asia

Backpacking in Indonesia: Costs, Tips and Places to See

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

This post was originally published in May 2015 and updated in February 2019 after my big trip to Bali (and nearby islands) in 2018 With over 17,000 islands (I’m sure some of those are just rocks that disappear at low tide though) to choose from, planning a trip to Indonesia can be a daunting prospect. … Read more

Backpacking in Laos: Costs, Tips and Places to See

by
A bird cage at a riverside restaurant in Luang Prabang, Laos

Laos probably isn’t the first place you think of when planning a trip to Southeast Asia. There is no world famous cuisine, exotic beaches or crazy nightlife, but the stunning mountain scenery and laid back attitude of the locals make it my favourite country in the region. Backpacking in Laos is a far more relaxing … Read more

Walking the Colourful Streets of Kathmandu, Nepal

by
A man carrying furniture through the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal

The best way to get a feel for just how chaotic and colourful Kathmandu can be is by hitting the footpaths (actually there usually aren’t any, you’ll be walking on the road trying to dodge traffic while your eyes dart around looking at all the sights around you). They may not be the safest places … Read more

The Planet of the Apes: The Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

by
The monkey temple in Kathmandu, Nepal

It took me 28 years to learn the difference between apes and monkeys. I always thought it was based on size: King Kong > gorillas > apes > monkeys. Apparently I was wrong, and it took a text book for five year old Singaporean children to teach me that. Apes don’t have tails but monkeys do, gorillas … Read more

Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia: A Romantic Getaway

by
The pier at Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia

Are you looking for a romantic break from the bustle of Southeast Asia? Are there too many tourists, touts and Bob Marley songs on other islands? Head to Koh Rong Samloem, where the water is clear, the bungalows are private and the beach is almost deserted. There are actually a few different beaches to stay … Read more

My Travel Fears (Including Rats, Bats and Drowning)

by

I hope you aren’t looking for a deep, philosophical piece about loneliness or missing out on a normal life. Those things don’t scare me; my travel fears are much more concrete…

Rats

As a kid I was always scared of mice. Maybe it’s the way they scurry, or the fact that they can get anywhere they want to, but they always stressed me out. I never saw many, but just like the show Mad Men, I saw enough to know I wasn’t a fan. Rats are just like big mice, so I guess it’s natural that I’d be scared of them as well. I’d heard horror stories of rats in beds, eating through backpacks and even on plates served as dinner.

Read more

How to Save $3000 ($2400 USD) a Month Teaching English in Singapore

by
How to save $3000 a month teaching English in Singapore

Choosing somewhere to teach in Asia can be a daunting task. Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, these all sound like great options, and they probably are, but where can you save the most money? Assuming you read titles, you probably already know that teaching English in Singapore is a great choice. Getting started The pay for … Read more