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The view from halfway up Hang Mua, Ninh Binh, Vietnam. Halfway was unfortunately as high as I managed with 500 or so stairs in 100-degree heat with my migraines, but I want to come back one day in winter so I can get to the top! (Taken by me, 2023)

Rowing a boat into a low, narrow cave in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh, Vietnam. (Taken by me, 2023).

Bich Dong Pagoda (Chùa Bích Động) in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. It's interesting to note that, in Vietnam, Buddhist structures like this are designated as pagodas rather than as temples; temples are dedicated solely to monarchical/political figures. (Taken by me, 2023)

Lotus fields at the base of Hang Mua, Ninh Binh, Vietnam, situated next to limestone cliffs. (Photo taken by me, 2023; man pictured was my tour guide!)

*Unfortunately, because it was over 100 degrees and I get frequent migraines, I only made it halfway. Luckily there was ice cream at the bottom. :)

Boarding a boat in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh, Vietnam. The route features beautiful scenery and two "underwater" caves. Boats, rowed (often with their feet) by expert locals, constantly arrive to ferry thousands of tourists each day. (Taken by me, 2023)

My best attempt at rowing a traditional round boat in Hội An, Vietnam. The challenge is not just spinning in endless circles. My brilliant guide here later showed me how it was done (after some benevolent laughter) and we caught some little crabs along the shoreline.

Giving an elephant a bath in a waterfall in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Not an encounter I’ll forget anytime soon. 💜

One of the many reasons I miss Vietnam... driving my friends around on motorbike while wearing heels. Generally they were higher than this, haha. Did we almost get into a crash immediately after this photo was taken? Sure. But the key word there is almost.

Sometimes things are horrifically uncomfortable but worth a quick photo anyway. Christmas at Phú Quốc, Vietnam. (Picture taken of me).

Jumping off a bridge in Baños, Ecuador (longer name: Baños de Agua Santa; the video is footage of me in 2012). This is called puenting, which many dictionaries translate to bungee jumping, but it isn’t quite the same. Puente means “bridge” in Spanish, and this was a rope, not a bungee cord.

Hang Sửng Sốt (also known as the “Cave of Surprises”); Ha Long Bay, Vietnam (taken by me)

Urban cows! Hanoi, Vietnam (taken by me)

Art installations on the pier of Sunset Sanato Beach Club in Phú Quốc, Vietnam (taken by me)

Imperial Citadel, Huế, Vietnam (taken by me)

The Golden Bridge, Da Nang, Vietnam (taken by me)