Whether travelling to and from Japans islands or between Bali and Lombok, ferry journeys are an integral part of journeying around south-east Asia. But don’t be a naïve traveler and make sure you know ferry etiquette before you board. Otherwise a very uncomfortable journey awaits.

The world wide web now offers people the chance to explore the globe from the comfort of their own home. But with so many online travellers searching for the perfect locations, hotels, food and attractions well in advance of arrival, the search for truth may become the new challenge.

Essentially rickshaws with a small engine, tuk-tuks are offshoots of the old-fashioned rickshaw, created during the Second World War and are open on all sides with only three wheels. Love them or hate them, they are a symbol of Bangkok and continue to defy the city’s overwhelming desire for modernity.

Visa runs, border bounces, work permits – are all part of the glorious experience of living in SE Asia. A rich tapestry of rules and regulations which requires you to have the skills of a mathematician, accountant and lawyer, the joy of keeping up with the ever-changing rules and regulations is just one of many happy pastimes that come with living in the tropics.

WIFi is supposed to make life easy, right? But when you travel in Asia the hurdles and dilemmas you face when deciding how, when and where to connect may soon have you longing for a dial up connection.

The Bangkok mass transit system, also known as the BTS or skytrain, is now a fixture on the daily commute. Bizarrely efficient for Bangkok, very reliable and with stations well placed, it is a great way to get around the city. However, do watch out for the snapping gates of the ticket machine which used to smack my mother’s bottom every time she strolled through. A mad dash is needed once the ticket has been inserted.

Air Asia pioneered low-cost air travel in Asia and in doing so has set new standards in the industry. In 2009 it was awarded the Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier by the TTG Travel Awards and has also won The World’s Best Low Cost Airline by Skytrax. Travelling with Air Asia may not be a luxurious experience but it is a bargain. And with its own budget terminal in KL, the first of its kind in the world, it is proving to be quite capable of taking on the big guns of aviation.

One of the largest airports in the world, Suvarnabhumi has had its share of controversies over the past few years. However this major international airport now provides services and amenities for millions of passengers every year and there are plans for expansion in 2011. Just make sure you wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Getting around Koh Samui has never been easier using public transport. Simply choose your mode of transport du jour, ranging from taxi motorbikes to pick-up trucks called a Songtaew. 

Flying out of Koh Samui is more difficult than flying in. Unlike Patrick McGoohan in the 60's cult TV series 'The Prisoner', most people do not want to leave this beautiful tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand. Staying is not an option; eventually everyone has to depart.