D-Brief
Edition 11
Soft Adventure
D-Brief Bangkok, 21 July 2011
Dear Partner,
This month, we introduce you to fun and exciting experiences for active travellers. The options we have assembled, under the theme “soft adventure holidays”, range from participating in a traditional Bhutanese archery match to discovering the “Lost Valley of Sabah” by foot and quad biking in Cambodia. Whether it is a nine-day trek through Bhutan or a two-hour family excursion, active holidays can offer a unique experience to everyone with a reasonable fitness level. Soft adventures are a great way to discover a destination and gain an insight into your hosts‟ traditions, culture and way of life. Join us to get even closer to the action! Yours sincerely,
Your Diethelm Travel Team
Soft Adventure Soft adventure travel has been one of the fastest growing trends in the travel industry for a few years. Many holiday makers are seeking new experiences which take them out of the beach resorts and bring them closer to nature and the local people. It does not have to be a two-week trek to the Himalayas; simple experiences like cycling and walking tours or wildlife viewing can spice up every journey. Comfortable active adventure has become the new way to experience the best of the outdoors. A busy dayâ€&#x;s exploring the environmentâ€&#x;s flora and fauna, is often followed by a glass of chilled wine and a comfortable bed. After all, there is nothing wrong with wanting adventure and a little bit of luxury too. Join us in discovering fresh and new ideas for adventure from around the region. Click your desired option and you will link to the particular theme.
Trekking & Archery in Bhutan Quad Biking in Cambodia Horseback Safari in India Cycling Tour in Laos Maliau Basin in Malaysia Walking Tour in Myanmar
Whale Watching in Sri Lanka Rock Climbing in Vietnam
Bhutan Trekking Adventure Discover the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon by embarking on a nine-day trekking and culture journey through the valleys of Thimphu, Paro and Gangtey. Whilst hiking through forests of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendrons, breathe in the fresh air and absorb the beautiful scenery. Stop at traditional Dzongs (fortresses) and monasteries, allowing you to catch your breath and learn more about Bhutan‟s history and religion. With four solid days of 6 to 7 hours of walking, this itinerary is designed for the active traveller who wants to combine sightseeing with visits to traditional farmhouses. A hike up to the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger‟s Nest) and rafting along the Pho Chu River, coming across stretches of Class II and IV rapids, are highlights of this itinerary. This experience is all about getting close up and personal with Bhutan‟s people and traditions. Walking through rural villages and visiting traditional arts schools, experience the Bhutanese way of life and understand the country‟s unique history. In sync with this sense of nature and freedom, the journey is completed with a friendly archery match in the company of the locals.
Archery – Bhutan’s National Sport Archery, Bhutan‟s national sport, is played throughout the year on different occasions. Each village has its own archery field where teams compete in elaborate, multi-day tournaments that are great spectacles for every visitor. The sport is played in an open area and targets are placed with a distance of around 120 to 150 metres from each other. Each team is made up of 15 players, with every archer being allowed two arrows to shoot. The teams shoot alternately and with every point the teams celebrate on both ranges. An important part of the game is the social aspect of dancing and drinking. Each team, for example, brings its own „cheerleading squad‟: A group of teenage girls who dance for their team and serve as a source of entertainment and distraction. No one is spared from their laughs and cruel comments aimed to throw off the archer‟s game. Traditionally, participants in the game can use almost any means to distract or demoralise the other team, including dancing in front of the targets. It is this aspect of the game that makes archery tournaments in Bhutan such a great experience.
Quad Biking in Cambodia Off-road quad biking is a fun activity for the whole family. ATV, all terrain vehicles, or quad bike tours take you around Siem Reap, which is not only home to ancient temples, but also extensive rice paddies and local villages. Basically a motorbike with four large very rugged looking wheels, a quad bike can be driven by any teenager or adult. No driving license or prior quad biking experience is necessary and, for those who are a bit nervous about hitting the trails on a quad bike, training is given by experienced staff before departing for the tour. Practical lessons ensure that you feel comfortable with the bike and do not encounter any difficulties operating the quad (which is an automatic). Every participant is given clear instructions and a helmet; smaller children ride pillion. Once you are ready for the adventure, your guide leads the way and off you go. There are five different tours to choose from, depending on your time at hand and your level of driving. Contact us for more details.
Exploring Siem Reap and its surroundings All routes are well-planned and offer glimpses of local village life with great views of paddy fields and temples. There are ample opportunities to stop and soak in the views, take pictures and chat to the locals. The Sunset Tour, Easy Ride Tour and Discovery Tour are suitable for all levels including beginners. Starting late afternoon the Sunset Tour takes you through 12 kilometres of countryside and ends with a beautiful view of the sun as it sets below the rice paddies. The Easy Ride Tour covers a route south of Siem Reap and, with only 17 kilometres, is great for travellers with limited time at hand. The Discovery Tour is the perfect way to see Siem Reap area in a full-day and includes a visit to an orphanage and a chance to meet the locals. For the more adventurous and experienced drivers there are both half and full day tours available through villages and rice fields on bumpy dirt roads. The route leads to the monastery of Pourk where you meet and spend some time with the monks.
Horseback Safari in Rajasthan There is no better way to experience the vast expanses of Rajasthan than on horseback. During the course of the horse riding journey, riders become part of the breathtaking landscape, almost “at one” with the surroundings. One gets to see historical monuments and scenery, which might be missed on a more conventional sightseeing tour. A horseback safari guided by professional equestrians ensures an experience of a lifetime! Your ride starts near Jodhpur, a town with immense history and great architecture, the Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace being the more prominent among them. The journey continues through the Bishnoi tribal belt, the “eco conservation tribe” of the desert, who would die protecting their animals. This is where you get to see the blackbuck and Indian gazelle in large numbers around the areas the tribes people inhabit. Next you move into dry farmland, where one can see the use of oxen ploughing, carting and irrigating fields. As dusk falls, you stay at either a Fort, Palace or Rawla (a small mansion of erstwhile nobility). These properties are still owned by
Travel at the Pace of Nature aristocrats, who have gracefully converted their homes to classic heritage hotels, combining luxurious modern amenities with timeless traditional charm. As we approach the Aravalli Hills, you begin to encounter the Rabari herdsmen - colourful nomadic shepherds who travel thousands of kilometres with their flocks, searching for pasture for their sheep. The lakes near the hills are home to migratory water birds and the odd crocodile relaxing in the sun. You are now in a predominantly Jain (an Indian religion emphasising the equality of all life) area and you get to visit some marvellous temples like the one at Ranakpur. As you start to ascend into the hills, you encounter hundreds of species of exotic forest birds and fauna such as bear, wolf and leopard. The end of the trip brings you to the erstwhile state of Mewar at the historic fort of Kumbhalgarh. Diethelm Travel India would be happy to arrange a horseback safari especially tailored for you. Travel at a pace that nature intended, taking in the lifestyle and philosophy of India.
Cycling Tour in Vientiane Discover the unknown face of Vientiane, one of the smallest and most relaxed capitals in the world, by bicycle. Get on your bike and explore the "real" and simple rural way of life of this charming city, located on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. Affectionately called “Southeast Asia‟s biggest village”, Vientiane, with a population of just over half a million, is Laos‟ cultural and commercial centre. Whilst compared to other Asian cities, the town seems small and sleepy, however, Laotians consider it to be full of activity in comparison to other towns in the country. In 1545, Vientiane became the administrative capital under the Kingdom of Lan Xang (Kingdom of a Million Elephants) and was rebuilt by the French in 1828 to become the country‟s main city, after the Siamese left it in ruins. Even though the city does not feature as many colonial buildings like its Vietnamese counterpart Hanoi, baguettes and fragrant coffee can still be found at every street corner.
Authentic Vientiane Many interesting places where locals are going about their daily life cannot be found by simply sightseeing around the Capital, but by cycling through school yards, along temples, markets and small local restaurants, one gets a real insight into Laos. Cycle along the residences of the former colonial rulers and explore alleyways lined with palm and wild banana trees, rarely visited by foreigners. Around noon, your guide will take you to have a local lunch at a small Lao restaurant and you can freshen up over delicious Laotian specialities and an ice cold Beer Lao. The track is mostly flat and leads away from the busy streets over dirt roads, which are generally in good condition. The tour is designed for participants who know how to ride a bicycle and everyone with a normal fitness level can participate. We assure you that it is an ideal choice for families and plenty of fun can be had by all. Contact us for full details.
The Maliau Basin - “Sabah’s Lost World� Officially discovered by a pilot in 1947, the Maliau Basin is an area in south central Sabah encircled by a wall of steep cliffs, rising some 900 metres above the jungle floor. About the size of Singapore and only accessible at the point where the Maliau River exits the basin, the first expedition to the area only took place in 1988. The explorers discovered a primary tropical forest where time seemed to have stood still. The inaccessibility of the Basin has resulted in a place where nature and wildlife coexist in perfect harmony, boasting impressive waterfalls and canyons. Over 1,800 species of plants have been identified in the Basin, including 80 different kinds of orchids. Visitors are bound to see exotic birds, with the Maliau Basin having the largest concentration of Helmeted Hornbill, which one can hear croaking loudly in the late evening. There are plenty of monkeys which can be seen almost every day and other mammal species including the Sumatran Rhinos, Malayan Sunbear and Clouded Leopard. To date only about 2,000 people have visited the Maliau Basin and less than fifty
Trek through the Maliau Basin percent of the area has been explored. A true “Jurassic Park without dinosaurs”!
For nature lovers and avid trekkers with a sense of adventure, a visit to the Maliau Basin is a once-in-alifetime experience. Diethelm Travel Malaysia can assist you in booking a three or six-day trekking trip to the “Lost World”. The starting point for the trek is Kota Kinabalu from where it takes a half-day's drive, partly over bumpy gravel, to reach the Maliau Basin Information Gallery. Each visitor needs to register at the Maliau Basin Study Centre before being allowed to enter the Park. On the first day, visitors receive an overview of the Basin and explore the area around the main lodge, which includes a night drive in search of nocturnal wildlife. Subsequent days are spent trekking through the basin and sleeping at very basic camp sites. Due to the remote nature of the Maliau Basin, trekkers must submit a copy of their latest Personal Insurance Policy covering them for emergency helicopter evacuation if need be, as well as a Fitness Certificate confirmed by a doctor.
Walking Tour Yangon Immerse yourself into the hustle and bustle of downtown Yangon and discover its amazingly varied and colourful way of life, during a fascinating walking tour. Yangon is widely known for having the most extensive assortment of urban colonial architecture in Southeast Asia; the downtown area is laid out in a grid pattern with Sule Pagoda as its central reference point. Yangon has many magnificent buildings constructed in the early 20th century. Some are in a state of disrepair, but one could argue it all adds to their charm. Led by a knowledgeable Diethelm Travel guide, start your walk at the Yangon River to see the busy harbour area. Here, ferries leave for Pathein in the Delta and for upcountry towns along the Ayeyarwady River; a hive of activity with porters loading huge sacks of rice, street vendors, trishaws and ferry passengers can be seen. During the walk, catch a glimpse of Chinatown with its Chinese medicine shops and the colourful vegetable, fruit, fish and meat markets, busy with locals bargaining and trading their products.
Close Up Yangon On 26th Street you will pass the old Moseah Yeshua Synagogue before entering the Indian Quarter. Then you visit Shwe Bontha, perhaps the most photogenic of all streets, with its leafy sidewalks, pavement teashops and magnificent colonial buildings. This is where all the gold (Shwe means gold) merchants buy and sell in a local version of a stock exchange. Walking through Mahabandoola Garden, you see Sule Pagoda, City Hall and what was once the largest department store in Asia and now sadly unoccupied, before walking round the impressive High Court building into Pansodan Street for the homeward leg. Passing stalls selling second-hand and photocopied books and the Myanmar Port Authority building, you arrive at the Strand Hotel, itself a stunning colonial building, to conclude your walk. Enjoy a well deserved refreshment or afternoon tea in colonial grandeur. Diethelm Travel Myanmar offers an easy three hour stroll through the Capital, perfect for witnessing Burmese culture, traditions and history.
Sri Lanka - Home to the Blue Giants The pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, is a paradise for beautiful creatures of the deep. Home to the largest animal on earth, the Blue Whale, the waters surrounding Sri Lanka, boast 26 of the 80 species of cetaceans in the world. These include the Humpback Whale, Sperm Whale and Byrdes Whale. It is believed that some whales are resident while others are migratory, crossing over to the Arabian Sea, passing Dondra, the southern tip of the island. The waters also teem with several species of dolphins including the Spinner Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin and Rissoâ€&#x;s Dolphin. These amazing creatures can be seen throughout the year, as the 105 rivers of Sri Lanka carry an abundance for food to the ocean all year around. The rivers in conjunction with the upwelling at the edge of the continental shelf bringing in cool, nutrient-rich water, guarantee the dolphinâ€&#x;s food chain in the warm tropical seas surrounding the island. To see a blue whale or school of dolphins at sea is something most of us can only dream of, so why not use this opportunity to make a dream come true?
Whale & Dolphin Watching Whilst visiting Sri Lanka, one cannot miss out on an up close and personal glimpse of the whales in their natural habitat! Be a part of this experience and venture out on an escapade in search of the rare giants of the ocean. Dondra, off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, is a haven for whales. December, January and April are the peak months in which sighting whales is almost a guarantee. If you are in the mood for some friendly chatter or a splendid display of performance acrobatics, you are able to watch the playful dolphins off the shores of Kalpitiya, at the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. The best viewing time is usually November to March, when one can spot up to 200 dolphins, at any time. Delve into the natural habitat of these ocean treasures in either motorized boats or trawlers. Alternatively, enjoy a magnificent aerial view by venturing out on an air expedition by helicopter or seaplane. Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka can arrange all the options mentioned.
Rock Climbing on Cat Ba Island Halong Bay with 1,960 islets, most of which are limestone, is one of the most naturally beautiful locations on the planet. Just observing the beauty from a junk or kayak may simply not be enough for some visitors. From Cat Ba Island, an island of approximately 140 square kilometres, visitors can venture out to discover the adjoining National Park and neighbouring islands, by climbing on the exotic rock formations that make Halong Bay unique. Rock climbing is relatively new to Vietnam and climbing high over the turquoise waters of Halong Bay is certainly an experience that will stay with you. As you try climbing on multiple rock faces, you not only enjoy a view of Halong Bay, but also connect with the beauty of the area by physically engaging it.
Almost everyone, no matter the age or experience, can enjoy rock climbing. It can be as easy or technically difficult as the climber wishes it to be, depending on the terrain that is being climbed.
Vertical Halong Bay Safety is very important and all guides are experienced climbing instructors following the highest international standards of safety and excellence. The climber is paired with his or her guide who secures the ropes and safety equipment, which is regularly checked and maintained to ensure the highest level of safety. A climbing adventure up one of Halong Bayâ€&#x;s rock faces, supported by fellow travellers and an instructor, offers a great way to actively challenge yourself, conquer fears and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Rock climbing tours lasting from only few hours to excursions of up to three days can be arranged through Diethelm Travel Vietnam. No matter the level of experience and fitness, a small adventure awaits everyone in Halong Bay: various activities from kayaking to trekking or visiting a local farming village can be included in this itinerary.
Burmese Roasted Eggplant Salad (Khayan dhi pope thote) This Burmese speciality is wonderfully intense, not only from the aromatic crispy garlic and fresh coriander, but also because the roasted eggplant gives it a distinctive smoky flavour. The chopped peanuts and sesame seeds add a crunchy texture to the soft flesh, which is dressed with garlic oil, fish sauce and lime juice. Ingredients 2 medium eggplants 2 small shallots, thinly sliced & soaked in cold water 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons peanut oil garnish 1 teaspoon dried shrimp, pounded into floss 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds 1 teaspoon roasted peanuts, chopped small handful of fresh coriander, chopped ½ lime, juiced 1 tablespoon fish sauce
Preparation Method To get that lovely smoky flavour, place the eggplants whole on a flat baking sheet lined with foil. Pierce the eggplants with a knife to stop them bursting during cooking. Place under a hot grill for 15-25 minutes turning them occasionally. Be sure to let the skin colour and char. While the eggplants are grilling, make the crispy garlic and oil. Heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry the garlic until golden and aromatic. Remove with a slotted spoon and cool. Drain the shallots and squeeze them in your hands to remove any water. Pop them in a bowl. When the eggplants are ready, cool a little until they can be handled. Cut them in half and scoop out the flesh into the bowl. Mix in 1 tablespoon of the frying oil and the garnishes. Taste and adjust the seasoning so there is a balance of salt and sourness. Serve while the salad is still a little warm. Recipe source: hsaba.com
Recipe
Visa & Borders Singapore For most nationalities no travel visa permit is required if they wish to visit Singapore as tourists. However, visitors must be in possession of a passport valid six months beyond date of departure and have onwards travel documents to the next destination on them. Nationals holding British and Irish passports may stay a maximum of 30 days, for other nationals the maximum length of stay without visa is 14 days. Foreigners holding travel documents issued by the following countries will require a visa to enter Singapore: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
Visitors in need of a visa for a social visit can either submit their visa application online (eVisa) through a local Singaporean contact with a SingPass account or apply for a visa at the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission. The following documents are needed to apply for a social visit visa: • Completed visa form • One recent passport-sized colour photograph • Photocopy of the applicant‟s passport biodata page • Local contact‟s Singapore identity card (original and copy) Please remember that regulations can change at short notice and all visitors are advised to check with the High Commission or the Embassy before leaving the country of residence. For more details please visit the website of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore at http://www.ica.gov.sg.
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Summer 2011
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