I may have grown up in the suburbs, but I've always been more comfortable with the anonymity of cities over the wide open spaces. But my grandparents moved to the country when I was young and regular visits to see them started to make me comfortable with that environment. In my travels, I try to … [Read more...] about A City Girl’s Favorite Rural Experiences
Chiang Mai
Where I Slept in Southeast Asia
I didn't sleep in the same bed for more than a week for the last three months, including some luxury hotels, some guesthouses and my fair share of boats and trains. Most were to my liking and we soon learned that for $20 USD per night, we could get comfortable rooms, free breakfast and free WiFi … [Read more...] about Where I Slept in Southeast Asia
Photo Friday: Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, known as Doi Suthep for short, is Chiang Mai's most well known temple, set at the top of the mountain and a nausea-inducing songthaew ride from the city. The sacred site is important for many local Thais, but once you've reached the drop off point, you're only just … [Read more...] about Photo Friday: Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Fear and Loathing and Songkran
I'd heard fellow travel bloggers talk about how much they loved the Thai New Year, known better as Songkran, so much that I scheduled by Asia leg of the trip around it. Following a marathon day of travel through Darwin, Singapore, Bangkok and Chiang Mai, we arrived at the end of the first day. … [Read more...] about Fear and Loathing and Songkran
On Penance and the Power of Voice
Four years ago, on my first trip to Thailand, I was naïvely excited about getting up close with an elephant. I visited a camp, rode an elephant and was entertained by the shows and paintings. Saying I didn't know any better would be a cop out. I was so captivated by the creatures that I wasn't … [Read more...] about On Penance and the Power of Voice