Gary
Specialist: South East Asia and Central Asia
Gary was introduced to the delights of travel in Asia at an early age when visiting his Dad in Singapore. A gap-year trip to Thailand and Malaysia deepened his interest in the region before he went on to study for a degree in Fine Art. Having graduated, he then embarked on a career in museum curating, focusing on all things maritime, which reconnected him to a long-held passion for the colonial history of Asia. Subsequent trips to Indochina, Japan and India convinced him his future lay in the travel industry, and Gary is now our principal consultant for Southeast Asia. He is also responsible for the Central Asia and Iran department, after exploring the regions in depth for TransIndus in 2017.
When not creating trips for other people, Gary likes to be on one himself – ideally involving lots of museums and long, leisurely train journeys. Follow his peregrinations on Instagram (@see_seaview).
Travel high
“Following the ancient Silk Routes across Central Asia and Iran was the stuff of dreams. I was particularly enthralled by the great Naqsh-e Jahan square in Isfahan (Iran), and equally spectacular Registan in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). Having read accounts of these monuments by intrepid Victorian travellers, it was a thrill to finally see them for myself.”
Favourite hotel
“Arriving at the hotel lobby, a converted railway station, is the perfect introduction to this heritage retreat. Other than the luxurious Hammam spa, the highlight is a morning tour of the coffee plantation in which the property is built on. Stay in an Arum Villa for unrivalled views of the surrounding rural landscape and majestic volcanoes.”
Travel trip
“Take a 2 day cruise through the Vietnamese side of the Mekong Delta in your very own private vessel. Along the way you’ll witness untouched natural beauty, enjoy the magic of floating markets, savour tea overlooking the winding river and look out for the diverse birdlife. Your private boat is luxurious in size, yet small enough to travel down the narrowest channels of the Mekong.”
Contact Gary at [email protected] to discuss your holiday plans in Southeast or Central Asia.
