Well it’s time for the next adventure…next stop Asia! Stoked to be heading back to explore Thailand, The Philippines and Indo – and I’ll be joined by a new travel buddy too!
Well I’m currently kicking back after a long haul flight back to the UK after an incredible month exploring and surfing in South Africa, however I’ve got 4 days to sort my life out before jetting off on the next adventure – once again on a one way ticket with no idea when I’ll return!
So what’s the plan?
Same Same But Different

If you’ve been paying attention on Facebook or Instagram you’ll have a few clues of what my next set of plans entail.
Either way I’m stoked to announce I’m heading back to Asia!
Over the last few years I’ve bounced back and forth to Asia, it’s such a beautiful part of the world to explore, there’s heaps to do and most importantly it’s super budget friendly.
So Why am I going back again? What’s the plan this time?
Personally I love revisiting places. Some people hate going back over old ground but I find it a much more relaxed experience knowing where I shall be staying, the awesome little restaurants I’ve found that I’l be eating at and catching up on experiences I missed the first few time around.
It allows me to kick back and really soak up the ambience of the place – and means I feel less pressure on the work/lifestyle balance as I’m not cramming heaps in!
The plan this time around covers some firm favourites of mine mixed in with some exciting new stuff which has me pretty stoked!
Thailand

The first stop is Thailand – where I’ll be following a pretty similar itinerary to the once I did with Stephen from A Backpackers Tale late last year.
Starting off in the chaos of Bangkok I’ll quickly be dropping down to Koh Tao where I’ll be getting back into the world of freediving again. I’ll also be joined by a new travel buddy – The Povester – and she’ll hopefully be completing her open water certification whilst we’re there.
She’s never explored Thailand before so I’ll be showing her around.
From there we may well pit stop over in my personal favourite of Phi Phi Island, or possibly even Railay Beach, it depend how much fun we’re having on Koh Tao really!
The final Thai stop is back with my buddies over at Khao Lak Scuba Adventures where we’ll be joining them out on the Similan Islands which is always a treat.
Coincidentally we’ll be on the same boat as my dive guides from my dive trip in Iceland! I love how small the world is sometimes!
Philippines
The second stop on my Asia adventure is new ground for me – The Philippines – which I’m super stoked for. Its been on my bucket list for a long time now and to be honest I’m not sure why I’ve never mentioned to get out there yet!
After landing in Cebu we’ll be joining the guys at Freedive HQ for more underwater action before grabbing a flight over to Siargao.
Here it’s all about surfing and island life as we kick back with the guys at Kermits Surf Camp exploring the waves and island hoping around to see what the area has to offer – I’ve heard good things from heaps of my blogger buddies so I’m pretty excited.
The final section is still up in the air, but Boracay looks high on the list…any suggestions?!

Indo
I’ll be finishing up 2014 in one of my favourite backpacking spots – Indonesia.
It looks like a jam packed finale to the year with heaps of surfing goodness in Kuta with my buddy Rich before exploring Gili T (more diving and freediving!) and Ubud before joining the Mojo Surf Crew on a week long island hopping surf trip across Bali, Nusa Lembongan and Java which should be treats all round – in fact that’s how I’m spending xmas!
With a New Years Eve promising heaps of Kuta based chaos fuelled by double doubles at Alley Cats bar it’s shaping up to be a pretty epic end finish to a fittingly chaotic year of travel plans!
Yeeewwwww!
And that’s basically the summary of how the final part of 2014 will be wrapping up for me – keeping to my promise that I’ll be spending as much time surfing, freediving and scuba diving as possible!
…but of course you guys already know how quickly my plans can change!
Let me know if you’re out in that part of the world and we can grab a beer!
Roll on the end of the week!
Jealous of your Asia trip! Sounds heaps fun, enjoy diving again and travelling together :)
Thanks JP – hope you enjoy reading about it!
Dude, so nice to read that you’re finally heading to the PH! All the places you’ve mentioned are definitely spot on your alley. Siargao is a topnotch for sure, but if you still have a spot on your plans, you might want to check out Palawan? Specially el nido and Coron. And yea, Boracay for sure, an all-nighter paradise!
And if you’re passing by Manila, really hoping to meet you both for beers maybe? Cheers brother!
Stoked for it too Simon! So many people are mentioning Palawan that I think we’ll have to squeeze it in somehow! Unfortunately we’re not heading to Manilla, but maybe next time hey bro?
Dude, maybe we’ll see you in Cebu or Siargao? Probably heading to Siargao passing by Cebu in the next months! But anyway, enjoy the country!
Yeah bro that would be awesome! Drop me an email and I’ll chuck you the dates I’m working with! Stoked to get out there.
I can’t wait to read about your experience in Siargao. I will be heading there in late February! Afterwards I will be heading to
El Nido which I highly recommend you check out! I went in March 2013 and loved it so much I am heading back. Some other spots I will be hitting up that I recommend you look up are Malapascua (Thresher Sharks!) and Dumaguete (muck diving, Siquijor island, APO island). Have a wonderful time!
Glad to hear it’s a popular spot! Looks like my Philippines trip is going to be jam packed with everyones suggestions! I’d really love to dive with Thresher sharks so thanks for the heads up!
We loved El Nido in the Philippines, and Adam said the diving in Coron was amazing with the ship wrecks. We are headed back to Asia soon too.
More stuff to add to the list, looks like I’ll have to go back a couple of times!hahaha!
Hey !
i’m out in Thailand from 14th October – 19th November hoping around Vietnam and Cambodia for a bit too, should have a beer at some point !
If we cross paths Elliott I’m totally game, always good to meet my readers!
must see in the philippines : surigao. bohol. caramoan. palawan. batanes. cordillera. too many to mention! :)
Mucho gracias Dei – I’ll add those to the research list!
Ahhh I am so excited for you Chris – reading this really got my feet itching!! I am excited to check out the Where Is Tara blog too – especially as it is new and I can follow from the get go!
I would ADORE to do what she is doing..!! You guys must have an absolute blast in Thailand (hope not too much torrential downpour kills the buzz!), Philippines and INDO!!! Ahhhh… I want to JOIN now!!!
Remember to check out the little post I did about you and some of the travel blogs I’ve found through your awesome blog.
I’ve printed out SO many of your posts and have started reading them each evening with a glass of wine. Its really inspiring and hilarious! xx
http://www.bohemianmuses.blogspot.com
Shame we couldn’t cross paths in Africa Jade – but I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog! Stoked to see how your adventures pan out and I love the blog!
sounds cool, maybe you’ll cross paths with alex in wanderland in ko tao
Awww good times – I partied with her in Gili T a couple years ago!
South East Asia really has a lot of thing to explore especially its culture. And wish both you and Tara a happy journey.. :)
Thanks Peter – we love it out here!
Saying that I’m green with envy about Siargao in an understatement!!! If you happen to meet Gianni Grifoni at Cloud 9 (you probably will, as he’s a surfer too, as well as the owner of a resort in there), tell him that Clelia wants him to behave!! he’ll know what I mean, and you’ll love him, he’s SUPER FUN! ;)
I’m also super happy to hear that you won’t be traveling solo anymore, it will definitely add a new exciting view on your trip and you guys seem to be the perfect match! Have fun and maybe see u around in Asia.
I will be heading back the 11th of November and staying in Thailand for a while. Might also ask u for that contact for the Similan islands. This time i’m not gonna miss them!
Ciaooo!
hahahaha sorry Clelia! Would it make you even more jealous to tell you that me and Gianni are already working together on some new experiences for Epic Gap Year then!? Tell him to behave hey? Got some confessions to make?! ;)
Yeah I’m stoked to see how the non solo thing pans out, it’s going to be a tough learning curve though!hahaha!
You should skip Thailand and come meet us in the Philippines!