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Under the sea

I sit on the long tail boat, snorkel gear in hand, strapped into a grimy orange life vest. I turn the gear over in my hands, looking out onto the serene blue water and the jungle-covered mountains poking from its depths. Around me, other long tail boats have dropped anchor, too, and their passengers eagerlyContinue reading “Under the sea”

Rejuvenation at Breeze Spa

Joy, my massage therapist, rolls the hot rocks gently over the back of my legs, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. I’m laying, face down, staring at a bowl full of flowers, breathing the aromatic scent of lavendar and other essential oils, as she slowly works the stones into my muscles, using themContinue reading “Rejuvenation at Breeze Spa”

Tips on being an expat in Chiang Mai

One year ago today, after an epic road trip across America, I embarked on my latest chapter of my life — becoming an expat and living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. //pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // This gorgeous and relaxing town in northern Thailand is a hot spot for digital nomads, largely because of the inexpensive lifestyle that canContinue reading “Tips on being an expat in Chiang Mai”

Party like you’re underage in Chewang

It’s a humid night on Koh Samui when I head out from Amari to meet two of my friends in the heart of Chewang. I’ve got no idea what to expect, but once I start walking, I begin to imagine the bars in Chewang will be similar to the backpacker enclave I so loathe inContinue reading “Party like you’re underage in Chewang”

Ahh, Amari

I have a checklist for what constitutes my version of paradise: 1. A gorgeous location 2. Something gorgeous to view 3. Someplace gorgeous to stay 4. The ability to tune out the real world and relish all of the gorgeous Amari Palm Reef in Koh Samui is one example of my paradise. Located in theContinue reading “Ahh, Amari”

Vacation, all I ever wanted

There’s a panic that sets in sometimes. A panic of being stationary. When this panic sets in, I normally high tail it out of the place I am to embark on an adventure. But, this time, I don’t want to do that. I just want a break. Some “me” time that whisks me out of myContinue reading “Vacation, all I ever wanted”

Daily Wanderlust: Storms on Samui

There is a gentle breeze in the air and dark, ominous clouds hovering over our heads as Paula and I make our way from the main loop road in Lamai down to the beach on one of Thailand’s biggest islands, Koh Samui. “It definitely looks like it is going to rain,” we say to eachContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: Storms on Samui”

Goodbye, Prius

She sits in the lot at CarMax, her dark gray exterior even darker against the overcast winter sky in Maryland. I blink back tears, then head inside to sign her away. “Well, this is really easy,” the sales clerk says to me across his desk in the fluorescent lit office. “Just sign here and here,Continue reading “Goodbye, Prius”

Daily Wanderlust: floating in Sri Lanna National Park

The boat that whisks us some 20 minutes from the red-dirt mainland to the floating bungalows and restaurant is loud. Super loud. But none of us care. A quick drive from Chiang Mai (about 75 minutes) takes city-dwellers to another world … filled with water and tree-covered mountains. The perfect day trip for those looking forContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: floating in Sri Lanna National Park”

Daily Wanderlust: the vibrant Valley of Fire

Located outside of Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire is a site to behold. With enormous outcroppings of orange-hued rock set against lime green cacti and bright blue sky, the beauty of the southwest desert comes alive here. It is one of my favorite spots to explore and offers gorgeous drives and stunning hikes aroundContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: the vibrant Valley of Fire”