Crossing into Malaysia has been one of the best choices of my trip so far. I had always intended to come here on my travels, but I had heard very little about it from other travelers. Sure enough, I’ve seen far fewer foreigners here than I did in Thailand, where I found it hard to [...]
Attending a Malaysian Majlis Tunang
“Would you like to wear a traditional Malaysian outfit to the engagement ceremony?” asks Syaza, the raven-haired, dark-eyed beauty who has invited me to experience Kuala Lumpur through her local point of view. “Absolutely!” I excitedly reply. I have been invited to a traditional Malaysian engagement ceremony (a Majlis Tunang) and I could not be [...]
Loving Langkawi’s Hidden Beaches
Day 220 For someone who fancies herself an off-the-beaten path traveler, Langkawi in Malaysia would not seem like an obvious addition to the itinerary. Given its status as a duty free shopping hub, coupled with the numerous beach resorts that dot its shores, I was a little unsure if I’d even enjoy my time there. [...]
When Did Travel Stop Being Special?
Tall, slender trees rise up out of the ground and form an impenetrable jungle wall. Monkeys and elephants play in the distance. The jungle hut is covered in art, and backpackers lay around me, discussing life and talking about where they’re from, where they’ve been, and where they’re going. But something’s not right. My mind [...]
Seeing the Beauty of Kek Lok Si
Day 215 Upon my departure from Thailand after a combined three glorious months, the familiar mixture of unease and excitement that accompanies landing in a new country came over me. I knew almost nothing about Malaysia, and wasn’t sure what to expect, especially after becoming so comfortable in Thailand. So comfortable, in fact, that I [...]
I Couldn’t Do This Without You
The sun sets behind a wall of jungle flora and as I sit far away in Malaysia, I think about what today means. It’s not simply another day of the week, because back in California, it’s Mother’s Day. I may not say it often, or enough, but you have so much to do with me [...]
Attending a Malaysian Majlis Tunang
May 20th, 2013 
Kristin “Would you like to wear a traditional Malaysian outfit to the engagement ceremony?” asks Syaza, the raven-haired, dark-eyed beauty who has invited me to experience Kuala Lumpur through her local point of view. “Absolutely!” I excitedly reply. I have been invited to a traditional Malaysian engagement ceremony (a Majlis Tunang) and I could not be [...]
Loving Langkawi’s Hidden Beaches
May 17th, 2013 Kristin Day 220 For someone who fancies herself an off-the-beaten path traveler, Langkawi in Malaysia would not seem like an obvious addition to the itinerary. Given its status as a duty free shopping hub, coupled with the numerous beach resorts that dot its shores, I was a little unsure if I’d even enjoy my time there. [...]
When Did Travel Stop Being Special?
May 15th, 2013 Kristin Tall, slender trees rise up out of the ground and form an impenetrable jungle wall. Monkeys and elephants play in the distance. The jungle hut is covered in art, and backpackers lay around me, discussing life and talking about where they’re from, where they’ve been, and where they’re going. But something’s not right. My mind [...]
Seeing the Beauty of Kek Lok Si
May 14th, 2013 Kristin Day 215 Upon my departure from Thailand after a combined three glorious months, the familiar mixture of unease and excitement that accompanies landing in a new country came over me. I knew almost nothing about Malaysia, and wasn’t sure what to expect, especially after becoming so comfortable in Thailand. So comfortable, in fact, that I [...]
I Couldn’t Do This Without You
May 12th, 2013 Kristin The sun sets behind a wall of jungle flora and as I sit far away in Malaysia, I think about what today means. It’s not simply another day of the week, because back in California, it’s Mother’s Day. I may not say it often, or enough, but you have so much to do with me [...]
Offbeat Travel: Climbing to the Railay Beach Lagoon
May 8th, 2013 Kristin Upon making my way back to Thailand, I returned to Tonsai Beach near Krabi knowing that I simply wanted somewhere familiar to heal my heart and generally be a lazy bum drinking chai tea and reading books all day. Most people head to Tonsai to go rock climbing, but I had no intention of being [...]
Get a Set of Boobs in Phuket: The Reality of Cosmetic Tourism
May 6th, 2013 Kristin Health care on the road can certainly be hit-or-miss. I once saw a doctor in Thailand who kept an uncaged bird in the waiting room and used a otoscope, without a disposable cover, to check my ears (ew!). On the other hand, I’ve had the misfortune of ending up at Bangkok Hospital Phuket several times [...]
What to Do When You Lose Your Debit Card Overseas
May 1st, 2013 Kristin I had been told time and time again that the longer I traveled, the more chances I would have of things going horribly awry. “Don’t jinx me!” I’d always say in response. I fancy myself a careful traveler with a good head on her shoulders, but no matter how careful one tries to be, things [...]
I Made it to Second Base With a Ladyboy
April 29th, 2013 Kristin It seems that everybody knows somebody who has accidentally made out with a ladyboy, or worse. I never thought I’d be one of them, but then again, nobody ever does. First off, let’s establish what a ladyboy is. A ladyboy is a transgendered or transvestite individual in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, for example, they are [...]
I'm a former investment banker who quit my job, sold all of my belongings, and bid the life I knew goodbye in favor of searching for off-the-beaten-path adventures in Asia. I'm a SCUBA addict, humble student of Mandarin, passion fruit enthusiast, and above all, an adventurer. I plan nothing, and simply let things fall into place. For more information, visit the 
