Backpacking
Backpacking isn’t just about moving from one place to another. It’s about the small discoveries along the way – the hidden streets, the hostel chats, the food you never expected to try. Here, I share what actually works on the road and the experiences that stick with me.
Koh Rong, Cambodia: Is It Worth Visiting?
Let me set the scene for you. I’m on one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen in my life. The water is crystal clear, the sand is soft, the sun is — well, intermittently — out. And I am absolutely floored with what I’m now fairly convinced was COVID. That is my Koh…
Backpacking Southeast Asia Budget: A Realistic Guide
If you’ve been googling backpacking Southeast Asia budget and getting answers that seem too good to be true — you’re right to be suspicious. The £10 a day myth is everywhere online. It was probably true once, a decade ago, before the region became one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the world. Right…
Does True Traveller Cover the Ha Giang Loop?
If you’re planning to do visit Vietnam and do the Ha Giang Loop (which I would strongly recommend it has been the highlight of my life so far), you’re probably wondering what travel insurance will cover you whilst you do it. It is a tricky query as there are a lot of uncertainties and nuances. True…
Koh Phangan Beyond the Full Moon Party: An Honest Backpacker’s Review
Let me be upfront with you: I did not go to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party. I know. I know. It’s basically the reason the island exists on the backpacker map. But I arrived fresh off Koh Tao, recovering from norovirus, having spent New Years Day (thankfully I still had a great NYE)…
Vang Vieng Honest Guide: What Nobody Tells You Before You Go
Vang Vieng is one of those places I’m still not entirely sure how to describe. Because on one hand, it ended up being one of the most visually insane and adventurous places I visited in Laos. But on the other, it felt like a bit of a shock to the system after Luang Prabang and even more…
Is Koh Tao Worth It? An Honest Backpacker’s Review
I’m just going to say it: Koh Tao was my favourite place on my entire Southeast Asia backpacking trip. Aside from the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam, which I’m counting as an experience rather than a place and that too is up there as one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever experienced in my…
Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok for Backpackers (from someone who’s been twice)
Let me be honest with you — when I was planning my first trip to Bangkok as p0art of my backpacking trip to Southeast Asia, I typed almost exactly this into Google. There are so many areas, so many hostel options and so many opinions online. Working out the best areas to stay in Bangkok…
Onward Travel for Southeast Asia: Proof of Onward Ticket for Thailand, Vietnam & More
If you’re planning a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, one of the first things you’ll run into at airports or border checkpoints is the requirement for proof of onward travel. Even if you’re a British passport holder entering visa-exempt countries like Thailand or Vietnam, airlines and immigration officers may ask to see that you plan to leave…
Is Cambodia Safe? An Honest Backpacker’s Perspective
When I said to my family I was going backpacking to Southeast Asia and visiting Cambodia along the way “is Cambodia safe?” was the first thing I got asked. And I understand why. Cambodia’s past still shapes how people see it. When you mention the country, conversations often turn to the Khmer Rouge, genocide, and the…
Is the Ha Giang Loop Dangerous? What Backpackers Need to Know Before You Ride
The Ha Giang Loop is hyped up as the best thing you’ll do in Vietnam. And honestly? It for me it was the highlight of my entire backpacking trip and up there with one of the highlights of my entire life so far. Four days of misty mountain passes, limestone cliffs that don’t look real,…
Is Laos Safe? An Honest Backpacker’s Guide to Safety in Laos
If you’re planning a Southeast Asia trip and typing “is Laos safe?” into Google, I get it. Laos has a bit of a mysterious reputation on the backpacking route. It’s less developed than Thailand, less chaotic than Vietnam, and far less talked about than Bali. And in 2024, tragic headlines about backpackers dying from methanol poisoning only…
Vietnam North to South Itinerary (One Month Backpacking Route)
Vietnam is one of those countries where the route almost plans itself. There’s a natural north-to-south flow, a well-worn backpacker trail, and transport that makes long distances far less intimidating than they look on a map. I spent one full month travelling Vietnam, moving entirely overland by bus, starting in Hanoi and finishing in Ho Chi Minh…
How to Book Transport When Travelling Across Vietnam
Travelling Vietnam from north to south sounds complicated on paper, long distances, overnight journeys, different transport options, but in reality, it’s one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to get around. If this is your first long backpacking trip, Vietnam is actually a brilliant place to start. Getting around is simple, affordable, and very geared…
Backpacking the East Coast of Australia: Was A K’gari Tour Really the Highlight of My Trip?
Everyone says that when you travel the east coast of Australia, a K’gari tour is the highlight. The one thing you’ll look back on and say, that was it. So when my 3 day, 2 night K’gari tour with Drop Bear Adventures finally came around, it felt like a big moment — the moment I found out whether…
Backpacking Australia: My Ultimate East Coast Itinerary
Australia’s east coast is a dream for backpackers: vibrant cities, tropical islands, stunning beaches, and national parks. I spent seven weeks travelling from Melbourne up to Cairns, down through Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay, and finishing in Sydney, and this is my full east coast Australia itinerary — complete with tips, transport advice, personal stories,…
What Is the Banana Pancake Trail? (And Is It Still a Thing?)
If you’ve spent any time backpacking Southeast Asia, or you’re planning a trip, you’ve probably heard the phrase “the Banana Pancake Trail”. Although, its a term less commonly used nowadays you may still see it mentioned in hostel common rooms, travel blogs, and sometimes with a bit of an eye roll, as if it belongs to…
Does World Nomads Travel Insurance Cover the Ha Giang Loop?
This page contains affiliate links. If you’re planning the legendary Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam, think winding, jaw-dropping motorbike route through vast mountain passes, chances are you’re also asking one of the most important questions for your trip: will World Nomads travel insurance actually cover me if something goes wrong? I spent a lot of…
Backpacking Australia Alone: The Honest Truth
Australia has always been at the top of my travel bucket list. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to its vast landscapes, diverse cities, and endless coastlines. I’ve watched countless people travel there, explore its beauty, and even settle, and I’ve always felt this pull. I never expected to go on…
The Biggest Mistakes Backpackers Make With Travel Insurance
In the lead up to my trip, backpacker travel insurance felt like one of those boring extras you buy at the end of booking a holiday — the tick-box thing you half-heartedly add on so your mum doesn’t stress. But after months on the road, seeing so many people bandaged up from motorbike crashes in…
Can You Get Around Pai, Thailand Without Renting a Moped?
Pai is one of those dreamy backpacker towns in northern Thailand where Grab doesn’t exist and everyone seems to be zipping around on mopeds. It’s almost a rite of passage — except what if you don’t know how to ride one, or you don’t have a license? That was me. When I visited Pai, I…
Should You Book Accommodation in Southeast Asia in Advance? Or Just Wing It?
One of the biggest questions first-time backpackers ask before heading to Southeast Asia is: “Should I book accommodation in advance, or just turn up and find somewhere when I arrive?” I’ve been there — staring at my laptop before a backpacking trip, weighing up the freedom of winging it versus the comfort of knowing I…
Travel Insurance for the Ha Giang Loop: What You Need to Know Before You Ride
If you’re doing the Ha Giang Loop (and yes, you absolutely should), travel insurance is one of those things you might think you can skip… until you need it. For my backpacking trip to Southeast Asia I did a lot of research (and had a few panics). My answer to What Travel Insurance is Best for…
How to Book Train Tickets in Laos: The New China–Laos Railway Explained
The China–Laos Railway is one of Southeast Asia’s newest and most transformative transport links. Officially opened in December 2021, this high-speed railway connects Kunming in China to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, cutting travel time and offering a modern, scenic alternative to long bus rides or flights. Known for its efficiency and comfort, the railway is quickly becoming the go-to choice…
How to Get Around Cambodia: Why I Only Recommend Giant Ibis Buses
If you’re planning a trip around Cambodia, chances are you’ll need to rely on buses. While Cambodia has no real train network (except a limited line from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville), buses remain the main way travellers move between cities. But here’s the truth: Cambodian buses don’t have the best reputation. Compared to neighbouring Vietnam,…
Cambodia SIM Card: Best Network for Backpackers (From Someone Who’s Been)
Having mobile data in Cambodia makes life so much smoother—from booking a tuk-tuk on PassApp (yep a new app to use) to finding temples off the tourist trail. The good news is that SIM cards are easy to buy and affordable, but there are a few things worth knowing before you pick one up. Buying…
Laos SIM Card: Best Network, Prices & Where to Buy
Staying connected in Laos can be trickier than in neighbouring Thailand or Vietnam. While internet access is improving, finding a local SIM card isn’t always straightforward—especially if you skip the airport kiosks, or the airport altogether and arrive on the slowboat from Thailand. Here’s what to expect and how to make sure you stay online.…
How to Get a Local SIM Card in Vietnam
Staying connected in Vietnam, and anywhere else in the world for that matter, makes travelling so much easier—from ordering a Grab taxi in Hanoi to finding the best cafés in Ho Chi Minh City. Luckily, getting a local SIM card in Vietnam is straightforward and affordable. Here’s everything you need to know. Where to Buy…
How to Get a Local SIM Card in Thailand
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, one of the first things you’ll want to sort out after landing is your internet connection. From booking taxis to navigating Bangkok’s busy streets, having reliable data is a game-changer. The good news? Getting a local SIM card in Thailand is quick and easy. Before I left I…
The Day I Met a Survivor of the Khmer Rouge – Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
When I imagined visiting Cambodia, I knew I’d be stepping into a country shaped by tragedy as much as beauty. What I didn’t expect was to be guided through that history by someone who had lived it. Choosing the Guide Who Lived It We arrived at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum—once a school, later a torture…
The Best Vegan Food I Ate in Vietnam And Where to Find It
Vietnam is an absolute dream for backpackers: vibrant cities, dramatic landscapes, and some of the cheapest travel in Southeast Asia. But what’s it like travelling the country as a vegan? Spoiler: it’s totally doable—but not always effortless. During my backpacking trip through Vietnam, I managed to eat incredibly well (most of the time), found a…
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