Asia

Archive for 'Asia'

Backpacker Battle: South America vs. South East Asia

Posted on 23. Feb, 2012 by Steph.

In my head the last few months I’ve been comparing South East Asia and South America. Not in terms of all that unquantifiable yet rewarding stuff: the culture, the amazing sites, the up close experiences. Obviously those things can’t be compared. I’ve been thinking instead about the backpacker experience and how it measures up between [...]

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The Forgotten Temples of Mỹ Sơn

Posted on 08. Sep, 2011 by Steph.

The My Son ruins in Vietnam are possibly the oldest archeological site in mainland South East Asia. The earliest buildings here were created 700 years before the temples of Angkor Wat. Still, you’ve probably never heard of them- why? Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site My Son receives none of the attention of the [...]

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The Fierce Temples of Luang Prabang

Posted on 18. Aug, 2011 by Steph.

The main thing I remember about Luang Prabang, Laos was that it was HOT. So very, very hot. Visiting South East Asia during the hottest month of the year (March) may not have been a brilliant strategy, but it did decrease the number of other tourists wandering, dazed by the heat. Luang Prabang is a [...]

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Hanging out at the Hanoi Hilton

Posted on 17. Jul, 2011 by Steph.

When I first arrived in Saigon I was a bit naïve. I wrote about the remarkably one-sided American War Museum and how infuriating and weird it was to be there as an American. By the time I made it up to Hanoi, 4 weeks later, I was a bit more grounded. After meeting so many people [...]

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The Prettiest Castle in Japan… That I Never Saw

Posted on 12. Jul, 2011 by Steph.

Japan is full of stunning castles, and Himeji-jo is supposed to be the most beautiful of them all. A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site, it has survived the earthquakes and bombings that decimated much of it’s competition. It is nicknamed the “White Heron Castle” because it’s gleaming white towers resemble a bird taking flight. It’s [...]

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Accepting China: A Roundabout Love Story

Posted on 21. Jun, 2011 by Steph.

Secret Time: When I first visited China, back in October, I kind of hated it. Japan had been easy and fun, but my first few days in Shanghai were a confusing, draining mess. The city was loud, crowded and dirty. Nothing made sense to me: not the clouds of smoke hanging everywhere, not the odd [...]

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Hong Kong on the Not Cheap

Posted on 07. Jun, 2011 by Steph.

I’m a budget blogger for the most part, but even I can recognize the benefits of a good splurge. After nearly 9 months of complete austerity bumming my way around South East Asia, my second visit to Hong Kong (pesky visa issues) seemed like as good a time as ever to let loose and spend [...]

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Is the Philippines the New Thailand?

Posted on 05. Jun, 2011 by Guest Poster.

I’ve never been to the Philippines but I find it to be an absolutely fascinating place: All of South East Asia’s beauty and far less of the BS. A guest post by Josh Haggars: South East Asia has long been a haven for some 18-22 year olds who believe that partying and traveling are one [...]

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Wonderful Randomness

Posted on 24. May, 2011 by Steph.

I can’t quite find the words to describe China. As a travel writer, that’s kind of embarrassing. China is just too big, too varied and weird to be summed up in any real way. Instead, the experience of being in China is made up of hundreds of tiny, incoherent details that make up a strange and unique [...]

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