Hitchhiking to Vang Vieng to Poh Phangan

Hitchhiking no longer is popular due to the interstate highway system and is just plain dangerous. Through the 1960's and 1970's hippies traveled from Europe to Asia in search of spiritual enlightenment, the search for adventure and drugs. The "hippie trail" were paths through Europe to Kathmandu and Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India to Nepal.

The Silk Route was an overland journey by British university students which was made into a documentary. This was the same route Marco Polo traced some 700 years before. Air travel was expensive and hitchhiking appealed to the youth. Marijuana was legally sold in hashish shops and grew in Afghanistan, Kashmir and Nepal. Lebanon and Afghanistan were warring and was another reason the hippie trail became dangerous.

The first backpackers guide was published called " Across Asia on the Cheap" in 1973. This book labeled the hostels and restaurants serving the famous Western dish, banana pancakes. The most popular trail being the "Banana Pancake Trail" speaks to backpackers today. The travel hub in Southeast Asia is the Vang Vieng where you float down the river drinking alcohol along the way as you stopped at local bars. There was even more to do like mud baths, volleyball, zip wires and mental slides. The chaos was put to a stop because people were out of control. Now a days you can still bring your own alcohol and go tubing. Also there are great routes for mountain biking and karst landscape is wonderful for rock climbing. There are caves and lagoons to visit. Don't forget about paint-balling ,hot air ballooning, and jungle parties.

Koh Phangan is another backpack haven. They have a famous Full Moon Party which is an amazing beach party started by some backpackers who were playing guitars for someone's birthday. Thirty thousand people come together on Haad Rin Sands. There they have the Half Moon and Black Moon parties. People smear glow in the dark paint and dance all night until dawn. This place has waterfalls deserted beaches, and a national park. You can do yoga and mediation under beautiful tree canopies. It's a good place to" find yourself" with healing centers and even 21 day monastic silent meditation. They have detox centers and health retreats. You can rejuvenate your body with massages and body treatments. Motorbike can be used all over the city.There are untouched natural rainforests, plenty of snorkeling and diving. Koh Tao you can learn to dive like many backpackers have.

From hitchhiking to backpacking in Vang Vieng or in Koh Phangan. Backpacking has some pretty awesome adventures to be had. Check out www.backpackingtentsetc.com for the right lightweight gear for backpacking.