All in Travel
The humble bullock cart has been an important means of transport in Asia since ancient times. It has survived into the modern age and continues to be used in many parts of the continent despite fierce competition from tractors and other motorised transport. The bullock cart represents a side of Asia where tradition holds sway even in the 21st century.
Turkmenistan is Central Asia’s least visited country. Its capital, Ashgabat, is a city like no other: a showcase of large white marble buildings, interspersed with grand monuments, golden statues and well-manicured parks. It provides an intriguing interlude for travellers in search of something different.
Asia is a less risky continent in which to travel from a health perspective than Africa or South America. However, some precautions still need to be taken — especially in the tropical countries of Asia — to ensure that a holiday or extended travel is not ruined by illness or injury. This succinct guide lists the key facts that the older traveller needs to know.
Visitors to Hanoi who want an experience combining Vietnam’s past and present can take a walk across the city’s historic Long Bien Bridge. Built by the French and bombed by the Americans, the 115-year-old bridge across the Red River has become a symbol of the country’s resilience.
Baby boomers and senior citizens are travelling the world like never before, ticking off destinations on their bucket lists and spending retirement savings on travel experiences that they weren’t able to accomplish in their younger working years. From budget travel to luxury travel, more and more boomers and seniors are on the road. But do these terms for older travellers mean the same?
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.
The story of Hachiko, the dog who waited at a Tokyo railway station for almost a decade for the arrival of his deceased master, is well known in Japan. A memorial to Hachiko outside the busy Shibuya Station is a testament to how Japanese people value loyalty and perseverance.
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 Malaysian city of Kuching in Sarawak is known as the launch pad for adventure holidays in Borneo. Visitors pass through on their way to the rainforests and caves of the interior. But travellers who choose to spend a few days here will find it has attractions of its own. For a start, it has a surprisingly rich and well-preserved colonial history.
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.
Travellers in Asia may be surprised to discover how widespread the practice of chewing betel nut is. It’s common in many regions, from South Asia to Indochina and beyond. Visitors may be unaware that betel nut isn’t just a chewy stimulant. It has a social and cultural history dating back centuries and is even a symbol of love and marriage.
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.
Most visitors to Kellie’s Castle, a popular tourist attraction north of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, don’t venture into the nearby town of Batu Gajah. But the town, for decades the centre of Malaysia’s tin mining boom, has a lot to offer senior travellers with an interest in history. It has a rich colonial past and many intriguing sights.
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.
Macau is a gambler’s paradise, the Vegas of the East. It’s also the most densely-crowded territory on earth. But there’s another part of Macau that many people don’t know about. And for senior travellers, it provides a refreshing respite from the teeming casino and shopping strips.
