Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands were discovered by Polynesian voyagers from the Marquesas (and later Tahiti) in innovative double-hulled canoes 1,600 years ago. They used celestial navigation, sun, ocean currents and flight of sea birds to travel some 2,400 nautical miles over open ocean northward to Hawaii.

The first European to land on the Hawaiian Islands at Kauai was Captain James Cook from England in 1778.

In 1810, the Hawaiian Islands were unified under King Kamehameha I, after inter-island struggles for power and independence.

After missionaries arrived in 1820 and later sugar plantations expanded in mid-1800s, labor was recruited from China, Japan, Philippines and Portugal.

The monarchy survived until its power was reduced to a constitutional monarchy in 1887, a coup in 1893 which placed the Queen under house arrest in the palace for four months. Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, made a US territory in 1900, and became the 50th State in 1959.

Much to learn about the fascinating history of Hawaii and its culture at the Iolani Palace (1882) and the Bishop Museum in downtown Honolulu.

Krabi and Islands of Andaman Sea

Took the comfortable overnight train from Bangkok to Trang Railway Station, and shuttled to the closest ferry for Thai Island hopping. Visited Ko Ngai, Ko Lanta, Ko Yao, and Phi Phi NP before circling back to Krabi for picturesque kayaking amongst the limestone karsts. 

Grand Palace, Bangkok

The huge palace, the official residence of the Kings of Siam and later Thailand, is a complex of buildings, temples and monuments. It is artistic, ornate, overwhelming, and crowded. Get tickets ahead and arrive early. As usual, be prepared to slip your shoes off before entering many sacred sites.

Bangkok!

On the banks of the Chao Praya River is Bangkok, a large and lively capital city filled with incredible palaces, temples, creative Thai cuisine, and night markets. Weave your way across the river and canals in ferries and long boats to experience all that Bangkok has to offer.

Maldives

The boats dock right outside the Malé airport baggage claim to whisk tourists away to turquoise waters, white sand, and fabulous snorkeling. The Maldives are composed of a double chain of 26 atolls and thousands of islands, including coral, and is located southwest of India and Sri Lanka. Average elevation is barely 5 ft above sea level. It is the smallest country in Asia by land but spread across some 35K square miles of the sea.

Hiking Ella Rock

Ella Rock is a famous cliff, located high above Ella town. The hike from town is about 5 miles each way or at least four hours of walking in the jungle. Depending on your route, don’t forget bug repellent and leech socks. Also nearby the town of Ella is the Nine Arches Bridge, built in 1921. The train still rolls across periodically and stops in the middle, becoming an “Instagram moment”!

Lion’s Rock (aka Sigiriya)

Lion's Rock, or Sigiriya, is a massive rock fortress in Sri Lanka, rising more than 600 ft above the surrounding jungle. It was once the royal citadel of King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Elephants are generally located in the national parks and protected sanctuaries but occasionally they make their way through to villages or roads which can be dangerous for all involved.

Mihintale Mountain Peak

Near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, this pilgrimage site is believed to be the actual place where Buddhism began in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, with steep stone steps leading to religious monuments. Best walked in the early morning to beat the heat. 

Anuradhapura Ancient City

Famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient civilization and Theravada Buddhism, Anuradhapura is one of the ancient Sri Lankan capitals. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world dating to 5th C BC. The many sites can be seen independently via Tuk Tuk over 2-3 days. 

Islands of Penang and Langkawi

Penang is located on the northern part of the Peninsula, and was a famous Straits of Malacca trading hub especially for the British. The colonial style buildings still stand out in its capital city, George Town, a beautiful and modern and surrounded by green mountains. Chinese, Malay and Hindu temples dot the city along with delicious food stands amidst the SE Asian heat and humidity. Further north still is Island of Langkawi on the S Andaman Sea, just south of the border with Thailand.

Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves and Tea Estates

Malaysia's diversity continues from its notable architecture in KL to Hindu cave hikes and on to misty tea estates in the cooler mountains on the peninsula.

Melaka, Malaysia

• Melaka, is a historic trading port in SW Malaysia. It was a powerful sultanate in the 15th C., a center for trade, Islamic learning, and the development of the Malay language. It was conquered by the Portuguese in 1511, followed by the Dutch, and later the British. A fascinating Unesco World Heritage City, its multicultural identity is still reflected throughout the city today. 

Singapore

Home to nearly 6 million people, this "city in a garden" is balancing its role as the economic center of SE Asia with a vision as a green sustainable city. A respite from the heat and humidity is the fantastical Cloud Forest at the Gardens by the Bay. Inside the unusual glass structure is the world's largest indoor waterfall and varieties of tropical flora from walkways above and below the treetops in a mountainous rainforest creation.

Playa del Carmen and Cozumel

Tulum Ruins

Yucatan Ceynotes

Uxmal

Campeche and Merida

Palenque Ancient Jungle Ruins

 

Dating to 200 BCE, Palenque, in the state of Chiapas, was at its strongest between 500-700 CE before eventually succumbing to conflicts one to two centuries later. Today, steamy Palenque is rising from the jungle as more ancient buildings are discovered. Where howler monkeys scream for territory in the dense tropical canopy, archaeologists estimate that only 10% of the original city has been revealed.