Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 165 of 194

Khin Myat Myat Naing: Adventures give me inspiration that makes me who I am

Born and grown from Myanmar, the country with rich cultural, historical and religious heritages, Khin Myat Myat Naing (Chilli) has been fostering an passion to bring the charm and beauty to people all around the world. And she starts her journeys of travelling and blogging.

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About me and my passion for travel

My name is Khin Myat Myat Naing or Chilli from Myanmar. I’ve been blogging since 2008. In 2014 after the sudden boom of mobiles and Facebook in Myanmar, I refreshed my blog with the launch of “Go with Me”, writing reviews of Myanmar restaurants, hotels, beauty salons, bookshops, hospitals and clinics. With the immediate success of Go With Me, I started a new career in digital marketing in 2015. By October 2015, My Khayee Page was established promising to deliver travel inspiration around Myanmar and other Asean countries.

2017 plan

My mission for 2017 is to travel to more than 20 destinations across Myanmar with my backpack. It is really difficult to find out information in Myanmar and I would love to share my experience with all backpackers around the world. It will be the story of a female traveller who travels Myanmar to promote responsible travelling in Myanmar. And for abroad to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Nepal, and Indonesia.

2016 trips

I went to Singapore, Vietnam (Da Nang, Hanoi, Halong Bay), Cambodia, Thailand (Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Bangkok), and went on other local trips.

Travelling style

I am an adventurer and a backpacker. I love off-the-beaten-track, trekking and exploring. Adventures give me inspiration that make me who I am and why I do things differently. I have great motivation to travel knowing that so many people in this world don’t have the opportunities that I have. My adventures put me in challenging situations that make me realise the world is so much bigger than your perspective on it. I also love to learn about history and culture.

Travel luggage

Sunglasses, medicine, sunblock, cosmetics, UV-protector-coat, clothes that are light weight. Flip-flops and sneakers, travel documents

Tech gadget

Go-pro, a must for all backpackers.

Memorable moment

I joined a motorbike off-road tour in Kalaw, which is located in Southern Shan State. You have to agree with me, no matter how much you love your family and friends, there are some moments you get tired and bored with everyday routines. Then you need an escape in the way you never did before. That was the reason I chose the motorbike adventure trip in Kalaw. When you are on a bus or a van, you are confined to a little space, almost like in a cage looking outside.

It is different being on a motorbike, you are right there, in the middle of it all. You become part of the whole picture; you are not only passing by. It was an unforgettable experience. And the Kalaw mountain view made my journey amazing.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips

Abang Fadli bin Abang Alibasah: I prefer places where you can do many activities

The Malaysia-based travel blogger comes from Borneo Island – a rich cultural spot in East Malaysia. His endless trips with joys and experience has inspired the Wanderlust Tips Magazine’s readers in December issue.

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About me and my passion for travel

My name is Abang Fadli bin Abang Alibasah. People usually call me Fadli. I am from Sarawak, East Malaysia located on Borneo Island. Apart of travelling, I run a travel blog called mytravellicious.com. I have 17,000 followers on Instagram (@mytravellicious), 5,000 followers on Facebook (@mytravellicious.com), 6,000 followers on Twitter (@mytravellicious), and 200 subscribers to my YouTube travel channel (mytravellicious).

2017 plans

For the upcoming year 2017, I plan to travel to India, Mongolia, Jordan, Morocco, and Eastern Europe. I plan to travel around India. India is such an adventurous place to visit and has been known as a test to obtain a “world backpacker license”.

When you survive in India, you will survive travelling everywhere in the world. Plus India has amazing sights such as Ladakh, the Taj Mahal and Kerala. I want to go to Mongolia, as it is very unique. Morrocco is rich with architecture. Jordan popular for Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world. Eastern Europe is rich with breathtaking scenery.

2016 trips

I travelled a lot in 2016: Indonesia (Belitung Island, Dieng, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Pontianak), Philippines (Cebu City), Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Koh Samui, Koh Pangan), Vietnam (Hanoi), Taiwan (Taipei), Maldives (Maafushi Island, Hulhumale Island, Male), Iran (Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Kerman), Egypt (Cairo, Dahab, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel) and around Malaysia.

Travelling style

I love adventures and learning about culture. I prefer places where you can do many activities, from riding a camel or horses, jumping from high points, flying through ziplines, snorkelling and many more. I hope I will get my diving licence soon. Usually, when I travel solo, I always do so on a shoestring and am quite flexible with my budget.

As I am from Borneo, a land rich with culture, I really love getting to know and learning about other cultures everywhere I go especially in terms of arts, music and traditional dance.

Travel luggage

I usually bring 2 small pieces of luggage with me when travelling. Both can be brought onto the plane as hand luggage. Usual stuff I bring: a few pieces of clothing, GoPro+accessories, notebook, raincoat, one waterproof folder for documents, a drybag, Vitamin C, contact lenses and sunglasses.

Tech gadget

GoPro Hero4 + Remote Controller + Monopod + Mini Tripod. This combination of four has helped me so much during my solo travelling. I have shot thousands of amazing photos of myself during my journeys without help from others. I just put the GoPro Hero4 stand on my Mini Tripod with the monopod extension and press the remote controller when I am ready to take my photo. Simple as that. And it is very light!

Memorable moment

I was arrested in Iran and held for two hours with three other travellers because we were walking near the president’s residential area (no sign). It was a difficult and confusing situation as the police did not speak English and they held our passports, which would have explained our reason to be there. Our phones were also detained and the photos checked one by one. We were asked to ride in a police car, which was my first time inside one.

And at the police station, we were asked to sign something in Persian, which we did not understand. After everything was settled, we were released and luckily one police officer explained to us what had happen. It happened on my first day in Iran, and I had two more weeks to go. What a welcome!

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips

Tey Cindy: Travel in style

The beautiful Malaysian girl has taken travel as her inspiring lifestyle which gives us motination to pack things up and go, in a charming way.

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About me and my passion for travel

I am Tey Cindy, a travel writer life-stylist and fashion blogger at teycindy.com, a website that takes readers through my wanderlust in search of beauty in everyday life and across the globe. I live to inspire and be inspired!

2017 plans

Mongolia – for its extraordinary landscapes of prairies, deserts and national parks. If you’ve ever seen a photo of Mongolian night skies, you too would be dreaming of staring into the Milky Way until you fall asleep counting stars. Imagine a life coexisting with herds of horses, camels and other animals you didn’t know existed! It is the kind of trip that makes you realise how much of the world is left unearthed while we are trapped in our daily routine.

Morocco – to lose myself in rich colours and textiles everywhere, intricate architecture with fine tile works, exploring cities with names I can’t pronounce (like Chefchaouen, a unique all-blue village) and not to forget: the FOOD. I find Morocco an extremely interesting country, as it is located on the African continent, lush with magical Arabic influence, yet so easy to reach from Portugal.

2016 trips

I did a massive trip coast-to-coast across the United States. It was the No.1 item on my bucket list so it felt like a huge accomplishment to tick it off before I hit the big 3-0. Age might be just a number, but some dreams are to be fulfilled before a certain age.

Other trips fulfilled in 2016: Portugal, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and the Maldives.

Travelling style

Travel to me is an elevated lifestyle. I love dressing fashionably and comfortably while exploring every nook and cranny of a city, snap great photos, learn about a new dish, dance or most importantly: the way of living. I book luxury accommodation on special occasions or when the focus is a ‘staycation’. This helps manage travel funds better.

Travel luggage

For a one-week journey a what’s-in-my-bag looks like this: a pair of jeans and three or more interesting tops to go with them, a jacket, a bikini, light dresses for half the nights I’ll be staying, minimalist accessories, one clutch and a big bag for the road. For the feet: a pair of sneakers, nude heels and flip-flops.

It is always nice to carry along something from home to hold, especially when it is meant to have good intentions. Even though I am not superstitious, I carry a piece of paper-like ‘charm’ my mum got from the temple to protect me in general.

Tech gadget

The iPhone is my favourite because it is such a powerful pocket-sized gadget. It is almost like carrying the world in my hands! I use a travel app called TripIt to build my itinerary, save flights and hotel bookings all in one.

Memorable moment

It was a hot summer day in downtown LA so I sought shelter at Grand Central Terminal. The station was cool as anticipated and surprisingly, filled with music that can only be played by someone who has lived enough to know loss, love and life – the kind that toys with emotions, tugs at heart strings and wrenches it dry only to fill it up again.

Towards the centre left stood an old grand piano welcoming all walks of life. A man sat there dancing his fingers over the keys; his body commanded by his hands, his eyes sealed with grief, his hair a hundred skinny pleats like a gypsy, wearing a printed T-shirt and motif pants; print-on-print.

There was no Mozart or Beethoven. It was just him – all of him. And an audience paralysed by his performance. I kept telling myself “I’ll leave after this tune” but was glued to his medley of masterpieces. A lady walked towards the piano as it carolled a sad, beautiful song and reached it as the mysterious pianist hit his last note and gave him a long embrace. People stopped walking, and you could almost felt hearts skipping a beat. A tear slipped down my cheek.

Who is he? Where did he come from? What was he doing there? Why was he so sad? I never found out the answers.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips

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Alexis Toh Mu Qin: I’ll know I’ve led a fulfilling life

Come from Singapore, the girl has exchange a stable 5-to-9 job in a multinational company to be a wanderer who travel the world with her wholeheart. Let’s look at what she shared on Wanderlust Tips Magazine December issue.

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About me and my passion for travel

I’m Alexis Toh Mu Qin, a food and travel writer and photographer for www.misstamchiak.com from Singapore. I have my own travel blog at www.alexisjetsets.com. I love capturing moments with my camera so when I look back at the memories I will have created thirty or fifty years down the road, I’ll know I’ve lead a very fulfilling life.

2017 plan

I’ll be travelling to Seoul at the end of this year to celebrate a white Christmas and join in their exhilarating yet traditional sunrise countdown parties to welcome 2017. I aim to enrich myself with more Asian cultures in 2017 as I’ve always travelled to European countries and Oceania previously. So, I’ll be venturing nearby to Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Japan. Japan is wonderful in April thanks to their cherry blossoms and spectacular in August, due to the fireworks competition, as well as, in November as they get the freshest sashimi then.

In Vietnam, I want to experience local traditions and street food in Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ho Chi Minh City. Myanmar would be more adventurous for me as I want to explore the unknown mystical caves and hike its diverse landscapes. As for Cambodia and Laos, their historical architecture never fails to amaze me so I want to see it with my own eyes.

2016 trips

This year (2016) held many surprises for me as I visited Bangkok twice, indulged in Peranakan culture in Malacca and Penang, feasted at the World Street Food Congress in Manila and did a 1.5months solo trip to a few parts of Europe including Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen, Bergen and Reykjavik.

Travelling style

My itineraries are planned according to what I feel like doing and who my travel companions are. Bangkok and Taipei are my favourite destinations for shopping and feasting. For relaxing weekend getaways, I find places with beautiful beaches. I’m more adventurous in Europe and love hiking up the highest peaks for panoramic views. I enjoy communicating with locals and staying at AirBnBs to discover more about their lifestyles as they will show me off-the-beaten tracks, which excite me more than touristy spots. To make the best out of my trips, I always allocate time to learn the history, culture and traditions of the destinations I travel to. Learning never stops for me!

Travel Luggage

Toiletries, clothes, medicine, power adapters. In my carry-on bag: camera, cash, laptop, portable charger, passport, phone, and valuables. I always wear a vintage ring I bought from a flea market a couple of years back. It’s a little heart shape with the initial “M” which represents my Chinese name, “MuQin” and it has been bringing me lots of good luck so far!

Tech gadget

I can’t survive without my iPhone 6S as I use the map to navigate, I book Grabcar or taxis with it, I even take pictures when I’m too lazy to carry my DSLR. I can google for places and keep track of my finances using my apps. I also use it to pen down my notes and thoughts; it’s kind of like my travel diary.

Memorable moment

I have a few interesting stories but my most memorable one was during my days as a student in Germany. I made friends with some really nice German girls and one of them invited me to stay over at her house in her hometown, Fulda. What I didn’t know was the surprise she planned for me! It was amazing beyond words when she gave me a ride on her horse carriage. We rode into the forest during sunset with a few other friends around the end of winter so we were all snuggling under thick blankets while popping champagne to welcome the start of spring!

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips

Ngo Tran Hai An: The passion for travel has changed my life

Sharing on Wanderlust Tips December issue, the wellknown travel blogger Ngo Tran Hai An (Quy Coc Tu – Gui Guzi) revealed his love for travel led him to his soulmate.

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About me and my passion for travel

My passion for travel has changed my life and given me many exciting opportunities. It has also led me to my soul mate and ‘partner in crime’. Life is a journey, and the more I travel, the more I realise how small I am, but my confidence grows. I travel to open my heart and learn about empathy.

2017 plan

I hope to return to Northwestern Vietnam in the spring. It’s the time when heaven and earth are in perfect harmony, flowers bloom and the white clouds are endless. I will travel deep into the villages of Ha Giang province.

I also hope to discover Northern Thailand. I’ve had the chance to discover about 44 provinces in Thailand, and in 2017, I want to fill my travel map by visiting the rest of the country in the North.

Of course my plan will include the mysterious and charming Myanmar.I will also visit Dubai thanks to the invitation of a friend, who owns a tourism company in HCMC. And of course, destinations where I can enjoy the season of yelloweyed grasses, the season of sarus crane, the rainy season and the season of sunflowers. I also want to try skydiving and scuba diving.

2016 trips

2016 was the year of travel for me. I discovered the North of Vietnam with fellow travel enthusiasts. I discovered Southern Thailand, New Zealand and France thanks to the kind invitation of different embassies. I also had over ten trips to the Highlands and South Central Vietnam.

Travelling style

Passion has no limit, and I’m a spontaneous guy. However, in 2017, I want to focus on skydiving and scuba diving experiences. I plan to go scuba diving in Malaysia.

Travel Luggage

In addition to the essentials and survival necessities, I also bring photography equipment, and equipment for special trips such as scuba diving or skydiving.

Tech gadget

My Cannon camera (I plan on purchasing a better one), a GoPro, a Mavis Drone. 2017 will be the year of drones for travel enthusiasts.

Memorable moment

My most memorable journey was to France. Since childhood, my mother has fostered my love for French literature and culture, so I have always dreamed of visiting this place.

I visited places that I had only read about: the grave of Chopin, La Fontaire, Alexandre Dumas, La Dame aux Camélias, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

I lived and breathed French culture, and I discovered the snowy mountains with a professional mountaineer. I regret not being able to visit Mont Blanc – the roof of Europe due to unfavourable weather.

The most emotional journey, however, was when I visited the East of Northwestern Vietnam with a few young travel enthusiasts, I learned and gained so much energy from them, and realised there’s new things to learn every day.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Nhi Dang: Travelling help finding material for my work

“I love travelling to find more material for my work, try new things and make friends everywhere”, that is what Nhi Dang shared on Wanderlust Tips December issue.

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About me and my passion for travel

I graduated from the University of Economics with a degree in marketing, but I decided to follow my passion in motion graphic and video editing. I love travelling to find more material for my work, try new things, and make friends everywhere. The more I travel, the bigger my heart grows, and the more I learn about myself.

I used to work hard to earn money to travel, until one day, I asked myself: “How do I combine work with my passion, how do I travel and earn money at the same time?” I travelled everywhere and filmed things that I liked, posted videos on videom and Facebook, and many people contacted me for partnerships and to buy my footage! I’m currently building a video – travel – food blog to share my passion and will hopefully find sponsors for my travels!

2017 plan

I always love to experience savannahs, and I’ve been planning to visit people who lead nomadic lives in Mongolia for a long time. After seeing documentaries on National Geographic about the last tribe that hunts with eagles and reindeer herders in deserted lands.

2016 trips

2016 ended with three exciting journeys: Myanmar in February (this was my second time visiting Bagan, Mandalay, Inle lake, Yangon and Hsipaw); Bangkok, Thailand in May (a culinary trip for our blog Hate to Eat); Ladakh and West India in August.

I am inspired to visit Iceland after seeing the film “The secret life of Walter Mitty”. Iceland seems like heaven on earth with its long silky roads and glaciers contrasting with majestic volcanoes.

Travelling style

I love visiting new and impressive places, both in terms of landscape and culture, rather than beautiful and luxurious places. Taking photos and filming are always the most important, so before each trip I search for photos and information to find the best location and plan my trip.

Travel Luggage

In addition to personal belongings and a first aid kit, passport, cash, VISA card and smartphones are important. Equipment like camera, battery, memory card, two back up hard drives and a tripod are also indispensable for me.

Tech gadget

A camera and an iPhone are must-haves for me on every journey; they help me quickly record every beautiful and spontaneous moment. A smartphone is also useful to find information, get directions, accommodation, dining, shopping, travel tips, and connect with my friends and family through Facebook and email.

Because I’m filming and photographing, I also need a small 11 or 13-inch laptop to store and edit things during the journey.

Memorable moment

The first time I visited Indonesia, upon arriving at the airport, I immediately got on a local bus for a 12-hour journey to visit the Ijen volcano complex. The weather was extremely hot, but an entire day on a bus was exciting. Every time the bus stopped, street vendors got in and started handing things to tourists, and came back around to see if anyone wanted to purchase or return them. They were smiling happily even if you didn’t purchase anything.

Every time the bus stopped, street musicians got in and performed, chasing away the heat on a bus without air-conditioning. I checked in at the hotel at midnight, and only got three hours of sleep because I had to get up early for a hike the next morning. None of us were tired because we were pumped with energy for the trip.

In Myanmar, I was impressed because the people there were so friendly. When we got lost, we would pull up to a small street vendor to ask for directions. We asked one person, but several people came to help, one even drove somewhere and returned with a map to give to us.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Tam Bui: I love telling story with pictures

Being stunned by worldwide landscapes, Tam Bui or Pu Gung Ying loves to tell his journeys by capturing beautiful photos.

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About me and my passion for travel

I love telling stories with pictures. Travelling gives me more photographic material for my stories. I’m a world wanderer who loves to explore every corner of this wonderful world.

2017 plan

2017 promises to be filled with new and exciting adventures. My first trip will be to visit the Holi Festival in India this April. My next destinations will be Egypt in May, Sala De Yuni (Bolivia) in July, Mongolia in September, Loi Krathong festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November. I also hope to finish my second travel book, to be published in early 2018.

2016 trips

2016 ended with four exciting trips for me: exploring the mysterious country of Myanmar, a thrilling journey to Larung Gar (Tibet) and autumn in Northwest China (Guangxi, Yunnan, Beijing). China was also the final destination in 2016 for me to complete my first travel book, to be published in April 2017.

Travelling style

I travel to photograph, so most of my destinations have rich ethnic culture. I want to first explore destinations in Asia like India or China, before exploring other continents like Africa or South America to visit Egypt, Bolivia and Madagascar.

Travel Luggage

I love photography so camera equipment is a necessity; everything else needs to be as light and compact as possible. My luggage usually consists of 3 outfits, my kindle, laptop, smartphone, camera, outlet, bankcard, and passport. I have to go everywhere with my North Face climbing shoes, it is my lucky charm.

Tech gadget

My camera and laptop are must-haves on every trip for me. I also want to use a portable Wi-Fi router on my future journeys to stay connected and upload my photos regularly.

Memorable moment

My most memorable and thrilling experience was my journey to Larung Gar (Tibet) where I was detained at a police station. After spending almost an entire day on the bus, only 30 kilometres away from the destination, my bus was stopped by border patrol, only Chinese nationals could enter, and foreigners were detained at the police station and forced to return home the next morning. I did not give up.

When I was escorted to the nearby hotel to stay for the night, I sneaked out and asked locals to put me in the back of their car and travelled at night to avoid the police. After one hour of waiting anxiously, I reached Larung Gar and got some of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever taken.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Tran Thuong: I want to experience many things and capture every moment on the road

From the manigicent Nothern moutains to the stunning Southern islalnds, Tran Thuong has set his footsteps on many beautiful Vietnamese landscapes as well as legendary spots worldwide. Wanderlust Tips December issue has shared his experience about his unique journeys.

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About me and my passion for travel

My greatest passions are travel and photography. I want to experience many things and capture every moment on the road. Besides taking photos of nature, I love to explore and discover the local lifestyles and cultures at every destination.

2017 plan

I have plenty of plans for the new year: conquer the mountains in the Northwest Vietnam; visit Southern islands like Cu Lao Cau, Phu Quy, Tho Chu; visit seasonal destinations during flower season, harvest season, rainy season; visit Japan during cherry blossoms season; and discover Europe in autumn.

2016 trips

Two of my longest trips this year were my motorcycle road trip around Ladak, India and my journey to Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in China. I also spent a few short trips visiting familiar destinations and had some new experiences in Vietnam.

Travelling style

As a photography enthusiast I love visiting places with beautiful scenery and unique culture. I also love mountain climbing and trekking because it helps me improve my physique and conquer my fears.

Travel Luggage

For a travel enthusiast like myself, luggage is always light because I only bring the necessities. Must-haves for me include my camera and for some trips my drone. If I’m riding of course I need a bandana, a multifunctional scarf, gloves and quick-drying clothes.

Tech gadget

Must-have tech for me is a camera and I want to bring a compact drone on every journey.

Memorable moment

My most memorable trip was a motorbike road trip around Ladakh, India with my friends. We drove over some of the highest mountain passes in the world, covered in thick snow and biting cold, and we saw some of the most magnificent scenery at the foot of the Himalayas. The other memorable moment was when I watched the sunrise at Pango lake on the border between India and Tibet, which gave me an indescribable feeling. Or when my bike fell on a sandy hill. These are unforgettable memories.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Nguyen Hoang Bao: My biggest passion is to discover new destinations

Discovering corners of 70 countries, spanning over 5 continents, Nguyen Hoang Bao, who is known as Foot Steps, has spreading the spirit of travel too all people around him. He has shared his love of travel with readers of Wanderlust Tips December issue.

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About me and my passion for travel

I am currently a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City University, but my biggest passion is to discover new destinations. My ‘fortune’ is the stories I’ve acquired after visiting 70 countries, spanning over 5 continents.

These stories are documented in my book “Doc Hanh” (Lone Travel), my brainchild, conceived after wandering along the Silk Road.

2017 plan

In early 2017, I will take a long trip – from late winter to the end of spring – starting from cold Hokkaido, Japan and ending in Southeast Russia. On this journey I will experience the cold in different regions, riding on a train across the prairie of Siberia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Eastern European countries, and I hope to welcome the spring in Greece.

I am intrigued by train rides across the Eurasian continent, some of the most spectacular train routes in the world, spanning over 9,000 kilometres from Vladivostok to Moscow.

My stops are numerous countries with diverse cultures, religions and rare natural landscapes; this is a three-month journey I cannot resist and it is happening very soon.

2016 trips

In 2016, my enriched my fortune with two long trips. The first was to wild East Africa, home to amazing national parks. The second was to the autonomous region of Xinjiang Uyghur in northwest China, where there are still relics of the first arduous journeys of the traders on the Silk Road.

Travelling style

My passion is exploring new cultures on every journey. In every new place, I learn more about unique cultures that are new to me and that I’ve never seen or heard of before. On these journeys, I collect knowledge that helps me piece together a colourful world.

The world is multidimensional with its many different cultures, religious beliefs, languages and customs, but what everyone has in common is love.

Travel Luggage

My suitcase or backpack is always light, with only necessities like clothing, a first aid kit, survival tools, smartphones, my laptop, a small notebook to log the journey and a tape recorder to help me store every feeling on the road. Travel guidebooks are my companions on every journey, and they have helped me through many problems when I needed them.

Tech gadget

My long trips would not be possible without a smartphone, equipped with a variety of features: Internet connection, a camera, and several travel apps.

Memorable moment when discovering amazing lands

Travelling the Silk Road was a journey that gave me many valuable experiences. Each country made me feel like I was in a different world.

Kuwait is a wealthy country torn between modernity and tradition, between religious practices and modern luxuries; Iran, a land filled with touching stories contrary to the stories you see on the news.

Persian culture is clearly told through the eyes of an Iranian girl in strict religious clothing.

Turkmenistan represents a land unfamiliar to the amateur tourists but is rich in history; or Uzbekistan’s Bukhara citadel, filled with the hallmark of an ancient paradise. I was mesmerised by nomadic festivals held in Song Kul Lake, where snow mountains challenge every visitor.

I experienced haunting roads and met people who have overcome the toughest climate on the divine Pamir road. These stories are never-ending, and my journeys, hopefully, will be never-ending as well.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Rosie Nguyen loves to be embraced in nature

Get inspiration for your next adventure from the passion and 2017 travel plans of a selection of travel bloggers. Nguyen Hoang Nguyen or Rosie Nguyen has been wellknown among Vietnamese. She has share with Wanderlust Tips December issue her plans for 2017 journeys.

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About me and my passion for travel

I’m an author, facebooker, culture and travel blogger, and a yoga teacher. Beside spending time writing and teaching yoga, I love backpacking and wandering to new places, preferably with a book. I’ve been to 20 countries.

2017 plans

2017 will be full of new adventures. I want to explore more countries in South Asia: the Valley of Flowers, a national park in Uttarakhand, India with heavenly scenery, Nepal, home to colourful Kathmandu and the Everest Base Camp, a destination for trekking lovers. I also want to visit Tibet, home of the Dalai Lama, with secluded temples on hillsides and spectacular natural scenery. This place is special for me because I would love to meditate on Mount Kailash, one of the most sacred places of Tantric Buddhism. Tibet is on of the places I must visit before I die, and 2017 is the year I will make this dream come true.

2016 trips

2016 was the year that I was determined to spend more time focusing on my personal projects, but my feet could not stay still. Along with carrying out some personal projects, I did manage to visit quite a few places: I visited Kyoto on a trip sponsored by the Japanese government; I visited Chiang Mai in Thailand thanks to the invitation from the Tourism Authority of Thailand; I went diving in Phuket in Thailand to celebrate my birthday; I visited Jakarta to attend the Asean Blogger Conference.

I realised that I only travel to foreign countries, and have never even seen many places in my own country. 2016 was the year that I visited the most places in Vietnam. In August, I visited Ly Son island to participate in a project for waste management and coastal protection. In September, I participated in “Chuyến Xe Tuổi Trẻ” (Journey of Youth) and travelled across Vietnam to meet, talk to, and inspire youths and encourage them to read. In November, I visited Da Nang and Hue to organise a reading.

Travelling style

I love nature and outdoor activities. Mountains, beaches and forests have a special appeal to me. Therefore, I always choose wild destinations so I can be at one with nature and fulfil my love for mountain climbing, hiking, or scuba diving.

Travel Luggage

I have a habit of keeping my bags light on every trip. With some quick-drying and light yoga clothes and walking shoes, I can conquer the world. A sarong given to me by an Indonesian friend, who bought it on Bali. It’s extremely useful, I can use it as a wrap when I visit temples, use it as a mat to sit on when I’m at the beach, or as a towel when I go swimming, as a yoga mat, or as a scarf when it’s cold.

Tech gadgets

A portable Wi-Fi router, the size of a backup battery, which can automatically connect to mobile networks when you’re aboard, lets you connect to the Internet wherever you are. As a blogger/facebooker, my work depends largely on social media and I need to constantly update my online presence. This device helps me work and connect with my friends and family while I’m moving.

Memorable moment

I’ve been to many places in the world, but the most memorable for me was one in my motherland. It was a 100-kilometer long trekking trip along the Ta Nang – Phan Dung road, known as the most beautiful road for trekking in Vietnam. My companions and I walked in the forests for 5 or 6 days, every day we travelled over 30 kilometres wearing a 20-kilogram backpack.

We didn’t have enough food, didn’t shower for a few days, and even had to drink water sparingly, but we had some wonderful memories too. We slept under the starry sky, embraced the entire universe, collected bamboo by the river to kindle a fire and cook some rice and dried fish, and played games with friends and send our laughter as echoes into forest. The trip allowed me to see that I can achieve things I thought were impossible, and I was so proud to have overcome my own fears of this thrilling experience.

Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips