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Consider over 17000 islands spread through an area three times larger than the biggest European country, all of it covered by warm equatorial waters. Interact with hundreds of ethnicities populating the islands. Trace the centuries of history with all the accompanying cultural treasures: arts, crafts, legends, rituals. Observe volcanoes - extinct, dormant and active. Enter large expanses of jungle, often untouched, and in some locations even unexplored. Get used to cities interwoven with agriculture and villages crawling together to form centers of trade: don’t be surprised to see farmers working in a rice field between a shopping mall and a bank. Similarly, take for granted the magic mixed with daily life. Don't forget lagoons so transparent that to observe multi-colored coral gardens on the bottom one doesn’t even need to snorkel – but snorkeling is more fun, of course. Test your balance against world-class surf. Try hearty, filling, tasty food and delicious coffee wherever you go. And, last but not the least, meet some of the most chilled-out, hospitable and helpful people in the world. In short, experience Indonesia, an extremely versatile travel destination. Whether you’re looking for sportive thrills, cultural exploration, or a quiet holiday in a beach bungalow, here you will find it without effort.

Indonesia

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Indonesia: 17000 shards of paradise

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Forget about weavers and blacksmiths in villages only - even the major cities are split into craftsmen's quarters, each one specializing in a different sort of manufacture, with ancient monasteries fitting nicely in between. Historical ruins, like the UNESCO-listed Bagan, Ava and Mingun near Mandalay, or the rarely visited Mrauk U, are spread through the central plains. This is also where one finds that Burmese specialty, teakwood monasteries, some still in use, some turned into tourist attractions, a few abandoned yet even more interesting to explore. Hilly areas both in the east and in the west shelter a variety of tribes. Their cultures are so far perfectly preserved and include a number of strange and highly photogenic beautification methods - long necks, giant earrings, facial tattoos. But the main Bamar culture is no less exciting - boys are ordained en masse as Buddhist novices every spring, with an opulent ceremony called Shinbyu, and nat (spirit) temples are as common throughout the country as Theravada monasteries. Both have regular festivals, especially around full moon dates. Long rivers, Irrawadi and Chindwin, provide the opportunity for an old-school cruise, reminiscent perhaps of Kipling's days - slow, uncomfortable, but with glorious views and a chance to try on the unhurried Burmese lifestyle.

Myanmar

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Hike, party or meditate: Thailand has it all

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Gunung Prau, a volcano with the best views in Central Java

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Thailand doesn’t look big on the map, but its diversity is great. If you urgently need a few days or weeks of relaxation by the sea, Thailand is the place to go. There are quiet beach towns like Songkhla, developed tourist resorts such as Phuket or Ko Chang, party hubs like Pattaya or Ko Phangan, and activity centers – for example, Krabi. If you are after nature, go caving in Soppong, track down wild elephants in Khao Yai National Park, take a diving trip to Similan Islands, or visit Thi Lo Su, the largest waterfall in the country, remote and hard to access. Those of you with ethnographic interests can visit mountain villages north of Chiang Mai, where Hmong, Akha, Karen, and other tribes have preserved their traditional ways of living. For travelers searching more quirky experiences, Phuket hosts parades of Chinese mediums possessed by ancestral spirits for nine days every year, and in the center of Bangkok you can visit a shrine dedicated to a cobra, with a modern legend attached. If by chance you are pursuing a spiritual quest, try a vipassana course, get a magic tattoo that may grant you superpowers, or exchange ideas with young Thai artists in Ban Silapin. And when it comes to history, Thailand is a treasure house: it is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized, preserving its own outlook, customs and lifestyle.

Thailand

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Buddhism, modernity and creativity in the White Temple of Chiang Rai

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Kawah Ijen in East Java: two unique phenomena in one hike

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Mt. Bromo: a beautiful caldera in East Java

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Wat Ban Tham temple in Kanchanaburi: through a dragon’s mouth

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Enjoy peace and quiet in Ko Phayam, Ranong

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Encounter wild elephants in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park

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Nature's own hot shower at Pancuran Pitu, Central Java

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Swim with stingless jellyfish in Mariona Lake, Sulawesi

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Eternal fire on the beach: Tanjung Api, Sulawesi

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Surreal landscape of Kawah Putih in West Java

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See orangutans in the wild in Ketambe, North Sumatra

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View Bangkok from the height of the Golden Mount

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Camp on a huge uninhabited island: Ko Tarutao, Satun

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Floating market and fireflies in Amphawa, Samut Songkram

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Huay Kaew Waterfall, an oasis in the city of Chiang Mai

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Songkhla: a quiet beach town in South Thailand

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The last chance to see the geysers of Sipoholon in North Sumatra

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Underground rafting in Tham Lot, Mae Hong Son

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The kingdom of water: Madakaripura Waterfall in East Java

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Chat with monks in the Silver Temple of Chiang Mai

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Traditional umbrella making in Tasikmalaya, West Java

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A thousand waterfalls in one: Tumpak Sewu, East Java

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Wat Phan Tao, Chiang Mai: the temple of lanterns

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Makepung, traditional buffalo races in Negara, Bali

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Three mystical colored lakes of Kelimutu in Flores

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Temple of Dawn, the classical landmark of Bangkok

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Songkran, the water splashing festival of Thailand

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Climb an erupting volcano: Mt. Ibu, Halmahera

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The bizarre Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Phuket

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Dance of the possessed: jathilan in Yogyakarta, Java

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Have a tropical island to yourself in Togean Islands, Sulawesi

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Tolkien's Moria in Madura Island: Arosbaya stone quarry

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Close encounters with dragons in Komodo National Park

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The underground sanctuary: Tham Khao Luang in Phetchaburi

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The colorful Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi

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The legendary Doi Suthep Temple of Chiang Mai

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Contemplate the horrors of war in Hellfire Pass Museum, Kanchanaburi

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Myanmar: time travel to medieval Asia

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Pacu Jawi: traditional bull race of West Sumatra

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Possessed by buffaloes: Kebo-keboan ceremony in Banyuwangi, East Java

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Climbing the karst in Railay, Krabi

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Sea, sand and karst: Phra Nang Beach, Krabi

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Traditional gong casting in Wirun, Central Java

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Pagodas in the mist: Mrauk U, Rakhaing

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Day trips from Krabi: easy level

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Krabi area for experienced travelers

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Toba Lake: the inland sea of North Sumatra

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Bangkok from the water: khlong boat trip

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Ephemeral sunrises at Situ Gunung, West Java

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The muddy disaster: Sidoarjo mudflow in East Java

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Mt. Popa in Central Myanmar: the abode of gods

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Bang Krachao: the lungs of Bangkok

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Start in the capital Hanoi, full of historic colonial buildings blending with local energetic modern vibes. From Hanoi, take a short trip to Ha Long Bay, the most iconic natural wonder of Vietnam. A visit to the idyllic countryside of Ninh Binh would complete your exploration of northern Vietnam. Then continue your journey to the central part of the country famous for its marvelous beaches such as Nha Trang and Quang Binh. Do not miss the charming ancient city Hue, where you can learn about Vietnam’s imperial history. Da Nang and Hoi An are among the most visited places with many attractions, including the impressive newly built Golden Bridge. Finally, head to the southern part, have a fun stay in the chaotic and cosmopolitan Ho Chi Minh City. The southwestern region of Vietnam provides unique experiences as you explore the floating markets and local life on the Mekong River. Have a stop at the island Phu Quoc for a relaxing beach holiday and find some time to reflect upon your trip. Along the way, the diversity of the cuisines, the inexpensive lifestyle and the friendliness of the people will bring you lasting memories that represent a peaceful Vietnam.

Vietnam

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Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai: rare primates and more

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Nature attractions near Buon Ma Thuot, Central Vietnam

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Tribal tournament: Pasola Festival in Sumba

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Mindat, Chin State: tattooed faces and animism

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Magic tattoos in Wat Bang Phra, Nakhon Pathom

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Traditional pottery in Kyaukmyaung, Sagaing Division

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Hiking, climbing & boating in Rammang-Rammang, South Sulawesi

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Salt of the earth in Hoi Khoi, Nha Trang

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Stampede of spirits: Sak Yant Festival in Wat Bang Phra

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Wae Rebo, the last traditional Manggarai village in Flores

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An ancient teakwood bridge in U Bein, Mandalay

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Sangkhlaburi: Thailand's authentic wild west

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Boating in Tra Su cajuput forest, An Giang

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Rockets is the sky: Bun Bang Fai Festival in Yasothon

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Wild, remote, unexplored: Buton Island in Southeast Sulawesi

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The ultimate guide to carving Buddhas in Mandalay

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Undiscovered southeast Lombok: pink beaches & much more

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The long-necked tribe of Kayah state

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Traditional artisan villages of Yogyakarta

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The best floating markets of Mekong Delta

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Around Mt. Ciremai, Central Java: waterfalls, lakes & viewpoints

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The Buddhist architecture of Monywa

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Thi Lo Su, the largest waterfall in Thailand

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Spectacular marine karst of Cat Ba Island

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Caves, temples and ceremonies in Hpa-An

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Venture into world’s oldest rainforest: Khao Sok National Park

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Unexpected attractions around Waingapu, East Sumba

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Mu Cang Chai: rice terraces & tribal culture

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Secret attractions of South-West Bali

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Mawlamyine: time capsule with a pinch of modernity

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Bizarre Bangkok: spirit shrines

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Hippie vibe on Ko Chang Island

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Bali high: Kintamani and Mt. Batur

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Craft villages around Hanoi

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Kyaiktiyo Balancing Stupa: Myanmar’s holiest shrine

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The views and the ambiance in Amed, East Bali

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Tribal cultures of North Vietnam in Bac Ha

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Trekking in Kalaw, Shan State

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Wildlife viewing in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi

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Unique attractions of Bima, East Sumbawa

I am Mark, a professional travel photographer, technically a digital nomad. I’ve taken the nomadic lifestyle to a near-absolute level, seldom staying in one place for more than a few days, although often enough retracing my steps and returning to the locations I liked. And when I started living on the move, at the age of 18, digital technologies were scarce. Are there any analogue nomads? If so, that’s what I used to be before the upgrade some ten years ago. For the last four years, I’ve been calling Indonesia “my base country” – the closest thing to a home I can imagine. Previously, I’ve lived in Thailand for another four years. Before that, I have spent a year or less in almost every other Southeast Asian country, and traveled extensively all over Asia, plus visited Africa and Latin America a number of times. Asia remains my favourite continent. Speciality: ethnography, particularly animist beliefs in Asian cultures. Hobbies: trekking, mountaineering, climbing and photographing active volcanoes, writing sci-fi stories and poetry.

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NAVIGATION