Two main reasons people hesitate to travel are expensive air tickets and expensive hotel rooms. With an increasing numbers of low cost airlines, there are now plenty of affordable air travel options. But what about hotel rooms? Surely you don’t want your limited budget putting you in a creepy guesthouse down a seedy alley. So travel pioneers have found a way to stay for less and meet new friends in the process, and it’s only just catching on in Thailand. Welcome to hospitality exchange.

Hop between couches

Couch Surfing is the world’s largest hospitality exchange community, where travelers are able to connect with local residents in their destination cities. If it works out, you might get a free or very cheap stay at their home in a spare room or on the couch. In return, you are expected to extend the same hospitality when a traveler comes to your town and needs accommodation. This trend has become a global phenomenon, though it’s especially popular in Europe (they’re all poor there now) and just starting to get tradition here in Asia.

“Couch surfing is created on a basis of give and take. It is based on an idea to make a better world where everyone can be friends,” says Toom Klanutai, a graphic designer who is also an unofficial leader of Couch Surfers in Thailand, many of whom meet every Wednesday at The Chilling House Café at Coco Walk (BTS Ratchathewi). Toom has been couch surfing since 2009 and has hosted more than 440 surfers. He also travels a lot; he just got back from an 85-day trip in Europe where he didn’t stay at a single hotel. “And that’s another benefit: when you travel, there are friends and free rooms everywhere in the world,” he says.

Couch Surfing is also a way to bridge cultural differences, offering a local’s perspective on new places. We met Ellyza Hamdan, a visitor to Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who says couch surfing has given her a new appreciation for different cultures. “Couch Surfing lets you go around the world and helps the world come to you. It makes me realize how great my country is. When I host people who want to learn, I try my best to introduce them to Malaysia’s many cultures. I’m a Muslim, but I don’t think religion is a limitation.”

Ming, a 30-year-old salesperson agrees. “I can actually travel by listening to their stories. I also improve my English as well as learn to speak some French from these couch surfing friends.”

Start Surfing?

The way it works is easy: create your account on couchsurfing.org, list your property with a description and pictures, and state your availability if you’re ready to host. Then go through your future friends’ properties in your preferred destinations, make a request and wait (and pray) for a confirmation. You can also join groups to meet people with the same interests. (There are groups for twins, cancer survivors or even gay nudists, if you wish.)

But there are some limitations, such as finding a room in very hot destinations. “It was very difficult to get hosted in Paris,” Toom says. Besides, there is the relative lack of privacy if you’re staying with someone, not to mention a very limited number of days you can stay. All this to say nothing about potential unplanned personality conflicts between host and surfer that may arise.

Furthermore not every friend turns out to be a good friend; new members must be careful. “Some members misunderstand the core idea of Couch Surfing,” warns Toom. “I used to experience travelers who expected to pay nothing—not even for their own food. Some also join Couch Surfing for international hook-up opportunities.” But Toom adds that he’s only had a few bad experiences over the years.

For those concerned about potential security issues, especially women, reading a surfer’s profile is a must. “This is essential as you are accepting somebody to sleep and share your space. I’ve done it every time so I haven’t had any unexpected situations,” says Meow, who has hosted around 100 surfers since 2008.

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The buzz: Following the success of its first mirror-less camera series (the NEX5 and NEX3), Sony is rolling out yet another NEX camera—the NEX-C3. Positioned as a more affordable option, the C3 is a newer, smaller version of the NEX3: its lenses are interchangeable, but it comes in a plastic case (as opposed to the metal case of the NEX5).

Sharp: Despite its compact size, this camera uses sensors borrowed from big DSLR cameras. The result is a super high pixel count (16MP) and good image quality even in low light (pictures taken at ISO12,800 are still usable). But the handling is more like a compact: iAuto mode is easy to use and there are new, fun filters to play with, like toy camera and vignette. Your pictures will be as cool as those coming from an iPhone, but with professional image quality. Also, the C3’s big LCD screen can be tilted, making it easier to take photographs at creative angles.

Blurred: The smaller body makes it’s more difficult to hold the camera with one hand, especially when you’re using the 18-55mm lens, which is twice as big as the actual camera. The user interface has been improved, but advanced amateurs will find it difficult to quickly adjust exposure and color temperature, or even delete multiple pictures.

Verdict: If you just need a point-and-shoot to take great photos while traveling, get it: the image quality is great and it’s easy to use. But if you are looking for something more advanced and can wait a few months, the NEX-7 will have a bigger body, a 24MP sensor and a viewfinder.

Specs: 16.2MP, 225 grams, ISO 200-12,800, 720p HD video, 3 colors (black, silver, shocking pink).

Price: B24,990 with a 18-55mm and a fixed 28mm lens. www.sony.co.th.

www.couchsurfing.org

Founded in 2004, Couch Surfing is now the largest hospitality exchange community with more than 2,000,000 members in more than 70,000 cities. There’s a fee to become a “verified member” (you don’t have to, though). You can join groups and participate in events organized by members at your city.

www.hospitalityclub.org

Founded in 2000, the Hospitality Club has more than 430,000 members worldwide, with a majority in the US, Germany and France. Membership is free and you can search for couches by countries and cities. Poor website, though.

www.bewelcome.org

Founded by the former volunteers of Hospitality Club, this relatively new player (five years old) has maintained its status as a free service as they are still run entirely by volunteers. Membership has grown rapidly after Couch Surfing recently turned into a profit company, with more than 13,000 members worldwide (most in France, Germany and USA).

www.triptrotting.com

Trip Trotter works a bit differently from the others. When signing up, you’ll be asked a bunch of questions about your attitudes and preferences. Then just choose your destination city and preferred dates, and the system will use the stored information to match you with other Trip Trotters who share same preferences. It’s not really accommodation centric but more of a way to find new friends prior to your arrival.

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Peaceful Town

Nan

After Pai, it was Chiang Khan. And after Chiang Khan, it will be Nan. For those constantly searching for tranquil towns that haven’t yet popped up on the radars of Bangkokians, the Lanna capital is the new go-to destination. If you’re in town, apart from Wat Phumin where you’ll see the legendary love story depicted in the “Pu Man Ya Man” wall frescoes, don’t forget to park yourself at Baan Khun Luang Cafe (Pa Kong Rd., 081-998-1127), just across the street, for a cup of coffee with a view of the temple. And if you can afford it, stay at the newly renovated Pukha Nanfa Hotel (www.pukhananfahotel.co.th, from B2,500 a night), a cute all-wood house.
Why now: The year-end is when the green hills of Khun Sathan National Park turn pink due to the Phaya Suea Krong flower blossoms. It’s also the time when pale pink Pukha flowers, that only grow here, will blossom at Doi Pukha National Park.
Getting there: Nok Air started operating daily flights between Bangkok and Nan this year. A round trip ticket is from around B4,000.

Green Voyage

Mon Cham, Chiang Mai

It’s the new darling of TAT commercials, travel blogs and Thai webboards. This lush hilltop plateau nestled within the Nong Hoi Royal Project in Chiang Mai is incredibly picturesque. So picturesque in fact that a Royal Projects team recently set up the Moncham Camping Resort, where tourists can enjoy camping in a tent, lodging in bamboo huts while having meals cooked fresh from Royal Project ingredients or just enjoying the view with a cup of warm coffee.
Why now: The cool winter weather allows for misty morning views—the ultimate romantic setting.
Getting there: Mon Cham is in Maerim district in Chiang Mai. Nok Air, AirAsia, Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways fly daily to Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai Town, it’s less than an hour’s drive. Use Chiang Mai Fang Road (No. 107) and turn left to Route No. 1096. Turn right at Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden and go straight for around 6km .

World Heritage

Bhutan

The headline news that the charming king of Bhutan is getting married in October has brought this tiny country back into the spotlight of Thailand’s media. Bhutan is known for its unspoiled culture and nature, with the Tiger’s Nest Temple and The Valley of Paro as highlights. It’s also known for only allowing “quality tourists” (no backpackers), which means a stay here will cost you dearly.
Why now: Apart from the royal wedding, note that the US$200 daily spending requirement will be raised to US$230 next year. (This does include your tour package featuring a hotel room, all meals, all transfers and an English speaking tour guide, so is actually what you’d normally spend in any large city.)
Getting there: Druk Air flies direct from Bangkok to Bhutan’s Paro Airport. Bhutan doesn’t allow individual travelers so you need to book through a tour operator, though. See a list of registered operators at www.tourism.gov.bt.

Sacred Spiritual

Kyaiktiyo, Myanmar

Forget the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and the sea of chedis in Bagan: the junta’s political detente has brought a swarm of tourists to those places. Turn your eye further afield to the remote Kyaiktiyo in Mon State. One of the most sacred places in Myanmar, it’s where a few brave travelers clamber up (or decadently have themselves carried in litters) to witness the sacred golden rock teetering off the edge of a cliff. You need to get there from Yangon by either bus or taxi, then get on a truck, and then walk for 45 minutes to reach the entrance of the temple.
Why now: Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is another 1.5-km uphill walk away, so the best time to go is during winter, from Nov-Feb, when the weather is cooler. But if you hurry, the annual Buddhist Lent period ends Oct 2, and is the occasion for a grand festival when pilgrims do a long 18-km walk from the base camp to the hilltop. Read about our recent journey here.
Getting there: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and AirAsia fly daily to Yangon; roundtrip tickets are B12,000, B9,000 and B4,000, respectively.

City of Dreams

Songdo, South Korea

From Hangzhou to Dubai, new city spaces are being dreamed up all over the globe—some more successfully than others. Songdo International Business District is clearly one of the more exciting utopian visions in Asia. American investor Stan Glen started his project from a barren 6-sq-km lot of reclaimed waterfront land in Incheon almost ten years ago. When completed in 2015, Songdo will be home to several high-rise residential complexes and business buildings sitting next to giant green spaces, a golf club, a cultural center, a shopping mall, a hospital, an international school and three hotels. Residents will be transported on bicycles and by public transit and WiMax (a faster Wi-Fi) will be available everywhere. Many constructions are already completed, as is half of the bicycle lane network, and people have been moving in since 2009. If you want to see contemporary architecture in the making, this is one hot destination.
Why now: Songdo is changing every day. And when South Korea hosts The Expo at Yeosu in 2012, you can expect things to get seriously crowded.
Getting there: Thai Airways (from B26,000), Asiana Airlines (from B30,600), Korean Air (from B21,000) and Jin Air (from B16,600) fly direct from Bangkok to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport daily. Rates are for a roundtrip ticket. Songdo IBD is connected to Incheon Airport by a 12.3-km bridge.

Cool Metropolis

Melbourne, Australia

Regularly voted the world’s most livable city, Melbourne boasts a perfect combination of modern urbanism, classic European ambiance, low population density and strong natural preservation. In recent years, Melbourne has also become a more multicultural city with a lot more art events happening all year round. You’ll see a mix of ethnicities hanging out in cool cafes hidden inside tiny alleys, exciting performances and cutting-edge exhibitions. Melbourne is also in the limelight thanks to a bunch of new hotels and restaurants that include Australia’s largest hotel, the Crown Metropole with 658 rooms, three hip Art Series hotels, modern Chinese restaurant Spice Temple as well as the artsy Vue de Monde, which just relocated to the 55th floor of the city’s first skycraper.
Why now: Hate cold temperatures? December till February is Australia’s summer so it means you will enjoy exploring Melbourne’s streets in tank tops and board shorts.
Getting there: Jet Star and Thai Airways fly daily fom Bangkok to Melbourne with a roundtrip ticket from B25,600 and B55,220, respectively.

Cultured Europe

Barcelona, Spain

We were there this summer (read the story here) and Barcelona is a city you never want to leave. Are you a foodie? Amazing Michelin-star chefs cook seven-course wonders for under B2,500. Are you an art snob? Picasso and Miro both have huge museums there—not to mention the National Museum’s extensive collection spanning the centuries. Architecture? Don’t even get us started. Or do you just want to have an affair in a foreign land? Because, let’s face it, the combination of late, late night living, amazing tapas (enjoyed with booze), beaches and, well, good genes, means what we love best about Barcelona is the people.
Why now: Because Spaniards are Roman Catholics, Christmas actually means more than well-decorated malls here. Cool (but not freezing, thanks to the sea) weather. Lower hotel rates (this is low season).
Getting there: There’s no direct flight from Bangkok. Air France gets you there the fastest (15.5 hours) via Paris starting at B40,000 roundtrip. On the other hand, Finnair gets you the cheapest deal (from B32,245 roundtrip), but that means a 25-hour flight via Helsinki.

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Akyra Chura

Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, 02 514 8112, www.theakyra.com
Akyra is like a small Japanese village sitting on a pristine beach—two-story traditional style wooden houses outside, raw cement and generous use of blonde wood inside. Not only is it blessed with the island’s whitest sand and clearest waters, its sake bar is a great way to unwind. Rates are from B3,210.

Akatsuki

Lipa Noi Beach, Koh Samui, 077 485 704, www.akatsuki-resort.com
Meaning “dawn” in Japanese, Akatsuki offers an uber private resort experience as you need to hire the whole resort, which means five traditional Japanese-style suites (yes, it’s a trend), a spa with therapists, a restaurant with private chef and butlers. Rates are from US$2,000 (B59,670) per night for a maximum of 17 guests through Dec 31.

Baan Narupakorn

31/22 Soi Hua Hin 83, Hua Hin, 032 515 879, www.baannarupakorn.com
Another old bourgeois home turned into a pretty resort. Baan Narupakorn has combined a retro British style, a 60s Hua Hin beach house and minimalist contemporary architecture to create a warm and welcoming ambiance in all of its 10 rooms. Rates are from B2,500.

Conrad Koh Samui

49/8-9 Moo 4, Hillcrest Rd., Koh Samui, 077 915 888, www.conradkohsamui.com
Last year the big new names on Samui were Banyan Tree and W. This year, Conrad bacomes the latest addition to the fellowship of high-end resorts in Koh Samui. Eighty luxurious villas perched on a remote cliff are tucked away at the southwest tip of the island, offering picturesque sunset views from their individual terraces—not to mention Conrad’s standards of luxury. Rates are from B20,000 for a one-bedroom ocean-view villa.

Glur Ao Nang

591 Moo 2, Soi Ao Nang 11/1, Muang, Krabi, 075 695 297, www.krabiglurhostel.com
It seems like it’s all about luxury these days. Did everyone (except us) win the lottery? Mere mortals will be happy to hear that there’s a new budget solution in Krabi. A minimal white-and-raw cement building resting underneath coconut trees, Ao Nang’s only hostel has accommodation ranging from an 8-bed dorm to a double-bed room with en-suite bathroom. You don’t get the beachside location for these prices, but if you can ride a motorbike, the sand is just five minutes away. Rates are from B350 per bed.

Sheik Istana Hotel

10/1 Moo 3, Padad Rd., Muang, Chiang Mai, 053 273 142, www.skeikistanahotel.com
The newest theme hotel in Chiang Mai, on the bank of the Ping River, adopts Hua Hin’s now tired and slightly obnoxious Moroccan trend. All 35 rooms are painted in colorful hues and decked out with Arabian-style details—which makes perfect sense in the heart of the Lanna Kingdom. Rates are from B2,300.

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