Tristan's Expeditions

The Quebec City Winter Carnaval

For some reason, I’ve lived in New York City for 3 years and never visited Canada. Two weeks ago, I decided to change that, and traveled up on a whim for the Quebec City Winter Carnaval. A last-minute $100 overnight greyhound bus ticket took me from Penn Station to the border, then to Montreal, where…

10 Things You Must Do in Myanmar

Myanmar is a largely-undiscoved gem of Southeast Asia, where experiences unlike any other await you. Below are some the best cultural activities to do in Myanmar, some of which are tried-and-true, and the others my personal favorites. (For the classic ‘best of Myanmar’ itinerary click here: 10 Things You Must Do in Myanmar) Motorbike around…

Top Destination of 2020: Myanmar (1 Week Itinerary)

If you’ve never considered visiting Myanmar, perhaps this post will have you putting it on your 2020 calendar! Myanmar opened its doors to tourism in 2011, yet in 2019, it’s easy to find yourself completely alone in its vast networks of temples, bustling markets and rugged countryside. While it’s largely untouched by Western influence, Myanmar…

The Biggest City in the Western Hemisphere

No, it’s not New York City— Mexico City boasts a population of 8.5 million and endless things to do. I spent a week a Mexico City and barely scratched the surface, exploring a few of its many neighborhoods and major sites. Most people skip Mexico City and straight for Cancun— don’t— you’re missing out on…

Taking a Vegan Thai Cooking Class

Thai food is (and I may be a little biased here) definitely one of the most flavorful and delicious cuisines in the world. But did you know it’s actually really simple to prepare? I took a Vegan Thai cooking class at Morning Glory in Chiang Mai and it was one of the best culinary experiences…

Inside Eastern State Penitentiary

It was a dreary April afternoon in Philadelphia when I visited the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary; a rainy, 40-degree day, but it seemed fitting. The prison’s castle-like walls towered over me, and the guard tower was shrouded in mist as I approached. When Eastern State was constructed in 1821, the founders truly hoped that convicts…

How to Survive Vang Vieng

This isn’t a guide to Vang Vieng, this is just a little bit about my experience there. I’ll be honest, at first, I had no intention of staying in Vang Vieng for more than a day. If it weren’t located exactly halfway in between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, I would’ve skipped it completely. But after…

The Best of Chiang Rai in One Day

A lot of people visit Chiang Rai as a day-trip from Chiang Mai, on a “White, Black and Blue” tour of three “temples” — and while that’s great, I’d recommend spending one full-day on your own in Chiang Rai, and spending one or two nights. Why not take a tour? Chiang Rai isn’t close to…

Being Vegan or Vegetarian in Thailand

A lot of people have been asking me if it was difficult to find food (and cheap food especially) as a vegetarian/vegan in Thailand this summer. The short answer is no; it was, generally, pretty easy to find cheap and delicious food in Thailand. There are many vegetarian/vegan restaurants (or separate menus) in Thai cities, and…

Bangkok Markets: Food, Fun and Fashion

Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital city, is full of outdoor markets where you can eat your heart out and shop til you drop. Tourists come from all over Asia just to stock their closets, and after visiting a few markets, I began to understand why. You can get literally ANYTHING in Bangkok for a fraction of…

10 Things You MUST Do in Thailand

Thailand is a dream come true for backpackers, as the country is full of things to do, delicious food to eat, and reasonably-priced accommodation. I spent 6 weeks there this summer (which I don’t recommend, don’t go in the rainy season!) and these 10 things were some of my favorite experiences. Some of these, such…