We visited Chiang Mai in April, just before the Songkran Festival and the air was so hazardous that the authorities were considering cancelling the festival. It definitely tarred the experience of Northern Thailand for me and I’ve had bad times…
Your guide to watching a traditional water puppet show in Vietnam
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital as well as one of its most happening cities and it’s a great place to engage in the culture, including traditional shows like the water puppet show which I absolutely loved and would be great for…
11 top tips for dealing with monkeys while travelling in Asia and beyond
I’ve always been a big fan of monkeys and I’ve even worked with them, but travelling in South Asia really tested that love at times! While in South Asia I encountered moments of aggression or harassment in Nepal, India and…
War, Gill Nets and Dams: The Devastating Plight of the Mekong River Dolphins
The Mekong River in Laos is undoubtedly beautiful, but beyond the gorgeous sunsets, happy pizza parlours and sedate stilt houses, lies the irreparable threat of extinction. I came to Don Det in the 4,000 islands after reading the blogs, seeing…
5 tips for dealing with stray dogs while travelling
I absolutely love dogs but stray dogs can be a nuisance when travelling, especially if you don’t encounter unfriendly dogs at home. I’ve had wonderful experiences with dogs on my various trips, but I’ve also encountered aggressive dogs, especially in…
5 ways that learning to sew can make your life more sustainable
There are so many good things to say about sewing, it is good for your mental health, a fantastic skill to have – it’s also a great tool to live more sustainably. When I started learning to sew, I didn’t…
11 ways to have your most eco-friendly summer holiday ever
Summer is approaching and the beach is beckoning, but how can you make this year’s holiday the most sustainable yet? Follow my easy guide for an eco-friendly summer holiday that you and your family will love. This post may contain…
Backpacker Confessions: The worst journey that I ever went on in India
People react in different ways when you tell them that you’re going to India as the perception of this country is so polarised. They assume that you’ll either find yourself or that you’ll spend the trip in abject misery. If…
7 tips for having an awesome time in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is THE place in Laos both for a party, or for a chill and while you may have heard bad things about it, it’s cleaned up its act quite a lot in recent years. These are the 7…
How to visit the Sukhothai ruins on a backpacker budget
Sukhothai is a lovely place to visit if you’re in the North of Thailand as it makes a great stopover on the way from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, or vice versa. You can also do it very cheaply by following…
How to cross the border between Thailand and Laos at Nong Khai to Vientiane
This is my quick and easy guide to crossing the border between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane in Laos including getting your stamps, transport, onward travel and hotels to crash at on your journey. I’ve crossed many land borders…
How to enjoy the Songkran water festival in Thailand as a tourist
You can definitely feel the buzz in the air before the Songkran water festival begins in Thailand, and taste the ash from the burning trees if you’re in the north! Some of the best places to spend it in Thailand…