Funny business
Why it’s crucia lto safeguard Kiwi comedy’s breeding ground
Our love affair with Bali knows no bounds. It’s easy to get to, offers something for every budget, has incredible food, centuries-old culture, and some of the world’s most welcoming people. For many of us, Bali is a habit we can’t, or simply refuse to, quit.
Other idyllic isles and atolls attempt to lure us away, yet Bali draws us back with its emerald green rice fields, wide smiles, blazing sunsets, chic beach clubs, and the vibrancy of everyday life.
But always choosing Bali comes at the expense of discovering Asia’s other incredible islands.
Koh Rong, Cambodia
It’s not Bali but . . . The party’s just getting started on Cambodia’s largest and fastest developing island off the coast of Sihanoukville. Don’t expect Bali’s famous beach clubs such as Ku de Ta and Cafe del Mar, rather nightlife revolves around organised pub crawls, full moon parties and dancing on a palm-fringed beach, drink in hand.
Tell me more: No roads, patchy wi-fi and, so far, limited development, yet Koh Rong’s idyllic islands are touted as the next Thailand. High-end resorts Alila Villas Koh Russey, Six Senses Krabey Island and Song Saa Private Island have opened off Sihanoukville. On Koh Rong, you’ll find rustic guesthouses, cheap hostels and beachfront bars.
Once the sun goes down, the beach strip of Koh Touch lights up with revellers, while parties happen twice weekly at Police Beach.
Don’t miss: Hike through lush rainforest and find yourself on one of Koh Rong’s 20-plus beaches. And, at certain times of the month, there are tours to see bioluminescent plankton.
Details: Ferries run from Sihanoukville. Peak season is November-February.
See tourismcambodia.com
Koh Kood, Thailand
It’s not Bali but . . . Thailand’s fourth-largest, but least populated island may be a little tricky to reach but the upside is its stunning beaches are largely devoid of the throngs that flock to Phuket and Bali.
Tell me more: Untamed jungle, fishing villages and pristine beaches are the main drawcard of this sleepy island. There are tumbling waterfalls, snorkelling and diving, and your accommodation can range from a humble homestay to a hedonistic resort. Spend time in a hammock strung between coconut trees or enjoy a no-frills massage on the white-sand beaches.
Don’t miss: If the budget extends, Soneva Kiri delivers the ultimate in barefoot luxury from NZ$1367 a night. Guests can fish with locals, join a cooking class with a local chef, visit Khlong Chao waterfall or take nature walks along island trails.
Details: From Bangkok, there are connecting flights to Trat Airport with Bangkok Airways. An hour-long speedboat transfer takes travellers to Koh Kood. Soneva Kiri guests can fly direct from Suvarnabhumi Airport on the resort’s private plane. The best time to visit is in the dry season (December to March). See thaiairways.com/en; tourismthailand.org; soneva.com.
Penang, Malaysia
It’s not Bali but . . . This exotic island off the northwestern coast of Malaysia may not boast big-name chefs or multimillion-dollar restaurant fit-outs, but does offer what’s considered Southeast Asia’s best hawker food. Eat your way through Unesco World Heritage-listed George Town’s ethnic quarters of Little India, its Malay kampungs (villages) and Chinese and European communities with their mind-boggling eateries, hawker stalls and fascinating wet markets.
Tell me more: While Penang has seaside resorts at Batu Ferringhi, most visitors head straight for historic George Town with its shophouses, galleries, mosques, Chinese temples, and the incredible meld of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Baba Nyonya and Peranakan fusion cuisines.
Try hokkien prawn noodles (the hawker stall at Presgrave St is considered the best), kuih (sweets) and laksa at Moh Teng Peow, char kway teow in the Chinese quarter and nasi kandar, mee goreng and pasembur (Malaysian salad, also called rojak) dished up by the street vendors. Great local coffee can be found at Toh Soon Cafe, or try an espresso with a side of churros at The Alley in Stewart Lane.
Don’t miss: The new Prestige Hotel melds colonial architecture with contemporary design, or stay in one of Australian hotelier Chris Ong’s four properties, including his latest addition, Jawi Peranakan Mansion. See theprestige.my; georgetownheritage.com.
Details: From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines has connections to Penang.
See malaysiaairlines.com; malaysia.travel.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
It’s not Bali but . . . This emerging holiday hotspot off Vietnam’s southwest coast, the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, offers 20 beautiful beaches and a mountainous interior, as well as a crop of luxurious new beachfront resorts.
Tell me more: World-class resorts by InterContinental, JW Marriott, Hyatt, Sofitel, and Novotel have cropped up along Phu Quoc’s 150-kilometre coastline. The InterContinental Phu Quoc (phuquoc.intercontinental.com) offers a palm-fringed location, fabulous restaurants,
multiple pools, an incredible kids’ club, and chic rooms, suites and club rooms. Nearby, the whimsical and expansive JW Marriott Phu Quoc (marriott.com) sits on the languid waters of Ice Cream Beach. Expect dreamy suites, opera, dining, and a choice of three beachfront pools.
The Nam Nghi Phu Quoc (namnghiresort.com), part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, meanwhile, is a serene resort on the island’s north-western shore, with ocean-view rooms and waterfront villas, a spa, treehouse dining, and its own island with bar.
Don’t miss: Head to the InterContinental Phu Quoc’s avant-garde INK 360, the highest bar on the island, for sundowners followed by dinner at Lava restaurant, housed in a striking bamboo pavilion.
Details: Vietnam Airlines flies to Phu Quoc via Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi (New Zealanders need a tourist visa). Phu Quoc’s peak dry season period is November to March. Avoid July, which is peak season for domestic travel to Phu Quoc and generally coincides with the wet season.
See vietnamairlines.com; vietnam.travel.
Lombok, Indonesia
It’s not Bali but . . . Lombok is only a fast speedboat ride or short flight from Denpasar.
Tell me more: Lombok has all the allure of Bali, minus the crowds and the traffic.
Chef Will Meyrick, who owns Bali restaurants including Sarong and Mama San, is developing an 80-room resort on Lombok’s Torok Beach.
‘‘I want to be a pioneer again, re-engage with the community, and be reminded why I love Indonesia,’’ Meyrick says.
The nearby Gili Islands has something for every Bali-lover says Webjet’s David Galt.
‘‘Gili Trawangan is the most developed of the three, and its beachfront bars and restaurants make it popular with a younger crowd. Gili Air promises a laid-back local experience, and Gili Meno draws couples seeking a romantic escape’’.
Don’t miss: Trek the active Mt Rinjani volcano, which looms over the northern half of the island, or surf the uncrowded breaks around Kuta (not to be confused with Bali’s Kuta).
Details: Emirates offers direct flights to Denpasar from Auckland. March to October is the dry season. See indonesia.travel.
Okinawa, Japan
It’s not Bali but . . . While Japan doesn’t necessarily spring to mind when it comes to tropical isles, Okinawa is known as the country’s Hawaii. Powder-white sand and a string of islands give it a different look and feel from the rest of Japan.
Tell me more: Okinawa existed for centuries as part of its own kingdom, known as Ryuku, giving the island a distinct culture, dialect and cuisine. It didn’t become part of Japan until 1879. Okinawa’s archipelago has strong ties to Taiwan, given one of its islands is geographically closer to Taipei than Tokyo, while Korean, Indonesian and Thai influences are woven through its culture and food.
You can catch the Naha Great Tug-of-War festival in October, see locals in traditional dress, explore jungles and waterfalls, and swim in beautiful turquoise seas.
Don’t miss: Could Okinawa hold the secret to a long and healthy life? Ryukyu culture is still evident in Okinawa’s food, which is healthy, delicious and believed to be responsible for the largest concentration of centenarians in the world.
Details: Japan Airlines flies daily to Okinawa from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Avoid the rainytyphoon season between May and August.
See au.jal.co.jp/aul/en/; visitokinawa.jp.
Koh Samui, Thailand
It’s not Bali but . . . Also known as ‘‘coconut island’’, Koh Samui has retained its rural charm in spite of the millions of tourists who flock to Thailand. Its secluded coves and relaxed beaches fringed by tropical jungle and coconut groves make it the ideal setting for Muay Thai boot camps, yoga and wellness retreats.
Tell me more: Hire a car or scooter and drive south through countryside where water buffalo graze on coconut and rubber tree plantations.
Koh Samui offers a thriving Muay Thai culture and produces coconut oil and coconut-based health products used in spas and retreats throughout Thailand. Buddhist monks have long favoured Koh Samui as a sanctuary for spiritual retreat.
Don’t miss: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui’s Secret Garden Spa. The renowned Kamalaya wellness sanctuary and holistic spa resort is found on the island’s lush southern coast.
See fourseasons.com/kohsamui/spa; kamalaya.com.
Details: There are daily flights from Bangkok. High season is July to August and March to April. See tourismthailand.org. – Traveller