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South-East Asia is arguably the best region of the world for a long-term backpacking trip. There is a great network of transportation in between the countries, a well paved backpacker trail, and loads of budget accommodations for travelers. I've spent over 15 months backpacking around South-East Asia now, and it is has truly changed my life. There are way too many reasons why SEA is an amazing place to backpack: food, culture, nature, parties, people, etc. But that's not what this post is about...

All backpacking trips have their challenges, and these are 13 things you'll get tired of while backpacking South-East Asia...

1. Consistent Bug Bites

One of the most annoying aspects of traveling through-out South-East Asia is being eaten alive by the various bugs. Whether it be the troubling mosquito, pesky sand fly, or a devilish bed bug, there's no doubt you will bit quite a few times during your travels.

For some reason, these bugs always seem to destroy my feet, and I can't help the terrific feeling of scratching them. They turn into open wounds, take forever to heal, and even scar. You can try holding back the urge, but sometimes it's just damn near impossible. Thank God for Tiger Balm.

2. Bargaining for Everything

Bargaining in general can be really fun, and it's great when you feel you got the best deal - but it can get pretty tiring having to do it all the time. Especially when you know they are trying to squeeze as much money as possible out of you. It's particularly bothersome when they start so ridiculously high! Listen, I know I can get these singlets or sunglasses for $3-$5, please don't ask $30 for a pair of fake ray-bans.

3. Not Being Able to Drink The Tap Water

South-East Asia is hot. Very hot. It's extremely important to keep yourself hydrated on the road to maintain your health. My goal is to drink around 1-1.5 gallons per day. Water is so important for your immune system, and I hate getting sick abroad so I'm constantly drinking water. I don't mind buying bottled water because it's not too expensive, and there are some cities where you can fill up a bottle of reverse osmosis drinking water for practically nothing, but after awhile you really wish you could fill up a glass of water from the sink. Especially if you had one too many drinks the night before, and forgot to buy a bottle before passing out.

4. The Extremely Long Travel Days

If your'e backpacking South-East Asia on a budget, you'll understand that even though these destinations might look close to each other on a map, it's still going to take awhile to get there. Those 8 hour bus rides, can easily turn into 12 hours, for no explanation. You can't complain though when the whole trip only cost $15-$20.

Things can go wrong when you travel, and you just gotta go with the flow.

5. Terribly slow Wi-Fi

It's important to disconnect from the internet for awhile when you travel, because people can get too caught up with uploading pictures, statuses, or skyping people back home. With that being said, the internet has changed the way the younger generation travels. We look up flights, bus times, and ferry schedules. We research hostels, read reviews, and browse travel blogs. As great as it is to disconnect from social-media and people back home, wi-fi is a very useful tool for backpackers. South-East Asia is definitely not the worst place in the world for internet access, but there are many places where it's basically non-existent. Or even worse - it says you're connected, but takes 30 minutes to load a page. Try booking that last seat to Bali for the promo fare with slow internet. You're gonna have a bad time.

6. Cold Showers & Fan Rooms

Another aspect of budget travel in South-East Asia is staying in the cheapest room or hostel you can find. You might not have the best night sleep, but you saved money that can now be spent on other activities. With that being said, sometimes you just want an air-conditioned rooms, a nice hot shower, and a comfortable mattress. Unless you want to cut your backpacking trip short, than you can't be doing this every night.

Just don't forget, every once in awhile it's okay to "TREAT YO SELF!"

7. Bad Backpackers

One of the best parts about backpacking South-East Asia is the friendships you'll form with people from all over the world. It's ridiculously easy to meet fellow backpackers, and for the most part - everyone is really genuine, and is just looking to have a good time. But there definitely are some people you want to avoid. For example, check out this hilarious article on The Broke Backpacker titled, " The 7 Backpacker Assholes to Avoid ". This is a good example of some of the people you'll meet while traveling. For me, my biggest pet peeve are those people who really have no idea how to act in other countries. There are some backpackers out there don't respect the culture and customs, and it's a damn shame. If you're going to behave like an asshole, stay at home.

8. Being Treated as a Dollar Sign

It is common knowledge that a majority of the locals in popular backpacker destinations survive entirely on tourism. You get used to the idea that people want your money, and they are always attempting to make a sale, but after awhile - you've had enough.

9. Squat Toilets & Bum Guns

Imagine you are on a long bus ride, and that Chicken Fried Rice you just ate isn't sitting well your digestive track. You wait for the next rest stop, scurry to the bathroom, and realize there are only those damn squat toilets. Most South-East Backpackers can understand that scenario. Well, shit happens. It would be great if at every rest stop there were a nice fancy restaurant, clean toilets, and toilet paper - but that definitely doesn't happen out here. You have to learn to embrace the squat toilets and bum guns during your travels through South-East Asia. But after awhile - you just want to have a comfortable shit.

11. Frigidly Cold Bus Rides

No one will ever understand why busses feel the need to have the A/C on full blast. After several months backpacking South-East Asia, feeling cold can be a really strange feeling. You always have to remember to bring an extra layer or two on the bus, or else you'll toes will feel like they have frost bite when you reach your destination.

12. The Fear of Malaria & Dengue

Everybody can be a hypochondriac at times. When you get eaten alive by mosquitos, that thought oftens runs through your head, "I really hope one of these bastards didn't just give me Malaria". From my understanding, the majority of backpackers don't bother with the Malaria pills. The side-effects are too strong, and aren't really worth the extra prevention. Even if you do take them though, that doesn't protect you against Dengue fever.

13. Intense Humidity

Why is it does it have to be so hot and humid all the time? That shower you just took will only help you feel clean for a few minutes. You know, once you step outside, it won't take long before your drenched in sweat again. It comes as a shock at first, but you eventually get used to it. There are times though where you just wish you could go outside without dripping bullets.

Yeah, there are a few aspects about backpacking through South-East Asia that might not be pleasant - but that is all about the full experience.

This is one of the reasons we travel. To step out of our comfort zone. To learn how to deal with different situations. To challenge ourselves.

South-East Asia is truly a backpacker's paradise. From the amazing food, culture, beaches, parties, hostels, and people - backpacking through this region will definitely be a life-changing experience.
Have you backpacked South-East Asia before? What were a few things that you slowly grew tired of? Let me know! Share With Your SEA Backpacker Friends!
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13 Things You'll Get Tired of While Backpacking South-East Asia

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South-East Asia is arguably the best region of the world for a long-term backpacking trip. There is a great network of transportation in between the countries, a well paved backpacker trail, and loads of budget accommodations for travelers. I've spent over 15 months backpacking around South-East Asia now, and it is has truly changed my life.

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There are plenty of blogs out there encouraging people to travel. I consider Backpackingmatt to be one of them.

I believe in the importance of experiencing the unknown, learning about new cultures, meeting new people, and gaining a better understanding of this world we live in.

It's a big place, and I for one want to see of much of it as I can.

Many of these blogs very often make backpacking out to be a very glamorous affair. In some respects it is. I love the freedom of being relatively nomadic. I get to see new places, meet new people, and don't have many of the day-to-day responsibilities that my peers back home do.

Last week, I went on a boat tour of beautiful Milford Sound. The week before that I went whale watching. The week before that? An overnight cruise in the Bay of Islands.

There are plenty of advantages to traveling - but this post is designed to show you the challenges you face as a backpacker.
The life of a backpacker isn't easy, and here's why:
1) Living on a Strict Budget

It's one thing to budget your finances, but it's an entirely different thing to budget your finances as a backpacker. Along with the joys of traveling comes the day-to-day reality of living every day of the week on a budget. Y es, you have occasional splurges while backpacking - but for the most part, you're limiting yourself on food, activities, drinking, and transportation.

All with the hopes of traveling longer and farther.

I returned a car recently to the airport. Most people would pay the bus fare back to town. Me? I hitchhiked. That $10 fare paid for my dinner.

2) Dealing with Dorms

If you're spending extended periods of time on the road, you don't have the luxury of staying in hotels - or for that mater, motels. When you think of the nightly cost of accommodation, it adds up. The obvious answer for a backpacker is a hostel. These are excellent venues to meet other travelers and very often, they're pretty sweet places - but at the end of the day (literally), you go to sleep in a three, four, eight, or twenty bed dorm room.

That guy (girl) above you very often snores. And that bed? Well let's just say it's not a Serta Perfect Sleeper.

3) Backpacker Jobs

I'd love for you to quit that job and ditch that cubicle. I think there's more out there than an 8 -5. Yet if you travel like I do, on working holidays, it's definitely not an extended vacation. While I've traveled to quite a few countries, I've worked some pretty unflattering jobs to get me there. In Ireland, I stood on cold, windy, and wet streets in small villages trying to get locals to sign up for monthly donations to charities. In Edinburgh, I spent two weeks scrubbing pots and pans in an office canteen. In Franz Josef on New Zealand's West Coast, I cleaned rooms in a small hotel.
The goal is always for that perfect, backpacker oriented job - but, the realities of backpacking are that you'll sooner or later end up working a job you certainly didn't get that degree for.
4) Dealing with the Language Barrier

I'm unfortunately one of those unalingual Americans. I naively didn't see the incentive in learning and becoming fluent in a foreign language when I was in high school or college. So when I travel to a country where English isn't the language of choice, it can be a bit challenging.

I believe in the importance of learning the basics of the language of the country your visiting - it's courteous and the least you can do as a traveler. However, this doesn't make you fluent. You can get by, but the biggest challenge you deal with is sitting in that local bar or cafe and not knowing what anyone around you is saying. Nevermind the problem of getting directions to the bus station, finding your hostel, or booking your train ticket out of town.

5) Being Seperated from Close Friends and Family

I'm lucky enough to have traveled with a good mate during my first stint overseas, and with my girlfriend now, but it's still difficult to be separated from those close friendships you developed over the years at home. It's wonderful to meet fellow travelers - yet very often, you meet great people only to say goodbye far too soon.

There are plenty of efficient and budget friendly ways to stay connected with your mates back home - be it Skype, Facebook, or international calling plans. The reality of the situation is you're busy, they're busy, and a long backpacking trip results in you loosing contact with old friends.

6) Living out of a Backpack

I travel light. When I was clearing customs in Auckland, the agent asked me where all my luggage was. She saw my year long visa and my lone backpack and didn't understand where everything else was at. There was nothing else.

When you're often on the move, you don't want to have heaps of luggage. The downside? I hate about every piece of clothing I have in my backpack.

A chest of drawers has quite a lot on my Gregory Baltoro 65L.

7) Dealing with the Unexpected

This seems like a vague challenge for a backpacker to deal with. Yes, everyone has to deal with the unexpected - be you a doctor, a grad student, or a backpacker. However, the difference for a backpacker is that you're very often dealing with the unexpected in an area you're unfamiliar with. You don't have the grounding you would if you were permanently based someplace.

It's one thing to catch the flu when you're home in Chicago. You know where to go, who to see, and what to do. Try getting seriously ill in Istanbul. When you're out of your usual comfort zone, the unexpected challenge can be a lot harder to deal with.

It's important to be realistic about the trip you're planning.

The good always comes with the bad. An extended trip abroad will be a rewarding, life-changing experience - but it certainly won't be easy.

What's your take?
What are some of the challenges you face as a backpacker? Add them to the comments section below.

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There are plenty of blogs out there encouraging people to travel. I consider Backpackingmatt to be one of them. I believe in the importance of experiencing the unknown, learning about new cultures, meeting new people, and gaining a better understanding of this world we live in.