Hong Kong: Tai-O Stilted Village
Mere miles from Central Hong Kong, the stilted fishing village of Tai O appears unmoved by global financial markets, 100-story high-rises and Michelin-rated restaurants — but for how long is anybody’s guess…
Backpacking Asia
Here, you’ll find all of our blog posts covering our overland backpacking journey around East and South Asia.
With explorations across China, India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Highlights include ancient cities and epic treks in China, traveling India by rail, camel, boat, auto rickshaw, and everything in between, Bangkok, Gulf and Andaman beaches, slow boat to Luang Prabang, motorbiking the Thakhek Loop, eating our way through he length of Vietnam, and exploring Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Big Buddha (Tian Tan)
We made our way to Lantau to cast our eyes on one of the biggest Buddhas in the world. Like the meaning of a deceptively simple parable, Big Buddha remained just out of sight until the very last moment.
Ha Long Bay Cruise, Day 3
We awoke on our third day in Hạ Long Bay in a place quite unlike any other we’ve spent the night in.
Ha Long Bay Cruise, Day 2: Cat Ba Island
On the morning of our second day, we peel away from the day trippers, exploring farther reaches of the majestic bay.
Ha Long Bay Cruise, Day 1
The beginning of a three-days cruise adventure exploring around Northern Vietnam’s legendary, stunning and mysterious Hạ Long Bay.
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 2
In addition to Hoi An’s charm and history, it’s a superb and centrally located jumping off point for numerous archaeological and natural wonders and a variety of day trips.
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.
Old Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Exploring (and processing) the sights, tastes, and complicated history of Ho Chi Minh City’s Old Saigon in southern Vietnam.
Stilt Village Of Kompong Phluk
The agony and the ecstasy of experiencing the remote stilt village and commune of Kampong Phluk on Cambodia’s Great Lake of Tonle Sap.
4,000 Islands: Don Khon
We take a couple of bicycles on a leisurely ride around the mysterious island of Don Khon — one of the Mekong’s “4,000 Islands.”
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.
Thakhek Loop (Day 4): Konglor to Thakhek
Our last day of motorbiking the Khammouane Loop in Laos was filled with dust, sweat, and a tear or two, marking the end of an incredible 112 mile journey.
Thakhek Loop (Day 3): Konglor Cave
We take a suped-up motorboat 4.5 miles down a subterranean river through incredible Konglor Cave on the third day of our Thakhek Loop motorbiking adventure in rural Laos.
Thakhek Loop: Thabak Bomb Boats
Beneath a river crossing in Thabak, Laos, passersby will discover something they won’t find many other places: boats made from remnants of American bombs.
Thakhek Loop (Day 2): Thalang to Nahin
On Day 2 of our Thakhek Loop motorbiking adventure in Laos we ride from ThaLang to NaHin via Laksao, covering some of the most remote, rugged, and unforgiving roads Laos has to offer.
Thakhek Loop (Day 1): Thakhek to Thalang
Our detailed trip report of Day 1 of 4 motorbiking the Thakhek Loop in Laos, which takes us from Thakhek to Thalang with a stop at a mysterious Buddha cave.
Can Luang Prabang’s Sacred Tak Bat Survive?
A critical look at this critically endangered religious practice in the heart of the UNESCO Heritage Site of Luang Prabang.
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 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.
Good-Bye Farang-Land, Hello Laos!
We took the slow boat from the Thai border down the Mekong River and ended up here in Luang Prabang, which by all accounts is a surprise indeed.
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!
Scaling Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep by Scooter
We rent a scooter and slowly putter our way up Chiang Mai’s most sacred mountain, Doi Suthep, to explore one of the holiest Buddhist temples in northern Thailand.
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.
Railay to Chiang Mai by Train
After four nights in Railay and three weeks beach-hopping in Thailand, we bid adieu to the ocean and headed north to Chiang Mai and the highlands.
Kickin’ Back at Railay (Krabi)
More from the Railay Peninsula. Trekking, kayaking, monkeying around and hangin’ out — Railay style.
Thailand’s Stunning Railay Peninsula
Railay (aka Rai Leh), what can I say. Paradise — even during the off-/shoulder-season. Lori and I kicked it here for the better part of five days.
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.
Koh Tao: Chalok Baan Kao
Leaving the bulk of the divers and flashpackers behind in Sairee Beach, we head south, to a lesser trodden corner of the island.
Sairee Village: Koh Tao’s Heart of the Action
Koh Tao’s Sairee Village — Backpacker paradise, dive mecca, and all around superb place to chill. We liked it here so much, we almost didn’t leave.
Overnight Freighter to Koh Tao
Between taking the fast boat full of tourists and the overnight freighter full of Burmese workers to the Gulf Islands, the decision was easy.
Bangkok’s Grand Palace
On our second day in Bangkok, we figured it was time to check out the Grand Palace, locally known as Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang (just rolls off the tongue!).
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!
Four Nights In Bangkok
Man-eating cockroaches, epic rainstorms and fried banana pancakes. Welcome to Bangkok! And we can’t wait to get back!
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.
India Travel Budget: We Track Every Rupee for 7 Weeks
How much is the cost of traveling in India? Check out our detailed India travel budget with lodging, food, transport, and more!
India Farewell & Reflections
After nearly two months in India we are getting ready to say good-bye and move on to our next destination — Thailand.
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.
Kathakali Dance Theater in Fort Kochi
A photo essay documenting the extraordinarily unique and intricate dramatic art of Kathakali, performed in the world-renowned Fort Kochi Kathakali Centre.
Udaipur: “The Venice Of The East”
This beautiful lake city was the perfect spot to lay low and fill our bellies for four days as we left the Old India desert beauty of Rajasthan for the New India bustle of Mumbai.
Sleepin’ With Camels In The Desert
We arrange a camel safari with some local guides through Badal House and venture farther into the Thar desert a mere 40 miles from Pakistan.
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.
The Two Faces Of Darjeeling Hill Station
My initial thought on arriving in the teeming hill station of Darjeeling, in the far northern corner of West Bengal state, was: [Crikey]! This is Darjeeling!!??
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!
China Budget & Trip Report
Our itinerary, lodging info and detailed budget from our time traveling through China from 29 June to 29 July 2012.