Easter Land

Executive summary by darmansjah

Easter Island is a Polynesian island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle. Easter Island is famous for its 887 extant monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapa Nui people. In 1995, UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site, with much of the island protected within Rapa Nui National Park.

Polynesian people settled on Easter Island in the first millennium CE, and created a thriving culture, as evidenced by the moai and other artifacts. However, human activity, the introduction of the Polynesian rat and overpopulation led to gradual deforestation and extinction of natural resources, which caused the demise of the Rapa Nui civilization. By the time of European arrival in 1722, the island's population had dropped to 2,000–3,000 from a high of approximately 15,000 just a century earlier. In recent times the island has served as a warning of the cultural and environmental dangers of exploitation. Diseases carried by European sailors and Peruvian slave raiding of the 1860s further reduced the Rapa Nui population, down to 111 in 1877.

Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world The nearest inhabited land (50 residents) is Pitcairn Island at 2,075 kilometres (1,289 mi), and the nearest continental point lies in central Chile, at 3,512 kilometres (2,182 mi).

Easter Island is a special territory of Chile that was annexed in 1888. Administratively, it belongs to the Valparaíso Region and more specifically, is the only commune of the Province Isla de Pascua. According to the 2012 census, it has about 5,800 residents, of which some 60% are descendants of the aboriginal Rapa Nui.

The Perfect Brunei Getaway

Executive summary by darmansjah

It is after all just a hop and a skip away but Brunei remarkably brings visitors to another world, words by Albino Christopher chua.

A skyline dotted with golden domes and opulent palaces. Ancient villages on stilts dubbed by colonial explores as the ‘Venice of the East’. Jungles so lush and thick playing host to a symphony of natural sounds and colors. As a small and prosperous nation in southeast Asia, Brunei might share more than a few similarities with Singapore, where I am from.

I recently had the pleasure of being invited to a fascinating weekend trip to Brunei. The timing could not have been more conducive for weekenders. Royal Brunei Airlines has a Friday evening flight from Singapore as well as a Sunday evening flight back. The amenities that came with the full-service airline were advantageous for those on a short getaway, as one is never lacking of creature comforts during the relatively quick flight.

After being greeted by our guide and spending the first night in Brunei, our Saturday was dedicated to adventure and exploration. We went for an early morning ride on a water taxi to take us to Ulu Temburong National Park. It was an exhilarating experience. The water taxi passed through an extensive network of mangrove forests and rivers in and around Brunei Bay at an incredible speed, and at one point  our small speedboat was out in the open sea. It took us almost an hour to arrive in Temburong District. The highlight of the park is the 60 metre tall Canopy Walkway, a series of slender towers linked by a narrow metal bridge. After completing the thrilling climb, the view from the top – that of the verdant rainforest enveloping Brunei across all side- is nothing short of fantastic.

We made our way back to Bandar Seri Begawan after recharging in the river camp. Following a sumptuous steamboat dinner by the riverside, we moved to the glitzy Empire Hotel and Country Club for the night, Brunei’s 7-star hotel and undoubtedly one of the grandest resorts in the region. Its marbled floors, palatial dimensions and spectacular architecture certainly could not be any more unlike the jungle canopies where we were earlier, and this served as a fitting reminder how it’s possible to enjoy the best of both worlds in Brunei.

With the excitement of the previous day’s escapade still fresh in our minds, our Sunday was set to be more relaxing. We went around the main sights, including the awe-inspiring Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah mosques as well as the Royal Regalia Museum. The latter gave us a glimpse into the history of the royal family as well as a deeper look into the life of Brunei’s most famous resident, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei.

With the water never too far away in this contry, we ventured to Kampong Ayer which means ‘water village’. The community is actually made up of thousands of houses built on stilts, segregated by wooden planks and reachable only by boat. We went up to one of the house, and were amazed upon witnessing the impressive interiors which the humble wooden façade failed to indicate. “Welcome to our home! Please help yourselves to the food,” said our host while a copious spread of Malay dishes was laid out in their dining room. It was an authentic taste of the local life and truly a perfect ending to a memorable trip.

Kungsleden, Sweden

By Peter Potterfield ; Executive summary by darmansjah

Abisko Mountain Station to the Saami Village of Nikkaluokta

Round-Trip: 65 miles, 3 to 5 days

When to Go: The Europeans do it in August, when they get holiday time, so be bold and go in early September for authentic solitude and no bugs.

A hundred miles inside the Arctic Circle, Sweden’s legendary 275-mile Kungsleden (the “The King's Trail”) begins its traverse of the last great wilderness in western Europe. This mind-blowing northernmost section penetrates the vast Arctic landscape of Sweden through birch forests, open tundra, and big glaciers before crossing the shoulder of Sweden’s highest peak, 6,926-foot Mount Kebnekaise. Using the comfortable huts placed about a day apart assures you have refuge in bad weather. Sturdy suspension bridges take the danger out of the big rivers. The vibe here is “far north,” with palpable emptiness and low-angled light that stirs the soul.

Insider Tip: The route can be done in either direction, but do it north to south, as that keeps the sun on your face—no small consideration in the Arctic.