Singapore in many ways set the tone for my travels. Hong Kong was my first stop but Singapore held a special place for me. I arrived in Singapore for the first time on March 21st. If you can recall my old roommate Chris from college was there to greet me in the terminal. We spent three great days together in Singapore, I started to really feel like I was traveling, we ate terrific food, met some great people, and had an unforgettable time. If was my springboard to the rest of my travels. Now, almost three months later, on June 12th, [View Full Entry]

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Somewhere between the time I left Gili Air and arrived in Ubud my mother managed to travel half way around the world, find me at my guesthouse, and join me in my adventures for the next two weeks. She is such a trooper. I’ve been debating for the past few weeks whether on not to include the next part of this blog or not. I reasoned in the end that this story does far more than show how poor my planning and scheduling skills were. It shows more than just an aloof backpacker who has been traveling for three months, blessed [View Full Entry]

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You've seen it on television. They show pictures of it in magazines. You then dream of going to a place like it. Maybe at this point you have been fortunate enough in your life to find that special place... paradise. Paradise can mean so many different things for different people. It could be a quiet place in your home, a peaceful view from the top of Mt. Tam, a quiet dinner in a unique part of the city.... but the paradise I'm talking about here is the stereotypical white sandy beach, quiet, isolated, amazing sunset, inspiring sunrise, banyan trees, coconut groves, [View Full Entry]

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You wake up one morning and the calendar says it is time to move. Am I ready to leave this place. Sure I've been here for almost 3 weeks, but was that enough. I just started to really feel like I know this neighborhood, city, region, country.... and now you want me to go? It happens like that. There is excitement attached to a touch of sadness. You are going to a new place, but you are leaving what is now familiar. If you stayed you would without a doubt dive deeper, drop to further depths of culture and knowledge. You [View Full Entry]

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One last stop before I head down to Indonesia. I have heard mixed reviews on Vientiane. Most backpackers said it was not that great. Nothing to do. I say to hell with what the other backpackers say about this place. I'm me... I create the journey.... We'll see if I can find some redeeming qualities to this "not so great" stop on the Laos trail. ________ I’m learning so much about writing while on this trip. My strengths in school for many years were always in the math and sciences. I was always able to learn and adapt in my courses [View Full Entry]

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I got some really nice responses from several of you after my last blog post. I always feel so connected to you when I get feedback on my entries. The blog that follows switches gears a little bit. It has everything to do with the place I went to. Vang Vieng and Luang Nam Tha have very little in common. They are both in Laos, thats about it. So here goes.... Vang Vieng..... Completely unique.... one of a kind..... actually it is just like this place I went to in Thailand called Ko Phangan, and this other place I went to [View Full Entry]

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Leaving Luang Prabang to go explore the far Northern reaches of Laos was more difficult than I imagined it would be. For the last couple weeks I have been wanting to get away from the cities and find some more remote areas of Asia. On my first real opportunity to do that I have decided to go North from Luang Prabang rather than a more typical Southern backpacker route. However getting on the bus this morning, and leaving the comforts of the city, has sent my emotions and energy in a spin. Journal Entry - May 1st Hop aboard the local [View Full Entry]

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"Definately take the slow boat in to Laos, it is so much fun." These were the words I remember my friend Patrick from Finland telling me when I was with him in Krabi Thailand. He said that the slow boat from Houay Xai to Luang Prabang was a highlight of his time. In retrospect I'm not really sure what he was thinking. The boat took two days, 8 hours on the river each day, packed full of backpackers, on small wooden benches that were extremely uncomfortable, and a loud enigine that never stopped. Somehow, after it is all over, I too [View Full Entry]

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For my last week in Thailand I have ventured North to the lovely city of Chiang Mai. This northern city has a very different feel to it than any other place I have been to in Thailand. There is a blend of Bangkoks modernism, with an oldtown feel. There are the comforts of city life and just hours away you will find yourself in remote hills trekking amongst hill tribes. The cuisine has some unique characteristics and Chiang Mai is a fabulous place to learn some culinary skills. So for my last week in Thailand I'm going to indulge in all [View Full Entry]

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There is something specail about returning a place you visited years prior. Part of what makes the experience special is the familiarity you have with a foreign place. There are memories stored deep in you senses that awaken at the very sight, smell, sound, or touch of a place. You already have been there and the fear surrounding the unknown subsides. Past experience holds you close, and the warmth of that hold gives birth to confidence and excitement. In my case I am returning to Bangkok. Judgeing from the Thailand exit stamp in my passport it has been 21 months since [View Full Entry]

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