Far East Travels Podcast

Cambodia surprised everyone recently abandoning their phasing in of tourism to fully reopening the country to travelers. They're even paying for the rapid test on arrival! That's two countries in Southeast Asia that are now fully opened to travelers. This week also saw the first tourists to arrive in Vietnam in 20 months. Nha Trang, Da Nang/Quan Am, and how Phu Quoc are hosting international trave...

Navigating through the confusing Thailand Pass online registration as well as updates for travel openings for Bali, Japan, Hong Kong, and more. Although the odds are still in your favor you could end up ruining your vacation if you're traveling to Thailand for only a two week stay or less. It's happened to people that came in close contact with someone who tests positive. Their entire vacation was...

Cambodia finally announces reopening plans set for the end of November. Thailand reopened this week to fully vaccinated tourists from select countries and Vietnam has more regions getting ready to open possibly in November along with Phu Quoc Island. Clearly there is urgency to get things rolling again with airlines on the verge of bankruptcy and hotels and resorts exhausting their financial resou...

Yes, Thailand plans to now reopen the whole country beginning November 1st. This will be the first country in Southeast Asia to open to fully vaccinated travellers quarantine free in 18 months. News also about openings in Bali, Indonesia, Boracay, Phillipines, Vietnam, and Singapore. In this episode I will also revisit the enchanting, charming city of Hanoi. Walk with me through the atmospheric Ol...

It doesn't seem so long ago that I was living my dream traveling throughout this side of Asia. Things have drastically changed since the start of the pandemic but I still feel fortunate to be sharing life in Vietnam. The days of traveling again may still be a ways off but at least we have our past travels to treasure and share. In this episode I go back to my 2019 visit to Malaysia with a short wa...

With supplies not meeting the demand for vaccines in Southeast Asia Thailand and Vietnam have postphoned reopening to tourists in specific locations until at least sometime in November now. Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island when opened will be only accepting package tourists with 14 4 to 5 star properties under the initial scheme. For Thailand their reopening to international tourists in the cities and to...

Everyone in the region I believe is monitoring the current results and success of the reopening of destinations in Thailand to fully vaccinated international travelers. With the recent outbreaks of Covid authorities have delayed the opening to tourists until October 15th. Other destinations in Thailand due to open in October are Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Pattaya. Vietnam's plan to reopen Phu Quoc I...

Chiang Mai is the start of Northern Thailand but don't miss that peaceful spot just a 3 hour drive north-Chiang Rai. Visiting both will increase your appreciation of both. Chiang Mai is bustling with nightmarkets/walking streets, bars, plenty of sites and comforts for foreigners. One of Southeast Asia's top expat communities. Chiang Rai is quieter, less sites, a little more spread out, but the pea...

Chiang Mai is the start of Northern Thailand but don't miss that peaceful spot just a 3 hour drive north-Chiang Rai. Visiting both will increase your appreciation of both. Chiang Mai is bustling with nightmarkets/walking streets, bars, plenty of sites and comforts for foreigners. One of Southeast Asia's top expat communities. Chiang Rai is quieter, less sites, a little more spread out, but the pea...

No matter how you feel about shopping malls at some point during your visit to Bangkok you will most likely find yourself in Pathum Wan, the city's impressive shopping district with it's plethora of malls, food courts, and entertainment venues. In this episode I revisit the area Central World where you'll find the Trimurti God Of Love Shrine along with the famous Ganesh Shrine of this area. I ment...

Hanoi has always been one of my favorite cities in Southeast Asia. Charming, pedestrian friendly in many places, historic, vibrant, I miss visiting Hanoi very much. In this episode I return to Hanoi with audio from my 2017 visit around the Old Quarter and The Rising Sun Bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake. LIke many people in Vietnam I have been reluctant to travel around the country much due to the uncertai...

In this latest episode I look back to a visit to Phnom Penh in 2019 with a morning walk through the markets and streets near the Riverside neighborhood tourist/backpacker area. This district of Phnom Penh is recommended for first time visits to the city. It's one of the most convenient spots for restaurants, sites, and of course near the boardwalk along the Tonle Sap River. If you're not intereste...

In this episode I take you along to revisit a little slice of my last visit to Mumbai. The Maximum City is not as extreme as you might imagine. At least that's what I found. You can walk around several areas and not feel like you're fighting crowds. Amazing street food, friendly locals, and a truly one of a kind travel experience. I also share with you the latest lockdown measures in Vietnam in pa...

Pokhara is considered the tourism capital of Nepal. There are countless treks that begin or end in Pokhara including the great Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Upper Mustang and Poonhill. Situated on beautiful Phewa Lake this is a much more relaxing experience than the capital of Kathmandu. In this episode I revisit the Peace Pagoda with views of some of the highest mountains on the planet....

It's been a stopover for many years but whether it's just a one night or multiple day stay I've never been disapointed visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this episode I give a brief update on the pandemic situation and share some of the highlights of my trips to Malaysia over the years including Malaysian Borneo. From Brickfields, KL Sentral, KLCC(City Center), Chinatown, Bukit Bintang, this is o...

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat and the Angkor Ruins and in my opinion is an absolute must-see on a multi-country visit of Southeast Asia. Yes, you'll compete with crowds including tour package groups for space, and sunrise draws hundreds of onlookers but it's all worth any kind of frustration you might experience. For those that look forward to the party atmosphere in between visits to Ang...

Up until earlier this year Cambodia had a very good handle on controlling the pandemic but a series of outbreaks that originated from nightclubs and casinos changed the situation beginning in February. In this episode an update on the pandemic, future tourism in Cambodia. I will also revisit the iconic Central Market of the capital. This is a must see especially if it's your first time. Admire the...

A horrible human tragedy this week on Phuket Island, Thailand where a Swiss female tourist was found murdered. More on that and the possible impact on tourism as well as other news from Southeast Asia. Thanks again for your support of the podcast! Write A Review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943?itsct=podcast_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1 Donations:https://www...

I made a short visit to Okinawa in 2018, specifically Nha where I spent most of the 3 days I was there. It was enough to make me want to go back and explore this fascinating place that's considered the Hawaii of Japan. I've met many Japanese that actually have never visited any of the islands. It's not exactly a short flight from Tokyo, but if you're in Taiwan, it's the perfect excuse to take the...

Phuket will be sealed off from the rest of Thailand in an effort to protect the island from the current wave of the pandemic. This is due to a record increases daily cases in the rest of the country. In this episode I will also revisit one of Bangkok's most famous attractions, The Erawan Shrine, in the heart of the commercial district. This is definitely a place you don't want to miss during your...

It's still in my opinion one of the greatest treks on the planet, The Annapurna Circuit. The Best of Nepal and a lesson in the diversity of culture on top of amazing landscapes and breathtaking peaks of the Himalaya. In this episode I revisit the circuit and give a few introductory tips on trekking of perhaps special interest to those who are doing this for the first time. Some of the greatest mom...

In this episode I leave Southeast Asia for an update on the travel situation in Nepal, visas online, and will there be a fall trekking season. Nepal is one of my all time favorite places to travel. Welcoming, one of the most authentic places in Asia, and an escape from globalism. Mostly what you'll see are fake international brands of clothing and with some official branded stores mostly supplying...

News many have been waiting for has been the reopening of international tourism in Vietnam. This week it was announced that Phu Quoc Island has been approved for an October reopening. Details in this episode along with more travel news and reliving my previous trip to Nha Trang, Vietnam where I'm currently based. Thanks again for your support! Become a paton to the podcast:https://www.patreon.com/...

In this episode an overview of top sites you should see when you visit Nha Trang. In normal times this is a fun very resort feeling destination with hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese visiting here a year. Smaller and more compact than Da Nang makes it quite easy to get around, go to the beach, do some shopping and dining. If you stay near the main North Beach area most things are within walking...

Samui Plus, Thailand's latest opening to vaccinated tourists along with Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao was launched this week. I'll discuss that opening along with Phuket's "Sandbox" and I'll have an update on daily life during the current lockdown in Nha Trang, Vietnam. This week I've met some expats from different walks of life swapping stories on the current pandemic situation and what life has been...