These are the official and unofficial subway maps of Japan, available as high-resolution images and PDF downloads. After compiling a list of subway maps of Tokyo I was wondering about other subway maps of Japan. Like Tokyo though, there are official and unofficial maps that show metro systems combined with other transit lines. Some cities […]
Where to stay in Phnom Penh: The best areas and hotels
Phnom Penh is a fascinating city that should be included in any trip to Cambodia. That sounds logical to include the capital and biggest city in Cambodia in your itinerary, but I’m surprised by how many people I meet who just go to Siem Reap and skip Phnom Penh. This Where To Stay guide is […]
Where to stay in Hua Hin: The best areas and hotels
Hua Hin is a beach city on the upper Gulf of Thailand. It is one of the best beaches near Bangkok for quick getaways. Being near enough to Bangkok has made it a popular weekend beach break destination, and a place to live for retirees and (increasingly) remote workers. This article lists the best areas […]
50 years of Lonely Planet: Revisiting Across Asia on the cheap in Thailand
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 […]
