I would like to apologize to every guy I’ve ever mocked for wearing a speedo. That may be a strange way to start a post about surfing lessons in Bali, but stay with me here! Like it or not, you just can’t surf in a bikini. Boobs will be flying all over the place, and […]
Learning to Surf in Bali Read More »
I survived a shipwreck. Saying that feels unreal – like it happened in a dream, or a really bad Lifetime movie. Seriously, did this actually happen to me?! But it did happen, and I survived. This is my story. The Beginning I was invited to join Perama Tours’ Hunting Komodo by Camera tour as a
Adventurous Kate Gets Shipwrecked in Indonesia Read More »
“Do the Nha Trang boat trip. Do the Nha Trang boat trip!!” There’s something that I’ve learned in my months on the Southeast Asia Backpacker Trail — if several people fervently tell you that you have to do an activity, you do it. No questions. So as soon as we rolled into Nha Trang, Vietnam’s
The Infamous Boat Trip of Nha Trang, Vietnam Read More »
Halong Bay is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. Thousands of giant limestone islands fill the bay, and when it’s misty, it gives off the feeling of a haunted Jurassic Park. I knew I had to visit Halong Bay, and there are plenty of tour operators offering different cruise packages.
Halong Bay: The Ultimate Party Cruise! Read More »
Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos, is the most fun you will ever have without taking your clothes off. Well, I would say that, but I actually saw a guy go off one of the rope swings while naked, so I guess that’s out the window! Needless to say, tubing in Vang Vieng is one of
Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos Read More »
“This is not a police island. This is a Mafia island.” The bartender’s eyes shift from side to side, sizing up the landscape. I try to match his intensity as I take a sip from the bucket of Sang Som, Red Bull and Coke. The bartender, an expat from another Southeast Asian country, has been
A Night with a Thai Mafia Don Read More »
Pai, Thailand, is a tiny mountain town about three hours from Chiang Mai. Originally a hippie enclave, today Pai is now a resort town popular with both Thais and foreigners. It’s still massively popular with the hippies as well. For me, going to Pai was all about seeing the northern Thai countryside. The town is
Exploring Pai by Motorbike Read More »
Today is my eleventh day into a seven-month journey through Asia. It’s also my first long-term backpacking adventure. Despite the fact that I’ve traveled quite a bit, including solo trips and a semester in Florence, long-term travel is a whole new beast. It’s overwhelming, and it’s wild, and nothing can prepare you for it until
How To Survive Your First Week on the Road Read More »
So, how do you pack one small backpack for seven months in Southeast Asia? It’s not easy. [2024 update: This post was written all the way back in 2010, before I began my travels! I’m keeping it mostly as is, but keep in mind technology has changed quite a bit in 14+ years.] I’ve agonized
Packing List for Seven Months in Asia Read More »
When I announced my plan to spend seven months in Southeast Asia, most people questioned why I’d want to spend so much time there. Honestly, there is so much that I want to see in Southeast Asia that I could stay for years! Here are the regions that I hope to visit on the Asia
The Asia Jaunt: The (Initial) Itinerary Read More »