How to get to the paradise islands of Java, Bali, Lombok and the Gilis in Indonesia

Published on: 19/11/201914/09/2022 by Nic Hilditch-Short 3 Comments

Travelling between the islands of Indonesia is pretty easy with most of the most visited being close enough to comfortably take the ferry. However there are many options and booking them can be confusing and often the most irritating part of the journey is organising transport once on the island as public transport in Indonesia

A guide to Jakarta, the surprisingly beautiful and interesting capital of Indonesia!

Published on: 28/10/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 21 Comments

After being in Manila directly before coming to Jakarta, a city we had mixed feelings about, somewhere over crowded with traffic, poverty, inequality, grime and crime, we expected much the same in Jakarta. Though there were shades of similarities, being huge sprawling cities with unregulated development, traffic jams and chaos, we found Jakarta to be

Backpacking in Manila: Things to do in Manila, Philippines, transport in Manila, where to stay in Manila, Makati.

Backpacking in Manila: A Guide to the Crazy Capital of The Philippines

Published on: 04/09/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 13 Comments

We’ve travelled all around the world, to some of the planets largest and busiest cities, but nothing quite prepares you for Manila. The capital of The Philippines is chaotic, overwhelming, intimidating and bigger than you can comprehend. Crossing the city takes hours, the traffic is exhausting, the poverty of the local people is so plain

A guide to Saigon: The crazy, chaotic and claustrophobic second city of Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City!

Published on: 20/08/201914/09/2022 by Nic Hilditch-Short 20 Comments

Known as Ho Chi Minh city since the late 70’s the city is still often referred to as Saigon by pretty much everyone…even VC vets we’ve spoken to! Saigon is a busy, bustling, crazy kind of place, it almost makes you feel like you can’t get your breath at times. With the worlds largest number of

Things to do in The Cameron Highlands, Things to do in Cameron Highlands, Hiking in through the dramatic tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, gunung brinchang, mossy forest, routes, trails, tracks, guide, which trails in the cameron highlands are the best, safety, tips, plants, pitcher plants, tea fields, BOH, where to stay, Tanah Rata, Hostel, guest house, map, scorpion, insects, jungle, rainforest, forest, mountain, hitch hike, bus, how to get to the Cameron Highlands, Mount Irau, cameron highlands malaysia,

Things to do in The Cameron Highlands: A guide to Hiking the Dramatic Tea Plantations, Dense Jungles & Incredible Mountains of the Region. Plus Some Relaxing Activities Too!

Published on: 15/05/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 37 Comments

Malaysia is such a diverse country and one of the places that really illustrates that is the landscape of the Cameron Highlands. Whilst the rest of the country is baked in sun and sweating in the humid conditions, up here the temperature and climate is totally different. The landscape, wildlife and the lifestyle is unique

Learning SCUBA diving in borneo: Completing our PADI course in Malaysia at some great Kota Kinabalu diving spots, SCUBA diving in Malaysia, SCUBA diving in Sabah. Learn What is involved in a PADI course and if a PADI course hard and why Borneo is one of the best places to do a PADI course in South East Asia

Learning to SCUBA dive in Borneo: Completing our PADI course in the most stunning and unexpected place!

Published on: 02/05/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 20 Comments

When we set off backpacking around South East Asia, doing a PADI course to become qualified open water SCUBA divers was one of the first things we added to our list of things to do! After doing a taster session over 10 years ago on a family holiday to Turkey and also having friends who

Things to do in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Borneo: The Ultimate Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

Published on: 25/04/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 22 Comments

The small but lively city of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah on the Malaysian side of Borneo is a world away from KL! The distinct culture and history of Bornean Malaysia combined with the dense jungles, unique wildlife, stunning coastline and the towering 4000m Mt Kinabalu makes it an enchanting place to visit. Having already fallen

Orangutan sanctuary borneo, Orangutans in Kuching, borneo orangutan, orangutan borneo, orangutan sanctuary borneo, orangutans in borneo, Seeing Orangutans in Borneo: A magical experience seeing this fascinating endangered animal in its natural setting, Semmengoh, Urang utan, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, monkey, ape, endangered, wild, semi wild, safe, price, how to get to Semmengoh from Kuching,

Seeing Orangutans in Borneo: A magical experience seeing this fascinating endangered animal in its natural setting.

Published on: 20/04/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 32 Comments

Flying over to the Malaysian part of Borneo most have one main objective: To see the endangered Orangutans in their natural environment in the only place in the world where they exist. With dwindling numbers over the last few decades this bucket list item is even harder to tick. However with many amazing conservation areas

Things to do Vang Vieng, Guide to Vang Vieng, Laos: A once paradise lost that has been rediscovered as an adventure lovers heaven, things to do in Vang Vieng, a guide to Vang Vieng, Laos, hot air balloon, trekking, hiking, mountain, caves, lusi cave, price, tour, guide, tubing, climbing, view, jungle, spider, hike, Tham Nam, the water cave,Pha Thao Cave, mountain, local, culture, sunset, sun set, sunflower, bungalow, blue lagoon, jump, tree, swing,

Things To Do In Vang Vieng: A Guide To This Beautiful & Adventure Filled Backpacker Paradise!

Published on: 08/04/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 22 Comments

Vang Vieng was once a byword for backpackers excess and the devastating effects it can have on a place. In the past this wonderful village surrounded by mountains and stunning rivers was described as a “Paradise Lost”, engulfed by the drunken backpackers who would pass through without a care for the culture or indeed the

The impressive sandstone carved Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest pre modern Buddha in the world. Here's our guide to visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu including Chengdu to Leshan transport guide, cost and entrance fee for the Leshan giant buddha scenic area. Here's how to get to the Leshan Buddha from Chengdu on the train and bus/ public transport.

Visiting the awe inspiring Leshan Giant Buddha in China, the largest pre modern Buddha in the world! A perfect day trip from Chengdu.

Published on: 04/04/201914/09/2022 by Nic Hilditch-Short 23 Comments

A magical and mysterious place, this ancient wonder left us in awe and made a perfect day trip from Chengdu to Leshan. The sheer scale of this enormous place almost too much to take in, the 90 year project of a dedicated monk it is still one of China’s most sacred Buddhist locations. It draws

Mui Ne corrupt police scam, How to avoid the corrupt traffic police of Mui Ne, Vietnam...for those on motorbikes and scooters, avoid corrupt police Mui Ne, motorbike, scooter, foreigner, brides, cops, alternative route, back roads, where are the police in Mui Ne, Russian tourists, White Sand dunes, Fairy stream, Sandboarding, Red sand dunes, traffic police, scam, advice, backpacking, Vietnam, Saigon to Hanoi, motorbiking in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh,

How to Avoid the Mui Ne Police Trap, Vietnam…For Mui Ne Motorbike Rental & Backpackers Touring Vietnam

Published on: 18/03/201914/09/2022 by Nic Hilditch-Short 1 Comment

So, you are riding your bike through Vietnam and having the time of your life on this epic journey. Along the way you have been greeted with smiles, waves off Police and generally been treated well. Now you come to Mui Ne to take a break by the sea, explore the huge sand dunes and

traditional tea ceremony tokyo, Tea ceremony Tokyo, Tea ceremony in Tokyo, Hamarikyu Gardens tea, Japanese tea ceremony Tokyo, Matcha tea ceremony, japanese tea ceremony tokyo, tokyo drink tea, matcha tea ceremony, Best Japanese tea, Hamarikyu Gardens tea ceremony, Hamarikyu Gardens tea house, tea ceremony experience tokyo, tokyo tea ceremony tour, traditional tea ceremony tokyo, japanese tea house, best tea ceremony tokyo, Cheap tea ceremony in Tokyo, Backpacking Tokyo, Backpacking Japan, Budget tea ceremony Tokyo , tea ritual, japanese tea party, kimono tea ceremony tokyo, Japan, Tokyo, tea ceremony, on a budget, Hamarikyu gardens, Hama rikyu gardens, matcha, 抹茶, Japanese culture, Zen Buddhism, Atmosphere, informal, cheap, Wagashi, Nakashima tea house, Shioiri pond, shogun,

Tea Ceremony in Tokyo: The Beautifully Serine Hamarikyu Gardens Tea House, Japan

Published on: 20/02/201914/09/2022 by Nic Hilditch-Short 2 Comments

When we visited Japan we were keen to try out a tea ceremony in Tokyo, to soak in all that tradition and observe the preparation and presentation of “The way of Tea”. But upon researching these ceremonial and ancient services we discovered that many were quite expensive and also a little too full on for

Experiencing the unique culture of Borneo up close and personal at the Mari Mari Cultural Village. Plus, Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu, Iban, Murut, Dayak, visit a village, tribe, KK, tribes near Kota Kinabalu, Authentic Borneo tribe, head hunters, local culture, local travel, Mari Mari culture village, mari mari cultural village

Experiencing the unique culture of Borneo up close and personal at the Mari Mari culture village.

Published on: 13/02/201911/09/2022 by Nic Hilditch-Short 4 Comments

When we decided to head over to Borneo, specifically the Malaysian side, we were keen to take the opportunity to soak in all this magnificent and mysterious island had to offer and especially to visit a Borneo cultural village. From trekking through the jungle in search of endangered animals to embracing the rich tribal culture of

Tubing in Vang vieng, Vang vieng tubing, Tubing in Vang Vieng: Why this wonderful way to see this beautiful town doesn't need to be marred with debauchery and drunkenness, tubing Vang Vieng, activities Vang Vieng, adventure, river, kayak, prices, tuk tuk, how much is tubing in Vang Vieng, drunk, bars, death, backpackers, mountains, peaceful, how much does tubing in Vang Vieng cost, Where is the tubing in Laos, how to get to the tubing in Vang Vieng, vang vieng tubing rainy season, Tubing Laos, tubing South East Asia, how to do the tubing in Vang Vieng, real backpackers vang vieng, vang vieng laos tubing, vang vieng backpackers, vang vieng party, vang vieng kayaking, what to see in vang vieng, vang vieng things to do, where to go in, vang vieng, what is tubing, Vang vieng adventure activities, vang vieng backpacker

Vang Vieng Tubing, Laos: Why its still a fun way to see this beautiful town!

Published on: 23/01/201929/10/2020 by Nic Hilditch-Short 2 Comments

When you think of backpacking excesses, debauchery, drunkenness and generally the sort of behaviour that gives us more cultured travellers who happen to carry their belongings on their back a bad name the place Vang Vieng won’t be far from a mention. Over the past decade or so it has built up a reputation for all

Bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, overnight train Bangkok to Chiang Mai, travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus, Best way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Bangkok to Chiang Mai, travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Best way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus, Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train, Bangkok to Chiang Mai train, chiang mai to bangkok train time, bangkok to chiang mai, cheap flights from bangkok to chiang mai, travel from bangkok to chiang mai, flights from chiang mai to bangkok, bangkok to chiang mai flight price, bangkok to chiang mai flight time, transportation from bangkok to chiang mai, tickets from bangkok to chiang mai, internal flights bangkok to chiang mai, train bangkok chiang mai, airasia bangkok to chiang mai, going to chiang mai from bangkok

Travelling around Thailand: Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus or the overnight train Bangkok to Chiang Mai or even a flight?

Published on: 16/01/201914/09/2022 by Nic Hilditch-Short Comment

Thailand is an incredible place to travel around whether on holiday or on a backpacking trip around the world you will find it one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to navigate! However, it is still a relatively large country with great distances to be covered from one region to another. Chiang Mai and

The Roaming Renegades

Travel, Adventure & Lifestyle blog

Asia