I traveled solo to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, but I soon met Daniella, an experienced solo female backpacker, who assured me that hitchhiking in Malaysia was not only easy and safe, but often the most efficient way to get around. The next morning, Daniella's only advice was to smile. She turned to face traffic, started walking... Continue Reading →
A sketchy encounter hiking alone in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
When: March, 2016 Where: Cameron Highlands: a tourist destination on the Malaysian peninsula known for its majestic tea plantations and trekking in the nearby village of Tanah Rata. *** I show up in Tanah Rata on my 4th day in Asia. It's raining. But I've been on a bus all day and I'm excited for... Continue Reading →
The beach volleyball tournament in Phuket, Thailand
I didn't go to Thailand looking to compete in a pro-am beach volleyball tournament, but that's what happened. Rewind to March, 2016. I'm in Malaysia, and I'm emailing my friend Sarah to inquire about visiting her and her fiancĂ© Brad, who are spending a year in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sarah mentions that she and Brad... Continue Reading →
My Couchsurfing host in Malaysia tried to bang me
On March 10, 2016, I flew from Boston to Singapore to begin a backpacking trip through southeast Asia. In my first week I experienced two interesting situations. This is the story of the first one: On the 2nd day of my trip, I took a bus from Singapore up to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of... Continue Reading →
The India story: Attacked by a monkey and 3 weeks of road trip
With the 108-foot, very large and very orange statue of Lord Hanuman, the Hindu god of monkeys, looming over us, my 5 college buddies and I tiptoed around the mountaintop, open-air terrace compound that is Jakhoo Temple, India. There were monkeys everywhere I looked. I took out my pink selfie stick (bargained down to $3... Continue Reading →
A 48 hour wedding in rural Laos
Occurred: April, 2016 Southeast Asia is backpacker paradise. Cheap, tropical, and full of surprises. I went there for my first solo backpacking trip, and one night a young Laotian bartender invited me to his sister's wedding. It was wonderful and eye-opening. After the weekend's festivities, I emailed my family to tell the story. Here is... Continue Reading →