The Responsible Tourist and Traveller

This is practical 8-step guide based on the "Global Code of Ethics" for Tourism of the World Tourism Organization. It promotes traveling with an open mind and respect for people, culture, animals and environment.

Travellog for a short trip from Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Weh via Banda Aceh

With Air Asia flying to Banda Aceh from KL, Pulau Weh is now only a short flight and ferry ride away from Malaysia. We did a great 4 day trip to the island and wrote down all prices, requirements and random things we came across (getting visa, getting to and around Banda Aceh, Pulau Weh, things to see, places to stay etc.).

Change of Visa policies for Thailand

Travellers without visa will get only 15 days of stay if they are arriving via a land border checkpoint from a neigboring country. Travellers arriving via an international airport will obtain a 30 days stay.

First railway link between Thailand and Laos opened

With the opening of a rail link over the Mekong River it is now possible to travel from Thailand to Laos by train. For now two trains will run the 30-minute return trip each day, serving about 500 people daily.

Diving in Thailand and Richelieu Rock

There is continued debate over the scuba diving destinations across Thailand. Koh Tao offers cheap courses for those on a budget. Pattaya benefits from being near Bangkok. Koh Samui has all the western onland facilities you can imagine. Krabi has magnificent limestone karsts with shallow waters. Phi Phi of course has "the beach". Koh Lanta is close to the delightful dive sites of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. The Similans are world famous for their expansive underwater vistas and abundant marine life, but at a price beyond many travellers.

www Highlights

Khao Lak (Thailand)

Khao Lak is a resort town about 100km north of Phuket with beautiful long beaches and starting point for trips to Similan Islands. ... more

Phu Quoc (Vietnam)

Phu Quoc is the biggest island in Vietnam with 574 sqkm. It's located 40km off the south-western most tip of Vietnam and just 11km off the Cambodian coast. ... more

Ko Chang (small) (Thailand)

Small island of 18sqkm in the Andaman Sea just north of Ko Phayam near the Burmese border. One of the least developed islands in Thailand and good hide-away from the mass tourism. ... more

Pattaya (Thailand)

Resort town with a population of over 100,000 about 165km southeast of Bangkok. Infamous for its nightlife and go-go bars efforts have been put into becoming family destination as well. ... more

Chiang Mai (Thailand)

The largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand with a population of 150,000 and a starting point for tourists going for trekking tours surrounded by mountains and lush countryside. ... more

Ko Phayam (Thailand)

Laid back island away from mass tourism in the Andaman Sea just south of Ko Chang. ... more

Ha Tien (Vietnam)

Small town at the Cambodian border. Drop-off point to Phu Quoc. ... more

Nha Trang (Vietnam)

Nha Trang is a coastal city on the South Central Coast in Vietnam with beautiful beaches and has excellent diving spots. ... more

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) (Vietnam)

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is the largest city of Vietnam. It is located just north of the Mekong Delta. ... more

Ko Tao (Thailand)

Ko Tao (lit. Turtle Island) is a small island of 21sqkm in the Gulf of Thailand near Ko Phangan popular for affordable scuba diving. ... more