Bangkok is a polarizing city; visitors either love it or hate it. For many, the Thai capital is a necessary evil on the way to beaches, temples, or hill country treks, and is not a reason to visit Southeast Asia. I didn’t like Bangkok the first time […]
In researching my recent trip to Myanmar, I was having a hard time finding up-to-date information about the rapidly changing country. My Lonely Planet guidebook told of a land devoid of ATMs where the traveler must bring in absolutely pristine US dollars, and even then, must […]
Over the years, I’ve had the great fortune to walk all over this world and the great misfortune to step in some awful things. I almost always travel to warm places and wear sandals, so my poor feet have been the victims of various “types […]
In the developing world they lack many things like clean water, infrastructure, stable governments and pizza delivery. But the one thing as a foreigner that drives me crazy is a lack of small bills or change.
As we took the first of many steps on our three-day trek up Mount Rinjani, I looked up at the summit looming high above and thought to myself, “That doesn’t look too far. We will easily climb this.” About 10 minutes later, as I was […]
“Did you experience any anti-Americanism?” “Was it dangerous?” “Did you eat your body weight in falafel?” These are common questions I get after traveling to the Middle East.
Planet Bell 