-Randy, Bev & Zen Lynch
1. Luang Prabang/Laos
The ancient royal city of Luang Prabang is a place where time seems to stand still. Bev, Zen and I have always felt Luang Prabang to be among out favorite hidden treasures in Southeast Asia. It's a slow, sleepy town nestled on the Mekong River and rich in Buddhist culture. This former royal capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fusion of monasteries, traditional Laotian dwellings and French-colonial architecture. (We love La Residence and the boutique Maison Souvannaphoum - Amantaka opening!)
2. Maesa Elephant Camp/Chiang Mai, Thailand
This is among the unique highlights of our Southeast Asia trips. What the Four Seasons, Peninsula and Mandarin are to luxury hotel accommodations, the Maese Elephant Camp is to very personal, hands-on, elephant training. Your private elephant camp experience will include a breif training of elephant commands, riding the elephants on your own (no worries with training close by), personally bathing the elephants in the river (so much fun!) and end with a painting session with your elephants. Yes, with directions, these elephants can actually paint and draw.
3. Mekong River Cruise (Laos - Thailand)
In contrast to the 5-Star luxury resorts we normally use in Southeast Asia, our nine-year old daughter, Zennia, considers the tranquil Luang Say Cruise down the Mekong River as "roughing-it."
The 2 day/1 night journey down the Mekong River from Luang Prabang to Huai Say Laos, across the border from Thailand, is a great way to wind down and simply enjoy the Mekong River culture and scenery. You literally overnight in the middle of nowhere, on the banks of the Mekong at the Luang Say Lodge. Although certainly not luxury, the lodge has clean, comfortable villas overlooking the Mekong and a friendly, Laotian staff that earnestly care for your needs. This is a rustic Spartan environment in a good way.
4. Altruistic Opportunities/Cambodia and Laos
Our various trips to Cambodia and Laos have been instructional in terms of the tangible ways we can improve the everyday lives of underpriveleged children. COSO Orphanage in Siem Reap, New Day Cambodia in Phnom Penh, and countless primary schools in Laos and Cambodia offer numerous opportunies to give back to these beautiful, yet very needy kids. Many of our clients, particularly the younger ones, find these activities eye-opening and heartwarming, a real-world contrast to their privileged life back in the U.S.
The genuine kindness and heartfel gratefulness you see in the children's faces and beaming smiles make these experiences incomparably gratifying.
5. Angkor Wat/Cambodia
We feel the various temples of Angkor represent the most amazing and enduring architectural acheivement of any religious site in Asia. The temples, built between the 8th and 13th centuries, when the Khmer civilation was at the height of its development, are spread out over approximately 40 miles around the village of Siem Reap. We particularly love Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, and, of course, Angkor Wat! (Added bonus 0 staying at Grand Hotel D'Angkor or Amansara!)
6. Hanoi/Vietnam
Hanoi represents all that is most compelling about Vietnam; the resourceful/entrepreneurial spirit of its people (do not miss "36 Streets"), its rich French traditions as reflected in its charming French-colonial architecture (think Sofitel Metropole) and French-incluenced Vietnamese cuisine ("Seasons" and so many other wonderful restaurants), and, of course, its symbol as Vietnam's cultural/political capital. The legacy of Ho Chi Minh is ubiquitous - his mausoleum is spell-bounding and abominable.
7. Buddhism and Its Intrinsic Service Culture
Buddhism fully embraces the concept of altruism, kindness/empathy to others, and service. Think of Buddhism as The Golden Rule (squared!). It is no coincidence that the Buddhist-based cultures of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, and parts of India, represent the highest level of service/hospitality that you will find anywhere.
8. AMAN in Southeast Asia (the very very best!)
Well-known by many of our clients and friends, Singapore-based Aman Resorts represent the pinnable of world-class luxury hotel/resort hospitality. While Peninsula, Four Seasons, and Mandarin rule the 5-Star deluxe hotel category, Aman, alone, occupies the very elite level; small, extreme high-touch, singular, and personal. Each resort is characterized by a small number of rooms (typically less than 55) and minimalist architecture designed to complement the location's natural settings. Amansara (Siem Reap), Amanpuri (Phuket), Amankila and Amandari (Bali) among others - we love Aman in Southeast Asia!
9. Burma/Cruising on the Irrawaddy River
We feel the intoxicating Irrawaddy River epitomizes the wonderful culture of Burma - and endearing, leisurely charm and innocence that was perhpas pervasive in Southeast Asia fifty years ago. Rudyard Kipling "thought it quite unlike any land you know about." The 2-night cruise on the RV Pandaw (only 16 cabins) affords wonderful village stops only accessible via the river. The meticulous service and food on the Pandaw is another bonus!
10. Laotian Baci Ceremony
Bev, Zen and I participated in our first Baci ceremony back in 2004 and thought it was among the highlights of our Luang Prabang stay. (Zen was just 4 then!) The Baci ceremony pre-dates the arrival of Buddhism in Laos (8th century) and is considered the most respectful form of welcome from Laotian villagers. During the ceremony the selected individuals tie strings around their wrists believing the strings will protect the wearer. It is suggested the strings must not be removed for at least three days. The ceremony is highlighted by accompaniment of music and traditional dance. It's a very moving personal ceremony, and is meant to bestow the protective power of the spirits of the visitor(s).
11. The Oriental/Bangkok
Founded in 1876, the Oriental really sets the standard for subtle, understated luxury - the service here is legendary. The State Rooms, River Wing, are our favorites - decorated in traditional Thai style with dark teakwood and bright Thai silk. Another plus is their amazing spa (accessible via ferryboat directly across the Chao Phraya River from the hotel).
12. Ballooning Over Bagan (Bagan/Burma)
The sunrise hot-air balloon ride over Bagan is not to be missed, perhaps the most compelling hot-air balloon ride in all of Asia. You rise over 2,000 pagodas, stupas and monasteries built during the Bagan Dynasty 1044A.D. Bagan is to Burma what Angkor Wat is to Cambodia.
13. Four Seasons Tag Team! (Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai/Thailand)
We cannot imagine two nearby luxury resorts with better service or more beautiful settings. First, the Four Seasons Chiang Mai - landscaped gardens, water lily ponds, water buffalo (Zen loved the morning rides!), set in terraced ride paddies. No pretention here, the service is subtle, heartfelt, natural, almost wabi-sabiesque in its delivery. Although smaller (only 15 luxury "tents") in scale, the Four Seasons Tented Camp/Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle offers every bit of service as its sister property in Chiang Mai. Set in a lush hillside overlooking Burma and Laos, the tented accommodations offer every custom amenity imaginable. The focal point here is elephants - much fun!
14. Phnom Penh/Cambodia
Although small by comparison to other Asia capitals, dusty, sleepy, undeveloped Phnom Penh makes us feel that we are visiting a place from time's past. Ubiquitous French-colonial architecture, genuinely friendly, unpretentious natives, and history - this is a nice place to unwind. We particularly enjoy lunch or dinner at Foreign Correspondant's Club/FCC on the bankd of the Mekong.
15. Southeast Asia Kids!
Of course, all children are beautiful. Nevertheless, the children of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Burma project so much happiness and heartfelt kindness in their eyes and smiling faces, they always hold a very special place for us.
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