South-East Asia and Oceania 2023

Phuket and Koh Samui both turned out to be very nice holiday destinations. Beaches, pools, plenty of activities for the kids and even an excursion to Pig Island!

In Bangkok, the focus was on shopping, including MBK and Chatuchak market. Fortunately, Pattaya also had fun activities for family tourists, such as paragliding and an elephant sanctuary.

The Angkor Wat site is large enough to satisfy anyone's cultural appetite. Fortunately, Siem Riep also offered more earthly delights for the whole family.

Phnom Pehn is the capital of Cambodia with a population of over 2 million. Located inland, it isn't a prime family destination especially if the cultural quota is already filled to the brim.

After a city sightseeing tour with a tourist bus, we explored Viet Kong tunnels in the Cu Chi area and took a cruise along the Mekong River. We also got to taste several exotic fruit for the first time.

In Da Nang, we escaped the heat to the Ba Na hills and the SunWorld theme park. Our taxi-driver-turned-guide also took us to waterfalls which were really popular among the locals.

In Hanoi, the reality of Vietnam hit home. The city was bustling like an anthill and the heat was in the forties. There wasn't much safety margin left as the train passed our dinner restaurant.

Our journey through Vietnam began in the north, in the Ha Long region, which we explored on a three-day cruise. The scenery was stunning and there were plenty of activities from dawn till dusk.

There was plenty to do and see in Seoul. Spicy food, Seoul Tower, the Royal Palace dressed in traditional costumes and a dance demonstration in front of the Gangnam Style statue!

From Fukuoka, it is possible to take a catamaran to South Korea's second largest city Busan. It wasn't quite beach season, but it is seafood season all year round in Busan!

Our exploration of Japan was rounded up by a visit to Fukuoka on the southern island. We had a May Day picnic in the local park, but it didn't quite match a proper Finnish vappu in Kaivopuisto.

A bullet train whizzed us to Osaka and Kyoto. Highlights included the Universal Studios theme park, the Samurai Museum and meeting a maiko, or geisha student.

It was only during the trip that we discovered that there is a direct flight between Fiji and Tokyo. A little rerouting, just like in navigators, and the next thing we knew we were in Japan.

We got a feel for local life by visiting the small town of Sigatoga and a traditional tourist village. From the village we continued our trip by canoe to the waterfalls.

In Fiji, it was time for a week of relaxation. We spent hours every day in the pool and snorkelling in the sea. The kids went to the hotel's Kids Club and we all enjoyed good food and drinks.

After 4200 kilometres, we returned our trusty Hiace in Auckland. We explored the city, got a haircut and went to the cinema. From here, the journey would continue with a flight to Fiji.

We took a ferry to Wellington on the North Island. In Rotorua, we visited an alpaca farm, a Maori village and Hell's Gate Nature Park.

The Kaikoura whale safari was cancelled due to heavy rains, but the Hanmer Springs Spa was a deliberate soak.

In Wanaka, we reminisced with Andi and Grant, the leaders of the Trans-Africa trip. We also went to see what was left of the Franz Josef glacier.

Queenstown is a hub for a wide variety of action-packed activities. Paragliding, check. Sprint boat, check. Shotover canyon boat, check. Off-road buggy, check.

Milford Sound is a couple of hours' drive from Te Anau. The multi-day Milford Trek had to be skipped (again) this time, so we admired the scenery on a fjord cruise.

New Zealand is full of incredible nature and activities. The attraction of Moeraki Boulders, however, must be based on easy accessibility.

In Christchurch we picked up our campervan. Next we headed to Mt. Cook, where we landed on the glacier in a small plane with skis.

The Blue Mountains Nature Reserve is a two-hour train ride from Sydney. Several gondola lines run between the peaks and there are numerous hiking trails of varying lengths.

At the end of the night flight, morning dawned on the other side of the world. We toured Sydney's iconic sights, went swimming on Bondi Beach and saw the World Pride parade.

Philippines' newest and largest passenger ship brought us to Manila, a metropolitan area with an estimated 13 million inhabitants. The communal infrastructure is a bit overwhelmed!

After a quick stop in Cebu, the center of Philippines second biggest metro area, we took a ferry to the island of Bohol, famous for its beaches, dolphins, tarsiers and Chocolate Hills.

El Nido is a famous beach resort in the north of the island of Palawan. We enjoyed postcard views, excursions to neighbouring islands and world-class snorkelling.

Boat connections between islands are limited, so we flew to the island of Palawan, where our first destination was the town of Puerto Princesa. Quite a rustic place all in all!

Brunei is famous for its super rich sultan. That's about all anyone knows about it, and there's not much else to know. 'Four days!?!!', wondered the taxi driver at the airport.

Cameron Highlands is located inland a couple of hundred kilometres from Kuala Lumpur. Due to the cooler and wetter climate, the highlands are the centre of tea production in Malaysia.

Batu Caves is a sacred place for Hindus. However, we didn't happen to be there during the annual Thaipusam festival, when around a million Hindus make a pilgrimage here.

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's capital and its political and economic centre. With a population of two million, it is an interesting mix of modern and traditional.

You can't go to a restaurant for every meal. At least breakfasts and evening meals were always bought from local shops, which was interesting at times.

This time, Singapore was our gateway to Southeast Asia. Skyscrapers, children's training versions of chopsticks and a capsule hotel served as a soft landing to a more eastern culture.

Kids to homeschooling and let's hit the road! A six-month trip to Southeast Asia and Oceania, with Dubai as the first stop. Total luggage weight for four people: 40.6kg. Could you match that?