It was about 3 in the morning and I pulled out of the hazy half-sleep I’d goaded myself into, there was a small commotion over the aisle where my friends were sitting –hurried whispers, rearranging and by the time my brain caught up with what was going on my friend was sitting in the aisle, half asleep himself, soaking wet. I tried to steady myself to figure out what happened, but any way I shifted threw my balance. We had the last row of … [Read more...]
Visa run to Cambodia
My visa within Thailand was expiring in 2 days. Time to make another run for the border. Usually we are off in another country at some point during our time in Thailand so this is not an issue. But this year we just stayed domestic. Poipet on the Cambodia border is the closest border crossing to our village so we headed out that way. We reached this dusty chaotic border town in 2 hours. As is always the case we were met with enterprising men … [Read more...]
Special Jungle Curry: Thai Street Food, Close Encounters of the Third-World Kind
An American backpacker cannot decide whether budget restaurants or street food offer the best fetish of freshness until he visited one of Thailand’s best outdoor night markets, serving “SPECIAL JUNGLE CURRY.” As someone used to eating Thai food in New York City, with restaurants with babytalk names like “Yum Yum” and “Tastee Thai,” I was blown away when I tasted real Siamese fare for the first time in Bangkok’s Banglamphu district, an area … [Read more...]
Beirut in the Baltics
John M. Edwards is drawn into the Wild Wild East of “Europe Minor.” After the collapse of communism in the USSR, inflation in the freshly minted Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia rolled up the ruble into the cheapest toilet paper around, so I decided to go East and stock up. I needed a cheap place to wipe my ass because I was then unemployed, and an Orwellian year of freelancing in Paris had left me as restless … [Read more...]
Tasmania Travel Guide
Though Tasmania is a small island, it is packed with things to do, see, and experience. It is a must-see for any traveler or backpacker making their way through Australia. Named after an European explorer, “Tassie”, as it’s fondly known to locals, is the most mountainous state in Australia, and 40% of the island is National Forest. There are plenty of opportunities for sailing, kayaking, and hiking around the island. Tasmania is unique for its … [Read more...]
The Blue Mountains of NSW – haunted or haunting?
Stunning yes, harsh yes, unnerving, yes. There is something that is difficult to put your finger on about this area. Is it the large volume of spirits or ghosts roaming the Jamison Valley having lost their lives in inevitably tragic circumstances? Or is it the severity of the geography and the vagaries of the weather that give rise to this eerie feeling? Is it something to do with the ‘Dreamtime’ as expressed by the Aboriginal people of this … [Read more...]
Full Moon Party on Ko Samet, Thailand
John M. Edwards survives a psychedelic breakdown--and hubris--on a backpacker’s hub off the coast of Thailand. . . . In Thailand, it is not necessary to have an actual full moon shining down on you in order to throw together a “Full Moon Party”—just loads and loads of magic mushrooms. The decidedly pagan, almost “Glastonberry,” Halloweeny atmosphere of the event, featuring a wild bunch of fragrant hippies—proud of their piercings, … [Read more...]
Ten Year Anniversary: Rolf Potts Vagabonding book
It is hard to believe ten years has already passed since prolific writer and traveler, Rolf Potts released his book Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel. We interviewed Rolf a number of years ago - one of our very first interviews. With this anniversary - we asked Rolf several questions relating to the book and his career. He offers some invaluable insights. Vagabonding is now available on audiobook. Giveaway - … [Read more...]
Why are you traveling?
"Why did you leave?" or "Why are you traveling?" These were the two most asked questions I was asked when I was traveling abroad. For me to answer, "Why not." or "Because I can." just didn't suffice for an answer for people. But the truth is I am not sure why I left everything to go travel into the unknown. I had a good life, good friends, good family, and an okay job but still I chose to leave. People think in order to go off and live in a new … [Read more...]
The Country of Endless Opportunities
As well as being favored for its travel opportunities, when it comes to global migration, the US is still one of the most favored destinations of migrants all over the world. Despite the somewhat negative press coverage about the United States in recent years, millions of tourist and migrants dream of a life in the USA and the opportunity to experience the culture and lifestyle of this unique country. While tourists flock here for the country’s … [Read more...]
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