[TRAVEL] What Kind Of Life With $22 A Day In Southeast Asia?

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Southeast Asia is a trip that more on to experience. The expenses there is pretty low compare with travelling to other countries. With only $22, you can have more than average acceptable life in Southeast Asia. Let's see how we make it!  

Budget for a day (USD): 
Accommodation - $5
Transportation   - $5
Food & Drink      - $10
Others                - $2
----------------------------
 Total                   $22
   

Accommodation 
Search for the best deal! Normally, a bed in a dorm is around $4-6 but we always got the standard double with breakfast for just $10, which $5/person ($7-$12 for a room). We used Hotel Combined to compare the price and search for the best deal. This website is very useful and user friendly.  

Transportation
Motorbike is the best way and cheapest way to explore Southeast Asia. Usually, not more than $10 for renting a motorbike + gas for a day ($5/person). Bicycle is another option that cost less.
By the way, public transports like bus, mini van will save you more. Sometimes, you don't even have to spend a dime on transportation if your destination is within walking distance. Backpackers used to walk a lot, as we do.
      
Food & Drink
You can have a $5 meal in a restaurant with air conditioner or to get the same food with only $2.50 (drink is included) in the local market. Honestly speaking, you can hardly find $1 meal everywhere now. Also, spend $1-$2 for the drinking water, you really need this. 
       
Others                 
You need to pay for entrance fee to some places. Otherwise, we still have $2 for souvenir or we can sometimes dine in a restaurant with dessert and beer!


You spend less on transportation in Thailand, the accommodation in Vietnam is the cheapest, the Angkor Wat pass $40 for 3 days etc. Myanmar costs more on accommodation, passes and also transportation. This is just a roughly budget (average) for a day in Southeast Asia, more of less for a day. Besides the daily expenses, there's also additional cost such as long distance bus/train, flight, visa fee and the pass fee. For us, with $22 which is more than enough to have an enjoyable journey with good food and comfortable stay!

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[TRAVEL] Are You Ready For The Truth About Moving Aboard ?

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I've lived in 3 countries in the past 3 years and I'm still moving.  Moving aboard sounds a cool thing in life. 'Oh, nice! You're traveling again'... most of the people always see the good side than the bad one. So, I'm going to tell you now how hard can the life be sometime.

1. The work is hard
I spend my days and nights in work, Another say, I work very hard for this. I remembered the first week of tomatoes picking, the work was physically exhausted that make me thinking to give up and going back home. You got to have a very strong mind to make through it.    

2. You got no one with you
I was a solo traveler in almost most of my trip. I always meet new friends in the journey but deep inside my heart, I know clearly that no one can really share my burden and worries. I cried after I talked to my parents on phone. At the end I know I have to stay strong, no matter when and what.

3. Yes, I can do it
Moving is another way of learning but it could become harder when we grow order. To adapt to a new place, NO is meaning that I have to go back home. I must make everything work.



Most of the time, problems come to you from nowhere, you got nowhere to escape. It is stressful. Complain ain't help, it only bring negative energy and let you realize how suck is your life now. Are you still thinking to moving aboard? Good luck then.

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The Relaxing and Finest Coastal Track - Abel Tasman Coast Track

The  Abel Tasman track is one of the great walk in New Zealand. To explore the bay, it takes 3-5 days to complete the whole track which go along the coast for about 60km. You can either take a short walk, kayaking or the boat trip to explore the bay.   
Attractions: Abel Tasman Coast Track 

Getting there: 30 minutes short ride from Motueka.  

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Click to enlarge

Do remember to plan your trip earlier, to book the hut and check out the weather, as the timetable of the tide as well. Part of the track can only access during low tide.
For more and latest details from the official website:
 http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/

Discover more about New Zealand.
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The Amazing Ever Adventure To The World Heritage Site- Franz Josef Glacier

The  Franz Josef Glacier is the easiest access glacier in the world, it's only 5 km away from the town. You can choose to hike from the glacier car park to the lookout point for the spectacular overview of the river or explore it by stepping on the ice, experience the amazing glacier.    
Attractions: Glacier 

Getting there: At the West Coast, follow the Highway 6, about 1 hour 40 minutes drive from Hokitika. 

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Click to enlarge

The river flow very fast, big changes of the glacier can be seen in two week time. This is definitely an ultimate adventure to contact with the ice and explore the waterfall, ice cave and the blue ice. The amazing thing I had done in my life, ever.

The amazing life journey, travel it is. 

 Discover more about New Zealand.
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Travel and Adventure in Vietnam - Transportation

Travel in Vietnam is quite convenience with different kinds of transportation, it depends on your schedule and budget to choose which one to take. You can reach most of the attractions by public transportation. I'd tried different ways to travel there and these are kind of special 'Vietnam experience' besides of sightseeing.

Train 
This is the safest way to travel in Vietnam but it usually takes longer time than bus. Beside the normal seat, there's also sleeping bed in the train which has 4 and 6 beds to choose from. You can book the meal in advance or just buy it when the crew come with the food cart, exactly like in the airplane. The view along the way is super awesome that I think you should try at least once to travel by train.




Here's the information and details (train route, time and price), check it out: http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#.VbXKLPlViko

Bus
There's options for you to travel by bus, you can either choose the normal bus tour which you book it from one place to one place (for those who doesn't have the plan of where to go the next) or the sleeping bus tour.

Sleeping bus is very popular and the bus company provide the route from South to North and vice verse. It's like hop on hop off tour and time flexible as well, for example:

HCMC --> Nha Trang --> Hoi An --> Hue --> Hanoi 

When you arrive Nha Trang from HCMC, just check the schedule to Hoi An from the bus company and book it whenever you want. That's means you can departure to the next stop any day you want.
It's faster than train but more expensive. However, you can't have a good sleep as the non-stop honking habit in Vietnam is killing the peace and also some drivers are drive crazily. Sinh Cafe is the most reliable bus company and the Camel is the worst.




Motorbike
This is definitely the craziest way to travel in Vietnam as everyone knows the traffic in Vietnam is super chaos! Yet, it's very convenience and the cheapest way to reach every corner in Vietnam. You'll learn to honk crazily in order to keep you safe. This will be the most adventure experience to travel in Vietnam.  


Besides these, taxi and mototaxi are for the short ride in the city. You have to bargain with the driver and the price they offer is always 3 times higher. Other than that, you can easily find the tours to some attractions by the hostel/hotel and travel agencies on the street. Group tour is usually higher the price, comfortable way and least experience way to travel. However, some of the tours here are really worth the money, not expensive yet quality local experience. Take some time to survey around and compare, you can always find a good deal.
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[TRAVEL] Useful Tips You Should Know To travel In Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is full of mystery, everything is challenging. Forget about internet, convenience stores, clean restroom, air conditioner... yet good people is everywhere here. There are many things that you have to take notes and be well preparation to enjoy the trip.


1. Pack light
No matter where you're going to, heavy luggage will always make you feel tired, especially in Southeast Asia. Laundry can be found easily.

2. Know their culture and being respectful
Do some research about the countries you're going to visit to, respect others cultures and be polite all the time. Once a Cambodian told me about this, never say 'You're crazy' no matter how angry you are, it means the person is a psychopath. Cite a case,  the Sabah earthquake with the nudists, the earthquake happened was nothing to do with them but they did broke the law. Don't get yourself in trouble because of this.    

3. Learn a few words in local language
English+body language are used widely in Southeast Asia but learn the words like 'Hello' and 'Thank You' to show your respect and being polite to the local. You will get a friendly respond from them always!

4. Go off beaten path
I am not telling you to skip the attraction but just spend some time go off the tourism spots. There is where you can get a true color of the country, you'll never want to miss this kind of experience.

5. Booking ahead is not recommended
Rushing the schedule will ruin your trip sometimes. You can't always arrive to your destination on time due to the road condition here. However, the main reason is because you want to hang out with new friends, attracted by the beautiful view or just want to enjoy the peaceful life there. So, plan could change anytime.

6. Bargain 
When you want to buy something or have a meal, do ask the price first! Bargain is needed almost every time before you pay. Do remember, offer a price that is reasonable. Don't go too low as they are making this for life.

7. Myanmar is a MUST
If you planning to travel to Southeast Asia, Myanmar comes first. The tourism in Myanmar is going slowly than the other countries in Southeast Asia. When then tourism is over developing, everything is commercialized, including the people.
 
8. Take care of your belonging 
Be aware of the pick pocketing and also the scammer. The people is Southeast Asia are very kind and friendly but this could happened sometime.  
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[TRAVEL] The Once In A Lifetime Experience - Working Holiday in New Zealand

Always inspired by Open World Magazine of the exciting adventures and travel stories. And now, it's my pleasure to share mine to the world!

Read the article:
Highlights and Photos from my 9-Month Working Holiday in New Zealand by Nini Ong
http://www.openworldmag.com/dream-destination-zealand-working-holiday/

Live a life that you will remember forever.
Discover more about New Zealand.
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