SE Asia - Facts And Figures

Looking On - Anak Krakatau

The facts & figures of my SE Asia Journey:

4 Months: 8th Feb 2008 - 8th June 2008.

Countries Visited -
*Thailand
*Laos
*Vietnam
*Cambodia
*Malaysia
*Indonesia (Sumatra & Java)
*Singapore
*Myanmar (Burma) - but only for a day (visa run) so I'm not really counting this one.


Volcanoes Visited -
*Toba (Sumatra - Indonesia)
*Gunung Merapi (Sumatra - Indonesia)
*Krakatau (Sumatra - Indonesia)
*Anak Krakatau (Sumatra - Indonesia)
*Gunung Merapi (Java - Indonesia)
*Bromo-Tengger Semeru - including Batok and Kursi too (Java - Indonesia).


Top 15 Experiences (in no particular order) -
1. Krakatau & Anak Krakatau (Indonesia) - sleeping under the stars on Krakatau while watching Anak Krakatau burst out with glowing red lava and thunderous noise, then later climbing up on the active volcano for a close and personal experience.
2. Temples Of Angkor (Cambodia) - watching the sun come up over Angkor Wat - priceless.
3. Luang Prabang (Laos) - The stunning, peacful town on the Mekong River - beautiful.
4. Bromo-Tengger-Semeru (Indonesia) - Looking out over the whole volcanic landscape up on Gunung Penanjakan, a great viewpoint to see all the volcanoes in the Tengger Massif and then taking a stroll up on the smoking crater of Gunung Bromo to watch the sun come up and transform the region into an end-of-the-world atmospheric landscape.
5. Halong Bay (Vietnam) - Sailing around Halong Bay, with it's awesome karst formations jutting up from the clear waters.
6. South Thailand Beaches (Thailand) - whether it's chilling on the amazing Maya Beach (Koh Phi Phi), snorkelling on Koh Tao or partying (full moon style) on Koh Phangan - the South Thailand beaches are immense.
7. Taman Negara (Malaysia) - Trekking through the oldest rainforest in the world, observing the most amazing wildlife (and leeches), meeting the local Orang Asli Tribe and clambering across the longest canopy walkway on the planet!!!
8. Vietnam Big Cities (Vietnam) - The chaos of Hanoi and HCMC (Saigon) are crazy and frantic but a lot of fun. The only place you actually need to create a will before attempting to cross the roads.
9. Vang Vieng (Laos) - Tubing chaos. Grab your big inflatable and float down the river, hopping from one bar to the next. Then rope swing back into the water and continue the party - which always ends up at Smile Bar - big smiles all round!!!
10. Singapore Zoo & Night Safari (Singapore) - See some of the most amazing animals day and night - like no other zoo I have ever been to.
11. Snorkelling On The Perhentian Islands (Malaysia) - Snorkelling with Black Tipped Reef Sharks and then Turtles that were bigger than myself was truly fantastic - just watch out for sea lice.
12. Pai (Thailand) - Chilling in the most hippy town in SE Asia, whilst taking treks to nearby local villages and taking an elephant ride which ended up with both of us in a river. Wet but fun.
13. Bangkok (Thailand) - You end up there so many times, you eventually start to love the place (in small doses) - it's tuk tuk's, shopping and of course - the Khao San Road. Plus perhaps the best street food in all of Asia.
14. Danau Toba and Earthquake (Sumatra) - Climbing up the ridge on Samosir Island in the middle of one of the world's largest volcanoes - Toba, and naturally getting the football out at the top for a game of footy with the locals. Then an experience I will never forget - a 6.0 Eathquake which rocked our bus and put my travel plans back by an extra 21 hours!!!
15. Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) - walking the streets of one of the coolest Asian cities around - and seeing those huge Petronas Towers at night.

Also on the amazing list - the shocking city of Phnom Penh (Cambodia) where I fired an AK47 Gun, standing on the equator in Bonjol (Indonesia), the Temples of Borobudur and Prambanan (Indonesia), looking out over the Cameron Highlands (Malaysia) and drinking some fine tea, and of course watching the mighty Spurs beat Chelsea and lift the Carling Cup in Chiang Mai (Thailand).

Longest Bus Journey -
Bukittinggi to Kalianda (Sumatra - Indonesia) - 39 hours!!!

Most Uncomfortable Bus Journey -
Siem Reap (Cambodia) to Bangkok (Thailand) - Thanks mainly because they have no road from Siem Reap to the border (instead it's a bumpy dirt track), it's also ridiculously hot, the air-con doesn't work and you can't open the windows or all the dust gets in. Then they cram all the bags down the isle so you have to climb from one seat to the next to get out - only in Asia.

Most Comfortable Bus Journey -
Nha Trang to HCMC (Vietnam) - got the sleeper bus, heaven!!!

Most Memorable Bus Journey -
Toba (Parapat) to Bukittinggi (Sumatra - Indonesia) - Earthquake adventure, a 6.0 magnitude shaking of the earth, the longest detour in history, two breakdown's and a near collision involving our bus, a lorry and a car nearly sandwhiched between the two.

Most Memorable Boat Journey -
On our way to the Perhentian Islands (Malaysia) - nearly out of my seat, the boat almost took off - jumping waves for the drivers fun and everyone elses horror.

Average Spend -
Tight Budget: 5 - 10 pounds a day.
Comfortable Budget: 15-20 pounds a day.
Average Spend: 16 Pounds a day.

Most Expensive Country -
Singapore - by far.

Cheapest Country -
Indonesia (especially Sumatra where it was difficult to spend anything).

Best Food -
Thailand (Malaysia and Singapore have a great variety of cuisine but you can't beat Thailand for it's Pad Thai, chicken and cashew nuts, it's fruit shakes and the best banana and chocolate pancakes on the Earth.

Worst Food -
Laos and Cambodia - unfortunately the food wasn't too great in these two countries. The crocodile was nice though - shame about the snake (python) though!!!

People:
Thailand - Smiles all round. Friendly and fun.
Laos - The most chilled out people ever.
Vietnam - Appear agressive at first but harmless once you get chatting to them.
Cambodia - Kids, kids, kids - the cutest kids who love to play (especially with my ball).
Malaysia - varied and interlectual - had some interesting conversations with the Malay's.
Indonesia - The chatiest people in all of Asia (and they love to give you their phone numbers).
Singapore - cool, modern and westerised. Just watch the young girls on the MRT tap away at their text messages - quicker than lightning!!!

Well thats it. Goodbye SE Asia - we will meet again!!!