More Stamps On My Passport - Is It Getting Easier?

I arrived in Phuket yesterday afternoon. At first I felt a little depleted from the flight but then I was replenished by a mini-family reunion. 

Then, I woke up this morning and realized I should share my thoughts...

Luxury For The Backpacker

Every backpacker knows that to keep sane it's a good idea to reclaim some personal space & creature comforts during a long trip. Translation, there comes a time to splurge for a private room and get out the hostel dorms. If you haven't spent all your money at the pub there should be something in the budget left to treat yourself.

I happen to be in luck! First, I am traveling through Asia so the hostels have lower rates then some parts of the world (Western Europe for example). Anyway, I already had a private room back at Paradiso, the hostel I chose as my first crash pad here in Kuala Lumpur due to their reasonable rates. Nevertheless, it was still a hostel and accommodations are basic (read my other post Crashing At Hostels Is Like Camping - Inside The City for details).

So, what's the recipe for luxury for the backpacker? Well, basically add one measure  of privacy, a dash of the comforts of home and roll it up with a budget price tag and you're cooking with Crisco! 

I set out to find my peace & I discovered Victory 2 Boutique Hotel where I then settled in for some pampering. Now, I've got Wifi, my own TV, air conditioning, private bath with soap & shampoo! Throw in a comfy bed with fresh linen every day and clean towels and I call this luxury. Never mind if you stand up and turn around then you've seen the entire room. Size doesn't matter, really it doesn't. Forget about the fact that this room is lacking a window. Don't fret over the fact that the shower, sink and toilet are all sharing the same space. If you are seriously minimalist like me and just appreciate simplicity then some personal space and minimal indulgence is luxury to you as it is to me. 

Check out some pictures of my digs.... 

Thailand In Two Days

In just under 48 hours I set off for Phuket Thailand. I decided it was time to give Malaysia a break so I went online today to book the flight. I went with Air Asia. The price seemed right and they had a flight leaving and returning on the schedule I desired.

I'm visiting my aunt and uncle there, which I haven't seen since 1985. Ah, partial family reunion!

I wonder what Phuket will have in store for me.

Malaysia Likes Master Card!

Quick Tip: Traveling in Malaysia I discovered something. The convenience of credit cards is not so prevalent as I would have expected. This is mainly linked to my budget lifestyle. Hostels require cash payment. When you are able to book with a credit card Visa is not the number one choice. I've also noticed the Master Card logo is much more prominent at restaurants and grocery stores than Visa. So, if you're a savvy traveler like I, and you hope for racking up points on a credit card stick with Master Card in Malaysia. Visa may just not go through. 

As they say... for everything else, there's Master Card!