Experiencing the Andaman Sea on a Tall Ship Under Full Sail

March 29, 2019 Mark Orwoll 4 minute read

Editor’s NoteThe world is a big, wondrous place. One of the reasons we want to make sure you get there is so that the lesser known parts of the world can peek through in its unassuming glory. Our friend, and former Travel + Leisure editor, Mark Orwoll, sends us this postcard, reminding us that the world is to be explored, in its fullest sense.

Don’t bring “meatpig” onto Ko Panyi, a floating fisherman’s village, or you’ll be fined $63. The penalty for bringing alcohol onto this strictly Muslim island is even more severe: $158—plus one goat.

Asia Bags Gear

Quick Spotlight on the Most Interesting Japanese Bags Brands

December 4, 2017 Erica Ho 1 minute read

At Map Happy, we have a special affinity for Japanese craftsmanship.

Asia Countries Sponsored

The Quick Lowdown to Japan

October 26, 2017 Sponsored Post 8 minute read

This sponsored post is brought to you by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The beauty to Japan is that there is always more than what meets the eye. It’s a country that can be experienced completely differently each time, multiple times.

Adventure Asia Europe Travel

The Coldest Town on Earth (and How To Get There)

November 3, 2016 Sam Wright Fairbanks 2 minute read

This is part 5 in Extreme Travel series.

Winter isn’t coming. It’s been here all along.

Asia Countries Misc. News Travel

The Wettest Place on Earth (and How To Get There)

April 28, 2016 Sam Wright Fairbanks 2 minute read

This is part 4 in Extreme Travel series.

It’s a certain type of person who wants to visit the wettest place on earth. Maybe the Pacific Northwest was just a bit too arid for their liking. Or maybe a week-long trip to the Atacama left their skin drier than… well, the Atacama.

Asia Countries Features

The Quick Lowdown to Vietnam

June 23, 2015 Erica Ho 10 minute read

There’s something to be said about visiting the country where your parents were born and raised for the first time. And sometimes there’s that glimpse of understanding into who they are.

Asia Countries

The Quick Lowdown to Hong Kong

January 20, 2015 Erica Ho 8 minute read

I used to watch the boats sail back and forth in the harbor from my cubicle and this junk (or boat) was always a distinctive blot on the waterfront. When I moved to Hong Kong, I didn’t believe there could be a city crazier than New York.

Asia Countries Documentation Trip Planning Visa

Tourists Can Now Visit China for Up to 10 Years

November 13, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

I stopped visiting China sometime when I realized I had handed the government over $560+ in tourist visa fees.

Asia Countries Europe Features Videos

The Quick Lowdown to Turkey Travel

October 23, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Dive into Turkey, with everything you need to know in a quick glance. This is only a taster of the hot mess of West and East you’re about to encounter.

Asia Countries Features

To Mongolia and Back for 80 Dollars (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love George W.)

April 4, 2013 Guest Author 11 minute read

A couple of funny things happen when the temperature gets down to minus 40° degrees. The first is that the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales intersect. The second is that all your nose hairs instantly freeze solid.