Full Moon Insanity!

Each full moon on steamy Haad Rin beach, Thailand, 10,000 to 40,000 people go absolutely mental. I was terrified to attend, hearing so many cautions, but as the moon swelled over the week of September first, the gravitational pull of every other traveler made it seem just plain foolish not to join. So I went! I loved it! And as a result, my shoes were thrown up upon and lost, and I am now living with [...Read More!]

Free Stuff!!!

I’m no moocher, but– oh wait, I totally am. But the reality is that I have eight months of travel ahead and limited savings. Now, thanks to the amazing kindness of old and new friends along my first month’s path, I have been able to save loads of loot. Every day in Thailand so far I’ve spent about $30: $12 for housing, $14 for food and water, and $4 for transport and entertainment. On [...Read More!]

"Westerners and Foreigners Only"

“For your safety and security, this party is for Westerners and Foreigners only.” What do you think about this? What are the reasons behind it? Safety in what sense?

In many “developing countries” with gorgeous natural resources, there are mini tourist-only playgrounds (some say “backpacker ghettos”) nestled in delicious strips of beach or hills. The idea is that tourists with money come to play… and want to be waited on or left alone.

“For your safety” is a [...Read More!]

Magical Hidden Beaches of Ko Phan gan!!!

You are minding your business on the dirty town center beach, climbing jagged rock faces to try to get to the first of the pristine hidden beaches of Ko Phan gan which are tucked miles apart, wedged behind the rockin’ town, accessible only by boat or jungle trek. You are getting extremely sweaty, dirty, and persecuted by weird dog packs.Suddenly: “You want water taxi?” says the Thai man, holding up a map of the thirty hidden beaches.“I’d love one,” you [...Read More!]

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