Have you ever dreamed of leaving it all behind for a few months to explore the world?
Our Oyster pearls Brooke and Mya have just returned from an adventure of a lifetime – four and a half months spent travelling across eight countries
and two continents.
From sky dives and quokkas in Australia to roadtrips through the dramatic countryside of Vietnam, their trip was an action-packed adventure – and you can follow in their footsteps.
Hear about their travels for some inspiration – if you want to start an epic journey of your own, you can reach out to Mya and Brooke directly.
The Philippines
Brooke and Mya’s four and a half month long trip started in the Philippines.
“We spent two weeks in the Philippines, and visited Cebu, Coron, Bohol, Moalboal, and El Nido,” says Mya.“It was so beautiful – the beaches are incredible and not too busy, and the people were so friendly.”
“It was probably the least developed place we visited, but in a good way,” Brooke adds. “It felt really real. The locals were so welcoming – we really got a sense of everyday
life there.”
Their favourite moments in the Philippines included:
• Diving to see the sardine run and swimming with turtles.
• Sailing expedition – a three day adventure that involved an overnight stay in traditional nipa huts on the beach.
• Canyoning and abseiling down waterfalls.
Australia
“Australia felt more like home in terms of culture and language.” said Brooke. “The lifestyle, the food is all familiar – but the gorgeous weather and beaches were a nice change! We spent Christmas Day at Bronte beach.”
Their route included Fraser Island, Noosa, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth & Airlie Beach Whitsundays – where they ticked off a major bucket list item: skydiving over the ocean.
The main stops didn’t disappoint, but Western Australia proved a welcome surprise. “We loved Perth,” Brooke says. “It was slower paced, a beautiful city, and honestly, the beaches there were better than the east coast.”
“A lot of backpackers skip the west coast because it’s a bit out of the way, but that means there aren’t as many tourists so it’s quieter. And from Perth you can easily get to Rottnest Island to see the quokkas. Australia was definitely the most expensive place we visited though!”
Highlights of Australia:
• Skydiving over the pristine beaches of the Whitsundays.
• Staying a few nights at Fraser Island – with no signal, it was all about being present in nature.
• Seeing the (extremely photogenic) quokkas at Rottnest Island.
Bali
Their next stop was the beach paradise of Bali for three weeks.
Mya shared, “Bali felt like a good mix – it had stunning beaches, but also really interesting culture. My favourite place was Ubud. Compared to Seminyak or Canggu, which felt a bit like Benidorm – super touristy – Ubud was much more cultural and spiritual. Ubud felt authentic.”
“A real highlight was the spiritual cleansing experience.” said Brooke, “We visited a shaman at their home and then went to a water temple for a traditional cleansing ceremony. We were surrounded by locals doing their daily rituals, and it felt
really meaningful.”
Mya and Brooke’s highlights in Bali:
• Spiritual cleansing ceremony at a water temple.
• Ubud – a cultural and spiritual centre set in the jungles and ravines of the Gianyar regency.
Singapore
A short stopover of a few nights in Singapore was enough to tick off the main sights. Unfortunately, Brooke was ill while in Singapore, so Mya explored solo.
Mya found the experience really positive, “It was fun. I went out and explored one day and just walked around the whole city. I literally walked all day – I did so many steps! Then the other day I went to Universal Studios by myself, which was the first time I’d gone to a theme park alone. I enjoyed it.”
“The water show at the Marina and the Gardens by the Bay light show were amazing. They’re the typical must-dos if you’re in Singapore, and they really were impressive.”
Their favourite experiences in Singapore were:
• The water show at the Marina and the Gardens by the Bay light show
• Universal Studios
Malaysia
After their quick stopover in Singapore, Malaysia was next on the list.
Malaysia brought a mix of landscapes, from the beaches of Langkawi to the bustle of Kuala Lumpur during Chinese New Year.
“We had no idea it was happening,” says Brooke. “The streets were packed – you literally couldn’t move.”
The Petronas Towers, usually silver, were lit up in red to mark the celebration. In Penang, the Chinese New Year festivities took over the city, with dragon costumes, firecrackers, and food stalls everywhere.
A quieter experience was taking the Langkawi cable cars up into the mountains. “We stayed in Langkawi – which was lovely, but quite remote. The beach was incredible, and it wasn’t too touristy. You can see Thailand from the top of the cable car – we didn’t realise that until later!”
Another standout was the visit to the Batu Caves, a sacred Hindu site just outside Kuala Lumpur. “It was crowded, but you could still see locals praying – it felt very authentic, not just a tourist stop”.
Their highlights from Malaysia:
• Experiencing Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur.
• Beautiful views from the Langkawi cable cars.
• The sacred site of Batu caves.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, Mya and Brooke’s only regret was that they couldn’t stay longer: “We were only there for two weeks, but it deserved a month, easily.”
Vietnam was one of the most varied stops – from the mountain roads of the Ha Giang Loop to the quiet beauty of Hoi An.
“The Loop was incredible,” Mya says. “We did it on bikes, but you can also do it by minibus. The views were just insane – winding mountain roads, lakes, remote villages. You see what life is really like in North Vietnam.”
Along the way, they stopped in the group leader’s village, where they were welcomed into his family home, shared a meal, and drank a homemade rice wine called “happy water.” “We couldn’t really communicate with the people in the village, but they were so lovely and came out to say hello!”
In Hoi An, they explored lantern-lit streets and had clothes tailor-made in just 48 hours – a memorable souvenir to take home.
Vietnam offered dramatic scenery and colourful towns, but also came with a moving experience of the country’s history. In Ho Chi Minh, they visited the Củ Chi tunnels, used by Vietnamese soldiers during the war. “It was fascinating – intense, but so interesting,” says Mya.
Brooke and Mya’s highlights of Vietnam:
• The jaw-dropping scenery of the Ha Giang Loop.
• Lantern-lit streets in Hoi An.
• Learning about the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cambodia
Cambodia felt like a natural next stop – particularly as the history is so intertwined with Vietnam.
“After finishing Vietnam learning about the war, to then go to Cambodia and carry on with that historical journey was really interesting.” said Mya.
“We visited Phnom Penh, and learned about the S21 prison and the Cambodian genocide. It’s definitely not for everyone, especially if you’re quite sensitive to that kind of thing. They do tell you things in a lot of graphic detail. But it’s so important to know the history of the country you’re in.”
Highlights in Cambodia:
• A moving experience learning about the history of the Cambodian genocide.
• A sunrise visit to Angkor Wat.
Thailand
Thailand was their final stop, and it proved to be one of the most exciting.
“It’s got everything – beaches, mountains, nightlife, food,” Brooke says. “There’s really something for everyone.” They visited Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Pai & Chiang Mai, where they could relax on the beach during the day, and enjoy Thailand’s world-famous nightlife when the sun set.
But their favourite experience wasn’t the beach or parties, or seeing famous filming locations from James Bond – it was seeing the elephants in a sanctuary where they are truly looked after.
“We did loads of research,” Mya says. “Most places aren’t legit – if there’s riding or bathing, it’s not ethical. We chose the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, where you’re behind a barrier. It’s about respecting the animals.”
Up north, Pai Canyon stood out for its beauty and peace. “It was so different from the islands – quiet, green, and stunning. That’s the thing with Thailand – you’ve got beaches, but then you’ve got these stunning mountain areas too.” says Brooke.
And of course, the food deserves a mention. “Thai green curry, pad Thai, pineapple fried rice… it was our favourite food of the whole trip,” Mya smiles. “And the spring rolls – unbelievable.”
Mya and Brooke’s Thailand highlights included:
• The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.
• The stunning Pai Canyon.
• The world-renowned nightlife.
• And most importantly, the food!
Start dreaming of your own adventure
Feeling inspired to take a leap of your own? If you’re interested in going on a multi-country backpacking trip, or even just visiting one of the countries mentioned above, Brooke and Mya can give you expert advice.
A long trip can take months of planning and research – with Oyster Travel, you can skip the work and simply enjoy the journey. All while having the extra security of experienced experts to reach out to whenever you need.
Get in touch with Mya or Brooke here.
