Looking for Itinerary advice for SE Asia. Lots of places little time.
I am a first time traveler going solo to SE Asia before spending time in Philippines for Christmas.
I have never ventured out of Canada (where I'm from) and want to jump rite in to see the world. Below are my details.
Flying from Vancouver to Bangkok on Nov 22 and leaving Dec 22 to Philippines. I have never been to Bangkok and would like to know how it is traveling solo, where to go, and what to do. I am doing allot of research and found Ko Phi Phi to be a nice place.
I am interested in nice white quiet beaches and hiking. I would also like to travel to places no so touristy for some culture.
any help would be great!! :D
kinda scared but also excited.
Reply to this I'm home a week from SE asia
In Bangkok stay on Rambuttri St rather than Khaosan Rd; the former is very close to the latter but not quite so insane. You will have no problem finding a guesthouse and food is consistently great - get great custom made fruit shakes from the largeish, young Thai man who's cart is on Rambuttri.
If you want rural quiet go to Luang Probang in Laos; easy enough to get visas and flights arranged in Bangkok. You will find most places do everything: guesthouses and/or travel agencies (many many of them) will arrange visas, tickets, taxis, guesthouse reservations etc etc. Good cycling, hiking, kayaking up there as well as terrific food. In Vietnam I left for the day in the morning and when I returned home that evening the guesthouse owner had my laundry ready for me, my bike ready for the next day's ride to the beach, the next week's flight ticket to Saigon from Da Nang in hand - and had arranged the taxi to take me to the airport - all for less than $75.
Eat everywhere: cafe's, street stalls, street carts, it's all good and clean - esp. Thailand
If you want more specific info e-mail me at
I am so jealous....
oh, at Bangkok airport do not accept the offer of a limo/taxi into town - you will be approached inside the terminal neare the outside doors by nice well-meaning young ladies who emerge from behind a desk. It looks nice and convenient but they charge 800bhat ($25); go outside and get a taxi and pay no more than 450bhat.
I loved going solo and if you want company you will find it.
Kerry Reply to this in the philippines try palawan and siquijor, then makati for a bit of culture looking for. many europeans here, and americans, so there may be something about makati that you'll find nice. have a safe trip! 😊
Reply to this hey!
im also traveling alone for thailand this dec. and im planning to stay in khao san road. is it also safe there? i heard its really cheap, about 100 baht. i dont mind as long as its clean and safe since i would also be going around the whole day.
any idea about crossing the border to cambodia?
thanks! 😊
hey buster, try to go to cebu and palawan also here in the philippines. laid-back and they have nice beaches too.
Reply to this Heya,
I'm not travelling for another year and am being well prepared and have already started reading and blogging for my trip!!! I know... what a sap! I too am going to be travelling alone, can't wait! Bangkok, I hear is lovely but manic and people only tend to spend a few days here. You'll have to let us know how you get on , I'm dying to go.
I am flying to Delhi from Ireland and going to do a two week arranged trip to start me off, then I'm flying to Bangkok, travelling through Poipet to Cambodia, through to Ho Chi Ming in Vietnam all the way up to Hanoi and coming back through Laos ( I'm not planning to spend very much time here as I have heard that it is still relatively underdeveloped and Bandits and Landmines are not very frequent but are occasional?? Has anybody any tips on Laos?
Then I plan on travelling down through N. Thailand through the central areas and relax in the South on the Islands.
I don't know how money is going to work but it seems to relatively cheap?? Any tips on how much I'll be looking at spending accomodation and food wise?
I had also at this point wanted to make a trip over to Malaysia and see if I can arrange one of those volunteer with the Orangutang programmes but hear they are exepnsive?
Any advice onplaces to go see and watch out for are welcome? Even tips on the best ntry / exit point and visas?
Thanks XX
Reply to this Thanks for all the reply's guys... it's monday and i'm leaving in 2 days... I can't wait!!!! :D
hey danikaaah.... i'll be staying on khao san road too... trying to book my stay now!! which place are you staying at?
i'll update this posting when i arrive...
thanks again for all the advice guys.!!!
Reply to this hey buster! i dont know where exactly il be staying yet but i might go for the cheap ones since i would also be out the whole day. tell me where your staying when you get there, we can meet up if ever. leaving on fri. 😊 im soooo excited!
hey uncle matt! since id be there in bangkok for 10days, made some plans to go cross the border to cambodia through poipet but il be taking the bus to save some time. iv been reading a lot about it and its not quite safe to take the tours and stuff. so i might as well go on an adventure by myself! and ya, if i were you, take a trip to malaysia. was there last june and so would see how they've grown. il give you more advice when i get to bangkok and tell you about my trip. money is really cheap! it would go loooong way!
woooohooooo!!!
Reply to this Hey guys,
If you don't like crowded manic areas to stay avoid Khaosan Rd and stay on Rambuttri instead - it's only a 2 minute walk from Khaosan to Rambuttri. Go to the police station (the opposite end from where Burger King is)at the end of Khaosan, turn right, walk 2 or 3 minutes, and go left at the Western Union office. Rambuttri is busy but Khaosan is madness!
Also, if you can, make the effort and go to Laos; in Pnom Penh look for the Green Vespa cafe which is along the river where the traveler's places are and more to the right end of the strip when the river is at your back.
Kerry
Reply to this Heya Danikaah,
God I'm soooooo jealous, I'd love to be heading off now..... instead just think of me doing my evening college work, trying to cram it all in and meet deadlines, and also work full time during the day.... It's manic, can't wait for the stressfree life of being simply..... AWAY!FREE!
Yea do let me know how you get on..... safe travels guys
Uncle Matt
Reply to this 
