Asia Memories with Destination Asia
A monthly newsletter documenting our resident Asia expert Sophia’s favorite things pulled from her experience living and traveling around the region.
This newsletter covers speakeasy visits in Hong Kong, Naoshima art experience in Japan, a stay at Rosewood Phuket in Thailand, and Phare circus in Cambodia, which is written by another Asia aficionado, Jessica Rosen. We hope that it fuels your desire to travel to this magical region when it is safe to do so.
Speakeasy Visits in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a city full of choose-your-own-adventure; with hiking, food experiences, shopping, or taking a deep dive into the various neighborhoods, there is something for everyone. In my case, a lasting memory of adventure was finding new hidden speakeasy bars: 001, Ping Pong 129 Gintoria, Club Feather Boa, and Foxglove to name a few. I loved the different personalities of each and the drinks that came with it: Club Feather Boa for the chocolate strawberry daiquiris, Ping Pong 129 for the gigantic ice cubes that come in their gin cocktails. One of my all-time favorites, Paradis (pictured), unfortunately went out of business recently but some of my fondest memories are from late nights there. I loved closing out the night there with a specialty cocktail in hand. It was always so late that we were the only patrons, making it feel like the experience was made just for us. For more information on night time adventures click here for Destination Asia’s take on bar hopping in Hong Kong from Soho to Lan Kwai Fong.
Naoshima Art Experience in Japan
There are few places in the world that are dedicated to the art scene as much as Naoshima island in the Setouchi region of Japan. On the island, art meets nature and with that comes pops of color against stunning back drops of the Seto Inland Sea, such as the Yayoi Kusama polka-dot pumpkin sculpture, which is pictured (recently damaged in a typhoon). The pumpkin was located on Benesse Art Site which is a combination hotel/museum. Another way to maximize your time in the region is via the Guntu Cruise which is essentially a floating ryokan that visits “art islands” such as Naoshima and Inujima. I was especially wowed by the James Turrell exhibit at the Chichu Art Museum, where light is presented as art allowing me to feel like I was stepping into an alternative reality. After traveling around Japan from Tokyo to Okinawa I was totally blown away by how special these art islands are.
Rosewood Phuket
A few years ago I had the honor of spending a few days in utter paradise at the Rosewood Phuket in Thailand. I was completely enchanted by the lush scenery and contemporary rooms, each of which had their own soaking tub. I still think about the Thai Green Curry I had while at the restaurant, Ta Kahi; the sense of place that is Rosewood’s ethos is especially prevalent here as the chefs Uncle Nun and Aunt Yai (a married chef couple) have honed their culinary skills together over 30-years focusing on old southern Thai recipes.
Phare Circus in Cambodia
Guest dispatch by Jessica Rosen: Srey Bandaul, one of the founders of Phare, The Cambodian Circus, recently passed away from COVID. He was an established painter, and his experiences in a refugee camp after the ousting of the Khmer Rouge regime all profoundly shaped his art. In honor of Srey Bandaul I decided to write about Phare and Cambodia for this month’s newsletter. It is a must see when going to Siem Reap.
Phare was created in 1994 by former refugees. During their time in the camps, they had the help of an artist who used drawing classes as therapy. They wanted to share these skills among the youngsters in Battambang, Cambodia (right outside Siem Reap). They created Phare which now has schools of art, music, theater, and circus, as well as a public school. All of the profits that the circus generates support the free education, professional arts training, and social programs. Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to uniquely tell Cambodian stories.
It is a must see when going to Siem Reap. As soon as I arrived I was taken aback by the visual art surrounding the arena and then once I entered the arena, my mind was truly blown. The show is fast, unique, daring, poetic, and gives the viewers a rush of adrenaline. It felt like Cirque de Soleil but much more authentic and obviously much more charitable. When Cambodia does open, do yourself a favor and go.