A different kind of experience in Sri Lanka
—by Val Dawson My opinion of Sri Lanka didn’t start out as very good. Everywhere I went, I felt the hopelessness of the people, a sort of despair that crept through the air, entering my body and making me feel heavy-hearted and sad myself. People told me how corrupt their government was, gave me stories detailing their lack of freedom, the brokenness of their country and their lives. One of the breaking points for me was that...
Thoughts about our time in Bali
Our time in Bali is coming to a close. Soon we’ll be on a plane heading to Australia, by way of Malaysia. We’ve spent 3 weeks on the Island of Gods. Someone shared the following quote on Twitter, and I felt like it really summed our stay well. “Travel is very subjective. What one person loves, another loathes.” – Robin Leach Before we headed to Bali most of the information I had read and heard from others was quite...
Information on Visas for Vietnam
If you’ve looked for information on visas for Vietnam, you may have found an important piece of information missing, especially from the State Department and Vietnam Embassy websites: If you’re flying into Vietnam, you can get a visa on arrival (VOA). And if you’re not sure about visiting Vietnam, I thoroughly encourage it! Overland or by Cruise If you’re coming into Vietnam by land or sea, you must have a visa in advance (for...
Visiting the Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are a highly sought after place to visit both as a tropical island getaway as well as for scuba diving. Are they worth the effort to go there? Ever since I had read about these islands during my days as a novice diver, I have wanted to go there. The Perhentian Islands had been ranked highly for scuba diving. When I was discussing our upcoming visit with the Bohemian Travelers clan in Penang, Malaysia, I had...
What I learned about myself in Bali
The book Eat, Pray, Love made the Indonesian island of Bali an even more popular place to come and find oneself. It has morphed into a yoga and spirituality buffet. But this is not why we came. And my story isn’t probably a common one you’ll find coming from the island. What I learned about myself had nothing to do with Bali, really. Friends and people who have been following along on our journey were probably surprised we came to...
One Day in Phnom Penh–Local Style
–by Gabrielle Yetter Funny place, Phnom Penh. You either love it (like I do) or hate it (like I did when I first arrived). If you’re looking for glamour, nightlife, or sophistication, it won’t be on your to-do list. But, if you want to step outside the pages of the travel brochures that suggest you visit the palace, museum, and killing fields, you’re likely to see a local side of Phnom Penh that is far more captivating and...
