With international air travel still out of bounds for most people, many in Asia are turning to domestic getaways instead. But not all are comfortable with the idea of travelling by air domestically. Safety concerns are still putting some off. So what’s it like to take a domestic flight in Asia in the time of Covid-19? Our senior correspondent Alan Williams, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, decided to find out.
Ipoh, the capital of Malaysia’s Perak state, has become a popular stopover for older travellers interested to view its street art which depicts the history and heritage of this once-booming tin mining town with opium and gambling dens and streets where wealthy Chinese kept their mistresses. These days it’s also rivaling Georgetown in Penang as a destination for food and coffee lovers.
Singapore’s popular Night Safari has reopened after a four-month closure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. With international tourism yet to resume, it will be a while before foreign travellers can again visit this attraction. But people planning a trip to Singapore at some time in the future may want to add it to their list of things to see. It’s been operating for more than 25 years and remains one of the country’s most popular attractions. It’s a user-friendly experience for older travellers.
Myanmar is one of the two poorest countries in Southeast Asia after decades of being isolated from the rest of the world by a military dictatorship. However, millions of international tourists now visit Myanmar every year as it offers some unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in Asia. Its slow pace of life and friendly people make it an ideal destination for older travellers, especially for culture and history buffs.
When you’ve been travelling in Turkey, have you ever wondered about the meaning or purpose of the cobalt blue-eye glass amulets and ornaments that you see in souvenir shops, people’s homes, businesses, hotels, restaurants — in fact almost anywhere? They are to ward off the ‘evil eye’ and ensure that you have a safe visit and onward journey. The belief in the power of these amulets extends back many centuries.
Shaggy and hard-working, the yak plays an essential role in the lives of people on the high plateaus of the Himalayas. It’s a pack animal and important provider of milk, food and much else for communities across the far-flung region. Here are some facts about this distinctively Asian animal.
If you have an overnight stopover in Singapore on a journey through Asia, and you are looking for somewhere quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city, then why not try Changi Village. It’s close to the airport and offers some easy habourside walks for exercise, or if you have half a day to spare, a 15 mins boat ride takes you to Pulau Ubin, a tranquil island sanctuary where you can cycle or just relax and enjoy nature.
Slow travel is a term used to describe travelling at a pace that enables you to connect to local communities and culture. It’s about spending more time in places and discovering the soul of those places through their history, food, language and people, rather than chasing bucket list ticks. It’s likely to be the way in which many older travellers explore the region in the months to come.
Turkey attracts more overseas visitors than any other country in Asia, aside from China. For older travellers interested in the history and culture of Asia Minor, Turkey is a country not to be missed. But there’s more than places of historic interest within the borders of this culturally diverse country. There are affordable beach resorts, great shopping and culinary destinations, and natural attractions that are unique to Turkey.
With some countries opening up in Asia, but no way to get there because many airlines have grounded their international flights, small group travel on private jets offers a way around the restrictions for those who can afford it. We take a look at what one Singapore charter operator is doing to help travellers get around the region.
Bali is preparing to reopen to both domestic tourists this month and international travellers in September. Government authorities are implementing ‘cleanliness, health and safety’ initiatives to attract people back to the island. We look at what’s being planned and how visitors can contribute to helping Bali achieve sustainable tourism and ensure that its environment is preserved for future generations.
Spirit houses can be seen in different forms all over Southeast Asia and in many other parts of the continent too. They are often draped in colourful garlands of flowers and have offerings of food and drinks for the spirits. We take a closer look at the spirit houses in Thailand and find out why they are there.
International travel won’t be the same after Covid-19. The attitudes of travellers will change, as will the circumstances they encounter on their journeys. How will older travellers in Asia be affected? We look at some of the changes they’ll face and the decisions they’ll have to make.
Some people like to travel on their own while others prefer to travel with partners, friends or in groups. We take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of solo travelling to help you decide whether it’s something you’d like to try in Asia when we are able to get back on the road again.
Thailand is likely to be one of the first countries in Asia to re-open its borders to international tourists in the second half of the year. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best of Thailand’s festivals from October 2020 to February 2021 to help you plan an itinerary that provides an opportunity to participate in at least one of these colourful events.
A self-organised themed tour is a different way to travel but can be a satisfying and enjoyable way to learn about the culture and history of Asian countries. This tour focuses on the Peranakan culture of the Straits Chinese and takes travellers from Singapore to Melaka and Penang in Malaysia where there are many opportunities to learn about how these entrepreneurial pioneers of the 19th and 20th centuries contributed to the development of those countries.
