GOOD TRIPS
Asia’s Secret Cities
We decided to single out three lesser-known cities in South East Asia, and share one thing in each we found refreshingly unique.
Every famous city is similar to every other one in many ways as frequent travellers know. Sure, they have their moments, but they also have the same fast food franchises, and the same boring car rental companies. The only difference may be the restaurant name, and the logo on the ‘free’ map.
We are not saying big city travel is bad, but it can be boring for those in search of variety and fresh cultural experiences. We decided to single out three lesser-known cities in South East Asia, and share one thing in each we found refreshingly unique. Do remember to top up with your favourite fragrances from our shop, as you may not find them where you are going.
DILI
Dili on the north coast of Timor Leste is a melting pot of ethnic groups, and quite famous for being one of the most densely Catholic countries in the world with over 90% Catholic population. The tourist trade has largely passed it by. It is quite refreshing feeling genuinely welcome as a visitor.
We just loved the Dili Waterfront for its grand colonial buildings and graceful curving shoreline. If you want to see what South East Asia was like before the tourists found it, this is definitely your spot. Accommodation is clean and simple and the Thai and Lebanese food is good.
udaipur
Rajasthan is on the northwest border of India with lovely lakes and soaring mountains. Along the Udaipur shores are magnificent palaces from the Rajput Kingdom that began 1400 years ago. The city is a popular tourist destination with some of the finest hotels in all of India.
This of no interest to the accidental backpacker in search of somewhere they can escape from western civilization, and revel in authentic India. We spent a pleasant day exploring the spectacular City Palace on the East bank of Lake Pichola begun in 1568, and expanded and embellished many times.
bagan
Bagan in the heart of Myanmar is an ancient religious centre and place of pilgrimage. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries rose up on the flat plain. Over 2,200 still survive. The encroaching jungle has reclaimed the rest.
Although the architecture rivals Angkor Wat, few tourists even know the place exists. We found the priests friendly provided we followed protocols that boiled down to being respectful, fully dressed and removing shoes. One could spend a year in Bagan, and not even scratch the surface of mystery such as this.
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