The feel, the sound and the visual images of water in tropical Asia will stay with you long
after you are back to the world of schedules, commutes and week-end chores.
When you think of tropical islands, the first image is usually beaches. They are unbelievably
plentiful and amazingly beautiful.
But islands are not just beaches. Islands are rainforests, caves and yes, some challenging
mountains. Islands are also urban centers like Singapore where nature is served up-close and
personal in theme park settings.
The vast Southeast Asian ring of fire includes Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, Java and the
Philippines. Indonesia alone has an astonishing thirteen thousand islands.
The Mekong River, from its source in Tibet, cuts a swath through Southeast Asia on its way to
the South China Sea. Along with the Mekong, Myanmar’s exotic Irrawaddy, Vietnam’s Red River
and the Pa Sak, with its vistas of ancient Ayutthaya, are more than just waterways.
Water symbolizes and gives life to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian culture is rooted in the animist belief that water is the legendary source of
life. Dragons and deities came from the water, still vibrantly personified in the popular
Vietnamese water puppet performances.
Dive into stunning coral reefs, trek through tropical jungles to visit tribal longhouses, soak in an
endless view of sunlit water as you experience a massage or cruise the rivers from a long tail
boat, a ferry or a schooner. Immerse yourself!
To learn more about how you can help preserve the rivers that benefit the millions of people
who depend on them, visit http://www.irn.org/programs/seasia or
find out more about our philosophy for making a
difference.
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