As a post-graduation treat, I embarked on a two month long trip through Asia. With only the belongings that could fit in a backpack, my friends and I trekked through South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos. We explored the countries’ unique natural wonders, cities and infrastructure, and most importantly, the FOOD!
South Korea
10 days in Seoul
First stop - Seoul! 13 of my friends packed into a teeny air bnb, sharing stories of where we had been over the past month since we had all gotten our degrees together. One memorable day we hiked up Bukhansan to get an expansive and breathtaking view of Seoul stretched out before us. When we made it back down, we sat ourselves in the nearest eatery and pointed randomly at the menu to order. The dish that came out was sizzling, perfectly searing the mushrooms and thin slices of meat in perfect hot pot style. We ate ravenously, our lips and tongues turning red to match the spices from the broth. We explored somewhere new everyday, eventually making it down to Busan (on a train, yes it was spooky and surreal), to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and through multiple meandering turns of the Cheonggyecheon river. Traveling with so many friends required flexibility, patience, and communication but we were so grateful for the endless card games, laughs, and any Korean barbeque restaurant that would seat all of us together.
Phillipines
10 days in Moalboal and Panglao
Next stop was the Philippines, trading skyscrapers and huge roadways for beaches and motorbikes on dirt roads. The change of pace was greatly appreciated, and we spent many days relaxing and taking in the slower tempo of life. The people were incredibly friendly and outgoing, as I luckily discovered on my first night there. I landed around 7pm at the Manila airport and got in a taxi headed to my hostel. Upon arrival at the hostel address, I saw no signs of life. I wandered around on the street, double checking the map before calling the hostel number. Eventually a gate opened and I was called inside, led up several flights of stairs, and out onto a rooftop lounge area lit by string lights, where a few people leisurely stretched out on porch furniture amidst walls filled with murals. The woman who had led me in introduced herself as the owner, and we established that my reservation had somehow not gone through their system. She laughed off my apologies at the mishap, asking instead if I had eaten dinner. Not 30 minutes later, I had a steaming home-cooked meal in front of me. The rice, tofu, and lentils were amazingly comforting and I eventually sunk into a much needed sleep.
A few days later I climbed Mt. Batulao against the threat of an incoming storm. Passing through a small village full to the brim with chickens and dogs, I was greeted by the locals selling bottled water and hiking snacks, wishing me a good hike. Even before starting the climb, I was drenched in sweat. Despite the rumble of thunder in the distance and a cool breeze announcing the afternoon rain, it was an incredibly peaceful and beautiful hike.
Adventures on the Cebu and Bohol Islands were full of beautiful beaches, ice blue water rushing through canyons, and new wildlife. The sunsets dripped and sprayed deep hues of red and gold across the sky, sunlight playing with clouds and the floating boats to form shadows and shifting shapes on the water’s surface. We found the most fantastic live music venue - Guitar Woodhouse The entire restaurant was shaped like a guitar, with a beautiful outdoor seating area where the soft sounds of the musicians floated around and up into the sky around us. The food and mango shakes were delicious, but best of all, the restaurant’s dogs had recently had a litter of puppies and there were 10 chunky little muffins running around all night.
Vietnam
10 days in Han Noi, Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa, and Hue
Leaving the Philippines for Vietnam was bittersweet, but discovering Hanoi’s specialties — egg coffee and coconut coffee — quickly lifted my spirits. We gorged ourselves on bún chả and phở, the noodles providing much-needed fuel for our explorations around the city. Every hour or so, we’d stop for coffee just to escape the sweltering heat. Though bustling, Hanoi’s streets were lined with massive trees, and occasionally, we’d stumble upon a quiet, deserted road that looked like something out of a storybook. We ate bánh mì on Train Street, waiting for the huge engine to whistle past, so close it could have clipped your nose if you weren’t careful.
After only a few highly caffeinated days, we boarded a bus to Ha Long, preparing for our boat cruise into Ha Long Bay. The towering rock formations rose out of the horizon, seemingly defying gravity as they balanced on narrow bases and soared skyward, covered in blankets of lush greenery. We kayaked through these formations, paddling into stone caves to discover secluded oases, where the water was alive with jellyfish and monkeys clambered on nearby islands. From Ha Long, we took another bus to Sa Pa, a mountain town where the cooler temperatures were a blissful relief. We hiked through stunning rice paddies, already drenched by the chilled rain but taking the chance to plunge into a huge waterfall anyway.
A few days later, I embarked on a multi-day trek of bus rides to reach Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Vietnam’s buses are both a blessing and a curse: while there’s no better way to see the country than a 24-hour bus ride, the lack of charging ports and Wi-Fi, people packed into every inch, unbearable heat, and the lingering smell of urine were far from ideal. Every six hours or so, we’d stop at rest stations for preset meals. I was alone for this part of the journey and was the only English speaker on the bus. Each meal, I was ushered to the children's table where I was the subject of much amusement and giggling. The kids used their hands to teach me on how to eat the salted fish, rice, meat stews, and various vegetables. I never knew exactly what I was eating, but I eagerly tried everything. By the end of my time in Vietnam, I had completely fallen in love with the country and can’t wait to return.
Laos
5 days in Vangvieng
By this point in the trip, a decent amount of travel fatigue and sickness had set in. I was still loving every moment where I got to discover a new food or landscape, but I was definitely tired. We recouped with low-effort plans, tinkering around on motorbikes to explore nearby creeks and viewpoints in Luang Prabang. We watched the hot air balloons and hang gliders float gracefully against a backdrop of the karsts of central Laos. Eating mango sticky rice and delicious, warmth-filled curries, we rested and enjoyed our quiet existence in the tiny tourist town. Illness can only be ignored for so long however, and I did make my way back to the United States with a rampant kidney infection. The end of my trip was opportune in that regard, and I was happy to be back where I could safely get better. Overall, this was the trip of a lifetime and I would jump at any chance to return to these remarkably unique and ever-surprising countries.