When we set off for the quiet coast of Amed in Bali, we weren’t sure what to expect. Although it is low season, we knew we’d have to bargain hard to afford a decent room and probably wouldn’t get one on the beach. We were blown away when we got a room right across the […]
Hoards of Tourists in Ha Long Bay
Oh Ha Long Bay, so flooded with tourists that you can’t remember what country you’re in, and you suspect that you’re in a huge, floating, raucous college bar. The most popular way to see Ha Long Bay is on a junk boat tour booked from Hanoi. I had read terrible things about it, and if […]
Lingering in Luang Prabang
I never had a desire to go to Southeast Asia. I dreamed of going to Africa years before I ever stepped foot on the continent. Even a year before setting out on my around the world trip, Southeast Asia had never crossed my mind- I was leaning towards South America or Australia/New Zealand for this […]
Charmed by Muang Ngoi Neua, Laos
After my adventurous bus ride from Vietnam to Laos, we got to Muang Khua and just got lucky. A man was heading in his boat to Nong Khiaw and agreed to give us a ride for a cheaper rate than normal. We thought we’d have to stay overnight in this village, so the fact that […]
Montage Monday: Hairpieces and Hardware
In the village of Pundamilia in Kenya, where I have spent a total of ten weeks over two trips, the place to go if you need anything is the hardware store. In the village center there are a couple of cafes (called hotels), a barber shop, some bars, and this oh so fabulous hardware shop. […]
RTW Travel: Seven Months In
Seven months. At this point, it sometimes feels like seven years. It has actually been one of the toughest months for me yet. I’ve had some really amazing days but a few downers as well. It happens. Luckily, I typically have a the cup is half full attitude, and it takes a lot for […]