Overview of Southeast Asia

Toby — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:31:16 +0000

On a January afternoon in 1861, Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist, was hacking his way through the almost impenetrable jungle of Cambodia when suddenly he burst into a clearing and stopped dead in his tracks. Before his astonished eyes loomed the outlines of a stone structure. Its long grey battlements appeared to stretch into infinity, magnificent terraces and galleries vaulted upwards and five towers shaped like lotus buds soared into the heavens. Touched by the setting sun, the whole grey mass burned fiery red.

His search for rare insects forgotten, Mouhot plunged about for days exploring not only this great temple, which he called ’a rival to Solomon’s’ but also hundreds of other structures which he found half submerged in the jungle. Mouhot had stumbled upon the enormous ruins of Angkor, legendary capital of the Khmer Empire. The empire had once stretched from the South China Sea to the Gulf of Siam, including all of the present day Cambodia, part of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, and had embraced the most brilliant civilization ever to flourish in South—east Asia.

While they lasted the kings of Khmer were a remarkable breed. They tore out the jungle to plant endless fields of rice, they laid out a network of paved roads, they mastered the science of hydraulic engineering and established a water system even more incredible than their temples.

And they dug dikes and canals on the flood plains that provided perpetual irrigation for their fields.

The results of all their labour and the sacrifices their slaves made can still be seen today — and should be seen, for they are truly remarkable. The stony testaments are of such magnitude and splendour as to dwarf the wonders of Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Numbers of tourists to these beautiful countries are growing on a daily basis. This is predominantly due to the word spreading that you will be received with warmth and curiosity rather than resentment and war fatigue. Shimmering paddy fields, exquisite pagodas and sugar—white beaches beckon the intrepid traveller.

Ho Chi Minh City provides a head—spinning introduction to Vietnam, as does Bangkok in Thailand, so trips out into the rice fields, orchards and jungles make a welcome change.

The temples, palaces and imperial mausoleums of aristocratic Hue in Vietnam should not be missed. Crawl through the original Cu Chi tunnels, the underground tunnel system which was home to the Vietcong during the Vietnam war. Have a new silk wardrobe made up at the cheapest prices in the charming ancient port town of Hoi An. And sail through the spectacular world heritage site of Ha Long Bay which is crammed with grottoes, islands and jagged limestone outcrops jutting out of the sea.

In Thailand you must ensure you visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok, home of the holiest and most dazzling temple. In Kanchanaburi you could stay in a rafthouse on the River Kwai, ride the historic Death Railway and explore temples and waterfalls by bicycle. For the truly adventurous you could explore the extraordinary Andaman coast by sea—kayaking in the Krabi region.

Laos also has sights not be missed, including Wat Phou which was one of the most important religious sites of the great Khmer Empire. You could take a slow boat on the Mekong River or be the first to unravel the mystery of The Plain Jars which is one of the world’s great archeological puzzles where hundreds of ancient giant stone urns are scattered across the Xiang Khouang Plateau.

And finally Cambodia, where memories of your visit here will remain etched in your minds forever. You should not miss seeing Angkor Wat’s soaring towers, or glimpsing the silver heads of rare dolphins flitting through the rapids at Kample. Nor should you miss the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, whose gleaming golden spires and vivid Ramayana murals making for a stunning sight.

Travelling down the Mekong River

Toby — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 12:13:18 +0000

Travelling by boat along the busiest waterway in Southeast Asia is a wonderful way of getting a short but fascinating glimpse of Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong River glides through the Vietnamese border, flowing down from South—West China all the way through the mainland South East Asian countries — Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. The Mekong River is also one of Asia’s most strategic rivers, as it offers a crucial commercial link between Saigon in Vietnam and Angkor in Cambodia � two of the most important destinations in the region.

Called ’the River of Nine Dragons,’ the Mekong River is one of the longest rivers in the world, and it is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia. Its narrow waterways are perhaps the best way to explore the mystifying ancient Khmer city of Angkor and its awe—inspiring temples set in the depths of the Cambodian forest. The incredible temples of Angkor, one of the wonders of the Oriental world, are among the most important historical sites in Southeast Asia, displaying the glory of an ancient civilization.

The boat that you will most likely travel in is an attraction in itself— colourful and exotic, as only this part of the world can provide.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the boats are primitive and dangerous! Most have a 40 HPW Toyota engine and they cruise at 50 mph.

So, from your relative luxury, you will witness the daily life of the local people and see the family factories producing fish sauce, tofu and rice paper. The people living in the Mekong Delta make their living as farmers and fishermen. Often, they live right on the edge of the rivers or canals on various structures built from whatever materials can be found. Consequently, the architecture along the delta varies from place to place. Large floating markets are complete with floating restaurants, floating gas stations and an occasional tour boat filled with tourists.

During the dry season the Mekong River receives water from the Tonle Sap. It reverses its direction during the rainy season when floodwaters find its way back to the Tonle Sap— which also acts as a natural reservoir and is a rich fishing ground. The Mekong River’s final destination is the vast Mekong Delta. The Delta covers an immense area of 194,250 sq.km and is criss—crossed by many channels and canals.

A fascinating area to explore, the Mekong Delta’s almost entire coastal strip is a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats. You will see whole villages floating on rafts and the richness in river life activity is truly a moving experience. There are also some breathtaking beaches along the coast, as well as lush tropical plantations and gardens.

There is no better way to see the rich cultural diversity of this region in such an intense and close—up way, than by boat. Travelling down these waterways is an experience not to be missed.

Sticky-Rice.com » General

Overview of Southeast Asia

Travelling down the Mekong River