Author Archives: the Tattooed Traveler

I’ve had a mild obsession with Seattle since high school, when “grunge” exploded and music once again meant something. It was such a short-lived period; it burned bright, but burnt out quickly. Many times I’ve daydreamed about packing up my … Continue reading →

As one might expect, it was raining when our plane touched down in Vancouver. However, summer is the dry season in the Pacific Northwest, and by that afternoon the rain had dried, the sky had cleared, and the long term … Continue reading →

Few places remain culturally and politically relevant for thousands of years; empires rise and fall, cultural and political centers shift. Istanbul, however, has stood the test of time. From its origins as Constantinople, capital of both the Roman and Ottoman … Continue reading →

“Something for everyone” is such a tired cliché; it usually means an excess of boring, bland activities. That’s not the case with Iceland; it’s only as boring and bland as you are. Outdoor adventures, thermal spas, great food and nightlife … Continue reading →

I’m perfectly willing to admit that I hadn’t even heard of Macau until my companion said she wanted to take a day trip there from Hong Kong. For those of you as uninformed as me, here’s some background information. Macau … Continue reading →

It’s interesting how the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong is so very different from that of Bangkok. The best way to explain it is that the crowds of people in Hong Kong ignore you rather than continuously solicit you. … Continue reading →

It’s not an exaggeration to say Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world. Unfortunately, summer is the rainy season, but there was no way we were going to travel half way around the world to Thailand and … Continue reading →

In August 2011, readers of Travel +Leisure magazine voted Bangkok the best city in the entire world! I read this just after returning from Bangkok and thought: Did I miss something? Don’t get me wrong, Bangkok has a lot to … Continue reading →

As a kid, I never imagined I’d ever go to Vietnam. To me, it was just a place the army had sent my dad during the war. I was born a little after the war ended, and all I knew … Continue reading →

In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles established Singapore as an indispensable trading port for the British East India Company. Within five years, the British were in complete control of the island. Singapore became a seedy port town filled with sailors … Continue reading →