Thoughts

So, we are about halfway thru our Asia trip and I just wanted to put some of my thoughts/plans out there. 

First, I am having an Amazing time on my 2 month Asia Adventure. I have zero regrets to any decision made. Except. I wish it was longer !! :) my 2 travel buddies Davina and Luann are amazing people to travel with, I love them dearly and wouldn’t change a thing. 

Budget: ATM, flights and baggage fees are a budget killer. The cheap buses/trains were good in theory but, not feasible for 10-17 hours a pop. So flying it is. Pricier? yes but. A 1-2 hour flight versus 10-17 hours on a Vietnamese or Cambodian over crowded/loaded bus. (we have seen them) There are no $25 flights that we can find! We did plan for these things but, it is still tough to do.

Food: Food is relatively cheap but, much to be desired in Vietnam. Western food is much more expensive to Asia standards (about what we pay at home).PS Thailand has much better street food.

Laundry: I have hand washed some, paid to have it done by a local $2-4 and mostly a included washer and hang dry. 

It is nice to split costs with another person or 2. Definitely helps! Not including the flight here,  I have spent about 1200 usd. With the many tours we did, visas and housing, overpriced taxis and TukTuks. it’s really not a bad gig at all. After the next few days, it’s gonna get a bit tough as prices tend to go higher on the Thai islands,  (yes we are going back to Thailand but southern this time) Bali and specifically Australia. And will have only 2 people to share costs. We Have to plan strategically and keep an eye on the budget. I have went out of budget more than once but, it’s my own doing haha! And I have enjoyed every minute! 

Traveling in a group has its pros and cons. 

Pros: sharing costs, not being alone, fun and friendship. Someone always has your back and Sharing the experiences. I’ve been watching and we all have been touched differently by each individual experience. It is interesting to get/see the other personalities perspective that could be similar to mine or not. New International travel eyes gives me a new perspective on things that I otherwise would have overlooked as a norm. 

Cons: It is harder to please each of us. We are doing our very best with each others feelings, wants and needs but, there is always something or someone not happy. It’s not easy. We work hard to make it work. Hardest 2 things I see is 1. making a group decision. We all want everyone to agree and to have a say. so, then no one wants to really make a final decision, 2. temperature as some are hot natured and some are cold natured, Lol we make it work! 

Where have we been and what’s next? 

Been: 

Bangkok Thailand 6 days

Chang Mai Thailand 2 days

Pai Thailand 3 days

Chang Mai Thailand 12 days (with a 16 hour Day trip to Chang Rai... )

Hanoi Vietnam 6 nights with Candy and Trinity and a 1 night cruise in Ha Long Bay Vietnam 

Hoi An Vietnam it’s night 2 out of 5. 

Next:

We sadly lose a travel buddy, Luann here in Hoi An in just 3 short days, She is headed back to the states. Davina and I will continue on.

Proposed itinerary:

Ho Chi Min City Vietnam  (Saigon)  4 nights, Siem Reap Cambodia 3 nights, Krabi Thailand (with Thai Island trips or even stays) 6 nights, Bali Indonesia 10 days, Australia 5 days, Hawaii 1 day. 

We have taken out 2 countries Malaysia and Laos, as it was a bit over zealous itinerary and we agree that we already feel like 2 months is not nearly enough time here. I foresee a return trip. 

None of us have ever felt threatened or scared in Asia (except for Davina getting scared by 4 cows on the beach!) So far we, have been pretty smart and alert for pick pockets and con artists. No issues, safety first!! 

Onward we go.