Final reflections on an extraordinary travel.
Frans Vandenbosch 方腾波 25/11/2025
Koh Samui
Our journey home took us from Koh Samui to Singapore, then Zurich, and finally to Brussels. The airport on Koh Samui features a simple single landing strip, with its terminal buildings designed as bungalows that blend seamlessly into the hillside.
Singapore Changi airport
Singapore Changi Airport is undoubtedly the most beautiful airport in the world. The airport’s jewel is the breathtaking Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, cascading through a lush, terraced forest valley. This stunning centrepiece is surrounded by a vibrant indoor garden, creating a serene and otherworldly environment that feels more like a natural sanctuary than a transit hub. Its seamless blend of nature, art, and modern architecture elevates the travel experience, making it a destination unto itself.
Singapore is situated just a few kilometres from the equator, it has a population of approximately 5.7 million people. Its ethnic composition is diverse, with about 74% being ethnic Chinese, 13% Malay and 9% Indian.
In terms of its regulations, motorists in Singapore drive on the wrong (left) side of the road. The government enforces a strict legal stance on narcotics, where the death sentence is applied unconditionally for drug trafficking offences.
Trains and planes
We have taken 11 airplanes, 3 High Speed Trains and dozens of DiDi and subway.
Due to Boeing’s appalling and infamous safety record, I made a point of actively avoiding their aircraft whenever possible. This was a significant challenge, as a great many Boeing planes are still operated by Chinese airlines. Last week, Mr. Li Meng, the general manager of Hainan Airlines, told me that Hainan airlines is seeking to phase out its Boeing fleet. However, they face difficulties in sourcing new Airbus aircraft as an alternative, and also Comac has an extensive waiting list of buyers.
Time differences
UTC = Coordinated Universal Time.
There is no Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Asia: The listed regions in Asia (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand) do not observe daylight saving time.
Utilities costs
A comparison of the cost of electricity, HST train tickets, petrol and diesel
in Europe, China, Taiwan and Thailand:
Summary:
Asia trip 2025: The planned 2025 Asia journey begins on 14 September, visiting Beijing, Shenyang, Dandong, Shanghai, Nanjing, Taiwan and Thailand to reunite with friends and document historically significant locations.
Asia trip 2025 – part 1: The journey begins with arrival in Beijing with Hainan Airlines, noting Chinese carriers’ advantage flying over Russia, reactivating a Chinese mobile number, taking a luxurious Hongqi taxi, and dining at Morel, Beijing’s only Belgian restaurant.
Asia trip 2025 – part 2: In Beijing, China’s 12 core socialist values are examined alongside the city’s chaotic traffic and overwhelming presence of Chinese electric vehicle brands, followed by a visit to the Ferdinand Verbiest observatory honouring the Flemish Jesuit missionary’s astronomical contributions.
Asia trip 2025 – part 3: A visit to the ruins of Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) powerfully condemns the 1860 British and French looting and systematic destruction of the world’s greatest imperial garden as an unforgivable act of cultural genocide.
Asia trip 2025 – part 4: The journey continues through Beijing, Shenyang and Dandong, meeting friend Mario Cavolo, visiting the Korean War museum, comparing fuel prices, flying on the new Comac C919, and reflections on the declining Western presence in China.
Asia trip 2025 – part 5: Shanghai exploration includes ALDI stores, Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, crayfish dining, meeting China Daily’s retired EU Bureau Chief Chen Weihua, and comparing China’s dramatically lower electricity costs to Belgium’s whilst discussing State Grid Corporation’s failed Belgian investment.
Asia trip 2025 – part 6: China’s cashless society where ATMs are obsolete is examined alongside Shanghainese language preservation, a revisit to automotive technology transfer to Fuyao, meeting medical device manufacturer Colin Zhao, and comparing HSBC’s limited Chinese presence to dominant domestic banks.
Asia trip 2025 – part 7: High-speed train travel to Nanjing includes learning about China’s 600 km/h maglev system, meeting friends Steven Li and Professor Hu Fusun, and experiencing the extraordinary Fàn sīchú private kitchen restaurant.
Asia trip 2025 – part 8: A visit to Taiwan province includes meeting geopolitical analyst Jeff J. Brown in Puli, touring Baohu Temple and Sun Moon Lake, and critiquing Taiwan’s infrastructure stagnation compared to mainland China whilst advocating peaceful reunification.
Asia trip 2025 – part 9: Returning to Shanghai brings analysis of the Chinese coffee revolution overtaking Starbucks, observation of hotel delivery robots, praise for Chinese healthcare excellence, a visit to the historic Pathé Records building, and exploration of traditional wellness practices contributing to Chinese longevity.
Asia trip 2025 – part 10: The Asia journey concludes in Koh Samui, Thailand, experiencing the rainy season, mourning Queen Sirikit’s passing, enjoying spectacular beach fireworks, exploring botanical treasures, and visiting friends from the SamuiReal community.
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本文中文版： 2025亚洲之旅 – 第十一部分
Dit artikel in het Nederlands: Azië reis 2025 – deel 11
