Cynthia taps on my chest. Tap. Tap. Tap. I can feel those taps reverberate through my body. I can hear the sounds echo in my ears. Hollow. I feel hollow. “OK,” she says softly, powering up the massage table to a sitting position. “How stressed are you?” she asks, her gentle eyes full of concern.Continue reading “The (in)exchange of energies”
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Screw you, jet lag
It’s 3:14 a.m. I’m wide awake. My heart is racing. My stomach is turning. I’ve been awake for an hour. Every time I close my eyes and try to sleep, my mind sets off on a wild tangent. It curses my body for not being able to fall asleep. It relives my time with theContinue reading “Screw you, jet lag”
I’m not ready … and other excuses to stay put
Despite the threat of rain and the gray clouds hanging low to our heads, Katie and I have no problem dipping into the luxurious pool at Rachamankha on my first full day at the property. It’s east coast hot and humid. “What’s your plan?” Katie asks me as we cool our bodies in the water.Continue reading “I’m not ready … and other excuses to stay put”
Join the #ethicaltravel chat April 6
Player for Blog with bigger dimensions. Share functions on, ads on, autoplay off, not geo-gated. http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js brightcove.createExperiences(); Would you still go through with an item on your bucket list if it hurt someone or something? Do you think about your impact as a tourist before you make your plans? This Friday at 10 a.m. EasternContinue reading “Join the #ethicaltravel chat April 6”
Sexpats, expats and bathroom blowjobs
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> My foot taps to the beat of the band as I wait in the tiny outdoor area behind Interbar in Chiang Mai. It seems like I’ve been standing in front of this dingy little mirror and dirty sink for more than five minutes. I’m notContinue reading “Sexpats, expats and bathroom blowjobs”
Escape of the Week: Chiang Mai’s Wat Doi Suthep
It’s hard to look up at the slick stairs of Wat Doi Suthep, it’s raining so hard. I blink back the water and squint my eyes up, up, up, trying not to get distracted by the gorgeously tiled dragon at the base of the stairs. It’s a long way to the top. “Ready?” I ask,Continue reading “Escape of the Week: Chiang Mai’s Wat Doi Suthep”
The Rachamankha Hotel: an experience in quiet Thai luxury
Upon arrival to the Rachamankha Hotel in the old city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, it is easy to tell what the experience has in store. Set off of the street in a quiet enclave, the only Relais and Chateaux property in northern Thailand is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of tuk tuks and marketsContinue reading “The Rachamankha Hotel: an experience in quiet Thai luxury”
Escape of the Week: Elephant Nature Park
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> An hour outside of Chiang Mai is a sanctuary. A place where elephants from the elephant tourism and illegal logging industries go to live out their lives in peace. Here, there are no bullhooks. No one gets to ride on them. There are no tricksContinue reading “Escape of the Week: Elephant Nature Park”
Photo Essay: Life at Elephant Nature Park
For about one week, I was a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park. During that time, I did everything from shoveling poo to being blessed by a shaman to becoming part of the heard and spending time with elephants up-close, to singing “Que Sera, Sera” as they fell asleep. There were tears of joy and tearsContinue reading “Photo Essay: Life at Elephant Nature Park”
Tears of joy … and other last moments at Elephant Nature Park
To say there are a lot of tears on the last day as volunteers at Elephant Nature Park is an understatement. At least as it relates to me. If there’s one thing I have noticed during my week as a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park is that I cry. A lot. More than most people.Continue reading “Tears of joy … and other last moments at Elephant Nature Park”
D Travels 'Round 