If you’re in Hanoi, Vietnam, you should absolutely, 100%, without a doubt make your way to Ha Long Bay. In fact, if you’re not in Hanoi, you should probably book a trip to Hanoi so you can go to Ha Long Bay (and also because Hanoi is a fascinating city in its own right). The …
White bulb lights are strung between bars built out of the likes of recycled shipping containers. People eat high-end food-truck style meals on wooden tables and pull bottles of Beer Lao from ice buckets. Piles of hay bales mark the entrance behind face-in-the-hole photo spots of a cowboy and cowgirl. There’s a guitar player in …
Hanoi is intense. We have been in this city (and this country) for less than 24 hours and have had some of the more extreme travel experiences of our trip. I like it — it’s got a lot of energy, it’s chaotic — but it can challenge you on so many levels. I think my …
At this very moment, I’m sitting at a hightop table at a coffee shop. The exposed brick wall is lined with black and white photos of coffee beans and inspirational quotes that say things like “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” I’m halfway through my iced coffee, and I’ve been eyeing …
New Year’s Eve in Chiang Rai, Thailand was easily one of my all-time favorite trip memories and one of the best New Year’s I’ve ever had. It was festive, but so relaxed. There were lanterns and fireworks, Thai food and beer, and really, what more do you need to ring in the new year on …
If you’ve heard about Vang Vieng, it’s because you’ve heard about Tubing in Vang Vieng. And if you’ve heard about tubing in Vang Vieng, you’re either incredibly worried about us or have heard about how it has changed. While it’s nowhere near the experience it used to be, it’s still a great stop if you’re …
Well, guys, here we are! We’re officially looking back on six months of travel in our rearview. I feel like we’re really starting to get a handle of this whole travel lifestyle. We are starting to appreciate some of the less glamorous things, like getting lost on hikes (like on our hike to Wat Phra That …
While there apparently used to be a ferry, the only way to cross the Chiang Khong (Thailand) – Huay Xai (Laos) border these days is via the Friendship Bridge, which has a pretty specific series of steps for crossing. Here’s our step-by-step instructions for crossing from Chiang Khong into Huay Xai. 1. Getting to Friendship …
One of the most fun parts of the Southeast Asia backpacker trail is the slow boat from the border town of Huay Xai, Laos to the tourist hotspot Luang Prabang, Laos. The two-day trip totals about 14 hours with an overnight stop on Pakbeng, Laos. Note: Some sources refer to this same ride as the …
We started the Backpacker’s Route Through Southeast Asia in Thailand. We made our way north through from Bangkok, to Chiang Mai, to Chiang Rai, and have finally made our way into our next country: Laos! Laos was the country in Southeast Asia that I was most excited about and for no good reason. I just …