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Passions and Places

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Eat, Pray, Learn: 37 Interesting Facts about Bali, Indonesia

May 21, 2021 By Jen Ambrose 27 Comments

Ornate pagoda temple that appears to rise out of a swampy lake.

There’s no doubt about it, Bali is a one-of-a-kind destination. But what makes this island so special? And what should you know before you go? This list has all the basics about Bali’s people, culture, and history, plus our top tips for visiting!

Filed Under: Asia, Indonesia Tagged With: Bali, Southeast Asia, travel facts

7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Bangkok for the Curious Traveler

January 13, 2021 By Ryan Victor 6 Comments

Corrugated metal fence with yellow cat mural painted on it.

Looking for something a little different in Bangkok? From abandoned department stores to quirky museums, this list has got you covered.

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

The Third Year on the Road: Reflecting on the Highs and Lows

April 21, 2020 By Jen Ambrose 4 Comments

View of blue water and a blue sky with clouds, with lush greenery and red-roofed buildings in the foreground.

We’ve (somehow!) been traveling full-time and living as digital nomads for three full years now. From diving with sea turtles in Indonesia to having an unexpected surgery in Thailand, this recap covers all our highs and lows of the past year.

Filed Under: Long-Term Travel, Reflections Tagged With: annual review, digital nomad, housesitting, meditation, retreat, Southeast Asia, work exchange

A Sunfish & A Shipwreck: Diving in Tulamben, Bali

January 25, 2020 By Ryan Victor 16 Comments

Underwater photo of a sunfish next to a scuba diver blowing bubbles.

A dive to more than 100 feet below the surface? A sighting of a rare gigantic fish? A famous World War II-era shipwreck? Ryan’s Advanced Open Water course in Bali had a little bit of everything, and all of it was memorable.

Filed Under: Asia, Indonesia, Nature and Outdoors, Scuba Diving Tagged With: Bali, Southeast Asia

Aboard the Dragon Legend: An Unforgettable Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

November 18, 2019 By Jen Ambrose 4 Comments

Boats rowing toward small overwater buildings, in front of tree-covered karst mountains and a gray sky.

The Dragon Legend cruise was hands-down one of our coolest travel experiences ever. It was a taste of luxury, a chance to unplug, and a sustainable way to see Vietnam’s most iconic scenery.

Filed Under: Asia, Nature and Outdoors, Off the Beaten Path, Responsible Travel, Vietnam Tagged With: Southeast Asia, sustainability

Why Bai Tu Long Bay Is a More Sustainable Halong Bay Alternative

November 4, 2019 By Jen Ambrose 14 Comments

Cruising through Halong Bay is a major bucket list item in Vietnam – but it’s as crowded and polluted as it is beautiful. So we were thrilled to discover its more sustainable neighbor, Bai Tu Long Bay.

Filed Under: Asia, Nature and Outdoors, Off the Beaten Path, Responsible Travel, Vietnam Tagged With: Southeast Asia, sustainability

Hanoi Free Walking Tours: See the Old Quarter Without Spending a Dime (or Dong)

July 9, 2019 By Ryan Victor 6 Comments

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.)

Filed Under: Asia, Vietnam Tagged With: budget travel, Southeast Asia

Our Second Year on the Road: Reflecting on the Highs and Lows

February 26, 2019 By Jen Ambrose Leave a Comment

Tip of a yellow kayak on the water, with pine trees, mountains, and hazy blue sky in the background.

It’s hard to believe, but we’ve been traveling for two whole years! In honor of this milestone, we’re looking back at where we’ve been in the past twelve months and reflecting on the highest highs and lowest lows.

Filed Under: Long-Term Travel, Reflections Tagged With: annual review, digital nomad, housesitting, retreat, Southeast Asia, work exchange

Beyond Beerlao: Sampling Craft Beer in Laos

November 12, 2018 By Ryan Victor 6 Comments

We enjoy exploring the local beer scene wherever we travel, and we especially love finding microbreweries in unlikely places – like Laos. Ryan’s sampled just about all the beers available in Laos, and now he’s sharing where to find the best brews (and which ones to avoid).

Filed Under: Asia, Foodie Travel, Laos, Off the Beaten Path Tagged With: craft breweries, Southeast Asia

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

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Close-up of a white man and woman both wearing black with trees in the background, and an overlaying green banner that says "Welcome!"

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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