by Lindsay Shapka in Culture, People
I have found that one of the best sources of advice and inspiration on writing comes from other writers.
We all approach our work in different ways — keep in mind that there is no right way — and sometimes we need to be shaken out of our comfort zones. This can be attained by things like reading each other's work, conversation, or attending lectures.
Read Moreby Lindsay Shapka in Culture, People, Travel
I had to blink a few times when I half stepped, half tumbled out of the van that my bag and I had been crammed in the back of for almost five hours.
We had left Hanoi extremely early and I had slept for most of the 170-kilometer drive, making the people that were piling out of the van behind me still complete strangers.
Like lemurs, we followed our tour guide to a long wooden dock and onto a creaky boat which would be our home for the night.
After dropping my bag in my room and splashing some cold water on my face, I headed up to the main deck to make some new friends.
I was surprised to discover that in the fifteen minutes I had been in my room, we had pulled out of the dock and were already surrounded by the majestic, tree-covered limestone cliffs, rising mysteriously out of Halong Bay.
Considered to be one of the Natural Wonders of the World, Halong Bay consists of thousands of islands that rise out of the water in the Gulf of Tonkin on the east coast of Vietnam.
The name of the bay — Halong — literally means ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’, which comes from a local legend that explains how the awe-inspiring islands were created. According to this legend, one day a great dragon came down from the mountains. As it charged towards the coast, it’s flailing tail gouged out valleys and crevasses. When the dragon finally plunged into the sea, the areas that it had gouged out filled with water, creating the bay.
In reality, the islands are the peaks of a vast underwater mountain range that are dotted with beaches, grottos, and forested slopes filled with birds.
Visitors from all over the world come year round to visit this UNESCO world heritage site that boasts amazing coral reefs, mangrove forests and small freshwater lakes. They come to take boat cruises, explore the massive limestone caves, and kayak in the emerald waters.
Halong City is the gateway to Halong Bay, and where you will find information offices and the boat dock where tours begin from. If you are visiting the bay on your own, you will need to purchase an entry ticket at an information office. This entry ticket is usually included in the price of your tour if you are going that direction instead.
If you have the time, you definitely want to take an overnight tour. There is nothing like sleeping in a boat floating on the calm water in between the giant cliffs of the bay. It's breathtaking.
There are a bunch of different boat operators. The easiest way to book is through your hotel or hostel, or you can check out one of these tours that are recommended by Lonely Planet:
While floating silently through the bay, the sun staining the sky pink, the wind and waves gently rocking the boat, it was easy to understand why these stunning rocky islands are often referred to as nature’s sculptures.
Based on my experience living near and then returning to this magical city, here is my guide to (what I think are) the best spots to see, and why you should see them (and if they are worth standing in line or paying the fee to enter).
Are you in the mood for a spring or autumn polar dip? Looking for a nice cold swim after a long summer hike? Or were you just hoping to dip your feet into crisp glacier water?
Despite being fed by glaciers and icy cold, these crystal clear lakes are the perfect places to cool off on a hot summer day in the mountains. In Jasper — a mountain town in the Rocky Mountains in Canada — temperatures can head well above 30°C (86°F) in the summer.
If the last few years of travel has taught us anything, it is that airports are busier than ever, and both they, and the airlines, are struggling to keep up with the demand.
Throughout the recent summer and holiday seasons, we were bombarded with images and videos of stacks of lost luggage left in airports all over the world. If you are anything like me, it has made checking a bag seem like a risk that I am not willing to take — especially if I am going for a short trip and don’t want to be without my clothing, etc. for even a day.
I am always surprised at the power of language — especially when a short sentence or quip completely changes my perspective, sets me on a new path, or inspires an adventure.
Hopefully one of these modern travel-inspired quotes inspires you!
The Anthrotorian has officially been around for more than a decade — since 2012, I have been writing about travel, culture, art, and history on this website. To celebrate this landmark birthday, I published a book, It’s Rude to Keep an Adventure Waiting: Travel Advice, Tips, and Tricks.
Passing a slow moving car would have been a suicide mission.
The small, 13-seater bus was stuffy, hot, and full of fellow travelers half asleep from the heat and half sick from the drive. Gritty red sand, mixed with the sweat in my sandals, smooshed between my toes.
From the lush landscapes of fantasy epics to bustling city streets featured in iconic dramas, set-jetting allows you to step into the world of your favorite characters.
What is set-jetting?
Set-jetting is the trend of visiting destinations made famous by movies and TV series, and it is capturing the imagination of travelers worldwide.
It is officially 2025, and we are all gearing up for fresh adventures and exciting new experiences.
Whether you're looking for travel ideas, insight on the best way to travel in 2025, or simply need practical travel tips, these travel trends promise to make your trips unforgettable. So, pack your bags, and let’s dive into the top travel trends of 2025!
by Lindsay Shapka in Culture, People, Travel
Have you ever wondered why we associate certain items with certain cultures? Where do these items come from?
Why does a floral lei make us think about Hawaii? Why does a double-decker red bus bring up images of London, and why does a triangle shaped hat make us think of the rice fields of Vietnam?
I couldn’t help but ask these questions while walking down a quiet street in Hoi An, Vietnam while watching a woman, wearing a stereotypical triangle shaped hat, as she pushed her bike, laden with pineapples, slowly down the street. Determined to discover the story behind the hat, I started asking around about its origin.
I didn’t have much luck.
When I asked a man selling these hats on a street corner, he looked at me like I was nuts and told me that he made them, while the women at the front desk of my hotel said that the goddess made them through her people’s hands. I even asked a bartender later that night, but his response was that he would tell me only if I came home with him — I passed.
Realizing that I was getting nowhere, I decided it was time to do some research of my own.
This is what I’ve discovered.
The triangle shaped hat of Vietnam also called the Non la, or palm-leaf conical hat, made its first appearance over 3,000 years ago. Its origin comes from a legend related to the history of growing rice in the country:
There had been non-stop, monsoon rains and the countryside was being washed away when suddenly a giant woman came down from the sky. She wore a hat made of four, huge, round shaped leaves that were stitched together with bamboo sticks to guard her from the rain.
She stood tall, twirled the hat back and forth and dispersed the clouds and rain.
She then taught the people how to grow rice in their rain-soaked fields before disappearing back into the sky.
The people built a temple to her, The Rain-Shielding Goddess, and tried to mimic her hat by stitching together palm leaves in order to honour her.
Today, the conical hat is made out of palm leaves, bamboo, or bark from a Moc tree and was once different shapes depending on a person’s sex and ranking.
Now, it is mostly worn by farmers, boating people or tourists and is mainly made in the standard shape seen in most tourist photos.
In some rural areas like Sapa, north of Hanoi, locals still make high-quality hats with designs and poems sunk into them that are only visible under direct sunlight.
Not only great sun protection, these hats can be used as baskets, fans, and are great shields to hide kisses behind.
They are not as easy to find in the big cities anymore, because they can’t be worn on motorcycles, the main mode of transport in the country, but you should have no problem finding hundreds of them for sale at one of the many smaller towns and villages throughout the country — just remember that they are a difficult souvenir to take on a plane!
When I was first asked by some fellow foreigners in South Korea if I wanted to get naked in a public bathhouse and sauna on my first weekend in the country, I looked at them like they were nuts.
Somehow though, they managed to talk me into it (I blame severe jet lag), and it was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
Based on my experience living near and then returning to this magical city, here is my guide to (what I think are) the best spots to see, and why you should see them (and if they are worth standing in line or paying the fee to enter).
Are you in the mood for a spring or autumn polar dip? Looking for a nice cold swim after a long summer hike? Or were you just hoping to dip your feet into crisp glacier water?
Despite being fed by glaciers and icy cold, these crystal clear lakes are the perfect places to cool off on a hot summer day in the mountains. In Jasper — a mountain town in the Rocky Mountains in Canada — temperatures can head well above 30°C (86°F) in the summer.
If the last few years of travel has taught us anything, it is that airports are busier than ever, and both they, and the airlines, are struggling to keep up with the demand.
Throughout the recent summer and holiday seasons, we were bombarded with images and videos of stacks of lost luggage left in airports all over the world. If you are anything like me, it has made checking a bag seem like a risk that I am not willing to take — especially if I am going for a short trip and don’t want to be without my clothing, etc. for even a day.
I am always surprised at the power of language — especially when a short sentence or quip completely changes my perspective, sets me on a new path, or inspires an adventure.
Hopefully one of these modern travel-inspired quotes inspires you!
The Anthrotorian has officially been around for more than a decade — since 2012, I have been writing about travel, culture, art, and history on this website. To celebrate this landmark birthday, I published a book, It’s Rude to Keep an Adventure Waiting: Travel Advice, Tips, and Tricks.
Passing a slow moving car would have been a suicide mission.
The small, 13-seater bus was stuffy, hot, and full of fellow travelers half asleep from the heat and half sick from the drive. Gritty red sand, mixed with the sweat in my sandals, smooshed between my toes.
From the lush landscapes of fantasy epics to bustling city streets featured in iconic dramas, set-jetting allows you to step into the world of your favorite characters.
What is set-jetting?
Set-jetting is the trend of visiting destinations made famous by movies and TV series, and it is capturing the imagination of travelers worldwide.
It is officially 2025, and we are all gearing up for fresh adventures and exciting new experiences.
Whether you're looking for travel ideas, insight on the best way to travel in 2025, or simply need practical travel tips, these travel trends promise to make your trips unforgettable. So, pack your bags, and let’s dive into the top travel trends of 2025!
Planning to explore the cobblestone streets of Italy, the fjords of Norway, or the bustling markets of Paris this year?
Starting in May 2025, the European Union will implement the new Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) that will affect all non-EU travelers.
Here’s what you need to know to ensure your European adventure goes off without a hitch.
When I was first asked by some fellow foreigners in South Korea if I wanted to get naked in a public bathhouse and sauna on my first weekend in the country, I looked at them like they were nuts.
Somehow though, they managed to talk me into it (I blame severe jet lag), and it was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.