Posts in Asia
Le Sen Boutique Hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos: a hotel review

Tucked away in a (relatively) quiet corner of Luang Prabang is Le Sen Boutique Hotel, an oasis of zen. Sustainability and hospitality meet at Le Sen, a 100% Laotian-owned and managed accommodation not far from the heart of the city. If you’re in search of affordable, luxury accommodation in Luang Prabang, then Le Sen Boutique Hotel might be the perfect stay for you.

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24 of The Best Cafés + Coffee Shops in Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang may be a small town, but it has more than its fair share of cafés dotted throughout. Whether you’re looking for something super vibey or a place to work, Luang Prabang has a wealth of wonderful café options to keep you caffeinated.

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How to Plan a Jungle Safari in Chitwan, Nepal

Looking to spend time in Chitwan, Nepal, filled with safaris and animal sightings? This guide details how to spend 3 epic days in Chitwan, what to expect on safari, and how to pack so that you’re fully prepared for all the adventure.

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Where to Eat in Kathmandu, Nepal: 14 of the Best Places to Eat in Kathmandu

Nepali cuisine is a symphony of sensational spices, simple ingredients, and ancient tradition. Foodies can rest easy knowing that a visit to Kathmandu is guaranteed to be chalked full of incredible dining options. Kathmandu’s vibrancy is reflected in its lively restaurant scene, culminating in a wealth of dining experiences waiting to be had. I’ve rounded up the 14 of best eateries that offer a variety of local dishes, as well as spots for western food, so that you can get down to the fun part— eating!

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10 reasons to add Malaysia to your bucket list

Not sure if Malaysia is worth a visit? I promise, you want it on your bucket list. It’s well, well, well worth a visit. Malaysia was a surprise to me the first time I visited. Wow-ed by their breakfasts, dazzled by the detailed architecture, but thrown off by all the staring, Malaysia had me puzzled from my very first visit. Now, after multiple returns to the beautiful country, I can truly say I am a lover of all the country offers its guests. If you’re on the fence about whether to make the trip to Malaysia or not, I’ve got a list of reasons to book your plane ticket today!

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what to expect with Orange Robe Tours in Luang Prabang

In Luang Prabang, there are more social enterprises, non-profits, and giveback-businesses than you might believe for such a small town, and that number only seems to be growing. Cafés like Saffron, textile shops like Ock Pop Tok, and tours like Orange Robe Tours all add to the Luang Prabang community.

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how to hike Ella Rock without paying for a guide + scams to avoid

Along the train tracks, up rolling hills, and through eucalyptus forests lies Ella Rock. This cliff offers gorgeous views of the valley below for those who brave the heat to climb it. The four-hour roundtrip trek up Ella Rock is one of the most famous hikes in the country, and it was one of the best things I did while in Ella. Immediately after hiking, I had messages in my inbox asking if I paid for a guide up Ella Rock or not. Many people shot me a message asking: “CAN YOU HIKE ELLA ROCK WITHOUT A GUIDE?” Absolutely.

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how to support minority communities in northern Laos

Laos is home to an estimated 42 ethnic minority communities. Most travelers get glimpses of Khmu, Hmong, and Lao Lum culture, but very rarely do people journey up north where the Akha, Oma, and Lanten people live. During my trip to Luang Namtha Province with Luang Namtha Tourism, I was given the unique opportunity to learn more about these ethnic minority cultures in Laos in an initiative with the tourism board to broaden the economic opportunities of these communities through the tourism industry.

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11 of the prettiest murals in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa, Sri Lanka is a surfer’s paradise, but it’s also a great destination for art lovers thanks to its abundance of murals, graffiti, and street art. From bright peacocks to vivid lion heads, from three-dimensional surfers to footprints— Mirissa has a little mix of everything. Most of these artistic treasures are either on the main road or on the walls of guesthouses and hostels near the beach, so finding them isn’t too much of a mission. Despite how easy they can be to find, I have pinned their locations on a map at the bottom of this post!

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How to Hike Sigiriya + Pidurangala in a Morning + What to Know

If you are traveling through Sri Lanka, you undoubtedly have Sigiriya on your itinerary. But how do you decide whether to climb Pidurangala Rock or Lion Rock? Don’t worry, I’ve made this guide to help any indecisive readers make as informed a decision as possible.

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how to kayak the Nam Ha River in Laos

If you’re into travel adventures that combine local knowledge, community-based tourism initiatives, and physical activity, and rugged nature— kayaking the Nam Ha River in northern Laos is the next destination you should put on your itinerary.

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is Bangkok's Airplane Graveyard worth it?: everything you need to know before a visit + how to get there

Bangkok is home to a world of hidden treasures and off-beat delights. Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Thailand’s capital, and in a world continually exposed by Instagram, is the airplane graveyard that sits right along a main road.

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the ultimate safari guide to Udawalawe, Sri Lanka: how to book + what to pack

You can’t go to Sri Lanka and not go on safari. That’s exactly why I created this in-depth guide for Udawalawe National Park. It’s the third most visited national park in Sri Lanka, offering safaris for tourists looking to catch a glimpse of exotic wildlife in its natural habitat.

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how to plan a multi-day trek in Luang Namtha, Laos

Luang Namtha Province in northwest Laos is filled with natural landscapes and cultural diversity, making it an ideal place for ecotourism. Especially since it is home to the Nam Ha Biodiversity Conservation Area and various outdoor tourism initiatives.

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how to see Nuwara Eliya on a budget

Nestled away in the tea hills of central Sri Lanka is Nuwara Eliya, a small town best known for being a retreat for British colonialists to so all the most “British” things: play cricket, drink tea, hunt foxes and deer, and put on a polo match. Despite its reputation for high-class visitors playing golf and staying in posh Tudor-esque hotels, Nuwara Eliya can still easily be done on a budget!

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an Instagram guide to Hong Kong: 18 of the coolest photo spots in Hong Kong + a map to get you there

It’s true. The architecture of the city lends itself fully to the hard-line, concrete-crazed aesthetics urban photographers pine for. However, it’s not all residential basketball courts and contemporary views in HK. Oh, not at all. Hong Kong offers something for everyone to visually feast on.

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20 tips + facts for your first trip to Laos

Planning your first trip to Laos might feel a bit daunting, since information is hard to find online or is missing altogether. Thanks to my extensive time in the country, I’ve put together a list of 20 tips and facts about Laos that will help you know what to expect, what to pack, and how to prepare for the exciting journey ahead! Visitors tend to pass through on their way to one of its more well-known neighboring countries. I’ve often read blogs about Laos and felt frustrated by the lack of quality and correct information on the web. That’s why I’m hoping my blog is a space with thorough information, maps, and all the details travelers need. And, in regards to Laos, I’m hoping guides like these will help first-time travelers feel prepped and ready.

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the perfect 2-day itinerary for Luang Namtha, Laos

Luang Namtha is the main city in Luang Namtha Province. Confusing, I know. It’s mostly known as a stopover town for backpackers crossing over from Thailand into Laos. However, I was recently invited by Luang Namtha Tourism with a small group of travel writers and bloggers to promote tourism in northwest Laos. After spending a week in the district and seeing all its main city has to offer, I feel as though Luang Namtha is highly underrated as a destination for cultural and ecological tourism.

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