Kedarkantha Trek is one of the famous Himalayan Treks present in India. The Kedarkantha Trek got its name from the popular Kedarkantha mountain peak which is located in the Uttarakhand and falls in the Himalayan Mountain Belt. Kedarkantha is basically reported to be found within the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Uttarkashi district. Kedarkantha…
Category: Asia Travels
Experiencing Shimla Manali Tour With Rejuvenating Vibes
Thousands of people visit Shimla and Manali each year with their families and loved ones. While Shimla may appeal to those interested in architecture, Manali appeals to those interested in nature. Shimla, without a doubt, is a visual joy for all visitors and observers. What is the most appealing aspect of this lovely hill station? It is,…
Supertree Grove, Gardens by the Bay: Signapore Guide
The main attraction of Gardens by the Bay is the Supertree Grove! On our three-day trip to Singapore, we were most excited about seeing this amazing urban nature park. It spans 110 hectares within the Marina Bay district of the Central Region of Singapore. It is adjacent to the Marina Reservoir and the park consists…
Motorcycle Tips for Women: Interview with Ichico
When I picture a typical motorcycle rider, I imagine a big, muscular, tattooed man with a bushy beard and probably some piercings. Ichico breaks that stereotype and has been riding since she was just 22 years old. She went from getting a license for a middle class (~400cc) bike to racing 200km/h (125m/h) on the…
Top Tips for Travelling in Japan by Flip Guide
No matter if you are planning to move to Japan or travel here, there are many things here in Japan that might shock you. For a more comfortable and convenient time in Japan, here are some travel tips and travel hacks to help you have an amazing time here in Japan! Author: FLIP GUIDE Your…
Canyoneering in Southeast Asia: Youth Time Magazine
Canyoneering is a fun activity that simply means exploring a canyon from point A to point B using a range of techniques. This can include walking, rafting, climbing, sliding, jumping, and more! This type of activity is especially popular in Southeast Asia, and many people travel to gorgeous canyons in that part of the world…
Xuan Huong Lake Walk Around – Da Lat, Vietnam
Da Lat is a beautiful city in the center of Vietnam. Originally, we had only planned on spending a day and a half here. The moment we arrived and saw everything there is to do, we extended our stay to three full days. It was just that awesome. Two of our days were spent going…
Canyoneering in Da Lat, Vietnam
Canyoneering or Canyoning is a popular activity in Da Lat, Vietnam. In fact, visitors from all over the world are drawn to this small city that was once occupied by the French. Oui, c’est vrai. We happened to be the ignorant kind of tourists who had never even heard of such an activity. This quickly…
Affordable Singapore Infinity Pool: Hotel Jen Orchardgateway
Everyone who visits Singapore wants to take a dip in the iconic infinity pools of Marina Bay Sands. I am not going to pretend that I am too hipster to go to the mainstream infinity pool with an absolutely priceless view of the Gardens by the Bay and the Supertree Grove. I do admit, that…
Chinese “Singles’ Day” on 11/11 is like Black Friday
Happy singles day! Although I am not currently single, I can’t promise you that my husband won’t file for divorce once he sees how much I bought today. Why do I always become a crazy shopaholic on November 11th? Because AliExpress, my favorite place to shop, has everything on sale! To make things even better,…
Bali Tourist Traps – Fake “Traditional” Villages
Bali was one of the coolest places I have ever visited! It was a tropical paradise, everything was affordable and the food was delicious. One of my only disappointments on the trip was the time wasted at tourist traps that were pretending to be traditional villages. These so-called villages are mentioned in all the tour…
Camping on the Great Wall of China
It was three years ago that we went camping on the Great Wall of China. It is an experience that I think about often for two reasons, because: 1. It was a unique and once in a life time trip that was absolutely amazing. 2. It rained overnight and we were only able to actually…
I Puked on Mt. Everest: Altitude Sickness 101
I went to Tibet two years ago back when I lived in Shanghai, China. Recently it has been coming up in my Facebook memories and looking back, I see that I only posted about the good and happy moments of the trip. Although it was a positive experience that I would be happy to relive…
Why I Didn’t Go to North Korea for $300
Three years ago I was living in Shanghai, China with my husband, Isaac. We are travel junkies and love to visit unique places like Chernobyl, Tibet and we really hope to visit Antarctica once it gets cheaper than $10,000 per person (or when we win the lottery). When looking into potential travel destinations in Asia back in 2016, I began…
Exploring Shanghai Day, Sunset & Night
You can see all of this in one day in Shanghai. Did you know that the financial center has some of the tallest buildings in the world?
Beach Day on Phi Phi, Thailand (Video)
Phi Phi is all about beaches and sunshine. The dramatic tides and clear waters, it may be one of my favorite islands to spend the day on the beach on. Thailand is the only place we’ve travelled to twice because of it!
Beach and Tubing in Xiangshan, China (Video)
A day full of splashes and driving on a scenic route! The beach was at Xiangshan, Ningbo and the Tubing/Drifting was at Danshanchishui Yuyao, Beixi Stream. Taken with my GoPro Hero+! Trips like these are some of the few things I miss about living in China.
42-Hour Bus Ride from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp: Tibet Adventure
During our week in Tibet we spent over 46 hours on a bus. The long best rides were from Lhasa to Shigatse (12 hours), Shigatse to Everest (12 hours), Everest to Shigatse (12 hours) and a highway from Shigatse to Lhasa (6 hours). Four days in a row on a bus isn’t ideal, but Tibet Vista managed to make it bearable!
Phi Phi Parties: Buckets & Beer Pong (Video)
Phi Phi is known for its party scene. Even when it’s off-season, there’s plenty to do including go to fire shows, beer pong and drinking from buckets! There is also lots to do in Phi Phi other than parties, which we spent 4 days and 3 night doing, but we couldn’t miss out on this experience – especially on Isaac’s birthday!
Droning at Pileh Bay: Phi Phi, Thailand 2018 (Video)
Pileh Bay was beautiful and amazing to explore via kayak and even underwater. We were lucky enough to get to also see it from above, and now you can too! We use the DJI Mavic Air drone.
Bamboo Island, Krabi: Thailand 2018 (Video)
Just four months ago, we were on a spontaneous trip to Thailand! One of the best days on Phi Phi was spent visiting Bamboo Island. Krabi is a beautiful part of Thailand worth exploring.
The Best Ice Cream on Phi Phi is Vegan
You can’t spend time on a tropical island without eating ice cream. But vegans can’t eat ice cream… right? Wrong!
Dow: Vegan Restaurant on Phi Phi Island, Thailand
Phi Phi is a great island with so many food options! We tried a whole bunch but kept coming back to Dow, a vegan restaurant (with a seperate non-vegan menu too). Great prices, cold draft beers and a wide selection of food is only a little part of why we loved this place. They had a lot of second hand books on sale, had games for us to play while waiting for our food and the staff was friendly and professional.
Tonsai Sucks During Monsoon Season, Thailand 2018
While it’s the perfect getaway during high (and dry) season, it’s really not enjoyable during the low (monsoon) season. Unless you enjoy being one of 10 tourists on a hard to get to spot with only two available restaurants that mainly serve fried food…
Ao Nammao Pier to Railay: Monsoon Season 2018
The second time we visited Thailand was the middle of July, which is right when monsoon season is wreaking havoc on the island and keeping all those selfie-taking tourists away – but clearly not all of them.
Soi Cowboy Street in Bangkok Thailand
Soi Cowboy is the crazy street in Thailand known for strip clubs and prostitutes, but there are no ping-pong shows here! We visited the street just to people watch and it was quite a show. We saw women aggressively dragging single men into the clubs and offering all sorts of services.
Govinda’s Vegan Restaurant: Ao Nang, Thailand 2018
Govinda, a vegan restaurant in Ao Nang, Thailand was delicious and the staff was incredibly kind!
Maze Bar (100 Rooftop Bar) in Da Lat, Vietnam 2018
From the moment we set foot in Da Lat, all that we heard other tourists talking about was the Maze Bar also know as 100 Roofs Bar/100 Rooftop Bar – supposedly, the coolest bar in all of Vietnam!
Paddle Boats on Xuan Huong Lake: Da Lat, Vietnam
One of travel traditions is going on paddle boats in as many countries as possible. As soon as we saw the Swan Boats on Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat, we knew we had to go! For just $2 per boat for an hour, you can paddle around the lake and enjoy some beautiful views.
Droning Over Phi Phi Islands, Thailand 2018 (DJI Mavic Air)
Thailand is a beautiful place and offers breathtaking views from land, boat and plane. This time, we got to experience it’s beauty from a unique angle – birds-eye view via our DJI Mavic Air drone. Thailand remains one of the few countries where droning in public areas is still legal and not regulated. Check out the shots and make sure to turn sound on for the full experience!
Singapore Infinity Pool: Hotel Jen Orchardgateway (Video)
We did a lot of research before our trip to Singapore to figure out the best place to stay and enjoy an infinity pool: Hotel Jen Orchardgateway won hands down! Find out why…
Akiyoshidai Cave – Japan Travel (Guest Post)
On Saturday morning, the Cooper family and I loaded into the family car and drove from Hiroshima for about 2 hours to the Akiyoshidai Cave, Japan’s largest and longest limestone cave. After a short break at a gas station, we made it to the Akiyoshidai Cave! Or at least the parking lot relatively close to the Akiyoshidai Cave.
Tonsai Bay in Summer and in Winter – When to Visit Thailand?
My wife Olena and I may be two of the only people on Earth who have ever visited Tonsai Bay in Krabi, Thailand in both Winter and Summer. The first trip was a magical ten days full of perfect weather, daily excursions, and lots of swimming and lounging in the sun. Though it probably shouldn’t have, the atmosphere of our second venture to Tonsai really caught us off guard…
Marina Bay Rooftop Bar & Infinity Pool, Singapore 2018
One of the highlights of our trip to Singapore was visiting the Marina Bay Rooftop. We almost spent the ridiculous $500 per night for a room just to get a chance to take a dip in the worlds highest infinity pool. We ended up splurging a much more modest $200 on a different hotel with its own spectacular infinity pool, but we still visit the Marina Bay Sands and got a peek at the infamous pool!
To Japan (Guest Post)
On Sunday, March 01, I stood next to my husband as we waited for the bus. It was early and his eyes were still squinting at everything as he wasn’t fully awake yet. I squeezed his hand in the cold, feeling the warmth. My stomach felt like it was in my throat with nervous energy. The bus for the airport pulled up and I shoved my way through the crowd of people squeezing through the doors…
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japan (Guest Post)
The Children’s Peace Monument (just below) was built in dedication to all the children who died as a result of the bombing. The sculpture is based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki (佐々木禎子), a young girl who died after the bombing due to radiation. She truly believed that if she folded 1,000 cranes, then she would be healed…
Train to Tokyo, Japan Travel (Guest Post)
The train from Osaka to Tokyo is about 4 hours. We ended up taking a train from Osaka to Tokyo and then from Tokyo to Hiroshima a few days after that. My point is that we had an odd experience on the train but I don’t recall on which train ride it happened. I’m pretty sure it was on the train ride from Osaka to Tokyo…
Hiroshima Castle – Japan Travel (Guest Post)
Our Sunday officially started with a bike ride to Hiroshima Castle, only a few blocks away from the Cooper home. It was so refreshing to ride a bike again. Hiroshima, the city, is actually quite flat and it’s easy to get around on a bike even if you’re out of practice (like me).
Flying a Drone Over a Jet Ski in Bali (Video)
This was one of the first times we flew our DJI Phantom 3 SE over the water. Isaac flew while I did the jet skiing and he only almost decapitated me once!
Tubing in -25°C: Harbin, China 2018
Wearing an entire suitcase worth of clothes, tubing in Harbin, China was so scary that we weren’t even cold!
Dragon Burn: Shanghai’s Burning Man
Last month Isaac and I visited our first Burn! It was the Dragon Burn – Shanghai’s regional of the Burning Man. It was bigger than ever, with almost 700 attendees and there were plenty of workshops (planned as well as guerrilla) and lots of fascinating art pieces! As members of the Vegan Camp, The Cucumburners,…
How to Get Free Coffee in Bali, Indonesia 2018
Another clickbait title that shouldn’t upset you, because the answer is simple: you can get free coffee in Bali by going to literally any coffee plantation. They all offer a tray full of free coffees and teas to try, including rose tea, durian coffee and a delicious vegan hot chocolate. The only coffee that you need to pay for is Luwak coffee, which we didn’t drink because we 1. tried it before and 2. consider it cruel.
The Hypocrisy of Singapore’s Green Initiative 2018
Yes, the Gardens by the Bay are an amazing green initiative that uses waste from the city and turns it into energy to power the entire park. Then there’s the tap water, that is cleaned using reverse osmosis which turns sewage into safe drinking water. It’s absolutely genius and the epitome of zero-waste. But…
Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali 2018
The monkey forest sanctuary in Ubud, Bali was an exciting place where monkeys rule and humans are allowed to feed them under supervision. Not sure how good this is for the environment, probably not at all, but the monkeys seemed happy and cared for and several badly behaved humans were told to leave.
Jet Skiing in Bali, Travel 2018 (Video)
One of the highlights of my 10 day trip to Bali was a 15-minute ride on a jet ski (my first time!) while my husband filmed the first 5 minutes of it with our drone, almost decapitating me once and managing to slice his arm while landing. Oh, the stories we have to tell our future grandchildren…
Flying Over Rice Fields: Ubud, Bali 2018
First, we flew over the rice fields of Ubud, Bali using our drone, next in a swing! As inexperienced drone flyers with an expensive drone, I’m honestly not sure which was more terrifying…
Cheap $5/Person/Night Airbnb in Ubud, Bali 2018
Please excuse the clickbait title of this blog post, there is no single cheap Airbnb in Ubud! In fact, most Airbnbs and Guest Houses have a similar price that will take your breath away. On average, a room (or in this case, mini-house) that can sleep four people in two double beds costs $15 per night for three people. At this particular place, it included a free breakfast (eggs, pancakes and/or fruit) and a steaming cup of coffee!
DOHA Cafe Review: Da Lat, Vietnam
The cafe has lots of seating across three floors, although the top one wasn’t being air-conditioned when I was there. However, the view of the Xuan Huong lake and Lam Vien square was worth it. They have a great selection of drinks including coffees, teas and juices. Although the prices are relatively steep for Vietnam, it’s still affordable on a Western budget. We didn’t get a chance to try any of their food although we were definitely tempted by their cakes and pastries.
Bali Basics: Trip Highlights & Summary 2018
In February 2018, my husband, mother-in-law and I spent 10 days exploring the wonderful island of Bali! We stayed busy during this time and visited between two and five places a day! We were on a mission to discover everything it had to offer. As a result we are now self-proclaimed experts on what to do and see in Bali and I have an overwhelming 43 videos in my Bali 2018 YouTube playlist.
Global Warming by Singapore’s Super Tree Grove
Our recent travel adventures took us to Singapore! A city known for it’s cleanliness, passion for sustainability and of course, the Super Tree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay. Although Singapore was beautiful and I could spend weeks exploring it, I was a little disappointed by it’s hypocrisy when it comes to protecting the…
Ubud, Bali: A Vegan Food Paradise 2018
When I talked to my Indonesian friends about finding vegan food in Bali and they were skeptical. They told me that Indonesians are obsessed with their meat and all traditional dishes are loaded with animal products. I’ve always been able to find plenty of vegan options despite meat eaters claiming that I’ll starve to death in their country… so I wasn’t too worried but I was a bit disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to feast on delicious unhealthy vegan comfort food. #firstworldveganproblems
Avocado Smoothies in Da Lat, Vietnam
I first heard about avocado smoothies on a half-day Countryside Tour of Da Lat. Vietnam is famous for their avocados and July just happens to be prime season! We were told that you can get them anywhere in the market, but it took us over an hour of searching, walking in circles and asking confused…
Crazy House, Da Lat, Vietnam 2017
The name of this place, the Crazy House, is no exaggeration. We got lost soon after entering since there are dozens of rooms on various floors with several ways to travel between them. You will find bizarre animal statues and beautiful views of the city – this might be one of the highest points in…
Da Lat Backpackers Hostel Review
We had very high expectations for this hostel because of all the raving reviews and we were not disappointed! My husband and I booked this hostel last minute after having problems with a different hostel. The staff were helpful and welcoming even before we arrived! Although we had originally planned on only spending two full…
Da Lat Countryside Tour: Weasel Poop Coffee Plantation
The last stop on our $10 Countryside Tour of Da Lat was the weasel poop coffee plantation. The first thing you should know about it, is that the animal that eats and poops out the coffee bean is not actually a weasel. It’s a luwak. The second thing you need to know is that it’s…
Da Lat Countryside Tour: Cricket Farm
The second to last stop on the $10 Da Lat Countryside Tour was a cricket farm! Forget what your mother told you when you were a toddler sticking bugs in your mouth. They DO belong there! As long as they are raised for human consumption, that is. Crickets are a great source of protein and…
Da Lat Countryside Tour: Buddhist Pagoda & Elephant Waterfall
The third part of the $10 Countryside Tour of Da Lat was the Buddhist Pagoda and the Elephant Waterfall. The first part of the tour included the rose garden and minority village and the second part was the silk factory. This half day tour was a great way to discover Da Lat, Vietnam! The Elephant…
Da Lat Countryside Tour: Silk Farm
The second stop on the $10 Countryside Tour in Da Lat was the silk farm! This stop came after the rose farm and the minority village where gender roles are reversed and gigantic spiders roam. You can read more about the first part of the tour here. Silk is made by silk worm pupae that…
Da Lat Countryside Tour: Rose Garden & Minority Village
The Da Lat Countryside tour was an amazing experience worth the $10 per person that we paid for it. The first part of the tour included a quick stop at the rose garden, where we got to see our first avocado tree! After that we visited a very unique minority village that also happened to…
Da Lat Countryside Tour Summary
Our expectations for this very affordable tour weren’t too high. We’ve been on several day tours that were packed with way too many activities to enjoy – this one was NOT like that! The tour started at 8:30 and ended at around 14:30. We were picked up a little late, but our enthusiastic guide completely…
Why is Da Lat the Coolest City in Vietnam?
Da Lat is located in the south of Vietnam about 7 hours north of Ho Chi Minh City. I might be biased after living in Prague for 20 years and coming to Da Lat from Mui Ne, a city that I really didn’t like. As soon as I got out of the sleeper bus and…
Bali 2018: Seawalker Experience
For the underwater sea walker experience, our driver took us to a small beach on Turtle Island. This area is generally pretty controversial because of their treatment of turtles and other animals, so we skipped the animal experiences and went straight for the Sea Walking. Upon arrival, we were sat down and shown a list…
Worst Bus Ride Ever: Mui Ne to Da Lat “Sleeper Bus”
After having an amazing experience taking a Sleeper Bus from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne, we expected another great bus ride from Mui Ne to Da Lat. We could not have been more disappointed. We had booked the bus with Vietnam Bus Tickets over a month in advance but decided to leave Mui Ne…
Cebu 2018: Bus from Cebu City to Dalaguete
To get from Cebu City to Dalaguete, we had to take a 3 hour bus from the Cebu South Bus Station. We weren’t given too much information, except that the buses leave all the time and the internet didn’t give us any useful details either. Luckily, our taxi driver pointed us in the right direction….
10 Tips for Travelling to Bali
Bali is a wonderful place to visit from anywhere in the world, at any time of year. To get you ready for your trip, here are some tips for travelling to Bali. The first 5 are tips for preparing to go, and the last 5 are things to keep in mind after you’ve arrived. 1….
Visiting Cebu in 2018: El Gecko Resto Bar Fair
Scrolling through Facebook the other day I found a great video featuring the 10 suggested places to travel in 2018. The number one place on the list was Cebu, Philippines where I happened to spend five days in February. Unlike most places in the world, a trip to Cebu has to be planned well and…
Bali: Uluwatu Sunset & Evil Genius Monkeys
The sun was just beginning to turn from a bright yellow to a soft pink that would soon spread across the entire horizon, illuminating the perfectly placed clouds. We let our guard down for just a minute to enjoy the sunset at Uluwatu temple with our real eyes as well as through their digital extensions…
Bali: Private Driver Hire for the Day – Dos & Don’ts
Before visiting Bali we were worried about how we would get around all the sights without spending a fortune. The island is a lot smaller than it appears on a map and Uber, Grab as well as several taxi companies are readily available. You can also rent a motorcycle if you prefer living on the…
Bali Holiday: A 10(ish) Day Itinerary
So you’re thinking about a trip to Bali, or at least a way to vicariously live through a fantasy trip, but you aren’t sure what you’ll have the time or money to do there. Well, we’ve just returned from an unforgettable trip in Bali, and we managed to do everything we dreamed of and more,…
10 Signs That You Travel Too Much
This year I’ve been lucky enough to travel. A lot. I spent New Year’s Eve in Seoul during a long layover after visiting the USA already anticipating my trip to the Philippines and Indonesia for Chinese New Year. Between working full time and working on my blog and YouTube channel, I was excited to have…
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival 101: Weekend Guide
By Isaac Roosa Is a winter trip to Harbin worth it for just the weekend? If you live in Eastern China, the answer is “Yes!” Not only is it possible, but we wholeheartedly recommend it! You may have been searching around trying to figure out how to “Do Harbin in one Weekend” but have been…
20 Best Photos of Harbin’s Snow & Ice Festival 2018
The Ice and Snow Festival have been popular tourists attractions since Harbin began hosting them in 1989. The Snow Festival is held on Sun Island, close to the city center and the Ice and Snow World is only a few kilometers away. Tickets to each event cost 330 RMB for adults. If you’re limited on…
Harbin Ice Festival Teaser (Video)
Our first trip of 2018 is very different from our usual warm destination getaway. While we usually pack swim suits and straw hats, this time our backpack is filled with thermal leggings and even a electrically heating vest. The highlight of our weekend trip to Harbin will include the Ice and Snow Festival which is…
Tibet Adventures: Chapter 3 – Potala Palace
We’re climbing the steps at Potala Palace, and indeed they are a challenge. Olena and I are panting as we ascent ever more slowly, and my dad is just a few steps behind. Considering he had another restless night, he’s doing very well. Even with a full night’s sleep and plenty of food, each of…
Tibet Adventures: Chapter 2 – Lhasa Monasteries
We’re eating again, this time the next day at a buffet with our tour group. We are seated outside, and I’m currently devouring a stack of deep-fried vegetables. There are actually quite a few vegan options here! A dog circles around our feet. “Can we get it some chicken?” Olena suggests, “He looks hungry!” I…
Tibet Adventures: Chapter 1 – Lhasa
I’m in bed at our hotel, trying to sleep. We’ve read so much about the fabled “Altitude Sickness,” and now it’s finally happening. Olena, by some miracle, is sleeping peacefully to my right. She had a headache and some carsickness on the bus ride to the hotel, but aside from that she’s been fine. I was also…
A Song of Ice and Tired – An Unforgettable Week in Tibet
Our plane is descending towards Gonggar Airport in Lhasa, Tibet. Looking over my father’s lap and out the window, I see more mountains than this New Englander could ever expect to see back home. The clouds circle around the mountain peaks like the fog from dry ice, and presently a larger one passes under our plane, momentarily…
Red Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam
Our last stop on the $5 tour of Mui Ne were the red sand dunes. Unlike the white sand dunes that were half an hour drive away, these red sand dunes are right in the center. Like all the other stops on the tour, entrance is actually free so you can go here on your…
Riding an ATV in Vietnam – White Sand Dunes, Mui Ne
When we set off on our $5 tour of Mui Ne, we did not expect that we’d be driving an ATV or to almost drive off a sand cliff. But our Vietnam trip was full of surprises! After visiting the Fairy Stream and Fishing Village, we were off to the white sand dunes. Mui Ne…
Mui Ne Fishing Market: a Fascinating Smelly Seafood Cemetery
Our second stop on the $5 Mui Ne Tour took us to a atrociously smelling but fascinating fishing market. Also known as the fishing village, many TripAdvisor reviews gave it low ratings due to it smelling bad and being covered with dead fish. Isn’t that what you’d expect to see (and smell) at a fish…
Don’t Ride Ostriches at the Fairy Stream – Mui Ne, Vietnam
The Fairy Stream is an incredibly unique place where a shallow river flows through sandy mountains, trailing red and yellow sand through the water. When you visit most rivers, you walk alongside their banks. At the Fairy Stream, you walk through the water and the warm mud feels amazing on your feet. Free foot spa?…
The Best Tour of Mui Ne Costs Just $5
Mui Ne is a popular beach town swarming with mostly Vietnamese and Russian tourists. It’s only a five hour drive from Ho Chi Minh which makes it a great place to go for a weekend getaway. Since it was really hot and bug-full during the time we went, we did not enjoy much our stay……
Mui Ne, Vietnam: Is it Worth Visiting?
Making an itinerary for a three-week Vietnam trip solely based on online research is extremely difficult. Everyone has different suggestions and no one can seem to agree on the right amount of time to actually spend there. Some manage to see all the highlights in a week while others claim that even two months isn’t…
Our Stay at Long Son Mui Ne Campground
Mui Ne is a popular beach town located not far from Ho Chi Minh. It is a popular travel destination for local and foreign tourists alike, predominantly Russians. Many of the signs and restaurants have Russian translations and there’s even a restaurant that translates to “Fires of Moscow”. Unfortunately we didn’t get to go to…
Taking a Sleeper Bus from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne
The easiest way to city-hop through Vietnam is by bus. Flying is not only more expensive, but the airports can be chaotic and there’s a higher change of delays than taking a bus. When I planned my trip, I read a lot about public buses. The repeating words mentioned in reviews included unreliable, uncomfortable and…
Best Breakfast in Ho Chi Minh: Cơm Chay Mani
It’s hard to pick a place for breakfast in Ho Chi Minh because the choices are pretty much endless. Luckily, we were recommended a cheap place that supposedly served delicious breakfast. What we didn’t know until we arrived, was that it was vegan. Life is a funny thing. One day you’re disappointed that there’s no…
Draft Beers & Ciders at BiaCraft Artisan Ales in Ho Chi Minh
On our booze-full first day in Vietnam we visited several bars in Ho Chi Minh. The one with the greatest selection of draft drinks was definitely BiaCraft! The perfectly air-conditioned space had simple decorations and a mouth-watering menu. Picking a drink was absolutely excruciating. Did I want the beer with a dank hop aroma, strong…
Czech Beer & Food in Vietnam: Hao Vien Brauhaus
Vietnam and the Czech Republic don’t seem to have anything in common, right? Wrong. Although one is in Asia and the other is in Europe, plus the fact that language, food, culture and everything else is night and day. They actually have some common history. Plus, the largest minority living in the Czech Republic after…
A (Non) Touristy Day in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
How to spend a (non) touristy day in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam!
Lee Backpacker’s Hostel is Cheap & Perfectly Located, but Don’t Stay Here…
Hostels are great if you want to save money, meet fellow travelers and have friendly staff give you secret tips about a city. Ho Chi Minh is known for it’s crazy parties and Lee Hostel is in the heart of party central. It’s also by far the cheapest hostel in the city center. But those…
How to (Affordably) Leave Ho Chi Minh Airport at 2 AM
After successfully saving $20 by haggling for our visas (don’t try this at home, kids) we were positive we could get a fair price for a taxi to our hostel. We were originally supposed to arrive early enough to get a 20,000 Dong ($1) shuttle, but then our plane got delayed… several times. Making us…
Haggling for a Visa at Ho Chi Minh Airport
Our plane was scheduled to land in Ho Chi Minh at 10:30 PM and we were planning on taking a low-cost shuttle to our hostel. Unfortunately, we were flying from China, so naturally, we got in at 2 AM. We had filled out our visa papers in advance and we only had carry-on luggage, so…
Prepare for Upcoming Vietnam Posts!
Hello everyone, long time no post! Between visiting the Avatar Mountains, spending three weeks in Vietnam and moving apartments, I have fallen behind. Now I have three weeks to put a month of traveling and experiences into YouTube videos and blog posts. Wish me luck! In the mean time, please enjoy some of my favorite…
The Skyscanner Guide for Travel Addicts
Skyscanner has become one of the most popular websites for booking flights around the world. For the past five years, it has been my go-to whenever I’m planning (or just dreaming) of a new travel adventure. During this time I have learned a lot of great tricks and tips that I would love to share with you!
Booking Trips on Ctrip.com
While writing about the Dragon Boat Festival I found myself getting off topic by talking too much about Ctrip.com. If you’re going to live in China (or even if you’re just visiting), you should get familiar with Ctrip – the Skyscanner of China. You can download their app or just use their website that’s available…
Planning a Trip to Vietnam
Most foreign teachers in China get the entire month of July off to go on holiday. We’re spending most of this time in Vietnam! I have become somewhat of an expert at trip planning and I’m also obsessed at trying to see a little bit of everything in a short amount of time. While this…
Tonsai Beach: The Best Beach in Thailand
We visited Thailand back in December, during the mourning period for the late king. During our two week trip we saw Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok. Phuket was beautiful but crawling with drunken tourists. Bangkok was exciting but really hot without a possibility to cool off in the ocean. Then there was Krabi, which was basically paradise on earth! To…
Wuxi’s Taoist Temple (Photos)
Wuxi is a great place to visit and explore. On a recent trip to the Cherry Blossom Festival at the scenic Turtle Head Island, we discovered a beautiful Taoist temple! We discovered quite late that we weren’t allowed to take photos inside… but hopefully the Tao gods will forgive us!
Kubuqi Desert Adventures, Inner Mongolia (Photos)
On our weekend trip to Inner Mongolia we got to explore the Kubuqi desert! We actually thought we were going to see the Gobi, but apparently that’s only in Mongolia (Outer Mongolia). Whoops! Despite the mix-up, a desert is a desert and this one was gorgeous! We took the tour with Anda Tours: http://andaguesthouse.com/
Where to Ride a Camel in China?
Camels are fascinating creatures that can live off grass, survive extreme temperatures and they are absolutely adorable. They seem to be quite popular in China since you can ride them at most large zoos and even in the most unexpected places! We once saw a camel dressed up all fancy right outside of our local…
Long Weekend Flights: Yay or Nay?
I am one of those restless travelers who mopes until they are in a new place, then starts planning the next trip while on the current one. This is why whenever there’s a long weekend, I’m obsessively searching for places to visit! But the airport hassle for just a day or two in a new…
Wuxi Cherry Blossom Festival: Where People Outnumber Flowers
The Chinese Cherry Blossom Festival features Japanese Sakura and hordes or people!
One Noodle Diet: 3.8 Meters Long & Belt-Thick
Can you lose weight by only eating one noodle per meal? Not if they are 3.8 meters long and as thick as a belt!
Great Food and Colorful Lights: Muslim Quarter in Xi’an
The Muslim Quarter in Xi’an is delicious, full of character and an exciting mix of cultures!
What I Sacrificed to Move to China
I sacrificed 98% of my possessions to move to China .Was it worth it?
144 Visa-Free Hours in China
Visiting China has never been so stress-free! You can now come to most visit-worthy cities without a visa for 72 or 144 hours!
Sushi Drunk: Eating the Best Sushi in the Word
Tsukiji Sushiko Ginza serves what may be the BEST sushi in the world! Yum would be an understatement…
Chinese New Year in Hong Kong: All-You-Can-Drink Cruise
Hong Kong is said to be the best place to celebrate Chinese New Year. This was my experience…
What Is Macau & Why Should You Visit?
Macau is a unique country worth a visit! You can go on a day-trip from Hong Kong via ferry or helicopter!
Cheaper than Venice: Gondolas in Macau
Macau is an independent territory in China that used to be a Portuguese colony. It is known as the Vegas of China and has a fake Venice inside a shopping mall!
Outsmarted by a Japanese Toilet
Japanese toilets will sing to you, clean your butt and offer you a massage! I am not even kidding.
Japanese Delicacies: Seafood Pancakes (Okonomiyaki)
Japan combines seafood with pancakes and makes the world a happier, fuller place!
8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Thailand
8 tips to help you save money, avoid diarrhea and theft by monkeys in Thailand.
Sexist Sushi in Japan is Awesome… for Women!
Sushi is probably my favorite thing in the world and Japan is the best place to eat it. Since I can never get enough, I’ve been researching all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants in Tokyo. Turns out that most restaurants have different prices for men and women when it comes to all-you-can-eat menus. Women pay up to 2,000…
A Quick Trip to Vietnam… Without Leaving Prague
Anyone living in Prague today knows that this city is practically littered with Potravinys, Vecerkas and a variety of Vietnamese owned stores and restaurants. The Vietnamese began building a community here during the communist regime in the former Czechoslovakia: they worked in machine-building and light industries while students studied in technical fields, Czech literature, some…
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