| Although Asia is mostly made up of various sizes | | | | Osado Skyline Drive, which cuts through the island |
| of island nations and several dense world capitals, | | | | via the Osado Mountains and Mount Kinpoku, the |
| there is a time and place to hire a car and push | | | | highest point on the island. Be sure to stop at the |
| the pedal to the floor. Here are some of Asia's | | | | scenic point at Hakuundai; don't forget, the road is |
| greatest drives perfect for those wanting the | | | | closed in winter |
| sense of thrill and freedom. Enjoy the | | | | The Phuket Northeast Loop – Thailand |
| breathtaking scenic drive as you feel the breeze | | | | Despite Phuket's busy atmosphere, there are a |
| of wind against your sun-tanned face. And don't | | | | few drives that you can take to get away and |
| forget to check up on our unusual list of road trip | | | | just watch the countryside roll by. One is the |
| songs for your perusal as you enjoy your Asia | | | | Mission Mills Drive but another popular one is |
| travel. | | | | dubbed the Phuket Northeast Loop. It starts at |
| Great Ocean Road – Australia | | | | the Heroines Monument and traverses a circle |
| Just a stone's throw from Melbourne is the Great | | | | along the east coast of the island. There's |
| Ocean Road, 151 miles of road wrapping around | | | | excellent views of Phang-nga Bay and little fishing |
| the southern coast of Australia. It is one of my | | | | villages along the way all waiting for you stop for |
| favourite places in the world to catch a sunset, | | | | some fresh seafood! Don't miss the statue of |
| especially if you happen to be in the area near the | | | | Ganesha (Ganesh), the elephant-headed Hindu god. |
| 12 Apostles, a set of limestone stacks that are | | | | Halsema Highway – Philippines |
| stunning. Don't miss the helicopter tour of the | | | | If you want to reach the highest point in the |
| coast if the weather isn't inclement, as well as the | | | | Philippines' highway system, then just head for the |
| discount surfer shops in Torquay.There are also | | | | Halsema Highway,which connects Baguio and |
| forest walks near Lorne which boats gorgeous | | | | Sagada. It is named after an engineer who |
| waterfalls, and the road runs near one of | | | | managed to get the roadway built through the |
| Australia's last remaining rainforests, the Great | | | | mountains. Besides the great views and endless |
| Otway National Park. | | | | farms and vegetable patches you'll see, there's |
| The Hai Van Pass – Vietnam | | | | something far more interesting to catch sight of. |
| The Hai Van Pass, on route 1A between Hue and | | | | It is a funny moment, one of those "only in Asia" |
| Hoian, was claimed to be a "deserted ribbon of | | | | sights when you see one for the first time. You |
| perfection…one of the best coastal roads in the | | | | see, many of the villages along this route have |
| world." Hai Van means ocean clouds, and indeed | | | | erected monuments to their main exports: |
| the mountainous valley is often covered with mist. | | | | vegetables.That's right – be sure to stop for a |
| The route has an alternate path, the Hai Van | | | | photo opportunity at the potato statue, the |
| Tunnel, because for many drivers this is one | | | | carrot statue, etc. Only by in Asia … |
| difficult drive so keep this in mind should you want | | | | Twizel to Mount Cook – New Zealand |
| to attempt it yourself! But with the green hillsides, | | | | You'll never see water so turquoise as the surreal |
| the shimmering ocean, and mountain peaks all | | | | waters of Lake Pukaki in the center of New |
| within eyesight, this is a very special place indeed. | | | | Zealand's South Island. The 39 mile drive from |
| Osado Skyline Drive – Sado Island, Japan | | | | Twizel runs along the seemingly endless Lake |
| While Sado Island has been refuge to many | | | | Pukaki, terminating in Mount Cook Village,in the |
| political rebels over the years, tourists come to | | | | shadow of the snowy caps of Mount Cook, the |
| Sado for a bit of peace and quiet. With only | | | | tallest mountain in the country. From the village |
| 70,000 local residents, there is plenty of room to | | | | you have the option of many hikes or excursions |
| stretch out and relax while enjoying the lush | | | | out onto Lake Pukaki. There are many wonderful |
| green Osado Mountains, sea cliffs, and tiny little | | | | drives in this region (a fact you will confirm just |
| fishing ports. Hiking is quite popular on the island, | | | | getting to Twizel) but this particular section is a |
| but don't miss the 155 miles of coastline roads to | | | | real charmer. |
| explore. The best views can be had from the | | | | |