14 / NATURE / Views NATURE / 15

Ethereal Chasm

Living on the edge feels decidedly more serene when dancing with the Devil at the tip of VICTORIA FALLS. Visit one of the planet’s most famous natural won- ders in autumn for a heavenly experience. text Martha Shardalow

NOT FOR the faint-hearted, peering over the brim of the largest curtain of falling water on the planet is exhilarating to say the least. Disappearing into the billowing, iridescent mist, this epitome of wild water descends 108 m to the bottom. Victoria Falls straddles two countries (Zambia and Zimbabwe). Visitors can swim in the Zambezi River – on the Zambian side – to seemingly defy the laws of physics in an unorthodox infinity pool called Devil’s Pool. The only thing stopping you from partaking in the plummet is a jagged rock formation. From September to December, the flow of the mighty Zambezi River sub- sides and the water level drops, allowing the more stalwart to (relatively) easily fight the current. If the Devil’s grips leave you woozy, turn your head towards the lush emerald sprawl of surrounding rainforest. Alternatively, embrace the dizziness and wave at the day-trippers assembling their tripods in Zimbabwe.

Kenya Airways flies to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia, from ’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The Zambia side of Victoria Falls is 20 minutes from there by car. Hollandse Hoogte 36 / PEOPLE / Influencers PEOPLE / 37

Thought Leaders Speaking with substance is winning hearts and minds on social channels. Meet the media mavens who are giving a whole new definition to the term INFLUENCER. text Eromo Egbejule

Ace broadcaster Nancy Kacungira had stints working at NTV Uganda and KTN News , Nancy but now she’s a BBC News journalist based in Nairobi. Kacungira uses her skyrocketing social media Kacungira status to write about travel experiences, women’s rights, and racism. In 2015, she won the inaugural edition of the BBC World News Age Award, an initiative to honour the most outstanding 32 African journalist of the year, named after the late Ghanaian broadcaster who died in 2014. Born The self-proclaimed Pan-Africanist has risen to Arusha, Tanzania become one of East Africa’s most noticeable charac- ters in the social stratosphere, despite having a Hometown relatively modest following on Twitter, Facebook Nairobi, Kenya and Instagram (100,000+). She regularly posts with an air of no-nonsense sanguinity spanning topics Achievements such as the rights of women and girls, the reality of “I don’t want to BBC World News Komla Dumor Award working in your dream job every day and Africans (2015) achieving great things; all while shining a light on be famous, I want continental challenges. “On social media, I find Online myself channelling African perspectives that breed to be useful” @kacungira positive activism and optimism because those are @nkacungira values I’m passionate about,” says Kacungira. kacungira.com “I don’t want to be famous, I want to be useful.” Kacungira runs a mentorship programme for young women in Uganda, and offers a series of training workshops on a volunteer basis. She’s also an avid supporter of the Bless A Child Foundation in Kampala, which provides free accommodation, food and specialised care for children living in rural areas who visit the city to get cancer treatment. 38 / PEOPLE / Influencers PEOPLE / 39

Japheth “JJ” Mukhatshelwa Omojuwa “Katchie” Age Nzama 34

Born Age Lagos, Nigeria 30

Hometown Born Lagos/Abuja, Nigeria Venda, South Africa Achievements Hometown His book, Digital: The New Code of Johannesburg, South Africa Wealth, which was published in July; received a Chevening Scholarship to Achievements study Behaviour Change at University Among the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Most Influential College London (2019); Youths (2016) and the Top 100 Women in Tourism Best Twitter Personality in Africa at (2017) the African Blogger Awards (2016); selected for the International Visitors Online Leadership Program (2016). @TheSoloWandera travelwithkatchie.com Online @Omojuwa @JJomojuwa omojuwa.com Anuel Modebe Anuel

“When you’re defending or fighting for a cause, “Honestly, if we knew each other better, it’s rarely a tea party” we’d be so much further ahead”

JAPHETH OMOJUWA’S disposition on social media is one learnt to be discerning, but he appreciates that great advocacy ONE OF the best-known travel bloggers in Africa, difficult to do so – comes from a deep-seated desire to decolo- of a feisty firebrand who riles governments, and campaigns for sometimes comes with towing the line. “There are some Mukhatshelwa Nzama has valiantly wandered solo across 35 nise African travel. “I’m rewriting how we, as Africans, change with the backing of his 680,000+ Twitter followers. advocacies that don’t allow for you to mince your words. African countries; forever curious about her home continent. change and document our country…promoting Africa to The Nigerian blogger and public speaker uses his social When you’re defending or fighting for a cause, it’s rarely a A few years ago, she embarked on her most daring back- Africans and hoping to inspire more Africans to travel Africa media platforms and website to promote youth empowerment, tea party…you get some people angry, but you aren’t going packing escapade yet, travelling all the way from Cape Town to and learn more about each other, so we’re not ignorant sods sports, political debate and philanthropy, but he rejects the to stop because you’re also aware that the essence of your Cairo in order to highlight the blessings and curses of intra- about each other anymore. Honestly, if we knew each other “activist” label. quest benefits more people than those who are angry. I don’t Africa travel. better, we’d be so much further ahead as a continent.” “I generally just don’t like labels because once people fit need anyone’s permission to set sail once I believe it’s time to Nzama is known for her provocative and honest take on Currently exploring South Africa’s novel craft breweries, you into a box, you have a hard time fighting to get out of that move.” African travel issues – such as internal visa costs – that are Nzama finds it hard to pick a stand-out travel experience. “I box,” says Omojuwa. “But whatever I’m up to at any time, I Omojuwa’s life offline supports his robust online persona. usually clouded in secrecy, making her both loved and hated have so many: the absolute unconditional love I got from will always be a change advocate...‘Behaviour change’ is my He once lectured for six months at Freie Universität Berlin, (in equal measure) on social media platforms. She remains strangers as I travelled alone, and from those who housed me, next career.” And true to his word, Omojuwa was one of the sharing his wisdom on democracy in Africa. He’s also the habitually indifferent, tweeting about cuisine, music and other fed me, and protected and stood up for me.” spearheads of the prevalent #OccupyNigeria protests against a founder and chief strategist at Alpha Reach – a digital media aspects of culture in several languages. fuel subsidy scam and corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector in 2012. consultancy – and founder of the Omojuwa Foundation, Her incessant wanderlust, need to tweet and experimental A veteran of digital interaction, Omojuwa admits that he’s through which he disburses grants to small-business owners. tendencies while roaming in Africa – particularly where it’s 40 / PEOPLE / Influencers PEOPLE / 41

Rebecca Larry Enonchong Madowo Age Age 52 32 Born Born Yaounde, Cameroon Siaya, Kenya

Hometown Hometown Douala, Cameroon & Washington D.C., US Nairobi, Kenya & London, UK

Achievements Achievements Judge (Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation); Among New African’s 100 Most Influential Africans of named a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World the Year (2018) Economic Forum of Davos (2002); one of Forbes’ 10 Female Tech Founders To Watch In Africa (2014); Online one of New African magazine’s 50 Leading Women in @LarryMadowo Business (2014 & 2013) Online @africatechie @techiefoodie Jean Marc Ferré Marc Jean Armstrong Kweyu Kiprotich Kweyu Armstrong

“Hopefully, young people, especially women and girls, will see “Our job as reporters is to record history, that being a tech entrepreneur is both desirable and attainable” whether the government of the day approves it or not”

IN 2019, the World Bank called her a “heavyweight in Beyond the Internet, she’s also heavily involved in LARRY MADOWO is the crème de la crème of digital Madowo has reported from more than 40 countries, and African tech”. Rebecca Enonchong, who’s the founder and mentoring and offline advocacy, in a drive to get more young superstars (even by Kenya’s glistening standards), packing a he’s interviewed some of the world’s most prominent business, CEO of AppsTech, an enterprise application solutions provid- people into tech entrepreneurship, as well as science, tech- healthy 1.7 million+ followers on Twitter alone. Still, he refuses political and cultural leaders. Earlier this year, he hosted the er, is also one of the judges of the Africa Prize for Engineering nology, engineering and mathematics subjects. Enonchong to be categorised as a social media influencer, with the capacity Global Mobile Awards and the Mobile World Congress 2019 Innovation and a member of the UK government’s Depart- has also cofounded Cameroon Angels – a network of angel to boost advocacy campaigns (as he usually does). “I’m a digi- in Barcelona. In the process, he rubbed shoulders with world- ment for International Development’s Digital Advisory Panel. investors supporting startups in her homeland – and African tal native,” he says. famous social humanoid robot, Sophia. Born and raised in Cameroon but educated abroad – with Business Angels Network, a continental equivalent. “All The BBC Africa Business Editor and contributing colum- Madowo is now considered to be one of Africa’s most two degrees from The Catholic University of America in Wash- these organisations promote and support tech entrepreneur- nist for consistently tweets his views on popular journalists. It’s a far cry from the days when he was ington D.C. – Enonchong is keen to pass on the mantle of ship in Africa,” she says. politics, culture, business and food – including eating a mouse forced to ditch university because he couldn’t pay the fees. knowledge to her compatriots at home. She uses her social In her (not so) spare time she also chairs the boards of recently in Malawi – sharing his journeys in English, Swahili, Having returned to complete his degree in 2014, this summer channels to bring topics such as education for girls, African ActivSpaces incubator and coworking space in Cameroon French, Luo and Kikuyu. His work has appeared on various he’s returning to school again because he has been chosen as tech and Cameroon’s anglophone crisis to the table. “I’m as well as being an active member of iamtheCODE, an media platforms, including CNN International, Al Jazeera one of 10 fellows of Columbia Journalism School’s 2019 passionate about tech and its potential in helping to build our African-led global movement that supports girls in – among English, BBC World, Channel 4 News, Forbes, The Guardian, Knight-Bagehot Fellowship: a prestigious global journalism continent. I use Twitter to share this passion and exchange with other things – learning how to code. Financial Times, Public Radio International, ABC News Aus- programme created in response to the growing demand for others,” she says. The “others” being her 84,000+ followers. tralia and Ireland’s RTÉ. reporters to cover the fields of business and economics. 42 / TRAVEL / Tips

Bird’s-eye view What could be more thrilling than taking your safari to the skies in a hot-air balloon, 300 m up? For this once-in-a-lifetime experience, there are no half measures: think sunrise over the savannah, a Champagne touchdown and plenty of local charm.

River-crossing camp Undeniably the most theatrical moment on the migration, watch some 1.7 million wildebeest go head-to-head with the lethal Nile crocodiles at they cross the the Maasai Mara River. Post- showdown, retreat to your luxury tent at Sala’s Camp in Kenya, where your welcoming shelter will leave you supremely serene.

Horseback adventure The Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem is vast, spanning some 40,000 sq km across the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Its inhabitants include every kind of predator imaginable, from cheetahs and hyenas to lions, leopards and crocodiles. Blend in with the hoofed crowd and gallop on horseback through Maasai territory, where nomadic tribes have embraced a unique existence for centuries.

Front-row seats Movers And Surrounded by a lush spread of sun-drenched plains, Keekorok Lodge is a breathtaking place to Shakers spend the night. Situated in the direct path of the amazing animal One of the greatest shows on Earth, migration, the lodge opened in 1962, making it the oldest the annual wildebeest migration property in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Enjoy rooms – from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara – that have private balconies with calls for a spectacular vantage point. views of the surrounding wildlife. There's also an outdoor swimming Here are four of the best. pool at the lodge. Text: Martha Shardalow, Emma van Egmond Image: Getty Egmond Image: images Emma van Martha Shardalow, Text: 44 / TREND / Consumer banking TREND / 45

Bank on It As the global CONSUMER BANKING industry begins to recover from a widespread slow down, all eyes are on Africa because it’s ahead and accelerating. text Andrea Dijkstra

ACCORDING TO the 2018 McKinsey report, Roaring to Five financial services to watch life: Growth and innovation in African retail banking, Africa’s • Mowali is a continent-wide mobile money consumer banking market was the world’s second-fastest infrastructure, founded by MTN and Orange, growing and second-most profitable last year. The key statistic It allows users to send money between any here is return on equity (a surefire measure of success), which is mobile money providers in Africa, including nearly 15 percent for banks in Africa, more than double that of banks, money transfer operators and other banks in developed markets across Asia, Europe and the US. If financial service providers. that’s not enough to salute the underdog, Africa’s retail banking • Fuliza (Kenya) is an overdraft facility from industry is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 8.5 percent M-PESA in partnership with Commercial over the next five years, compared to 4.5 percent for banks in Bank of Africa (CBA) that funds the deficit developed countries. in case you want to buy an item but your With what would seem like a wealth of immovable challenges M-PESA account does not have sufficient in Africa – including heavy use of cash, low levels of banking funds. Fuliza deducts the loan plus interest penetration, sparse credit bureau coverage and limited branch as soon as your account is loaded again. and ATM networks – you’d be forgiven for asking if the numbers • Paystack (Nigeria) is an online payment are wrong. That’s where things get interesting. What if these gateway that you can install on your same weak spots could reveal the answer to the problem, result in website, so anyone anywhere in the world a shift in numbers, and ultimately forge a new worldwide trend? can pay you via credit card, debit card, money transfer or mobile money. AFRICA’S BANKING REVOLUTION • UbaPesa (Kenya) is a peer-to-peer money Amid new technologies that have changed the way consum- market app that provides an automated ers manage their money and pay for things, the traditional bank matching of borrowing and lending in the US has – until last year – been in decline. In fact, branches requests with money being disbursed within have been closing at a rapid pace, with 1,771 closing in 2017 seconds to a borrower’s M-PESA account. alone. Africa, in contrast, is in the midst of a historic accelera- • Geopay (South Africa) is First National tion – foot on the gas, hand in the pocket – that’s creating an Bank’s geo payments app, which allows emerging consumer class while propelling economic growth. And payments between any users within the figures speak for themselves: the number of people becoming 500 m of one another, and it has gained banked has grown from 170 million in 2012 to 300 million in 1.5 million+ active users since its launch 2017. So Africa is doing something right. But what? > in 2012. Alamy 46 / TREND / Consumer banking TREND / 47

in a recent interview with Techmoran. It’s a sign that international 13 banks are jumping on the bandwagon; in this case, with the help of YUP, another mobile alternative to the traditional banking The volume of cashless transactions in model. “We want to be part of this revolution by offering a sim- ple transactional tool that’s accessible to all citizens, including the Africa grew by 13% per annum 80 percent who don’t have bank accounts.” between 2014 and 2016 HOT ON THEIR HEELS A number of the continent’s leading banks have been mak- ing progress through end-to-end digital transformation, sales productivity and back-office optimisation. A few others have 86 even launched fully digital banks, such as ALAT bank in Nige- ria, which targets younger customers who are an underserved Africa’s banking market earns approx. segment in Africa’s largest economy, where more than half of the population is under 30. Some international banks are also US$86 billion in revenue going digital in Africa. The UK’s Standard Chartered Bank, for example, has opened digital banks in Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya. The freshly introduced, fully digital online banking solution enables customers to open their 100 own accounts in 15 minutes without ever having to step into a banking hall. In Africa today, there are 100 million active With fierce competition from non-bank lenders – think smartphone apps like Saida in Kenya and Aella Credit in Nigeria mobile money accounts – there’s no doubt that the banks still have work to do. This is good news for African consumers who are finally getting access to a wide variety of affordable and easily accessible mobile and digital financial products, not only in payments and deposits, 129 but across the full spectrum of financial services. It’s fair to conclude – as Managing Executive, Consumer Banking at Ned- The revenue from consumer banking in bank Mutsa Chironga does – that today, “Africa’s banking Stocksy Africa is expected to reach US$129 billion markets are among the most exciting in the world.”

“In Kenya, international banks were the leading players in by 2022 the market for a long time,” says Jared Osoro, Director of the Kenya Bankers Association Centre for Research on Financial “Africa is inventing “What if these same weak Markets and Policy. “They used an international lens to simulta- neously look at local and economic dynamics therefore missing the future of banking” 282 spots could reveal the answer crucial opportunities.” Over half of the 282 mobile money to the problem?” Yet, in the last 15 years, the local banks have made a come- – Alexandre Maymat – back. “They better understand the behaviour of local people, are quick to embrace mobile money technology [an area in Société Générale services operating worldwide are located in which Africa is a global leader] and are never short of clever solutions that fit the market,” adds Osoro, before pointing to a Sub-Saharan Africa telling example: the partnership between Kenya’s Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) and Safaricom.

MOBILE LOANS banking in many African countries through an arrangement 300 One of the country’s top performing banks in recent years, with the French telco, Orange. “Thanks to the sharp rise of CBA knows where the business opportunities lie. By joining mobile financial services, millions of low-income, previously The number of people becoming forces with the Nairobi-based telecom giant, the CBA was able un-banked Africans are suddenly getting access to affordable to roll out M-Shwari: a low-cost mobile phone service for micro banking products, and they’re starting to appreciate the essence banked grew by from 170 million in 2012 loans and savings. Made possible via Safaricom’s ubiquitous of acting in the financial market,” says Osoro. mobile money service M-PESA, customers can borrow between to 300 million in 2017 US$1 and US$500 at a flat rate of 7.5 percent. CBA offers THE FUTURE IS DIGITAL better interest rates – and higher credits – to customers who Off the back of M-Shwari and other digital services, CBA exhibit good savings and loan repayment behaviour. And how has rapidly expanded its customer base while launching compa- do they keep track of all of this? Through nifty telecommunica- rable mobile banking platforms in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda 450 tions data, of course. and Côte d’Ivoire. KCB Group – a banking institution turned In response, other banks are launching mobile solutions in holding company – has attracted more than 10 million new By 2022, 450 million Africans will be cooperation with Mobile Network Operators, such as KCB customers through its mobile banking platforms in the past five Mobi loan from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Eazzy years, with an 84 percent growth in mobile loans and advances. banked, which will be close to half the Loans from Equity Bank, Y’ello from Nigeria’s Diamond “Africa is inventing the future of banking,” said Head of Bank, MoMo Kash from Bridge Bank in Côte d’Ivoire, and Africa International Retail Banking for Africa, the Mediterra- population of Africa Pan-African banking leader Ecobank, which offers mobile nean Basin & Overseas at Société Générale Alexandre Maymat ANP 56 / TRAVEL / Bangkok TRAVEL / 57

5 Way of The 1 2 Elders Beyond Bangkok, you’ll find Thailand’s HOMAGE TO TRADITION, where monastic rituals and

6 structural grandeur prevail. text David Messiha

THAILAND’S CAPITAL city carries itself with restless magnetism, humming with activity and otherworldliness from every corner. From the billowing Chao Phraya River to a metropolis of ancient temples, extrava- gant shopping centres and effortlessly warm locals, the city beckons you in, daring to exceed all expectations. And yet there is more… Away from the bustling City of Angels, the country’s thoughtful tradition and Theravada Buddhism comes to life. Escape to the Tantra shrines and turquoise oases for a trip down imagination lane. AYUTTHAYA OFFERINGS Despite being subject to periods of conflict, Thailand has a wealth of locations with well-preserved ancient architecture, making its history >

1. Monks in front of an altar 2. Hua Hin Beach 3. Asiatique: The Riverfront, Bangkok 4. Stone buddha statue, Ayutthaya 5. Buddha head in a tree at Temple of the Great Relic 6. A Chinese opera performer in Chinatown, Bangkok 7. Amphawa Floating Market 3 4 7 Evan Krause, agefotostock, Javier Graterol, Cedric Arnold, Wizemark@Stocksy, Wizemark@Stocksy, Cedric Arnold, Graterol, Javier agefotostock, Krause, Evan 58 /TRAVEL /Bangkok photo opportunities. the others, water topplesfrom a20-mcliff, making for some wonderful mon. AtHaew Suwat, which ispopularbecauseit’s easiertogetthan Rong, that have turquoise poolsandtropical evergreen forests incom- picturesque waterfalls, suchasHaew Suwat, Haew Narok andNang hornbillsinthecountry.ing thelargest population of Italso features forest andgrassland. It’sof also agreat spotfor bird-watchers, attract- including elephants, macaques, deerandtigers, roaming in2,000sq-km World Heritage Site, thisnational wildlife, park hasnoshortage of province, it’s abumpy three-hour drive from Bangkok. AsaUNESCO cycle. Thebest timetovisitisfrom November toFebruary when National Park, but it’s also possible togetthere by private carormotor Vipassana Meditation centre. Thailand’sdrenched largest incolourcomplementtheheadquartersof theGreat Relic,ple of which istucked away incentral Wasukri. Shrines Buddha headsembedded intree trunksinterest you, checkouttheTem- lushgardens that alsonestled inacres feature of pondsandpavilions. If Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. Thaikingsis Theformer summerresidence of Market 8.Akitesurfer 9.Seafood at Amphawa Floating Market, Bangkok 6. Af 3. 4. macaque pig-tailed A northern Sichang Islandharbour 5.Yaowarat Road, Bangkok 1. Heo Narok Waterfall inKhao Yai National Park 2. Cottages onSichang Island tall). It’s nowonder that thecity Mountain) andWat PhananChoeng’s twinklingBuddha (acasual 19-m city’s mostfamouslandmarks includeWat PhuKhaoThong(Golden quietgrandeur andarchitecturalyou magnificence. backtoatimeof The preserved monuments, which includemore than400temples, transport was destroyed War duringtheBurmese-Siamese (1765-67).Ayutthaya’s with r jor trading port),Ayutthaya isnow anarchaeological treasure trove filled commerce (itwas ama Siamandacentre of theKingdomof capital of the country’s Bangkok bestexamples. –isoneof drive northof Oncethe Ayutthayaever-present; andtheancientcityof –anhourandahalf’s be found inKhaoYai National Park. Located inNakhon Ratchasima them. of Damnoen Saduak, Taling ChanandBangNoi,where you’ll findplenty wares andbonafidestreet food, continue your waterway escapade at sights andsoundsasyou you’re getattuned tolife by boat. If soldonboat spices, seafood andKhanomThai(desserts).Experiencethesurrounding p.m. Shopfor souvenirs, tropical fruits(including Thaifavourite, durian), city, andunlike othermarkets, it’s openat theweekend from noonuntil8 unique markets. It’s roughly by car(50km)from anhourandhalf the Amphawa Floating Market, which isarguably theworld’s oneof most fee style by taking aleisurely cruiseontheChao Phraya River, you’re or(if palaces, (canals). If you like itskhlongs(canals). glitzy If ling feisty)adetouralong oneof There are several touroperators offering excursions toKhao Yai themostbreathtaking scenesMotherNatureSome of hastooffercan FOREVER EVERGREEN Relive anage-old tradition by glidingthrough murky waters tothe Bangkok, youAt theouteredgesof canexperience theriverine life- THE WATERWAYEXCHANGE Don’t missachancetowhisper along thewaterfront at themajestic ood vendor inChinatown, Bangkok 7.Avendor at Bangkok’s Paak Klong Talad elics of thepast.Thisisfortunate thecity consideringthatelics of much of there’s themfor you anarray toadmire of there.

is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. >

- - monuments transport monuments transport you backtoatimeof quiet grandeur “ For a truly remarkable experience head to BlueElephant, anaward- opposite the main railway station mandarinoriental.com/bangkok Seven Seas Riverside Ayutthaya winning Michelin restaurant that Riverside Ayutthaya, a lively spot landscape, offer Thai hospitality walking distance of the Skytrain Preserved number of luxurious amenities, offers traditional Thai massage that serves delicious Thai food, villas, nestled in a lush tropical swimming pool, and a spa that salahospitality.com/ayutthaya tantalising temple views and a grilled steaks, fresh baguettes and aromatherapy services by the Chao Phraya River, within The Mandarin Oriental Hotel authentic Thai restaurants in this area. Try the Seven Seas and Grand Palace, this hotel at its best. This resort has a Located along the banks of only uses local ingredients. local only uses blueelephant.com/bangkok Blue Elephant Restaurant Twelve individually themed This ethereal oasis offers There’s an abundance of EAT, DRINK AND SLEEP including a pool suite. Sala Ayutthaya Hotel baanthaihouse.com qualified therapists. epitomises luxury Baan Thai House and lots more. AYUTTHAYA

” BANGKOK

.

David Messiha, Shutterstock, ANP, Waranont Joe, Cedric Arnold, agefotostock,Matteo Colombo 6 5 1 7 2 3 4 9 8 TRAVEL /59 60 /TRAVEL /Bangkok 6 5 1 7 2 4 9 8 3

Matteo Colombo, Hollandse Hoogte, Cedric Arnold, Max Bender, Marcin Czerniawski, Stocksy Airport. from Nairobi’s JomoKenyatta International Suvarnabhumi International inBangkok Airport Kenya Airways operates daily non-stop flights to and western dishes. Restaurant, andPan &David local , which serves include iThalay Sea View &Seafood Thai reasonably priced. favourites Someofthe local on the island. are The dishes authentic and A variety ofseafood restaurants are available pareehutresort.com hiking andswimming. enjoy can pool. Guests activities such as canoeing, private bathroom with ashower, andanoutdoor hut has adifferent butallofthem design, have a A dreamlike experience awaits you here. Each Paree HutKoh Sichang KOH SICHANG supatrabythesea.com options inanopengarden setting. sumptuous with Thai dishes ofseafood lots to the Khao Takiab this hills, restaurant serves Located ofHuaHinBeach, close at the heart Supatra by the Sea centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/chbr a luxurious spa. asnooker room, centretennis afitness courts, and includingamenities swimming golf courses, pools, isequippedThis luxurious with resort modern HuaHin &Villas GrandBeach Resort Centara HUA HIN salahospitality.com/khaoyai ofKhaolandscape Yai National Park. ambience andoverlooks the lushgreen has anatural establishment This open-air HilltopSala Restaurant andBar lapurinee.com bathe inthe outdoor swimming pool. village. Benefitfrom spectacular views as you Yai National ofaEuropean Park, isinthe style which This isonahillinKhao luxurious resort, Purinée La kirimaya.com Park, which isclose by. breathtaking panoramas ofKhao Yai National that captures ofnatural the essence living. Enjoy has anopenarchitectureThis resort concept Muthi Maya Forest Pool Resort Villa KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK EAT, DRINK AND SLEEP

explore thestrikingBuddha templeoverlooking thebay. monkeys, hasareputationof that precedes it.Ditchtheselfie stickand thearea andalot Monkey Mountain,which, boastingthebestviews of Khao Takiab, which ispopularwithlocals andtouristsalike. Stopby end resorts andhotels here. on thebeachoroptfor themany aspecial high- spatreatment inoneof are also pony rides for children. You can enjoy a traditional Thai massage as water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfingandbanana-boat rides. There take abus orataxitoSriRacha Koh Loipier, andthenhoponaferry. allure that makes ittheideal honeymoondestination. To gettotheisland, been ahaven for themonarchy inthepast,Koh Sichanghasthesortof outdooractivities,array including snorkelling of andkayaking. Having has spectacularsunsets, isreplete withwhite-sand beachesandoffersan struck. It’s amarvel toseeandhear. stone bell: anatural rock formation that emitsaresonating ringwhen the nightmarket. VI), visitthetown’s oldestrailway station, orrevel inashoppingspree at tour Maruekhathaiyawan KingRama Palace (built duringthereign of dwellers. There’s thingstodohere. For noshortage of instance, you can coursesmakeaccommodation itpopularwithcity andmoderngolf Hin isn’t atypical palm-fringed getaway, but itslively markets, luxury resort isanhour’s Thailand.Hua drive of from Bangkok, intheGulf Renowned andfamily-oriented atmosphere, for itsgolf thisseaside jaunt. and walkways; don’t forget to peak at theprivate beachtoendyour tious mansions, halls and pavilions are positionedamidrolling gardens Thailand’san envy-inducing royal lookintothelifeof family. Ostenta- 1893, thepalace was leftdeserted.Now opentothepublic, itprovides Chulalongkorn in1890.After theislandwas occupiedby theFrench in in thecrystal waters, visittheRoyal Palace, which was built by King tuk-tuk (athree-wheeled motorvehicle). Afteralongday kickingback transport, alongstrolling withthetraditional isthepreferred methodof and guesthouses in the city of Pak Chong.Alternatively,and guesthousesinthecityof you prefer if glamour. ancientfolklore,heart of where you’ll discover Thailand’s real glitzand locations madefamousby Instagram andyou’ll deepinthe find yourself mer months. daytime temperatures are more tolerable thantheyare duringthesum- 8. Achildleaning against ascooter inBangkok 9.Buddhist prayer candles 5. Atuk-tuk 6.Fresh fish at Amphawa Floating Market, Bangkok 7.HuaHinBeach Hin Beach 4. Office workersConvent’s Soi at famed Tom Yum Noodle Bangkokstand, 1. Statue at Temple Bangkok EmeraldBuddha, ofThe 2. Train, Sky BTS Bangkok 3. Hua rugged experience you cancampinsidethepark for anadditional fee. For anauthenticcultural HuaHinto experience, head6kmsouthof The nearby Cha-amBeachispacked withactivities for all ages, such Bypass thecityhustleandheadtoHuaHinfor arelaxing timeout. MAMMAL ESCAPISM So, there you you have visitThailand,dive beyond it.If thepopular Other attractions onKoh Sichang includecaves, temples andtheold thingstoseeanddohere.There Traffic are plentyof islight,and A uniquetropical paradise awaits you onKoh Sichang,anislandthat ROYAL VIBRATIONS In terms of accommodation, there’s hotels of Interms anumber of

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