Spend your Summer in Southeast Asia
Our two globe trotters - Evan and Andy - spent six months traveling through Southeast Asia and here’s what they have to say about it: It’s Jaw-Droppingly Amazing!”
They met so many awesome people along the way, experienced culture they never knew existed and ate more than their fair share of mind-blowingingly delicious food. Needless to say, it was one of the most spectacular travel experiences of their lives so what are you waiting for?
Need ideas? Here are Evan and Andy's Top 5 all-time favorite destinations in SE Asia:
The Philippines
Vietnam
Bali, Indonesia
Thailand
Malaysia
Easily one of the most underrated travel destinations in SE Asia, this gem barely gets any of the attention it so rightfully deserves. With stunning beaches, unbelievably cheap drinks and some of the friendliest locals on this planet - you'd be crazy not to visit the Philippines.
- Places of recommendation: The Visayas Islands - Boracay, Cebu, Bohol
- Favorite experiences: It's a toss up between the Cockfight in Dumaguete, The miniature monkeys in Bohol and eating baby-duck embryos (not!)
One of our favorite countries in every regard. Tasty food, rich culture and phenomenal landscapes are just a few of the reasons you have to visit Vietnam in your lifetime. Not to mention the country's historic past and ridiculously cheap cost of living.
- Places of recommendation: Nha Trang, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.
- Favorite experiences: Shooting AK47's at the Cu-Chi Tunnels outside of Ho Chi Minh City and ripping quads on the sand dunes of Mui Ne.
Never before has one island had so much to offer. From beaches to rainforests, monkeys to rice paddies, Bali is the king of surf with a hidden soft spot. If you're looking for a never-ending, high-energy party town - then Kuta is the place to be. Surf's up in this beach town gone wild. Fancy a quiet weekend getaway complete with yoga, massages and traditional Balinese dancers? Then you have to check out Ubud - infamously showcased in Eat Pray Love.
- Places of recommendation: Kuta, and Ubud are the prime places to be (although I'm sure there are others!)
- Favorite experiences: Bungee jumping in a batman suit, surfing and partying in Kuta, and scoping out the volcanoes around Ubud.
Although a tad bit on the touristy side, Thailand's reputation precedes it - and for good reason. It's renowned as the Land of Smiles for it's incredibly friendly people. You have to visit it's capital to experience the madness that is Bangkok. Home to some of the best food in SE Asia - who doesn't love Pad Thai or Green Curry? - as well as world famous parties - Full Moon, anyone? -Thailand has so much to offer, you could spend months just in this country alone. If insane beach parties, more lady-boys than you can shake a stick at and world-class restaurants don't fill your cup, I'm not sure what will.
- Places of recommendation: Ko Phi Phi (if you want to party like it's 1999.), Ko Tao, Chiang Mai and many more.
- Favorite experiences: Eating grasshoppers outside the JJ weekend market ;-), celebrating Andy's birthday on Ko Phi Phi (sorry, no videos of this one!) and living up the nightlife in Bangkok.
Malaysia is one of the hidden treasures of SEA. Home to some of the world's oldest rainforests, Southeast Asia's highest mountain, and the infamous Orangutan, Malaysia is a traveler's dream in every sense of the word. A mixing pot of Indian, Chinese, and Malaysian cultures and foods, your palate is the last thing you need to worry about. White sand beaches, distinctly unique culture and the hub for cheap flights across Asia are just a sample of why Malaysia is "Truly Asia".
- Places of recommendation: Perhentian Islands, Kota Kinabalu, as well as Cameron Highlands.
- Favorite experiences: Snorkeling with turtles in Perhentian, Climbing Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo and rolling down hills of tea leaves in the tea plantations just outside of Cameron Highlands. :)
We realize we've barely even scratched the surface with this list as there are literally hundreds of amazing places to visit in SE Asia. In fact, we're saving both Cambodia and Laos for our next trip as we've heard countless good things about both destinations.
SE Asia has surprised in so many ways. If you've never been, we highly recommend you book a trip there as soon as possible.
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