A Sticky Ride to Luang Namtha, Laos

Jul 1, 2015 | Laos

Sometime in the middle of the night, my fan exploded. I didn’t really have time to ponder why, after years and years of spinning above sleeping backpackers, that the ancient device finally decided to come apart on this given night. Screws, springs, and other assorted...

Homecoming 2013 Was a Little Tricky

Dec 22, 2013 | Returning Home

I was supposed to tell you about motorbiking all over the hilly interior of Siquijor Island in the Philippines, clacking through volcano gears on a quest. How that after much effort, I located one of the famous “witch doctors” there. And how I negotiated...

One Too Many Flights to Kuala Lumpur

Sep 10, 2012 | Malaysia

After nearly seven years on the road, some of which were spent procrastinating on nice islands within my comfort zone, I have decided to face my travel nemesis: India. I promptly grabbed one of the cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur from Bangkok. I’ve got good...

I’ve Been Shanghied!

Apr 28, 2012 | Vagabonding Begins

I could smell Bangkok as soon as they opened the cabin doors. The delicious humidity crept into the plane like a phantom mist, as did the smell of exhaust and open sewage. The heat was shocking — May is the hottest month of the year in Thailand. I unconsciously...

Bonus Night in Bogota

Dec 15, 2009 | Colombia, Returning Home

The crispy Bogota air had the rich aroma of brewing coffee and the lingering spice of a new day full of possibilities. Scrappy the super bird woke up early feeling refreshed and had a delicious breakfast of leftover grasshopper parts. Being careful not to overeat, he...