Author Archives: juliamenn

About juliamenn

Performer. Artist. Author. Lover of food and travel. Animal enthusiast. Avid reader. Globe-trotter.

Reverie on the Water

Posted on June 12, 2015 by juliamenn

I’ve gotten to experience quite a number of wonderful moments on my travels. But tonight was something truly special.

Posted in Musings, Vietnam | Tagged Adventure, bliss, Hoi An, lantern, lantern festival, reverie, river boat, Vietnam, vietnam adventures | 1 Comment

Something I’ve been struggling with the past week is a sense of failure about this trip. People have said how brave and adventurous I am for doing this, but all I see is how much money I’m spending compared to … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips, Travel, Vietnam | Tagged Adventure, Agatha Christie, backpacking, caving, Dark Cave, failure, fun, guilt, money, mud pit, mud pit party, Orient Express, Paradise Cave, phong nha, pinching pennies, posh, saving money, stop the fear, struggle, vietnam adventures, ziplining | 3 Comments

The Dark Truth About Elephant Tourism

Posted on May 30, 2015 by juliamenn

I love animals. I always have. I’m not sure there’s an animal that I haven’t wanted to ride – horses, giraffes, elk, ostriches, whales; you name it, I’ve probably wanted to ride it. Coming to South East Asia you’d think … Continue reading →

Posted in ENP, SEA | Tagged Bangkok, barnum and bailey, Bullhook, Circus, elephant nature park, elephant painting, elephant riding, elephant shows, Elephant trekking, Elephants, Eles, Lek, mahout, Nail, performing, ringling bros, South East Asia, street begging, Torture, Trekking | 1 Comment

#SmudgeIsSaved

Posted on May 23, 2015 by juliamenn

It was a bittersweet day. I was walking across the bridge with little Smudge this morning to try to find his mama when I realized I’d gosh darn gone and gotten attached to the little bugger! Rule No. 1 – … Continue reading →

Posted in Laos, SEA | Tagged I'm so sorry, Kitten, Kitty, Laos, Monks, Nong Khiaw, rescue, rescue kitten, sad, Smudge, Smudge Pudge | 3 Comments

#SaveSmudge

Posted on May 22, 2015 by juliamenn

I’m in Laos, and have been without wifi access basically since leaving Elephant Nature Park. Let’s just skip ahead to the important parts. We were walking back to our hostels late last night when we noticed a pack of dogs. … Continue reading →

Posted in Laos, SEA | Tagged Adventure, baby kitty, Blessing, cats of instagram, choices, Kitten, Kitten Rescue, Laos, Nong Khiaw, Smudge, up all night | 3 Comments

Elephant Love

Posted on May 14, 2015 by juliamenn

Elephants are a matriarchal society, and babies suckle for up to 7 years. Eles love to be together, and the longer they are a family group, the closer they get (a bit unlike human families it seems to me). Female elephants … Continue reading →

Posted in ENP, SEA, Thailand | Tagged Adventure, Dok Mai, drama, elephant nature park, Elephants, Eles, family, family groups, Friends, herd, Jokia, Lek, logging, love, Mae Perm, nannies, old ladies, play, Thailand, Yin Dee | 1 Comment

My Time with the Elephants

Posted on May 10, 2015 by juliamenn

I spent the last week at Elephant Nature Park, learning about, helping take care of, and getting to interact with the elephants they have rescued. To say the least, it was amazing.

Posted in SEA, Thailand | Tagged animal haven, elephant nature park, Elephants, Eles, ENP, Lek, Lek Chailert, rescue, retreat, river | 3 Comments

Courage (Steal It If You Have To, but Try It)

Posted on May 2, 2015 by juliamenn

Sometimes I look around and wonder how I got here. Where did I steal the gumption to up and quit my job and fly to a developing country? And for four months?! I was contemplating this as I looked in … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Thailand | Tagged Adventure, Blessing, Cafe, chai, Chiang Mai, Courage, Friends, Monks, reading, story time, Strangers, Thailand | 6 Comments

My Unexpected Detox

Posted on April 29, 2015 by juliamenn

After the first 24hrs in Pai, my time here improved significantly. The second night was spent sitting in the hostel common area chatting with new friends as a storm blew past. Pai Circus Hostel is located higher up than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Pai, SEA, Thailand | Tagged apps, Circus Hostel, clubs, connection, FB, internet, Pai, pai circus hostel, poi, rain, rainbow, South East Asia, storms, wifi | 4 Comments

Stranger in a Strange Land (Where I Met Someone I Knew…)

Posted on April 23, 2015 by juliamenn

I took a minibus to Pai (a small town secluded in the mountains, about 3hrs north of CM) yesterday afternoon and am staying at the Pai Circus Hostel. It’s not as awesome as pictures led me to believe, and last … Continue reading →

Posted in Pai, SEA, Thailand | Tagged Adventure, Blessing, Cafe, Circus Hostel, Friends, Kindness, Local, Lonely, Motorbiking, Mountains, New York, Pai, QotN, Queen of the Night, Strangers | 6 Comments