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Tonlé Sap is the biggest lake in Southeast Asia and famous among biologists for its unusual river flow that change direction twice a year. For the rest of us, who doesn't have the time to sit down on the shore and wait until the water drains out or flows back, will have to settle with the equally unusual life on the lake. Floating villages like Chong Kneas of both Khmer, Cham and ethnic Vietnamese descent are spread out along the edge of the lake and can be visited on a boat trip. Beside the floating homes, there are a school (with basketball court), church, temple... and yes, tourists traps disguised as restaurants and crocodile farms. Don't mind the floating sellers with pet snakes, they are just a part the experience.
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Asia - countryside
CambodiaFloating villages |
East TimorEast Timor Highlands |
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As you slowly wind your way up from Dili into the hilly backcountry the scenery turns lush and the air cool. 11 km from Maubisse a rocky unsealed road snakes off the potholed main road and leads to the little village of Hatubuilico at the foot of Mt. Ramelau (2963m). Round wooden houses with thatched roof are now dotting the sloping fields as you keep going into valley after valley until you get clear views of Ramelau's naked peak. Trek to the top (if you have warm cloths with you) and just enjoy the views before the clouds come rolling in.
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LaosMuang Khua |
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A little trading town made from bamboo and concrete on the bank of the river Ou. No attractions stands out, but a stroll through the little market or along the river will make time pass. Crossing the suspension bridge brings you to the Khamu village of Ban Nam Tum. Most travellers stay only one night in Muang Khua on their way to/from northwest Vietnam (especially Dien Bien Phu). The Lao/Vietnamese border at Tay Trang is only 75 km away, but seventy-five rough kilometers through amazing mountain hills.
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LaosMuang Ngoi |
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This little fisher village on the banks of river Ou (Nam Ou), now doubles as a tranquil traveller hub. The setting is spectacular with rows of bobble mountains that disappear into the mist while Nam Ou winding its way through below. During the Vietnam War the area was heavy bombed by the Americans in their failed attempt to destroy the Ho Chi Minh trail. Today huge bomb fragments are used as morbid garden decoration and fencing. The little village is slowly evolving as an adventure destination with trekking, fishing, cave tours and the mandatory tubing on offer.
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LebanonHill country |
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It's hard to imagine, but with a few hours driving you can go from splashing around in the Mediterranean Sea to be standing in snow in the Mt. Lebanon Range and breathing cool air. They even have a ski resort here if you fancy some skiing on the slopes of Lebanon's highest mountain, Qornet as-Sawda (3090m). It's a breath taken drive from the coast, that takes you along winding roads with magnificent view over deep valleys where clouds come rolling in (including gorgeous Qadisha valley). It also here the last remaining groves of their beloved Cedar trees grow, but you might wonder why souvenirs are still made out of them.
Note that the mountain range can not be crossed a good part of the year due to snow.
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Sri LankaHill country |
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This cool little hill town on the southern edge of Sri Lanka's hill country have some of the most magnificent views. On a cloud-and-mist-free day the coastal plain will open up a 1000 meters below with the Indian Ocean in the distance. Beside cloud forest, waterfalls, and small peaks with splendid panoramas, the hills are covered in neatly picked tea plantations looking like a thick green carpet. Here you have a great opportunity to get close to the "oh so"-famous Ceylon tea and the pickers, who usually are very friendly.
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