It was my biggest concern when I first decided to travel solo: would I have to spend all of my time alone? Sure, I enjoy my own company – but there’s something special about making memories and sharing experiences with friends in foreign lands. I was hoping I wouldn’t miss out on that, despite embarking on the trip by myself. I had no idea what to expect. [Read more…]
7 Reasons You Should Visit Chiang Mai, Thailand
When you think of Thailand, what comes to mind? Probably Bangkok, right? It is the world’s top city for tourism, recently edging out London for the number one spot. 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.
After 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…]
A Review of Thai Railways: Overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
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…]
The Best Travel App Everyone Should Have: Citymapper
Travel and technology go hand-in-hand. You already know about my favorite cell phone carrier, T-Mobile, and you know that I’m a big fan of carrying a portable charger, especially when I’m alone. But I can’t resist singing the praises of my very favorite travel app to use when during my trips — Citymapper. Today I’m in Chicago, and I’ve been using it all day. Let me tell you why I love it. [Read more…]
The Ultimate Guide to Taxis in Bangkok
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…]
Top 25 Travel Experiences This Year
Guess what? Today is my 25th birthday! It feels a little weird to think I’m officially a quarter-of-a-century old, but I wanted to write something a little special to celebrate. I’ve had an awesome year full of travel, so I thought it would be fun to look back on my top 25 travel experiences from the past year. [Read more…]
Foreign Exchange Student Connection in Thailand
As you may remember, this year my family is hosting a foreign exchange student from Italy. Gaia has joined our family through a program called the American Field Service (AFS for short). These students live with host families in the U.S. for 10 months, from August until the end of June.
When I was Thailand a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet up with a former exchange student from my high school days. Boong was an AFS’er from Thailand at my school during the 2008-2009 school year – almost 10 years ago! We follow each other on Instagram, so I told her when I’d be in Bangkok and we planned to meet for dinner. [Read more…]