Soles of a Nomad

Cave Lodge near Soppong, Thailand, is a legendary base for caving, kayaking, trekking, and swapping muddy adventure stories by the campfire. Not luxurious. Not polished. Absolutely unforgettable.

Looking for a floating market with more locals than tourists? Head to Amphawa! Here’s everything you need to know, from how to get there to the joys of boat noodles, fireflies, and the infamous swimming monkeys. Because travel.

In the quiet pre-dawn light of Amphawa, I watched monks paddle gently down the canal collecting morning alms. This timeless ritual of merit-making offered both beauty and a lesson in humility. I stood back with my camera, wondering—as I often do—if capturing these moments adds meaning or takes it away. Because travel.

We thought planting rice in a Karen village would be simple. It wasn’t. Our backs gave out, the world spun, and we walked away muddy, sore, and deeply grateful. Because travel.

Ever hunted eels barefoot in a flooded rice paddy? In Mae La Oop, Thailand, I got muddy, met a snake, and earned a delicious dinner. Another adventure brought to you by travel.

In a Karen village in northern Thailand, I learned how to shower using a pink bucket of cold river water—and how not to inhale it up my nose. Another lesson in barely managed chaos. Because travel.