A Trio Forms/The Next Step – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

They exchanged a minimal amount of text messages in his six weeks of travel. The Californian was 90% sure his fellow Californian friend, Robbie, was waiting for him at the pre-determined hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital. He rang the buzzer and climbed the stairs to find a familiar bearded grin waiting for him in […]

Custom Clothes and Canyoning – Hoi An and Da Lat, Vietnam

He wanted a custom made suit. The Californian doesn’t have an occasion to wear one, but was told of everywhere in the world to buy an inexpensive and quality custom made suit, Hoi An was the place. After being warned to avoid eye contact and conversation with anyone on scooters saying, “Hey…where you going? You […]

6.5 Hours Underground – Phong Nha, Vietnam

It was pitch black. Close your eyes no difference black. Put your hand in front of your face and it can’t be seen black. “Now walk forward,” a woman’s voice rang out from the darkness. With a defined lack of certainty the group walked forward. “Follow my voice,” rang out (possibly) ahead of them. The attached […]

The Old Quarter with The New Friend – Hanoi, Vietnam

He discovered the proximity of countries close to Bali by dragging his finger around GoogleMaps on his phone. Although he planned to travel Southeast Asia, he is a classic ignorant American and was unfamiliar with its geographical layout. With an expiring Indonesian visa and a time frame of ten days till meeting a friend in […]

Off-roading the Scooter – Lombok, Indonesia

The day arrived for him to set out on his first true two wheeled adventure. The Californian entered the line at the petrol station and filled up for his 76km journey from Bengassi to Kuta, Lombok. He soon climbed into the mountain pass through the Monkey Forest where monkeys stay on the side of the […]

The Ideal Island – Gili Air, Lombok, Indonesia

“I am going to rip all of your hair out!” When threats like this are commonplace in conversation, you have found a good friend. He met the Beneficent Belgian during his week in the jungle. Independently deciding they each wanted to travel to the Gili Islands east of Bali, they mutually decided to travel together. They […]

The Mafia, A Childhood Dream, and Two Pizzas – Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

“I think that was a mob boss.” Ride share services such as Uber and Grab do not pickup or drop off in certain areas of Bali. An Uber driver mentioned that this is because the mafia has claim to transportation needs as it gives jobs and commerce to local services. It is not unheard of […]

“I come to watch the sunset.” – Lombok, Indonesia

As the scooter rolled down the cement dock towards him, the driver offered a wide smile and said, “How are you, brotha?” “Good, just here to watch the sunset,” the Californian replied, smiling in an attempt to match the warmth received from the stranger. “Me too! And smoke some marijuana. Do you want to smoke […]