Shopping is one of the top reasons that many people travel; especially within Asia. Cities like Bangkok and Singapore have top attractions purely to shop till you drop if that tickles your fancy. But whether you live to shop or not, most travelers love picking up some ‘unique’, ‘local’ souvenirs along the way. Shopping is generally a part of most travel experiences. All across Asia, whether you’re hunting for exotic antiques or just like exploring sprawling markets with knock-off t-shirts, we th...
Nov 16, 2018•36 min
Myanmar is a country steeped in mystery and controversy. More or less closed to the outside world for 50 years by a military government, it opened up in 2012 and looked like it would soon become SE Asia’s hottest travel destination. It did take off, but hotel prices went through the roof, many people began to question the value of the rising cost of travel there, numbers tapered off, then the Rohingya crisis kicked off, seeing tourism numbers plunge by at least 40% in 2018. Whether or not you sh...
Nov 01, 2018•30 min
Hot places go cold, new joints open up, but there's always somewhere to drink in Asia. On this episode we share some of the most memorable and enjoyable spots in the region to enjoy a drink (or two or three) and night out that we've experienced over the last few years. Get thirsty and ready to paint the town red! Lots of hot tips on this episode to be had!
Oct 01, 2018•26 min
We chat with Stuart McDonald, founder of online Asian travel website Travelfish.org, about exploring the unexplored. As a tourist destination, Asia’s getting busier by the day. More and more people have money to travel, visa restrictions are disappearing and traveling by plane is more affordable than ever. Once tranquil sites like Angkor Wat, Kyoto and others are today packed with tourists. But the good news is there are still tons of wonderful places to visit that are void of crowds. On this ep...
Sep 15, 2018•40 min
Food is essential to life but can also enhance it so much. Couple great food with a trip and you have a winning combination. While cooking shows, gourmet meals and celebrity chefs have become all the rage as of late, on this episode we’ll recall some of our absolute favorite meals throughout Asia, most of which are inexpensive, and we continue to dream about them to this day. If you’re not hungry now, you soon will be!
Sep 02, 2018•29 min
On this episode of Talk Travel Asia podcast, we’ll talk about one of our favorite areas in all of SE Asia - southern Laos - specifically the ancient Khmer temple of Vat Phou and 4,000 Islands, near the border with Cambodia. Laos, a country of 5.5-million, landlocked, and sandwiched between China, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, is little-known to most travelers. Sure, they’ve heard the name, but don’t know much about what it has to offer, or for that matter, often where exactly on the map it’s l...
Aug 15, 2018•31 min
Asian cultures are often very different from western ones and many foreigners make some horribly embarrassing mistakes as a result of these disparities. Even those who read up in their guidebook about the do’s and don’ts in a particular destination only grasp the general concept and not necessarily all of the nuances. Beyond the standard differences between east and west, such as greetings (the handshake vs a bow or wai) some are much more subtle and can lead to some awkward situations. Welcome ...
Jul 15, 2018•49 min
On this episode of Talk Travel Asia podcast we talk about traveling responsibly in Asia and how adventure travel can make it possible for travelers to be more responsible while on holiday in Asia. The reality is that international travel, once only accessible by society’s most upwardly-mobile, has opened up to hundreds of millions of travelers in recent decades. Growing economies, budget airlines and easing of visa restrictions are some of the main drivers. But with increased numbers comes an ur...
Jun 15, 2018•31 min
Cambodia has emerged in the last decade as a popular travel destination for foreign travelers. Once viewed by many tourists as simply a quick extension trip from a neighboring country to see the incredible temples of Angkor, it’s now rightfully seen as a destination unto itself, worthy of an entire vacation. Its capital, Phnom Penh, is a fun, vibrant Asian city, the temples around Angkor stunning, and the hilltribe communities in the NE are intriguing, but the missing ingredient until recently h...
Jun 02, 2018•33 min
This Talk Travel Asia podcast features two experts on Tented Camps, a unique accommodation option for getting up close and personal with the great outdoors while traveling in Asia. Where one stays while traveling can make or break a trip. Sometimes a shared dorm room does the trick, while other times it’s a suite with private plunge-pool. As more travelers hit the road and gain experience, they often want to push the travel-envelope further. And with that comes more innovative lodging experience...
May 15, 2018•30 min
“Hawaii, or “Huv-ai-ee”, lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and while we have pretty extensive knowledge of the area, we haven't done an episode on the islands as they are not officially part of ‘Asia’. That said, Hawaii is not really part of the Americas either; it lies within what is considered the Asia-Pacific Region, which is apt as Hawaii has strong Asian influences, including large populations of Filipinos, Chinese, and Japanese, who, over the centuries, have contributed diverse cult...
May 01, 2018•53 min
On this episode of Talk Travel Asia podcast, we discuss a topic we're particularly passionate about: combating single-use plastic, including drinking water bottles: something many travelers have long relied upon, but may no longer need to, thanks to those including today's guests: Christian and Dean of Cambodia-based Refill not Landfill.
Apr 01, 2018•36 min
We’ve been lucky to travel quite a bit, and continue to do so. Between Trevor and I we usually end up in 10-plus countries in a year. Last year was quite a bit more. And, just like you, we’re getting older, one day at a time. While reminiscing over a couple cold beer about trips we’ve enjoyed, we decided it was time to share a few of our noteworthy Asian trips that still resonate. So, buckle in, and get ready to travel with us on Our Favorite Asian Adventures.
Mar 15, 2018•33 min
For many people, travel is something they look forward to all year. It occupies daydreams, shapes savings plans and hopefully exceeds expectations when in the destination. But with a globally growing middle class, visa requirements easing-up and the cost of air travel dropping, more people than ever are hitting the road. And often, too many of us at the same time in the same place. This can not only lead to trips sometimes not living up to expectations, but the destinations themselves and people...
Mar 01, 2018•35 min
Travel, as we say in our intro, is one of life’s great pleasures. But with visiting other countries comes waste we generate and impact as guests. As more and more people have the means to travel, the stress on communities and countries is growing. If destinations are to remain pristine, beautiful and worth visiting, travelers and those working in tourism are going to have to make some adjustments to preserve the places we love. On this episode we’ll chat about practical travel issues and ways yo...
Feb 16, 2018•31 min
After Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, Vietnamese cuisine may be the best known Asian food to people around the world. Staples such as pho, fresh spring rolls, and bahn mi sandwiches are particularly well known, but Vietnamese food is notable for its incredible diversity. On this episode we’re going to dive back into the cuisine of Vietnam with another expert, cookbook author Cameron Stauch, this time focusing on vegetarian dishes.
Feb 01, 2018•31 min
Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s sleepiest countries. Home to 6.5-million people and landlocked, it’s a place of mystery for many travelers and unknown to much of the world. Once a French colony, also ruled by a royal family, then taken over by communist forces in 1975, it’s one of the region’s most friendly and unique destinations. Its number-one tourist destination by far is Luang Prabang, a charming town of 56,000, situated on the banks of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. A former royal capital...
Jan 15, 2018•40 min
Happy New Year! It’s 2018: time to start dreaming of new things in travel. On this episode of Talk Travel Asia podcast we’re going to look back at 2017, reflecting on the places we traveled to—what we liked, what could have been better—then focus on 2018. We’ll discuss top destinations we hope to visit, travel people we want to meet, episodes we hope to produce, things we want to learn, and a few other travel nuggets here and there. Join us on this first episode of Talk Travel Asia for 2018 and ...
Jan 01, 2018•33 min
Myanmar is one of SE Asia’s most fascinating and least-explored countries. Sealed off from the outside world for almost 50 years, it finally opened-up in 2011, and with it, tourism arrivals grew substantially. Things have tailed-off a bit over the last couple years, but Myanmar is still an up-and-coming, ‘must-see’ and experience destination if you are to truly know SE Asia. Infact, it’s one of SE Asia’s most diverse countries and covers a staggering number of regions. From stunning islands and ...
Dec 01, 2017•44 min
Over the last few decades, with many Southeast Asian nations traditionally being unstable or run by overly sensitive and restrictive governments, Thailand became the ‘go-to’ location to film movies when the script required. Whether the movie was supposed to take place in Thailand or Vietnam or Myanmar, the Land of Smiles often doubled as neighbouring countries. As a result, today Thailand has a robust, high-quality filming industry for commercials, TV shows, and feature length films. Today we’ll...
Nov 01, 2017•41 min
Yangon, formerly Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar, formerly Burma, is an exotic sounding name. In the early 1900s, it was one of the most developed and sophisticated cities in Southeast Asia. The elite sent their children there for school, commerce was booming, British, Indians, Burmese, and people from around the world mixed and mingled. And then things changed. In 1948 Burma got independence from the British. Then in 1962 the military took power for almost 50 years, finally loosening their grip...
Oct 15, 2017•33 min
The lifts are old, the mountains cold, but the hospitality and Instagram-worthy moments are off the charts. Iran is likely one of the last places on Earth most people think of taking a holiday, especially a skiing holiday. When Bush Jr. was president it became known as part of the Axis of Evil, and nowadays people are taught through TV news that Iran is a growing threat to stability in the middle east. But those who have met people from Iran realize the country is largely misunderstood and today...
Oct 01, 2017•37 min
Culture shock is certainly something that occurs when traveling abroad. Here in Asia there are many curious customs and holidays that are so different what we experience at home. On this episode we talk about some wild and wacky experiences and attractions in Asia, some of which we have experienced and some of which we have not...yet.
Sep 16, 2017•39 min
A wide variety of beer styles on offer has been common in Europe and North America for decades. In the case of Europe - centuries. About 30 years ago in America and Canada, ‘craft’ beer as it’s now come to be known, began to take off. Slowly at first, then about ten-years-ago things really exploded. There’s a style, catchy name, and funky label for just about every taste. Asia’s been a bit slow to follow, but things are starting to pick up. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is perhaps at the forefront o...
Sep 01, 2017•36 min
Southeast Asia is one of the world’s best regions for SCUBA diving. From wreck diving to focusing on spotting creatures like the whale shark, Southeast Asia has you covered. Whether you’re looking to get certified as a diver or take advanced courses, the region’s warm waters, abundant corals, and of course cultures and things to see above the surface make this an incredible area to choose for diving. Today we’ll talk with a diving enthusiast about his experience in the region under the water.
Aug 15, 2017•49 min
This is not a podcast about attractions and activities your dog or cat could enjoy while you are on vacation in Asia (though that would be fun!) This episode of Talk Travel Asia podcast is about how you can experience animals as a tourist in Asia. Some are good, some are bad, but all can be contentious as animal rights are something we care passionately about but are not always taken as seriously in Asia as they are in certain countries with more strict enforcement. Want to ride elephants in Tha...
Aug 01, 2017•35 min
Packing for a trip can be tough. We decided to crowdsource, asking our friends and fans on Facebook to help us brainstorm a topic, 'Packing Tips'. Packing is always a bit tricky: you never know exactly what the weather will be like, there are always items you’re never quite sure you’ll need, and it seems that no matter what, you’ll always either bring too much of something or not enough of another.
Jul 15, 2017•35 min
Our guest today is a travel writing legend. Joe Cummings has been living and working in Southeast Asia for decades. He’s authored scores of travel guidebooks and a host of specialty-focus books on everything from Buddhist Stupas in Asia to traditional Thai tattoos. He’s perhaps best known for being the original Lonely Planet Thailand guidebook writer. He is also an accomplished guitar player and all around nice guy. If you’re looking for someone who knows a ton about Southeast Asia – Joe Cumming...
Jul 01, 2017•37 min
On episode 62 of Talk Travel Asia podcast: Interesting Asian Holidays, Trevor and Scott discuss some of the more interesting holidays and festivals they have experienced while living and traveling in Asia and talk about some of the other interesting Asian holidays and festivals that they are still interested in experiencing.
Jun 13, 2017•30 min
How you get from place to place during a trip can be a major theme of your travels—even the main focus. Some people take hiking trips, others go cycling, and some look to motorcycles to get around. Today we’ll chat with American Steve Mueller, who took his love for vintage Vespa motorcycles and turned it into a business, Vespa Adventures, showing tourists the ins and outs of Ho Chi Minh City, and eventually other areas of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, on the back of vintage Vespa motorbikes. What ...
Jun 01, 2017•28 min
