Researching for new articles....

Hey, hey!

I'm finally using my knowledge for something good. These days I've been working on articles about travel safety, crime and terrorism.

It's a HUGE project, and it's going to take some time -- but it will be good! :-)

Every traveler has their worries, whether if the travel destination is safe or if they will have enough money for the trip.

Now, SAFETY is of course a large issue when traveling, and I get regular e-mails about "How safe is it there?" "My mom is worried since I'm traveling to Asia, what should I say to her?" and etc etc.

To ease the pain for YOU, as my reader, and your family (who probably won't stop worrying even if they're going to read the articles, but at least you will get the hard facts about reality), I'm doing the dirty work for you ;-)

The themes of the articles will be anything from petty crime (theft, robbery) to larger issues like terrorism, trafficking, local conflicts etc.

The question is: "Should you really worry?"

And most importantly, how can you try to avoid it?

I'm going to try my best to introduce you the common potential dangers in Asia. To fully understand them, you need to know why they happen.

For example: I'm going to tell you about the conflict in Kashmir (Northern India), why there is a conflict and how travelers to this region can be affected/or not affected.

I appreciate your patience! :)

Amanda

Busy Bee...

Hey guys,

this month has been crazy for me. I have to move out again. So I've been damn busy with apartment-looking. I'm picky, and it's expensive to rent a room/apartment in Oslo, so this will take some time.

The last article I wrote was on Jan 4. I will try to write an article this weekend, but I can't promise anything. And my mom turns 50 on Sunday :-P

Please be patient! Remember that I'm human too ;-)

Amanda

Christmas is on...

Hey guys,

Merry Christmas!!! :D Hope you've eaten well :P

It's Christmas, and I've been a bit lazy these days. To be honest, I really enjoy doing nothing during the holidays... Haha. So new articles will come after New Year's :D

It's kind odd that I'm celebrating Christmas in Norway again -- I haven't done so the last two years. Christmas 2007, I was in Koh Pha Ngan (Thailand). Christmas 2008, I was in Pampanga in the Philippines. It feels strange to celebrate it at home again, but in a good way! ;)

Enjoy your steaks, Singhas or whatever! :D

Have a Happy New Year as well!

Amanda

Flu Attack

I've just recovered from a flu attack which lasted a whole damn week. So I haven't been able to write articles and update the blog (and no, it's not the swine flu... ;)

Right now the newsletter and the e-book are the most important things to be done, so I'm busy with this. So you won't be getting new "ordinary" articles before November 20.

But I can give you sneak peak on future articles! YEAH!

-- Review of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines

-- Reviews of places visited on Bohol Island in the Philippines

-- Laos Culture

-- Sipadan Scuba Diving

Please be patient...

Amanda

Adding Philippines & Hong Kong to Backpacking-Tips-Asia.com!

My plan before 2010 comes into force, is to start releasing articles on the Philippines and Hong Kong.

BUT...

I didn't go backpacking here!!! (it was a family trip in Dec/Jan 2009) But I feel like I still caught a lot of good things that should be useful to you as a backpacker!

An example is the Mount Pinatubo Tour which I think is cool activity to do in the Philippines.

Many travelers coming to Philippines go straight to the beaches in south, but they somehow forget or don't want to visit the beauty of the north! My parents are from the province of Pampanga (in the north) and it's just beautiful up there!

My boyfriend walked all the way to Mt Pinatubo, and he's going to help me write this article! ;-) I caught fever during this trip, so I couldn't enjoy it myself.

Other things I will be writing about are:
-- Reviews of the attractions we visited on Bohol Island
-- Review of Alona Kew Beach (Bohol)
-- Shopping in the Philippines
-- Lantau Island of Hong Kong

And since I'm technically a Filipina, I will write about the exciting (but sometimes strict) culture of the Philippines!

I've started writing these articles, but the newsletter (which will be released on Nov 20) is priority nr. 1!!!

So after this, I will hopefully be serving you fun reviews of Philippines and Hong Kong! ;-)

Amanda

GOING TO CAMBODIA! ;-)

Well, what can I say...

I just bought tickets for me and my boyfriend to Bangkok in APRIL 2010!!! WOHOO!

We will be away for a whole month! ;-)

From Thailand, we will cross the border to Cambodia -- starting from the south (Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep).

My plan with this trip is to explore the rest of Cambodia (because I didn't get to see the rest of the country back in Nov/Dec 2007), gather FRESH information and hopefully create new articles on Southern and Eastern Cambodia (Ban Lung and Sen Monorom). Trekking in the east and sunbathing in the south are the things we want to experience.

Another thing is that I will revisit Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
When writing about my experiences for my website, I have to admit that writing about something that happened for almost 2 years ago can be tricky. That's because I can't remember ALL the details (both good and bad), and sometimes that makes the writing hard!

I only had one day at the Angkor Temples and have decided to explore the other temples (my boyfriend is so excited... He has never been to Cambodia)!

And since we're starting and ending the trip in Bangkok, I will gather more practical and relevant info about this capital. A hope is to take a fast trip to Eastern Thailand (but I don't want to raise my expectations too high). CAMBODIA is the real goal of the trip!

It's still 6 months left, but I just can't wait. Right now I'm trying to save money for the trip ;-)

Amanda

Backpacking Tips Asia taking a BRIEF pause...

... I need to be out of the apartment by September 30.

In other words, instead of using my precious time on writing articles, I have to use that time on selling furniture, moving my stuff and finding a new place to stay!

Sorry about the inconvenience...

Amanda