ASIA
FEMALE SOLO TRAVELLER IN ASIA
HONG KONG - CHINA
Hong Kong is located on South coast of China. Its capital is City of Victoria. It is an aesthetically clean and beautiful country. It is also a very expensive country. Food, hotel etc. The metro station is the smoothest, fastest and most efficient I have ever seen, lots to see and experience in Hong Kong. There are many beautiful amusement parks, lots of cable cars of different shapes and sizes, some even with glass bottom, A glass bottom cable car ride to the Big Buddha on Lantau island is a definite must do. The Hong Kong skyline is most beautiful especially when the buildings are all lit up at night with the night show. However, what was most noticeable to me about Hong Kong was how impolite and unfriendly the people were, honestly, in all my years of travels, I think they were most unwelcoming people I have ever met. Read on to see what else I experienced as a female solo traveller in Asia.
Sites worth visiting; Lantau Island via cable car, a visit to Hong Kong Island on the Star Ferry (the cost was minimal) it’s a beautiful view from the other side, Victoria Peak (best view of Hong Kong) and for sure Hong Kong Disney land (if you have children). Currency used – HKD (Hong Kong Dollars) Language spoken – Cantonese/Mandarin and English.
MALAYSIA - KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysia is in Southeast Asia, Its capital is Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the wealthy Asian countries that has strict laws regarding illegal items and illicit activities.
Kuala Lumpur is a very developed city. Totally safe too. The people in Kuala Lumpur were very friendly and warm, what I couldn’t understand was how the workers at the hotel I stayed were so unfriendly, Prices in Malaysia are reasonable, great tasting food at reasonable prices.
It’s a definite must to visit to the Batu caves (lots of steps to get up to the cave), Take a cable car ride to Chin Swee caves temple (lovely area) and the Genting Highlands. Of course, the Petronas twin towers (tallest twin towers in the world) a definite must visit. The Currency used – Ringgit. Language spoken – Mandarin, Tamil, English (among others).
PHILIPPINES - MANILA
Philippines is in Southeast Asia, its capital is Manila. When it comes to the most polite, humble and happy people, Filipinos take the No.1 spot. Filipinos teach us all a lesson, money doesn’t make you happy. They have a genuine, happy and contented spirit. Manila is a bit clustered with traffic especially with the proliferation of motorcycles and Jeepneys.
Philippines is one the cheapest country I have been to, shopping, food, hotel. Manila has the 3rd largest mall in the world, the Mall of Asia, quite a big and lovely mall with great prices. If you want to enjoy the great beaches you have to take an hour + plane ride or a cheaper and longer budget journey by bus then ferry, to one of the many small islands like Borocay, A definite must do will be a visit to the Taal volcano in the Tagaytay region (first the drive from manila to Tagaytay region, then boat ride over to the island, followed by horseback ride to the top of the volcanic hill.).
it may sound tedious but so worth the visit. Main reasons for loving the Philippines are:1. Good for shopping 2. Sweetest most mannerly people ever people. 3. Safe (had no incidents even though I was alone). 4. Love the president Duterte too ..lol. Currency used is Philippine pesos. Language spoken – Filipino and English (among others).
SINGAPORE - SINGAPORE
Singapore is in Southeast Asia. Its capital also called Singapore. It is one of the wealthiest countries in Asia/world. Seems this country has a different shade of blue skies. The skies there have the bluest of blue skies I have ever seen. Singapore is absolutely beautiful, clean and very developed country. Totally safe too, I have even seen on the immigration form, in red, “Death penalty for drug traffickers”. Singapore has some of the most unusual and intricately designed buildings too, unlike the sky scrapers in some other countries.
The people in Singapore were very friendly and welcoming, it’s a definite must to visit the Marina Bay and Merlion, Gardens by the Bay, (absolute beauty), Cloud Forest and the National Orchid Garden (bit of a hike to get there but so beautiful, and well worth the visit). Singapore is a very expensive country. Their currency is almost on same level as USD. Currency used – SGD (Singapore dollars) Language spoken – Mandarin, Tamil, English (among others).
VIETNAM - HANOI
Vietnam is in Southeast Asia, and its capital is Hanoi. Obtaining the visa for Vietnam was hassle-free, you apply in advance and if successful, when you arrive in the country, your passport is processed, and the visa is then placed in your passport. When it comes to the most caring, attentive humble and happy people, I think they may have tied with Philippines for the most genuine and nicest People I have met in all my travels. The aged can be seen very active in every sphere of life. Hanoi the capital, is also bit clustered, with literally almost a million motorcycles.
Hanoi is also the most humid country I have ever visited. At midnight on the outside felt like midday. One of the first thing i noticed on the streets of Hanoi was, If you can cross the streets in Vietnam, you can cross the streets in any other country in the world, no one ever stop for you to cross, they drive around, you must manoeuvre your way around vehicles when crossing the street. There are lots to do in Hanoi or take a trip outside the city to Hoa Tam Coc (exotic) or Halong Bay (my favorite destination spot in the world). Visit the Restored Word (Hoan Kiem Lake) in downtown Hanoi and the Old Quarters (here your get the real Vietnam experience).
Hanoi is also great for foodies (I have even had Snake Head fish for the first time). However, Vietnam has the worst Ice cream I have ever had…sorry to say. Main reasons for loving Hanoi are:1. Nicest people I have ever met 2. Safe. 3. Beautiful and unspoilt country. Language spoken – Vietnamese (tieng viet). Currency used – Vietnamese Dong.
VIETNAM - HO CHI MINH (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh also known as Saigon, is one of the major cities in the South-eastern edge of Indochina peninsula and South of Hanoi. It is about 2 hours flight from Hanoi. Vietnam is a very big country, with close to 97 million people. The name Saigon is synonymous with the war which was fought in 1968. Saigon is so beautiful, you will never believe a war was ever fought there. I found the temperature to be much cooler than Hanoi and looked a bit more developed too, but for me Hanoi had the homely edge.
The people here were just as humble and friendly people, as in Hanoi. Motorcycles were also everywhere in Saigon (even on the sidewalks). I was really impressed by the beautiful buildings and general aesthetics of Ho Chi Minh city. Definite must see/do would be: A canoe ride on the Mekong Delta river, you can see the boat village (people who live in canoe-like boats). A visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels (this is where the war was fought, even get to experience the underground bunkers etc,). Saigon is both developed and unspoilt in heritage and natural beauty. Language spoken there – Vietnamese (tieng viet). Currency used – Vietnamese Dong.
Many of these countries can be within your reach with careful planning and learning how to save to travel. You don’t have to be rich to travel, just be willing to sacrifice and cut back on spending of non-essentials and you can reach your goals.
Along with good booking agents like Booking.com, you can plan an excellent vacation.
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