Everyone says not to judge books by their covers, but if you’re lazily looking for a quick way to review them then there really is no better way. I took the same attitude when trying to decide the cleanest country in Southeast Asia. Sure, I could have done a whole lot of research and bombarded you with facts and figures – but to be honest, the only figure I really care about is the number of rats I see (I have a fear of rats, check out this post to find out why). The rat factor may be a flawed system, but it’s as good as any other and could 1 day be the official cleanliness yardstick in respected publications like Lonely Planet (as long as they pay me for using my idea!).
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Maumere, Flores, Indonesia: Sunsets and Solitude
You know you’re isolated when you miss your bus because you can’t get to the road. It was high tide, the water was lapping at the shore and there was no beach in sight. I was staying at Lena House, an extremely peaceful collection of beach huts 28 km away from Maumere, a small city … Read more
Rote Island, Indonesia: A Gem Hidden from the Tourist Trail
“Bule, bule, hello, bule!!” screamed young and old as I passed through their tiny village. Bule means foreigner – I’m not sure if they were really saying hello or they were just alerting their friends that a tourist was in town. I’d wandered a few kilometres from Nemberala, the tourist epicentre of Rote Island, and by … Read more
Island Hopping in El Nido, Palawan, the Philippines
There are 4 things you should look for when considering island hopping in El Nido, or anywhere else in Southeast Asia: 1: Nice beaches: If the beaches aren’t nicer than the one you’re staying on then what’s the point? 2: Blindingly blue, clear water to swim and snorkel in. 3: Interesting island scenery. You’ll spend a … Read more
Are all those Selfies Shrinking Your Soul?
Certain tribes around the world believe that every photograph taken of a person steals part of their soul, a part they’ll never get back. It sounds like the premise of a low-budget horror movie starring a washed up Tara Reid anxiously taking selfies to improve her self-esteem while unknowingly killing herself in the process. The question is – are they right? This narcissistic trend of constantly taking photos of ourselves to show other people that A: We have at least 1 hand (to hold the phone) and B: A functional face – is brought about by our new found need to appear more awesome. But is it having the opposite effect?
The Beaches of El Nido, Palawan
The Philippines is home to over 7000 islands, but ask anyone who has been (or is planning to go) about their trip and they’ll probably mention El Nido, on the stunning and sparsely populated island of Palawan. Most people come for the island hopping tours, but spend a bit of time in and around El … Read more
Backpacking in Yunnan, China: Costs, Tips and Places to See
Choosing a destination to travel to in China can be daunting. There is so much to see and do, but rather than try and cram too many places into a short trip it’s better to focus on one area. I chose Yunnan (followed by a week relaxing in Yangshuo) and it was a great decision. I weaved … Read more
How to Get an Overweight Bag on an Airplane as Carry-On
Sorry to disappoint you, but this isn’t a post about smuggling large women onto planes so you can avoid buying them a ticket. This is a serious (sort of) tip about cutting down on airline fees, just don’t blame me for any resulting back/shoulder injuries!