I've heard so many words used to describe Tehran - bustling, cosmopolitan, smoggy, traffic-clogged, dangerous - but after spending about a week in the city one word sums it up best for me: cool. I'm not even sure what it was about Tehran, but looking around at the people, the ...
Alone in Iran – What Was I Thinking?
I have never had people express so many opinions about my travels as when I decided to backpack Iran solo for two weeks. Everyone seemed to have something to say about it, with responses ranging from "That is amazing, I would totally join you if I didn't have a U.S. passport," to ...
To Iran via Oman: Super Stressful, Super Easy
When the cheapest flight from Bangkok to Tehran included a 24- hour layover in Muscat I figured sure, Oman wasn't too high on my travel list, so this was probably the perfect way to visit. It also ended up being a perfect pre-Iran stop because the Muscat airport has free wifi, ...
Postcards from Northern Laos
Dan and I spent our last few days in Laos traveling through Udomxai, Luang Namtha, and Mueang Sing. We rented a motorbike to explore some villages and surrounding countryside, went hiking in the jungle, and chased lots of waterfalls. Maybe not our fanciest meal in ...
Over the Hills and to the Village
We may not often hear about Laos back home, but backpackers in Southeast Asia will almost always have it on their itineraries. Good news for Laos tourism, but not such good news for travelers looking to get off the tourist trail. Even Muang Ngoi, which many guidebooks still ...