Because I’ve always wanted to…

 

High Summer Greetings,

If you’re driving out of Singapore and through Malayasia a stop in Melaka is highly recommended. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Melaka is a charming historic town packed with sights. Unmissable are the iconic red Dutch colonial buildings lining the banks of the Melaka River to create a postcard-perfect scene. An evening boat trip down the river is a must-do. Make sure also to visit A Famosa, the ancient Portuguese fortress that has stood up high since the 16th century offering breathtaking views of the city below. Stroll down Jonker Street with its vibrant shops selling unique trinkets and mouthwatering local delicacies – a treat for both your eyes and taste buds. Don’t forget to swing by Christ Church, a striking crimson church built by the Dutch in 1753, standing as a testament to Melaka’s rich cultural heritage. Stay at the well situated and most agreeable Casa del Rio and enjoy watching all the action along the river from your balcony.

With all our best wishes,

Nick and the laterallife team – Helen, Maza, Jessica and Philip

Singapore

Often seen as, at best, a one-night stopover on the way to more ‘exotic’ places further east, Indonesia or Australia for example, Singapore has much to offer as a destination in itself for a few days. Especially on longer trips, we see it as an excellent way to acclimatise both to the culture of the region and the time zone.  Singapore is a treasure trove of experiences, from its stunning skyscrapers to its rich culture there’s plenty of excitement and wonder here – it has to be one of the most vibrant cities in the world!  If you’re a first time visitor, you’re in for a treat with its perfect blend of modernity, tradition, and history. There are so many of the  main attractions you simply can’t miss.  These include Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic garden paradise – make sure to catch the Garden Rhapsody light show in the evenings – it’s simply magical! In Chinatown, soak up the rich culture and history; it’s bursting with energy, offering mouthwatering street food and incredible shopping experiences. Don’t miss the stunning Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – the architecture will leave you speechless.  Where to stay?  We loved the new Pan Pacific Orchard with its outstanding contemporary design and its glamorous urban beach pool.  Top marks for the panoramic views over the bay, including the iconic Marina Bay Sands complex, from the Ritz Carlton Millenia and hats off too to the nearby Mandarin Oriental.

For a taste of nostalgic glamour it has to be Singapore’s most iconic hotel, Raffles (make sure to call into the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling), or to take in some beach action along with more classic Singapore stay at Capella Singapore, a real wow on Sentosa Island only 10 minutes’ drive  from Orchard Road.

If you’re driving out of Singapore and through Malayasia a stop in Melaka is highly recommended.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Melaka is a charming historic town packed with sights.  Unmissable are the iconic red Dutch colonial buildings lining the banks of the Melaka River to create a postcard-perfect scene. An evening boat trip down the river is a must-do.  Make sure also to visit A Famosa, the ancient Portuguese fortress that has stood up high since the 16th century offering breathtaking views of the city below. Stroll down Jonker Street with its vibrant shops selling unique trinkets and mouthwatering local delicacies – a treat for both your eyes and taste buds. Don’t forget to swing by Christ Church, a striking crimson church built by the Dutch in 1753, standing as a testament to Melaka’s rich cultural heritage. Stay at the well situated and most agreeable Casa del Rio and enjoy watching all the action along the river from your balcony.

Kuala Lumpur, The Else

Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant, bustling capital city with a unique blend of modern skyscrapers and historical architecture. It’s a melting pot of cultures, known for its diverse cuisine, lively street food scene, and thriving shopping districts. It’s been a long time since I’ve visited KL, as it’s usually referred to, and it’s changed and expanded a lot.  The Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin buildings in the world, are a defining feature of the city’s skyline.  My recollection is of them soaring way above the surrounding buildings whereas these now seem to be catching them up.  Highly recommended is a visit to the huge, Art Deco Central Market which sells absolutely everything.  It’s a great place to stop for lunch at one of the many stalls in the fruit and vegetable area.  Stay at  The Else, a really cool, contemporary hotel in central KL, close by Chinatown, or, if you prefer a very modern alternative, the EQ Hotel  which has fantastic views overlooking the Petronas Towers.

Penang, Eastern & Oriental

The drive from the Malaysian mainland to Penang Island is a spectacular one over a 24km bridge which winds its way across the ocean, one of the longest in the world.  Penang, often called the “Pearl of the Orient,” is known for its diverse culture, delicious food, and historical sites, especially its capital, George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also  offers a blend of cultural attractions, natural scenery, and a bustling city life including some excellent hawker markets where you can dine to your heart’s content on tasty oriental fare.  The top choice accommodation-wise is the Eastern & Oriental, a magnificent colonial edifice poised on the water’s edge in central George Town.  As well as enjoying an exploration of the old town make sure to take the exhilarating funicular train to go up on Penang Hill.  At the top you will find The Habitat, a nature reserve in an ancient rainforest where you can take a guided nature trail including a Tree Top Walk and a Canopy Walk suspension bridge spanning quite a distance above the rainforest floor. Watch out for the gorgeous Dusky Leaf Monkeys foraging through the trees.  Also well worth seeing are the historic Chinese clan jetties and temples.

Langkawi, the Datai

You may well have seen the Datai Langkawi   featured on a recent edition of Amazing Hotels: Life beyond the Lobby and it really does live up to the billing.  On the programme Monica and Rob arrived by sea.  We drove there through the lush green jungle nature reserve within which the hotel is built and which is ever present whichever room, suite or villa you stay in.  You enter at the top of the slope with views seawards and follow a winding path down the hill to find the exquisite beach.  You can spend all your time in the four fantastic dining options, the spacious pools or on the beach, or take part in wildlife adventures to see all manner of birds and animals in the wild.  Especially recommended is the rainforest at night walk where Helen was lucky enough to see owls and flying foxes.  Another great choice on Langkawi is the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, super comfortable and also in a fantastic location.

Malaysian Borneo

Malaysian Borneo, also known as East Malaysia, stretches across the northern reaches of the island of Borneo. It is home to some of the oldest rainforests on Earth, vibrant wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes, including Mount Kinabalu, the tallest peak in Malaysia.

Fly into Sandakan, the gateway to the wild and begin your journey at Sepilok Forest Edge, where your glamping villa sits nestled among lush gardens and rainforest, or   Sepilok Nature Lodge.  From here, visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where you’ll meet the world’s smallest and most endearing bear. Just next door, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre offers the chance to quietly observe rescued orangutans as they feed, swing, and slowly reacquaint themselves with life in the wild.  Also nearby is the Rainforest Discovery Centre which is a great introduction to the ‘fuller’ jungle treks you will have in store. There is an excellent canopy walk here with the chance to see hawk eagles and, at dusk, giant red flying squirrels and the potential for a night walk with guide and torches.

Next travel by speedboat up the river for a couple of hours to Sukao Rainforest Lodge, perched on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest waterway. Wake early for a sunrise river cruise, when the jungle stirs to life in golden light. Mid-morning, set out on a guided jungle walk and after lunch, take a short boat ride and overland to the vast Gomantong Caves, famed for their dramatic limestone chambers and colonies of swiftlets and bats.

After a couple of nights on the river, go deeper into the legendary Danum Valley and stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge which is tucked into the heart of this 130-million-year-old jungle. Start your day to the calls of Borneo Gibbons, followed by a private guided drive in search of wildlife. In the afternoon, choose between a guided jungle trek or if you are feeling more adventurous go on river rafting down the Danum River. Come nightfall, join a guided walk along the nature trail, where nocturnal life reveals itself.

Having spent time in the jungles of Borneo and experiencing the wonderful diversity of wildlife and vistas, it maybe some downtime is required for a few days. This could be taken at the Langkawi options mentioned above or, if wanting to stay in Borneo which is logistically easier, a good option is Bungaraya Island Resort. To get here from the Danum Valley this is a short flight to Kota Kinabalu in the east of Borneo, then a short boat transfer to Gaya Island where the resorts sits. Accommodation is really good (albeit not at Langkawi levels}, family friendly with a great beach and a canopy walk for further wildlife experiences if wanted. It is also known for its excellent wine cellar!

Up Periscope

UXUA Maré, Itapororoca Beach, Bahia, Brazil

We absolutely love UXUA Casa in Trancoso and you may have seen it featured before in our newsletter.  In fact, I love it so much that I recently spent a week there for a rather special birthday.  UXUA’s latest project UXUA Maré (it doesn’t have its own website yet) sits within 15 acres of preserved Atlantic Rainforest with 180 meters of pristine frontage on Itapororoca beach, a spot loved for years by locals for fishing and snorkeling, known for its transparent water and coral reefs which at low tide create beautiful pools of tropical fish. Isolated and tranquil, this secluded spot is nonetheless just a 20-minute drive from Trancoso’s Historic Quadrado (town square) or a lovely 45-minute walk down the beach from UXUA Beach Bar.

Surrounded by 96 different tree species, including plenty of almescar which are the source of a fragrant resin used in UXUA Vida Spa’s treatments, sits a small clearing in the trees which has as long as anyone can remember been the site of a small fisherman’s shack and a garden of tropical fruits, herbs, and orchids. Within this vicinity now sit four exclusive UXUA Maré casas. The first one, Wilbert Das and his team of artisans crafted from the original fisherman’s shack and is now home to Mesa Maré, a restaurant where breakfast and lunch are served, the latter with a menu that changes daily based on fresh options from the sea, local producers, UXUA Roça farm and Maré’s own garden.

Casa Azul and Casa Amarela arrived here from far off, being abandoned farmhouses transplanted from Minas Gerais state and rebuilt with their original wooden structure, windows and doors but reinterpreted with more open spaces and modern touches. Casa Branca’s windows and doors were also transported here and used as inspirations for a larger fazenda-style home, accented by the biggest veranda of all the UXUA casas in Trancoso. Perfect getaways to relax, reset and connect with nature.