Real Discovery with Chic Locations

 

I still recall this and enjoy walking around . I usually look for tall or easily identified buildings , and have a reasonably good idea of north , south etc . I have been to most of the larger cities in SE Asia and can find travel around with confidence . So just some tips & ideas . 

 

In Hong Kong , get your bearings on which way the sea separating the island from Kowloon is . Take the Star Ferry across the harbour . Use the atmospheric tram . Go up to the peak by funicular and enjoy the views . Explore the local markets , great even if you don’t buy anything . Take the underground to the outer areas such as Repulse Bay & Aberdeen , easy just as long as you know the direction you want . Take time to visit one of the outer islands , trying to avoid weekends if possible . 

 

Singapore is a city/ island country I know particularly well . The me the best introduction for the first  time traveller to the region , nothing to frighten you . So easy to walk around  and just be intrigued by the high rise buildings  next to authentic shop-houses . Visit the botanical gardens , in my view up there with the best – anywhere . Walk along the river side taking in Clarke , Boat & Robertson Quays . Travel out to the zoo , an interesting 25 minutes journey enjoying the mainly parkland & forest en route . Or go to Sentosa Island with its fun parks , good beach and attractive One Marina Dining area . Look how much the city has expanded by reclaiming land from the sea . 

 

 

Bangkok Thailand is instant Asia . Exciting and almost proudly chaotic . Maybe take a Tuk=Tuk taxi for short journey , but maybe more useful get to know the sky-train , so easy once you know direction of travel . Must see would be Grand Palace , taking at least one journey on the river as you get totally different view of the city and then for different view a sky bar , particularly interesting at night . And if you there at weekend visit the Chatuchak market , easily accessible by sky train . Also as my son has taught me , Grab – the local version of Uber – is a good reliable option to public transport . For night life , you will be spoilt for choice , every taste and more catered for ! Personally I like to Soi Nana speakeasy bar discovery  area just off China Town . ( Not Nana Plaza which is rather different ! ) 

 

Or up in the Golden Triangle , Northern Thailand , walking with   2 Elephants    , just me , their mahout ( keeper ) , where they went you followed through bush , sliding and laughing . And then a shower at the end – they obviously thought I needed it the most .  Or travelling to the Elephant Hills Camp on Khao Sok southern Thailand with an overnight in a floating tent on the lake side ( see image above )

 

In Vietnam I have taken vespa tours ( as passenger of course ) around the back streets and alleyways of Saigon ( HCMC ) and Hanoi – amazing . And then having a coffee by a railway track and being asked to move my chair to allow the train to pass .  And then probably one of my best ever experiences – visiting the temples of Angkor in Cambodia by vespa , travelling down forest pathway ducking overhanging branches and in reverse sequence to most of the others travellers so you had a really unique view of the numerous temples . 

 

In Sarawak , Borneo Malaysia , going into the jungle and seeing Orang Utan & proboscis monkeys  in their natural habitat . Staying overnight in a tribal longhouse . Visting the Mulu caves . Real adventure at every turn . And staying a couple of nights in the state capital Kuching , to me one of the most interesting historical old cities , full of interesting contrasts . 

 

These are just a few ideas . If I had more  inches ( in the column sense ) I could mention many more but I hope this at least gives you some ideas .