Solo Backpacking across SEA Part 1

This is Part 1 of a 3-part series from my first ever international trip, where I took a personal challenge: backpack across Southeast Asia for 45 days with only a few sets of clothes and no over-planned itinerary.

It became one of the most amazing experiences of my life - I met new people, made friends, worked from anywhere, took long bike rides, and had late-night adventures that I will never forget.

The goal was not just to tick places off a list, but to really experience the region through its cultures, cuisines, geography, and people. I am keeping this post in the same simple diary format so it helps me preserve the details and also helps anyone planning a similar route.

Route overview

• Bombay to Singapore: 30th Oct
• Singapore transit: 31st Oct
• Kuala Lumpur: 31st Oct to 3rd Nov
• Penang: 3rd Nov to 4th Nov
• Langkawi: 4th Nov to 7th Nov
• Phuket: left for Phuket on 7th Nov

30th Oct - Bombay to Singapore

I boarded my flight from Bombay to Singapore.

One random thing I remember clearly is that Singapore Airlines asked for the credit card used to book the flight. I found that weird.

Apart from that, it was probably the best flight experience of my life till then. The flight had free food, headphones, and alcohol.

Notes from this leg

• Singapore Airlines was excellent.
• Keep the booking card or at least be ready in case the airline asks for it.

31st Oct - Singapore transit and Kuala Lumpur arrival

I reached Singapore and immigration was smooth.

During transit I went to Jewel Mall using the airport sky train. The waterfall was very nice and the mall itself was worth seeing even on a short stop.

After that I boarded my flight to Kuala Lumpur. Immigration there was also smooth.

I did not have a Malaysian visa ready beforehand, so I had to manage it through my Singapore side plans with Clara, who was a local resident, and because of that I was eligible for visa on arrival for Malaysia in my case.

Important visa note

• Do not depend on Malaysian e-visa getting processed in 48 to 72 hours.
• From my experience it can take 4 to 5 working days.
• Apply well in advance.
• Visa rules change, so always check the latest official rules yourself.

After landing in KL, I found the airport average, but the ride into the city completely changed my mood. I took a Grab from the airport to Penthouse on 34 Hostel for around 100 ringgit.

The roads were excellent, the cab ride felt smooth, and first impression of Kuala Lumpur was very strong. At that point it honestly felt like the best city I had visited so far.

Where I stayed in Kuala Lumpur

I stayed at Penthouse on 34 Hostel.

This was one of my favorite hostels on the trip.

• amazing city view
• infinity pool
• very social atmosphere

At the hostel I met Sina, Maik, Robin, Jena, and a Finnish guy with a beard named Josse. I also met a crazy old American racist guy, which is another random thing I still remember from that hostel.

There was a bonding event on the hostel terrace and later we went clubbing with teenagers.

Kuala Lumpur - 1st Nov to 3rd Nov

1st Nov

I went to Batu Caves.

I also met a Pakistani cab driver from GC. After that I went to the pool.

At night I went to Jalan Alor and had satay and nasi lemak.

2nd Nov

For lunch I went to Lot 10 Hutong underground market. The food there was good.

For dinner I went to Luce Austria.

Later I tried kunafa at Arab Street and then went to see the Twin Towers.

3rd Nov - Kuala Lumpur to Penang

That day I met someone I noted in my diary as Miss Beautiful.

I went to the Twin Tower area to catch my bus. I had Indian food at a restaurant inside the Twin Towers area. The food was not good, but it was cheap.

In the afternoon I took the Aeroline bus to Penang.

This bus was excellent. Very comfortable. It was raining during the ride. I reached Penang around 8 PM.

On the way I met a German lady who was very nice.

Kuala Lumpur recommendations

Stay

• Penthouse on 34 Hostel - one of my favorite stays, mainly for the view and infinity pool

Food

• Jalan Alor for satay and nasi lemak
• Lot 10 Hutong for a good food court meal
• Luce Austria for dinner
• Arab Street for kunafa

Places to explore

• Jewel Mall if you have a Singapore layover before KL
• Batu Caves
• Twin Towers

Transport

• Grab from KL airport to the city cost me around 100 ringgit
• Aeroline bus to Penang was very comfortable and worth taking

Things to know

• KL made a strong first impression on me
• Penthouse on 34 is a great hostel if you want good views and a social setup

Penang - 3rd Nov to 4th Nov

After reaching Penang, I checked in to 111 Hutton Lane.

This was the best hostel I found in Penang.

At night I went to Red Garden Food Court and watched a ladyboy performance there.

After that I went to Love Lane and then to the beach.

I did not spend a lot of time in Penang, but the short stay was memorable.

Penang recommendations

Stay

• 111 Hutton Lane - best hostel I stayed at in Penang

Food / nightlife

• Red Garden Food Court
• Love Lane for evening atmosphere

Things to know

• My Penang stay was short, so this was more of a stop than a deep visit

4th Nov - Penang to Langkawi

I booked a taxi to go to the bus station and then took a bus to Kuala Perlis.

When I reached Kuala Perlis, the ferry was sold out.

There I met Carol. Then I booked a cab to Kuala Kedah because ferry tickets were available from there.

I caught the ferry at 7 PM and reached Langkawi around 10 PM.

Where I stayed in Langkawi

I checked in to Bed Attitude Hostel.

After checking in, I went to El Toro Mexican Restaurant. The food was good.

Langkawi transport note

• If ferry tickets are sold out from Kuala Perlis, check Kuala Kedah.
• Keep some flexibility in your plan for island transfers.

Langkawi - 5th Nov to 7th Nov

5th Nov

I went to see Iron Man and rented a scooty.

I had food at Ali Bistro, which was the best Indian food I found in that strip.

Later I went to SkyCab, SkyBridge, and SkyTrail. Out of these, SkyTrail was not worth it for me.

On the way back I had good coffee at 211 Pilot Coffee Shop, right in front of the airstrip.

At night I went clubbing with Carol. First to One Love and then to Tulak Bar and Cafe.

6th Nov

I had coffee in the morning.

For lunch I again went to Ali Bistro.

Later I watched a fire show at Kalut Restaurant on Langkawi beach. It is beachside and the burger there was good.

After that I had street food, bought football t-shirts, and went back.

At night I went to the club with the Bed Attitude people - Peter, Kate, and Sylvia - and again went to Tulak.

There I met a crazy Indian guy.

7th Nov - Langkawi to Phuket

I took an early cab to the airport for 50 ringgit.

At the airport I met some Irish business guys.

Then I left for Phuket.

Langkawi recommendations

Stay

• Bed Attitude Hostel

Food / coffee

• El Toro Mexican Restaurant
• Ali Bistro - best Indian food I found there
• 211 Pilot Coffee Shop - good coffee and nice location near the airstrip
• Kalut Restaurant - beachside, good burger, and fire show

Places to explore

• Iron Man
• SkyCab
• SkyBridge

Nightlife

• One Love
• Tulak Bar and Cafe

Things to know

• renting a scooty makes Langkawi much easier
• I did not find SkyTrail worth the time
• airport cab in the morning cost me 50 ringgit

General Malaysia notes

• Apply for your Malaysia e-visa well in advance. Do not rely on last-minute processing.
• Grab was very useful and easy for city transfers.
• Aeroline was a very good bus option from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.
• Ferry plans can fail at the last minute, so keep backup options between Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah.
• If you like hostels with social energy, Penthouse on 34 in KL and Bed Attitude in Langkawi were memorable stays.

If I had to summarize this part simply: Kuala Lumpur surprised me, Penang was short but fun, Langkawi was easy and social, and this stretch felt like a very good start to the whole SEA trip.