Let the Countdown Begin!

Monday, Oct. 18 was my 23rd birthday and two-year marking point — one that seems fitting to officially begin saving for my next round-the-world adventure at the ripe old age of 25.

Continue reading...

Putting an End-Date on Open-Ended Travel

At 5:30 a.m. on June 30, I arrive at JFK airport back in New York.

Continue reading...

How to Deal: Budgeting (Part II)

Weeks ago, I published one of my most successful posts yet on how I budgeted myself throughout Southeast Asia. It wasn’t meant to be a comprehensive guide on how any subsequent Southeast Asian vagabonds should travel, but just a rough outline of where I spent the most and what I spent my money on. Since then, I’ve been compiling my best tips and tricks (and those of other travel bloggers) for Part II of my budgeting extravaganza.

Continue reading...

Revisiting the Pros and Cons of Booking in Advance

Uneasy about whether it would work in our favor or not both monetarily and for our planning, we went ahead with it anyways. Our time in Thailand was fantastic, however, after reevaluating and going through our second country without any prior bookings, we’ve decided the T.A.T. bookings did our trip more harm than good.

Continue reading...

How to Deal: Lost ATM Card

Of all the things that a traveler could lose or have stolen, bank or credit cards are easily the worst. They serve as the lifeline to travels, because let’s face it, without money (even the littlest bit) a traveler can’t do much.

Continue reading...

The Pros and Cons of Booking in Advance

In an unexpected turn of events, while in Bangkok, Andrea and I ended up booking most of the rest of our stay in Thailand. Walking into an agency, we intended to only get our bus to Krabi and maybe a guesthouse, and walked out with the rest of our Thai stay mapped out.

Continue reading...

How to Deal: Packing

Before leaving for Thailand I must’ve packed and unpacked my backpack in test runs at least a dozen times. I’m a notorious overpacker, so every time I’d stuff my bag in the comforts of my room I kept finding shirts I wanted to bring or sundresses I felt couldn’t’ be neglected. No matter how many times I applied the “pack everything you need and take half out” rule, I couldn’t seem to find the perfect balance.

Continue reading...

It’s Just Emotions, Taking Me Over

I’ve left home before, but never like this. I get on my flight to Bangkok in just 12 hours. My bags are packed and I’m ready to go. I’m excited as hell, yet a part of me is so nervous for what’s to come. It’s natural, I know, but my emotions are seriously all over the map (apologies for the bad travel pun).

Continue reading...

How to Deal: Staying in Touch

No matter how much people rely on e-mail and social networking Web sites like Facebook and Twitter to stay connected to the world left back home, sometimes it’s just not the same. These sites all allow me to chat with, message and follow all of my favorite people back home, but for me, the comfort of hearing a loved one’s voice or seeing their face is unmatched. When it comes to choosing the best form of communication to supplement e-mail, there are three main ones to consider: international cell phone plans, calling cards and Skype.

Continue reading...

A New Traveler’s Resolutions for 2010

The year 2009 was one a whirlwind for me. I made new friends, lost some old ones, worked at a newspaper and formulated three new life plans — breaking two of them to follow through with what I really wanted to do in 2010. As I sit inside, staring out my back window looking at the snow peacefully fall, I can’t help but envision the wonderful plans I’ve formulated for myself for the new year.

Continue reading...