Wander Woman

Lauren's Journey to Cross the Globe, One Amazing Experience at a Time

by Lauren Raps

Hidden Gems in Some of South East Asia’s Best Destinations

Without a doubt, the expat community of Singapore is the best resource for what to do, see and eat in the various cities of Southeast Asia. There are however many hidden gems throughout the region that might not be as well-known as others. For this, Wander Woman turned to her sources at ICS Travel Group for some must-do experiences to be added to your itineraries.

Thailand - Bangkok: Cocktail Sipping on top of King Power Mahanakhon

Probably the most futuristic and architecturally extraordinary building in Bangkok. Formerly known as MahaNakhon, this mixed-use skyscraper in the central business district of Bangkok was opened in December 2016.

Thailand's tallest building features the unconventional appearance of a pixelated ribbon that swirls around the exterior, peeling back its surface layer to expose an inner layer, creating balconies with views of the city. When visiting Mahanakhon, it's worth considering an upgrade to elevate the experience by gaining access to the 310 meter high outdoor observation deck on level 78 via a hydraulic glass lift. Enjoy a unique glass floor experience by stepping onto the ‘The Glass Tray’ and climb to ‘The Peak’ at 314 meters for a refreshing cocktail and a 360-degree view of Bangkok.

Thailand's Tallest Building

Vietnam - Hanoi: Hanoi Urban Adventure by Vintage Jeep

See Hanoi’s streets and alleyways in style from the backseat of an open-topped vintage Soviet-era Gaz69 jeep.

Vintage Jeep Tour in Hanoi

The Gaz69 started life as an army vehicle produced in the city of Gorky from 1953 to 1971. It’s a robust off-road jeep that is said to be indestructible so was adopted by the Vietnamese Army in the 50s and 60s. Climb into the back of this classic open-topped jeep and let your chauffeur navigate his way through the vibrant city streets of Hanoi.

Cambodia: Snaps in Phnom Penh

Set out on foot and explore a photogenic local community and discover how the work of street artists has transformed this central urban neighborhood.

Mural in Phnom Penh

Experience the wildly diverse murals lining the walls of the community, from the intricate work of Cambodia’s first female urban street artist, Lisa Mam, to the large format, pop art style paintings of gesturing hands by Chifumi, a French artist who is also a co-founder and organizer of the annual Cambodian Urban Art Festival. While snapping photos of the talented artist’s concrete canvases, learn more about the community and the locals that call it home.

APOPO Hero RATs in Siem Reap

Land Mine Sniffing Rat

Witness how rats are being trained to save lives! The APOPO Visitor Center gives us the chance to discover the history of conflict in Cambodia and the impact of landmines on the local communities. The APOPO scent-detection rats, nicknamed 'HeroRATs', help to rid the world of landmines, returning safe land back to communities for development.

APOPO Center

Laos – Vientiane: COPE Visitor Center

COPE stands for Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise. It is a locally-run, non-profit organization founded in 1997 to provide survivors of unexploded ordnance with care and support. This includes access to orthodontic and prosthetic devices, quality treatment and rehabilitation services. COPE was also visited by former President Barack Obama in September 2016.

President Obama Touring the COPE Center

Lauren Raps is AWA's Bar Night Chair. She moved to Singapore in January 2021 with her husband and three boys. She is the President and Founder of Travel Prospect, a full service leisure travel planning company.