Bharari

The time I spent and the people I met at Hemalkasa and Anandwan during the tail-end of my 4-month India trip.

Spending time with Siya, and then Neev after he was born in April.

Planning and executing my longest solo backpacking trip to Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Vietnam.

Seeing the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda for the first time in Rangoon, Burma.

Eating delicious dosa in an Indian restaurant in Rangoon.

The hospitality shown by a street-side vendor in Rangoon while I had a late night dinner.

A twelve hour back-braking train journey in 3rd class from Rangoon to Thazi in Burma.

“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.” -Anatole France

It’s back to square one after a long journey in Southeast Asia. A boundless journey which I embarked on all alone. A journey, the rewards of which cannot be measured in monetary terms. A journey, the experiences from which will stay with me for a life time. A journey, which has shaped me into a better person today.

Itinerary of solo backpacking trip to Southeast Asia

I was traveling in Southeast Asia’s Indochina region. Indochina is another name for mainland Southeast Asia, which comprises of Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and peninsular Malaysia.

I’m leaving for my trip tomorrow. I’m quite nervous, anxious, scared and don’t feel like going anymore. I keep telling myself this is supposed to be fun and exciting. Going away for an extended period of time, as I am, I feel a bit overwhelmed. I felt the same way before going to Southeast Asia last year for the first time. But that was only for two weeks; this time my trip is more than twice as long. Another factor adding to my anxiety level is the fact that my plane lands in Bangkok at midnight. It would’ve been much better if I was reaching Bangkok during the day time. Anyhow, like last time, it promises to be an excellent learning experience and an adventure to remember.