There’s so much to see and do when you’re backpacking in Southeast Asia – as it’s made up of some of the most beautiful countries in the world. The region is also known for its rich culture and friendly people. It is no wonder that many people have several countries here on their bucket lists of must-see places. Travelling around was surprisingly easy and we learnt so much along the way about the easiest ways to get from one country to another or even how to just cross the city without getting scammed.

Whilst we spent our time in Thailand and Cambodia (sadly, we didn’t make it Vietnam but more on that in another blog post). We managed to see a lot of the areas on our bucket-list, but in truth, there are lots of routes we didn’t take – but we met people on our travels that did and it’s really given us food for thought for booking our next SE Asia trip – watch this space!

As they say… “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list”

How to Get Around

Southeast Asia is a great destination to visit for business or on holiday. There are many ways to travel throughout the region including walking if that is your passion. You can choose from a variety of other methods of transportation to some of the most beautiful landscapes you will ever see.

By Train

While you can get around via train, you need to know that most of the trains running through the region are not ideally managed. They are slow and often carry more passengers and luggage than they should. This may turn out to be a very cheap means of travel but also uncomfortable. It’s, for this reason, we avoided trains where possible. We did use the trains in Bangkok but only get to around the city and not much further than that.

The Singapore to Bangkok route is quite popular because it connects many countries within Southeast Asia. With a bit of money to spend, you can opt for the more luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express, which runs between Bangkok and Singapore in 42 hours. We did look into this but we felt like it was only worth doing if you could upgrade to the suite, which is way beyond what we wanted to spend (and probably more than what we spent the entire time we were backpacking in Asia). Perhaps another time – a girl can dream!

There is also a north-south train route that uses luxury cars and runs along the coastal part of Vietnam through Hanoi. It makes it possible for you to get to China via Chinese railway networks. This was one of the routes we looked at when we were out there but alas, we didn’t make it. It was a lot of ground to cover and we wanted to spend our time enjoying the country rather than rushing through it.

By Boat

We did some island hopping via ferry and speedboat whilst we were exploring the south of Thailand. If you want to visit these popular spots, travelling by boat is essential. We avoided the longboats, because even though they’re an Instagrammers dream AND cheaper, they’re so bad for the environment. It’s also a much slower way to get around, which seems silly when you’re trying to pack as much as possible into your trip.

We explored a lot of Phuket and the different areas such as Kata Beach, Karon and Patong before we left the port for the islands. We went to Koh Phi Phi to swim with sharks in crystal clear waters and visit the famous “Beach” movie location. We went on little tours in the area and ended up heading towards Krabi before moving onto our next destination. We wanted to check out Koh Samui but there was a storm hitting the island so we left earlier than we anticipated. Turns out, the weather passed, so we were kicking ourselves a little.

If you’re looking to travel a little further afield you can go on a sailing adventure within the region too. There are luxury riverboats to run you from Mekong in the north of Thailand all the way to Luang Prabang in Laos. You can also enjoy boat trips to take you along Halong Bay, which lies to the east of Hanoi, as well as along the Mekong tributaries from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh.

By Road

Buses are dirt cheap and you can cover some real distance without spending much. There are VIP tours available for which you can opt instead of the rundown and uncomfortable buses in some of the states. They cost pretty much the same price as the normal buses and they’re so much better. These VIP buses are run by the government so they’re really safe, too. The same can’t be said for other night buses, which we’ve read a ton of horror stories of people’s bags being nicked/ran sacked.

We got a VIP bus from Koh Sok in the rainforest to Bangkok which took about 14 hours and cost about £10. We also got another bus from Bangkok to Angkor Wat in Cambodia which cost about the same but took a little less time. It sounds like a long time to be on a bus but the seat recline completely, you get given blankets, food and drinks, and there’s usually some pretty epic scenery to look at out the window. They even stopped to let u sort out our visa at the border then picked us up on the other side.

Alternatively, you can go by car. Rentals are affordable in the region, and you can rent one plus a driver to drive you around. If you prefer to drive yourself around, which is ultimately cheaper, be sure to find out what the driving rules are and also to get a good map. Personally, I wouldn’t drive in Asia as it’s a little hectic, even for my liking. Tuk tuks in Cambodia were super cheap but in Thailand it made more sense to get taxis. These journeys never got us more than £1 – £2 and we were usually in there lapping up the air-conditioning for a good 30 minutes or so.

By Air

We got a direct flight to Bangkok then made our way to Phuket straight after we got married, leaving from our bridal suite. We wanted to avoid faffing around with changing flights as much as possible, but it wasn’t possible to fly direct to Phuket, and we didn’t want to spend our first couple of nights as newlyweds in Bangkok, instead we opted for a luxury villa near the beach with our own private swimming pool.

The flight to Phuket was about £28. Flights within Southeast Asia are typical, budget-friendly and convenient. Some of the time, it was cheaper to get a flight than it was to get a bus, but you miss out on all the stops along the way if you travel by air, so we only did this when we needed to. If you’re planning to fly though, here are a few of the international carriers that can take you from one place to another within the region: SilkAir, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and Vietnam Airlines.

Personally, this isn’t my area of expertise as I’ve only got a handful of flights in South East Asia, from Thailand and Bali. If you have concerns it worth speaking to someone that knows what they’re talking about. One visa is an expert in visas and other services involving your travels. There are also various domestic carriers such as Berjaya Air, Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, and Lao Airlines.

In a nutshell

Travelling through Southeast Asia is not only possible but also affordable. In fact, if you have the time or inclination or both, you can experience different modes of travel and enjoy the region in a variety of ways.

If non of these modes of transport suit you, just jump in a tyre tube and float down the rainforest river…

The post Tips For Getting Around Southeast Asia (+ Some Honeymoon Snaps!) appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

We’ve talked about going to a few places in south-east Asia for our honeymoon, meaning it kind of wrote off that part of the world. We also needed jabs if we went to Vietnam (one of the potential places we could have gone), and that would have spoilt the surprise. I almost booked Canada until I realised it was the worst month to go, before snow season when everything’s closed and the mountains are covered in sludgey ice, eek! I was also wanted to chat with Sam about the best places to visit and do a road trip, which I can’t really plan on my own.

I found out that November is the best time to visit Tokyo, the temperature would be comfortable and the leaves would be turning red as we moved into Autumn. I found a reasonable deal for flights and accommodation on Expedia, so I emailed Sam’s boss and booked him some time off, so we’d have over 10 days to go Tokyo (including travel time!). I didn’t tell S we were going away until the day before, and I didn’t tell him where we were going until after we’d gone through security, and we were about to board our flight!

S researches everything he does, especially when it comes to travel. I knew he’d be dying to find out things to do in Tokyo, so I compiled a list of things for us to do in a neat little illustration and I gave him an anontated Lonely Planet travel guide for Tokyo 2018. Luckily, we had Wi-Fi on our 18-hour flight, too. He was just glad that I insisted he should bring all his camera equipment!

I figured I’d share my research with my readers, in case you’re considering a trip to Tokyo. We managed to tick off the majority of the things on our ‘to do’ list, which I’m pretty happy with! I’ve starred my top experiences. We’ve managed to upload a few pictures but I’ll keep updating my Instagram with images over the next couple of months. Christmas kind of threw a spanner into the works!

It goes with out saying, it was an amazing trip and worth every penny. Everybody thinks I’ve completely spoilt S and he’s got a tall order in making it up to me. But earlier this year he literaily proposed on top of a fucking mountain (Aiguille du Midi) overlooking the French, German and Italian Alps. In my eyes, he’s already truely out done himself, and a trip to Tokyo is no match.

1. Eat Nakamise street food!

2. Buy an Ema and leave it on the temple grounds

3. Eat REAL Kobe beef – Yummy!

4. Try a white Japanese strawberry

5. Watch cute girls wrestling with cyborgs at the Robot Restaurant

6. Try not to get pricked at the hedgehog cafe

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7. Cross he Shibuya pedestrian scramble

8. Go to the biggest sex shop in the world in Akihabara

9. Visit a Maid Cafe In Akihabara

10. Go to the cake shop for dogs in Ryogku

11. Use the subway and get confused and lost

12. Spot Godzilla – the Toho Building, Shinjuku

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13. Take a trip on a bullet train

14. Stand on glass at the Tokyo Skytree

15. Spend lots of money in the Sega arcade 

16. Buy something from a vending machine

17. Visit the Tsukiji fish market

18. Eat the craziest thing you can at the 7/11

19. Attend a tuna auction

20. Have dinner in Piss Alley (Omoide Yokocho)

21. Real-Life Mario karting around the city streets 

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22. Eat at Pompompurin Café

23. Have gadgets blessed at Kanda Myojin Shrine

24. Have your fortune told at Sensoji 

25. Watch wrestling practice at a sumo stable

26. Fill your belly at the Standing Sushi Bar

27. Indulge in the world famous crepes at Harijuku

28. Get your ears clean in a traditional parlour

29. Visit The Don Quijote to buy souvenirs

30. Use all the buttons on a Japanese toilet

31. Relax at an Onsen

32. Catch your own dinner at Zauo

33. Spot Godzilla – the Toho Building, Shinjuk

34. Take in the best views of Tokyo from the Metropolitan Government Building

35. Visit Ōkunoshima, also known as Rabbit Island

36. Visit a beautiful Japanese garden

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37. Hang with monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park

38. Explore the 70-foot-deep ice cave (Narusawa Hyoketsu) formed by lava from Mt. Fuji

39. Visit the Meiji Shrine

40. Eat an Owakudani Black Egg

41. Shop in the 100 Yen Store

42. See The Great Buddha of Kamakura

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43. Watch the sunset behind Mt Fuji from the beach

44. Visit Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay

45. Strike a pose at Purikura No Mecca

46. Visit Mount Aso Caldera, the largest volcanic caldera in Japan

47. Visit the Boiling Hellscape, Jigokudani

48. Eat at Mr Donut as much as you can 

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49. Row a boat at Imperial Palace & East Garden

50. Climb a few hundred stairs at Arashiyama Monkey Park aka “Monkey Mountain”

51. See the Tokyo Tower

The post 51 Crazy And Fun Things To Do In Tokyo, Japan appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

Tadoba National Park

In the Chandrapur district of the Maharashtra state, the incredible Tadoba national park is situated. With a tropical dry forest, the climate is perfect for tigers and it is one of Indian’s 43 Project Tiger, Tiger Reserves. There’s a great chance of spotting tigers here thanks to the vast number of them living there.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is an amazing place to see tigers and a great place for experiencing some traditional Indian culture with stunning temples and 10^th century shrines nestled within the tropical forests. Boasting a healthy tiger population of around 63 at present, plenty of different species of wild birds and the opportunity to spot bears and sloths, it’s a great place to head if you’re wanting to spot tigers.

Satpura Tiger Reserve

The Satpura Tiger Reserve is a new nature park with plenty of opportunities for walking and kayaking, as well as spotting tigers and a whole host of other animals. Known for sightings of leopards and sloths, the scenic reserve is a great place to head for an active day out looking for wildlife in India.

Kanha Tiger Reserve

The Kanha Tiger Reserve is one of India’s oldest parks and has an amazing range of different animals living there. The large grasslands offer plenty of opportunity to deer’s, leopards and tigers with amazing viewing opportunities and the chance to see what’s left of India’s great forests.

Poaching and deforestation have put huge pressures on the wildlife in India’s outdoor spaces, hence the number of wildlife reserves to try and conserve the tigers that are left. Visiting the country as soon as possible is recommended before these creatures become ever more endangered. By booking a trip with Exodus, you’ll be able to visit all the amazing nature reserves and get the chance to see the incredible animals up close whilst enjoying a holiday to India.

The post The Best Places To See a Tiger In India appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

Instead, there are the 7 Modern Wonders of the World to discover, and Bolsover Cruise Club are offering a limited 165 day cruise that takes in all seven wonders *drools*.  The cut-off date to apply is September 8^th 2016, but before you do it’s worth knowing a bit about each one.

Machu Picchu

An old city in the clouds, Machu Picchu was lost to the world for over 300 years before it was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Located halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle, it’s a real adventure just to reach the foot of this incredible place. It’s worth it though for the stunning views alone.  

Christ the Redeemer

Created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, this giant statue of Jesus Christ that overlooks the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro was completed and dedicated in 1931. It has since become one of South America’s most iconic images, and is a must-visit for anyone going to Brazil.

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza was an ancient Mayan city found within Mexico. It was home to one of the most diverse and largest populations of its time, which resulted in a varied architectural style, the ruins of many buildings and sculptures which remain today.

Taj Mahal

The world’s most glamorous mausoleum, the Taj Mahal was built between 1632 and 1653, on the bank of the Yamuna River in India. To this day it still attracts around eight million visitors a year.

Petra

Also known as the Lost City or the Rose City, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. Structures carved into the solid rock faces are incredible and what makes this ancient city on the edge of the desert so special.

Colosseum

Close to the centre of Rome, the Colosseum is one of the easiest to access of the 7 Modern Wonders, especially for British tourists. Over 2,000 years old, it doesn’t look too far removed from its original state.  

Great Wall of China

The myth of it being visible from space may not be true, but the Great Wall of China is still an astonishing fortification. Parts of it were built over 1,300 years ago and today it stretches to over 13,000 miles long, so you’ll need plenty of time to walk it.

Explore these 7 Modern Wonders of the World in more detail and start planning your journey to see them all today.

The post What Are The 7 Modern Wonders Of The World? appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

I don’t think I’ve completely lost it yet, but it’s important to note, these changes aren’t because I’m unhappy – these changes are because I’m scared. I’m totally scared I’m going to wake up one day and I’m going to have realised I’ve wasted my life. That’s why I’m focusing on living, and not putting my career on the back burner.

These aren’t all overly exciting goals, but to me, it’s really important. So here is a list of what I’m hoping to achieve by the end of this summer. I’ll let you in on a secret – it isn’t to get a promotion or to get a pay rise.

Climb Ben Nevis

You may have read my post recently about what an incredible time I had climbing Mount Snowdon last month. This was a real eye-opening weekend for me, because although I appreciate natural beauty and personally think mountains are gorgeous – I’d never actually visited one in the flesh and I had seriously under estimated the scenery.

We climbed Mount Snowdon (you’ll notice I’m using the word CLIMB here), it was super icy, and at least the last 1 – 2 hours we were on our hands and knee, wading though the snow and using our upper body strength to drag ourselves up the mountain. I knew this was going to be challenging; “why don’t you go in the summer?” I heard so many people ask. But the snowy slopes is what I was dreaming of, so this wasn’t an option.

I’m digressing.. reaching the summit then ascending the mountain in 45mph winds gave me such a rush, and an even better feeling once I’d had a shower and snuggled up by the fire, knowing I’d conquered the mountain and that’s why my legs were aching. Jesus, I make it sound like I climbed Everest – and this is exactly why I’m now infatuated with mountains.

I found it incredible to wonder why people put their lives at risk and battle with nature on some of the highest peaks in the world in the hope for a beautiful view – but I weirdly kinda understood, on a micro scale!

I might never reach K2 summit, or go further than Everest Base Camp, and I’m okay with that – but I absolutely want to explore more mountains and be left speechless again. Keeping to a strict budget, the next step (crampons at the ready!) naturally will be Ben Nevis, in Scotland.

Retreat to Thailand

When it starts getting cold in England, S and I will be packing our bags and heading over to Thailand for 4 weeks to explore the area and completely relax. You probably think that after quitting my job this isn’t the wisest mood, but I assure you – I didn’t quit my job just to sit at home and work 24/7.

When I was studying abroad in Australia I took a trip to Bali and had the most incredible time. I’ve never felt so relaxed in my entire life, and it was great to completely disconnect from the UK, Australia and just everything around me.

S and I have both always wanted to go to Thailand, and after finding an incredible deal, staying at a 3 story home surrounded by beautiful gardens, there was no way that we could resist. What was stopping us now?

Yoga paddle boarding

My other half laughed at me when I said this – he thought I meant yoga and stand up paddle boarding as two separate things! After reading some articles and stand up paddle board reviews, as part of my new morning routine, I’m dedicating half an hour to meditating and stretching. What better way to spend your morning yoga sessions, than on a paddle board in the sea!?

I’ve seen this advertised recently by one of the local clubs near where I live, and I absolutely love the idea! I’m slightly nervous that I’ll just fall in and ruin everyones vibe, so I’ll probably get a little bit of practice on a normal paddle board first to make sure I’m feeling comfortable.

Go wild camping

It’s been a while since I’ve been camping, and I don’t mean pitching up a tent at a festival! I’ve always wanted to get away and spend a few nights wild camping but to be honest – I’ve always been a bit scared! After following some Instagram accounts, swooning over landscapes shot by people who are sleeping out in stunning forests near lakes in Canadian National Parks, I’ve decided that this is absolutely what I need in my life right now.

Okay, perhaps camping out in Canada for my first experience isn’t the best idea – after all I don’t think I’d deal too well waking up to a bear in my tent. But there are so many gorgeous places in the UK, and that’s exactly where I’m going to start my camping adventures – it also ties in quite nicely with our Ben Nevis trip.

The post My Summer Bucket List For 2016 appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

The Backpack

And when it comes to backpacks, your best bet is to go for a “clamshell” style bag –giving you non-linear access to the stuff you pack with you on the road. No “first in first out” at the side of the road trying to find that one thing that you packed at the very bottom of your bag.

Some of the best selections for backpacks are made by Osprey and Minaal.

The Paperwork

In addition to this, it is suggested that you carry photocopies of all your IDs from home, and do not forget any paperwork for prescriptions you bring with you! You never know when a prescription that’s legal back home but is not legal wherever you’re going. Carrying your prescription should keep you in the clear.

Pack Light

Merino Wool

The reason merino wool is a must have is because of its unique naturally occurring antibacterial properties and its ability to wick moisture away from the body. Merino also ages much more gracefully under damaging UV rays, and you can get away with wearing merino longer –much longer than anything cotton, before it starts to feel/look/smell dirty.

Necessary Personal Care Items

USB Battery Packs

That’s why having a battery pack that your USB devices can plug into and charge from is an incredibly useful thing to pack along for your China trip.

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