There are a million and one reasons why you should visit Southeast Asia. In fact, the majority of Asia aficionados will tell you in no uncertain terms that as soon as you have saved up the pennies, the first thing that you should do is head down to your local travel agent, splash out on a plane ticket, pack those flip flops and head off.
It’s cheap!
Although the days of living like a King on a budget of $10 a day are long gone, the days of surviving off $15-20 are still well and truly here. If you are happy to bunk down in basic accommodation and eat street food as the locals do, your wallet will be feeling seriously neglected by the end of the trip. If you do decide to splash out on a nicer room – you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how little it will set you back and just how much you will get for your money.
Friendly people
It’s Thailand that has earned itself the nickname “The Land of Smiles” but in reality, all across Southeast Asia you will meet kind, friendly people. Obviously, like with anywhere you go, you must have your wits about you but on the whole you will find that a friendly smile, a couple of “pleases and thank you’s” and some respect for their traditions goes a long way.
Climate
Southeast Asia has two seasons: Wet and dry. This means that as long as you don’t mind a bit of a tropical storm you will be treated to warm temperatures all year round. If your plan is to lounge around on the beach and concentrate on getting the best tan possible then it is probably worth visiting in the dry season.
Something for Everyone
It may sound like your standard cliché but Southeast Asia really does have something to suit all tastes. As I mentioned above, if your priority is beachcombing then you will encounter some of the most beautiful beaches you could ever hope to lay your towel down on. If its action and adventure that you crave you can white water raft and bungee jump to your hearts content. If pampering and luxury is the name of the game, the region has some of the most decadent yet reasonably priced hotels in the world – and boy do they know how to ease those aches and pains with a massage!
Infrastructure
Just because Southeast Asia is developing doesn’t mean that you should expect dirt tracks, no electricity and no mod-cons. Although there are isolated (and beautiful) areas where this is the case, if you want to get from A to B transport is generally pretty good (if not a little hair-raising) and you can always expect to be able to check your emails or grab a quick McDonald’s if you should ever reach the stage where the idea of yet another curry fills you with dread.
This is a guest post from Selective Asia.
Robert Schrader is a travel writer and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications such as “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” along the way. His blog, Leave Your Daily Hell, provides a mix of travel advice, destination guides and personal essays covering the more esoteric aspects of life as a traveler.
