Asian Travel Pioneer

13/12/2023

Welcome to New China Town on one of the man-made islands off the coast of Jakarta. The city continues to expand and sink. But do these fancy islands with expensive shoppingmalls and villas offer a solution? For the time being, only rich Chinese live there... worth a good story.

07/12/2023

Buddies

06/12/2023

A history of Buru, one of the Malukku spice islands

Yellow balls that look somewhat like pears hang from the tree. “Nutmeg,” explains King Raja Aziz Hentihu of Leisela, a kingdom in the west of the Moluccan island Buru, which is a half-hour flight from Ambon. I see real nutmeg for the first time in the years I lived in Indonesia. King Raja grimaces. In order to gain a monopoly on these spices, Dutch soldiers, on the orders of governor Jan Pieterszoon Coen, killed almost the entire population of Banda islands in 1621. “On Buru we managed to ignore the Belandas, the Dutch,” the king says proudly. They continued to trade and sell their nutmeg. Raja Aziz descended from one of the oldest royal families. He is the leader of 24 tribes. which each 'tribe' has its own 'lord', leader. Together they own plantations of 70 hectares along the coast. Foreign companies are trying to buy the land, but under the leadership of Aziz, the people will not let themselves be played by neocolonialists. Like other Moluccan islands, Buru has a turbulent history. The writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer spent years in a prison camp there because of his criticism of General Suharto. Here he wrote his famous tetralogy, including This Earth of Mankind, an indictment against colonialism and the oppression of people. I interviewed him three times. The last time I met him in Jakarta was just before his passing. Before I say goodbye to Buru with its friendly people and all the beautiful greenery, I stop by the old prison camp of Pramoedya. Unfortunately, people's suffering continues all over the world, including Buru.

05/12/2023

Ambon Manisee! Sweet, sweet Ambon. I'm so happy that I could go back to the beautiful Malukku islands this week. During the time I was a correspondent for the Dutch media in Jakarta I only saw it 'bleeding'. Due to political fights in the capital people here were set up to each other. The old bond between all 'sisters and brothers', the Pela Gandong', has been restored. I felt in love with this beautiful island, the colourfull markets, white beaches and the smile of the Malukku people. See you soon! Thanks Miranda Gee for inviting me 😍❤️✨️

28/11/2023

Selamat datang di Indonesia🥰

28/08/2023

Sir John Soane was an English architect specialised in the Neo-Classical style. The son of a bricklayer, rose to the top of his profession, travelled the world, art collector and he left his houses as a musea free to enter so everyone could enjoy 😉

26/08/2023

Crisscrossed the city of London today with my brother who lives here for more than two decades and our kids. Passed the Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben, St.Paul Cathedral, Downing Street, the Parliament buildings, with the statue of Winston Churchill in the front, walked alongside the river Thames, passed beautiful green parks and the most gorgeous historical buildings. We saw young dancers, musicians, impressive art and the best fashion of new designers, got overwhelmed of the smell of perfumes in Regent street, was amazed at the sight of many too expensive cars with Kuwaiti numberplates flown over a weekend parked in front of expensive hotels, queues of people waiting for a shop to see the newest at least 1000 pound handbag, and ended the day with dutch bitterballen and Indian curries. New day today: let's go for more adventure 🎊👏🤣🥳
Life on his 👌 ✨️ and last but not least: best photographer of these beautiful pictures: Naomi Sri van Zijl ❤️

23/08/2023

Celebrate with Asian Travel Pioneers the 'golden' colors of autumn in Hunza Valley with the most welcoming people of Pakistan.

We show you Baltit Fort, once the palace of the Mir, the empire of Hunza, these days a museum, Ganesh, the oldest settlement alongside the river. Have tea and a spectacular sunset from one of the hills. On the way to the Chinese border, the next day with the highest douane in the world, we make a stop at Attabadlake, to have the best walnut cake in Pasu. Afterward, we’ll see the border post spend the night in the bungalow, guesthouse, at the polo field. The next day we take an easy walk, enjoy the view of the famous Pasu corns, a mountain reeks, and visit some self-made handicrafts shops. The next day we take the new silk road back to Islamabad.

We go by car with a professional driver (Jeep club member) and tour leader. We have booked good (very clean) hotels and will ensure the utmost best for you.
For the tour date:
31st August- 4 September
3 places are left.

We offer you this private golden autumn trip including car, petrol, driver, and hotel with breakfast for 55.000 pkr pp.
You can book this and get more information

Amir Aaqib 92 3335177655
Wilma van der Maten 92 3196555410

23/08/2023

Celebrate with Asian Travel Pioneers the 'golden' colors of autumn in Hunza Valley with the most welcoming people of Pakistan.

We show you Baltit Fort, once the palace of the Mir, the empire of Hunza, these days a museum, Ganesh, the oldest settlement alongside the river. Have tea and a spectacular sunset from one of the hills. On the way to the Chinese border, the next day with the highest douane in the world, we make a stop at Attabadlake, to have the best walnut cake in Pasu. Afterward, we’ll see the border post spend the night in the bungalow, guesthouse, at the polo field. The next day we take an easy walk, enjoy the view of the famous Pasu corns, a mountain reeks, and visit some self-made handicrafts shops. The next day we take the new silk road back to Islamabad.

We go by car with a professional driver (Jeep club member) and tour leader. We have booked good (very clean) hotels and will ensure the utmost best for you.
For the tour date:
31st August- 4 September
3 places are left.

We offer you this private golden autumn trip including car, petrol, driver, and hotel with breakfast for 55.000 pkr pp.
You can book this and get more information

Amir Aaqib 92 333 5177655
Wilma van der Maten 92 3196555410

14/08/2023

Yes we did it! Cleaning up the market of Islamabad. 5 years ago we already demonstrated for Green!

05/08/2023

Congratulations to the Pakistani elite and the establisment! After more than 150 playful charges, varying from killing unknown people, blasphemy, terrorism, rioting, the ruling goverment found a least a judge who was prepared to declare Imran Khan guilty for stealing watches. He received during his tenure as PM. Presents from heads of states. Nothing new. Where is the expensive jewelry the family Nawaz is wearing also national gifts. Anyways. KHAN has been arrested five days before this goverment will resolve parliament with the elections ahead. This cat and mouse game was all planned to get IK in prison so he can't join. But let see what the Supreme Court will say. At least: long live democracy 🥳 in Pakistan. hurrah hurrah!

21/06/2023

People and communities all over the world are fighting against climate change as this farmer in China. Who studied law to become a lawyer
to sue a chemical company...bravo!

18/06/2023

Back in Indonesia after a long time! I will follow soon! Miss my friends

09/06/2023

Tracing the source of the Ahr River in Germany. Guess what! We found the start of this beautiful river in a house in the historical village Blankenheim! For 4 days we walked alongside the Ahr. So peacefull. But in the night of 14th of July 2021 the river changed in a monster. Almost all the houses are still damaged by the floods and waiting for reconstruction. Also out of solidarity visit this beautiful Ahr Valley and start your tour from the basement in Blankenheim Village. The source. You see the water woman in front of the window.

07/06/2023

In green green wonderland where life is like paradise. Peaceful, quit, and simple beautiful. I could stay here for ever.

07/06/2023

Part 2 Red Wine Trail Ahr Valley Germany with historical towns, monestries full of art, beautiful hikes trough fields and the Ahr River...but still I saw a lot of devastation after the floods of 2021. People are happy with every tourist to rebuild their homes and lifes. Still good place to travel autentic with very friendly locals. 👌 🍷🌿

05/06/2023

'Red wine trail' Ahr Valley Germany. Floods in 2021 killed 200 people and destroyed many villages. Still 2 years later, so many houses are in renovation process. Beautiful area for walks, enjoy nature and conclude that even Germany faces difficulties with renovation after devastated floods. Costs 30 billion euro.

28/05/2023

Hotel for insects Texel

28/05/2023

The Wadden island Texel is not only famous for sheep and a beautiful nature. Is was also an important part of the Atlatinc Wall, the coastal defend line against the Germans, during World War 2. One of the last battles on Texel was the uprising of a Georgian battalion I learned today when I passed a graveyard for Georgian soldiers on a hill. They were taken prison on the Eastern front by the Germans in the winter of 1941-1942 and sent to Texel. There they initiated a revolt against the Germans almost at the end of world war 2 with support of the locals. A bloody battle, the last of the war on Dutch soil, ended May 20 with 514 Georgians dead, dozens of Texel locals and at least 200 German soldiers. The Texel cemetery of the Georgians soldiers is the final resting place. Nearby the coast there are still a lot of 'bunkers' once a part of the Atlantic Wall. An interesting historical walk nearby the see.

21/05/2023

Naomi's Green garden bike

20/05/2023

Shopping colours with my new shopping bike

15/05/2023

Stork with her birdies alongside river The IJssel Netherlands

02/05/2023

We took our guests from the Netherlands yesterday to the Salt Mines in Khewra. The biggest and the oldest salt mine of Pakistan. And not so far from the mines Katas Raj, a complex of several Hindu temples. All connected to one another by walkways. The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas which is regarded as sacred by Hindus. The complex is located in the Potohar Plateau just 2,5 hours by car. Thanks for joining and thanks to our master guide Amir Aaqib. You can book your tour with us, private of with a group 92 3196555410. Asian Travel Pioneer

01/05/2023

Asian Travel Pioneer is moving on with tourists from Europe visiting Pakistan.

Last week we organised together with Imran William a heritage tour for a Dutch family and their little ones to the old city of Lahore. This weekend Amir Aaqib showed them the Buddhist Stupa's and Khanpur Lake. You can also book your tour whats app 92 3196555410 Asian Travel Pioneer

27/04/2023

Kingsday the Hague, young entrepreneurs

28/03/2023

26/03/2023

Family time Texel the Netherlands

26/03/2023

Postbox Texel Netherlands

12/03/2023

Spring has arrived, time to enjoy the lovely weather before the heat will start! So join us for a combinational hike and walk at the Wilde Piste 😎 in D12 Islamabad (you don't need an NOC).For bicycle lovers we start at F- 10 where we have rented your bike and where the bicycle owner will adjust your cycle. For walkers we take you to D 12 the Buddha Caves where according to oral history Buddha lived here some 2000 years ago. Cyclers and walkers meet each other in front of the caves. From here we take the path up to the Ban Fagiran temple and the old historic mosque. There is a family living here who knows everything about nature and prepares the best herbal green tea. From here you see Khanpur. After the hike we have lunch together. Package depends on transport and bike....around 2500 pkr.

More info? Whatsapp Amir Aaqib 03335177655
or
Wilma van der Maten 03196555410 🌱🎭🌄

06/03/2023

The best Dutch travel program 'Along the silk road' of these two adventurers; Rubin and Jelle who got more than one million viewers!

Best part of the story: the trip to the north was organised by our local team. Yes! Do you want to see this incredible Pakistani landscape?
Book your tour with Asian Travel Pioneers🫶🏾.....

19/02/2023

Doggies day with Sher and Martine

19/02/2023

Sun sea beach and pollution