Backpacking Asia

Hanoi

After five months of backpacking through Asia, we finally reach Hanoi, Vietnam’s political and cultural capital. Was Hanoi worth the wait? Read on to find out!

Hoi An Ancient Town – Day 1

The UNESCO town of Hoi An harkens back to bygone days, when trading ships from all of Asia called at this Thu Bồn River port. An important trading center and melting pot of cultures for millennia, Hoi An today is sleepy, beautiful and remarkably well-preserved.

4,000 Islands: Don Det

Exploring the uber chill and captivating little island of Don Det (located among 3,999 of its closest friends) in the middle of the mighty Mekong.

Luang Prabang (Pt.2)

In Part Two of our exploration of the UNESCO town of Luang Prabang, we continue to discover the wonders of this unique place and hop a local boat for an impromptu jungle adventure.

Luang Prabang (Pt.1)

Our two-day Mekong boat journey from Thailand ends at an astounding place – owing to its mysterious, historical, and natural character, and the fact that we hadn’t read up at all on this amazing destination.

slow boat luang prabang laos

Slow Boat to Luang Prabang

Two days on a long wooden boat cruising down one of the world’s great waterways. Read on for our full report on riding the “slow boat” from Thailand to Luang Prabang.

The White Temple of Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun was by far one of the most unique temples we visited in Thailand — it is also one of Thailand’s newest. Construction began in 1996 and is not due to be completed until 2070!

Chiang Mai

After a 36-hour haul from Railay, we rolled in late to Chiang Mai and were ready to lay low for a while. Thankfully, Old Town Chiang Mai is just the place to do that.

Chaloklum (Koh Phangan)

Chaloklum is the quintessential fishing village forgotten by time (and tourists). While the southern part of the island parties into the next day, life here continues in blissful ignorance.

Bangkok Birthday

I’ve found myself in some fun places on my birthday over the years, and Bangkok tops the list — Definitely a memorable place to celebrate another trip around the sun!

Arrival In Bangkok

Just when I was starting to think that cynicism had completely consumed my soul, regurgitated it and begun to chew on it like a slovenly desert camel, we arrive in Bangkok.

Mangalore & Cochin (Kochi)

19 hours on an overnight train from Mumbai was enough to get us as far as Mangalore — a city about as illustrious as Ottumwa, Iowa — finally reaching the UNESCO town of Ft. Kochi another 24 hours later.

Khuri Village

Dreams of quiet evenings in a sleepy village in the desert with clean air and clear, starry nights commandeered our waking thoughts. We loved our time in Jaisalmer, but the desert beckoned.

Varanasi

Varanasi is one insane place on a regular day — Throw in monsoon season and a tropical illness and you got yourselves a real party!

Darjeeling Toy Train

one are the glory days of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (aka “Toy Train”), yet, this little steam engine that could survives, plying its way through some of India’s most amazing Himalayan scenery.

Kolkata (Calcutta)

We arrived in Kolkata, our first stop in India, under the cloak of darkness in the wee hours. Two days later we found ourselves bed-ridden and 10 lbs. lighter with six weeks left in India!