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October 2009
Kipling & Clark Founder Randy Lynch’s 15 Favorite Things (Places/Experiences) in Southeast Asia
We've given you "Favorites" for Japan and Hong Kong, and we have now compiled our 15 Favorites for Southeast Asia (Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos-Thailand-Burma). Hope you find our list informative and entertaining!
-Randy, Bev & Zen Lynch
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1. Luang Prabang/Laos
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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!)
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Alms in Luang Prabang |
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 Maesa Elephant camp is to very personal, hands-on elephant training. Your private elephant
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Zen at Maesa Elephant Camp
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camp experience will include a brief training of elephant commands, riding the elephants on your own (no worries with trainers 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!
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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.
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4. Altruistic Opportunities/
Cambodia and Laos
Our various trips to Cambodia and Laos have been instructional in terms of tangible ways we can improve the everyday lives of underprivileged children. COSO Orphanage in Siem Reap, New Day Cambodia in Phnom Penh, and countless primary schools in Laos and Cambodia
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Zen at COSO
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offer numerous opportunities 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 heartfelt gratefulness you see in the children's faces and beaming smiles make these experiences imcomparably gratifying.
5. Angkor Wat/Cambodia
We feel the various temples of Angkor represent the most amazing and enduring architectural achievement of any religious site in Asia. The temples, built between the 8th and 13th centuries, when the Khmer civilization 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 - 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-influenced 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 at once 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 represents the pinnacle of world-class luxury hotel/resort hospitality. While Peninsula, Four Seasons and Madarin 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!
For 9-15 please visit our blog!
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Safe travels!
Randy Lynch, CEO
rlynch@kiplingandclark.com
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