Asia Backpacking
Please take a look through some of the articles we have in Asia, click on the subcategory countries below to get the content.
Consider joining the club we are smaller and more unique therefore. We're a very social bunch here brought up with travel in hostels and we never get tired of another bus ride into the unknown.
I have a personal feeling of excitement being in many of the most exciting capital cities Bangkok, Hong Kong or relaxing in my Bali Resort after a days surfing. I am miles away from my country of birth and nothing is as it seems in Japan.
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- Category: Nepal
Namche bazaar is a great little town in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is in the Khumbu region of Nepal at an altitude of 3800 mts. The population is 1500 odd mostly catering the tourists on the way to Mount Everest.
What is so special…
The village is known for the stopover and to acclimatize before proceeding to Everest or Gokyo. If you do not want to proceed further you can get a great view of Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest. The sunrise over the mountains are just spectacular..
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- Category: Nepal
It is hard to find activities to enjoy as a family as there will be people of different age groups and expectations. When it comes to Nepal, you need not worry about it. There are numerous family-friendly activities to enjoy in this place. This article will highlight a few top options available for you.
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- Category: Philippines
Boracay is 9km long and about 1km wide at its narrow point in the middle. It is popular with scuba diver sand windsurfers and kitesurfers. You can enjoy some tropical beach here of course when you tire from the activity. Boracay also has fabulous resorts, sun kissed beaches, amazing diving, snorkeling, and seafood. It’s considered one of the finest islands in Southeast Asia and Filipinos take a lot of pride in the island.
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- Category: Thailand
Guys and Gals
Two things i missed of my last update (was in such a rush to please the editor!)
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- Category: Thailand
One of the best looking islands in the world perhaps certainly in Thailand pre tsunami this was a destination not to be missed and makes it into landed destinations.
The night-life and a lot of accomodation is on the eastern coast in a single area called ao loh dalum , the islanders live mainly in the north east. Ton Sai is where you will find the most upper class development with better hotels and restaurants but the beach is crowded with boats so its hard to enjoy a swim unless you up by the hospital in fact this has to be the best view ever for a hospital in te world.
Ko Phi Phi is an overpriced island to stay if your backpacking for a length of time thats not to say you won't find a cheap option so look further round the island when you get your bearings.
Hotels on Ko Phi Phi
There are some higher priced places to stay but this doesn't unfortunately guarantee quality. Swimming-pools regularly close at 6 pm and just lack of care and attention mean you may be disappointed with your environment. Recommended place to stay : Banyan Villas in Ton Sai - Good rooms and the Gym next door is excellent (your room currently allows free use) While running on the treadmill I had the guilty thought that such a natural disaster like the tsunami could have a silver lining then it is perhaps new development like this.
Around and about :
Outside the narrow path that is overbusy with ALL traffic will drive you nuts with bells ringing on cycles or thais saying 'beep beep' may initially be charming and funny. So come just for a few days to help preserve it and because its too popular anyway ! You can't blame the islanders for the development back to the busy old days they just want to get back and you would not know today that it was the same place that got hit in the massive pincer move of water. Arrive to enjoy the party some top scuba diving and move on perhaps choose ko lanta or find the better less developed islands suited for you. Tourism is hurting the island again from overcrowding please visit responsibly. The film the beach was filmed on nearby ko phi phi leh and this today still pulls in its snorkellers and tourists by the boat load of course! Western touts also make a nuissance of themselves almost blockading the path for various destinations if you like to protest then do it by not drinking in their establishments. Visit D's books in loh dalum it does great wine and cocktails and has a great selection of books for the westerner. Better fun can be had at night outside of the enclosed bars on the beach where fire twirlers and buckets will get you in the mood to play the beach games. Either Apache or Slinky bar work.
For sure try the fish manicure shops where you sit on the side of a fish tank and have a hundred fish nibble your dead skin away ! It is such fun very ticklish and worth the 120 Baht for the 20 minutes experience. You might also like to try a massage that is both pain and pleasure for 300 Baht. It's a great place to go diving you could try island divers as it is not a massive paddy factory and is young at heart with good gear and standards.
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- Category: Thailand
The first in a chain of islands popular with backpackers and flashpackers for its size and variety and is perhaps the first stop after some interior travel in Thailand. Chaweng beach. Massive seated Buddha blessing the local fisherman and waterfalls are some of the interior delights but there is now a fishing lake for fresh water asian carp and catfish that you can catch !
While Chaweng suffers from perhaps over development it is a great beach and the food at the restaurants there is great. A variety of on the beach accommodations from 500 to 1000+ Baht make it an easy place to find what you want.
Tip : It is no longer as cheap as it used to be to fly to and from Koh Samui and is not served by the budget airline air asia. A reason why many travel to Surat Thani on the mainland close by to save 3000 Baht to fly back to Bangkok.
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- Category: Thailand
The second island in the chain of three where I took my PADI open water certificate in scuba diving way back. You could not see your hand when your arm was outstretched the visibility was so bad due to monsoon storms.
Anyway > Ko Phan Gan has a different feeling to it and its development has slowed compared to its smaller neighbour Koh Tao. It is still very busy around full moon party times which take place on Had Rin, ‘Had’ means beach in Thai. There are many resorts that are worthy to stay in if like me you are nowadays a flashpacker ! We stayed in Had Rin not around full moon time at Tommys Resort. It was really nice and as high a standard that you can find in Had Rin I’m not sure there is extreme luxury on Ko Phangan its more a backpacker location. It’s popular with Israeli backpackers especially for some reason. Some of the better beaches are quite remote.
Tip: Rent a scooter ! Why ? Getting around using the songathew (a converted pick up with 2 banks of seats carrying up to about 8 people) can become expensive here for example going from one spot to another for example from Had Rin to the Phaeng waterfall will be 150 Baht about 3 uk pounds or 5 US. Consider that bike rental costs from 200 Baht per day. Just take a lot of care especially around the hills near Had Rin.
Places of Interest in Ko Phangan
Had Rin Nok and Had Rin Nai Sunset and Sunrise – The place for the full moon party ! Come full moon staying at Had Rin requires a love of all night noise in and around the resorts too. You can find Special Shakes at the mellow mountain bar also known as the M and M bar. Purportedly the mushrooms used give you Hallucinations. Drink with care there is no government regulation here. During full moon 20,000 revellers can turn up dancing to the grooves spun on festival class speaker systems. See warnings below.
Ban Tai – This part of the island has developed and is a good budget location on a very long if uninspiring beach by ko Phangan standards. Advantages are the location close to Ton Sala (The Capital and Ferry port) and Had Rin.
Chaloklum – A small fishing village with boats to get to the remote beach Had Khuat.
Had Khuat aka Bottle Beach – This beach can only be reached via a watertaxi and is therefore considered a paradise beach. Its in the North of the island.
Had Yao – A long sweeping gorgeous beach with a low key atmosphere to write that book.
Mae Haad – For the best snorkelling on Ko Phangan
Haad Salad
Sail Rock – An underwater destination which is also day tripped from the Scuba shops in Ko Tao (that’s how good it is) your only reason to dive from here perhaps as there are no notable diving sites otherwise. Or learn to dive here as the groups will be smaller just make sure the visibility is ok and you are happy with the shops facilites. If not go to Ko Tao.
Warning on Drugs: You should not be involved with any kind of drugs in Thailand either position or use will lead to very stiff penalties unlike the western world. Undercover cops can also test your blood or try and sell you drugs. You should also be careful of anyone giving you drinks. Don’t assume that special shakes are not containing illegal drugs either.
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- Category: Thailand
Feel like a king for 75 quid per night!
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- Category: Thailand
Koh Tao is the small island in the Gulf of Thailand that was discovered to have clear warm waters with great coral reef.
Read more: Koh (ko) Tao : Scuba Diving in an ideal environment
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- Category: Thailand
This is a guide for how you can plan a 2 week trip around Thailand as a flashpackers!
Day 1 to Day 3 >> Arrival in Bangkok
Day 3-4 >> Arrival in Phuket
Day 4-6 >> Ko Phi Phi
Day 6-7 >> Arrival in Ko Samui
Day 7-10 >> Ko Phangan
Day 10-13 >>Ko Tao
Day 13-15 >>Bangkok >> depart.
Other islands to consider instead such as:
Koh Lanta - A more relaxed scene as its development is controlled. Some of the longest beaches in Thailand beckon and this is an escape from the overcrowded.
Koh Lipe- Listen to some Dua Lipa while in Lipe :) A small island which in many ways is similar to Koh Phi Phi without the dramatic cliff scenery but also not as intense or annoying.
Photo by Kla Aphimuk
Koh Lipe Location