Skimango

Of all the countries I planned on visiting over my vacation through SE Asia, Laos was the one I most eagerly anticipated. Throughout my travels, it is the country I had heard the least about, yet the reviews I had received were unanimously positive, and it has become abundantly clear to me now why this is so. Lush jungles, wild rivers, and colossal mountains converge together throughout this beautiful land making it the perfect place for adventurous travelers the world over. Despite its relative remoteness from some of the other major tourist attractions in Asia, I found it to be well worth the effort travelling along treacherous roads in uncomfortable transportation in order to reach this gem. Something about the secluded beauty in Laos truly touched me in ways I cannot fully describe and my ... read more

So the start of yet another adventure began with a bang for me in Southeast Asia. This part of the world has wholeheartedly attracted my attention over the past few years and each time I return it brings with it experiences of unknown cultures, un-tasted cuisine, and untapped potential. I waited in anxious anticipation through the long cold winter in Korea for this trip to finally begin and once it did, time flew by quicker than even I had expected. Regardless, it was a 2-week trip that will always hold a special place in my heart as I will not quickly forget the people I met along the way and the journeys I embarked on. The first stop on my tour was Cambodia; the Angkor Nation. Though outright Third World in it’s infrastructure and economy, ... read more

Shanghai merely scratched the surface of China for me along my travels. I feel that one week in China shortchanges this most ancient of civilizations far more than I can even imagine. For all my efforts though, I feel as though I was at least allowed a sample of the heritage and culture that China has to offer. Traveling to the capital city of Beijing provided a glimpse of the Communist lifestyle taken on here, as well as the historic importance that China provides to the rest of the world. The sights, sounds, odor, and, most importantly, feel of Beijing left an impression on me that I will not soon forget…even if I tried to. Where the Streets Have No Name Upon stepping off of the aircraft and into the midnight air of Beijing City, I ... read more

How am I to sum up these past few weeks in Korea without rambling on endlessly describing every detail of the adventures I have got myself into? In a few words, I really can’t. It’s unfortunate that I will loose out on a few key points from my last few weeks, but I think you get the main idea about how I am doing here in Korea: amazing. Life could not be better; good friends, great food, a relatively un-stressful job, yup… life ain’t too shabby at all these days. One highlight worth sharing was my trip to Gangneung (강릉) a few weeks back. A crew of about 30 or so foreign teachers all met up in this city on the East coast to spend 3 days basking in the sun and partaking in rampant drunken ... read more

Well the past few weeks in Korea have gone as most expect by now: working by day, partying by night, and fighting off the pains of liver cerosis Friday through Sunday. All in all, I must say life is good. I have found yet another country that suits my style in this world and, the more I travel the more I begin to realize… I am easy. It doesn’t take much to grab my attention, suck me into the local culture, and fall in love with everything around me. From the people, to the scenery, to the food; I love it here in South Korea. For Purple Mountains Majesty I can’t lie though; I haven’t spent all my time within the confines of this marvelous nation. Last weekend I strayed from the border and crossed into ... read more