GRRRL TRAVELER » SOLO TRAVEL

Xin Chao, Ho Chi Minh City! You remind me of Korea.

Christine Ka'aloa — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:20:30 +0000

Vietnamese motorbikes here aren't loud, but several of them ripping through the streets in evenly-paced intervals, can equivocate a handful of Harleys. A motor stampede. I awoke from my sleep because my cavernous room echoed thunderous vibrations. That's what you get from a room with a front row seat...

Xin Chao, Ho Chi Minh City! You remind me of Korea. is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Hello Vietnam! What? You cancelled my room reservation?!

Christine Ka'aloa — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:09:22 +0000

"Do you know that Vietnam is a Communist country?" my mom added before parting on Skype. Timing. She's like that. This is my second big solo trip to a developing country, she's concerned for my safety and her method of care is to instill fear, rather than courage... at the last moment.

Hello Vietnam! What? You cancelled my room reservation?! is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Solo Travel Vietnam: 8 Tips on Budget Tours

Christine Ka'aloa — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:07:50 +0000

For the female solo traveler, Vietnam shouldn't be an intimidating or scary country to travel. While the country is still developing, it's no longer as 'off-the-beaten path' as one might like to think or romanticize; and while large, Vietnam strives to make travel easy for the tourist. Commuting between main cities is easy and cheap via public transportation. And if it's an attraction, you can bet there's a budget tour for it, as tour operators are everywhere, vying for your business and ready to assist your travel needs.

Solo Travel Vietnam: 8 Tips on Budget Tours is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

August Updates II: Back from Vietnam and Expacked!

Christine Ka'aloa — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:49:43 +0000

I've just returned from backpacking Vietnam, during summer monsoon season- what a wet, wet, wet and sweaty adventure... I must have lost 10 pounds of water weight! Now I'm back in civilization, where a warm bath and a bed, without a silk liner woos me...

August Updates II: Back from Vietnam and Expacked! is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Learning to Ride a Motorbike in Thailand (Pt II): 6 Tourist Safety Tips to Riding a Bike Abroad & a Monk’s New Robes

Christine Ka'aloa — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:07:53 +0000

Located on the outskirts of Pai (Thailand) is Suntichon Village, also referred to as the Chinese Village. The village is a small cultural site... Video is of the ferris wheel.

Learning to Ride a Motorbike in Thailand (Pt II): 6 Tourist Safety Tips to Riding a Bike Abroad & a Monk’s New Robes is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Is Expat Life a Possible Cure to Solo Traveler fears?

Christine Ka'aloa — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:55:24 +0000

Tick-tock... Vietnam. I leave this Friday! I'll be launching solo again. I'm excited because I don't know what to expect or how things will play out. While the unknown can feel a bit intimidating for a solo traveler, it's also exciting.

Is Expat Life a Possible Cure to Solo Traveler fears? is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Solo Busan & my fishy weekend tour

Christine Ka'aloa — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:46:08 +0000

...I didn't know if I was serious with myself about going to Busan for the weekend or even if I wanted to do it solo! 9:30a Saturday morning I woke up and realized- Yes, I was and so off I went! My sightseeing itinerary however, was a giant question mark... On the train, my quick-sketch brain drew 3 main goals for my two-day trip: a) experience sleeping at a jjimjilbang; b) explore the Jalgachi Fish Market; c) take a walk along Haeundae Beach. What I experienced within this two day weekend was much much more...

Solo Busan & my fishy weekend tour is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Weekend Warrior: Being a Solo Traveler in Korea (Day/Weekend Trips)

Christine Ka'aloa — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:50:29 +0000

Being a solo traveler - difficult and delightful can share the same coin. While I thoroughly enjoy relaxing into bonding with fellow EPIKers on group day trips as we weather the inevitable culture shock together; excursions alone while initially dreaded, gives me valuable time to explore, grow and reflect upon my new cultural surroundings at a relaxed pace. Plus, I get to take out the DSLR!

Weekend Warrior: Being a Solo Traveler in Korea (Day/Weekend Trips) is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Sleeping at a Jjimjilbang (a Korean bathhouse /sauna)

Christine Ka'aloa — Mon, 03 May 2010 05:17:00 +0000

For all you travelers and expats looking to tour Korea on the cheap, a friend once mentioned staying overnight at a jjimjilbang as a way to hurdle hostel and budget hotel costs (which may run anywhere from a low $18-40); since then, the jjimjilbang culture has been a phenomenon to me.

Sleeping at a Jjimjilbang (a Korean bathhouse /sauna) is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER

Naked in a Korean Bathhouse

Christine Ka'aloa — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:50:15 +0000

Falling in love with the hammams of Morocco, I wanted to see if the Korean spa/bathhouse experience held any greater punch.

Naked in a Korean Bathhouse is a post from: GRRRLTRAVELER