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We are here for you, keeping you updated with the latest news on the ground. Find out more about the re-opening situation across Southeast Asia in our Country by Country Updates. We have extended our Book with Confidence policy, so this is a great time to take advantage of our special offers for private journeys of five nights or more. If you need more ideas and inspiration, check out our new digital guide to Insider Access and Inspirations across the region. We also share stories from our team who have been out and about exploring their own backyards while we prepare to welcome your clients once again. Stay safe as always and see you again soon!
Akorn: Bringing Southeast Asia to You
Our teams have been keeping up the pioneering spirit and exploring more of their own backyards. Here are a few inspiring stories of recent travels to whet your appetite for your next Southeast Asia journey.
Miles visits the world’s third largest cave
Our Country Manager for Akorn Vietnam, Miles Gravett, camped overnight in the world’s third largest cave. After Vietnam’s relatively brief lockdown in April, he decided to escape to the great outdoors and headed to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a protected area in north-central Vietnam. “It was a challenging 22-kilometer (13-mile) trek to Hang En Cave,” Miles explained, “But the journey was rewarded by fantastic views and incredible jungle scenery along the way.” Overnight, Miles shared his accommodation with the cave’s resident bird population of over three million swifts!
Bua Pimthong, our Destination Specialist for Akorn Thailand took up the challenge of hiking one of Thailand’s scenic mountains. Located about three hours’ drive north of Bangkok, Khao Nor-Khao Kaew is a tall limestone mountain where you can see the statue of the reclining Buddha in small cave. “The mountain is not too steep, so it was a relatively easy climb,” Bua said, “And the view from the top was incredible!”
Making the most of a much-needed break, our Customer Service Coordinator for Akorn Myanmar, Nang Htoo Htoo Hlaing, traveled from Yangon to Mingun, a small town on the Ayeyarwady River, near Mandalay. “I had a great time walking on the terraces of Hsinbyume Pagoda, a white temple that looks like waves,” Htoo Htoo said, “and I stood beneath the massive Mingun Pahtodawgyi.” Htoo Htoo loves exploring Myanmar’s amazing sites and looks forward to helping our guests discover these places for themselves in the near future.
“Muay Thai is my secret passion,” Lalitphat Pornthepkasemsan, Commercial Contracting Manager for Akorn Thailand, explained. On weekends and evenings, you can often find her at a Thai boxing studio, taking private lessons with a champion Thai boxer. Each session involves weight training, circuit training as well as a mini yoga practice to develop flexibility and muscle strength. Lalitphat highly recommends this experience when it is possible to visit Thailand again. “My coach is an inspiration. He is always encouraging me reach further and work harder to achieve my goals. Muay Thai has not only made me physically stronger, it also boosts me mentally and give me confidence.”
Creating amazing memories with her young family, our Philanthropy Coordinator has been exploring all corners of Cambodia. “The roads in Cambodia are quite good, so it is easy to get around to different places,” she explained, “We recently went to Battambang, where we cycled in the countryside, took a ride on the Bamboo train and stood in front of the old Governor’s Residence. Then we headed down to Angkor Wat and had the place almost to ourselves. It was a magical experience!”
Throughout the lockdowns, travel bans and economic downturn experienced around the world, our philanthropy partners continued their essential work of delivering much-needed clean water to families and farmers in drought-stricken Cambodia.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that rural communities, especially those living in the most remote parts of the country, have access to a sustainable, reliable and clean source of water. Our Cambodia Clean Water project is classified as essential work which continued throughout the pandemic,” Keith Sproule, Executive Director of AKP Philanthropy explained.
“Our clean water wells have had a huge impact on local communities; a low-income construction worker now grows his own vegetables and earns additional income from his land and a pig farmer was able to expand her farm and send her daughters to high school.”
Through the generosity of our guests and donors, AKP Philanthropy funded the installation of 108 clean water wells in the first three quarters of 2020, which is just short of our highest year in 2019.
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