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The Siren Song of the Mekong
What is it about a frontier that just beckons? I am sitting at a cafe in the Thai town of Chiang Khan, peering over at the shore of Laos just 500 yards away. Separating us is a river like any other, yet I feel an almost magnetic pull to cross it. Between sips of coffee…
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The Mekong’s Mirror Image: How AI Found My Quiet Corner of Thailand
After a multi-stop train journey up the coast of Vietnam, I found myself longing for the relaxed atmosphere of Laos. Since my return trip to America was set to depart from Thailand, I started looking for a Thai destination that could offer that same tranquility. I was struggling to choose between various beaches and islands…
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My life as a Perro Callajero (street dog)
A friend recently cornered me with a deceptively simple question: “What do your days look like when you’re not having an adventure?” I honestly couldn’t think of any such days. Even my job, whisking around tour groups, is a daily excursion. But the question did make me reflect on my life, and I realized I…
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The value of fabricating authenticity
Have you ever been to a luau or a native American dance performance? It’s like going to the zoo to see animals in their natural habitat, only it’s not natural; it’s fabricated. I recently had this experience during a repeat visit to the charming little Vietnamese village known as Hoi An. Like any tourist, I’d…
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Getting taken for a ride in Bangkok
One of the things SE Asia is known for is its low crime rate. I hear from many solo women travelers that this is one of their top reasons for traveling here. Joan and I are amazed to see people walk away from their laptops while they use the restroom or leave their keys in…
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Explore Thailand and Laos on a maiden voyage
A couple years ago, Joan and I did a travel presentation for our upcoming tours. At the end, someone came up to Joan and lamented, “I wish I had gone on one of Tom’s trips back when they were cheaper”. Well this December, I’m offering the chance to take one of those budget trips. In…
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Touring Bangkok’s Canals by Kayak
This was my last day in Bangkok so how fitting it is that I did the best activity I’ve ever done in Bangkok! Knowing I was headed to Europe soon, I made a checklist of things to do before I left the city. Kayaking in the canals was something I’ve always dreamed of doing but…
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Adding a spa day to your Bangkok itinerary
Bangkok is hot and humid year round so the ice baths were a great find. I was telling a friend about them, and she asked if I’d been to the Japanese spa in my neighborhood. When I looked it up, I was amazed to find this place with 7 different pools hidden on a street…
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Free tours in Bangkok
As I mentioned in an earlier article, one of the best ways to find things to do while visiting a destination is to use the Meetup app. Not only will you find many local groups offering regular activities, you’ll get many ideas for things to do, even if you can’t attend an event. This past…
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