnels. A strategic compound on the hill with a sweeping view of the city, Monte Fort once briefly served as the residence for the Governor of Macau before the construction of a meteorological observatory in 1965. Finally, in 1998, the observatory closed in favor of the Museum of Macau, a place which continues to educate visitors on the unique heritage of Monte Fort and the overall history of Macau.

In 1950 Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity (MOC) in the city of Kolkata (Calcutta) to lend aid to the poor, disabled and infirm. What started out as a small community of 12 Sisters has grown to include more than 4,500 volunteer Sisters working worldwide.

Mother House, the headquarters of the MOC, was Mother Teresa’s home for 44 years during her time in Kolkata, and visitors come here to pay respects at her tomb. The room where she slept has been preserved, and you can look in on the simple camp bed where she slept. A photo above the bed shows her meeting with Pope John Paul II in 1986, 11 years before her death in 1997. The neighboring museum houses her threadbare sandals and chipped ceramic bowl.

Since Mother House is still a working missionary center, visiting hours are strictly adhered to, so double check the latest times before you head over. If you want to dig deeper and really get a sense for the work being done, consider volunteering for a day or two during your visit to Kolkata.

Mongkok, a district located in Kowloon on the mainland side of Hong Kong, is known for its busy street markets and abundant dining options. It’s one of the most densely populated parts of the world, and the buzz of activity here never seems to stop. Buzzing neon lights and sidewalks filled to the brim with people at times overwhelm the senses, but in a way that is 100 percent Hong Kong.

For inexpensive street shopping, Mongkok’s most popular attraction is the Ladies’ Market. Contrary to what the name might imply, the market sells all sorts of wares, from souvenir trinkets to pirated music and home furnishings. Ladies will find plenty of stalls selling cheap clothing, shoes and accessories as well.

Within the neighborhood, you’ll also find streets dedicated to the sale of pets, wedding dresses and flowers, among other things. At any of these mostly outdoor markets, haggling is the rule. For more upscale retail therapy, head into the air-conditioned halls of Langham Place, one of Hong Kong’s biggest malls.

The MINT, short for Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys, Museum of Toys opened in 2006 as the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to toys and children’s memorabilia. The private museum is owned by Mr. Chang Yang Fa, a citizen of Singapore and passionate collector of toys.

Today, the museum houses the largest collection of vintage, rare and one-of-a kind toys in the world -- a collection that includes some 50,000 specimens collected from 40 different countries. Toys on display run the gamut from the familiar (Batman and Popeye) to more obscure pieces from Europe and Japan. If you’re looking for something specific, you’ll find a collection of China-made toys on the second floor, the Childhood Favourites collection on the third and exhibit space dedicated to characters on the fourth.

If you get hungry, the museum houses three eateries. Mr. Punch Restaurant serves up 1920s-inspired dishes, the Rooftop Bar specializes in cocktails and snacks, and the Sidewalk Bar makes for excellent people watching over a cold drink and a casual bite to eat.

At the base of Muka Head Cape in Penang National Park is secluded Teluk Duyung, commonly know as Monkey Beach due to the long-tailed macaques that reside there.

A sheltered cove it has flat, sandy seabed making it calm, tranquil and great for swimming in the clear green waters. Often lots of wildlife: macaques, fruit bats,sea eagles and even sea otters. A popular bbq-picnic area - also a steep walk to the lighthouse.