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Articles by Asia backpacking
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City! Crazy and chaotic Saigon, Vietnam!
Known as Ho Chi Minh city since the late 70’s the city is still often referred to as Saigon by pretty much everyone…even VC vets we’ve spoken to! Saigon is a busy, bustling, crazy kind of place, it almost makes you feel like you can’t get your breath at times. With the worlds largest number of motorbikes buzzing around, bright propaganda screaming down at you and street selling shouting in every direction it can be a hard city to gel with.
Two week Sri Lanka itinerary to explore the top things to do in Sri Lanka
After surprising our family with a secret trip home for Christmas, all the way from Australia, we decided rather than just fly all the way back down under in one we would visit a few places on the way. After calling in at Berlin and then Dubai for a few days we had a full two weeks to explore Sri Lanka.
Things to do in the Cameron Highlands:
Malaysia is such a diverse country and one of the places that really illustrates that is the landscape of the Cameron Highlands. Whilst the rest of the country is baked in sun and sweating in the humid conditions, up here the temperature and climate is totally different. The landscape, wildlife and the lifestyle is unique to this region of the country and the tea plantation blanketed mountains provide some of the best hiking in the region.
Things to do in the Cameron Highlands:
Malaysia is such a diverse country and one of the places that really illustrates that is the landscape of the Cameron Highlands. Whilst the rest of the country is baked in sun and sweating in the humid conditions, up here the temperature and climate is totally different. The landscape, wildlife and the lifestyle is unique to this region of the country and the tea plantation blanketed mountains provide some of the best hiking in the region.
What to do in Penang in 3 days
Malaysia, as we’ve waxed lyrical before about, became one of our favourite countries in South East Asia. The amount of diversity within the culture, landscape, architecture and activities on offers across the two halves of the country are unrivalled.
Seeing Orangutans in Borneo: A magical experience seeing this fascinating endangered animal in its natural setting.
Flying over to the Malaysian part of Borneo most have one main objective: To see the endangered Orangutans in their natural environment in the only place in the world where they exist. With dwindling numbers over the last few decades this bucket list item is even harder to tick. However with many amazing conservation areas being set up my the Malaysian authorities to nurture these fascinating and enchanting creatures the future is looking bright for our close relatives in the trees.
Seeing Orangutans in Borneo: A magical experience seeing this fascinating endangered animal in its natural setting.
Flying over to the Malaysian part of Borneo most have one main objective: To see the endangered Orangutans in their natural environment in the only place in the world where they exist. With dwindling numbers over the last few decades this bucket list item is even harder to tick. However with many amazing conservation areas being set up my the Malaysian authorities to nurture these fascinating and enchanting creatures the future is looking bright for our close relatives in the trees.
A Guide To The Beautiful & Adventurous town
Vang Vieng was once a byword for backpackers excess and the devastating effects it can have on a place. In the past this wonderful village surrounded by mountains and stunning rivers was described as a “Paradise Lost”, engulfed by the drunken backpackers who would pass through without a care for the culture or indeed the opportunities for true adventure travel here.
A Guide To The Beautiful & Adventurous town
Vang Vieng was once a byword for backpackers excess and the devastating effects it can have on a place. In the past this wonderful village surrounded by mountains and stunning rivers was described as a “Paradise Lost”, engulfed by the drunken backpackers who would pass through without a care for the culture or indeed the opportunities for true adventure travel here.
Visiting the awe inspiring Leshan Giant Buddha in China, the largest pre modern Buddha in the world! A perfect day trip from Chengdu.
A magical and mysterious place, this ancient wonder left us in awe and made a perfect day trip from Chengdu to Leshan. The sheer scale of this enormous place almost too much to take in, the 90 year project of a dedicated monk it is still one of China’s most sacred Buddhist locations.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus or the overnight train Bangkok Chiang Mai?
Thailand is an incredible place to travel around whether on holiday or on a backpacking trip around the world you will find it one of the easiest countries in South East Asia to navigate! However, it is still a relatively large country with great distances to be covered from one region to another.
Alternatives to the crowded Blue Mosque: The incredible Suleymaniye Mosque and it's authentic neighbourhood!
Strolling around Istanbul, the intoxicating air of history, the well worn streets and the breathlessness of the electrifying hum draws you into its endless energy. A city split between two continents, a city of sharp contrasts and diversity, a beacon of symbolism for Turkey, its modern incarnation and long historic enduring historic past.
The ultimate guide to a budget Sri Lanka itinerary
Sri Lanka is a magical place to visit, full of beautiful beaches, ancient wonders, friendly locals, amazing food, wonderful culture and all on an incredibly low budget. The small island nation offers so much to see and do for its modest size which makes it easy and affordable to travel around. Mix this together and you have a backpackers heaven just made for exploration and an epic adventure for both the first time backpacker and the more seasoned travellers alike.
The beautiful and historic town tourism spoilt!
Hoi An Vietnam was one of those places that whilst travelling through Vietnam kept coming up time and time again, each person we spoke to seemed to come to the same conclusion, a nice place but actually quite horrible in many ways.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City! Crazy and chaotic Saigon, Vietnam!
Known as Ho Chi Minh city since the late 70’s the city is still often referred to as Saigon by pretty much everyone…even VC vets we’ve spoken to! Saigon is a busy, bustling, crazy kind of place, it almost makes you feel like you can’t get your breath at times. With the worlds largest number of motorbikes buzzing around, bright propaganda screaming down at you and street selling shouting in every direction it can be a hard city to gel with.
Prices, travel and lion rock on a budget
When travelling to Sri Lanka one of the top places to visit has to be Sigiriya Rock, the impressive and historic fortress was a highlight of our time travelling around this beautiful country. However the expensive Sigiriya price puts many people off and almost did the same for us too. For such an inexpensive country the Sigiriya price is beyond acceptable, however some experiences are worth paying for and others are worth taking the budget option.
Best beaches in the world after backpacking through 60+ countries!
We have to admit, we’ve never really been beach people! But travelling through South East Asia and Australia we might have just been converted!! We usually head straight for the mountains, trekking through jungles or even exploring a great city, but we’ve always got a little bored on trips to the beach! However, we never really visited a beach that blew us away, once we started swimming with turtles, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving and discovering amazing coastal walks then our mind were...
Two week Sri Lanka itinerary to explore the top things to do in Sri Lanka
After surprising our family with a secret trip home for Christmas, all the way from Australia, we decided rather than just fly all the way back down under in one we would visit a few places on the way. After calling in at Berlin and then Dubai for a few days we had a full two weeks to explore Sri Lanka.
Things to do in Dubai on a budget
For most backpackers heading out to South East Asia, Australia or New Zealand, Dubai is a natural layover and most flights pass through here. Many of those passing through on long trips overseas will be on a tight budget and might consider just passing through this notoriously expensive city and braving the excruciatingly long flight connections, which we did the first time we flew to China.
Chengdu panda tour and if you should hold a panda chengdu
For years visiting this place has been on our bucket list. Seeing these wonderful and clumsy creatures in a place as close as possible to the wild was a dream. To see them being so well looked after, protected and eventually prepared for the wild was the most rewarding element of the day.
Here's how to avoid the Mui Ne corrupt police scam when riding through Vietnam
So, you are riding your bike through Vietnam and having the time of your life on this epic journey. Along the way you have been greeted with smiles, waves off Police and generally been treated well.
Don't miss Bali because of the tourists! Here's authentic Bali, Indonesia!
Bali is a destination that seems to split opinion. Many flock their due to its popularity, especially backpackers and Australian tourists. Others avoid it like the plague exactly because of that, considering it to be too touristy and lacking in real culture.
Things to do in Coron: Make the most of this paradise island in Palawan
Most people have gathered by now that the Philippines is paradise, though there does seem to be some out there that still need a little convincing of this. Sure it’s not Thailand or The Seychelles, but that’s a good thing! Here on the small and unassuming island of Coron off the northern end of the island of Palawan tourism is still in its infancy. Here local culture still thrives, prices are cheap and tourists are fewer in numbers than in some of the more well know beach resorts around the world.
The stunning turquoise waters of Palawan on a El Nido island hopping trip!
El Nido, on the island of Palawan in the Philippines is paradise on earth! Crystal clear warm turquoise waters, amazing limestone formations, pristine secret beaches, hidden lagoons and perfect weather! No wonder after 9 months backpacking we couldn’t wait to drop our bags and hop straight onto one of the traditional wooden boats and sail around this magnificent region.
The intense two day hike up this 13,435ft peak!
Climbing Mount Kinabalu, one of the tallest mountains in South East Asia had been one of the first things I wrote down on our “to do” list in the region. As the list inevitably grew over time and encompassed some amazing and immense bucket list experiences and many more we didn’t even know about until we arrive… Mt. Kinabalu still loomed large.
Seeing the amazing and charming Orangutans in Borneo, Malaysia!
Flying over to the Malaysian part of Borneo most have one main objective: To see the endangered Orangutans in their natural environment in the only place in the world where they exist. With dwindling numbers over the last few decades this bucket list item is even harder to tick. However with many amazing conservation areas being set up my the Malaysian authorities to nurture these fascinating and enchanting creatures the future is looking bright for our close relatives in the trees.
Hiking in the amazing tea plantations of The Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Malaysia is such a diverse country and one of the places that really illustrates that is the landscape of the Cameron Highlands. Whilst the rest of the country is baked in sun and sweating in the humid conditions, up here the temperature and climate is totally different. The landscape, wildlife and the lifestyle is unique to this region of the country and the tea plantation blanketed mountains provide some of the best hiking in the region.
Things to do in KL: Our guide to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!
KL seems to be one of those love it or hate it places, some people told us of how they instantly fell it love with the intense mixture of culture, history, energy and food. Others proclaim it to be a boring city with little to offer but a concrete jungle of tall buildings and maze like malls. So arriving on the bus from Singapore we were unsure what to expect, but as a place we had wanted to visit for a long time we were keen to give it a chance and explore all it had to offer.
Our guide to little visited Badar Seri Begawan on Borneo
Of all the countries in South East Asia little old Brunei must be the least visited. Despite seeing far fewer tourists in Myanmar than in places like Thailand we didn’t even spot a single on in this oil rich Kingdom. It’s remote location on two small strips of land on Borneo, its awkward transport links and reputation for being overly strict lead to it being missed out my many was they travel through this region.
Singapore on a budget: How to do this amazing city on the cheap!
Singapore is one of Asian’s most interesting countries, a bustling metropolis, so clean and well organised with so many western influences that create a real east meets west feel. Initially we were unsure how we would find the city, whether it would feel to clinical and be devoid of personality. But beyond the squeaky clean exterior lies a rich and unique culture.
Strolling around the awe inspiring Shwedagon pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) - The Roaming Renegades
A day after Myanmar’s crazy New Year celebrations, the water festival of Thingyan, we headed for the countries most sacred and beautiful temple. We might have been forgiven for feeling “templed out” at this stage in our South East Asian adventure, however this was one not to be missed. The shimmering gold stupa of the Shwedagon pagoda can be seem from almost anywhere in the city, a beacon of religious pride that calls the faithful from all corners of this wonderful country.
Visiting the majestic and sacred Myanmar Golden Rock Pagoda
Ever since I saw a strange and somewhat obscure photo of this shimmering rock teetering off the side of a cliff I knew I had to visit. The mysterious land of Myanmar called me in with its untouched and mesmerising culture as soon as I learnt of its endless charms.
Ayutthaya Thailand: The lost world of ancient Thailand & a treasure trove of temples
Ayutthaya Thailand is the one time ancient capital of the Siam, the precursor to the modern day kingdom of Thailand. Founded in 1350 it is Thailands answer to Angkor Wat or Bagan, a huge complex of crumbling ancient temples awaits the intrepid to explore this historic gem. Easily accessible from Bangkok Ayutthaya can make a great day trip or an enjoyable adventure for a couple of days away from the business of Bangkok.
Faloe Hostel, Kota Kinabalu: A modern, homely and down right perfect hostel in this amazing city on Borneo! - The Roaming Renegades
Faloe hostel isn’t just a hostel, it is a small and homely converted space ran by a wonderful young couple. They literally make you feel like family when you stay here, welcoming you into the fold with a huge smile and a warm heart. You don’t feel like guests but like you are staying at home surrounded by amazing people, comfortable settings and a fun environment. Staying at Faloe Hostel was one of the highlights of Borneo and we extended our stay so many times I thought we might never leave.
Falling for hippy heaven in Thailand: Things to do in Pai
The longer we spent travelling around South East Asia the more we heard of this little mysterious place in the very north of Thailand with a funny old name: Pai! Everyone who had been was raving about this hippy hideaway in the hills that feels miles away from normal life, where you can explore by day and chill by night and often never want to leave! We rented a bike and headed off from Chiang Mai through the 762 turns not really knowing what would await! Would it turn out to be all its...
Chiang Mai things to do: The amazing and adventure filled Thai city that instantly felt like home
Chiang Mai is one of those places we just knew we were going to love before even arriving. There is a legend surrounding this perfectly sized city surrounded by a wealth of activities, culture, food and amazing Chiang Mai budget accommodation.
Chiang Mai trekking in the jungle: Great hiking but we left with mixed feelings
Chiang Mai trekking in the jungles of Northern Thailand was something we had wanted to do even before we knew anything else about the area, about trekking in South East Asia or even had any other plans for backpacking. It became our code word for the adventures we would have on our long term travels but also for the discomfort it might bring! So to be finally in the “Thai Jungle” was a surreal moment for sure.
The temple town of Luang Prabang Laos: Buddhism, Monks, Rivers and Rich Culture! - The Roaming Renegades
After the combination of the chaos and beauty of the one time party town of Vang Vieng it was time for a very different atmosphere with Luang Prabang. This regal and sacred town on the banks of the mighty Mekong is home to 33 UNESCO listed temples and more bright orange clad monks than you can wrap your head around and a peaceful and charming colonial charm. Heading to Luang Prabang Laos almost feels like a pilgrimage with all the religious emphasis here and the air of devotion.
Heres our guide: Things to do Vang Vieng, Laos. This amazing outdoor paradise
Vang Vieng was once a byword for backpackers excess and the devastating effects it can have on a place. In the past this wonderful village surrounded by mountains and stunning rivers was described as a “Paradise Lost”, engulfed by the drunken backpackers who would pass through without a care for the culture or indeed the opportunities for true adventure travel here.
Visiting Ha long bay Vietnam can be expensive, heading to Cat Ba is a great budget option
After spending 7 long weeks in Vietnam on motorbikes we both loved at hated this country! We had had the best and the worst of times here, some amazing adventures and some hard and gruelling days. Before leaving there was time for just one last exploration. We were in two minds whether to bother with Ha long bay Vietnam, we had heard mixed reviews from amazing, epic and not to miss to underwhelming, over priced and touristy.
Hanoi attractions: Not falling in love until our second visit when it felt like home!
After reading so many glowing reports on Hanoi we were looking forward to hitting the city after an almost 2000 miles journey from the chaos of Saigon on our bikes. Finally completing our original challenge of riding through Vietnam from one major city to the other it felt like a strange mixture of emotions rolling into Hanoi, sadness, excitement, a huge sense of achievment.
Exploring the overlooked but stunning region of Ninh Binh Vietnam
Sitting just 90km south of Hanoi the beautiful Karst region of Ninh Binh Vietnam is often described as Ha Long Bay without the water. Being so close to both the capital and the famous bay itself it often gets over looked by travellers either keen to make more ground up on the first leg of their way south or those pushing through to finish on their journey north.
Visiting the ancient My Son temples, the ruins that only just survived the Vietnam war
By now everyone knows about the Angkor Wat ruins of Cambodia, the highlight of the ancient world in South East Asia. But it must come as no surprise that they are not the only UNESCO listed historic sites in the region. The My Son ruins, of Champa origin, might not have the grand scale of Angkor, but their history has become intertwined with that of the Vietnam/ American war, which makes this site all the more miraculous.
Our Myanmar travel guide
Myanmar is an incredible place to visit, we spend a month backpacking Myanmar and found it to be one of the most authentic and eye opening countries to visit in South East Asia. But many people also have concerns about travelling to Myanmar such as visas, border crossings, affordability, politics and safety. We have to admit that before we visited Myanmar we were a little bit apprehensive and didn’t know what to expect.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City! Crazy and chaotic Saigon, Vietnam!
Known as Ho Chi Minh city since the late 70’s the city is still often referred to as Saigon by pretty much everyone…even VC vets we’ve spoken to! Saigon is a busy, bustling, crazy kind of place, it almost makes you feel like you can’t get your breath at times. With the worlds largest number of motorbikes buzzing around, bright propaganda screaming down at you and street selling shouting in every direction it can be a hard city to gel with.
What to see in Phnom Penh!
Many people seem to skip out Phnom Penh when they visit Cambodia, scared by the stories of muggings, put off by tales of a dull and busy city or if they do visit they only come for the Killing Fields and never give the rest of the city chance. We will admit that all this chatter hadn’t gone unnoticed and we were unsure how we would find the grimy capital of a country we had already fallen in love with.
Kampot things to do: Stand up Paddleboarding Kampot, Cambodia!
So there it was, Christmas Day done and dusted, our first abroad and one which left us with a whirling mixture of emotions as we lay our head down to sleep knowing our family and friends were still up celebrating. A day on the golden sands of the remote island of Koh Tonsay and insured that this was a Christmas Day unlike no other, but how to follow that up?
The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek Phnom Penh & S-21, a disturbing visit.
How to describe such a place, such a heavy day. I remember upon returning to the hostel after what has to be one of the most intense, moving and overwhelming days of my life at Choeung Ek Phnom Penh. I felt drained to the core, my head was throbbing and my stomach churning with the sickness I had witnessed. Laying down to relieve some of my weariness as I closed my eyes the images of skills, smashed bones and piles of bodies haunted me.
Hong Kong attractions: places to visit in Hong Kong on a budget!
Hong Kong has been high on the list for many years, but being half the world away and famously costing a fortune to visit has put us off in the past.
A first timers guide to this crazy city of Thailand!
Bangkok is a city we had dreamt of visiting for years, the heart of Thailand and a huge metropolis with so much to see, both old and new.
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