Sayonara Japan

Surprisingly weird, pleasantly polite, with hidden depths to plumb far beyond what I experienced as a tourist, travel in Japan left me hooked. My experience in Japan drew out so many reactions that I am struggling to make this post coherent. Should I write about the hot corn in a can from the ubiquitous vending

Seventeen Things to Love about Island Life

Fiji is our favorite country, ever. Not in our plans before leaving home at all, it took us both by surprise by how incredible our experience was. Everything you think about Fiji is true – gorgeous beaches…well, that’s about all I knew too. People go there for their honeymoon and stay at fancy resorts; we

New Zealand Wrap Up

Everyone loved, I mean loved, New Zealand. They raved about the natural scenery. We each found an activity in New Zealand to be our favorites of the whole Australia and New Zealand trip. I liked New Zealand — it’s beautiful. The people are nice and friendly. Somehow, it didn’t win me over as a dedicated

Australia Wrap Up

If Australia weren’t so expensive that I couldn’t afford to find housing and so far that I would never see my family, I would love to stay for months, or maybe longer. The sun shines almost every day, the people are easygoing and friendly, and activities of all kinds would keep me entertained. As it

Malaysia Wrap Up

Before our trip, I couldn’t tell you much about Malaysia. As we met other backpackers, they consistently declared Malaysia the most boring Asian country, with the caveat of “good food”. I added Malaysia to our itinerary for the sake of diving and because it was on Anthony Bourdain’s tv show. The diving certainly exceeded our

Thailand Wrap-Up

Thailand was probably, between us, the country we most expected to love. Although we enjoyed Thailand, overall, I was disappointed. That has a lot more to do with the decisions we made in how we spent our time in Thailand than anything to do with Thailand itself. I would still recommend Thailand highly to anyone

Goodbye Cambodia

I can’t say I’m sorry to see you go. Angkor Wat is awesome. We found a decent Mexican restaurant with actually decent margaritas. We ate there twice. We enjoyed our night out at Temple Club – $8 pitcher of mixed drinks with a free tshirt is a good time. That about sums up the high

Laos Wrap Up

We had only planned to spend five days in Laos, all in Luang Prabang. Well, plans change. This time it was easy because Laos Airlines’ relaxed policy on flight changes, reflective of the laid-back attitude of Laos in general, enabled us to laze about and recover from the fast pace we traveled through the Philippines

Vietnam Wrap Up Post

I liked Vietnam. Bizarre American War experiences aside, Vietnam has a lot to intrigue a tourist – good food, friendly people, beautiful natural landscapes, interesting history, beaches (although we didn’t see any), and more. Like the Philippines, our time in Vietnam felt rushed, and when we left, a great deal remained on my Vietnam to-see

Philippines Wrap Up

Pearly white beaches surrounded by clear blue sparkling ocean, a rooster in every yard, wildly decorated jeepneys (jeeps converted to open air taxis) – these are the images that will stay with me from the Philippines. Some of the friendliest people we’ve met on our whole trip made even routine activities, like a bus ride,