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Bangkok, Thailand
General
ATMS - pink n light blue
Things to see
- Grand Palace
- Emsphere mall
- Autthaya ancient kingdom day trip (1.5 hour on train)
- Damneon Sauduak floating market - book?
- Khao San Road
- Big Buddha 6am-6pm
- Icon Siam shopping centre and view
- Lumphini park
- Bang sue junction park thrift mall
- Chatuchak park sunset
- Maeklong railway market
- Tichucha rooftop bar
- Wat Pho
- Wat Phra - most sacred close to Royal Palace. Find bar by river and watch sunset over Wat Aun the golden temple
- Royal Palace
- Wat Arun
- Frans cafe
- Silom / Sala daeng for street food
- emsphere mall
Things to do
- Thai massage
- Walk around Hoan Kiem lake
- Get around using sky train
- go to the city park, jungle vibes, rice field vibes and views. After the rain coffee and gallery for food in cool place
- after the rain cafe and gallery SO SICK MUST DO
- Patthavikorn market things cheap as 10p
Places to eat
- see google maps bro
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
General
Arrival via sleeper - 6/7am loool
Things to see
- Ethical elephant sanctuary ( BEES OT NEVER FORGET OR ELEPHANT JUNGLE SANC) / maerin
- Night markets
- King Kong zip line
- Dantewada land of angels waterfall
- Sri Lanna national park and sticky waterfall
- Warowot market thrift
- Kalare Stadium boxing watch
- Sunday night market
Things to do
- Chiang Mai trek -
- Thai massage
- Cooking class with Zeb La Lee looks sick
- Rent moped go explore province and waterfalls (fines here for int driving license)
- Asias longest zip line
- Grand Canyon water park
- go to Mae Kompong village SO LOVELY
Stay
- Stamps
- Hidden garden hostel
-Stamps (do day trips to elephants)
Next destination pai
- check my bus says £4 loads of minivans running 3 hrs. Apparently Aya is really bad - go with terminal green.
Ask other travellers who are also going to Pai to hop in together ?
Travel sickness patches / tablets recommended
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Pai District, Thailand
General
Known for mountainous, rice fields
Learn to scooter : place by yellow sun bar is supposed to be good
Rent from Vespai - usually sold out by 10am
Things to see
- Mae Hon Son Loop - lakeside town with mountain scenery day trip
- Bamboo ridge over rice terraces
- White Buddha
- Hot springs
- Fire show
- Pai Canyon sunset 13 min drive
- Caving if possible Soppong region
- Muay Thai class at charnchai gym
- Lod Cave
- Two huts for sunset
- Doi Kio Lom viewpoint
Things to do
- Mopeds
- Jungle trek
- Tipsy tubing on tue or Fri
- Zipline
Stay
- Nolo Hub
- Deejai (free yoga)
- Circus hostel (2 sisters restaurant is doen the road)
Moving on:
Bus to go into chiang rai
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Chiang Rai, Thailand
Things to see
- White temple Wat Rong Khun
- Wat Rong Suea ten
- 101 tea plantation
- Baan Dam
- Golden Temple
- Blue temple
- Beeruka thrift store
- Wat Huay Pla Lung white Buddha
- Golden triangle
- Lalitta cafe
Things to do
Places to stay
- mercy hostel - they have pool, GYM, washing area looks good
- or nicer ? Bed friends poshtel = private room
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Mekong River Delta, Vietnam
SLOW BOAT takes 2 days
7-8 hrs a day cruising
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Luang Prabang, Laos
General
- Arriving via the slow boat - which takes 2 days
- Temples - 30, Royal Temple, Wat pa Phai, wat mahathat
- Retreat?
- BYOB bowling
- Bamboo bridge
- Big bridge
- Sunset point
- Kuang Si Waterfall a must
- Pak Ou caves (4000 Buddhist statues, need boat to get to, tour which includes kuang si falls)
- Mount phousi (meet local kids practice their English), at the top is Wat Chom si a golden Buddhist temple
- Morning Alms (Sai bat)
- Glass mosaics at Wat xienthong
- Tamarind cooking school
- Stroll old town
- Nam Ha hike
- Night markets on Sisavongvang Road in front of royal place
- Jewellry making
Hostels
- Sunrise
- Downtown backpackers
- NamKhan ecolodge
- Tee guesthouse
Split minibus with people 4hrs to Viang Vieng
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Vang Vieng, Laos
- Tham Nam water cave less than £1 you get a tube and headlamp to explore
- Rent moped or buggy explore lagoons and caves- dusty
- Pha poung Kham cliff and pha poak
- Nam xay viewpoint / Jang Cave
- Hot water balloon these are easy to find there
- Blue lagoons 1 is close to town with zip line course; 2 is secret; 3 further away with zip lines bamboo raft- blue lagoon 3 looks very nice
- Paramotoring in mountains wow
Hostels
- Vang vieng rock with free breakfast
- Keosimoon guesthouse
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Vientiane, Laos
Don’t recommend getting train here (station 15km outside city)
Loca is Uber equivalent only in certain cities
To do
- COPE visitor centre
- Bolavne plateau dramatic waterfalls
food
- Olieng coffee shop
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Hanoi, Vietnam
Quick pit stop in Hanoi before Sa Pa and Ha Giang.
Things to do
- Hanoi Hilton prison £1 entry
- Mural street
- Ho Chi Minh mas free entry
- b25 victory museum free entry
- train street
- Temple of literature
- Beer street - Banh Mi, puppet shows, mall, museums
- Ngoc Sam temple
- Dong Tac Walking Market
Places to eat
- any banh mi restaurant
- the note coffee
Places to stay
- the one hostel
Buffalo hostel
Next destination Sa Pa- get there either through tour company or make our own way with night bus
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Sa Pa, Vietnam
To do
- Mount Fanispan 11.2km get cable car- can do with a tour who pick you up on sleeper bus from Hanoi. GETYOURGUIDE about £86. Meals and accommodation included. Looks good
- Cat cat village so gorgeous
- Sapa lake and park
- Locals
- Notre Dame cathedral
- Hamrong Mountain
- Night market
- Sunworld cable car fansipan WOW
Places to stay
- VTK Homestay looks beautiful
- firona fly hostel
Go to Ha giang either through the tour company or make our own way via night bus
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Hà Giang, Vietnam
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Hanoi, Vietnam
Another pit stop in Hanoi after Ha Giang to recharge. Maybe get a nice hotel. then onto Ha Long bay and Cat ba. (tour package ?)
Things to do
- train street
- free bus to mega grand world
- hang da msrket
- personalised stamps Phuc Loi stamps
Where to eat
- hanoi sandwich house (potato)
- banh mi 25
- huong viet
- note coffee cafe
Places to stay
- bi eco suites - a bit more booj
- the One - 6€ a night, free breakfast rooftop, spa and nail salon
Next destination- Ha Long Bay. Bus or train seems easy to get to.
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Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
Could do a tour - Tobi did and said it included loads of actives to explore the island
Buffalo hostel do a tour from Cat Ba island
- Snorkelling
- Kayaking
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Places to stay
- BBQ 2 hostel (booj)
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Cát Bà Island, Vietnam
- Buffalo hostel - they organise a tour going to Ha Long bay where you can kayak etc
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Ninh Bình, Vietnam
- Trang Nang boat road looks amazing - Route 3, takes through a long cave. Trang Ang where King Kong was filmed.
- thung nham resort
- walk up huang mua peak
- get a boat through the rice fields and caves in Tam Coc
Places to stay
- Banana tree hostel but does book out fast !!!
/ trang an river view homestay
- Thung Nham resort £3pp entry
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Phong Nha, Vietnam
Things to do
Biggest Cave on planet: Hang Son Doong
The Duck Stop
Places to stay
Central Backpackers Hostel
- pool, view
- €5
- free beer for 1 hr at happy hour; free breakfast buffet
- social
Bus to Hue is about 4 hour
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Hue, Vietnam
Pronounced: “hwhere”
Things to do
- the imperial city (3 hr)
- abandoned water park
- tomb of emperor khai dinh
- dong ba market
Places to stay
- A-Maze House
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Da Nang, Vietnam
Ensure to go to Ba Na Hills to see the giant golden hands bridge and Sun World theme park on day trip
Things to do
- Ba Na hills
- dragon bridge (weekends at 9pm = fire show)
- poseidon boat tour around city in evening
- caves - marble mountains
Places to eat
- cua ngo cafe
Places to stay
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Hội An, Vietnam
To do
- An Nang beach day
- Bay Mau forest spinning boats
- Get clothes tailored Kimmy tailor Mandira rec
- Cookign class Green bamboo Mandira rec
- Paint a lantern
- make a face stamp LOL
Where to stay
- Jade Home Hoi An villa book on Airbnb so gorgeous
- fuse old town
- Sunflower hostel
- Snap stay
Food
- Cau lau veggie dish
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Nha Trang, Vietnam
To do
- monkey island
- oceanic museum (aquarium)
- long son pagoda
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Dalat, Vietnam
Things to do :
- alpine roller coaster
- mongoland
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Phan Thiet, Vietnam
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Mũi Né, Vietnam
Stay - iHome
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Things to do
- Mekong delta tour
- king koi cafe - feed the fishies
- cafe apartments (madam quyen, )
- cu chi tunnels
- war remnant museum
- food tour on back of a bike
- bui vien walking street
Onward travel: Phnom Penh in Cambodia
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Things to do
- genocide museum
- S21 prison and killing fields
- silver pagoda temple
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Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Things to do
-APOPO centre (learning about the mines)
- floating village lil trip
-Angkor wat temple sunrise tour £15 (small circuit temple tour ?)
- made in Cambodia market
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Places to stay
- onederz hostel
- the twitz lifestyle hotel
-lub d
3 hr bus to Battambang
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Krong Battambang, Cambodia
Things to see
- should climb wat phnom Sav pov (lots of STEPS)
bamboo train
-killing cave and bat cave
Where to stay (1 night possible then take overnight bus to Koh Rong / Sihakounville)
- The Place - do the hostel tour- go around countryside shops do wine tasting and food tasing and bamboo train and killing caves + fields
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Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia
General - absolute must no ATMs so have cash
Things to do
- snorkel, diving
- beach party
- jet ski ?
- see bioluminescent plankton
- boat trip ?
- slow down
Places to eat/ drink
- Nest beach club
- beach side cafe
Places to stay
- green ocean
- coconut beach bungalows
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Phuket, Thailand
Things to do
- old town
- Thai massage
- big Buddha hike
- cape phrom threp for sunset
- patong beach at night
- way chalong temple
- nai Han beach
- kamala beach
Where to eat
- three monkeys restaurant
Places to stay
- lub d phuket patong (near patong beach)
Night bus -land ferry through hostel from Phuket to phi phi
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Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Boat from Phi phi to Krabi I is hellish
Day trip on get your guide with v.marine tours looks good
What to do
- maya bay (island tour doing maya bay and monkey beach)
- view point
- reggae bar
- viewpoint 2 for 30 min sunset hike
Where to stay
- the cove (PREBOOK)
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Ko Lanta, Thailand
Quieter
Things to do
- snorkel
- waterfalls
-day trip to paradise island in andaman sea
- old town
- national park
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Places to stay
- hub of joys (free brek, big beds w curtains,)
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Ko Lipe, Thailand
Tiny island
Come from Koh Lanta
Book accommodation early because it’s so small it sells out fast
Onwards: ferry to Krabi / Railay
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Krabi, Thailand
Stay in Ao Nang 2-3 nights
Things to do
- phra nang beach - they have komodos!!
- boat to railay beach (can do phi phi tour alongside and go to koh lanta)
- tiger cave temple and thermal pools
- muay Thai
Places to stay
- Blanco hideout railay
- Namods
Onwards: bus to KHAO SOK NATTY PARK
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Railay Beach, Thailand
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Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Get bus from Krabi
Stay on Smiley bungalows - looking at the website 3 days 2 nights our staying (first night in village second on the lake) is £138 for 2 people
Onward: bus to Surat Thani where there are ferries to the other islands
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Surat Thani, Thailand
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Koh Phangan, Thailand
Everyone goes here for the full moon
Less western
Things to do
- full moon party here (nov 15, dec 15, dec 31)
- beaches: mae haad beach
- haad rin
- skoot around the island
- bottle beach viewpoint hike
- after parties
- yoga and medication
Notes
- party staters when moon comes out at 7pm most people go at 10pm and it does on all night
Where to stay
- tiki beach - has a pool, good location on the beach
- thong sala on tiki beach many people base themselves here
Onward travel: 1 hour ferry to Koh Tao
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Koh Tao, Thailand
Get our PADI diving qualification here
3-4 nights possibly longer
Things to do
- bar crawl ?
- John suwan viewpoint / grape viewpoint
- Secret viewpoint Coconut Viewpoint
- Scuba diving
Where to stay (3 nights)
- Wonderland gorgeous book in advance
- slumber party hostel
- savage hostel rooftop pool opposite sairee beach
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Langkawi, Malaysia
Can get a ferry from Koh Lipe
100 islands around the Andaman Island
Things to do
- pantai cenang
- climb top of Gunung raya mountain
- kilim geoforest park
- Boat, tours to islands and Kilim geoforest park 15-25$
- Parasailing
- Eagle watching
- scoot around
- Tanjung Rhu beack secluded in mangrove forest then 5k to pen gran waterfalls
- swim in seven wells waterfall
- oriental village with one of worlds largest 3d museum
- must do highest cable car in world
Place to stay
- Kampung guesthouse 4.50$ a night
- most backpackers stay Cenang beach and Kuah town
Eat
- Tony’s corner
Onward travel: 40 min flight to Penang / George Town
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Penang, Malaysia
Colonial architecture
Polluted
Things to do
- tropical spice garden
- batu ferringhi beach and night market
- kek lok si temple so gorg
- little India
To stay
- Chinatown
Onward travel - if have time 4hr bus to Cameron highlands £6
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Things to do
- petronas towers - drink at skybar
- chinatown- Indian temple, Sri Sri mah and Chinese temple, guan Di
- forest eco park to walk swinging canopy bridges
- petaling street
Where to stay
- Penthouse on 34 hostel has an unfitting pool and gym
- space hostel with capsule beds
- sunshine bedz
Onward travel - 4hr bus to Singapore £8
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Singapore, Singapore
What to do
- botanical gardens via downtown line on the metro (£2)
- nassim road - most expensive road in Singapore (£20 million average houses)
- marina bay sands to fancy shopping malls /// eithe me pay £30 to get to top for view, orrr go next door to celay bar, pay for credit for food and drinks (still taxed on this though).
- capita free sky gardens for views
- walk through gardens by the bay during daytime
- explore the airport for a few hours / before flying (butterfly garden, rooftop pool, the jewel waterfall)
- future world exhibition
- suntec city shopping mall
- theatres on the bay
- Kong men sang monastery
- Buddha relic tooth temple
- Merlion park mascot of Singapore
- esplanade- theatres in the bay
- walk southern ridges
Places to eat
- hawker centres
- drink on level 33
Places to stay (recommended to stay downtown)
- Your Capsule pod (air bnb)
- Wink capsule hostel
- met a space pod, Arab street
Flight to East Java
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Sandakan, Malaysia
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Where to stay
- Sepilok Jungle Resort (£30 for 3 night dorm)
- Sepilok Nature Resort
- maybe try stay in a treehouse ?
What to do
- walk to Sepilok and get there for 10am to see orangutan morning feeding at the rehabilitation centre.
- Sunbears conservation centre is next door
- rainforest discovery centre is next door - climb the canopy walk (82 ft high!) to look at birds in rainforest
- dinner
- book a grab rideshare to a lodge in Sukau (if in time, night time excursion along the kinabatagan river to look for saltwater crocs)
- lodges;
Day 2:
- go along Malaysia 2nd longest river (kinabatangan river), wildlife live along the banks (pygmy elephants, rhinos, probiscus monkeys are endemic to Borneo )
- back to sandakan ? And see black cave via boardwalks on cave system
- war memorial park ?
- coast and chill ?
Fly on to kota kinabalu to spend night there. 40 min trip, costs £30
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Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Malaysia
Hop along the 5 islands via speed boat, snorkel and diving. White sands, diving. Choose 3 for a day ? 30 min max ride. Usually last boat back 4:30 (one is £6, 2 island £8 3 island £11) plus ferry terminal fee
- Sulug: untouched reefs
- Sapi: stands, not well stocked; sea walking
- Mamutik: small (sandflies BAD)
- Manukan; beach on eastern tip, snorkelling, has hotels and facilities
- Gaya: largest, dense tropical forest; Police Beach is popular. Marked trails for walking
* Get a grab to Jesselton point ferry terminal in Kota Kinabalu city for cheap ferry rides
See street performers at Tanjung Aru Beach or the Waterfront - watch the most beautiful sunset, get a foot massage and cocktail,
Stroll Gaya Street and street food in Kota Kinsbalu (Sundays have a large market)
Diving
- one-day scuba refresher dive ?? Could be an idea
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Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Get a permit and climb mount kinabalu?? 2 days and a night to do this. Needs booking in advance tho — 135 allowed to climb daily
— or just hike around the park cos spenny
—> flora and fauna earnt kinabalu park UNESCO world heritage status
Tour to the poring hot springs ? Bat cave ? Butterfly farm ? Canopy walk?
Klias River tour - dinner, fireflies cruise
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Nusa Penida, Indonesia
- is a 30 min boat ride from Bali (boats depart from Sanur) - ie with Dwi Manunggal
- roads are awful
- only 2-3 ATMs
- Not much phone reception (download maps)
Things to do
- see the manta rays
Places to stay
- Nuansa Penida Hostel (£11) near pier, bars etc
- Tandjung cottage (£28), accessible road
- Kabeh jati garden villa (£22), 12 min walk from beach
Places to eat
- warung jungle
Things to see
- Atuh beach (remote)
- Kelingkling beach (remote) - may need scooter, not much to do
Avoid
- penida colada (food poisoning)
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East Java, Indonesia
General Information
- Islam is the main religion - cover shoulders and long skirt. Not used to women in tank tops and shorts.
- Meat heavy
Fly from Borneo to East Java Surabaya (budget airlines maybe Lion Air or AirAsia)
Things to do
- in Surabaya: Suroboyo carnival park and Stroll through Taman Bungkul park
- Mount Bromo - note active volcanoes require diligence and keep informed of its activity. Travel from Surabaya:: train + car 10 euro about 3-4 hr do leave in the early morning. Split the cost with other travellers to Cemoro Lawang. Accommodation; Cafe Lava; . Entrance fee 16 euro. Don’t ride the horses. Climb the volcano as soon as arrival in the afternoon: avoid group tourists - may be fog at the rim so need to ask best time depending on time of year
Mt bromo — via sempol or karangasem to mt ijen
- Mount Ijen - accommodation Kampsung Osing Inn, homestay - OR mango tree house. Entrance free 11 euro. Sulfur minors will offer help to make extra cash. Need transport leaving in middle of night; drop at least 4h before sunrise. Maybe 1am pickup. Bring snacks. 2-3 hours in the dark (blue flames in action). Pack a head torch and wet facemask.
Places to stay (not many only 8 hostels)
- Ikiru To Live
- Tab Capsule Hotel
- Hotel 88
- JW Marriot Hotel
Take the ferry to Bali
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Uluwatu, Indonesia
In Bali - Bolt
Things to do
- kekack fire dance £6
- uluwatu temple 2.40£
- suluban cave beach
- blue point beach - cliff jump
- sunset yoga at cliff house
- sunset dinner at elkabron beach club
Canggu for beech clubs - nearby evening / day trip ?
WHERE TO STAY
- Karma backpacker hostel
EATS
- tabu
- gooseberry
-nourish
- the cashew tree
- the loft
- Kelly warung at bungin beach
- Italian : la baracca
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Canggu, Indonesia
Things to do
- Jatiliwih rice terraces UNESCO hertiage site)
- cycling and hiking
Where to stay
- Farm Hostel
- Kos One Hostel
- Lay Day hostel
- Sepeda hostel with views of rice fields
- Tribal coworking bali hostel
PLACES TO EAT
- Copenhagen
- the lawn
-penny lane
- baked cafe
- La Briana or neighbouring beach bars to grab a coconut and chill
Nightlife
- Finns beach bar club
- Atlas
- Echo beach chill out in evening
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Ubud, Indonesia
More chill
Spiritual Hub
THINGS TO DO
- mount butur- must
- ATV TOUR - klooklanz, ATV Alasan
- MONKEY FOREST
- jewellery making (silverman ubud on insta-) and John Hardy showroom
- Tegelagang rice fields if not too packed
- ubud palace
- open air move nights
- purification bath at Pura Mengening
Munduk nearby also meant to be nice
PLACES TO STAY
- Puri garden hotel and hostel
PLACES TO EAT
- watercress
- lazy cats
- clear cafe
-Amsterdam
- blend cafe
- zest (100% vegan)
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Sidemen, Indonesia
Things to do
- Munduk - waterfalls, cooler climate, less people
Places to stay
- a bamboo house
- savananah
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Gili Islands, Indonesia
Have to pay harbour tax in cash
Go over near the port / where hotels are cos no roads inly scooters and horse and cart
To do
Sunset paddle boarding
Where to stay
- My mates place
- Gilli Matiki
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Lombok, Indonesia
Things to do
- Mount Rinjani active volcano so gorgeous
- Sendang Gile and Tlu Kelep waterfall
Day 1:
West Lombok
- sengigi beach
Pantai klui
Day 2:
South Lombok
- selling balanak beach
Semeti hills for sunset
Bukit merese
Kuta city
Central Lombok
- tetebatu
- al sasaki homestay
North
- tiu kelep waterfall
- sendang gile waterfall
Pondok guru bakti cottage home stay