The small town of Mulanje in the south of Malawi is the centre of Malawi’s tea growing industry. The main attraction in the town is Mount Mulanje. Mulanje is a spectacular 650km2 granite inselberg that rises in dramatic isolation above the Phalombe Plains southeast of Blantyre. The massif consists of a plateau of rolling grassland set at an average elevation of 2,000m, but this is incised by several thickly wooded ravines, and studded with 20 peaks of 2,500m or higher, including Sapitwa, the highest point in central Africa at 3,002m. The structure and altitude of the mountain have led to the development of a unique climate for the area, which is charaterised by high rainfalls from November to April. This climate favours the development of unique ecology of rare and endemic life forms which contribute to the massif’s high biodiversity. The high rainfall, deep ravine and dense vegetation have favoured the birth of many rivers which supply reliable clean water to thousands of households in the surrounding plains.

credit: David Davies

Mount Bromo is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres, located some 4 hours drive from Surabaya, the capital of East Java. Watching the sun rise spectacularly over Mt Bromo is the highlight of any trip here. Mount Bromo which stands tall at 2329 m is one of the most iconic mountain in Indonesia. The most popular way to visit Mount Bromo is to take a roughly 45 minute scenic walk from either of the nearby mountain villages of Cemoro Lawang or Ngadisari. The Tenggerese are the native people, and they reside in quaint, flowered villages scattered in and around the park.

credit:  jmhullot

credit:  jmhullot

credit: sara marlowe

credit: johan wieland

credit: DamienHR

credit: kamsky

credit: skyseeker

credit: Arian Zwegers

credit: mararie

credit: dany13

credit: michael-day

credit: michael-day

The Batu Caves are located thirteen kilometers north of the capital city Kuala Lumpur. Caves are one of the most important Hindu religious sites outside of India. Every year hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees come to climb the grueling 272 steps up to the caverns. The main Batu Cave is known as the Temple Cave or Cathedral Cave. The cave serves as a Hindu Temple devoted to Lord Muragan whose 42 meter high gold statue stands guard outside.

credit: Christian Haugen