PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

“What a charming place!” said the Princess. And she was right. Puerto Princesa is sparkling in the sunshine while typhoons and floods batter the rest of the Philippines.

Puerto Princesa is a princess of towns in the Philippines. There are a variety of theories why it is called Puerto Princesa. Some historians claim the town was named after Princess Eulalia of Spain. Some believe it is simply a Princess of Harbours, a port secure in all weathers and used in 1870s as the centre of Spanish Naval Operations. It has been save heaven for shipping since. Its Spanish period in history mingles with more current Word War II history. The Japanese have used Plaza Cuartel, a fort built by the Spanish, as barracks for American POWs. This part of history is sad, as the POWs have been brutally killed.

Puerto Princesa boasts natural beauty surrounding it; pristine waters, tall mountains, rain forest and the Underground River declared the New Seven Wonder of Nature located in St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park. Limestone rocks and caves surrounded by unspoiled forest are home to flora and fauna found only in this central part on Palawn Island. Puerto Princesa is a stepping point to explore the beauty on nature by paddleboats, trekking through the jungle, bird watching, dolphin and whale watching, snorkeling and diving.

Puerto Princesa has some great shopping to offer, from small shops with everything to quite sophisticated shops found in Manila. Tricycle travel is fun and very affordable. In fact, everything here is more than affordable. The cost of a local bottle of rum cannot even compare with duty free prices elsewhere.

Still, the most impressive is the nature surrounding Puerto Princesa and Palawan Island. A sunset presents a different picture every day. And what a picture it is!

Palawan Island has many surprises for a visitor and Puerto Princesa is a wonderful beginning of an adventure.

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, BORNEO

The Sultanate of Brunei is nestled between Sabah and Sarawak, two States of Malaysia on the Island of Borneo. Oil and gas deposits made it one of the richest countries in the world and the Sultan of Brunei one of the richest man. His Majesty is celebrating his 66th birthday so it is the best time to visit and see all of the country’s glory. The celebrations were amazing although the Palace gates were closed to visitors.

Brunei is known as Abode of Peace. It is a peaceful country and its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan is a peaceful city. Well, until one wants to explore Kampung Ayer. The Water Village can be reached by a local boat and the trip across is anything but peaceful. With strong currents, busy sampan traffic and waves created by speeding boats it can be close to an encounter with danger. 

The Water Village is a community of its own with houses on stilts, mosques, schools, Police Department and Fire Brigade  - all on water and part of the water society. Thus the water  Brunei River traffic is busier than a highway. Water Village is known as The Venice of the East and is one of the oldest settlements in Bandar Seri Begawan. It has been well established throughout centuries and in 1500 made an impression on Magellan’s expedition.

The city is a shopping paradise. It can be explored by foot. However, driving is a very attractive option with fuel cost of 20c a liter. There are a number of villages, small towns, and beach resorts in Brunei. A drive of some 100 kilometers takes one through a dense jungle to charming beaches or riverfronts. 

Bandar Seri Begawan has many impressive mosques with gold plated roofs. Its heritage goes back to 1700 when Islam was introduced. Before, Brunei was a busy maritime empire visited by traders of South East Asia. The trade between India and China was so lucrative that Brunei became British protectorate in the late 1880s. The British kept on protecting the shipping lanes till 1980s when Brunei became independent.

Now, thriving economy is well visible with every step making Brunei a worthwhile place to enjoy. The country’s riches are not only well hidden in the Royal Regalia Museum but many, like Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque are open to view to general public. Brunei is a fascinating country. Congratulations Your Majesty and Happy Birthday.

Malaysia East Coast

Malaysia
East Coast

Many islands are scattered along the East Coast of Malaysian Peninsula. They are surrounded by coral reefs and offer a wonderful experience of a discovery of underwater world. The waters of East Malaysia are crystal clear and warm; it is easy to turn into a sponge snorkeling forever. 

Pulau Sibu, Tinggi, Babi, Tioan are short distances away from each other and there is a choice of resorts from budget to classy ones. Pulau Sembilang is uninhabited and so attractive that Survivor has been just recently filming a number of episodes there. Pulau Kapas and Gemai are located further north and both are absolute gems (Gemai means gem).

Chukai is a coastal town. It has a lovely waterfront fringed by palms, fruit markets and supplies. Local delicacies are available in many restaurants and market stands. There is also history around town. An old wooden house (built without use of nails) Rumah Jambi stands proud since 1933. 

Kuala Terengganu is a city of mosques and the most famous one is the floating Crystal Mosque. There is also Taman Tamadun Islam Monument Park that holds replicas of mosques around the world. The visitors are issued with passports stamped on entry to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and many other countries of famous mosques. The replica monuments look impressive and portray original architecture in detail.

Kuala Terengganu is a delightful city of amazing architecture, tradition, crafts, batik prints, silk and cotton textiles. Its China Town is famous for excellent restaurants.

East Malaysia offers wonderful coastal villages, towns and cities. Its islands have magic sandy beaches, reefs and jungle. It is easy to fall in love with East Malaysia.

SINGAPORE

Singapore is both, a city and a country. As country, it is a Republic of Singapore since 1963 when it declared independence from Britain. It is the major and busiest Southeast Asian Port and commercial center.  As city, it is modern but has well preserved colonial architecture, shopping centers and recreational parks.

Sentosa Island is the recreational side of Singapore with resorts, beaches, parks and restaurants.

Merlion, a symbol of Singapore, is well visible from all angles and one of major attractions. It is an amazing sculpture of a lion head and body of a fish and dates to the 12th century modest beginnings as a fishing village and legends of Singapura – Lion City. 

Singapore has a rich history starting in the 16th century as a settlement destroyed later by Portuguese invasion. Singapore was rebuilt in the early 1800 by Sir Raffles and flourished since. Hotel Raffles commemorates this great achievement. 

For many Orchard Road has allure and is a true shopping paradise. And it is not just latest fashion and cosmetics. Singapore has the best price on the latest electronics.

Singapore is a delightful destination. It offers excellent entertainment, great shopping and relaxation in grandiose, colonial environment of Raffles Hotel or Vacation Island, Sentosa.  

PENANG

PULAU PINANG
MALAYSIA

Pulau Pinang is the local name for Penang also known as The Pearl of the Orient. Malaysia can be proud of Penang. It is the second, after Kuala Lumpur, centre in Malaysia, a conglomerate of cultures and history. The population is Chinese, Indian and Malay. 

The center of George Town is a UNESCO protected Heritage Site and the architecture is a mix of Chinese and colonial. Buddhist Temples are scattered throughout Penang. There is also a fair number of Hindu and Chinese Temples. 

The mix of old and new in architecture is visible with every step. Some historical buildings are being renovated but many are left untouched. The contrast is impressive.

Still the temples are most impressive. The Snake Temple is unique and often visited. The snakes look asleep but all are highly poisonous and better not touched or awoken.  All temples are visited by both, locals praying and admiring visitors.

Penang has a number of restaurants with a delicious mix of Asian cuisine. Many beaches are located in the northern part of Penang. The climate is warm and swimming and water sports are popular. 

Penang Hill offers amazing 360 degrees views over Penang and on a clear day mainland Malaysia. It is easy to spend hours walking, hiking, enjoying some great local lunch. Botanical Gardens display tropical flora and visitors are often watched closely by monkeys waiting for food bits. The attractions are numerous and there is something for lovers of history, architecture, cuisine and plain fun in the sun.

A visit to Penang is more than enjoyable, the departure is sad and a plan to return usually unfolds even before leaving.

SABAIDEE LAO

SABAIDEE LAO


Lao has only recently opened its gates to tourism. Sabaidee means hello and can be used at any time of day. If it is used with a smile it breaks the ice. The ice is created by the lack of knowledge of English by Lao people, even those in the tourism industry. So communicating is not easy but exploring the country is more than worthwhile.

Vientiane is the capital of Lao while Luang Prabang is its spiritual capital. Many Buddhist Temples are scattered throughout Luang Prabang.

Pak Ou Cave or Buddha Cave is one of the spiritual sights and can be reached by local boat along Mekong and Ou rivers. The boat trip is scenic, the views from the cave upon the Ou River magic and the shrines are decorated by pilgrims.

The slash and burn land cultivation creates a hazy picture of the landscape. Even the sunsets on Mekong River are seen through a soft focus lens. A stroll after the sunset through the main street, closed to traffic, is a must. The street becomes a market and a colorful collection of jewelry, woodcarvings, textiles, silks and nicks knacks.

Swimming in Mekong River is not recommended. However, Luang Prabang is home to Kuang Si waterfalls. It is a number of waterfalls; bigger and smaller, separated by terraces of pools of water like Pamukale in Turkey. The water is refreshing, clean and pleasant to swim in. 

Luang Prabang is also home to many Buddhist monks. The locals and some visitors gather on sunrise to give alms and pay respect to the monks.

Luang Prabang represents well preserved architecture, restored temples, history dating back to the 14th century like Pha Bang statue of Buddha which gave its name to the town and is located in the former King’s Palace, now a National Museum.) Traditional villages, some across a bamboo bridge that can be an adventure to walk on, also surround the town.

While Luang Prabang is a relaxing, spiritual place Vientiane is a busy, commercial center. Still Vientiane has its share of temples, stupas, history and colonial and Chinese architecture. Talat Sao, the Morning Market, is in the center of Vientiane and a short walk from Mekong River waterfront, Wat Ho Phra Keo – a temple built in the 16th century and That Dam – a stupa where a seven headed naga (snake) lives and protects Vientiane from invasions. Buddha Park is a conglomerate of many sculptures set in green surrounds, called Xieng Khuan, or Spirit City it contains both Hindu and Buddha statues.  The Mekong River waterfront is enchanting and lights up at night with colorful Night Market, fountain and statues. The Mekong is barely a trickle awaiting the monsoon but the promenade is the coolest place in town to take a walk.

Vientiane’s Arc de Triumph, Patuxay, is impressive. In fact, Patuxay, Victory Gate, is more majestic than Arc de Triumph in Paris is. Both honor those that died for the country only while Arc de Triumph honors those who died for France, Patuxay honors those who fought French in the struggle for independence from France.

Vientiane is a charming city and a perfect starting or ending point to a visit to Lao. Vientiane leaves one with a feeling of spiritual peace and calmness. 

LAO People’s Democratic Republic

LAO
People’s Democratic Republic

Soviet Union has been dead for a while but it is alive in Lao and proudly waving its flag. Lao is grateful for a donation of Russian tanks, which shot in the Secret War, are now scattered throughout The Plain of Jars. The relationship with the non-existent Soviet Union goes further and it is affecting the people, their mentality and their behavior.

Lao is classified as one of the poorest countries in the world. The poverty is well visible. Thus the people of Lao try to earn money where they can. However, they are not well equipped to earn money in the tourism industry. They do not speak English or French. Sometimes one can hear a sentence and hope to have a conversation but the knowledge of foreign languages is limited to phrases alone and comprehension is absent. The method of picking up a business card from a hotel for a tuk tuk driver works everywhere in the world except Lao. Tuk tuk drivers cannot read Latin alphabet and cards are written in Latin alphabet for the foreigners’ benefit.

The visitors do their best to learn “sabaidee“ meaning hello, which is a friendly beginning. The Watty International Airport has been built by Japanese so arriving in Vientiane and not speaking Japanese one needs to learn a phrase “Talat Sao” – Morning Market. That is if one wants to get to the center of Vientiane and cannot read a map in Japanese. Talat Sao is in the center of Vientiane and a short walk from Mekong River waterfront, Wat Ho Phra Keo – a temple built in the 16th century and That Dam – a stupa where a seven headed naga (snake) lives and protects Vientiane from invasions. So Vientiane is well protected. Not so is the Xien Khuang Province, which has, been heavily bombed between 1963 and 1974 in the Secret War. That area is a home to some 2000 years old Thong Hai Hin – jars, which survived well until 1963. Most of the historic jars in the Plain of Jars has been destroyed in the Secret War and are continually a hazard to visit since UXO Unexploded Ordinance are still being found in the area. Exploding bombs have injured many. The sight is an amazing historical journey through theories of the origin and purpose of the jars. Mystery, spirituality and grandness surround it. The Plain of Jars is not a mere burial sight. The town of Phonsavan is a stepping point to see the jars. A visit to the Plain of Jars, a heritage area, is rewarding. The problem is the town of Phonsavan and the local people that do not speak a word of English. 

The roads in Lao are non existent so it is wise to pay extra for a mini van transfer to Vientiane to limit the trip of 400 kilometers to 10 hours rather than 12 – 14 hours on a bus. That is if the mini van driver does not receive a phone call 5 hours into the journey. 

The trip Phonsavan – Vientiane to catch a flight became a scary experience the moment the driver picked up his mobile. Driving on a dirt, alpine road frequented by trucks, motorbikes and buses, surrounded by a constant cloud of dust with visibility seriously limited and the driver excitedly talking on his mobile is already scary. But the driver stopping, turning around and traveling back without an explanation is a worry. Not understanding the phone conversation one can only guess it is a matter of a few minutes trip back to a village Kasy to pick up some late passenger. After a half hour trip back towards Phosavan and yet another call the driver turns back towards Vientiane, which becomes a good reason for a sigh of relief – back on track and only an hour lost. Now comes another call and the driver turns back towards Phonsavan. The turns are dangerous with the heavy traffic on a narrow, alpine, dusty road. The easiest thing would be to stop the mini van, forget the extra cost of the ticket to cover the journey in 10 hours and try to hitch a ride to Vientiane. However, curiosity as to what was going on prevailed. The reward came soon since the van stopped next to another van passed already twice. Third time lucky!

This time the guesswork was made easy since there was a string ready to be attached as a towrope. A quick calculation that towing another van would extend the journey probably to a couple of days from 10 hours and not mentioning the danger helped to make a quick decision. Anything would be safer than staying with the van and its driver, without a name since it was impossible to communicate a phrase known around the world “What is you name?” 

A lift to Kasy, passed already 2 hours earlier and a ride on a local bus to Vientiane was yet another experience. At least the bus driver was not concerned about suspension and powered on through potholes and ditches.  The arrival in Vientiane some four hours later than planned and in the dark was a happy moment.

The poverty that made a van driver forget loyalty to his passengers, obligation to do a job of driving to Vientiane in 10 hours, endangering his and others lives turned to be a rich experience of a lifetime. That experience would have been totally missed if the van driver without a name could communicate in English. 

The scenario would be as follows:

“Look guys, I can make $5 by towing a broken van stuck a few kilometers back” – says the van driver. 

“Don’t worry about $5 mate, we will give you extra $10 if you carry on to Vientiane” – say not yet distressed passengers. 

Lao is a beautiful country, even seen through the haze of dust. The people are extremely poor. The temptation to make a dollar can be understood. But all they need to do is learn a little bit of English and the possibilities to make an extra buck will open up. Lao needs to catch up with the rest of the world to make tourism a profitable enterprise for them and enjoyable country to visit for visitors.  

PULAU LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA

Malaysian Peninsula divides the monsoon weather zone into two seasons so there is always good weather on one or the other side of the Peninsula. Langkawi Island is situated on the western side of the Peninsula so Christmas time, New Year and Chinese New Year are the best-spent on Langkawi. But it is not just the sunny and hot weather that counts. Langkawi being part of some 100-island cluster has also amazing and dramatic scenery and abundance of wildlife.

Many of the surrounding islands are Geoforest Parks or National Parks. The geological history of Langkawi is rich and it is reflected in variety of different rock formations, some covered by dense jungle. Pulau Dayang Bunting is a wilderness paradise full of flora and fauna that can hardly be believed. Sometimes it is hard to determine if one is awake or dreaming listening to the bird song, watching eagles soaring in the sky or Kingfishers flying low, monkeys jumping from branch to branch, otters venturing to the beach, monitor lizards and many jungle animals walking under foliage.

The waters are so warm that swimming can hardly be called refreshing, fish is jumping and glistening silver in the sunshine, eagles are fishing and coral reef is plentiful. Many islands surrounding Langkawi are worth visiting for nature lovers. Pulau Tuba, Timun, Datai, Beras Basah, Singa Besar, Payar and the natural fresh water lake, Lake Mashuri can be reached by a local fishing boat or ferry from Kuah or Cenang Beach. All senses can be satisfied in a Geopark. The views are spectacular, the air has a fresh, jungle smell, the birds are singing and jungle noises of monkeys are ever present. The sunsets are impressive.



The beauty of nature and opportunity of absolute relaxation is not the only asset of Langkawi. Langkawi is a duty free port so shopping is amazing and the prices, of especially alcohol, are unbelievable. Langkawi has an airport but the main tourist traffic comes by ferry. Langkawi became a stop for backpackers travelling from Penang to Satun or Ko Lipe in Thailand. The natural beauty of Langkawi Geoparks can easily compare with the famous Phnang Nga Bay in Thailand. The difference is that Thailand is busy and noisy with many tourists interrupting the nature while in Langkawi one can enjoy the true wilderness with only a few visitors for company.


So let’s keep Langkawi, its amazing natural beauty and duty free benefits, a secret. Let’s enjoy one of the astonishing sunsets and drink to Langkawi.