My A-Z of South East Asia

A- Angkor Wat Temples.Visit these if you're in Siem Reap, Cambodia. You can get from a one day to a week pass and visit at sunrise or sunset too. If you are alright in the heat, you could spend all day wondering around each temple - including one that was featured in Tomb Raider! But be warned: it's sweaty. Take a flannel/fan and if like me you cycled there, take a spare set of clothes.

B- Bum guns. Asia hasn't gotten to grips yet with toilet roll down the toilet, so be prepared for the bum gun. People either love or hate them. I think they're actually alright. 

C- Custom-made clothes. If you're ever in Hoi An, Vietnam, be sure to get some custom made clothes. You can go in one day, pick out what you want, they measure you and it's ready to pick up the next day. So cheap too! 

D- Dorms. If you want to meet more people on your travels, stay in dorms. I've stayed in some wicked ones and some not so wicked ones. Though, if getting a full 8 hour sleep is your top priority check into a private room. The other day I woke up at 3am to a girl shagging in the bed opposite me. I then woke up at 6am to the sound of her vomming down the side of her bed. Nice. 

E- Egg and rice. Perfectly normal to eat this for breakfast. My old housemate Rach and I started to get cravings for it. Bit weird but so great.

F- Free/fake clothes. I love a free t-shirt, even if this means spending money on loads of drinks. Also fake clothes are great in Asia too. Ben Tanh Market in Saigon do good Converse, Cath Kidson and North Face things. 

G- 'Gap Yah'. Prepare for the same questions - 'how long have you been travelling?', 'where have you been?' etc. etc.

H- Hangovers. In this heat, they're horrific. Get a room with air con or a fan at least.

I- Immodium. No explanation needed.

J- Jokes. If you travel on your own it means that whenever you find something funny, you'll be laughing on your own. You could sometimes look a bit weird. 

K- Ko Phangan. The funnest place ever! Try and go for full moon. But if your trip can't coincide with that, there are half moon and black moon parties too. They stretch it out a bit.

L- Loneliness. Travelling alone can mean airports or bus stations can feel a bit lonely. It's completely normal and is good as it will build your confidence in starting up conversations with anyone.

M- Mud baths. Go get muddy in Nha Trang, Vietnam. It's so much fun.

N- Names. You'll never remember everyone's names you meet travelling, but try to just to avoid the  embarrassment. I called someone Sarah the other day. Her name was definitely Emily.

O- Organisation. There's no need to be overly obsessive with this, just always make sure before you move places you have the valuables (passport).

P- Pho (rice noodle soup). Vietnams most popular food. Breakfast, lunch or tea, it's always pho time.

Q- Quiet. If you want a bit of peace and quiet for a night or two, book yourself into a private room. Often they're the same price or even cheaper than dorms. I'm currently staying in one for $5 a night. Bargain. Though I'm pretty sure it's part hostel, part brothel.

R- Rehydration salts. Always good to have in your case. Being ill abroad is literally the worst thing ever and I swear by these.

S- Sleeper buses. The cheapest way to get from city to city or even country to country. It would appear that I can't get enough of buses! Watch out for those bed bugs though.

T- Tubing. When in Vang Vieng, Laos do it! My friend and I were so unlucky with the weather and it was cancelled. Canoeing was a pretty sweet substitute though.

U- Umbrellas. Always handy if you're travelling in monsoon season. The amount of times I've arrived to places looking like I'd take a fully clothed shower is ridiculous.

V- Very boring waits. Airports, bus stations, hostel receptions- be prepared for long long waits. Bring a book or make a friend. 

W- Waterfalls. Visit the waterfalls in Luang Prabang, Laos, they're beautiful!

X- Kissing. In a lot of places in South East Asia it's disrespectful to have PDA's, so maybe save your kissing for somewhere a bit more private. 

Y- Yes. Say yes to things that you wouldn't normally do! You only live once. Be adventurous. 

Z- zzz. Napping is my favourite hobby. The heat can make you so sleepy, so treat yourself, have a nap.