Asia Memories with Destination Asia
A monthly newsletter documenting our resident Asia expert Sophia’s favorite things pulled from her experience living and traveling around the region.
This month’s newsletter covers market visits in Thailand, Batu Caves and Dim Sum in Malaysia, a stay at the Warehouse hotel in Singapore, and a guest entry by another Asia aficionado, Andrew Finn, on day drinking in Japan. We hope that it fuels your desire to travel to this magical region when it is safe to do so.
Market visits in Thailand
I had been to Bangkok and Thailand a few times before traveling with Destination Asia in 2019, but no trip stands out like this one did. The reason for the difference was clear; it was truly an immersive Thai experience. Nowhere did I feel more local than visiting the markets in and around Bangkok. Not only was it a visually stimulating experience, it had all of my senses ignited due to the ever changing smells and textures of fruits I had never seen before. Our expert guide weaved through the stalls and knowing what our American pallets could and could not handle suggested sampling a wide array of offerings, such as Durian (pictured), Rambutan or the standard Mango sticky rice. In my personal opinion if you want to visit the heart of a city in South East Asia, visit the local market, it will not fail to amaze you.
Batu Caves and Dim Sum in Malaysia
A few years ago, while I was living in Singapore, my sister had a stopover in Kuala Lumpur for a few days before beginning a new job in Borneo. We decided to spend a weekend together exploring the city which neither of us had been to before. The highlight of our city explorations actually took place out of it. A short 15 minute drive from the heart of Kuala Lumpur brings you to the Batu Caves. Home to one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, it is a limestone hill comprising of three major caves and a few smaller ones. Inside and around visitors can see idols and statues which allows for a very immersive experience. One of the best things about feeling far away from it all but not actually being far away is the proximity to great food at the end of a long day of touring. Our day was made only better after a quick refresh at our hotel, The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur, to Din Tai Fung, which is to me, the holy grail of Soup Dumplings (and conveniently located only a few steps from the hotel). Despite originating in Taipei, like any great chain restaurant, the soup dumplings taste stellar across the board.
A stay at theWarehouse Hotel in Singapore
Located on the Singapore river, a bit farther inland than the mighty Marina Bay Sands, lies an impeccably designed boutique hotel, the Warehouse. Like its name suggests, this hotel is a restored heritage building built in 1895 in Robertson Quay, but that is about all that it has in common with its former self; in fact the design is more futuristic than nostalgic. It is a small but mighty space that I couldn’t help walk laps around taking in every thoughtful detail. The details also translate to the hotel’s Lobby Bar where expert bar tenders create craft cocktail perfection and had me making return visits to try every concoction.
Day Drinking in Japan
From guest writer Andrew Finn: Japan has so much to offer its visitors— ancient cities, sumo wrestlers, futuristic experiences, mouthwatering food, and much more. Even with all of that, one of my favorite experiences in Japan is something that is fun to do in many places around the world… bar hopping. The vast array of Japanese-made alcohols to imbibe is often overlooked. Craft breweries are opening frequently, delicious wines are made around the country, world-renowned whiskies and of course sake, just to name a few. One day a few years ago I was walking around Tokyo with a friend on an impromptu bar crawl. We started off at the Meiji Shrine before a short walk up Takashita Street to Baird Beer Taproom Harajuku where we took in some yakitori and local craft beer. Next we ventured to Sakuratei for okonomiyaki and more craft beer. A stroll to Omotesando Hills, a Tadao Ando designed shopping mall, for a sake tasting and great people watching was next. Finally, we made it to Commune 246, an outdoor beer garden for yet more craft beer and an array of food trucks. Food, local craft beer, people watching… just another great day exploring Tokyo.