Highlights from Ho Chi Minh City
I unexpectedly made my first trip to Vietnam in early 2014, in the midst of the lead-up to Tet, the huge celebration of the Lunar...
7 Things to Know Before You Travel to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia has long been a popular destination for backpackers and other budget-conscious travelers who want to stretch their dollar to the fullest. In...
3 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Vietnam
Vietnam is a country that often evokes strong opinions from travelers. Some love it. Some absolutely hate it. Me? I definitely fall into the...
24 Awesome Photos of Thailand
This is a post in my new “Awesome Photos” series. Also check out 22 Awesome Photos of Italy and 23 Awesome Photos of the United Kingdom!...
Spoiling Myself in Paradise (or What I Did on Koh Lanta)
At some point, every traveler needs a break. A break from hostel dorm rooms. A break from the heat. A break from travel partners....
The Phi Phi Islands: So Much More Than Leo and “The Beach”
I giggled as I Skyped with Elliot from my hotel room in Ao Nang. “Yes, that's how it's pronounced!” I exclaimed through my giggles....
Is This the Most Beautiful Beach in Thailand? Visiting the Beaches of Railay
Designating something as the “most” or “best” is always tricky. I mean, I haven't BEEN everywhere or SEEN everything, so how can I confirm...
Kayaking in Krabi
Before heading to Thailand's Andaman coast, I had to make a decision: islands, or mainland? It wasn't an easy choice to make, however. Partially because...
A Morning With Monks in Chiang Mai
I knew I wanted to spend some time in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai, the laid-back, moat-enclosed, expat-filled largest city in northern Thailand. After hearing so...
Volunteering at Elephant Nature Park: What’s It Like?
This post was written after a volunteering trip made in February 2014, but information on volunteering is kept as up-to-date as possible! You may...
Get to Know Elephant Nature Park
I want to tell you the story of an elephant named Jokia. Like many “domesticated” elephants in Asia, Jokia hasn't had the easiest of...
Please Don’t Ride the Elephants
You know how when you go to a zoo (or maybe to a park with lots of wildlife), they have those “Please don't feed...
24 Hours in Bangkok
Bangkok. A sprawling city of modern skyscrapers, ancient temples, criss-crossing highways, and swanky shopping malls. A city where the word “chaotic” does not even begin to...
Traveling in Cambodia with Intrepid Travel
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you book/buy something through one of my links, I may earn a small commission (at...
In My Backpack: Packing for Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia. Known for its hot, humid climate. The land of flip-flops and hippie pants. Sounds like a pretty easy part of the world...
Thoughts on Cambodia
When I came home from Southeast Asia, everyone wanted to know what I thought about it. And it was mostly easy to tell them:...
Riding the Bamboo Train in Battambang
Just outside the Cambodian city of Battambang lies a set of railroad tracks. These tracks have long since seen real train carriages running on...