Backpacking in Sri Lanka: Costs, Tips and Places to See

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The old city of Polonnaruwa, a great stop on the backpacking in Sri Lanka trail

Sri Lanka occupies a strange space in the backpacking world. People say backpacking in Sri Lanka isn’t as exotic, chaotic, cheap or challenging as in India, and it’s a long way from the Southeast Asia backpacking trail that it’s probably better suited to. While travelling through Sri Lanka I saw similarities with Laos and Myanmar (2 of … Read more

The Best Walks in Singapore: From the Forest to the City

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The Southern Ridges - a great place to walk if you have 2 days in Singapore

Singapore crams a lot of variety into its tiny borders, and there is no better way to get to know this misunderstood country than to go for a walk. Check out this list of the best walks in Singapore, which pass by beaches, mangrove forests, historical districts, skyscrapers and a whole lot of trees.

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Komodo National Park Tour: More Than Just Dragons!

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Komodo National Park tour, Indonesia: A large komodo dragon

Everyone has heard of the Komodo dragon – the largest lizard in the world and part-time human eater who stalks the barren islands off Flores, Indonesia. There is far more to a Komodo National Park tour than just dragons though, including a pink beach, some rugged coastline and that calm feeling you get while sleeping on … Read more

Exploring the 17 Islands Marine Park in Riung, Flores

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Backpacing in Indonesia - a view of the 17 islands marine park in Riung, Flores

The 17 Islands Marine Park in Riung would be really popular if it wasn’t so hard to get to, which means if you brave the terrible roads and overcrowded buses you’ll have an array of island paradises that are begging to be explored. I learnt, after a quick search online, that Riung is 72 km from … Read more

Why Everyone Should Travel with a Guitar

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As you know by now, I am of the opinion that image plays a huge role in defining us as travellers. If we go quietly about our work and don’t take every opportunity to show people how awesome we are, how will anyone know? It’s not good enough to simply be cool these days – … Read more

The Colourful Crater Lakes of Kelimutu, Indonesia: Jon Vs the Volcano

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The blue lake on Mt Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia

After reading the title of this post you might be thinking that climbing Kelimutu was a really difficult and harrowing experience. That couldn’t be further from the truth, although waking up at 4 a.m is always a little traumatic for me. Getting to the crater lakes of Kelimutu requires a 40 minute motorbike or car … Read more

The Rat Factor: What is the Cleanest Country in Southeast Asia?

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The rat factor: What is the cleanest country in Southeast Asia?

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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