FURTHER AFIELD
MAKE IT A HOLIDAY AND EXPLORE MORE OF ASIA
South East Asia is full of bustling cities, sandy beaches, serene temples and unique wildlife. There's something for all budgets, tastes and interests.
Below are just a few suggestions. Click on the images or scroll away!
Thailand
Malaysia
Cambodia
Thailand
Laos
Vietnam
Vietnam
Borneo
Phuket
Thailand
Our Wedding Island! A rainforested, mountainous island in the clear, warm waters of the Andaman Sea, it has some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. The island was made famous by the film 'The Beach', and has even featured in several James Bond movies. We've included a special page all about the island and surrounding area.
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. Its skyline is dominated by the 451m tall Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of glass-and-steel-clad skyscrapers. The towers also offer a public skybridge with views across the city. Home to many British colonial-era landmarks, Kuala Lumpur is a popular stopover destination for those travelling with either Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia. Charlie stayed here on the way to Australia for his first visit in 2003 - he can recommend the Hard Rock Cafe (for delicious yellow food)! Check out the tower and the zoo!
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
We haven't been here but everyone who has raves about it. It is firmly on our bucket list! Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market.
Singapore
Singapore!
Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate. Its colonial core centers a cricket field from the 1830s and now flanked by grand buildings such as City Hall. The red-and-gold Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is said to house one of Buddha's teeth. We stayed at the Marina Bay Sands on our way to emigrating to Australia. It has the highest infinity pool in the world and is totally worth a visit! Also, don't forget to have a Singapore Sling cocktail at the famous Raffles Hotel.
Bangkok
Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for shrines and its vibrant street life. The Chao Phraya River feeds a network of canals, flowing past the royal district, home to the opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire. Charlie visited in 2018 before we scouted for wedding venues!
Vientaine
Laos
Our wild card of the group! Vientiane, Laos' national capital, mixes French-colonial architecture with Buddhist temples such as the golden 16th-century Pha That Luang, which is a national symbol. Along broad boulevards and tree-lined streets are shrines including Wat Si Saket, which features thousands of Buddha images, and Wat Si Muang, built atop a Hindu shrine!
Ho Chi Minh
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon) is a city in southern Vietnam famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War. It's also known for its French colonial landmarks, like the 19th-century Central Post Office. We stayed here in 2017. Visit the neon craziness of Bui Vien Street, as well as the Independence Palace. And watch out for the mopeds (you've literally never seen so many mopeds in all your life)!!!
Sepilok
Borneo
Sandakan is a city in the Malaysian state of Sabah, on the northeast coast of Borneo. The hilltop Puu Jih Shih Temple offers panoramic views of the city. The city is also a base for visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the limestone Gomantong Caves, home to swiftlets, bats and kingfishers. Charlie met orangutans here back in 2003, oh, and pit viper snakes!
Ha Long Bay
Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets. The region is popular for scuba diving, rock climbing and hiking, particularly in mountainous Cát Bà National Park. If its cold and raining it's rubbish. If it's hot and sunny its incredible - so we've heard!
