Kelsey Yurek, June 2nd, 2023, 5 minute read, ASIA | TRAVEL

The following blog is adapted from the final travel reflection I wrote to my parents in the summer of 2019. Cambodia remains a country I would like to return to 4 years later. Originally written July 2019 (lightly edited for clarity): During my first 4 days in Cambodia, I fell ill with the flu. I woke up in Chiang Mai feeling a bit feverish, but I didn’t think it was anything major. By the end of that night, I felt absolutely terrible. We tuk-tuk’d to our hostel in Phnom Penh, and all I could do was lay in bed. I have no idea how I got...

Kelsey Yurek, May 26th, 2023, 7 minute read ASIA | TRAVEL

Thailand often tops people’s Southeast Asia bucket lists. Here’s the travel reflection I wrote to my parents about my two-week trip to the country at 22. Originally written July 2019 (lightly edited for clarity): Outside of leaving with the flu—we’ll get to that—Thailand was a great country to travel in. Caroline and I spent a full two weeks here. We arrived in Phuket on June 30 and our Airbnb host picked us up from the airport. Phuket is bigger than people realize, and we stayed in Kamala Beach for 4 days. This area is...

Kelsey Yurek, May 19th, 2023 5 minute read ASIA | TRAVEL

Up next in my travel reflection series is Country #29: Malaysia. Let’s return to summer 2019 when I visited the country in late June. Originally written in June 2019 (lightly edited for clarity): This past week I was in Malaysia, and Malaysia taught me an important travel lesson. Some countries aren’t evidently incredible. What makes them special comes after being there for days. They grow on you slowly and after talking to locals. They’re not for impatient tourists or those looking for the obvious. They’re...