Category Archives: Asia

DIY cycling tour of Hoi An

DIY Cycling Tour of Hoi An

One of the first things you will notice about Vietnam is the number of motor bikes.  37 million of them, according to the department that registers them.  So the thought of bicycling around through the mayhem on the streets may fill you with trepidation despite wanting to tick cycling in Vietnam off on your bucket list like me.  In fact, you may be so scared, you may be tempted to go with a specialised tour despite being on a tight budget.  I’m here to tell you a DIY Cycling Tour of Hoi An is not as frightening as you may think.

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Budget Family Holiday to Vietnam

Planning a Budget Family Holiday to Vietnam

Born With a Suitcase is specifically aimed at enabling ordinary families to travel on a budget which means going to your destination fully independent.  An organised tour will cost you double the price and you won’t have complete control over where you go and what you do.  An independent trip is fully customisable however, the planning process can be daunting, not to mention arduous, yet hugely rewarding and exciting. Continue reading

5 Reasons to Book a Budget Airline to Asia

5 reasons to book a budget airline to asiaIf you are departing from Australia, especially Western Australia, then it would just be criminal not to book with a budget airline on short haul flights. This is especially true when they have specials on. If you subscribe to their email alerts you can get some excellent deals. The less you pay for an airfare, the more you can spend at your destination or your next holiday. You worked hard for your money so don’t waste it. You can even make it cheaper by using these tips: Continue reading

Undiscovered Singapore: Cycling on Pulau Ubin

Undiscovered singapore cycling on pulau ubinMention Singapore and immediately images of skyscrapers and frenetic shoppers come to mind. With its population of about 100 fishermen and subsistence farmers Pulau Ubin is in stark contrast and remains the last bastion of kampong or village life in Singapore. Sandwiched between the main island of Singapore and Malaysia, the pulau or island has so far managed to evade the developers. Many city-bound Singaporeans go there looking for off the beaten track adventure, unheard of on the mainland and go cycling on Pulau Ubin. It’s also a great escape for any visitor wanting to flee the fast paced shop until you drop syndrome. Continue reading

Orphanage Tourism in Cambodia

Orphanage Tourism in CambodiaIf you love travelling on a budget, then third world countries are often on the hit list, especially Asia.  Incorporating responsible travel into your itinerary and seeing local communities benefit from tourism and generally improving lives is wonderful.  I’m retelling my story of guilt upon discovering I may have unwittingly contributed to the exploitation of children on a trip to Cambodia.  My journey commences from simply being a tourist looking at temples to delving further beneath the surface, revealing a dark side to Cambodia’s burgeoning tourism industry.  In hindsight, I am providing some helpful advice on how people can make a positive difference when visiting Cambodia and avoid the orphanage tourism in Cambodia trap. Continue reading