Apparently we talk about riding motorbikes in Southeast Asia quite a lot. As such, one of our long-time listeners wants to know more. Like are licenses required? How much does it cost to rent a motorbike in Thailand or other countries in SE Asia? And just what is required to rent one of these two-wheeled death traps? We have the answers. Listen in!
Read MoreNo Cuddling On The Train In Vietnam→
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Cuddling is key to a relationship, especially when traveling the world together. You should do it often. Just don’t plan on “doing it” during your 2000 kilometer train ride through the gorgeous mountains of the Vietnamese countryside. Unless you like performing for an audience. #stagefright #exhibitionism
Read MoreTrain-Tripping in Vietnam
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"We filled a two-week gap in our September schedule with a trip to Vietnam. Rather than choose a single location, our friends recommended we take the train from Hanoi down to Ho Chi Minh City, spending time in various cities along the way as we slowly made our way down the North-South Reunification Line."
Read MoreHave You Visited The Tombs Of Vietnam?
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Water lilies in the tomb of Minh Mang in Vietnam were just calling out for a One Minute Memories vieo
Read MoreHapless In Hanoi & Crashing A Polish Wedding→
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What would you pack for a 20-hour trip to Hanoi? No, really. We need to know. Because Evo forgot to pack just about everything. Bonus: How many Polish police officers does it take to clear an accident scene? The punchline is in this week’s episode of The Opportunistic Travelers Podcast.
Read MoreHobos From Hanoi & Bali Biking Boo Boos→
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Nothing says “romantic” like a train ride. Unless, of course, it’s a 33-hour train ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. That’s just nuts. And nothing gets you closer to the locals than requiring immediate medical attention after plowing your motorcycle into a wall in Bali. No, really. World travel is awesome.
Read MoreWe Put The Beer In 4DX & Photographing Mrs. Not-Huh→
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We debated not putting out a show this week, in light of the myriad attacks by Daesh. But we can’t stop bad things from happening, and figure you might welcome a light-hearted break from the bad news. This week, we tell a stories of sneaking beer into a Hong Kong movie theater, and our friends Amber & Eric from Husband In Tow relate the magic of one photo taken in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Read MoreDeath By Motorscooter & All Who Are Hyphenated Are Not Married→
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You can learn a lot about cities around the world by their transportation options. In this episode, you’ll hear why you’ll probably die trying to cross the road in Hanoi, and why taxi drivers in India don’t have any kids. Oh, and we’re in Australia now!
Read MoreQuarter Life Crisis & The BB Clee→
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You know what’s the best part of taking 12 weeks off from podcasting? Coming back. This is the first episode of Season Two of the Opportunistic Traveler’s Podcast!
This episode mixes beer and finance in one unexpected little package, with stories told in Hue, Vietnam and in Hong Kong. It’s just over 14 minutes long, so listen and enjoy!
Read MoreWhy Ant Dens & Bee Hives Make Terrible Travel Destinations
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Describing Da Nang is impossible, as changes from block to block are vast! One neighborhood is very much a traditional Vietnamese village, with people cooking in outdoor kitchens and using sidewalks as their dining rooms. On the next street over there's a 12-story high-rise, with accommodations that wouldn't look out of place in any other modern city around the world. On the beach, there's a huge all-inclusive resorts that shares a border with a small hotel, which in turn shares a border with three or four houses nestled together.
Read MoreThe Fine Line Between Loving Cats And Loving Cat
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So while the photo I took in Da Nang won't sit well with PETA, it's completely acceptable, if not disturbingly accurate, for Vietnam. (And no, I didn't partake.)
Read MoreMaking Heads & Tales of North & South Vietnam
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The picture was taken inside the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City. There isn't anything describing this particular display, but I get the feeling it's left as an example of what not to do. A reminder of the stark differences between the wealthy ruling class in the south and, well... everyone else in Vietnam at the time.
Read MoreThis Coffee Tastes Like Cat Shit
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Before I left The States, I was going in with a bunch of other guys to buy a quantity of Civet coffee. Based on the ungodly price and the distinct possiblity that the coffee would taste like actual cat shit, we figured we’d spread the financial risk across several of us.
Read MoreBoutique Hotels: Why Would You Ever Stay In One?
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Over fifteen days traveling by train through Vietnam, we have spent more time in hotels than the previous eight months. No kidding!
Read MoreThese Are The Things You Cannot Do On The Beach In Nha Trang
/The beaches of Nha Trang, Vietnam, are lovely. But they're a little different from what you're used to, so Vietnam has some helpful rules you should follow so that you and everyone else -- mostly scowling Russians here -- have the best possible time.
No organized catering. Unless, of course, you're the organized caterers setup to rent out the cabanas or bring food and drink situated not more than 20 meters from this sign. Well obviously not them.
No kites. Because everyone knows that it's not the dangerous undertow that will kill you. It's the kites. So don't buy kite from that street vendor set up on the beach. Everyone hates kites.
No stepping on grass or destroying of trees. Sure, you can step on the trees and you can destroy the non-existent grass. But if you reverse those two, you shall be taken out and shot.
No animals grazing. Don't bring your pet worm from Arakkis, the only animal I know of that actually grazes on sand. Or your sand-eating dog.
No indiscriminate defecation. Because the people of Vietnam have put up with your random shitting for far too long.
No ball games. Like frisbee. Which isn't a ball. But still, no ball games. You know what? While we're at it; no games at all. This is a serious beach.
No fire. You don't want the sand or the ocean to catch fire, now do you?
No fishing. Ignore those boats just off shore. They only look like they are fishing.
No hawkers. Also ignore all those hawkers selling everything from books to sunglasses to freshly broiled lobster (totally not kidding). Because no hawkers.
Walking only. Not only are running, skipping, and crawling out; but we're not sure you should swim, either. Just walk. It's safer.
Wear a life vest. Yes. When you walk. It's safer.
Garbage at designated places. Take it with you, then drop it on the nearest street, sidewalk, or gutter. You don't want to put the street-cleaners out of work, right?
Ah, Nha Trang. You were a special place. Do svidaniya!
Riding the Rails in Vietnam - Part 2
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We've been on the rails of Vietnam for the last eight days and mostly don't hate it. In fact, we love the country. It's the train itself and the short-stint in each city that's not working all that well for us
Read MoreVietnam By Train: Initial Thoughts On A 15-Day Journey
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We're only four days into a 15-day journey -- by train -- of Vietnam. It's been an incredible experience which has completely changed how we feel about Vietnam. But considering most of that was set up by Chuck Norris movies and folk rock tunes from the '70s, change that expectation is a good thing!
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