Chop Chop! Make Sure you Know your Chopstick Etiquette Before you Travel

A lesson in chopstick history and etiquette for all fumbling foreigners. From Confucius to Bill Bryson, we explore the oldest, longest and unluckiest pair of chopsticks! If you're concerned that you might starve rather than master the skill of the chopsticks, don't fear, we're here to help with all the chopstick dos and don'ts!

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7 Unusual Delicacies in South East Asia!

It’s a test of manhood, there’s no going back now… Surrounded by your newly made travel buddies, you stare nervously at the morsel now on the plate in front of you. You just can’t wimp out now – or can you? Surely a buffalo’s anus is nutritious and delicious right? Err… As a backpacker in South East Asia, you're sure to come face to face with a bizarre and unusual dish or two. Here's our pick of South East Asia's strangest delicacies. Would you dare to tantalize your taste buds with the following exotic delicacies?

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Notes from the Editor: Patience and Backpacking in South East Asia

“What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare”... When backpacking through South East Asia, your patience threshold will be tested on more than one occasion. Trains that take five hours longer than planned, spontaneous holidays that make banks, embassies and post offices close when you just need to get that something done and a laid-back attitude to the point of slumber are just some of the things that you may struggle with. Coming from a Western culture, we find it very difficult to just… WAIT. Learning to adapt to this cultural and lifestyle difference is an ongoing lesson...

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Skyscanner Competition! You Could Win the Trip of a Lifetime…

In an exciting partnership with our friends at Skyscanner, S.E.A Backpacker Magazine are offering YOU the chance to win a flight to South East Asia for the trip of a lifetime! The prize is worth a whopping £1500 GBP or $2,400 USD! But we’re not offering this incredible opportunity to just any old backpacker... We’re looking for those types of travellers who we know are going to make the most out of their adventure! We want to know which Type of Traveller are You?

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The Gap Year Fear! Taking the plunge into the unknown. In need of a safety net?

Deep in your heart you know that taking a gap year is the thing you want to do most in the world – yet you can’t quite bring yourself to make the jump. What if you never do? Can you imagine if you’d never had that first driving lesson or very first date? Sometimes, all you need is a gentle push, a helping hand; support; a good safety net, something to set you on the path to an experience of a lifetime…

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Deserted Island Paradise with No 7-11′s! Koh Phayam, Thailand

A while ago we heard a whisper about a beautiful little island. It’s the ubiquitous backpacker-trail search for the beach that everyone seems to be drawn to. Do deserted white sandy beaches still exist? We decided to check out this hidden isle called Koh Phayam for ourselves.

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A Quirky Side to Thailand… 10 Unexpected Highlights Overlooked by Backpackers

A glo-paint smeared body, bucket in each hand and a night of dancing and debauchery? A perfect palm-fringed, white sandy beach, waves lapping into shore as you sip a fresh coconut juice? Or perhaps, it's the chaos of Bangkok; the colourful markets, bustling streets and glitzy shopping malls? What does Thailand mean to you? Here we present to you a different side of Thailand, a quirky side and 10 unexpected and unusual places that are often overlooked by backpackers...

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The Death of the Postcard?

Long gone are the days when an ink quill, a scroll and an owl (or perhaps a stamp and some help from the Postal Service) were all it took to pour out your deepest most heartfelt feelings and get them to your person of choice. Why bother, when these days a short text, a quick Facebook comment, a simple email or a public Blog can do it with far less effort expelled and in much less time?

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Guest Post: The South East Asia Backpacker Catwalk

Worried about your fashion wardrobe in South East Asia? Will you fit in with the flashpackers and stylish travellers? And how will you make sure your money belt doesn't bulge out of your hot pants? Let fashion guru, Alexandra Jimenez of blog 'Travel Fashion Girl' fill you in on the catwalk of South East Asia...

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Notes from the editor: Where is home?

Where is home to you? Is it a building or a place where you grew up or where you went to school? Is it where your family and friends are located? Is it a place where you feel like you can just relax and be yourself? Lyrically speaking, is ‘home where the heart is?’ or is it ‘Wherever you lay your hat?’ Editor, Nikki Scott discusses the concept of home and how travel has changed the place where she now calls "home"...

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