South-East Asia uncovered

By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Thursday, August 29, 2019

Beautiful beaches, ancient cities, untouched rainforest, stunning lakes and exquisite cuisine: South-East Asia has it all.

It’s no wonder then that the region continues to heave with tourists, who fly in from around the world in droves every day. Most flock to popular attractions like Angkor Wat or Ha Long Bay, but there are also plenty of hidden gems off the beaten track like Khao Sok National Park and Georgetown in Malaysia.

I’m one of those travellers who loves South-East Asia, whether it’s the beautiful beaches with their crystal-clear water, the stunning ancient cities or the delicious street food found on every corner.

One visit to South-East Asia and you’ll be hooked.

You’ll want to explore every nook and cranny, from rainforests teeming with wildlife to the bustling big cities dotted around the continent.

Beaches, lakes and islands

Tourist hotspot: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

After huffing and puffing up 400 steep steps, I reach the observation deck at the highest point of Ti Top Island and am met with breathtaking views of the emerald waters and towering limestone pinnacles of Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam boasts about 1600 islands, making it the perfect location for island hopping.

Though new hotels are being built on some of the islands, staying on a diesel-powered junk or modern cruiser gives travellers an up-close experience.

Most of the boats cruise around the many islands, giving visitors a chance to enjoy a variety of the activities on offer.

Like me, you can climb to the top of Ti Top Island and enjoy the stunning views, or visit Cat Ba Island and swim with turtles while golden-headed langur monkeys swing in trees nearby.

If trekking isn’t your thing, there are countless places where you can swim, snorkel, canoe and soak in some sun. Ban Chan Beach is off the beaten track and provides a stunning mountainous backdrop of sheer cliffs.

A landscape image of Ha Long Bay and junk boats.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

Hidden gem: Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

Like Ha Long Bay, Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park has beautiful rainforest covered skyscrapers towering over
deep valleys and turquoise water – except it’s inland and a lesser-known tourist attraction.
It’s no surprise this partially untouched area of Thailand is a favourite among travellers who like a bit of adventure.

Visitors can hike through the evergreen jungle, explore caves and get up close and personal with the many wild animals that call the national park home. One of the most interesting areas in the national park is the stunning Cheow Lan Lake.

This man-made bright green body of water was created in the 1980s when the valley was flooded to produce hydroelectric power for the region.

As a result, houses, schools and temples were submerged, creating Thailand’s own Atlantis.

Travellers can stay in floating raft houses and luxury tents on Cheow Lan Lake in the heart of the national park. From here they can go kayaking, swimming or take a long-boat tour of the area.

Cabins on the Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park.

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand.

A HISTORY BUFF’S ASIAN ADVENTURE

Tourist hotspot: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Perched in a doorway at Angkor Wat, away from the thousands of tourists who visit the famous site every day, I have a few quiet moments to admire the beauty
of this place.

A depiction of a Hindu God carved into the sandstone rock reminds me that these astounding structures date back to the 12th century.

Angkor, in Cambodia’s northern province of Siem Reap, is one of South-East Asia’s most important, and most visited, archaeological sites.

The ancient city, which was the centre of the Khmer kingdom, is spread over 400km, with Angkor Wat just one of dozens of temples travellers can visit. Phnom Bakheng is just as impressive as Angkor Wat.

Here, climb the steep, wooden steps to the top to get a jaw-dropping view of the surrounding area. Sunset seekers can expect a spectacular view of Angkor Wat, the surrounding forest and the gigantic Baray reservoir.

Khmer hospitality is up there with some of the best in the world, and while a day pass for the Angkor Archaeological Park is only $37USD, it’s well worth getting a registered guide. They’re usually friendly and highly knowledgeable about the history surrounding Angkor and Cambodia.

Couple visiting Buddhist temple, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Hidden gem: Bagan, Myanmar

The sun begins to rise over Bagan as a dozen hot air balloons float above the horizon, offering their passengers a majestic aerial view of the thousands of monuments that make up this ancient city.

While watching the red sun rise from one of the majestic ancient city’s temples, it’s easy to see why this region has experienced a tourism resurgence over the past few years.

Following years of civil unrest, Bagan has become one of the nation’s biggest drawcards, rivalling Angkor as one of South-East Asia’s most important archaeological sites.

The majority of the ancient city’s 2200 temples can be found within the Bagan Archaeological Zone, surrounded by dense tropical rainforest.

Due to earthquakes and flooding, you’re no longer able to climb many of the terraced temples. However, if you want to skip the sunrise balloon ride, check out the Utrecht temple area for a panoramic vantage point.

Here you can watch the sun rise behind hundreds of shimmering ancient monuments. A ticket for the Bagan Archaeological Zone costs about $20USD. As the temples are Buddhist places of worship, visitors must pay respect before entering. Footwear must be removed and modest clothing worn.

Bagan, Myanmar.

FOODIE HEAVEN

Tourist hotspot: Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok’s shortened Thai name is Krung Thep, which roughly translates to the city of angels. For foodies, this bustling metropolis is heaven.

Out the front of my accommodation, about 15 minutes from the well-known tourist area of Sukhumvit Rd, I find a dozen vendors set up on the footpath selling breakfast to people on their way to work.

I’m instantly attracted to the smell of barbecue wafting through the air. A lady uses a fabric fan to fuel a charcoal grill while she barbecues juicy chicken and pork satays. Next to her, a man slices sweet pineapple and mango.

A bit further down the road I find pa thong ko (a Thai-style doughnut) being served with the famous rice porridge, jook. This is Bangkok; everywhere you go you’re bound to find delicious treats – regardless of what time of day it is.

While exploring the capital, it’s best to visit a few of the markets the city has to offer. There are more touristy establishments like the weekend Chatachuk markets, where you’ll find Thai street-food favourites like pad thai, as well as clothing, shoes and other trinkets.

Then there’s Khlong Toei Market – the largest fresh market in Bangkok. It’s best to avoid this market if you’re squeamish, but it will give you an authentic Thai experience. Vendors sell everything from fruit and vegetables to meat and deep-fried insects, as well as street-food favourites.

Thai food on the street is popular and sell well, not less than Pad Thai and Tom Yum Shrimp are various curries.

Thai street food, Bangkok.

Hidden gem: Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

I slurp the tangy, spicy and slightly sour red soup while sitting on a rickety plastic chair in a Georgetown market.

The vibrant colours of the asam laksa – a flavoursome noodle soup that shouldn’t be confused with the laksa found elsewhere in Malaysia – is teasing my tastebuds.

The thick broth is jam-packed with white rice noodles, fleshy mackerel and cucumber, Spanish onion, mint and pineapple.

The variety of flavours in asam laksa truly represents the cultures that have come together in Penang, due to the region’s location in the Malacca Strait.

Penang’s rich shipping history has created a melting pot of cultures and religions, with Chinese, Malay and Indian flavours influencing the region’s cuisine. Every day at 4pm, Georgetown’s Lorong Baru St closes to traffic and the New Lane Hawker Centre is set up.

You can sit on colourful plastic stalls as hawkers furiously fry up char kway teow – a flat rice noodle dish cooked with seafood, pork and bean sprouts. In the same space you’ll find Chinese steamed buns, and curry with roti canai – a fried bread created by Indian Malaysians. If that doesn’t spark your taste for adventure, we don’t know what will.

Asam laksa with chilli, red onion and a spoon and chopsticks.

Asam Laksa, Malaysia.

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