Southeast Asia brochure - Audley Travel
Southeast Asia brochure - Audley Travel
Southeast Asia brochure - Audley Travel
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<strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong><br />
Mini guide to <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> 23
Introduction & memories<br />
AUDLEY’S NEW<br />
SOUTHEAST ASIA BROCHURE<br />
is hot off the press and putting<br />
it together has made us<br />
realise that despite the cliché,<br />
<strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> really does<br />
offer something for everyone.<br />
There are UNESCO World<br />
Heritage Sites such as Hoi An<br />
in Vietnam and Penang in<br />
Malaysia, chances to see<br />
unique wildlife such as the<br />
orang-utan in Borneo and the<br />
Komodo Dragons in Indonesia,<br />
stunning beaches in Thailand<br />
and the Philippines, amazing<br />
temples in Cambodia and<br />
Burma, volcanic landscapes in<br />
Indonesia and the Philippines,<br />
and delicious food everywhere!<br />
<strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> was <strong>Audley</strong>’s<br />
first destination and it is a<br />
region that we are immensely<br />
passionate about. We relish<br />
seeking out new areas and<br />
new ways to experience old<br />
favourites. In the new <strong>brochure</strong><br />
we have highlighted a few<br />
areas that we are particularly<br />
excited about, namely Northern<br />
Vietnam, the temples of Angkor,<br />
Thailand’s National Parks and<br />
the Wildlife of Borneo.<br />
Despite being a well-established<br />
destination there is still plenty<br />
to discover in <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong>.<br />
Here is a small selection of<br />
stories from our clients to<br />
give you an insight into what<br />
a wonderful part of the<br />
world this is.<br />
From our clients<br />
Ati-Atihan festival taken by Keith Bryant<br />
Festivals in the Philippines<br />
Every February, some of the major islands in<br />
the Philippines stage spectacular festivals to<br />
thank Jesus and the indigenous tribes for...well,<br />
being alive. It’s a great excuse to celebrate and<br />
the friendly Filipinos certainly know how to<br />
party. We chose to go to Panay Island to see<br />
the Ati-Atihan Festival and, a week later, the<br />
Dinagyang Festival. Although the two had<br />
very similar roots, the festivals are run very<br />
differently. Ati-Atihan is a week-long street<br />
carnival, with loud music, lots of beer and<br />
tribal dance groups in colourful costumes.<br />
Best of all we could join in, which we loved.<br />
Dinagyang is more like a mini Rio Carnival,<br />
with amazing sets and props and wellchoreographed<br />
and brightly-costumed dance<br />
troupes competing for prizes. It’s visually<br />
stunning and the after party was great fun.<br />
Keith Bryant<br />
Tarsier taken by Peter Banks<br />
On the trail of the tarsier in Borneo<br />
The word was out, our guide Vivian Rudolph<br />
had located the elusive Tarsier and we<br />
panicked with excitement. We rushed from the<br />
dining room at the lodge to change into full<br />
rainforest night gear, leach socks included, and<br />
then tripped off to the edge of the rainforest.<br />
Rush, rush, hurry, hurry then keep quiet and<br />
still! Along with others we blundered silently<br />
through the undergrowth, collecting leaches<br />
on the way, until there in front of us was this<br />
tiny creature whose eyes and timidity just<br />
melted your heart. It was a moment I’ll never<br />
forget as I truly never expected to be so close<br />
to such a shy and elusive animal. After many<br />
completely useless pictures and some ok video<br />
I managed to get five really acceptable ones.<br />
Another wonderful experience in a<br />
honeymoon full of them. Thanks <strong>Audley</strong>, we’ll<br />
be seeing you again!<br />
Peter Banks<br />
S OUTHEAST A SIA<br />
VIETNAM<br />
CAMBODIA<br />
LAOS<br />
THAILAND<br />
BURMA<br />
MALAYSIA<br />
BORNEO<br />
BRUNEI<br />
SINGAPORE<br />
INDONESIA<br />
PHILIPPINES<br />
PAPUA NEW GUINEA<br />
TA ILO R - M A D E J O U R N E Y S F O R T H E D ISC E R N ING T R A V E L L E R<br />
24<br />
Flower H’mong girls taken by Peter Marshall<br />
Mini guide to <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong><br />
Orang-utan, Malaysian Borneo taken by Lynsey White
Mopeds in Saigon taken by Karen Garbutt Mahout Kathy taken by Gary Urquhart Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum taken by Roger Bell<br />
Touring Vietnam<br />
What can I say except that every single thing<br />
we did, saw and experienced from Hanoi to<br />
Saigon was fantastic? Hanoi’s mixture of quirky<br />
narrow streets and cyclos; the simply stunning<br />
scenery of Halong Bay and pure luxury of the<br />
Indochina Sails boat; the calm, pretty city of<br />
Hue; Hoi An’s gorgeous streets and fab<br />
shopping; the amazing Mekong Delta and R/V<br />
Bassac and of course Saigon’s wide tree-lined<br />
boulevards, cosmopolitan mix of French and<br />
<strong>Asia</strong>n culture and the two million mopeds!<br />
One of my favourite memories is lying on a<br />
sunlounger on the top deck of the Bassac<br />
boat watching the huge tugs and floating<br />
market life go by. All in all a truly amazing,<br />
fantastically organised, well looked after and<br />
far too short a journey through a wonderful<br />
country. I cannot wait to go back.<br />
Karen Garbutt<br />
Learning to be mahouts in<br />
Thailand and Laos<br />
Six months ago, if anyone had told us that we<br />
would be learning to be elephant mahouts<br />
on our next vacation we would have thought<br />
they were crazy. First of all being near an<br />
elephant had never even occurred to us and<br />
secondly we had no idea what a mahout was!<br />
Well, we found out on our amazing trip to<br />
Thailand and Laos. We have travelled<br />
extensively in the last 10 years but this was<br />
one of the best trips from beginning to end…<br />
Wonderful accommodations, knowledgeable,<br />
professional guides and great reference<br />
material on every place we visited… the<br />
elephants were something we will remember<br />
forever.<br />
Kathy and Gary Urquhart<br />
Sunrise in Hanoi<br />
It was our first morning in Hanoi and we<br />
were excited but a little unsure about what lay<br />
ahead. It was only 5.30am when we ventured<br />
out into the semi-darkened streets. Three<br />
gentlemen with cyclos were waiting patiently<br />
for us and once we clambered on we were off<br />
to our first destination, Ba Din Square. Given<br />
the country’s history, the flag raising ceremony<br />
here took on deeply moving proportions.<br />
Soon the city started to come to life all around<br />
us, a pulsating cauldron of humanity where<br />
people drink tea, exercise, play badminton and<br />
dance in the local parks. All this and then an<br />
authentic chicken noodle soup for breakfast –<br />
I will never forget it.<br />
Roger Bell<br />
Rice terraces, Vietnam taken by Les Forrester<br />
Nha Trang Harbour, Vietnam<br />
Thank you from <strong>Audley</strong><br />
We would like to take this opportunity to thank<br />
all of our clients who kindly allowed us to use<br />
their fantastic photographs in the new<br />
<strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> <strong>brochure</strong> and in this mini guide.<br />
Mini guide to <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> 25
<strong>Asia</strong>n journeys<br />
WE SPECIALISE in tailor-made<br />
journeys, and every trip we<br />
put together is started from<br />
scratch. However, years of<br />
experience have taught us<br />
that certain routes work<br />
particularly well. Here are a<br />
few of our favourite journeys,<br />
with further details to be found<br />
in our new <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong><br />
<strong>brochure</strong> and on our website.<br />
Hanoi<br />
Halong Bay<br />
Luang Prabang<br />
LAOS<br />
THAILAND<br />
Hoi An<br />
Bangkok<br />
Siem Reap<br />
CAMBODIA<br />
VIETNAM<br />
Phnom Penh<br />
Kuching<br />
Miri<br />
Batang Ai<br />
Kota Kinabalu<br />
Mulu<br />
National<br />
Park<br />
Sandakan<br />
Kinabatangan<br />
River<br />
Tabin<br />
Wildlife<br />
Reserve<br />
Saigon<br />
Discover Indochina<br />
Borneo Uncovered<br />
A monk at Angkor Wat, Cambodia<br />
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are all standalone<br />
destinations in their own right, but collectively,<br />
known as Indochina, they offer opportunities<br />
for rewarding and iconic journeys. Vietnam<br />
has everything from the colonial heritage of<br />
Hanoi and charming Hoi An to the vibrancy of<br />
Saigon and the placid waters and limestone<br />
karsts of Halong Bay. In Cambodia you can learn<br />
about modern history in its exotic capital<br />
Phnom Penh and ancient culture at the<br />
remarkable temples of Angkor near Siem Reap,<br />
while sleepy Luang Prabang in Laos provides the<br />
opportunity to discover tranquil temples and<br />
an unhurried pace of life.<br />
FACTfile<br />
A 15 day trip taking in the ‘must see’ highlights of<br />
the region costs from £2,640 per person (based on<br />
two sharing) including international flights. For more<br />
information please call our Indochina specialists on<br />
01993 838 150.<br />
www.audley.co.uk/vietnam<br />
Borneo is renowned for its wild, rugged scenery,<br />
rich wildlife and ancient tribes that still practise<br />
traditional ways of life. A classic 18 day journey<br />
to Borneo offers visitors a chance to experience<br />
the best of this exotic island. Start in Kuching<br />
where you visit colonial buildings that flank the<br />
river and learn about the history of the White<br />
Rajah, James Brooke. Head inland to spend the<br />
night in a longhouse with an Iban tribe, then fly<br />
to Sabah to see orang-utan close up at the<br />
Sepilok Rehabilitation Sanctuary and the lush<br />
rainforest of the Kinabatangan River. Continue<br />
on to the depths of the jungle in Tabin Wildlife<br />
Reserve where you will take 4WD safari drives<br />
and treks through the forest with nature guides.<br />
Finish in Kota Kinabalu with its traces of a British<br />
past and a collection of comfortable hotels to<br />
end your time away.<br />
FACTfile<br />
An 18 day trip to Borneo including Kuching, Bako<br />
National Park, Batang Ai, Mulu, Sepilok, the<br />
Kinabatangan River, Tabin and Kota Kinabalu costs<br />
from £3,495 per person (based on two sharing)<br />
including international flights. For more information<br />
please call our Borneo specialists on 01993 838 120.<br />
www.audley.co.uk/borneo<br />
Iban longhouse, Sarawak, Borneo<br />
26<br />
My Son temple ruins near Hoi An, Vietnam<br />
Mini guide to <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong><br />
Baby orang-utan, Malaysian Borneo
THAILAND<br />
Ayuthaya<br />
Kanchanaburi<br />
Amphawa<br />
Bangkok<br />
Pemuteran<br />
Muduk<br />
BALI<br />
Medewi<br />
Ubud<br />
Denpasar<br />
Sanur<br />
Koh Samet<br />
BURMA<br />
Heart of Thailand<br />
Bali Uncovered<br />
A veteran of international tourism, the land of<br />
smiles offers a plethora of holiday options.<br />
Combined with the naturally warm welcome<br />
and innate sense of hospitality of the Thai<br />
people, it is a destination many travellers return<br />
to again and again. One of our favourite<br />
journeys through the country bases itself<br />
around Bangkok and does not require any<br />
flights. The itinerary starts by exploring the<br />
capital of Bangkok using public transport then<br />
taking a train to nearby Amphawa to see the<br />
floating markets and remote temples before<br />
heading to Kanchanaburi to visit the Bridge on<br />
the River Kwai and then Ayuthaya for some<br />
ancient temples. The final stop is the beautiful<br />
beach resort of Koh Samet, just a short drive<br />
and then a boat ride away from Bangkok.<br />
FACTfile<br />
This 12 day itinerary exploring central Thailand<br />
including Bangkok, Amphawa, the Kanchanaburi<br />
province, Ayuthaya and time on a quiet island at<br />
the end of the trip costs from £2,310 per person<br />
(based on two sharing) including international<br />
flights. For more information please call our<br />
Thailand specialists on 01993 838 115.<br />
www.audley.co.uk/thailand<br />
Bali is an island well known for its surfing<br />
beaches and cultural scene, but this 15 day<br />
itinerary takes you to explore some amazing<br />
areas of Bali that are yet to be discovered by the<br />
mainstream. From the popular southern beaches<br />
you head to the west and north coasts which<br />
are some of the most beautiful parts of the<br />
island. The villages, temples and beaches you<br />
will see en route are mercifully lacking in visitors.<br />
Pemuteran offers spectacular off beach<br />
snorkeling, and Munduk, once a Dutch hill<br />
station, is now known for trekking and horse<br />
riding. The journey ends with time in the cultural<br />
heart of Ubud where you can visit art galleries<br />
and watch evening dance performances.<br />
FACTfile<br />
A 15 day touring trip through Bali including a<br />
selection of smaller Balinese style properties costs<br />
from £2,695 per person (based on two sharing)<br />
including international flights. For more information<br />
please call our Indonesia specialists on<br />
01993 838 110.<br />
www.audley.co.uk/indonesia<br />
Bang-Pa-In, Thailand<br />
A typical floating market in Thailand<br />
Local farmers, Munduk, Indonesia<br />
Traditional dance performance, Bali<br />
Mini guide to <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> 27
Our top tips for travel in <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong><br />
The temples of Pagan, Burma<br />
Top 5 reasons to visit<br />
The People<br />
Beaming smiles, bountiful waves and the<br />
warmest of welcomes await you in<br />
<strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong>. You will be spoilt by the<br />
region’s unrivalled service and hospitality<br />
and if you learn a little of the local language<br />
you may well find you are invited into<br />
someone’s home.<br />
Iconic sights<br />
Boasting 31 World Heritage Sites, <strong>Southeast</strong><br />
<strong>Asia</strong> isn’t short of impressive landmarks.<br />
Stand in awe at the temples of Angkor,<br />
Borobodur and Pagan, be charmed by the<br />
riverside towns of Luang Prabang and Hoi<br />
An, and marvel at the scale of Mt Kinabulu.<br />
Wildlife<br />
From birds of paradise in Papua New Guinea,<br />
to the orang-utan in Borneo and Sumatra,<br />
Komodo dragons east of Bali, and the <strong>Asia</strong>n<br />
elephant in Thailand, <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> has<br />
countless possibilities for memorable<br />
wildlife encounters.<br />
Balinese woman near Tabanan<br />
Bai Sao, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam<br />
Beaches<br />
Apart from landlocked Laos, every country<br />
in <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> has glorious coastline<br />
providing some of the best beaches in the<br />
world. You’ll find luxury resorts on Phuket<br />
and Bali and exciting new island hideaways<br />
in Cambodia and Vietnam. For divers, the<br />
vast underwater playground won’t<br />
disappoint either with World War II plane<br />
wrecks in Northern Sulawesi and swimming<br />
with whale sharks in Donsol in the<br />
Philippines.<br />
Value for money<br />
Generally speaking your money goes a lot<br />
further in <strong>Asia</strong>. You can get a three-star city<br />
hotel that is comfortable, well-located and<br />
staffed by friendly locals, whilst luxury resorts<br />
are generally half the price of a European<br />
equivalent. Dine at world-class restaurants<br />
(without London prices), or for the savvy, hit<br />
the street stalls and use your small change to<br />
fill up on freshly-cooked rice and noodle<br />
dishes washed down with a local beer.<br />
Hanuman Alaya, Siem Reap, Cambodia<br />
Top 5 value for<br />
money hotels<br />
Villa Hue, Hue, Vietnam<br />
Staffed by students or graduates of the Hue<br />
Tourism College, expect excellent service from<br />
young adults who are friendly and eager to<br />
please. Villa Hue itself is a simple but elegant<br />
boutique hotel within walking distance of<br />
the Perfume River and the best restaurants<br />
in town.<br />
Paradee, Koh Samet, Thailand<br />
With special offers exclusively for <strong>Audley</strong><br />
clients who book early, the Paradee offers<br />
affordable luxury just a short road and boat<br />
journey from Bangkok. A lovely quiet beach,<br />
rooms with private pools and faultless service<br />
make this a tropical island paradise.<br />
Spa Village Resort, Tembok, Bali<br />
This tranquil property in the northeast of<br />
the island is an <strong>Audley</strong> favourite and offers an<br />
attractive all-inclusive rate. Guests are entitled<br />
to three meals a day from an à la carte menu<br />
and a superb daily spa treatment by some of<br />
Bali’s most experienced therapists.<br />
Spa Village Resort, Tembok, Bali<br />
28<br />
Mini guide to <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong>
Women at crab market in Kep, Cambodia<br />
Top 5 food experiences<br />
Dine by Design at the Anantara<br />
Golden Triangle, Thailand<br />
Choose from a variety of unique locations<br />
around the resort, and a private gourmet<br />
dinner will be prepared especially for you.<br />
A favourite setting is a raised platform in the<br />
heart of the bamboo forest where you can<br />
dine whilst elephants roam freely below.<br />
Paradee Resort, Koh Samet, Thailand<br />
Maison Souvannaphoum,<br />
Luang Prabang, Laos<br />
Formerly the residence of the Laotian prince,<br />
this delightful property combines historical<br />
character with fantastic service. It is one of the<br />
few centrally located hotels in Luang Prabang<br />
with a pool that doesn’t come with a hefty<br />
price tag and with room renovations<br />
underway this summer, it’s set to get<br />
even better.<br />
Hanuman Alaya, Siem Reap,<br />
Cambodia<br />
This traditional wooden Khmer building<br />
has only 15 rooms, all of which are lovingly<br />
decorated with Khmer handicrafts and<br />
antiques. Not only is there a small courtyard<br />
pool and a superb restaurant serving one<br />
of the best fish amoks (curry) we’ve tasted, but<br />
the hotel boasts some of the friendliest staff<br />
around ensuring you’re looked after<br />
at all times.<br />
Go local at an insect market,<br />
Vientiane, Laos<br />
Not for the faint-hearted! Lak Saojet Market<br />
boasts a range of local delicacies including<br />
ant eggs and insects.<br />
Eat the tribal way in Sarawak<br />
Whilst exploring the Lemanak River with<br />
your Iban guide, you will be treated to a<br />
delicious lunch steamed the traditional way<br />
within bamboo tubes on an open fire on<br />
the banks of the river.<br />
Iban women preparing lunch, Sarawak, Borneo<br />
Pho (noodle soup), Vietnam<br />
Savour seafood in Kep,<br />
Cambodia<br />
For fresh, cheap seafood you won’t find<br />
better than at the crab market in Kep.<br />
Watch as your crab is brought in from the<br />
crab pots and cooked at one of the<br />
ramshackle eateries on the seafront. Served<br />
with pepper from nearby Kampot, tuck in<br />
with your fingers and enjoy. We defy you to<br />
find anything more delectable!<br />
Tuck into street food in Vietnam<br />
This is one of the best and cheapest ways<br />
to experience authentic local cuisine and no<br />
food is more iconic here than pho (noodle<br />
soup). If in Hanoi, take our early bird tour by<br />
cyclo which finishes up in a historical pho<br />
eatery for breakfast. Hot, fragrant broth is<br />
ladled over rice noodles and topped with<br />
tasty beef or chicken and herbs. Delicious.<br />
Mini guide to <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> 29
Our top tips for travel in <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong><br />
Diving in El Nido, Philippines<br />
Top 5 off the beaten<br />
track destinations<br />
Krakatau, Indonesia<br />
Famous for the devastating<br />
volcanic eruption that shook<br />
the world on August 27th 1883,<br />
what remains of tropical<br />
Krakatau island is just one hour<br />
off Java’s west coast. You can<br />
climb the volcano and snorkel<br />
in the coral reefs that have<br />
formed in its shadows.<br />
Highlands, Papua<br />
New Guinea<br />
First explored in the 1930s,<br />
spectacular rituals live on in a<br />
far-flung world of feathered<br />
headdresses and spirit doctors.<br />
El Nido, Philippines<br />
A one-hour light aircraft flight<br />
from Manila takes you to the<br />
stunning sheer limestone cliffs<br />
and islands of El Nido. Rising<br />
out of the crystal clear, coralstrewn<br />
waters, this is one of the<br />
most picturesque areas in<br />
<strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong>.<br />
Krakatau, Indonesia<br />
Vieng Xai Caves, Laos<br />
Nestled in a picturesque valley<br />
in the remote northeast of<br />
Laos, the Vieng Xai caves make<br />
for a fascinating and poignant<br />
detour on the overland route<br />
to Vietnam.<br />
Ha Giang, Vietnam<br />
In Vietnam’s far northeast,<br />
perched on the border with<br />
China lie the timeless villages<br />
of Ha Giang Province and a<br />
chance to experience a bygone<br />
world. Expect terraced rice<br />
paddies, primary forests and<br />
winding mountain paths that<br />
climb through vertiginous<br />
passes to reach colourfullydressed<br />
minority tribes.<br />
Balloons over Pagan<br />
Top 5 unique experiences<br />
Balloon flight over<br />
Pagan, Burma<br />
There is no better way to view<br />
the ancient site of Pagan than<br />
from a hot air balloon at dawn.<br />
It’s a wonderful photographic<br />
opportunity and a truly<br />
memorable experience to<br />
watch as the temples turn a<br />
warm, orangey hue in the early<br />
morning sun.<br />
Party at the Ati-Atihan<br />
Festival, Philippines<br />
This famous Filipino mardi gras<br />
is held in the third week of<br />
January in honour of Santo<br />
Nino. Get caught up in a<br />
spectacle of colourful parades,<br />
tribal dance, traditional music<br />
and indigenous costumes.<br />
Dining in the trees, Koh Kood<br />
Tribal longhouse stay,<br />
Sarawak<br />
Enjoy getting to know your<br />
hosts when staying as a guest<br />
of the village headman.<br />
Language barriers are relaxed<br />
as the rice wine flows and<br />
common ground is found. It’s<br />
worth the sore head for the<br />
everlasting memories.<br />
Meet the man of the<br />
forest, Kalimantan<br />
The adventure of getting here<br />
has its moment of reward<br />
when you see the leaves<br />
shaking and an orang-utan<br />
swinging down through the<br />
trees just metres above you.<br />
Dine in the tree tops,<br />
Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood<br />
Experience a restaurant with a<br />
view like no other as you are<br />
hoisted 16 feet into the air<br />
above the shoreline in your<br />
private dining pod whilst<br />
served by a flying waiter<br />
harnessed to a zip-line.<br />
S OUTH EAST A SIA<br />
VIETNAM<br />
CAMBODIA<br />
LAOS<br />
THAILAND<br />
BURMA<br />
MALAYSIA<br />
BORNEO<br />
BRUNEI<br />
SINGAPORE<br />
INDONESIA<br />
PHILIPPINES<br />
PAPUA NEW GUINEA<br />
TAILOR- MADE J OURNEYS FOR THE D ISCERNING T RAVELLER<br />
NEW<br />
<strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> <strong>brochure</strong><br />
The new <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> <strong>brochure</strong> is out now.<br />
Please call our <strong>Southeast</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> specialists on 01993 838 100<br />
to order a copy, or visit our website:<br />
www.audley.co.uk/<strong>brochure</strong>s<br />
30<br />
www.audley.co.uk/southeast-asia