Rich and diverse cultures. Delicious food and entertaining festivals. Friendly people and impressive history. This is just a tiny part of why Asia — especially the Southeast Asian countries, which have long been budget traveler favorite — is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Over 300 million international tourists visit annually and that number is increasing rapidly every year. (Between 2015 and 2016 tourism to Asia increased 9%!)
It is hard to describe just how many amazing opportunities and adventures await tourists in Asia. No matter what you like, you can find it here. Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of my adventures, tips and travel guides below, then hop on a plane and come witness it all for yourself!
In my quest to explore the non-touristy side of Indonesia I recently took a day-trip out to Banyusumurup, a small village located southeast of Yogyakarta and home to dozens of skilled craftsmen that still produce the renowned keris. Although the village itself is well off the beaten path, the keris themselves — despite their rich … Read more
Singapore is an impressive city/country, but also one that becomes exponentially more fun the more money you have to spend. If you don’t mind shelling out S$900+ ($700USD) for a Crest Suite at the luxurious Swissotel Singapore then you will be treated to not only an amazingly fantastic room but also a breathtaking view from … Read more
From the moment I landed in Singapore’s Changi International Airport I was impressed. Maybe it was the fact the place was spotlessly clean, orderly and efficient…or maybe it was just the fact that I had spent the previous two months motorcycling through Indonesia that made finally arriving in a country without trash and cigarette smoke … Read more
What Is Wrong With This Photo Of Surabaya, Indonesia? Welcome to my first ever FriFotos post, thanks for stopping by to take a look. To have a little fun with the day and in honor of my debut FF post, let’s turn this into a contest. The winner will become a HoliDaze featured blogger and … Read more
Indonesia has no shortage of mountains to climb and volcanoes to explore. Many require long hikes to reach but others are also accessible by car or motorcycle via road. This one happens to be one of latter. Plus after my last rather depressing post on Kebun Binatang Bandung it was time to highlight the city’s … Read more
Zoos, although an educational and inspiring experience for children, often caused mixed feelings among adults. It is rare that I visit them nowadays but a couple weeks ago while in Bandung I did happen to pass through Kebun Binatang Bandung Zoo. Only after traveling and being forced to stop does one truly realize how the … Read more
Although your feelings towards and opinion of a particular country will grow and evolve as you see more of the country and experience more of the local culture, nothing can ever duplicate your initial impressions. For that exact reason I will be publishing a First Impressions post for every one of the 80+ countries on … Read more
Last month Abu Dhabi International Airport installed their first set of sleeper pods. Although they plan to charge 45 dirhams ($12.25 USD) per hour, for the current time being they are FREE! Conveniently located in Terminal 3 next to gate 31 (which just happened to be my gate), this set of 8 pods is overseen … Read more
Even in India, a nation that is flooded with cultural symbolism, history and numerous religious practices, Jaipur stands apart from the others. The city not only reflects the above mentioned practices but also incorporates a rich heritage of architecture, arts and crafts. Nahargarh Fort, perched on the hilltop overlooking Jaipur, is one of the obligatory … Read more
Manali is a hill station, a paradise on earth located in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 6400 ft (approx) above sea level. The hill station is near to the Rohtang Pass which has been a trade route in the olden days and even today. It is one of the route to reach Ladakh, another … Read more
That’s right, in just one month I will bid adieu to my house in Austin and embark on my longest and greatest adventure yet. No more ‘six weeks in this country’ or ‘six months on the road,’ this time it’s the infamous “sell all my possessions and buy a one-way ticket” scenario. The wild part … Read more
Rishikesh a small town located on the banks of Ganges River is the most sought after destination for white river rafting. The town is very small and is marked by lots of hotels and resorts, though all very basic in nature some will give standards but luxury here is ruled out. Option of camping near … Read more
