I'll take you in my backpack

8/20/15 I woke up very early this morning, 3 something. I just couldn't get back to sleep. I think my body just new that my vacation was coming to an end and my mind was beginning anxious as a result. I haven't been this happy in a long time and I dread that vacation hangover, coming down from the excitement, settling back into the reality of things (at least until my next trip), and moving to a new place where I am completely unfamiliar. I can look at all of that as "not being on holiday" and "not Thailand" or I can embark on it as another adventure...so I will do exactly that! That's not to say that I wasn't completely morose when I woke up this morning knowing my flight would be taking me out of Thailand.  I am rather excited and hopeful though, I found a super neat opportunity that I'm hoping to take advantage of tomorrow morning. I overnight in Taipei (I did not get a hotel so I will be airport camping) and the tourism board offers free tou...

8/19/15 Woke up rather early today and headed down to breakfast. I had lofty plans for my partial day in Cambodia, so there was no time to waste...but I was so freaking tired! Slow moving is an understatement. Breakfast had fresh cut mango today. I think I died. I filled a bowl and sat happily at my table devouring it. I may possibly turn into a mango in another life, I think that would be ok! Despite having a very organized suitcase upon arriving here, it now appears as though a tornado has ripped through the damn thing leaving havoc all over the hotel room. This resulted in unpacking and repacking to try to restore some order as the next two days are basically travel days in various countries, one of which I will have my luggage, the other I will not, thus needing clothing in the carry on to be able to not be so foul! I went to the pool for a bit and relaxed before realizing I really should be packing, so I headed back to the room and organized my clutter. I really do ...

8/6/15 I must have been exhausted, I slept in. To most people that's like 10 or 11, to me that's 5:45am! I was able to catch up on some of my online teaching stuff (which has normally been keeping me up super late at night!) and take it easy (rather than rush) to make it to breakfast, which again was delicious! Breakfast buffets can be hit or miss, usually they offer the same exact thing day in and day out. This one switches it up daily! I love that! After a nice relaxing breakfast it was time to pack up, check out, and head to the airport for my flight to Chiang Mai. To say that I was looking forward to this part of my trip was a huge understatement. I'm staying at an Elephant Reserve, where literally I can walk onto my balcony, enjoy a morning cup of coffee, and have elephants walking along, or bathing in the water. I may never leave. It's an eco hotel (that part may make me a little nervous...I'm an AC 4-5 star kind of gal, when I read about the rooms having ...

Things I wish I knew, wish I didn't know, and perhaps could have done without... Bring your own TP Traffic sucks (there aren't words to properly describe the suckage) Because of the above bullet, plan your hotel accordingly, be near public transport or the areas you wish to see. I was right on the public transport, but unfortunately it doesn't access old town Negotiate pricing Use a foreign currency app to make sure you're aware of what you're paying Bring an umbrella and sunscreen Bring something to cover yourself when entering temples (it avoids the lines to access the rental skirts/shirts etc) If you eat durian you aren't supposed to drink alcohol after, I presume it's something to do with the content within the fruit, no idea. I was strongly advised against it by a few different Thai locals. Double and triple check the airport you are booking. There are two in Thailand. The discount airlines tend to fly into the smaller one. I didn't reali...

8/5/15 Today started off, well, slowly. I'm exhausted. Like my eyes are swollen and refusing to open fully, that kind of exhausted.  I woke up got myself ready and headed to the hotel breakfast. Holy spread. Seriously amazing. It was actually overwhelming and took me probably 5 minutes to put a single item on my plate because there were so many choices. And the fresh fruits and juices, I could get used to this! Yeah yeah that's bread pudding on there too. Judge away. It was amazing (once I picked the raisins out!) I thought that I would get a nice 2 hour nap on the drive out to the floating market. I actually had to laugh when I got picked up at my hotel on the large van that was exceeding capacity. So much so that I was crammed in between the driver and the tour guide in the front (you know on that seat that isn't actually a seat) oh and the motor is right under it so my ass was on fire for 2 hours and my legs were on the dash. I literally laughed out l...

8/4/15 I was a bit morose leaving Taipei this morning. Something I didn't anticipate. What I have realized with each trip here is that this magnificent city has more and more to explore! I would love to come back with the intent of doing some hiking and seeing the more mountainous sides (there are a lot)! Here is a shot I took from my cab ride to the airport, just as the sun was coming up... I practice the (at least) 2 hours early rule for flights. It cuts down on the anxiety and leaves a lot of wiggle room when it comes to potential mishaps with checking in, immigration, and potentially having to get miles across an airport to a gate. Of course that means I'm always left with plenty of time, but I'd rather sit in an airport with no stress than be freaking out about being late or missing my flight. That's what they made my elite status and airport lounges for right?! The EVA Star Lounge in Taipei doesn't disappoint. Lots of food choices, beverages of...