The Sober Explorer

recent posts

about

    • Malaysia, Borneo and Brunei: The Ultimate Guide

      If you are going to Asia, Malaysia is an absolute must! It’s a complete gem of a country with such a unique energy compared to Thailand, even though they are right next door. We travelled through the peninsula, Borneo and Brunei over 25 days and we spent £37 a day on average! 😍 Here is the breakdown of our main costs, and with Borneo and Brunei being flight-dominant areas it really drove the costs up!

      £342 on flights and transport (including our bus arriving from Thailand)
      £215 on accommodation (a mix of hostel dorms and privates)
      £158 on food
      £114 on activities
      £42 on shopping
      £58 on miscellaneous (coffee, laundry, sim card etc)

      I found it much harder to pre-plan this itinerary as there isn’t much information online, but I hope this comes in handy for you if you are planning on heading here for 3 to 4 weeks!

      Days 1 to 4: Georgetown

      Our first stop is Georgetown and what a beautiful way to start in Malaysia! A historic UNESCO city covered in stunning street art, we decided to do a walking tour to learn more about the history of this town and Malaysia. For a sense of the markets, Gurney Drive is the highlight of this in Penang and worth going a bit out of the main town from where we were staying (The Terraces by AAYU).

      If you are interested in visiting a temple, then Kek Lok Si temple should be at the top of your list, dedicating a couple of hours to wander around this site. It’s free to explore and just costs if you want to get the funiculars up and down between each level.

      Penang Hill is also worth a visit in your time here, getting a panoramic view of the island, but I’d highly recommend getting there when it opens as we arrived about 2pm and it was a 1-2 hour wait to get up to the top (unless you want to hike it).

      Cameron Highlands is full of cute strawberry-themed markets. My own image.


      Days 4 to 7: Cameron Highlands 🍓

      We ended up seeing the New Year of 2026 here and it was the funniest experience! Many people didn’t recommend this but it was one of our favourite fireworks displays, mainly because of how chaotic it was. 😂 We went outside and there were about 5 different displays of fireworks going off as they don’t have a centrally-organised event, but just whoever buys some fireworks. Plus there were only about 50 of us in an area viewing them, with it mostly being locals so you got to feel a part of the local community which added to how enjoyable it was.

      Outside of the new year’s activities, it’s easy to explore all the highlights of the area in an organised day tour (~£28) which was worth the money and finished off with a strawberry hot chocolate as the area is known for its huge amount of strawberry farms!

      We stayed at Travellers Bunkers Hostel which I’d highly recommend, with clean dorms and bathroom, and plenty of information for what to do in the area. It’s ideally placed in the town and for the multitude of hikes you can do in the area, but unfortunately most of these were closed during our time there due to a landslide a few months previously which had made the trails unsafe.

      Now time to get buses through Cameron Highlands – Kuala Lumpur onwards to our next destination.

      Malacca riverside views. My own image.



      Days 7 to 9: Malacca

      Another much loved town of ours from our time in Malaysia, Malacca is another historical destination and gorgeous Dutch architecture. You can walk around easily to explore the markets, Dutch Square and maybe spot a water monitor lizard in the river going through the main town.

      We stayed at Haven Inn for 2 nights here and that felt like plenty of time to see the main sights and not feel like we were missing out, but it’s definitely worth going slightly out of the way to visit.

      The infamous towers. My own image.


      Days 9 to 12: Kuala Lumpur

      As someone who doesn’t often love a city, KL took me by surprise in the best way! It’s quiet, clean and safe – perfect. 😍 The main sights here are the Patronus Towers (which have an evening water show, which was good fun to watch); Batu Caves (just watch out for the monkeys🐒 so don’t bring any open food); pop over to central market for some delicious and cheap food, and finish off by zooming up to the observation deck to watch the skyline at sunset.

      Another thing that’s worth visiting is the eco park and canopy walk here, and when you are inside it doesn’t even feel like you are in a major capital city. You can escape the noise of the bustling KL and enjoy some time in nature, right next to skyscrapers!

      Staying at the Travellers Ark Hotel, we were in a great location – central to the markets and walking distance to the Patronus towers and metro stations, which you can use to access Batu Caves for less than £1!

      Bako NP hikes on the hunt for proboscis monkeys! My own image.


      Days 12 to 15: Kuching

      We’ve left the Peninsula behind and we are now in Borneo! Starting in Kuching, the two main highlights here are Bako National Park and Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary. You should also check out the water show that takes place each night at the waterfront. ⛲

      To reach Bako NP, you can take a bus to the boat terminal and take a 20 minute journey across the water (very (!!) choppy in January 🤢) before landing into the world of beautiful rainforest hikes, proboscis monkeys and beaches. For the bus, boat and entrance tickets, this cost about £24 per person but you can get this cheaper if you are more than 2 people taking a boat – it’s a set price per boat rather than per person.

      When visiting the Orangutan Sanctuary, you can get a free bus from the city which takes about an hour, but every little helps when saving on the budget! It’s a nice small sanctuary, but with huge open space for the orangutans and costs ~£5 for entrance and to get a buggy to the centre (but you can walk easily to it). However, make sure to double check whether fruit is in season or not – it was in season in January which meant the orangutans hadn’t been seen in 2 months as they are partially wild, and could live off what fruit was available in the trees rather than coming down to the sanctuary for feeding times.

      We stayed at Upspot Waterfront hostel which was in a good location, just watch out for the local cafes where their opening time definitely doesn’t match what it says on Google. 😂

      We adored our time in beautiful Mulu NP. My own image.



      Days 15 to 17: Mulu National Park

      Accommodation is very important for this stop! Mulu is a very small town right outside the NP, and we stayed at Mulu D Cave Homestay which was an 8 minute walk from the airport and a 5 minute walk from the NP entrance. Plus the host cooks some delicious meals.

      The entrance to the NP is ~£6 and this covers your entrance for 3 days. There are plenty of organised tours, some which are required if you want to visit the acclaimed Deer Cave (one of the world’s largest cave passages). You can also see the bat exodus for free every evening at about 5-6pm, assuming it hasn’t been raining, where you witness millions of bats leaving Deer Cave to find some dinner!

      Before you head off on your flight to Brunei, you can take the canopy walk (~£10) in the morning which takes roughly an hour but provides an opportunity to see more wildlife, birds and see the trees from high above.

      Brunei artwork. My own image.

      Days 17 to 19: Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei)

      Time to fly over quickly and ✅ another country off. When it comes to Brunei, there isn’t a ton to do – especially not as a budget backpacker. There are a few tours you can do, including going to see proboscis monkeys and head into the national park for £100+.

      We found a self-guided walking tour which you can do, and maybe takes an hour or two so you can even shorten this into an extreme day trip if you fancy it!

      Days 19 to 20: Kota Kinabalu

      Staying at Homy Seafront hostel, briefly crash here for the night and relax before getting a 10 hour bus/1 hour flight to Sandakan! (You can skip this stop if you’d rather fly direct from Brunei to Sandakan)

      Days 20 to 23: Sandakan

      There are many options for how to spend your time in Sandakan – a multi-day boat journey along Kinabatangan river, or you can do this as a day trip alongside Sepilok orangutan sanctuary, and explore the city itself, visiting sights such as the memorial park and Agnes Keith house.

      A fancy roundabout in KK. My own image.



      Days 23 to 25: Kota Kinabalu and departing

      Finishing in KK, you can dive into the ocean and explore Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park to see a beautiful array of fish and underwater nature. There is the opportunity to do some island hopping, and make sure to get yourself to Gaya street for the best food markets in the area.

      I’d highly recommend staying at Homy Seafront hostel here again!

      The Round Up:

      Malaysia is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve been to on our trip so far, with the mish-mash of cultures and mix of scenery to enlighten your senses. If you are coming over to Asia, I’d highly recommend visiting so that your trip can experience the full wealth of going from rainforests, to major cities and to finish with island hopping and enjoying the ocean.

    • How To Tackle Any City Sober

      When trying to pick your next travel destination, so many places – especially cities – can feel completely off limits as a sober person, and yes I’m looking at you Amsterdam👀😂.
      It seems like your only options to meet people are Happy hours, bar crawls and nightlife as the default entertainment. It can feel like every urban experience comes with a drink menu attached.

      But something I’ve learnt after visiting cities across 42 countries: cities are actually better sober. When you’re clear-headed, you don’t just pass through a place — you experience it and get to be a part of every sense you experience, which can arguably be a little overwhelming at times. 😅

      If you’ve ever wondered how to travel, explore, or live in a city without alcohol (and without feeling like you’re missing out), here’s how to do it.

      Shift your mindset

      The first hurdle isn’t logistics. It’s mental. A lot of city culture is built around drinking, so sobriety can feel like opting out. What about if you flip it: you’re opting into being intentional with your travel and experiences and memories.

      You’ll get the opportunity to wake up early without regret, remember conversations, save money, notice details you’d normally blur past and never lose a day to a hangover!

      You’re not skipping the experience. You’re upgrading it and I think that is absolutely something to celebrate and cherish.

      Replace “bar hopping” with “place hopping”

      Bars are just one kind of venue. Cities are packed with hundreds of others that don’t get the same hype. Try building nights (or days) around movement instead of sitting, which is something I often do even when I’m at home in Manchester:

      Move between bookstores, late-night cafés, dessert spots; galleries, live music venues, food trucks; parks, sunset walks, night markets; trivia nights, comedy shows, movie screenings.

      When you consider all of the amazing things you can do in an evening outside of the drinking culture, you realise all the things you’ve been missing out on. Think of the city like a playground, not a pub crawl.

      Go on the hunt for some street art. My own image.

      Become a daytime person (this is the cheat code)

      Most people only see cities at night — which means they miss half the magic. Mornings are where cities breathe and you can actually see what it means to be a part of that space and that culture.

      There is nothing I love more than getting out early and seeing empty streets, fresh pastries, quiet museums, local coffee shops without a queue, peaceful markets and sunlight hitting old buildings just ✨ right ✨.

      Use this as an extra opportunity to grow and challenge everything you know, especially if you are a night owl. Go out early. Walk without a plan. Sit somewhere and watch life happen and you’ll feel like you’ve discovered a secret version of the city that only the sober version of you could find. ♥️

      Treat food like the main event

      If drinking isn’t the centerpiece, food becomes an adventure. Make this intentional through trying new cuisines, hunting down the best local food, visiting places you can’t find on Google maps but seeing locals piling out of!

      Late-night dinners and dessert runs hit differently when you’re sober and actually taste everything. And make sure to treat yourself for another day of being sober and challenging yourself to get over your preconceptions of a city.

      Learn to say “I don’t drink” without over explaining

      Social situations are often the scariest part. The trick? Keep it simple and casual.

      You don’t owe anyone a story and if they aren’t happy about this boundary, then it shows they probably aren’t the right person to hang out with.

      For tips on how to say no to alcohol, check out this article!

      Say it like it’s no big deal — because it isn’t. Most people move on instantly. It can feel scary but you can do anything you put your mind to.

      Find sober-friendly rituals

      Rituals replace habits. If you used to unwind with a drink, swap in something that still feels special:

      🥤a fancy mocktail or craft soda
      ☕tea or coffee at a cozy spot
      🎶an evening walk with music or a podcast
      📜journaling in a café
      🤸late-night gym or yoga classes
      🎷catching live music sober (seriously underrated)

      It’s not about deprivation — it’s about creating new pleasures. This can take some practice and maybe a few trips to figure out what works for you, but don’t give up!

      The city you visit may have a water show to check out! My own image.



      Talk to strangers

      It’s time to ignore the myth that you need liquid courage to start up a conversation. This surprised me most: being sober actually made socializing easier, even as an introvert who used to use alcohol to meet new people and get over my social anxiety.

      When you’re clear-headed, you are able to listen better, remember names, pick up social cues, leave when you want and show up more authentically – this means you’ll be more likely to end up with lasting friendships rather than one-night acquaintances that you follow on Instagram.

      You could start small, asking someone for cafe recommendations, complimenting their top or simply asking what they are up to today (in a non-creepy way of course!😂)

      Cities are full of micro-conversations. You don’t need alcohol — you just need curiosity and all it takes is a sentence.

      Enjoy the superpower: freedom

      An underrated fact that we often forget, is when you’re sober, you’re always free.

      You can drive anywhere, leave whenever, wake up early, take spontaneous plans and explore without fog. You get the opportunity to make the most of every hour of the day, catch a sunrise or even have a lie-in if you want. You can dedicate time to journalling over a coffee whilst you appreciate the quiet sounds of a city waking up.

      The Round Up:

      A city doesn’t need to be filtered through alcohol to be fun. It’s already loud, colorful, weird, and alive – everything you can unapologetically be whilst being sober.

      When you experience it sober, you notice the street musicians, the smells from tiny kitchens, the way neighborhoods shift block by block, the strangers who become stories. Without alcohol, you can be one with the city and the locals and embrace the beauty of a different place of the world.

      You remember it all. And honestly? That’s the whole point.

    • A First Timer’s Guide to 3 Weeks In Thailand

      The holy grail of Southeast Asia – Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the region, and a typical holiday destination for every type of traveller. I’m so glad we visited Thailand during our time in this region, and whilst it had some incredibly beautiful places, it wasn’t our favourite destination by a distance. Maybe we spoiled ourselves by visiting Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos before entering Thailand! It is also definitely the most tourist-y of all these countries, which may not have been helped by us visiting during the Christmas period.

      We spent a total of 24 days here, and spending an average of £43.66 a day:


      £383 for activities
      £211 on transport
      £188 on accommodation
      £170 on food
      And £96 on miscellaneous goodies (laundry, coffee, shopping etc)

      Days 1 to 4: Chiang Mai

      In a world of my own. 😂 My own image.

      The north, and Chiang Mai in particular, was one of our favourites. For one of the days, we hired bicycles (200 baht each) and cycled around the key highlights and temples of Chiang Mai. You can find the main spots on this map.

      Beyond this, we went to our first muay thai show, tickets cost about £14 which is much cheaper than in South Thailand. We really loved this, although it got a little bit squeamish at points. 😅

      We checked out some of the popular organised tours as well, including a day trip to Chiang Rai to visit the iconic blue, white and red temples which were all incredible (and would highly recommend visiting them!) as well as with Doi Inthanon National Park which boasts the highest point of Thailand alongside some beautiful views. These tours were around £28 and £45, respectively.

      For staying in Chiang Mai, I would highly recommend the Inncome hostel. The rooms and bathrooms were good quality, clean and quiet. There is also a gym (conventional and muay Thai) connected to the hostel, so if you are looking to get fit or just have a go at muay Thai whilst in Thailand – this is the spot for you! 

      Days 4 to 6: Pai

      You have to check out Pai Canyon for sunset. My own image.

      Pai was the cutest town! You don’t really need longer here unless you really want to slow down and relax in a quiet town. The market in the evening is so peaceful, and there are tons of great nature and waterfalls to see around.

      Our main activities for Pai were a tour around the main sights, which cost about £10 and included transport to waterfalls, viewpoints and other stunning highlights. Aside from this, we explored the night markets and did a muay thai class for ~£4 which was so enjoyable, and I’d highly recommend it! They split us off into groups based on ability as well as some work 1-1, which was ideal as I was a bit nervous even with experience in boxing.

      You also need to take a visit to Pai Canyon for the ultimate sunset view, but just be sure to wear proper shoes and things you don’t mind getting dirty as it’s quite dusty and has some awkward bits to walk through.

      Days 6 to 7: Chiang Mai

      Just a quick pit stop before heading to Bangkok as there are no direct buses! We got in an extra gym session at Inncome Hostel but feel free to use this time however you want. ☺️

      Days 7 to 9: Bangkok

      Enter: everyone’s favourite city in Asia! Personally it wasn’t my favourite but maybe I just wasn’t in the right area. 😅

      Is anyone hungry for some bugs? 🦂My own image.

      We spent our time exploring the Grand Palace (~£12) which was beautiful but quite crowded, and unfortunately we visited during the mourning period for the late Queen Mother which meant a portion of it wasn’t accessible. It is definitely worth a visit though! It’s also worth checking out the temples surrounding the palace if you still have the energy! 😂

      Beyond that, you can explore Khao San road at night for some tasty treats – scorpion, tarantula, other bugs…, or if you appreciate good food and want to learn how to make Thai food then you can get involved in a cooking class. We learnt amazing recipes like pad thai, coconut chicken soup and mango sticky rice!

      Days 9 to 12: Khao Sok NP

      Incredible views around Cheow Lan lake! My own image.


      Staying at Khao Sok Inn, the hostel has a great selection of tours you can pick when you arrive where we selected a day trip to Cheow Lan lake. We took a boat across the water, before visiting our lunch spot where we can swim and kayak around, before a waterfall hike. There is the option to do this as a 2 day activity with a stay on the lake, but from what we’ve heard – this isn’t worth it, you don’t see anything extra than what you would on a day trip.

      Days 12 to 15: Koh Samui

      I’m sure you can guess how this got the name Big Buddha Temple. My own image.


      If you’ve looked into travelling Asia, then you’ve definitely seen something about Koh Samui – either it’s pig island neighbour, or the cool mummified buddha. 😎

      Our first serious experience of how touristic South Thailand is, Koh Samui was something. As people that don’t drink, it was a difficult island to get on board with as well as finding a decent place to stay. We chose Chill Inn, which wasn’t too bad but it has similar typical hostel activities of bar crawls and happy hours. However, they do offer some other good tours to see the islands.

      It’s easy enough to book various tours to see the highlights of the island, which I mentioned earlier, as well as some very ‘instagram’ places. One thing I will warn you against, however, is the fisherman’s market. We visited, after spending an extortionate amount of taxis to get there, and after hearing such great things we were disappointed. It was overly busy, food was expensive (I’m talking prices I’d expect from a restaurant), and it was impossible to find a table that didn’t require us to buy a trick – with a typical menu of alcoholic drinks. It’s only worth it if you are staying nearby so you can walk there, and are happy to take your food back to your accommodation.

      If you aren’t interested in Koh Samui, I’d swap this for the quieter Koh Phangan.

      Days 15 to 20: Koh Tao

      We have arrived to the holy grail of scuba diving in Asia…or so people tell us. We were meant to get qualified during this time, but over the first 4 days we got food poisoning on two(!!) separate occasions. This meant we only had an opportunity to do a boat tour on our last day to snorkel at 5 spots around the island, which were beautiful but not quite scuba!

      Spot the giant sea turtle in Koh Tao 😂 my own image.


      If you aren’t interested in scuba, I would shorten this to a minimum of 2 nights. Regardless of how long you stay, I would recommend the White Jail hostel. In an ideal location, with clean and comfortable dorms and bathrooms, a little cafe attached and free snorkelling masks available. What more could you need!

      Days 20 to 24: Krabi

      1262 steps later up to Tiger Cave Temple. My own image.


      Our final stop, and we got the joy of spending Christmas here on our trip! This was very cosy, it was amazing to so easily see beautiful sunsets over the beach each night and we got to enjoy a good swim at Railay beach to celebrate Santa Clause 🎅 which is only slightly different to Christmas in the UK. 🥶

      We also did an island hopping tour in the area, but you can also do this to each individual island if you want – chicken island amongst others nearby! We found this ok, definitely over-touristy especially as it was just filled with people getting their perfect Instagram pictures, but nonetheless it was still beautiful.

      Beyond the islands, it is worth checking out Tiger Cave Temple which gives you panoramic views over the area which is stunning, just be prepared for the 1262 steps and the odd monkeys… 🐒

      We stayed at Sleeper Hostel, which was a good hostel – just watch out for the sign to keep clear of monkeys that might be at the bathroom sinks!! 😅 A benefit of this hostel was they had a huge amount of information on tours and transport options, so if you want to know more about what’s on offer, you have plenty of information here.

      The Round Up:

      We ended up giving Thailand an overall score of 7 out of 10. It is incredibly beautiful, with a variety of sights to see from the mountains in the North to the islands in the South. I’m so glad we went, and I have definitely scratched the Thailand itch. However, if you are after somewhere less touristy and cheaper, but still easy to navigate, I’d highly recommend Vietnam which has all of the above just in the North of the country.

      If you agree or disagree with my (potentially) hot take on Thailand, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments!

    • Sober and Neurodivergent: How I See The World

      Being neurodivergent can make everyday life feel daunting, exhausting, and overwhelming. Add in travelling regularly or full-time — a lack of routine, constantly meeting new people when you already struggle to say the first word in a conversation, navigating new cultures, and communicating with people from all over the world who follow different social cues — and things can quickly feel unmanageable. And that’s just the social aspect of the difficulties many neurodivergent people experience. 😂

      I decided to be sober mainly because my ability to manage social cues would completely slip when I drank alcohol. This often led to incredibly embarrassing moments, followed by extreme hangxiety the next day — to the point where I would cut off friendships entirely and remove people from my life. Drinking amplified everything I already found difficult: overthinking, misreading situations, shame spirals, and emotional overwhelm.

      Being sober means I can enjoy busy places like Batu Caves with less anxiety. My own image.

      Of course, this isn’t everyone’s experience. Even many neurotypical people struggle with alcohol for similar reasons. But for me, sobriety became less about restriction and more about self-preservation.

      Socialising sober comes with its own challenges. Firstly, I don’t have that “liquid courage” that makes starting conversations easier. When I’m drunk, I’m the person roaming around the room starting conversations with everyone I see. But sober? I will make eye contact with you 20,000 times, laugh at what you’ve just said, and still somehow pretend I’m not engaging in your conversation at all.

      Secondly, hostel culture often revolves around partying. Pub crawls, drinking games, and nights out six times a week are seen as the default way to meet people. That’s something I can’t — and don’t want to — engage in. Instead, I’m usually standing in the bathroom at 9pm brushing my teeth, next to girls curling their hair and putting on fake eyelashes, while I mentally prepare for bed.

      On the surface, this can feel isolating. When everyone else seems to bond over alcohol, it’s easy to wonder if you’re missing out, or if something is “wrong” with you. But over time, I’ve realised there’s another side to this.

      While I might make fewer friendships — partly because I’m terrible at initiating conversations (something I’m actively working on!) — the connections I do make feel far more genuine. Being sober gives me the opportunity to connect with people who share similar values, lifestyles, or simply a preference for slower, quieter forms of connection. These friendships often feel deeper and more sustainable, because I don’t feel the need to mask, perform, or pretend to be neurotypical in order to belong.

      Outside of the social aspect, sobriety has also helped me navigate new places more safely and calmly. Busy markets, loud streets, and overwhelming transport hubs can be incredibly dysregulating when you have an oversensitive nervous system. While a neurotypical person might brush this off, I often find these environments physically and emotionally exhausting. Having a clear mind means I can process everything around me without missing important details — or adding unnecessary anxiety that might convince my body it’s having a heart attack. 😆

      Travelling while sober and neurodivergent isn’t easier — but it is more honest. And for me, honesty feels far safer than chaos.

      If you’re neurodivergent and considering sobriety while travelling, it’s okay if it feels intimidating. You’re not “doing travel wrong” because you don’t thrive in party hostels or feel energised by constant socialising. You’re allowed to travel slowly, to choose early nights, quiet cafés, nature over nightlife, and one meaningful conversation over a room full of small talk.

      This is about 9pm on a boat cruise in the Philippines. By 10pm, I was asleep. 😂 My own image.


      It’s also okay if making friends takes longer, or looks different to how it seems for everyone else. Connection doesn’t have to be loud, alcohol-fuelled, or immediate to be real. Some of the most meaningful friendships grow from shared silence, morning coffees, long walks, or simply sitting next to someone who doesn’t expect you to perform.

      Being sober doesn’t make you boring, antisocial, or difficult — and being neurodivergent doesn’t make you weak or incapable. It means you experience the world more intensely, and that intensity deserves care, not criticism. Listening to your nervous system, honouring your limits, and choosing clarity over chaos is not something to apologise for.

      Travelling this way has taught me that safety — emotional, mental, and physical — is far more important than fitting in. And once you stop trying to travel like everyone else, you give yourself permission to travel in a way that actually feels good.

    • Around Laos in 8 Days

      A country that I feel most people would overlook unless they are travelling around the region, it took us completely by surprise and we loved it! It definitely receives an award for worst roads ever. 😂

      We spent a total of 8 days here, and spent on average £43.90 a day, with a breakdown of:

      £127 flight (Hanoi to Luang Prabang)
      £80 transportation
      £46 accom
      £42 restaurants
      £42 visa and atm fees
      £42 activities
      £16 on miscellaneous (snacks, coffee etc)

      Read below for how we spent our 8 days exploring this less-visited country in Southeast Asia!

      Days 1 to 3: Luang Prabang

      Kuang Si waterfall. My own image.

      We really loved Luang Prabang, and it’s beautiful to wander around and explore – temples, cafes, Mekong river views. There is the Royal Palace here, as well as many beautiful temples. I’d recommend Wat Xiengthong (~£1) and Wat Wisunarat. You can also wake up early if you want to, to see the monk offerings that take place around the town around 6am.

      We also did a tour out to Pak Ou caves and Kuang Si waterfall which was ok, but it was very touristy so expect crowds and quite a rushed itinerary to squeeze it all in (and some questionable elephant ethics at the lunch stop in an elephant sanctuary).

      For your evenings, this town had one of our favourite night markets as well, with delicious food and it was a bit quieter than most which was perfect for us! There is also the opportunity for a sunset cruise alongside the Mekong River, but we opted to view the sunset from Phousi Mountain (~£1) which is central to the town (and quite busy) but provides a beautiful panoramic view of the town and the surrounding mountains.

      We stayed at Y Not Hostel, which was nice – quite a basic hostel, and the beds didn’t have curtains, but the key selling point is that it is in the perfect location, within walking distance to everything you want to do in the town and has ATMs, supermarkets and cafes nearby.

      Days 4 to 5: Nong Khiaw

      You may read some…mixed reviews about how to get to Nong Khiaw, as the roads are terribly bumpy and not in good condition. We decided to make an event of our travel day and booked this tour taking us from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw by car and boat, with a beautiful (but easy) hike through rice fields and up a sticky waterfall in the middle of the journey. I’d highly recommend this, just to make a potentially horrible and long travel day into an extra adventure!

      Hiking views over Nong Khiaw. My own image.

      Once you are in Nong Khiaw (around sunset if you complete the tour), you are welcomed to the beautiful town when it is quiet and lit under the golden hour. We stayed at Eco Stay Hostel, which was amazing. The most beautiful views around, great rooms and bathrooms, good food in the restaurant area and activities to do! This includes the option to do a 2D1N hike which was very popular, but we decided to just do the many hikes around the town to keep us occupied for our short stay. We would recommend the Sleeping Lady hiking trail (~£1) in the morning before it gets too hot, then head to Som Nong (~£1.40) for sunset.

      Days 6 to 8: Vang Vieng

      Welcome to the big adventure town of Laos! Our favourite activity here was paramotoring, which cost us ~£35 and was well worth it. You got incredible views, it felt really safe and was very unique. 😍 Other things you can check out here include the Nam Xay viewpoint (which you will definitely have seen before if you’ve used Instagram to research Laos) as well as the various blue lagoons dotted around.

      Paramotoring in Vang Vieng. My own image.

      We visited lagoons 1 and 3, and 3 was definitely our favourite. It had a zip line, rope swing and was much quieter than lagoon 1. However, I’d recommend getting here earlier in the day as by lunchtime the mountains surrounding it have blocked the sun so it can be a bit chilly if you are swimming. 🥶 There is also the option to hike up to a cave and a viewpoint just past the lagoon, which we attempted but ultimately gave up because they felt quite unsafe and just a bit dodgy.

      We stayed in Freedom View Hostel, which was in an ideal location to the main amenities of the city and includes a decent breakfast, but isn’t a very social hostel so if you are travelling solo I’d maybe not recommend staying here.

      The Round Up:

      I love Laos, it really took us by surprise so I’m glad we made the effort to explore it whilst we were in the area. I’d highly recommend checking it out, and let me know in the comments your thoughts!

    • How 32 Countries In 2 Years Rewired My Brain

      At the time of writing, it’s been just over 2 years (8th December 2023) since I jetted off for my first thing solo trip. The only solo trip I’d done prior to this was a weekend in Lanzarote, and I decided, naturally, the next step was to fly to Australia for a month. My first backpacking trip, my first Christmas and new years abroad, my second time on a flight by myself. Consider me sh*tting myself. 😂

      It’s fair to say that since then I’ve caught the bug for travel, and have visited 32 countries since then and am halfway through a year-long backpacking adventure round the world! I feel like a totally different person to who I was then, and I thought I’d share some of the main lessons I’ve learnt in these 24 months since I first jetted off to the other side of Planet Earth.

      Street art at Bondi Beach. My own image.

      Lesson 1: I’m grateful

      I always tried to practice gratitude previously, but it felt fake and was just something I did because every self-help podcast and book tells you to do it. But now, especially whilst I’m away, I’m grateful for so many things.

      I’m grateful for every step in my life that has given me this opportunity to see the world.
      I’m grateful for taking the time to figure out who I am.
      I am grateful that I find joy in my own company (most of the time).
      I’m grateful for always having safe drinking water at home.
      I’m grateful for routine when I’m at home.

      Lesson 2: I’m less materialistic

      Surviving for a year out of a 40L backpack means I’ve had to get very used to having minimal things – and I know I could have even less than what I’ve got. However, prior to this trip I was the sort of person who has a full wardrobe for dresses, tops and bottoms, then individual drawers for jumpers, gym clothes and pajamas.😅 AKA I’ve always been quite materialistic, and I love clothes so this might not change but I will make smarter decisions and opt for higher quality purchases so that everything I own is wearable and I have no excuse not to wear it!

      Lesson 3: Increased desire for community

      I’ve always known that community and social relationships is important to me, but seeing how communities exist in Africa and Asia – everyone is there for eachother, rather than everyone out for themselves like it can feel in the UK – has been eye-opening. When I return home, I’ll go back to creating group trips to build community as well as doing more volunteering, and taking part in group activities such as run clubs and joining a CrossFit gym! 🫂 Whilst I probably lean more towards being introverted, having social opportunities and the feeling of people around me mentally, more than physically, it provides a level of comfort and happiness for me.

      Spending my first new year away from home in Sydney was a dream! My own image.

      Lesson 4: I’ve expanded my taste buds

      Growing up, I was the fussiest eater of all fussy eaters. Even now, my face crinkles up in disgust before I’ve even put a new food in my mouth. I remember on a family holiday to Malta as a child, and I didn’t like any of the breakfast options at the hotel so I had a big plate of chips instead…😂 However, travelling and experiencing genuine local foods has given me so much excitement and love for different foods and flavours that I can’t wait to get home and try recipes from cooking classes, and attempt to recreate the joy of eating delicious foods!

      Lesson 5: Discovered more about myself and what’s important to me

      I feel like this sounds very cliche, but unfortunately it’s true. Even just to the extent of learning exactly what I want from a holiday – I want rest time, but I also want adventure. I want to experience a new culture, but I also want breathing space and not being crammed between tourists. I want to try new foods, but nothing too new (I’m looking at the crocodile and bugs available on many market streets). I want to move my body in every new way, whether that’s kayaking across the bay or cycling around a town, hiking up 1260 steps or kicking some pads at a muay thai class. I struggle often with my identity and figuring out who I am, so having these re-affirming experiences are really important to my wellbeing.

      Lesson 6: I am obsessed with seeing the world

      I’ve been travelling for over 6 months full-time at this point, and as tired as I am and probably a little ready to go home, I will never scratch the itch that comes from travelling to a new place. I’m so excited to finish off South East Asia’s main destinations, and see New Zealand and Fiji, but I’m also beyond excited to explore Central Asia, South America, Canada, and more of Europe! My energy and excitement to see the rest of the world is never ending (and often overwhelming and anxiety-inducing).

      I fully went out of my comfort zone and pushed myself to hold Pumpernickel the snake. My own image.


      Lesson 7: Building resilience after bucket list countries aren’t quite what they cracked up to be

      Have you ever turned up to a country that just isn’t as good as you had dreamed of it being? Unpopular opinion, but this was Australia for me. Landing December 2023, having spent 6 months planning and panicking about this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Spending hours scouring Instagram seeing all these amazing posts of snorkelling, the Whitsundays and all the beautiful places that Australia offers.

      But, when I arrived, I was disappointed. Maybe because I was by myself and realised how much I struggled to make friends, or maybe it was my first Christmas from home and I had increasing tensions with my family that I couldn’t ignore. It was also potentially because I had hoped it would just feel…different…to being at home in the UK, and when I realised that it was basically the UK with better weather, I was disappointed.

      That was a big learning curve for me, to realise that a different culture was very important to me, and whilst I still enjoyed my time there and getting to see the Sydney New Year’s event, I had to build up the resilience to realise that not every place is like Instagram tells you it’s like. Now, I don’t obsess quite so much over how places are positioned on social media and try to avoid the typical tourist spots that you see everyone posing for because, 9 times out of 10, I will be disappointed.

      Lesson 8: Every body is normal

      My final lesson, as a girl who has struggled with body dysmorphia for most of her life, every body is normal. It’s normal:
      to be chunky
      to be curvy
      to be slim
      to have a flat stomach
      to have a flat chest or big boobs
      to have cellulite and stretch marks
      to have body hair

      I get so carried away comparing myself to others about how perfect and glamorous they are, that I ignore the rest of the bodies around me that are also so completely normal and loveable and functional. And who knows, people might be looking at me wishing they looked like me. And for the girls who do their hair everyday, go out in humid heat with a full face of makeup, or walk around in high heels every day – I am so impressed by you, because as much as I’ve always told myself I should be like, I never could be. I have only just learnt how to plait my hair, I hate the feeling of makeup on my skin especially when I’m sweating, and if I’m not comfortable in my clothing then nothing will be done. 😂 Plus the lighter my bag, the better! So no makeup or heels have been squeezed into my luggage. 👀

      Live love laugh. My own image.

      The Round Up:

      Discovering travel is one of the best things to happen to me. I’ve learnt so much about the world and about myself, and I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything. I just need to find a level of balance now, so that it doesn’t all feel so overwhelming to pick my next country and so that I can save money for other goals I have in life. 💰

      Let me know in the comments what travel has taught you, and if you’ve had any countries that didn’t quite meet your expectations!

    • How To Spend 25 Days In Vietnam

      I will start this blog off by saying that Vietnam is one of my favourite countries. This was my first time visiting and I would happily go back and see more of it! We spent just over 3 weeks here, and you could easily spend more time here – I’ve popped some recommendations at the end of the blog on how to spend extra time!

      Vietnam was also one of the cheapest countries we went to, and honestly we splurged a bit on activities that you could do in cheaper ways – especially if you are comfortable riding a motorcycle. For 25 days, we spent roughly £38.80 a day:

      £497 on activities
      £152 on transportation
      £119 on restaurants
      £66 on accommodation
      £136 on miscellaneous (ATM fees, shopping, snacks, laundry etc)

      Days 1 to 3: Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)

      A snippet of the food from our street food tour in Ho Chi Minh City. My own image.

      Our first stop was Ho Chi Minh City as we travelled over from Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and this was a fairly smooth process if you are doing similar. Please note: in Vietnam, there are common scams of people offering taxi rides as soon as you get off – do not do this. They charge about 10x the price of a Grab taxi! 🥲

      Our main highlights for this city was visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, a key historical place for learning about the Vietnam War – something I knew very little about prior to this. It’s a completely unique place with fun interactive pieces, but it is incredibly busy and we did it as part of a day tour so we felt quite rushed around.

      To help ease us into a new culinary culture, we love to do a street food tour so we know what the best local dishes are and how best to enjoy them! We did one in HCMC, organised by our hostel, and it was really well-organised and great value for money. We ate a wide selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes and made some lovely friends too.

      If you are looking for a hostel in the city, I’d recommend Saigon Authentic Alley Hostel. They have two branches fairly near to each other, and often connect for group activities – like the street food tour. The only negative we found was our hostel room had 8 beds, but only 1 toilet and shower together in 1 bathroom so you may be waiting a while to use it before bed.

      Days 3 to 5: Da Lat

      Datanla Falls. My own image.

      Next up is Da Lat, a last-minute addition to break up our journey to Hoi An. It’s a really beautiful town with a lake in the centre which is enjoyable to wander around, as well as Crazy House which is extravagantly designed and great for some unique Instagram shots!

      You are likely to also be familiar with Da Lat thanks to the Mario Karting videos you see all over tiktok. We didn’t do this, but we met a lot of people who did and they recommended going with a group of people to make it extra fun – a good reason to get out of your comfort zone and talk to the other people in your dorm. 👀

      If you visit this town, I’d recommend staying at the Family Hostel. It has really nice, clean rooms, delicious food in the restaurant area (and regular family dinners), plus a variety of tours available – including to the many waterfalls dotted around the area. We went to Datanla waterfall which had an alpine coaster, as well as a nice relaxed walk around the falls – you can easily spend an hour or two here exploring.

      Days 5 to 9: Hoi An

      The view from the Ba Na Hills cable cars. My own image.

      Hoi An gets all the hype in Vietnam, and it’s definitely worth it. When we arrived, it was still recovering from recent flooding so a small area around the river wasn’t accessible, but you could still fully enjoy the area. You can explore the Ancient town, checking out all the shops, delicious restaurants, make jewellery and check out the Chinese bridge.

      A key attraction for the city is clothes tailoring, with an unlimited number of shops offering this for an excellent price. It is definitely worth making the most of this if you have spare space in your luggage!

      Other activities in the area include letting lanterns go over the river (think: Tangled🏮), as well as taking a rice boat for a dizzying spin! We unfortunately couldn’t do this due to the recent floods but it’s a very common tour attraction.

      We also did a day trip over to Da Nang, getting into Ba Na Hills early in the day to check out the stunning views, enjoying the longest single track cable car ride in the world and checking out some fun amusements. After this, we headed to Linh Ung Pagoda which was a nice quiet treat after the chaos of Ba Na Hills. We finished off the day with a short hike up Marble Mountain, taking a walk round the Pagodas, Cave and viewpoint here that provide a unique experience of nature in Vietnam whilst in a city.

      Fuse Hostel in Old Town Hoi An is an ideal place to stay, in a good location and it’s slightly more in-land so less likely to be affected by flooding – those staying in the coastal branch were evacuated to the Old Town hostel towards the end of our stay here as a typhoon was reaching land!😰

      Days 9 to 11: Hue

      The imperial citadel. My own image.

      Hue… was interesting. It’s definitely a must-visit due to the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda. However, it had a very different vibe to the rest of Vietnam. It was still safe, but it just wasn’t what we had come to love about Vietnam.

      I would still recommend visiting though, and staying at Kha Hostel – the room was good, the staff were lovely and it was in a perfect location for a lively street filled with restaurants and accessing the Citadel.

      Days 11 to 12: Phong Nha

      Looking over the waterfall in Phong Nha National Park. My own image.

      Now moving onto Phong Nha, and this was our kind of vibe! It’s only a small town, and I would recommend booking Central Backpackers as the bus drops you off directly outside here.

      With just 24 hours here, you can arrive in the afternoon to get settled and before your afternoon bus towards Hanoi the following day, book onto a day tour into the National Park. You have the opportunity to swim, visit the dark cave, have a mud bath, ride a zip wire, visit a waterfall among other things. We really loved this and glad we did just 24 hours here as there isn’t much else to do or explore beyond this day trip. (The hostel has showers downstairs so even after you have checked out, you can shower off and get yourself ready for a long bus journey).

      Days 12 to 17: Hanoi

      You haven’t been to Hanoi if you haven’t been to Train Street. My own image.

      A highlight for many people on their visit to Hanoi, the capital city, it’s a busy place but in the same sense it is full of life, history and culture. You can easily navigate the city on foot, doing a walking tour to learn more about the culture of Northern Vietnam, the history of the city and quickly ticking off all the major sites to see!

      As part of these 5 days in the city, we did a 3 day/2 night Ha Long Bay tour organised through our hostel (Buffalo Hostel). I would highly recommend this tour, unless you are not comfortable being around people who are drinking. You can also do this as a 2 day/1 night trip, but we didn’t think that was worth the money compared to the longer option. As part of the longer tour, you get to visit a secluded private beach, hike and cycle around Cat Ba Island, as well as kayak around the bay and check out a small cave. You are well-entertained during the day, but in the evening you are left to your own devices with a karaoke machine and a well-stocked bar. This means that it just becomes lots of drunk people screaming into a microphone, or sitting around chatting and it just wasn’t the best – but it did mean I didn’t feel guilty about getting an early night! 😴

      Days 17 to 21: Ha Giang

      One of the many incredible views along the Ha Giang Loop. My own image.

      Direct from Hanoi, we headed to Ha Giang with Bong ready for our 4 day/3 night Ha Giang loop tour. We did this with an easy rider and I’d highly recommend this even if you are comfortable riding a bike. From stories, we’ve heard you are essentially guaranteed a big fine ($100+) even if you have all the correct paperwork and licenses. I really enjoyed this, even as the only person not drinking the happy water that was put in front of us every night. It did have a big party vibe to it in the evenings, but it was easy enough to be a part of it without drinking and nipping off for some quiet time in the dorms. (Pro tip: leave the full shot glass of happy water in front of you, and they won’t keep trying to offer you more😂).

      Days 21 to 24: Sapa

      More mountain views in Sapa


      We decided to spend a bit of extra time in Sapa to recover and relax from the Ha Giang Loop, which was perfect as we ended up getting food poisoning from Bong Hostel (AVOID the burgers 🤢).

      We weren’t able to complete everything we wanted to do in Sapa, but we did manage to do rice terrace trekking organised by our accommodation (Hmong Sister House) which was amazing. Our guide was incredibly friendly, and even though it wasn’t the best weather at the time, the views and experience were still beautiful.

      Other highlights to check out are Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Vietnam which you can potentially hike, but it is very intense – or you can take the cable car up and down. You can also check out the Glass Bridge, and the various waterfalls dotted around the town. Let me know in the comments what you think of these spots so I can convince myself to revisit Sapa 👀.

      Days 24 to 25: Head back to Hanoi and depart

      Our last day was used to head back to Hanoi ready for our onward journey to Luang Prabang in Laos, and watch Wicked: For Good (which was a must-do as a huge musical lover, and it had just been released 2 days prior). You can also use this time to check out other areas of Hanoi that you hadn’t managed to explore previously. We stayed at Bong Hostel this time, as it was closer to the outskirts of the city for better access to the airport, but we would recommend Buffalo Hostel to enjoy a few days in Hanoi.

      The Round Up:

      I hope that this blog has shown you how incredible Vietnam is: how much variety there is to see, history there is to learn and beauty to bathe in!

      If I was to go back, I’d also consider visiting Ninh Binh for 2-3 nights and spending a few days specifically at Cat Ba Island to do more hikes and soak up the island life. Maybe next time… 👀

      Let me know in the comments below of any questions you have about this itinerary, or other places you’d recommend!

    • All The Apps You Need To Travel The World

      I don’t know what I would do without my phone when I’m travelling. It holds every useful bit of information and provides access to a world of resources to help you see the actual world. After travelling for the past 6 months full-time, here are my favourite apps to keep me organised and making the most of my time.

      🗣️Facebook

      Facebook may not be the first app that comes to mind for travel, but it is surprisingly useful. Many destinations have active travel, backpacker, or expat groups where people share advice, sell items, organize meetups, or warn others about scams. It’s also an easy way to stay connected with friends and family back home while keeping up with local events and hostel updates in the places you visit.

      💬Whatsapp

      WhatsApp is one of the most important communication apps for travelers. It works anywhere with an internet connection and allows you to send messages, voice notes, photos, videos, and even live locations without paying international SMS fees. Because it’s widely used around the world, it’s often the easiest way to stay in touch with accommodation hosts, tour guides, drivers, and fellow travelers, as well as friends and family back home.

      ⏰TikTok

      TikTok has quickly become a powerful travel tool. Beyond entertainment, it offers real-time travel inspiration, honest hotel reviews, food recommendations, and hidden gems shared by travelers and locals alike. Searching by destination can reveal insights that traditional guidebooks often miss. Just be careful that if something is featured in a very popular post, it can be very very busy.

      🏘️HostelWorld or Booking .com

      When it comes to budget accommodation, Hostelworld is a favorite among travelers. It makes it easy to compare prices, read honest reviews, and find social hostels in prime locations. For solo travelers especially, staying in hostels booked through Hostelworld can lead to meeting people and discovering local experiences you might otherwise miss.

      Another option is Booking .com, which is ideal if you don’t fancy staying in hostels or want to see more options of what’s available in the area. It has a ton of different filters to help you find your ideal accommodation, and as you complete booking through the website, you increase your ‘Genius’ level to unlock bigger discounts and other perks!

      🏄GetYourGuide

      For booking activities and tours, GetYourGuide is an excellent app. It offers everything from walking tours and cooking classes to day trips and skip-the-line tickets for major attractions. It’s especially useful if you prefer having activities organized in advance or want to quickly book something once you arrive at your destination. Another option is Viator, but generally everything you need is on GetYourGuide.

      🚖Transport apps

      For regional transport, especially in parts of Asia, 12Go is invaluable. It allows travelers to search and book buses, trains, ferries, and sometimes flights all in one app. This makes planning overland journeys far simpler and removes much of the confusion around local transport systems.

      Getting around cities is easier with ride-hailing apps like Grab, Uber, and GoJek. You’ll need to double-check, based on what country you are going to, but Grab and Uber are the most widely used taxi apps I’ve found. These apps provide upfront pricing, cashless payments, and reliable transportation, often making them safer and more convenient than traditional taxis. They’re especially useful for airport transfers or late-night travel.

      💰Travel Spend

      Managing your budget becomes much easier with apps like Travel Spend. These allow you to log expenses in multiple currencies and see where your money is going. Tracking daily spending helps prevent unpleasant surprises later in your trip and gives you peace of mind, especially if you’re traveling long-term or on a tight budget. This has been a godsend on our year-long trip to make sure we aren’t overspending!

      🏦Splitwise

      Splitwise is especially useful for group travel, where shared expenses can quickly become confusing. The app allows you to track who paid for meals, accommodation, transport, or activities and automatically calculates balances for each person. By keeping everything organized in one place, Splitwise helps avoid misunderstandings about money and makes settling up at the end of a trip simple and stress-free. When my partner and I travel together, we take it in turns to be in charge of the money and we find this very helpful to track who’s spent what.

      💱Offline Currency Converter

      Handling money abroad can be tricky, which is why having an offline currency converter is essential. Being able to quickly convert prices without an internet connection helps you understand what you’re actually spending and avoid overpaying. This simple tool can make a big difference, especially in countries where prices aren’t clearly marked or bargaining is common. There are loads available on the App/Play Store so you can see which one works best for you!

      📲Google Translate

      Language barriers are far less intimidating thanks to Google Translate. With the ability to translate text, speech, and images, it’s incredibly useful for reading menus, signs, and directions. The option to download languages for offline use is a lifesaver in areas with limited connectivity and makes communicating with locals much easier.

      📌Google Maps

      Google Maps is arguably the most important travel app of all. It helps with navigation, finding nearby restaurants, checking public transport routes, and downloading offline maps – just note that these only show  Whether you’re exploring a city on foot or navigating unfamiliar transport systems, Google Maps is an essential companion.

      📚Google Sheets

      While it’s not a traditional travel app, Google Sheets is incredibly useful for organising trip details. It is where I build my itinerary and keep track of all my bookings! Many travelers use it to track itineraries, bookings, budgets, and packing lists. Because it’s shareable and accessible offline, it’s perfect for coordinating plans with friends or keeping everything in one place.

      🗺️Skratch or NomadMania

      Finally, we have Skratch and NomadMania. These tools let you log every country, region, or city you’ve visited and visualize your journey over time.

      Skratch, for example, provides a map interface where you can check off places as you go and often share your “travel footprint” with friends. NomadMania takes this a step further by offering detailed region classification (so you earn credit for smaller areas within countries), helping serious travelers track progress on personal goals like visiting every province or cultural region. I love NomadMania for its ‘series’ feature as well, with lists filled with bucketlist items to tick off and track.✅

      The Round Up:

      In a world where travel is increasingly digital, having the right apps can completely transform your experience! With good planning tools, reliable navigation, and smart budgeting apps, you can focus less on logistics and more on enjoying the journey. Let me know in the comments if there are other apps you use on your adventures!

    • Spending 10 days in Cambodia

      Our first country of South East Asia on our year-long itinerary and Cambodia didn’t disappoint! I’m really happy with how long we spent here, and the things we managed to see in this time – especially as we adjusted to being in a new culture.

      I’d really recommend around 10 days to 2 weeks in this country, and it’s very budget-friendly! For a total of 10 days we were in Cambodia (slightly less time in Kampot), we spent an average of £38.60 a day:

      – £115 on restaurant meals
      – £103 on activities
      – £74 on transportation
      – £53 on accommodation
      – £41 on miscellaneous – ATM fees, supermarket snacks and the one-off coke zeros

      Days 1 to 4: Siem Reap

      Riding along on the canoes at the floating village. My own image.

      What a beautiful city! We really struggle with busy cities, and that’s usually the starting point of a country so to arrive in Siem Reap was a dream. It’s incredibly calm but still has plenty to do and see.

      Most people will know of Siem Reap because of Angkor Wat, which is as beautiful as you would expect. We visited for sunrise and, you should be prepared for it to be busy, but it was well worth it. It cost $52 which was a big chunk of our activity budget on this trip, but it is not to be missed.

      We also did a floating village tour (£19), taking you to Tonle Sap – the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. This was such a unique experience to see how people live in such a different way, and I highly recommend checking this out.

      Outside of the tours, Siem Reap has a bustling market that seems to be open at every moment of the day, as well as great night markets and certain busy streets – including pub street. This street, in particular, is fun to see as it’s lit up with music playing and lots going on but I don’t think you’ll get FOMO if you miss it out! 👀

      Whilst here, we stayed at Lub D which had its pros and cons. It was in an ideal location, with a great range of tours to book, a good swimming pool and amazing rooms. While it was our first experience with chain hostels in Asia, the social atmosphere was heavily focused on alcohol. If you prefer a more relaxed social experience, this might not be the best choice for you.

      Days 4 to 6: Koh Rong

      Arriving at 7am after a night journey from Siem Reap, there was no better way to start a sleepy morning in a new place.

      Just a pre-warning, that this is a very party-focused island. If you are not comfortable in that kind of environment, I would skip this island and potentially explore Koh Rong Sanloem. We didn’t realise just how alcohol-based this island was until we thought we were joining a chilled snorkel and sunset boat trip, and it ended with people doing belly slides over tables drunk on free beer.🫠 If you do decide to go for a boat trip, make sure to check in advance if it’s going to turn into a party once the sun goes down!

      View from the beach of boats on the CRAZY clear blue water. My own image.

      You can also make the most of the incredible beaches which will never fail to impress you. Our hostel (Mad Monkey) had kayaks and paddle boards you could rent by the hour, from $5 to $10 per hour. This was ideal for us as people who are not very good at sitting still for a long while. 😂

      Days 6 to 8: Kampot

      Kampot and its peppercorn farms were a stop that really took us by surprise. Firstly, if you are staying here – you have to stay at Karma Traders! It was the best hostel, the staff were so friendly, the dorm rooms were cosy with pod-style beds and an amazing range of tours available to keep you occupied alongside daily social events. 

      Kampot pepper fields. My own image.

      We booked our peppercorn farm tour through the hostel, costing $12.50 each and it was well worth it. You’ll also stop at a salt farm, La Plantation – on the weekends you may see the local children they educate here to support their future – as well as Secret Lake and a cave temple.

      Another option if you want to extend your time here is to visit Bokor National Park. We didn’t do this but it was a close second option if we had more time. Tours typically cost about £20, and take you to explore colonial buildings, waterfalls, rainforests and the former king’s residence. It’s definitely worth considering if you have extra time to extend by a day here. ⌛

      Days 8 to 10: Phnom Penh

      Finishing up our Cambodia trip in Phnom Penh, the main excursion for this stop was to visit the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum. After seeing the nature of the country, it was eye-opening to learn about their dark history and the traumatic experiences of recent generations of Cambodians. This is a must-do activity whilst in the city, and incredibly unique (in the most heartbreaking way). ♥️ For the tour and entrance tickets, it cost about £22.

      Outside of this, you can explore the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and take a gentle stroll (or slip back into your running trainers) alongside the river. In the evenings, the night market is also worth checking out for some shopping and delicious food! 😋

      We would recommend staying at Onederz here, as it’s in an ideal location right by the river that flows through the city, just prepare yourself to potentially be on the third floor with no lift and narrow stairs. 🥵

      A view along the river. My own image.

      The round up:

      If Cambodia isn’t on your South East Asia itinerary, it most certainly should be! It has a complex history, stunning landscapes and unique culture that isn’t to be missed.

      If I did this trip again, I’d add in Battambang between Siem Reap and Koh Rong for a couple of days to ride the bamboo train, explore the bat and killing caves, and to do a bike tour around the city. AKA a wholesome, sober town visit. 🥰

    • How To Travel With Friends Who Drink

      Ever wondered if you can still have an epic adventure with your drinking buddies while staying sober? Absolutely! Traveling with friends who enjoy a tipple doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun or compromise your journey. This article is your ultimate guide to navigating those trips with a clear head and a happy heart, proving that good times don’t always need a spirited kick! We’ll explore how to set boundaries like a pro, plan activities everyone will love, and keep your well-being sparkling throughout your travels.

      ✋💬 Set boundaries and communicate

      The ultimate step to travelling with people who drink is to set your boundaries and make sure you communicate these as soon as possible. If you are already friends, do not do it once you are squeezed into your EasyJet seats, but when you are planning where you want to go and what you want to do. If you are just now meeting these people in your hostel, you should find a good time to discuss it when you are creating plans as a group.

      A common script you could use is: “I just want to clarify now that on this trip I am choosing not to drink any alcohol, this doesn’t mean that you can’t but I would rather steer away from doing drinking-based activities. I hope this is ok”. (Of course, adjust this based on your preferences and maybe make it less formal if you are with friends.)

      Please note: if they aren’t accepting and supportive of the fact you do not drink, you may be better off not going on holiday with them or spending time with them. There is nothing inherently wrong with choosing to stay sober, and the right people will make you feel included and appreciated regardless. 💖

      To learn more about setting boundaries, you can read the article on How to Say No here.

      👥 Find sober friends

      If your friends aren’t quite so supportive of sober travelling, or would rather not compromise on what they would enjoy whilst away, do not fret!

      There are many sober communities out there, particularly on Facebook (and of course, here at The Sober Explorer) which you can join and reach out to people. Just search ‘Sober Travel’ and reach out on there to see if others on a sober travelling journey would like to join you.

      🗓️ Plan activities that work for you and them

      Once you’ve had this conversation, it’s important to make sure that you can both compromise on activities so you both enjoy your time away – or, you can take some time to do activities solo if you have different interests. For example, some of my friends would much rather lie by a pool reading a book whilst I might be keen to go for a kayak to the next island over! 🛶 Or they might want to have a drink and a boogie whilst I’m desperate for an early night. 😴

      If this isn’t possible or you’d prefer to do everything with your friends, then discuss any concerns they might have about that huge inflatable you want to ride on, for example, and potentially assess how comfortable you are in an environment with alcohol present, if they want to try out a party boat.

      Koh Samui, a typical party island. My own image.


      🍹Try out some mocktails

      Coming from the previous point, this is where self awareness of your relationship with alcohol comes in handy – you can read about this here. If you are comfortable being around groups of people drinking and alcohol in general, don’t be afraid to get involved and try out some mocktails or stick to your usual soft drinks.🧋

      (In case you aren’t sure, a mocktail is like a cocktail, made with juices and syrups but missing the alcoholic component.)

      However, do not put yourself in a pressured situation where you aren’t comfortable, and if you do try this, remember you can leave at any time. You are not stuck in that environment until the end of the night. Just remember safety aspects to take care of yourself, like getting a taxi instead of walking late at night if your accommodation is far away.

      🔁 Keep on top of your routine

      This is particularly important if your reason for being sober is recovery from addiction. A key part of recovery is sticking to your routine and finding comfort in this. As part of your previous communication with your friends, make sure they are aware of your routine, and support you in keeping it going in an unfamiliar environment. Ideally, one of the people going away with you will be a part of your support system – or at least able to contact someone in your support system. 🫂

      📈 Don’t dive into the deep end

      If you are usually a big party-goer on your travels, do not dive into the deep end with a huge month-long solo trip! It will likely take you time to adjust to this style of travel, even if you weren’t a big drinker previously.

      You could start with a day trip somewhere (hello, extreme day trips community 👋), followed by a long weekend and then expand onto a week or two to figure out a balance that works for you with sober travelling.

      Remember, sober travelling doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. You can still have a drink or two whilst you are away, but do it for the right reasons. Remember your why and use sober travelling to challenge yourself.

      🤸‍♀️ Keep your plans flexible

      Make sure when you are planning your trip to keep things flexible and changeable where possible. This can help reduce anxiety and stress which will relieve any pressure that may increase your likelihood to drink (particularly if you are in recovery).

      This doesn’t necessarily mean leaving booking things until the day before, but just taking planning one step at a time. Stay in the moment, and avoid getting overwhelmed with thinking ahead or rigidity of cancellation policies.

      Travelling with friends who drink doesn’t have to be awkward, isolating, or less fun — it’s all about knowing your boundaries, communicating clearly, and embracing what makes your trip meaningful. By planning ahead, staying true to yourself, and keeping things flexible, you can enjoy every moment without feeling pressured to join in. Whether you’re sipping a mocktail, heading out for an early morning hike, or simply being present in the laughter and chaos of travel, remember: your sobriety isn’t a limitation — it’s your superpower. 🌍✨