Cambodia has changed a lot since I visited as an energetic backpacker 20 years ago, but what I soon find is that not all change is good By Matt CowanChief Editor The Bureau Asia Recently I spent a week in Cambodia where I visited the tropical southern island of Koh Rong, the laid-back town of…
Built by the French in the 1930s, Cambodia’s railway network was brought to a halt by the Khmer Rouge, now it’s getting back on track By Matt CowanChief Editor The Bureau Asia Here’s one for the train nerds. Cambodia’s national railway network was built in the 1930s, but it gradually fell into disuse with the…
20 years on from my last visit to the Kingdom, nothing prepared me for the shock of how expensive Cambodia has become By Matt CowanChief Editor The Bureau Asia This may come as a surprise, but until my trip to Cambodia this month, it’d been 20 years since I set foot in the Kingdom. Why…
Need someone to design a luxurious resort in the most inaccessible location on the planet? Then Bill Bensley is your man By Matt CowanChief Editor The Bureau Asia In this podcast episode, I interview the incomparable Bill Bensley who’s brought to life more than 200 hotels and resorts in over 30 countries, including five amazing…
By Matt CowanChief Editor The Bureau Asia I interview highly-respected Australian journalist, food writer and restaurant critic John Lethlean who went motorbike riding in the north of Vietnam for a couple of weeks during his holiday in September. John’s been writing about hospitality and reviewing restaurants for more than 25 years for some of Australia’s…
Fresh off my recent journey to Mongolia, I found myself pondering a simple yet profound question: Is Mongolia worth visiting? Spoiler alert: In the shortest possible answer, yes, if your soul yearns for adventures and off-the-beaten-path destinations, you’re in for a treat. Imagine vast landscapes untouched by modernity, waking up to the vast expanse of…
People may know Indonesia as a country with diverse and beautiful natural landscapes such as Bali, Komodo Island, and others. But did you know that Indonesia is a multicultural country? With a population of over 275 million, Indonesia has more than 300 ethnic groups. One of the most distinctive cultures in Indonesia is Torajan, an…
If you’ve ever seen Anthony Bourdain’s dive into Hong Kong in his culinary travelogue series Parts Unknown, you will know by now that Hong Kong is an incredibly eclectic place to explore. It’s a constantly evolving city that not only has a wonderfully diverse range of food to experience but also a rich and vibrant…
When you’re in Malaysia, you simply can’t miss Kuala Lumpur! Like most of Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur has its authentic markets, city skyline views, temples, and some iconic landmarks recognized globally. Keep a couple of days aside on your Malaysia trip to Kuala Lumpur. I visited Kuala Lumpur as a kid and I wished I had…
Batam Riau Islands is one of the few lesser-known tropical places in Indonesia. Over the years, it’s gained a lot of popularity in tourism for its low-expense holidays. I’ve lived in Batam for almost a decade and here’s how you can build your Batam Itinerary for 4 days. To cover most must-visit places in Batam…
