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Timor-Leste Travel Guide: What to Expect in Asia’s Least-Visited Country
I recently traveled to Timor-Leste, Asia’s least-visited country and one of the newest nations in the world. After centuries of Portuguese colonization and a period of Indonesian occupation, Timor-Leste finally gained its independence in 2002. As many of you know, I’m always up for a random adventure—so it didn’t take much convincing for me to pack my bags and head to this remote island nation. How to get to Timor-Leste One of the main reasons Timor-Leste remains off the typical tourist radar is the challenge of getting there. Its capital, Dili, is relatively isolated, with direct flights currently available from just three cities: Bali (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Darwin (Australia). This…
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Is Brunei Worth Visiting? A Complete Travel Guide to Southeast Asia’s Hidden Nation
Brunei may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a trip, and after spending two days here, I can see why. While it has its moments—pristine rainforests, impressive mosques, and a glimpse into a unique culture—it doesn’t quite deliver that must-visit spark. Still, if you find yourself here, there are a few highlights worth checking out. Here’s how I spent my time. Day 1: Deep in the Temburong Jungle I rolled out of bed before sunrise in Bandar Seri Begawan, still half-asleep but ready for a day in Brunei’s wilderness. Getting to Temburong National Park meant a 45-minute drive and a longboat ride upriver, which was…
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Ayutthaya : A Great Day Trip From Bangkok
I had 48 hours before my flight back to Beijing and wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. I did some research and came across Ayutthaya, the Kingdom of Siam’s (modern day Thailand) ancient capital. Ayutthaya was established in 1350 and flourished for over 400 years. It became a bustling trade hub known for its stunning temples and diverse cultural influences, blending Khmer, Chinese, and Persian styles. However, in 1767, the city was devastated by the Burmese army, leading to its decline. Today, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can explore ancient ruins and soak in the rich history of Thailand. How to visit Ayutthaya…
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Things To Do in Luang Prabang
Let me start off by saying, I love Luang Prabang! I’ll admit, heading into LP, I was a bit nervous. It seemed unanimous online that everyone enjoyed this small, former capital city in the north. I couldn’t find much criticism; it just seemed too good to be true. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, only to be disappointed. Fortunately, LP lived up to the hype. Delicious restaurants everywhere, cheap massages, beautiful sites, easy to get around, you name it. While LP isn’t as live as Ho Chi Minh or as action packed as a Bangkok, this quiet city has its own unique charm to it that makes you…
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Why You Must Visit Nong Khiaw
Not much is known about Nong Khiaw, in fact, most tourists don’t know it exists. This small town located 3 hours north of Luang Prabang is one of Laos’ hidden gems. Nong Khiaw is a quiet and scenic town jam-packed with adventure. Nong Khiaw is what you imagine backpacking in Southeast Asia to have been like in the past. Although the tourism industry is a bit overly commercialized with signs for tours pasted around the town, it still maintains its “Off the beaten track” essence as a sleepy backpacker town. How to Get There? Take a van from Luang Prabang, tickets cost 80,000 kip and the trip takes 4 hours,…
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Best Budget Hotel in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang was nothing short of amazing, but what really made my experience that much greater was my stay at Villa Ban Phanluang, the best budget hotel in Luang Prabang. Located just a short ride away from the city center, this hotel meets all the requirements of a great place to stay at: welcoming staff, clean and spacious rooms, delicious breakfast, top notch service, and inexpensive. Rooms: Villa Ban Phanluang offers 6 types of room ranging from a Double Room to Deluxe Family Room. I stayed in the “Superior Double Room”, which I found to be excellent. The bed is large and very clean. I always do a scan of…
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Things to do in Vientiane
Vientiane is nicknamed the “Sleepiest Capital City in Southeast Asia” and it does an excellent job of living up to its title. There is very little to do here, but Vientiane is perhaps one of the more peaceful cities in Southeast Asia. Here are some things to do in Vientiane: 1) Visit Pha That Luang: the most important monument in the country and a national symbol. 2) See Wat Si Saket: the oldest temple in Vientiane that is still in its original form. There are thousands of tiny Buddhas here and one large one. 3) Talk with locals: Laos receives little tourism compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors and the…
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Hiking Mount Bromo
Hiking Mount Bromo was my favorite part of my trip to Indonesia; watching the sunrise was one of the most spectacular things I’ve done in my life. Bromo is an absolute must see if you’re in Indonesia and have the time to visit. Visiting is fairly simple and the hike to the top is painless. How to get there? Unfortunately, there is no direct transportation from Jakarta to Mt. Bromo. First, you’ll need to take a flight to Surabaya (assuming you’re not already there). Next you’ll need to take a bus to Probolinggo from Bungurasih bus terminal, which isn’t too far from the city center. When my friend and I arrived…
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Is Singapore Worth Visiting?
Many ask, “Is Singapore worth visiting?” Well, that depends on whom you ask. Your hardcore backpacker will emphatically say no, while your casual traveler might say otherwise. As one with aspirations to see every country on earth, my visit to Singapore was inevitable, but truth be told, it was not high on my list of places to see. However, I was in Vietnam at the time, the ticket to Singapore was only $100 one way, and I had a friend working there at the time. Here are a number of things I recommend you do and see while in Singapore. After, I’ll highlight the negative aspects of Singapore. 1) Eat!…
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The Indigenous Black Filipinos
Growing up in the U.S, I often heard East Asians refer to Southeast Asians, more so Filipinos, as the “Blacks of Asia”, but never really thought much of it. I thought it had more to do with many Filipino-Americans affinity towards Black culture rather than their physical appearance, but after visiting the Philippines and seeing the indigenous people, it made a lot more sense. Origins The indigenous people of the Philippines, known as the “Aeta”, are a group related to the Negrito (Spanish term for “little black person”) ethnic group occupying parts of the Andaman Islands in India, Malaysia, and Thailand. They are characterized by their short statue, kinky hair,…
