Imbibing The Iban: A Longhouse Homestay In Sarawak
The culture of the Iban—the aboriginal people of Sarawak—has always held a certain fascination with me. Once considered the fiercest and most stoic warriors of the Southeast Asian jungle, the Iban were renowned headhunters. They inspired fear into the hearts of any who tried to seize their land. And their intricate tattoos, woven blankets and […]
Biggest, Tallest, Longest: Southeast Asia’s Record-Breaking Destinations
In Jakarta, Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque stands in mute witness to faith of the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. Istiqlal Mosque was designed and constructed in the first few years of Indonesia’s independence: President Sukarno, who ordered its construction, wanted to demonstrate government support of Islam that could also coexist with other faiths (the Catholic Gereja Katedral Jakarta stands practically […]
Southeast Asia Lakes You’ll Love
Historically, Southeast Asia’s most picturesque communities thrived along the region’s lakes. In modern times, tourism has overtaken traditional livelihoods, as travelers to Southeast Asia check out the charms and countless adventures found along local lakesides. The Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia’s northwest holds an almost sacramental importance to the nation. Lakeside communities provide a glimpse of traditional […]
Top Spa Stops in Southeast Asia
Travelers looking for some R&R from the bustling streets of Southeast Asia feel confident that they have the region’s wellness industry at their beck and call. Known for homegrown practices in massage therapy and holistic treatments, Southeast Asia’s spas take on an array of forms, from posh resorts to quick-fix massage parlors tucked away in […]
My Little Paradise in Isan
I have been to PhuWua Wildlife Sanctuary several times because I love trekking, watching the beautiful sceneries of Isan wild nature and hearing the sounds of the forest. And another reason is I live in a big city where nature is difficult to find. This time I stayed there two days and Peter, a volunteer […]
My Volunteer Experience
I arrived in Nongkhai, Thailand in September. I had no idea what to expect except for that was going to a volunteer center to be trained for a few days in the local culture and language and then off to an eco-volunteer project in northern Thailand. After the initial excitement of the Tuktuk ride (small […]
Southeast Asia’s Most Famous Shopping Streets
Bargain finds, curios of different kinds, high-end retail goods — Southeast Asia’s shopping streets have them all. Never content to keep shopping locked away in malls and markets, Southeast Asia locals have taken their wares out to the sidewalks and thoroughfares, allowing easy access to ambulatory travelers with the stamina to walk for miles for […]
Southeast Asia’s Most Photography-Friendly Places
After your ticket and passport, your camera comes a close third as a travel essential for visiting Southeast Asia. Whether you’re in laid-back Brunei or bustling Singapore, you can’t leave your hotel or hostel without taking snapshots of the region’s scenery and people – visiting Southeast Asia otherwise would be pointless! For Instagrammers and serious […]
Southeast Asia’s Friendliest Backpacker Districts
There’s no shame in visiting Southeast Asia on a budget. The region’s major cities welcome budget travelers with open arms, by providing backpacker districts lined with hostels, diners, and shops selling traveler necessities. Many of them give travelers their first look at the local culture, too, from cultural shows to restaurants hawking affordable local food. […]
Watch (Or Join In) Southeast Asia’s Ancient Sports
As cradles of cultures reaching back into the millennia, the countries of Southeast Asia have developed their own sports that still thrive, even as football and basketball dominate popular culture. Many of these traditional sports developed from ancient livelihoods: warriors of the former Khmer, Thai and Mon empires; the farmers in Malaysia’s rice paddies; and […]