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Just 30k outside of Quito is Mitad del Mundo – the centre of the earth (you can catch up bus from the north bus station situated in between the old and new quarter of the city) – Ecuador’s location on the equator line is the origin of its name. Mitad del Mundo is a monument erected on what was thought to be the site where 0 degrees longitude meets 0 degrees latitude. Unfortunately for the monument builders it turned out years later that the actual point where this occurs is in fact c. 200m away from the monument – but it’s definitely still a fun place to visit and to take the obligatory photos at the ‘centre of the earth’. There is quite an interesting museum inside the monument about all the indigenous communities with in Ecuador – there are many more than you might think!

The wonderful Papallacta hot springs are situated just 67k east of Quito, on the route taken in 1542 by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco del Orellana as he crossed the Andes mountain range in order to discover the Amazon River. At 3,300 metres above sea level the views from the heart of the Andes mountains are incredible – be prepared for a slightly andrenalin filled bus journey though and those with a fear of heights shouldn’t take the window seat! The hydrothermal value of the Papallacta springs is due to their location between two volcanoes Cayambe & Antisana – the springs termperature at source varies from 30 degrees to 70 degrees and at the pools from 36-40 desgrees. A highlight of any trip to Ecuador is sitting in a natural hot pool, carved out of the rock, surrounded by the mist that clings to the tops of the Andes – it will really take your breath away. The Ecuadorian medical association certifies that the waters have medicinal benefits and with a beautiful spa complex and a multitude of massages and treatments to choose from at bargain prices you are guaranteed to come out feeling like a new person. You will need to stay over night as the complex is a long way from any thing else – there are budget options at the foot of the road up to the spa (a c. 2 mile road up) the spa itself has 32 rooms with heating, open fires, private bathrooms and their own private hot spring pools. Find some backpacker friends in Quito and head up as a group to save on costs.

From Quito you can fly out to the Galapagos which assuming you have the cash should not be missed!! The Galapagos are a stunning archipelago over 1000km off the Ecuadorian coast. They live up and exceed all expectations – which being usually based on beautifully shot wildlife programmes are very high! The only downside is that a 1 week trip will prob set you back any thing from £1k – £1.5k – but if you can find the funds its worth every penny. The wildlife here is so abundant & so at home with the human beings that exist along side that by the end of your weeks stay you become almost blaze about sitting eating your dinner with a sea lion at your feet! Excitement over the experiences to come builds from the moment you step off the plane & walk across the runway to the ‘aiport’ (wooden shack covered in tarpaulin) stepping over sleeping iguanas, enjoying the heat of the tarmack, as you go. The wildlife is amazing and you will get closer than you ever imagined – from blue footed boobies to giant tortoises, pelicans, penguins, flamingos, iguanas, sharks, dolphins and whales – it will blow your mind! The different eco systems on each island are fascinating and if you can get yourself on a land tour which enables you to stay on some of the bigger islands rather than simply doing it with the masses on a ‘cruise’ type trip it is well worth it. Do not miss the many highlights on the island of Isabella such as walking across a lava field and through lava tunnels (make sure you check for any volcano warnings though – this one’s still very active!). Top tip – make sure you get the passport stamp – it has to be one of if not the best in the world …. we won’t ruin the surprise!

From the terminal terrestre in the old town of Quito you can get a bus to the little mountain town of Latacunga – here you can organise trips to the Cotopaxi volcano and Quilatoa lake (we booked with Tovar expeditions and were very well looked after – tovarexpeditions@hotmail.com). Cotopaxi volcano is stunning & picture perfect – ask a child to draw you a volcano and their efforts would look like Cotopaxi! It is possible to climb the volcano – for the less adventurous you can take the path (a vertical one at 4,800m altitude) to base camp and from there reach the start of the glaciers. Alternatively if you’re up for a challenge – you can opt to stay at base camp over night and scale the summit at 4am with crampons – a great challenge & experience! Lake Quilatoa is beautiful – a sunken crater lake filled with very inviting but utterly toxic turquoise waters & surrounded by grazing alpaccas. The journey from Latacunga to the lake is one of the best in south america, with beautiful scenery and offering rare insights into the indegenous communities passed along the way.

The next destination is Riobamba where you can board the spectacular train – the Diablo Nariz (devils nose) the views from this train journey are stunning but it’s departure times are erratic and the town itself offers very little so check this before arrival. One worth while expedition from Riobamba is the mountain bike trip up Chimborazzo – Ecuadors highest volcano at 6,300m to the summit. The walk to the top isn’t as steep as Cotopaxi so despite the higher altitude it is an easier walk up. The views as you mountain bike down Chimborazzo are stunning but be ready for a bumpy ride!

The little spa town of Banos is very well worth a visit – don’t expect much from the baths themselves but the town is full of character and for those who enjoy horse riding there are some beautiful rides in the surrounding area.

Cuenca is the 3rd biggest city in Ecuador after Quito & Guayaquil – it has a very european feel to it with spacious green plazas & beautiful churches. A further bus ride south is the riverside town of Loja – a convenient place to stop on your way to gorgeous Vilcabamba but offering little to see.

Close to the border with Peru is the backpacker haven of Villcabamba – a fantastic place to relax for a few days (or weeks!) before you take on Peru. There are some great places to stay such as the Rumi Wilko eco lodge on the banks of the river. Swimming in the river, walking the mountain paths, horse riding and bargain massages all make this place an Ecuador highlight.

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Do not miss the world wonder which is the salt flats of Uyuni. There are 2 choices of trip – either a 1 day trip out to the salt flats & back or a 3 day trip across the salt flats and on in to San Pedro De Atacama – Chile. If Chile is on your travel path then this is proably the best trip to take as you will see all the attractions of the salt flats along with the red & green lagoons & flamingos. The 1 day trip will however cover the salt flats element and from Uyuni you can get an overnight train down to the border with Argentina. These trains do not leave every day though so worth checking before you arrive to avoid a prolonged stay in Uyuni. Once in Uyuni every shop is a travel agent and trying to choose who to go with blows your mind – all offer pretty much the same thing the decider needs to be how good their English is and the state of their vehicles. All operators have books with reviews from previous travellers so have a read of these before you decide. We did it with Oasis tours (www.oasistours-bo.com)

La Paz is the unofficial capital of Bolivia and the biggest city at high altitude in the world. It´s a fascinating city, full of markets .. including the notorious witches market where Bolivians buy llama foetuses which hang in the doorways of all the shops – they´re believed to bring good luck if placed in the foundations of a building. For all those that have read ´Marching powder´ – yes the prison is still there but unfortunately when we were there nosy backpackers were no longer permitted access (although in Bolivia money talks so if you’re feeling brave it could be worth a try!).

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Lima is the capital and transport hub for the country so difficult to avoid. The capital doesn’t offer much to stick around for but if you’ve been backpacking on a shoestring for a bit and want some creature comforts – head to Mina Flores for some decent accomodation, bars & restaurants. Most of the hostels are on this modern island with in the city but you will find significantly cheaper prices in the old part of the city.

Peru is a great country from which to explore the Amazon. You can fly direct from Lima to Iquitous in the centre of the Amazon – this rainforest town is only accessible by air or water. You will be swamped with taxi drivers offering you their recommendations for accomodations and tour companies so be prepared to defend your personal space upon exiting the terminal. Shop around and negotiate when choosing the tour company to go with – local guides will offer you authentic experiences in isolated villages (often involving all night ferry journeys down the Amazon river accompanied by all kinds of animals, livestock, fish & produce) …. a fantastic experience but be prepared to rough it – no running water or electricity! Alternatively there are lots of luxury options available which may be don’t provide the authentic Amazon experience, & the treat of getting to know the locals, but are perhaps more suitable for the squeamish (expect to be getting up close & personal with all things that creep and slither)! Remember to bring tons and tons of very strong deet insect repellent with you – the mosquitos are every where, love the blood of a ‘gringo’ & are strong enough to bite through clothing … even jeans!

Highlights of the Amazon include fishing for Piranhas in little wooden canoes with your fishing rod / twig & string – these canoes are very flimsy so don’t rock the boat! For the very brave a swim in the Amazon is an amazing experience and if you’re with the locals expect some mud slinging matches – if you’re very lucky you will get up close to the famous pink dolphins, but unlike their salt water cousins this rare breed are pretty shy. Obviously the Amazon offers many an encounter with wildlife of all shapes & sizes – snakes, spiders, toucans, monkeys are some of the most common spots. On our trip we actually camped a night under the stars in the heart of the Amazon jungle with nothing for protection but banana leaves under our sleeping bags – with the fireflies for nightlights it was truly spectacular but definitely not an experience for the faint hearted!

The Inca trail is undoubtedly a highlight of any visit to South America and is certainly the jewel in the crown of any backpackers visit to Peru. While it is certainly hard work it is entirely possible for any one of average fitness and doesn’t demand any specific training – just take your time, pace yourself and if you’re worried about altitude sickness invest in some pills before you depart Cusco. The trail is very peaceful – walkers are limited to only 200 people a day so you can walk for quite long distances with out seeing any other tourists. It is an amazing feeling to tread the path of the Incas, witness some of the most incredible views on this earth and almost feel alone while doing so. The access limitations do mean that you need to book your place on the trail well in advance however. Tours differ in price from the very basic ‘carry your own backpack’ (only for the very fit) to the norm of basic food & accomodation with porters to carry all camping, food and personal luggage, all the way up to the very luxurious camping and food options. We took our tour with the midrange option – Gap Adventures, enjoyed every second and would highly recommend them. Day 2 is the hardest of the 4 – the ascent of ´dead womans pass` – but the views at the top are well worth it and you will feel a great sense of achievement once you reach them. The porters are an integral part of the Inca Trail experience, there are a total of c. 300 of them per day on top of the 200 walkers .. we had 12 porters for 6 of us in our group. Each porter carries about 25 kilos on their backs and they lug this up literally vertical slopes and then back down again … at a run and in flip flops!! It´s unbelievable to see … apparantly one of the porters actually managed to complete the whole Inca trail (with out any weight on his back though) in 3 hours 45 minutes … this is a trail which takes all the tourists 4 days! The porters run ahead of the walkers and then set up camp for lunch, then go ahead again to set up camp for dinner and tents for the night. When we walked it there were porters as old as 58 in our group and apparantly there were 70 year old porters still working the trail! Having a very knowledgable guide who speaks good english makes a big difference to the experience so do your research when picking a tour company. The last stretch of the trail is begun at 4am on the 4th morning to ensure you’ll arrive at the sun gate in time to see the sun rise and mist roll off the valley to reveal Machu Picchu.

East of Cusco on the border with Bolivia is Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world. Take a boat tour out on to the lake to visit the amazing floating reed islands of the Uros people. The community here have been making their homes from the reeds of the lakes and living upon them since pre incan times. Walking on the islands as they bob up and down is a very strange experience but the reeds are layered up very thick as the islanders simply add a layer every time they feel concern over sinking! It is also possible to stay in home stays on some of the bigger non reed islands of the lake – very basic accomodation with no running water or electricity but a real chance to witness the local way of life which has remained unaltered for generations.

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Puerto Princesa is like most capitols you will find in the Philippines with not much going on for visitors. It is a town to get yourself sorted with essentials before you move around the island. There are a number of ATM’s here and this is the only place on the island where you will find them so if you need cash get it here and make sure you have enough until you get back otherwise there are a very few places that will give you a cash advance usually with a commission of 10%.

From Puerto Princesa there are a couple of trips that you could do. One is to go to the open prison about 40min tricycle drive away where you can walk around the compound and talk with prisoners and if you’re lucky like I was the prison guards allowed me to the fence of the maximum security fence to chat with the inmates.  In the compound you will see the prisoners working on making all the lovely wood work that you will see for sale around town.  This is how this prison makes it money to pay for staff and feed the prisoners as they are nearly self sufficient as they receive little money from the government.

On the way to the prison there is a wildlife park where they look after rescued animals from the region. (Watch out for the monkeys they are very aggressive!) There are tours about every hour in English and is worth the trip if you want to kill an afternoon.

South of Puerta Princesa you have got Sabang which is around a 3 hour drive away. This is a very small town with electricity running only 3 hours in the early evening.  There is one thing to do here but it is worth it. Here you have the world’s longest underground river. This is actually a UNESCO world heritage site and you will see why. You can to get a boat round to the entrance of the river but these run frequently or there are two trails to the entrance of different distances. At the entrance you can usually see monitor lizards wondering around looking for any food that you may of brought with you with are amazing to see.

The river is obviously pitch black so you may well have the responsibility of holding the very powerful flashlight. I would advise to get to the river early in the morning as it can get busy and I think it would ruin the experience. When I went I was the first boat in and enjoyed all the river to myself until on the way back I must of passed at least 5 boats.

From Sabang you can either get a boat or a number of buses to El Nido – be warned of the roads. You get amazing views from both modes of transport but I recommend to get a boat one way and the bus the other. It is a great experience to travel on the bus. If you’re up for it travel on the roof of the bus to get the best views but watch out for low branches and electricity cables!

El Nido is the gateway to Bacuit Bay the main reason for most people coming to Palawan. The town itself is sandwiched between two massive limestone cliffs with a white sand beach in the middle. There are a few restaurants in the town and also a few right on the beach where the table are on the sand with oil torches for light.

From your base in El Nido you can organise your trip around the bay. The bay is a mixture of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and Thailand’s Krabi. So image if you were to mix these you would get. Yes you’re right, you get a paradise which only seems to be possible on postcards. You can get a white sand beach with turquoise sea and coral reef just for yourself here.  For the day trips everyone offers the same for pretty much the same price. You have tour A, B, C and D choose which one sounds best all do them all if you have the time and money. I would suggest that you do the trip that takes you to the big and little lagoon as they are just beautiful.

You can hire a kayak to try and explore the islands yourself but you do have to be quite fit as the islands may look close but trust me from past experience that they are not.

The diving to be done here is just some of the world’s best and there are a couple of dive shops on the beach. When I was there it was $50 for 2 dives.

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Vaccinations

Make sure you have seen a travel doctor at least 3-6months before your trip as with a lot of vaccinations you need them over three courses with a month’s gap in-between.

Remember to take your vaccination book with you travelling as it may be needed as there are different types of vaccines for different diseases so if the worst was to happen the doctors will know what you have had.

Backpack

You will need a good quality backpack for your trip. About 60 litres should be sufficient as you do not want your pack to be too large as you do have to have this with you constantly and if it is too big you will have problems when getting on buses and trains etc.

Along with your backpack you will also need to take a day pack. This is a very useful piece of equipment. If you have any valuables you can keep them in your daypack whilst on bus/train journeys and know that they are safer with you than hidden away with your backpack.

They are also very handy when out for the day to put any purchases in and for general items you always like to have to hand.

Clothing

T-Shirts – 2/3 will be enough. You will get bored of wearing these very quickly if you’re on a long trip but these will wear out but you can always find cheap replacements wherever you are in the world.

Shorts – Shorts are essential if you’re going to warmer climates. Again only around 2 pairs will be fine as you do not want to overload your backpack. Boy’s the best thing for you is just to have swimming shorts then you’re always ready to take a dip wherever you are.

Trousers – 1 or 2 pairs of lightweight trousers is recommended. They are good for the evenings to protect yourself from mosquitoes and if it does get a little chilly outside. Jeans are a good idea if you’re going to go to colder climates as they keep you warm and are hard wearing.

Swim wear – A couple of pairs of swimming shorts for the boys will be fine and a couple of bikinis for the girls – but remember where you are girls. Touristy areas of South East Asia are fine for bikinis but only on the beach; cover up when going into town.

Waterproof jacket – A lightweight waterproof jacket is always recommended. When you get caught in a monsoon you will soon realise why.

Sandals/Flip Flops/Thongs – I find that this is all I wear when I’m away as it’s usually so hot. Take a couple pairs incase of breakages or if they get stolen which they tend to do in SE Asia.

Trainers – Take a good pair of trainers, if you’ve got a day of walking round a city or temples a nice pair of comfy trainers will be of great help.

Hiking boots – If you are going to go hiking then taking your own pair maybe beneficial. A good pair which will last in the tropical forests and monsoons will be ideal.

Towels – I also think to take 2 towels. One for the Beach and one for showers. You can never rely on your hostel/guesthouse to supply a towel so it’s best to have your own. Try to get lightweight ones that should dry quickly. You don’t want a wet towel in your backpack with all your other clothes.

Essentials

First aid Kit – A good well stocked first aid kit is essential for any trip. You never know when you may need this. Also some needles and syringes would be good to have as you know that in case you need an injection that the needles will be clean.

Deet/Mosquito Spray – Keep them mozzies away with some repellent.

Mosquito net – You may not use it very often but trust me when you do need it you will be happy as Larry that you brought one.

Toiletries – Shampoo, deodorant etc, you can by these when you are travelling but it’s good to bring some with you to start.

Recommended

Passport sized photos – when crossing borders and obtaining visas you usually always need at least 2 passport photos. Take a good supply with you as it will save you searching around to try and find somewhere last minute.

Camera – Obviously a camera is great to take along so you can keep a memory of your trip forever. Also put them on your fave social website to show off and make your friends and family jealous.

Money belt – For security its best to wear a money belt to keep your money, bank cards and passport safe and away from sneaky hands.

Alarm Clock – You will need one of these to help you get up for your bus or train as well as if you need to go on a tour and meet at a certain time.

MP3 Player – Always good on long journeys. Good to get a lot of music on it before you go as you will get bored of your music quite quickly.

Playing Cards – Good at all times, for passing time of long journeys or rainy days. Also good for drinking games with your new found friends.

Torch – Depending where you go electricity might be a commodity that is in short supply. Also good for finding your way back to you hostel or to the toilet in the dead of night.

Reading books – Like with the MP3 player a book is a good way to pass time on long journeys and relaxing down the beach. Once you’re finished with it you can swap it with other backpackers you meet.

Do not miss the highlight of any trip to Argentina, particularly for keen horse riders ….. a trip to a working ranch.  Estancias Argentinas will be able to show you a range of prices and ranch types to choose from.  They are located on floor 9 of 616 Av. Diag. Pte Roque Saenz Pena, Buenos Aires.

In the North west of Argentina you can scale the Quilmes ruins for fantastic panoramic views and the knowledge that you’ve visited the ancient origins of the tasty national Argentinian beer – Quilmes.

In the north eastern portion of the province of San Juan is Ischigualasto – a UNESCO world heritage site (since 2000).  It is a place of extraordinary beauty as well as for the abundance of flora, forna and fossils of scientific interest.  For those who like archaeology this place is worth a visit – it is the only place in the world where you can find the complete geological sequence of sediments from the Triasic period in the Mesozoic Era.  Be warned to carry spare fuel if you’re going to try and drive your own car across the national park.

Buenos Aires is one of the worlds most incredible and enticing cities – the cultural heart of Argentina & packed with character at a price which won’t break the bank.  This is the 8th biggest city in the world and by far Argentinas richest – it is divided in to 47 neighbourhoods each with their own distinct flavour.  The mass of greenery, wide boulevards, plazas and architecture give the city a distinctly European feel and the smells of baking coming from the pattiseries takes you immediately to Italy.  The Subte (Underground) is the oldest in South America and connects all the major parts of the city very effectively.  40% of Argentinas population lives in greater BA – the majority are descended from Spanish & Italian immigrants.  The Spanish spoken here is rhythmically closer to Italian.

Make sure you take in the Plaza de Mayo, the gardens of Palermo & Evita museum, the San Telmo antiques market on a Sunday, a succulent steak and some tango at one of the cities fantastic restaurants.  Make sure you get to a Boca Juniors versus River Plate football match while in BA.  If time take the boat across the River Mar de la Plata to Uruguay – hire a car and experience the buzz of Montevideo and the stunning beaches along the coast from Punta de l’este.

Thailand

Thailand is usually the best place to start for the first time independent traveler. It’s very easy to get around and there are always lots of other backpackers about to chat and hang out with.

Thailand is a mixture of forests to the North for Trekking and some of the best beaches in the world in the south.

Bangkok is a buzzing city crisscrossed with canals & rivers. The sky line is one of high rises, shopping malls & international hotel chains but at the canal banks and side streets of the city the traditional side of Thai life is clearly visible. The business hub of the city is easily navigated using the skyrail & underground but the more touristy areas around the Koh San road are less well supplied & Tuk Tuks are the main mode of transport. Negotiate hard with your tuk tuk driver – a taxi will always be cheaper & has the advantage of air conditioning however be sure to agree that you’re charged according to the metre as opposed to agreeing a fixed price. Taxis will only take you at an agreed price after 3pm as from this point on your in to rush hour and they are highly likely to spend hours with you stuck in traffic!

Your main point of call will be the Koh San road as this is where all the hostels and guesthouses are located. This is one long street where there is a market every night and lots of bars and restaurants to choose from even a McDonald’s and Burger King for those who are want something more to home. For the best food though go to the street hawkers. You will get some of the best Pad Thai you will have ever eaten for around 20 Baht.

South Islands

Most people come to Thailand for the beaches and Diving. The main Islands in the south are:

Koh Tao

A backpacker Island where everyone comes to dive and mainly to learn how to dive. There are some great beaches here and also a good nightlife.

Koh Pan gan

This is the party island of Thailand and where the famous Full Moon party is held each month. This if you have not heard is one big crazy party on a beach which attracts at least 10,000 people each month. Get here a few days early during the peak months if you want to get accommodation though.

Koh Samui & Phuket

These islands are crammed full of package holiday tourists on their yearly holiday for 2 weeks in the sun. I would strongly suggest avoiding these two islands.

Koh Phi Phi

This island did get severely damaged by the Tsunami and having seen the before and after myself it truly is remarkable how quickly is has got back onto its feet. There is one main area/town where everybody stays but it’s still big enough not for everyone to be on top of each other. The Beach is like a postcard or you can get a boat to the lagoon where the Leo Dicapro film ‘The Beach’ was filmed and chill there for the day.

Vietnam

Vietnam was ravaged by war but is now a great place to visit. I suggest starting your trip off in Hanoi and working your way down the country.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capitol of Vietnam and is a great introduction into the Vietnamese way of life. The city is always bustling and careful when crossing those roads as those motorbikes don’t stop.

The city center is located around Hoan Kiem lake, just of the lake is the old quarter which is the main area for budget hostels and guesthouses. Hanoi is a great place to just go out and wander. Each street has its own trade and each shop will only sell products to do with that trade so you end up having streets only selling shoes or kitchenware. It’s weird to see but that’s the way they do it.

If you get tired and hot whilst walking around you can always stop off for some Bia Hoi. You will see all around the city lots of people sitting on little plastic chairs on the street, this is where they sell the Bia Hoi. This is officially the cheapest draft beer in the world. A glass should set you back about 10p/20 Cents.

Ha Long bay

This is north of Hanoi and is available from all travel agencies in the city as either overnight trip. This is a must for anyone in the area as it is UNESCO heritage site and is for a good reason.

The bay has close to 2000 limestone islands with of caves to explore and a few lagoons to go kayaking in. When you go out to the bay you go out on a traditional junk ship where you will get your own room and dinner and breakfast served.

Hoi An

Hoi An is located on the coast and actually has a pretty decent beach. It is the also the place to come for tailor-made clothes. There are too many tailors to mention here with the main road pretty much consisting of them. You can get literally anything made here all you need to do is take a photo of the item you want and they will make it for you. A good quality suit will cost around $50-$100.

Nha Trang

Is a beach resort just over halfway down the country. This city is very developed with a good long beach stretching the entire length of it. There is not much to do culturally here but it’s a good place to unwind after more than a few very long bus journeys to get this far. If you choose to just relax on the beach all day the only time you need to move from it is to go to the toilet as there are so many hawkers selling you pretty much anything you require from books, drinks to a BBQ of fresh fish. There is a big nightlife here with a couple of main place to go to. These are the Why Not Bar and the Sailing Club which is right on the beach but more expensive for it.

Ho Chi Min City (Saigon)

This is the Vietnam you see in the films. Streets packed out with so many bikes, fumes that make it hard to breathe and just general chaos. There a quite a few museums here to visit which are mainly to do with the war but are all worth a visit and even the strongest man will hold back tears at the photos of the suffering they endured.

From here you do a day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels where the North had a series of small tunnels which they used to fight the south. You can go down some of these tunnels but be warned that they are very small and it’s best not to do it on a hangover like I did. Also here you can fire an array of automatic weapons and rifles which is not that cheap as you pay per bullet.

Cambodia

Cambodia has had quite a nasty past with its dictator Pol Pot but is recovering maybe not as fast as its neighbors’ but it is getting there. Cambodia is surrounded by Vietnam, Thailand and Laos and has the Mekong go through the country into Laos.

Phnom Penh

Is a typical Asian Capitol city, will not loads to do but getting there is a great experience if you come from Vietnam. From Saigon you can get a boat which will take you 2 days to get here but you do see some real Vietnam and Cambodia on the way.

The two main places to see in and around Phnom Penh are the Killing Fields where around 200,000 people were executed during 1975-1979 when the Khmer Rouge reigned. You can see millions of bones and thousands of skulls that have been recovered from the pits.

Also go to S-21 which used to be a high school which was converted to a prison also during the Khmer Rouge where they imprisoned up to 20,000 people and repeatedly tortured and killed from this.

Two to three times a day they show a film which goes into detail of what went on in the prison with interviews from survivors and prison guards.

Sihanoukville

Is a beach resort about 3 to 4 hours bus ride away from Phnom Penh and has a decent enough beach which all long has hostels/guesthouses, restaurants and bars where you can chat with new found friends and enjoy a nice cold beer. You can dive here but I would not waste your money as the visibility is very poor and the reefs not having much sea life.

Siem Reap/Angkor Wat

Siem Reap is the city closest to the temples of Angkor Wat. The town itself does not have much to offer apart from a market in the center of town where you can get some new clothes and souvenirs. Every night most people head down to the aptly named Bar Street to meet and hang out with friends.

The temples of Angkor are quite spectacular and are very worth the visit. You get the choice of either a 1 day or 3 day pass. It is recommended to go for sunrise over Angkor Wat as this is quite amazing but can get very busy.

There is so many temples to see here most still in great condition. Although my favorite is the one which has been taken over by the jungle and most of it are ruins.

You can either hire a tuk tuk driver to take you around which is advised if you do the one day trip or just hire a bike and go around at you own pace.

Laos

Laos is landlocked and borders Burma, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Vietnam. Laos was involved in the Vietnam War mainly due to its proximity to the country and is one of the most under developed country in the region.

Vang Vieng

The town where you leave remembering nothing. This place is just one big drunken haze. You get a tractor inner tube and float down a river and stop off at bars on route and get free shots of lao lao whiskey and then drink buckets of more lao lao whiskey and coke until 6pm then when you think you have enough you go over to an island which is just bars (smile is the best) until middnight when the curfew kicks in. Love this place :D

Try the rope swings at each of the bars. The first bar has the biggest whatever other bars may claim.

Luang Prabang

Very beautiful town and is very quiet compared with Vang Vieng. The night market seems to run on forever with lots of goodies. Also if you go here you have to go bowling one evening after 11pm – you will see what I mean.