Experience the sights, the sounds and, not least, the enticing smells of Asia. Here are a few Asia travel stories for you to enjoy.
Latest Asia travel stories
Bokor Hill Station: Whispers of the past (Day out Phnom Penh)
Gaping holes, pitch black squares and rectangles, glare at me as I approach. And shades of grey. So many shades, many more than 50. Here and there interrupted by patches of rusty red. The abandoned, derelict ruin is all that is left of this once luxurious hotel at Bokor Hill Station. When I hear the word hill station, my mind [...]
11 things you’ll love in Almaty
I’ve been in Almaty nearly a week now, and I’ve enjoyed myself tremendously here. The city is beautifully located at the foot of the Zailiyskiy Alatau Mountains (or the Tian-Shan Mountains, their better known Chinese name), it’s summer, the weather is lovely (even the occasional daily burst of rain), there’s lots to see and do, and people are very, very [...]
Enchanting Chanthaburi and community-based tourism
Chanthaburi is one of Thailand 's lesser-known treasures, with a beautiful church, the fascinating 300-year-old Chanthaboon River Community, gemstones and delicious fruit.
Chong Changtune Live Eco-museum: A Day at the Spa
As you may remember, I've decided to say yes to everything... well, at least most things. Here's the second episode in the sporadic series Sophie tries new things. Subtitle: Steam bath in a chicken coop. Outdoors. In 40° C. In a word: Awesome!
Sophie tries new things: Thai massage in Bangkok
My first taste of Thai massage is equal parts pain and pleasure. My masseuse squeezes, kneads, pokes, punches, rubs. I’m bent and twisted and stretched in every conceivable direction - and some which were until now quite inconceivable.
Day Out Bangkok: Royal Ayutthaya
I’m off to Thailand on Saturday, folks - and was reminded that I still haven't told you about a terrific Bangkok daytrip I took last time. The old Siamese capital Ayutthaya is only about 70 km north of the Thai capital, and easily reached by bus, train or boat.
Silent Retro Sunday: Woman weaving in Lombok, Indonesia
Woman weaving on the island of Lombok in Indonesia
12 Instagrams of Pyongyang
You know I like to visit the world's curious places. Here on Sophie's World we've presented a few cities and regions by Instagram - many of them a wee bit off the beaten track, such as Sofia, San Remo, Dar es Salaam, Tbilisi or Arctic Sweden. Well, things are about to get curiouser and curiouser around here. In fact, I [...]
A glimpse of Brunei
Welcome to a very curious place and a lesser-known national capital: Bandar Seri Begawan. We're in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, the Abode of Peace. I live in a relatively small oil rich country, so it's always interesting to see how other oil-nations are similar – or different – from my own. Specifically bearing in mind that oil is a resource [...]
One day in Saigon – a snapshot
My first day in deliciously chaotic Saigon features an evocative visit to the War Remnants Museum, a look at Independence Hall, the colonial architecture, and dodging the mad scooter traffic. Here's a little Saigon photo gallery.
The Peranakan of Singapore
I'm writing this in the lobby of the wonderfully quirky Kam Leng hotel in Singapore, a country where I've been many times. It has always been a favourite stopover of ours, on the way to Australia or New Zealand or Bali. But for the very first time, I'm here without the girls, and I must say it feels a bit [...]
Colours of Rajasthan, Diwali and hill forts
Wandering around Jaipur during Diwali, my friend and I came across a colony where the celebrations were in full swing. We, though complete strangers, were invited in to join.
