GO ASIA PLUS { Asean Supplement 2017 }
ASEANGUIDE
BY
THE
CO-PRESENTED BY
FEATURING
1 . WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
ABOUT THE
asean GUIDE
ASEANGUIDE
THE
Hello and welcome to the first ever GOASIAPLUS
Asean Guide that is co-presented by AirAsia. In
case you did not know, 2017 marks the 50th
anniversary of the formation of ASEAN so we made a little
guide for you featuring 10 Asean countries. We feature 2
‘road less taken’ destinations per country to inspire you to
travel around South East Asia.
Plus, thanks to AirAsia, you can know all the flight
destinations under their esteem airline. Make sure to check
out our special feature on the AirAsia Asean Pass, the
affordable pass to travel to various ASEAN countries using
a credit system.
More good news as we are also giving away AirAsia
Asean Passes to 5 lucky winners! Details of the contest
are on our GOASIAPLUS FB page starting from 15 August
2017. We wish you the best of luck!
Happy reading from the GOASIAPLUS team :)
Starting from
15 AUG 2017
WIN FREE
CONTEST DETAILS ON OUR
GOASIAPLUS FB PAGE
COVER PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES
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GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
Malaysia
“Tea time is a chance to slow down, pull back and
appreciate our surroundings” - Letitia Baldrige. Yes,
when comes to tea time in Malaysia, everyone revels
in it. Malaysians, like people from other countries,
love tea. The beloved tea holiday in this country is
Cameron Highlands. It is the hotbed of tea plantation,
as some of the country’s best tea brands are planted
and produced here in these valleys. You can safely say
that majority of the local here has visited Cameron
Highlands. While tea plantation is the highlight of
this place, it is also home for fresh agriculture produce
and horticulture.
HOW TO GET THERE
Travellers can get to Cameron
Highlands by land, either
by car, rented taxi or bus.
There are regular bus and
taxi services from capital city
of Kuala Lumpur to Cameron
Highlands. There are also bus
services from Simpang Pulai
bus station travelling from
Kinta to Cameron Highlands
hill station.
WHERE TO STAY
Cameron Highland has a
wide number of hotels and
accommodations suited for
every budget. There are also
apartments that has 3-4
rooms if you are travelling in
a group. Holiday Inn Cameron
Highlands and Strawberry
Park Hotel are the two
notable names when it comes
to accommodations here.
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP The tea plantation
at Cameron Highlands;
Fresh strawberries to
be picked at Cameron
Highlands; The view from
the peak of Broga Hill; One
of the many waterfalls in
Pahang; The night view at
Broga Hill.
WHAT TO DO
Visiting tea plantation fields
and tea producing factories
should be the main itinerary
in travellers’ visit here. It
would be a good learning
experience on how tea leaves
are processed and produced.
Also, there are many farmers
cultivating land for fresh
vegetables and fruits.
Travellers can go strawberry
picking and visit flower
farms, just some of the many
horticulture activities there.
4 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
WHAT TO EAT
Travellers can find all sorts
of restaurants serving local
delights, ranging from Malay,
Chinese and Indian food.
On a chilly night, you can go
to Gonbei restaurant for a
Chinese steamboat dinner.
Since Cameron Highlands is
where fresh vegetables are
planted, a good vegetarian
meal would be a sumptuous
delight. Try some at Cameron
Organic Produce Steamboat
restaurant.
FLYING TIP
Pre-book Santan Combo Meal
(comes with a FREE drink)
at airasia.com at only RM10!
{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
AirAsia
AirAsia has the widest domestic
network, connecting not just
both Peninsular and East
Malaysia, but also intra-East
Malaysia; easing travel among
Malaysians and tourists alike.
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
Fancy a hike and a superb view of sunrise or sunset?
Well, head out to Broga Hill in Semenyih, a spot that
is becoming quite popular among locals here. This 400
meter hill, surrounded with lush green hills of a tropical
rainforest, is quite a joy to hike during a quiet weekday
morning where one can climb at their own pace.
HOW TO GET THERE
It takes about 40 minutes
drive by car or taxi from
Kuala Lumpur. By bus,
travellers can hop on RapidKL
that head to Seremban. The
entrance to the hill is before
Broga town if you’re coming
from Semenyih.
WHAT TO DO
Hike, chill out on a picnic and
enjoy the view. Travellers can
be a bit daring by exploring
the lush rainforest and watch
local wildlife but its best that
local authorities are informed
about your whereabouts.
WHERE TO STAY
Broga Bliss Eco Garden
Flights
AirAsia has introduced 3
new routes: from Langkawi
to Shenzhen, from Langkawi
to Kuching and from Johor
Bahru to Kuala Terengganu.
would be an ideal place to
stay. It takes less than 10
minutes drive from Broga
Hill and is situated on a
relaxing eco farm overlooking
beautiful scapes of hills
and mountains. The place
also has organic fruits farm
and flowers surrounded by
greenery. Broga Bliss is big
enough to cater smaller or
larger groups.
WHAT TO EAT
There are two famous grill
fish restaurants in Broga
which is a must-try for first
time visitors. There are also
lots of other restaurants and
stalls if travellers fancy some
local delights.
Facts
Malaysia is a fast growing
country that is rich with culture
and tradition, bustling modern
cities, colonial architecture, and
beautiful islands. East Malaysian
states are Sarawak and Sabah, rich
with oil and tropical rainforest.
Malaysia has three predominant
races - Malay, Chinese and Indian
and many ethnic races in East
Malaysian states.
Malaysia has 30.33 million as at
2015, with Bahasa Malaysia being
the official national language.
English is widely spoken. Other
dialects are Mandarin and
Cantonese, ethnic Indian languages
and native East Malaysian
languages.
Malaysia is a multiconfessional
country whose most professed
religion is Islam. Other religion
freely practised are Christianity,
Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism.
Malaysia posted Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) of USD$296.2
billion in 2015 contributed
services, manufacturing and
construction sector.
The electrical and electronics
industry is the leading sector in
Malaysia's manufacturing industry,
contributing significantly to the
country's exports and employment.
Other sectors are petroleum and
liquefied natural gas, wood, palm
oil and rubber.
Malaysia has a constitutional
monarchy system headed by
traditional Malay rulers. Ringgit is
the currency of Malaysia. It comes
in the denomination of 2, 5, 10, 20,
50 and 100 notes.
Malaysia favourite spectator
sports with most fans are football,
hockey and badminton. The world's
number one badminton and
squash players are Malaysians. The
country has a strong football team.
The Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis is the
national flower of Malaysia. It is
known as 'Bunga Raya' literally
meaning 'celebratory flower' in
Malay.
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 5
GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
Indonesia
If there is one thing in Bandung that allures annual
visitors, it would be the many waterfalls or curug, as
the locals call it. One spectacular waterfall is the 85
meters high Cimahi Waterfall or Curug Cimahi. The
site is located in the village of Cisarua, approximately
10 kilometers from Cimahi or about 1 hour or 20
kilometres away from the city of Bandung.
HOW TO GET THERE
By public transportation,
visitors can take the
Cimahi-Lembang or Cimahi-
Cihanjuang bus route to
reach Cimahi Waterfall. A
quicker way is by renting
a car or van. Once there,
it takes about 30 minutes
on foot to reach Cimahi
Waterfall. Visitors are
advised to check the
entrance fees for daytime
and night time visit as fees
may vary.
WHAT TO DO
Above all else, this is a
perfect location to enjoy
the scenic waterfall or a
cool dip if one can’t resist
the temptation. If you stay
until the sun is down, the
waterfall will be adorned
with colored lights that ignite
a breathtaking view at night.
Visitors can also venture out
to nearby trails and watch
some local wildlife such as
the monkeys that live in
these parts. There are also a
variety of flora and fauna for
nature lovers to bask in.
WHERE TO STAY
Visitors can find ample
choice of accommodations
outside Cimahi district. From
guesthouses to classy hotels,
the Royal Tulip Bandung
Hotel is one you should look
out for. Some of these hotels
are happy to assist tourists in
booking rental cars or vans to
Cimahi Waterfall.
WHAT TO EAT
One can find a variety of local
stalls nearby the waterfall
entrance. Some of the stalls
have delicious Indonesian
delights. Rice, noodles
and various Indonesian
condiments are served in
every direction. For visitors
who are not accustomed to
local dishes can always bring
their own picnic basket.
6 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
AirAsia Flights
AirAsia flies from Kuala Lumpur to
Banda Aceh, Bandung, Bali, Jakarta (also
from Penang & Johor Bahru), Makassar,
Medan (also from Penang), Lombok,
Semarang, Surabaya (also from Penang),
Solo, Pekanbaru, Padang, Palembang,
Pontianak (also from Kuching) and Yogyakarta.
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
A visit to any wildlife sanctuary park has never fail
to excite anyone’s interests, especially when you get
to see the natural habitat of man’s closest relative -
the orangutan. The Gunung Leuser National Park in
northern Sumatra is one such place. Here, the Bukit
Lawang Sumatran orangutan sanctuary is located
within the park along with a wide range of protected
ecosystems and species such as the Sumatran
elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, sambar deer and leopard
cat. The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra is
a World Heritage Site and a must visit for all nature
and animal lovers.
Facts
Home to hundreds of ethnic
groups speaking many different
languages, Indonesia, which is
made up of thousands of volcanic
islands, is also the world’s largest
Muslim population and Southeast
Asia’s biggest economy.
Indonesia has a population of
260,581,100 as of 2016, with
Indonesian as the main dialect, and
300 regional languages.
Indonesia’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) stood at US$861.9
billion as at 2015. The capital
city is Jakarta and its currency is
Indonesian rupiah.
Indonesia imports machinery
including computers, mineral fuels
like oil, electrical machinery, iron,
steel and vehicles among others.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
The extreme sport of water
rafting; The lush waterfalls
of Sumatra; Locals hanging
out on the bridge; Fresh
fruit to be eaten, ripe and
tasty from the forests of
Indonesia.
Starting from
15 AUG 2017
WIN FREE
CONTEST DETAILS ON OUR
GOASIAPLUS FB PAGE
HOW TO GET THERE
It takes between 3-4 hours
by non air-conditioned bus
from Medan to Bukit Lawang.
A more comfortable option is
to take a taxi from the airport
or hotel in Medan and if you
are in Belawan ferry terminal,
there are many drivers
offering minivans direct to
Bukit Lawang. Travellers
can also opt to travel by car
which can be arranged by
Medan hotel pick-up.
WHAT TO DO
A jungle trek to the
orangutan rehabilitation
centre in Bukit Lawang
is a good sport for hiking
lovers. Here visitors will be
able to learn how rangers
rehabilitate orangutans
released from captivity so
they can survive in the wild.
Besides that, visitors can
make a stop at a bat cave
and elephant camp at nearby
Tangkahan.
WHERE TO STAY
There are plenteous
guesthouses, homestay
and inns available in
Bukit Lawang and nearby
areas, which offers ‘back
to basics’ experience for
travellers. Most of these
accommodations are run by
local families. Notable ones
are the Junia Guesthouse
and Brando Resto, where
travellers can enjoy both the
scenic Bohorok river and
sounds of nature.
WHAT TO EAT
The place is blessed with
local cuisines as travellers
can get good food in many
restaurants in Bukit Lawang
that cater to vegetarians as
well. Open spaced Green Hill
and Indra Valley Inn are some
of the best choices to taste
a variety of dishes. There are
also the Jungle Tribe cocktail
bar and Tony’s Restaurant
that serves great pizzas.
Palm oil, metal scrap, gems and
precious metals are the fastestgrowing
exports for Indonesia.
Overall, the country has shipped
US$144.5 billion worth of goods
around the globe in 2016.
Major national free-to-air
terrestrial television stations in
Indonesia are TVRI, RCTI, SCTV,
MNCTV, ANTV, Indosiar, MetroTV,
Trans TV, Trans7, tvOne, Global
TV, Kompas TV, NET., RTV, and
iNews TV.
Indonesia government works in
a framework of a presidential
representative democratic republic,
whereby the President of Indonesia
is both head of state and head of
government.
National flower of Indonesia is
Melati Putih (Jasminum sambac)
a small white flower with
sweet fragrance, has long been
considered as a sacred flower in
Indonesian tradition. It symbolises
purity, sacredness, graceful
simplicity and sincerity.
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 7
GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
Singapore
Singapore, being a small island country situated on
the southern Malaysia, has a number of interesting
ideas and spots for tourists apart from being a global
financial and commercial center. While there are a
large number of nightspots, bars and restaurants,
besides other historical sites, travellers must not miss
visiting Gardens by the Bay. This colourful, futuristic
park in the bay area is adorned with amazing
architecture, supertree structures and an impressive
skywalk that will captivate visitors of all ages.
HOW TO GET THERE
Travellers can arrive in
Singapore by train, bus or
car from Malaysia. AirAsia
flies to Singapore from Kuala
Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu,
Kuching, Langkawi, Miri and
Penang. Getting around the
country is also relatively
easy since the MRT has
an extensive rail network
throughout the island.
WHAT TO DO
The size of the Gardens by
the Bay is about 250 acres
and situated on reclaimed
land on the waterfront. The
best way to see the size of
the park is from the rooftop
of Marina Bay Sands Hotel,
situated right across the
park. Towering over Gardens
by the Bay are dozens of
supertrees - large treeshaped
metal structures
hosting over 200 different
species of plants and flowers
that illuminate at night.
There are also the climatecontrolled
Cloud Forest and
Flower Dome that house
flowers collected from high
altitude mountains around
the world.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodations in
Singapore are abundant
- from budget inns and
homestay to high-end
boutique hotels located all
over the island. If budget
permits, Marina Bay Sands
would be best, as it has
a beautiful night view of
Gardens by the Bay.
WHAT TO EAT
Practically at every corner
you can find restaurants that
offers Chinese, Malay and
Indian dishes. International
delights can be enjoyed
at places like Quayside
featuring hip eateries and
bars manned by culinary
masters.
AirAsia
Flights
AirAsia flies
to Singapore from Kuala
Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu,
Kuching, Langkawi, Miri
and Penang.
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
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{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
FLYING TIP
FREE entertainment on
board AirAsia! Just connect
to ROKKI Wi-Fi and press
play. It’s absolutely FREE!
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP The illuminated
supertrees at Gardens by
the Bay; The streets of
Chinatown; Local food
joints in Singapore:
Beautiful flowers at the
Cloud Forest and Flower
Dome.
Facts
Once a British colonial trading
post, Singapore today is the global
financial hub in Southeast Asia.
The country is densely-populated,
with high rise buildings and
condominiums, but a large number
of locals live in public-housing
tower blocks.
The country is also a media hub for
Southeast Asia, a strategic centre
for the region’s English-speaking
audience. However, the media
environment is tightly-controlled,
including online content.
When comes to the name ‘Chinatown’, a few countries
boast their fair share of their own traditional Chinese
quarter. Chinatown in Singapore, a bustling mix of
modern and traditional, is unique to its own right,
with low rise buildings and culture bursting out onto
the streets. There are lots of Chinese restaurants,
temples, old museums and plenty of food stalls. Plus
get your bargaining skills out as Chinatown has
hundreds of stalls selling everything from silk robes,
swaying lanterns to ‘Made in China’ goods.
HOW TO GET THERE
Take the MRT to Chinatown,
an interchange station
between the North East Line
and Downtown Line. Taking a
taxi is also an option.
WHAT TO DO
Take a walk down the tight
aisles and see hundreds
of shop selling almost
everything. Visitors can find
lots of unique gift items,
traditional and modern
clothing, plenty of authentic
food and sights. Must visit
list include Baba House,
Coin and Notes Museum,
Singapore City Gallery, Red
Dot Design Museum and the
Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of hotels
in Chinatown to choose from.
There is the Chinatown Hotel
built in heritage buildings;
Hotel 81, a 2-star hotel that
offers casual lodging with
free wifi. A more stylish place
is the Santa Grand, a former
Chinese opera house with
19th-century touches.
WHAT TO EAT
Visitors can check out
authentic Chinese dishes
flavoured with spices and
sauces. There are restaurants
serving dim sums, noodles
and even full mix dish meals.
Smaller stalls offer simple
yet interesting oriental
refreshments and snacks for
tourists to enjoy.
As at 2016, Singapore’s population
is 5,696,506 people. Chinese
account for more than 75% of
Singapore’s multi-racial population,
with Malays and Indians making
up much of the remainder. Major
languages are English, Malay,
Mandarin, Tamil.
Singapore’s strong growth sectors
are industrial base in electronics,
infocommunications and
mechanical engineering that drive
the country’s economic growth.
Singapore politics are based on
a parliamentary representative
democratic republic whereby
the President of Singapore is the
head of state, the Prime Minister
of Singapore is the head of
government and of a multi-party
system.
MediaCorp is one of the largest
broadcasting companies in
Singapore, with a variety of TV and
radio channels. Interestingly, you
can get TV stations from Malaysia
and Indonesia in Singapore.
Motorsports, football, basketball,
cricket, rugby union, swimming,
badminton and cycling are some of
the sports Singaporeans participate
in major Games.
The Vanda Miss Joaquim is
Singapore’s national flower. It was
chosen particularly for its vibrant
colours, hardiness and resilience
– qualities which reflect the
Singapore spirit.
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 9
GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP The Nong Nooch
Tropical Botanical Garden;
The mountain range of
Phayao; Buddha statue
decorated in flowers;
Cycling elephants as part
of the animal shows in
Thailand; Taking a boat out
on the lake.
Thailand
Phayao, or the Vienna of South East Asia as mentioned
in some tourist brochures, is located in the northern
provinces of Thailand, with Nan, Phrae, Lampang, and
Chiang Rai as its neighbouring provinces. This place
prides itself in being an undiscovered and
unwesternised part of North Thailand as it is
virtually enveloped by mountains and valleys, along
with sacred religious sites. It also boasts a seminatural
freshwater lake called Phayao Lake, where
local fishermen make their living by catching fish.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are regular bus
services from Bangkok to
Phayao. There are also buses
from neighbouring provinces
like Chiang Rai, which takes
just less than two hours to
Phayao. By air, AirAsia flies
from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang
Mai where you can take a bus
from there to Phayao.
WHAT TO DO
The Kwan Phayao or Phayao
Lake is one of the main
attraction to learn the culture
and native surroundings. The
major commercial street is
Don Sanam and travellers can
find plenty of snacks to local
clothes. Make sure to stop at
various temples like the Wat
Si Khom Kham, home to the
magnificent golden 16m high
Sitting Buddha.
WHERE TO STAY
Phayao has a wide range
of accommodation with a
myriad of places in budget,
mid and upper mid ranges.
However, travellers are
advised to book early
as prices can fluctuate
considerably between high
season. Kwan Phayao Jumjai
Homestay, Kwan Phayao
Villa, Zen Home Resort &
Garden are some of the
notable accommodations in
Phayao.
WHAT TO EAT
The Aurora House Restaurant
is a scenic eatery while
Ancharoen Noodle Soup
offers local beef noodles and
other variety soups. Local
Thai dishes are available
almost everywhere along
Don Sanam street.
AirAsia
Flights
AirAsia flies from
Kuala Lumpur to
Bangkok (also from
Penang and JB),
Chiang Mai, Hat Yai,
Phuket, Krabi, Surat
Thani and Pattaya.
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
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{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden & Cultural Village is a landscape park
or a garden paradise in Pattaya, Thailand. The vast garden has all the
activities - with daily cultural shows, restaurants and accommodation
as well as a vast area showcasing species-specific gardens, such as
cactus and succulent plants, orchid nurseries, tropical palm, bonsai
and topiary garden. Interestingly, there is even an orchid nursery
which house more than 670 native species and hybrids, a must-notmiss
for visitors.
Facts
Thailand at the heart of Southeast
Asia, borders Cambodia and Laos
to the east and northeast. The
country’s long southern region
connects with Malaysia. Northern
Thailand are hilly and forested and
some of the highest mountains are
located in this region.
The country has a population of
67.96 million as at 2015, with 90
percent of the people are Buddhist.
About three million Muslims live
in the south near the border with
Malaysia.
Thai or Central Thai, also known as
Siamese, is the national and official
language of Thailand. English
are spoken in cities, especially in
capital city of Bangkok.
HOW TO GET THERE
It takes about 50 minutes
from Pattaya city to
reach Nong Nooch by
land depending on traffic
conditions. From Pattaya
city travellers can hire a
taxi or songtaew to Nong
Nooch. The best option
from Bangkok is to pick a
tour package that includes
Nong Nooch as part of
the itinerary. Getting
around by foot will be time
consuming therefore renting
a motorcycle or a bicycle
would be an easier mode to
explore.
WHAT TO DO
A vast garden that
encompasses an area of
around 600 acres, there are
some spectacular landscapes
and gardenscapes that are
simply amazing to view.
There is an Animal Sculpture
garden where visitors can
find sculptures of animals
such as camels, kangaroos,
lamas, leopards and deer.
WHERE TO STAY
Nong Nooch has its own set
of accommodation options
to offer visitors. Nong Nooch
Village, Nong Nooch Garden
Resort and Royal Cliff Hotel
are some of the good hotels
around here. If you prefer
the beach as part of your
visit, have a luxurious stay
at the Sea Sand Sun Resort
and Villas, which is about 3.4
kilometres away from Nong
Nooch.
WHAT TO EAT
There are quite a number of
restaurants and cafes within
the area that serves western
and local cuisines. You can
also have Indian cuisine at Al
Diwan Restaurant or dine at
a biker joint called Terracotta
Restaurant and Bike Stop.
Thailand’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) for 2015 was
USD$395.3 billion. Being an
industrialised country heavily
export dependancy, exports
accounts for more than two-thirds
of its GDP. Agriculture and tourism
are the most important industries
in Thailand.
Thailand government are
managed within the framework
of a constitutional monarchy. The
king is the leader of the country.
The prime minister is picked
among members of the House of
Representatives, but is appointed
by the king.
Thailand has free-to-air channels,
namely Channel 9, MCOT HD and
TV3 while TV5, BBTV CH7 are
owned by Royal Thai Army and
channels NBT and Thai PBS are
fully government-owned.
Thai athletes excel in football.
boxing and kickboxing,
weightlifting, tennis and sepak
takraw.
The flower of Ratchaphruek or
golden shower tree (Cassia fistula)
is the national flower of Thailand. It
symbolises glory in Thai culture.
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 11
GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
Starting from
15 AUG 2017
WIN FREE
CONTEST DETAILS ON OUR
GOASIAPLUS FB PAGE
THE VALUE FOR MONEY
Travellers Pass
Travellers that plan to zip around South East Asia can
now do it in an affordable way thanks to the AirAsia
Asean Pass, that uses a credit system to redeem
multiple AirAsia flights to various destinations. Here,
we give you the scoop; explaining how it works while
giving you some ideas on how to utilised those credits
to the fullest extent! After this, the value for money
AirAsia Asean Pass might just be your new best friend.
HOW IT WORKS
The AirAsia Asean Pass basically uses credits to redeem
flights. So, travellers that plan to visit multiple countries can
use up their credit to be exchanged for flight tickets. This
removes the need to pay for multiple individual flight tickets
and just pay for that one pass. There are two options for the
pass, 10 credits or 20, depending on how much you want to
travel and how long you have. The key is to be smart with
your choices so you can make the most out of your credits.
10
30
DAYS TRAVEL
20
CREDIT PASS VALIDITY
CREDIT PASS
60
DAYS TRAVEL
VALIDITY
OPTION 1:
AIRASIA ASEAN PASS
OPTION 2:
AIRASIA ASEAN PASS +
RM499
RM888
12 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
SPOILED FOR CHOICES
Where can you fly to and how much credit does a one-way
flight cost? Well you can use your credits to travel to over 80
destinations in the Asean region that include countries like
Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos,
Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. Credits utilised
per one-way flight are either 1, 3 or 5 depending on your
country of take-off and intended destination.
Example of credit fare:
Kuala Lumpur Kota Kinabalu =
3 CREDITS
Kuala Lumpur Krabi =
1 CREDIT
Bangkok Phnom Penh =
1 CREDIT
Jakarta Bali =
5 CREDITS
Singapore Bangkok = 3 CREDITS
ROUTES FOR YOUR DREAM ADVENTURE
Planning your South East Asian adventure is
a breeze depending on the type of traveller
you are. The AirAsia website has a couple of
destination lists to inspire your credit usage,
each catering to a different type of traveller
like foodies or dive enthusiast. Check out our
GOASIAPLUS recommended route pitched
by our very own editor where one can visit 4
countries with less than 10 credits.
Editor's Pick:
GOASIAPLUS ROUTE
Facts
PHUKET
Beach living &
party central
CHIANG MAI
Temples galore &
coffee hub
BANGKOK
Shopping at
markets
● If you have extra baggage or intend
to eat on the flight, do remember to
pre-book your add ons as the Asean
Pass only covers your base fare.
TOTAL CREDITS = 9
● All flights need to be booked 14
days in advance.
● You can only travel a route one time,
which means if you did a round trip
from KL to Jakarta, you can’t redeem
the same route again.
KUALA LUMPUR
BANDUNG
SINGAPORE
PENANG
FIND OUT MORE AT AIRASIA.COM/ASEANPASS
Foodie haven &
old architecture
Motherland for
nature
Entertainment
wonderland
Art scene & food
paradise
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Vietnam
Vietnam introduces itself as a picturesque destination
for it is blessed with hills, beaches and endless
mountainous terrains. Little known, the perfect
landscape has been the background of many Hollywood
movies like Kong: Skull Island. One such place is
Sapa, a district in Lao Cai just northwest of Vietnam.
Standing at 1500 meters (4,921 feet) above sea level,
Sapa has vast terraced rice fields, indigenous tribes
and many national parks.
HOW TO GET THERE
Catch an overnight train from
Hanoi to Lao Cai station,
which takes about 9 hours.
At Lao Cai, hop on a shuttle
bus or taxi on winding road
to Sapa town. Although hired
motorcycles are available,
you can walk around town
on a clear day to catch the
highland landscape and
paddy fields.
WHAT TO DO
The hill tribes, known as
H’Mong in Sapa is recognised
for their amazing crafts,
fabrics, spices and herbal
remedies. There is the Main
Square, where travellers can
find crafts ranging from bags,
wallets and pillow covers
sold by hill tribe vendors. But
ultimately, trekking along the
valleys of Sapa shows you
the cascading rice terraces, a
result of amazing work over
a hundred years by local hill
tribes. To enjoy the view of
the rice terraces, travellers
are advised to have a good
trekking shoes as some
places can be muddy.
WHERE TO STAY
There are quite a number
of hotels, guesthouses and
homestay available in Sapa
for travellers. Most of these
hotels offer stunning view
of the mountains. Sapa
Clay House and the Topas
Ecolodge are two notable
choices.
WHAT TO EAT
When in Sapa, tasting their
local cuisine is a must. Try
Thang Co, a traditional
horsemeat soup from the
H’mong tribe or enjoy a hot
broth of salmon sour hotpot.
For tipples, try the Tao Meo -
a natural apple wine made by
the local tribes.
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP The lanters lighting
up the Hoi An riverside at
night; The many colonial
buildings turned into
fancy restaurants; Cao
Lau, a popular Vietnamese
noodle dish; the Hoi an
riverside during the day.
FLYING TIP
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{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
AirAsia
NEW! AirAsia will begin daily
flights from Kuala Lumpur
to the coastal seaside town
of Nha Trang that has a 6km
stretch of beach starting from
14 September 2017.
Flights
AirAsia also flies from Kuala
Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh
City (also from Penang and
JB), Da Nang and Hanoi.
Facts
Vietnam, which was engulfed
in three decades of bitter wars,
is now the fastest growing
economies in Southeast Asia.
The country has set its sights on
becoming a developed nation by
2020.
When travelling to Vietnam, never miss an
opportunity to stay and experience Hoi An,
a riverside town located in the country’s
central coast. This dreamy town is popular
among budget travellers and backpackers
for its heritage touch. The town has an
intricate architecture, which is a mix
of eras and styles from wooden Chinese
shophouses and temples to colorful French
colonial buildings. Being a laid-back place,
it is a nice spot to relax and unwind.
HOW TO GET THERE
The quickest option to get
to Hoi An is by air, which
will take about one hour
from Ho Chi Minh. Domestic
airlines has regular service
from Ho Chi Minh to Da
Nang Airport. From Da Nang,
visitors can travel by taxi to
Hoi An. By train, it will take
approximately 17 hours from
Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang,
which would not be a good
mode to get there as too
much time will be wasted on
the ride.
WHAT TO DO
Hoi An, being a trading port
back in the 15th century, still
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
maintains the ambiance of
that era. Travellers can find
unique items such as silk,
porcelain as well as spices
like pepper and cinnamon.
There are also centuries-old
Buddhist pagodas, museums,
temples and serene beaches
to relax. Hoi An Ancient
Town has countless tailors,
souvenir shops, restaurants
and cafés in old buildings
that has been converted to
cater modern businesses.
Do make time to visit Hoi
An Riverside that is fully
lighted by lanterns at night.
To escape the heat, go to An
Bang Beach for mild surfing
and sunset swims.
WHERE TO STAY
Close to town is Little Hoi
An Boutique Resort and Spa
that overlooks the river. For a
serene stay, Gem Hoi An Villa
offers a splendid view of the
vast natural terrain. Budget
accomodations and family
homestays are also abundant
with some exhibiting unique
interior designs.
WHAT TO EAT
As mentioned, there are an
extensive number of cafes
and restaurants in Hoi An to
suit one’s culinary delight.
However, travellers must not
miss trying out some local
dishes such as Banh Xeo
(Crispy Pancake), Banh Mi
(Vietnamese Baguette), Mi
Quang (Vietnamese Turmeric
Noodles) and Cao Lau
(noodles with pork).
As at 2015, Vietnam’s
populations stood at 91.7 million
with Mahayana Buddhism,
Confucianism, Taoism being some
of the religion practised in the
country. The national language
of Vietnam is Vietnamese. Some
local dialects, English and French
are spoken in some parts of the
country.
Vietnam’s growth sector is the
manufacturing sectors, especially
in the areas of food processing,
cigarettes and tobacco, textiles,
chemicals, and electrical goods,
which has experienced rapid
growth.
Vietnam has a communist
government and the president is
the head of the republic while the
prime minister is the head of the
government.
Vietnam Television (VTV) is the
largest television network in
the nation, broadcast in nine
FTA channels and available
internationally via satellite.
VTV also operates the largest
cable network (VTVCab) and a
DTH satellite service. Vietnam
Multimedia Corporation (VTC)
operates five national channels
and is the only provider of digital
terrestrial television (DTT) in
Vietnam.
Football remains the top popular
sport in Vietnam. Other games
such as badminton, tennis, ping
pong, and chess are also popular.
Interestingly, women’s volleyball
is also extremely popular and
watched by large sections of the
country.
Lotus flower is Vietnam’s national
flower. It symbolizes beauty,
commitment, health, honor
and knowledge. Lotus flower
represents the purity of spirit.
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Cambodia
Cambodia is known to us as the land of ancient times
with the discovery of Angkor Wat and other historical
sites. The traditional customs and local culture are
further appreciated by the cultivation of pottery and
clay pots by the natives. Here, we highlight Kampong
Chhnang that translate as ‘Port of Pottery’ in Khmer
at central Cembodia.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Cambodia’s capital
city of Phnom Penh, you can
board an air-conditioned bus
that takes 3 hours. There
is also share taxi that takes
about 1 to 1/2 hour ride up
from Phnom Penh. Besides,
the bullet boat service from
Phnom Penh and Siem
Reap are available for water
travellers.
WHAT TO DO
Head to Ondong Rossey,
a simple yet quiet village
that is famous for the red
pottery made under every
house. Most of the pots are
either made with a footspun
wheel or shaped with a
heavy wooden spatula. Local
potters are happy to show
how they do it. Apart from
the clay pottery sites, tourists
can also take a change of
scenery to visit Tonle Sap
Lake, in which the population
is predominantly involved in
fishery and rice plantation.
WHERE TO STAY
You will be spoiled by choices
with an assortment of hotels
and guesthouses available
in Kampong Chhnang which
is nearby a waterfront
port area. There is Garden
Guesthouse, a classically
Southeast Asian-style hotel,
Neang Puon’s Home, Phkay
Proeunk Guest House,
Sovannphum Hotel and
Somrongsen Hotel to name a
few that we love.
WHAT TO EAT
Phsar Leu und Phsar Chhnang
market have a variety of
small food outlets offering
noodle dishes and soups. An
assortment of local cuisines
are at Mittapheap Restaurant
and Mekong Restaurant that
serve a huge range of Khmer
dishes such as soups, noodle,
and fish dishes. Be aware
that most restaurants in
Kampong Chhnang city close
around 8pm.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
The traditionally made
local pottery of Kampong
Chhnang; Baguette Mi
sandwiches; Floating
village and Prek Toal
natural park on the Tonle
Sap lake.
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AirAsiaFlights
NEW! AirAsia just began 4x
weekly flights from Kuala
Lumpur to Sihanoukville,
Cambodia’s seaside destination
best known for its untouched
beaches and natural beauty.
AirAsia also flies from Kuala
Lumpur to Phnom Penh and
Siem Reap.
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One can never complete the Cambodian journey
without visiting Kampong Phluk and savour the scene
of rural Cambodia. This sweet spot, which is about
5-hour ride from Siem Reap, is a village built on stilts
on Tonle Sap, a seasonally inundated freshwater
lake. Kampong Phluk or “Harbor of the Tusks”, is still
untouched by tourism.
HOW TO GET THERE
The best way to go there is
travelling by boat from Siem
Reap where boats of all sizes
and colours are waiting to
take passengers to Kampong
Phluk. Visitors can enjoy the
calm waters of Tonlé Sap lake
as the journey takes through
mangroves, herds of cattle
feeding on the grass, crabeating
macaques and rice
plantations along the shore.
WHAT TO DO
Almost all of Kampong
Phluk villagers are in
fishing, primarily in shrimp
harvesting. Visitors can see
what life is like over water
where locals go about their
daily duties like washing
clothes, cooking or fishing on
top of their wooden boats.
Do check with local guide
when visiting Kampong Phluk
during dry season, which is
in December or January as
the lake is low and the stilts
will be exposed by the lack of
water.
WHERE TO STAY
Since the journey to
Kampong Phluk take about
5-hours from Siem Reap, it
would be wise to spend a
night in the city. An authentic
Cambodia living experience
is at Sala Lodges, a traditional
wooden house resort. Inns
and motels are also aplenty
for budget travellers.
WHAT TO EAT
Kampong Phluk has a few
local restaurants floating
along the way to Tonle
Sap lake. Kampong Phluk
Riverside Restaurant is place
to look out for. There is
also a nice restaurant called
Riverside Coffee for visitors
to taste some local flavours.
{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
Facts
Cambodia is a small, compact
country that has mostly flat
and forested land. Subsistence
farming employs 75 percent of
the workforce. However, tourism
is making a big impact to the
country’s revenue, especially the
ones are focused on Angkor Wat,
the largest temple at Angkor.
Cambodia has a population of
16,076,370 as of this year, with
Khmer being the official language,
and other dialects. Buddhism is the
main religion in the country.
Cambodia has an estimated
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
of US$20.9 billion contributed by
agriculture industries and services
sector.
The garment and textile industry
represents the largest portion
of Cambodia’s manufacturing
sector, accounting for 80% of the
country’s exports. The country also
exports timber, rubber, rice, fish,
tobacco and footwear.
While the Riel is the official
Cambodian currency, the US Dollar
is the de facto currency in the
country and is widely accepted
everywhere.
Cambodian Broadcasting Service
(CBS) operates 4 stations CTN,
MYTV, CNC and CTN International
which delivers international and
locally produced programming.
Other stations are TV3 (Cambodia)
TV3 Asia, TV5 Cambodia and TVK.
Cambodia government is
represented with a constitutional
monarchy with parliamentary
representative democracy.
The Rumdul (Mitrella mesnyi) is
Cambodia’s national flower and are
present in almost all the streets of
Cambodia. Interestingly, it was also
used during the ancient Khmer
times to produce lip waxes for
women, thanks to its fragrant and
attractive smell.
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GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
AirAsia
Flights
AirAsia flies from Kuala Lumpur to
Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
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Laos
Laos, a country with an abundance of caves, is
home to the Tham Nong Pafa Cave, or the Buddha
Cave. This limestone cave, located near Na Khang
Xang Village in Thakhaek District, has 229 bronze
Buddha statues, believed to be over 300 years old and
ranging in size from 15 centimetres to over 1 metertall.
Furthermore, the naturally-formed limestone
within the cave is an essential beauty in itself. The
cave was accidentally discovered by a local who was
hunting bats in the area. Interestingly, the cave has
two levels, whereby the Buddha statues are located on
the upper dry level of the cave while the lower level is
water filled and can only be accessed on canoes.
HOW TO GET THERE
Visitors can travel to
Thakhaek easily by crossing
the Mekong by boat. There
are also colourful VIP buses
that leave from Vientiane to
Thakhaek every 1-2 hours in
the morning and the journey
takes around 7 hours.
Visitors can also hire a car or
van if they cared for a more
relaxing journey.
WHAT TO DO
Thakhaek town is home to
one of Laos’ sacred places
known as the That Sikhot
that was built in the 15th
century. One can visit the
29m golden stupa there. A
8km canoe ride that flows
through the cave would be
the one to take to go to
Buddha Cave and behold the
limestone structures.
WHERE TO STAY
These are some decent
places to stay when you
are travelling to Thakhaek
town; the very basic
Thakhaek Travel Lodge, the
classic Khammouane Inter
Guesthouse and Inthira
Hotel, which is part of a
bigger hotel chain.
WHAT TO EAT
There are a variety of
international and Lao cuisine
served at Inthira Hotel
and Khammouane Inter
Guesthouse. However, lighter
meal, snacks and bottled
drinks are available at the
first hut before the cave.
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{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
Starting from
15 AUG 2017
WIN FREE
CONTEST DETAILS ON OUR
GOASIAPLUS FB PAGE
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP The hills along the
Mekong River; Limestone
structures in the caves of
Laos; Grilled fish delicacies
of Lao cuisine; The Nam
Khan river along Luang
Prabang town; Night
markets at Luang Prabang.
Laos, a country that has many captivating spot is
filled with architecture that dates back generations.
It has the traditional Lao wooden houses and hints
of European influence, gained when the French
colonised Indochina in the late 1880s. One spot to see
the cultural influence is the town of Luang Prabang,
that is flanked by two rivers and mountain ranges.
This town is known for its old buildings, boutique
accommodations and a burgeoning food scene.
HOW TO GET THERE
By international flight,
visitors can get to Luang
Prabang easily from cities like
Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Bangkok,
Siem Reap, Guangzhou,
Jinghong, Singapore, Incheon
and Kuala Lumpur while
domestic routes are from
Vientiane and Pakse. By
road, it could take up to 30
hour bus from Hanoi but a
shorter time from Vientiane.
Slow boats, speed boats and
luxury boat services along
the Mekong river to and from
Thai border are also available
as an option.
WHAT TO DO
There are a host of activities
visitors can do or see in
Luang Prabang, ranging
from sightseeing of old
architecture, visiting Buddhist
temples and monasteries,
trekking nearby Phou Si or
Chomsy Hill besides watching
the sunset on the Mekong
waterfront. There are also an
equal number of interesting
spots outside the city such
as elephant village sanctuary
and farm, Tat Kuang Si bear
rescue centre, waterfalls and
caves.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a wide range of
choices for accommodations
in Luang Prabang, from
budget to classy hotels,
backpackers and guesthouses
to even eco-friendly stays.
WHAT TO EAT
Luang Prabang is a gourmet
heaven. You can find a wide
range of cuisines, ranging
from traditional European
fare to spicy and exotic Asian
dishes. At the Mekong bank,
there are also a range of
restaurants serving Indian
and Laos dishes, and also
French-Lao fusion. Notably,
Tamnak Lao Restaurant
would be an ideal choice if
you are looking for highquality,
authentic Lao food.
Facts
With a rich history stretching
back 10,000 years, Laos has so
much to offer for tourists - from
the snaking Mekong River to the
mountainous terrain, mysterious
caves, French colonial architecture,
Buddhist monasteries and hill tribe
settlements.
Laos has a population of 6,918,367
as of 2016, with Lao as the main
dialect and Buddhism being the
main religion. The capital city
is Vientiane while other large
cities include Luang Prabang,
Savannakhet and Pakse.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
in Laos was worth 12.40 billion US
dollars in 2015. The GDP value of
Laos represents 0.02 percent of
the world economy.
Laotian Kip currency is the official
currency of Laos.
Top exports of Laos are electricity,
clothing, coffee, refined copper
wood, metals, corn, rubber, copper
ore and sawn wood. Main imports
are machinery and equipment,
vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
from its trading partners China,
Cambodia, Burma, Thailand and
Vietnam.
Free-to-air television channels in
Laos are LNTV (LNTV1, LNTV3)
LAO PSTV and TV Lao while cable
channels are Lao Star Channel and
MV Lao.
The government of Laos, or Lao
People’s Democratic Republic, is
a one-party socialist state and is
based on Marxism, with close ties
to its neighbour Vietnam.
Football is by far the most popular
in the country. Their national
sport is sepak takraw and Muay
Lao that has close resemblance to
Thailand’s Muay Thai.
Dok Champa (Plumeria Rubra) is
the national flower of Laos which
represents sincerity and joy in life.
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 19
GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
AirAsia
NEW! AirAsia will begin daily
flights from Kuala Lumpur
to Davao, a vibrant city
with pristine beaches and
untouched nature starting 21
December 2017.
Flights
AirAsia also flies
from Kuala Lumpur
to Manila (also from Kota
Kinabalu), Cebu and Kalibo
(Boracay).
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
Philippines
Coron Island, a natural paradise tucked away from the hustle and
bustle of the city life in Philippines, is the third-largest island
in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan. This beautiful
spot is waiting for people to discover its magical wonders. It is a
destination for adventure, especially for those who love diving,
mangrove kayaking, jungle treks, horseback tours and island
camping. The white sandy beaches and limestone cliffs are a sight
that is simply beyond words.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are ferry services from
Manila to Coron that take
about 15 hours. Another
shorter option is to take an
internal flight from Manila to
Busuanga where Coron town
is just an hour away by car
from the airport.
WHAT TO DO
Being a laid back town,
best way is to hire a tricycle
or motorcycle and take a
tour around Coron town as
there are no taxis or buses.
Island hopping, snorkelling,
free diving to view sunken
shipwrecks, kayak and
spear fishing are some of
the interesting activities
one must not miss. Also,
travellers can hire a private
boat around Coron Bay to
visit nearby attractions, such
as Kayangan Lake, Siete
Pecados and Chindonan
Island.
WHERE TO STAY
Travellers would not face
any difficulties in finding
accommodations in Coron
Island as there are many
places to stay, ranging from
cheap backpacker hostels
such as Coron Backpackers
Guesthouse and Coron
Ecolodge to 4 star hotels
such as Corto del Mar Hotel.
Mid-priced hotels include
Sophia’s Garden Resort and
Asia Grand View Hotel.
WHAT TO EAT
Being a relatively
undeveloped island, there
aren’t any posh restaurants.
One can find a range of
local food and snacks in
town and hotels. Also, bars
are relatively classic here,
with TV sets and pool tables
giving off cool island vibes.
Careful being late outdoors
as the streets will be empty
by 12:30am.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
The Tanbagwa people,
the oldest tribe in the
Philippines living near the
waters; Boarding on the
clear waters of Busuanga
near Palawan; A lady in the
the streets of Coron; The
jetty at Coron Island.
20 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
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{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
Facts
Philippines is a country made of
more than 7,000 islands. Much of
the country is mountainous and
is home to 20 active volcanoes.
Following the colonisation by the
Spanish during the 16th century
and later by the US in 1898 during
the Spanish-American War, both
Spanish and US influences remain
strong in the country.
As at 2016, estimated population
of Philippines is 102,624,209, with
people of the Catholic faith holding
a whopping 82.9% of the whole
population.
Tagalog is the Filipino’s official
language while other dialects
are also spoken in various parts
of the country like Cebuano and
Kapampangan.
As at 2015, the Gross Domestic
Product of Philippines stood at
USD$292 billion coming from
contributions from the agriculture,
industry and services sectors.
Philippines is blessed with many enchanting islands and beaches. But there are
parts of the country that offer a different view. One such place is Vigan, an entire
colonial district intact from its Spanish period architecture and scenery. This
historic town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brings travellers to an
era dating back to the 16th century. Vigan, a capital of the province of Ilocos Sur in
Philippines, has a lot of must-sees and must-do’s for visitors.
Philippines has a unitary state
presidential and democratic
republic where the President of
the Philippines is both the head of
state and the head of government
with the Peso being the currency.
HOW TO GET THERE
By land transportation, it
takes between 8 to 10 hours
to reach Vigan from Manila.
Travellers can choose the
comfortable Metro Manila
aircond buses for this long
journey, although there are
quite a number of other
bus companies offering the
service. Best is to take the
night trip, sleep off during
the long ride and arrive at
the city early the next day.
WHAT TO DO
The main mode of
transportation around the
Vigan City would be either
by karitela - a horse-drawn
carriages or by tricycles.
For travellers who want
to tour Vigan City in a
more complete old-world
experience, there are a
number of city tours via
tricycles or karitela to
choose from. Vigan City is a
place that is rich in history
and travellers can spot a
lot of historical walks and
museums in the area. These
include old colonial churches,
cobblestone streets, restored
ancestral houses, a freeroaming
zoo and pottery
shops to enjoy.
WHERE TO STAY
Choice of accommodations
are ample in Vigan City,
ranging from backpacker
inns, moderately-priced
lodges to luxurious hotels.
Interestingly, there are also
renovated ancestral houses
that are converted as
lodgings. More choice of
lodgings are found near the
Meztizo District where Calle
Crisologo is located, close to
most of the tourist spots and
restaurants.
WHAT TO EAT
Vigan City has lots of
food choices ranging from
authentic Ilocano cuisine,
traditional Filipino meals
and western dishes. Be sure
to check out the musteats
in Vigan that includes
empanada, okoy, longanisa,
bagnet and poqui-poqui.
ABS–CBN Corporation is a
broadcasting multi-media
conglomerate in Philippines while
GMA Network Inc is the country’s
leading free-to-air operator.
Philippines has seven major sports
namely basketball, badminton,
boxing, football, billiards, tennis
and volleyball. Interestingly,
ice-skating is also a popular sport
despite the tropical climate.
The national flower of Philippines
is the Jasminum sambac,
colloquially known as sampaguita.
It symbolizes purity, simplicity and
humility.
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 21
GOASIAPLUS { Asean Guide 2017 }
Facts
Brunei Darussalam is situated
on the north-west of the island
of Borneo and has an equatorial
climate of high temperature, high
humidity and heavy rainfall.
The country has a population of
434,448 with Malay as the official
language.
Brunei
Brunei Darussalam,
squeezed between Sarawak
and Sabah, has its own
idyllic natural wonder.
Temburong is situated
just outside of the capital
Bandar Seri Begawan.
This preserved place offers
visitors the legendary
Labu Forest and the Ulu
Temburong National Park.
HOW TO GET THERE
By flight is the best as
AirAsia flies from Kuala
Lumpur to Brunei. By road
takes about one hour and
45 minutes to reach with a
40-minute water taxi ride
from the capital’s main
jetty to Bangar, Temburong
district. The best way to
experience this amazing
environment is to take an
exhilarating ride on a public
speedboats that weave
through river channels
mangroves.
WHAT TO DO
One interesting way to get
around Temburong is by
bicycle. However, if the hot
weather is a problem, taxis
are available to move around
Temburong district. Visit
the scenic 50m-high canopy
walkway in Ulu Temburong
National Park, where the
view shows the vast spread
of Brunei’s varied jungle
wildlife and the incredible
diversity of flora and fauna.
WHERE TO STAY
Sumbiling Eco Village is a
good choice for nature lovers
who would like to get down
to basics in enjoying natural
surroundings in its simplicity.
However, other notable
choices for accommodation
are StoneVille Hotel,
Trandie Marina Resorts and
The Brunei Hotel. Ample
homestay choices are also
available via AirBnB.
WHAT TO EAT
Interestingly, the Ulu
Temburong National Park
FLYING TIP
Fly with Wi-Fi! Stay online and in touch
with your loved ones throughout your flight.
Choose from Chats Plan @ RM9 or Internet
Plan @ RM18. Buy at rokki.com or ask our
friendly cabin crew while on board.
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP The view of Ulu
Temburong National
Park from the sky bridge;
Boat tours on Ulu river;
The clean streets of
Brunei; Local food of rice
with some side dishes.
serves an array of Malay
dishes for travellers to savour
some local flavours. However,
one must not miss the tasty
local lunch at the Rainforest
Lodge at Batang Duri, which
offers a spectacular view of
the Temburong river.
AirAsia
Flights
AirAsia flies from
Kuala Lumpur
to Brunei.
Brunei’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) for the fourth quarter of
2016 (Q4 2016), was estimated
at BND4.0 billion compared to
BND4.3 billion in Q4 2015. The
oil and gas sector was valued at
BND2.0 billion, accounting for 50.3
per cent of the total Gross Value
Added (GVA).
Being an oil rich country, Brunei’s
crude oil production is expected
to be 106.06 thousand barrels
per day.
At current exchange rate,
Brunei’s BND100 is equivalent to
US$72.23.
Brunei’s broadcast media are the
state-controlled Radio Television
Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels
and 5 radio networks. Apart from
that, 3 Malaysian TV stations
are available while foreign TV
broadcasts are available via
satellite and cable systems.
The administration of Brunei
and its politics work within
a framework of an absolute
monarchy, whereby the Sultan of
Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, GCB
GCMG is the 29th and current
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei.
Football takes the top spot in
sports in Brunei. The country also
excels in other sports such as silat,
martial arts, badminton, polo and
sepak takraw.
The Simpor (Dillenia Suffruticosa)
is the national flower of Brunei
and is found on the country’s onedollar
bank note.
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
22 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
AirAsia
Flights
AirAsia flies from Kuala
Lumpur to Yangon.
BOOK NOW AT AIRASIA.COM
{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
Facts
Myanmar, formerly known as
Burma, is a country of smiling
faces, rich history and culture. The
country shares its borders with
China, India, Laos, Bangladesh and
Thailand.
Myanmar
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
The boats and waters of
Ngapali beach; The clean
sandy beaches of the coast;
The locals of the many
fishing villages on Ngapali
beach; Colourful fishing
boats on the waters.
Myanmar was once ruled by
a military junta from 1962 till
2011. Their president Htin Kyaw
was elected in 2016, ushering in
the first democratically elected
government into office.
85% of Myanmar’s population
practices Buddhism but there are
substantial numbers of Christians,
Hindus, Muslims and animists
throughout the country.
Myanmar’s gross domestic product
stood at USD$62.60 billion as at
2015. The national currency of
Myanmar is the kyat (pronounced
“chat”).
Myanmar, a breathtaking country where its beauty
and charm is enriched with history and traditions
is a place for travellers of the road less taken. The
natural untouched landscapes of the country make
it ideal for nature lovers and beach bums. We head
down to Ngapali (pronounced Napally) for Myanmar’s
premier beach destination known to many as one of
the cleanest beaches in South East Asia.
HOW TO GET THERE
Ngapali Beach is located in
the town of Thandwe where
the Thandwe airport is a
mere 7km from the beach.
From Yangon, one can take
a bus that will take between
14-16 hours or take an
internal flight straight to
the Rakhine region where
Ngapali beach is located.
WHAT TO DO
When you get to Ngapali,
the best thing to do is to
bask in the bright sunshine.
Of course, travellers can
also take short trips on local
fishing boats, kayaking,
snorkelling or scuba diving.
There is also an 18-hole golf
course located between the
main beach resorts and the
airport. Those who want to
venture out can visit the Jate
Taw fishing village nearby or
visit the Tilawkasayambhu
Buddha.
WHERE TO STAY
Luxury living can be found
at Aureum Palace Hotel &
Resort where beachfront
cottages come with private
pools. Another beachfront
property is the Pleasant
View Resort that has its own
private beach and popular
restaurant for local food.
WHAT TO EAT
Ngapali is famous for its
delicious fresh seafood.
Travellers can sink in the
various seafood dishes
like king prawns, snapper,
lobster and more, prepared
in local or western style. The
picturesque Pleasant View
Islet restaurant or PVI is the
place to eat Burmese cooked
seafood that even has a pier
to watch the most gorgeous
of sunsets.
Myanmar depends on agriculture
for more than half of its GDP. Rice
is the major product, which is why
there are many rice paddy fields in
the country.
Myanmar’s main exports are oil
and natural gas. Other exports
include vegetables, wood, fish,
clothing, rubber and fruits. Top
imports are refined petroleum,
ships and delivery trucks,
broadcasting equipment and
telephones from China, Thailand,
Singapore, Japan and India.
The Chinlone is the traditional
sport of Myanmar, which is a
combination of sport and dance.
However, soccer and golf are
popular, together with the lethwei
or kick boxing.
The Padauk is the national flower
of Myanmar. Its people regard
the Padauk tree as a symbol of
strength and durability.
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