Relaxing on the 4,000 Islands

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Sunset viewed from Don Det, 4000 Islands

Sunset viewed from Don Det, 4,000 Islands

The 4,000 islands at the southern tip of Laos on the Mekong are known for sucking travelers in and holding them far longer than they’d anticipated. The easy lifestyle, good food, and gorgeous sunsets account for this, as well as the beautiful scenery and friendly locals (both Lao and expat). I spent nearly a week here, enjoying some long walks on Don Det and Don Khon as well as fishing and kayaking trips. There are some impressive waterfalls in the area, too.

The biggest attraction, though, is probably the sunsets. Every night I saw colors that are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, even rivaling Iceland’s summer sky. Grabbing a hammock in front of a bungalow on the sunset side of Don Det, lemonade in hand, was the best part of my day.

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Turkey Roundup

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The Yank without a Chain at Pamukkale in Turkey

The Yank without a Chain at Pamukkale in Turkey

I spent 18 days in Turkey and an average of $50 per day. The hot air balloon ride increased that average pretty significantly, and I also treated myself to a lot of amazing Turkish food! I absolutely loved exploring Cappadocia and kayaking on the Mediterranean. The UNESCO sites of Ephesus and Pamukkale/Hierapolis were also places that I will remember forever.

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Sea Kayaking in Kaş

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Kekova Sound viewed from a kayak

Kekova Sound viewed from a kayak

From Datça I took three buses – a 7-hour total journey – to Kaş, which is famous for its sea kayaking around underwater ruins. Kas is much more built up for tourism than Datca and also a bit more expensive. I camped out yet again, this time at Can Mocamp about 2 km outside the town. There were some incredible restaurants along the seafront and I tried some awesome Turkish ravioli and fish dishes.

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