It’s been 50 years since the publication of the original guide book that launched Lonely Planet. Across Asia on the Cheap was published in 1973 by Tony and Maureen Wheeler after overlanding from London to Australia. The publication of the guide book has become the stuff of legend. They typed and stapled the guidebook on […]
Largest islands in Thailand
A list of the largest islands in Thailand ranked by size. What are the largest islands in Thailand? This is a harder question to answer than I thought. Usually Wikipedia would have a list, but the Wiki list of islands of Thailand doesn’t show sizes. There are other lists online, but there are discrepancies between […]
Where to stay in Hue: The best hotels and areas for visitors in this historic city of Vietnam
This guide on where to stay in Hue lists the best areas for visitors and the most notable hotels. This includes all accommodation types, from hostels and guesthouse to luxury five-star hotels and resorts. Hue is one of the most historic cities in Vietnam, and a must-visit if you are seeing the highlights of Vietnam. […]
Notes on Vientiane: Riding the new railway and the gravitational pull of China
I visited Vientiane not long after the borders reopened in May 2022. I was there to ride the new Laos-China Railway, which had been running since December 2021. The last time I was in Vientiane was via train from Bangkok, and the next time I visit will probably be when the line from Thailand is […]
Best and worst border crossings in Southeast Asia (in my experience)
Southeast Asia comprises 11 countries, and there are land borders with China, India, Bangladesh, and Papua New Guinea. With so many land, sea, and air gates, there is a variety of border-crossing experiences to be had. I was thinking about border crossings while on the beach in Koh Lipe in Thailand, waiting for a ferry […]
How to go from Koh Lipe to Langkawi by boat
Koh Lipe is the southernmost island in Thailand, and it’s the closest inhabited island to Langkawi in Malaysia. It is possible to travel by boat between the two islands, making it one of the more memorable international border crossings in Southeast Asia. Here is how to go from Koh Lipe to Langkawi by boat. Koh […]
Where to stay in Hoi An: The best areas and hotels
Hoi An is a historic city located in central Vietnam, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage old town. Hoi An Ancient Town is the main attraction, so finding a place in a convenient location should be your priority. This Where To Stay Guide lists the best areas to stay in Hoi An, and some other […]
Johor Bahru to Singapore by train: KTM Shuttle Tebrau
The KTM Shuttle Tebrau is a train service that operates from Johor Bahru in Malaysia to Woodlands in Singapore. This cross-border shuttle service travels via The Johor–Singapore Causeway (1.056 km). It’s the world’s shortest scheduled rail service and one of the few international train services in Southeast Asia. About the KTM Shuttle Tebrau Shuttle Tebrau […]
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal: A guide to Bangkok main train station (AKA Bang Sue Grand Station)
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station) is the new central railway station of Bangkok, replacing the existing Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong). The station is located next to Bang Sue Junction Station in the north of Bangkok. [Bang Sue Junction next to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.] The station began […]
Da Nang to Hue by train via the Hai Van Pass
The North-South Railway of Vietnam follows the coast for much of its journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. There are some sections that travel along the sea, offering spectacular views. The most famous section of the railway is the Hai Van Pass. The Hai Van Pass is between Da Nang and Lang Co, […]
