For years, friends of mine have been encouraging me to try scuba diving. I have always been hesitant – my first love is whitewater kayaking and that sport dominates most of my spare time (and money!). With over a month remaining until our kayaks arrive in Thailand by sea freight, I finally gave scuba diving a try. Continue reading Scuba Diving in Pattaya, Thailand
We decided to head to Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market to take a boat ride and eat. This market is a great destination for a short day trip from the west side of Bangkok. The market is famous for delicious food, boat tours, and shopping. Continue reading Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
After a year in the United States enjoying the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, we are back in Bangkok, Thailand. We will continue to share some of our travels in Asia. Continue reading Back in Bangkok!
If you have previously explored Guangzhou (see 5 Spectacular Things to Do in Guangzhou and 5 More Things to Do in Guangzhou), Macau is a worthy side trip between sessions of the China Import and Export Commodities Fair. If you time your travel to avoid the busiest border crossing times, the trip takes about 4 hours from your hotel in Guangzhou to your hotel in Macau. Continue reading Beyond the Fair – Fast Train from Guangzhou to Macau, China
Huay Mae Kamin Waterfall, a fantastic alternative to the nearby Erawan Falls, is a stunning seven-tier waterfall that is located on the east side of Sri Nakarin Dam National Park. Continue reading Better than Erawan Falls?! – Huay Mae Kamin Waterfall, Thailand
Located 97 kilometers north of Kanchanaburi, the 5 kilometer in-and-out hike in Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park (also known as Tham Than Lot National Park) is one of our favorite hikes in Thailand. The trail is not too long or too difficult – it is a perfect relaxing and energizing nature hike. Continue reading Hidden Gem: Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park, Thailand
This is a fantastic and unique day trip that is only 94 kilometers southwest of Bangkok (measured from Democracy Monument).
Feeding the monkeys bananas and seeing them swim was tremendous fun! The scenery was beautiful, and it was hard to imagine that, just a couple of hours ago, we were in the big concrete metropolis of Bangkok… Continue reading The Swimming Monkeys of Samut Songkhram
After visiting the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, we headed north to Old Sukhothai to continue our exploration of the ancient ruins of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Sukhothai, recognized as Thailand’s first capital, was the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom from 1238 to 1438. Continue reading Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
A challenging hike in Ramkhamhaeng National Park is a great side trip to add when visiting Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai. Continue reading A Tough Independent Hike – Ramkhamhaeng National Park, Thailand
Our 12 Days in Myanmar (Burma) trip whetted our appetite for the intriguing history of the centuries-long warfare between Burma and Siam. Once we returned to Bangkok, we planned a quick road trip to Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai to explore the ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage Historical Parks located in each city. Continue reading Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, Thailand
Days 11-12 of our 12 Days in Myanmar (Burma) trip.
The final city that we visited in Myanmar, Mandalay is the second-largest city and was the last royal capital. Continue reading Mandalay, Myanmar
Day 10 of our 12 Days in Myanmar (Burma) trip.
The slow, peaceful Irrawaddy River boat trip from Bagan to Mandalay was the most relaxing day of our Myanmar trip! Continue reading Bagan to Mandalay Riverboat, Myanmar
Days 6-9 of our 12 Days in Myanmar (Burma) trip.
After enjoying our visits to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Ayutthaya in Thailand, we were very excited to finally get to visit the famous temples of Bagan! Continue reading Bagan, Myanmar
Days 3-5 of our 12 Days in Myanmar (Burma) trip.
Unlike any other place that we have ever visited, Inle Lake is a beautiful water wonderland where daily life is lived on the fresh-water lake. Continue reading Nyaungshwe (Inle Lake), Myanmar
Days 1-2 of our 12 Days in Myanmar (Burma) trip.
The capital of Myanmar until 2006, when the government relocated the capital to Naypyidaw, Yangon is Myanmar’s largest city. Continue reading Yangon, Myanmar
We were very excited to visit Myanmar. We were especially excited to visit a friend from Yangon that we had met in 2014 while traveling in Vietnam. I had originally wanted to take the slow train from Yangon north, but time restraints made flying a much better (if less adventurous!) option for this trip. We planned a 12-day, 11-night itinerary:
After our last trip to Taiwan, when we said that we wanted to return and tackle some of the 3,000 meter peaks – we meant it! We narrowed our choice down to two mountains: Jade Mountain (3,952 meters / 12,966 feet) and Snow Mountain (3,886 meters / 12,749 feet). Jade Mountain is the tallest mountain in Taiwan, Snow Mountain is the second tallest. Continue reading Hiking Syue Mountain – Taiwan’s Second Highest Mountain
We originally planned to drive down to Koh Samui for a 7 day visit, but the weather was not cooperating with us! Rain was in the forecast every day, much of it very heavy. Not only would that make the island stay less pleasant, the drive could be treacherous. Continue reading Hua Hin, Thailand – Rainy Season Plan B!
Having attended the China Import and Export Commodities Fair in October (Beyond the Fair – 5 Spectacular Things to Do in Guangzhou, China), I was excited to return in April and to have an opportunity to explore even more of this exciting city. Continue reading Beyond the Fair – 5 More Things to Do in Guangzhou, China (Spring Visit)
We loved out first visit to Hong Kong and were excited to return for more hiking and to visit the two horse racing tracks – Sha Tin and Happy Valley. Continue reading Hong Kong – Hiking and Horse Racing!
Looking for a free, double-entry accounting software package that easily handles multiple currencies? GnuCash fits the bill! Designed for individuals and small businesses, GnuCash is open-source software designed as a free alternative to programs such as Quickbooks, Peachtree, and Quicken. Continue reading Multiple Currency Tracking – GnuCash Free Accounting Software
I never thought that a non-whitewater trip would make it onto my Top Three Favorite Trips list, but Gokyo Ri did just that! Gokyo Ri is a peak in the Nepal Himalayas that offers spectacular views of four 8000 meter peaks: Mount Everest (8848), Lhotse (8516), Makalu (8463), and Cho Oyu (8201). Continue reading Gokyo Ri Trek, Nepal
If you are in Guangzhou, chances are that you are attending the famous, twice yearly Canton Fair. The China Import and Export Commodities Fair has been held since 1957 and is the largest trade fair in China. It has the largest assortment of products, the largest attendance, and the largest number of deals made – it is huge! Continue reading Beyond the Fair – 5 Spectacular Things to Do in Guangzhou, China
Taiwan has one of the highest densities of tall mountains in the world and is famous for its 100 Peaks list. The list is of the 100 best peaks over 3,000 meters and is used to promote high-altitude hiking. In fact, there are over 260 mountains with peaks over 3,000 meters in Taiwan! Continue reading Taipei, Taiwan – Easy Access Day Hikes
Southern Thailand’s famous beaches are some of the finest in the world. We wanted to visit Southern Thailand’s Phuket and Phang Nga regions with their abundant sandy beaches. We started planning our trip by monitoring airlines for special deals, but it always seemed that when we tried to snag one, it was too late. We started to wonder if it was even possible to get one… Continue reading Khao Lak, Thailand – Off-season Getaway
In April, the Bangkok Post reported that by the end of 2016, there will be more than one million stray dogs (known as soi dogs) in Thailand. We love dogs, and we have made many soi dog friends during our time in Thailand. However, we are very vigilant and cautious when we are around dogs because the SE Asia region is a rabies-endemic area. Continue reading Trip Tip: Aggressive Dog Self-defense
Dating back more than 1,000 years, Hanoi is a city rich with history. While Hanoi is a fascinating place to experience, touch, interact, and expand your knowledge of history, it is not the best place to learn history. To get the most out of your short visit, you must do your homework before you arrive. Many exhibits and landmarks have limited or no English translation. Read as much as you can and plan well so that you can hit the ground running! Continue reading Hanoi, Viet Nam
We had a good friend come to visit us in December, and one of the places that we were excited to share with him was Angkor Wat. Continue reading Return to Siem Reap, Cambodia
When I got the opportunity to travel to Tokyo in February for a two-day workshop, I jumped on it! We miss winter sports, and this was a great chance to get in some skiing. Continue reading Add Snow Skiing to Your Tokyo Visit!
Koh Chang, Thailand’s third largest island, is the perfect beach destination for an independent road trip from Bangkok. It is located 320 kilometers (5 hours) from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in the Gulf of Thailand near the border of Cambodia. Continue reading Koh Chang, Thailand
As the the Bangkok Post story about the couple lost for two days in the jungle of Khao Yai National Park highlights, independent hiking in Thailand can be very difficult! The dense jungle reclaims trails daily, making them extremely hard to follow, and it is very easy to get turned around. Continue reading Fantastic Independent Hiking – Phu Kradueng, Thailand
Located just 29 km from Bangkok, The Naval History Park at Phra Chulachomklao Fort is a great day trip. It is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River on the Gulf of Thailand. Continue reading Naval History Park at Chulachomklao Fortress
Nakhon Nayok is quickly becoming our favorite place in Thailand! Only 105 kilometers from Bangkok (2 hours), it is a quick, easy destination for a multitude of outdoor adventures. Continue reading Whitewater Kayaking – Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
John, an adventurer at heart, has always wanted to learn to sail. At least once a year, he spends a day researching sailing schools and dreaming of sailing across the ocean. Reading many books on the subject, he always seems to find the same advice: the best way to learn to sail is on a dinghy. Not as sexy as a 40′ keelboat, but very effective! Continue reading Bangkok’s Nong Bon Water Sports Center
This is our favorite park in Bangkok! It is a great place to connect with nature, spend a relaxing and educational few hours, and to regain inner-peace that life in a large city can sap away. Covering an area of 500 rai (198 acres), Suan Luang is Bangkok’s largest green space. It was built in 1987 to commemorate the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX. Continue reading Bangkok’s Suan Luang Rama IX (Rama IX Park)
According to a poll taken by Gallup Korea in 2015, hiking is Korea’s favorite pastime. Wanting to see fall mountain colors, get much needed exercise, and to feel crisp mountain air, we headed to Seoul! Continue reading Seoul, South Korea
“A budget isn’t about restricting what you can spend. It gives you permission to spend without guilt or regret.”
While there is not just one way to budget (paper and pencil work just fine), using Excel can make budgeting much more efficient. Here are two trip planning templates to help you plan your adventures. Continue reading Trip Tip: Vacation Budgeting Using Excel
Siam Park City is a large amusement park and water park located on Seri Thai Road in the Khan Na Yao district of Bangkok. The park has many rides and roller coasters, including the spectacular Vortex, one of the world’s two largest suspended looping roller coasters. In the water park, Siam Park City has the world’s largest wave pool, certified by Guinness World Records. Continue reading Bangkok’s Siam Park City Amusement Park
Open on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, Minburi’s Kwan Riam Floating Market makes for a great day trip. Located in Bangkok’s eastern suburb along the Khlong (Canal) San Saeb, this wonderful market is very laid back and has great food, petting zoos, shops, and entertainment. Opened in 2012, it caters primarily toward Thai tourists and is more upscale than many other floating markets. Continue reading Minburi’s Kwan Riam Floating Market
Learning the numbers in Thai unlocks a secret world. You learn first-hand the dual pricing system operating in Thailand and you can choose to avoid activities that charge anywhere from 100-900% more for foreigners (farangs). It happens everywhere, from coffee shops to amusement parks. Continue reading Trip Tip: Thailand Expats, Learn Your Thai Numbers!
A great Sunday afternoon activity is to bet on the ponies at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. The track is beautiful with the cityscape in the background and the crowd energy is better than any other track we’ve been to, including Breeder’s Cups at both Santa Anita and Churchill Downs! Continue reading Royal Bangkok Sports Club Horse Racing
Our 2687 KM / 1669 Mile road trip originates in Bangkok and heads north along the Burmese border. We travel the western and northern portions of the Mae Hong Son Loop before heading north through Chiang Dao to the Golden Triangle. We finish our trip in Chiang Rai before returning to Bangkok. Continue reading Northwest Thailand Road Trip
We always carry at least minimal first aid supplies when we travel. The more remote the location we are traveling to, the more comprehensive the kit that we carry. Continue reading Trip Tip: Travel First Aid Kit
Hong Kong is a city that strongly embraces the outdoor lifestyle. Combined with a comprehensive and easy to navigate public transportation system, Hong Kong is a travel destination that will please outdoor enthusiasts and city-lovers alike. Having one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per capita, you never have to spend much time in Hong Kong hunting for your next meal. Continue reading Hong Kong and Macau, China
A trip can be consumed with the constant search for the next meal. When you are not familiar with a location, it may seem like they have hidden all the restaurants at the very moment your stomach starts to growl. Continue reading Trip Tip: I’m Hungry!
Located about 40 miles (64 km) north of Bangkok, this is a wonderful, inexpensive day trip from Bangkok to add to your Thailand vacation. Continue reading Ayutthaya, Thailand
I had heard repeatedly that Angkor Wat was touristy, crowded, and over-hyped. As a result, I kept moving it down the list when we were planning our next adventure. Continue reading Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Wat
Days 8-13 of our 13 day, 1233 mile Bangkok to Singapore by Train trip starting in Bangkok, Thailand going all the way to Singapore.
The small island country of Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819 and, since independence in 1965, has become one of the world’s most prosperous countries. Continue reading Singapore, Singapore
Days 5-7 of our 13 day, 1233 mile Bangkok to Singapore by Train trip starting in Bangkok, Thailand going all the way to Singapore.
A fascinating and vibrant city, Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital and most populous city of Malaysia. Continue reading Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Days 2-4 of our 13 day, 1233 mile Bangkok to Singapore by Train trip starting in Bangkok, Thailand going all the way to Singapore.
Regarded as the food capital of Malaysia, Penang has a rich multicultural history dating back to the beginnings of British colonization in the 18th century. Continue reading Penang, Malaysia
This exciting 1233 mile train trip starts in Bangkok, Thailand and takes you all the way to Singapore! During this unforgettable adventure, we traveled through three diverse countries: Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. We stayed in four amazing cities: Bangkok, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. To make it even more interesting, we had to manage three different currencies: the Thai baht, the Malaysian ringgit, and the Singapore dollar. Continue reading Bangkok to Singapore by Train
Traveling across international borders generally means that you will need to get some local cash. While a checking account that reimburses fees for ATM withdrawals (i.e. Schwab Bank) and credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees (i.e. Capital One) are great, we like to have some pocket-money before we leave so that we can hit the road running. It lets us get out of the airport or across the border quickly and avoid some of the scams so prevalent at many entry points. Continue reading Trip Tip: Currency Exchange – Don’t leave money on the table!
Ho Chi Minh is an energetic and exciting city. We spent 7 nights there in October and I can’t wait to get back there to visit again. When I think of Ho Chi Minh, I think about the motorcycles swarming around you like bees as you cross the street (be predictable and don’t step backwards!), the warm and friendly people, fascinating history, and the wonderful food. Continue reading Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam
For me, this trip to China is my “trip of a lifetime.” To walk on the Great Wall, to see the Terracotta Warriors, to stand in Tiananmen Square – these were things that I never dared to dream that I would get to do! Continue reading Beijing and Xi’an, China
Located 2-3 hours from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is famous for its role in World War II and the start of the Thai-Burma Railway that was constructed in part by Allied soldiers under forced labor by the Japanese in 1943, the Death Railroad. Continue reading Kanchanaburi, Thailand
I used to think that relying on the latest technology was somehow cheating and that I had to “rough it” to get the authentic experience. The fact is, technology has always gone hand in hand with exploration and the great explorers have always sought the latest navigation advancements available. Continue reading Trip Tip: Travel with Technology
Phnom Penh, the capital and largest city in Cambodia, is a city rich in culture and history. The main purpose for our visit to Phnom Penh, however, was to dig deep into the Khmer Rouge, the terrifying period of Democratic Kampuchea, and the Cambodian genocide. This trip was to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and the Killing Fields. Continue reading Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Over 700 years old, Chiang Mai, known as the “Rose of the North,” is one of Thailand’s largest cities. Located 700 miles north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is the gateway to the wonderful northern mountains and the Golden Triangle. The city itself has a distinctive charm and a very rich history. Continue reading Chiang Mai, Thailand
