The Girl Who Goes

independent, intentional travel

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7 Reasons You Should Visit Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Wat Phra Singh Temple in Chiang Mai

When you think of Thailand, what comes to mind? Probably Bangkok, right? It makes sense — from 2016 to 2019, Bangkok was the world’s most-visited city, edging out cities like London, Paris, Tokyo, and Barcelona.

Next, perhaps you think of Phuket and the all beautiful beaches down south. Maybe you don’t think of Chiang Mai; I’d never even heard of it myself until a month before I went to Thailand. But after spending three busy days in Bangkok, which I enjoyed, I definitely appreciated the quiet charm of Chiang Mai. It quickly became my favorite city I visited during my two-week excursion through Thailand and Cambodia. [Read more…]

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A Review of Thai Railways: Overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

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Being planted in the Midwest, I don’t have a ton of practical reasons to take the train in my regular life. When I’m traveling, though, it’s a different story. Rather than shying away from this form of transportation due to unfamiliarity, I embrace the opportunity to move about the world in a different way. I’ve taken it from Berlin to Stuttgart, Copenhagen to Amsterdam, Madrid to Sevilla, and Seattle to Vancouver. [Read more…]

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Top 3 Things to Know Before Visiting Cambodia

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First of all, if you’re planning to visit Cambodia, let me congratulate you. You’re going to get lots of puzzled looks and questions such as, “Where?” and “Why?” from family, friends, and co-workers. But you’ve made an excellent decision to experience a country and culture that many people overlook.

Whether you know a lot or a little about Cambodia, there are three things you absolutely must know before you visit Cambodia. [Read more…]

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5 Reasons To Visit Cambodia on Your Southeast Asia Trip

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Why visit Cambodia? Well, views like these, for one…

Where is Cambodia? If you’re most people, you probably have no idea. That’s okay. We’re going to talk about it. Why should you want to visit Cambodia? We’ll talk about that too.

I was first alerted to the existence of Cambodia on the last day of my sophomore year of college. My Spanish professor, Heidi — who helped grow my love for Spain and international travel — was telling us how much she’d enjoyed teaching us that semester, and the conversation turned to the importance of traveling. She became emotional as she shared some of her most memorable experiences, including her visit to Pol Pot’s Killing Fields in Cambodia.

And in that moment, I could not have told you where Cambodia was. But when I got back to my apartment that afternoon, you already know what Wikipedia page I ended up on. [Read more…]

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The Ultimate Guide to Taxis in Bangkok

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There’s no shortage of taxis in Bangkok — you just have to know how they work.

Before going to Thailand, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I’d used an actual taxi. As a Millennial, I’m no stranger to Uber, which is similar in theory but totally different in application. When I’ve traveled abroad before, I’ve usually relied on public transportation. Although it may not be the fastest or most convenient way to travel, it sure is cheap. [Read more…]