All in Travel
The East Malaysian state of Sabah, one of Asia’s great tropical rainforest destinations, is re-opening its domestic tourism industry. It will be a long time before international tourism resumes, but in the meantime the state can reflect on what kind of tourism it wants to promote in future. Should it keep pushing for high visitor numbers? Or should its main focus now be the strict protection of its precious environment?
During periods that we are unable to travel because of coronavirus lockdowns, closed borders or quarantine restrictions, there is only one way to satisfy the travel bug — and that’s through virtual travel from our computers and tablets. We take a look at which websites offer the best virtual travel experiences for when we are stuck at home.
With thousands of international travellers still stranded in Asia, those affected are placing the blame squarely on airlines who prematurely cancelled flights and provided no alternative options for them to get home. Slow and disorganised responses by some governments in mounting repatriation flights have also come in for criticism. However, with death tolls still increasing in the U.S. and some European countries, some travellers have decided to sit out the pandemic in Asia.
Extract: Many older travellers enjoy getting off the beaten track having visited all the usual tourist haunts during their younger days. And they like to do it in a socially responsible way, especially if there are opportunities to connect with communities in the developing countries of Asia. There are a number of community-based tourism operators in Thailand that offer visitors the ability to do that. We take a look at how they work.
In these days of social distancing, health experts recommend that we no longer shake hands given that is a common means by which viruses and other germs are passed from one person to another. For many in Asia, that’s not a problem as local cultures have traditionally used other means of greeting and saying goodbye. For those in the west, there is a lot to be learned from those countries that do not use the handshake as a means of greeting.
Many older travellers who have spent their lives visiting countries in different parts of the world look for new places to visit to which they have not been before – particular during the years when they are ticking off a ‘bucket list’ of places that they want to see whilst they are still fit enough to travel. North Korea is a not destination that everyone will want to visit, but for those who do, it can be a travel experience like none other.
The novel coronavirus pandemic is causing many older travellers to put on hold their plans to travel in Asia. People over 60 face the highest risk of dying if they contract the virus. But those who choose to stay at home can still find ways of giving rein to their wanderlust. Here are a few ways how.
Isan in northeastern Thailand is a fascinating region for older travellers as it has many well-preserved Khmer ruins to see, as well as festivals and cuisine that reflect a mix of Thai and Lao cultures. Five national parks offer opportunities for hiking and bird-watching for those looking for back-to-nature experiences. And as Isan is one of Thailand’s least visited regions, it’s not yet overrun with tourists.
It’s ironic that the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur, is located in Indonesia, a country that is predominantly Muslim. Borobudur is also Indonesia’s most visited tourist attraction – a fact that worries many concerned about its preservation. But the Indonesian Government in partnership with UNESCO have done much in the past 50 years to preserve this ancient site for future generations. It’s a destination in Asia that older travellers will enjoy.
As tropical Asia hurtles into the future, much of its colonial heritage is being lost. But reminders of those times are being preserved in the form of some fine old hotels that have been renovated and converted into luxury accommodation. They’re likely to appeal to anyone with an interest in Asia’s colonial history. We take a look at six of them. If staying there is beyond your budget, you can always go for a meal or a drink and take a look around.
Indonesia’s second largest city, Surabaya, is home to one of Asia’s most elegant colonial hotels — the Hotel Majapahit. It’s East Java’s version of Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. With room rates on offer at about a quarter of the price of the Raffles Hotel, it provide travellers with the opportunity to enjoy the stylish elegance of this meticulously maintained historic Southeast Asian hotel at a more affordable price.
The so-called mystical island of Siquijor in the Philippines is popular with divers and backpackers from around the world. It’s the location of some of the best dive spots in the Philippines, and provides backpackers with opportunities for cheap food and lodgings and long nights partying on the beach. But what does Siquijor have for older travellers who may not be into diving and partying? We take a look at what else there is to see and do on this tropical island.
The Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand offers some unique opportunities for older travellers to experience authentic nature adventures without a lot of arduous trekking. Easy hikes, long-tail boat tours and bamboo river rafting are comfortable ways to experience this region which contains ancient rainforests, picturesque waterfalls and mountain streams, majestic limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and the spectacular Cheow Lan Lake.
The stunning Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon inspires awe in almost anyone who visits it. It lies at the heart of the city, both geographically and spiritually, and its striking presence on the city skyline helps define Yangon in a way that few monuments in other cities can. The city’s rich history and vibrant present provide plenty of interest, not least for older travellers keen to learn more about the country’s distinctive culture and traditions.
Yabbiekayu is a small eco-resort near Yogyakarta, Indonesia, that offers older travellers the chance to relax and de-stress in a rural environment of sustainable living. It provides the opportunity too to learn a little about Javanese culture and visit some of the nearby UNESCO World Heritage listed places such as the Buddhist temple of Borobudur and the Hindu temple of Prambanan.
Volunteering is a rewarding way for older travellers for whom traditional sightseeing no longer appeals, but who want to experience new places and new cultures — and especially for those interested in biodiversity, environmental and wildlife conservation issues. It’s an ideal way to meet people of different nationalities who share the same interests, and to see parts of Asia that are well away from the usual tourist haunts.
