The Far East is great value for South Africans who quiver when they withdraw foreign currency from the bank before departing on an overseas holiday. You get so few dollars, pounds, yen, etc for your rands.
However, thanks to the enterprise of several travel agents and tour operators who offer attractive Far East packages, these days it's a great temptation to head east instead of to Europe, the United States and South America when departing from South Africa.
You will find the Far East fascinating in every way.
Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan - each of these countries has something unique to offer intrepid tourists.
Antiquities, temples, archaeology, interesting people with ancient cultures and very different ways of life are just a few of the temptations. Then there's food and, of course, shopping.
China is larger than life in so many ways. Take the terracotta warriors of Xi'an. In March 1974 a poor Chinese farmer named Yang Zhif, while searching for water, uncovered a lifesize terracotta soldier. He had unwittingly discovered a most important archaeological site, which today is called "the Eighth Wonder of the World".
At this huge site, 8 099 life-size Chinese terracotta warriors and horses guard the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor.
Then there's the Great Wall of China where, at Badaling, you can get off your bus and run for kilometres along the longest man-made wall in the world.
Frenetic Shanghai is warm and bustling, while Beijing is cold and bustling. A visit to Tiananmen Square is essential. Here you'll see the mausoleum of Chinese leader Mao Zedong, who ruled from 1949 until his death in 1976.
Hong Kong is its own city. Even under Chinese rule, it remains its own place, and for sheer diversity, you can't do better.
The Far East is a shopaholic's delight, and each large city has bargains galore. Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur offer electronic bargains, and then there are silks and jewellery.
Malaysia is one of the most beautiful countries, and the island of Borneo - shared by Malaysia and Indonesia - despite depletion of its forests, is still the retreat of the rare orangutan.
Thailand is entirely different and equally special. Bangkok buzzes, but inland and along the coast you'll see unsurpassed beauty and meet the most gentle people.
Then there's Japan, with its unique culture and traditions and its artistic perfection in everything from food to horticulture.
India is many worlds in one country, and you can travel from one state to another and believe you're on another planet.
For centuries, travellers have called the Far East mysterious. They're right - it's waiting to be explored and it's never been easier than now.