There are a couple of apps we have used religiously since we have been on our trip that I wanted to share with you.

(iphone case by Monster Rally/Ted Feighan via society6.com)

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Skyscanner

It makes me sad to say it, but Kayak is not at all as good as Skyscanner.  Skyscanner is perfect for us because you can, let’s say, search for flights for prices from “Turkey to Everywhere” to check prices to destinations all over the world.

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Foodspotting

This app has pictures that customers take while they are eating at a certain place place.  It has been great turning us onto local night markets and food stalls.  I love it.

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XE

XE is a currency exchange app that we end up checking almost everywhere we go.

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Instagram

When we first started our trip, wireless was sparse.  I guess in some ways it still is, but through Instagram we can stay connected by just a picture.  I am @serrellio.

So, I think I’ve taken a turn a bit on this trip.  I am yearning for some more meaningful experiences.

(photo via Google Image)

The “backpacker circuit” is wonderful and great, but I am also finding that it does not quite suit me. I think in some ways I am a bit too old to be considered the ideal Lonely Planet backpacker.  At first, the party places and the must-do’s seemed appealing.  However, as time has passed, they are not at all what I am looking for.  While in some ways, I am not even certain what I am looking for, I do know that I am craving more authentic ways to connect with the people in the places I am.  Maybe some retreats, classes and volunteering are in the near future.

In the mean time, I read this article on traveling on NPR and felt inspired.

I would love to hear any suggestions or tips you have on ways to deepen my experience and make it more meaningful. Please feel free to comment below or email me.

There are moments on this trip where I read every second of every minute for days straight – and then at other times, not at all.  There are book exchanges at homestays or small bookstores filled with stories that backpackers left behind.  And so it goes; you end up reading whatever random book calls out to you and is a decent price, aka less than $2.

(photo via Flickr)

I have noticed that the last 3 books I have read all relate to India in some form or another, which is psyching me up to have at go at backpacking through that contradictory country.  I have also noticed that I end up reading books about a place right before going there, only to wish that I still had that book in hand while in the place itself.  Most of the books are fiction and by the time I finish, I am obsessed with the author, and desperately need to know the story of his/her life.

These are my reads so far:

(Don’t hate)

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I would love to hear any recommendations you have for books I should keep an eye out for.

After a plane, two public “buses”, one VIP coach – or pimp mobile (see below), one tuk tuk and one small boat, we have arrived in the most beautiful place I have ever been.

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Railay Beach, though part of mainland Thailand, is only accessible by boat as it is surrounded by limestone cliffs. I couldn’t help but have great expectations as we busted our asses trying to get here. There were times when I mumbled, “this place better be amazing.”  Oh and it is, It so truly and wonderfully is.

There are no cars, and barely any people as it is low season. Plus, the island where they filmed the movie “The Beach” is so close and most tourists go there.  After we found our 7 dollar a night accomodations (it’s rugged) we walked around this place with our jaws dropped.  I kept looking at everyone we passed with an usually unreturned expression of excitement.

(photo via here)

There are cliffs and caves and little paths and hikes to hidden lagoons all over this place.  There are three beaches, one which you have to rock climb or swim to at low tide.  There are caves to swim into and sunsets that will make you cry.  There are a gang of monkeys that stole my Gatorade right out of my hand.

Because of the landscape, people are here mostly here to rock climb.  It makes for a great, laid back atmosphere – and cool people around.

I am having trouble uploading my pictures, so bare with me on the minimual ones that I have included. As always, there is so much more to come.