What can I say about backpacking Java? If you'd ask me what I thought of the island a year ago, I would have told you I hadn't liked it. Not even a little bit. My first time in Indonesia was a complete disaster. I caught dengue fever, I caught bedbugs, I lost my phone, my computer broke and I wasted two days trying to find a place to get it fixed. It rained all the fre[...]
Confession: I had no idea Bukit Lawang even existed until just a few days before I actually got there. Okay, no, I didn't just randomly hop on a flight to get to Bukit Lawang, but I was already backpacking Java and had booked flights to return to visit Borneo, because orangutans are, like, one of my favorite animals (even though I say that about all animals). But t[...]
Phuket, Bali, Chiang Mai, Borocay. We've all heard of these destinations (and love them just as well!), but there are so many underrated places in Southeast Asia that deserve just as much love. Whether you're planning your first trip to the area or have already visited the main spots and want to go somewhere new and less crowded, here are some of my top picks you may[...]
For the first leg of my trip to Phuket, I stayed at Twinpalms Phuket, a stylish 5-star boutique resort located in the hippest neighborhood on the island, Surin Beach. I was meant to stay here with a friend, but unfortunately, she wasn't able to make it last-minute. Solo travel is not a new concept to me, but I'd never stayed at a luxury place all on my own, so I[...]
Bandung is the third-largest city in Indonesia and one of the most interesting destinations in Java to visit if you want to explore some of the most thrilling natural wonders the island has to offer. Think striking sulfur volcanoes, incredible hiking opportunities, quirky accommodation options, and amazing city sights. If you love exploring the outdoors but enjoy a goo[...]
I had no idea Kota Kinabalu even existed until I began planning my Borneo itinerary. Lol, I know that's embarrassing for someone who has spent a pretty large chunk of her life traveling solo in Southeast Asia, but hey! Despite not knowing much about it, I quickly figured out it would be the ideal place to start my adventures in the Sabah region of Borneo. With so much to d[...]
Borneo is a mecca for wildlife encounters. If you're on the planning stages of your Borneo itinerary, chances are that you want to spend most of your days exploring Borneo's jungles. Top Wildlife Encounters in Borneo If you're a wildlife junkie like me, then Malaysian Borneo needs to be on your radar. While the most iconic animal is undoubtedly the Orangutan, the i[...]
Kota Kinabalu is such an underrated city. It has such a relaxed vibe, a killer food scene, and plenty of hipster coffee shops where I'd go to work every evening. But this post isn't about Kota Kinabalu, so why am I *still* gushing about my new-found love for the city? No, this post is about Adul Rahman Marine Park. Or put into simpler (and easier to pronounce) words[...]
The first thing you'll notice is the shake of the trees. If you're anything like me, your heart will be palpitating like crazy from excitement at this point. Slowly after, you'll begin catching glimpses of orange specks amid the leaves as orangutans swing towards the feeding platform. --- Even though Borneo is a mecca for wildlife sightings, the stars of the show ar[...]
I loved Borneo, guys. I know that's a weird way to start a blog post, but I really felt so hard for part of the world that I'm already cooking up plans to return next year. As you might know, I had really bad luck during my trip to Asia earlier this year. Catching dengue fever in Sri Lanka was not fun and the three weeks I spent in Borneo after recovering were a rem[...]
I was surprised at how easy it is to travel Sri Lanka on a budget and how little I managed to spend backpacking the country. When you consider all the activities I managed to cram into just under three weeks, spending less than $600 on the entire trip was incredible, especially when you take into account that I visited Sri Lanka in high season. My itinerary involved the we[...]
Kandy was my first destination in Sri Lanka. While I was a bit disappointed at its bustling scene (I was under the impression that Kandy was a quiet town tucked away in the jungle), its cultural significance and incredible sights kept me busy every day I spent here. Kandy was once the capital of the ancient kings, and today, this town set right in the heart of Sri Lanka re[...]
