Last updated Nov 27, 2022 | First published on Apr 12, 2022 | Nepal
The solo trekking in Everest National Park (Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal) I did in 2016 turned out to be one of the greatest adventures of my vagabonding life thus far. I’ve recently come across some interesting, forgotten stuff from that trek in my journal...
Last updated Mar 28, 2022 | First published on Mar 27, 2022 | Thailand
The Koh Phi Phi tsunami scare was one of the strangest adventures that surprised me on my inaugural backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. I first wrote this in 2007, but even publishing it this many years later caused my hands to grow cold and clammy! Here’s the...
Last updated Aug 29, 2022 | First published on Mar 17, 2022 | Other Places
The Shan noodle factory in Hsipaw, a small town in Burma, was a literal sweatshop. I was drenched within minutes as moisture poured from my body. Despite the sauna-like conditions, workers were cranking out rice noodles at an alarming rate. For some reason, the...
Last updated Nov 3, 2022 | First published on Jan 23, 2022 | Vagabonding Anniversaries
Today, January 23, is a special day. My one and only nephew chose to be born on this day in 2005. One year later on the same day, I was boarding a Korean Air flight with a one-way ticket to exit the United States for the first time. I had made my long-awaited escape...
Last updated Sep 29, 2022 | First published on Dec 8, 2021 | Travel Stories
“Ewww… your horse stinks.” It wasn’t exactly the response for which I was hoping after I plodded over to a couple of sunbathing backpackers who had waved at me. But I have to admit: he did indeed stink. Both myself and my steed had been sweating under the...