When I first started traveling, I picked all the wrong hostels. To be honest, I had no idea what I was looking for. I’d see something that looked great in photos, and then find out it wasn’t near any restaurants. Another would be close to everything, but was so loud that you couldn’t sleep. I […]
Tips for Long Haul Flights in Economy
Prior to this year, I’d never had the honor of sitting on a plane for 15 hours straight. No that’s not a typo. If you include my layovers, and short second flights, I’m usually traveling for a full 24 hours to get to Asia. Now that I’ve made the trip six times, I feel like […]
Vietnam Backpacking Budget & Per Day Breakdown
Generally, I travel on a really tight budget and try to stick to $30 a day. My Vietnam backpacking budget was a little different since two of my best friends from home flew to Vietnam to visit me. Since they were on a two week vacation and we weren’t staying in hostels, I let my […]
12 Tips on How to be a Better Tourist
It amazes me how important being a good tourist has become to me over the last year. When I started planning my year long trip to Southeast Asia, I didn’t consider half of the things I think about now. My biggest concerns were where I could take the prettiest Instagram pictures, seeing the biggest tourist […]
Vietnam Travel Tips for First Time Visitors
I did a lot of research on Vietnam as a whole before booking my ticket. Below is everything I wanted to know before taking off and the Vietnam travel tips I discovered while there. Being respectful of a culture is really important to me, and knowing how to stay safe in a country always makes […]
Taking a Cooking Class in Hanoi with Apron Up
Taking cooking classes in foreign countries has really become a highlight of my travels and taking a cooking class in Hanoi was no different. Cooking classes are one of the few things that gives you an inside look into the culture and customs. Not to mention, it’s a skill you can take home with you. […]
Same, Same, But Different – Learning to Let Go of Expectations
There’s a famous expression in Southeast Asia. “Same, same, but different.” Order fried noodles with chicken and get fried rice with egg instead: “Same, same, but different.” See a picture of a luxury three day cruise and arrive to find a rowboat: “Same, same, but different.” It’s a saying I’ve heard quite a few times, […]
Things to do in Tam Coc: The Hidden Gem of Vietnam
When it comes to Northern Vietnam, it seems that Sapa has been deemed the most beautiful. Everyone I met said it was their favorite part of their trip. So it was a bit of a bummer when we arrived in Hanoi and heard it was pouring and freezing cold there. I’m a big believer in […]
Trying Laughing Gas Balloons on Cat Ba Island in Vietnam
I should start by stating that this post is meant for entertainment purposes only and is not an endorsement of this activity. While I want to share my personal experience, there are risks and dangers involved with trying laughing gas balloons. Everyone should do their own research before making an informed decision on whether or […]
Why the Halong Bay Overnight Cruise is Overrated
When it comes to travel in Southeast Asia, I always try to keep my expectations in check. Every once in awhile, that gets challenged. My friends, Lisi and Pat, flew out to Vietnam to spend my birthday with me, and we all decided to book a Halong Bay overnight cruise. We were shown an elaborate […]