Tristan's Expeditions

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…

15 Travel Tips for Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is a tried-and-true Spring break destination and has been for decades. However, there are some things you should know before you go, and some factors to consider before you book your accommodation. Bring U.S. cash and a foreign-transaction-fee-free card Though Mexico’s official currency is the Mexican Peso, a lot of things in Cancun (and…

The Puerto Rican Dilemma: Independence, Statehood, or the Status Quo?

For over 100 years, Puerto Rico has been part of the greater U.S. commonwealth. In recent decades, however, political sentiments are picking up steam. Should Puerto Rico become the 51st state, strive for its independence, or simply stay as it is? So far, 5 referenda have been held to decide this issue; however voter turnout is…

A Taste of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a rich culinary scene, due to its Spanish, Taino and Afro-Carribean heritage. I spent a couple of days in San Juan eating everything I could get my hands on. Everything is Fried and Stuffed In Puerto Rico, you’ll find just about every plant imaginable can be fried in a ball; yucca, pumpkin,…

San Juan’s Hottest Nightlife

So you’ve only got a couple nights in San Juan, but you want to make sure you go to the right spots — look no further. These tried-and-true bars and clubs are guaranteed to keep you on your feet, dancing the night away with plenty of friendly Puerto Ricans — who by the way, are…

Weekend Getaway: Samana, Dominican Republic

New York is freezing cold right now, and the cheapest place to fly outside of the US and Canada is the Dominican Republic. With tickets ranging starting at $250 , I figured why not get away for the long President’s Day weekend? In search of a quiet escape from the busy city, I chose to…