Si Phan Don – The 4,000 Islands of Adventure

Si Phan Don is a collection of 4,000 islands and islets on the Mekong River on the Laos–Cambodian border and is great for backpacking.  Half of these islands are submerged when the Mekong floods.  The main island at Si Phan Don to travel to is Don Khong and to a lesser extent,  Don Det and Don Khon.

The main activity to do is boating, swimming, clambering around the rapids and watching the locals at play and at work.  The Khone Phapheng waterfalls are a great place to go sightseeing and to take a dip.  It is the biggest waterfall and rapids in Southeast Asia. This is where the Mekong River falls down through the rapids to continue on to Cambodia. Here we can see the remains of the narrow gauge railway that the French built to enable transportation along the Mekong by passing the Khone Phapeng falls.  It is these falls that prevent direct navigation from Vietnam to China.

Irrawady dolphins can be spotted here and the giant catfish, the largest freshwater fish in the world can also be spotted here.  Both are highly endangered, especially the giant catfish which is rarely caught now.

There is not much else in entertainment nor electricity.  So be prepared for romantic candle lit nights at the guest houses when the generators switch off.  Most of the accommodation are kind of rustic little stilt huts by the locals, just nice for backpackers.  Not to worry, civilisation is just 3 hours away to Pakse, the third largest city in Laos.

Here is a video by swsanderson on the adventures at Si Phan Don in Laos.

Kenyir Lake – Serenity in the Rainforest

On the Eastern border of Malaysia’s National Park, Kenyir Lake, a man-made lake, sits serenely within a 130 million year old rainforest.  The Kenyir River was dammed for a hydropower station and hilltops and highlands in the area became islands as the Kenyir Dam was filled to create the lake.

This largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia is now an ecotourist destination.  There is a host of things do, from fishing, jungle trekking, island hopping, caving, bird watching and taking a dip at the many streams and waterfalls on the islands and shores.  And do give Snakehead fishing a shot.  Its quite an adventure as narrated by Andy Pearson in his blog.

This video by thestaronline shows the sights of Kenyir Lake.

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Diving in the Gili Islands

Indonesia is host to 25% of the world’s reefs with 3,500 marine species living in its seas and reefs.  The Gili islands offer a good sampling of sea fauna such as sharks, manta rays, cuttlefish, eels, crabs, turtles and fish.  There are 15 to 17 dive spots around the Gili Islands.

The Gili Air Wall is covered with soft coral, and shines yellow orange in the sun.  The coral block at 22 meters is surrounded by shrimps, pipefish, glass fishes and in the deeper parts, white tip sharks.   

Shark Point at Gili Trawangan has different levels at 24, 20 and 18 meters.  It is home to the Hawksbill and Green turtles and a wide variety of marine life such as Napoleon fish, White Tip sharks, manta rays and eels.  There is an undersea 'golf course', the ‘Volker Golf Course’, so called because of its green color, east of Shark Point. This dive is best tackled by the pros for its very strong currents.

Another dive for the pros is the 20 meter long Japanese wreck south of Gili Air, sitting upright on the sandy bottom at 45 meters.  It is home to huge frogfish, lionfish, scorpion fish and much more. And don’t forget to check out the Biorocks, the manmade reefs by the dive schools at Gili.

This video by cacchionegiovanni  shows of the wonders of the waters around the Gili Islands.

Hua Hin – Clear Waters and Strong WInds

Fancy something different in Thailand? Hua Hin is great for Kiteboarding and Windsurfing with winds up to 20 knots. The PKRA (Professional Kiteboard Riders Association) managed the Intercontinental Hua Hin Kiteboarding World Cup last year.  Great Sun, Sand and Wind!

Unusual for a Thai beach town, Hua Hin has a relatively tame nightlife.  This can be attributed to the fact that this town is where the royals come to unwind from city life.  South of Bangkok on the Malay Peninsula, Hua Hin by itself is on the tourist map for its 5 kilometer long and very wide and clean beach.

If you want to unwind with a little nightlife, Soi Bintabahn in Hua Hin is the place to go to.   For jungle adventures such as trekking, the nearby Sam Roi Yot Park has limestone mountains, caves, swamps, and beaches to go explore.  There are also the Namtok Pa Lau waterfalls to go splashing about and a little ways away, Dan Singkhon is the border town with Myanmar, where you can see or buy Myanmarese nature products.  After your stopover in Hua Hin, you can continue on to Koh Samui and the rest of the sun soaked country down south.

This video by asiatraveltips shows a teaser on the kitesurfing action at Hua Hin.

Mulu Caves – Trepidation Awaits

There is a spectacular secret lying hidden deep in the jungles of the land of the Head-hunters.  Mulu National Park in Sarawak is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an evolutionary history of 1.5 million years with wild rivers, rainforest covered mountains, spectacular limestone pinnacles, cave passages and deeply incised canyons.

It has the largest known cave chamber in the world, the Sarawak Chamber (estimated to be as big as 16 football fields), and has at least 295km of explored caves with remains of prehistory.  Highly craggy and mountainous, keep your eyes peeled for the Swarm of Bats, the Pinnacles and the Head-hunters’ Trail.  You leave civilization behind as you enter this park as there are no roads and no residences. Only rivers and jungle paths.   But be careful, the Head-hunters still have their hunting rights.  Who knows what or who they will be hunting?

This video by AsiaTravelTV gives an excellent overview of the sights of Mulu Park.

New Niches for Travel and Tours

There is a new thinking on niches in the travel and tourism arena such as edu-tourism, clustering and swapping packages.

In edu-tourism, tourists learn about a place, its culture and history via homestay or similar programs.

In clustering, specific themes like sports tourism or wellness tourism can be formed.  For example, as Australians like sports in summer they can visit Cebu for summer sports and Japan and Korea can offer winter sports. Malaysia and Indonesia can focus on wellness and health programs as these countries are best known for these.

More details at this news site.

And a sampler of what Cebu can offer, a video by pyroworksinc, the Cebu Annual Sports Festival:

Mahamuni Paya – Holiest site in Myanmar

Mahamuni Paya in Mandalay is one of the holiest sites in Myanmar.  It contains the four meter high bronze image of the Buddha, called the Mahamuni image.  This image is believed to be  the original image of the Buddha, when he granted King Sanda Thuriya of Arakan’s wish for an image for people to worship.  Legend has it that there are only five likenesses of the Buddha, this being the fifth.

The Mahamuni is constantly being covered with gold leaf and over the centuries, has increased in weight and has obscured some of the features.

This video by k1985p26 shows the Mahamuni Buddha and how devotees apply the gold leaf.

Kuthodaw Paya – World’s Largest Book

The world’s largest book, is a collection of 729 slabs of stone with each slab housed within a stupa.  All these stupas are enclosed within the grounds of the Kuthodaw Paya.  Kuthodaw Paya sits at the foot of Mandalay Hill.

Kuthodaw Paya was the brainchild of King Mindon who wanted to protect and ensure the continuity of the Buddhist teachings under threat of conquest by the British.  It was a masterpiece of art complete with gold inscriptions and jewel encrusted stupas. All the original jewels and gold were lost when the British entered Mandalay and used this pagoda as troop billets.  Today the white painted stupas are still a sight to behold lined up in rows within the perimeter of the Kuthodaw Paya.

This video by Wagaung gives us a picture of Kuthodaw Paya.

Shwenandaw Monastery - Sole Survivor

The Golden Palace Monastery, Shwenandaw Monastery, is one of the oldest buildings in Mandalay.  It was part of the royal palace when it was at Amarapura, and followed the move of the Amarapura Palace to Mandalay. The Shwenandaw was then detached from Mandalay Palace and moved to its current site to become a monastery.  Today, the Shwenandaw Monastery building is the sole surviving wooden structure from the palaces of Mandalay and Amarapura.

This teak building preserves and shows of the traditional Myanmarese art and woodcraft.  It is a multi-tiered building with four distinct Zeitawun roof levels. The Shwenandaw has many carved panels showcasing stories from the Buddha.

This video by Wagaung shows off almost all the details of this old wooden building.  Look out for the boy monk as he deftly wraps his robe around him with Houdini like moves.

Mandalay Palace - Last Home of the Royals

The Mandalay Palace is a citadel with a collection of buildings in a square, with two kilometer long walls and surrounded by a moat. Badly damaged in the Second World War, this royal citadel has been rebuilt.  The Shwenandaw Monastery building, moved out of the Mandalay Palace in 1878, is the sole surviving structure of the original teak buildings of the Mandalay Palace.

The Mandalay Palace was actually an older palace from Amarapura. The old palace at Amarapura was dismantled and moved by elephants to Mandalay. The new Mandalay Palace was completed in 1859. This palace is a prime example of Myanmarese traditional palace design and is a delight to view.

Today, the Mandalay Palace is a primary symbol of Mandalay and a major tourist destination.

This video by chalitacbuff1 shows Mandalay Palace.

This video by novaskosia shows period pictures of the last Queen Myanmar

Mandalay - The Soul of Myanmar

Make the decision to go to Myanmar.  The money you spend on the ground in Myanmar genuinely goes direct to the local people.  The government gets its funds from other governments friendly to it anyway.

Mandalay, along the Ayeyarwady River,  was the royal capital of Myanmar just before the British conquest. It is only about 160 years old.  Bombed heavily in the Second World War, Mandalay today it is modern Myanmar’s cultural and religious center.

The Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery, Mahamuni Paya and Kuthodaw Paya are some of the notable places to visit.  There are many other sights to see in and around Mandalay. And if you have the time, go up Mandalay Hill to have a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, plus see the all the sights on your way up and at the foot of the hil.

This video by video123x gives us a perspective of modern Mandalay.

This video by imageplayer gives us another insight to Mandalay.

And this video by RussellMalcolm on Tayside Opera's brilliant rendition of Rudyard Kipling's Road to Mandalay.  For the politically correct, do note the disclaimer at the end of the show. 

Scuba Diving at Boracay

There are over fifteen dive spots around Boracay Island with eighteen plus dive operators..  Most of the dive spots are off White Beach and the rest are scattered around the North and Southeast points of Boracay.  The currents are moderate to strong.

The best dive spot is Yapak Dive which has two walls and a chimney at its southern end. Yapak goes from 30 meters to 70 meters deep.  Grey and Whitetip Reef Sharks are common here along with schools of barracuda, tuna, surgeonfish and many more.  Hammerheads and Mantarays have been spotted in this area too.  Great spot for the pros.

Start depth are mostly at 5 meters for the dives in front of White Beach.  The Beach Night Dive is 5 meters deep and close to White Beach.  Camia Dive’s start depth is 18 meters.  It is a wreck sank to be an artificial reef.  For beginners, Angol Point Dive is great starting point, with various types of coral and fishes.

This video by beachbum32 shows the dive at Angol Point.

Ariel’s Point – Live to Tell the Tale

Ariel’s Point at Buruanga on nearby Panay Island, is about half an hour’s boat ride from Baracay.  This isolated spot is famous for cliff jumping, paddling around in a boat, swimming and snorkelling as well as exploring the surrounding area.  And great food and drinks too.

Ariel’s Point is a must do if you have no health issues (think short bungee jumping without the bungee).  The highest of the 5 jump points is 45 feet from the sea.  And the deep waters will take you in nicely.  A must do to add onto your to do life list, next to marathon running perhaps. And an awesome tale to share back home!

This video by beachbum32 shows the thrills of cliff jumping at Ariel’s Point.

Bulabog Beach – Kite Boarding Cental

Bulabog Beach on the eastern side of Boracay is a beautiful sun soaked beach with a pristine clear lagoon protected by a coral reef. The lagoon is windy and shallow, making it ideal for beginners trying out their hand at water sports.  

So its no surprise that Bulabog Beach is famed for its windsurfing and kiteboarding activities and has hosted international windsurfing meets.  Besides these sports, you can get jet skis, go parasailing and boating besides swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing.  The Kite Resort WIndpia even has a kite school for the beginner.

This video by ExtremeElementsTV shows off the action at Bulabog Beach.

White Beach Boracay – A Slice of Paradise

White Beach on the western side of  Boracay must have been the reference for the exotic beach life that guidebooks talk about.  Beautiful soft white sandy beach with a gentle surf, shady trees and coconut trees hanging out over to the water, contemplative spots and party spots, and great food and drink at an easy reach.  And with its multi-hued long sunsets and English speaking fun loving locals, it is indeed the closest to your own piece of paradise.

White Beach is sectioned into 3 stations. Station 1 is where the luxury resorts are located.  You can have your pick from over 31 upscale hotels with matching prices to boot.  Station 2 is the commercial and most happening area on White Beach.  The D’Mall which holds the tourists shops, bars and restaurants is here along with a mixed bag of 31 luxury and budget hotels.  Station 3 has recently seen new developments. It offers mostly budget with some luxury hotels in their midst.  So take your pick, check yourself in and start walking or lounging.  Just be aware to book directly with the hotels to get the best rates, if you are not going through a brand name tour agent.

This video by dedek321 shows the best of what White Beach has to offer.

Boracay – Sun, Sand and Adventure

Boracay is a little island in the Visayas, just south of Manila in the Philippines. Boracay's azure waters, beautiful sun drenched white sandy beaches and its host of activities from partying, sunbathing and swimming to kiteboarding, parasailing, windsurfing and diving, will fully occupy even the most active person.  It’s also a great base camp to hop off for water and jungle adventures at nearby islands and lagoons.  And Boracay is one of top beach destinations in the world.

You land at Caticlan Airport (small aircraft) or at Kalibo Interantional, both on the nearby Panay Island. Then you’ll hop onto one of the boats at Caticlan jetty to get into Cagban on Boracay proper. And on Baracay, you will be spoiled for choice for accommodation.

There is the White Beach stretch which is subdivided into 3 stations. Station 1 is upscale, Station 2 the most happening and Station 3 for the reflective mind.  On the northen end of Boracay, Puka Beach sits isolated and is postcard perfect.  Bulabog Beach is the water sports beach on the opposite side of the island from White Beach.

For the adventurous, you can sign up for outrigger cruises to Angel’s Point on Panay to go cliff diving, boat paddling and jungle trekking on the Antiqe coast.  Or just take the many outrigger round island cruises for stopovers at the isolated and quiet beach spots on Boracay.  And while in Baracay, do try out the skimboarding!

This video by alan78p2 shows off the delights of a Boracay vacation.

Buddha Park - Fusion Philosophy

Buddha Park is the vision of a Hindu Buddhist fusion philosophy of Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, and materialised in 1958 near Vientiane. It’s a rough sculpture garden filled with unusual sculptures from Buddhist and Hindu Pantheons. Bunleua Sulilat moved across the Mekong into Thailand following the communist takeover of Laos in 1975.  He then built a similar park in Thailand called Sala Keoku.

This video from geobeats gives a snippet of what this park looks like.

Patuxai - Gate of Victory

Patuxai ( previously known as Anousavali) is the Arc de Triomphe of Laos, located in Vientiane.  Completed in 1968, the Patuxai is a monument to the war of independence from France.   It has intricate designs representing Buddhist and Hindu philosophies.  Tourists can go up into the monument to browse the museum inside and to get souvenirs. The top floor is accessible and has a viewing platform with a telescope for a great view of Vientiane city.

This video by nicko7054 gives an idea of how the Patuxai looks like.

Pha That Luang - Golden Symbol of Laos

The Pha That Luang is an imposing golden Buddhist Stupa in the center of Vientiane.  It is said that a Buddhist Relic, the breastbone of Lord Buddha is housed in this stupa. It is a national monument and a symbol of Laos and its culture. 

Destroyed by raiding parties from Burma, China and Thailand many times, the stupa has been rebuilt time and again, most recently by the French.

This video by nfsutton gives an idea of how this majestic golden landmark and shrine looks like.

Vientiane - The Phoenix of Laos

Vientiane (Viang Chan), on the Mekong River, is the capital of Laos. It is about a thousand years old and has survived attacks by its neighbours, Burma and Siam many times over the years, the last being the Siamese destruction of 1827. The French, on taking over the city from Siam in the 1890s, rebuild the city and its temples from the encroaching jungle. Vientiane today is the economic centre and the largest city in Laos.

Pha That Luang, Buddha Park, Patuxai, Wat Si Muang, Wat Si Saket are some of the notable sights to see.  There is a wide range of food and you can try the night market and the stalls along the river to get that Vientiane atmosphere with a BeerLao in hand. 

There are excursions to the rural areas nearby including the Nam Lik Jungle Fly for kayaking, rope walking, to the forest reserves and many other day eco tours.  Just check with the local tour agents on what are available.

This video by wezluntungan gives a good feel of Vientiane.