Chiang Mai’s one of those legendary travel destinations. Most travel enthusiasts know the name, many have been, yet almost everyone has a different picture of it in their mind: small town, mountain hideaway, thriving/modern city, historical hub, artistic enclave, or emerging hipster hangout? In reality, Chiang Mai is a bit of all of these things bundled into a nice package. Today, Talk Travel Asia’s Scott Coates and Trevor Ranges explore what Chiang Mai means to them, sharing some of their favor...
Jul 31, 2015•39 min
Making sense of the massive area that is the Angkor Historical Park and figuring out where and how to spend your time is no easy task. There is simply so much to see that you could never fit it in, in a single holiday, let alone 10! As a follow-up to an earlier episode, Angkor 101, where we talk about how to best use your time and info for first-time visitors, on this episode we focus on some secondary sites, mostly a little further afield and share some deeper tips to make the most of your time...
Jul 01, 2015•34 min
Many travelers want to have an outreach capacity to their trip to Asia, but doing so in a constructive, non-disruptive way can be quite difficult. The terms ‘ecotourism’, ‘green travel’, sustainable travel’, and ‘responsible tourism’, among others, have been thrown around over the years, and often abused. On this episode we chat with Bodhi Garrett of Andaman Discoveries, who says, “Responsible travel is about minimizing the negative impact of your travel and directly giving back to the communiti...
Jun 15, 2015•37 min
In the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Nepal, millions have donated to relief efforts. Yet the devastation people have witnessed on TV and social media only tells part of the tale. While back to back earthquakes have undoubtedly caused great destruction in certain parts of the country, much of Nepal remains unaffected, that is, except for an anticipated decline in tourism that is certain to harm an economy that desperately needs tourism revenue. While this reaction is somewhat to be expec...
May 31, 2015•32 min
When living or traveling in Asia, it seems there is always something exotic or wild waiting right around the corner – and actually occurring on a weekly, if not daily basis. On Ep. 13 we shared some of our favorite travel tales and decided to have another go, sharing even more tales from life on the road, including one about a mysterious missing bag, a low supply of Thai rum, driving a tuk tuk in Bangkok, hitchhiking, and a very persistent rat. Have a listen!
May 17, 2015•34 min
It seems that vegetarianism is getting more popular by the year and some vegetarians wonder if they’ll be able to stick to their non-meat diets while traveling in Asia. The good news is that it’s very easy to enjoy incredible food throughout much of the region as a vegetarian. You’ll want to learn a few key local words to ensure cooks understand you are a vegetarian, but once you get those down you’re set. On this episode of Talk Travel Asia, Scott and Trevor talk with Adam Platt-Hepworth, owner...
May 02, 2015•33 min
Planning a honeymoon (which of course must be perfect from start to finish with no fights) is no easy task anywhere in the world, let alone in a region so different from home that the chances of unexpected things happening are high. Isolating what you ‘really’ want to do, how you want to spend your time, what the budget is, hitting the ‘must see’ spots, while also experiencing a host of other things, and ensuring there’s a balance for both of you is no easy feat. This is your first trip as a mar...
Apr 15, 2015•37 min
Traveling professionally, as a full-time job, is a dream for many people. But making it happen, bringing in a regular salary that sustains, arranging all the elements to keep travel happening, getting sponsored, and documenting the journey is no easy feat. But two Canadians, Dave and Deb, have done just that, creating The Planet D, and becoming celebrities in the process. They share with us what it's taken to launch this career, keep it going, and remain a happy couple while traveling full-time....
Apr 01, 2015•39 min
Bangkok is teeming city of 10 million people and it’s arguably one of the most dynamic, exotic, and action-packed cities on the planet. How you should spend a few days there is a hugely subjective question, one with a myriad of answers. We’re often asked by friends, family, friends of friends, and friends of friends of some guy they met one time at a bar, “What should we do while in Bangkok?” On this episode we share with you some of our favorite things to do, places to visit, how to get to them...
Mar 15, 2015•50 min
Paddling is not only a great workout, and environmentally friendly activity, but can be an outstanding way to see parts of the world, if you know what you’re doing. Canadian Ian Taylor is best known as a professional photographer but he’s also an accomplished paddler. He’s kayaked Thailand’s southwest coast from Myanmar to Malaysia and he shares that epic 560km, 25-day trip with us. Have a listen!
Mar 01, 2015•40 min
One of the greatest things about the diversity of Asia is the wide range of food available both across the region and within each individual country. Every foodie and every local seems to have a favorite dish and knows the best place to get it: Scott and Trevor are no exception, and in Episode 19 of Talk Travel Asia they talk about some of their 'Favorite Foods of Asia' and fill you in on the restaurants that they think serve the best!
Feb 16, 2015•35 min
Writing for a living and making a living at it is no easy feat. There are few writers who manage to turn-out some really great books about aspects of the regions they live in and also make a living from it. In a day an age of blogging when everyone online is a ‘professional writer’, there are few people that really are experts in what they’re writing about, spend the proper time to craft a real work, and can be trusted. Our guest, Tom Vater is a rare example of someone who writes great books, be...
Feb 01, 2015•41 min
Where to find the perfect drink and spot to enjoy it while traveling in Asia can be tricky. Scott and Trevor record together at the FCC Bar and Restaurant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and share their favorite watering holes in the region. The hosts explain that when you hit bars and spend some time in them, you also meet some of the most colorful locals around, get insider info, and usually end up having a hell of a time. From Bangkok to Luang Prabang, Kathmandu and a host of other spots, this episo...
Jan 17, 2015•24 min
'Digital Nomads' are individuals who leverage telecommunications technologies to perform their work duties, and more generally conduct their lifestyle in a nomadic manner. Technology's furious pace of development has quickly upended how we live, travel, and work. It’s made businesses and lifestyles possible that weren’t just a decade ago. This episode features two guests, Gary Arndt and Niall Doherty who talk about how they’ve embraced technology to make a working/traveling lifestyle possible. T...
Jan 05, 2015•51 min
After collectively living and working in SE Asia for nearly 30 years, there are still lots of spots that podcast hosts Trevor and Scott have not yet been. On this episode they share their top spots to visit in the coming years. From a remote corner of Cambodia along the Vietnamese/Laos border, to a volcanic island in Indonesia, and 4,000 islands in the Mekong River, there's a pretty interesting list of spots to visit. Have a listen and great dreaming travel!
Dec 15, 2014•31 min
Taking good photographs while traveling is challenging. While digital cameras and other technology have made capturing quality images easier and more affordable than ever, having an eye for great shot is something one must learn. Trevor and Scott then discuss some of their own experiences taking photos while on the road, then ask our guest, Dave Lemke, for tips on how to get the most out of shooting photos while traveling. He shares some valuable tips and gives insight on how to emotionally get ...
Dec 06, 2014•37 min
Scott and Trevor have likely been on more interesting adventures than the average traveler due to the nature of their careers. On Episode 13 of Talk Travel Asia podcast, listen to six of their tantalizing travel tales from Nepal, Cambodia, Australia, Vietnam and Thailand.
Nov 13, 2014•41 min
Most times when people travel, they know the key sites they’re going to seek out and experience but are often surprised by what else they discover along the way. In the case of visiting Siem Reap in Cambodia, most everyone’s there to see the temples of Angkor but some discover something entirely unexpected: Phare, The Cambodian Circus. Once in a while, ingenious people come up with something completely new, introduce it to an area, and that can become a new attraction. Think Cirque du Soleil in ...
Nov 01, 2014•32 min
In this episode Scott and Trevor talk about some up-and-coming beaches and islands they’ve discovered over the years that aren’t as-of-yet overrun with tourists but are likely to be places you will be hearing about soon. Scott kicks things off by recognizing that the perfect beach is something different for everyone. For some it’s quiet and secluded, with soft white sand and nearby snorkelling and diving; for others it's access to nightlife and shopping. Trevor joins Scott in Kuala Lumpur for th...
Oct 14, 2014•33 min
Scott and Trevor discuss how the beer scene in Southeast Asia isn’t what it is in Europe or North America: there are a few international brewers mass-producing traditional lagers but in general there’s not a wealth of beer diversity. Luckily, Scott points out, beer in most SE Asian countries is some of the least expensive in the world, save Malaysia and Singapore, and if you scratch the surface a bit, there are some interesting beer discoveries. We're joined by Aaron Greiser and Brian Bartusch, ...
Oct 01, 2014•48 min
Trevor is visiting Scott in Kuala Lumpur (KL), where he just celebrated his one year anniversary living in the Malaysian capital city. Trevor suggested chatting about the city, what it's like, and what it has to offer would be a good episode as many foreigners aren't generally familiar with what to do or see in Kuala Lumpur. Trevor thinks that unlike visitors to Thailand, Cambodia, or Singapore, a lot of people don’t have deeply ingrained preconceived notions about what the country and its capit...
Sep 14, 2014•32 min
Trevor is in Kuala Lumpur visiting Scott for the recording of this episode, during which time they plan to do some cycling in Scott's Bukit Kiara neighbourhood. The two discuss their different experiences biking in SE Asia as well as the great aspects of exploring the region by bicycle. Trevor enjoys how travel by bike allows you to mingle closely with local communities, while Scott talks about how it's great to see the local sights. They bring in a cycling expert to share his expertise on what ...
Sep 01, 2014•37 min
Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions on the planet. Fly one hour in almost any direction - from Bangkok for example, and you’re in a totally different world: a different language, culture, cuisine, arts, customs, and so on. Southeast Asia is a tapestry of sorts and the preceding factors are certainly some of the reasons that travelers are drawn back to the region time and time again. While there are lots of diverse neighbouring countries to explore, after more than a decade in the r...
Aug 14, 2014•42 min
Planning a vacation should be a ton of fun but can also be stressful and confusing at times. What do you really ‘need’ to see? What things ‘should’ you see that will appeal to you personally? How long will it take to travel from here to there? How many destinations within your trip are enough without going to too many, rendering your entire vacation one spent in cars and airports going to and fro? We speak with longtime Lonely Planet author and tour company owner Chris Rowthorn about these very ...
Aug 01, 2014•31 min
Bangkok is legendary as one of the world’s most exotic and exciting cities. It’s also one full of scams, hustles, and tourist traps. Luckily most of them are relatively innocent and non-violent, resulting in little more than a few more dollars spent than you’d like. After more than 25 collective years living in Bangkok, Scott and Trevor cover a few of the most common, elaborate, and colorful Bangkok scams so that you can have a lot of fun in Bangkok and not get ripped off (too badly)!
Jul 14, 2014•20 min
Episode 4: The Plight of Asia’s Elephants Both Trevor and Scott have had the pleasure of experiencing the mahout (elephant) program at the Anantara Golden Triangle in the far northern regions of Thailand along the Mekong River and welcome John Roberts to talk about an issue that is at the heart of many tourist experiences in Asia. While elephants are certainly a top tourist attraction in Thailand, Nepal, and to a lesser degree in Cambodia and Laos, few tourists are aware of the threat to elephan...
Jun 11, 2014•23 min
Episode 3: Talk Travel Technology with special guest Greg Jorgensen Travel technology has had a massive impact on how we research, plan, book, experience, and share our travel adventures. Armed with only a smart phone, you can buy a plane ticket or get a hot hotel deal in real time. There’s 3G and wifi hot-spots along the Mekong River in Laos and Cambodia; there are dozens of travel apps to help you along the way; and you can share your photos with friends and family back home with the press of ...
Jun 03, 2014•25 min
Episode 2: Angkor 101 Scott and Trevor share their tips for first time visitors to the Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap, Cambodia. As author of the first edition National Geographic guidebook to Cambodia, Trevor has explored the temples of Angkor dozens of times. As founding partner of luxury travel company Smiling Albino, Scott has hosted guests at and visited Angkor for his own personal enjoyment numerous times too. He also has authored two editions of Groovy Map’s Cambodia guide map....
Jun 03, 2014•24 min
Episode 1: Meet the Hosts of Talk Travel Asia! Talk Travel Asia co-hosts Scott Coates and Trevor Ranges share their backgrounds, including when and why they moved to Asia, how they got to know each other, and what they’ve been up to in the travel industry over the past decade. Scott discusses his early years in Thailand as co-founder of Smiling Albino, a high-end travel company that specializes in designing unique travel experiences and hosting adventurous guests in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, ...
Jun 03, 2014•21 min
