solo travel Archives • Page 6 of 6 • The Bliss Movement

On Falling In Love With The World

Three summers ago I fell in love. Not with a man, as expected at my age. That hasn’t quite happened yet. Instead, I fell in love with the world. I dreamed of spending my life living in new countries, exploring the continents, learning new languages, embracing new cultures and meeting new people. Two summers ago, my heart was taken again, by Thailand. Still a part of the world, but a bit more specific. A lot of the young travelers who arrive in Thailand are there for the parties, the cheap prices and the beaches. Throngs of young people migrate to particular a[...]

Thailand

Taste From Heaven: A Vegetarian Restaurant in Chiang Mai.

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. -Luciano Pavarotti Taste From Heaven is a restaurant located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. There are three reasons why it is my favorite restaurant in that city. First of all, and an important reason for people wishing to eat there, is that the food is amazing. Every bite is packed with flavor. I have yet to try a dish from there that I didn’t enjoy. The second reason why I love this place is because it is 100% vegetarian. My[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

Packing with Mesh Bags/Clothing Organizers, Yes or No?

Packing a backpack is an art. It takes skill and practice before you figure out how you like your stuff. As it is a backpack that you’re lugging around on your back, packing light is essential. Ditch the cardigan that has been sitting in the back of your closet for a year. Bring only the essential jewelry for a night out, maybe a nice pair of earrings. And honestly, you don’t need six pairs of shoes. Distributing the weight inside your backpack is important. A lot of people think that heavy things should be at the bottom, but that can wreak havoc on your back[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

Traveling Without A Cell Phone

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. -- Kahlil Gibran My generation has become accustomed to being constantly connected to technology. Cell phones, apps, iPod, iPhones, iEverything. This world is becoming an iWorld. Constantly connected to the rest of civilization. Everybody’s thoughts and relationship statuses at the tip of our fingers. We see our lives through the screens of our cell phones and we have immediate distraction right there in front of us whenever we are bored. We’ve become unac[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

2 Things You Need To Get In Order Before You Leave For Your Trip

Preparing for a trip can be as much work as the traveling itself. I think that there are generally two types of people. First, there are the ones who seem to always have everything figured out without even trying, who finish packing in no time at all because they just know exactly what they need. Their bags contain only the essentials. These people don’t forget things and if they do, they don’t go back for it. They just shrug it off. I sincerely wish I was one of these people. Then, there are people like me. I don’t mean to stress, I actually enjoy packing[...]

England

Dreaming of London: A London Photo Gallery

I first stepped foot in this city when I was fourteen years old. It was a family trip to visit our relatives in England and I immediately fell in love. To my horror we were only there for a day and we did the tourist thing. A bus tour, walking around to see famous sites like Big Ben. I was young, invigorated and in love with a city I had barely known. Since that day I have been there a few more times and the more I visit, the harder I fall. It is still my dream to someday live in this city and to be lucky enough to call it home.[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

The Benefits Of Staying In Hostels

“Aren’t you afraid someone is going to steal all of your stuff?” “What if you get murdered in your sleep?” “People there are just so… dirty.” “You’ll end up with bed bugs!” “Haven’t you seen that movie?!” I have heard it all, every negative remark regarding hostels. People think that hostels are dirty, smelly, unsanitary and unsafe. Stained bed sheets, bed bugs, filthy bathrooms; the list goes on. Thankfully, they never stopped me from trying it out myself. When I was planning my first trip, hotels didn’t even cross my mind.[...]

Europe, Italy

The Fairytale City Called Venice.

People are standing all around me, jammed into a bus like sardines, far too close for comfort and people are helplessly touching other people in ways that shouldn't be allowed. A low chatter in a language I am unfamiliar with is buzzing throughout the bus that will take us to the city centre of Venice. After an hour of frustration, walking up and down the same street in search for the much needed bus stop, the reward of sweaty, human bodies with their arms raised to hold on for support was not what I had expected. The smell is overpowering and Alex, Sophie and I[...]

Thailand, Travel

Volunteering At The Elephant Nature Park In Thailand

The Elephant Nature Park truly is a heaven on earth not only for elephants but cats, dogs, horses, water buffalo and a single moon bear. Lek, the founder of ENP has devoted her life to rescuing Thailand's mistreated animals, teaching better care techniques, delivering medicines for the hill tribes and village animals putting an end to the abuse of animals in Thailand. Many people consider Lek to be the Jane Goodall of Thailand. "Welcome to Jurassic Park," our driver jokes as we drive down the winding road, surrounded by trees, mountains and, in the distance, el[...]