Our South Eash Asia Grand Tour - Monthly Recap

I can’t believe that we’ve been traveling for a month. It feels like yesterday I was excitedly posting on Facebook that we had one month to go before we left Korea. Now we have seen 5 countries, 12 cities, 11 planes, 5 trains, an endless amount of buses and more delicious foods that you can shake my ever growing belly at.
So what have we been up to? I realise I have been trying to update you all slowly but here is a quick recap for those of you who, like me, are partial to the odd list.

Japan
Kyoto – One of the places I most wanted to visit when moving to Asia. It didn’t disappoint. Geisha sightings, delicious markets and bamboo forests made this place unforgettable.
Best part of the trip: Feeding the Japanese snow monkeys in Arashiyama monkey park
Best tasty treat : Our first try of Okonomiyaki

Nara –  An adorable small city where deers rule the roost and temples are abundant.
Best part of the trip : Getting up close and personal with the deers.
Best tasty treat:  Green tea ice cream

sorry…had to do it

Osaka – A fast paced city full of bright lights and active locals.
Best part of the trip: Seeing the bright lights of Dottonbori
Worst part of the trip: Getting our plane turned around after we left Japan for an unexpected extra night in the city. Although not the worst city to get stuck in.

The Philippines
Manila – We only stopped off here for the airport but we did it 4 times so it feels silly not to include it.
Best part of the airport (apart from leaving it) :  WENDY’S!
Boracay – Absolutely stunning which makes it even more annoying that its been swamped by tauts and con men that run up and down every inch of this spectacular beach.
Best part of the trip: Discovering the quieter areas of the beaches for ‘downers’…or sunset cocktails.
Worst part : Hiding from the sun even though I love it so and getting pick pocketed by our waiter and his accomplice.
Bohol – Beautiful chocolate hills and lovely quiet villages.
Best part of the trip: Seeing the Tarsiers
Worst part: Lee getting horrible food poisoning/parasite that would stay with him for 10 days.
El Nido – Beautiful beaches, glorious sunsets and island hopping
Best part of the trip: Snorkling for the first time and being utterly lazy.
Worst part: I got hit by the evil food poisoning/parasite here that knocked me for 6.
China
Guagzhou – a bustling city on the up.
Best part : Seeing the Canton Tower and the great area surrounding it.
Best tasty treat: A tiramisu latte from the Hello Kitty cafe.
Guilin – A small town surrounded by the Chinese mountains.
Best part of the trip: Visiting the Longji rice terraces
Yangshuo – A small village hidden in the mountains with an almost Mediterranean feel.
Best part : The incredible mountains we saw on our river cruise.
Tastiest treat: Coconut and champagne ice cream from a street seller
Best bargain: A blue and white porcelain bracelet for £2
Hong Kong –
A bright, exciting mix of British culture ,Chinese food and tradition.
Best part: ALL OF IT, especially celebrating our 10 year anniversary here.
Worst part: our wallets are much lighter now
Tastiest treat: The legendary ‘Skirt Burger’ from The Diner
The Stats
Average spent on hotels per night: £4 per person
Average spent on food and drink: £15 per day but this was the expensive part of our trip with Japan and Hong Kong taking a large part of our money.
Average puppies hugged: 2 a day (it’s definitely puppy season in Asia)
Amount of local beers drank: faaar too many
Photos taken: it’s best to not think about it but I’m glad I bought my hard drive.

What’s up next? I hear you cry…well maybe you didn’t cry that but i’m going to tell you anyway. Our next month has a trip through Vietnam where we are spending 3 weeks exploring all it has to offer and then we are hoping over to Cambodia to see those famous temples and get our beach fix. Fingers crossed it will be as fun as the first month…just maybe a little cheaper.