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Home » Accommodations

My Favorite Accommodations

Modified: Mar 4, 2020 · Published: Mar 30, 2009 by Dave Lee |

If last week was focused on the great relationships I formed during my backpacking trip around the world, then this week's posts are going to be centered around superlatives. The best food, adventure activities, and to kick things off, accommodations!

Annapurna South as seen from Chomrong
Annapurna South as seen from Chomrong

Himalaya View Guest House - Chomrong, Nepal - The guest house may have been very basic, but the warmth and hospitality of the Nepalese staff, my porter Nima Sherpa, and of other trekkers passing through Chomrong made my  nights here memorable.  I frequently stood in awe at the Himalayan panorama outside my doorstep (including 8,000m Annapurna South, and Mt. Machhapuchhre), ate pizza, and hoped Gela was warm and safe up at Annapurna Base Camp.  Why wasn´t I with her?  Read my 12-part series on the Annapurna Sanctuary trek.

My room in Boudha
My room in Boudha

PRK Guest House - Boudha, Nepal - I was driven out of the uber-popular Kathmandu Guest House in the touristy Thamel distrct after one too many nights of hearing the same cover band belt out songs from a nearby bar.  I checked into a monastery-run guest house in Boudha, a minute's walk from the important Buddhist pilgrimage site of Boudhnath Stupa just outside the capital city.  From my room, I had a perfect view of a garden, and school yard which would fill with children at play every afternoon.  In the mornings, I awoke at 6am to the banging of drums, and chants of monks.  And my close proximity to the stupa meant I could visit, observe, and photograph it from sunrise to sunset.  Check out a few of my posts from this time:  Blissful Boudhnath Stupa, Daily Life in Boudha, and More Images From Boudhnath Stupa.

Tibetan Monastery in Bodhgaya, India
Tibetan Monastery in Bodhgaya, India

Tibetan Monastery - Bodhgaya, India - The room was a bed, a desk, and a fan, but I knew my patronage helped support the monastery, and it certainly was amongst the most tranquil places I stayed.  I was too lazy to get up in the mornings for the early prayers, though I was more than welcome to attend.  Here´s a post about my visit to the Bodhi tree where Buddha attained enlightenment!

Bungalow overlooking Haad Rin, Koh Phangan, Thailand
Bungalow overlooking Haad Rin, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Mountain bungalow - Haad Rin (beach) on Koh Phangan (island), Thailand - One week in a private bungalow overlooking Thailand's most infamous beach, and world party destination, Haad Rin.  Read about my experience at the July 2008 Full Moon Party.

The Intercity Hotel - Vientiane, Laos
The Intercity Hotel - Vientiane, Laos

The Intercity Hotel - Vientiane, Laos - At $40 per night, this Lonely Planet Editor's Pick was a splurge but well worth it in advance of my birthday.  I believe it was the costliest accommodation of my trip, offering views of the Mekong River and an adjacent monastery. I wrote a little more about it here.

View of Table Mountain from The Backpack in Cape Town
View of Table Mountain from The Backpack in Cape Town

The Backpack - Cape Town, South Africa - Warren said The Backpack was rated the best hostel in South Africa, if not the whole continent, and dropped me off there upon my arrival in Cape Town.  The views of Table Mountain were great, and the staff and Tuesday braai (BBQ) wonderful.  The first activity I booked at The Backpack was a wine tour of course!

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. crambox says

    March 30, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    All fine places!! Looking back brings a tear to my eye :) was a good trip loved reading it daily when I would be up in the middle of the night with my new daughter I would sit with her in my arms and dream for her that one day she could see the things you have!!!! Thanks for the memories and the necklace one day I will give it to my daughter..

  2. crambox says

    March 30, 2009 at 9:40 am

    All fine places!! Looking back brings a tear to my eye :) was a good trip loved reading it daily when I would be up in the middle of the night with my new daughter I would sit with her in my arms and dream for her that one day she could see the things you have!!!! Thanks for the memories and the necklace one day I will give it to my daughter..

  3. marina villatoro says

    March 30, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    this place looks heavenly. I have yet to make it to that part of the world. for some reason i can't get out of the americas:) we have cute places to stay here too, but nothing like that. and the sites and culture simply can't compare to where you are now!
    The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist

  4. marina villatoro says

    March 30, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    this place looks heavenly. I have yet to make it to that part of the world. for some reason i can't get out of the americas:) we have cute places to stay here too, but nothing like that. and the sites and culture simply can't compare to where you are now!
    The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist

  5. Dave says

    April 03, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    Thanks Patrick, it meant a lot to know there were people out there reading the whole way. :)

  6. Dave says

    April 03, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Thanks Patrick, it meant a lot to know there were people out there reading the whole way. :)

  7. Dave says

    April 03, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    I know what you mean....there is a lot to see and do in the USA (and Canada I´m sure) but I can`t seem to plan domestic vacations!

  8. Dave says

    April 03, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    I know what you mean....there is a lot to see and do in the USA (and Canada I´m sure) but I can`t seem to plan domestic vacations!

  9. Linzey says

    October 29, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Thanks man good work Nice
    Nice ...

  10. Tigges says

    October 29, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    I have bookmarked your site for future referrence! Greetings.

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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