Malaysia

All you can hear is the sound of your own slow breathing. Lurid yellow, orange and pink fish flash by, like tiny electric bolts. Your flippers gently brush against the tips of swaying tropical plants and with each metre you swim deeper, there' another underwater scene, each one more mesmerising than the last. Welcome to the world of scuba diving.

In Sarawak, fortune favours the intrepid.  As Malaysia's largest state it isn't just beautiful, it's a land of wild encounters, of 140-million-year-old rainforests and unique tribal cultures. Those that tread lightly - who travel slowly and sustainably - will see a side to the region that few others do, for this is a destination that rewards a deeper exploration.  Spend a night in a tribal homestay, and you'll be welcomed as a member of the family. Join a turtle nesting project, and the beach reveals its wild side.

ABSEIL IN MALAYSIA
It’s an abseiling paradise in Malaysia, with several sumptuous locations on offer for a range of abilities.  Beginners would be advised to try Gunung Jerai in kedah or Gunung Tangsi in Negeri Sembilan, while the more experienced abseiler can’t fail to be impressed by the challenge the rivers, mountains and rainforests provide.  For those looking for the ultimate abseiling test, though, look no further than Sabah’s Gunung Kinabalu.  At just over 4,000 metres, it’s one of the highest – and toughest – mountains in southeast Asia.

When I read of places like the Sotano de las Golondrinas (Cave of Swallows) a huge 1200ft pit in Mexico that could swallow the Empire State Building, and the Oman monster, known as Majlis al Jinn (Meeting Room of the Spirits), the second largest cave chamber in the world.  It only leave me with a certain amount of respect and admiration for caves most for all for those that make it fun to explore as a hobby.  We have collated a list of caves for your next adventure in some of the world’s most striking geographical locations.