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Passions and Places

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Seeing the Green in Singapore: Hiking the Southern Ridges Trail

August 30, 2018 By Ryan Victor 4 Comments

You might think of Singapore as just a sterile concrete jungle, but you’d be wrong! The city-state has a hidden side of parks, forests, and walking trails, and the Southern Ridges is probably the most iconic one.

Filed Under: Asia, Hiking, Nature and Outdoors, Singapore Tagged With: Southeast Asia

Exploring Buddhist Hell at Singapore’s Haw Par Villa

May 29, 2018 By Ryan Victor 12 Comments

Singapore is thought of as sterile and commercial, but it’s got pockets of quirk – and perhaps nothing quirkier than Haw Par Villa. This main event at this free museum/theme park is a massive exhibit on the Buddhist concept of hell, and let’s just say, there’s no inner peace or jolly Buddha here.

Filed Under: Asia, Singapore Tagged With: Southeast Asia

Why Tam Coc Should Be More Than a Day Trip in Vietnam

April 30, 2018 By Ryan Victor 12 Comments

We made the decision to visit Tam Coc, Vietnam, based mostly on what we’d heard about the scenery – and it turned out to be the perfect setting for boat trips, bike rides, and temple visits.

Filed Under: Asia, Nature and Outdoors, Vietnam Tagged With: Southeast Asia

The Perfect Itinerary for 2 Days in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

March 28, 2018 By Ryan Victor 14 Comments

For long-term travelers in Asia, visiting a capital city means not only seeing some sights, but also taking advantage of some scarce amenities. Ryan did both during his weekend in Phnom Penh (and even found great Mexican food in Cambodia!).

Filed Under: Asia, Cambodia Tagged With: itinerary, Southeast Asia

Climbodia: A Rock Climbing Adventure in Cambodia

January 9, 2018 By Ryan Victor 8 Comments

Why just look up at Southeast Asia’s limestone mountains when you could climb them? Ryan went rock climbing in Cambodia (with a company called Climbodia, ha!) and tried everything from top roping to rappelling.

Filed Under: Asia, Cambodia, Nature and Outdoors Tagged With: Kampot, Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s Melting Pot: Exploring the Culture of George Town, Penang

December 14, 2017 By Ryan Victor 12 Comments

During our trip to George Town, the quirky but charming capital of Penang, we quickly understood why people seem to love this town so much. The stunning street art, interesting architecture, and delicious food are just the beginning.

Filed Under: Asia, Malaysia Tagged With: Southeast Asia

Our Favorite Travel and Outdoor Gear for Small Business Saturday

November 20, 2017 By Ryan Victor 4 Comments

Supporting small businesses is part of being a responsible traveler, and we believe it starts at home. Lots of small companies are making unique travel and outdoor gear, and in honor of Small Business Saturday, these are some of our favorite products.

Filed Under: Gear and Packing, Responsible Travel Tagged With: gifts, small businesses

Why We Didn’t Love Ao Nang + Its Redeeming Qualities

November 3, 2017 By Ryan Victor 12 Comments

After a change of plans, we ended up visiting Ao Nang in the popular province of Krabi. It was…not our favorite place in Thailand. But we did find some things to appreciate there, so here’s the good and the bad.

Filed Under: Asia, Reflections, Thailand Tagged With: Southeast Asia

Taking a City Break: The Best Parks in Bangkok

October 23, 2017 By Ryan Victor Leave a Comment

The capital of Thailand is a sprawling urban metropolis, so it might surprise you that this city has many wonderful green spaces - and they’re some of the most underrated Bangkok attractions. The best parks in Bangkok are great places to relax and feel like you’ve escaped the city for an afternoon, so put Lumpini Park, Chatuchak Park, or another green space on your travel itinerary. Bonus: some of these parks make great things to do in Bangkok for kids.

Bangkok may be a massive urban center, but it turns out this city has a number of beautiful green spaces. Plus, a day out in a park makes a great respite from all the chaos.

Filed Under: Asia, Nature and Outdoors, Thailand Tagged With: Bangkok, Southeast Asia

A Koh Chang Travel Guide for Getting Off the Beaten Path

September 26, 2017 By Ryan Victor 6 Comments

Koh Chang, Thailand, is the perfect island to get a bit off the beaten path. While Lonely Beach is a popular backpacking destination, the southern beaches of Bangbao and Klong Kloi are more secluded. Diving and snorkeling, as well as hiking, are the top things to do in Koh Chang. This complete travel guide has everything you need to know about Koh Chang, including what to do, where to stay, and how to visit the other islands of eastern Thailand.

Want to visit a not-too-touristy beach in Thailand? Head to the southern tip of Koh Chang. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling to the island.

Filed Under: Asia, Off the Beaten Path, Thailand Tagged With: Southeast Asia

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Hi! We’re Jen and Ryan, an American couple on a journey to travel the world while working from the road. We’re passionate about outdoor adventure, responsible travel, and getting off the beaten path. Passions and Places is a space for us to share our stories and tips with you, but most importantly, we hope to inspire you to seek your own adventure.

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