Tag: southeast asia

Ganesh statue at a Hindu temple in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Guide to Bali: Budget Planning & Travel Tips

Updated May 2024 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

Read More »
Notre Dame Cathedral and scooter traffic in Saigon, Vietnam

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

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

Read More »
Cambodian National Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Two Weeks in Cambodia | Travel Diary

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

Read More »
angkor wat from the back entrance

How I Saw 10 Temples in Angkor in Just One Day

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.

Read More »

Cambodia Travel Advice: Backpacker’s Budget & Travel Tips

Updated May 2024 So, I had started my Southeast Asia trip in Myanmar followed by Laos. Now, I was ready for the next leg of the adventure, Cambodia. This is the ‘big one’ for many backpackers, myself included. Here is how I planned my trip and all my Cambodia travel advice:

Read More »
Swimming in the Blue Lagoon in Vang Vieng, Laos

Things to Do in Laos: Backpacking Guide, Budget and Itinerary

Updated May 2024 Backpacking Laos was easily one of the highlights of my whole Southeast Asia trip. I had a one week itinerary for Laos, which traversed from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, then Vang Vieng to Vientiane. There are loads of things to do in Laos, so I’ve put together a budget travel guide for a Laos backpacking route

Read More »
Long Bus Journeys in Southeast Asia

How to Survive Long-Haul Bus Journeys in Southeast Asia

It’s a rite of passage for all backpackers country-hopping around the continent. Despite your best efforts, you will definitely have to take a few long bus journeys in Southeast Asia. Whether it’s from city to city or country to country, the prices are so much cheaper than flying (and arguably safer than the trains).

Read More »
So that history does not repeat itself

So That History Does Not Repeat Itself: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Three pictures taken in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Three places that were difficult to visit, but too important not to miss. Let me share the stories behind them… Sometimes tourism is more than just a holiday in a nice resort, cocktail with curly straw in hand. More than being brave and backpacking solo around Southeast Asia, posting lovely photos of exotic

Read More »

How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang might be one of the most gorgeous places I have ever laid eyes on. From the sloping roofs of gold Buddhist temples to artfully plated French-influenced cuisine to the swirling coffee colours of the Mekong, I was utterly entranced. Partly by circumstance and partly my terrible planning on my part, I only had 24 hours to enjoy this

Read More »
Entrance to the Shwedagon Paya, Yangon, Myanmar

Burma Budget and My Myanmar Travel Tips

Update: At present, FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Myanmar (Burma). The first stop on my solo backpacking tour of Southeast Asia was a 10-day stint in Myanmar, historically known by the British as Burma. I’d heard amazing things from other travellers who had visited, especially of the stunning Bagan temples at sunset and lively Yangon.

Read More »