@aussiematt

This city is not for everyone, if you like shopping malls and big crowded cities it is for you. It may be cheap but if you want to live in a good location with swimming pool, go to nice rooftops and restaurants, use taxis then it is similar cost to western countries. In many areas there are no sidewalks, big and dangerous traffic all the time, pollution, taxis do not want to go with meter, it can get really hot. Definitely try to live by the metro. Many foreigners, mostly friendly people, cheap

Chiang Mai has had a deep Buddhist influence running over the last 1,000 years and this can be felt in the helpfulness, patience and generosity of the Thai and long-term transplants you come across. The city has an active community scene (nomads, spiritual seekers, hikers, creatives), several mountains with hiking spots and waterfalls surrounding the city, over 20 water bodies inside the city -- many have cafes and walks around, several public parks, and over 13 national parks with campgrounds w

extremely dirty, very noisy, non walkable, the city is also ugly (except mausoleum and forts, of course). Hard to recommend, unless you’re very found of spirituality. Forget to mention but the food is of course amazing!

The most vietnamese city in Vietnam. The Old Quarter and West Lake are the highlights. If you come, try the egg coffee. Be mindful Vietnam has cracked down on visas, and it is not as friendly to foreigners. I was able to relax after I received a 5-year spousal visa.

You could do worse, you could do better. Filthy & stressful, you have to Grab everywhere, even a short walk results in dodging aggressive motorbikes. Locals are super unfriendly, way worse than Hanoi, so not sure why everyone raves about how friendly they are in comparison. Poor quality in everything, even the luxury experiences are a total rip-off. Surprisingly underdeveloped too, not even a bar on their observation deck in Bitexco. Internet is really good, but stay as far from D1 as you can -

Bengaluru, January 4-9, and 13-13, 2020. Had a good time in Bengaluru ( formerly Bangalore). At first I stayed at the Parijatha Gateway Hotel, Near Soap Factory Metro, which was ideal for my purposes. Transit & shopping was nearby, and there was a mall and good food. The Metro in BLR is VERY modern and smooth- be prepared to be patted down (women and men separately) to get into the station, and you can but a metrocard at the ticket window. In Bangalore the internet is VERY fast (it is India

Mumbai, August 28-September 2, September 7, September 11 2019. Got a friend to pick me up at the airport, so I can't evaluate how well UBER works from the airport. Prepaid taxi from the airport is my usual recommendation, and if I was traveling tomorrow that is what I would do. Inside of Mumbai, UBER was my go-to app and worked well. Autos (aka 'Tuk-tuks' in some places) get around well and are cheap, some are also on Uber. Be aware that unless you use a service like UBER, as a foreigner, th

My home away from home.. I lived in McLeod for 22 yrs I spent the best yrs of my life there I made True Family Friends.. I was lead there..... I lived, I fell in love, I did business yes I have a business visa.. and enjoyed my life for 22 yrs there.... in the morning after my morning prayer i would simply look outside at the sky are there clouds? if yes I was not doing my washing... then the day just happend moment by moment..... what enjoyment,,, on my way back in Feb 2022 see all of you

avoid going to the waterfalls with weed (or buying any on the way there) It's a very old trick the cops stop & search bikes on their way back. (while the locals try to sell you stuff on the way there)

Sri Lanka is not ready for tourism. Besides scams and "cartel prices" for tuktuks and other services, it is unsafe for women. Men catcalling, touching, and groping are the norm. Moreover, it is not cheap at all compared to other countries in South/Southeast Asia. Especially when landlords tend to increase rental prices once they learn you're a good tenant. Locals may appear friendly, but the reality often differs. As a patriarchal society, instances of domestic violence against girlfriends and w