Compass: Asia

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” -Miriam Beard
Explore Asia, the Earth’s largest continent. Covering more than 30 % of the planet’s land surface, Asia is the most populous region and a unique blend of many first civilizations.Asia’s history is vast and the continent is abundant with diverse ethnic groups, cultural heritage, traditions and religious beliefs; all worth learning more about. The countries within Asia include: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, North, Korea, South, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste (West), Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam

Da Nang and Bana Hills: Two of Vietnam’s Beautiful Treasures
By Farah KasmanWhen people plan a trip to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh will be their first choice, and Da Nang regrettably skips by many wanderers’ itineraries. Read more
Asia History
India’s Golden Triangle: Beyond History, Culture, Food and Architecture
By Tonya FitzpatrickThe most popular circuit amongst foreign tourists is the Golden Triangle, comprising Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. Read more
India Architecture Food & Drink History
A Weekend Adventure on the Coast of Desaru
By Farah KasmanDesaru has one of the best beaches in the state of Johor. Read more
Asia Nature & Outdoors
Exploring the Paddy Fields in Sekinchan Town, Malaysia
By Farah KasmanMalaysia is one of the beautiful and unique countries to visit in Southeast Asia. It’s a melting pot of cultures, populated by Malays, Chinese, Indians, and the various indigenous groups. Read more
Asia Agritourism Landscape
Bali battles a plastic ocean while eagerly awaiting economic respite
By Bianca CaruanaAs if Bali hasn’t been suffering enough with the economic blow of COVID-19, locals are also battling a catastrophic environmental disaster as an abnormal amount of plastic washes up along popular tourist beaches Kuta & Seminyak. Read more
Asia Social Responsibility Sustainability
Mehrangarh: Rajasthan’s Fortress of the Sun
By Sugato MukherjeeTo the discerning traveler, Mehrangarh fort of Jodhpur is an intricate tapestry of half a millennium of history, intertwined with bravery and artistry. And a few dark secrets. Read more
India Architecture History
Mayurbhanj: Odisha’s Hidden Secret
By Sugato MukherjeeThe stately manor that dates back to 1804 is the residence of the Bhanj Deo royal family that had ruled the princely state of Mayurbhanj in eastern India Read more
India Experiences Luxury Travel History
Varanasi: From There to Eternity
By Sugato MukherjeeIt was my first trip to Varanasi and I was a little disappointed. The squalor, the impossible traffic jams, and the pollution added up to dispel my romantic notions about the city that Mark Twain had famously said to be ‘older than history, older than tradition, and even older than … Read more Read more
India Food & Drink History
Backpacking Through India
By Brita PenfoldA few years back, I had the opportunity to travel to India to go to my good friend’s wedding. It was a chance to get a glimpse of the culture that I just couldn’t pass up. Read more
India Backpacking & Camping
Thailand uses the Elite Visa program to lure Expats Evading Covid-19
The year 2020 has been about the coronavirus pandemic. It’s affected the world, touching all spheres of life, be it economic, social or political. Countries like Singapore were favored for being the best prepared to handle the coronavirus due to their prior experience with the SARS virus that had spread across … Read more Read more
Asia
36 Hours in Tokyo
By Trixie PacisEverything appeared as expected while boarding the train into Tokyo, from the tidy train station and orderly ticket booth cues to the clasped hands of prim passengers patiently awaiting the train. As I boarded and claimed a seat by the window, I felt suddenly overwhelmed — I had 36 hours … Read more Read more
Asia Experiences
Kashmir: Paradise in the Himalayas
By Manali ShahKashmir — at least the part that India controls — meant lush valleys with freshwater lakes, grass and pine-covered hills, and the towering but protective circle of the Himalayan mountain range. Read more
Asia History
Escape from India during COVID-19 (Part 3 Final)
The conclusion of Escape from India during COVID-19 continues with Anietra sharing more of the roller coaster ordeal that took her and Ian from hope to hopelessness and back. Now she is confronted with the memories of the traumatic experience. Read more
India Experiences
Escape from India during COVID-19 (Part 2)
In Episode One of Escape from India during COVID-19, we introduced you to veteran journalist Anietra Hamper who was trying to escape from India after COVID-19 derailed her fishing assignment trip. Anietra and her fishing guide, Ian Henderson, were left stranded in India with only a narrow window to get … Read more Read more
India Experiences
Escape from India during COVID-19 (Part 1)
What was meant to be a four-week writing assignment to Nepal and India for veteran journalist Anietra Hamper, turned out to be an absolute nightmare for her and her traveling companion, Ian Henderson. Read more
India Experiences