Many people on break from college or are taking a vacation might want to consider back packing through South East Asia. This is relatively inexpensive and will be an experience that you will always remember. There are differences, though about travel visas and if you are on a shoestring budget, plan on bringing your own food instead of eating out every night. Starting in the south, I would begin my tour in Malaysia. This country Ipoh would be great place to start. Because my wife and I enjoy paranormal videos, there are weird passages and even some haunted castles. The currency in Malaysia is the ringgit and like our dollar being one-hundred pennies, the ringgit is divided into one-hundred sen. Because Malaysia was at one time was colonized by the United Kingdom, visit Georgetown on the island of Penang. There are a lot of markets and the fishing isn’t bad either.
Going north, we find ourselves in Singapore. Because of the multi-cultural nature of Singapore, you will find all types of food and markets. Be forewarned though, the laws are draconian and don’t even think about littering or chewing gum. If you litter the penalty is typically one hundred lashings with a rattan cane and some judges have thrown the death penalty at drug smugglers. The currency is the dollar.
The next country to go to is Laos. This country has a French influence that harkens back colonialism. The capital city of Vientiane is a must go. It is set on the Mekong River. If history is your thing consider going to Savannahket. Unfortunately, there is a lot of unexploded ordinance from the Vietnam War. The currency of Laos is the kip.
Right next door to Laos is Cambodia. Siem Reap is where the famous temples of Angor Wat are located. The ruins are much worth the while for visitors. Sianoukville has beaches that are very much the envy of other countries in the region, so a backpacker would really enjoy this area. The currency of Cambodia is the riel.
Going east on our backpacking trip is Vietnam. Aside from its’ historical importance to the United States, there are many places to visit during the trip. In 1973, when we left Vietnam, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. I would definitely want to visit Ho Chi Minh City and Hue. We fought many battles there. If your budget allows, lodging in Ho Chi Minh City is pretty inexpensive as is the food. If you like forests and water falls, go to Dalat. If you like bicycling, Dalat is the place for you. The currency unit in Vietnam is the Xu.
Finally, we come to Thailand. One must visit Bangkok because the the city is very continental, much like New York City. When you are visiting be sure to sample the local fare. My recommendation for any traveler is to eat where the locals eat, not at the tourist centers. If you have never had Thai food, try Duck Penang. You can have it sweet, mild or spicy. Another delicacy to sample is grilled Octopus with a peanut butter satay. The currency unit is the Bhat.
