Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Vietnam is an amazing destination, full of vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. With its busy cities, tranquil beaches, and diverse natural wonders, it can be difficult to decide just where to start.

Planning your very first trip to Vietnam doesn't need to be overwhelming. With some helpful tips and a bit of research on must-see spots and activities, you'll be prepped for making incredible memories that will last a lifetime!

Read on for our guide on how to plan your first journey through this picturesque country.

Figure out if you need a visa to enter the country 

Vietnam is a popular destination for travelers, but it’s important to make sure that if you plan on entering the country, you are aware of the visa requirements.

Depending on the nature of your visit and nationality, you may or may not need to go through the process of applying for a Vietnam visa. It is essential to research and understand Vietnam's visa procedure before traveling in order to be absolutely sure as to whether or not one is required for entry.

In 2017, the Vietnamese government introduced the electronic visa system enabling getting a short-term visa covering the purposes of leisure, business, and transit.

Visit the Vietnam eVisa website, check your eligibility, and apply for your visa in a few online steps. Receive your document delivered straight to your email inbox and enjoy smooth entry to the country!

Research the Vietnamese culture

Vietnam's culture is undeniably one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world, boasting a colorful array of rituals, traditions, values, and beliefs.

The country organizes many traditional festivals that are celebrated throughout the year and provides a window into the history and practice of Vietnam's culture. Vietnam has also seen strong influences from other cultures over centuries, such as Buddhism from India, Confucianism from China, Vietnamization of Theravada Buddhism from Cambodia, and Catholicism from France.

The combination of these influences has resulted in an incredibly diverse cultural atmosphere that manifests itself in its customs and traditions. Vietnam offers visitors a chance to explore an expansive cultural landscape with its multicultural roots providing a truly unique experience.

Find the right time of year to visit the country

When it comes to finding the ideal time of year to visit Vietnam, there are certainly a few factors to consider. Depending on what regions of Vietnam one wishes to explore, travelers should research the country's climate and weather patterns in order to have the most enjoyable experience possible.

Generally speaking, the winter months (December – February) are the best time of year to visit Vietnam as temperatures remain mild and rainfall is at its lowest.

However one looks at it though, Vietnam is sure to provide an unforgettable experience no matter when you decide to go!

Make a budget for your trip that fits your travel style 

Vietnam is an amazing destination to explore on a budget while still being able to enjoy the full range of experiences it has to offer. When making a budget for your Vietnam trip, it is important to consider all potential costs.

Consider booking accommodation with cost-efficiency in mind where possible, such as hostels or Airbnb shares, and plan meals that are both affordable and tasty. It is also important not to underestimate the cost of transportation between destinations - research the most efficient way of getting around Vietnam in order to make the most of your journey within the set budget.

Once you have an accurate breakdown of what things will cost, you can craft an enjoyable trip that still suits your travel style.

Choose the perfect place to stay

Vietnam is the ideal destination for anyone looking to indulge in luxurious accommodations. Whether beachside resorts or city hotels, Vietnam has a variety of choices tailored to suit any type of traveler.

For sun-seekers and beachgoers, there are plenty of stunning coastal locations with crystal blue waters, as well as many coastal resorts situated perfectly along major beaches.

Those who prefer the convenience and amenities of city life can find excellent options in Vietnam's bustling cities. Indulge in the selection of top-notch restaurants, entertainment hubs, and one-of-a-kind spa experiences that Vietnam's cities have to offer.

Decide what activities you want to do

Vietnam is a vibrant and lively country, with numerous activities to explore. When visiting the country, tourists can choose from a range of options to get the full local experience.

One great way to do so is by exploring some of Vietnam's bustling markets. From Ho Chi Minh City all the way up to Hanoi, each market offers a unique and exciting environment in which to bargain for handmade goods.

Alternatively, Vietnam's wealth of culinary knowledge can be explored through cooking classes, where visitors can learn how to make a traditional Vietnamese meal. So whatever the preference may be, Vietnam has the ideal activity for everyone.

Start making plans with friends or join a tour group for extra support 

Vietnam is a wonderfully unique and exciting destination to explore, whether you are visiting solo or with friends.

To unleash Vietnam's beauty and vibrant culture to its full potential, we recommend organizing your own trip with a group of pals. This allows you to get a real feel for the country as you journey through different cities and sights.

Alternatively, if it's your first time in Vietnam – or if any member of the group needs additional support – consider joining an organized Vietnam tour. These tours guarantee experienced local expertise and guidance throughout your entire trip, ensuring a stress-free vacation specifically tailored to your interests and needs.

Whichever way you choose to do it, Vietnam promises an unforgettable experience!

Conclusion 

Visiting Vietnam for the first time will create memorable moments that last a lifetime. From its stunning beaches to the Grand Palace, and from its picturesque mountain views to its charming temples - there is an adventure available around every corner.

The sheer diversity of nature, culture, and food can overwhelm you, but it only serves to make the experience all the more special. Whether you're a history enthusiast or enjoy sampling new cuisine - Vietnam should be your next destination. Let these words motivate you to go to Vietnam and immerse yourself in all this wonderful country has to offer.

Make sure to take plenty of photographs as a way of preserving your memories for years to come. Ultimately, with a time full of exploration and adventure calling your name - what have you got to lose? Go explore Vietnam!

The post How to Plan Your First Trip to Vietnam appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Are you planning a trip to Cambodia? Are you fascinated by its culture and history? Would you like to explore its natural beauty and attractions? If yes, why not take some time to learn a few interesting facts about Cambodia before you leave for the journey - surely, you're eager to get to know this unique Southeast Asian country!

With centuries of history and a mix of spiritual influences, Cambodia is a perfect destination for any curious traveler. From traditional temples and ancient monuments to vibrant markets full of colors and flavors - exploring this unique country can be both amusing and enlightening.

In this article, you will find a few interesting facts about Cambodia that will introduce you to the captivating culture of this country and help you set the scene for the journey of your dreams. Get ready to dive into an amazing adventure!

1. Cambodia’s flag - unique features of the national symbol

The Cambodian flag may be considered special because it is the only national flag in the world that features a building. The structure presented on the flag is the Angkor Wat, a temple serving as a reminder of the country's ancient heritage.

Considered the heart and soul of the country, Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century and is the biggest religious complex on the planet, listed as a world heritage site.

Although red, blue, and white (the colors visible on Cambodia’s national flag) are rather popular in the flag designs, they all carry a significant meaning.

The blue and red stripes on either side of the Angkor Wat represent Cambodia’s two main rivers - the Mekong and the Tonlé Sap. The white piece in the center stands for purity and the nation's major religion - Buddhism.

2. Angkor Wat - largest religious monument in the world

The Angkor Wat is an ancient temple complex located in Cambodia. Dating back to the 9th century Khmer Empire, it is one of the largest religious monuments in the world, serving as a symbol of Cambodia’s wealth and strength.

Considered one of the greatest architectural masterpieces, the temple takes a spot on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its cultural importance and historical significance.

During its glory days, Angkor Wat served as a political and religious center of power, with many sculptures dedicated to Buddhism. Nowadays, the temple is a major tourist attraction in Cambodia, where visitors can explore its majestic ruins while gaining insight into the culture and developments of the Khmer Empire.

It is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, drawing millions of visitors each year.

3. Khmer - the official language of Cambodia

While there are around 19 indigenous languages spoken within Cambodia, Khmer is the only official language used daily in government, education, and media. Related to Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese, it is written with an abugida script.

Given its grammar complexity and complicated spelling rules, it is said that it can take over 5 years to become fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Khmer! What an incredibly fascinating language!

Interestingly, Khmer uses numerous French loanwords, especially from periods when Cambodia was colonized by France. Even the name of the country comes from the French word “Cambodge” - it originated from the way Frenchmen were pronouncing the Khmer word Kampuchea.

It is worth noting that although westerners tend to call the country Cambodia today, citizens of Asian countries are more likely to call it the Country of Kampuchea.

4. Geckos - lucky creatures that predict the future

Geckos are regarded as a symbol of good luck and fortune. Many Cambodians believe finding a gecko in your house will bring you wealth and success, as these animals symbolize prosperity and abundance.

It is said that Geckos are messengers of the gods and can bring blessings to those who treat them with due respect.

As god-sent creatures, geckos are also believed to have the divine power to predict future events. Many Cambodians say that counting the chirps of a gecko will foresee the future of a relationship - it’s considered good luck if a gecko is in the same room as the couple and calls out at least seven times.

 Although these beliefs might seem a little strange to outsiders, Cambodian people take these superstitions very seriously.

5. Cambodia eVisa - an easy way to cross the border

Naturally, planning a visit to Cambodia requires you to take care of all the necessary documentation. You should have not only a valid passport but also a visa that will remain in force for the duration of your trip. Luckily, since 2006, it has been possible to apply for a visa for Cambodia online - through the eVisa application form.

The electronic permit is a great facilitation of travel for thousands of foreign visitors to Cambodia. The registration is effortless as you are only required to complete an application form, submit the necessary documents (scan of the passport’s bio-data page, current photo of the applicant), and cover the mandatory visa processing fee.

Once your inquiry has been approved, the authorized Cambodia eVisa will be delivered to your e-mail address. The document will remain valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

6. April - New Year celebrations in Cambodia

The Cambodian New Year, also known as Choul Chnam Thmey, takes place in April. It is a cheerful three-day holiday that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the Khmer calendar year.

During the festive celebrations, Cambodians clean their homes, prepare traditional meals, and visit local Buddhist temples to offer their prayers and receive blessings for the next year.

From dancing to traditional music to playing competitive games, the Cambodian New Year celebrations are full of energy. The highlight of the holiday is a parade around the city walls where people dressed in bright, colorful clothes take part in activities such as boat racing. During this time, Cambodians come together to socialize and exchange gifts while also indulging in some of their favorite cuisines.

7. US Dollar - the unofficial currency of Cambodia

Although the official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), the US Dollar is widely accepted throughout the country. Many businesses, especially in tourism, accept payments in USD.

If you start looking for souvenirs to buy for your relatives, you will notice that all the items have two prices written on them - one in KHR and one in USD. Interestingly, all ATMs dispense cash in USD.

Cambodia's reliance on the US Dollar started around the time of the Khmer Rouge fall. Now, the majority of government transactions take place in USD. This phenomenon is not only unique to Cambodia, as neighboring countries of Laos and Vietnam also report high amounts of financing assumed through US Dollar currency due to its raised stability and convenience for those trading across borders.

The post <strong>Cambodia – Most Interesting Facts</strong> appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

The plan was to fly into Beijing early in the morning, get to my hotel, settle in and then hit the Forbidden city in the afternoon. Well, some Chinese people just didn’t want that to happen without raping my hip pocket and upsetting my day.

I landed a bit before lunch and because I was travelling solo and was in a rush to get to my hostel I decided on taking a taxi. Bad decision.

As soon as I got in I told him “meter please” and he showed it to me so I thought all was good and I couldn’t possibly get ripped off. Oh you silly boy Adrian.

We arrived and he told me the price was 480 yuan. “Uh excuse me?” I already knew from the hostels site that the price should only be around 150 yuan, and as the language barrier was pretty bad I let fly a few expletives, handed him the money and got out, slamming the door in frustration.

Getting ripped off once in a day is bad enough but for it to happen again only a few hours later but in a much worse way, really sucks.

I had my lunch, got my map and directions from the receptionist and headed off with only a few hours to go before the Forbidden city shut for the day.

I was almost there (I realised later) but just wasn’t sure if I was in the right area when a rickshaw rider (bicycle taxi) decided to make me his prey for the day. Just writing this makes me angry !

I accepted his offer of only 2 yuan to get me there and we headed off down some alleys, through some streets and then he just decided to do a U-turn. My gut was telling me that something was up but I decided to stay on and he pulled up and then some other guy got in and drove.

Only two minutes later, he pulled into a dark, dirty alley, jumped out and told me to give him 300 yuan.

“Ha !, get real !” I said.

We started arguing for a minute then I heard footsteps behind me and two other guys came out of nowhere and surrounded me.

‘Oh I see what’s about to go down’, I thought. Before I could think the driver took a step toward me and punched me in the stomach.

I was completely surprised and taken off guard. I realised that my life was worth saving, so I peeled off the cash, threw it at him and got out of there quick smart.

I was fuming. There was no way I wanted to give them that money but with three of them, one of me and who knows what under their jackets I didn’t want to risk it. I would have loved to have landed a punch in his face though, oh how I would have loved to…

So, so far a great day in Beijing, I never did get the chance to see the Forbidden city.

It’s not just these two unfortunate incidences either, why does everyone in China feel the need to spit everywhere ? It’s disgusting, I even saw a few guys doing it inside a shopping centre ! Not to mention they have to actually cough it up so everyone knows they’re about to spit.

Even some of the women do it.

And how about the mothers holding their babies in an alley to do their business in the street ? The kids clothes in China are designed with a flap on the rear so they can just go anywhere they want without having to take their gear off !

The language barrier, the dirty streets, the stares you get everywhere, I could go on but the funny thing is some of the best times I’ve had on this trip have been in China.

I got to go see the Great Wall which I’ve wanted to see since I was a kid, the Terracotta warriors and my most favourite of all; walking the most dangerous hike in the world, Mount Huashan in Xian.

Absolutely breathtaking.

So to say that I had a bad time is true but I also had some of the best experiences of my life.

Fast forward 2 months and I’m now in Singapore getting ready to fly to Borneo to go climb Mount Kinabalu, the fifth highest mountain in South East Asia.

Maybe this time I’ll hitch hike and forget about the taxi drivers.

BIO

This is a guest post by Adrian Landsberg who started The Lifestyle Compound for his love of entrepreneurship and travel. In October 2103 he quit his job of ten years to chase his dream of going on a multi-country, bucket list smashing mission. Recently he has bungee jumped, walked the most dangerous hike in the world and trekked to Mount Everest Base camp. Adrian enjoys writing about building passive income, travelling and living life against the grain of society

The post Why I Hate China appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Getting There and Where to Stay

As if our horrible flight (read here) had not been enough, making our way into the country was not easy either, as we did not have an outbound flight because we didn’t know what our next destination would be. We were told we had to purchase a ticket on the spot, but eventually managed to get through customs without doing so by showing an itinerary we had printed a few days before as a possible flight combination. Next step wast to get to Manila from Clark airport; we took the bus which is 350 pesos per person ( 1 euro is aboyut 67 Filipino Pesos) and a 1.5 hour ride. This should give enough time to decide where you’re going to stay because at 11.5 million people Manila is no easy city to be tamed.

Using ould LP guide we decided to check out a hostel in Ermita, not far from Intramuros(Manila’s old Spanish quarter), which sounded good. But upon arrival it was a bit to pricey for what it ofered and we tried several hotels close by that were a much better value for just a bit more money. After checking availability in many of them Cherry Blossoms Hotel (odd name I must admit) was our pick and we called it come for 2 days. They have superb food (boy were those spaguetti awesome) and very friendly staff.

Very Little to Enjoy

Unfortunately Manila (city) does not have much going on for cultural travelers. The city was sadly exactly what I imagined and reflects what most movies portray of it. Traffic, noise, pollution and fast food restaurants are all- or almost- over the city, except in Intramuros, the area surrounded by a wall built by the Spanish during colonization that has changed very little since. This was by far the nicest area I found as a tourist-in fact the only one. Quiet, clean streets, historical buildings… it is the only district of Manila where old Spanish-era influences are still plentiful. Fort Santiago is now a well-maintained park and popular tourist destination, and adjacent to it is the reconstructed Maestranza Wall, which was removed by the Americans in 1903 to widen the wharves thus opening the city to Pasig River.

But other than this I could not find a reason to extend the stay. Finding affordable but good quality food seemed almost impossible, and in fact I even recommend that if you really want a burger you stay away from Jollibee restaurants and make your way to McDonald’s or Burger King instead because the burgers are much better: those at Jollibee lacked flavor, had little meat and the fries were over-fried and oily. No good.

So We Left

Realizing that there was not much more to enjoy we decided to leave early and checked transportation to Donsol, a small town in SE Luzon that doesn’t have much going on except probably being the best place in the world to see whale sharks. However despite only being 450 km away the bus apparently takes about 14 hours to get there from Manila. Further research said that Moalboal in Cebu was also a good spot to see the whale sharks and sea turtles. Cebu is the main hub of the Visayas, a stretch of islands world famous for its beaches, plus it was a good place from which to continue our trip south towards Mindanao. We also looked into a nearby volcano that is said to be a great day tour, but unfortunately we didn’t visit it because we found a cheap flight with Cebu Pacific Air (the Philippines LCA) to Cebu and the thankfully smooth flight had us there by mid morning of the following day.

Have you visited Manila? Do you live in Manila? What do you think about the city? Why do you like- or dislike- it? Is there anything travelers like myself should visit that it little known? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below and this post too if you think other might find it useful! 

The post Sorry Manila, You’re No Pearl of the Orient appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Temples of Angkor

An important archaeological site, Angkor plays host to the Temple of Angkor Wat, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm and the Bayon. Extending over 400 square kilometers, Angkor was at one point the center of the Khmer Kingdom. Wander through its vast landscape and marvel at the impressive monuments, awe-inspiring architecture and extensive collection of art from the 9th to
14th centuries.

The Killing Fields (Choeung Ek)

Located 15 kilometers outside Phnom Penh, The Killing Fields are where prisoners were taken in 1975-79 to be executed after interrogation by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Heartbreaking and confronting, The Killing Fields Museum is a monument to the estimated 2 million Cambodians who lost their lives during this period. It’s a kind gesture to pay your respects and honor the memories of the victims of the Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror.

Battambang

History buffs with a passion for architecture will delight in a visit to Battambang as it encompasses beautifully preserved French-period architecture dating back to the early 1900s. Climb the stairs to Wat Banan, a Buddhist temple built some time in the 10th to 13th centuries and featuring intricate carvings and towers. Or visit the Laang Spean cave, the most ancient Cambodian archaeological site dating back to 6000 BC.

Koh Ker

Once the capital of the Angkorian empire, Koh Ker is the home of the Prasat Thom, a 55 meter wide, 40 meter high pyramid shrouded by jungle built in
921 AD. Climb to the top for expansive views over the jungle. Don’t forget to visit the monuments along the ring-road, including Prasat Balang and Prasat Thneng. After touring these archaeological wonders, it’s a good idea to hire a motorbike or car and take yourself on a self-guided tour of the spectacular buildings and sculptures dotted all around Koh Ker, soaking in the history of this remote area on your way.

Bokor Hill Station

Known as a “French ghost town”, construction of Bokor Hill Station began in 1921 on the Damrei Mountains but was abandoned in the 1940s during the
First Indochina War. Although it is now merely a collection of ruins, the site remains important, as it is a testament to the way the colonial settlers spent their leisure time. Bring a picnic and climb to the top for an unmatched view of the Gulf of Thailand.

If you are looking for a holiday destination steeped in history, you really cannot do better than Cambodia. Traveling independently is fairly easy but if you late to have things taken care of for you Cambodia tours are  an easy way to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

Is Cambodia a destination you’d like to visit? Or maybe visited already? What do you like about this part of the world, or what do you expect to see? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post 5 Must See Places For The Historical Traveler in Cambodia appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Vampire Café

This establishment is awash in rich red hues that dominate the interior design, with thick velvet drapes and opulent booths complementing the distinctive décor. The vampire theme is continued with skulls, candelabras and broken mirrors adorning the walls, and the centrepiece is a giant coffin. Your wait staff will appear in either tuxedos or tailored maids outfits, serving you blood red martinis and ghoulishly garnished meals in coffin bowls with edible crucifixes. All the while, elegant Baroque music plays in the background to complete the sophisticated vampire theme.

Lockup

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to eat in prison, then Lockup is the place for you. As you enter, you’ll find yourself handcuffed and led down the hall to your very own jail cell. Your servers are prison wardens, and your food appears in an array of interesting chemistry lab equipment.

Keep an eye out for the secret doors, random blackouts and outbursts from crazed prisoners in hockey masks, and be prepared to take part in a staged breakout where you may have to hide a fellow prisoner in your cell. It’s definitely an experience you won’t forget, and provides an entertaining alternative to a normal mundane dinner!

Ninja

As one of the most popular themed restaurants in Tokyo, you’ll need to make your reservations well in advance to secure a seat at the exclusive venue of Ninja. Drawbridges and winding passages lead you to the dining area, where ninja assassins slink in the shadows to serve your food. A highlight is the illusionist who visits every table and performs some serious sleight of hand to capture your imagination.

There are a range of other surprises waiting for you at Ninja, but they are better left unexpected. One thing you should expect however, is the price of dining in such an elite establishment. Set menus can reach over $200, so make sure you keep track of what you’re ordering.

Whether you think it’s just a gimmick or are totally taken in by the experience, these weird and wonderful restaurants bring a whole new dimension to your dining experience. If you’re planning your next getaway, make sure you check out Flight Centre to view deals on flights to Japan at unbeatable prices. With your tickets booked, you can get ready to explore the best that this amazing country has to offer, including one of these unique Japanese dining experiences!

Have you ever been to a themed restaurant? Which? Did you like the experience? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

The post 3 Restaurants for Quirky Eating Experiences in Japan appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

There are two gambling strips in Macau, one on the Macau peninsula and another, the Cotai Strip, on Taipa Island and reclaimed land around it. Between them, the two strips offer gamblers the choice of twenty six casinos.

The casinos of Macau attract hundreds of thousands of gamblers from across Asia. This special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China is the Las Vegas of the Far East with bright neon signs, nightclubs and shows as well as massive casinos. All the usual casino games are available including baccarat, blackjack, poker and roulette as well as Chinese ones such as Sic bo and Fan-Tan.

The Venetian

The Venetian casino on the Cotai Strip in Macau extends over forty floors and at ten and a half million square feet is the sixth largest building in the world by area. The Venetian is the biggest casino in the world with around three and a half thousand slot machines and eight hundred gaming tables divided into four themed areas called Golden Fish, Imperial House, Red Dragon and Phoenix.

City of Dreams

The City of Dreams casino is also on the Cotai Strip, right opposite the Venetian. The City of Dreams complex consists of four towers that include the Hard Rock Hotel, Crown Towers Hotel and the Grand Hyatt Macau. The casino itself covers four hundred and twenty thousand with 1,500 slot machines and five hundred and fifty gaming tables as well as a 175,000 square feet luxury shopping center called The Boulevard. There are also two theaters in the City of Dreams, The Bubble and The Dragons Treasure which features the biggest water show in the world.

The Grand Lisboa

Away from the Cotai Strip, the 58-storey 856 foot high Grand Lisboa casino is located on the main Macau peninsula. Opening in 2007, it has over a thousand slot machines and eight hundred gaming tables. The Grand Lisboa, the tallest building in Macau, was the first casino in Macau to offer gamblers Texas hold ’em poker and has since played host to the Asia Pacific Poker Tour. Poker Stars Macau began at the Grand Lisboa in 2009. Today, you can also play poker at the Venetian as well as at the Grand Lisboa.

If you’re looking for a change from Las Vegas, give Macau a try.

Have you visited Macau? How much of a gambler are you? Do you usually win or loose money? Share your best tips and any comments in the section below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post 3 Casinos You Must Visit in Macau (even if you don’t gamble) appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

It is fair to say that because it is located in South Korea’s bottom tip the fairer climate and protected seas  are reason enough for all the things to do in Busan (Pusan). It has great beaches, natural parks, temples, it is well communicated, and should you want to hop over to Japan without flying you can do so from the only port in South Korea with ferries to the former empire of the rising sun, which is right here. Liza and I spent three days here before finally taking the leap to Fukuoka, and found this big city easy, modern and entertaining. My post on this city is very informative and a good resource that includes most of the things to do and see here, which in fact has been featured in Touristeye.com . So please click on the link at the end of this sentence that will take you straight to the article/ guide and where you’ll  learn about all the things to do in Busan.

What do you expect to find in Busan? Have you been here before? What were the highlights of your trip that you would like to recommend?

The post Exploring Busan, South Korea’s Beach City appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Fighting the case for modernity, The Petronas Towers are the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world, and soar, leagues above other edifices forming the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Malaysia’s premier shopping emporium, Suria KLCC lies at the foot of the building. Its ground floor is graced with a parade of elite designer outlets, including Burberry, Moschino and Miu Miu. There’s also room for a cinema, concert hall, art gallery and a science centre. Equally worth a visit, Masjud Jamek is the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Its red brick and marble structure is strikingly beautiful, and based on Indian Islamic architecture. It was built at the exact point where the Sugai Klang and the Sugai Gombak rivers meet, and is surrounded by palatial coconut palms and channels of calm water. It’s free to explore the airy marble interior, and ideal place to hide from the heat outside. The Kings Palace is another favourite spot. Its ornate gateway makes the perfect frame for a photo opportunity, and is always guarded by two dashing cavalrymen in claret uniform upon gleaming horses.

Kuala Lumpur’s warm equatorial climate makes year-round visiting feasible. The temperature generally hovers around 30 degrees, but it can drop after rainfall. Malaysia’s rainy season begins in October and ends in March, making the summer months a great time to spend in the city and avoid the monsoons which can affect the rest of the country at this time of year. Light clothing is always recommended, but generally air-conditioning is endemic within city limits, and rains only serve to make the climate more refreshing.

Malaysia hosts a wealth of different cultures within its borders, but maintains a wonderful atmosphere of unity without compromising identity. This means, throughout the year, the country is never far from a state of celebration. The Hindu festival of Thaipusam celebrates Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war. It sends devotees surging from the inner city on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar (usually either January or February) to the nearby Batu Caves- it is a celebration not to be missed if in the area. Chinese New Year in Malaysia is even more raucous, as over a quarter of its population are Chinese. At midnight on the first day of the New Year, hundreds of firecrackers are to be heard banging and screeching to signify the loud noises which scared off the legendary monster of traditional Chinese mythology. The city dazzles with decorations for weeks during New Year. Paper lanterns, animals and dragons and giant papier-mâché lions can be seen wriggling joyfully down the streets on the shoulders of Chinese dancers. On the 31st of August every year, Malaysia holds its annual Independence Day festival. On the eve of Independence Day, the many ethnic groups of Malaysia join in celebration. A huge and colourful parade is held in Kuala Lumpur’s streets, consisting of marching bands, martial arts displays, acrobatics, dancing, flag waving and traditional costumes. The evening culminates with the flag of Malaysia being raised proudly at midnight to a backdrop of sparkling, crackling fireworks. Rest assured, whichever time of the year you choose to make your visit, or for whatever reason, what’s guaranteed is a warm and helpful welcome from Kuala Lumpur’s diverse and inclusive citizens.

And then there is the food. Begin your day with Roti Canai and tea, an indian pastry pancake served with Malaysia chicken curry used as a snack and served everywhere at all times.  Indulge yourself in favoured dishes like Satay (marinated meat barbecued over the charcoal with peanut sauce, Nasi Lemak (coconut milk rice served with sambal ikan bilis and slices of hard boil egg and cucumber), banana leaf rice or Prawn Mee (noodles  served with rich flavored stock made of shrimp) just to name a few.

Despite the city’s wealth and evergrowing population it is certainly very budget friendly. You an easily find basic but decent rooms for 25 USD/night,and getting around is simple enough with metro, skyline or the frequent bus service. Worst come to worst, should you ever get lost simply ask as Malaysians are always  happy to help. And here’s a small secret you’ll probably be happy to learn: it is free to visit the Petronas towers, and ride the elevator up to floor 41 where the connecting bridge is. Simply make sure you get there before 11.30 when all the days passes are given away and you’ll be rewarded with this view overlooking Kuala Lumpur from one of the most famous buildings in the world…without having spent a cent!

Have you visited Kuala Lumpur? What did you like best? I found the peaceful mingling of faiths and cultures a model to repeated everywhere in the world. What stood out to you?

Some of these links could be making us some money, however we would not include them if we didn’t think they can benefit the traveler.

The post Why Visit Kuala Lumpur? appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Luang Prabang has been on budget traveleres’ itineraries for a few decades already, but even so it is still off-radar for most travelers who visit South East Asia, missing out a relatively accessible city that will linger memories of what exotic Asia probably was in the so called “old days”. This laid-back city with a population of just over 100,000 individuals lies in north Laos, where Nam Khan river meets the Mekong River- just about 425 kilometers north of the country’s capital: Vientiane

Getting to Luang Prabang

Reaching Luang Prabang can be as easy or adventurous as you want: there are direct flights from several capital cities in neighbouring countries (perhaps Bangkok being the cheapest), there is the slow boat that takes two days from Huay Xai in the Thai border (stopping in Pakbeng) costing about 200,000 kip, the fast boat joy ride you should avoid unless risking your life is your idea of fun (accidents resulting in deaths occur ever year, particularly during dry season) costing about 350,000 kip and lasting about 6 hours, and then there is the 10 hour van ride or 15 hour bus ride from Huay Xai costing about 120,000- 140,000 kip depending on how good you can bargain. Transportation from other cities is available too, thought not as common.

I did not find the road trip particularly beautiful, with rolling mountains and lush vegetation in the distance being the most commone scenery. I was charmed though by the dozens of small straw-made villages that popped around the road, where children played in the mud and the elder could be seen cooking, building more houses…or watching TV (??!!). After ten hours of travel it does get weary, and the closer your get to Luang Prabang the worse the roads seem to get, but it is all part of the adventure travel experience. And we were lucky- travelers who followed the same route the folling day told us it had taken them 15 hours because of mud slides that had blocked the road more than once. Long story short: if you’re not willing to cope with this then I strongly recommend you fly.

Accommodation

Finding budget accommodation is not a problem in Luang Prabang. There are dozens of guesthouse where you can find a room for 4-10 USD, all of them offering simple yet clean rooms, many with private bathroom, Wi-Fi, free coffee and all the linen you’ll need: Levady Guesthouse, Soutikkone Guest House and Cold River Guesthouse are just a few. And if it’s hotels you’re after, there is no shortage of those either.

Food

Formerly a french colony, food in Luang Prabang is one to indulge yourself into. Buffalo steaks and sausages, fried dried seaweed with sesame seeds dipped in a chili sauce, laam phak- a thick, savory stew of vegetables and local herbs- and laab paa, a “salad” of minced Mekong River fish with a spicy-tart dressing and full on french bakeries are just some of the dishes to try. I particularly loved trying different meals in the night market’s food alley, where you could even find a simple buffet for 1.5 USD!

What to do in Luang Prabang

Perhaps one of the most interesting experiences you can observe anywhere in the world is the Alms ceremony in which Monks at dawn collect alms of rice from kneeling villagers (and early-rising tourists). Ask your guesthouse host to assist you the day before in preparing if you’d like to get up and give alms in the morning. Visiting the many temples are a must, as is walking to the top of Phou Si hill for a great view of the area. The slow boat ride to Pak Ou caves (the famous Buddha Ceves) north of town allow a formidable experience which usually includes a small stopver at a village where you can buy, among other things, liquors made at the local brewery, the night market is not very big but not to be missed either, and cooking classes are a popular activity among visitors too.

After spending three days in Luang Prabang (could have easily spent a couple more) I fell in love with this place. It’s roots are still embeded deep within the local culture despite its increasing popularity, there is a pacefull aura that follows you wherever you go, and Lao people are among the friednliest you will find anywhere in the world. Of all the experiences I had when there there are two that deffinetly stand out: the time we spent speaking with a local monk who explained what his chores, resonsibilities and reasons for being at the temple were ( did you know that monks are auto didactic, meaning they set up their own schedules and learn by themselves?), besides asking me for some help on his spanish lessons, and one fantastic massage we had during which a heavy storm began, with rain and thunder mellowing our already relaxed moods and finishing just as we were about to walk out the front door.

There are many well known places in South East Asia any traveler wants to go there, and then there are those some of you might have heard of yet are unsure about whether to go or not. If Luang Prabang is one such place, make sure you don’t skip it. And if it’s not in your to-visit list, I highly recommend you include it…right now!

Have you visited Luang Prabang? What are your thoughts about my pearl of orient? Do you have yours? Share it with us, and this post too if you likeed it!

The post It’s Not So Secret: Luang Prabang (Laos) is Asia’s Real Pearl of Orient appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

How to get to Macau from Hong Kong

There are several companies that offer hight speed ferries from Hong Kong to Macau: Turbojet, Cotai Jet Ferry, Macao Dragon, and First Ferry. The trip costs about 135 HKD each way and lasts about one hour to 75 minutes, and is usually smooth but can be bumpy on a windy day: if you get dizzy easily stay away from the front of the catamaran as it is here that the boat moves most. Staying as close as possible to the read end will make your trip much smoother.

Immigration in Macau is a breeze, and although most visitors choose to flag a taxi and get a ride to the old town or the casinos I chose to walk instead, following the map I was given at the tourist info booth. The walk is not very interesting as you leave the harbour, but finding your way across the city is easy enough and will give you the opportunity to see what the Macau is really like.

What to do in Macau and places to visit

Macau has two main areas: Macau Peninsula and the island, connected by three long bridges. Fortunately for travelers, most of the famous casinos and historical monuments are in the peninsula, which is where the ferries arrive. If you want to see the biggest casino in the world, the Venetian Macau, you will have to catch a bus or taxi to the Cotai strip in the island, which is also home to the airport, race course, sports grounds and and the only beach in Macau.

But for most of us Peninsular Macau has what we want to see, which makes things that much easier. Find your way around Guia Hill and get lost in the old city at your own pace, absorbing the unique cultural blend and enjoying the attractions in Macau I visited when there, including St Paul’s Cathedral’s, A-Ma Temple and Fortaleza do Monte, atop Guia Hill. Perhaps one of the most fascinating traits of this city is the distinct european architechture lived and owned by an obvious Asian population; this presents many good opportunities for fantastic photos.

Eventually you’ll have to step into a casino- this is casino land after all!  Baccarat is the most popular game here, however if you’re anything like me you won’t spend a cent and observe how others spend theirs. I decided to visit Casino Lisboa, which boasts an unusal structure visible from far away. Inside, the lobby displays an impressive chandelier as well as a a few sophisticated sculptures made of jade or ivory, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars- I have to say these are some of the most detailed carvings I have ever seen.

By 5 pm I felt I had seen enough of Macau and after walking for 9 hours my legs were aching for some rest. I slowly made my way back to the harbour and hopped on the next ferry to Hong Kong- I only had to wait for 15 minutes, that’s how frequent they are.

If unsure about visiting or what to do in Macau don’t worry as it is not all casinos as they say. It is very short trip from Hong Kong, convenient, and a good way of getting another stamp in your passport and staying away from those electronic shops. Macau is a great day trip I highly recommend if you’re in HK and have a free day, but there is one final piece of advice you must not forget: make sure you spend all your Macau Patacas exchange them at the ferry terminal there or in Hong Kong; I still have 100 Patacas with me because they are not accepted for exchange anywhere else.

Has this article changed your perception of Macau, or have you learned anything? Have you been there? What did you like most? And least? Please share your thoughs with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post A Day in Macau: What to Do and Places to Visit appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Our plans changed once we learned that the train was full, but it was while deciding what to do that a lady approached us and offered all sorts of trips within the country (here’s a Chiang Mai itinerary you may like) . Realizing that she could be helpful we followed her to a nearby travel agency where many other backpackers were arranging their travels and after an hour of thinking and bargaining we found ourselves with a pretty good deal: for less than 100 USD/person we had arranged an overnight bus trip to Chiang Mai, 2 hotel nights with breakfast included, a trip to visit the Padaung ladies and transportation to the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai.

Sweet deal don’t you think?

We saw an elephant in a backstreet of Bangkok, and hoped the elephants in Chiang Mai we would be seeing were nothing like this one: the poor animal was completely out of place. We sat back, I pulled out my book and let time go by. The overnight trip in the sleeping bus was not too uncomfortable, but nevertheless we were deadbeat once we arrived Chiang Mai at about 8am, and were dropped at the hotel where we went straight to bed for a quick nap.

The hotel staff was very welcoming as is that of almost every hotel in Thailand, and eventhough we woke up at around 11 am they were still happy to offer us breakfast, which we gladly accepted. We spent the rest of the day wandering around the city, walked to Wat Suan Dok hoping to take a picture of this great temple during sunset (it was unfortunately too cloudy),visiting the night bazaar once it was dark and tasting exquisite food in what I consider one of the gastronomical epicentres of the world.

Exhiliarating as the previous day had been we were up early the following morning ready to leave the hotel as we would be riding elephants in Chiang Mai, an event we had been looking forward to for many weeks and an experience we were eager to enjoy. We hopped on a van at the hotel, and after picking up other travelers we were taken to the elephant camp, barely 34 minutes out of the city.

The camp itself was rather simple, and after crossing a rope bridge over a river we were soon standing on a platform where the elephants would walk up to and we were on our way through the jungle shortly after.

The first few minutes are perhaps the most uncomfortable of all, but once you get used to the the animal’s rythim it is farely easy to relax and enjoy the ride. Sure, you musn’t forget that you’re in the jungle and there are branches sticking out to you at all times, but there is time to pull out the camera and take pictures or shoot video for as long as you want.

About 15 minutes after leaving, one of the mahout (elephant “drivers”) asked me if I wanted to sit on my elephant’s head and atempt to guide it through the jungle. Sure, why not, it can’t be that hard can it? Besides, it will simply follow the elephant in front and that’s it. Without a second thought I got off my seat and crouched to the animal’s head, and immediately regretted my decision.

Why? You cannot imagine how tough elephant hair is! It felt as if dozens of razor sharp wires were sticking through my pants and right into my a”@##!! I of course felt like swearing and making my way back to the seat, but with all the mahouts and travelers looking at me and taking pictures all I could do was smile helplessly and pretend I was the happiest man in the world.

I got used to it shortly after, and had heaps of fun along the way although eventually I did move back to my seat. We crossed a river, made our way through what seemed impossible slopes, and fed the elephants dozens of bananas that were given to us at the end of the jungle trek.

Elephant riding tours in Chiang Mai cost about 450 Baht and last about 1-1.5 hours. You don’t really need them to be any longer as the ride is slightly uncomfortable and the animals will get stressed anyhow. Don’t be surprised if an elephant soaks you wet when crossing a river while the mahouts laugh, and you’ll be asked for tips at the end of the trip- remember you don’t have to give them anything if you don’t want to.

In my opinion the treks are very interesting, and although many voices seem to disagree with the practice because of the stress and treatment the animals endure these tours still exist today. It is important that you research the company you are going to work with,  hopefully one in which the elephants in are free to walk around, all are well fed and receive medical attention when needed.

The post Riding Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

A trip to Phuket (Thailand) had always been on my travelling list but this faraway place (thirteen hours to be precise), had always seemed just a little out of my clutches, not to mention my budget. The little knowledge that I had gleamed of Southeast Asia had come from the rather dubious source of The Beach, that infamous film that gripped the nation with its gritty drama (and of course the rather divine, Leonardo Dicaprio). Portraying a remote island of paradisiacal beaches where unwashed 20-somethings could ‘live off the land’ and backpack beyond their wildest dreams, most of my views of Thailand hinged upon this film. Tragic I know, but having never had the luxury to pack up my life into a pint-sized bag to embark on a soul-searching trail, I had no choice but to believe this portrayal.

Following years of scraping the pennies together and denying my true nomadic nature, I decided to take the plunge and book a trip to Phuket (Thailand) to be more specific. After looking for adventure travel tips on sites like MyPhuketInfo.com, I thought Thailand’s largest island situated on the southern Thai coastline would be the perfect place to unfurl whether this remote tropical paradise really did exist.

Already feeling like the Farang (westerner) that I was, arriving in Phuket with expectations of a remote and secluded island left me feeling even more embarrassed by my obvious naivety. An island connected to the mainland by three main bridges, Phuket is far from secluded. Instead I was greeted with a vibrant hub of activity as locals and expats went about their daily duties. Market stalls, street vendors and hawker stalls lined the roads and the odd person carrying an overflowing rattan basket of Thai food meandered between the tuk-tuk’s rushing by. Not what I was expecting but needless to say I delved in head-first to fully exploit the bounty before me. Just a few highlights include the straight-from-the-wok noodles in Phuket Town, the vegetarian buffet on Bangkok road and the fruit market on Ranong Road, (yes, I do like my food!)

Knowing that guesthouses were among the cheapest places to stay in a trip to Phuket (thanks to oh mighty google), I had booked to stay at Shanti Lodge, a small guesthouse run by a friendly African/Australian family, nestled between Phuket city and Chalong bay (costing me 750 baht a night). Pleased for a little shade from Phuket’s hot and humid weather, I jumped on a local beach bus known as a Songthaew (the cheapest way to travel around Thailand) to reach my lodgings. Mentally preparing myself for a modest stay of the thatched-roof variety, I was surprised to find a lovely double room with a shared bathroom, (once again The Beach had led me astray).

To find out once and for all I joined an organised boat tour to Koh Phi Phi Leh, the uninhabited island on the southernmost tip of Phi Phi Don and the glorious backdrop to the main culprit of my views-The Beach. Did I find glorious remoteness? Well, yes and no. Remoteness, no; ferries and long-tails carried eager snorkelers and scuba divers by the boat-load to the various beaches of the bay. Gloriousness, yes; the view of verdant vertical cliffs enclosing a tropical reef, resplendent with white sandy beaches was truly spectacular.

Opening my eyes to the real heart and soul of Thailand, my trip to Phuket was a journey of discovery, just not the one I was expecting. Rather than finding remote seclusion, I experienced a vibrant hub of thriving culture amongst stunning tropical scenery. While nowhere near The Beach’s portrayal (and even without the gorgeous Leo in sight), Phuket offered a taste of modern paradise that would come highly recommended by me.

If you’ve been to Thailand you’ve probably been to Phuket too. How did you feel when you arrived? Would you recommend Phuket or would you rather suggest readers go elsewhere? Where to?

Author Bio: Isabella Rose is an enthusiastic traveler with a love of adventure. Having studied History of Art and Italian at university, it has been her lifelong dream to move to Italy to revel in the art, culture and of course the gelato! You can follow her through Twitter at @IzzaRoseB

[Some of the links might be making us some money, but we would not include them if we didn’t think they could be useful to travelers]

The post Proven Wrong: First Trip to Phuket appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

One of the most important attractions in northern Thailand, the long neck women (also known as Pa Dong women or Padaung in Burma) in Mae Hong Son have become a tourist attraction that brings hundreds of visitors every day. North Thailand trips that include a stop here can be booked in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and even all the way from Bangkok (it’s not a day trip from Bangkok though), which is more than an overnight bus ride away, yet these women see very little money of all that is generated in their name.

Why am I bringing this out? One day I got the following email from a reader:

Hi Frederico
I’m sorry to bring this up, but it is a HUGE issue and I wouldn’t feel right without
at least making an effort. Feel free to ignore this message if you wish.

It is about your picture :
https://www.maitravelsite.com/Blog_Travelogue/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/maitravelsite-in-thailand2.jpg

The padaung “long neck” women are exploited all over Thailand and Myanmar for
tourists who like to pose and take pictures with them. I’m not judging your own
preferences but posting such pictures will only encourage other tourists to do the
same and will lead to continued and increased exploitation of these women.

Would you please consider taking the picture off your site?

Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you do think about what I said.

If you would like to know more about this issue you can read the articles below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082101701.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7215182.stm

Regards,
Animesh

and it brought back memories of what I had seen when there. I have to admit that upon reaching the Padaung village after walking 5 minutes uphill from the parking lot my enthusiasm was violently slapped out of me, my heart sank, and I was instead dismayed at what I was seeing.

The village in Mae Hong Son can only be described as a human zoo, where the long neck women spend a better part of their day sitting in flimsy wood huts waiting for tourists to come and take pictures with/of them.

Maybe, if they’re lucky, somebody will give them a little bit of money in appreciation.

Maybe, if they’re lucky, somebody will buy a souvenir from them.

And if everything else fails, somebody will hopefully buy something from the handcraft stall at the end of the walk around the village, and together with that made by their husbands who are working in the fields they will make a living for themselves and their children.

The origin of why these women are here is well documented. In 1980 a group of about 100 Karen people fled across the mountains from Burma to Thailand when civil war between Karenni separatists and the Burmese army became too intense. Since then the group has grown to about 520 people, and despite their current status the Thai government doesn’t consider them refugees and thus neglects certain rights that the UN Commission states should be granted. They also make very little money: women who wear the rings are paid 1500 Baht (49 USD) a month to run souvenir stalls and men receive a rice allowance of 260 Baht (8.5 USD) a month.

When there I had two choices: get upset and simply walk around saddened about a shattered dream I had had since my childhood, or make the best of what there is and try to have a good time. I obviously went with option number two, although I couldn’t avoid having mixed feelings about the experience. I bought a souvenir to make me feel better and hopefully them too- a picture of themselves laughing without the brass collars ( by the way, in case you’re wondering, those brass collars do not make their necks longer- they are actually pushing the clavicles down, resulting in the long-neck appearance) I cannot share with you because I don’t have it with me and took several pictures along the way, deciding to use one of them as my profile photo because it blatantly shouts ” I am a traveler”.

However the email sent by Animesh  brought back those memories, and I brought it down despite the meaning it has for me: eventually finding the long neck women I had wanted to see ever since I was a kid. 

Do you think I should bring the photo down? What were your feelings when you were there, and if you haven’t, will you go? Please share your thoughts below, and this article too if you liked it!

The post Meeting a Real Padaung Giraffe Woman of North Thailand appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Winding blue rivers, immense jagged-edged cliffs, ancient shrines, and stunning walls of marble... these are just some of the world-class natural attractions you'll find in  Taroko Gorge, Taiwan.

This breathtaking combination of solid rock and rushing water is located within Taroko National Park in Eastern Taiwan (Hualien County), not far from the Pacific Ocean, and just two hours south of Taipei.

The bridge at Taroko Gorge.

The temple is indeed a place of worship.

Check the pagoda on the top right, almost a cliff hanger.

Monks at Taroko Gorge

There are plenty of waterfalls along the trail, and you'll end up wet if you're visiting during the summer months.

How's this for a beach? If there's one thing I don't like about it is that...swimming is not allowed!

The post Taroko Gorge in Taiwan: What to See and Do (Guide) appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

With so many to choose from it is not easy to decide which is your favourite airline in the world, as all of them offer the same service: they fly you from point A to point B at a higher or lower cost. However, there are many other things to be considered, which will ultimately make your trip that much more pleasant or not. For example, American Airlines airplanes have quite a bit more of leg room than most other airlines, yet the fleet is not very new. Ryan Air is dirt cheap (you can often fly for 5€) but the seats have fixed backs and not complimentary beverages or snacks are given. Singapore Airlines have great airplanes and servive, but tickets are generally more expensive than its competitors. So where do I stand at?

My favourite airline in the world is Air Asia. This Bangkok/ Kuala Lumpur based airline offers very cheap flights in modern and comfortable airplanes, flight attendants are always pleasant and have a smile ready, and the food is good too. You can fly within SEA for as little as 30USD to many destinations, and it is relatively easy to find flights from London (UK) to Kuala Lumpur ( a 14 hour flight) for less than 300 USD, taxes included!

Air Asia is a low cost airline, and thus many of the extras are not included in the ticket. But 7USD will get you a portable DVD player with enough movies and entertainment for the 14 hour flight, and a little bit less than that will get you a warm meal to enjoy along the way. The bright red uniforms and big smiales of the flight attendants will cheer you up without noticing, and true to the Thai culture service is top notch.

Other contenders could be Etihad Airways (UAE) or Qatar Airways, but despite having superb airplanes and reasonable prices they are not always as rock bottom as those Air Asia has, and as a budget travler this is something I value a lot. So my vote is for Air Asia, but… which is YOUR favourite airline?

The post My Favourite Airline in the World appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

I’m not quite sure about when I first wanted to visit East Asia but I do know it was a long time ago, probably inspired by great movies like The Empire of the Rising Sun or spectacular photographs I used to stare at in National Geographic magazines when I was about 10 years old, give or take a few. The people and cultures that I saw appeared to be so different yet so unique and mysterious that I had to find out how special East Asia really is, and immerse myself into civilizations that pray to Buddha in the mornings and eats scorpions and other insects in the afternoon. It was weird- too weird, but it was fantastic.

About a decade later I had my first opportunity to travel to East Asia, the stop being Bangkok in Thailand after a spending week in Cairo and on my way to Australia. I didn’t have much time (just a couple of days or three) but it was a dream that was becomming true. I still remember there was a storm near the airport, with lightning visible in the distance when looking out the starboard windows of my Thai Airways flight. However the flight was pretty smooth all the way to the end and we landed on time, at around midnight or 1 am. I remember thinking that the airport was huge and empty, and I was among the first passengers to get through the health screening area (the SARS virus was big news at the time). I got my Eagle Creek backpack and the rest of my belongings, bargained for a cab ( I saved 500 Baht) and was taken to the hotel I had booked online somewhere in Sukhumvit, a 4 star (or was it 3?) deal at 25 USD. I remembered my first surprise was learning that in Thailand you drive on the left side, like in the UK. For some reason I had never expected that.

The phone rang at 4:30 am (family making sure all was ok) and after a few more hours of sleep I woke up early and headed to the restaurant for my buffet breakfast. Sure, it was a buffet, but not international. Breakfast included all sorts of veggies, soups, rice, salads, beans and everything but milk, cereal, bread, croissants…none of the things I was used to. But I wasn’t upset, quite the contrary, I was excited about beginning to experience life as it was (is) in this part of the world. I helped myself with some rice, eggs and juice and made it out the front door, straight to the tourist booth I had seen the night before. I was given a map, indicated where the Royal Palace is as well as some other tourist hot-spots. I had been told not to use public buses because they are quite confusing and use the sky train instead because “it’s much easier and quicker”. I had the time, and I was in Bangkok. Why would I go for the easy stuff? I made my way to the bus stop and hopped on the one that that would take me where I wanted to go.

Less than 2 minutes later an old lady was mumbling something in my ear and staring at me with questioning eyes. I had no idea about what she was saying until I spoted an artistically decorated metal cylinder she was carrying with some colored papers. She was probably asking where I was going and would charge accordingly, but there was no way we could communicate, despite we each understood what was going on. However yet another lady popped her head and asked in perfect English where I was going and things went smooth from there. I payed, we all smiled, and to each his own.

As soon as I got off the bus I spotted a group of tuk-tuk drivers and surely made my way to them. This had to be the ultimate Bangkok experince I thought, and after negotiating we agreed he would take me to all the tourist places I wanted and more he knew if we stopped in two taylors and carpet sellers along the way and pretend I would buy something. The tour was awesome. I couldn’t feel any better than what I did, and the tuk-tuk driver knew enough English to explain things. I was given cold Coca Cola at the taylors’ and eventually did buy a taylor made suit for a ridiculous price.

Things got a little bit more complicated after that because I had to decide if I wanted a Thai massage or a body massage.

“It will be dropped in your hotel tomorrow morning” I was told. Perfect! One less thing to worry about, and a story I knew my mom would never believe ( I’m the kind of guy who hates wearing suits, ties…or leather shoes!).

The day was perfect; the sun was shining brightly and everybody seemed to be in a happy mood. The lying Buddha was grandiose and the Royal Palace portrayed everything I had imagined (minus the crowds), and I had a blast visiting it on my own. A group of travelers from Burma took a picture with me, but that was all I spoke during my 3 hour visit. Still, I was stoked.

My tuk-tuk driver was waiting for me at the door, and when I was about to pay the ridiculously small fee we had agreed he enquired if I wanted a massage. It sounded like a great idea so I said “Sure”- as long as it was cheap. Things got a little bit more complicated after that, because I had to decide if I wanted a Thai massage or a body massage. ???

“What’s the difference?” I asked? Things were explained graphically when he pulled out the business cards of the places he wanted to take me to. I wanted a Thai massage, but wanted to visit one of those “body massage” parlours anyhow. And so I did, stopping at two and wondering why all those gorgeous girls would be willing to engage themselves with the fat sweaty guy at the corner.

The tuk-tuk driver told me that I could get my Thai massage on the second floor of this parlour, and I did. It wasn’t as posh as the lower level where all the cute girls were but it was enough. I got my massage for 4USD (I gave the old lady an extra 4) and said bye-bye to the 4 year old girl who had been playing with my toes for the last 15 minutes- she was the masseur’s daughter.

It was around 9:30 pm as I was walking out the front door and asked the Tuk-Tuk driver to take me to a place where I could have a great Thai dinner-anywhere he wanted. And he did. I enjoyed a magnificent 3 course meal with shrimp, exotic rices, splendid pad-thai and I don’t remember what else. I was alone, as I had been all day, and felt tired but pleased with what I had just done. I was not new to traveling (had visited around 40 countries already) but I had just spent my first day in East Asia and enjoyed every little bit of it. It was raining, pooring in fact, but that couldn’t erase my smile either. After so many years my dream of visiting East Asia had become true and although I was no longer the 10 year old boy who read National Geographic magazines for fun I felt like him from head to toes. I had experienced different foods, different people, had witnessed tolerance as I hadn’t elsewhere (ladyboys are just as normal as you and me in thailand), had observed oriental behaviours, had ridden a tuk-tuk and had admired ancient Asian architechture in a single day. My first day in East Asia. It simply couldn’t have been any better, and that’s probably why I remember it so well.

Since then I have been 3 more times in Bangkok and travelled extensively in this part of the world, but there is more to come. And the best part of it is that I enjoy every single minute like I did then.



What are your travel dreams? Is there any place you fantasyze about visiting? Have you already visited that place you dreamed about visiting when you were a kid? How did you feel? Please share this post if you liked it!

The post Travel Dreams of a Ten Year Old Boy appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

This said I found a great doctor and if you ever need to find a dentist in Kota Kinabalu I highly recommend him. This is his contact info:

Dr Lawrence C K Wong

Wong Nyuk Tien Dental Clinic
no 25 Jalan Tugu, Kampung Air
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel 088 252 019
email lawrencewck@gmail.com

Hopefully you wont need his services, but if you do need a dentist you’re in good hands-  should you decide to visit him please let him know you heard from him thorugh this website. Thanks Dr Wong!

Have you ever had any medical emergencies while on the road? What happenned? Are you going to visit Dr Wong? If you do please leave a comment below, and an update when the visit is over for others to know how your experience was

The post What not to do in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

The post Ubud: Bali’s cultural capital and best bargain of SEA appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Tanah Lot is about 45 minutes (by scooter )away from Kuta and is usually visited during sunset because of the picture perfect views. We chose, however, to visit it around noon, hoping to get more colors in the pictures and have more time to walk around.

The temple is set on a small island accessible only during low tide, and there are different spots from which to take pictures. It is not a big site though, and we only spent an hour or so visiting it.

Uluwatu is further away, about an hour South of Kuta instead of North. Unlike the jungle-like nature of central Bali, the island’s Bukit Southern peninsula is dry and barren, with scenery not nearly as exciting as in the north but boasting the best surf in the island.

The temple of Uluwatu is on a 100 m cliff overlooking the ocean, and is also a great picture purpose. It’s main area is closed to the public ( not nice when you pay 3 USD to get in) and the nearby structures and gardens are full of monkey trying to steal the food any human might have even if it means faking an attack.

A ten minute scooter ride away is the wave of Uluwatu, an exciitng world famous left that draws surfers from around the world.  Even if you don’t surf it’s fun to watch the gnarly surf action in the water when there’s a swell.

Unlike surfing in the Mentawai Islands, you’ll always find a crowd in Uluwatu.

We opted to visit each place on different days, keeping scooter time to a minimum and having the chance of doing different things while enjoying Balinese culture and people.

Bali Wrap Up

And so the month went by enjoying the best of Bali barely without noticing, enjoying the relaxed pace, good food, beach, surf and lifestyle. Eventually our stay came to an end, and we headed to our next destination, Australia, where we would spend 4 weeks exploring the east coast on camper vans and visitng old friends.

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I had excellent memories of my previous stay, and knew that Liza would enjoy the place as much as I would. The only doubt I had was whether it was still as cheap as it had been 5 years ago; several travelers had told me that those great deals were long gone.

Fortunately it was not true. However our arrival on September 14th was not as smooth as it should have been because I was pulled aside into private offices  at customs due to lack of space in my passport for the visa. Eventually they half stuck the visa and let me through.

We got a taxi to Poppies Gang 1, located in Kuta beach right by McDonalds, and is the place where you will find most of the cheap accommodation in Kuta and thus the place you should head to if you are on a tight budget.

Be it as it may we were arriving just a few days after Ramadan had finished, and most hotels and guesthouses were full.  But an hour later we found a room in an almost new guesthouse at 10 USD/ night and a 15 minute walk from the beach- a bit too far for my liking but still quite good.

Next step was to rent a surfboard, and it did not take me long to find a place were I could get one for 2.5 USD/ day. And food… in a couple of days we had already found the three warungs where we could eat good food for almost 1 USD/ dish: Bamboo Corner, Gong Corner, and Warung Pama, all on or near Poppies Lane I.

We enjoyed breakfast at the Arena Hotel, where an awesome buffet only costs 2.5 USD. It closed late, so we had a heavy brunch most of the days.

For the next month we immersed ourselves into the Balinese way of life, at least that of the visitor: plenty of beach, plenty of surfing, a few side trips (here’s a itinerary to visit Bali), eat well, and pretty much relax and save money because this was the place to do it.

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Four things had to be taken care of during our brief stay, all of which were accomplished successfully: first, we neede to install MS Office because the trial version given was going to expire in a few days, plus I wanted to install Adobe photoshop and Dreamweaver. One hour and 6€ later it had been taken care of at the IT Mall in Petchburi Road. During that hour I bought a tripod that would substitute the one I had- it was too small for my DSLR camera and…it broke. We did some necessary simple shpping at the MBK Mall (not the best but you get great prices for even better knock-offs). And finally, the highlight of the stay and one you should not miss if you visit Bangkok: the buffet restaurants at the Baiyoke Tower Hotel in Sukhumvit area (see insert).

The three days were gone much faster than we hoped, but were happy because we had accomplished our shopping purposes, I had eaten delicious Pad Thai at a street stand near our hotel, and the hotel was an excellent bargain once more: brand new and at 800 Baht/night it was spotless, had wi-fi, cable TV and a fridge, plus it was very well located in Sukhumvit, around Petchburi Soi 15 if you want to check it out.

Once more Bangkok delivered all we had expected, making us crave for more. It’s not usually ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but we it’s one we really enjoy visiting. But on september 14th we had our flight to Bali, the well known gem of Indonesia that I had visited a few years before for a month and knew that its people, culture, surf and excellent value for money (Bali is a bargain, really) would be something Liza (and I) would enjoy.

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Our early morning drive to the dock was a on pick-up truck instead of the bus they had mentioned. Nothing extraordinary had it not been raining as heavily as it was. Liza managed to squeeze into the cabin with other travellers, but I had to jump on the back with another couple and hoped that my raincoat would do its job. It did, unlike the backpacks which were quite wet by the time we reached the dock.

The boat is nothing fancy: made of wood, it can carry up to 20 passengers inside and you can climb on the roof for views if you want to. The first hour or so (leaving from Siem Reap) is not very exciting as all you see is water. After that though, you begin to see isolated houses built on stilts, with nothing but water surrounding the roughly 40 to 60 m squared with perhaps another 4 m2 of a floating den with chickens and a pig tied to it. Obviously extremely poor, the families would eagerly wave at our passing by boat, happy about seeing foreigners who can’t help much but wave back smiling and taking pictures.

We crossed two towns along the way, carrying the occasional passengers from one place to another for free (courtesy of your relatively expensive ticket) and stopping in one of them for a snack, drink or food if you want to. I went to the toilet, a wood cabin the size of an average table with a hole on the floor and the lake water moving slowly below.

These views repeat themselves along the way, but you never get tired. Eventually you cross marshlands which bring the boat to an unwanted stop making the crew jump into the water to free the blades from the algae, and about 30 minutes of navigating upstream a small river you arrive to Battambang. There were two vans willing to take travellers to their hotels: most choose the cheaper Chaya Hotel at 5 $/person/night, but we chose Park Hotel for 12$/double room/night which apppeared much better. What a deal. Only 6 months old, spotless, with AC, fridge and a modern toilet it was our best hotel in Cambodia and one of the best of the trip.

Battambang itself is nothing special, but there are a few side trips to be done nearby. We decided to spend 3 nights pushed as well by the excellent accommodation, and soon after checking in we had arranged trips for the next two days with a friendly tuktuk driver that included one of the oldest houses in the area (100+ years old) and a chat with the owner, the local wood train, another stupa with memories(skulls) of Pol Pot victims, a temple on top of a hill (about 150 steps), a wine brewery (awfull, but the grape juice was very good), one of the largest local temples, the black buddha and small family run businesses where local food was made and distributed. Good fun, with the added bonus of seeing local people from the tuktuk when going from one place to the other.

Foodwise, there is not much to choose from in town, but some ladies make an excellent porridge in the street stalls ( not the market) with a great taste, very cheap, and filling. We enjoyed our stay very much, although at one point Liza did not join me when visiting a small cliff from which Pol Pots army pushed innocent people to their deaths. Unfortunately his presence is found in way too many places.

On our last day we shared a taxi and a van with two other travellers to Bangkok, a city we know realtively well and would provide a few days’ break in our trip.

Cambodia is a spectacular country home to very warm and gentle people who have endured one of the most horrific regimes in the world. The visits to stupas and S-21 are not for the faint hearted but a must (in my opinion) if you want to know about Cambodia and its people. Too many tourists fly to Siem Reap, visit Angkor Wat, leave two days later and say they have visited ambodia. False. Wrong. BS. They might know Angkor Wat, but have skipped the best of this great kingdom, its people, and fail to admire their warmth having endured the dark side of humans as portrayed through Pol Pot and his regime.

It is quite expensive when compared to its neighbouring countries because it has adapted the USD as currency, so helping out money-wise when possible brings some relief to the benefactors. And finally, if you can, visit any. I guarantee you will not regret it, even if you show up empty handed, and will take great memories with you to share. if adults are happy to see you, you can’t even imagine how happy kids can be only because you say hello.

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Cambodians are genuinely friendly, helpful and smiling people, yet only two decades ago they were victims to one of the most brutal, violent and opressive regimes any country has ever seen: Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge. Appearing as a Cambodian’s equivalent to the VC and Vietnam’s communist party, the Khmer Rouge gained power by overtaking the government of the time and was expelled by the invading vietnamese military less than ten years later. Soon after Pol Pot began his “return to the rural” scheme; first by forcing all city people into the countryside to work in farms.  And second, he attempted to “clean”society from possible rebel leaders and capitalists. Under these conditions between 1.5 and 2 million people were tortured and executed, for reasons as vain as wearing glasses, knowing more than one language, or having attended university. Many times reasons were non existant or necessary: “It is better to eliminate 5 innocent people than to let a guilty one go”would say the chief military officer.

Thankfully the regime is over (some leaders are still pending prosecution in The Hague for crimes against humanity), and to learn more about what happenned we visited the Killing Fields of Choenung Ek. You can still smell death in the soil of this place, where thousands of people were killed, and today a stupa (something like a temple) holds hundreds of skulls of victims burried in mass graves. Most of them have cracks, proving the the Khmer Rouge killed most of its victims by clubbing them to death to save bullets. Babies were killed by grabbing them from their feet and swinging their heads against a palm tree. Families were forced to walk into the mass graves and were killed while relatives had to watch. Did any escape? Very few did, because when taken from the field hundreds would have a hole drilled in their hand and have a rope placed through it: running away was not an option.

This was not all though. Our next visit was camp S-21, what once was a school was transformed into a prison and torture ground. The somber building is very much empty today, but still holds the beds where the innocent people were tortured to confess non exitant crimes, as well as pictures of hundreds of faces of them, many children. A few other pictures are of victims that never made it past their torture.

The suffering of the victims caught up with us , and Liza and I left the building in a sad and depressed mood. Our tuk tukl driver was right there, waiting for us with the smile that most Cambodians have. How could he smile , I wondered, with all the tragedy still palpable in his country? Wondering what to do next, we remembered that a traveller had recommended we visit any orphanage in Cambodia. We did. And it was the best thing we could have done.

The tuktuk driver suggested we visit the lighthouse orphanage (www.lighthouseorphans03.org), and on the way we stopped to buy them  palm oil and a huge box of cookies. As soon as our tuktuk made it past the entrance gate, we realized that we  were in a for a good time. 6-13 year old children ran to us saying hello and waving their hands, and as soon  as we stepped out they warmly grabbed pour hands and took us to where the supervisor was, a dutch lady who had settled there many years ago. We gave them the cookies, spoke with them, and a few kids wanted to show me their rooms, never letting go my hands when going there. Liza went another way with the girls, experiencing the same charm and love as I was. I learned that some of the kids were sponsored by foreigners, allowing a better education and future: one of these kids already spoke 3 languages at the age ot ten. About two hours and many pictures later we left, feeling very optimistic and happy thanks to these wonderful children who had given us so much love for nothing.

Phnom Pen is a mysiterious city that never leaves travellers untouched. Be it because  of its tragic recent past, the contrasting wealth of a selected few versus the poverty of a majority, the splendid architechture of the Royal Palace versus the mostly dirty streets, or the warmth of the children of an orphanage, there is something that will affect you somehow.

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We were lucky. The last stop was about 50m away from the Pham Ngu Lao area where a narrow alley was supposed to have plenty of cheap places where to sleep according to our LP guide. And it was true. A lady spotted us about a block away, asked if we were looking for a place to sleep-afirmative-and walked us to her simple yet clean hotel where we would spend the next two nights. Once more vietnamese cuisine made up for an excellent dinner and we went to sleep early because the following day would be busy.

By 8:30 am we had finished breakfast and were on a van that would take us to the Cu Chi war tunnels dug by the Viet Cong over 49 years ago. Over 200 km of tunnels were dug by the North Vietnamese army during the war in Vietnam, and turned out to be a strategic decision in the war turnout.

The tunnels per say are nothing spectacular, but there are a few things that make the visit very much worth the time and entry fee. For starters our obviously pro-communism anti-USA guide did a good job during the pre-visit briefing, explaining many things with quite some detail. Secondly, you will also see traps prepared by the VC during resistance- just remembering them makes me shiver. Third, although the tunnels were not interesting visually, experiencing the claustrophoby and unbearable heat and imagining living in those conditions for months on end makes the thought quite disturbing, something that has to be experienced to fully understand it. And finally, eventhough war movies are quite good at portraying the loud noise weapons make, you cannot really grasp this factg unless you hear them being fired. At the end of the day trip you have the opportunity to fire real bullets (10 USD/ magazine) of several weaponns, beginning with a simple pistol and all the way to an M60, with an AK47 in between. I didn’t shoot, but was right by them when a few tourists did, and was shocked by how loud they are.

After the visit to the tunnels we asked to be dropped at the Vietnam War Museum. The gardens have a few tanks, canons, airplanes and similar items on display, but it is the gallery’s inside that is most disturbing. Although it might be true that you do learn from the exhibition, it is also true (and most visitors agree on this) that the photographs shown are cruel and disturbing, many times unnecesarily so, and information given is too anti-US with too much communist propaganda. It is true that wars are never nice, but it is also true that war museums can be much better. So, is it woth a visit? It depends on the visitor, but I would say it is only if used as a reminder of how horrible any war can be; if what you want is accurate and thought provoking information about the war then look elsewhere.

Looking back into our almost 3 week trip through Vietnam I can certainly say I am glad I ignored other traveler’s opinions and decided to visit this country. Halong Bay and Sapa are amonth the most beautiful places I have visited in the world, and Vietnamese cuisine is a very fine one that must be enjoyed. And regarding Vietnamese people that so many travellers complain about, nonsense. There are very nice people and unfriendly Vietnamese as well, just like in any other country, but a smile and just a bit of patience will take you very far here, making your trip that much better. So if you have a chance to visit Vietnam don’t miss it, and don’t let the pesty customs agents at the airport put you off right from the beginning: Vietnamese people will make you smile, want it or not.

Have you visited Ho Chi Minh City? Did you like it? Did you go inside any of the war tunnels? What do you think about the Vietnam War Museum? Share your thoughts and please share this post!

[Note: the tunnels tour offered above is not the same one described in this article]

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The ten hour train ride was too bumpy to allow any sleep once more, but we did rest and enjoyed an entertaining conversation with the Spanish couple we had met during our trek to Lac Chai that coincidentally was sharing our four bunk bed cabin.

Upon arrival to Hanoi we were welcomed by a formidable thunderstorm, with rain battering the shady streets and lightning making car headlights almost unnecessary. This only a couple of hours before our Jetstar flight was supposed to take us to Hoi An.

Memories of our scary flight in the Philippines (read struck by lightning) began to dwell in our conciense making us consider not board the airplane. We did, eventually, and I would be lying if i said that we were not afraid during take-off.

However we were so tired that we just let ourselves go, and the pilot was quite efficient when warning about the bumpy ascent in a calm and reassuring voice but forecasting clear skies around 20 minutes after departure.

The Beaches in Vietnam

And so it was. Three hours later we were sharing a taxi with two travellers from Israel to Hoi An city, arriving to a great cheap hotel they had been recommended that boasted an indoor pool and a restaurant, plus many shops and food stalls nearby (note that you can also book overland transfers to hotels and even long distance trips in Vietnam at very competitive rates).

Once we settled in we had to decide whether to sleep a bit or go to the beach (it was 11 am), the main reason we had come here for.

It was a no-brainer for me- I was amp to jump into the ocean, but it took Liza a while to convince herself to come as well. We bought a couple of freshly squeezed juices, rented 2 bikes for 1$/day each and rode 20 minutes to the beach among relentless traffic and other cyclists.

Finally,  we found it. A wide, clean, impossibly long beach with sky blue water and nobody around. Almost. I couldn’t get my t-shirt off quickly enough, but when I did I ran like a madman, jumped into the cool water and… AAAAHHHHH!!! It was not cool! At all! It was very warm, beyond warm, too hot?

“How is it?” asked Liza interrupting my productive thoughts. She looked at me as if I had grown a second head when I told her that the water was too warm, but she did agree after she dipped her head under a small wave that rolled in.

However it was the ocean, very clean, calm, very much empty…certainly picture perfect. And it was what we had been looking for for so many days.

Finally, we had found it. Even if the water was too warm.

We spent the next four days ( or were they seven?) chilling out in this great enclave, enjoying great food and sleeping late every day, doiing the bike ride to the beach and eating mangos and pineapples under the shade of a palm roof being the most violent activities of those days.

And what did we do to cool off? The hotel’s swimming pool took care of that because its water was freezing. But ooohhhh it felt so good to jump in after returning from the beach.

A couple of days before heading south we visited My Son. Keep those eyebrows down because no, I don’t have a vietnamese child. My Son (pronounced Mee Son) are the ruins of what once was a collection of hindu temples.

Today they are an interesting visit and some good picture subjects, but not much more. And don’t choose the “return by boat” option: it’s a waste of time and money.

Next stop was Nha Trang, ten hours south of Hoi An on a sleeping bus. Nha Trang is, in my opinion, a town that you can skip all together.

If you do find yourself there though don’t miss Thuy Duong restaurant. It is a great place set in a relaxing environment by the ocean, something difficult to find in this noisy city. And if you have to spend a day, rent a bike like we did and check out the 2 or 3 sites there are to be seen.

Otherwise there isn’t much to do unless getting drunk on a tourist boat is your idea of fun, and the beach is not even close to how nice those of Hoi An or Mui Ne (our next stop) are.

The seven hour sleeping bus ride between Nha Trang and Mui Ne was anything but sleepy, however this comes at no surprise because we were getting used to Vietnamese roads and driving. This said, it wasn’t too bad either.

We arrived to our destination at 2 am, and fortunately we had made a reservation at the HepHoa Resort the night before and were dropped at the front door. Had we not we would have had to walk a lot along the empty main road hoping one of the small resorts would let us in. Our choice seemed pretty good in the dark, but it was in the morning when we realized how good it actually was. Right on the beach, clean, with cozy bungalows and a few rooms in a two story building. All for about 14 USD/night.

The beach of Mui Ne is also long, mostly clean (except when onshore winds bring algae) and THE place to windsurf and kitesurf in Vietnam. There’s heaps of places where you can rent surfboards and wind sports boards; surf season starts in October and there is wind pretty much year round.

We spent five days there and enjoyed the great food, and rented a scooter to visit the impressive sand dunes found about 45 minutes away. It was surprising to find a patch of a desert in Vietnam- they appear to be completely out of place.

And with this out beach time came to an end. While we did not have a fixed itinerary or schedule our improvisation worked out very well, yet if you like to have things planned out this  2 week Vietnam itinerary will take you through the best of the country.

Our next stop would be Saigon and we’d then head into into Cambodia a few days later, making our way to a mysterious country recently ruled by the death inflicting regime of Pol Pot and home to the world famous ruins of Angkor Wat.

Have you visited any of these places? What did you think about Nha Trang? Was the water in Hoi An warm? Did you kite surf in Mui ne? Please share this post if you liked it!

The post From Hoi An to Mui Ne: the Beaches in Vietnam appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

This time I have participated as a guest blogger in www.vietnamandcambodia.com; to read my post please click here http://www.vietnamandcambodia.com/2009/09/chmong-buy-from-me.html . However I have saved the best for my own blog- I strongly suggest you don’t miss the following slideshow because it contains some of the best pictures I have taken during this trip. Enjoy, comment and happy travels!

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We were served three meals a day which included fish, seafood, meat, veggies and rice and portions were abundant, served in two tables that could sit four travelers each. With cruises starting at around 70 usd per person (best if booked in Hanoi) what else can you ask for??

Halong Bay is one of those places that I had always had in my “to visit” list and that I could finally tick as “seen”. The vision of 3000 karst mountains popping out of the ocean as if they had been placed there on purpose was captivating to all of us who were there, contemplating in silence at one point or another while immersing ourselves in personal thoughts whatever those may be.

I am not going to attempt to describe the views any more- just look at the pictures and bare in mind that this time the pictures cannot really transmit the fascination you perceive when there.

At night many of the boats drop anchor between the islands in groups of 5 to 10, and although your first desire would be to have no other boat around but your own, there is enough space for all. Plus you get to see other people jumping from the top deck of their boat into the ocean and use it as an excuse to convince your guide if he initially forbids such actions (as was our case).

The following morning an early breakfast leads to you being dropped at Cat Ba island and a hike to the highest point in the island; nothing too special but it does make you sweat. Once the hike was over we were dropped at our hotel where we had lunch and then headed straight to the beach, where turquoise water and picture perfect views would be with us for the next two days- or so we thought.

What a disappointment. The beach was nothing of the sort, the water being murky and with plastics floating all over, clear evidence of the ongoing litter problem created by uncaring cooks and crews of the junk boats who throw garbage overboard at all times. Why haven’t authorities stepped in? It sure beats me.

Yet the Halong Bay remains as one of the most beautiful natural attractions I have seen anywhere in the world, and if you reach Vietnam make sure you book a cruise. Cruises depart from different areas within Halong Bay are, and booking a Lan Hay Bay cruise is perhaps a better option if you want a quieter, less touristy yet just as beautiful experience.

Thus we chose to change plans and had our second night transferred to Sapa, a town in NW Vietnam famous for its stunning valleys, rice terraces and hill tribes that endure modernization. We enjoyed dinner that night with a group of Spanish travelers we had met earlier that day and went to sleep. The following days were spent on boats, buses, vans and an overnight train that would eventually leave us in the land home to the Hmong and other indigenous cultures…

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