Those that dare can take a night walk through one of the oldest rain forests in the world. It can be found in Malaysia and the natives call it the “Green Heart.” From every direction you will hear an overwhelming cacaphony of insects as well as a million other tiny sounds that make up its wondrous whole.

This is what you can expect when you visit Malaysia’s oldest national park. It is an experience that won’t soon be forgotten if ever. It is a place filled with the sound of the night and the creatures that inhabit a darker world than our own. Here you can see more than 350 different bird species along with 10,000 types of plants as well as a host of other creatures.

Be prepared for an experience that can only be likened to scuba diving in the dark waters of the evening. You cannot see the sky and you can only see as far as your flashlight will brighten. Though you will be surrounded by umpteen different kinds of sounds, finding what makes those sounds will not be easy.

The rain forest is said to be nearly 130 million years old and its denizens have had that long to learn to adapt for their survival. Many are masters of camouflage and it is especially true of the stick and leaf insects.

There are three hides that are situated near the headquarters of the park and your tour would not be complete if you didn’t visit one of them. They are elevated and the are the ideal place for which to view the creatures as they prowl about and utilize salt licks.

No visitor to Taman Negara goes away without be awed and inspired. When you become one with the thick atmosphere that pervades the nighttime jungle you will appreciate not only the beauty, but the necessity of their continued existence as well.

The South Korean people are said to be a culture that is obsessed with the natural world. The country is green and her people are sage. When visiting South Korea there are a few sights you must see.

Gyeongbokgung

This grand palace can be found in the city of Seoul.  For almost three hundred years this castle sat in ruins until Heungseon Daewongun began its renovation in 1865. It was the principal residence of the Royal Family until its destruction during the war with Japan called Imjaewaran. Tours are conducted for free in English except for Tuesdays and you can also see the changing of the guard which takes place six times a day.

Korean Folk Village

This tranquil village can also be found in Seoul. It is nestled along a quite river and houses a Confucian school, a temple and various other buildings that are necessary for daily living. The unique element of this village is that is not just a tourist attraction. The people that are seen working also live there full time. Plan to spend the better part of a day looking around this authentic South Korean rural village and see artisans at work. For children, they can enjoy the amusement park next door and parents can wander the art gallery also on site.

Dadohae Haesang National Park

In keeping with the South Koreans love of the natural world, this national park is dedicated to marine life. Hongdo or the Red Island is just one of 1700 islands that populate the area and the park covers most of the coastal waters and shoreline of Jeollanan-do. July and August is when visitors flock to the area to partake of the cool breezes.

These are just three of the sites that visitors won’t want to miss on a visit to South Korea. There are many others that are just waiting for your exploration on your trip to this beautiful country.