My Backpacker Hostel Experience

World Map at BOA Guesthouse , South Korea, Seoul

I have been officially addicted to travel since year 2010 to present, and I'm still continue on what I love to do.

I've come across people asking me about "Backpacker Hostel / Guesthouse / AirBnB / Couch-surfing"

I start to realize, people who want to travel start to worry a lot (Is normal, I do too). Backpacker Hostel or Couch-surfing, seems to be a NONO to a lot of people for the 2 major problems :

1. Insecure (as you need to share the room with strangers)
2. Hygiene

I've been traveling across about 17 countries (still counting) and have been experiencing backpacker hostel since year 2010.

I've chosen to stay at the backpacker hostel because i'm usually on a solo travel or with just 1 friend. My only concern on my travel is Keep It Budgeted. The only way for me to do so is via backpacker hostel or couch-surfing.

Trust me or not, it help you to save a lot on your travel. One point (honeymoon and family trip exceptional), while you are traveling to a city, you won't be in the Hotel for 24 hours. I believe you will be spending more than 10 hours wandering at the city and exploring, so why spend hundreds of bucks for a place where you are going to use the bed and the shower room only? (Well, this is my perspective, I respect everyone's different point of view tho)

People I met at the Hostel in Rome

Choosing and determined on which hostel, is a tough one. Basically, you are in a gamble, you either spend a worth amount of money on a very good and comfortable hostel or you are throwing your money on a place where you don't even want extra night in there.

Tips: Google the budget hostel, and spend some little time on reading REVIEWS. You may glance all the photos but to my experience, do not trust photos.

My amazing roommate in Rome.

Hostel at Hakone, common area

Hostel at Hakone, common area

Hostel at BOA guesthouse, Seoul

I usually choose a hostel that have a common area AKA living room. WHY? This is the best place where you can have a relax moment on the computer, getting a tea, and know some friends. Some hostel (well I can say 70%) has their own gathering event where you get to pay some money (trust me is not expensive) and get to gather with all the people who stayed in the hostel.

I've made plenty of friends across the whole world through backpacker hostel/accommodations.

The best part: You get to listen a lot of different stories. All these people, they have interesting stories. How and Why they travel. I got all my inspirations from all these people. Be open minded to accept anyone you met. There may be jerks, may be asshole etc, but who cares? Just learn to protect yourself, you will be fine.

Met this two at Athens

Japan vs America vs Malaysia

I tend to enjoy my moment by meeting all these people, and I even spend time going out with them.

My roommates at Athens, Greece

When I look back all my photos with all these people, it gives me a lot of memories. Why not try to let your trip to have some amazing experience and memories to share with others?

Roommate at Barcelona

Room mates at Barcelona

Insecure, it is normal that people felt insecure while staying at the hostel, so do I. All you need is to be extra alert by keeping a good eye on your own important documents. I pack all my important documents with me in a small bag and put it beside me and hugged it to sleep LOL.

Hostel do come in a 4 bed, 6 bed , and so on . (Some hostel even provide private rooms). You can also choose to go for mix dorm (which means male and female share the same room), or female dorm / male dorm separately based on your own choice.

You can also rent a locker in the hostel where you keep your own key etc.

Hygience, to be honest, it is quite hard to ensure that the place you chose is going to be super hygience. But, you still have to try tho. As I mentioned earlier, reviews, reviews, reviews. =)

Additional things I love about backpacker is also most (80%) of the backpacker hostel do have a kitchen, where you just cook your own food. Is a very good deal if you would like to travel budget.

A group photo at the traditional Hanok style hostel at Seoul with my group of High School Friends

Before, many of my friends do not understand why I want to choose all these backpacker hostel and not go for a good hotel, they also told me that I should learn on how to enjoy my trip.

My point of view is that: Those who knows me, understand that the way I travel is slightly more towards YOLO (You Only Live Once). I love hearing stories of others, that's why I love meeting different people, difference races and different citizenship.

Some friends of mine, tried their very first backpacker hostel experience, and come to me: Now I understand why you always say , try at least one in your lifetime in a backpacker hostel/couch-surfing.


WHY NOT? =))

4 Tips Of My Budget Travel

My collections

Everyone wants to travel, but at the same time, it seems not possible to most of the people as what come first in mind is : MONEY & TIME

Sharing my thoughts and ways of doing it in a budget way so everyone could experience the chances of flying.

1. PLACES TO CHOOSE
To choose where to go, I think this is the most important and also 1st step that we should have in mind. You have to ask yourself what do you prefer? What kind of places or things you wish to do? Snookering? Diving? Beaches? Sight-seeing? Trust me, this help you to narrow down your choice to choose the places you really want to visit.

If you have nothing in mind, I'll introduce you my BEST FRIEND aka THE GOOGLE MAP.

2. AIR TICKETS
People tend to start giving you lots of excuses on how expensive the air-tickets are or starting to categorize you into the "rich society" when they realized you are always traveling (I believe most frequent traveler face all this problems).

Always do your homework throughout the internet via GOOGLE.COM . Is not that hard to go by just typing and clicking and google all possible ways to get to the destination you desire. Overall, is just the matter of just ONE CLICK.

I did my searching by searching all possible and available airlines that provide the flying destination to the places you want to be. Subscribe yourself to all those promotions notifications on every airline website, when there is one, there will definitely inform you via email.

For promotions air tickets, I normally got them in advance for about 6 - 12 months. Yes. The waiting towards your actual day of flying is a long wait, but if you could extend your sense of view and understanding, you actually safe quite a lots on air-tickets, then you could actually having extra money to spend on other stuffs or book for another flights. (That is what I normally do)

There is on small tips which I have learnt during my journey. I try to compare prices from one airline to another. Sometimes, spend a little time to do some calculations, you can probably get a very cheap tickets buy buying a one way ticket from different airline. For example, getting a one way ticket from Singapore to Vietnam via Tiger Airways and getting a one way ticket from Vietnam back to Singapore via Jetstar Airways.

So far, i've manage to save a lot from this kind of method on my flights. I could get a round trip ticket from SG - NZ for 500SGD return, 370SGD return ticket from SGD to Tokyo, 250SGD return ticket to Taiwan, 150SGD round trip to Hong Kong etc etc.

"If there is a will, there is a way"

Singapore holiday cheat sheet 2016

3. TIME & ANNUAL LEAVES 
We are born to create our on time schedule, not born to be tied up by all our time schedules.

Yes. All of us has busy schedules especially those who are at work. (Especially in Singapore aka working robots). But if you could try to learn to organize it, I sincerely believe, you should have time to put down all your works and have a good relaxing holiday even tho is just at short weekend getaway.

I've read a lot of travel blogs, and I come across one of my favorite travel blog by POHTECKTOES. He did share one of the greatest cheat sheets (The photo above). This cheat sheets are quite useful, you could clearly know when the public holiday falls and how you arrange a long weekend and at the meantime, saving up your annual leave for more trips.

I'll recommend you to read his blog as he shares lots of useful tips and experience on all his travel journey. One of my biggest inspirations.

Best search engine ever

4. ACCOMMODATIONS & LOCAL TOURS & TRANSPORTATIONS
Google is always the best search engine for everything. You can basically search anything you want from there. Informations, directions, etc.

There are several website that you could book through for budget accommodations:  Agoda, Last minute booking, Booking.com etc.

For me, I love traveling free & easy and it is the best experience ever and also the cheapest way. When you do it free & easy, you tend to learn on survival skills.

Backpackers hostel are one of the best options to choose during your travel. You meet people and in terms, you get to pay lessor than a 4 -5 star hotel. Why not try to blend yourself in?

Transportation, you may try to read more blogs on how the transportation works in the city. But most of the time, I would prefer walking than taking the transport (unless it is too far away to the destination you want to go). You could save alot on this and by walking, you can actually saw a lot of beautiful scenery.

Weekend Escape - Krabi Island, Thailand

After consideration, I've decided to spent some money for my parent and bring them to travel overseas (all expenses paid for them) for the first time in my 27th year of living. They have sacrifice a lot for me, my studies and my whole life, is time to pay back and treat them for something. Without them, I will never experience the joy and freedom of travel.

A paid of gift for them as a Mother & Father day gift and off we go for KRABI ISLAND, THAILAND (4 days 3 nights)

FLIGHTS:
Flew them with AIRASIA from Kuching - Kuala Lumpur - Krabi (round trip) cost a total of SGD233 (For 2 people). Where as mine cost SGD123 (Round trip) AIRASIA SIN - KRABI.

TRANSPORTATION (AIRPORT TRANSFER)
I booked a private taxi to pick us up from the airport which cost 599 BAHT (approximate SGD25) per car to Ao Nang. Different locations, different prices. You can book and check for the price for the private taxi at HERE. You reserve your reservation online and you may choose to pay to the drive upon arrival (this is what I did).

Flights from Singapore to Krabi took around 1.30 Hours (which is not that bad) and the time zone is 1 hour behind Singapore.

MERS is the latest and dangerous sickness which is all over the news that has been claimed to live in South Korea. Thailand has been recently being affected with the killer. This was actually my first time experienced, being scan like those you seen in the Zombie Movies (exactly like the photo above) at the airport. They did good, to protect their city and trying to reduce the infection.

Journey from Krabi Airport towards Ao Nang was approximate 45 mins by car, 1 hour by airport shuttle bus (Cost 150BAHT one way).

ACCOMODATION:

View outside the Hotel

View outside the Hotel

Booked my stay of total 3 nights, with including an extra single bed with Booking.com at The Verandah Hotel

Price : Total of SGD220 for total of 3 nights, including breakfast.

Location: Is perfectly situated in the heart of Ao Nang. 3 mins to be around Restaurant, Bar, shops, Pharmacy, Starbucks, Subway, Mcdonalds, etc. WIthin 5 mins walk to the nearest beach at Ao Nang.

To city: Ao Nang to Krabi Town is approximately 30 mins (by Tuk-tuk). If you try to get Tuk-Tuk at the street area, it cost around 800BAHT per Tuk-tuk (Round trip). They pick you up from Ao Nang straight to Krabi Town, and will wait for you on your desire time to leave Krabi Town. Payment are only settled after you reach Ao Nang safely.

KRABI TOWN - NIGHT MARKET
We went to krabi town night market on our first night (by tuk tuk). Is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6PM - 9.30M (Local time). CLICK HERE if you would like to know more about the night market.

Old School Barber

Mini Ice-cream

One of the young kid basking at Krabi Town night market

THINGS TO DO AT KRABI
The  best activities to do in Krabi is Island Hopping. There are several options for you to choose. You do not have to book in advance through internet. You can just buy your day trip tour from any shops at Ao Nang town and there are plenty of them (cheaper than online). I get mine through the hotel, which are slightly expensive than those selling at the town, but is not that bad.

I choose a day tour (830AM - 4PM) to Phi Phi Island. Costing 1,300BAHT (approximate 55SGD per person)

Price include:
Two way transfer from hotel to boat terminal
Two way speed boat transfer
1 buffet lunch
Drinks
Snookering gear
Touring to Bamboo Island, Maya Bay beach, Viking Island, Monkey beach, Phi Phi Don, Loh Samah Bay (Snookering).

Price not included:
Entrance park fee which cost 400 BAHT each person.

Bamboo Island

Viking Island

Viking Island use to open to public to have a look inside the cave. But due to businessman have rent down the whole cave for Bird Nest business, it is no longer open to public (which i think is kinda wasted).

Railay Beach

Maya Beach is the famous beach, it is so pack. It was well-known for the movie of ‘The Beach’ featuring Leonardo Di Caprio, 15 years ago (2000). 

Maya Bay beach is quite pretty because of the cliffs. But the time we reach Maya Bay is around noon. It was so bloody hot, that I do not wish to go under the sun. HAHA. We were at the beach for about 40 mins and be were off to our main stop - PHI PHI DON.

Phi Phi Don Island, which is a very small town and it has school, pharmacies, hotels, restaurant, shops and so on. Tsunami used to strike Phi Phi Don before, so everything now are still under constructions.

 On the last day, I did the day tour to Emerald Pool, Hot Spring & tiger cave. For this tour, I booked online HERE.
Cost around 1,000 BAHT per person which include:

Two way air-conditioned bus transferred
All entrance fees
Lunch

From my opinion, I personally do not recommend Tiger Cave. To me is not that interesting, or if you love to climb, you may try to climb the 1,237 Stair Case. I did not did it as it rained heavily on the day we arrive at tiger cave.

My main purpose for the tour is to visit the Blue Pool which is quite amazing. We walked about 2KM (One way) to this amazing crystal clear pool. It is not open for swimming due to safety. From the signboard it did mentioned, if you clap your hand, you will be able to see bubble floating in the blue pool, and it really did. =D

Blue Pool

 Other than blue pool, the only place you can enjoy swimming is the Emerald Pool.

Emerald pool

We also went to the hot spring which is located in the middle of the jungle.  The temperature of the water is about 40 celsius.

 There are still a lot of different tours for option other than those I went. You may figure it all out and make decision on the day you arrive. (No worries of booking them online).

Before ending my blog post for now, I find this actually cute & interesting. The "ZEBRA" crossing