Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia: Culture, Out & About, and Food & Wine.
In deeply religious Myanmar, the most important duty of a Buddhist parent is to ensure their son spends time learning the Dhamma (thruth) by spending a period in a monastery. A tradition dating back 2500 years, the Shinbyu is the ceremony where the soon to be novices are sent off with much celebration and pageantry before they devote themselves to Buddhism. Some boys may beome novices multiple times but the most impressive ceremony is the upasampada ordination which occurs at the age of 20. The best place to experience this event is at the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, a 100 metre high temple covered in gold. The richest families ensure no expense is spared for the ceremony with hundreds of elaborately costumed attendees on hand to usher their sons into monasteries where all material pleasures are shunned.
2. 50th anniversary, Singapore
The tiny city nation celebrates 50 years of statehood on August 9 with a National Day Parade. And what a 50 years it has been. At independence, half the population was illiterate, living in badly cramped conditions. Today Singapore is the third richest country in the world per capita.
Justly proud, the country is going all out with events including a $10 million dollar revamp of the National Museum, the creation of interactive walking trails and the erection of public art installations.
Visit Singapore’s various neighbourhoods, where you can savour its diverse cultures like Chinatown’s alleyways full of shops selling traditional medicine, jewellery and other items. Religious buildings include Sri Mariamman Hindu temple, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and Masjid Jamae mosque.
Centred on Sihanouk Rd, Little India includes various shops, eateries, the magnificent Sri Veeramakaliamman temple, plus several covered markets. Here Bollywood music is the norm and the scent of incense pervades everywhere.
3. Gamelan glitz, Bali
Take a wander through Kuta or anywhere in Bali and you’ll invariably hear the chimes of locals practicing gamelan music. Gamelan is primarily percussion – mellow gongs and the odd flute, an incredibly soothing style of music.
Popular with locals, wayang kulit puppet shows capture the stories of Hindu mythology. These are often held at Legian Beach Hotel and Banjar Tegal, both near Kuta.
Bali constantly has festivals celebrating traditional songs, dances and performances. One of the biggest is the Bali Arts Festival in Denpasar during June-July.
4. Vegetarian festival, Phuket Thailand
This festival reportedly began when a travelling Chinese Opera troupe fell ill with malaria while performing in Phuket. In order to stave off further illness they committed to a strict vegetarian diet and prayed to the Nine Emperor gods to purify mind and body. Held over nine days during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, the event is famous for the gruesome tests of courage that include impaling the mouth and body with sharp objects and walking on hot coals.
5. Song Kran: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar
Song Kran is the celebration of the start of the new year and monsoon season and runs from April 13 to 15. The more genteel part of the celebration involves decorating houses with lights and giving offerings of fruit, cakes and incense to idols. On the third day young people hit the streets to throw water on each other and passersby. Given it is the hottest time of the year most people are happy to be doused. In Myanmar the festival is known as thingyan.
Canal tours, Bangkok
Thailand has been through its share of political ups and downs but the capital city has developed at such a rapid rate that it feels very much the modern commercial metropolis. Just across the mighty Chao Praya river however the old Krungthep (city of angels) still retains the charms of decades gone by, particularly along the canals of Thonburi. Take a longtail boat tour through this beguiling neighbourhood where food and household goods are still delivered by canoe. Don’t miss the spectacular Wat Arun (temple of the dawn) on the edge of the Chao Praya river.
Wat Arun, Bangkok
For those with a hankering for temples, Bangkok’s Grand Palace delivers both a grand residence and beautiful Buddhist shrine. Less visited is the mighty Wat Arun, known as the Temple of the Dawn because its porcelain and shell covered prang (tower) shines in the first light of morning. Standing imposingly on the other side of Bangkok’s Chao Praya river at 250 feet, Wat Arun is worth visiting as part of a tour of the canals of Thonburi.
If you love your history, the ancient city of Ayutthaya was the heart of Siamese power from the 14th century. Make like a king and travel up to the world heritage site by boat.
Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
A Hindu temple complex, Batu Caves is a labyrinth of shrine-filled caverns that delves deep into limestone hills about 12km from Kuala Lumpur.
After passing a 40m-high statue of Hindu deity Murugan and ascending 272 steps, visitors can explore three main caves and several smaller ones.
The largest, Temple Cave, is covered in evocative Hindu shrines while Ramayana Cave features a statue of Hindu legend Hanuman.
Monkeys are a regular sight on the stairs and near the caves while at the base of the cliffs are two smaller caves filled with ornate statues and paintings.
Tanah Lot, Bali
Hindu temples are everywhere in Bali, so even if you’re on a half-day trip it’s easy to visit some.
20 kilometres north of Denpasar is Tanah Lot, a stunning 16th century temple atop a rock formation adjacent to the sea. Like much of Bali these days, it is difficult to find the perfect time to avoid the crowds but sunset and sunrise are usually recommended if you want to get that perfect, uninterrupted photo.
Inland about 20km is Taman Ayun Temple, an elegant complex surrounded by gardens and waterways.
Not far from here is Sangeh Monkey Forest, where visitors can wander through rainforest and view these primates. Legend has it the monkeys here are guardians of the forest’s Bukit Sari Temple and the descendents of the troops of Monkey King Hanuman – a key figure in Hinduism.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Georgetown
This majestic building is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang and is a living, breathing monument to how important Indian culture is to this once-thriving colonial port town whose heyday was during the height of the East India Company. While in Penang, Kek Lok Si is a spectacular hilltop Buddhist temple that includes the Pagoda of 1000 Buddhas. This stunning seven-tiered structure features Thai, Chinese and Burmese styles of statues, including the Laughing Buddha.
If you’d prefer a Reclining Buddha to the laughing variety, Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram houses exactly that. Built in 1845, this is another evocative temple in George Town.
Shwe Indein Pagodas, Myanmar
The grand majesty of the 2200 stupas, large and small, in the temple plain at Bagan in the north of Myanmar, and the gold covered immensity of the Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon have rightly drawn millions of tourists to the deeply Buddhist state since it opened up to the west.
In the middle of the country however, you can lose yourself completely in the forest of pagodas at Indein. This smaller temple complex on a hill by spectacular Inle Lake is populated with tiny shrines built by wealthy patrons looking for a smooth ascension to heaven in days gone by. Each stupa is festooned with metal leaves, and when the wind blows it sounds an enchanted musical forest. Further along, many of the pagodas have been absorbed by vegetation, and parts resemble Angkor Wat, with a fraction of the crowds.
Five Southeast Asian food experiences that will enrich your soul; restaurants and bars where you learn as much as you consume.
Haute cuisine, Thailand
Thailand has practically cornered the market on high dining. The trend started at Moon Bar, on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel with spectacular views of the city. Since then, sky high venues have sprouted across the city to include Vertigo, a bar-eatery with grills, Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower and Park Society at Sofitel So, with views of Lumpini Park. Overlooking the banks of the Chao Phraya River is Three Sixty at the Millenium Hotel, a venue popular for its jazz.
For something really out of the ordinary, climb to a different height at the Soneva Kiri resort on the island of Koh Khut, 350 km south of Bangkok. Get hoisted up into a bamboo treepod in the forest canopy and have your meal delivered by waiters on ziplines as you gaze over the Gulf of Thailand.
French and Vietnamese fare, Ho Chi Minh City
Who would have thought coffee and baguettes was a traditional meal in Asia? In Ho Chi Minh City it is, as the cuisine of the former French colonial rulers lingers on in street stalls.
For French cuisine with wine, a popular restaurant is La Villa in Thao Dien. There you can indulge in duck foie gras terrine or roast lamb, washed down with French grape.
If you prefer Vietnamese seafood, the Nguyen Thuong Hien St food markets are superb. Other popular spots to chomp are street stalls on Van Kiep St, Vin Khan St and the Ben Than Markets.
Eat streets, George Town, Penang
A melting pot of Asian cuisines, Penang’s restaurants and street food includes Malay, Indian and Chinese delights.
Upper Penang Rd and Chulia St are legendary eating spots, packed with bars, restaurants and hawker stalls.
In the Malay stalls, don’t miss Penang specialties char kway teow – stir-fried noodles, prawns and cockles – and assam laksa – noodles and fish in tamarind, fish stock and mint sauce.
Nearby Little India’s eateries are ideal for vegetarians while Kashmir restaurant offers delicious tandoori delights.
While you should be careful where you dine, many rate Penang’s streetside eateries relatively hygienic compared to other parts of Asia.
World heritage cooking, Luang Prabang, Laos
River based activities in Laos have had a bit of a bad rap of late, what with the hordes of backpackers treating the Mekong as a booze fuelled rumpus room. But following a crackdown by the Laotian government, the country is seeing something of a renaissance as a destination for sophisticated travelers keen for a boutique experience. Nowhere is that more evident than in the world heritage listed former French colonial gem that is Luang Prabang. Sitting on a curve in the Mekong and surrounded by market gardens, LP – as visitors soon dub it – is at the cutting edge of Laotian cuisine. Its host of high quality restaurants (those French tourists have high standards) places a big emphasis on food that is hot, sour and incredibly fresh. If you are fan of Northern Thai food then a class at one of three highly regarded cooking schools will be a joy. Top rated restaurant Tamarind offers classes that begin with a market tour and ends with a multicourse meal. The best $36 you will ever spend.
Seafood bonanza, Koh Samui
A daytrip around Koh Samui is worth it purely for the culinary delights.
Indeed, for those hungry after visiting the Big Buddha Statue in the island’s north, Dining on the Hill restaurant at Six Senses resort is an option. With ocean views and fresh organic ingredients, it’s open for lunch for various Thai delights.
Popular destination Chaweng Beach also has plentiful eateries, many overlooking the ocean, where you can dine on a range of cuisines for reasonable prices.
Nathon, where cruise passengers alight, has restaurants on its waterfront including the popular Sunset eatery, where you can sample Thai cuisine.
This content was produced in association with Princess Cruises. Read our policy on commercial content here.
A champion in and out of the ring
His remarkable personality apart, Muhammad Ali was unquestionably one of the greatest talents to grace the boxing ring.
A champion in and out of the ring
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