Saturday 30 June 2012

Trip Advisor.

Hello, I am back! Ok, I owe some of you a summary of all my adventures so far in South Asia. Sadly, i'm 1/2 way through my assignment and still have a long list of countries i need to hit up before i move back next year. Asia anyone? =) But, I get to act as 'trip advisor' now and give you the real deal on these places if you ever plan to go! yay. 


1. Phuket, Thailand: The pictures pretty much says it all, hah. Highly Recommended. Everything is cheap, tons of activities, and for all ages! i sound like a stupid commercial, hah. I had a lot of fun in Patong Beach! They had Connect Four and some Number Box game in every bar while you drink. Men, watch out for Thailand's lady boys. you know,  just watch Hang Over 2! ;)  


2. Bangkok, Thailand: Love it. I think it's because it's a mega city but still has their cultural roots mixed in. Traditional noodle shops everywhere, buddhist temples and street markets. Highly Recommended. Best sushi i've ever had is when i am in Bangkok. Thai food is super spicy, and Pad Thai does exist there! Still on my list to see: Floating Markets next.


   
Royal Grand Palace

Siam SkyTrain Station: Street Markets


3. Ho Chi Min (or Old Saigon), Vietnam: The city was okay. Not a foreign friendly place and not many folks spoke basic english either. This is the country where everyone wears the teepee looking bamboo hats! What i do recommend is going out of the city, taking a tour out to Mekong Delta River and Cu Chi Tunnels. To be honest, I think it's better to visit up north to Hanoi, Vietnam. That's where Halong Bay is located, just beautiful. Well, it's still on my list for 2013.  

Mekong Delta
Vietnamese Homer. D'oh.

4. Singapore: Not recommended. Sorry! The country is like the size of Manhattan and it's just like any mega city. Cool thing is although they're all asian, they all speak english and everything is written in english. It's the most westernized Asian country i've been to so far. I am impressed by how clean and crime-free this country is. littering is like a $1000 fine. makes you think twice about that gum wrapper now! also, everything is expensive there! Anyway, if you go, one long weekend is enough, can see it all.

View from Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Marina Bay Ground View

5. Jaipur & Jodhpur, India: Recommended. There's a lot of history in India, with beautiful palaces. I thought it was going to look like Bangladesh, but it was nothing like it. For one, they don't have ricksaws. Anyway, thanks to my buddy Ashish, i was able to go to a Royal wedding! it was awesome. the prince ride a horse, then a camel, finally on an elephant to go get married to the bride! the wedding was about 6 days long, crazy. trip highlight- i got to ride a camel! 

Can you see me? Waving?
I named him Bob.



6. Hong Kong: Highly recommended. Well, my family is Cantonese and from HK, so if i don't say it, it's sorta wrong too. ha, just kidding! i heart HK. prob been here a few times growing up. Big Buddha, rice & noodle shops, shopping everywhere. Next on my list- trying to make it to HK during Chinese New Year. There, they celebrate it for 1 week, and offices are closed! US should practice that too for their new year. ;)




7. Pattaya Beach, Thailand: Recommended. My buddy Aubrey lives there now and we had a grand time. Elephants! gotta love them, we went elephant riding there and got to feed them bananas. It's cool,  they have this area called Walking Street, which is the asian version of Bourbon Street, New Orleans! bars everywhere and they even closed down the streets at nights because of the drunk people. 

I wanted to name him Bob 2.
Walking Street


 
  
Ok, hope you enjoyed it. That's all my travels so far. The rest of my pictures are in my Facebook if you want to see more. Will post up my next upcoming travels, and hopefully, not a year later! Night. 

lil.