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I Bought a One-Way Ticket to Bangkok

by 39 Comments

It’s true. I bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok.   I have absolutely no solid plans, and for once, I’m okay with that.

It wasn’t an easy decision to make, and every time I tell someone about my trip, I always get asked a million questions.  Let’s make it simple; I’ll answer them all here:

Why Are You Going?

It sounds a little crazy to simply pack up and leave, I know.  What makes a person walk away from a steady job, lovely beachside apartment, and meaningful personal relationships?  All I can manage when asked this question is that I simply need to.

I need to do this.

All I have ever really wanted out of the world is to see the whole of it.

I spent the early part of my 20s as an investment banker. Life was so structured for so long, it was stifling.  I couldn’t breathe.  My stress levels were at an all-time high and frankly I was suffering from depression.  My life felt as grey as the walls of my cubicle. Each year blurred into the next.   When I look back on the past four years, I can hardly separate one from the other.

I found myself questioning everything I had been conditioned to believe.  I started to realize that ‘success’ was subjective, and for me, it didn’t mean owning things.  I had worked my butt off in order to buy a purse, or a necklace, or a dress, only to realize that they brought me no joy.   It didn’t seem that this was the way life was supposed to work.

So I quit.

Then I bought a one-way ticket.

Then I sold everything I owned in the span of one week so that I couldn’t possibly change my mind.

By Stuck in Customs

Isn’t That a Little Irresponsible?

Maybe, but I have a secret for you – the happiest people in the world are the ones who mercilessly follow their dreams.  That’s what I’m doing.  Chasing a dream.

Why Thailand?

I fell in love with Asia after moving to Taipei in 2007.   Due to a lapse in my visa, I was forced to leave before I was ready.  I’ve been missing Asia ever since.

What Will You Do There?

Explore, dance, dive, meet some amazing people, eat fresh seafood, consume my weight in mango, watch the stars at night and contemplate life, and most of all, I’ll be doing TONS of writing, picture taking, and adventuring.

Stick around, you’ll come to find that I dive face-first into just about everything without many plans.  This doesn’t always work out particularly well for me, but it does make for some entertaining stories for you.

Are you Going Alone?

Yes, which, honestly, freaks me out a little.  I’ve never traveled long term alone. (though I did move to Taipei alone at age 21 to study Mandarin) I have never even backpacked.

I’ve hardly ever even been single.  Seems to me that I need this.  If nothing else, just to get to know me a little better.

Where Else Will You Go?

I don’t make plans.  I just let things happen.

That said, I’m loosely intending on traveling through Cambodia, Laos, China, Mongolia, East Timor (for diving), Burma, and I just might have to make my way back to Taipei as well.

When Are You Coming Back Home?

Maybe never, if all goes according to plan.

I simply don’t know, and that’s the beauty of it.

What is to Come on this Site?

Back in my cubicle-dwelling days, I was continuously inspired by nomadic women who wrote about their journeys and experiences.  Seeing how many strong women were out there living out my dream made me realize it was a possibility for me, too.

This site is my chronicle of the adventures to come.  I’m silly, I think joking and laughing is the best form of therapy.  I’m adventurous – I dive right into things.  I’m willing to try just about anything, and I like finding the lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path travel destinations.  I am fascinated by other cultures, and rather than just telling you want I’m doing every day, I’ll make it funny and interesting.

I do hope you’ll follow along.  I promise to make it worth your while.

*cover photo by Escape the City

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Comments

  1. Carrie Kellenberger says

    Congratulations, Ava. This is the beginning of the rest of your life, and I can’t wait to read about it. If you’re still in Thailand in November and you’re feeling like you could use a night out with an old friend, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’ll be passing through Bangkok sometime between November 7-14 before heading out to Krabi. Might be nice to reunite!

    Reply

  2. AMB08 says

    hey kristin! congrats on your site! i backpacked in SE asia right after i graduated UCSB for 6 months- the thing about SE asia is that you’ll never be alone since there are SO many backpackers- you will always be meeting new people. i recently bought a one way ticket to australia and have been living here for 8 months. best decision ever 🙂 good luck with your adventures!

    Reply

    • Ava Apollo says

      Thanks! I’ve heard that it’s easy to meet people so I’m VERY happy about that. I hope to head to Australia at some point soon. I need to dive the Great Barrier Reef!

      Reply

  4. M. Arce says

    This news is inspiring and this blog is interesting! Best of luck to you in this amazing journey you are so brave to take for YOURSELF!! Looking forward to reading about your adventures.

    P.S. You should see the Philippines too! I’m so excited to be going back for Christmas and New Years!

    Reply

  5. Alexa Hart says

    Congrats! When is the big day that you’re going? You are going to have such a blast. My friend Mike Welch (also a blogger at GoPowerKick.com), lives in Bangkok, and I know a ton of people in Beijing if you want to be connected at any point. Like what AMB08 said, you probably won’t be feeling alone because you will meet so many people. It’ll be so much fun for you to explore! Looking forward to following your travels 🙂

    Reply

  7. Erin Winking says

    This is awesome. I’m really excited for you, and I look forward to being really, really jealous of your adventures. I know if I ever had the guts to do this, Asia would be where’d I go too. Such a wonderful, jig-saw of cultures seemingly similar yet so diverse in one area. Again, totally jelly.

    Reply

  8. Si says

    Good for you! You should definitely travel around the region while you’re there – it’d be interesting to see what you think of it.

    Reply

  9. Ayngelina says

    The best way to do it is without any plans, it means there are no expectations and fewer disappointments. Can’t wait to hear all about it!

    Reply

  12. Angela Corrias says

    Great choice, congratulations and good luck. I understand the stifling feeling, and well done you quit. Can’t wait to be following your adventures here 🙂

    Reply

  13. Rob says

    AWESOME!!!

    I did the same thing when I started my trip and NO REGRETS. Don’t be freaked out, you’ll meet so many like minded people in the same situation. Rest up as the trip of a lifetime is about to start…

    Reply

  15. Waegook Tom says

    CONGRATULATIONS! Eeeee I’m so excited for you! I was similar to you in my early 20s – I had a career in finance that was going very well, but it was ultimately unfulfilling, so I quit and that’s how I wound up in Korea.

    Travel really does help you find yourself, and you’ll become so much more confident and happy in who you are when you experience what the world has to offer you. Go with an open mind, no expectations, and just be yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you what you “should” be doing.

    Unless, you know, you’re deciding to break the law. Don’t make me make you watch Brokedown Palace!

    Reply

    • Ava Apollo says

      AWww love your comment, Tom! I’m glad to hear that we were in a similar situation and you have no regrets.

      Don’t worry, I’m much better at hiding my drugs than they were in Brokedown Palace (JUST KIDDING)

      Reply

  17. Tsering says

    Hi Kristin,

    I’m planning to backpack through SEA with a one way ticket into Bangkok as an entry point. I found out that travellers need a proof of plan to exist the country to get visa at the airport. Someone even suggested that I buy a cheap regional ticket to use as a proof that I use solely for this purpose. I just don’t want to board a flight to Thailand with one way ticket and rejected visa on arrival. Are there other options?

    Thanks,
    Tsering

    Reply

    • Kristin says

      You do need proof of onward passage at some airports. You wouldn’t be denied on arrival, you wouldn’t be allowed to board in the first place. What a lot of people do is book a ticket that can be cancelled later if they’re not sure of their plans.

      Reply

  18. Natalia says

    I read your post and I felt like somebody wrote down all my feelings from last few moths. I saw a reflection of my own daily struggle and hesitation – to keep on boring and repetitive corporate life or just leave it and start doing what makes me far happier than that. Thank you for this inspiring post!

    Reply

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