In the summer of 2013, a series of odd circumstances led to me travel through Southeast Asia on a solo backpacking trip. I started in Singapore and found my way through Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. This blog documents most of my travels during that trip.
My time in Vietnam is slowly but surely coming to a close. I didn’t plan on being here for so long, but then again, what did I plan on? At the moment I am on an organized tour, so the next couple days are pretty well mapped out. The tour involves a lot of boats … More Upon Exiting: Images of Vietnam Part I
… I have been to a lot of museums and done a bit of random encountering and wandering around. Three days ago the bus pulled in from Da Lat. The trip took nine hours when I thought it would take five – time to get new books! They may not be free, but they are … More So far in Saigon…
It has been a month and some odd days since this journey began, and in that time I have learned more about how the world works and how I (prefer) to work in it. Some people like to wander aimlessly, happy as a clam without a map. Some people hop from one air conditioned bus … More Travel preferences and other thoughts
Happy Fourth of July! Who would have thought that only forty years later an American would happily and peacefully be spending this holiday here? Circumstances change, that’s for sure. I am still in the lovely town of Hoi An, which is on a river and has a pedestrian-only old quarter that is simply charming. I … More Fourth of July in ‘Nam
The above quote is what I just said to the person on the computer next to me. To say such a thing out loud is rather redundant because I am grinning like a fool and clapping my hands. Anouk, my Belgian sister from the year in Yaso, is going to be coming to Thailand tomorrow!!! … More “I’m so happy!” — the email I just sent to mom and dad
Woe is ye, grumpy traveler! Without a paddle, off the map, up the wall! Since my last post I have been giddy, grumpy, and everything in between. But I’m here now! Here being Hue (pronounced Hway, short and fast. Think Stewie Griffin asking “what” and you get the idea.) Vietnam, a good distance south of … More I’m never gonna stop the rain by complainin’…
Currently I am in the Hanoi Backpacker’s Hostel – the central headquarters of Hanoi for loud, young, beer-loving backpackers. I just got back from the tour of Halong Bay, which was lovely though now that I am back and comparing prices I realize that I seriously overpaid for the two-night trip. Was it worth it? … More Time is on my side…?
The compound question that functions as the title of this post is one that I find myself asking with increased regularity. When the question is voiced, it is usually accompanied by a smile, headshake, and eyes to the skies. Take last night, for example. My new friends are Nigerian soccer players who live and work … More Where am I and how did I get here?
Just as soon as I arrived in Kuala Lumpur it seemed that it was already time to go. Of course that was my own doing, and I cannot say that I was disappointed to leave. The haze continued to worsen, closing some local schools and producing an effect on my physiology roughly equivalent to chain-smoking … More First 24 Hours in Vietnam
Where in the world is Kelly? 