Budget Traveling in Southeast Asia
What I wish I knew, my non-negotiables and getting to know my budget travel style
Any time I start traveling I always have these grand ideas in mind of how my trip is going to go. Sometimes everything works out perfectly like my trip to Denmark, Sweden and Finland, and other times the adventures seem non stop.
It seems like the more budget you travel the more adventures you have. I find these situations are great life experiences, they build character, and they help you stay calm under immense stress.
I’ve done some major budget traveling throughout my life and have had some rotten experiences (like my trip to New Orleans, for example). Each time got me clearer on my travel style and each time I got to know more and more aspects of my traveling personality that I didn’t know before.
If you are traveling long-term on a budget, you will most likely develop some strong likes and dislikes that you simply will not have any other way. Now that I’ve been traveling for over a month, I’ve whittled down my list of non-negotiables for budget travel. In other words, no matter what money I have, these are the things I won’t compromise on:
Private Room and NO shared bathroom
I’m 37. I tried to do major budget living with hostels, and both times I couldn’t even stay the night. I ate the cost (cause most budget places don’t offer refunds) and moved to a better place that I wanted initially anyway.
Sharing a bathroom and a room with strangers is not my style. I need my quiet time and I need my privacy. I don’t care how rustic the bathroom is (and I’ve stayed in some rustic places), as long as it’s only mine, I’m good.
2. Air conditioning
Not only can I not be comfortable in rooms without AC, but having AC means windows, and windows that will close and keep AC in also means windows that will close and help keep noise out. Doors, walls, and windows are very thin in Asia, you can hear everything! So getting a room with AC means better sleep, both temperature and noise wise.
3. Hot water kettle for tea and coffee
This seems ridiculous, but for me having coffee or tea in the morning is part of my morning ritual. There’s nothing better than waking up early, having a green juice, doing meditation and journaling with a delicious cup of coffee. If your room doesn’t provide it, at least make sure the common area does. The bungalow I stay at provides hot water and coffee and tea packets all day, and I love going down there to grab a cup and chit chat with my neighbors along the way.
Travel Hack: Kettles also work as water purifiers. Many times I’ve run out of fresh drinking water in Asia, and I just use the kettle to boil water, put it in a fridge, and voila! I’ve got my own homemade purified water.
4. Towels
Wrapped in my Brazilian canga on the island of Khai Nui. This sarong is used as my beach towel, an extra sheet and an emergency towel if nothing is onhand
I’m not traveling with a towel. I have my canga (sarong) I got in Brazil in 2013 and I use it as a beach towel, an extra sheet, and shower towel. They dry fast and are light to travel with. The places I’m staying at usually provide towels, which makes it so much easier to travel. There are microfiber towels you can buy to travel with, but if you are a girl and own a light fabric sarong, just bring that and forget about the towel. You will not miss it. Best thing I did was take out the towel in my backpack as a last minute decision.
5. Wi-Fi
I work while traveling and a lot of my work is done at nights and early morning. This means I need good WiFi in my room. The bungalow I’m at has a weak signal in the room which was almost a deal breaker, but turns out I can use my computer easily on the porch, and the signal gets stronger if the door is open. I also can use my phone as a hot spot, though obviously I would rather not pay for that and just use reliable WiFi in the rooms. The good news is that Asia has WiFi everywhere, so a short walk down a cafe will provide you with great quality WiFi.
Conclusion:
As I continue to travel I’m sure my list of budget non-negotiables will morph over time. For now though, these are the essentials that I won’t compromise on, having experienced living with and without them.
Stay tuned for my next post where I talk about my travel essentials, what I wish I knew before Asia and some easy Asia travel hacks!