Merry Christmas, adventurers! It's kinda cool to be in a country where few people care about Christmas (Thailand). I was never a big fan myself. On the other hand, anywhere there are tourists, which is everywhere, plays classic Christmas songs and I am so sick of them. The other thing about Christmas is the gifts. The thing is, in Thailand, gift buying is practically a weekly tradition with their awesome and huge night markets. But I already gave myself a present. It is a Kindle. When you’re...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Greetings, beach bums, You may think that the Maldives and anything short of full-blown luxury cannot go together and you'd be oh so wrong! While a lot of the tourism is geared towards splendor, don't be fooled that there isn't anything else on offer. Moreover, the less isolated the resort (i.e. the more accessible too), the more chance you will experience the authentic Maldives beyond the sun, sand, and sea of a private beach. Budget Accommodation Since 2009, the regulations on where one can...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hello fellow wanderlusters, If you're reading this email at the time of sending, I am flying somewhere over the Indian Ocean. Having visited the Maldives for 2 short days (more on that next week, I guess), I am going back to the land of mango smoothies, non-stop summer, cheap delicious food, temples, markets, funny animals, and very nice people. Southeast Asia. I will spend a night in Kuala Lumpur and then venture forth to North Thailand where I will spend at least a month, including the...
4 months ago • 1 min read
The world isn’t as scary as you think Truth be told, danger is mostly a matter of perception. Some destinations carry reputations based on sensationalized headlines, but the reality on the ground is usually different. Take Myanmar, for example. Yes, venturing into restricted areas can be dangerous - those warnings exist for a reason. But stick to the well-traveled routes, engage with the warm and hospitable locals, and it’s as safe as strolling through your neighborhood park. Perhaps even...
4 months ago • 1 min read
I am not particularly fond of Black Friday deals. It's probably because I never got into the whole consumerism,-replace-every-year,-buy-the-newest-gadget movement. But I can recognize a good deal when I see it. This is why I preach this: Don't shop on Black Friday just because something has a reduced price. Buy only if you think it's a good deal. Here are a few discounts for accommodation (potential but not guaranteed good deals), handy if you have travel coming up soon: Booking.com has...
4 months ago • 1 min read
This email is NOT about Erika Eiffel and her marriage to the Eiffel Tower in 2007. People do be weird but to each their own. But it IS about super-popular tourist attractions. And here's the thing: they’re often like overhyped movies. Sure, the trailer looks great, but when you actually show up, it’s often just crowds, chaos, and a lingering sense of disappointment. Take Erika's spouse: the Eiffel Tower. It’s not Paris’s most romantic spot; it’s a stress test. You’ll wrestle your way through...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Hello there, fellow adventurers,Travel teaches things you just can’t learn at home (like how to mime “toilet” to a stranger in a foreign language). This comes as no surprise, yet it's hard to quantify. I've narrowed it down to 3 skills/virtues that travel excels in teaching you. 1. Adaptability Travel loves to mess things up, no matter how much you plan. Missed buses, last-minute changes, mystery meals that may or may not be staring back at you - I've learned to just go with the flow and call...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Hello fellow wanderers, I remember my university days when I would sleep at Heathrow Airport every time I went back home. There was no other way - no direct flights existed, the layover was just 7-8 hours, and airport hotels were too costly. I would make a pillow out of some clothes, wrap myself in my blanket (yes, I carried a blanket, don't ask), and find a nook somewhere in the airport. You wouldn't believe it, but I kinda enjoyed it! Fast forward to my backpacking era and I now regularly...
5 months ago • 1 min read
I am a solo backpacker at heart. But for 9 months this year, I traveled with a partner. Was it better? Can I even compare it objectively? I will try. Decision making and freedom When you travel alone, you make all the decisions. It's exhilarating - the complete freedom to do or go anywhere. You don't need to compromise with anyone else. It's awesome. I recommend everyone to try traveling solo at least once in their lifetime. When you're a couple, there will always be a certain level of...
5 months ago • 2 min read
