Angkor Wat calls to backpackers like Paris calls to lovers. I understand that it’s not only backpackers who go to Angkor Wat (in fact, they’re probably the minority, especially given the price tag lately), but it feels like a rite of passage. You have not completed the “Banana Pancake” Southeast Asia circuit if you haven’t …
Having finished up our stay in Hanoi (including an awesome two-day one-night Bhaya Cruise on Ha Long Bay), it was time to see the rest of Vietnam. We have been consistently impressed by the quality and efficiency of trains in Vietnam, and highly recommend it as a transport option as you make your way through …
After a few lovely nights in Hoi An, it was time to continue our southward journey through Vietnam. Next up was Nha Trang, a beach destination (with great snorkeling!) about ten hours south by train. In this post, we cover how we got from Hoi An to Da Nang (the nearest train station) and then …
As we approach the end of our two months in Southeast Asia, we’ve arrived at our last new country in the region: Cambodia. I feel a bit bad for my assessment on Cambodia because it comes on the heels of Vietnam, a country we absolutely adored. Vietnam was right up there with Seoul as far …
Let’s get this over with. You’re going to say “You love Starbucks and you love credit cards! You must love the new Starbucks credit card!” And when you do, I’m going to roll my eyes and tell you to read this post (but also fully appreciate the fact that you think of me when you …
If you don’t think of beach paradise when you think of Vietnam (I wouldn’t blame you, but …), you’d be missing out on so much of what the amazing country of Vietnam has to offer. Vietnam has something for everyone, from the metropolitan hub of Ho Chi Minh City to the spastic streets of Hanoi, …
Our interest in saving money for and on this trip runs deep. We were intense budgeters before we even had the idea to travel the world (making the decision that much easier with some money already in the bank), and that carried over into our trip planning and everyday life abroad. We’re always looking for …
Before we even left the US last summer, we had our first six months of travel fully planned: flights booked and accommodations reserved. As we enter the second half of our trip, we’re back on the travel-planning train as we try to figure out where we’re going, when and how much it’s going to cost. …
One of our favorite travel “hacks” is taking overnight transportation whenever possible. Overnight travel options are almost always a great way to save on accommodations (because you’re paying for the transportation anyway, might as well have it double as your overnight accommodation at the same time) and maximize your daytime hours for sightseeing. We’ve taken overnight trips …
When you’re in Luang Prabang, Laos, you might hear the dusty streets and river tubing of Vang Vieng calling your name. And when you do, finding a way there isn’t difficult, but there a few options you should consider. In this post we’ll share our experience on one of the options: taking the Minivan from Luang …