David Burden

David Burden

SCMP Contributor
David Burden is a travel writer and photographer from the south coast of England. Having been based in Bali for 15 years, he has now moved back to his hometown of Southbourne, trading solo travels for family adventures.
David Burden is a travel writer and photographer from the south coast of England. Having been based in Bali for 15 years, he has now moved back to his hometown of Southbourne, trading solo travels for family adventures.

Three-wheeling through Sri Lanka on a family tuk-tuk adventure

Cheap, naturally air-conditioned and undoubtedly a ‘fun-mobile’, a self-driven tuk-tuk provides the ultimate transport for travellers too young to appreciate the spiritual side of the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Many visitors to Sri Lanka head for Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa, but with its beauty and bohemian vibe Hiriketiya is a beacon of tranquillity. It’s heaven for surfers, and its beaches are all but deserted.

Monsoon rains, a clunky gear box, India’s potholed roads, and a seat hard as nails – David Burden takes a 3,000km journey in an auto rickshaw. It’s both an old-style adventure and a way for visitors to immerse themselves in the real India.

Hidden away in the remote Indonesian province of West Papua, Raja Ampat’s pristine islands reveal untouched tropical jungles and sparkling blue seas. An off-season visit will mean you’ll have the many beauty spots and sandy shores to yourself.

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Soccer fans descending on Russia’s second city for the Fifa World Cup are spoiled for choice when it comes to diversions away from the matches – but you don’t need the excuse of a sports tournament to pay a visit

Made Lolen has dedicated himself to the ‘wayang kulit’ ever since seeing his first show in 1988. Now he is ensuring this enigmatic form of entertainment is passed down to those as captivated by the sights and sounds as he was

The forests of eastern Sumbawa in Indonesia produce sublime honey thanks to its native flora and giant bees, but logging, modern farming techniques and mining threaten the island’s ecology

Related Topics
Asia travelIndiaFifa World Cup 2018