All in Experiences
Rishikesh, a laid-back sub-tropical town at the foothills of the Himalayas in India, is known as ‘The Yoga Capital of the World’. Baby boomers know it as the place where the Beatles held their 1968 meditation retreat. Today it attracts travellers from all over the world who want to learn about yoga, Ayurveda, naturopathy and meditation.
House sitting offers retirees without time constraints the opportunity to visit other countries and save on accommodation costs. It enables travellers to enjoy new cultural experiences and live like a local. House sitting has been popular in the US, UK and Australia/New Zealand for many years, but is now taking off in Asia.
The orangutan is among the most loved of Asia’s wild animals. But it is critically endangered and its numbers are continuing to decline as its natural habitat, the rainforest, is destroyed. Today orangutans can be found only in Borneo and Indonesia’s North Sumatra. But there are still relatively easy ways for travellers to see them in the wild or forest rehabilitation reserves.
For those who practice yoga regularly, India has always been the ultimate destination. It is the home of yoga and its sister science of ayurveda. For older travellers who are still active yogis, here is a concise guide to the six best places in India for combining a vacation with yoga and ayurveda.
Indian wellness centres offer older travellers the opportunity to detox and rejuvenate without hard exercise regimes. Many are located in regions that are hard to reach, but newer centres are opening closer to major cities to meet demand from stressed out urbanites.
The Asian elephant still lives in the wild in at least 13 countries. But it’s facing ever-growing competition for land from humans and its numbers are declining. Many others live in captivity and work in the logging industry, at temples and in the tourism business. Travellers who want to see these gentle giants at close hand have several options.
A great way to absorb yourself completely in a culture is to take a cooking class, and food-obsessed Hong Kong has many to choose from. Whether you want to learn how to create sweets, pastries, traditional Asian fare or Yum Cha, it’s all there for the picking, cooking and, in the end, eating.
It’s a long, hard climb to the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous monastery. But the rewards are worth it. Visiting this Buddhist monastery, perched on a mountain cliff high above the Paro valley, is an unforgettable experience. And senior travellers shouldn’t be put off. Many will find it well within their grasp.
For visitors to Dhaka, a cruise on the city’s main river, the Buriganga, offers a memorable way to see something of the Bangladesh countryside. The river runs southeast from the city and joins up with other major rivers that lead to the Ganges Delta, which stretches across most of the country’s south. A day trip lets you leave behind the crowded capital and watch life unfold along the river banks.
Forests cover nearly 60 percent of Malaysia. They provide great hiking opportunities for senior travellers who want to spend time getting close to nature. Many nature trails in the country’s hill resorts and national parks offer memorable hikes for older travellers without pushing them beyond their limits.
An overnight cruise on a houseboat through the lush tropical backwaters of Kerala should be one of the highlights of any senior traveller’s trip to India. It’s the ultimate experience in relaxation - eat, sleep, eat and watch the world go slowly by.
