They say moving house is almost as stressful as going through a divorce or the death of a relative. Yup. I was certainly surprised by how much this month left me drained and agitated. Moving into an entirely unfurnished apartment as someone who can fit everything they own into a …
Two weeks is the perfect amount of time for your first trip to Japan. You’ll be able to explore from the mountains to the sea, wandering through chaotic neon-lined streets and serene Zen temples, soaking in onsens and filling yourself with more ramen and sushi than you thought possible. For …
“Well,” Dave said, letting out a deep sigh. “This has to be one of the biggest letdowns of my life.” I nodded in quiet disappointment as I stared out at the bleak scene ahead of me. Instead of a snow-covered paradise, I was standing in what felt like a construction …
Finding a home has been a long process. When I embarked on this open-ended journey back in 2011, I anticipated being away for a year, but secretly dreamed of making it to two. At that time, travel blogging wasn’t a viable career for most, and I made tentative plans for …
It took me six years to get to Japan. Why? I didn’t think I could afford it. Every time I seriously looked into visiting, I would wince at the high cost of the train passes, read about how the hotels were super-expensive, and then fly to Vietnam instead. Or Taiwan. …
I can never resist checking out a themed restaurant when I travel. During trips to Taiwan, I visited a hospital-themed restaurant, Hello Kitty-themed cafe, and Barbie-themed restaurant. In South Korea, I checked out both a dog cafe and a cat cafe. In Thailand, I even had lunch at a condom-themed …
Talk about a change of scenery! When I left you last, I was soaking up the sun in gorgeous Bali, and making the most of my last remaining weeks from this stint of travel. As I write this now, I’m sitting at my desk in a bright and shiny apartment with …
There are a handful of neighbourhoods I’ve fallen in love with over my seven years of travel. They’re places that have me feeling at home from the second I arrive, spots I continually crave living in, and areas that are crammed full of cosy cafes, quirky bars, thriving food scenes, …
At the end of every trip I take, I like to sit down and take stock of my experiences. As I write this now, I’m beaming from ear to ear. I’ve just completed an epic six-month jaunt through Asia and Oceania and, despite a few hiccups, my brain is overloaded …
My trip to Borneo was one of the worst I’ve ever taken. How did it all go so wrong? I’m not entirely sure. When I left you last, I was tiring of Kota Kinabalu. I had just spent three weeks in the city and while I initially adored everything about …
I feel awful. As I write this, I’m in Vava’u, Tonga, and I feel exhausted and malnourished and stressed and irritable and depressed. I can’t stop grinding my teeth. Occasionally, I burst into hysterical peals of laughter until I feel as though I’m deteriorating into madness. All I want to …