Free tours can be hit or miss, but this one in Hanoi was top-notch! This walking tour of the Old Quarter covers many of Hanoi’s most fascinating sights and offers a chance to dive into their context. (Plus, the guides provide expert navigation through what must be one of the world’s most confusing and chaotic neighborhoods.)
Exploring Buddhist Hell at Singapore’s Haw Par Villa
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.
Lights, Camera, Festival: The Luang Prabang Film Festival in Laos
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.
A Motorcycle Adventure to Cambodia’s Bokor Hill Station
Bokor Hill Staton in Cambodia had been on my radar as a top urban exploration site for a while before we visited. It’s full of interesting abandoned old buildings, including what used to be a luxurious French hotel, and it makes a great motorcycle trip from Kampot.
Seeing History Repeat Itself: An Alabama Road Trip
The final state on our road trip through the South was Alabama, home of a gigantic steel statue, some delicious bagels, and several amazing museums. From protests to voting rights to immigration, it turns out Alabama has a lot to teach us about history and about issues facing the country today.
Learning about History and Culture on a Mississippi Road Trip
Mississippi might not be high on your bucket list, but it’s a great place to learn about civil rights history. The state’s capital of Jackson also surprised us in a lot of ways, from its museum on Muslim culture to its delicious vegan restaurant.
Exploring Louisiana from Baton Rouge to Bayou Country
As much fun as New Orleans is, there’s more to see in Louisiana. Our road trip took us to the highlights of Baton Rouge and then to Houma and the bayou, a place where land becomes water.
Getting Beyond Bourbon Street in New Orleans
During our human rights and social justice-themed road trip through the American South, we weren’t too sure how New Orleans would fit in. The Big Easy not only gave us a great time, it also turned out to be a really interesting place to explore history, culture, and ecology – a few of the things we’d come to the South to learn about.
Stories in Ruins: Photo Essay of a Mississippi Ghost Town
The ruins of Rodney, Mississippi, tell the story of a thriving Southern town decimated by the Civil War and the changing course of a nearby river. The churches and houses are abandoned now, and we loved experiencing their quiet beauty.
A Human Rights + Social Justice Road Trip in the American South
The South might not be too touristed, but it’s full of sites all Americans should see. Our Southern road trip taught us so much about this country’s past and about human rights and social justice, both historically and today. Relive the journey with us, and get some tips for planning a trip of your own.