UNIT-12
TRAVEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA (I)
Read the passage.
Travelling in Southeast Asia can
be very exciting since each country has something unique
to offer. The following are descriptions
of the tourist attractions of
five of these countries.
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei is a country which comprises whose enclaves on
the northwest coast of
the island of Borneo.
The Hassanal Bolkiah Aquarium, for instance, features
a colourful display of
tropical fish.
At the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training
Centre, you can buy traditional Brunei
handicraft such as silverware,
brocade and ceremonial daggers.
Finer examples
of bronze and
brassware, along with fascinating
displays of Chinese ceramics and
jade, can be seen at the Brunei Museum.
In the centre of
Bandar Seri Begawan, an overlooking an impressive view
of the water village, Kampong Ayer, is the Omar
Ali Saifuddin Mosque, which is ranked as one of
the most attractive mosques in Asia.
The kingdom of
Cambodia occupies part of the Indochina peninsula in
Southeast Asia. There is plenty
to see in Phnom Penh, the capital of
Cambodia, starting with a tour of the Silver Pagoda,
the National Museum, Independence Monument,
Wat Phnom and the market areas where
hand-woven silks, silver,
gems and antiques will
compete for your attention.
Located within the Royal Palace
compound, the Silver Pagoda is so
named because of it floor, which is made up of 5,000
silver tiles. The walls surrounding
the compound are covered with frescos depicting episodes
from the Khmer version of Ramayana, the
Reamker.
The National Museum,
located just north of the Royal Palace, represents the
finest of Phnom Penh’s architecture. On display inside are more than 5,000 works
of art, ranging from the 6th to 13th Century. Visitors can
rest by the peaceful, palm shaded
central courtyard and
lotus pond and think about one of Asia’s
richest cultures.
Angkor Wat, which is situated in northwest
Cambodia, is the largest temple in
the world. It is unlike
all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west,
and it is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a land of surprises,
featuring the rich culture and arts of its
people amidst the sandy
beaches and cool
mountains. The volcanoes in
Indonesia are among the most active in the world.
It has a population of
over 170 million with many different ethnic groups
and some 250 spoken languages.
Jakarta, the capital
of Indonesia on the northwest coast of
Java, is a place where industries like textiles,
chemicals, plastics,
etc. are concentrated. Not to be missed
in one of the world’s wonders–
the biggest Buddhist temple in
the world – at Candi Borobudur in Java, built during the 19th
Century.
In east Java,
one can find the most exciting mountain scenery. One can visit mountain resorts such
as Tretes and Selecta; take a short ferry ride
from the city of Surabaya to Madura for a heart-stopping
bull race, filled with excitement.
Yogyakarta is regarded as a
special cultural centre of Java. It offers festivals,
royal ceremonies, batik and
silver work, and the sultan’s palaces are proof
of its heritage.
In western Sumatra,
one can find Indonesia’s largest national park, in
the region of Kerinci-Seblat with its rich variety
of animal species and plants.
Laos
Laos is situated in the Souvan-naphoum peninsula. It comprises many ethnic groups, each minority
group having its own tradition and
beautiful culture. So Laos is a country rich in tradition
and culture.
Laos, which has a population of 5
million, covers about 236,800 square kilometers. It has a wealth of
natural resources which
are still unexplored. The forests are
rich in medicinal herbs and
there are many species of wild animals there. In addition to pagodas and historical
sites, the famous Wat Sisaket
Temple with its big Buddha image, the old Hotai library
whose walls are covered with sapphires,
and wall paintings are well worth seeing. It is said that if one does not visit this
temple, one will not have seen the heart of
Vientiane.
Some of the Buddha images and artifacts
show the finest designs which indicate the high
skills of the artists
of 19th Century.
Malaysia
Malaysia is separated into two sections by
the South China Sea; Peninsula Malaysia
links with Thailand on the mainland
of Asia, while East Malaysia
comprises the states of Sabah and Sarawak.
Visitors must not miss Kuala
Lumpur or KL, the capital, with its many sights to
keep the tourist occupied, as well as its excellent
shopping facilities.
Second to KL in size are the historic trading
cities of Melaka and Penang, with buildings dating back
hundreds of years and wonderful unspoilt districts
where visitors can breathe in the romance of
the past.
Malaysia is famous for its pleasant
beach resorts, Langkawi, Pangkor, Tioman
Island, Damai Beach in Sarawak, and, again, Penang. Each of these offers
water-sports of all kinds as well as snorkeling and
scuba diving around the numerous coral reefs
that line Malaysia’s shoe.
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