⬆️ Bohol, Philippines and Koh Samui, Thailand are two of the best ranked islands in SE Asia! ⬆️
There has been no shortage of inspiration to start NorthAmericanDarrell.com over the years. Meeting Ben on a ferry ride during my five-week trip to The Philippines is a perfect example.
Back story, I rented a studio Airbnb in Cebu City (<-click link) for the full five weeks as home base while island hoping. On one of these trips, I took the ferry trips to Bohol (<-click link), I was assigned an aisle seat in row one of the bottom level of the boat. It was crack ass early, so I was half asleep when this younger tattooed guy excused himself to get to his window seat (there was not window in the first row).
Initially, I was annoyed as I thought I had the entire row to myself, we all know that feeling. We both kept quiet for the first 15 minutes of the ride with Ben wearing his air pods. I believe we started our conversations with me asking questions which I will normally try to get to get an idea of my next destination. Little did I know, I would meet one of the most interesting and inspiring people on my trip. Ben would also share his travels to Vietnam to prepare me for my next trip early in 2025.
We shared so many of the same ideologies, it was uncanny for people born in different generations! I am talking about almost everything (politics, travel goals, spending habits, dating experiences, retirement goals and of course logging our travels).
As part of our conversation, something unbelievable happened. I shared this our story on Facebook and it turns out we have a common Facebook friend. Ben and Lily worked together in Broome, Australia.
Ironically, I met Lily and zee German Tony the last time I was in SE Asia in Thailand in Koh Samui which is Tonys stomping grounds. I still keep in touch with Tonys travels and plan to share that experience too. The last I heard from Tony, he was delivering ambulances in Kiev, Ukraine in the war zone. 100% adventurist!
Talk about six degrees of separation, this coincidence was unbelievable. I was sitting next to a guy that worked with someone I hung out with in Thailand four years earlier on the other side of the world.
I have already shared Ben’s profile on my Facebook but please give him a follow on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCbAX3JwfPGERBAY6DZakEWQ
The way he narrates and recaps his travels is captivating for me and it will be for you too!
I still keep in touch with Ben as I prepare for my trip in Vietnam in January 2024. His preparation for trips is unmatched and below is a small example:
2022 Route Update + Laos
01 April 2022
11:40
Perth ==> Thailand, Bangkok
Currency | ฿ (Baht)
5 Day/s
Notes:
– Get The Airport Bus S1 to Khao San Road 60 Baht
Stay in Rambuttri Road
From
Accommodation:
Home Hug Hostel $6
Zee Thai Hostel $5
Sights:
– Wang Lang Market
– Chatuchak Weekend Market
– Floating Market
– Lumpini Park
– Grand Palace & wat phra kaew
– Wat Pho (Golden Bodha)
– Wat Arun (Temple)
– Wat Saket (Golden Mountain)
– Erawan Museum
– Khao San Road
– Pak Klong Talad (Largest Flower Market)
Thailand, Bangkok ==> Chiang Mai, Thailand
Currency | ฿ (Baht)
4 Day/s
– Bangkok’s Mochid bus station 6pm 10H $20
– Arrive Chiang Mai Bus terminal 2
– Take Bus From Here $1 25MIN (white bus)
– 10 MIN walk zz house
Accommodation:
Giant Hostel $5
Sights:
– Wat Phat Lat(Jungle Temple)
– Thai Massage
– Nights Markets
– Tha-nin Market (Street Food)
– Elephant Sanctuary Website
– Wat Si Keot Temple (Orange Coffee Van)
– Buak Hard Public Park
Chiang Mai, Thailand ==> Pai, Thailand
Currency | ฿ (Baht)
4 Day/s
– Public Bus 5 hours $3
– Minibus 4 hours $6 Book here
– Motorbike 75 minutes https://www.tripsavvy.com/getting-to-pai-thailand-1458630
Accommodation:
Sunny Hostel Pai $5
Sights:
– Drive Around with a Motorbike
– Coffee in Love
– Pai Canyon (Sunset)
– Memorial Bridge
– Pai Walking Street Here
– Wat Toon Poong (Temples)
– Nah Wat Hoo (Temples)
– Temple on the hull
Pai, Thailand ==> Chiang Mai, Thailand
Currency | ฿ (Baht)
1 Day/s
– Public Bus 5 hours $3
Minibus 4 hours $10
Motorbike 75 minutes
https://www.tripsavvy.com/getting-to-pai-thailand-1458630
Chiang mai, Thailand ==> Chumphon, Thailand
Currency | ฿ (Baht)
PASSING THROUGH
Note:
– Get a Train to Sue Junction 10H15 $10 Book Here
– Sue Junction Train to Chumpon (Overnight Train) 6h35 $20
Book Here
– Get a ferry from Chumphon, Talaysub Pier to Koh Tao, Mae Haad Pier Between 8am-1pm 1H30 $20 Book Here
Chumphon, Thailand ==> Koh Tao, Thailand
Currency | ฿ (Baht)
3 Day/s
– Get a ferry from Chumphon, Talaysub Pier to Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier Between 8am-1pm 6H $20 Book Here
– Hostel is a short walk away from Pier
– Traveling to Koh Tao, must prepare a medical certificate of RT-PCR Test or Antigen Rapid Test completed within 24 hours before traveling. 20BH Entry Fee to island
Accommodation:
Islander Koh Tai $10
Sights:
– 3 Day Diving course $360 Here
– Snorkeling Oxygen Tours
– Tukta restaurant
– Sai Baeng Beach (Kyak Or Snorkeling)
– Sairee Beach (Good for nightlife & restaurants)
– John suwan viewpoint
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.
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I have pages and pages of itineraries for Vietnam, Laos and SE Asia that I can refer to during my travels.