About Sam Lee Travel
Exploring Asia Beyond the Typical Itinerary
Hello there! My name is Sam—the owner of this Sam Lee Travel blog.
By 17, I started co-leading trips around Malaysia and Thailand with my parents.
Those early trips showed me what efficient travel planning actually looks like, from keeping people moving to handling real life hiccups on the road.
Today, I am based between Singapore and Malaysia, and have travelled across Asia including Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China.
Over the years, I realised I enjoy travelling a little differently from the typical running-like-mad checklist-style trip.
Yes, I love visiting iconic places that deserve the hype.
But I also enjoy travelling to lesser-known places too, to the point that my family and friends sometimes raise their eyebrows whenever I share my next not-so-glam travel destination.
I bet most of you guys have not heard of Harau Valley in Indonesia’s West Sumatra, right?
You are welcome. 😉
That balance between popular highlights and lesser-known experiences is now the way I plan most of my trips.
Most of my travels involve lots of walking and using public transport, like buses, trains, and even tuk-tuks, but I am not overly strict about it.
If taking a taxi or shared ride makes more sense, saves time, or makes the way journey smoother, I will gladly do it 😉
For me, good travel is not about squeezing every dollar possible; it is about building a personalised trip that feels enjoyable, realistic, and memorable.
I love wandering around local neighbourhoods, observing everyday life, and stumbling upon small restaurants and businesses that most tourists would probably walk past.
That is also the approach behind this blog, where I share:
- Comprehensive travel guides in Asian countries, especially Japan & Singapore
- Unique places and experiences that are worth adding beyond major tourist hotspots
- Practical itinerary planning tips and transport advice
- Honest travel experiences, including mistakes and lessons learned
- Local food recommendations and cultural experiences
- Travel resources and gear that make trips smoother and more comfortable
Right now, most of my content is created for independent travellers, whether travelling solo or with a small group, who enjoy balancing iconic highlights with quieter, lesser-known places without trying to cram too much into a single trip.
You will also notice some cheekiness thrown throughout the articles; it is just my way of keeping things real while trying to laugh through all the chaotic and embarrassing travel mistakes I have made over the years 😂
I hope this travel blog inspires you to explore beyond your comfort zone and discover more of what the world has to offer.
And even when things do not go according to plan (because they sometimes won’t), I hope you will embrace the unexpected moments and create stories that stay with you long after the trip ends!
Adventure is out there,
Sam 🌏
FEATURED ON
I have been featured on many credible travel sites, sharing useful tips and real personal travel experience so you can make the most out of your trips:
SOME OF THE PLACES IN ASIA THAT I HAVE BEEN TO
My Unforgettable Travel Stories
There are times where not every trip goes perfectly, and honestly, those imperfect moments usually become the funniest stories later on!
Here are a few unforgettable travel moments I’ve collected over the years:
- I slipped & fell & almost rolled down the mountain when I was almost nearing the summit of Mt Inari at Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto ⛰️
- I literally had to force my legs to move while motorbikes flew past from every direction on the busy roads of Hanoi (iykyk) 😵💫
- I was once chased by a baby goat (for no apparent reason) in Harau Valley, Indonesia when I was having a stroll along the river 🐐
- I hugged the toilet bowl and vomited for the whole night due to food poisoning while my travel mates were having their time enjoying Thai massage in Krabi, Thailand 🚽
- I clung onto my dear life (or rather the bed rails) for 6 hours when the bus driver sped on the dimly lit road at night en route to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh, Cambodia 🚌
- One of the craziest trips that I have done is having a 7-day impromptu Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand food road trip 🚗
- I wore the same pants for 10 days while I was in Taiwan because I would rather spend my money on street food than getting a clean, new pants. #foodieforlife 💰
Do you have any embarrassing or one-of-a-kind travel moments as well? Feel free to share them with me; I would really love to hear that! 😁
