Most travelers visit Laos as part of the “Banana Pancakes Trail” loop— the scenic route from Southern Thai islands to Angkor Wat, Cambodia via Laos and Vietnam. When they do, they typically only visit Vang Vieng (the party town) and Luang Prabang (the former colonial capital ) before flying or taking an overnight bus to…
Category: Asia
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…
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…
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…
Visiting India: 20 Travel Tips
After two trips to India, I have spent a cumulative 2 months there, which may sound like a lot but it is merely scratching the surface of what this boundless country has to offer. These travel tips will help you have a more pleasant journey through the incredibly diverse and culturally rich country of India….
Baroque Churches of North Goa, India
I know, this is a really specific thing to write about, and it seems odd to go all the way to India to see some churches built by the Portuguese. But that’s the kind of silly stuff I do. I was in Goa for a week, and there isn’t a ton to do other than…
Tristan's Expeditions 