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Passions and Places

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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

Lights, Camera, Festival: The Luang Prabang Film Festival in Laos

December 30, 2017 By Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor 6 Comments

Thanks to some lucky timing, we got to attend the 2017 Luang Prabang Film Festival in Laos. This annual festival celebrates Southeast Asian cinema, supports local filmmakers, and gives Lao people a rare chance to go to the movies.

Filed Under: Asia, Laos Tagged With: festivals, 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

How Housesitting Is Helping Us See the World

November 15, 2017 By Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor 24 Comments

Free accommodations in a nice house and cool pets to play with while you travel? Yes, please! Housesitting has been a big part of our journey in Southeast Asia, and become much more than a way to save money.

Filed Under: Accommodations, Long-Term Travel, Thailand Tagged With: digital nomad, housesitting, Southeast Asia, work exchange

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

Koh Kood, Thailand: The Charm of a Quiet Thai Island

October 14, 2017 By Jen Ambrose Leave a Comment

Koh Kood is one of the most accessible islands near Bangkok, but it's still a relatively undeveloped travel destination. But with beautiful beaches, stunning vistas, and few crowds, it's the perfect place to relax and get off the beaten path. If you want to visit one of the quiet islands in Thailand, Koh Kood is the place to go.

We visited Koh Kood hoping for a quiet, laid-back Thai island without too many crowds. It delivered just that.

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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