After two months on the road, traveling has become second nature. And as ridiculous as it sounds, my former life seems so far in the past. Not unlike Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I feel like I’ve been catapulted into color for the first time.
It’s like my whole life has been condensed into the past two months. Chiang Mai? Feels like a lifetime ago. Eating crickets on my first day in Bangkok? Years back, wasn’t it?
I know one thing: I want this to continue. I am going to do everything that I can to become location independent.
Behold, my second month in review:
Destinations Visited
- Koh Lanta, Thailand
- Railay, Thailand
- Ao Nang, Thailand (visit #2)
- Bangkok, Thailand (visit #2)
- Pakse, Laos
- Tat Lo and the Bolaven Plateau, Laos
- Don Det, Si Phan Don, Laos
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Kampot, Cambodia
- Kep, Cambodia
The Adventures
Going to a Bangkok ping pong show on my own – definitely one of the most adventurous things I’ve ever done!
Drinking with a mafia don on a Thai island.
Rock climbing in Railay, with very little success.
Being the only solo female exploring Laos’s rural Bolaven Plateau by motorbike.
Swimming and tubing down the Mekong in Si Phan Don.
Outlandish Adventures
Eating ten chilis in a row on a dare. Not my finest hour.
Tweeting from my iPhone on a motorbike as the driver tweeted from his simultaneously.
Designing a tattoo with a Thai Rastafarian who makes his own tequila and has a tattoo studio in the back of his bar.
Being invited to drink with three men from China and barely understanding each other.
Telling off an idiot American at the Laos-Cambodia border.
Buying my first pair of hippie pants.
And again…so many things that can’t be mentioned here!
Culinary Highlights
Red Snapper restaurant on Koh Lanta, especially their chorizo fried with brandy and roasted garlic.
Freshly caught crab sautéed in Kampot pepper sauce in Kep, Cambodia.
Laap in Laos – a shredded chicken, pork and mint dish with sticky rice.
Lok lak in Cambodia – cubed beef over tomatoes, onions and rice in an amazing lime pepper sauce. I would gladly put that sauce on anything.
Changes
Since beginning this trip, I’ve been noticing little changes in my personality. I’m not taking myself as seriously as I used to. I’m not afraid to say something that I think is funny. I don’t care about what other people think as much.
I’m happy. So deliciously, incredibly happy.
And, strangely, after hating my nose for twenty years, I am finally okay with it. I even like it. More on that later.
Media and Blog Mentions
Christine at Almost Fearless named me one of the The Best of 2010: 100 Inspired Travel Blogs ! I am in some truly excellent company. Thanks, girl! Glad we got to hang out in Chiang Mai!
Nomadic Matt named me one of his Favorite Travel Blogs of 2010 . This is a great round-up of some of my favorite blogs and some new ones. I’m happy my site cracks you up on occasion, dude!
Chris the Aussie Nomad featured me as Travel Blogger Friday 29 in a very sweet post. Thanks, Chris! Glad I was able to send a bit of Koh Lanta sunshine to you in London!
Ashley at No Onions Extra Pickles featured me on her list of Where I Want to Go in 2011 . So happy that I’ve inspired you to travel to Thailand!
The Next Steps
I began month three in Sihanoukville and continued to Siem Reap before looping back to Bangkok. Next: Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, Laos, then heading back to the beaches of southern Thailand for a while. Then probably down to Malaysia. We’ll see!
Once again, thank you for your love, support, comments, retweets and shares. I love that you’ve become part of my journey.
