Myanmar-Laos-Cambodia-Vietnam-Costa Rica Adventure
Welcome to my travel page. My travels are mainly concentrated on Tropical regions, and encompass Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and most recently Myanmar. These are all considered developing countries, and offer a great value, and rich cultures.
The term Backpacker these days can mean many things to many people, and in some regards, I am a Flashpacker at times, in a given country, where I use a flight, a hired taxi and 2-3 day visit to a key area, and move on. My budget varies as well. I prefer nice hotels in the big cities, with a pool is a bonus, as the heat in these areas is pretty oppressing, combined with Jetlag.
Once on the road, the simple cabina, or guesthouse, a private room and bath, in a tranquil area, family owned, is the best, and this can range from $6 to $25, depending on season, country, and popularity. I have never booked a tour, or gone with a group, unless it was only only option.
Costa Rica has been a favorite since 2001, and I have visited the country over 35 times, exploring a new venues. I have been to 60% of the countries beaches, parks and refuges, with rafting, hiking, trekking, fishing, surfing and scuba diving. Osa Corcovado is the highlight, and the Tortuguero Canals, Arenal Volcano, and rafting the Rio Paquare.
Nicaragua is a real off the beaten path country in comparison, and offers all the above, but with more effort required due to its infancy in Eco-Tourism. Its also about half the price, so its well worth your time. Granada and Ometepe are real gems.
SE Asia-
Thailand ( 5 trips) has something for everyone, and is a great introduction to the region, its very safe, and easy, to arrange anything and everything on the go, with no reservations required.
Cambodia I was only at the Angkor Wat Ruins- Seim Reap area for 2 nights and 3 days, and enjoyed the UNESCO World Heritage Site very much, its rich history and culture is very interesting. I hired a guide, and also toured Tonle Sap Lake and the Floating Villages.
Vietnam, ( 14 days) 2003, I was able to explore the great city of Saigon, the Mekong Delta, and the Highlands, as well as the Nha Trang- Doc Leth seaside areas, all via a rented a Moto. 2008 just completed 3 weeks in the north, Hanoi, HaLong, Sapa, Hue,Hoi An, Denang, Ninh Binh, Red River Valley.
Laos (14 days) is a real innocent country, and the UNESCO sites in Luang Prabang were a real treat, and 4 nights was really too short. I explored the south via a rented Moto as well, from Pakse to Attepue and Salavan, and also took a boat down to 4000 Islands and Don Khong/Don Det and the waterfalls.
Myanmar (3 weeks), was really a big trip, and every hour was a surprise. This culture is amazing, and I managed to get to Yangon, Mandalay, Hsipaw, Saigaing, Bagan, Kalaw, Inle Lake, Ngapli beach, and rented motos, boats, and taxis...what a blast!
A final thought- Please consider spending a morning or afternoon, or making a personal donation, at a local Orphanage, NGO or Charity. I little time and money goes along way in the developing world, and will be highlight of your trip!
Happy Trails!
Cheers!
Burma-Your decision to visit Myanmar is yours to make, with a ruling military Junta, the UN and the West has cut off from the world like N Korea. Personally, I do not regret going for 3 weeks, the people dearly need to have tourist to support their families, and to survive.
If there was every a place, that made you cry, Myanmar will stir those emotions, and a deeper meaning of life is very obvious all around you, so in my book, thats a treasure. You will meet wonderful salt of the earth people from many walks of life, but damn if the Burmese are the most humble and loving culture a traveler could ever encounter.
Happy Trails!
The term Backpacker these days can mean many things to many people, and in some regards, I am a Flashpacker at times, in a given country, where I use a flight, a hired taxi and 2-3 day visit to a key area, and move on. My budget varies as well. I prefer nice hotels in the big cities, with a pool is a bonus, as the heat in these areas is pretty oppressing, combined with Jetlag.
Once on the road, the simple cabina, or guesthouse, a private room and bath, in a tranquil area, family owned, is the best, and this can range from $6 to $25, depending on season, country, and popularity. I have never booked a tour, or gone with a group, unless it was only only option.
Costa Rica has been a favorite since 2001, and I have visited the country over 35 times, exploring a new venues. I have been to 60% of the countries beaches, parks and refuges, with rafting, hiking, trekking, fishing, surfing and scuba diving. Osa Corcovado is the highlight, and the Tortuguero Canals, Arenal Volcano, and rafting the Rio Paquare.
Nicaragua is a real off the beaten path country in comparison, and offers all the above, but with more effort required due to its infancy in Eco-Tourism. Its also about half the price, so its well worth your time. Granada and Ometepe are real gems.
SE Asia-
Thailand ( 5 trips) has something for everyone, and is a great introduction to the region, its very safe, and easy, to arrange anything and everything on the go, with no reservations required.
Cambodia I was only at the Angkor Wat Ruins- Seim Reap area for 2 nights and 3 days, and enjoyed the UNESCO World Heritage Site very much, its rich history and culture is very interesting. I hired a guide, and also toured Tonle Sap Lake and the Floating Villages.
Vietnam, ( 14 days) 2003, I was able to explore the great city of Saigon, the Mekong Delta, and the Highlands, as well as the Nha Trang- Doc Leth seaside areas, all via a rented a Moto. 2008 just completed 3 weeks in the north, Hanoi, HaLong, Sapa, Hue,Hoi An, Denang, Ninh Binh, Red River Valley.
Laos (14 days) is a real innocent country, and the UNESCO sites in Luang Prabang were a real treat, and 4 nights was really too short. I explored the south via a rented Moto as well, from Pakse to Attepue and Salavan, and also took a boat down to 4000 Islands and Don Khong/Don Det and the waterfalls.
Myanmar (3 weeks), was really a big trip, and every hour was a surprise. This culture is amazing, and I managed to get to Yangon, Mandalay, Hsipaw, Saigaing, Bagan, Kalaw, Inle Lake, Ngapli beach, and rented motos, boats, and taxis...what a blast!
A final thought- Please consider spending a morning or afternoon, or making a personal donation, at a local Orphanage, NGO or Charity. I little time and money goes along way in the developing world, and will be highlight of your trip!
Happy Trails!
Cheers!
Burma-Your decision to visit Myanmar is yours to make, with a ruling military Junta, the UN and the West has cut off from the world like N Korea. Personally, I do not regret going for 3 weeks, the people dearly need to have tourist to support their families, and to survive.
If there was every a place, that made you cry, Myanmar will stir those emotions, and a deeper meaning of life is very obvious all around you, so in my book, thats a treasure. You will meet wonderful salt of the earth people from many walks of life, but damn if the Burmese are the most humble and loving culture a traveler could ever encounter.
Happy Trails!
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