So I was just winging it. No appointments, no reservations, no research. Like I said, I was in the library from morning to night, with papers and pharmacy books spread all over my spacious table, for the Board exams. Well I had an idea of what I wanted to see: a cross-country Vietnam exploration, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, southern Thailand beaches, jungle trekking, but this was it. My methods of travel to see these locations, man, I didn't have a clue. But there is beauty in this impulsivity. Because adventures were accidently discovered during my trek and through serendipity, adventures are the most memorable. Things occurred on this trip that I could never have planned. Exploring is a joy for me and things always manage to fall in place.

So, ultimately this was the route of my journey:

Vietnam: Up the coast from Saigon to Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay and overnight train to Sapa, then back down to Saigon by plane for the Mekong River delta region, Vinh Long and Chau Doc towards Cambodia.

Cambodia: Entered Cambodia by speed boat up the Mekong River towards Phnom Penh. Towards Angkor Wat in Siem Riep. Then bussed to Bangkok, Thailand.

Thailand: Explored Bangkok then flew to Chiang Rai. Bussed to Chiang Mai. Then off to the southern beaches in Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Krabi. Circular route back to Phuket to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Malaysia: Soaked up Kuala Lumpur, KLCC, Petronas Towers, KL Tower, Batu Caves, and fireflies. Bussed to Singapore.

Singapore: Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Sentosa Island, Macritchie Reservoir for Treetop Walk. Back to Malaysia by car towards Malacca. Bussed back to Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia (part 2): Spent Chinese New Year in KL then towards Butterworth, Malaysia for overnight train back to Bangkok.

Last leg in Bangkok: Enjoyed Thailand for last 2 weeks. Then flight through Tokyo back to San Francisco.

For those visually inclined.

Exploration Preparation

Saigon

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