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8 Reasons Siem Reap is Better Than Chiang Mai
Are you torn between visiting Chiang Mai or Siem Reap? These two cities have many similarities, but a few differences that made one stand out for me. Steve and I visited Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the fall of 2024, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, in the winter of 2024–2025. We spent four weeks in Chiang Mai and three weeks in Siem…
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What You Need to Know About Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand
If you’re traveling to Thailand, visiting an elephant sanctuary may be on your to-do list. Spending time with these majestic creatures can be an unforgettable experience. As a thoughtful and responsible traveler, you’ll want to choose a sanctuary that aligns with your values. But what exactly does that involve? What should you look for in an elephant sanctuary? In the…
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The Best, Worst, and Weirdest Things About Hanoi
During the fall of 2024, Steve and I spent four weeks in Hanoi. Vietnam is the first communist country we have visited and only one of five communist countries in the world (the other four being China, Cuba, Laos, and North Korea). It was our second country in S.E. Asia, and besides the wildly chaotic traffic, we weren’t sure what…
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Colorful Kuala Lumpur Street Art 2024
There is no shortage of delightful things to see in Kuala Lumpur. One of my favorites is street art. KL has plenty of it. My favorites are below. The art is divided into three sections. The first is murals and a sculpture. Two areas where you can see a lot of street art are on Jalan Rembia and the surrounding…
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Should You Visit Kuala Lumpur? An Honest Review
Hi there, and happy fall. Perhaps you are enjoying cooler weather and looking forward to the beauty of autumn leaves. Steve and I are not. In August, we left the wonderful weather of the Canary Islands for our first visit to Southeast Asia. It is hot and humid, as we knew it would be. Even so, we were excited to…
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Everything You Need to Know About Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia
I’m sure you’ve seen photos of hot air balloons flying over the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia. Maybe you are hoping to do this, perhaps you’re a bit afraid, or you might wonder if it’s worth the cost. Wind and Whim to the rescue. Here is everything you need to know about hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. A Little Background When…
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Visiting Istanbul: The Good, The Bad, and The Startling
As the first step in writing this post, I thumbed through my photos of Istanbul. Steve and I sure saw a lot of beautiful things there. Despite that, it is our least favorite city. So what made us dislike Istanbul so much? It all comes down to the extremes; beautiful neighborhoods surrounded by ghettos, decent public transportation but hard-to-find information,…
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Turkey is for Cat Lovers – With 25 Charming Cat Photos
For three months in the summer and fall of 2022, Steve and I visited eight cities in Turkey. To my delight, each town was full of cats roaming the streets. These are not bedraggled strays. These cats are well-fed and look healthy. They are cared for and loved by the residents because, as we discovered, Turkey is for cat lovers.…
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Istanbul, Turkey Photo Gallery 2022
Steve and I spent a whirlwind four weeks in Istanbul in the fall of 2022, dividing our time between the European and Asian sides. This allowed us to experience the city in two different ways. We enjoyed the incredible museums, were overwhelmed by the crowds, and had a fire in our apartment building. We also enjoyed sharing the city with…
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18 Things to Know Before Visiting Cappadocia
Thanks to Instagram, we all know about the enchanting Cappadocian landscape and the epic balloon rides. Like many places that are presented as ideal, there is more to the area than you see on the Internet. To help you plan your trip to this magical region, here are 18 things to know before visiting Cappadocia. All costs are in U.S.…
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6 Cities, 6 Vibes on the Turkish Riviera
When you think of visiting Turkey, you probably think of Istanbul or Cappadocia. But did you know that there are many seaside cities and towns that also make for great trips? Steve and I spent six weeks in the summer of 2022 in six cities, one on the Aegean coast and five on the Mediterranean coast. We loved a few,…
