Backpacking through Southeast Asia

Adventure of a Lifetime

          It was with some trepidation last May that I embarked on a three week trek through six countries in Southeast Asia…on my own!  With nothing but a pack on my back I made my way through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, hitching a ride on everything from planes, trains, buses and boats to taxis, bicycles, motor scooters and tuk tuks (more on that later).  Heading out into uncharted territory like that is all part of the fun and I think what motivates most adventure travelers.  Little did I know how easy it would be and how smoothly I would be able to make connections and find accommodations.  While I did do a lot of planning ahead of time, I made no reservations in advance, except for the first night in Singapore.  The timing could not have been better, with fewer crowds after the peak season and perfect (albeit hot) weather just before the wet season which begins in June.  In the end, I got to see some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and met friendly, helpful people everywhere I went.  This was truly the adventure of a lifetime.

Bargain Hunter’s Paradise

          Of the many things that make Southeast Asia a paradise on earth, none will be more appreciated by the value-minded traveler than the plethora of bargains waiting to be redeemed.  As word gets out, it’s hard to say how long this will last, but for now savvy travelers like the many backpackers and students I encountered along the way are taking advantage of the low prices, reminiscent of the bargains available in Eastern Europe ten to fifteen years ago.  On most evenings, the first hotel I walked into had a room available, sometimes for as little as $20, including breakfast!  With the exception perhaps of Singapore, all of my accommodations were a great value for the money.  My hotel in Hoi An, Vietnam even came with a bicycle!  And traveling from one point to the next, whether by plane, train or bus, was unbelievably inexpensive.  I actually traveled on a comfortable bus from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand for $12.  And how ‘bout this…dinner at a charming French restaurant in Luang Prabang, Laos for $7.50.  I think you get the idea.  Southeast Asia is a bargain hunter’s paradise and you’ll want to take advantage of it while it’s still possible.

Cultural Potpourri

          Within the relatively small area of Southeast Asia, you will experience a variety of cultures and meet a lot of friendly, interesting people.  Everywhere I went, folks went out of their way to be helpful and nice and many times where as interested in me as I was in them.  Singapore is like a microcosm of the entire area, where people from many backgrounds, religions and cultures all live together in harmony.  Malaysia is a moderate Islamic country that stands out as a shining example of what a Muslim country can be.  I found the people of Malaysia to be very welcoming and also proud to show off the many interesting things about their beautiful country.  Thailand is a thriving, modern constitutional monarchy and boasts the world’s longest ruling monarch.  Thai and Chinese are the main ethnic groups there and Buddhism is the primary religion.  In contrast, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are communist countries, but even the most observant visitor would be hard pressed to see any evidence of it.  Instead, what you are more likely to notice is that these are burgeoning capitalist countries full of hopeful people.  It was especially heart warming for me as an American to find how warmly I was greeted throughout Vietnam.  So, if it’s culture you’re looking for, Southeast Asia is brimming with it.

World Heritage Sites Abound

          There are no less than 20 UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites in the six countries that I visited in Southeast Asia and among them are some of the most famous in the world.  One of the highlights of my trip was seeing the temple complex at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which had been on my bucket list since I was a kid.  The historic trading city of George Town on the Straits of Malacca in Malaysia is another designated site and will give visitors a glimpse into the colonial era of Southeast Asia.  Of the many World Heritage Sites located in Vietnam, there are two that you absolutely must plan to see during your swing through this beautiful country.  Ha Long Bay, meaning Bay of Descending Dragons, is up north and about 100 miles east of Hanoi.  Almost 2000 incredibly shaped islands dot this area in the Gulf of Tonkin and there are many tour boats waiting to take you out to see them.  Midway down the long, narrow outline of Vietnam on the map is the ancient town of Hoi An.  Much of this quaint little city has been preserved and it now attracts many visitors from around the world.  Perhaps the most out of the way site I visited was the historic city of Luang Prabang located on the Mekong River in the northern mountains of Laos.  Just when you think you are at the end of the world, you find yourself in a town full of interesting temples, charming French provincial architecture, great hotels and scrumptious dining.  These fabulous World Heritage Sites alone should be enough to get you thinking about your trip to Southeast Asia.

Planning Your Trip

          The best plane fares to and from Southeast Asia will be found using gateway cities like Singapore and Bangkok.  To save time and money and avoiding backtracking, I purchased what is called an ‘open-jaw’ ticket, which means you arrive in one city and depart from another, Singapore and Bangkok, in my case.  This enabled me to add a visit to Singapore and a trip up the Malay Peninsula onto the beginning of my itinerary.  Then it was simply a matter of traveling the circuit from Bangkok up north to Laos and then down through Vietnam and finally across Cambodia back to Bangkok.  It was actually fairly easy travel and half the fun was the variety of modes of transportation along the way.  For travelers from the U.S. the only visa that should be arranged before the trip is for Vietnam.  No visa is required for Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand and a visa on arrival can be obtained in Laos ($30) and Cambodia ($20).  The money situation can seem a little intimidating at first, since each country has its own currency: Singapore dollars, Malaysian ringgits, Thai bahts, Laotian kips, Vietnam dongs, and Cambodian riels.  Fortunately, in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia the U.S. dollar is accepted almost everywhere, so I highly recommend taking plenty of cash including small bills like ones, fives and tens.  There will be lots more information, tips and photos from my recent trip to Southeast Asia in upcoming articles on Blue Orb Travel, so I hope you will stay tuned and come back often.