April 30 is Reunification Day in Vietnam, and 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Ho Chi Minh City held a grand military parade to mark the historic anniversary. The day is known in Vietnam as the liberation of southern Vietnam and national reunification. For overseas Vietnamese who escaped it is […]
Notes on Bengkulu: A historic fort city on the wrong side of Sumatra
Bengkulu is the capital of Bengkulu province on the west coast of Sumatra Island. The city was a British outpost for nearly two centuries, though the colonial remnants are not as well preserved as the famous Straits cities. I visited Bengkulu after going from Palambang to Lubuk Linggau by train. Instead of backtracking on the […]
Notes on Lubuk Linggau – At the end of the line in South Sumatra
Lubuk Linggau (or Lubuklinggau) is a city in South Sumatra, Indonesia. A train goes from Palembang to Lubuk Linggau, so that was the only excuse I needed to visit. I didn’t want to backtrack to Palembang, so I decided to stay in Lubuk Linggau and then find other transport to Bengkulu on the coast. The […]
Chiang Mai burning season: News and information about air pollution in Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai burning season refers to the time of year when the air in Northern Thailand is filled with haze from forest fires and the burning of crop waste. Even though this is a problem across Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has become the focus of the pollution crisis. The city has made international headlines for […]
Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau by ferry
A guide for getting the ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, including how to buy tickets, port locations, and what to expect onboard. Vung Tau is the closest beach to Ho Chi Minh City, so it’s a popular city escape for Saigonese. The easiest way to get there is by the fast […]
Notes on Siantar: things to do while waiting for the train in North Sumatra
Pematangsiantar (also known as Siantar) is city in North Sumatra Province of Indonesia, and it’s the second-largest city in North Sumatra after Medan. Siantar not a city on the tourist trail, but I ended up here on the way back from Lake Toba to Medan. There is a train from Siantar to Medan, and I […]
Nimman Chiang Mai: the world’s first digital nomad neighbourhood
Nimmanhaemin Road in Chiang Mai is one of the coolest streets in Thailand. The Nimman area is near Chiang Mai University, so it’s infused it with a youthful vibe. The Nimman area is also a digital nomad hotspot, and as I explain in this article, it was most likely the world’s first digital nomad neighbourhood. […]
Chiang Mai cafes: best cafes listed by neighbourhood
A list of the best cafes in Chiang Mai, including specialty roasters, hidden cafes, and beautiful spaces. Chiang Mai is famous for its cafes, which makes sense considering that Northern Thailand is a major coffee-growing region. The cafe scene in Chiang Mai is constantly evolving, so if you are a returning visitor there is always […]
Singapore to Indonesia by ferry: A list of every port and ferry operator
A guide to every ferry service between Singapore and Indonesia, including how to connect to other ferry services in Indonesia. Singapore and Indonesia are close maritime neighbours separated by the Singapore Strait. The two countries are just over 5 km apart at their closest point, and the fastest ferry services take a little under an […]
Notes on Lake Toba: The paradise lake of North Sumatra
Lake Toba is a volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It’s the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. It should be more famous, yet somehow it gets few visitors. I first visited Lake Toba in 2009, and I ended up going back to spend a month there. The centre […]
