Event of the Month: Don’t Miss! The Bali Spirit Festival, 20th-24th March

Let’s face it – everyone loves a good festival. Live music, culture, yummy food stalls, blazing hot weather (unless we’re talking Glastonbury, of course… but hey, we’re in South East Asia!). Karen Farini, Deputy Editor of S.E.A Backpacker find out all about the tantalizing BaliSpirit Festival...

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Party Hotspots: Koh Phangan – Don’t Miss Rhythm & Sands Festival, 24th January

Spending the festive season on Koh Phangan was never going to be your average chill-out affair, but even for party-fiends like us, the mere thought of a massive three-stage rave-up on the January 2nd (yes, the second of January) seemed… well. A bit… much? Could we handle it? Well, just a tiny peek at the lineup of Rhythm and Sands gave us our answer pretty sharpish: Hell, yes – we could. And was it worth it? Travel writer, Karen Farini finds out...

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Newsflash Laos! Is this the END of Tubing, Vang Vieng?

You’ve heard the rumours filtering from the Banana Pancake Trail and you don’t quite want to believe it. What’s that? Noooo! Frame and mount that ‘In the Tubing’ vest of yours... is ‘Tubing’ really over? We spoke to bar owner, Greg Haywood of Fluid Bar and the local Laos government to find out what the hell is going on? What lies in store for the future of South East Asia's most popular party spot? This is the absolute latest news, November 2012!

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Don’t Miss! Culture ONE 2012: Bangkok’s International Outdoor Dance Music Festival

Here at S.E.A Backpacker, we love to tell backpackers about events and festivals that you won't find in your Guide Book. Events that your average tourist can only dream about! Far away from the noodle stalls and tuk tuks, witness an ultra modern edge of Thai culture where the new generation of music lovers are expressing themselves. Forget your phrase book. All nationalities mingle here through the universal language of music and dance. With more than 30 artists in the line-up, blasting out everything from House to Trance, Electro to Dubstep, Indie Pop to Rock, this festival is not to be missed...

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Event of the Month: Not just the Full Moon! Rhythm & Sands Festival, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Those awesome people who brought us Rhythm & Vines and Rhythm & Alps of New Zealand, now in their 10th year of mega success, have extended their arms into Thailand bringing with them the international dance scene and some of the planet's biggest acts! Set in a secluded yet accessible beach venue amidst the palms of Baan Tai, three days before the full moon party, Rhythm & Sands brings you the next level of the Thai Beach Party Experience…

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Event of the Month: Rainforest World Music Festival 2012, Sarawak, Borneo (13th – 15th July)

Next weekend the only place to be is deep in the heart of the Borneo jungles. A place of exotic mystery, the thrill of adventure; the land of ancient virgin rainforests, hornbills, orangutans and the fabled white Rajahs. As well as being home to 27 ethnic groups, between 13th - 15th July it houses the mother of all global music festivals...

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S.E.A Faces & Places: Interview with Vang Vieng Entrepreneurs, Greg & Owen

Undoubtedly the star attraction of Vang Vieng, a town on highway 13 between Vientiane and Luang Prabang in Laos, is the Nam Song River lined with rope swings, zip wires and a multitude of cool bars - a veritable playground for backpackers! Karen Farini catches up with Greg and Owen, 27 year old UK twins, who own the coolest and quirkiest entertainment space in town to get the low down on running a business on a river bank prone to annual flooding, the locals' view of the abrupt change in culture and of course the crazy and controversial phenomenon known as tubing...

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Guest Post: Play with Fire and You’re Gonna Get Burned!

Writer, blogger and lover of all things 'travel', Neil Barnes retells a fiery tale of adventure, nightlife and drunken decisions... Whilst enjoying the splendours of the beautiful island of Koh Phangan in South Thailand and sampling the delights of cheap Sam Song rum served in a sandcastle bucket, Neil made potentially the stupidest decision he's ever made. Whether it was the Red Bull or just the buzz of travelling he’ll never know... Would you make the same mistake?

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Event of the Month: Bali Arts Festival 2012, Indonesia (11th June – 9th July)

Taking place over an entire month from mid June to mid July, the Bali Arts Festival is a unique extravaganza of arts, music, dance and history celebrating passion and pride in Balinese culture. Amongst other performances, famous masked dances originating from tribal villages are showcased and ancient classic stories retold. There's a vibrant atmosphere all across the island as celebrations are enjoyed by locals and travellers alike. For first time travellers to Bali, it's a fantastic introduction to the rich heritage of the spirited destination...

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Valentine’s Special: The Top 10 Best / Worst Chat Up Lines For Backpackers

Backpacking is one of the most free times of your life. With no job to get in the way, no responsibilities and your worldly goods on your back; could backpacking be the ideal time to meet that potential someone!? With the amount of alcohol that’s consumed on the South East Asia trail, it’s not surprising there’s a few tales to tell! Talk about beer goggles; wait till you get your bucket goggles on! If you're looking to pick up on the backpacker trail here at S.E.A Backpacker, we've put together some perfect travel-themed chat up lines that definitely won't get you a slap in the face... try them out this Valentines Day and let us know the results!

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