Asian Literature | The Best Books About Southeast Asia

Reading a book in the sun - Southeast Asia

So, I recently made Southeast Asia my home by officially moving to Bangkok! I’ve celebrated in the only way I know how – adding the best books about Southeast Asia to my ever-growing reading wishlist and further expanding on my knowledge of Asian literature (see my list of the best Japanese novels for more on that topic too).

Here, I’m recommending one novel set in each country in Southeast Asia (available in English) and where possible, by an author from that country too. Also, just a friendly reminder that I have a printable World Book List, which lists one recommended read for every country in world – you can get a copy if you sign up to the Page Traveller monthly newsletter. Read more

On Moving to Bangkok and Gripping the Second Trapeze

Bangkok skyline from rooftop gardens

I moved to Bangkok.

Forgive me for the blunt delivery, but when I came to write this post I wasn’t sure what I want to say about it. I didn’t want to say, “Look at me and my jet-set lifestyle – I just casually moved to Bangkok!” because there’s been a complex backstory to get me here.

I didn’t want this to be “Everything’s fine now, I’m back in Asia!” because as I’ve learned the hard way this past year, packing up your life and moving to the other side of the world doesn’t solve your problems, no matter how much travel inspires you.

And finally, I didn’t want to say, “By the way, I just moved to Bangkok NBD” because it is a big deal for me. I’m working as a content writer for a sustainable travel company in one of the coolest cities in the world (no humblebrag intended). It’s a big change and finally – F I N A L L Y – one that feels good and has come about for the right reasons. Read more

The Best Buddha Quotes About Life

Buddha Statue

Who else loves a good Buddha quote? *Raises hand* Yup, sometimes I just need a little pick-me-up from the B. Man. So, if you’re like me, then please enjoy this little compilation of the best Buddha quotes about life that have finally pulled me out of my blog slump.

After #40days40blogs I kinda burnt out on blog writing. My week off turned into two… or maybe three… and then four. I’ve still been working on here behind the scenes, polishing up content and improving the site in general. But, I’ll admit that I’ve been putting off the actual writing for a while.

Then, last week was the ole Buddha’s Birthday, a public holiday in Hong Kong, though sadly not back here in the UK (Corbyn, add it to the list?). I found myself getting sucked down the rabbit hole of Pinterest ‘Buddha Quote’ pins with equal amounts of procrastination and (p)inspiration…

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

Buddha Quote Peace- Young Buddhist Monk With Umbrella Read more

Two Months in Southeast Asia Itinerary | Backpacking on a Shoestring Budget

Two Month Itinerary in Southeast Asia - Travelling Asia on a Backpacker's Shoestring Budget

Does the idea of travelling around Southeast Asia for two months sound a bit daunting? I felt the same when I came to plan my own itinerary, especially as I knew I would be backpacking on a shoestring budget. Two months in Southeast Asia sounds like a long time, but with so much to see and do, you need to make sure you’re not spreading yourself (or your budget!) too thinly.

Therefore, I have compiled this detailed post as a comprehensive travel guide to all the places I managed to squeeze into my two months in Southeast Asia, travelling solo and backpacking on a cheap shoestring budget, including:

  • Things to know before you go
  • How to plan a detailed itinerary on a budget
  • My personal budget travel hacks
  • Individual country guides that will help you choose where to go in Southeast Asia and inform how much things cost in each destination.

This is a long post because I wanted to provide as much information as possible (you can never do too much research!), so I advise you take it in in bite-size chunks, print it out or save it to return to when you need it. Also, if you’re more interested in general budget travelling advice, I have a separate post – The Ultimate Trip Planner: How to Make the Most of Your Backpacking Budget.

Southeast Asia Travel Guide: Before You Go

Before you set off on your Southeast Asia tour, there are a few things you need to know and get sorted before you go. Naturally, I left my planning to a few weeks before I went off backpacking Asia and then had to run around like a headless chicken sorting all of it out. So basically, don’t be an idiot like me. Read more

Two Weeks in Bali, A Series of Unfortunate Events | Travel Diary

Uluwatu, Bali - Two Weeks in Bali

I’d witnessed Bagan sunsets in Myanmar, splashed around in the lagoons of Laos, buffed up on history in Cambodia and stuffed my face with Vietnamese delicacies in Saigon. I was, sadly, coming to the end of my big Southeast Asian backpacking trip, but at least I was going out on a high. It was time for an incredible two weeks in Bali.

After five years of living on the continent, this trip was something of a farewell to Asia. And my final two weeks in Bali were a farewell to that trip itself. After six weeks of sightseeing, I was ready to flop on a beach somewhere, stretch out with some yoga and relax with a cocktail in hand. Read more

Guide to Bali: Budget Planning & Travel Tips

Guide to Bali - Cover

After lugging my backpack around Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, I had finally reached the last destination on my backpacking bucket list. I had finally arrived in Bali! So, after all my previous ‘travel advice’ posts, this is the final one: my guide to Bali, Indonesia.

I couldn’t wait to go to surf school, laze on the beach all day and stretch out my aching back (backpacks are heavy, y’all!) at yoga. However, what greeted me in Bali completed exceeded my expectations.

Here is my full itinerary, budget details, travel tips and general guide to Bali: Read more

Don’t Miss Saigon! | A Few Days in Ho Chi Minh City | Travel Diary

Don't Miss Saigon - Cover

I had spent 10 days in Myanmar, only one week in Laos and then two weeks in Cambodia, but I had only set aside a few days to explore Ho Chi Minh City, also known fondly as Saigon. It was my second visit to Vietnam, having been to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay back in 2013, but I desperately wanted to see ‘the Pearl of the Orient’ before I left Asia for good.

Having wangled a bus journey from Cambodia and rearranged some flights, I managed to squeeze a few days in HCM City into my Southeast Asian tour. Here is my travel diary from my very short dip into Vietnam and Saigon: Read more

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Advice & Budget Planning

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Advice Cover

So, I’d covered Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Next was a brief few days in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, also known fondly by its previous name, Saigon. I only spent a few days in the city, so here is my Ho Chi Minh City travel advice and budget planning for a brief visit.

This was my second trip to Vietnam, having visited Hanoi and explored Ha Long Bay back in 2013. I’d heard great things about Saigon, so even though I’d experienced some of Vietnam before, I didn’t want to leave it off my Southeast Asia backpacking trip. Read more

Two Weeks in Cambodia | Travel Diary

Two Weeks in Cambodia - 1

OK, so if you’ve been keeping track then you’ll know that so far on my travel diary, I’ve done 10 days in Myanmar, one week in Laos. Next up in my Southeast Asian adventures is two weeks in Cambodia.

I had been anticipating a trip to Cambodia ever since I first moved to Asia, so this part of my trip was definitely a treat for me. For a detailed itinerary of my trip, you can read my previous post on Cambodia travel advice.

Here is my travel diary from my two weeks in Cambodia:

Day 1 – Vientiane, Laos to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Two Weeks in Cambodia -
Phnom Penh Central Market

After an intense one-week fling with my new lover, Laos, I was now ready to head to my next destination. I started my two weeks in Cambodia in Phnom Penh, flying into the capital city. Read more

Real-life Temple Run | How I Saw 10 Temples in Angkor in just One Day

Temples in Angkor Cover - Angkor Thom

My recent trip to Cambodia was on a shoestring budget. With tickets to visit the ancient city of Angkor starting at US$37 for one day and a limited time in Siem Reap, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to see that many temples in Angkor.

Hostel staff advised that I would be able to see five temples in Angkor if I took a bike, more with a guide. My trusty Lonely Planet told me I could only manage three Angkor temples in 24 hours.

Temples in Angkor - Angkor Thom

Not to be thwarted, I rented a bike for the day for US$3 and decided I would try and see as many as I could. I left my hostel at 4am, cycling through unlit city streets to get to the ticket office (confusingly, notwhere  near the entrance of Angkor), before heading to Angkor Wat for sunrise.

I didn’t see five temples. I didn’t see three. I saw TEN temples in Angkor and I have the sweat-drenched t-shirt and toned glutes to prove it! Here are the ten temples in Angkor that I managed to squeeze into just one day: Read more

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