by Calvin Sun | Jul 28, 2011 | Bangladesh, How Did You Do That?, Lessons Learned, Let me tell you a Story..., Mo' Money Mo' Problems, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Way Way Off the Beaten Path
I may have spoken too song in singing the praises of Bangladesh. Or maybe it’s because I’m a stupid tourist. …but in my defense, nobody mentioned this in the guidebooks: I learned the hard way today that when you arrive in Bangladesh and take money...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 28, 2011 | Bangladesh, Epiphanies on the Road, Introspection, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
During the last 3 days in Bangladesh, I’ve come to develop a fondness for its brutal honesty. Given its complete lack of exposure to tourists and foreigners, rickshaw drivers and touts charge surprisingly such low fares that there’s very little need to haggle....
by Calvin Sun | Jul 28, 2011 | Bangladesh, How Did You Do That?, Mythbusters, Public Transportation, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Walking Tours, What Dreams May Come
Alex left for Chittagong today while I stayed behind in Dhaka. While it’s only for 2 days, it’s fun to travel alone again! In my brusque research of things to do around Dhaka, I’ve heard reports of a nearby abandoned ghost town called Painam Nagar in...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 27, 2011 | Bangladesh, Serendipitous!, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Walking Tours
Headed south today to check out the heart of what makes Bangladesh tick: Old Dhaka. Before I begin, I befriended a fellow Australian traveler named Alex at my hostel. We shared a lot of similarities in our style of traveling save for the fact Alex spends a...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 26, 2011 | Bangladesh, Mo' Money Mo' Problems, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
This sign saves lives. The standard reply when you tell someone you’re traveling to India: “W..wow!” The standard reply when you tell someone you’re traveling to Bangladesh: “W..why?” To be honest, I...
by Stephanie Quan | Jul 26, 2011 | Fail, Myanmar, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
As for the aforementioned goals: Got some cash out and changed them to dollars [check]. Couldn’t get my flight changed to the next day [not check]. (Sorry Annah!!!!) Interesting side story: I told a security guard I was looking for the flight to Burma, and he...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 26, 2011 | India, Mythbusters, Sri Lanka, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
There’s this unfair stereotype that while India is crazy and frenetic, just emerging on the developed world, Sri Lanka always would remain one step behind. I have friends who enjoy (playfully, nothing too serious) stereotyping Sri Lanka’s...
by Stephanie Quan | Jul 25, 2011 | Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
I have a 3 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur today. If all goes well, I’ll be able to 1. get my traveller’s cheques changed into american dollars (which is the only currency Myanmar accepts) 2. get my second flight changed to the next day and get to spend time...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 25, 2011 | Sri Lanka, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Simply put, Anuradhapura is slightly more impressive than Polonnaruwa, but that’s not saying much if I’m using the word “slightly.” The dagobas are undeniably awesome and the ruins are less maddening (probably because there’s less of them...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 24, 2011 | Let me tell you a Story..., Sri Lanka, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
If this is your first time exploring ruins, Polonnaruwa is a great introduction. But if you’ve already have had your fair share of ruin-rompin’, Polonnaruwa is “meh” at best. Unlike the grandeur of Angkor Wat or the immaculately preserved...
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