John Saboe's Far East Travels

Having access to quality low cost dental procedures is a wonderful privilege if you live in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, Thailand, or Malaysia. In this episode of the podcast I discuss average cost of procedures, and realistically what kind of work you could take care of while you are traveling casually through a place like Vietnam. I neglected to mention in the podcast the cost of dental implants in Vietnam for those that will be visiting for a longer period of time or who live in the region. Dental implants in Vietnam start at approximately $600USD per implant procedure not including the crown. This is some cases is 25% the cost for the same procedure in Western countries. This is a much more involved procedure that would require you to either be in the country for at least 6 months or be available to return 6 months after the initial implant placement. For basic work like cleaning, fillings, whitening, and even root canals, these could be potentially done while visiting the country short-term. Int

Budget airlines in Asia are definitely an economical way to travel with some flights as low as $25USD for a 90 minute trip, maybe even cheaper in some cases. The cheapest flight I've ever booked was an approximately 2 hour flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok for $28 all in! In this episode I run through for those not familiar with some of the things you should expect to pay for that maybe you're used to getting free on a big carrier airline. As well, my observations over the last year and half on how I've seen some of the rules become more strict, in regards to carry on luggage and other things. This is especially a good episode if you've never used budget carriers before in Asia or haven't in some time. They do differ from some budget carriers that operate in the West! Thanks so much for listening! Please contact me if you have any other questions about budget airlines or have some of your own observations to share, I'd be delighted to pass those on. You can support the Far East Travels Podcast by writing a re

If you are new to trekking and are thinking of going to Nepal to trek Everest Base Camp, The Annapurna Circuit, or Annapurna Base Camp this episode should give you enough details on what to expect on the trek. I talk about accomodations, food, how much and how intense the walking will be and even how much money to bring. I hate surprises and I'm sure you do to so no matter how a place operates if you're prepared things will go much smoother.Thanks so much for listening. If you have any other questions regarding trekking feel free to contact me on my Facebook pages mentioned or johnsaboesfareasttravels on Instagram. For trekking inquires visit https://sacredtrekking.comHelp others discover the Far East Travels Podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

Visiting Nepal for the first time and wondering which trek should do? The one you want to do is my straight answer. But I do understand that people sometimes have time constraints so I've offered up some interesting options for short treks as well as a little advice on the more ambitioous treks and of the course one of the most popular Everest Base Camp. Thanks so much for listening?The Far East Travels Podcast is brought to you by sacredtrekking.com. Book your trek for the fall to Nepal now! We also have planned a small group trek to Everest Base Camp which I will lead if we get 6 signed up. That trek leaves Kathmandu November 6, 2019. Message me on Instagram or Facebook if you'd like to find out more!Help others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

My Expat series continues with Canadian expat DaveInOsaka on life in Japan. Dave has been working and living in Osaka, Japan for 18 years and shares what it's been like for a guy from Hamilton- Ontario, Canada turned English Professor to adjust, live, and work in Japan's third largest city. Dave first left for Japan 18 years ago with a plan of only staying for 6 months to a year. How did a short stay turn into almost a lifetime? I ask Dave why he likes living in Japan, how it's made him a better person. What it's like to adjust into a new society and culture. How difficult it is to meet someone that's not necessarily interested in you just because you are a foreigner and more! Have you thought about living abroad and working as an Engish teacher? Dave shares with you his advice.Dave is also a prolific Tweeter and livestreamer on Twitter:https://twitter.com/DaveInOsaka. Periscope:@Wagamamamama You can also follow Dave day on Instagram:Daveinosaka.Help others discover The Far East Travels Podcast by writing a

With the recent mass demonstrations taking place in Hong Kong I thought it would be an appropriate time to review utilizing your country's travel advisory. No matter where you are planning your upcoming trip to, it's always a good idea to check out your country's travel advisory whether it's the U.S. State Department, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/ Canadian travel advisory, https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories, Australia, https://smartraveller.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx or the U.K, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. That being said at the time of the publishing of this episode, unless you are planning on joining the demonstrators in Hong Kong everything else seems to be business as usual throughout the region. One other issue that's critical in the planning of your trip besides safety is whether your country is advising against travel other than for essential purposes. This can affect the validity of your travel or health insurance, so check the

Mark Buckton has been a Sumo commentator and expert guest on BBC and many other radio and TV outlets worldwide. Mark also wrote a column on Sumo for The Japan Times for 12 years. Most recently Mark appeared on CNN International to explain some of the nuances behind U.S. President Donald Trump's May 2019 visit to Tokyo and Tokyo Stadium for a Sumo tournament and President's Cup presentation. Mark has also guided VIP's and Hollywood stars including Johnny Depp, Jack Nicholson, and Jodie Foster on visits to Sumo stables in Tokyo. Mark shares with us insights into the fascinating sport of Sumo, it's history, origins, and the life of a Sumo wrestler. Mark also has tips on how to get tickets to Sumo tournaments held in Japan on odd months every year. Here is the link to the Japan Sumo Association English website where you can purchase tickets:http://www.sumo.or.jp/En/You can follow or contact Mark on Twitter, https://twitter.com/MarkBuckton1970. Mark continues to write for Japan periodicals on Taiwan/Japan relation

Some fantastic tips and suggestions with special guest Australian-born, Asian based pro photographer Craig Ferguson. Craig has a commercial photography business based in Taipei, Taiwan and has an impressive list of clients including, BBC, Air Asia, Lonely Planet, The Wall Street Journal. He recently had a photo shoot with the current President of The Republic of China, (Taiwan), Tsai Ing-Wen. Craig transitioned from university grad, to backpacker traveling through Southeast Asia and India and never looked back. Craig has some great advice on getting some great selfie shots to what gear to buy and lenses to take on your next trip. You can find out more about Craig by visiting his website:https://www.craigfergusonimages.com/index/G0000iyTtSmlNdMk/thumbsFollow Craig on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cfimages/Twitter:@cfimagesWelcoming my partners and our new sponsor:https://sacredtrekking.com Book your trek to the Himalaya for the fall now! Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit. Visit sa

The Great Wall and The Forbidden City-two of the world's top sites to visit-why Beijing is on most traveler's bucket lists. I invited travelblogger Bruno Black on the podcast to share insights into visiting the capital of China, as Bruno lived in Beijing for 6 months he has some additional traveler tips and places of interest you should visit besides the top two. Bruno has also spent lots of time in the South in Fujian Province, and Xiamen. He'll share with us why he thinks this is a great place to visit with the added benefit of being an easy gateway to Taiwan.Follow Bruno Black:https://www.brunoblack.comBruno Black business inquiries:https://www.brunobranding.comHelp support the Far East Travels Podcast by becoming a patron! Patrons support the podcast with production and travel costs and get exclusive content on the Patreon page: Visit Far East Travels on Patreon to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.

I do enjoy my visits to Malaysia as always. I've spent lots of time in Kuala Lumpur visiting all of the important sites and enjoying some of Southeast Asia's best food. This trip was no exception. KL is for the most part one of the easier cities to get around with a MRT/LRT train system that for the most part serves all the areas a tourist or visitor would need. There are exceptions but gone are the days of getting frustrated trying to find a taxi driver that refuses to use their meter-Grab has solved that issue. One thing I've noticed in recent years are the abundant choices of Middle Eastern food, particularily in the Bukit Bintang shopping district. I visited Daab, a Persian restaurant and enjoyed a wonderful fish kebob dinner as I watched the downpour of an average evening during the rainy season. This was my first visit to Penang an the Unesco World Heritage city of George Town. I've visited many cities across Southeast Asia with their own old street or neighborhood, made up of old shop houses but I've n

Join me for travel chat and discussion walking through the historic and Unesco World Heritage designated Georgetown, in Penang, Malaysia. I've spent lots of time in Kuala Lumpur and East Malaysia, (Borneo), but for some reason I've put off visiting Penang, now wondering what was I thinking. This is a wonderful town to explore and enjoy architecture and more pre-WWII houses than anywhere else in Southeast Asia. Along with a diverse community mostly made up of ethnic Chinese, Malay, and Tamil Indians. Of course the food reflects that which makes it one of the most popular food destinations in the region as well. Penang receives many visitors from China and Taiwan as the majority of the population speaks Mandarin or Hokkien they aren't hindered at all by a language barrier. Geogetown, being a former British colony has also it's share of an expat community but these days with places like Thailand and Vietnam becoming more popular I'm not sure if it's still the draw as it once was for Westerners. You'll be very c

Visit my PaI have been a frequent visitor to Malaysia now for several years and it's been one of the biggest surprises for me. I never thought or knew how much I would enjoy Malaysia whether it be West, or East,(Borneo-Sabah/Sarawak). A wonderful diverse culture, some of the best food on the planet and wonderful wildlife and parks. In this episode I discuss food adventures with an upcoming trip to KL and Penang, Malaysia's food capital. Durian is often referred to as the king of fruit and it's certainly one of my favorites and again a surprise! I never thought I would grow to love it as much as I have. Maybe those places you've traveled to where you had no preconceived ideas or expectations turn out to be some of your most memorable and cherished memories. I look forward to coming to you from Malaysia in the next few episodes of the podcast. I hope you enjoy these chats which hopefully are somewhat enlightening and inspirational. If you do enjoy the podcast I would really appreciate a short but positive revie

Discussion on my recommended times for traveling in Southeast Asia and a little bit of travel inspiration on how to start to make your dreams come true with a life abroad whether it be for work or retirement. Travel inspiration and information is so accessible now through social media that it has created a huge thirst for an unconvential lifestyle-either living or retiring abroad. With the help of some Twitter/Periscope followers I discuss some of the challenges faced with choosing an unconvential lifestyle and the first steps to take in order to follow your dreams-if they involve a decision to live abroad. What's it like to be a foreigner, coping with being alone at first. All of these things and more in this episode of the podcast.Help others discover the Far East Travels Podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943Support the podcast's production and travels costs by becoming a patron-for as little as $2/month. Visit my Patreon

Americans are still banned from entering North Korea at the time of publishing this episode. Otto Warmbier was a U.S. citizen and college student visiting North Korea in 2015/2016 when he was arrested and imprisoned accused of stealing a propoganda poster from the hotel where he was staying. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison but was released to the U.S. in 2017 in a coma and vegetative state. He died shortly after arriving back home. There has been a ban on U.S. citizens visiting North Korea ever since 2017. The ban remains in effect. So why visit North Korea. I talk with Dave Grecco, a Canadian expat and English Professor living in Osaka, Japan. Dave visited North Korea in 2018, his second trip to the country. I chat with Dave and ask him why he is so fascinated with North Korea, his experiences while traveling there, and what positive outcomes there are from foreigners visiting the DPRK. Dave is also a very active livestreamer on Periscope and Twitter. Dave actually livestreamed from North

Recently I've noticed more negative tweets and other posts on social media denouncing begpackers. In case you didn't know, a begpacker is basically a backpacker that is soliciting for funds through panhandling, busking, or selling postcards in order to continue with their travels. I personally have no issues with this as long as noone is being harmed or exploited in the process but their lately there seems to be some open resentment towards this movement. Quick discussion on that then some passport, visa, and other tips in this episode of the podcast. Support the podcast by becoming a patron! Visit my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

After mobile phones, bank cards, and cash, what is your essential travel item. That one thing that you always must take with you on your trip. I share with you mine and listeners and followers share their's as well! If you'd like to share with me your must have travel items send me a message on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/johnsaboesfareasttravels/ or Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FarEastAdventureTravel/Support the podcast by becoming a patron:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the podcast by writing a review in The iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

Thanks to those who share their travel stories, whether they are funny, serious, thought-provoking, or just very interesting. Would love to hear from you and your funniest, scariest, or life-changing experience while traveling. Follow me on Twitter/Periscope where I regularlily chat with followers about travel-@FarEast_Travels. You can also connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsaboesfareasttravels/Support the podcast:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsWrite a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

Just quick update on the current power outage situation in Cambodia. Some hotels and guesthouses do have their own generators but expect power outages overall during the current dry season. Hopefully this situation will resolve itself with the coming rainy season soon. Please send me your questions on travel throughout East Asia, Southeast Asia, or South Asia to john@fareasttravels.com or on my Instagram account-johnsaboesfareastravels.This podcast relies on listeners just like you for support. Become a patron and get access to exclusive content. Visit my Patreon page to see all of the offers:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

Continuing my walkabout series from The Ho Chi Minh City Museum To The Reunification Palace. I plan on doing more of these walkabout talks throughout the region in the coming months. I always welcome your questions or comments on the podcast. Lately I've been getting messages either on Instagram or Facebook from people planning on visiting Vietnam in the coming weeks/months. There were over 2.5 million visitors to Ho Chi Minh City in the first quarter of the year up 10% over last year. HCMC accounts for half of all the visits to Vietnam. With all the modern amenities and shopping malls the city has still retained much of it's traditional feeling neighborhoods and markets so you still have the opportunity, as long as you venture out of District 1, to see some real local culture. Thanks so much for listening. I'm always excited to hear from people who are truly interested in this part of the world. You can contact me by email, john@fareastravels.com. Or better yet connect on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/

Continuing my series of walkabout chats in this episode discussion on sleeper buses, (not my favorite mode of transportation), Buddhist Temple etiquette, and more topics as I walk around Saigon. Have a travel question or a suggestion for a topic. Send me an email to john@fareasttravels.com or message me on Instagram-johnsaboesfareastravels:https://www.instagram.com/johnsaboesfareasttravels/.Help others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943Support the podcast by becoming a patron! Patrons get access to exclusive content. Visit my Patreon page to see all of the offers:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels