A region of scenic and adventure options
10-Apr-2025
Category: News Stories
South East Asia has so many contrasts , not least in the wildlife and nature .
Off the beaten track tourism is gaining in popularity throughout the region . In some cases this might just be for a few days within a two or three week itinerary whilst others will choose the adventure contrasts for the entire duration .
As usual I will refer to my own experiences within the region , all done within the last 6 years . I could go back further in fairness to others I probably need to limit my words . So in no particular order
Thailand . Elephant Hills in Khao Sok – kayaking through mangroves , trekking through the jungle and exploring caves , interacting with elephants plus seeing so many other wonderful creatures swinging in the trees ( Main picture ) . Erawan water falls in Kanchanaburi province – to me so impressive , you can climb 7 tiers , I only made 4 but it was getting dark ! Easy to combine with River Kwai tour . Anantara Golden Triangle – walking with elephants . Amazing , just me , the mahout ( elephant friend ) and two elephants – where they went you followed . Incredible .
Malaysia . The Datai – Exploring the surrounding rainforest with guide , just amazing variety of wildlife . Sarawak , Borneo – of course the see Orang Utan , but also staying in a traditional longhouse deep in the jungle . Exploring numerous huge caves in Mulu ( You do need to understand the majority of inhabitants are bats , you need to be prepared for sight and smell !
Bali , Indonesia . Cycling across the rice fields especially in the Manggis and Ubud regions , river rafting ( to honest , this was more than 6 years ago , not sure my insurance for this still valid ) but it was lot of fun . Walking in the Monkey Forest – there may be lots of you but you are still vastly outnumbered . Maybe not for the easily spooked but lot of fun . And generally they are not aggressive , just curious to see what you are hiding in your pocket ! Tying back long hair is not a personal problem , but might be considered .
Vietnam . Cruising across Halong Bay , a real visual treat . Going to the extreme north in Sapa for some gentle trekking – the area has become much more popular in recent years but it is scenically very different . Taking in the hill town of Dalat in the south , easily accessible from Saigon but a total contrast to the developed beach areas .
These are just a few ideas , taken from my more recent back catalogue of experiences around the region . I am also going to say sampling the huge variety of food options is also an adventure and to me , nowhere excels more than Singapore in this .
David Kevan – Fun Things Partner at Chic Locations and PATA UK board member .
Off the beaten track tourism is gaining in popularity throughout the region . In some cases this might just be for a few days within a two or three week itinerary whilst others will choose the adventure contrasts for the entire duration .
As usual I will refer to my own experiences within the region , all done within the last 6 years . I could go back further in fairness to others I probably need to limit my words . So in no particular order
Thailand . Elephant Hills in Khao Sok – kayaking through mangroves , trekking through the jungle and exploring caves , interacting with elephants plus seeing so many other wonderful creatures swinging in the trees ( Main picture ) . Erawan water falls in Kanchanaburi province – to me so impressive , you can climb 7 tiers , I only made 4 but it was getting dark ! Easy to combine with River Kwai tour . Anantara Golden Triangle – walking with elephants . Amazing , just me , the mahout ( elephant friend ) and two elephants – where they went you followed . Incredible .
Malaysia . The Datai – Exploring the surrounding rainforest with guide , just amazing variety of wildlife . Sarawak , Borneo – of course the see Orang Utan , but also staying in a traditional longhouse deep in the jungle . Exploring numerous huge caves in Mulu ( You do need to understand the majority of inhabitants are bats , you need to be prepared for sight and smell !
Bali , Indonesia . Cycling across the rice fields especially in the Manggis and Ubud regions , river rafting ( to honest , this was more than 6 years ago , not sure my insurance for this still valid ) but it was lot of fun . Walking in the Monkey Forest – there may be lots of you but you are still vastly outnumbered . Maybe not for the easily spooked but lot of fun . And generally they are not aggressive , just curious to see what you are hiding in your pocket ! Tying back long hair is not a personal problem , but might be considered .
Vietnam . Cruising across Halong Bay , a real visual treat . Going to the extreme north in Sapa for some gentle trekking – the area has become much more popular in recent years but it is scenically very different . Taking in the hill town of Dalat in the south , easily accessible from Saigon but a total contrast to the developed beach areas .
These are just a few ideas , taken from my more recent back catalogue of experiences around the region . I am also going to say sampling the huge variety of food options is also an adventure and to me , nowhere excels more than Singapore in this .
David Kevan – Fun Things Partner at Chic Locations and PATA UK board member .
