Ko Larn (or Ko Lan) is an island in the Bay of Bangkok off the coast of Pattaya. If you are familiar enough with Thailand then that geographical description alone would probably put you off visiting. If you aren’t familiar, the Bay of Bangkok is not famous for its water quality, and Pattaya is a […]
Where to stay in Georgetown, Penang – The best area to stay and the pick of the hotels
Penang is a state in Malaysia that includes the island of Penang and the strip of adjacent land on the peninsula. For most visitors when they say they are going to Penang they mean they are going to Georgetown, on the northeast tip of Penang island (Pulau Pinang). [Georgetown in relation to Pulau Pinang and […]
Notes on Manila: A tale of four cities
Metropolitan Manila refers to the 16 cities and one municipality that comprise the Manila National Capital Region (NCR). Metro Manila (as it is more commonly referred to) has a population of over 13 million, though some statistics also include surrounding provinces. As a visitor, that is an overwhelming amount of cities to choose from. The […]
Medan to Rantau Prapat by train (North Sumatra)
The train from Medan to Rantau Prapat is the longest railway journey in North Sumatra (266 km). It’s not a route that is useful from a tourism perspective, but if you are curious to take a trip then here is what to expect. Tickets I bought my ticket at Medan station on the morning of […]
Hanoi Airport Bus: Noi Bai International Airport to Hanoi Railway Station
How to get the bus from Hanoi Airport to the the Old City and Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai International Airport) is about 27 km from the city centre, and the cheapest way to travel to and from the airport is by local bus. Bus 84 departs from the international and domestic terminal […]
Special Train to the Gia Lam Train Factory (Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023)
Visiting the Gia Lam Train Factory by special train service from Hanoi Station to Gia Lam Station during the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023. Gia Lam Train Factory is the former factory of the Gia Lam Train Company in Hanoi. The factory has since moved, and the site in Gia Lam District remains undeveloped. The […]
Bangkok Mass Transit System – A guide to the BTS / MRT / ARL / SRT urban railways
The Bangkok Mass Transit System began with the launch of two BTS Skytrain lines in 1999. There are now 10 lines operating, with more lines planned and under construction. The urban rail transit system of Bangkok is comprised of a mixture of railway systems operated by three different companies. There is no singular brand like […]
Hanoi Train Street Guide: Where to visit the open sections
Hanoi Train Street is where the railway passes through narrow alleys lined with houses on either side of the track. Houses in the alleys set up cafes to allow people to watch the trains pass by. This infrastructure anomaly of seeing a train pass through a populated urban area became a big tourist attraction. The […]
Train 7 Bangkok to Chiang Mai: The day train through historic Thailand
Train 7 is a Special Express service from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. This is the fastest train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and the only day train between the two cities. Special Express No. 7 departs Bangkok at 09:05 and arrives at Chiang Mai at 19:30. Here is what to expect on Train 7 and […]
Notes on Vang Vieng: Trains and tubing in Laos
Vang Vieng became famous for being a big backpacker town, with people drawn to its karst topography and the river that runs through the landscape. I visited in 2010, and at its peak it was like a Wild West town for backpacker hedonism. The town was best known for tubing down the river and stopping […]
