Spice whirls in India
MICHAEL Gebicki tours southern India’s city of Kochi and discovers an intoxicating blend of authencity and long-held traditions in the ancient spice port.
Asia
Turning Japanese
BARRY Dick bypasses the big smoke on a whirlwind trip to Japan, where 128 million people live with what seems like a vending machine each.
Complex hunt for that bargain
SHENZHEN is the new Hong Kong. What it lacks in cultural cachet, the world’s latest shopping hot spot makes up for in what you can get for your cold, hard cash.
Wok and roll in Phuket
IN a girls-only trip through Thailand seeking luxury, pampering and adventure, Maria Visconti finds a cooking class in Phuket to be a very tasty diversion.
Great falls of China
BRAD Crouch finds there is no shortage of friends as he travels through the ancient villages of remote Guizhou in China en route to Asia’s biggest waterfall.
Roaring out a big welcome
THANKS to its diverse landscape, cultural heritage and good tourist infrastructure, Kerala is one of the most popular spots for holidaymakers in India.
In the arms of Buddha
CAPTURE the charm of Laos before it’s too late, writes Trevor Seymour of a country where traditional ways are only slowly giving ground to the modern world.
Water log from Kerala
SUSAN Kurosawa journeys through the lakes and canals of tropical and prosperous Kerala in southwestern India on a converted rice boat.
Inside Halong Bay’s lost world
WHAT better way to explore Vietnam’s Halong Bay than drinking cocktails on the deck of a luxury junk after a day kayaking or swimming in the bay.
Haggle in colourful company
PHILIP Hammond discovers a colourful and exotic affair at the end of a potholed mountain road in North Vietnam.
Lolling about in Laos
FORGET culture, a visit to beautiful Vang Vien in Laos is all about having a good time, writes Catherine Lawson.
Aussie in jumbo forest haven
AN Australian is providing a safe haven in Bali for endangered elephants, says Diana Plater.
Lair of dragons
CRAIG Tansley’s cruise across Indonesia, from Bali to Rinca and Komodo to the east, takes him to remote islands, lost in time, where ancient curses still apply.
Magic on India’s wild frontier
FUNNY how, by visiting an unspoiled place, you get to spoil it, writes Graham Simmons after a trip to a remote and exceedingly friendly corner of India.
Luxury hotel boosts Bali confidence
A NEW luxury hotel to open in Bali will help restore the resort island’s tourism arrivals after two terrorist bombings in the past four years, the Bali tourism board says.
On the road to Shangri-La
THE Chinese government have branded it as Shangri-La: a mystical land of snow-clad mountains, primitive forests and clear alpine lakes, inhabited by peaceful people,
Roll of the dice
IN a country ravaged by war, the people are smiling again, writes Mike O’Connor from the road less travelled by tourists in Cambodia.
Floating like a butterfly
A RIVER boat ride along the Ngo Dong offers a languid escape from the worries of the world, writes Ewen Bell.
Magical Malaysia
EVERY day is a bad hair day for a young orang-utan: the cartoon electrocution look. Add the huge, wide eyes and you get an expression of permanent alarm.
Paying respect at Long Tan
A VISIT to Long Tan becomes a homage to Australia’s most significant Vietnam War battle, writes Sarah Nicholson.
Best of enemies
MICHAEL Gebicki witnesses a surprising daily ceremony at Wagah on the border between India and Pakistan.
The wild side of Mongolia
HORSE racing has been for centuries as much a part of Mongolian culture as Genghis Khan, nomadic Ger tents and fermented mare’s milk.
Dining with Dayak headhunters
A WINDING river journey aboard a longboat delivers John Swords into the welcoming arms of one of Borneo’s last headhunters.
A stink over blooming magic
ONE whiff and Ewen Bell was off to Borneo in search of a giant flower with a putrid smell.
Penang’s flavours of Asia
A STOPOVER in Asia is not just a break in travel but a chance to visit somewhere exotic, inexpensive and delicious which makes Penang just the place.
Going with the mo
IN Rajasthan a moustache is seen as an index to the real man, and the coveted Mr Desert title is to die for, writes Kevin Pilley.
48 hours in Beijing
BEIJING is a Chinese banquet of sights and delights but there is an art to getting around this city of 15 million people.
Timely to tour Tibet
CHINESE rule has not stamped out traditional Tibet just don’t mention the Dalai You-Know-Who, writes Chris Parkin.
Hunt for a red Prada
FOR those in the know, secretive private shops in Hong Kong sell ‘fake reals’ so good bartering is out of the question.
Hip to hire and admire
LET’S say you’re young, hip, broke and living in Vietnam. You fancy a night out but you’ve nothing to wear. No problem. Just hire your bling.
Ritual key to Hindu wedding
THE third greatest passion of Indians around the world is the wedding, bettered only by Bollywood and cricket.
Chaos theory in action
MICHAEL Gebicki takes a crash course in Indian traffic lore and finds a careful driver would be unable to cope behind the wheel.
Bruce Lee buffs up beaut
EVERYWHERE you go in Hong Kong there is a Bruce Lee connection. No surprise then that the city runs tours tracing sites he made famous.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/destinations/asia/page/31