03.09.20

I am back in America for the first time in six months, and there is a sense of relief that I was able to dodge the COVID-19 storm. It was never about getting sick, but it was about getting home due to cancelled flights (we had them), and possible quarantine, which we didn’t have to worry about.

We landed in Southeast Asia, Singapore specifically, on New Year’s Day of 2020 and for 63 days bounced between Thailand (5 flights in and out), Vietnam and Cambodia. It was a wonderful experience, more trying and more different than any I done and many ask the question: “Should I visit Southeast Asia right now.”

The answer is “Yes, No and Maybe…”

We got to Thailand on January 4 and had a nice high-rise rental unit on the 36th floor of a 41-story building. It had a gym, lounge, 7-11 on the ground floor, plus an infinity pool on the roof. It was lovely except for the pollution. The city was just a few miles away, but obscured by smog which took away the appeal as well as causing breathing trouble. We had it reserved for one month for under $400 with an option of keeping it for another month, which we did. But after a few weeks the chaos, noise and smog became unbearable so we decided we would use that unit as our base, and visit different areas, which we also did.

First visit was Chiang Mai, a popular ex-pat haven about an hour away by plane. We liked the city a lot, it was more mellow, but they also had a smog problem due to “burning season,” which seems to be year-round. Farmers burn their crop fields after the season which ruins the air quality and breathability.  People also burn their trash. Because of those factors Chiang Mai has air quality almost as bad as Bangkok, and many people are shying away. We stayed for three days, visited an elephant sanctuary, climbed to the highest point in Thailand (8415 ft), and enjoyed a motorcycle while we were there. Kathleen got sick due to the air and as we tried to escape to Vietnam we discovered (the hard way) that we did not have the proper visas to visit. Instead we lost over $300 in unused flight tickets and learned a valuable lesson as we returned to Bangkok to recover and regroup.

We still needed to get out of town and found a Hidden Gem called Chumphon, about an hour’s flight south of Bangkok. We were there for six days, loved it, found some great beaches, and decided to return in a few weeks.

But in between we visited Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, the home of those amazing rock islands (called Karst Pinnacles) and spent seven days there. It was cold, we were not prepared, and we never left the city. Our loss, but it created the desire to return and see other parts of the country. Psychologically Vietnam was tough on me since it carries such memories from my youth when everyone was doing everything to not go to Vietnam. The vibe there was mixed as some were very nice and kind, but others gave us the stink eye, which we later found out was due to THEIR version of history and their opinions of Americans who fought on their land.

We met an American couple from Portland who were living in China and planned a short vacay in Vietnam, which turned into a 30-day nightmare since they couldn’t get a flight back. They finally got back a few days ago but have a mandatory quarantine at their homes. Afterwards we found out that they had a hard time getting a flight OUT of Vietnam, and barely escaped that situation by just a few days.

Back to Bangkok after that, and a return to Chumphon, but actually to a small beach area called Chum Kho, in a somewhat isolated area which was awesome since we chilled with the ocean just a few yards from our cabin for 10 days. The beach there was amazing, littered with trash unfortunately, but also strewn with the most amazing shells I’ve ever seen and collected. We also had unwelcome company, sand fleas, which feasted on both of us until we got the lowdown from the locals of how to deal with it.

Back again to Bangkok and immediately off to our final stop: Cambodia and Angkor Wat.

Cambodia is an underdeveloped impoverished country except for a few pockets, but we found generous and sweet people there, plus the largest religious center in the world which blew our minds. The city of Siem Reap is quite small and if it were not for the temples, no one would ever know about it or visit.

From there it was back to Bangkok for the last time, pack up our stuff, then catch a flight to Singapore (which got cancelled…) then finally onward to Los Angeles via an eight-hour layover in Taipei, China.

Overall, Southeast Asia was the biggest shock to the system and adjustment I ever went through and the most challenging in our one year on the road. Would I return there? The answer is “probably,” mostly because there is far more awesome than bad or even mediocre. Asia is huge and we only saw a glimpse of what it offers. Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Bali; they all invite, so it’s just a matter of timing and commitment.

The answer to “Should I visit now?” is a personal one. There are amazing deals on flights right now, to Asia and to everywhere. My Google Flight Alert for a flight from NYC to Barcelona or Rome is now under $120, which is amazing. Airlines are in trouble and they are laying off, cutting back flights and you will see blood in the streets with aggressive buyers capitalizing on the situation. So, YES if you want to go somewhere and get a great value for your money and if you can be flexible.

If you are fearful and only have a finite period of time to visit and don’t have any flex if something goes awry, then “NO,” hold off for now. The COVID-19 is a topic of conversation and concern worldwide, but there are a few countries particularly prone right now. It’s probably wise to avoid them. This too shall pass and I think in six months things will be mostly back to normal. Unless you can travel with flexibility, an open mind and understand that something could affect your plans, then MAYBE it’s best to wait until more dust settles.

Here’s the sweet spot: You have flexibility, you travel with a spirit of abundance and positive instead of worry, and if you’d like to visit normally crowded places that are devoid of crowds right now.

If you have not signed up for my free newsletter, please do that on our home page, and let’s connect. I’ll be writing a free special report on Angkor Wat (for when you can get back…) and that will be offered to my followers first, along with two pictures albums; one is all about the MONKEYS we encountered and the other is the Guide to Angkor Wat. I’m also putting trips together for cruises through Greece and Croatia, safaris in Tanzania and Kenya, and Motorcycle rides to wherever we decide to ride! These are all small group tours, but you can join me and learn how to Travel Younger!