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Lunch on the Nan River, Northern Thailand
Nan, Thailand: Remote Mountains & Indigenous Communities

Nan, located in the most eastern part of Northern Thailand in the valley of its [...]

21
Dec
Pool-Side Bar, Shiralea Backpackers Hostel, Koh Phangan
Review: Shiralea Backpackers Resort, Koh Phangan, Thailand – From $6 USD / Bed

The name ‘Shiralea’ was taken from an episode of Star Trek, but don’t worry, you’re [...]

18
Dec
Hill-Tribe-Children-Thailand
Stop Trying to Find The “Real” Southeast Asia!

I’m going to have a rant about the word ‘authentic’ when applied to travel. When [...]

17
Dec
Coins for Change, Vietnam.
Southeast Asia Visa Guide for Volunteers, WWOOFers & the HelpStay Community

Backpackers who fall in love with a certain country in Southeast Asia may want to [...]

03
Dec
io-Hotel-Capsule, Kuala Lumpur
Review: iO Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – From $12 USD / Capsule

A brand new hostel located in a unique local neighbourhood of Kuala Lumpur, iO Hotel [...]

02
Dec
Koh Samui Beach
10 Surprises From My First Week in Koh Samui, Thailand

The popular island of Koh Samui is often disregarded by backpackers as a 'tourist trap'. [...]

30
Nov
The Five-Buddhas Statue at Wat Phra Sorn Kaew
Wat Pha Sorn Kaew: Thailand’s Most Unusual ‘Daliesque’ Temple

To me, this temple represents a new frontier in religious architecture. It’s a man-made wonder. [...]

28
Nov
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal: Exotic, Chaotic & Addictive!

Nepal’s magical capital is an exotic mix of narrow alleyways, bric-a-brac shops, shanty houses, colourful [...]

27
Nov
Getting the bus to Borobudur in Java
Ganja and “S.H.I.T.” (Suspected Hippie In Transit): Backpacking Southeast Asia in The 70s

Following on from our popular article about London lad Barrie Scott, we brought on the [...]

26
Nov
Choon Paan Truck in Sri Lanka
The Journey of Sri Lanka’s Choon Paan Man (Bread Man)

In most countries, the strains of music you hear wafting through the streets mean ice [...]

24
Nov
A boat in the Mekong River
Slow Boat to Luang Prabang, Laos: Public Boat, Speedboat or Private Cruise?

Taking the private two-day slow boat tour was one of the most expensive experiences on [...]

22
Nov
View across the valley near Pai, Mae Hong Son
The Bus From Chiang Mai to Pai: Crazy Thoughts Along The Way!

It's no secret that the drive from Chiang Mai to Pai is a daunting one. [...]

20
Nov
Wat Sri Suphan, Chiang Mai, the Silver Temple
Top 5 Temples, Chiang Mai – What Wats to Visit if You’re Tight on Time?

With over 300 Buddhist temples dotted all around Chiang Mai, you're sure to be ‘wat-ed’ [...]

18
Nov
Hari Raya Festival
How (Not) to Meet the Sultan of Brunei – The Festival of Hari Raya

Brunei is slowly making its way onto travelers’ radars, as Lonely Planet and others have [...]

16
Nov
Two women fight in the ring, Muay Thai
Learning Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand

Sophie and I had arrived at Tiger Muay Thai and MMA training camp for a [...]

14
Nov
10 Days in a Vipassana Meditation Retreat at Wat Ram Poeng, Northern Thailand

The Northern Insight Meditation Centre of Wat Ram Poeng is nestled on the secluded edges [...]

08
Nov
Should-Travellers-Boycott-Myanmar
Should Travellers Boycott Myanmar?

Travellers thinking of visiting Myanmar right now have a moral dilemma to consider. With the [...]

11
Oct
Fishermen pull in their nets in Lombok, Indonesia
Senggigi, Indonesia: Lombok’s Main Traveller Hub

With Mount Rinjani a two-hour drive to the east, Kuta (Lombok) an hour and a [...]

10
Oct
The garden at Little Eco Lodge, Inle Lake
Review: A Little Eco Lodge, Inle Lake, Myanmar – From $70 USD / Room

Located down a quiet road not far from the tourist hub of Nyaung Shwe, A [...]

10
Oct
Xishuangbanna: A Little Southeast Asia in China

Xishuangbanna or ‘Banna’ as it is more commonly referred to, is not the easiest region [...]

07
Oct
The bed at Sweet Life Community Guesthouse, Koh Lanta
Review: Sweet Life Community Guesthouse, Koh Lanta, Thailand – From $10 USD / Bed

Sweet Life Community Guesthouse is located in Lanta Old Town, a working fisherman’s village on [...]

05
Oct
“Backpacker Tourism can be a Force for Good.” Says Aid & Development Worker

Backpackers may not spend a lot, but almost every one of their dollars stays in [...]

02
Oct
Flowers in a vase on a table by a sofa, Ma Ma Guesthouse, Mandalay
Review: Ma Ma Guesthouse, Mandalay, Myanmar – From $50 USD / Room

Despite the romantic connotations of the city’s name, thanks entirely to Kipling (who actually spent [...]

28
Sep
The path to the entrance of Kalaw Heritage Hotel, Kalaw
Review: Kalaw Heritage Hotel, Kalaw, Myanmar – From $50 USD / Room

Built in 1903, the Kalaw Heritage Hotel in the old British Hill Station of Kalaw [...]

27
Sep
Soon To Be Lost Forever: Larung Gar, the Largest Tibetan Buddhist University

In June and July of 2016 the Chinese government demolished 50% of Larung Gar, a [...]

26
Sep
A view across Kalaw, Myanmar.
Kalaw: Myanmar’s Overlooked Hill Station

50km from Inle Lake, Kalaw, in Shan State, was founded as a hill station by [...]

26
Sep
The swimming pool and bar at Myanmar Han Hotel, Bagan
Review: Myanmar Han Hotel, Bagan, Myanmar – From $30 USD / Room

Myanmar Han is THE perfect place in Bagan to relax after visiting 2,200 temples! A [...]

17
Sep
Dude, Where’s My Shoes? & 16 Other Annoying Things Backpackers Do…

Backpackers are wonderful creatures, but there’s always one isn’t there… or two, or three, or [...]

16
Sep
The garden area at Thanlwin Guesthouse, Yangon
Review: Thanlwin Guesthouse, Yangon, Myanmar – From $10 USD / Bed.

An escape from the chaos of Yangon, Thanlwin Guest House is a beautiful big house [...]

10
Sep
Fresh air after the rain in Hpa An, Myanmar.
Hpa An, Myanmar: Jurassic Scenery, Hiking & Caves

Just a few hours from the border of Thailand, you'll stumble across the scruffy little [...]

10
Sep
Useful Thai Phrases: When Ordering Food in Thailand

Watch our video filmed at a night market in Mae Sot to learn a few [...]

04
Sep
Window with floor map writtten on at Chiang Mai's derelict women's prison
Doing Time – Inside an Abandoned Prison, Chiang Mai, Thailand

In the heart of Chiang Mai's Old Quarter, I stumbled upon an intriguing hole in [...]

03
Sep
Spectacular Views Across The Landscape on The Mae Hong Song Loop
Driven Round the Bend on the Mae Hong Son Loop, Northern Thailand!

The Mae Hong Son Loop is lauded as one of the best motorbiking routes in [...]

29
Aug
The swimming pool at Pause & Play Hotel, Chiang Mai
Review: Pause and Play Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand – From $40 USD / Room

Located out of the Old City of Chiang Mai, near to the University, Doi Suthep [...]

29
Aug
Craft beers.
A Taste of Hanoi: Foodie and Craft Beer Tours in Vietnam’s Capital

Do you travel to eat and drink? For me, one of the most exciting things [...]

24
Aug
City of Ghosts: A Glimpse of Vietnam’s Affluent Afterlife at An Bang Cemetery

Way off the usual tourist trail lies the biggest Cemetery in Vietnam, An Bang Cemetery [...]

21
Aug
Naypyidaw, Myanmar, The Artificial City: 10-Lane Highways & No People

Myanmar's Naypyidaw almost feels like Las Vegas if it had a population of 1,000 and [...]

17
Aug
Passport-stamps-visas
The ULTIMATE Backpacker Visa Guide to Southeast Asia

As a backpacker in South East Asia crossing borders becomes a regular undertaking. Each country [...]

16
Aug
Exploring Tam Coc Village & Ninh Binh, Vietnam – Halong Bay on Land!

Looking for some down time in North Vietnam? Just three hours from the crazy capital [...]

15
Aug
A toy VW van with backpacks on the roof. A comical image to represent a backpack on wheels
Backpacks With Wheels: The Pros & Cons + The 8 Best Rolling Backpacks!

These days, no longer do you have to decide between having a backpack or taking [...]

09
Aug
On Two Wheels Through North Vietnam: Glimpses of a Unique World…

What a privilege – cycling in North Vietnam while tourism is still in its infancy! [...]

07
Aug
Shot-of-two-small-planes-taken-from-the-inside-of-a-bigger-one-at-the-aeroplane-graveyard,-Bangkok.-Thailand
The Aeroplane Graveyard, Bangkok – Where Planes Go When They Die…

Anyone with an interest in Urban Exploration (Urbex for short) has their personal bucket list. [...]

03
Aug
Suan Sati, Chiang Mai: A Review of the Cheapest Yoga Retreat in Thailand

Last week, we were invited to stay at Suan Sati Yoga Retreat in San Sai, [...]

30
Jul
First Time Travel to Southeast Asia: Travel With a Tour or Go It Alone?

You’re going travelling in Southeast Asia! You’ve booked your flights, you’re starting to do some [...]

24
Jul
Grafitti-and-puddles-in-abandoned-building-off-main-road-near-Chiang-Mai-Thailand
The Joy of Urbex: Why Exploring Abandonded Places Beats Full Moon Parties

Urban exploration ("urbex" for short) had already been popular long before the term came into [...]

23
Jul
The sign on the road to Prilpai, Pai
Review: PrilPai Guesthouse, Pai, Thailand – From $24 USD / Room

Located on a beautiful little countryside road, about 2km outside of Pai centre, PrilPai Guesthouse [...]

23
Jul
Pad Thai, Thailand.
Pad Thai: The Forgotten History of Thailand’s National Dish

Today, Pad Thai is a popular street food dish in many parts of the country [...]

17
Jul
A view across Pai Canyon
Review: Suandoi Backpacker Resort, Pai, Thailand – From $6 USD / Bed

Once a resort for the people of Thailand, Suandoi has evolved into an international resort [...]

15
Jul
The bed at Get Zleep, Chiang Mai
Review: Get Zleep Premium Budget Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand – From $24 USD / Room

Get Zleep Premium Budget Hotel is an incredible value for money luxury accommodation, located in [...]

14
Jul
Avoiding Khao San Road. Our Guide to the Best Bangkok Neighbourhoods!

Most backpackers flying into the city of Bangkok make a bee-line for one place: the [...]

11
Jul
Local fishermen bring their boat to shore in Tangalla Sri-Lanka
Tangalla, Sri Lanka: Beach Paradise on the Surf Lovin’ South Coast

Tangalla, also known as Tangalle, has the most perfect beach I have ever seen, with [...]

10
Jul
The dining area at Siamaze Hostel, Bangkok
Review: Siamaze Hostel, Bangkok, Thailand – From $8 USD / Bed

Clean, spacious and well-designed hostel located in an authentic Thai neighbourhood with delicious street food [...]

10
Jul
Girl performs yoga on the beach, representing yoga travel jobs
Search for Jobs and Travel the World as a Yoga Teacher!

Ever thought about an alternative lifestyle that allows you to earn money as you travel [...]

30
Jun
Rapids,-Cat Tien-National-Park,-Vietnam
Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam: Singing Gibbons & Crocodiles

Just when you think you have already explored all the possible corners of this fascinating [...]

26
Jun
Capsule bunk beds at Nau Here
Review: Nau Here, Kuta, Indonesia – From $8 USD / Bed

Kuta is the first stop in Bali for many backpackers, fresh off the plane… Nau [...]

26
Jun
Restaurant at La Boheme Gili Trawangan
Review: La Boheme, Gili Trawangan, Indonesia – From $11 USD / Bed

The largest of the three Gilis, Gili Trawangan is famed for being the party island [...]

26
Jun
A selection of beans and pulses in sacks. A common sight in many of the cheap places to travel in Asia.
Readers Poll: The Cheapest Place to Travel in Southeast Asia

Following the popularity (and controversy!) of our first readers poll - “Where is the worst [...]

24
Jun
A deserted beach on Pulau Kei
Pulau Kei, Indonesia: The Forgotten Islands…

In the southeastern part of the Maluku Islands in Maluku Province, Indonesia, you can find [...]

23
Jun
US-Hostel-Koh-Samui
Review: Us Hostel, Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand – From $13 USD / Bed

Us Hostel is a brand new hostel on the popular island of Koh Samui. Built [...]

17
Jun
An ornate door at Depa House Ubud
Review: Depa House, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – From $19 USD / Room

Nestled in the heart of Ubud, a culturally rich and vibrant town with streets laden [...]

17
Jun
Getting away from the crowds: A Taste of Tana Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia

The 17,000 islands of Indonesia have something for every type of traveller. If you've had [...]

17
Jun
D-Well Hostel, Chiang mai
Review: D-Well, Chiang Mai, Thailand – From $11 USD / Bed

For an amazing city, here’s an amazing hostel. D-Well Hostel has really thought about backpackers [...]

15
Jun
A Couple Stand Looking Out From The Viewpoint At Koneswaram Temple, Trinco
Black Tea and Burnt Feet, A Journey Across Sri Lanka

Travel writer, Ian Packham takes us on a journey across the colourful island of Sri [...]

15
Jun
Backpackers sitting around, shot from above at PakUp Hostel Krabi
Review: Pak-Up Hostel, Krabi, Thailand – From $6.50 USD / Bed

Home to the sheer limestone cliffs, turquoise waters and longtail boats of Railay Beach, Krabi [...]

15
Jun
Pokhara, Nepal: Lakeside City & Gateway to the Annapurna Mountain Range

Arriving in Pokhara after the bumpy 8-hour bus journey (or 30-minute bumpy plane journey!) feels [...]

13
Jun
A mushroom-shaped pool seen from above at Begadang Backpackers, Gili Air
Review: Begadang Backpackers: Gili Air, Indonesia – From $12 USD / Bed

Begadang Backpackers is a big hostel located in Gili Air, Indonesia... Although the hostel can [...]

12
Jun
Tables by the pool at Natya Hotel, Gili Trawangan
Review: Natya Hotel, Gili Trawangan – From $60 USD / Room

One minute walk from the beach, Natya Hotel is located right in the heart of all [...]

11
Jun
Readers Poll: The Worst Place in Southeast Asia You’ve Ever Been

We recently asked our readers on Facebook… “Where's the WORST place you've ever been to [...]

05
Jun
Best Airline Sites – Which is the cheapest?

Skyscanner​ or Expedia​? KAYAK or Momondo? TripAdvisor or Hipmunk? Or does lastminute.com still have the [...]

04
Jun
Spiritual Extremism: The Enemy Within

Dave Noakes takes a tongue in cheek look at the path to spiritual enlightenment. A [...]

02
Jun
Backpackers messing around in the pool at Mad Monkey Hostel, Siem Reap
Backpacker: Hostels & Dormitory Rooms – All Under $15 USD!

[...]

23
May
Boats on the grass by the beach on Gili Meno
Gili Meno, Indonesia: The Most Romantic Gili

If you’re looking for desert island vibes, clean white beaches and unspoiled nature, then Gili [...]

05
May
Sunset at Glil Air beach
Gili Air, Indonesia: Some Say The Best of Both (all 3) Gilis!

The closest of the Gili islands to Lombok, Gili Air seems to have magically escaped [...]

04
May
Which Moments in Southeast Asia Will You Never Forget?

Despite the open-mindedness that travel brings, destination snobbery is still prevalent in certain traveler communities. [...]

29
Apr
Is Analog Photography Valuable in a Digital World?

Have you ever thought about the way that digital cameras have changed our behaviour when [...]

25
Apr
Boat Trip Lombok Flores
Lombok to Flores – A Swashbuckling 4-Day Boat Trip in Indonesia!

Want a once in a lifetime chance to cruise across the Indonesian coast with 20 [...]

22
Apr
Loi Krathong Festival, Thailand
11 Festivals in Southeast Asia you MUST see once in your life!

From the planet’s biggest water fight in Thailand (Songkran), to the gruesome piercings and self [...]

20
Apr
Permaculture Design Course in Goa
What is Permaculture? Interview with Rico Zook, Permaculture Designer & Teacher

Last month, we took a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) in Arambol, Goa, India with well-known [...]

17
Apr
“Begpacking”: Backpackers Behaving Badly?

Over the past few days a photo has been going viral on Facebook showing two [...]

12
Apr
Songkran in Thailand
Songkran Survival Guide – Thailand’s Water Festival

As people gear up for the world’s biggest water fight, if you’re secretly dreading it [...]

11
Apr
How to Ride a Motorbike (Like a Tw*t)

Having spent more time than intended in North Goa I have seen my fair share [...]

09
Apr
Tea leaf salad
10 Must-Try Foods in Myanmar

Myanmar is not often thought of as the culinary capital of South East Asia. Yet, [...]

07
Apr
Your 5 Point Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel

Are you a responsible and eco-conscious traveller? Check out these five simple ways to ensure [...]

05
Apr
Buddha statue across a pond in Sukhothai
Sukhothai Vs Ayutthaya – How Do You Choose Which UNESCO Site To Visit?

Central Thailand has two popular UNESCO World Heritages sites, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, both the homes [...]

14
Mar
The View From The Boat In El Nido
10 Unmissable Places To Visit on Palawan Island, The Philippines

With over 2,000 kilometres of coastline, 1,700 islands containing thousands of pristine beaches, towering limestone [...]

01
Mar
Do You Want to Learn New Skills Whilst You Travel? 10 Courses & Workshops in Asia that could Change Your Life!

If you’re interested in gaining new knowledge, bagging new skills and working on your personal [...]

15
Feb
A Different Perspective: Volunteering with the International Humanity Foundation in Jakarta, Indonesia

At first glance, Jakarta was just another bustling city, no different from any other that [...]

13
Feb
5 Essential Packing Tips for South East Asia!

It’s your last job – cramming everything into a bag you must carry without doing [...]

12
Feb
Child beggars at Chong Kneas Floating Village, Cambodia.
How Do You Feel About Beggars When You Travel?

Throughout my travels in India and South East Asia, I’ve been approached by beggars of [...]

07
Feb
Becoming a Yoga Teacher in India: Review of 200-Hour Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training Course at Parimukti – Part 3

The final part of our day-to-day diaries of the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course in [...]

01
Feb
Becoming a Yoga Teacher in India: Review of 200-Hour Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training Course at Parimukti – Part 2

Daily Diaries from Week Two of the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course. A difficult week [...]

22
Jan
Cambodian Cycle Adventure. On Yer Bike!

Tired of temples and the lazy backpacker lifestyle in South East Asia, Laura Ricketts [...]

21
Jan
Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Pontianak, West Kalimantan: The Capital of Indonesian Borneo

Located in West Kalimantan as the Capital of Indonesian Borneo, Pontianak grew its reputation as [...]

20
Jan
Becoming a Yoga Teacher in India: Review of 200-Hour Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training Course at Parimukti – Part 1

Have you ever thought about training to become a Yoga Teacher? In the first month [...]

15
Jan
7 Reasons Why Tourist Hotspots Aren’t Necessarily So Bad…

Disclaimer: Some touristy places are, without doubt, man-made hell-holes that have been commercialised beyond salvation. [...]

03
Jan
Yoga teacher on beach
Jobs Abroad: My Life as a Yoga Teacher in Goa, India

24-year-old Martha from Limerick in Ireland, has been making a living abroad since she was [...]

29
Dec
Wild Elephants & Bad Driving! The Highs And Lows Of Sri Lanka…

At 34, I'm older than most to be making my first trip to Asia. Where [...]

01
Dec
Multi-tiered stages of rocks at Erawan waterfalls, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
5 Must See Waterfalls in Thailand!

Exploring waterfalls is one of the best ways to get in touch with nature in [...]

24
Nov
Been There, Don Det | Laos’ Backpacker Paradise

When the mighty Mekong River flooded its banks, it created an archipelago known as Si [...]

04
Nov
The Silhouette of a Couple Sitting on a Sofa in a Forest, Representing Luxury Camping
4 Awesome Countryside Camping Options Near Chiang Mai, Thailand

Are you headed to Chiang Mai in search of adventure? If you want to swim [...]

07
Oct
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COVID-19 UPDATES!
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  • PLAN YOUR TRIP
    • BACKPACKS
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    • BUDGET
    • TRAVEL INSURANCE
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    • VISAS
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