Containing everything the novice traveller to Asia may need to know, this guide presents tips on health and visas, packing and itinerary-planning, and includes anecdotes from experienced Asia-philes.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
My overriding worries "First-Time Asia" confronts head on. -- Independent on Sunday, London, UK
Packed with basic, sensible advice. -- Shine Magazine, UK
The ultimate getting-there guide. -- The Pink Paper, London, UK
offers the kind of travel advice you may not think to ask about before you go... -- Asia
Packed with basic, sensible advice. -- Shine Magazine, UK
The ultimate getting-there guide. -- The Pink Paper, London, UK
offers the kind of travel advice you may not think to ask about before you go... -- Asia
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION
Every year, millions of visitors set off on their own Asian adventure. Some want to see for themselves a few of the world's greatest monuments - to stroll along the Great Wall of China or stand beside India's Taj Mahal. Others are drawn by the scenery - the soaring Himalayas and the chance of viewing Everest at close quarters; the kaleidoscopic coral reefs of Southeast Asia, where you'll find yourself swimming amongst sharks, manta rays and turtles; the steamy jungles of Malaysia and Indonesia with the prospect of spotting orang-utans, elephants, even tigers. Few people would say no to a week or two on the dazzling white-sand beaches of the Philippines or pass up the chance to watch the sunrise over the Khyber Pass.
But perhaps the greatest draw is the sheer vitality of daily life in Asia, much of it played out on the streets. You can watch Thai boxing in Bangkok and trance dances in Bali; learn yoga in India and drink rice whisky in Vientiane; eat dim sum in Shanghai and satay sticks in Penang; buy silver in Mandalay and bargain for mangosteens in Manila.
Nearly all these things are affordable even for low-budget travellers, because most of Asia is enticingly inexpensive. Western money goes much further here than it does in Africa or South America. Not surprisingly, this has put Asia firmly at the heart of the backpackers' trail, and many cities and islands already boast a lively travellers' scene, attracting young adventurers from all over the world. Few travellers leave Asia without experiencing at least one of its fabled hot spots: the beaches of Goa, for example, the guest houses of Kathmandu, or one of Thailand's notorious full-moon parties.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS "I flew into Bangkok from Calcutta. I remember the light, diffuse and glowing, and the smells - exhaust fumes, jasmine, and garlic edged with chilli. I checked into Charlie's Guest House, sat downstairs and ordered fried chicken and chillis with rice. It was late afternoon and tuk tuks screamed past on the street. And just like that, in a revelatory moment, I was in love with Southeast Asia". Chris Taylor
However, Asian travel can also be a shocking and sobering experience. Few people forget their first sight of a shanty-town slum or their first encounter with an amputee begging for small coins. Many first-timers are distressed by the dirt, the squalor, and the lingering smell of garbage and drains in some Asian cities. They get unnerved by the ever-present crowds and stressed out by never being able to mingle unnoticed amongst them. And then there's the oppressive heat to cope with, not to mention the unfamiliar food and often unfathomable local customs. There's no such thing as a hassle-free trip and, on reflection, few travellers would want that. It's often the dramas and surprises that make the best experiences, and we all learn by our mistakes. Preparing for the big adventure
We've both made plenty of mistakes and faux pas during our fifteen years of travels in Asia, and this book is a distillation of what we've learnt. First- Time Asia is full of the advice we give to friends heading out to Asia for the first time, and it's the book we both could have done with before setting off on our own first trips. Since then we've returned again and again, backpacking across India, China and Southeast Asia, living and working in the Himalayas, Thailand and Japan, and researching and writing guidebooks to Indonesia, Thailand and Tibet. And we still choose to go back to Asia for our holidays, attracted by the chaos and drama of daily lives that still seem extraordinary to us; by the food, the landscapes and the climate; by the generosity and friendship of the people; and by the sheer buzz we get from hanging out in cultures that are so different from our own.
This book is intended to prepare you for your big adventure, whether it's a fortnight in Malaysia or twelve months across the continent. It is not a guidebook: it's a book to read before you go, a planning handbook to help you make decisons about where to go and which ticket to buy; to advise on what gear to pack and how long you can afford to stay away; and to fill you in on some of the highs and lows that lie in store. And, because we can't pretend to have explored every single corner of Asia ourselves, we've also included tips, advice and funny stories from lots of other travellers. We can't guarantee that you'll avoid every problem on the road, but we can prepare you for the unfamiliar and steer you past many common frustrations. And, when you come back from your trip, be sure to send in your own anecdotes for inclusion in the next edition. We can promise you'll have plenty of great stories to tell.
THE AUTHORS OF FIRST TIME ASIA Lucy Ridout has spent much of the last decade in Asia. She lived in Japan for three years, teaching English to high-school children and working as an editor on a monthly listings magazine. Since then she has travelled widely in India and Southeast Asia, both for pleasure and as a researcher and author for several guidebooks. She is co-author of Rough Guides to Thailand, Bangkok, Bali and Lombok, and has also contributed to books on England and Europe.
Lesley Reader has lived and worked in Bhutan and Thailand and travelled extensively throughout Asia. She is co-author of Rough Guides to Bali and Lombok, and to Indonesia. She has also contributed to the Rough Guide to China and to More Women Travel, an anthology of travel tales from a woman's perspective.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fun read! great general pre-planning guide for asia,
By A Customer
This review is from: First-time Asia: The Rough Guide to (Rough Guides) (Paperback)
This is an excellent book for those planning or even just thinking of trip to one or more Asian countries. The information is general but widely applicable and includes most of the common sense and practical tips that nevertheless one may not know or just forget. For people with Asian traveling experience, it will be a good confirmation and reinforcement of basic traveling know-how they've acquired. The writing is excellent, the anecdotes are great, and the writers show a fine sensibility. You can tell they have a great deal of experience.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A General Planning Guide to Asia,
This review is from: First-time Asia: The Rough Guide to (Rough Guides) (Paperback)
First Time Asia - Everything You Need to Know Before You Go - A Rough Guide Special is a good book. There is much info in it as a general planning guide, where to go, what to see, when to go, planned itineries from one week and above etc.
The book has a good index, a check list and useful numbers in the back of the book and a nice double-page coloured map of Asia at the beginning - to see where you'll heading! The book also includes some prices in dollars and has some good contribution from people who have been there - often funny or memorable incidents. informative general guide to Asia
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