Innholdsfortegnelse for 3/2017 i ASIAN Geographic

Gold vessels of fine wines, thousands a gallon, Jade dishes of rare meats, costing more thousands, I lay my chopsticks down, no more can banquet, And draw my sword and stare wildly about me: Ice bars my way to cross the Yellow River, Snows from dark skies to climb the T’ai-hang Mountains! At peace I drop a hook into a brooklet, At once I’m in a boat but sailing sunward… (Hard is the Journey, hard is the Journey, So many turnings, and now where am I?) So when a breeze breaks waves, bringing fair weather, I set a cloud for sails, cross the blue oceans! LI PO, or Li Bai, born in 701AD, was one of the foremost poets during the Tang Dynasty in China, developing poetic art and writing…

DAY 1 (ARRIVAL) SEPTEMBER 23 Tashkent to Urgench All participants will need to arrive at Tashkent International Airport by the early morning, after which we will transfer to a hotel to rest. We will then run an excursion through the old part of the capital city, visiting the religious complex, Khasti Imam, and the Muy-Mubarak Mosque, which houses the well-known Qur’an of Khalif Osman. We will catch a domestic flight to Urgench in the western region, overnighting in Khiva. DAY 2 SEPTEMBER 24 Khiva to Itcha Kala Our route starts in Khiva, a city of museums with extensive history. We will spend the whole day in the Itchan-Kala Fortress, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow streets, carved “ayvans”, scenic verandas and doorways, and majestic minarets and mausoleums make…

 The wind has been howling across the Gobi Desert for weeks, day and night, in all directions. Huddled in her tent, Sarah Marquis woke at 4am. “I instantly knew something was different: There was no wind outside. And then I heard them.” “We are sometimes more scared of the prospect of pain than the pain itself” Sarah Marquis Marquis was surrounded by wolves. “That was a magical moment,” she recalls, with awe, rather than fear. In 2010, the 44-year-old Swiss explorer set off to walk from Siberia to Australia – alone. The journey took two years of preparation – plotting the route, organising permits, learning smatterings of languages, and studying the terrain – the mountains, the water sources, the vegetation, and the weather systems. Most of the problems that she…

In analysing the space policies of lead Asian players like China and India, it becomes clear that both nations are increasingly focusing their efforts on a “space race” – or, more accurately, something of a “gold rush” in space. While these countries certainly have a long list of objectives they want to accomplish in space, there is no clear finish line, neither is there a definitive time frame. Their approach contrasts starkly with the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the former Soviet Union, where getting there first mattered most. As a result, when the USSR’s Sputnik 1 burst into the skies in 1957, there was a lot of handwringing at NASA. Yuri Gagarin’s tryst with space destiny was a heartbreaker for the US space programme, which subsequently…

 We use the term “Silk Road” without thinking too much about it. Our geography of its exact route is often hazy, but people typically remember that it was the trading route by which silk first travelled from China to Europe. There is some truth in this, but that’s just a fragment of a far larger, more important picture. The term Seidenstraße (Silk Road) was first coined by a German geographer, Ferdinand von Richthofen, in the late 19th century The term Seidenstraße (Silk Road) was first coined by a German geographer, Ferdinand von Richthofen, in the late 19th century. It may not have been very accurate, but it stuck. There was never just one road but rather a network of interconnected land routes criss-crossing North Africa and the Mediterranean, the Middle…

As human settlements flourished in various parts of the world throughout the course of history, trade routes were created to meet the expansion needs of these burgeoning concentrations of people. The Silk Road is perhaps one of the most well known of these routes – it is certainly one of the most historically significant. For over 1,000 years, it provided the connection between the East and West, earning its name from the predominant trade of silk between China and the Mediterranean. Splintering off from the Silk Road were the spice roads – also known as the Maritime Silk Roads, a network of trade sea routes linking the East with the West; and the Tea Horse Road – sometimes referred to as the South Silk Road, between Xishuangbanna and Tibet. Beyond…

Japan was heavily involved in commercial whaling until the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium of 1986, but they continue to whale under Article VIII – so-called “scientific whaling” A 2006 research report by the Nippon Research Centre revealed that 95 percent of Japanese have never eaten, or very rarely eat, whale meat The amount of uneaten frozen whale meat doubled to 4,600 tonnes between 2002 and 2012. The government still subsidises whaling by about USD50 million a year Policymakers have urged the IWC to encourage the development of commercial whale watching, which generates more than USD1 billion in annual revenues worldwide In March 2017, a Japanese whaling fleet returned from an Antarctic hunt that killed more than 300 minke whales – despite the IWC moratoria Data sourced from WWF, IWC,…

The narrow boats are stacked high with fruit and vegetables and floating kitchens, from which you can sample local Thai cuisine, complete with a coconut The action-packed, buzzing city of Bangkok has a seemingly endless to-do list for visitors. Beyond the well trodden alleyways around Khaosan Road, there are several other routes to explore in and around this burgeoning metropolis. The winning students and their accompanying teacher will have the chance to journey into the prehistoric past at the Dinosaur Planet Theme Park in the bustling Phrom Phong area of Sukhumvit. The amusement park is dedicated to remembering these prehistoric reptiles, from the fierce T. rex to the intelligent Velociraptor. It houses up to 200 life-size models, featured in exhibits that imitate natural habitats, located around a central “active” volcano.…

The laid-back lifestyle of the islanders has had travellers smitten with this off-the-beaten-track destination Courtesy of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines Barracuda Lake, located in Coron, Palawan – in the Luzon island group – offers both beginners and professional divers a sensory experience that is incomparable to anywhere else. A trail leads to a mix of blue hues where fresh and saltwater meet, set against the lush backdrop of verdant limestone formations. When taking the plunge into the azure, the lake engulfs its guests in thermocline gradients, both cool and warm. Rumour has it that if you venture deep enough, you will encounter the barracuda from whom the lake takes its name. The only way to find out is to take this adventure into your own hands! INTO THE HILLS…

Thankfully – within this band of green explorers – were some of the most seasoned guides in northern India They were a crew of 31, and none among them was a seasoned explorer. But, as they trundled along the road on the mud-caked wheels of their trusty, all-terrain vehicles, their aspiration for adventure led them from sea level in Singapore to the roof of the world in the Indian Himalayas. So commenced Asian Geographic’s first expedition. Thankfully – within this band of green explorers – were some of the most seasoned guides in northern India. A train ride from Delhi to Chandigarh and a Land Rover journey later, the team spent their first night at Nalagarh Fort, making for Manali at daybreak. The latter is a peaceful town in the…

Zheng He led seven naval voyages across the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and beyond Zheng He’s story is an epic tale of lowly beginnings leading to legendary status, becoming a representative of the power and wealth of China following its liberation from the Mongol Dynasty. Originally named Ma He, a Hui Muslim from Yunnan, he was taken captive as a child, castrated, and placed in the service of Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan. He was bestowed the name “Zheng” after helping the prince gain the throne in 1402. From 1405–1433, Zheng He led seven naval voyages across the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. Their purpose was to increase the renown and influence of the Ming Empire by conducting diplomatic missions, securing and establishing trade…

01 THE GREAT WALL A Bactrian camel takes a break from ploughing beside remains of the Han Wall, built to protect the trade corridor known as the Silk Road. Dust from the Gobi Desert gives the sky its yellow cast. The two-humped Bactrian camel, with its tolerance for cold, drought and high altitudes, enabled caravans to travel the Silk Road 02 SHANGRI LA Along the pilgrimage route to Lhasa, faithful Buddhists prostrate themselves in an elaborate exercise over hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles. I walked backwards for about 30 minutes for a kilometre, maybe more, waiting for the perfect moment when every position of the prostration could be seen in a single frame 03 MEKONG The first car of Cambodia’s only operating train is said to offer the cheapest seat…

 Amongst a bed of thick, pitch-black seaweed, Pavel Nikolskiy, a palaeontologist and senior researcher at the Moscow Geological Institute, is crouched down, searching for artefacts from the Pleistocene period. Above him, a grey, icy cliff is splintering and falling apart, cascading down in small pieces, and falling into the Laptev Sea. Their mission is guided by a set of questions: Why – and how – did the mammoth disappear some 10,000 years ago? Suddenly, Pavel jumps up abruptly, like a tightly wound spring that has been released. He proudly exhibits a cave lion’s molar – a remain from the Pleistocene period – in very good condition. The team is thrilled with the discovery. Pavel is a member of a crew of 14 scientists on an expedition sponsored by the Russian…

The Orient Express has the literary cache, and India’s Palace on Wheels has the opulence, but the greatest train journey on Earth is without doubt the Trans-Siberian Railway. For more than 100 years, locomotives – first steam trains, then diesel and electric engines – have run the 9,289 kilometres between Moscow and Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan. The world’s longest railway crosses seven time zones and the journey takes at least a week to complete. Those yet to travel through Siberia might think of the route as bleak, but as one fortunate to have ridden the rails the full length of the line, I know it to be a place of stark natural beauty and unexpected geographical diversity. Looking back on the Trans-Siberian’s first century, its construction required vision,…

3200 BC Domestication of the horse 3000 BC First production of silk in China 2500 BC Domestication of the camel 550 BC Establishment of the Achaemenid Empire in Persia 509 BC Establishment of the Roman Republic 331–329 BC Alexander the Great takes control of Persia and Central Asia 221 BC Qin Dynasty unifies China for the first time 30 BC Egypt comes under Roman rule, giving Rome control of the spice trade 75 AD Silk is already being worn in Rome 89 AD Han Dynasty defeats the Xiongnu nomads, bringing the Eurasian steppe under Chinese control C. 150 Ptolemy attempts to map the Silk Road in his Geography 166 First Roman envoy arrives at the Han court in China, establishing direct diplomatic ties 399 Chinese traveller Faxian begins his journeys…

TIM JARVIS IN SHACKLETON’S FOOTSTEPS Explorer Tim Jarvis recalls getting lost in the bush in Malaysia at the age of 12, and finding his way home by walking east towards the coast. “I always carried a compass with me. I remember finding my way through a section of jungle in Johor, and it gave me a real sense of satisfaction having done that. That feeling of resourcefulness that you can negotiate the outdoors with a bit of skill and self-reliance really stuck with me.” Jarvis describes his expeditions as being an extension of this inquisitiveness, and attributes his environmental activism to a love of the outdoors, and the increasing realisation that we need to protect it. This led him to study environmental science and environmental law. “I now find that…

It's aim is to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, to donate to the places they visit, and to raise awareness of people in need Young children, smiling and looking rather curiously at some of the first Westerners they may have ever seen, gather outside the orphanage on the outskirts of Goa, India. They are welcoming the 20 men who have come with donations in the way of toys, stationary and clothes. Their arrival in decorative tuk-tuks is undoubtedly the cause for curiosity and amusement. As the group of men enter, one rider passes a small bag of vitamin gums to a child, who takes a look at it, takes one for herself and passes the bag to a friend. This small act of selflessness takes the men aback. But…

The smallest state of India is blessed with a pristine coastline and jaw-dropping landscapes, making it an adventurous traveller’s paradise Courtesy of the India Tourism Board Goa is a land of remarkable contrasts. Known as the “Rome of the East”, the smallest state of India is blessed with a pristine coastline and jaw-dropping landscapes, making it an adventurous traveller’s paradise – particularly when it comes to water sports. Diving off Goa’s coast is an enthralling experience, where you can encounter over 30 species of fish, from barracudas and parrotfish to reef sharks and stingrays and, if you’re lucky, bottlenose dolphins. A particular snorkelling highlight is to be had off Goa’s magnificent Monkey Island. Blending history, culture and Nature, take a kayaking trip past rural villages, historical churches and ancient temples.…

“Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” Ibn Battuta MARCO POLO ITALY 1254–1324 The Venetian merchant travelled on the Silk Road – further than any of his predecessors. His journey to China lasted 24 years. He became a confidant of Kublai Khan VASCO DA GAMA PORTUGAL 1460–1469 The Portuguese explorer ventured out of Lisbon to find a maritime route to the East. After successfully doing so, he subsequently made two other voyages to India FERDINAND MAGELLAN PORTUGAL 1480–1521 Magellan was the first European to cross the Pacific Ocean. In 1519, he set out from Spain with five ships to discover a western sea route to the Spice Islands XUANZANG CHINA 602–664 The Buddhist monk and pilgrim made a 17-year overland journey from China to…

“I’m a conservative: You don’t get more conservative than being a conservationist” Captain Paul Watson Every year, billions of trees are cut down so we can plant crops to feed over seven billion mouths. Rising water temperatures are rendering coral reefs bleached and lifeless. It’s predicted that by 2050, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish; more wrappers than wrasse, and more bottles than bottlenose dolphins. Given the magnitude of these issues, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. What can I do? Where should I focus my efforts? These questions are bandied around, as people scramble for answers, or try and be more environmentally responsible citizens. Everyone has their own way of making a difference. Some start by making manageable, bite-sized changes to their everyday lives. They recycle,…

SINGAPORE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY Established in 1952, this charity protects and aids children and youth regardless of race and religion. In 2015, the Society helped to benefit 67,577 children, youths, and families.www.childrensociety.org.sg ROUND TABLE INDIA, CHENNAI This charity consists of a group of committed Indian business leaders who work towards building schools and providing educational facilities for millions of children as well as physically challenged people.www.roundtableindia.org FOUNDATION OF GOODNESS, COLOMBO Founded in 1999 by Kushil Gunasekera, the Sri Lankan based FOG has a holistic focus in providing support to poor rural communities and delivering self sustainable business opportunities. They have helped to provide relief to victims of Sri Lanka’s tsunami disaster and the individuals and communities affected by the civil war.www.unconditionalcompassion.org FOOD FROM THE HEART This organisation is dedicated to reaching…