Information about South East Asia
The downfalls of living in South East Asia!
Information about South Asia
This hub is the result of my lifestyle and why I’ve chosen to work in Asia in the aftermath of global recession and a missed graduation ceremony, seemingly many moons ago. There are too many thoughts rolling around an incessant brain, too many experiences that need to be shared with an aim to connect with like-minded people and provide helpful, relevant information about South Asia. This has come about as a consequence of living in Thailand and working in Asia, or as some Thai's would say "You live Thailand?". Excellent.
Having spent just over a year living in Thailand working as an English Foreign Language teacher, I have recently found a desire to publish material of my experiences and opinions about South Asia. I'll mainly be blogging about life in Thailand,but also my time travelling around South East Asia, teaching English as a foreign language, useful stuff about Scuba diving, Thai language, Thai culture, working and living in Australia and some other cool experiences from along the way.
I can't really decide why I want to do this, and maybe it's an ingrained fundamental human need to socialise and communicate that has suddenly driven a want to blurt information about south Asia? Whatever the reasons, here goes...
Visiting Asia
Travelled, lived or worked in South East Asia? Where?
Living in Asia
Living in Thailand has been one of the most interesting and exciting experiences with a mixture of as many highs and low's one can imagine! A change in culture has been one of the most challenging aspects to adapt to, but one that has fundamentally been the most rewarding part of life in Thailand and a great introduction and first insight about South East Asia.
From my experiences so far I have discovered that the people of South East Asia are the most friendly, welcoming, hospitable and warm people I have been lucky enough to meet, interact and live alongside. Here, they don't call it 'Smileland' for nothing! Becoming an accepted part of a Thai community has been in a word, special. An experience I feel most privileged to have had.
What you'll find when you visit Asia, especially if you get off the beaten track a bit, is that you may just become an instant celebrity. People want to get get to know you; where your from, where your going, how long you have been there for and such. This can be an exciting yet a little overwhelming at first, so embrace the moment and enjoy it! You might not be getting that much attention when you get home!
Apart from the people, it has to be said that life in Asia has many more benefits. The food for example is renowned for being some of the best in the world. A lot of time is spent by locals, who often eat several meals a day, eating. From what I have experienced, eating and socialising whilst doing so, play a massive part in daily Asian life and and Asian society. Quite often one of the first question's I'll be asked when speaking to a friend, talking to students or randomly meeting a stranger in the street is, "Have you eaten yet?". Not only are many of the foods delicious, they're also very cheap! Something many travellers and local expats love about South Asia. A bowl of chicken and noodle soup will set you back about 30 baht in Thailand, equivalent to £0.60p or $1! Incredible.
Other Hubs
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If you are interested about Thailand, you may find my these hubs of use.
Thai Language: Basic Thai Phrases and Words
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Comments
Thanks so much for all the info and generous comment. Happy travels!
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Hi Thelma, so you made the jump in the other direction, this happens quite a lot doesn't it! You won't meet many friendlier or warmer people than those from the Philippines I shouldn't imagine. Such a beautiful place! I wish you luck in Deutschland, thanks for your comment :)
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Thanks for the comment Nare! I'm also in love here, it may be a hard place to leave! :)
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Thanks SuzieHQ, I already feel at home here! You should definitely try and get here sometime, it really is mind blowing and I feel so lucky to live here.New Zealand is on my wish list also. I've only heard good things about it from the backpacking world, can you confirm?! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi! I can understand how you feel about living in Asia. I am a Filipina living more than 30 years in Germany but I do always go home to the Philippines to feel the warmth of the people, the weather and to see the amazing landscapes. Good luck for your stay in Thailand. Thanks for sharing.
Great great hub! I love south east Asian countries :)
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Hi Availasvision,
Thanks for your comment! I don't come across too many Americans travelling but have been working with a few of y'all who have become my best mates. Thailand is amazing and the people are the warmest I've come across. That said it is similar in many other S.E. Asian countries! You will have no regrets plunging into Asia, in fact you might not want to leave!
Travelling by yourself is on the whole fine. Just research the areas you are going to first. I'm sure you already know as a seasoned independent traveller! I wouldn't recommend Manila alone however. My American female friend has actually just been all over Laos by herself, and we have been all over Thailand together without any problems. Thailand is a well trodden path and there are people who specialise in taking advantage but if you are street savvy and use your head you should be fine!
If you need any help or advice I'd be more than happy to help. Happy travels! :)
I love all the info and pictures. I can't imagine eating out for a dollar. That lifestyler must be fantastic! How is the ex-pat community? How many Americans do you come across? The Thai sound warm and welcoming. I'm a seasoned European backpacker but want to take the Asia plunge. How safe would you say it is for a single, female, street smart traveller? Voted up!
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Hi Kerlynb. Thanks for dropping by! I'm enjoying the ASEAN community and the fantastically warm people! Recently I visited the Philippines for three weeks. What a beautiful and amazing part of the world. I agree Thailand has SOME similarities, but also many differences. Both as enjoyable as one another! Hopefully I'll get there again soon as there is so much to do and see. Here's to discovering the rest of this part of the world! Thanks for your well wishing, keep up the perfect writing on hubpages! :)
First time I went to Bangkok, I immediately fell in love with it! :) I'm from the Philippines so I could quickly sense the similarity between my home country and Thailand. They are quite similar but, of course, not the same. Wow, I am quite amazed that you find Southeast Asia, Thailand in particular, fascinating! There are many other countries in the region, if you get the chance, you might want to fly to these countries. I'm sure you''ll enjoy the beaches, weather, and the warmth of the people in the ASEAN :) Good luck in your job in Thailand!
Hi livingabroad, great article on your experiences living in Thailand. My brother was in Koh Samui on his honemoon many moons ago.Thailand is a country I would love to see. I lived in New Zealand for a year and loved every second of it.Look forward to more of your hubs, welcome to hubworld!
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Thanks for the comments Donna, you should try to make a trip sometime!
G&G, you definitely wouldn't waste a trip visiting Thailand. I can assure you would have a great time! Thanks for dropping by!
Really interesting reading about your experiences and your obvious fondness for the Thais. Must think about a visit sometime!
Cool pics; great hub! Voted up!
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This is a very good, interesting hub about your experiences in Thailand. I envy you living in Koh Samui. I have never been there, but I was done on Phuket for a few days seven years ago. I'm teaching English like you in Bangkok and share all of your feelings about the Thai people. Voted up as useful and interesting. I am sharing with my followers.
Hi Paul,
Firstly sorry for the belated reply! Thanks for the kind words on my first hub and the share. At the moment I'm not really sure I'm doing things right, it's a learning process for sure.
I was tempted to move to Bangkok to teach but believe I would have been living on the breadline with many of the teaching salaries advertised there. Luckily something came up down south!
Thanks again Paul.
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Thanks for your comments guys. It's fair to say life here has many benefits and living near so many countries with a variety of cultures has put me in the centre of a backpacking playground! It's definitely the people who make the place here.
Bryan you have to visit Thailand, I'd also recommend the Philippines and Indonesia. I'm sure you'll come back with a million and one stories! I love Australia, spent a year working and travelling there but so much more to see right?!
Jill of all trades, I'll be making another trip to the Philippines soon and am currently writing a a few tips for travel around Palawan! Filipinos (is that correct?) are much the same as Thai people, warm friendly and caring...partly why I'm going back! :)
Been to Thailand before and you are right about the people of Southeast Asia. It's good you are writing about your experiences. You must come to the Philippines too!
I recently spent a month in Australia and met a ton of people who had just been to south east Asia.... it is DEFINITELY on my "next" list.
Hi living abroad, Happy to see you on the photograph. The first one resembles the lonely Tom Hanks in Cast Away movie :)
Good Hub Voted up...
Awesome first hub and pictures, I look forward to reading more about your adventures! I too love life in Asia, everyday is full of stories, I just don't have the time to write them all down lol.
Socially shared, up, interesting and awesome.
This is a very good, interesting hub about your experiences in Thailand. I envy you living in Koh Samui. I have never been there, but I was done on Phuket for a few days seven years ago. I'm teaching English like you in Bangkok and share all of your feelings about the Thai people. Voted up as useful and interesting. I am sharing with my followers.
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