All by Jillian Huntley
The Authors’ Lounge in the historic Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, pays homage to the many writers and artists who have frequented the hotel since the late 19th century during their visits to the city. It’s well worth a visit to learn about the history of the hotel and its many famous guests, and to enjoy the sweet and savoury delicacies served for the Oriental Afternoon Tea in the beautiful Somerset Maugham lounge.
For travellers interested in the unique customs, language, culture, and history of the hill tribes of northern Thailand, a trip to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai provides the opportunity to visit these ethnic minorities in their villages or compounds. It’s a chance to get off the beaten track. Most hill tribes welcome visitors and in return you can support their local community initiatives.
The Ancient City (Muang Boran), also known as Ancient Siam, is an historical park and open-air museum in Samut Prakan province, not far from Bangkok. It features ancient buildings that have been relocated from other parts of Thailand and meticulously constructed replicas of temples and palaces from the country’s different regions. It provides an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Thailand if you don’t have time to travel the whole country.
The most economical way to travel in Cambodia is by bus. It’s cheap and provides an opportunity to see parts of the country that would be missed when travelling by air. But sometimes a ticket sold for what you expect to be a journey in a comfortable coach might turn out to be a cramped seat in a minivan. It’s important to research in advance what the mode of transport will be before buying tickets to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Many older travellers to Cambodia like to understand what local life is like off the usual tourist track. Finding an English-speaking tuk-tuk driver who is prepared to take you to places that tourists normally don’t visit can be a rewarding experience. It’s a relaxing way to learn about the local culture and discover daily life in rural communities.
For those who enjoy ‘slow travel’ by train, a day trip to the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai is easy to accomplish when staying in Bangkok. It’s only a two-and-a-half hour journey each way from the Thai capital, costs only a couple of dollars, and will provide you with an enjoyable and relaxing day seeing the countryside and an opportunity to learn more about the infamous Burma to Thailand ‘Death Railway’.
Southeast Asia has many colonial hotels with rich and varied histories. There are some that once hosted well known literary figures, stars of stage and screen, and were instrumental in the lives of foreign correspondents whilst covering wars in Southeast Asia. Those travellers who love literature and reminiscences of bygone eras will find these hotels worth a visit.
Cambodia’s Angkor Archeological Park has been recognised as one of the most significant archeological sites in Southeast Asia. Once the centre of the Khmer Kingdom, the Park has an impressive array of ancient temples from the 9th to the 15th century of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire. UNESCO has implemented a wide range of protection programmes to safeguard these valuable relics.
Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, is a city with a torrid history, but it’s slowly recovering from the cruel genocide inflicted by the Khmer Rouge. It’s a destination that older travellers interested in history and culture will enjoy. The people are welcoming and their hospitality is genuine, and your visit can play a small part in helping this country recover from its darkest days.
A boat trip along the Mekong River from Vietnam to Cambodia is a leisurely way to see and learn how people live in the Mekong Delta — a vast section of Indo-China that provides fascinating insights into the culture and history of a region that has been described as the heart and soul of Southeast Asia.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Hierapolis – Pamukkale in south-west Turkey is an outstanding historical and photogenic landscape. The magical sight of dazzling white travertine terraces filled with mineralized waters, close to the ruins of the ancient holy city of Hierapolis, make this a fascinating destination to visit for older travellers.
Singapore’s Sentosa Island is widely promoted as a destination for young people and families, but the island also has a lot to offer older travellers. There is an interesting fort and heritage buildings to explore, walking trails, boardwalks and cycling paths offering scenic views of the city and harbour, clean beaches, award-winning golf courses and plenty of eating places from fine dining to street food.
Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is a fascinating destination for history buffs. With its French colonial past and the prominent role it played in the conclusion of the Vietnam/American War, there’s lots to see and learn in this bustling metropolis. There are many ways to experience this city that is full of life, and one of the safest in the region to explore, enjoy and embrace.
ICONSIAM is a new shopping complex in Bangkok that is a day-trip destination in itself. Aside from high-end stores and luxury retail outlets, it features a large market in which small businesses from all over Thailand sell their wares including street foods and handicrafts. There is also a spectacular sound and light show that is staged on the riverfront each evening.
Singapore’s Little India is a vibrant district full of colour, culture, atmosphere and vitality. It’s best explored on foot and there’s a lot for older travellers to enjoy from temples, mosques, art exhibitions, historical places, great shopping and of course a wide variety of food from many regions of India.
Home exchanges are a wonderful way to experience different cultures. More so if it can be combined with sightseeing in the destination country. This story describes how one couple travelled overland from Istanbul, using ferry, train and buses, to visit some of Turkey’s great UNESCO World Heritage sites on their way to a home exchange in Sarigerme on the Mediterranean coast.
