Looking Back Over Our Travels Around Asia this Past Year
I’ve been able to cross many things off my bucket list. The year 2016 has been a banner year for travel all around Asia. We found ourselves on a few boats and a limb out of our element. It was a zip line– but you get the point. We’ve seen ancient temples, explored native peoples, and eaten some of the best foods. I feel blessed to have slept in the jungle, in complete luxury, on the beach, and in the clouds. Here is just a sample of this year’s Asian travels in review.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Asian Travels in Review
Let’s begin my Asian travels with a bang. Our first trip of the year took us to a place I had never expected to see in my lifetime.
This post is sponsored and/or contains affiliate links, from which I earn a commission at no extra cost to the reader. I appreciate your support and know that all the views expressed are my own.
Bali
Bali is a beautiful island. And February is an awesome, but hot time to explore it. One of the largest islands in Indonesia, Bali is synonymous with exotic retreat. It’s on the radar for most tourists traveling to southeast Asia. However, there are still opportunities to get off the beaten track. Enjoy the natural beauty of the islands’ monumental temples, beaches, mountains. Explore the jungles, waterfalls and rice terraces. We drank kopi luwak aka cat poop coffee. We saw a bunch of playful monkeys. And received numerous blessings that involved having wet rice placed on our foreheads.
Bintang and Aussies
A few said don’t bother; Bali is overrun with tourists, especially from Australia. And yes, if you stay on the beaten path, you’ll run into a ton of Aussies in muscle shirts running around with open containers of Bintang. We found a driver on viator.com initially, but he drove us around his Bali for two more days, which was amazing. Bali ended up being the perfect start to this year’s Asian travels.
Check out Top 10 Things to do in Bali, 20 Things You Will Learn in Bali and Bali Beaches are Beautiful but Blazing for things to see and do and where to stay.
Kuala Lumpur
Our second trip was a long layover we spent on our way to and from Bali. We spent 40 hours in the capital city of Malaysia. The first day we spent 21 hours, long enough to see the twin towers, eat some delicious street food and climbed all the stairs with monkeys trying to steal our belongings at the Batu Caves with plenty of time left over to visit a mosque, by an Indian Sari and see the Petronas Twin Towers.
More Than the Twin Towers
I learned that long layovers can be your friend. We were able to visit a destination we hadn’t planned on seeing at all. We also learned that the public transportation system in Kuala Lumpur is very easy to navigate to and from the airport, making KL a great destination for long layovers. I heard the food was good and we ate street food like banana leaf rice, nasi lemak, and roti canal as well as yummy veggie Indian food in Little India.
Read more about what to do in Kuala Lumpur at A Long Layover at the Batu Caves Malaysia.
Our next trip was back our favorite Asian country, Thailand. We spent our 20th Anniversary in Phuket the year before and even though we had planned to visit once, we loved the food, weather and people so much we decided to go back.
Bangkok
Bangkok ended up surprising me. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did because I don’t gravitate towards the big cities. I prefer the small towns and villages where modernity hasn’t caught up with the streets, the markets, the architecture and the way of life as much. We learned that Steven gets templed out quickly, so he went to a craft brewery and electronics shopping to keep the peace.
Lady Boys
What I would suggest is to really do your research before deciding on a bar. We jumped into a cab and found out our intended destination was, well, ladyboy heaven. The taxi driver suggested my hubby take me back to the hotel and go alone. Lol, he teased him all the way to our alternate destination at one of the sky bars.
Thankfully, there is a little of “all the above” in the city. I loved exploring the Grand Palace and The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the markets by tuk-tuk. But I also loved shopping in the malls, eating at the world famous Gaggan Restaurant and drowning in the luxurious pillows at the Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri Bangkok.
Ayutthaya
I was skeptical about the floating markets, so I skipped them. But there was no way I was going to go to Bangkok without a side trip to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and a prosperous international trading port, from 1350 until the Burmese burned it to the ground.
The ruins now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues, including the Buddha in the tree that I had wanted to see since childhood. We took a river cruise and enjoyed a delicious lunch onboard the boat.
Do I recommend the day trip to Ayutthaya? Yes, definitely, but I think a guide makes the experience better than just a few well-documented photo ops.
Guangzhou
Since long layovers worked so well in Malaysia, we decided to do it again. This time we spent an overnight in Guangzhou, just north of Hong Kong and the capital of Cantonese cuisine. I hired a tour guide on viator.com for a walking tour through the city that included a riverboat ride, street food tasting, and cultural and architectural tour.
We also enjoyed a sit-down dinner at a popular dumplings restaurant after exploring the herb, fish and silk markets. We were lucky to get a promo rate at the luxurious Pullman Hotel adjacent to the airport and utilize the public transportation system which was surprisingly easy to use.
Loving Long Layovers
Is Guangzhou worth a day trip, yes? Life in that city is in your face and you’ll get an amazing chance to learn about the popular food, the culture, and the architecture which is highly regarded.
Read more about China and its people in China and the Chinese will Surprise You.
I am still pinching myself when I think of our next adventures because bucket list just doesn’t do them the justice they deserve.
Hanoi
Hanoi is a fascinating capital city with French and Chinese influences and amazing food. The heart of the city is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are named after the market guilds that once inhabited the area and mopeds whiz to and fro in a rhythmic dance that make no sense to visitors. There are many small temples, the Hỏa Lò Prison where American soldiers were held during the Vietnam War, the Đồng Xuân Market, and the French Quarter where French architecture, cuisine, and history abounds. The level of service, the freshness of the food and gritty beauty are hallmarks of the city.
Visa Increase
Our trip started off on a horrible note. I hadn’t re-checked the visa requirements, which had changed two weeks prior. The price of the visa went from $45 to $135 each and the customs dude in the airport was a huge jerk… “you pay or go home”. We had heard that there was a lot of pay for play in that country and couldn’t confirm the price increase until we met another American couple, who by the way, wasn’t treated much better. Thankfully once we left the airport, the exceptional humor and kindness of the people were our constant companion.
The new visa is for one year and multiple entries, and I wouldn’t mind returning to visit another city or its southern beaches.
Read more about the city of Hanoi in Hanoi & Halong Bay Vietnam.
Halong Bay
The itineraries are based upon the length of stay. This was our itinerary for a three day/two-night stay. It included a very special day we didn’t have to share with anyone but the cruise staff. No matter what junk boat line you decide to go with, choose the 3 days/2-night option. All the other options are nice but rushed. The beauty of being on the bay is having time to sit back and enjoy it by doing absolutely nothing at all.
Junk Boat Travel
Halong Bay is a body of water in northeast Vietnam known for its emerald green waters and thousands of limestone islands topped by rainforests. Junk boat tours, like the Signature Cruise Ha Long Bay, offer 1, 2 and 3-day tours that include everything from sea kayak expeditions and swimming to fine dining shopping for pearls on water.
I was overwhelmed by how beautiful the cabin was in person. The level of service and quality of the food served on the junk boat was amazing. The engine that runs the boat is quite loud. But the serenity of the scenery speaks even louder. I especially enjoyed the day we had a whole boat to ourselves. We had learned to kayak together for the first time.
Read more about Halong Bay and our trip and itinerary on Signature Cruises here.
Siem Reap
After 6 days in Hanoi we flew to Cambodia to experience the man-made beauty of Angkor Wat. And I suspect I don’t have to tell you that Siem Reap was AWESOME!!! I stumbled around thinking I was the luckiest girl in the world. Siem Reap is a dusty resort town in northwestern Cambodia. It is also known for good food, its markets, and Pub Street. But it is primarily known as the gateway into the ruins of Angkor Wat. It was formerly known as the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries.
Angkor Wat Temples
Angkor Wat’s vast complex includes the very well preserved main temple of Angkor Wat. It’s on the Cambodian flag and still a functioning temple to this day. Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom with its large carved Buddhas. The intricate carvings at Banteay Srei. And Ta Prohm from Angelina Jolie fame. Pre Rap is where I had a front-row seat to a captivating sunset over the jungle.
It’s hard to say. But I think Siem Reap was my favorite destination in 2016. The temples, the people, the culture, the food, the weather were amazing. I hope to return to Cambodia one day soon.
Read My Top 10 Siem Reap Cambodia: Temples and Everything Else.
Chiang Mai
Our Anniversary is in December so where else should that find us but back in Thailand. And our last trip of 2016 was back to Thailand. Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand near the Laos and Myanmar borders. It is a mountainous area known for fresh food, the hilltop villages including the Long Neck Tribe There are animal sanctuaries. And the temples and trekking are picture perfect. Additionally, it is a haven for expats and digital nomads due to the inexpensive accommodations and cost of living. We took a day trip to the city of Chiang Rai to visit the infamous White Temple.
Expat Friendly
I think of all the cities in Thailand, Chiang Mai would probably be the best suited for me long term. Unfortunately, I received some bad news prior to the trip that made it almost impossible to enjoy. I can confirm that the food was the best I had tasted anywhere in Thailand. I can’t wait to return just for the khao soi, a yellow noodle in curry and coconut milk with chicken pictured above.
Like it? Pin it!
Comments
It looks like you had amazing travels in 2016. I could do with an Asian tour right now!
Both me & my husband loves traveling a lot and it sounds like you had a wonderful year as well with some fun travel experience. Malaysia is one of my favorite destinations in Asian countries and Thailand looks gorgeous too to visit anytime!
I didn’t get to spend as much time in Malaysia as I would have liked, but we are planning some time on the coast soon.
It looks like you had a lovely year! I can’t wait to go to Bali! Also Halong Bay looks amazing! Good Luck in 2017
It was an amazing year.
These are such incredible photos. I hope to travel the world some day!
Thank you, I love taking photos of beautiful places.
2016 was a great year for you! So much travel. Wife and I have done a YouTube video recapping our travels as well in 2016. Looking forward to 2017
You have certainly done alot of traveling in 2016! I have heard so many good things about bali and i would definatly love to go there as it really sounds and looks beautiful although i dont like being to hot so i definatly wont be going in feb!
Bali is amazing. It was my top Asia destination and I feel like I should pinch myself for having seen it.
That is such a cool idea. I never thought of creating a longer layover to get to know a new place.
I love long layovers. It gives you a chance to see paces you hadn’t planned on visiting.
These all look like amazing places to travel to. I honestly haven’t heard of most of them. I love the view in Halong Bay. It would definitely be romantic watching the sunset with a nice glass of wine and picnic style dinner
The world is so beautiful, I cannot imagine not seeing it. You are so right, I enjoyed several glasses of wine cruising along the bay. You may also like reading about Halong Bay https://www.duffelbagspouse.com/2016/12/signature-cruises-halong-bay/#gs.MfOyf8M
Oh cool 🙂 Bali is also on my travel bucket list! Probably for next year. This year is Safari, Maldives and maybe Caribbean 🙂
Those are also great destinations. I hope to get the Maldives myself this year.
We were just talking about places we want to visit last night. At the top of my list is Bali and Machu Picchu.
I hope you get there, its a beautiful place.
Wow, you’ve been so many places in the last year! The only traveling I did was to the UK so my kid could see his family!
I think of all your adventures, Bali would have been my favorite. It’s been on my list for years!
I loved Bali, but i highly recommend Cambodia, trust me and look into it. lol
Oh my goodness! What an amazing experience wrapped up into one year! I absolutely LOVE your idea of purposely creating long layovers to allow yourself time in a completely new city!
I have bookmarked viator.com for future reference as it might come in handy on a future trip of ours!
Thank you so much. I hope do do a few more long layovers this year to Singapore and Hong Kong. We had a few great experience this past year. Viator.com is so useful. Even if you don’t book with them, its a great resource to use to create your own trips.
Now this is how you go through a year!! Awesome!! And I love the beautiful pics. Bali is so high on my bucket list, I can’t even tell you!!
Hope you get to travel more!
Bali is a dream destination for sure.
You went to so many amazing places. Half of these are definitely on my travel bucket list!
I pinch myself from time to time. I am a travel addict.
What a wonderful year for you! In the Pacific area I have been to Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saipan, Guam and Thailand. My bucket list? Vietnam and China. Would love to visit Halong Bay! Have been to Australia but, not New Zealand. I admit my inner geek wants to go to New Zealand to see the Shire LOL
I will probably have to choose between Australia and NZ this time and the prospect of seeing the Shire and Mt Doom made that choice a simple one for me.
Now this is a dream destination. I look forward to visiting any one of these places.
It looks and sounds like you had a great year. I’d love to travel to Malaysia and Cambodia at some stage. Hope you have a great travel year this year too!
Thank you. My plans are ambitious. I hope to get to Australia and New Zealand. I hope you have some great travel plans in 2017 as well.
Asia is somewhere that is on my bucket list. What your post has done for me is to give me some specific ideas regarding possible destinations! Thank you.
Wow! What an amazing year you’ve had! I’ve never been to anywhere in Asia. Coming from US it seems such a long journey, but looking through your post, it seems so worth it! A lot of these places I’ve never heard of, now I’d love to visit! Siem Reap in particular looks amazing!
Sounds like it was an utterly amazing year for you, with lots of travel and lots of adventure. I love the photos you shared, and especially the bits about your time at Angkor Wat. Cambodia has been on my bucket list since I was a child!
What an amazing year you had! I personally have always wanted to check out Bali. I enjoyed looking at all these photos, because odds are, I’ll be staying in the States this year.
Bali was also my dream destination. The awful thing about travel is that once a dream destination is achieved its replaced with another one.
Wow! Bali looks right up my alley! Beautiful! I would love to go there! Halong Bay looks stunning to!
Bali was beautiful and the Halong Bay cruise was exciting from the moment we arrived. I highly suggest either, but you should definitely do both.
Wow! I’d love to go to Bali!