Bali Art Festivals
Upon launching the first Bali Arts Festival in 1979, Bali’s then-Governor Ida Bagus Mantra proclaimed the new event’s importance as “the basic forum for the growth of our love of the arts.” In the present day, Governor Mantra’s declaration remains as relevant as ever, with a robust selection of Balinese and Indonesian arts finding a […]
Viet Nam: Nature-Based Tourism
1.1. Ha Long Bay The larger of Ha Long Bay’s 1,969 islands, when viewed from a “junk” boat floating in its serene waters, resemble the undulating back of a dragon – an image that has inspired generations of Vietnamese and foreign visitors. The karst geography of Ha Long Bay gives rise to its strangely shaped […]
The Suite Life: Luxury Experiences in Southeast Asia’s Oldest Cities
You might think the luxury travel experience in Southeast Asia revolves around nice beaches, exotic food and cushy suites. And you wouldn’t be wrong – you just haven’t seen the complete picture. A little extra spending money in Southeast Asia opens different avenues for the traveler: opportunities to see some of the region’s most ancient […]
Myanmar: Nature-Based Tourism
1.1. Inlay Lake, Southern Shan State The historic Inlay Lake Region is home to the Intha peoples, whose lakeside villages are almost entirely dependent on the surrounding waters. The Intha grow vegetables on floating gardens, commute between places entirely by boat, and celebrate the annual Hpaung Daw U Festival as a fluvial parade. Beyond visiting […]
Dragon Quest: Discovering Halong Bay
I was sitting at work, diligently updating my Facebook profile, when I noticed an old friend had posted a photo album titled “On Halong Bay.” I had two hours until my first meeting, so I clicked through the picture selection. I was three photos deep before I was on WEGO.com, searching for flights and planning […]
Singapore: Nature-Based Tourism
1.1. Gardens by the Bay The futuristic covered gardens overlooking the Marina Reservoir are part of Singapore’s grand plan to transform itself into a “Garden City”. Gardens by the Bay consists of three different gardens and a variety of attractions – the two cooled conservatories and the SuperTrees are just its most architecturally striking sections. […]
Exploring Southeast Asia’s Traditional Villages
Southeast Asia’s country villages are a throwback worth visiting, for travelers weary of the rush of modern life. The region’s rural hamlets and settlements open your eyes to a different kind of culture, unfiltered and in the raw. While these places take a little effort to reach, you’ll find that taking the trouble to find […]
The Headhunters of Southeast Asia
The practice of taking and preserving a vanquished person’s head occurred throughout the world at various times: Oceania, Australasia, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It even occurred on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe until the early 20th century. Contemporary scholars generally agree that headhunting’s primary function was ceremonial and part of the process of […]
Growing Up Green
The Green School, situated on eight hectares of untouched land between Ubud and Denpasar on the island of Bali, is a place where sustainability is at the heart of its philosophy and curriculum. The Kul Kul campus sits on a property bisected by the Ayung River and is surrounded by rice paddies, palm trees, vegetable gardens, […]
Religious Sanctuaries in Southeast Asia that Cherish Coexistence
The ancestors knew something we moderns seem to have forgotten: how to reconcile varying religious beliefs. Southeast Asia’s trading ports were bastions of tolerance; how could they be otherwise, when on any day you could be doing business with a Malay Muslim, a Chinese Taoist, or a European Christian? Instead of building walls, community leaders […]