Nothing was as I expected in Hue. My face stung as the bike sped up and the wind whipped the rain onto my face. I fervently wished the helmet I was wearing had a visor. Once my face got used to the sting, I realized that there were way more people in Hue than I… Read More Secrets & Decay: Exploring the Ancient Vietnamese Capital of Hue
Perhaps like many other people, the Himalayas always signaled Mount Everest to me. It wasn’t until I started thinking about heading to Nepal before my Bhutan trip that I heard about the Annapurna. You see, I knew I didn’t have enough time to do the Everest Base Camp trek, but I wanted to get in some… Read More The Beauty of the Annapurna
I have always loved beaches and the ocean, yet when we were planning our trip to Maui, the one distinct thing I knew I wanted to do was the Road to Hana. This coastal drive on the eastern half of Maui has long been both beloved yet loathed. Beloved for its lush offerings and photogenic… Read More The Best Stops on the Road to Hana
Let’s face it, Hong Kong is expensive. So after you’ve shelled out more than you care to for a hotel or hostel, having some more affordable options for your activities is probably well-appreciated if your budget was anything like mine. You can certainly shell out for a day at Hong Kong Disneyland or ferry over… Read More 18 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Hong Kong
In the late 1980s, a dashing young man went to Hong Kong for the first time. He was ravenous by the time that mealtime had arrived and was positively ready for a large wholesome meal. As the dim sum started arriving at the table, he picked at the dainty delights to whet his appetite. He… Read More Dim Sum Redemption: Where to Eat in Hong Kong on a Budget
The first time I went to Thailand in 2014, I made a compromise with my friend and went down to the islands after we hit up Bangkok. But northern Thailand, and specifically Chiang Mai, remained at the top of my bucket list. And so after I wrapped up my tour of China last fall, I immediately… Read More Ultimate Guide to Chiang Mai: What to Do, See, and Eat
One of the ancient capitals of China, Nanjing literally means “southern capital.” While not as metropolitan as Shanghai (accessible in 90 minutes via the high-speed trains) and not as beautiful as its neighbors, the proclaimed “heavens on earth” cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou, Nanjing is a city filled with landmarks and artifacts that showcase China’s… Read More 1 Day in Nanjing: What to Do and Eat
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Hangzhou is one of the two cities named as “heaven on earth” in the old Chinese saying, the other being the nearby city of Suzhou. A high-speed train will take you from one heaven on earth to the other in less than two hours. Both are also awesome day trips from Shanghai, with the high-speed… Read More Heaven on Earth: The Gardens of Suzhou
If I’m to be honest, there really wasn’t all that much that drew me to Shanghai. Big cities with their tall skyscrapers don’t appeal to me that much, and what historical and cultural goods the city housed paled in comparison with what’s in cities like Beijing. But since I was headed out to the region,… Read More 1 Day in Shanghai: What to Do and See