Comments on: Southeast Asia: A Beginner’s Guide

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 10:30:21 +0000

In reply to Rena. Glad this article brought back some good memories for you, Rena!

By: Rena

Rena — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 14:17:17 +0000

What a great article, Audrey. Takes me back to my time at Singapore where I was on a business trip but then turned it into a leisure trip after one of the people we met suggested some cool places. The Marina are is fabulous and we loved the museums there. Lots of great sculptures installed right in open road – it was mind-boggling. Thanks for making me miss those days!!!!

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:35:17 +0000

In reply to Ghislaine Telles. Ghislane, great to hear that this article is helpful for your upcoming trip to Southeast Asia and that the video/information about elephants was educational...albeit very sad as well. Until a few years ago I also was not aware of what elephants went through to be broken in to carry tourists. We're trying now to raise awareness about this treatment so that travelers may choose other activities instead of elephant riding. Have a great trip!

By: Ghislaine Telles

Ghislaine Telles — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 19:27:20 +0000

Thank you for your grat article
I confess to became shocked with what they do to the elephants in order to break their spirits. I wish I could do the same to these men in the movies you posted.
I was in tears some minutes ago watching the movies.
Two friends and I are planning to travel to Southeast Asia and your article will help us a lot.

By: Susan Trani

Susan Trani — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 04:50:35 +0000

This is a great article! Thailand too, was our first South East Asian experience and our first trip lead to a second, where we spent six months living in Bangkok. Laos and Vietnam are next on our list- I can’t wait!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 00:53:41 +0000

In reply to David. No culture? What a thing to say.

By: yuyazz

yuyazz — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 16:11:22 +0000

Hello
i’m sorry but i really need to write on maximum english blogs because after 6 months of travel in South East Asia, it is my duty to tell it to the maximum people from countries such england or australia
Everywhere we went, thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Burma, Malaysia, and Laos, we meet the same type of travelers, loud, arrogant, completely disrespectful of other travelers and local poeple or places..A on several occasions we had to change guesthouse to find a more quiet place, especially away from you english people.
You have a tendency to shout rather than speak, to make noise, in couple or group, always acting as if you were alone in earth..Even if you know that the owner of the guest house sleeps just next door, even if his childrens have to sleep to go at school the next morning, it will not matter, you continue until late at night yelling like pigs, in total disrespect of your neighbors .I therefore ask you this: learn to respect your neighbors, stop believing you higher because the whole world must understand you and speak your language when you do not speak any other language except yours..the local bad feel towards overseas is due in large part to your behavior..Vang Vieng but the Thai islands are the best examples of your behavior incredibly bad.English women love to put almost naked, where the local dress head to toe in all sacred places or elsewhere, you English women you absolutely don’t respect the modesty of local people, in bikini everywhere..we think that you really behave badly, the whole world hates you for that, but you don’t care and continue..if ever someone notice it to you, you laugh..You, English, you must to know it, please, SHUT UP, and respect local cultures and your neighbors..your culture based on “easy friendship”, “nudity in public places”, and “shouting rather than talking” must stop!!!.Please be respectful and forget your huge egos!!! … you are the shame of Western europe in abroad countries …you have to know and to behave in consequence please..if some of you think that i’m exagerating, just look and listen, everywhere in South asia, and certainly everywhere in the world..you are in holidays, ok..but maybe your neighbors or the local people around you are NOT in holidays!!!
-so 1 : be quiet
-2 : stop wearing bikinis and show your muscles to the whole world..
if people come here to read these comments, be advise that you are not really appreciated in the world…especially because of young travellers who just care about themselves, and just think about making party…
I had no bad idea about english or autralian before, not at all..now after six month travelling, i just hate you, and can’t stand anymore your fucking behaviour..

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 15:34:23 +0000

In reply to faeriegrove.

Great question here. Most of our travels in SE Asia have been independent, putting things together on the go and staying in mostly cheap guesthouses and taking public transport. A few years ago we decided to take a G Adventures tour in Bali to see what it was like traveling with a group in a place that had a good travel infrastructure. We had a lot of fun with the people in our group and actually kind of enjoyed having the logistics (transport and accommodation) taken care of for us so that we could just focus on the activities during the days. Our tour had a lot of independent/free time so we could still customize a lot of what we wanted to do. Here’s that story: https://uncorneredmarket.com/travel-snobbery-tour-bali/

I do believe that it’s worth giving an organized tour a look, especially given that your mother may want a bit of comfort (e.g., private bus vs. chicken bus) or have some special needs due to her age. Also, having a local guide who really knows the area well can be quite invaluable. What I would look for in a tour (and tour company) is:
1) The estimated size of the group. The smaller the better, less than 10-15 as ideal.
2) Amount of free/independent time on the trip. This means that you will have time to go off on your own to go an explore — whether it’s to a market, street food stand, temple, etc. You don’t need to do everything with the group.
3) Number of meals included in the tour. While it may sound good to have meals included in the tour, some companies offer buffet meals for this. We prefer when we have more flexibility to choose our meals and where we want to eat.

We’ve heard good things about OAT, but have never traveled with them. We have traveled quite a bit with G Adventures, from Haiti to Iran to Bali (Disclosure: they are one of our partners). They offer different levels of tours, so given that you don’t want things too fancy/luxurious the Classic or Standard tours would probably be a good fit for you.

Another option would be to not take an organized tour, but instead work with a travel agent to put together a sort of personalized tour for the two of you that includes accommodation, transport, guides, etc. That may be a bit more work and more expensive, however.

Good luck and hope you enjoy traveling together in SE Asia!

By: faeriegrove

faeriegrove — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 03:16:08 +0000

My 82 yr. old mother would like me to accompany her on an escorted tour (such as Overseas Adventure Travel) to SE Asia. Mom has traveled extensively, always with escorted tours, which she feels safer on and peace of mind, having it all planned for you. I, on the other hand, have never taken a “tour”, preferring the cheaper “do-it-yourself” method, staying in cheap hotels, etc. We are interested in traveling to SE Asia and I’m wondering if you would recommend a tour such as the above-mentioned, or are there other “in-between” options that might suit both of us better?

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:03:22 +0000

In reply to Ilse. You're welcome, Ilse! Wishing you a wonderful time on your Southeast Asia adventure!