I’m Ashley, your solo travel expert.
I’ll help you plan the trip of a lifetime—with more “wow!” moments and considerably fewer “whoopsies” and “uh-ohs.”
I’ve been traveling since way before Booking.com, Instagram, travel forums, Google Maps, and the internet made it possible to research every last detail from your couch. Back then, you actually had to figure things out as you went—and believe me, I’ve figured out a lot of things the hard way.
Over the years, I’ve learned what’s worth packing, what’s definitely not worth packing, which travel “must-dos” actually live up to the hype, and how a little advance planning can save you time, money, and the occasional meltdown.
Think of me as your well-traveled friend who has already made the mistakes, tested the gear, gotten lost, overpacked, underplanned, and lived to tell the tale.
Start with my Travel Products and Resources page, where I’ve rounded up the gear, gadgets, products, and little travel helpers that make life on the road oh-so-much easier.
Then, stick around the blog for destination inspiration, travel tips, itineraries, lessons learned, and plenty of stories from my adventures.
Have a question? Ask away. If I don’t know the answer, I probably know someone who does—or I’ll figure it out!
84 Countries
6 Continents
Latest Posts
Cameron Highlands – Enjoy Tea and Strawberries Fields
Cameron Highlands, a fabulous oasis boasting lush, tea plantations, and strawberry fields, is a respite respite. Enjoy cooler nights and Indo-Malay food.
Taman Negara, Malaysia — Trekking through history
Malaysia’s Taman Negara jungle is nature in it’s purest form. Arrive by the “Jungle Train,” and enjoy hiking, canopy walks, parrots, monkeys, and jungle life.
Perhentian Islands – SCUBA diving Perhentian Kecil
Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands thrive with beach dwellers and water lovers. Kecil’s incredible reefs and beaches offer prime SCUBA diving and relaxation time.
Railay Beach Rock Climbing
Loving Railay Beach Rock Climbing - I'm officially hooked. Rock climbing is my new passion. There is something incredibly exhilarating about clinging to a rocky pinnacle while balancing on a ¼ inch toehold 20 meters above ground. Our few days (much too short) on...
Koh Phi Phi: Hippies Bar and “The Beach”
Hippies Bar - In the early twilight hours (and after much needed naps and showers following our work on Ko Phi Phi's Chilli House), several of us reconvened at Hippie’s, a quaint little bar on the shores of Phi Phi island. There, we spent many hours watching the moon...
Ko Phi Phi – Volunteering for Tsunami Relief
Previous to the tsunami, the Phi Phi Islands chain, part of the Haad Nopparattara Mo National Park, was a pristine paradise and one of the most expensive hot spots in the Andaman Sea. After the events from December 2004, 850 bodies were recovered and a suggested 1,300...
Phuket and Patong Beach: Touristy, yet Beautiful
After leaving the lush beaches of Ko Tao, our next stop on our southern journey through Thailand was Phuket. Although the west coast is visited far less frequently during the summer months, we decided to brave the rain and head cross-country to more sparkling white...
Scuba Diving in Ko Tao, Thailand
Magnificent Ko Tao They say that time flies when you are having fun, and these past few weeks have passed in a colorful blur of sparkling blue waters, dizzying views of underwater paradise, and endless, pure white beaches. Ko Tao was my next destination and I was...
Ubon, Thailand border crossing
After Pii Mai Lao - Following the Laos New Year celebration, it was very hard to wake up the next morning. We had to catch a bus back to the border in order to make a quick trip through Bangkok and down to the islands. The next 30 hours were perhaps the longest I've...
Exploring Vang Vieng, Laos
Exploring Vang Vieng, Laos, was like uncovering a little Eden. Swimming in turquoise ponds, crawling in hushed caves and experiencing the countryside few travelers get to see.














