by Peter Clay

Created on: February 25, 2009

The unbelievable smells rising from the markets in Bangkok, riding an Elephant in Cambodia, a bit of Bali belly in Indonesia and the sophisticated night life of Singapore - sit down, buckle up and hold on tight, South East Asia is going to blow your mind and your only one flight away from it.

South East Asia traditionally encompasses the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. From a simple 7 day package to 12 months overlanding, it has been a popular adventure route for many decades. South East Asia came to fame during the sixties when young hippies would travel to Asia for spiritual enlightenment. Once there, they would find civilisations untouched by modern tourism and rough sultry cities full of life, culture and spirituality.

Today, modern South East Asia still offers a range of experiences, perhaps not as rugged as it once was, it can still offer exciting off the beaten track experiences. From five star opulent resorts in Bali and Phuket, to the spiritual hideouts of Chiang Mai in Thailand, there is something to meet everyone's needs. With such a diverse area it would be ignorant to write an article based on a particular experience as it can differ extremely depending on the travelling style and what experiences you wish to fulfil. However with a general overview of the expectations, one may travel to the area with an understanding of what can be expected.

Eating in South East Asia will tantalise your taste buds, make your stomach twist in anguish and make you laugh in hysterics. However food is paramount to Asian lifestyle and there is no quicker way to meet the locals then to sitting down to a bowl of noodles from a local street vendor. The choices will be endless; from a spicy Tom Yum soup in Thailand to Singapore Noodles, or if your really adventurous, crickets and duck embryos in Cambodia. Make sure your food is cooked well and a good hint is to eat where the locals are, as it's generally a good sign of the quality of the food.

Travelling through South East Asia can either be a highlight or a nightmare depending on how you approach it. With the exception of Singapore and Malaysia, the buses or trains will never leave on time, the air conditioning won't be working and there is a chance you will have a chicken on your lap. You can both smile and strike up a conversation with the chicken's owner, or cry and loose face in front of the people who do this day in and day out. Transport can also be dangerous

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