Jacqueline Keinath
  • Welcome
  • About Me
  • Silk Scrunchies
    • Silk Headbands
  • Graduate Collection
    • About
    • Photo Shoot
    • Catwalk
  • Portfolio
    • Final Collection
    • Triumph
    • Internships
    • Chloe Project
  • Travel Blog
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Impressum
    • Datenschutz
    • AGB
    • Wiederrufsbelehrung

Cutting Loose - Travel Blog

Being a full time traveller and visiting various countries, diving into different cultures, meeting local people as well as fellow travellers, I have a lot of stories I would like to share with you. Watch this space if you are interested in learning more about my experiences, how to travel certain countries on a low budget, what not to miss, things you must see and do, where to stay and so much more...!

Cutting Loose Travel Blog Moved!

15/12/2017

4 Comments

 
I am excited to share with you all that my Travel Blog, Cutting Loose, has moved to a new home and webpage! We are expanding, so moving the whole blog to its own website was the next step. Here I will be able to spread out and share even more stories and tips on budget backpacking and solo female travelling with you! Please visit the new website and let me know what you think!
If you liked reading the articles here, make sure to continue following and reading them on www.cutting-loose.com

Thank you all for your support!
Picture
4 Comments

My Favourite Places in Malaysia - Part Two

11/11/2017

32 Comments

 
Since I stayed in Malaysia for 2,5 months, I have a lot of places to recommend and things I saw and did while there, which is why I chose to split this article into two parts. Otherwise it would have gotten too long! Continue reading to find out what my absolute favourite place in Malaysia is and where the best places are to stay and eat at!

Click to Read More (Button Below Image)
Picture
One of the so many stunning Sunsets on Pangkor

Read More
32 Comments

My Favourite Places in Malaysia - Part One

10/11/2017

9 Comments

 
As you all know, this was the first destination after my huge scooter accident and spending two weeks in the hospital in Bangkok recovering. I wanted to go somewhere I could relax, take it easy and fully recover (I wasn't allowed to and also physically couldn't walk very much) for a while. And Malaysia was just the perfect place for me to do so.

Click to Read More (Button Below Image)
Picture
Stunning view from the top of Penang Hill, definitely worth a day trip

Read More
9 Comments

Malaysia Overview

20/10/2017

2 Comments

 
First of all, Malaysia is a great country to go to even when, or maybe especially when, you aren't feeling so great...

It is a very developed country where everyone, and I mean EVERYONE speaks english! Wow what a relief. As much fun as it is to communicate with hands and feet and learning bits of different languages to make yourself better understood in Southeast Asian countries, it is also very nice to be able to ask for something in your own language and people to actually understand and reply to you.

The people here are extremely friendly, and yes I know I have been saying that so far about every country I have been to so far in Asia, but Malaysia takes friendliness to the next level.

Click to Read More (Button Below Image)
Picture
A fisherman fishing in Georgetown, Penang

Read More
2 Comments

Hospital Care Southeast Asia

20/10/2017

27 Comments

 
Unfortunately my trip through Laos ended very abruptly, after a pretty bad Scooter accident on one of the very bad, rough and dirty roads in Laos, with a lot of wholes and puddles.
This post is not about the accident itself, but more about what to do if you are ever in a situation like this.
Let me tell you - it is NOT EASY! Especially travelling alone (this is the part where you wish a loved one or family member was with you, to not only help you figure things out, but for emotional support as well). Hope that the accident is not in the outback, far away from any civilization, in the middle of nowhere, because then you are screwed...

Click to Read More (Button Below Image)
Picture
Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand

Read More
27 Comments

Laos - Things to Do and What Not to Miss

19/9/2017

6 Comments

 
Somehow I personally had a bit of a rough time in Laos, but that does not change the fact that it is still a beautiful country and worth the visit if you are up for an adventure!

First stop for me was Luang Prabang after a two day Slow Boat Trip across the Thai Border and down the Mekong River on Lao side (read my article Crossing the Border into Laos if you are interested in this - I can only recommend doing it, I loved this way of travelling!). Luang Prabang, a beautiful old city, with French Colonial architecture (a lovely area to stroll trough and enjoy the views over the river) and a hill in the middle of town, Phou Si Mountain. It is worth the small entrance fee and the walk up to the top - an absolutely spectacular view over the city, the Mekong river and the surrounding area! The Night Market on the main road every evening is also worth checking out. A nice market where all the backpackers come together for cheap food and the many gifts, clothes, and hand made goods they sell - so many beautiful things! I wouldn't recommend eating there though, I got food poisoning from the food there and was feeling horrible for four days straight. I was also not the only one, a friend of mine and everyone else I spoke to afterwards had the same problem.... So stay away from the food there, as tempting as it is!

​Click to Read More (Button Below Image)
Picture
The spectacular view from the top of Phou Si Mountain in Luang Prabang
Picture
Views over the Mekong River in Luang Prabang and the amazing Slow Boats

Read More
6 Comments

Laos Overview

4/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Even though Laos is right next to Thailand, and I must say I somehow expected them to be very similar, there are definitely also a lot of differences.

The first thing I noticed is that the people and the country are a lot poorer! Thailand seems to be quite well off with all the tourists and the boom it had in the last few years, but Laos isn't quite like that. There aren't that many tourists here yet (which on the one hand is also very nice and makes it a lot easier to get in touch with locals and actually be part of the community and their way of life! But also means it can get quite lonely at times) and the country is still very poor. Saying that though, I also never had the feeling that they tried to rip me off, be it in local markets buying food and fruit or for bus rides - you pay what the locals pay.

Life is slightly more expensive in Laos than in Thailand. Thailand is super cheap, but expect to pay about double the price here in Laos (which is still cheap compared to other countries like Europe or the US) for food, drinks, and transport. A meal is roughly between 25,000-40,000 Kip, water has a set price of 5,000 Kip, and transport depends on where you go and how far you travel.
Click to Read More (Button below Image)
Picture
Beautiful view, but dangerous rough Roads
Picture
Food Market Stalls selling Snacks and Fruit

Read More
0 Comments

Crossing the Border into Laos

4/9/2017

2 Comments

 
After going to Chiang Rai from Pai for a few days (changing buses at Chiang Mai, since there is no direct route to Chiang Rai), I did one more stop further up North before heading over to Laos.

Mae Salong is a great little mountain town with the most spectacular views you will see! I am not even joking! It was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! It is a bit out of the way and other than the spectacular views there is not much the place has to offer, but if you want to go to a very local place on the top of the mountains this is the place for you.
To get there from Chiang Rai, take a bus to Mae Chan (about one hour for 25 Baht) and change into a tuk tuk bus for 60 Baht, another hour into the mountains. If you don't get car sick you will love the ride, it is a huge build up with all the great mountains and valleys and tea plantations until you arrive at Mae Salong. It's not a backpacker town so don't expect a hostel or even a cheap room. Luckily I was travelling with someone at the time and we shared a room at 'My Place' a great Guesthouse/Hotel with an amazing view to wake up to in the morning. We found this to be the cheapest with best value, 400 Baht per night for a twin bed room, bathroom and (hot!) shower.
​
Click to Read More (Button Below Image)
​
Picture
What a beautiful double Rainbow leaving Pai
Picture
Stunning Blue Temple in Chiang Mai, so much intricacy! Probably one of my favourite Temples

Read More
2 Comments

Pai - The Place You Won't Want to Leave

8/7/2017

5 Comments

 
I was initially only going to stay in Pai for a few days and ended up staying for more than a week. As soon as you arrive you are welcomed by a very calm and peaceful feeling, everything goes one step slower, and there is just this special vibe the place has to offer. It was my favorite place in the north of Thailand and I can definitely see how people end up staying there for a few weeks. It's the kind of place to relax for a few days, read a book in the hammocks, rent a scooter for a few days and explore the mountains and hot springs. It is a very hip and cool young place with a lot of backpackers and people to meet. Keep reading to find out more about my favorite spots, best restaurants and places to eat, the cheapest way of getting there and back and what not to miss while there!

Let's start by how to get there: there are a few different options, Minivan or Local Bus. The best and cheapest option is taking the local Red bus from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 (Arcade Bus Terminal) for 80 Baht.

Click to Read More (Button below Image)
Picture
Pai in its full Beauty
Picture
Renting a Scooter for Two Days and exploring the Area - So much Fun!

Read More
5 Comments

Thailand - A few Tips to get Started

22/6/2017

0 Comments

 
Thailand is a beautiful country, the south as much as the north. Many people leave out the north, but it is definitely worth checking out! My personal favourites: Chiang Mai and Pai (see my post about Pai to read more).
Some general word of advice on the people, the food, accommodation and transport, that I have gathered and experienced from the last four weeks of travelling through the country:

The people are super friendly with huge smiles on their faces and as long as you treat them with kindness and respect they will treat you the same way. Thais have this beautiful way of putting their hands together and bowing when saying thank you (Khop Khun Kaa/Kaap), part of the Buddhist teaching. They are always friendly and calm, I have not once met or seen an angry Thai. Most are always willing to help and go out of their way to show or explain something to you.

Click to Read More (Button below Image)
Picture
Sunset over Koh Phi Phi with their beautiful Boats and clear Turquoise Water
Picture
White Sandy Beaches and Turquoise Water on Koh Larn

Read More
0 Comments

    Archives

    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017

    Categories

    All
    Laos
    Malaysia
    Thailand

    Copyright ©2021 Jacqueline Keinath, Cutting Loose, All Rights Reserved
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Welcome
  • About Me
  • Silk Scrunchies
    • Silk Headbands
  • Graduate Collection
    • About
    • Photo Shoot
    • Catwalk
  • Portfolio
    • Final Collection
    • Triumph
    • Internships
    • Chloe Project
  • Travel Blog
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Impressum
    • Datenschutz
    • AGB
    • Wiederrufsbelehrung