Tag: Asia

Cappadocia on a Budget

Desperate for a dose of nature and exoticism, I found myself daydreaming of the lesser-trodden trails of eastern Turkey — somewhere near the Iranian border. It was remote, raw, and delightfully cheap. Perfect, I thought. Unfortunately, political unrest had other plans as I landed in Istanbul. The region turned into a temporary no-go zone, and […]

Spiritual Tourism: Thaipusam 2014

Experiencing the Festival of Thaipusam: A Dream Fulfilled Yes!! Another travel wish come true. Years ago, while doing some research on Malaysia, I stumbled upon a celebration that immediately caught my eye: Thaipusam. I was fascinated. But when I realized I had just missed it by a few weeks, I was gutted. Fast-forward six years, […]

Off the Grid: Exploring Indonesia

Disapproving looks are thrown my way as I type this article on my tiny phone keyboard. Who spends time on their phones when they are on a small tropical island?! Well… Me. I’m in Bunaken, a lush island just off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The sea is warm, the coconut trees are a great […]

2013 Travel Summary

2013 flew by so fast, I barely saw the months pass.In terms of travel, it was insane. I moved from Europe to Asia and wound up in a place that “forces” me to leave the country at least every two months just to renew my visa.Not the worst deal, right? Here’s a look back at […]

What it’s like to live in Ubud, Bali in 2013

So… What’s Life in Bali Really Like in 2013? I’ve been asked the question dozens of times:“What does your life in Bali look like?” Every time, I launch into a passionate description of Ubud — the spiritual, artsy town we now call home. Yet somehow, people still look at me blankly and say,“I still don’t […]

8 Days in South Vietnam

Vietnam: A Failed Mission (Sort Of) My trip to Vietnam was meant to be a bit of a mission. For years, I’d heard nothing but negative stories: scams, rude vendors, rigged taxi meters, unwelcoming locals… the list went on. Nearly everyone I met who’d travelled through Vietnam had something negative to say, often claiming it […]

Myanmar: land of infinite Buddhas

Myanmar: A Thousand? Try Hundreds of Thousands of Pagodas Myanmar is often called the “land of a thousand pagodas.” A thousand feels wildly inaccurate.“Hundreds of thousands” might be more fitting. The Burmese seem to dedicate their lives to honouring Buddha — and building pagodas, stupas, and temples. Each structure holds relics or statues of Buddha, […]

5 Quirky Things To Do in Manila

5 Wonderfully Weird Things to Do in Manila Manila is a vibrant city where everything seems possible. People are loud, full of life, and seem to know no embarrassment — at least, that’s what it looks like to an outsider. I only spent a couple of days in the metropolis, but I immediately LOVED it. […]