Lesser Known Tips for Traveling in Southeast Asia
The world is opening back up, and we are excited to make up for lost vacation time. Many of us are finally taking those once in a lifetime trips, so you may have been collecting general advice on how to prepare for your vacations. That is really important, but there comes a time when you will need to get more specific. You may want to dig a little deeper into the exact region you are traveling to.
If you’re thinking about visiting the beautiful countries in Southeast Asia such as Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, or Vietnam, there are some things you will want to keep in mind. Here we have some of the lesser known tips to help you prepare for your vacation in Southeast Asia.
Be Prepared To Stay In, If Needed
One thing almost no one will tell you is that there is no problem with staying in while on vacation. People seem to feel guilty about traveling around the world and then staying in their hotel rooms. But, if it is what your body needs, you should listen to it, so that you can truly make the most out of the rest of your day or the other days of your vacations.
People think they are missing out on true culture when they stay in. One way to fix this issue is to prepare some authentic things to do in your hotel room. If you land in the middle of a heat wave, it might be better to stream a Vietnamese movie, for example. There are many games and websites that are particular to, or more popular in, certain countries as well.
For example, check out these online poker sites, known in Thailand as โป๊กเกอร์ออนไลน์. This site is in Thai, and they recommend the best poker sites, explain how to play poker, and provide an introduction to playing poker online in Thailand. You will also get tips for playing this table game like a true expert! If you are looking for a Thai poker site, this is the guide for you!
How To Get Off The Beaten Path
With so many people traveling to Southeast Asia, you are probably looking to get off the beaten path and see something different. We are becoming increasingly aware of the effects of overtourism, and we want to do our part by participating in sustainable traveling.
Thailand is doing its part by promoting 55 secondary destinations. These include places like Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. All but four of these provinces receive fewer than 100,000 visitors per year. Thailand would like to promote what they have to offer to make tourism more equitable and sustainable for the country. Plus, it is a great resource for you to explore new places!
Always Have US Dollars
Many people think that the best way to travel is with their Visa or Mastercard. This does have its advantages. For example, it is much harder for someone to access your money, when compared to literally carrying the cash on you. However, this is not always enough to be able to access everything in Southeast Asia.
Ironically, some taxi drivers or stores will request that you pay in US Dollars. Each country has its own currency with very different values, and cards are rarely accepted. In other words, the US Dollar is perhaps the most widely accepted payment form in the region! Be sure to have some on you, just in case.
The Toilet Paper Question
If you have not yet heard about the toilet paper situation in Southeast Asia, it could be because your friends did not want to talk about such an unseemly topic. If you are traveling from Europe, you will be in for quite the surprise.
The first thing to know is that there will likely not be any toilet paper in public restrooms. If you would like to use it, bring it with you. The toilets are also squat toilets, without a seat. The toilets are also not equipped to handle toilet paper being flushed, so to keep them functioning, you should put the toilet paper in the trash can.
