Your Asian Travel Bucket List 2014
You wanted more tips on travelling in Asia (our strong Singaporean dollar does come in handy) – well, we heard, and answered. So here’s the top-Asian destination bucket list we’ve put together for those long weekends in 2014 (there’s already one in January!); let’s roll.
Medan, Indonesia
We loved Sumatra’s major metropolis for having real Indonesian character, especially with a hint of Dutch colonial charm. Medan may not have many physical tourist attractions (unless you’re an architecture and history buff), but Lake Toba, a mere 4 hours away (by car), and the food pretty much makes up for it.
Formed by a prehistoric volcanic explosion, Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake (even bigger than Singapore, no kidding) in the world, made even more incredible by the towering mountains surrounding the caldera. Try to catch the Festival Denau Toba (Lake Toba Festival) – showcasing special traditions and cultural activities of the communities surrounding Lake Toba – for an even better experience.
Go: during the drier months between May and September. AirAsia flies to Medan 2 times daily direct from Singapore.
Surabaya, Indonesia
You might not think much of this big, congested city, especially juxtaposed against the rest of rural East Java. But for the locals, Surabaya is Kota Pahlawan (City of Heroes), closely linked to the birth of the Indonesian nation state. Though we’ve got the city down pat, we recommend you drive 4 hours out and visit Mount Bromo, the only active volcano in Tengger Caldera national park – it’ll be the highlight of your trip (besides the rawon, that is).
Soaring 2300m above sea level, and right in the middle of the ‘sea of sand’, you’ll get both beautiful landscapes and an adrenaline rush from getting up close (don’t get personal though) to the mouth of the volcano on a tame day.
Go: during the annual Kasada festival (typically Sep-Nov), where the locals will toss offerings of veggies, chickens and money into the volcano – we’re not kidding. AirAsia offers daily flights to Surabaya direct from Singapore.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
We’ve raved about this city before, and we still love it. Yogya is the epicenter of Java’s artistic and intellectual heritage, which makes it a fascinating place to visit. Thrill seekers won’t be left out either – an exhilarating white water rafting experience on the Elo River or the Progo River would be ideal for the wet season!
If that’s not enough, two of the world’s most sought after UNESCO World Heritage sites, Borobudor (a Mahayana Buddhist temple adorned with beautiful relief panels and openwork stupas) and Prambanan (a Hindu temple decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana) are in close proximity. Both are within an hour’s drive with smooth traffic – don’t count on it though.
Go: during the dry season – June to September. AirAsia flies daily to Yogyakarta direct from Singapore.
Krabi, Thailand
Forget the notorious Ko Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay – this quirky little province, which rocks more than 100 islands and dramatic rock formations out at sea, is the perfect base for your island-hopping jaunts in the Andaman Sea.
If you love nature, we highly recommend the Hong Islands (Koh Hong, Koh Pakbia, Koh Rai, Koh Lahding) instead for the best wildlife sightings and snorkeling close to the coast. Toting the kids? The more sheltered Four Islands – Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Islets, and Phranang Cave Beach – presents an excellent day of relaxing on pristine beaches and swimming in crystal clear waters.
Go: anytime between November to May for some glorious sunshine. AirAsia flies daily to Krabi direct from Singapore.
Tawau, Malaysia
Everyone flocks to Tawau for only one reason – diving at Sipadan (one of the top 10 dive sites in the world). The island is known for its diverse and colourful marine life, which is perfect for fans of the underwater world. So, even if you don’t dive (we suggest you learn there), at least go snorkeling. You’ll get to swim with schools of barracudas, silver jacks and even scalloped hammerhead sharks. Expert divers will even get to see the eerily beautiful underwater turtle tomb – now that’s a Nat Geo moment for you.
Go: between April to November. The best diving months are July and August. Getting there seems like a hassle, but AirAsia flies to Tawau 5 times daily from Kuala Lumpur, so it’s actually a breeze to get there from Singapore!
So there you are. We’d love to hear what other destinations you would add to your travel bucket list next year!
The article was sponsored by AirAsia.
