"Rediscovering my bucket list"

 

In South East Asia I have been to most countries double digit times , and Indonesia , Singapore and Thailand well into triple digit . I started travelling to the region in the 70’s ( that is 1970’s , not 1870-  I think ! ) and I have seen most areas in their tourism infancy , teenage and youthful years and now into maturity . Of course so many changes and as with most things , some have been positive ,  others less so . It is getting the balance right , with controlled growth in line with infrastructure development that benefits local communities as well as tourists . In some places it has worked rather well – Singapore is a bright example as are some of the some of the small Thai islands like Koh Lanta where changes are deliberated over years not weeks . Total contrast to the development of islands like Phuket and Samui , Langkawi in Malaysia and the southern part of Bali – Indonesia where it can come as a shock even if you only visited 5 years ago . 

 

In addition to being at Wembley to watch England win the World Cup in 1966  , I have also attended the openings of numerous iconic hotels , such as Nusa Dua Beach Resort ( 1983),  Tongsai Bay Samui ( 1987 , 2 years before the airport ) , Dusit Laguna same year , Datai Langkawi ( 1993) and Banyan Tree Phuket (1994) . I think it was one of the very first guest at Rasa Sayang Penang in the early 70’s but not important enough to be invited to opening ! Neither did I make it for the opening of Raffles Singapore but that was 1887 . 

 

Anyway back to my list . Some of the top things I have done , in no particular order . Temples of Angkor in Cambodia – visited numerous times but standouts were taking a  private vespa tour around the temples , reverse direction to the hordes and going down country pathways and through forests . Amazing . And a for different view , taking a hot air balloon over the temples , incredible . 

 

In Vietnam taking a vespa tour ( yes I enjoy them ) around Saigon . I have done the morning and two versions of the night tours several times . Real adventure and discovery . Plus taking a cruise ( both day and longer )  on the incredibly atmospheric Mekong River . 

 

In northern Thailand taking a zip-line tours  over the forests outside Chiang Mai . Not sure my bones- or insurance policy- would allow me to do this now . In Chiang Rai walking through the forest with two elephants – where they went I followed . Fortunately the mahout ( trainer ) was in attendance to bring some discipline to the experience . 

 

The well known  resorts islands of Southern Thailand  are now highly developed international playgrounds , but some of their near neighbours are still very much in their tourism infancy . I recently stayed 4 days on Koh Yao Yai , 40 minutes by speedboat off Phuket . Each minute was like going back a year in time and I am one of the few that can really know what that means !  The island is lush , some super beaches , a handful of hotels of which Anantara is the stand out property . The island economy is still dominated by fishing and rubber plantations . There are no town , just one street villages .  The views of the numerous limestone islands  that you pass on your arrival are incredible . Total chill out relaxation , yet easily combined with Phuket with all of its temptations  if you wish .

 

I have only visited China a couple of times , but I recall the Guilin region as being scenically spectacular , and Beijing , with Tiananmen Square and   the Great Wall ,  was amazing at every turn . I think I first visited so long back I almost had my own curiosity value ! 

 

Ubud in Bali is a place close to my heart . It has changed so much since my first visit back in the late 70’s when it only had a few hotels . Now a former  45 minute journey takes 2 hours and hotels that were on the outskirts  seem to be in the centre . But there are still a few special places , like Kappa Senses , where you have that totally authentic romantic sense of Bali . Amazing and to me a must on any visit to the island , no matter how many times 

 

I have just returned from travelling around Japan for couple weeks . I had been before but it was at least 30 years ago and probably neither Japan or myself were ready . This time I thought it was incredible – scenic , artistic , cultural , progressive , organised and a built in pride . Such as experience . Stayed in Tokyo , Kyoto ( my absolute favourite ) , Hiroshima and Osaka with day trips to Hakone , Nara and Miyajima ( see main picture ) . Travelled on the Bullet trains several times , and always on schedule . It was totally  fantastic . I wish I had planned to stay at least another two weeks to have seen more . Slight reality check – the rooms are usually on the compact side but then you are out more than in . 

 

I hope that gives you some ideas . Just writing this makes me realised I have had a rather privileged life – and I will add totally deserved . I have seen so many places and done things  most just dream about  . And as my recent trip to Japan has shown , I am still young enough to enjoy learning . 

 

And next time I write about bucket lists I will include my review on Australia & New Zealand !