All by Alan Williams
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.
Many older travellers today use a smartphone to make their journeys safer, easier and more fulfilling. In addition to staying in touch with loved ones and keeping up with the news while travelling, they can download apps that provide a range of useful information. Here are some free apps that older travellers may find helpful.
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.
Since opening its doors to tourism in the mid-20th century, Nepal has become one of Asia’s top destinations. In recent years it has bounced back from civil war and a devastating earthquake to attract growing numbers of visitors. Among them are many senior travellers, who can delve into its culture and history while they enjoy its Himalayan scenery and exciting wildlife reserves.
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.
At first glance, the tiny nation of Brunei on Borneo island appears to have little to offer visitors. It’s prosperous but quiet, without the usual Asian urban bustle or the rollicking nightlife that many tourists crave. But this is precisely why some senior travellers will like it – combined with the fact that it has some fine tropical rainforests.
Kathmandu’s Garden of Dreams is an oasis in the heart of a hectic city. Once a private garden, it lay in disrepair for decades before being restored for public use. It’s right next door to Kathmandu’s main tourist district, Thamel. Once you chill out in the garden, you may find yourself in no hurry to leave.
After more than 60 years, Graham Greene’s classic novel about Vietnam, The Quiet American, continues to captivate readers. Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City can retrace the author’s footsteps and visit some of the places mentioned in the book – a particular pleasure for senior travellers with a feel for history.
Revisiting places that you first saw when you were young is one of the joys of senior travel. It’s fun to see how places have changed and how they haven’t. At the same time, you yourself have changed and are seeing them through different eyes.
The hill stations in the Himalayan foothills in northern India may be more famous, but those in India’s southern states have a lot to offer senior travellers. Most of them are in the more easily accessible Western Ghats, a biologically diverse mountain range that runs through five states.
Cheonggyecheon is a stream that runs for 11 km through the heart of South Korea’s capital, Seoul. Since being redeveloped in 2005 it has become a popular tourist destination, featuring a linear park and many attractions. But it wasn’t always as clean or popular as it is today. The stream has a turbulent history.
Kampong Ayer is a series of interlinked stilt-house villages built along the Brunei River, which runs through the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The villages are home to an estimated 30,000 people and are thought to be the largest stilt settlement in the world.
Malaysia has much to offer the senior traveller. From relaxing beach breaks to rainforest adventures, it provides a relatively safe environment for the holiday of one’s choice. English is widely spoken. The country often ranks high on lists of best places to retire to, an indication of its generally welcoming approach to older foreign visitors.
