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 […]
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 […]
Travel Newsletter by The Travel Wire – Best travel reads of the week
Introducing The Travel Wire: A weekly travel newsletter the curates the best travel reads from around the web. About The Travel Wire I was previously curating travel reads as part of the Nomadic Notes Newsletter. I use the Nomadic Notes Newsletter to post site updates and other news that doesn’t make it onto Nomadic Notes. […]
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 […]
Singapore Rail Corridor: The former railway line that’s now a walking path
The Singapore Rail Corridor (formerly the Green Corridor) is a walking path and nature reserve along the old Singapore railway line. This is a guide for walking the Rail Corridor, including where to see the best sections. Index About the old Singapore railway Singapore Rail Corridor map Walking the Singapore Rail Corridor North Central South […]
Notes on Rantau Prapat, and a rant about Google, Tripadvisor, KAI, and Tourism Indonesia
Rantau Prapat is a city in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Its main claim to fame is that it’s at the end of a railway line, which was what brought me there. There are things to do outside the city, but you wouldn’t know it from the railway website or Tourism Indonesia. And I’m going to rant […]










