Buzz
Putting aside his job at Microsoft Corporation, 22-year-old Aaron Budnick decides to embark on a backpacking adventure through various Southeast Asian countries.
Aaron Budnick, a 22-year-old graduate from Syracuse University in May 2014, finds himself at a crossroads with no concrete plans for the future. By October 2014, he's offered a position at the world-renowned Microsoft Corporation (in Seattle, USA). However, Aaron chooses to defer his start date until June 2015 to pursue a backpacking trip through several Southeast Asian countries.
His first stop is Southern Thailand, followed by unique explorations in Cambodia and Vietnam, returning to Northern Thailand, and concluding his journey in Indonesia. Armed with only a lightweight backpack and an indispensable travel guidebook to Southeast Asia, Aaron reflects, 'That was the starting point for my backpacking adventures. It was a place where I didn't know much, didn't understand the language, and most daringly, I didn't know where I would end up,' shares Budnick.
To navigate through the countries of Southeast Asia, Budnick had to alternate between various modes of transportation such as buses, motorcycles, trains, and airplanes. Throughout his journey, he made friends with many fellow backpackers from around the world, traversing 3,218 kilometers on a motorcycle purchased in Vietnam, living among local people, visiting temples, relaxing on beaches, and especially indulging in delicious cuisine in each country.
Southern Thailand
Exploring Southern Thailand, Budnick visits Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok. It is considered the most venerable ancient temple in Thailand.
Cambodian Expedition
Upon arrival in Cambodia, Budnick ventures to explore Ta Prohm Temple, nestled within the Angkor Wat complex, Siem Reap. Once used by the Khmer empire, it was later abandoned.
Budnick climbs a small hill to overlook one of the impoverished villages in Cambodia, where houses are built on stilts in the water. Additionally, he experiences riding a tuk-tuk to various places, costing only about 1 dollar.
During his time in Cambodia, Aaron visits the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, where millions of Cambodians were murdered by the Khmer Rouge regime, and spends leisure time on the beaches of Sihanoukville, a town on the southwest coast of Cambodia.
Driving in Vietnam
After leaving Cambodia, Budnick purchases a Win motorcycle on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and rides it nearly 3,218 kilometers to Hanoi. He says, 'It's very easy to find bikes like that in Vietnam because many people frequently travel from South to North or vice versa. I didn't know how to ride a motorbike, but only learned a bit during rush hours, and it was a memorable experience,' Aaron shares.
During his exploration of Vietnam, Budnick embarks on an adventurous journey with another backpacking friend he met along the way, experiencing all the dangerous, winding roads and admiring the beautiful scenery along the S-shaped land. He also stops by Mui Ne, a coastal town with beautiful beaches and endless stretches of white and red sand dunes.
Budnick happily remarks, 'Vietnamese people are very friendly and willing to help others. During the trip, I met a Vietnamese family living on a farm. I spent the whole day with them, learning about their lives. Especially, I was treated very well and enjoyed a traditional meal which was absolutely amazing,' he adds.
Returning to the Land of Thailand
After his time in Vietnam, Budnick travels to Northern Thailand. He visits a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai city. 'When we visited, there was a ceremony taking place, so we could hear the prayers,' Budnick adds.
On the way to Chiang Mai, Budnick heads to Pai Canyon to find high cliffs for a good view and spectacular vistas of the Pai Valley. Additionally, he gets to celebrate New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai, along with fellow travel companions, to enjoy local delicacies and share experiences and itinerary information with each other.
One morning, Budnick stops at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple in Mae Hong Son, Northern Thailand, and admires the beauty of the city shimmering in the mist below. Impressed by the unique style of Wat Rong Khun temple, where people come to pray to avoid potential misfortunes.
Indonesian Island Adventure
After leaving Northern Thailand, Budnick explores Indonesia in his own way. His first stop is the monkey temple Uluwatu in Bali. Additionally, Budnick descends to the beach below this temple, a secret beach accessible only by climbing down rugged stairs. Budnick then embarks on a boat journey from Lombok to Gili Trawangan, one of the three Gili islands off the northwest coast of Indonesia. Here, Budnick experiences a range of emotions from enjoying and admiring the vast ocean, immersing himself in the pristine beaches to witnessing the breathtaking red-hued sunset behind the mountains.
Upon returning to Lombok, Budnick and his friends are invited by hotel owners to participate in the annual Nyale fishing festival of the local people. During these days, Lombok becomes lively as thousands of fishermen gather here to participate in the Nyale fishing festival rituals. They sing, pray to the sea with joyful and peculiar Saksa traditional rituals.
Near the end of his journey, Budnick catches a bus to Java Island, Indonesia. He arrives in a small town at 1 a.m. without booking a hotel in advance. Later, a mother and her child on the same bus with Budnick invite him to stay at their home. Here, he can admire the active volcano on Mount Bromo, encounter farmers making puppet dolls on the buffalo hill, or visit the famous Buddhist temple Borobudur in Yogyakarta.
According to Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourJune 29, 2015
