From restaurant reviews to culture and history

The rising prominence of state-of-the-art mobile devices like smartphones and tablets has definitely enabled modern-day travelers to access a virtual treasure trove of information right in the palm of their hands. These days, it’s not too surprising to find out that there’s a mobile app for practically everything under the sun. Avid travelers to Southeast Asia certainly have no shortage of mobile apps to choose from.

With the number of smartphone users growing by the year, it only makes sense for enterprising Southeast Asian travel aficionados to connect with the global travel community through intuitively designed mobile apps from Google Play and iTunes. Online gaming giant Gaming Realms, the company behind innovative mobile slots hub pocket fruity, claims that smartphone users currently make up 17% of total mobile usage. Interestingly, the same company cites that there were already an estimated one billion smartphone users at the end of 2012.

With the abundance of smartphone users out there, here are just two of the many incredibly useful mobile apps for Southeast Asian travel enthusiasts.

BuUuk

From pad thai and pho to banh mi and balut, travelers will never run out of gastronomic curiosities to eat in Southeast Asia. Whether you’re in Laos, Singapore, or the Philippines, the constantly changing food and drink scene in Southeast Asia can be quite overwhelming for seasoned foodies and first-time visitors alike. Fortunately, the BuUuk mobile app doesn’t just stop with being a very reliable GPS-based restaurant/eatery finder. BuUuk lets you search by cuisine, location or rating, in addition to displaying discounted offers on food and drinks. As a bonus, iPhone 3GS users can view their surroundings using BuUuk’s augmented reality capabilities.

HarperCollins UNESCO World Heritage

Simply put, the HarperCollins UNESCO World Heritage mobile app is a fantastic resource for culture, architecture, and history buffs. Majestic photographs accompany detailed descriptions of all 981 World Heritage Sites to date. Southeast Asia currently boasts 33 World Heritage Sites across seven countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos. Some of the region’s most famous World Heritage Sites include the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty in Vietnam, the Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

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Here are some of the tallest buildings in the region:

Singapore

Asia’s lovely city-state has more than 4,000 high-rise buildings in its skyline, with more than 50 of them topping 140 meters. The three tallest buildings tower to 280 meters above the city streets. They are: UOB Plaza One, Republic Plaza, and OUB Centre (also known as One Raffles Place). Other than 1-Altitude, a bar 282 meters on One Raffles Place with stunning views, these buildings house offices, offices and more offices, but few good venues for curious tourists to find a viewpoint. However, the monoliths themselves make a good photo subject, for example from the Skybar on top of the Marina Bay Sands.

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has two of the most distinctive tall buildings in Asia—the tapered Petronas Towers. Built in 1998 to a height of 482 meters, these towers have both a Skybridge and an observation deck from which tourists can soak in the city views. The Skybridge is 41 stories above street level, while riding the elevator to the observation deck will shoot you 86 stories in the air. If you’re planning to visit the Petronas Towers, schedule your visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. any day of the week except Tuesdays, when the observation areas are closed to the public. The ticket office opens at 8:30 a.m.

Thailand

If you’re in Bangkok and looking for some breeze above the city’s sois and khlongs, you can choose between visits to several of the city’s skyscrapers, but the one that is most popularly visited by tourists wanting a view is Baiyoke Tower II on Ratchaprarop Road. At street level, you’ll find plenty of shopping in malls and stalls on the street, but stores a hotel inside, the Baiyoke Sky Hotel offers rooms with a fantastic view 88 stories off the ground. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the view, however. The 304-meter-tall building also boasts an observation deck on the 77th floor, a bar and music lounge on the 83rd floor, and a revolving roof deck on the 84th floor.

Indonesia

One of Jakarta’s most iconic tall buildings is the 250-meter-tall Wisma 46, known to many as “The Fountain Pen Building” because of its gracefully sloped spire. It’s located on Jalan Jend Sudirman. However, for mealtime views over the rest of Jakarta, many travelers prefer dining at Italian restaurant Gaia on the 46th floor of nearby The Plaza, on Jalan M.H. Thamrin.

Laos

One of the smaller nations in Southeast Asia, Laos is known more for its villages and landscapes than its skyscrapers. Which means that even the relatively short 277-meter-tall Wiengchan Lao National Radio transmitter in capital Vientiane is the tallest structure in the whole country. You can’t go up the transmitter, but you can get a bit of a view over the tree lined streets from the observation deck at the Patuxai, an arch-shaped victory monument in the center of Vientiane.

Photos by William Cho, Miusam CK, Prachanart Viriyaraks, yohanes budiyanto and yeowatzup

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With such legendary travel destinations as Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam, it is no wonder that Southeast Asia is some travelers’ favorite destination. It’s a land of beautiful landscapes, ethnic food, and endless adventure. Unfortunately however, the best time to visit this remarkable location is during the winter, a time that does not work for the traveling student because it conflicts with their school semesters. So how can students possibly see the beautiful countries of Southeast Asia during the best season with such a conflicting schedule?

Online Classes

Perhaps the best answer to the traveling student’s predicament is to take online classes. Online classes allow students to complete an entire course at their own schedule. The way it works is that students log on to the class via the Internet whenever they have free time in order to get the next lessen and assignment. While it takes a lot of self-discipline to devote time and thought to your classes while on the go, traveling actually offers you a lot of flexibility in order to complete the desired coursework. With so many bus, train, and plane rides, the traveling student will have plenty of time to go through any required readings, complete assignments, and study for exams. Additionally, one can always plan ahead and complete their schoolwork when they have time so that it doesn’t conflict with a busy week of travel.

Study Abroad

Many colleges offer semesters abroad, which can serve as the perfect opportunity for someone looking to complete coursework while traveling. A semester abroad is when your school places you for one semester in a foreign university in the country of your choice, giving you the chance to really experience another country in depth. While this option does not provide as much flexibility as online classes, as you will be unable to travel far from the school you choose to attend while classes are in session, it is a great option for someone that really wants to spend a lot of time in a specific location. Additionally, many students who choose to go abroad take advantage of their situation and do a lot of traveling during any breaks from school, though most choose to take a month at the end of the semester to backpack through nearby countries before heading home.

Semester at Sea

Another fantastic studying abroad option is Semester at Sea, a cruise ship that has been made into a university in order to offer students the chance to visit multiple countries while still completing a full semester of classes. Students live on the cruise ship and stop at amazing countries, though each year the program offers a different schedule. While that schedule sometimes includes Southeast Asia, it doesn’t always. However, it does usually take students to multiple continents, be it Europe, Africa, Australia, or South America.

With these options, in mind, a student should never feel like his schooling is standing in the way of his travel experiences. If anything, studying while traveling is an opportunity for a truly great and productive experience, particularly if you shape your classes around the locations you intend to visit by taking, per say, a History of Southeast Asia course, or a class on Asian literature.

This is a guest post written by @Courtney

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1) Pulau Sipadan, Malaysia

Not only famed for an excellent diving spot in SE Asia, but in the world. This spectacular diving spot in Malaysia is a legend for divers. Schools of barracudas, sea turtles, trevallies and more can be seen here. This diving paradise is located in the Celebes Sea and is the main diving site for the country of Malaysia. Unsurpassed by most sites in the world makes this place an unforgettable exploration of the water world below.

2) Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar

An archipelago of more than 800 islands lays in in the Andaman sea off the Southern coast of Myanmar. Some of these islands haven’t been explored they are so remote. This spot has only recently been introduced into the wave of tourism when it was opened in 1997. Since then the diving has been booming and people have been enjoying these gorgeous, warm, and pristine waters ever since then. Almost entirely undisturbed, this grouping of islands provide amazing marine life like sharks, rays, eels, pipefish, lionfish and much more. Colorful coral, caverns and tunnels make this diving spot mega special.

3) Andaman Islands, India

Not venturing off too far are the Andaman Islands in India. The magnificent diving here is all thanks to the flourishing wildlife that live in these strong current waters. Turtles, sharks, vibrant coral, salt water crocodiles, bright fish…. the list can go on and on. Nicorbar island seems to be the favorite of the bunch and is only one of the 15 islands in the Mahatma Ghandi Marine National Park. Like Mergui, tourism has only been recently booming in the area and it’s still rather untouched. This dive site is for the more experienced diver due to the strong currents.

4) Similan and Surin Islands, Thailand

Nine granite islands sit a few hours West and off the coast of Phuket. Here there are pristine and clear blue waters full of dramatic underwater ocean views and marine life to entertain your eyes for dives and dives to come. Visibly is often at its best around October and running through until May. With that said, visibility is fantastic year round between 20-25 meters and sometimes reaching over 40 meters. Drift diving is the most popular here and you can float through the beautiful clear water. You can see marine life such as whale sharks, cow tail rays, leopard sharks, and hard and soft brilliant and vibrant corals. While diving you will be swimming though incredible rock formations and boulders which make for a more exciting dive. On island one, all named 1-9 in Malay, is a sanctuary for turtles. They lay eggs here and provide a humbling spectacle when you see them hatch and return to the deep sea water. The diving here is the best in Thailand and possibly some of the best in the world.

5) Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Boasting the highest diversity of fish and coral on our planet is this cluster of islands on the northwestern tip of Indonesia. Over 550 coral species and over 1,200 fish species roam these waters and provide one of the greatest underwater spectacles of the sea. Sharks, sea turtles, over 40 species of reef fish, some of which are endangered, turtles and more.

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Whether you’re planning on backpacking around Indochina, exploring the region on an organised tour or taking advantage of last minute holidays 2014, there are plenty of stunning attractions and captivating locations.

Bangkok, Thailand

Any traveller embarking on a trip to Southeast Asia is bound to visit Bangkok, one of the busiest and frenetic cities you’re ever likely to come across.

While Khao San Road and the Grand Palace are top of several people’s list, you should consider discovering a different side of Bangkok. Classical Thai dance-dramas and contemporary art galleries should not be missed, while authentic street food and native bars are never far away.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

One of the region’s most important archaeological sites is also one of the most breath-taking. Angkor Wat is a Hindu and subsequently Buddhist temple dating back to the 12th century.

Located near Siem Reap, watching the sunrise over the remains of the Khmer Empire is a magnificent experience. You’ll need at least a day to explore the whole complex, as Angkor stretches over 400 square kilometres.

Hoi An, Vietnam

If you’re happening to be travelling along Vietnam‘s coastline, Hoi An should be a priority. Once a major trading port, this ancient town now boasts a welcoming and relaxed vibe.

A trip around the old town is highly recommended, but any visit isn’t complete without getting a tailor-made suit or dress.

Bali, Indonesia

If you enjoy life by the sea, Bali has some magnificent beaches to relax and unwind as well as an impressive swell for those who want to surf.

In between you can explore the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary or the dense Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana jungle.

Singapore

Although it is easy to get yourself lost among Asia’s rich and historic culture, the stark contrast of Singapore’s western-influenced metropolis is well worth a visit.

Travel to the top of Marina Bay Sands for a panoramic view of the city or wonder around the beautiful Botanic Gardens for a quiet retreat.

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The Mutualism of Online Banking and Travelling

Gone are the days when you had to bring your entire budget with you when travelling abroad. Today, the alternative mode of payment communication is by swiping your credit card or by transacting online. What’s good about online banking is that you can access your bank account wherever you are in the world.

Envision a scenario where you are travelling into Southeast Asia doing some serious business transaction that involves payment. Online banks like Halifax are your best company to secure your money. How? Banks like Halifax are handy abroad because they allow you to do online banking as well as mobile banking; thus, doing away with the physical act of depositing money.

Another scenario is when you travel for leisure. Since Southeast Asia is a prime holiday destination, expect major hotels, restaurants, and other establishments to accept payment through the use of debit cards or credits cards like the ones issued by Halifax. Halifax Bank Accounts are handy abroad because the services of Halifax allow you to pay in the current currency of the country where you are in with the lowest charge rates. Using the services of online banks is an effective and safe way in managing your finances while travelling.

Speaking of managing finances while in Southeast Asia, here are some practical tips on how you can safeguard your money while enjoying a holiday in any of the popular countries in Southeast Asia.

Book Online

Booking your travel and accommodation itineraries online will save you the time in going around places looking for a hotel. What’s more, if you use your credit card, you can even earn points for booking online.

Always Take the Public Transport

Southeast Asian Countries are home to one of the friendliest citizens in the world; so don’t be afraid to mingle with the crowd when travelling into Southeast Asia. What’s more, taking the public transport will save you money which you can use for other activities.

Be Cautious of Too Friendly Locals

Being friendly with the locals is not a problem; but if they are too friendly, then it is time to raise that eyebrow and fend them off. If you are new in a certain foreign place, chances are you are likely to be a target of scammers. So before travelling into Southeast Asia, do some research about scams being employed by locals.

Avoid Using Public Computers for Financial Transactions

The best measure to avoid falling prey to credit card fraud is not to use them in public computers like internet shops. Chances are your credit card details might easily get stolen.

End Note

When it comes to managing finances, especially when you are travelling abroad, always keep tabs on your expenses; never spend too much, especially when you use your credit card.

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Even if you’re not a “backpacker,” using a backpack as luggage while traveling in Southeast Asia makes sense. For one thing, sidewalks and roads are not always even, so the wheels on rolling suitcases take a beating. In fact, in Thailand, Malaysia or the Philippines, you might find yourself having to haul your belongings from a bus, to a wooden planked dock, to a boat and then onto a beach. None of that is wheel-friendly, especially beach sand.

The other reason that backpacks are a good idea for travel in Southeast Asia is that they’ll limit the amount you bring with you. Not only will this help you save money on your flights around the region–most budget airlines charge you more for heavier luggage–but you’ll have a simpler trip. However, if you’re someone who loves to shop, then you’d best bring an empty suitcase or duffel bag with you, so you can fill it up before you leave.

Generally, though, when packing, you need to first consider what time of year you’ll be going. Will it be monsoon season? Or dry season? The monsoon (also referred to as the “wet” season) is generally from May to October, though each region has its own patterns depending on topography.

If You’re Going in the Monsoon Season, Pack:

• Shoes that are comfortable when wet and when dry. For example, sports sandals like those made by the Teva or Keen brands. Fully waterproof shoes are often too hot for the climate.
• Light-weight rain jacket with a hood.
• Long-sleeved shirt or hoodie to put on when you enter an air-conditioned building after walking in the rain.
• Hat with a brim if you wear eyeglasses, to protect from sprinkles.
• Waterproof cover for your backpack or daypack.
• Silica gel packets to help absorb extra moisture from your camera case or laptop case. You can order these online, or save them from boxes of things you purchase in the weeks before you go on vacation.
• Umbrella (optional).You may want an umbrella while you’re on vacation, but I’d advise buying a cheap one at your destination and saving yourself the hassle of packing it.

If You’re Going in the Dry Season, Pack:

• Loose clothing made out of cotton or another breathable fabric.

Any time of year, Pack:

• Sunscreen. In the wet season it doesn’t rain all the time. You can still get burned.
• Antacid tablets, of your favorite brand. If you try exotic foods and drink plenty of cocktails on vacation, you might be happy to have some antacid tablets in your bag.
• Scarf, sarong or thin towel. From using as a pillow on the bus to a cleaning cloth for your camera at the beach, a length of fabric is handy. Note: these are widely available in Southeast Asia, so you might wait to buy one there.
• Flipflops for wearing inside the hotel room or at the beach.
• Mosquito repellent with a high DEET concentration. Locally sold mosquito repellent may not have much or any DEET. This is probably better for you and the environment, but doesn’t seem to be as effective for keeping the biters away.
• A light, long-sleeved shirt and long-legged pants for keeping mosquitoes at bay in the evenings.
• Extra memory cards for your camera. Store these in a place separate from your camera. I’m still mourning the loss of several cards full of photos that were accidentally left behind when we forgot the camera case in a café some years ago.
• Cash. If you’re like most travelers, you’ll probably use your card a lot while you’re on vacation. However, it’s handy to have a supply of cash, U.S. dollars being the most easily converted, for emergencies.

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Negotiating for prices in Southeast Asia is a great social leveler–whether you’re staying poolside in a five-star resort or bunking up in a hostel dormitory, you’ll face the same advantages and disadvantages when haggling for the best price. First time travelers to Southeast Asia—no matter their budget—often feel intimidated by the bargaining process when they go to buy things. They’re concerned they won’t get a “fair” price, or feel foolish or rude when asking for discounts.

To take some of the stress out of the shopping experience, here are some tips to help you bargain for souvenirs and tours with grace and confidence. Happy shopping!

1. Smile

For many foreigners, money is no joking matter. Westerners, in particular, often believe that prices should be “fair,” and that everyone should pay the same amount for the same goods or services. As when any dearly held belief is turned on its head, this can result in hurt feelings and a desire to argue. However, getting angry over a few dollars spent on a souvenir is no way to spend your holiday. Relax, smile, and try to be friendly with the seller. If you don’t agree with the price, you don’t have to buy it—but you don’t have to be angry about it, either. It may help to think of haggling as a game, or as a cultural dance of etiquette, rather than just a transaction.

2. Know when you can’t bargain

While negotiating for goods and services is ubiquitous in Asia, there are certain places and times when you should not bargain a better price. I once saw someone trying to haggle the price of a beer at a 7-11 in Bali. That won’t fly. Most restaurants, and even food stalls, have fixed prices. If you’ve used a metered taxi, you’ll need to pay what the meter says, unless you’ve set the price before you take the trip. Once the car stops, and you’ve arrived at your destination, you’re on the hook for the total amount shown in those little red numbers. However, it never hurts to ask for a discount or a package deal, even in a glitzy, air-conditioned shopping mall. If you smile (see No. 1), staff may help you out with a “free gift” or VIP price.

3. Know what you want to pay

Many times, I’ve seen people bargaining for items with no idea of what the end price should be. Should that T-shirt you’re fond of cost the equivalent of $3 USD or $30 USD? It doesn’t really matter how much you pay for it, as long as you pay the price you’re comfortable paying. But if you start the bargaining at $30 and then a few seconds later tell the seller you actually want to pay $3, they’re going to think you’re toying with them. Do some research by asking fellow tourists or by browsing in a few shops, to see what other people are paying for similar items. If you can, ask a local who’s unaffiliated with any sellers to let you know what the “local price” is. Foreigners may not be able to bargain down to the “local price” without local language skills, but at least it will give you an idea of where you should begin and end your bargaining.

4. Be ready to give up

Salespeople the world over are shrewd judges of human nature. If they know that you are dying to purchase that pair of flip-flops, they’re much less likely to lower the price for you than if you pretend you don’t care if you get them or not. Unless it’s a dire emergency (your other flip-flops just broke and you’re wandering the streets of Siem Reap barefoot) act like you could walk away without the item in question. Note: if you are shopping for shoes while barefoot, perhaps you should just pay the asking price and be done with it. Cut feet aren’t fun to travel on.

5. Don’t rush

As in No. 4, if you rush through a transaction, the seller will figure that you’ll finally get frustrated and pay a higher price than you would if you had more time. Try not to go shopping with a narrow time frame, unless, of course, it’s an emergency.

6. Think quantity

Purchasing multiple items is almost guaranteed to get you a lower purchasing price than if you buy a single thing. Recently, in Bangkok’s Chatuchak market, I got a great deal on hand-woven silk scarves, plus two free gifts, plus a free bottle of water, because I bought 10 at a time. My Christmas shopping is done, and I had a satisfying shopping experience that both the seller and I enjoyed.

7. Learn the language, or bring a pen and paper

While many sellers of tourist stuff in Southeast Asia speak clear, easily-understood English (and several other languages, to boot), you may be able to get better prices at shops frequented by locals, and on transport deals, if you can speak the local language. Even memorizing the numbers from 1 to 20 may help you out. If this is beyond your skillset, bringing along a paper and pen (and your smile, of course) to keep track of the back-and-forth discussion will help you get the best price—and keep it.

Do you have any other tips? Let us know in the comments!

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But, when it comes time to quench your thirst in Southeast Asia, what beer brands are the best?

The region has a multitude of fine beers, mostly lagers, with many brands founded in the late 1800s-early 1900s by European colonists trying to acclimate to SE Asia’s tropical climate.

Then, as now, the best way to rehydrate after a hot day working (ahem, sightseeing) in the sun is probably the water of a green coconut. However, popping the top off a beer is much more fun. Here’s a few popular beers to try on your next trip through the region:

1) San Miguel Pale Pilsen (Philippines)

The best-known, best-selling Southeast Asian beer outside of Asia must be the Philippines’ own San Miguel. Brewed in the country since 1890, it’s also one of the region’s oldest and most respected beers. It’s mild and goes down easy.

2) Tiger (Singapore)

Beer and alcohol on sale in Singapore is some of the most expensive in the region, but luckily Tiger is worth your extra SGD. The lager has a clean, crisp taste that goes well with chili crab. It’s also owned by Heineken, and comes in a light version for travelers counting calories.

3) Bintang (Indonesia)

The signature star of the Bintang label may be recognizable to travelers who have never even cleared customs into Indonesia. A popular design for souvenir T-shirts and tank tops, Bintang beer may have the best word-of-mouth marketing around. The brew itself is worth advertising, as well. This pilsner is made by Heineken, and has a similar light refreshing flavor to that beer.

4) Beerlao (Laos)

Darker in color and more robust in flavor than some of the other pale brews in the region,despite being made from rice, Beerlao has a dedicated following among expat beerdrinkers. It’s been bottled in Laos since the 1970s. If you’re craving more body in your beer, they also have a dark version that is still surprisingly refreshing.

5) Singha and Chang (Thailand)

Curb a spicy Thai curry with a bottle of lion-labeled Singha. It’s a bit sweet and slightly bitter. The other Thai favorite for most SEAsian travelers is inexpensive, strong Chang Beer, the one with elephants on the label. Just beware of the “Chang-over” the next day.

6) Angkor Premium Beer (Cambodia)

Named after Cambodia’s amazing Angkor Wat ruins, Angkor beer aims for the quality of European brews, and many travelers say this light-tasting lager approaches that. It’s brewed by Carlsberg.

7) Beer Saigon (Vietnam)

Vietnam has a huge selection of beers to choose from, more than most of the other countries mentioned here. Most of the beers on offer are pale lagers, and one of the best is Beer Saigon. La Rue and 333 are two other popular light beers to try.

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1) Changi Airport, Singapore

Airport code: SNG, Passengers: Accommodated 46.5 million passengers in 2011

If there’s ever an airport to want to spend more time in, it’s Singapore’s Changi airport. Boasting three spacious terminals, Changi not only has free wifi and free lounge areas (called, fittingly “oases”) with comfy, cushioned reclined seats, but it also has restaurants to fit a myriad of budgets and palates. Have a long layover? Don’t just sit at the gate—there’s a free movie theater, a free butterfly garden, and a recreation area where you can play provided computer games. Artwork, orchid gardens and koi ponds make this one of the world’s most relaxing places to rest between flights. If you feel like paying for your entertainment, you can also have massages, toss your kids down a long slide, visit a bar for a quick drink, or take a dip in the rooftop swimming pool.

When you do finally have to leave Changi, gates and terminals are easy to navigate to your next flight. Or, going into the city? The mass rapid transit system will take you right downtown.

2) Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand

Airport Code: BKK, Passengers: About 53 million passengers each year

Bangkok’s main airport (Dong Mueang is now the budget option) is a beautiful, modern glass-and-steel structure that’s easy to navigate. Before security, ride the unique moving walkways between levels to access restaurants, cafes, and fruit vendors. After the security gates, hungry travelers who need some sustenance before they fly can also find a few restaurants and cafes in the mid- to upper-price range and a selection of fast-food joints.

To pass the time at Suvarnabhumi, passengers can ogle items on display for duty free shopping (though some of it seems just as expensive as the taxed goods you’d get in a mall in Bangkok), or try out the free wifi available past the security checkpoints.

To get into Bangkok or out to another city in Thailand, tourists have the option of taking the normal or express Skyrail train to the downtown, or hopping in a minivan or bus to destinations further afield. There are also a huge range of budget hotels near the airport which offer shuttle pickup as well, so check with your accommodation if they can get you after a long flight.

3) Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

Airport Code: HKG, Passengers: About 53 million passengers in 2011

Flying in to Hong Kong International Airport, which is located on Lantau Island, offers dramatic views, so if you’re lucky enough to be headed to Hong Kong try to book a window seat.

Hong Kong’s airport is extremely busy for its size, and it runs efficiently despite the chaos of many arriving flights. For passengers killing time, there’s free Wi-Fi once past security, and a few paid options for it outside, for example at Pacific Coffee.

It’s a good airport for sprucing up in the middle of a long-haul journey: If you need a shower, there are a few traveler’s lounges that offer a reclined seat and amenities for a few hours, but they’re not the cheapest. There’s also a simpler showering option in the passage between terminals 1 and 2.

For long layovers or strange flight timings, you might be able to work in a movie or other entertainment while you wait. In Terminal 2, there’s an IMAX movie theatre, an arcade, and of course, some last-minute shopping opportunities.

To get into town with public transportation, take the express monorail or the bus. If you’re heading over the border to mainland China, from arrivals head toward the trains, then take the underground passage to Terminal 2.

4) Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Airport code: KUL, Passengers: About 37.5 million passengers in 2011

The airport is about an hour outside of Kuala Lumpur proper, so, when departing, make sure you have given yourself enough time to get there. There’s a high-speed train from town, but most people catch cabs. Be sure to check your tickets before you tell the driver where you’re going–most budget flights depart from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), which is about 20 kilometers from the premium carrier terminal.

Although the premium and Low Cost terminals are technically part of the same airport, they look and feel very different. The premium terminal has a shiny, shopping-mall feel and has more eateries and fast Internet available for travelers, while the LCCT is more focused on function than form, but is still clean and adequate for visitors passing through the region on budget airlines. For meals at the LCCT, try the food hall removed from the main building, past the buses going to town. If you have to switch terminals, there is also an inexpensive shuttle bus that goes between the premium terminal and the LCCT.

Check out where to stay in Southeast Asia.

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1) Ride an Elephant through the Jungle

Swaying through the sun-dappled forest on the back of an elephant is a near-magical Southeast Asian experience some visitors remember as one of the highlights of their trip. While elephants are native to several countries in the region, Thailand probably has the most opportunities for tourists to see an elephant in real life.

Visitors report that the best, most responsible elephant encounters can be had at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang and the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Both centers rehabilitate injured elephants. If you’re really lucky, you might be able to glimpse a wild elephant at Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park.

2) Swim with Sharks

Catch your breath at the grace of a 12-meter-long whale shark gliding beside you when you swim with the buntanding, whale sharks, in Oslob or Donsol, Philippines. Despite the name, these fish are not whales, but filter-feeding sharks that feed on plankton and are harmless to humans. Whale sharks also make periodic appearances off the coasts of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Check with local dive guides to see when you’ve got the best chance to see one.

If you do get the chance to swim with a whale shark or other wild sea creature, don’t try to touch it while it swims. This kind of harassment can harm the animal and will probably scare it away.

And, if you prefer to swim with meat-eaters, you might try your luck at swimming with whale sharks’ toothier cousins in an aquarium. Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, Singapore’s Underwater World, Bangkok’s Siam Ocean World and other local aquariums offer the chance to snorkel or scuba dive in the shark tanks.

3) Search for an Orangutan

Be persistent, and your search for a glimpse of orange fur in the jungle canopy will be rewarded. Orangutans, Asian great apes, are native to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Sabah, Malaysia, and East Kalimantan, Indonesia are two of the best regions on Borneo to find the apes in the wild.

Orangutans can also be seen at rehabilitation centers, but sometimes these feel more like zoos than facilities to help the apes. If you can, try to visit one of the wildlife sanctuaries and reserves instead. The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah is a popular choice.

4) Pose with a Tiger

Dare to pet a fearsome beast at the “Tiger Temple” in eastern Thailand. This temple — which has raised controversy over treatment of the tigers — is raising some 100 tigers and a large number of other animals. Visitors to the temple in Kanchanaburi can line up for photos with the tigers (and even pet them!), see tiger cubs becoming acclimated to people, and explore the grounds on the lookout for peacocks, water buffalo and pigs.

Critics of the tiger temple say the animals there are drugged to be docile while they are in contact with visitors. Temple volunteers deny this, however. Supporters of the temple claim that the tigers there have better chances than the ones in the ever-diminishing wild habitat.

5) Honor the Monkeys

Macaque monkeys enjoy a tailor-made party in their honor every November at the Monkey Festival in Lopburi, Thailand. The monkeys are served a buffet feast donated by locals, who believe that giving food to the macaques will bring good luck. Even if you can’t make it to Lopburi in November, you can always visit the monkeys living at the local temples. They’re quite friendly and willing to approach humans, so be careful if you bring food or drink with you–they might think you meant them to take it as a gift.

Monkeys are generally considered good luck in the region. However, when traveling in Southeast Asia, travelers sometimes see gibbons and other primates that have been sold into captivity from the wild. In bars sometimes, mistreated monkeys are made to smoke cigarettes or do other unhealthy things.

What is your favorite animal encounter in Southeast Asia? Share it with us in the comments below.

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Golden Shower Tree

In Thailand, for example, the cassia fistula is an important ornamental plant. Also called the ratchaphurek, or golden shower tree, it has abundant sprays of hanging yellow blossoms. It’s the national flower of Thailand because the golden flowers symbolize Thai royalty. Yellow is a special color in Thailand, and is the personal color of the King because he was born on a Monday. The flowers from this tree are used in Ayurvedic medicine to help stop diseases.

Vanda Miss Joaquim

Meanwhile, Singapore’s national bloom has a name that sounds like it could belong to a beauty pageant winner. Really though, this bright purple, distinctively shaped orchid was named after its breeder, Agnes Joaquim. Joaquim was the daughter of an influential Armenian family living in Singapore in the mid 1800s. She loved gardening and specialized in orchids, and won many prizes for her hybrids. This blossom won first prize at the 1899 show, but Joaquim didn’t witness the flower’s real rise to stardom. A great representative of something truly Singaporean, it was made the national flower in 1981. In ancient Chinese culture, orchids represented friendship, perfection, femininity and elegance. Orchids are sometimes incorporated into herbal remedies in Chinese medicine.

Sampaguita Jasmine

This islands of the archipelago that makes up the Philippines have long been a hub of international trade. The country’s national flower is a result of that–the Sampaguita Jasmine was brought to the Philippines in 1700s.

The simple, sweet-smelling flower represents purity and strength. Garlands of Sampaguita are often used to decorate religious shrines and are given gifts for special guests. Homeowners often plant jasmine because it blooms all year and perfumes the air when the blossoms open at night. Extract from the flower is also used for making perfume and fragrant tea.

Rafflesia Arnoldii

Rafflesia Arnoldii is one of the world’s most striking flowers. It produces the largest flowers on earth, but it doesn’t have a correspondingly beautiful aroma. In fact, it’s sometimes known as the “corpse flower” because the one-meter diameter blossoms smell like decay. Despite their gigantic flowers, Rafflesia Arnoldii are hard to find in the wild; they are very rare. Rafflesia don’t have any leaves or roots, and instead grow like mushrooms on the forest floor of Sumatra and Borneo. It is one of Indonesia’s three national flowers, and, in local traditional medicine, the petals are used to help women recover after childbirth.

Lotus

In Vietnam, two flowers in particular are important in art and culture: the lotus and the chrysanthemum. Of these, the lotus has a prominent place in temples around Southeast Asia due to its ties to Buddhist tradition. Because the lotus roots in the mud at the bottom of ponds and rivers, yet holds its pure blossoms above the water, it is said to represent enlightenment, purification, and even rebirth. Lotus roots and seeds can be eaten, and many parts of the plant are used in traditional medicines around Asia.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, on the other hand, are so widely used in the world that they may not seem like an exotic flower to many travelers. However, they were first cultivated in China, and it’s possible that the significance of chrysanthemums in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia is due to Chinese influence. Dried chrysanthemums are drunk in a cooling tea, and incorporated into soups and other dishes.

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