For anyone feeling that travel bug itch...

I present to you, my brand new project, undertaken with a good friend and colleague: https://interrail-journey.com.

On this site, we have amassed detailed information on a number of popular Interrail destinations, compared Interrail Pass and Eurail Pass options, and more!

We are hopeful that it will become a one-stop-shop for anyone around the world who is looking to scratch their travel itch by using Interrail.

Stop by and let me know what you think!

The next adventure...

It's been a long while since I posted on here! Much has happened, not least moving to Malta with my now-wife Bee!

Living in Malta has been a rollercoaster ride so far, but we won't be getting off any time soon! Life is good on this scorching hot rock in the middle of the Mediterranean. I have a great job that I love, and Bee and I are finally able to be together after many long periods spent apart. My other blog fivemonthson.blogspot.com goes into more detail.

Anyway, if you're reading this and think that Malta sounds like fun - don't be afraid, just do it! My website about moving to Malta, liveinmalta.eu, is full of useful information about the process, such as finding a job in Malta and finding a place to live. It will also help you with getting all formalities sorted when you apply for a maltese residence card and opening a bank account in Malta too. Check it out!

Epiblogue / Reflection

This post is supposed to sum up the trip, how it has been for us, and what we have learned. So we will start with a sort of mock interview and go from there. Hope you enjoy!

You're sitting in the airport, halfway home from your trip. How do you feel?

Alex: Honestly, I feel pretty good. I've had the time of my life this last seven weeks, I've learned loads, met new people, caught up with a great friend, and so much more. Although I'm sad to be leaving Asia, I can leave with absolutely no regrets about how the trip has gone. Plus it will be great seeing the family again, I've missed them a lot.

Andy: Firstly I'm just knackered lol. 7 weeks today we were in the same airport now and it feels like yesterday that we were just starting our trip down to the south east, can't believe how quick time has passed by. It feels very rewarding and it has been great fun.

What are the main things you have learned?

Alex: First and most obviously I guess, Asia is completely different to the UK. Cultures, attitudes, mannerisms, landscapes. For example, Kuala Lumpur mountains all around it. Another refreshing difference was the complete lack of 'health and safety' stuff - things that would now be considered dangerous in the UK, such as an open drain, is normal here. And while it doesn't smell great, it engenders a need for common sense and self-awareness.

Secondly, I have learned that it is very easy to be scared of a big foreign city when you read about it. But in reality all you need to worry about is the stuff within a 5 mile radius of your guesthouse. So as long as you pick a nice area to stay, you're golden!

Thirdly, I have learned that although it is dirt cheap to live out here if you have a pocket full of £££, I am not capable of budgeting to £100 a week. Seems like it would be possible when meals and accommodation cost only £2-3, but stuff really adds up. On a very different scale, it's certainly not easy living for people born in these parts. For us it is relatively easy to save up, fly out, and explore other parts of the world. But lack of opportunities, poor economy, visa regulations and heavy responsibility for family make it near impossible for many, particularly in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Which leads me onto..

Four - Western men are catnip for Asian girls, particularly in the countries I just mentioned. The reasons for this are often similar, but I would rather not generalise - this trip has made me much less judgemental. One thing is for sure though - its paradise for male expatriates, as long as they are sensible. One elderly man we met in Siam Reap told us about a love affair he had with a 20-something in Thailand: long story short, he bought her and her family a house, sent money regularly, planned to get married, until one day, she changed her SIM card and stopped responding to messages. He never heard from her again, and had no idea where the house he paid for was! The Internet is littered with similar stories.

Five - no matter how nice tuk-tuk / motorbike drivers, stall owners and tourist offices are, they will almost all rip you off at the first opportunity!

Finally, I learned that the parts of Asia we visited have gone through a lot of hardship in recent times. More detail is in the blog posts about Cheung Ek and Vietnam. I have a great deal of respect for the resilience of the people in these countries.

Andy: It's a big world out there when you set foot on it. Also think twice if you are given an offer that sounds unbelievably too good to be true, because as mentioned above no matter how nice, well-dressed or how big their smile is "they will almost all rip you off at the first opportunity!"

Always keep yourself flexible and don't constrict yourself with over planning because sometimes the real fun happens when you try things when the opportunity passes you in the moment.

Try and taste as much as the local dishes as much as you can, no matter the appearance or smell of it, nearly all of them are great to eat!

What have you learned about each other?

Alex:

I've learned that Andy is probably the most loyal person I know. I'm so glad he came with me, otherwise I might never have had the courage to come at all. He even learned how to inject me with hydrocortisone medication in case of emergency. He reminded me to take my tablets, put up with my annoying habits, occasional recklessness and sometimes terminal slowness, and generally is an awesome friend. Also:

• He has the bladder of a little girl. Seriously.
• He's a little bit paranoid - always had to have the room key.
• Likes to be early for stuff
• He is a man of few words - or maybe I'm such a chatterbox he can't get a word in
• Despite the above, asks incredibly detailed, sometimes pertinent, but often completely unnecessary questions, much to the bemusement of foreigners
• Takes his sunburn like a man
• Is almost constantly hungry - loves trying new food
• Showers 3+ times a day
• Has a huge amount of body hair (or fur, as some of the Asian girls called it)
• Is considerate when sharing a duvet
• Is devoted to his girlfriend - always looking for the next wi-fi hotspot, never even looking like buckling under the temptation that was all around

Andy Ramsey, the yang to my yin.

Andy:

• He has mentioned his rate of speed at things so I don't need to go further, but it can be pretty slow.
  
• Alex is the best companion to have around.
  
• Do you remember that Bisto advert, when every time they smell the product and say "ahhhhhh Bisto" well Alex loves drinking his tea a lot and after every sip he takes how big or small he puts the cup down, and makes a loud "ahhhhhh" after 7 weeks I'm now nearly used to it lol.
  
• The last person to awaken.
  
• A chatterbox lol :p, especially during our frequent shisha sessions, one puff and let him loose haha.
  

Top 3 moments?

Alex:

Aside from seeing Pearl again and meeting Bee (because I don't want to be too soppy), these are mine:

1. Reaching the top of the mountain on our way to see Big Buddha felt like a big achievement! And the nap after was very satisfying too.
   
2. Our first night out in Bangkok - unforgettable.
   
3. Shisha on the beach with Andy and Bee - perfect relaxation.
   

Andy:

1. When we got screwed over by our Cambodian tuk-tuk driver and left us at the club the motorbike ride back to our hotel and trying to remember where it was, was kinda fun.
2. Same as Alex has quoted, it was unforgettable our first night in Bangkok
3. Shisha on the rooftop in Vietnam

Most 'traveller' moment?

Alex: sleeping on the streets of KL after being kicked off our coach!

Andy: getting back home, alone, from the dodgy end of Bangkok

Most 'gwai-lo' ('white person' in Malay, but we use it to mean 'dumb foreigner') moment?

Alex: getting ripped off by a tourist office in Khaosan Road by a guy whose main credential was that he was wearing a suit.

Andy: getting in an unregistered taxi in Bangkok, leading to being stranded in the aforementioned 'dodgy end'.

Place you most want to revisit?

Alex: all of them, I can't choose.

Andy: Bangkok!

Strangest meal?

SCORPIONS!

 

That pretty much wraps it up. Huge thanks to everyone who has shared in this fantastic experience with us by reading and commenting - hopefully this will be just the first of many trips to exotic places! Huge thanks to the Liangs for their wonderful hospitality and to Pearl in particular for motivating me to take a trip halfway across the world. Big hello to all the cool people we have met along the way too, a list of whom is a post or two back.

Until next time everyone!

Alex and Andy - honoraryasians4life.