A comprehensive summary of our second year of world travel, spanning Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia), a massive road trip across Australia (East Coast, Outback, West Coast), and the dramatic start of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Pacific Ocean.
The dramatic, detailed conclusion to our COVID-19 cruise saga: being stranded in the South Pacific, the Canadian plea for help, the Groundhog Day effect on the Norwegian Jewel, and the chaotic, police-escorted transit home via charter flights from Hawaiʻi.
Our WA adventure spanned forests, coastlines, and the desert outback. From petting koalas and getting the perfect quokka selfie on Rottnest Island to climbing the Valley of the Giants, watching waves crash at The Gap, and visiting the lunar Pinnacles Desert. Plus, finding the famed Wave Rock!
Four days exploring futuristic Singapore! We slept in "space pods," were mesmerized by the Supertree Grove light show, explored the Orchid Garden, and ate like royalty at the famous Hawker Centres. A clean, safe, and surprisingly easy stopover before Australia. (P.S. Don't forget your eVisas!)
Our Philippines adventure: We tracked perfect-cone Mayon Volcano (Legazpi), floated a river shimmering with fireflies (Donsol), met tiny tarsiers (Bohol), explored the Underground River (Palawan), and island-hopped El Nido & Coron. A budget-travel masterpiece with a friend!
Our short Southeast Asia stop: We survived the tiny, flooded World Hotel in Luang Prabang, explored the Pak Ou Caves, climbed to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, and took the two-day slow boat to Thailand. In Chiang Mai, we celebrated Nicola's birthday at a cat café!
Our fast-paced Vietnam Itinerary! We braved the motorbike chaos of Ho Chi Minh City, got multiple custom outfits in Hoi An (plus my first tattoo!), visited the Mekong Delta and spent Christmas cruising the limestone karsts of Halong Bay. We also day-tripped to Ninh Bình!
Our Cambodia adventure took us from Bangkok to Siem Reap, where we spent two days exploring the massive Angkor Wat temple complex by tuk-tuk. We then traveled to Phnom Penh for the sobering, essential visits to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields and S-21 Prison. Don't worry, 50-cent beers were involved too!
Bangkok taught us lessons fast! We bought bus tickets on the fly for onward travel, got scammed at the floating market, but loved the history of Ayutthaya and the Bridge on the River Kwai. Plus, we review the Calypso Cabaret and find the best street Pad Thai and $12 Thai massages.
After 24 days in Madagascar, Mauritius was our recovery stop! We share tips on navigating the island (driving on the left!), finding public beaches, the strange Seven Coloured Earth, and why we needed a break from needing a break. Oh, and watch out for the territorial fish jerks!