This leaf-shaped island lies off the eastern coast, south of Japan and north of the
Philippines. ‘Asia’s version of Hawaii’ teems with unique wildlife: mountain goat, Formosan
rock money, blue magpie, Mikado pheasant and grass lizard. The Pacific Ocean is home to
coral reef and three dolphins – bottlenose, spinner and spotted.
With its tropical climate and hundreds of outlying tropical islands, this is known for its
cuisine. Wildlife includes gibbons and many elephants. With hundreds of tropical islands,
Buddhist temples and mesmerising Thai dancing, this is the heart of southeast Asia.
Next door to China and the spiritual home of the Dalai Lama, at 4000 metres above sea
level – this is ‘the roof of the world’. Its highest peak (on the border with Nepal) is Mount
Everest. Many people here are Buddhist monks. It‘s a land of monasteries, orange robes,
hypnotic chanting and prayer flags blowing in the wind.
On the east of the Indochinese peninsula, this S-shaped strip of land is mainly mountains
and hills. A land of wildlife – bear, tiger, leopard, elephant and the dhole Asian dog. Also a
land of flowers – peach flower, orchid, yellow apricot and chrysanthemum.
A country of mountains, the average altitude is over one mile high! There are 5 scenic
canyons, 200 mineral springs and close-knit extended families who welcome you as one of
their own. Also welcoming you are local wildlife: wild boar, porcupine, lizard and snake.
