Thailand's cultural and social roots are firmly set in the countryside, in fact, when Mahatma Gandhi said of his home country "... the real India is in the villages". He could just as easily have been referring to Thailand, a country whose political and cultural birth was in the "million rice fields" of the ancient Lanna Thai Kingdom.

For centuries European artists, especially painters, have been coming to Bali to soak in the heady air of complete artistic dedication that is the unique character of the Balinese people. Nowhere else will you find such a diversity of creative skills expressed by so few -- and the "Island of the Gods" could not be a more conducive location.

This is the ultimate mountain ride, a cycle-journey through Southeast Asia's most spectacular mountain range.

Cycle Southern Laos travels from the southern Laos lowlands of Pakse to the former colonial outpost of Champasak, then to the tranquil presence of Si Phan Don and the lush coffee plantations of the Bolovens Plateau.