Kresia JulioI’ve been meaning to share my adventures but I wanted to create a visual representation using Piktochart to enhance the message and here it is!🙂
Image credit: The Wanderfull Life
All in all, we spent around ₱40,000 (~S$905.53) per person. ₱10,000 (~S$226.38) less than my estimated ₱50,000 (S$1,131.92).
Also read: The Essential Southeast Asia Backpacking List
Was it worth our money?
Of course, it was worth every penny! The joy of wandering is totally overwhelming, I loved everything about the trip from planning to living out the dream. There’s something satisfying and impressive about actually experiencing everything as planned. I attribute it all to God, good people and especially to my husband who has been very supportive through it all. Once again, the Lord has shown me that nothing is impossible if you just put your mind and heart into it.
People thought it was crazy – 4 countries in less than 2 weeks? Who’d do that? We JUST did. Crazy Couple, are we not?!
Where are the awesome pics?
It might take some time to select favourites with an almost 8 GB of pics from Day 0 to Day 12… But I will find a way in the coming days. Stay tuned.🙂
The itinerary
On our next trip, I’m planning to keep the itinerary simple—just setting daily goals instead of over-scheduling everything with time limits. It’s way more enjoyable to have that flexibility.
One thing I loved was that every time we arrived at a new spot, my husband would simply ask for the day’s target, pull up his map, and find our way there—whether by walking, bus, or train. This approach works best if you have a reliable, direction-savvy travel partner, especially if you’re like me: great at planning, not so great with directions.
Day 0 Cebu->Manila, Manila->Siem Reap
- Flight to Manila (Unfortunately Cebu Pac doesn’t have a flight from Cebu to Siem Reap.)
- 8 hours of lay-over
- Flight to Siem Reap
- Late night hostel check-in
- Slept at Khmere’s Place
Day 1 Siem Reap, Cambodia (Currency spent: USD-cash on hand)
- Sunrise @ Angkor Wat
- Bayon, Baphoun, Royal Enclosure, Terraces of Elephants
- Check out
- Lunch
- Bantay Kdei, Ta Phrom, Sunset @ Phnom Bakeng
- Night bus to Phnom Penh
Day 2 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Currency spent: USD-cash on hand)
- Early arrival in Phnom Penh
- SLA early check-in
- Killing fields 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
- Lunch
- Toul Sleng 2:00-4:00 PM
- Royal Palace
- Independent Monument
- Buy tix to PP & Laos
- Slept @ SLA
Day 3-4 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Currency spent: VND-withdrawn)
Day 3:
- Check out at SLA at 7:00 AM
- Early departure to HCMC
- Check in at Rich’s Place
- Afternoon and night in HCMC
- City walk to riverside, etc
- Book Cu Chi tunnel tour
- Slept at Rich’s Place
Day 4:
- Check out at Rich’s at 6:00 AM
- Breakfast outside
- Left the big packs at VietWay Tours
- Cu Chi Tour 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM
- Bus back to PPenh 4:00 PM
- Arrive 10PM, slept at Village Hostel
Day 5 Bus from HCMC, Vietnam ->PP, Cambodia ->Vientiane, Laos (Currency spent: USD, LAK-withdrawn in Pakse, Laos)
- Check out at Village Hostel
- Van to Stung Treng 4:00 AM
- Arrival in Stung Treng 12:00 PM
- Van to Pakse 12:30PM
- Arrival in Pakse 5:00PM
- Dinner
- Night bus to Vientiane 8:30 PM
Day 6 Vientiane, Laos (Currency spent: LAK)
- Arrival in Vientiane 7:00 AM
- Early check in @ Sing’s
- Rest & lunch after
- Buy tix to Vang Vieng
- Visit Buddha Park
- Riverside & night market
- Slept at Sing’s
Day 7-9 Vang Vieng (Currency spent: LAK-withdrawn in Vang Vieng)
Day 7:
- Check out @ Sing’s
- Breakfast at karenderia
- Departure to VangV 9:00 AM
- Arrival in VangV 1:00 PM
- Check in at Nouth’s
- Rented a bike and do a tour
- Slept at Nouth’s
Day 8:
- Free breakfast
- Join a half-day tour w/ zip lining, caving & tubing
- Rent a motorbike
- Trek to Phon Ngern Mountain
- Dinner & tried a Lao Massage
- Slept @ Nouth’s
Day 9:
- Free breakfast
- Motorbike to Blue Lagoon
- Check out at Nouth’s
- Left VangV at 1:00 PM
- Dinner while waiting for bus
- Sleeper bus by 8:00 PM
- Slept at bus
Day 10-11 Bangkok (Currency spent: BAHT-withdrawn in Nong Khai)
Day 10:
- Arrive in Bangkok at 6:00 AM
- Early check in not possible
- Left bag and do an early temple visit at Royal Palace and Wat Pra Kaew
- Check in at 3:00 PM, slept
- Free dinner @ 7:00 PM
- Visit a board game cafe
- Slept @ Daniele’s
Day 11:
- Woke up late
- Free brunch
- Check out and left bag
- Visit Wat Pho
- Back to pick up bag
- Dinner at airport
- Left Bangkok at 12:00 AM
Day 12 Flight out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
- Arrive in Mla at 4:00 AM
- Check in at The Wings
- Slept until 12:00 PM
- Free brunch
- Check out at 1:30 PM
- Left Manila at 4:00 PM
- Home by 5:00 PM
- Dinner at Bigby’s till 10:00 PM
Also read: Singapore to Bangkok: How to Make This Journey by Train
Highlights
- Able to withdraw VND, LAK and BAHT
- Affordable internet sim in Laos and Thailand
- All bus tix were bought on the day, and we were able to pick a new sched, thus extending wander time
- Tried a lot of public transport
- Eat at street foods and cafes alike
- Able to bike and motorbike in Vang V
- Able to trek in Vang V
- Meet new friends in Cu Chi and Vang V tour
- Achieved the 4 country target with no bus sked aberrations and etc
- No bad experiences in people and etc
- Able to navigate on our own via maps
- Amazed by The Wings in NAIA 3
- Awesome trip!!!
Total damage
| Category | Cost |
| PRE-PAID (via credit card) | ₱18,831.40 |
| Ceb<->Mla; Mla->Siem; BKK->Mla |
₱10,802.40 |
| Accommodations | ₱8,029.00 |
| PAID DURING TRIP | ₱61,729.95 |
| Transport in between cities | ₱14,736.00 |
| Expenses* | ₱46,993.95 |
| TOTAL FOR TWO PERSONS | ₱80,561.35 |
| Per person cost | ₱40,280.68 |
*Expenses include meals, transport, entrances, tours and others
Accommodations
| Date | Place | Link to Stay | Cost /Person (US$) | Total Cost (US$) | Total Cost (₱)* | Notes | |
| 1 | 8/20 – 8/21 | Siem Reap, Cambodia | Khmere’s Place | US$10 | US$20 | ₱942 | Sat Night, Booked |
| 2 | 8/22 – 8/23 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Local Riverside Guesthouse | US$10 | US$22 | ₱1,036 | Mon Night, Booked |
| 3 | 8/23 – 8/24 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Rich’s Place | US$13 | US$15 | ₱705 | Tue Night, Booked |
| 4 | 8/24 – 8/25 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Khmer Village Hostel | US$10 | US$20 | ₱960 | Wed Night |
| 5 | 8/26 – 8/27 | Vientiane, Laos | Singsanti’s | US$13 | US$15 | ₱802 | Fri Night, Booked |
| 6 | 8/27 – 8/29 | Vang Vieng, Laos | Lao Valhalla Bungalows & Restaurant | US$25 | US$25 | ₱2,641 | Sat,Sun Night, Booked |
| 7 | 8/30 – 8/31 | Bangkok, Thailand | Daniele’s | US$15 | US$15 | ₱943 | Tue Night, Booked |
| TOTAL | US$96 | US$132 | ₱8,029 | ||||
*US$1 = ₱48
Transportation
| Date | From | To | Transportation (Ticketing/Bus) | Travel Time (hrs) | Cost /Person (US$) | Total Cost (US$) | Total Cost (₱)* | |
| 1 | 8/21 (Sun), 22:30 | Siem Reap, Cambodia | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Night Bus (Cambodia Angkor Express) | 7 | US$18 | US$36 | ₱1,728 |
| 2 | 8/23 (Tue), 08:00 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Day Bus (Phuong Heng (Sun Leang)) | 7 | US$15 | US$30 | ₱1,440 |
| 3 | 8/24 (Wed), 16:00 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Day Bus (Phuong Heng (Sun Leang)) | 7 | US$15 | US$15 | ₱1,440 |
| 4 | 8/25 (Thu), 4:30 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Stung Treng, Cambodia | Van (Sun Leang) | 7 | US$65 | US$130 | ₱6,240 |
| 8/25 (Thu), 12:30 | Stung Treng, Cambodia | Pakse, Laos | Van | 5 | ||||
| 8/25 (Thu), 20:30 | Pakse, Laos | Vientiane, Laos | Sleeper Bus | 11 | ||||
| 5 | 8/27 (Sat), 9:30 | Vientiane, Laos | Vang Vieng, Laos | Day Bus (Yortdoy Service) | 4 | US$5.50 | US$11 | ₱528 |
| 6 | 8/29 (Mon), 13:30 | Vang Vieng, Laos | Udonthani, Laos | Van (Southchai) | 6 | US$35 | US$70 | ₱3,360 |
| 8/25 (Thu), 20:30 | Udonthani, Laos | Nakhon Ratcha, Thailand | Sleeper Bus | 7 | ||||
| 8/30 (Tue), 3:00 | Nakhon Ratcha, Thailand | Bangkok, Thailand | Sleeper Bus | 3 | ||||
| TOTAL | 64 (2.67 days) | US$153.50 | US$307 | ₱14,736 | ||||
*US$1 = ₱48
When we booked this trip, we didn’t really plan anything specific — we just booked the cheapest flight we could find. It was a bit of a gamble, but sometimes that spontaneity pays off. Laos wasn’t initially part of the plan, but I was set on visiting Vang Vieng. And honestly? No regrets. Vang Vieng turned out to be even more incredible than I’d imagined.
Finally, here we are. I’m going to keep sharing these everyday moments as best as I can, and most of the details you’ll need are already here. If you have questions or want tips on trying this kind of adventure, feel free to ask!
Also read: The Craziest Things I Found Myself Doing While Backpacking Asia
If you’ve ever thought about chasing something you love, listen to that voice. No matter what anyone says, pursuing your passion is the best feeling in the world. Remember: possessions fade, but memories last a lifetime.
Cheering on you,
Migo & Miga
Contributed by The WANDER (FULL) LIFE
