Coast of bliss: Pearls of the Andaman Sea

Some of the clearest and bluest water in the world can be found in the Andaman Sea. It’s no surprise then, that the Andaman coast has some of the best beaches in the world. From Indonesia to Malaysia to Bangladesh to Thailand, each country has its own little pearl of a coastal city along the way. For those thinking about a holiday in the sun, here are some of the most beautiful spots you’ll find along the way.



Khao Lak, Thailand A Khao Lak holiday offers the best of all worlds. For the relaxation seekers, there are the long stretches of beaches and warm waves that let the stress fade away. For the adventure seekers, there is some of the best diving in the world, with a gentle sea and rainbow colored coral for explorers. There are also mountains to hike and exotic animals to see at the national parks, all with the north Andaman Sea as a backdrop. Plus, it’s a far cry from the bustle of nearby Phuket’s bigger resort towns.

Langkawi, Malaysia An archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist destinations. While there are the requisite beaches and clear water, the big draw here is the Geopark. Given world Geopark status by UNESCO in 2007, there are three main parks that are unlike anything else in the world. In these parks are a sky bridge that winds over the rainforest canopy, hidden lagoons and caves, and all other kinds of natural wonders.



Ko Tarutao, Thailand An island off of southern Thailand, a holiday here is a bit different from other Andaman holidays. The water is murky compared to other nearby spots, but it makes up for it due to the vast wildlife on the island. Sea turtles, mouse deer, crab-eating macaques, monitor lizards, and more all call the island and the water surrounding it home.

The Similan Islands Considered the best diving site in the Andaman Sea, the Similan Islands are covered in tropical jungle, but it’s the views under water that are the real draw. There are two different dive spots around the islands, both will world renowned sights. Dive sites on the west are filled with massive granite boulders, covered in coral. Dive sites to the east are defined by gently sloping coral reefs.

 

Georgetown, Malaysia A holiday to Georgetown is a different kind of Andaman sea holiday. While there are beaches and water you can take a dip in, the real draw is the city itself. In regards to the city’s architecture and cultural townscape, it has no parallels in Asia. It’s a place where the past is present, with cities and sights that haven’t changed in a decade. Trishaws carry visitors and locals alike through the winding streets while skyscrapers dot the landscape. For even the most discerning traveller, any spot along the Andaman coast is sure to be a fun filled holiday, so why not pack some flip flops and start exploring?

Images by Inchka, Davidlohr Bueso and Joonas used under creative commons license.

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Travel Photo: Penang’s Chinese Connection

Penang is one of Malaysia’s top hot spots. A lot of people visit this island city for its great food and its culture. It has a UNESCO world heritage site in Georgetown and has an interesting potpourri of cultures in Hinduism (Little India), Buddhism (Chinatown) and Islam (rest of Penang). This secular environment allows the tourist to sample different cultures, religions, foods and architecture in a very short radius.


It was one such exploration when I came across this very colorful Chinese Buddhist temple within the UNESCO World Heritage site area. My sister and my brother in law are happy models in the background of my photo. Thank you guys! If culture, food and a secular environment is your thing, then head straight to Penang and indulge in the color and smells of Little India, the night markets of Chinatown and the rich markets and architecture of the other part of Malaysia.

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Travel Photo: Penang Door

The UNESCO world heritage site area of Penang’s Georgetown is a treat to the eyes. It is such a rich visual experience to simply amble through its narrow streets that house a lot of culture in them. Some of them are from the colonial times and some even before it. According to me, this heritage area is one of Malaysia’s cultural highlights from the colonial era.


Like I always do, I had planned on losing myself in one of the many streets and I was without a map and without directions, but I knew I was on Lebuh Mantri as there was a signboard that said that. On this street, there are a lot of traditionally done up buildings, In fact, some of these temples are titled heritage buildings and charge a fee to visit. This photo was taken in front of one of those buildings that didn’t charge a fee and it was closed, but I really liked its intricate door and colour scheme. A really ancient type of wooden door, but with lots of design in it. What do you think?

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Georgetown: Enjoy Great Food and Culture in Colonial Times

Penang is Malaysia’s food capital and Georgetown is its colonial hub. Together, they make a combination that very few in the world can match. They allow you to soak in Georgetown’s colonialism and rich history while wetting your palate with some yummylicious Penang food.


Penang is an island located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Georgetown is its capital and located on one corner of it. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was founded in 1786 as one of the three straits settlements under the British rule. This British influence can be seen almost everywhere in the old town that exists as a UNESCO heritage site today.


Be it Fort Cornwallis, the cobbled paths so reminiscent of Europe, the Queen Victoria clock tower, St. George’s Church, Church of the Assumption, Penang City Hall, Penang Town Hall and many others, one can feel and see the colonialism effect everywhere.


But, this is just one side of Penang. Its cosmopolitan population that includes Chinese, Malaysians and Indians make for one interesting mix. And then add Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism into the mix to form a combo that has the potential to amaze the whole world.


Whether, you are at Jalan Pelang, Lebuah Chulia, Lorong Chulia, Lebuh Pasar, Campbell St, Jalan Muntri, Love Lane or any of the small streets in the heritage zone, you are bound to come across sights that will keep your mind bedazzled for a long while. For starters, you will see many heritage houses and the one that tops the list is the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, which is popularly known as the Rockefeller of the East and JP Morgan of China.


There are many interesting museums too, like the Penang State Museum, but the one that really interested the photographer in me was the Camera Museum that showcased cameras, related accessories and photographs from the yester years.


Then, there is Little India with its loudspeakers, spices, colours and vibrant smells. The Hindu temples, its interesting culture and spicy food are there to appeal to all. The Kapitan Keling Mosque, one of the most prominent mosques of Penang also falls under this zone. Then, there are these beautiful Buddhist temples – Wat Chaiyamangalaram and Dhammikarma Burmese Buddhist temples and the Chinese temples – Hainanese temples and Kuan Yin Teng. It is such an interesting experience to see the culture that is an integral part of these various religions and temples and it is even better if you get to participate in it.


Georgetown is all about its food (especially the street food and the night markets), its easy walks around the heritage zone, its religious sites, its colorful markets, especially on Campbell Street and Little India. In my mind, it is perfect for a 3 to 4 day detour from Langkawi, the Thai border, Kuala Lumpur or the Cameron Highlands.


To get here, you can either fly straight into Penang, take the ferry from Langkawi, take the train from KL and take the efficient road network of Peninsular Malaysia.

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Travel Photo: Colonial Georgetown

Malaysia’s Georgetown is one of those places that doesn’t look Asian, especially in its UNESCO world heritage zone. Instead, it looks more like England with its rich colonial structures, cobbled paths and well maintained historic buildings. After all, it has had such a rich colonial past.


If you were to walk in Georgetown’s UNESCO world heritage site, you will see a HSBC bank in an old colonial building and also the local post office. In fact, its dispensaries and hospitals also make use of the beautiful structures built in the late 19th century. It is quite a sight for the traveler who explores this island town and ends up seeing great sights such as these.

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