I first went to Southeast Asia when I was just 12 years old, visiting my grandfather who lived in Thailand. It was my first trip outside of the Western world, and I will never forget the culture shock of being in an entirely different part of the world.
I returned to Southeast Asia at the end of 2021 for a six-month trip exploring as much of this incredible corner of the globe as I could. I spent a vast amount of my time in Thailand, exploring everywhere from the vibrant south in Phuket to venturing to almost a dozen magnificent islands in the Gulf of Thailand, and even spending weeks in the vast national parks and jungles on offer in central and northern Thailand.
As I explored more of Southeast Asia, my passion for its incredible cultures, fascinating history, and magnificent food grew exponentially.
Q&A with Ethan
What tips would you give for people who want to visit your specialty destination?
The people of Southeast Asia are incredibly kind and invite tourists with warm smiles and great pride to share their beloved countries. My biggest tip for people going to Thailand, Cambodia, or Singapore is to learn a few phrases in their language, such as “Thank you”, “Hello”, or even “Where’s the bathroom?” You'll be delighted by how elated this small act of cultural understanding can make the locals. I would also advise you to ensure you respect local rules, such as dressing appropriately when visiting temples or certain religious sites.
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
At the age of 12, when I was in Thailand for the first time, I went to the remote village of one of my grandfather’s friends in the Northeast. I stayed there for three days, sleeping under the stars and jungle canopy. We had to catch our old food with nothing but a slingshot and cook it on the campfire. This experience will stay with me forever, as I had never felt so close to nature as I did during those few days.
Where would you love to travel to next?
Up next on my list of countries I would love to travel to is Japan. I think it has so much to offer, including an incredibly rich cultural history, amazing food, and plenty of natural beauty to see. I could also treat myself to another short stopover in Southeast Asia, which would be a great bonus.