Many people ask us how we go about planning a trip. The most common question usually being “Where do you begin?”
Well, for us, it has always been about what we want to see and experience. We’ll literally look at a world map and brainstorm all the places we want to go. Sometimes it can be as general as a country, in other instances we may have certain cities in mind, or at times we might even have very specific ideas like wanting to experience a particular festival in a particular place.
It’s only once we have these locations marked on the map that we’ll then work out how to make it happen, the most effective route, ways to save money and the list goes on. Of course, modification happens along the way based on what is feasible for that trip, what we can achieve in certain time frames and what we have discovered during our planning process, meaning that new destinations may become a logical part of our route.
So here we are in that very initial stage of planning – for a three month trip next year – and we’d love for you to come on the ride with us! Introducing a brand new weekly series called “Notes of Nomads” where we’ll not only share our travel planning process but where we invite you to play an active role in our decision-making.
So we are throwing this one out to you, our lovely, intelligent and well-traveled readers. The world is a big and amazing place! Help us decide where to go!
This week’s topic will be: South-east Asia! If we were to spend those three months in South-east Asia, where should we go? What are your must-see countries, cities, experiences…?
We’ve already made a start on the list:
1. Experience a dawn hot-air balloon ride in Bagan, Myanmar.
2. Climb Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo, Malaysia.
Over to you…
Many thanks in advance for sharing your top picks!
Feature photo credit: wikipedia.org
If you’re in SEA for three months, you’ll have to stop by Singapore at some point. As in, I would likely be difficult to travel around the area without ending up here at least in transit.
Depending on when you’re passing through I may well have a spare bedroom and you’d be very welcome to stay…
Thanks so much, Felix! We’d love to catch up!
* it would be likely be difficult.
Grammar. *sigh*
Vietnam ♥
1. trekking in the north of the country (Sa Pa)
2. exploring the Mekong delta
3. boat trip and kayaking in Halong Bay
Choosing carefully your guide is recommended
Thanks so much for the great ideas! Vietnam would definitely be on our list. Thanks for sharing your top places and ways to explore them. Much appreciated!
Wow! Love your blog. My husband and I also love to travel. So far we’ve been to 14 countries and counting. I hope to travel as much of the world as possible. Every place has something amazing to see!
Thank you so much! Yes, the world is an amazing place and so glad to hear you have caught the travel bug too!
I spent 4 months in Asia in 2010, you could find ideas reading my related articles (http://lespetitspasdejuls.wordpress.com/about/asie-juillet-a-novembre/).
Bestest shots, in short :
- diving on Ko Phi Phi island, Thailand (I know a GREAT Dive Center there!)
- bathe the elephants, Chiang Mai, north of Thailand (I know a wonderful guide!)
- wonder at the wildlife in Kao Yai Nat. Park, Pak Chong, Thailand (I know a nice guesthouse and tourguide!)
- 2-day boat trip on Mekong from Thailand to Laos
- relax and leap in the past in Luang Prabang, Laos
- see the Plains of Jars, Ponshavan, Laos
- discover Kong Lo Cave, Laos
- watch the Irrawady dolphins on Si Pan Don, border Laos/Cambodia
- linger in Angkor Wat, Cambodia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Otherwise, you’ll once again be the one giving advice to me for Malaysia and Indonesia!
Cheers on the new adventure!
Jul’
Thanks so much for an amazing list, Jul’! Would definitely love to read more about your adventures there. Here’s to travel, travel and more travel!
Very clever guys, not only will u get ideas on what to see & do but maybe you’ll get advise on what pitfalls to look out for or avoid altogether from those who have already been there and done that. Not forgetting everyone’s interpretation on how they see things may greatly vary from yours hey? Nevertheless a very cool plan Maybe your best ever adventure yet if that is possible! Can’t wait for the journey to begin when I get to go with u again in Spirit!
You know us, an adventure around every corner
Thanks so much for coming on the journey with us!
We just returned from 3 weeks in Southeast Asia and whole trip was a marvellous adventure, I loved every one of our stops. Nevertheless, our moped tour of Saigon stands out. On the back of mopeds we became part of this insane traffic, which gave us a whole different perspective of the city. Another highlight was an off the beaten path tour of the Mekong Delta and a food tour of Kuala Lumpur. I am curious to see where you end up going!
Sounds like a fabulous trip! Thank you for sharing your highlights. I’d imagine getting right in amongst Saigon city traffic would have been quite the experience! Stay tuned for more “Notes of Nomads” for more planning posts like these
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South-east Asia is an unexplored area for me still, so I look forward to reading all the recommendations and your decision–what fun!
Thank you! Yes, we hope that this series can be a travel resource for everyone! Thanks for reading
Hi there,
I do not if there is still time to suggest you something to do in the South East Asia, but I will give a go anyway.
You may want to go to Medan to see Orangutans in the Jungle. I have been a few years ago and it was the most amazing experience I have ever had.
If you are passing by Thailand you must go to the Tiger Temple and the Floating Market (http://www.tigertemplethailand.com). It is a bit further from Bangkok but it is worth every single minute you spend driving.
My favorite place in South East Asia is by far the Philippines, I do not know if you thought about it, but it is definitely the most beautiful places in earth.In Cebu you could go for a hiking/rappel trip on the river in Moalboal. You can get more details with the company called Tipolo Beach Resort, We booked the hiking and it was a great experience.
Also in Philippines, you should check a place called El Nido. It is so isolated and perfect that you will for sure fall in love with the place.
Let me know if you need any further details about South East Asia. I will be more than happy to help you out.
Cheers.
Hi Gabriel, never too late to chime in!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your recommendations. As much as we love close encounters with animals though, we cannot support the Tiger Temple. On our visit to Bangkok, we deliberately avoided it as we did not want to support the drugging and ill treatment of the tigers for the sake of a tourist photo. A Google search will bring up lots of articles on the topic if you are interested in reading more. We haven’t yet gotten to the Philippines – thanks for the great tips! If you have recommendations for other regions of the world you’d be willing to share, please join the conversation at http://jessicakorteman.com/category/notes-of-nomads/ We’d love to hear them. Many thanks and happy adventuring 
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Please do visit the Philippines. There’s so much to see in our country. Try and drop by Puerto Princesa, Palawan Underground River (Of the world’s new 7 wonders of nature) I’ve been there last week and it was really amazing.
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I haven’t been yet, but a friend did this and it looks amazing: http://www.gibbonexperience.org/
The Gibbon Experience in Laos – you zip line through the forest and stay in tree huts while looking for Gibbons.
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