Hoi An - Old Quarter 103
JUNE / JULY 2023 OVERVIEW We have just finished our 3 month stay in Cenang Beach, Langkawi, Malaysia. … our next stop is Hoi An, Vietnam … PLEASE NOTE: I have been to Hoi An before: firstly in 2015 and later in 2020. Hoi An hasn’t changed much 🙂 In this blog, I will focus on what is new. To read my previous blogs follow these links: Hoi An – Vietnam – Information (2015) Hoi An – Vietnam – Retirement Locations (2020) EXCHANGE RATE The currency in Vietnam is the Dong (or the ‘VND’). At the time of writing, the […]

Hoi An – Vietnam – Information (2023)

MARCH 2023 - MAY 2023 OVERVIEW In my previous post, I provided General Information about Cenang Beach including: Exchange Rates; Money / Banks / ATMs; Getting There; When to Go; Transport; Where to Stay; Accommodation Options; Internet / WiFi; Your GRANDPAcking Costs. … now, let’s look at what it is like to LIVE here on a GRANDPAcking Budget … BEACHES CENANG BEACH / PANTAI CENANG Cenang Beach is the most popular beach in Langkawi. This sandy beach is lined with many hotels, restaurants, and bars. It is 2 km long. This is also the busiest beach on the island with […]

Cenang Beach – Langkawi – Malaysia – Living on a GRANDPAcking Budget (2023)

MARCH 2023 OVERVIEW We have just finished our SCUBA Diving Liveaboard and Island Hopping in the Andaman Sea, Thailand. … our next stop is Cenang Beach, Langkawi, Malaysia … EXCHANGE RATE The currency in Malaysia is the Ringit (or the ‘MYR’). At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were: US$1 EU€1 GB£1 Published Wholesale Rate 4.50 4.77 5.38 Actual Exchange Rate (Wise Debit Card) 4.46 4.73 5.33 Actual Exchange Rate (Typical Credit Card) 4.36 4.62 5.21 Actual Exchange Rate (ATM) 4.40 4.66 5.25 You will NOT get this Wholesale Rate … you will get the Actual […]

Cenang Beach – Langkawi – Malaysia – Information (2023)

FEBRUARY 2023 OVERVIEW Thailand, currently offers most major country passport holders a 45 day Tourist Visa On Arrival (VOA). At the time of writing, Thailand had no COVID-19, Travel Insurance, nor Exit Ticket requirements. Thailand was open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists. So, what can you do with those 45 days? … In this blog, I summarise a SCUBA Dive Liveaboard with some island hopping down to Langkawi, Malaysia … then, I suggest a 30 day Island Hopping itinerary … EXCHANGE RATE The currency in Thailand is the Baht (or the ‘THB’). At the time of writing, the exchange […]

Andaman Sea – Thailand – Living Ideas

MARCH 2023 OVERVIEW We are island hopping south from Khao Lak, Thailand through the Andaman Sea to Langkawi Island, Malaysia. Our first stop was Ko Lanta. Our second stop was Koh Mook: … our final stop is Ko Lipe … EXCHANGE RATE The currency in Thailand is the Baht (or the ‘THB’). I will refer to them as THBs. At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were: US$1 EU€1 GB£1 Published Wholesale Rate 34.24 36.66 41.40 Actual Exchange Rate (Wise Debit Card) 34.00 36.40 41.11 Actual Exchange Rate (Typical Credit Card) 33.21 35.56 40.16 Actual […]

Ko Lipe – Thailand – Information

FEBRUARY 2023 OVERVIEW We are island hopping south from Khao Lak, Thailand through the Andaman Sea to Langkawi Island, Malaysia. We have just visited Ko Lanta. … our next stop is Koh Mook (aka Ko Muk) … EXCHANGE RATE The currency in Thailand is the Baht (or the ‘THB’). I will refer to them as THBs. At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were: US$1 EU€1 GB£1 Published Wholesale Rate 34.24 36.66 41.40 Actual Exchange Rate (Wise Debit Card) 34.00 36.40 41.11 Actual Exchange Rate (Typical Credit Card) 33.21 35.56 40.16 Actual Exchange Rate (ATM) […]

Koh Mook – Thailand – Information

FEBRUARY 2023 OVERVIEW My main reason for coming to Thailand was to do a SCUBA Liveaboard in the Andaman Sea out of Khao Lak. I am, now, island hopping south to Langkawi Island, Malaysia. … our first stop is Koh Lanta … EXCHANGE RATE The currency in Thailand is the Baht (or the ‘THB’). I will refer to them as THBs. At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were: US$1 EU€1 GB£1 Published Wholesale Rate 34.24 36.66 41.40 Actual Exchange Rate (Wise Debit Card) 34.00 36.40 41.11 Actual Exchange Rate (Typical Credit Card) 33.21 35.56 […]

Ko Lanta – Thailand – Information

FEBRUARY 2023 OVERVIEW Back in 2015, I did exactly the same SCUBA Liveaboard trip on the Manta Queen 7 (MQ7). You can read about it in my previous posts Andaman Sea – Thailand – SCUBA Dive Liveaboard. Andaman Sea – Thailand – SCUBA Dive Gallery: Andaman Coast – Thailand – GRANDPAcking Costs: Now, let’s look at how much things have changed … EXCHANGE RATE The currency in Thailand is the Baht (or the ‘THB’). I will refer to them as THBs. At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were: US$1 EU€1 GB£1 Published Wholesale Rate […]

Andaman Sea – Thailand – SCUBA Liveaboard – Living Ideas (2023)

GENERIC Photo by Orimi Protograph on Unsplash OVERVIEW The sun-soaked archipelago of Malta has been welcoming visitors to its sandy shores for decades, with this diverse European hotspot offering a little something for everyone. Families, couples and solo travellers can all enjoy the sights and sounds of this little holiday hotspot. Whilst the summer months remain the most popular time to visit, Malta’s temperate climate lends itself to year-round travel. And for many travelers who favour more mild temperatures, spring will be the best time to jet off. Whether you want to relax on its pristine beaches or explore its […]

Why Spring is the Perfect Time to Visit Malta

DECEMBER 2022- JANUARY 2023 OVERVIEW In my previous post (Boracay Island – Philippines – Getting There) I talked about how to get to Boracay Island and how to find long-term accommodation. Check out 12Go to have a look at ‘getting there’ options: It is assumed that you plan to be here for 2 months … arriving with a standard 30 day Visa On Arrival (VOA), then extending your VOA by another 29 days. This gives you up to 59 days for your Boracay Island ‘experience’. … now let’s talk about what it is like to ‘live’ here … EXCHANGE RATE […]

Boracay – Philippines – Information (2023)