Vietnam

After a few lunchtime beers in Hoi An a mate and I decided there could be no better time to hire a couple of bikes and head out exploring. The ride down the main road toward the beach was scenic enough, but it was when he veered off the road onto a dusty track through the fields that things started to get really interesting.

Like running into this guy taking his water buffalo for a walk, for instance. There was no room to get past, so we jumped off the bikes and gave him a wave as he smiled and slowly wandered by.

That’s pretty much just how things work in Vietnam, really.

I can’t think of anywhere else that I’ve been with such a diversity of public transport options as South East Asia. If it’s got wheels you’ll probably find someone offering to give you a ride in it. Even better, it’ll cost comparatively little – especially if you’ve been working on your bargaining skills. It won’t always be comfortable, it’ll frequently be slow, and it would often have been ordered off the road years ago in other parts of the world. What it will always be, though, is an experience – some of my most vivid memories of Asia relate to the mode of transport I was using at the time.

Here’s my guide to some of the best – or at least the more interesting – public transport options that I’ve enjoyed and endured in that part of the world.

Another ‘Year in Review’ post, you ask? Why yes, yes it is. I figured there weren’t enough of them floating around at the moment. I’m sure you’d agree … right?

Tomorrow it’s New Year’s Eve. Twelve months ago I had dinner and drinks at a bar in Melbourne, watched some fireworks, got drunk with good friends and went home. This year I’ll be doing exactly the same thing. It’s almost like nothing has changed – except for the minor detail of leaving a soul-destroying job and backpacking round the world for six months in the meantime.

Here’s some of the highlights of the best year of my life.

Serene monks on mobile phones and corrupt politicians in limousines. Stinking traffic jams and stunning deserted beaches. Ancient ruins and gleaming skyscrapers. Armani suits and subsistence farmers. Full moon parties and silent contemplation. No matter which way you look at it, South East Asia is one of the most interesting, vibrant, beautiful and complex areas in the world. For me, it’s utterly fascinating, achingly beautiful and one of the greatest places in the world to backpack, and I find myself returning there time and again. Here’s a few things that I’ve figured out to help you enjoy your time in the region, and avoid a few of the pitfalls along the way.

Before I left on this current trip I toyed with the idea of doing a weekly summary of what I’d been up to for friends, family and anyone else that was vaguely interested. It didn’t happen. No problem, I thought, a fortnightly synopsis is probably a better option anyway. Indeed it would have been, had I written one. Hmm. Oh well, never mind – at least a monthly review will let people know that I’m alive and give them some idea of the things I’ve been doing lately, even if it’s not particularly up to date. Yup. I guess it could have. Stuff it. Without further ado, hello and welcome to my not-on-any-schedule update. Take a seat, make yourself comfortable. Sorry the popcorn’s burnt.