Take the trains and buses around Sri Lanka, it's the cheapest and best way to get around. Especially the train from Kandy to ella, this is the most beautiful train ride! It's a long way - 7 hours, but the time flies. Be weary of food being sold on the trains, especially if you’ve just arrived and not used to the local cuisine yet. If you want a guaranteed seat you need to book online in advance, or you can wait and book a seat on the platform but this will be more expensive. The second and third class carriages which you can book night before / on the day can be very busy and you will most likely be standing for part of the journey but it’s good atmosphere and really fun chatting to the locals / fellow travellers.  We did this and had a great time! 

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In and around Ella there are loads of trekking opportunities but there are leeches lurking in the long grass. Wear long trousers and socks. Also, we were advised to put hand sanitizer and / or antiseptic spray on our shoes, socks and ankles. This worked well for us and we came back leech free! If you do find a leech has clung on to you, put salt on it to help remove it. 

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Upon arrival I'd recommend buying a local SIM card at the airport. We paid $9/ month for 30gb data and unlimited local calls and texts. Most places have wifi but it is often pretty bad and it's helpful having a local sim to call tuk tuk drivers / hostels. Also useful to have 3G for maps when you are out and about. 

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Book hostels and homestays directly with the host / company. You can find their phone numbers online, just give them a call or WhatsApp them. It is often cheaper than websites such as booking.com and Hostelworld. 

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 Potentially useful things when travelling here: scams, transport.

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Trains are a great way to get around India, south India especially. The system is a bit odd and confusing. The best options are apps called Ixigo, IRTC and make my trip to book trains however often there are no seats left and you get waitlisted - this is what happened to us most of the time. Alternatively you can book trains through travel agents on streets or the final way is to turn up to the station on the day or day before and buy a ticket. Although the app says it's full they never actually are ! 

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On the weekends the ATM's are not restocked with cash and they all run out very quickly as very few places take card, so take money out before the weekend otherwise you'll be stuck until Tuesday!  

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Walking past the hospital a well dressed man came rushing up to us asking if we spoke English, when we said yes he told us his daughter was having an asthma attack in school and had to use some expensive medicine as inhalers did not work, then showed us a piece of paper that looked like a percription and told us that his card was not working in the atm and would it be possible to borrow the money and give it back to us later, we exchanged numbers but later he never picked up or replied to any messages. He was dressed like a businessman in a suit and nice shoes so we thought he was genuine.

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 Just had 2 great weeks in Vietnam. Although a bit wet - late October so end of the rainy season I say alot going from Ho Chi Min (although all the locals still call it Saigon) to Hanoi. Here are some general points  

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The Backhome Hostel in Hoi An is superb. It's one of the very best hostels I have stayed in. It has lots of rooms, singles, doubles and loads of dormitories. The hostel is spacious with large bar and dining area. Room and bathrooms are clean, modern and airy.    

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 See here for useful advise on hostels, beaches and travel in South Myanmar from Bertie Lawson of Sampan Travel. www.sampantravel.com. Also advice on crossing from Thailand

If you are looking for mid-range to budget places, off the top of my head, in Kawthaung: Penguin Hostel, Honey Bear, Garden Hotel

For Myeik: Ein Daw Phyu, Grand Jade (both of these a bit spenny), and White Pearl.

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The only hostel I coudl find in Ngapali with a dormitory was the We stay @Chillax House. Its opposite the smart Sandoway resort. Bunk bed in dorm for $13, private rooms for around $30. Guesthourse May 18 also looked good and clean but no dorm and rooms for $30. Another option is the Family Resort 1 & 2 - on the northern beach (much nicer than main beach) north of Lin tha village. The Family Resort 2 is cheaper, on the road but has rooms for $22 & v close bike ride to Family Resort 1 which is on the beach & has more expensive rooms + restaurant. email; azfamilyguesthouse@gmail.com

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Myanmar is much less busy than Thailand, Vietnam etc. Its very safe - the areas in conflict such as Rakhine are out of bounds to foriegners. The people are delightful and due to the Rakhine conflict tourist numbers are down so the locals are delighted to see travellers.  Some general points

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The train from Kalaw to Shwe Nyaung (for Inle Lake) is a cheap, slow and wonderful way to travel. The train is old, never does more that 40 mph and provides a great way to see everyday Burmsee life. In Upper class,  which has huge comfortable swivel seats, the journey costs about $ 0.80 and will take about 3 to 3.5 hours.  

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Mount Batur- sunrise tour is fab. Most people go from UBUD on a commerical programme. However we went through a local person who lived at the bottom of the volcano. FAB.  On hostel world type in ' Kintimini' one hostel appears. My review will be on their somewhere. Lovely family hostel - take taxi from UBUD or somewhere afternoon before. Husband and wife, he will take you up the volcano the following morning at 3am. He does a back route so you wont see all the tourists. If you ask him to book your Gili T for the following day he organises your boat and gives you dicount. HIGHLY recommend.  

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 MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DOLLARS prior to bus departure !!! I believe its $30 but check 

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Many people took out bikes for the day- make sure you take pictures of the bike before you go as they often charge you huge amounts of money for something that existed before you took it.  

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Full Moon Party is so fun but worth knowing how to keep safe as it can be very full on. In order to make sure you are staying in the best hostel (this matters as its where you will ‘pre’ and often you go to the party with people you have met in the hostel) it's best to pick a date and book the hostel about 2/3months in advance as the best ones go quickly.

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No ATMs on the islands so bring enough cash. They are beautiful and well worth a visit

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Crossing the border from Cambodia into Vietnam with an Evisa, can cause problems if you haven’t filled in the form carefully. Worked well for us and is cheaper

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Buses, sherut and transfer to Jordan advice. The Moovit App for getting around Israel is very good.

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 We had a full week in Astana. Too long for backpacking. Only needed a couple of days. Spend more time in the south. People are friendlier!

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 We've found Kazakhstan to be a very safe place to travel. It's also really easy to get around. Last year the 30 day visa was lifted so you can visit Kazakhstan from the UK for 30 days without a visa. 

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Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake - 2 or 3 day option. Excellent way to see the wonderful counryside.  

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Border crossing from India to Burma. A bus from Varanasi to Kathmandu can be a good option. Be careful exchanging money at the border to check you get the  correct rate.

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 Must bring cash into the country

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 Keeping your boarding Card

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When flying out of Sri Lanka into India you need some proof that you will be leaving india

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 Do not apply for visa on arrival- thousands of scams, go through embassy well in advance. 

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Dewminis roti shop - best restaurant in all of Sri Lanka based in Mirrisa. Run by a local family and so cheap. Amazing rice and curry. Make sure to ask people where it is as its a bit off the beaten track! 

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This train ride lasts 7hrs but is one of the best experiences of the trip. (You can do a 3hr one from Nuwara Eliya to Ella) The views are sensational, plus the train is uber cheap. (Although buses are the cheapest)  

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Do not got in off season. It's amazing in the summer (June, July August etc.) but is a complete ghost town for the rest of the year. We visited in March and all you could hear was the noise of drilling and building works in preparation for high season. Definitely a fun and great surfers paradise in summer. If visiting in February go to Mirrisa on the south coast- it is amazing and so beautiful!!! Don't bother with Unawatuna as its very touristy and expensive! 

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Must go to the hill country including Sigiria, Ella and Kandy. Sigiria Rock is very good to climb however it is expensive but probably worth it. Do not touch any monkeys or snakes or take photos  as you will be charged s crazy amount of money! Sisira natural lodge was a good place to stay- cheap and reasonable. Eat in local restaurants run by families- they are the cheapest and the best. Pradeep restaurant in sigiria is amazing. Ella is beautiful but s little touristy. Fun bars and restaurants just be willing to spend a bit more! Kandy is a pretty city but no need to spend longer then two days! Visit helgas folly and don't bother with the temple of the tooth if you haven't got time. Way to touristy and full of Chinese!!

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 Dont bother staying in Colombo for longer then 24 hours. There is very little to see and it is very expensive! Get out of there Asap. If you have an early flight when departing from Colombo stay in Negombo as it is much closer to the airport and cheaper. 

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 The quickest and easiest way is to go by Monorail and then by Metro to Tokyo central station, cost approx £3.50

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Do not buy formula, a child will approach you with a baby saying she doesn't want money just wants milk.

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Go to bus terminal to buy bus ticket to Cambodia to avoid a visa scam  

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 I suggest you use metered taxis at airport to avoid paying 3 x as much

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Do not carry your passport around with you if you can avoid it! Also advice on how to get an Emergency Travel Document - if your passport is stolen

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The new metro is a very good way of getting into the city centre. Its safe, not crowded, efficient and clean. From the International airport it costs Rupees 120 ( £1.50/ $ 2.30) to New Delhi station - next to the New Delhi railway station. Posted by Charlie McGrath

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The Pearl Palace Hotel is highly recommended. Whilst not in the budget price bracket its good value, a room without bathroom is rupees 350, about $7 and twin with bathroom is 750 ($13). Really friendly, excellent roof top restaurant & safe.

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Rucksacks on buses in Thailand - recommend use of cable ties to deter thieves

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Taxis can easily scam you in Vietnam by setting the meter to run 10x the normal speed and offers from men on motorbikes for cheap transport may seem appealing, do not accept!

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These are just a few things to be aware of to make sure you are less of a target of theft

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 The perfect accomodation for travellers in Siem Reap

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Thailand/Cambodian border scam by Sam Yarnold - post by Charlie McGrath

When crossing the border between Thailand and Cambodia I came across a number of scams,travel agents trying to get money for a service that is not required! Do read the article.  

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This happened to a friend, Monica Vrbkova & her boyfriend Martin. They had prebooked hotel but when they gave hotel name to taxi driver he claimed it had just closed and suggested an alternative which was awful. The driver was clearly getting commission from hotel.  

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Shanghai Airport Taxi Scam. I got ripped off, lost £75 - please don't get caught, read my article 

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