Travelling Tabby (2025)

16/08/2025

Stop 31: Northern Thailand! 🇹🇭🐘

After taking the (very) slow boat from Laos, I was back in Thailand for another few weeks!

This visit focused on the northern half of the country, specifically around Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.

First up was Chiang Rai! This small city is home to some incredible temples, though I only had time to visit a couple.

The first was Wat Rong Suea Ten, aka the Blue Temple. The name comes from Tigers that once roamed the area, though the closest I saw was a sneaky orange Cat! 🐅😸

The temple itself was beautiful, but the real highlight of Chiang Rai was Wat Rong Khun, aka the White Temple. And wow… this place was absolutely stunning. 🤩

I can’t imagine any other temple in the world being more impressive. The amount of detail and design in it was mind-blowing!

From there, I travelled down to Chiang Mai, where I didn’t do a whole lot. My main reason for coming here was an overnight stay at the nearby Elephant Nature Park. 🐘

This place is considered the gold standard for ethical Elephant sanctuaries. All the Elephants are rescued, there’s no riding or bathing allowed, and any feeding or touching is kept minimal, only done with older Elephants who are very comfortable with it.

The overnight stay allowed me to have more intimate interactions with the Elephants. I got to feed a few of them, and was even chased by one after daring to carry the snack bag away! 🏃🤣

And it wasn’t just Elephants! The sanctuary rescues tons of other animals, including Cats. I was over the moon to discover they had a whole ‘Cat Kingdom’… so when I wasn’t with the Elephants, I could spend time playing with the Cats! 😻

The whole experience was incredible, and maybe the highlight of my entire time in Asia so far. 🐘🐈

From there, it was back down to Bangkok, where I spent a week lazily exploring some more of the city.

By the end of the week, Bangkok had grown on me a lot! Maybe it wasn’t as overwhelming as I first thought. I’ll definitely be back someday, hopefully combined with a second visit to the Elephant Nature Park! 🇹🇭🐘

30/06/2025

Stop 30: Laos! 🇱🇦🌄

A short flight from Hanoi brought me to country number 24 of the trip - Laos!

I had just over a week to explore, with plans to split the time between Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang.

First up was Vientiane, where I checked into a hostel and immediately became friends with the 10 or so resident cats! 😻

The scorching heat (and the cats) made it tough to leave the hostel, but I still managed to get out and see some of the city’s highlights, including the Victory Monument, the golden Pha That Luang temple, and the COPE Visitor Centre, which was both horrifying and inspiring. 🛕

Next up was Vang Vieng, the adventure capital of Laos! I tried a few new things here...

First, rock climbing! It was fun, but not something you can just do on a whim. After a couple of climbs, my hands and arms were aching! 😫

Second was hiking up a mountain to sit on a motorbike and watch the sunset. I guess everyone has done that at some point! 🏍️

And the big one, a hot air balloon ride! Apparently Vang Vieng is home to the ‘world’s cheapest hot air balloon ride’, so how could I say no?!

I did wonder how safe it would be, but I’m glad I went for it. It was a brilliant experience, and the views were breathtaking! 🤩

My final stop in Laos was Luang Prabang. While not as exciting as Vang Vieng, I was able to see a couple of beautiful sunsets, and visit the nearby Kuang Si Waterfalls. They were stunning, and even got a thumbs up from my ‘waterfalls are all the same’ self. 🤭

From here I wanted to head back to Thailand. But rather than take a flight or a bus, my genius self decided to spend two days travelling there via the Mekong river on a ‘slow boat’.

It sounded like an adventure, at first, but in reality it was just sitting on a small boat for two days, sailing down the river, wishing time would go faster. 🚣😴

All in all, Laos left a lasting impression! Small, yet bursting with incredible things to see and do. The kind of place you can visit for a week or two and have some unforgettable experiences, in a budget-friendly way! 😅

20/06/2025

Stop 29: Central Vietnam! 🇻🇳🐲

After exploring the south and the north, it was time to check out central Vietnam!

First up was Da Nang, where I got to see the fire-breathing Dragon Bridge!! 🐲🔥

I didn’t think bridges could get any cooler than that… but nearby Ba Na Hills came close, with its ‘Golden Bridge’ held up by two massive stone hands! 🙌

The whole Ba Na Hills experience was surreal though. A cable car ride through the clouds dropped me into what felt like a fantasy land. Part amusement park, part dreamscape, and a Vietnamese take on what fairytale Europe would look like!

While in Da Nang, I also visited nearby Hoi An. The bridges there weren’t quite as grand, but the old town was lovely, especially at night with all the lantern boats floating down the river.

Next up was Hue, the former capital of Vietnam. While not quite as exciting as the other places I visited, it did have its own charm.

Though what stood out most was the warmth of the people there, and the festive atmosphere during Lunar New Year (Tet)! Being the Year of the Dragon, there were incredible Dragon displays everywhere! 🐉🎇

Plus, I got to hand out lots of lucky money packets, which was fun. ☺️

From Hue, I made my way to Ninh Binh, arguably the most beautiful place I visited in all of Vietnam. I had a few days there to paddle down some rivers, do some hiking, and just take in the beauty of it all.

From there it was back to Hanoi, and time to say goodbye to Vietnam after an incredible few weeks.

Honestly, Vietnam might be the most well-rounded country I’ve ever visited. For this kind of trip, it’s perfect. Affordable, safe, scenic, full of kind people, and packed with amazing food / drink. I’m sure I’ll be back someday! ☺️🇻🇳

11/06/2025

Stop 28: Northern Vietnam! 🇻🇳🏍️

The original plan was to travel through Vietnam by train, working my way slowly from south to north. But when the chance came to reunite with my old G-Adventures group in the north of the country, I couldn’t say no!

So, one short flight later, I found myself linking up with old friends to visit possibly the most iconic spot in Vietnam… Ha Long Bay! 😁

While it was a beautiful place, the grey skies and chilly weather did take away from the magical expectations we had. Still, it was a nice visit, and great to cross it off my bucket list!

From there, it was over to Hanoi, the country’s busy capital. Here we had some more incredible street food, drank an unhealthy amount of coffee, and even visited the very snazzy Train Street! 🚆

After that, the plan was to head back south and pick up where I left off. But, one of my friends convinced me to join her on the Ha Giang Loop… a three-day trip around the winding mountains of Northern Vietnam, on the back of a motorbike. 🫣

It was a bit nerve-wracking at first, with twisty roads, steep cliffs, and bumpy seats! But soon enough I got into the swing of it, and ended up absolutely loving the experience. The landscapes were stunning, it was a ton of fun, and as it turns out, Northern Vietnam has the cutest cats around! 😻

Having survived the loop, I’d next head back south to pick up where I left off in central Vietnam! 🐲

08/06/2025

Stop 27: Southern Vietnam! 🇻🇳🛵

After an… eventful border crossing, it was time to dive into Vietnam! 🇻🇳

I’d be in the country for a few weeks, and there was a lot to see!

Starting in the south, the first leg took me to busy Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), followed by a relaxing stay in coastal Nha Trang.

In Saigon, the focus was on trying local delicacies, and re-thinking everything I knew about crossing the road. Forget waiting, and looking both ways… it was all about praying, and ‘just keep walking’… 🛵🛵🛵🫣

The history of the city was really interesting though. My highlight was the War Remnants Museum, where exhibits were heavy, especially the one on Agent Orange. 😔

We also visited the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels, where I got to crawl through some of the old tunnels, and even managed to fit into one of the tiny hidden holes! 🕳️

But just walking through that jungle, sweating in the heat, seeing the traps, listening to the gunfire from the shooting range, and reflecting back to the museum, I could only think that if there was ever a time of ‘hell on earth’, it was during that war.

After saying goodbye to my G-Adventures friends and checking out of my funky space capsule hostel, I hopped on a loooong train ride to Nha Trang! 🚂

This stop was mostly about recharging, and planning my next steps in Vietnam. I didn’t explore much, but I did book myself a fancy 4-star hotel room with a sea view balcony, for just £20 a night. Where else can you do that?! 😅

The next stretch through Vietnam would be more exciting, but the rest was well needed. And aside from the chaos of the roads, my first impressions of the country were very, very good!

04/06/2025

Stop 26: Cambodia! 🇰🇭🌅

With Angkor Wat ticked off, it was time to see some more of Cambodia! We had about a week in the country, split between Phnom Penh, Koh Rong, and a small village called Chambok.

The journey to Phnom Penh kicked off with a stop at a roadside ‘spider market,’ where they sell, and sometimes eat, Tarantulas. 🕷️😬

While I was up for holding the little guy, eating it was a pass. Plus, I had to stay on high alert, as apparently the local kids sometimes sneak up on tourists and put a spider on them, then ask for money to take it off! 😂

Phnom Penh was fun though. We did a sunset cruise along the river, had an… eventful night at a drag bar, and even met Wonky, my favourite little furry friend I’ve met on this trip so far! 😻

But alongside the fun, we also explored some of Cambodia’s dark, yet recent history. Between 1975 and 1979, during the Khmer Rouge regime, around two million people were killed across the country, in a genocide targeting intellectuals, professionals, and anyone linked to the former government.

In Choeung Ek we visited one of the many ‘killing fields’ used, and the brutality of it all was hard to comprehend. It was a rough place to visit…

After Phnom Penh, we caught a boat to Koh Rong, one of Cambodia’s many islands. Our days here were spent sipping on cheap cocktails, snorkelling, and fully embracing the island life! 🏝️

Then it was back to the mainland and off to Chambok for a homestay experience, which was basically five of us crammed onto mattresses in a family’s attic. It was… something. 😅

The next day we rode out on the back of a ‘long tractor,’ past random villages and curious cows, to see Cambodia’s version of the Grand Canyon.

After that, it was time to move on to Vietnam, and leave Cambodia behind. While Angkor Wat might be the main draw, the country offers so much more outside of it, and it really is such a brilliant place to travel around. 🇰🇭

01/06/2025

Stop 25: Angkor Wat! 🇰🇭🛕

Leaving Bangkok, we crossed the border into Cambodia, and soon found ourselves in Siem Reap.

While the city had its own charm, the real purpose of our visit awaited us on the outskirts of the city: the world-famous Angkor Wat!

The largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat is a gigantic Hindu-Buddhist temple complex found just outside of Siem Reap. It is the highlight of any visit to Cambodia, and of such importance, that it is even featured on the national flag! 🇰🇭

I was excited to see it… although a little less excited about the 4am wake-up call. 😭

It was worth it though. Watching the sun rise over the temple was breathtaking, and the moment definitely etched itself into my brain as a core life memory.

After that, we spent half a day there, exploring different parts of the complex. We climbed the steep stairs to the top of the main temple, visited some of the filming spots from ‘Tomb Raider’, and even saw some mischievous monkeys! 🙉

This isn’t classed as one of the seven wonders of the world, but it came close to being on the list… and for good reason.

Back in Siem Reap, we didn’t do a huge amount, but we did have a fun little night out, which included a lot of beer pong, and trying to convince the DJ to play Taylor Swift! (Got there eventually 😄🕺)

While this was likely to be the highlight of our time in Cambodia, there was still a lot more to see in the week ahead! 🌅

28/05/2025

Stop 24: Bangkok! 🇹🇭🌇

After leaving South America, I visited friends in the USA for a couple of weeks, and then went back to Scotland for Christmas. 🎄

It was great being home again, but with the new year came a new chapter of the trip, and before long, I was flying off again.

Leaving from Edinburgh, I passed through Doha and eventually landed in Bangkok, Thailand! 🇹🇭

Walking around here was a full-on assault on the senses, especially after coming from a chilly 0c (32f) in Scotland to a scorching 34c (93f) in Bangkok. It was all overwhelming at first! 🫨

But as I adjusted to the heat and embraced the chaos, I started to really enjoy the city.

I saw some futuristic malls, parks inhabited by giant lizards, mouthwatering (and sometimes terrifying) street food, an exciting Muay Thai boxing event, and of course, all the golden temples scattered across the city!

It was a beautiful and mesmerising city. Oh, and the 7-Elevens!! What dreams are made of. 😍

When I first arrived, I didn’t think I’d want to stay long. But the more I explored, the more the city grew on me. It is an incredible place, packed full of contrasts and life. Despite the heat and chaos of it all, I definitely want to return someday!

But after five days, I met up with another G-Adventures tour group, and set off towards Cambodia! 🚌🇰🇭

25/05/2025

Stop 23: Patagonia! 🇦🇷🏔️

Leaving Ushuaia behind, I had one final stop in South America before wrapping it all up… Patagonia!

I’d be spending about a week here, splitting my time between El Calafate and El Chaltén.

In El Calafate, my first couple of days involved walks around the nature reserve, and trying to upload all my Antarctica pictures! 😂

The highlight, though, came on day three… Perito Moreno Glacier!

Often called the 8th Natural Wonder of the World, this massive glacier is probably the most beautiful on the planet. It was incredible to see, although a little painful too. I’d forgotten my sunglasses, and it felt like I was staring directly at the brightest thing on Earth. 😵‍💫

Leaving El Calafate, a few hours on a bus took me to El Chaltén, a smaller town used as a base for hiking. While I’m not a big hiker, I’m happy to endure a bit of pain for the promise of a nice view at the end!

On my first day, I opted for a short hike to a nearby viewpoint. But on day two, I went for the big one: Laguna de Los Tres!

That turned out to be a 16-mile hike, taking over 10 hours to complete. Despite the amazing views, it was one of the only times I’d finished a hike and questioned if it was worth it.

To say I was exhausted would be an understatement. 😩

I didn’t have time to rest though, because the next morning I was off horse riding! 🐴

I’m not much of a rider either, but in certain places, like Patagonia, it just feels like something you have to do. And it was fantastic!

We were out for about four hours, going through valleys and forests. It was a bit uncomfortable, especially with the rain and my body still aching from the hike, but worth it!

After that, it was back to El Calafate, where I treated myself to a private hostel room (my first private room in over a month) and got ready to fly back to the USA.

What an incredible couple of months those were. Not without a few struggles, of course, but overall, South America was such a beautiful and exciting continent to travel across. 🌎

14/04/2025

Stop 22: Antarctica! 🇦🇶🌨️ (4/5)

After a night of sailing across the Bransfield Strait, we arrived at the South Shetland Islands!

This was our last day on the continent, so the focus was simply to take in as much of this amazing place as we could.

With a promising weather forecast, the plan was for two landings: first at Whalers Bay on Deception Island, and later at Half Moon Island.

Unfortunately, we awoke to find that Deception Island had indeed deceived us, and the weather turned out to be quite nasty. 🌨️🥶

Not the ideal start to our final day, but the expedition team was determined to make our planned landing happen, and it did! 😁

So off we went on the zodiacs, heading toward Whalers Bay. Once we reached the shore, we were greeted by some curious Gentoo Penguins who looked very concerned that we were venturing out in such wild, Antarcticy weather. 🐧😅

The bay has a rich history, once a whaling station, then a British research base. Many remnants of those times are still standing, including old tankers, a hangar, and even one of the few cemeteries in Antarctica.

After wandering around in the blizzard-like conditions for a while, we headed back to the ship and set course for Half Moon Island. The journey there was beautiful, but the weather kept worsening, and in the end, we were only be able to see the island from the ship. ☹️

It was a disappointing end to the trip, but considering all the luck we’d had up to that point, I could hardly complain!

We wrapped up our Antarctic journey with a group photo at the rear of the ship, with Edinburgh Hill providing a dramatic backdrop. Soon after, we set sail one last time, retracing our route back to Argentina.

It was sad to leave Antarctica behind, but I didn’t want to dwell on it too much.

We still had a couple of days of the expedition left, and even though they’d just be sea days, I’d met some really lovely people onboard and wanted to enjoy the final days with them! ☺️

11/04/2025

Stop 22: Antarctica! 🇦🇶🐳 (3/5)

Two days down, two to go! The plan for today was a zodiac cruise at Charlotte Bay, followed by a landing at Portal Point.

I was starting to feel a little tired of the zodiac cruises by this point… but little did I know, today’s would end up being the best of the entire trip!

Shortly after setting off on our zodiacs, we came across a couple of Crabeater Seals! 🦭🦭

Why they have that name, I don’t know. They don’t even eat crabs. But what I do know, is that they’re adorable!!

We had to say goodbye to them quite swiftly though, because… whales!!

My biggest wish on this trip was to see whales up close from the zodiacs, and it was finally happening!

Two Humpback Whales were slowly gliding along the surface, and we got to watch them for about 15 minutes. It was so amazing to see them just… exist.

So where do you go after that?! Well, rumour on the water was that there were some penguins handing out hot chocolate, so naturally, we had to investigate. And… there were! 😂🐧🐧

As if that wasn’t enough, we then ramped our zodiac onto a slab of Antarctic sea ice and got to walk around on it. 🤯

We eventually plopped off the ice and made our way back to the ship.

After a bit of rest, it was time for the Portal Point landing, although a different adventure awaited me. I’d been on the waiting list for a day paddling excursion, and my name was finally called!

It was my first time kayaking, but thankfully my partner had experience, so we managed to stay afloat. 😅

It was snowing, and at one point, some penguins even swam right past us as we paddled through the ice. It was beautiful, and maybe the most ‘Antarcticy’ moment of the whole trip! 🐧❄️

Thankfully, we still managed to squeeze in a little of the landing at Portal Point too. It was nice to set foot on land again, even just for a bit.

I still can’t decide if this day or the first day was my favourite, but either way, they’ll both go down as some of the most memorable days of my life. 🐧🦭🐳🛶🇦🇶

01/04/2025

Stop 22: Antarctica! 🇦🇶 🦭 (2/5)

After an amazing first day on the Antarctic Peninsula, we woke up on day two eager to get back out and explore more of this magical place!

One of the risks of visiting in November is the chance of bad weather, so I was a bit shocked to wake up and see perfect blue skies!

You wouldn’t get weather this nice in Scotland in November! 😂

The plan for today was a landing at Cuverville Island, and then a zodiac cruise at Orne Harbour. But due to deep snow, the landing was swapped out for another zodiac cruise instead.

They’re still great, but I preferred the landings.

That said, the Cuverville cruise turned out to be fantastic, especially with the stunning weather. We saw loads of Gentoo Penguins, in and out of the water, and had our first seal sightings of the trip too! 🦭

These included a Weddell Seal, and (I think) a Leopard Seal (the ones that eat penguins… boooo).

The blue skies and calm waters created some beautiful reflections of the icebergs and mountains in the water, making the outing all that more special.

Later in the day, we set off on our second cruise, this time around Orne Harbour. No seals this time, but we were treated to a lively bunch of Chinstrap Penguins! 🐧

I’m not sure why they have the chin strap, but it makes them look very fancy! 😅

Penguin coloration in general is surprisingly clever though. I never really thought about it, but their black and white pattern is actually camouflage.

When swimming, they appear white to predators beneath them, blending with the sky. And from above, their black colouring matches the deep water below.

After admiring them for a while, and sailing around some icebergs, we headed back to the ship for the day.

Turned out we had a little treat to look forward to at dinner that night… an outdoor BBQ! 🍖

It was a really cool experience, literally, and to mark the occasion, I ordered a Frozen Margarita. 🍸😅

My only complaint was that they didn’t serve any ice cream for dessert. It was the perfect time for it! ❄️🍦

Travelling Tabby

16/08/2025

30/06/2025

20/06/2025

11/06/2025

08/06/2025

04/06/2025

01/06/2025

28/05/2025

25/05/2025

14/04/2025

11/04/2025

01/04/2025

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