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[jeremystravels]

I'm traveling around Asia on the standard touristy route from Japan down to Singapore in the coming weeks and am looking at my itinerary and have a break of 10-20 days where nothing is accounted for (at my standard rate of travel). Right now my route has me going to major and minor tourist cities in Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

I was interested in getting advice from others for potential places to fill a 10-20 day gap in an itinerary (likely based out of Bangkok when I would need to decide). I was thinking Laos, or maybe even places more off the beaten track like Borneo, Philippines, or Myanmar.

Of course, I'm open to more options of general ideas around the region. I was just curious for those who have been out that way, which would be good to get off the beaten track, considering I'll have just spent the better part of 3 1/2 months on the Asian tourist route at that point.

I know it is a bit presumptuous for me to say that I may not want to linger around one place longer than others which would also account for that time, but for the purposes of me asking, lets just assume I end up in Bangkok with 10-20 days to blow in the region.

What is your take?

[aopaq]

If I am not mistaken, you would like advice on what to do with 10-20 days starting from BKK in terms of getting off the beaten track.

But rather than address that scenario, I would suggest getting off the tourist trail in all the various countries you will be visiting. This is easy enough to do whether it be from Hiroshima, Shanghai, KL or Hanoi. In the past, I just looked at a map, found a place that was away from the tourist route, not mentioned in the guide books, and bought a bus or train ticket. That has always proved a successful way for me to meet locals who aren't focussed on the tourist trade and gain a bit of a different exposure to the country. Sure, it may be a bit tougher since you will have to find a hotel or some sort of accommodation but as long as you pick a place that is serviced by bus or train and is relatively large, there is always something.

This would be my suggestion.....

[skylab]

Dude.. Shutup... You're partying with me in Xi'an... You already know this. Stay over my place for those days and we'll kill a few brain cells that may never recover.

[jeremystravels]

I like both of these responses.

You're probably right. I'll be in Xi'an and not know what day it is and magically be 10 days later, haha.