Total Expenses for 4.5 Months Backpacking in Asia 8 Countries in MYR

The total spending for each person travelling 8 countries cost around RM17717. The 8 countries include 28 days in Indonesia, 28 days in Taiwan, 22 days in Philippines, 5.5 days in Hong Kong, 19 days in Vietnam, 6 days in Cambodia, 13 days in Laos, 21.5 days in Thailand.

The Indonesia Backpacking Trip is separated from the other 7 countries backpacking trip as I need to go back Malaysia to attend my brother convocation. Hence, there are to total return flight cost RM426 include the 20kg check-in going there and 25ke check-in going back.

For the 7 countries, we flight to Taiwan first by AirAsia. After travelled round the Taiwan island. We flight to Manila and then transfer to Puerto Princesa which both by AirAsia. Then travelled around the Philippines by ferries and buses back to Manila. Then took the flight to Hong Kong by AirAsia and then continue to Hanoi by JetStar. All of these flight we took 20kg check-in for two person.

After travelling south from Hanoi to HCMC and enter Phnom Penh. Then travelled north to Luang Prabang, Laos and Chiang Rai, Thailand. Then travelled south again to last destination, Bangkok. The AirAsia flight that we took was with 45kg check-in luggage as Bangkok is a shopping heaven.

Therefore, the most expensive country that we have stay is definitely, Hong Kong, cost us average RM183 per day. Then follow by Philippines which is RM137 per day as travelling around Philippines with ferry is quite expensive. Next is the Taiwan which cost us RM121 per day. The rest are almost the same.

The total flight ticket cost RM2032 per person for 8 flights.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE

The most expensive ticket for out backpacking trip is definitely the Hong Kong Disneyland, Cost us RM280 per person!

The most expensive transport exclude the flight is the Ferry from El Nido to Coron, Philippines, Cost PHP1340 (RM111) per person.

While for the land transport is the Overnight Bus from Luang Prabang, Laos to Chiang Rai,Thailand, cost LAK 250,000 (RM125) per person. By the way, we also paid extra due to bus is not reliable.

The most expensive tour that we have taken are Lan Ha Bay - Ha Long Bay Day Cruise tour from Cat Ba Island, USD21 (RM90) per person. This tour is really worth although the weather is very cold.

The most expensive Motorbike rental is in El Nido, Philippines. The only motorbike rental in that country cost us PHP400 (RM33) per day.
Other Countries for a motorbike rental per day:
Indonesia : IDR60,000 (RM20)
Taiwan: TWD200 (RM28)
Vietnam: VND100,000 (RM19)
Cambodia: USD5 (RM21)
Laos: LAK20,000 (RM25)
Thailand: THB200 (RM28)

The most expensive accommodation is absolutely at Hong Kong. Cost us HKD200 (RM100) for a double room per night.
Other Countries Accomodation (Cheapest for Double Room or Dorms) per night for two persons:
Indonesia : IDR80,000 (RM27)
Taiwan : TWD310 (RM44)
Philippines : PHP640 (RM53)
Vietnam : VND170 (RM32) We found the cheapest and the best double bed room at Cat Ba Island.
Cambodia : USD5.7 (RM24) We stay at the dorm with just USD1 per person per night!
Laos : LAK78,500 (RM39)
Thailand : THB296 (RM38)

Thailand day 9 & 10 : From Pai - Minivan to Chiang Mai - Overnight bus to Mo Chit Bangkok - Minivan to Pak Chong - Khao Yai Art Museum - Pak Chong Night Bazaar

In the morning, we enjoyed the environment at the Mr Jan Guesthouse while waiting to check out before 11pm since our booked minivan to Chiang Mai is 2pm. After checked out, we had the lunch at the Tik Kitchen. The meal is cheap but normal and the juice is so sweet that I can't finished it. I feel headache after drank it.

Top : Fried Rice with Chicken , 50B
Bottom : Rice with stirred fried chicken, 50B
Juice, 20B each

The minivan to Chiang Mai departed from the Aviabooking station. Our backpacks were tighten at the van roof top. The minivan stop at the same stop after one and half hour of downhill and curve road journey. The total journey took 3.5 hours as the road is quite jam bear to city area. After reached the Arcade terminal 2, we had dinner at the local restaurant nearby the bus terminal. At the first restaurants, we asked how much is the food since there is meal name written in English. The lady boss said it is 50 but I saw the menu written in Thai only 40. Then she said the big bowl for 50 and the small bowl for 40. Then we want to eat the small bowl but she refused to do our business. Hence, we left the restaurant and found next one have english menu with listed price.

Rice with stirred fried pork, 40B

Our overnight bus to Mo Chit, Bangkok is the Transport.co first class double decker bus. There are only one departure time at 7pm daily. The cost is 488B/person. There is toilet inside. The carry on bag can be put in the door cabin above the seat. The seat can be adjusted to around 135 degree with the leg rest. There is blanket provided. A water bottle, muffin and coffee is given to everyone. There is hot water downstairs. The bus stopped at several town bus station to drop off and pick up passenger. Around 9pm, the bus attendant gave another juice drink to everyone. We hardly sleep in the bus as there is TV playing movie in thai and it is very loud. But it shut down after 11pm. The bus stopped again at 1am at a big rest area with supermarket and food stall. After that, we sleep all the way to Bangkok.

Transport.co first class bus

A water bottle and a box which have a cup, a muffin and coffee

Our Expenses for Day 9

Lunch : 160

Water : 9

Minivan to Chiang Mai : 300
Dinner : 80

First class overnight bus to Bangkok : 976

TOTAL ; 1525

At 5:40am, we reached the Mo Chit Bangkok. Mo Chit is also called Chatuchak Bus Terminal. We straight away asked for the minivan to Pak Chong. After asked for 4 persons, finally we get on the minivan which cost 160B. The minivan depart every hour. The minivan that we sit departed at 6am.

Minivan to Pak Chong

After 3 hours journey, we reached the Pak Chong town. The driver thought us is going to the Khao Yai National Park. He straight away told the songthaew driver that we were going. After we get off the minivan, we just straight away get back our backpacks from the songthaew. 

Firstly, we found the breakfast to eat. By using foursquare, we found a very famous local restaurant near the train station. It is crispy pork with rice and only cost 40B.

Crispy pork with rice, 40B
Chinese sausage with rice, 40B

After that, we put our backpacks at train station while I went to find the motorbike to rent since our booked accommodation was far away from town. We don't waste our money to sit the songthaew. After asked 3 rental shop, the price is the same which is 300B for 24 hours. Hence, I just rented a newer scooter.

Honda Click 125, 300B/day

The accommodation that we booked is Lake view tent. One tent for two people only cost 300B/night. The dorm bed in any hostel cost 300B/night for person which is very expensive for us although they are near to the train station or town area. After two times riding back and forth from train station and lake view, we finally transferred our four backpacks to the place. The tent have two futon beds, two sleeping beds and two towels. The tent is just located beside the lake.

After that, we rode to the town to find lunch. We couldn't find any local food to eat as most of the local here don't speak English. Then we just had our lunch at KFC. Then departed to Khao Yai Art Museum which is free admission. The journey took half an hour from town. We just spent there for an hour since it is not that big.

KFC big box, 167B

In art space A

Art space A, there are a lot of paintings and statues of Rama IX king.

Art Space B

Art Space C is the artwork of the white temple artist

There are some artwork at outside too.

After that, we rest at the Tops Daily convenience shop to have some coffee. There is not much thing to do in Khao Yai as most of the attraction is not free and the entrance fee is at least 100B/person for most of the place. After loitered at the Tesco, we went to the Night Bazaar at the Pak Chong town center.

Coffee 30B and watermelon 10B

Pak Chong Night Bazaar

Fried sandwish with vege and crab meat, 15B

Left : Sticky rice with pork floss and sausage, 20B
Right : Steamed fish with curry paste and vege, 10B

Grilled squid and others, 10B each

Our Expenses for Day 10

Minivan to Pak Chong : 320

Breakfast : 80

Motorbike : 300

Lunch : 167

Coffee and fruit : 40

Dinner : 65

Accomodation : 300

TOTAL : 1272

Thailand Day 8 Scooter day tour in Pai: Yun Lai Sunrise - Chinese Village - Land Split - Pam Bok Waterfall - Coffee in Love - Pink House - Mari Pai Resort -Memorial Bridge - Pai Canyon

Today we did the scooter tour around the Pai area. First, we rode to the west direction to the Yun Lai to view the sunrise. When going down hill, we also visited the Chinese Village. Then had the breakfast at Nong Tay Porridge at the Pai town center. After that, we headed south to visit the Land Split and Pam Bok Waterfall which located at the same area and located 7km away from town. Then rode back north to visited the Coffee in Love and Pink House while on the way back to the Pai town.After having lunch at the same restaurant that we had dinner yesterday, we rest at our guesthouse for awhile. Near to 3pm, we rode south again, this time is the Memorial bridge which located 10km from the town. Then rode the way back to town and visited the Pai Canyon. The total distance we rode is around 60km. Hence the only petrol need to use is around 1.5 liter or 45B. But we added 60B which is too much as all petrol station is closed at night and we had to added at the motorbike rental shop which only can add 1 or 2 liters.

Yun Lai Sunrise Viewpoint - We departed from town at 6am. The road is quite steep. There are so many tourist when we reached which just took 20 minutes from the town. Entrance fee is 20B/person.

Yun Lai gate near the parking area

A breathtaking view!

Too cloudy, cannot see clear sunrise

Jack Sparrow Photographing

Can have a tea here while enjoy the sunrise

Chinese style souvenirs can be found here

There are bun and porridge as breakfast

Chinese Village - On the way down to town, we visited this chinese village. Actually there is an entrance fee os 50B/person but we didn't pay as we passed by in the early morning without their notice.

Chinese Village or Shan Di Cun

Man Powered ferris wheel?

A unique style of building

Nong Tay Porridge - At the intersection near to the Wat Luang, The porridge taste very nice and cheap. Can eat the small porridge at the opposite stall which sell small fried dough (Xiao You Tiao) and soya bean drink.

Nong Tay Porridge

Pork Porridge, 35B

Soya Bean 10B and Small Fried Dough 20B

Upside down house on the way to land split.

Land Split - There is no entrance fee but except donation. After gave the donation, the owner served us the Rosella drink and some snack.

Land Split

Can walk down to the crack

Rosella juice is a nutrient drink

Rosella Tree

Rosella juice, banana chip and rosella jam

Pam Bok Waterfall - No entrance fee. 5 minutes walked from the parking area. We can't get close to the watefall as there are only waterway. It is very suitable for swimming.

Pam Bok Waterfall which can see from far away

Coffee in Love - A theme restaurant with full of decorations and art works. No entrance fee.

Coffee in Love has scenic view 

The famous yellow building

Pink House - Another themed restaurant with pinky decorations and art works. No entrance fee.

Pink bike at the Pink House

Plants are also pink

Pink Jeep with Pink shirt

We also went to the Pai Post Office.

Mural art at the post office

Big post box

Lunch at the same local restaurants as we had dinner yesterday.

Top : Chinese sausage fried rice 35B
Bottom : Sukiyaki soup (Clear vermicelli spicy soup) 35B
Right : Pineapply juice 20B

Mari Pai Resort - A themed resort with different kind of accommodation. No entrance fee. The most famous is the big tree with swing.

In the Mari Pai Resort, the rules are in Chinese only since only eastern people will come here.

Camper room

The famous big tree and swing

Memorial Bridge - A reconstructed old steel bridge after flood destroy the old wooden bridge. No entrance fee. A lot of people taking photos there.

Souvenirs shop near the memorial bridge

History of the bridge

The memorial bridge

Pai Canyon - A nature place in Pai. No entrance fee. After climbed 10 minutes of staircase, can view the canyon which is quite amazing. There are several routes that can go around the canyon. Some routes have steep and slippery slopes.

Pai Canyon, a very steep and slippery slope

Nice view

At another end

Very high cliff

My feet was sweating

At night, we walked around the walking street and had the dinner there.

Black rice cake

Grilled ir

Topped with sesame and condensed milk

Grilled black rice cake, 20B

Mango sticky colorful rice, 40B

Grilled meat, 5-15B

Grilled dried squid, 50B

Drink in Bamboo
First time 30B
Next time only 10B with the reused bamboo cup
There are chrysanthemum, beal fruit, ginger, milk tea, pandan.
 

Our Expenses

Motorbike : 200
Fuel : 60

Breakfast : 110

Yun Lai : 40

Land split Donation : 40

Rosella pack : 50
Lunch : 90

Snack : 40

Souvenir : 30

Dinner : 180
Massage : 400

Accomodation : 300

Total : 1540