Category Archives: SEA

#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

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

Songkran

Posted on April 16, 2015 by juliamenn

When I first decided I was traveling SEA, I planned on heading out at the end of April/beginning of May. As I did my initial research into Thailand, I saw that April 13 – 15th was Songkran – the Thai … Continue reading →

Posted in SEA, Thailand | Tagged Adventure, Bangkok, Blessing, Buddha, Budget, Celebration, Chalk, Chiang Mai, Drenched, Holiday, Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Incense, Moat, Monks, New Year, Offerings, Old Town, Praying, Soaked, Songkran, Wat, Water, Water Festival, Water Fight | 6 Comments

The Inner Workings of Harry Harvey (AKA – What’s in My Pack?)

Posted on April 11, 2015 by juliamenn

After a half dozen hours, and trips to 4 different sports/camping stores in NYC, I am over-whelmedly pleased to introduce you to my pack, Harry Harvey. (Funny story – I had a nightmare last night that I got to JFK … Continue reading →

Posted in SEA, Tips, Travel | Tagged backpack, backpacking, Budget, budget travel, EMS, Kode 32, osprey, RFID, TSA | 6 Comments

Cellphones, Backpacks, and Following Your Heart

Posted on March 24, 2015 by juliamenn

I know countless people who backpack and travel around the world for months, or even years, at a time. I know it’s do-able. But goodness, is it overwhelming! I’ve spent myriad hours staring at a glowing computer screen trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in SEA, Travel | Tagged Adventure, autumn elizabeth, backpack, backpacking, boat, cell phones, choices, decision making, farpoint 55, follow your heart, indecision, iphone, just choose, motivation, opportunities, osprey, practical knowledge, sim cards, start going, tiny buddha, visas, wayfarer 70 | 3 Comments

One Way Ticket…

Posted on March 18, 2015 by juliamenn

It’s time I told the world – I’m headed to South East Asia for four months to travel, adventure, explore, and experience life and new cultures. This change has been a long time in coming, but I couldn’t be happier … Continue reading →

Posted in SEA, Travel | Tagged A Little Adrift, Adventure, backpacking, Bali, Buddha, Budget, budget travel, Cambodia, Change, Culture, Dirt Biking, elephant nature park, Elephants, Food, Heat, hostels, Indonesia, Journey, Jungles, Katherine Hathaway, Kayaking, Laos, Monsoon, New Culture, New Year, Noodles, SEA, Shannon O'Donnell, South East Asia, Squat Toilets, Temples, Thailand, Travel, Vietnam, Water Festival, Zip Lining | 5 Comments