Everytime I will choose to take a long bus ride instead of flying to hop from one city to another is something I always, always, regret later. In a previous tri-country trip, I entered Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I was expecting nothing from Phnom Penh since it was just my gateway to Siem Reap to see the Angkor Complex, but this quaint little town has exceeded my expectations. Sure, there are a lot of horror stories from tourists going to this capital, but I always get reminded that I have to be gentle on Cambodia because of the scars that the former communist regime has left the nation.
Anyway, here are some photos from my quick trip to Phnom Penh Cambodia which I edited using the Kodak Porta 100T filter of VSCO. Also, don’t forget to check out my VSCO portfolio. Enjoy!
Southeast Asia region is a very popular travel destination, and a lot of travel bloggers have written so much about it. It is popular not only to budget travelers and backpackers (because man, they always say this is the cheapest region to travel to), but also to digital nomads, photographers, and travel bloggers themselves as well.
While everyone has been talking about Southeast Asia travel on blogs, vlogs, and Instagram, I honestly believe there is no other nice way to get insider tips about traveling in the region than from Southeast Asia travel bloggers themselves. Most of them are born and raised in this region of the world and they surely know a lot about their countries of origin than anybody else.
Now, without further ado, I have collected a list of 19 Southeast Asia travel bloggers whom you can stalk on Instagram and learn tips by reading their blogs:
Nu Myat is a Doctor by profession and also a travel blogger. Based in Myanmar, she is the Chief Editor of Chic Magazine and My Journey Magazine. She has been to 50 countries so far.
Santel Phin is an IT guy by profession and a self-proclaimed cinephile. His blog is a good reference when traveling around Cambodia where he provides free travel guides.
David Hogan, Jr. has been travel blogging since 2007, the year where the first batch of travel bloggers emerged. He is also a bird watcher and scuba diver.
Vkeong is a Programmer by profession and owns two dogs and a cat. He was also an ex-durian seller based in Malaysia and he mostly posts and blogs about food.
Keith Jerkin’s blog focuses on luxury travel and he is the CEO of iambassador. He is currently based in Amsterdam where he posts stunning photos on his Instagram feed. I also specifically like his interest in architecture and history.
For more travel articles about Malaysia, click on the banner below:
Sherlyn is a Lecturer of Southeast Asian Studies based in Manila and her Instagram feed is full of vibrant and colorful photos from her travels around Southeast Asia and beyond. She writes about Instagram-worthy spots, museums, and restaurant reviews.
This blog can serve as your ultimate guide to traveling around Indonesia where they post articles about different tourist desinations in the archipelago.
Suan and Adam are Indonesian and Australian travel couple who blogs about their experiences from the 72 countries they have traveled to so far. They are also authors of 5 books and they offer private tours to tourists.
Julia and Marius are award-winning travel bloggers in Indonesia where they won awards at InfluenceAsia 2017 and RCTISocMed Awards 2016. They also post vlogs on their YouTube channel.
Mel has been eating her way around the wold and the photos she posts of food with tourist spots as backgrounds really captured the inspiration of a lot of wanderlusts.
Jaclynn Seah’s travel blog is always there to remind us that there is more to life than working, which is taking some time off to travel. She is currently based in Singapore.
For more travel articles about Indonesia, click on the banner below:
Keith Yuen has been solo traveling to 105 countries (and counting!) and has been featured in so many media channels such as Mediacorp TV, Radio, Newspaper, European Union, and China Central TV, among others.
TravelerFolio has been posting a lot of travel photos and tips mostly from his home country, Singapore.
For more travel articles about Singapore, click on the banner below:
Southeast Asia Travel Bloggers: Any Recommendations?
There you have it! There is no better way travel stories in Southeast Asia could be told than by Southeast Asian travel bloggers themselves. i hope they were able to inspire you to see more of the Southeast Asia region and the whole world as well. Happy travels!
If you want to be included in the list, don’t hesitate to send me a DM at instagram.com/wheressherlyn. 🙂
Southeast Asia is a very popular travel destination to travelers all over the world from all walks of life. Traveling around the region can be a little intimidating because of geographical challenges and language barriers. Moreover, despite being a popular travel destination, a lot of important information are still not available to travelers. I myself as a Southeast Asian citizen still find it hard to gather information about the places I’m going to as I plan my travels around Southeast Asia. Hence, a hardbound or electronic Southeast Asia travel book guide that you can buy online like at Amazon.com can serve as a big help because not all information are available over the internet.
SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL BOOK GUIDES: THE LIST
For the benefit of my readers and followers (I know most of you are based or frequently traveling around Southeast Asian region), I’ve compiled these list of books on Southeast Asia travel guide that you can purchase in Amazon.com. I’ve provided the links below the books for your convenience, and I actually purchased some of these books that’s why I recommend them.
1. Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring (Travel Guide)
We know for a fact that Lonely Planet produce the best travel guides about a lot of places! With “Southeast Asia”, they meant ALL Southeast Asian countries. I personally own a copy of this book and the information they provide is very comprehensive.
A very popular Southeast Asian route is the mainland or Indochina sub-region. Lonely Planet came up with this guide specific to exploring this part of the region. This guide provides insider tips that you can never find anywhere else.
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
3. Insight Guides Southeast Asia (Travel Guide)
Insight Guides provide us a lot of stunning photographs on their travel guides, so prepared to be inspired by a lot of stunning photographs all over Southeast Asian region with this guide. The cover photo which was taken in Bali, Indonesia is elegant!
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
4. Southeast Asia: An Introductory History
Milton Osborne made a version of Southeast Asian history that can be appreciated even by non-history buffs. Given the good reviews I read about this book, I can’t help but also purchase a copy of it. No regrets, I also was able to use it in the University whenever I handle courses on Southeast Asia. Awesome!
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
5. The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget (Travel Guide)
This particular Rough Guide was able to provide tips on how to explore more of Southeast Asia with the lowest budget possible. This is going to be helpful to anyone planning their trips to Southeast Asia.
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
6. Blood and Silk: Power and Conflict in Modern Southeast Asia
As a Lecturer of International Relations and Southeast Asian Studies, I find this book very interesting in terms of painting a picture on how Southeast Asian stats interact. Considering that we are a region with no Great Powers, we were able to thrive and make it as one of the best regions in the world and a primary economic hub. Even if you’re not into Southeast Asian history and politics, reading this book might make you appreciate why some Southeast Asian capital cities are progressive, or why some Southeast Asian countries remain to be the poorest ones internationally.
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
7. Southeast Asia: A Very Short Introduction
If you do not have the luxury of time to learn everything there is about Southeast Asian history, or if you simply want to have an overview of the region’s history, James Rush has summarized everything for you.
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
8. A Traveller’s History of Southeast Asia
This version of Southeast Asian history is specifically designed for travelers to the region coming from different backgrounds. While I am not sure why the authors did not include the Philippines and Myanmar, it’s still a fairly good Southeast Asia travel book guide.
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
9. Southeast Asia – Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam: A Solo Girl’s Travel Guide
Alexa West is one of the female travel bloggers that I really look up to. While I am not (yet) prepared to ditch my University Lecturing job to travel the world, I just express my admiration to women like her and be inspired to do the same in the future. I also want to write my own travel guides like her Southeast Asia travel book guide!
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
10. Southeast Asia Phrasebook and Dictionary
Whenever traveling around Southeast Asia, it does not hurt to learn a few words or phrases that can be useful when communicating to locals. Not every country in the region has English as their second language, and this Southeast Asia travel book language guide handpicked the most frequently used words in conversing with locals whenever traveling around the region.
Click the banner below for travel tips in:
There you have it! 🙂 I am wishing all of you a smooth trip around Southeast Asia with the help of these Southeast Asia travel book recommendations from Amazon. If you want to suggest some ideas on what I could write as a travel guide around the region, you may always send me an email at sherlynmaehernandez@gmail.com. Happy travels! 🙂
So, you’ve just landed in Cambodia, but where to stay in Phnom Penh? Read on to read my non-sponsored review of Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel, a minimalist hotel in Phnom Penh.
Our Indochina trip was a very packed trip and half of the time we spent visiting universities (because this was a trip organized by my graduate studies Professor). Our first leg was a one day trip to Ho Chi Minh City and then we hopped on a bus going to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. During our stay in Phnom Penh, we had Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel as our accommodation and it was the best!
In Phnom Penh, we visited Pannasastra University of Cambodia and had a very quick city tour before hopping on a bus again going to Siem Reap. I had to admit that I wish I was able to stay longer and explore Phnom Penh — visit its cultural sites as well as to taste the local food. However, my short Phnom Penh trip became relaxing and interesting because I was able to stay in a nice place: The Kolab Sor Hotel.
*I only took a few photos around Kolab Sor Hotel, so allow me if I will share photos from other Instagrammers for you to have a better visual image of this beautiful hotel.
So we took a tuktuk ride from the Phnom Penh Bus Station to Kolab Sor Hotel. Even from the outside, you will already notice that the hotel has a clean, minimalist theme. It is dominated by black, white and gray with a little pop of colors from the plants and the colorful pillows.
The lounge is very spacious and it is unique compared to other typical city hotels. so homey!
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel
They have computers which you can use to research about your plans for the day, where to eat, and how to book tickets to your next destinations.
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel
What made everyone excited about is seeing this sign by the Ground Floor elevator (cue tugs tugs tugs hahaha):
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel
THE ROOM
I do not have any photo of the room where we stayed because we literally just slept at the hotel, but this is basically how the rooms at Kolab Sor Hotel look like:
It is very minimalist: the walls are gray and white, the sheets were so comfy, and guys, the bathroom was huge and I love their toiletries!
Meanwhile, this was the view by the window. Phnom Penh does not give you a typical city skyline like Kuala Lumpur or Manila, but this is already too beautiful for me. <3
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel. View during nighttime 🙂
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel. Good morning, PP!
GOING AROUND THE HOTEL
The hotel has a super nice interior, most of it are black and white. It really looks so chic and classy.
WHERE TO STAY IN PHNOM PENH: Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel
My Phnom Penh trip was short but sweet, and it was made sweeter by my stay at Kolab Sor Hotel. If I will have the chance to go to PP, I will stay here again definitely! 🙂
Where to Stay in Phnom Penh? KOLAB SOR PHNOM PENH HOTEL CONTACT INFORMATION
#436, Street 310, Sangkat, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
You can book your stay in Kolab Sor Phnom Penh Hotel through Agoda or Booking.
Cambodia, specifically the area of Siem Reap, has become one of the major tourist hubs in Southeast Asia to the point that its dark history is almost not visible. To give you a background, Cambodia was formerly led by a communist military junta called the Khmer Rouge and then invaded by the Vietnnamese during the Indochina Wars. Below is the trailer of the movie First They Killed My Father which was a brilliantly-created movie about the said phase of Cambodian history.
Most people would agree with me that Siem Reap is a tourist-friendly city and it is very comfortable going around there (I looooove Pub Street!). Most spots are accessible either by foot or by riding a tuktuk. Moreover, options on where to stay, such as top hostels in Siem Reap, are on the rise and are very convenient to find.
Meanwhile, I have created a simple travel vlog containing video clips I took from my trip in Cambodia, covering Phnom Penh and Siem Reap:
Are you planning a backpacking trip or perhaps you are a solo traveler to Siem Reap? I saw you just Googled “best hostels in Siem Reap”! Kidding! But I’m sure you are looking for a hostel to stay at this point in time. Well, the good news is, I did the research for you and picked the top hostels in Siem Reap that you could choose from! I extracted the basic and essential information for you, and I even compared them side by side! So are you ready to choose your hostel in Siem Reap? Let’s go!
Personally, whenever I would visit another city and look for hostels, I usually use the following criteria:
LOCATION AND DISTANCE FROM LANDMARKS: As a backpacker/solo traveler on a budget, I would choose a hostel that is in a good location because I want to explore the cities by foot as much as possible and have access to basic establishments, such as convenience stores, public transportation, and such.
DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT: Factors such as time of our flights are important to consider choosing a place to stay vis-a-vis their distance from the airport. Some of us are staying in hostels for a layover and some of us just want to make sure we do not miss our next flights. Also, if we fly in or out at wee hours, public transportation is possibly not available and taxi is our only option, which can be more expensive depending on the distance of out hostels.
WI-FI CONNECTON: Most of us need an internet connection to do research about places to go and eat and things to do, or update out social media accounts with details from our travels, or connect with our loved ones. Whatever our purposes are, having a wi-fi connection at our hostels is a big factor.
FREE BREAKFAST: I am a morning person and I need to have breakfast, so this factor personally matters to me. I believe other budget travelers also consider getting their tummies full with a complimentary hostel breakfast before going out to explore the city.
RESTAURANT/COFFEE SHOP/BAR INSIDE THE HOSTEL: Some of us just wants to have access to these facilities at the comfort of being inside the premises of our hostels (especially after a long day of exploring!).
FREE BOTTLED WATER: A hydro homie here! This may not be popular in hostels, but most hostels have water dispensers provided but you have to bring your own bottle.
TOILETRIES: This is a deciding factor to me since as much as possible I don’t want to experience the hassle of bringing in liquids inside my carry-on luggage (only to get confiscated at the airport! Ouch!), so if basic toiletries are available at the hostel, I might only bring what I really need.
WASHING MACHINE/LAUNDROMAT: Light packers usually bring enough set of clothes, but any type of packer might run out of clean clothes to wear. Hence, it is a big deal for me personally if the hostel has a laundromat or a washing machine.
ACTIVITIES: Hostels are also places for socialization with other travelers, right? I am an introvert, but if I ran out of things to do or if I feel like socializing or maybe do something inside the hostel, this criteria matters.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Some hostels offer free airport transfer and we all should maximize this! However if I indicated a ‘yes’ answer for the airport transfer criteria here, please check with the hostel first if it is free or not.
There you have it! I hope you were able to decide by now and book your corresponding chosen hostel in sIEM rEAP, based on the criteria I picked. Btw, if you think other criteria needs to be included in this list, or if you want me to add more hostels to compare, please let me know! 🙂 Happy travels to sIEM rEAP and please share me your experiences with your chosen hostel from this list!
For more hostel options in Siem Reap, click on the button below:
A lot of Filipino travelers I know have expressed some frustrations on how less ‘powerful’ the Philippine passport is compared to other countries because we are only eligible to enter a few countries without the need for a visa. To someone who is aiming to visit all nation-states in the world, yes, it would be a struggle, but it won’t hurt if you start traveling to visa-free countries first, right? That’s also what I am currently working on.
But hey, it is not the end of the world, guys! In fact, setting up a good and clean travel record to visa-free countries is a brownie point should you apply for a visa in the First World, like Europe and the US. After all, there is so much to explore in these visa-free countries which deserve to be visited first by us, Filipino travelers.
With “start traveling to visa-free countries first”, I meant the Southeast Asian region. In fact, Southeast Asian region is one of the most popular regions visited by travelers from all parts of the world and from all walks of life. There is so much to see in this region: cultural and historical heritage sites, natural wonders, cities, beaches, mountains, name it! Did you know that your Philippine passport entitles you to travel around Southeast Asia, visa-free? 🙂
Why can Southeast Asian citizens travel around the region visa-free?
The members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed an ASEAN Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption in order to achieve a lasting friendship and cooperation among ASEAN countries, hence as ASEAN Citizens, we Filipinos can travel around ASEAN region without a visa. How cool is that? You can have your own Southeast Asia visa free travel bucket list before exploring the rest of the world!
Without further ado, here is the list of visa-free Southeast Asian countries for Philippine passport holders:
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM (visa-free for 14 days)
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Anyone up with seeing some beautiful mosques and feeling a legitimate sense of peace away from your home countries? Brunei is definitely the place to be.
For more travel articles about Brunei, click on the banner below:
CAMBODIA (visa-free for 21 days)
Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Temple run, anyone? You are entitled to roam around Angkor complex in Siem Reap and explore magnificent historical structures around Phnom Penh without a visa!
For more travel articles about Cambodia, click on the banner below:
INDONESIA (visa-free for 30 days)
Bali Museum, Denpasar, Indonesia
Mount Bromo, Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia
Hotel Majapahit Surabaya, Indonesia
Bank Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia
Whether you’re exploring historical sights in big cities like Jakarta and Surabaya, exploring the countryside and natural wonders in Probolinggo, or having the vacation of your life in Bali, you can do all of these without the need to apply for a visa. How’s that?
For more travel articles about Indonesia, click on the banner below:
LAOS (visa-free for 30 days)
Haw Phra Kaew, Vientiane, Laos
Laos is the most underrated Southeast Asian country!!! Please please consider exploring this beautiful country! There’s so much history and culture in here, and oh, it’s the most heavily-bombed country in the world (well, Vietnam War-speaking, because I know Syria feels the same way, too). Unfortunately we don’t have direct flights from Philippines to Laos, but hey it doesn’t hurt to include this in your itinerary, let’s say, when you go visit Thailand.
For more travel articles about Laos, click on the banner below:
MALAYSIA (visa-free for 30 days)
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, Malaysia
Sunway Lagoon, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Malaysia is a melting pot of different cultures, and as a result, there’s just a variety of good food here! You can explore Malaysia if you want to go shopping (everything here is, for some reason, cheaper than Manila), have some food trip, or have some cultural immersion, Kuala Lumpur can provide them for you. If you want to have some amusement park-ish type of fun with friends, Petaling Jaya is the place to be.
For more travel articles about Malaysia, click on the banner below:
MYANMAR (visa-free for 14 days)
Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay, Myanmar
Old Bagan Ruins, Myanmar
Yangon Zoological Garden, Myanmar
Myanmar is also one of the least popular Southeast Asian destination to Filipinos because there are no direct flights to here from Manila. But, I could attest that you will not regret going this far because Myanmar is so authentically uninfluenced by any external culture (I’m talking about Westernization hehe). It’s indeed the “Golden Land”, literally, because of the golden stupas all over.
For more travel articles about Myanmar, click on the banner below:
SINGAPORE (visa-free for 30 days)
Central Perk Cafe Singapore
Deemed as one of the best countries in the world, this small island nation never failed to impress everyone who goes here. From the vast number of museums, to hawker centres, to the very efficient transport system, and the very progressive economy, I could say that Singapore is really very utopian for me.
For more travel articles about Singapore, click on the banner below:
THAILAND (visa-free for 30 days)
Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand
From beautiful temples to happy people to nice beaches, Thailand is a perfect destination for almost all types of travelers. Drinking some Thai tea overlooking Chao Phraya River? Priceless.
For more travel articles about Thailand, click on the banner below:
VIETNAM (visa-free for 21 days)
In front of Ben Thanh Market with a view of Bitexco Tower, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam, being the second largest producer of coffee in the world, is not only home to the best coffee out there, but also to the healthiest set of green leafy cuisine! A legit banh mi sold by the street sides is a must-try!
For more travel articles about Vietnam, click on the banner below:
There you have it! To Philippine passport holders, Southeast Asia is literally visa-free! It can ease everyone’s travel hassle and more energy and money can be dedicated to this beautiful region. I just hope Southeast Asia visa requirements for all Southeast Asians will be lifted indefinitely because it can indeed contribute to the region’s economy as well as the awareness of ASEAN citizens about the region and the countries surrounding them.
So, I’ll just wait for your travel stories, then? Safe travels and prepare your passports to be stamped now! 🙂
(Keep on reading to be informed about what Southeast Asia travel adapter suits your travel needs.)
Traveling to another country could be a pain if you forget to consider the electrical plugs that your country of destination uses, especially if it is different from the electrical plugs you use in your home country. Some hotels have universal electrical plugs, but what if you went somewhere with no such plugs? That is when you will need a travel adapter and I found learning about these things practical and useful since I’ve been traveling around Southeast Asia for a couple of years now. This is why I came up with this Southeast Asia travel adapter guide to also help other travelers out there.
When I went to Singapore this year, I forgot to bring my travel adapter, and the hotel I stayed did not have a universal electrical plug. I asked the receptionist if I could borrow one. However because of language barrier, he kept on insisting that there is an electrical plug available at my room and he’s not aware that my gadgets have a totally different type of electrical plug required despite showing him the actual cables. I ended up buying an adapter in a convenience store which cost me SGD8.
Another instance I had was when I went to Indonesia for a couple of days where I had to stay in different hotels as I move from one city/town to another. Some hotels I stayed only had the Type C electrical plug. As a result, I had to connect my phone to the USB outlet of the television and let it charge while I sleep.
These are some of the possible reasons why, my friends, you will definitely need this Southeast Asia travel adapter guide.
SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL ADAPTER: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
I’m sure you don’t want to experience these inconveniences during your trips abroad. Since I am traveling around Southeast Asia the most frequent and most of my readers also do, I compiled this practical guide to Southeast Asia travel adapter guide:
TRAVEL ADAPTER BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Travel Plug Adapter Brunei
You need to have a Type G Travel Plug Adapter when traveling to Brunei Darussalam.
For more specific travel adapter Cambodia tips and my experiences, you can always send me an email! 🙂 Other sources of travel adapter Cambodia tips in this link.
For more travel articles about Cambodia, click on the banner below:
TRAVEL ADAPTER INDONESIA
Travel Adapter Indonesia
TRAVEL ADAPTER INDONESIA. You need to have either Type C or F Travel Plug Adapter when traveling to Indonesia.
For more specific travel adapter Indonesia tips and my experiences, you can always send me an email! 🙂 Other sources of travel adapter Indonesia tips in this link.
For more travel articles about Malaysia, click on the banner below:
TRAVEL ADAPTER MYANMAR
Travel Adapter Myanmar
TRAVEL ADAPTER MYANMAR. Surprisingly, Myanmar uses a variety of electrical plugs: Types A, C, D, G, and I. You have to prepare these travel plug adapters when going to Myanmar.
For more specific travel adapter Myanmar tips and my experiences, you can always send me an email! 🙂 Other sources of travel adapter Myanmar tips in this link.
For more travel articles about the Philippines, click on the banner below:
TRAVEL ADAPTER SINGAPORE
Travel Plug Adapter Singapore
Like Brunei and Malaysia, Singapore uses Type G electrical plugs, hence be prepared to bring the same travel plug adapter to avoid the hassle I just shared you earlier.
For more travel articles about Vietnam, click on the banner below:
The Southeast Asia travel adapter variety can be intimidating, but it does not hurt to prepare all travel adapters for the types of electrical plugs in the Southeast Asian countries you will visit. After all, you want your travel to be hassle-free. Happy travels!
SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL ADAPTER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What plugs are used in Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asian countries use different plugs, so it is best to either learn what specific plugs each country uses, or bring your own universal travel adapter when packing for your trip.
What plugs are used in Vietnam and Cambodia?
Vietnam used Types A, B, and C plugs while Cambodia uses Types A, C, and G plugs.
What travel adapter is needed for Thailand?
Thailand uses Types A, B, and C plugs (similar to the Philippines and Vietnam). In addition, some parts of Thailand also uses a special Type O plug.
What plug adapter do I need for Cambodia?
For Cambodia, you will need either Type A, C, or G plugs, depending on what the specific place/establishment uses.
(Most of the information from this blog are collected with the help of information from ASEAN website: www.asean.org)
To be honest, I have been planning on writing hotel reviews of all the hotels and hostels I I have checked in during my overseas travels (meaning outside the Philippines, because I’m based in Manila). However, I never had the time to actually take photos to help my readers appreciate my reviews. Most of the time, right after checking in, I would jump in the bed and throw away my stuff all over. I am either very tired, had no sleep, or just not in the mood to do the effort of taking photos.
But don’t worry! Here I am, and I will try to make use of the limited photos that I took from the hotels I stayed in, together with a very quick review. I will also tell you if, based on my standards (which are not really so high, believe me), I will consider checking in again in these places. Also, feel free to click on the hotel names for more info and booking. Enjoy!
The hotel is a little far from the airport, but don’t worry too much about road distances in Brunei. You can get there in no time. The hotel is located in Jerudong area, a very quiet and peaceful part of Bandar Seri Begawan, and you will definitely enjoy your time there. The rooms are beautiful and elegant. When I stayed there during the Christmas holidays, I saw that they were preparing a backdrop for the New Year’s Eve, so I guess they were planning an event then. I wish I was able to witness it. There was just one morning when I woke up to the sound of the mass at the mosque, but it was really calming and I did not really mind.
This is a hotel within a mall. On the Ground Floor, you will find restaurants and shops, and there are a lot of restaurants to choose from! Above the hotel are more shops and the cinema. You don’t need to go out of the building and it has got everything you need. It’s also very close to the airport. I stayed in a room with a window but no view, and if you got assigned to a room close to the elevator, you will hear the noise of the people. I did appreciate their complimentary newspaper, though. Breakfast buffet was a little meh.
I love Kolab Sor! The design was very minimalistic and the lobby was super big and beautiful! They have desktops that can be used by guests at the Ground Floor. The rooms were so minimalist and cozy. The shower was very spacious, and I remember clearly that they have a good set of toiletries. It is also near establishments like restaurants.
To be fair, this hotel is near Pub Street, but I had a lot of issues. The hotel is old and I feel like dusts are everywhere. The oldness of the hotel is like more of ‘woods and red carpets’ type. Elevators and hallways are a little creepy, but the rooms were surprisingly okay. They have a big pool but the water is dirty and mossy. Breakfast was served outdoor by the pool, but it doesn’t even look good, I did not trust its cleanliness, and they lack so many utensils and necessities.
They have a mini-outdoor gym but the equipment are just dumped in one side and accumulating rust. Oh, there was a power interruption exclusively in that hotel only for two nights and it scared the heck out of us! I feel like the place used to be very elegant (like Manila Hotel-type) but it just lost its former glory. Our shower’s ceiling also has a huge hole and we had to cover it in a plastic just to make sure nothing bad will happen.
Don’t trust the photos of this hotel you see in Agoda.
This place is located right at the heart of Mong Kok area and very close to the Mong Kok MTR station. There are so many establishments and big malls around and it is a busy area. The rooms resemble a typical Hong Kong tiny apartment, but it was clean and the view outside was great. They provide hot and cold water in a dispenser outside the room. The price is good for a private room in a hostel.
This is located in Central Bali (therefore far from the airport). It is situated in an area where a lot of farms are located, and it was really quiet there. I was told by the cab driver that the area is a favorite retreat spot of Westerners, so no wonder the vibe is like that. I rented a very nice rustic room for a very affordable price, and a healthy breakfast was served. The staff went the extra mile to help me with my broken luggage lock and even assisted me with my luggage upon check-in and check-out because the homestay was a few walks from the main road.
If you have been dreaming of a #thisvillalife Bali vacation, this place is perfect for you! Situated at the heart of Seminyak area, Villa Koru is a luxury 3-bedroom villa with a big and beautiful pool that can accommodate solo, couple, and family travelers! The staff were very helpful and efficient, and the owner was one of the kindest host I have met so far in all of my travels abroad! He will make sure you are provided with everything you might need: from floaters, to day tours, to airport transfers, and many more!
To be fair, the hotel has a relaxing vibe at the outside. There were trees, and the corridors are white. However,the room I stayed in was a little small, the AC unit was broken, there were no toiletries provided, and the water pressure was meh. The rooms have sliding doors and will not completely close, therefore you’ll hear all the sounds from the outside. I did not like my stay there hence I took back my payment for the next succeeding days I checked-in and went to another hotel. But, they have a big potential to improve.
You can literally walk from this hotel to the airport! It was a big hotel with many rooms, and I liked its swimming pool. It has a nice vibe with great music. The rooms are very clean, great, and comfy as well. The staff are very friendly and will give you tips on where to go around the area. Oh, they have free transfers to and from the airport, since it’s literally a couple of meters away.
Laos in general surprised me! And this hotel is part of all the surprises I had. The room I had is very, very cheap! The same quality in another country could cost 3 or 4 times I paid for Mini S Hotel. The staff, even though finding it hard to understand my accent, were very patient enough, and they were kind enough to help me out in terms of places to see. The small outdoor pool is also beautiful and every corner is clean and Instagrammable. I had the perfect chill vacation because of Mini S Hotel. they provided a porridge breakfast which was good and the hotel is near convenience stores, restaurants, and that al fresco restaurants by the Mekong River. They also provide shuttle services to the city center.
The moment I was looking for an accommodation in Macau for my very quick trip, Macau Hotel S caught my attention when I saw that it participated in a street art activity and its vicinity has a lot of beautiful street art (street art enthusiast here!). Macau Hotel S was not the cheapest deal, but it was the best deal.
The room I booked was so big and nice and I love their toiletries! I also love the complimentary jasmine tea they provide, and from my room window I have a nice view of the Macau Tower. It is also a few walks away from the bus stop which you can wait for a bus which could drop you exactly at the airport. It is a walking distance from tourist spots such as Senado Square. Lastly, I can’t stress enough that the hotel restaurant has a very creative interior and good food! I will definitely stay here again.
ViPod residences is a walking distance from Pavilion Mall and the KLCC train station, and it also has a club/bar just across, which also explains the presence of street food vendors around the area. Entering the building feels like you’re entering an Embassy or something. The security is a little tight, and there are several doors leading to the lobby. The room we stayed is very tidy and spacious and the price was really affordable. There is a convenience store at the ground floor (where I bought some Maggi Kari) and wait until you go to the rooftop pool and gym! The view of Petronas Towers is perfect!
This hotel is right in front of the Mandalay Railway Station which is very, very convenient! I love the whole ambiance of the hotel, from the reception area to the rooms. They serve a good breakfast, and the place is near many establishments, including a mall and the Ocean Supermarket. Staff are very friendly as well.
This hotel is just like a typical provincial home. The price is very cheap but you will be provided with a quality stay. It is located at the Old Bagan area which is near the market and the temple complex. They have bike and e-bike rental services. The staff are very kind and friendly. When we left our keys inside the room, one of the staff was kind and patient enough to climb the window just to get access to our room. We also saw squirrels through our windows and they are amusing.
What I love about this hotel is its interior design. They have a lot of artworks hanging around the entire place. Moreover, this hotel is right at the center of Yangon and everything is really accessible from there, from market to cinema, to the zoo, and the Sule Temple in particular. Their breakfast area and the way going to the rooms were a little tight, though. But if you are catching a flight at Yangon International Airport, I think this place is a strategic and practical one to choose.
To be fair, this hotel is located at the main road (Serangoon Road) right at the heart of Little India, which is a good starting point if you want to go around the district. Their breakfast is also great (I have a bias towards Indian food because it’s delicious and healthy at the same time). The staff are accommodating and friendly as well. However, I think the entire building is a little old and therefore needs improvement. When we entered the room, we were greeted by cockroaches and the room was dimly lit. The shower also looks untidy. Good thing we only stayed there for a layover.
There are several Cube Hotels around Singapore, but I think location-wise, this one at Kampong Glam is the best. It is located right at the heart of the Kampong Glam tourist area, very near the Masjid Sultan. The hotel is quite new and it was my first time staying in a capsule. At first I thought it’s going to make me claustrophobic, but I had the most comfortable stay. The idea of capsules give you the privacy that you need. The bathroom and shower is clean and well-maintained, and their toiletries are good! They also have a washing machine and dryer where detergent and fabric conditioner are provided. Breakfast is also awesome!
I heard that this hotel was newly-renovated and I think they did a great job doing it. The Great Madras has a very friendly staff and the location is near establishments, including the Indian Heritage Centre. The have millennial-friendly Instagrammable interiors. They have nice bathrooms with good set of toiletries. The swimming pool area is a nice place to chill and the poolside is good for doing some yoga. I love their breakfast (also given my bias with Indian food).
In a nutshell, this hotel is very affordable and yet you will be provided a good quality of stay! It is located right at the heart of Taipei (walking distance from the Taipei Main Station), and very near establishments and tourist spots. The reception area is so nice, it’s literally a pink beetle with a lot of cute plushies. The rooms were clean and nice, and the room we stayed has a bathtub. The breakfast is so good and the brewed coffee is the best thing there!
This hotel has a very clean and minimalist look. It is located near the Don Mueang International Airport but a little far from the city center. Do not worry because the area where the hotel is located is very secure, quiet, and elegant. We were able to find several good coffee shops, convenience stores, and restaurants around, as well as yummy street food! The rooms are very spacious, and the toiletries there are the best ones I had so far!
Will stay here again? Can I instead stay here for good? 🙂
I love, love, love this hotel! The staff were really friendly, and they embody the Thai hospitality. I was assisted very well from check-in to check-out. They also gave me a room closest to the reception desk, which was favorable and convenient for me. I could walk from here to so many establishments, like restaurants, pharmacies, groceries, fastfood chains, coffee shops, etc. I can’t stress enough how colorful and Instagram-worthy the place was! The pool was beautiful! The breakfast area was very relaxing and the food selection was very heavenly! My room has a bathtub also! I wish I could live here!
Will stay here again? I want to, but I really don’t know.
I’ve been seeing nice photos of the hotel on Instagram and other online sources, and it’s a little popular among young travelers, given its location which is very near a lot of bars and restaurants. The room photos in the booking sites were also good. However, upon arriving at the place, the door men will not even provide you a little assistance with your luggage and will not even open the doors for you. The reception area was great, the staff were friendly, and upon the looks of it, the hotel is really a beautiful hipster place. However, I was given a room at the topmost floor and at the other end of the elevator which was a loooooong corridor walk and you will be greeted by creepy life-size mural of people as you walk.
They have no telephones at the room, so when my keycard did not work, I had to go back to the reception area myself. The room was a little dim and the vibe was a little heavy. I want to give the hotel another chance by seeing how good their breakfast is, only to find out that the breakfast is only available at 0730, which was a little late. Since I had to leave before 7AM for my flight, I was only provided bread and coffee (which was okay), but did not really get what I paid for.
I had a short but good stay in this hotel. The rooms are spacious and homey, and there are some furniture items made of bamboo. The hotel is just right across YOLO Bar (which is a good bar!) and near a lot of convenience stores and restaurants. The breakfast was awesome (you can make your own banh mi sandwich!), but the lady at the breakfast area was a little rude and yelled at me.
My love for Southeast Asia started in high school when I had the privilege to compete and win an ASEAN Quiz Show hosted by a private college in my hometown, and along with the trophy are brochures, maps, and information materials about ASEAN and Southeast Asia. I became passionate with learning more about Southeast Asia and fell in love with the region, real hard. Since then, I vowed to visit all ASEAN countries. Nine years after casting that dream in stone, I already visited all of ASEAN. Life is sweet!
Southeast Asian region refers to the eleven countries Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. However, if you are referring to ‘ASEAN countries’, we have to eliminate Timor Leste because the organization is still working out on its membership. Southeast Asian region may have been united by geography, but the countries are totally different politically, economically, and socio-culturally. Having the privilege to travel around the entire region not only expanded the knowledge I had from high school about Southeast Asia, but it also made me appreciate the beauty of my own country and how unique it is compared to the beauty of each Southeast Asian countries.
Because of my love for Southeast Asia, I took Political Science for my Bachelor’s Degree so that I will have the chance to learn more about the region, most especially its government and politics, and how they compare to that of the Philippines. I went on to pursue my Master’s Degree in International Studies wherein I took cognate classes on Southeast Asian Studies to learn more about the region. Currently, I am teaching courses on Southeast Asian/ASEAN Studies in college and graduate school levels and put up a social media microblog where I post my photos and travel stories about Southeast Asia. Since then, people have been interested about my travel stories and learnings about the Southeast Asian region.
I have a long share of my stories from my travels around
Southeast Asia, but here are some of them: Brunei is a small and peaceful
country and has a lot of cosmopolitan people with high respect for their
religion at the same time. Cambodia may be considered by the United Nations as
one of the poorest countries in the world, but it is very rich in culture and
kind-hearted people. The Indonesian island of Bali is where I witnessed the
best sunset of my life, with people trying their best to preserve the island’s
beauty despite the continuous influx of tourists. Laos, the most underrated
country in Southeast Asia, has a lot of beautiful stories to tell from its
classy French bakeries and local food. Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur may look
like any other major concrete jungle in the region, but wait until you explore
Malaysia as far as Penang, Langkawi, or even Kuching. Another one in the Least
Developed Country list, Myanmar, made me cry with the beauty of the hot air
balloons flying over the stupas in the Old Bagan complex during sunrise, and because
serve a huge amount of rice in restaurants as well. Singapore is more than a
concrete jungle to me. It is a melting pot of so many cultures – Chinese,
Indian, and Malay, and everything is so utopian and feels like a small island
and a megacity at the same time. I’m not going to say that I love the traffic
jam in Bangkok, but I love pad thai and tom yum, and how Thais are very
faithful to their cultural practices. The coffee lover in me felt instantly at
home in Vietnam, let alone its healthy set of cuisines. Ladies and gentlemen,
this is what is waiting for you just a few hours away from the Philippines.
Had the Bachelor’s Degree in Arts in Southeast Asian Studies been offered by the university I attended for college during the time I studied there, I would definitely enroll in the program. It’s not too late, though. I still have a PhD to pursue, and it can be in Southeast Asian Studies. In the meantime, I will focus on teaching and doing research about the region and occasionally write microblogs about my actual experiences as I visit and revisit more places in Southeast Asia.
It is a dream of mine to let the world know how seeing and learning about this beautiful region may develop their cosmopolitanism and sense of global citizenship. Also, realizing that there is so much beauty in diversity will definitely change the way how they look at the world and what’s happening around. It would be nice to study International Relations or Southeast Asian Studies to learn more about the region, but nothing beats with actually trying out the food, conversing with people, visiting heritage sites, and observing the daily scenes in these places. This is the beauty of learning about Southeast Asia – it can be beyond the books and formal schooling. It is the actual experience which will not only widen your horizons, but will change you as a person and a citizen of your country and the world.
(This was my attempt to write an article which I submitted to Inquirer Young Blood. I know this will never get published there, so I’m posting it here instead.)
