A Dummy's Guide to Southeast Asia's Beaches

Beaches - From the obvious to the obscure and everything in between.

Calling all you beach bums! Endless stretches of sun kissed beaches, clear seas and the blue skies overhead—South East Asia’s beaches have all this and more to offer. Whether you want to simply relax by the sea or dance the night away at a wild beach party, you are promised a fantastic holiday. Water sports and beautiful sunsets complete the postcard-perfect picture. So grab your sunscreen and put on those beach flip-flops as we list South East Asia’s favourite beach destinations—some well-known, others offbeat, but all breathtaking beautiful.

Bintan – Batam, Indonesia

Located 45 minutes away from Singapore by ferry, the Indonesian island of Bintan provides an instant getaway from the city. The tourist-friendly Bintan Resorts section of the island (laughingly referred to as a Singaporean outpost) allow you to relax and rejuvenate in carefully manicured surroundings. Head to Indonesia’s Batam Island, known for its wild and naughty wildlife, if you want a more riotous holiday. Batam is also famous for its tantalising seafood fare.

Phuket, Thailand

Thailand’s Phuket has become a regular stopover for those wanting to enjoy the sand, sea and surf. From quiet, untouched beaches to beaches bursting with a carnival-like atmosphere, Phuket has it all. Patong Beach is famous for its wild nightlife, while Banana Beach is home to hornbill rainforest birds and other wildlife. Nai Han Beach located in Southern Phuket is perfect to enjoy a quiet, cosy sunset. Sailing is a favourite tourist activity. Abundance of corals and marine life makes Phuket perfect for snorkelling. Offbeat adventure sports such as kite surfing and wakeboarding are also popular.

Tioman Island, Malaysia

With rolling green landscapes and virgin beaches, Malaysia’s Tioman Island is paradise. Tioman’s beach coast is divided into North and South by a small rocky hill. Local folklore demands that tourists stand on this hill (and perhaps pose for the camera) as it is believed to be the oldest area of the island. North Beach is popular with tourists, abounding with shops and tiny cafes, while South Beach is relatively deserted. Scuba diving is a popular activity at Tioman, thanks to the unspoilt clear waters.

Bali, Indonesia

With its irresistible mix of beautiful temples, colourful festivals, endless beaches and adventure sports, Bali packs in something for everyone. Culture junkies will enjoy touring the island’s many temples, with their towering pagoda-shaped roofs with multiple tiers. Every Balinese temple is unique, which adds to their beauty. Water sports, right from scuba diving to surfing, abound on Bali’s white sand beaches. Adrenalin junkies can trek to the top of Mt. Batur, an active volcano situated in North Bali. Get a real feel of Bali by enjoying an evening of traditional local dance, or by treating yourself to a Balinese massage by the beach.

Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand

It is not only the white sand beaches, picturesque fishing villages and marine adventures that bring tourists to Koh Pha Ngan. This Thai island is best known as for its infamous Full Moon Parties. Haad Rin beach is converted into a swinging, dancing, substance-fuelled blur of sinful decadence and merriment. With pulsing music, guests from all over the world, fire eating, strobing lights and the sand below your feet, this is one heck of a party!

Mui Ne, VietnamThis largely unexplored beach in South Vietnam (near Ho Chi Minh City) is perfect for travellers looking for a relaxed, cosy holiday. Do visit the Sand Dunes, a short drive from the town. Slide down the dunes if you’re up for an adventure, else admire the coastal view from your sandy vantage point. Don’t miss seeing sunset from the dunes, it is a phenomenal sight. The Mui Ne fishing harbour is a delightful place, where you can purchase fresh seafood or watch the bay with hundreds of colourful boats happily bobbing.

Published on Live In Style

Magical Malacca

Malacca (‘Melaka’ in Malay), most famous as the home of the big, bad pirates who plagued waters of the Straits of Malacca, is an interesting visit for the traveler looking for an adventure. 

We were two girls (just for effect's sake, we bought two huge hats to wear) who explored the numerous lanes and bylanes of beautiful Malacca, soaking in the beautiful atmosphere in every moment. Malacca was declared a UNESCO World heritage Site in 2008.

That's me with the hat!

Explore Malacca

The best way to see the city is on foot. Make it a point to venture through every doorway, into every little allay. Although, you may walk into people’s homes form time-to-time, Malacca will reward those with a ‘what lies around that corner?’ sense of curiosity. Clamber onto one of the city’s tuk-tuks (as a visitor, I insist you choose one with loud decorations, blaring music, flowers and flashing lights) for a crazy ride.

Much of your time in Malacca will centre on the river which winds through the city. Take a cruise down the river to get a glimpse of the city and its main buildings. Spend the evening relaxing in a charming cafe by the city or posing by the quant riverside homes and footbridges.

Heritage city

As you enter the heritage city, stop by the imposing brick-red wall which declares Malacca’s heritage status. A photograph against this wall serves as a nice I-visited-Malacca memento.

With my friend Vrisha - at the start of Malacca

The Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum, which housed an authentic heritage home, gives a fascinating account of the Peranakan culture and traditions. Step into the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple on Jalan Tokong, which is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, for a moment of soul searching. The Christ Church makes for an interesting visit, as it whispers tales of colonial conflict.

Take the winding path up from the central square to St Paul’s Church. This fascinating structure is now crumbling, home to Dutch tombstones and tourist graffiti. However, the view of the city below with its rows of tiled roofs is magical. For a small sum, you can pose here with a “pirate” and his angry looking bird.

Jonker adventures

"Dubious females" alert!

Jonker Walk, lined with quaint shops selling all sorts of interesting ‘antiques,’ is nestled in the heart of Malacca. Do you fancy an unopened can of Coca Cola from 1972, or an ad for Anchor toothpaste from decades ago? Among the dust and rust, you will stumble across several fascinating — if not priceless treasures. In one dark shop, I chanced across a potion to help men “See the pitfalls of being enticed by dubious females.” Priceless! 

For someone who has never held an LP record before, the huge collection of records (to be bought at a steal) was very exciting. Be sure to check out shops selling wooden ships as well. This may be your one and only chance to own a fleet of handcrafted ships.

The Bullock Cart Bank on Jonker Walk

As the sun goes down, Jonker Walk is converted into a riotous, swinging market—known as the famous Night Bazaar. Vendors and visitors throng the area as tiny shops open up on the street. Look out for the Bullock Cart Bank, which sells stamps from exotic lands. 

If you fancy having your fortune told, do visit the local roadside palmist (of dubious authenticity, of course). Massage parlours (stick to the large, well identified ones if you don’t want a rude surprise) abound by the dozen. Foodies will have a great time eating various Malaccan street-side delicacies—right from fried potato fritters to ice kachang and fruits on sticks dipped in sinful chocolate.

Settle down at the Traveller Cafe (a tourist favourite) to savour the ambience under the starry sky. Do the salsa with a perfect stranger, or soak in the in-house band’s rendition U2 renditions. The mood is extremely relaxed, very happy, and slightly drunk—making it impossible not to have a fabulous time.

Offbeat options

Fancy flying a local fighter kite? Head to Kleblang Beach and test your kite-flying skills against the locals. If you are a tea drinker, head to the Yeetea House on Jalan Laksamana, which offers tea ceremony classes, as well as an exhaustive array of tea varieties. Ride the Eye on Melaka, a Ferris wheel styled on its more famous British counterpart, to get a birds-eye view of the city.

Spotted off Jonker Walk

For the best chicken rice ball in town, head to the red-bricked Famosa on the corner of Jonker Walk. You are guaranteed to find a long, winding queue of tourists waiting outside—but you are also guaranteed a meal worth the wait!

Article as published on Mumbai Mirror

Photographs © Mithila Mehta

From Phnom Penh, With Love

A trip through the streets of Cambodia's capital city

Phnom Penh refuses to abide by the regular traveler clichés. There are no beaches, and no beautiful sunsets. Most tourist landmarks are remainders of Cambodia’s bloody Khmer Rouge Regime. The traffic is menacing (interestingly, every other car is a Toyota) and the locals usually in too much of a hurry. Where then, you may ask, does Phnom Penh’s beauty lie?

Phnom Penh: Barbed wired reality

Phnom Penh is a gritty tale of survival. A city that is heartbreakingly real as it grapples with the ghosts of an unfortunate past. There are stories waiting to be told, adventures waiting to be lived in its manic streets.
 

Glorious history

Visitors to Phnom Penh must tour the Royal Palace, home to the magnificent Silver Pagoda and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Palace is in stark contrast with the gory and barb-wired Khmer era tourist spots. The intricate designs and gorgeous Cambodian architecture display the country’s rich artistic heritage at its best. Located across the street from the Royal palace, The National Museum of Cambodia houses several beautiful artefacts and artworks. Do pay special attention to the original statue of the Leper King, which was originally installed in Angkor’s Terrace of the Leper King.

The graceful and towering Wat Botum pagoda, built in the 15th century, is a glorious example of Cambodian architecture. It is also historically significant because the infamous Pol Pot lived and studied here in his younger days.

Khmer Rogue

For those who want to learn about the bloody days of the Khmer Rouge rule, Phnom Penh has many dark stories to tell. The Tuol Sleng Prison / Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison) is a horrific remainder of the Khmer Rouge regime. This former school was converted into Cambodia’s deadliest prison under the Rouge. Nearly 15,000 people were tortured and killed here; only eight made it out alive. Gruesome torture devices were stationed in what were once classrooms. Blood stains are still visible on the walls. The museum display that has been created within the prison buildings tells heartbreaking stories of the victims.

Pol Pot's regulations for prisoners: At Tuol Sleng

The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, located about 40 minutes outside the city, are not for the fainthearted. The Fields are marked by a giant Buddhist Stupa. Eerily, the Stupa is constructed of glass and houses thousands of human skulls that were discovered at the site.

Explore and unwind

An interesting stopover is Phnom Penh’s Russian Market, where designer ware is available at hugely discounted prices. The indoor market, a maze of tiny alleys and tinier shops offers a full fledged bargain-happy shopping experience. Beware of fakes, touts and pickpockets. There’s nothing Russian about the market, in case you are wondering. But it does happen to offer the best cold coffee in town!

Phnom Penh’s famous Riverside (known as Sisowath Quay) winds alongside the Mekong River. Settle down by the riverside and watch the sun go down on the city, an unexpected moment of peace in the frenzied metropolis. The street opposite the Riverside is home to several cafes, shops and eateries. The famous ‘Pub Street’ (though not as lively as its similarly named counterpart in Siem Reap) is located just off the Riverside main road. There are several quaint bookstores dotting the promenade. Browse through the shelves of yellowing books, or settle down at the large dining table (with mismatched chairs) and order a tea.

Unusual sights

Exploring Phnom Penh’s streets by foot will leave you with several unexpected sights. We chanced across a park where several hundred people (across age groups) were simply dancing together, led by a jumpy young woman in orange tights. Join in if you’re particularly adventurous—or if doing snazzy hip-hop moves with a crowd of perfect strangers features on your bucket list.

"One World Only," says this quirky tuk-tuk on the streets of Phnom Penh

Although Phnom Penh’s skyline is rather modest, the number of antennae and communication wires sticking out of the roofs of homes is mind-blowing! When combined with a Cambodian sunset, some particularly fascinating silhouette shots are possible.

Original Article as published on Mumbai Mirror
Photographs © Mithila Mehta