My Nica Life…otro vez

In June last year I had no idea what I was doing it where I was going. No commitments, enough money to go where I wanted (awful problem I know). However I still couldn't figure it out. Then all of a sudden Facebook reminded me that exactly a year earlier I had left Nicaragua. Oh...

The Kindness of Strangers

After meeting many wonderful local people in Laos and Indonesia I was inspired to make a concious effort to surround myself with as many locals as possible. I did this by couchsurfing, hitchhiking, taking local transport and interacting with locals in bars and resturants. The months of May and June took me to new parts...

So Apparently it can be Cold in Indonesia – Hiking Mt Rinjani

It was the beginning of the dry season in Indonesia when I found myself in a sleeping bag. with multiple layers of clothing on. along with five people in a group huddle for body warmth and I still couldn't feel my feet. That's not the 30+ degree days I had in mind when planning my...

New Years in April

I stepped off the bus and began to walk the streets of Savannakhet when SPLASH! I was soaked from head to toe. A local family ran towards me with a hose and buckets of water yelling SOK DEE PI MAI! It was April 14 and the first day of Lao New Year. The buckets of...

What defines a ‘real’ traveler?

I often hear people comment on other peoples travel styles with remarks such as 'oh if they haven't done that then they are not a real traveler' or 'only real travelers can say they have been there' etc etc (heck if I'm being honest I've even been the person to make those remarks) And it...

She’s traveling again?!

This post is for everyone who wonders what I am actually doing here in Laos. I am situated in Pakse, Laos which is a small city located on the Mekong River. Tourists come here but rarely stay more than a coupe of days. The expat population is virtually non existent and if you find someone...

Eating like a Lao Local

Eating is a community event in Lao. People do not eat alone & if you try to order traditional Lao cuisine on your own you'll end up with enough to feed a small army!  If you are coming to Lao and want to know how to eat local, this is the perfect guide for you!...

The streetfood diet

One of my favourite things to do when I get to a new place is discover what street food they have on offer. Asia, by far, has the most variety of things to eat on the street. From full fish to fresh fruit and everything in between. The language barrier means that I can't ask...

5 things to do in BALI that don’t involve partying!

Many people head to Bali in search of cheap Bintangs & nights they won't remember. While Bali has a vast array of bars and nightclubs this pacific island is also a gateway for those who like to get up early and spend there days exploring. 1 - Climb a Volcano Bali has two active volcanoes,...

Why saying goodbye has become so easy

While I was working at Bigfoot Hostel I was often asked   "isn't it hard getting close to so many guests/other volunteers who all just leave?"  I would always answer no and I'll tell you why... When I first started to travel it was hard, but then I had the realisation that although I may never...