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Hello everybody!

This is my first post in this subreddit. A friend of mine and I wanted to plan a trip to Raja Ampat in Indonesia because it is so remote and there are only few tourists. However, we thought we could explore the different islands independently by boat and kayak. Unfortunately it seems that exploration is always dependent on a guide which is really frustrating for people like us that are looking for an adventure.

Do you know about any other areas in Southeast Asia with remote islands and rental services where one could explore islands independently?

Thank you very much!

I'll be visiting Tokyo in Spring (can't wait), and I'd like to know what places are the best in terms of seeing the city from up high - places, buildings, peaks that are accessible to tourists. I've read about a few spots, and I mainly have this question - is it better to visit Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree? They both seem to have great views of the skyline, but they're also very different. The Tower looks interesting because of its history (and the best view is from the Special Observatory), while the Skytree is much taller, and you can even see Mount Fuji on a clear day from there. So, do I visit one or both? Or are there other places besides these two that are even better for a high view of the city? If anyone has been to either, could you tell me about the views in terms of height, visibility, and how much of Tokyo's skyline you can see? Thank you very much!

About a month ago, I read a piece on the discovery of large oil deposits in Pakistan's waters.

Quick summary of the same: Discovery of extensive natural gas and oil deposits in Pakistan's territorial waters could signify a major potential shift for Pakistan's energy landscape. Initial findings indicate that these reserves, located in the Indus Basin, could rank among the world’s largest, potentially positioning Pakistan with the fourth-largest deposit globally. This discovery, bolstered by the region’s tectonic activity between the Indian and Eurasian plates, which has created favorable conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation, may enable Pakistan to reshape its energy dynamics if the deposits prove commercially viable.

What does this mean from a geopolitical perspective? For Pakistan? For other countries? Lets assess below:

Pakistan: Could be transformative for the country’s economy and geopolitical influence. Economically, tapping into these resources could drastically reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported energy, lowering costs, improving energy security, and providing a boost to GDP through new jobs, infrastructure development, and export potential. A significant domestic supply could also stabilize energy prices and attract foreign investments in the energy and related sectors, further stimulating economic growth. Pakistan's economy is struggling and this discovery could be a real shot in the arm the country needs. Geopolitically, becoming a major energy player could elevate Pakistan’s standing in the world, giving it leverage in global energy markets and reshaping alliances.

However, several challenges could keep Pakistan from fully benefiting from this discovery. Extracting these resources will need advanced infrastructure, skilled workers, and steady investment - things Pakistan currently lacks. Political instability is also a big concern, as it could scare off foreign investors who view Pakistan as a risky place to do business. Safety issues from separatist groups and conflicts with India and Afghanistan add more hurdles. On top of that, Pakistan would need to think about environmental concerns and the global shift toward renewable energy. But the biggest factor is politics - if the pakistani politicians can, for once, work together for the country’s benefit, this discovery could truly be a game changer.

China: Could greatly benefit China as it offers an alternative energy source to the Middle East, thereby reducing its dependence on Middle Eastern oil and enhancing its energy security. China's close ties with Pakistan, bolstered by substantial investments in various sectors, position it to have significant influence over these newly discovered resources. Furthermore, as Pakistan's wealth increases due to these energy reserves, it could create a lucrative market for Chinese products, fostering deeper economic ties between the two nations. This development aligns with China’s broader strategy of securing energy resources and expanding its economic footprint in South Asia.

India: The impact of this discovery on India remains uncertain and complex. On one hand, if Pakistan successfully taps into these oil and gas reserves, it could enable the country to prosper and focus more on its own economy vs. creating troubles for India. This economic growth might lead to a reduction in tensions and conflicts that have historically troubled India, opening pathways for dialogue and potential cooperation in areas such as trade and regional stability. On the other hand, the increased economic resources flowing into Pakistan could also present significant risks for India for e.g., a more financially robust Pakistan might have greater capacity to fund militant groups and thus terrorist activities in India.

Impact on Other Oil-Producing Countries (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, etc.): This discovery is likely to negatively affect these countries. With oil prices already declining and a shift toward renewable energy, an increase in supply from Pakistan could push prices even lower, reducing revenues for these oil-dependent nations.

Western Countries: Similar to China, this discovery could benefit Western Europe by providing an alternative to Middle Eastern oil. It could open up new investment opportunities, strengthen economic ties, and enhance trade relationships. For the U.S. and Canada, the impact remains uncertain. While they could gain from increased trade relationships, they might also face challenges from an oversupply of oil, given that both countries are significant exporters of hydrocarbons.

What do you think?

https://preview.redd.it/rdpj52b1wmxd1.jpg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebd082db6c146b55414f1e2ac8f219123c037283

im doing this little expirement thing i have this old samsung phone i left with a friend of mine, and his long distance girlfriends visiting him from kazakhstan and i had this idea to give it to her and she'd give it to someone who'd give it to someone whod give it to someone and so, on my goal was for the phone to reach at least 3 or 4 different countries mainly i want it to reach japan and i want every single person that got hands on the phone to take some pictures of the country theyre in and their time there to document it and then after ive reached my goal id find a way for the phone to get back to me

is there anyone that would be willing to help me with this?

Hi,
I have not travelled much around Asia, not since backpacking 30 years ago, and then not to these countries.
Is my itinerary too much, from what I can gather it should be ok.
thanks.

June 2025 (flights in & out booked, happy to go in off season)
Vietnam=>Cambodia=>Malaysia=>Singapore

arrive Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City,
3 nights, fly to Hanoi
3 nights, fly to Cambodia - Siem Riep
3 nights fly to Phnom Penh
3 nights fly to Malaysia - Penang
3 nights fly to Kuala Lumpur
3 nights fly to Singapore

It was weird and came as a verry long youtube ad.Help me