I’ll be honest: My expectations for the food in Vietnam weren’t high. Although everyone had raved about it as an incredible place for foodies, my experience with the food had been limited to pho, the simple noodle soup dish that, while delicious, did not inspire in me a hope of brilliantly varied and spiced dishes.… Continue reading A Vietnam Food Tour: Photos To Make You Drool
Tag: Travel
The Best Way to Go Trekking in Sapa
I hunched over for Mae to put the final touch, a heavy silver chain necklace, over my head. She brought her arms back down to her tiny four-foot frame and smiled up at me with a pleased glimmer in her eyes. I was now decked out in her clothes, the traditional garb of the Black… Continue reading The Best Way to Go Trekking in Sapa
What It’s Like to Arrive in Vietnam
The first thing I noticed about Vietnam was the smell. I hadn’t even stepped outside yet, but as I drug my suitcase out of customs the unmistakable scent of pho wafted across my nostrils. At least I thought it was pho. But then it dawned on me that it was merely the same smell… Continue reading What It’s Like to Arrive in Vietnam
Island Hopping in El Nido, Palawan
Crammed for 6 hours into a 10 person van with 14 other people and their luggage as we bumped over unpaved roads and careened around mountainous corners, I wondered bitterly why I had wanted to go to El Nido, anyway. These had better be the best damned beaches I’ve ever seen. Luckily, they were.… Continue reading Island Hopping in El Nido, Palawan
Monthly Recap: March 2015
I have literally been across the world and back again in the last month and a half. Because my round the world trip is going to have me visiting lots of new places and going on all kinds of adventures I’m going to start doing a monthly recap of where I’ve been, what I’ve done,… Continue reading Monthly Recap: March 2015
Palawan’s Underground River (Tourist Trap)
In planning for Palawan, an island on the west side of the Philippines, everything kept pointing to the famed “Underground River”. It’s the 7th wonder of the natural world! It’s the most amazing thing you will ever see! It’s cooler than ice cream and better than sliced bread! So, persuaded by the exuberant advertising, we… Continue reading Palawan’s Underground River (Tourist Trap)
Professional Beach Bumming: The First Week of my RTW Trip
Floating in water clear as glass, palm bordered white sand stretching into the distance on either side of me, I lay back and eye the clouds billowing across the azure skies. I have to remind myself that this is my life now. It’s not a vacation, it’s not just a temporary respite from the… Continue reading Professional Beach Bumming: The First Week of my RTW Trip
Announcing My Round The World Trip Itinerary!
I’ll be honest, I never thought the time would come. Everything I’ve been working toward for the last few years is finally about to happen and it doesn’t even feel real. Two weeks ago I got on a plane and left behind my life in Korea forever, and I haven’t even wrapped my head around… Continue reading Announcing My Round The World Trip Itinerary!
Korean Temples: The Beauty in the Details
Walking along our local hiking trail I pointed out a tiny bug on the ground and commented on its interesting shape. My friend gave me a strange look and exclaimed, “How on earth did you see that?!” I laughed and explained to her that I am a details person. Where others see a vast landscape,… Continue reading Korean Temples: The Beauty in the Details
What I Loved About Taiwan
Until recently, the only thing I knew about Taiwan was that toys were made there. I’d seen the ubiquitous “Made In Taiwan” sticker countless times, but I couldn’t point the place out on a map and I envisioned it as one big factory of a nation. Does that make me a stereotypical ignorant American? Probably.… Continue reading What I Loved About Taiwan
The Day I Became a Surfer
I clutched the back handle of the scooter and ducked my head behind the Swedish boy’s back to protect my face from the pelting rain. We whizzed through the jungle, carefully weaving around the landslides and dodging the lazy dogs in the road. Wearing only a bikini and t-shirt, I let the wind whip through… Continue reading The Day I Became a Surfer
Siargao: The Philippines’ Secret Island Paradise
Tucked away amongst the thousands of islands in the Philippines is a place where travel lore comes to life. It’s the kind of place that jaded backpackers dream of: off the beaten path, untouched by tourist development, with clean and pristine waters, where the visitors and locals still mix. It’s a place I’m afraid to… Continue reading Siargao: The Philippines’ Secret Island Paradise