Globetrotting Part 1: Where I have traveled since mini retirement

Wanderlust.  It’s the word that comes to mind when I describe this feeling I have had since my early 20s.  After September 11, 2001, I took some time off from college – and decided to teach English in a rural village in southern Thailand.  It was during these few months as a volunteer teacher when I realized how large the world is and how much I wanted to explore it, to experience its opportunities, to live life fully.

I spent the better part of two decades repressing this wanderlust.  I was raising a family, saving up and investing, and grinding away in corporate America.  Oh, how I looked forward to the 3-4 weeks of vacation I had.  My ex and I decided to spend half of those vacation days traveling as a family, and the balance traveling as a couple.  And oh, how much I relished those days of exploring.  We traveled everywhere – from closer spots like San Jose, Costa Rica and San Juan, Puerto Rico to more remote locations like Brisbane, Australia and Budapest, Hungary.  Sure, these precious days spent with my family quelled some of my hunger for travel, but at the same time, it planted a seed in my mind: if we could travel for longer periods of time, where would we go?

Traveling is a big reason why I decided to mini retire.  Mini retirement provides you the time that is needed to quell that thirst for wanderlust.  Gone are the days of working for months so that I can travel for 10 days.  Gone are the days of losing 72 hours of jet lag when traveling to Asia (how quickly those 10 days become 7 days!).  Gone are the days of paying exorbitant prices or cashing in 100,000+ miles to fly cross-Pacific to get to Asia.  Yes, it’s way more convenient setting up home base in Chiang Mai Thailand, and then hopping on short, inexpensive flights to destinations that once seemed too remote from the U.S.

I’m reminded of the closing scene in Up in the Air.  George Clooney’s character enters the airport and stares at the table of departure times and destinations.  How incredible this freedom – to look at all of these Asian destinations and just jump on a quick flight to explore somewhere new?!  This is the reality of mini retirement – quite literally a life I dreamt about all of those years, what I worked so hard for.  

This post is about where I decided to travel to during my year and a half (so far) in mini-retirement.  For each destination, I’ll provide 1) an estimate of how long of a flight it is from Chiang Mai (unless otherwise noted), 2) how much it cost me last time to fly there (one way), and 3) a quick listing of the experiences I had while traveling there.

I have divided this post into two parts.  The first part (below) covers Southeast Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.  The second part covers East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, and South Korea.  And in the near future, I’ll write more detailed posts covering each country and the highlights I have found there.

I hope you indulge your wanderlust, as I have, and allow yourself to see where it takes you!

~Lester T

***PART ONE – SOUTHEAST ASIA***

City (flight time from CNX, unless noted otherwise; USD cost for one-way flight)

THAILAND

• Bangkok (1h 15m; $40).   Enjoy my first all-vegetarian Michelin-star meal at Haoma.  Watch Fast X on the IMAX screen of the luxurious Icon Cineconic, as well as Oppenheimer with a plush blanket on the Honda screen at Paragon Cineplex.  Have an urban escape with a private onsen at Forest Massage.  Swing golf clubs (like I used to) at TopGolf Megacity.  Cafe hop across some of my favorite spots: Patom, Green and Been, and Rolling Roasters.  Feel wonder at the art museums of Warehouse 30 and ATT 19.  Feed treats to your furry friends at Dog in Town Ari.
• Jomtien Beach, Rayong, and Koh Samet (2h drive from Bangkok).  Hang out with vacationing Russian families at Jomtien Beach.  Have a long, relaxed European morning at patisserie La Baguette.  Delight in an 8-course tasting menu at Alter Ego.  Be surrounded by tulips of all colors of the rainbow at Miracle of Natural.  Have a beer and snacks on a completely empty stretch of sand at Mae Ram Phueng Beach.  Enjoy resort and beach life at Ao Prao and Ao Wai beaches.
• Hua Hin (3h 30m drive from Bangkok).  Soak up some sun at quiet Khao Takiab beach.  Indulge in wood-fired pizza at Pane & Focaccia.  Taste some locally produced wine at Monsoon Valley Vineyard.
• Koh Samui (1h 45m; $128). Charter a boat to Ang Thong to snorkel, swim, kayak, and hike up to a viewpoint and marvel at Blue Lagoon / Emerald Lake.  Rest in a private villa with beachside views at Samui Paradise.  Take a humvee tour across the island to see the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks, Na Mueang Waterfall, statues of Buddha Dipankara and Guan Yu – while you shoot waterguns with freezing cold water at your tour friends (as tribute to Thailand’s annual Songkran water festival).
• Koh Tao (1h 30m ferry from Samui; $40).  Dive, dive, dive – after all, it’s a diving destination in Thailand.  While not diving, take in some sun at Sairee Beach.  Eat a big breakfast or sip on handcrafted coffee at Big Tree
• Phuket (1h 55m; $72).  Get PADI Open Water certified with All4Diving.  Soak up the sun alongside (you guessed it) Russian families at Kata and Kata Noi beaches.  Enjoy a more private stretch of sand at Kamala beach.  Dine over romantic candlelight with sunset views at Mom Tri’s Kitchen.  Check out the craziness (yes, more explicit shows) on Bangla Road.  Take a private charter boat from upscale Royal Phuket Pier to Zeavola Resort on Phi Phi.  Tour the sights of Maya Bay, Viking Cave, and Pi Leh Lagoon across Phi Phi island.
• Krabi (2h 5m; $82).  Enjoy a delicious meal with rooftop views at Sea Salt in Ao Nang.  Hike the Monkey Trail to enjoy some sun with few crowds at Pai Plong Beach.  Kayak through the mangrove forest of Ao Thalane.  Hike up 1,260 steps to take in the mountain top views of Wat Tham Suea.  Take long boat to Railay, where I rock climbed natural cliffs and hiked to the Emerald Lagoon.
• Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai (40m ferry from Krabi Ao Nang; $20).  Relax in a villa at Paradise Koh Yao Resort.  Tour Koh Yao Noi island by visiting fishermen, walking on shallow shores towards a small island, and seeing fish with legs(!).  Walk on sandbank surrounded by water on Sandbank Beach.  Hop around islands such as Koh Pakbia, Ko Lao Rakhing, and Koh Hong.
• Hat Yai and Songkhla (2h; $84).  Delight in steamed dim sum and herbal bakkutteh at Chok Dee Tae Tiam.  Drink and kick back to live music at Texas-style porch mi-rin-da or rooftop bar MongMoon.  Forest bathe at Chestnut Hill Eco Resort.  Take in the charm of Songkhla’s historic streets and cafes (such as Studio 55).  Get panoramic photos of Hat Yai at Kho Hong Mountain and of Songkhla at Tangkuan Hill.  Eat some fresh seafood a beachside restaurants overlooking Samila Beach.

INDONESIA

• Bali (4h 20m from BKK; $154).  Do my first shore diving to the Tulamben US Liberty Wreck in Amed.  Tour attractions across the island in a Jeep: Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, the black lava of Batur Volcano, Batur Lake and Batur Hot Springs.  Enjoy a unique hot and cold bath experience at Tjampuhan Spa.  Relax with massage, pool, and sauna package at upscale Amati Spa.  Take in all of the Indonesian investment made in upgrading the Monkey Forest.  Drink all types of flavored Luwak coffee after getting bitten (didn’t puncture) by a luwak.  Kick back with the resort vacationers at Nusa Dua and Sanur beaches.  Indulge in a private barista tasting experience at Naughty Goat coffee after an intense Vinyasa yoga session at Soulji Studio.

LAOS

• Luang Prabang (1h 10m; $137).  Hike up Phousi Hill, marvel at its temple, and take panoramic photos of Luang Prabang.  Enjoy a romantic dinner at Belle Rive Terrace overlooking the Mekong during sunset.  Be still and present at peaceful temples across the city: Wat Xiengthong, Wat Mahathat, Wat Wisunarat, etc.  Take in the French influence in the bakery, coffee, and charm as you walk throughout the city.  Tour the beauty across the Mekong at Kuang Si Waterfall, Manifa Elephant camp, and Pak Ou Caves.

MALAYSIA

• Georgetown (2h from BKK; $96).  Take a seaside stroll across the Esplanade.  Lost myself in design stores such as Mano Plus.  Take in the beautiful street art across the city.  Hike the 2.5mi Penang Hill Heritage Trail with >2,000 elevation gain.  Forest bathe at The Habitat at Penang Hill.  Chow down the delicious $1.70 wonton mein from a Hawker stall on Chulia street.  Enjoy dim sum in a gorgeous setting at Bao Teck Tea House.  

VIETNAM

• Hanoi (1h 35m; $57).  Walk around the Old Quarter, enjoy an egg coffee, enjoy Banh Mi and Pho (cause neither are great in Thailand) and have a beer on Train Street.  Admire the mummified turtles at Ngoc Son Temple.  Walk around Truc Bach Lake and check out Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple.  Take in panoramic views of the city 65 floors up at Lotte View Point.  
• Sa Pa (5h drive from Hanoi; $16 one way on shuttle).  Take in the architecture and cloud-level views from the highest point of Vietnam at Fansipan.  Hike the Muong Hoa Valley while learning about the Vietnamese Hmong culture with a Hmong tour guide.  Walk around the quaint and European-inspired town.  Get some exercise walking around Sa Pa Lake.  Enjoy a coffee while taking in mountain views from a terrace cafe.
• Ninh Binh (1h 40m; $48 for tour + transport).  Take in the empiric history of Temple Le Dai Hanh.  Dodge some stalactites while kayaking through the Mua Caves.  Hike up 500 steps (including on some dangerous natural rocks) to take a photo with the lying dragon statue at the top.
• Halong Bay (2h 40m drive from Hanoi; $54 for tour + transport + cruise).  Marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites across the huge caverns of the Sung Sot Cave.  Kayak through the Luon caves and take in the serenity of its lagoon.  Titov Island.  Hike up 400 steps at Ti Top Island to take panoramic views of the Halong Bay; afterwards, swim at the small beach.  Take a photo of the famous limestone rocks while holding the 200,000 VND bill (which depicts the same rocks).  Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine and wine with friends made on the cruise tour.
• Da Nang (1h 55m; $99).  Admire the largest Lady Buddha statue in the world.  Hike down to the purgatory depictions of ‘hell’ and up to the panoramic views of ‘heaven’ at the Marble Mountains.  Hang out at a private section of the beach while staying at the Melia Resort and Naman Retreat.  Indulge in six grilled oysters with Vietnamese dressing for $2.75.  Drink a coconut latte at one of the many boutique coffee shops such as Puna or Z! Roastery.  Have a handcrafted cocktail with speakeasy vibes at Craftsman.  Experience a private yoga lesson at Seame Yoga.
• Hoi An (1h drive from Da Nang; $13 in Grab car).  Take a basket boat ride through the water coconut forest while you stand on bamboo, fish for crabs, dance to karaoke, and be shocked by the tour guide’s basket boat dancing skills.  Bicycle through the Hoi An rice fields and towards An Bang Beach.  Indulge in the delicious dumplings at White Rose and the Cau Lau at Miss Ly.  Enjoy a mezcal cocktail (I know – in Vietnam!) at Mezcal Cocteleria.
• Hue (2h drive from Da Nang; $69 for tour + transport).  En route to Hue, found a peaceful moment at serene lagoon area dotted with oyster farms.  Learned about Vietnamese history during a tour of the Imperial Citadel.  Marveled at the tomb of Vietnam’s 12th emperor Khai Dinh.

SINGAPORE

• Singapore (3h; $130).  Take cool evening strolls on Robertson Quay.  Chow down some tasty cheap eats at Tiong Bahru and Zion Riverside hawker centers.  Treat myself to a birthday meal: Chili Crab at the Red House Copthorne.  Take panoramic videos of the city on the Singapore Flyer.  Walk the OCBC Skyway at Gardens by the Bay.  Marvel at the aquatic life at the S.E.A. Aquarium.  Get pre-flight meal and shopping at the Jewel Changi.

Click here to see Part 2: East Asia