There were only a few places on this trip where we’d been tempted to never leave. Two of those now have been in S.E. Asia, as we sat on the shores of Chalok Baan Kao Bay on the island of Koh Tao. The islands of Thailand have it all – they are plentiful, gorgeous destinations with something for everyone from the tourist party scene to the remote & earthy.
We had picked Koh Tao for one main reason – we were getting our scuba certification!
Read MoreFirst off, Chiang Mai was far different than we thought it would be. It had been described as a backpacker’s haven, which, typically, meant quiet, laid back, with more locals than tourists. Lonely Planet describes it as a “…sprawling modern city…grown up around ancient Chiang Mai…”. That’s an understatement. Luckily, there is plenty to do, or not do, to keep you entertained & even make you feel like you are the only ones around.
Read MoreBeautiful, sleepy & quaint. A few words that come to mind when I think back on our visit to Luang Prabang, the royal capital of the former Kingdom of Laos. This beautiful little gem has managed to remain a bit under the travel radar, despite being named a UNESCO site in the 90’s & with the recent floods of investment, you can tell it is still a bit of a travelers’ Wild West. Beautiful landscape, amazing places to eat & a completely chill, backpackers haven. It certainly won’t fly under the radar much longer; the word is out about this amazing town & we think it’ll quickly become the next go-to spot.
Read MoreThe mighty Mekong River. I usually don’t write specifically about our transportation adventures as those are on hold for a later post (or wildly best selling travel memoir). However, this little 3-day, 2-night excursion was by far the most interesting one we’ve had yet. Most of us could hardly believe it, few knew much, if anything, about Laos & we never realized just how gorgeous the countryside was!
Read MoreWhether you are crazy about temples, interested in only a few, or maybe just want to try some crispy, buggy street food, Siem Reap has exactly what you are looking for. An experience completely unique to Cambodia, it’s nearly impossible to walk amongst these marvels of human ability & not feel moved. It's a small piece of beauty & emotion that you will carry with you long after you leave.
Read MorePeople often say a place can have a feeling, a vibe to it, whether good or bad, that radiates from it. It is as if the land is trying to tell its story for the visitor, explain what has happened in the past. For me, that is what best describes Cambodia. Underneath the emerging, bustling cities & obvious strides of growth in the last decades, you can still feel a part of the country that hasn't healed, feels restless & not yet at peace.
Read MoreA tale of two cities if you’ve ever heard one. Not many places are more wrapped up in the recent history of a war-torn country than these two
As a visitor, you can’t really understand one without seeing the other. To understand the history of Vietnam, gain a full appreciation for all the country has been through & where it stands today, you must experience the stories of both cities & how they are completely entwined, forever linked by a long hard journey.
Read MoreThe real draw of Đà Lạt is all the outdoor adventuring you can enjoy. Almost like the Vietnamese Ensenada, you can choose from Easy Rider bike tours, hiking, or our choice, the canyoning experience. I'll state for the record that most of this would probably not be permissible back in the U.S. Oh, it’s your first time learning to repel? Perfect, go down through this waterfall & drop into the river cavern below.
Read MoreHội An is easily our favorite city so far. It’s absolutely beautiful, with its French architecture nestled along the mouth of the Thu Bon River. We’ve often discussed places we could live or joked about settling down right where we were, but this is the closest we’ve come to being serious.
Read MoreVisiting Sa Pa turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made on our entire trip. It was absolutely stunning; top 5 at least of the prettiest places we've been & we’ve seen an incredible amount of beautiful places so far on our trip. It was reminiscent of Nepal & the locals were simply amazing.Sa Pa is truly a magical experience & one you cannot pass up if you really want to appreciate the beauty that Vietnam has to offer.
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