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Asia

Start with the trip you want: city time and islands in Thailand, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng in Laos, a focused Vietnam route, Cambodia’s cities and island decisions, or a Singapore city break. The planning guides organise present-day choices; the Koh Tao journal remains a separate personal account.

The current country collections cover Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore. Choose a country below, then a place or guide. The four-country route helps connect Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore without claiming every consecutive stop has direct transport.

Countries

Stock photograph by User_Pascal / Unsplash. Interim illustration, not a photograph by Griff.

Stock photograph by Kim Sokha / Unsplash. Interim illustration, not a photograph by Griff.

Stock photograph by Sigrid / Unsplash. Interim illustration, not a photograph by Griff.

Stock photograph by set.sj / Unsplash. Location not verified as Koh Tao.

Stock photograph by Florian Delée / Unsplash. Interim illustration, not a photograph by Griff.

Asia guides

Travel guide7 min read

Best Day Trips from Bangkok (How to Do Them)

Compare Bangkok day trips to Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi and Erawan, the floating and railway markets, and Nakhon Pathom, with practical transport and access checks.

Travel guide10 min read

Bangkok to Ayutthaya by Train: Stations, Tickets & a Day Plan

Choose the correct Bangkok station, compare train and ticket options, then build a manageable Ayutthaya temple circuit with a reliable return plan.

Travel guide7 min read

Bangkok for first-timers: make room for the city

Choose a useful Bangkok base, understand the two airports and build a city visit around temples, neighbourhoods and manageable journeys.

Travel guide4 min read

Where to stay in Bangkok: choose the journey, then the room

A practical way to compare the Old Town, Sukhumvit, Silom and Chinatown without assuming one area suits everyone.

Travel guide5 min read

Phuket Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Pick the right Phuket beach district, leave room for Old Town and budget for transport across a large island.

Travel guide5 min read

Krabi Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Understand Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Railay, then choose a base for beaches, limestone scenery and manageable boat days.

Travel guide5 min read

Phi Phi Islands Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Decide between a Phi Phi day trip and an overnight stay, understand the two main islands and check boat and national-park arrangements.

Travel guide5 min read

Koh Samui Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Choose a Samui beach base, compare direct flights with mainland-and-ferry arrival and plan a Gulf-island stay without rushing.

Travel guide5 min read

Koh Phangan Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Plan Phangan by area and trip style: beach stays, quieter bays, practical Thong Sala access and party dates are different choices.

Travel guide5 min read

Koh Tao Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Choose a Tao base, plan the boat arrival and give diving or snorkelling enough time without confusing this guide with Griff’s island journal.

Travel guide5 min read

Phuket vs Krabi: Which Is Better for Your Trip?

Compare Phuket’s district and flight choices with Krabi’s cliff-and-boat setting, including transport, costs and when combining them is worth it.

Travel guide7 min read

Koh Samui vs Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao: Which Island Should You Choose?

Choose a Gulf island by access, accommodation, beach style and diving priorities, then decide whether a second stop adds enough value.

Travel guide8 min read

Thailand Island-Hopping Route: Bangkok, the Andaman Coast & Gulf Islands

A realistic Thailand route with ten-day, two-week and three-week versions, including coast choices, transfer days and sensible flight buffers.

Travel guide4 min read

Luang Prabang Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Choose a walkable Luang Prabang base, make room for temples and countryside, and plan the railway connection without rushing your stay.

Travel guide5 min read

Vang Vieng Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Plan Vang Vieng around its limestone landscape, river activities and suitable base, with realistic transport and outdoor-safety decisions.

Travel guide4 min read

Hanoi Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Make Hanoi a manageable first Vietnam stop: choose the right streets to stay on, plan the airport transfer and leave room for the city beyond the Old Quarter.

Travel guide5 min read

Ninh Binh Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Understand Ninh Binh city, Tam Coc and Trang An before choosing your base, boat trip and onward connection.

Travel guide4 min read

Hoi An Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Choose between Hoi An’s Ancient Town, countryside and beach areas, and plan a stay that gives each enough time.

Travel guide4 min read

Da Nang Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Plan Da Nang as a beach-and-city base, with an airport close by and enough room for Hoi An or a focused excursion.

Travel guide5 min read

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Choose a Ho Chi Minh City base, balance history with neighbourhood time and plan airport and onward travel without overloading your days.

Travel guide7 min read

Hoi An vs Da Nang: Where Should You Stay?

Choose a Central Vietnam base by beach access, evening atmosphere and arrival convenience, rather than treating Hoi An and Da Nang as interchangeable.

Travel guide5 min read

2 Weeks in Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

A realistic fourteen-day Vietnam route through Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Central Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City, with transfer days and slower alternatives.

Travel guide4 min read

Phnom Penh Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Plan Phnom Penh’s history, riverside and neighbourhoods with respectful pacing, a useful base and the correct current airport.

Travel guide5 min read

Siem Reap Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Choose an Angkor pass and realistic temple days, find a Siem Reap base and arrange the current airport transfer.

Travel guide4 min read

Koh Rong Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Choose the right Koh Rong beach and ferry stop, compare lively and quieter bases and build in time for the mainland connection.

Travel guide4 min read

Singapore Stopover Guide: How to Spend 1–3 Days

Make a one-, two- or three-day Singapore stopover work around your actual flight times, with a compact city route and clear airport and entry checks.

Travel guide8 min read

Laos → Vietnam → Cambodia → Singapore: How to Plan the Route

A realistic planning framework for Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore, following the confirmed destination sequence while separating recommended pacing from Griff’s actual trip.

Travel guide9 min read

Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Train, Bus or Private Transfer?

Compare the train, shared vans and private transfers from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, including Tam Coc drop-offs, airport connections and the cost of the final ride.

A story from Asia

Travel story4 min read

Koh Tao: the island that slows you down

An overnight ferry, familiar faces, and the small moments that made an island stay linger.

Read the field note