Indian Excursionist: Vietnam

Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts

"We all struggle. Whether it be mental illness, losing a loved one, an obstacle at work or simply a run of bad luck. We've all been there. "

Traveling helps you overcome any disease. Although, it may not completely cure you, it can reduce the pain and inspire you to live in peace. This post is about a traveler from San Clemente, California who was cured of an eating disorder as a result of traveling.

My name is Carly Gascoigne. Originally from San Clemente, California. Traveling saved me from an eating disorder I battled for over four years. It started as a medical issue which slowly progressed into a strained relationship with food. At first I was anorexic, but then turned bulimic where I spent many years binging and purging on any food I could get my hands on. My friends and family had an intervention and I went to a live in rehabilitation center for three months. I thought I was in a better place than the others at the facility and convinced myself and others I was fine, but I was still acting upon my urges.

I have followed the American societal norms my whole life, attending San Diego State University directly after graduating as a Valedictorian of my high school. I was hired as an Inside Sales Consultant in pharmaceutical sales immediately following graduation. I started climbing the corporate ladder, going above and beyond expectations to gain a promotion and once promoted my work became my life.

Girls standing at the entrance of the architectural beautiful design

It wasn’t until March 19, 2015 the proverbial rug was ripped out from under me. Due to an acquisition, I was laid off and my territory had been dissolved. I didn’t know how to react. The life I knew was suddenly disappearing before my eyes. I attended a yoga class and decided to buy a one way ticket to Europe. Originally I was supposed to be gone for a couple months, but it turned into almost three years.

I know you’re probably thinking, "I can’t just pick up and leave like that, she had everything fall into place." Yes, I didn’t have anything specific tying me to California anymore, but I could have easily just slipped into another career, got another apartment and went on with my days in San Jose. That's what was expected of me anyways. It might sound like everything fell into place and it was an easy transition, but to tell you the truth I struggled. I was 24 and lost.

You always hear the cliche sayings, “traveling changed me” and “I am a different person now”, trust me, I thought it was all just talk too. I didn’t know that this trip would have such an incredible impact on my life. It challenged all of my boundaries and forced me to get to know myself. It taught me about different cultures and allowed me to explore beautiful countries all whilst saving my life from an eating disorder. It forced me out of the California bubble and the American mindset and expectations that I had always be constrained to. It taught me to not care if I had makeup on or if I was having a bad hair day.

In the past three years I have traveled to 30 different countries. It hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies, but it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. Traveling isn’t easy at times… It can be exhausting and heartbreaking, nonetheless humbling and liberating. Falling in love with people and places around the world and then having to leave them behind.

I wouldn’t be who I am today without my traveling experience. Traveling allowed me to fall in love with life again. I fell in love with myself. I fell in love with the world. Learning to communicate with people from all backgrounds is valuable experience that will allow me to be a better person day in and day out.

My site www.gingergypsea.com depicts all of the places I have been lucky enough to visit along with personal stories and uncomfortable topics that no one really talks about. I hope my site encourages people to challenge their comfort zones and travel to places they always dreamed of visiting. I hope it reminds everyone that even in the darkest of times they are never alone. Travel will change you for the better and might even save your life.

Shoutout for this amazing travel blogger who got healed from her eating disorder by traveling. For more such inspiring stories checkout the Travel-Tips section.

Xin chào, I am back from my maiden backpacking trip and that too, to an amazing country, Vietnam. So here is a brief about things that made me love Vietnam.

1. Street Food Haven

From a hygienic fruit filled breakfast to a full platter of sticky rice in lunch, Vietnam can allure anyone with the savory aroma of its delicious cuisines. Being a vegetarian , I was not sure; if I would be able to find something worth eating which included no meat, no egg. But, this dragon-shaped country has a variety of cuisines for vegetarian travelers in store as well.

It is the mecca for the street food lovers. Among the dizzying traffic and noisy markets of the capital, Hanoi, you’ll find street hawkers, food carts, and makeshift cafes at every turn – all dishing out some genuinely fresh specialty, ready to be devoured on the spot. Pho, Bun Cha (which even Obama couldn't resist), Egg coffee, Banh Mi...are some of the amazing cuisines which we tried and were really ambrosial

A post shared by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Sep 25, 2016 at 4:17am PDT

#vietnamesestreetfood

A post shared by B A O C H A U (@hoangchau2406) on Sep 29, 2016 at 11:07am PDT

Picture courtesy : @hoangchau2406

2. Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site and, without a doubt, is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. Thousands of giant limestone islands fill the bay.

Ha Long, meaning Descending Dragon is derived from the Sion-Vietnamese, features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes. The moment you enter the bay you will feel like traveling to the edge of the world. Watching the thousands of limestone karsts standing mightily gives you an amazing sight. Take a cruise or a junk boat, enjoy swimming, kayaking or just chill out at the Cat Ba Island or many such castaway islands.Halong bay has something in store for everyone.

Detail about Halong Bay I will share in my next post, till then just enjoy the scenic beauty.

#travel #blog #travelblog #indianexcursionist #halongbay #instagram #inspiration #travelphoto #peace #vietnam #traveldiary #unescoworldheritage #travelgram

A photo posted by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Sep 19, 2016 at 12:56am PDT

Halong Bay #Vietnam#Amazingasia #travel #backpacking #indianexcursionist #halongbay #lovefortravel #love #peace

A photo posted by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Sep 25, 2016 at 3:30am PDT

3. Paradise Caves of Phong Nha ke Bang

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park which is world famous for having more than 300 caves and grottoes. Son Doong cave was recently discovered which has the largest cave passage in the world spanning around 5 km long, 200 meters high and 490 meters wide. Most of the caves are still unexplored. The trek to Son Doong is very costly, it costs around 3000 USD for a 7-day trek inside the cave.

Although there are other caves which are really cheap and have fun-filled adventurous activities like zip lining, swimming, cave exploration, kayaking and the ultimate mud bath. These are done at the Dark Caves. You can also explore the Light Caves also known as the Paradise caves, which has out of the world structures naturally built inside the caves. We did the Light and the Dark caves and I was awestruck by experiencing such phenomenal creation of nature.

#traveloholic #travel #vietnamdiaries #traveldiaries #nitinbothra #phongnha #caves #paradise #journeytothecenteroftheearth #julesverne #instatravel #travelblogger

A photo posted by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Aug 16, 2016 at 6:52am PDT

HANG EN CAVE ADVENTURE TOUR IS STILL OPEN UNTIL SEPT 10!!!! Grab your chance today to have the last spots of this season! Book now at our website www.oxalis.com.vn or email us at [email protected]

A photo posted by Oxalis Adventure Tours (@oxalisvietnam) on Sep 1, 2016 at 7:24pm PDT

Picture Courtesy for the above image : @oxalisvietnam

4. Ancient World Heritage Site Hoi An

Hoi An, Vietnam was an important trading port from the 15th to the 19th century and has had a major harbor since the 1st century. “Ancient” is really a more apt description than “old” for the town, but it still has a feeling of being incredibly cosmopolitan and bustling. The town reflects influences from Vietnam and from all of the different cultures that have been coming together there for trade for the last couple thousand of years.

There is a decidedly unreal feeling you get wandering around the streets of the Ancient city. A feeling I found to be more dream-like than Disneyland, and the people who live there seem to take pride in how beautiful and well-preserved the town is. The yellow houses and shops were really giving an artistic perspective to the town. The streets near the river were full of creative minded backpackers and travelers from around the world. Everyone there looked peaceful and happy, gazing the exquisite scenic beauty of Hoi An.

#vietnam #hoian #backpacking #travel #instagram #indianexcursionist #photogtaphy #unesco #world #heritage #site #love #romantic #location

A photo posted by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Sep 25, 2016 at 3:57am PDT

Hoi An - UNESCO World Heritage Site #hoian #unescoworldheritagesite #travel #indianexcursionist #instatravel #instagram #Vietnam #Japanesebridge #traveldiaries #photogtaphy

A photo posted by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Sep 25, 2016 at 3:51am PDT

5. People of Vietnam

According to me, if you want to judge a place, you have to consider two things, food and people. Some countries have really reserved people and they don't love to interact or even smile in return.

But Vietnam was completely different. People were happy and had a curious mind towards tourist. Vietnamese are hard working and always give a cute smile, if you make an eye contact with them. The young Vietnam is completely influenced by the western culture and loves to party a lot, but on the other hand they never sacrifice their work for entertainment. They are, what you call the type of people who believed in, "Work while you work and Play while you play."

#Vietnam #indianexcursionist #peopleofvietnam #travel #backpacking #asia #people

A photo posted by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Oct 1, 2016 at 2:22pm PDT

Smiling faces of Vietnam #travel #indianexcursionist #vietnam #hue #photography

A photo posted by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Oct 1, 2016 at 6:35am PDT

I would recommend everyone to park their doubts about this small, yet beautiful country and just travel through every part of it. We didn't have enough time to explore Sapa, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Saigon,and I still regret about not extending the trip. But anyways, I will come again Vietnam. After this trip I was so motivated that I started working on creating a Digital Venture and now I am Managing Partner at Accetrix-Digital Marketing Company in Ahmedabad, India

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Walking down the Streets of Hoi An

Travel: My Knight in Shining Armour

5 Things I Loved About Vietnam

1. Street Food Haven

2. Halong Bay

3. Paradise Caves of Phong Nha ke Bang

4. Ancient World Heritage Site Hoi An

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featured Slider

Walking down the Streets of Hoi An

Travel: My Knight in Shining Armour

5 Things I Loved About Vietnam

1. Street Food Haven

2. Halong Bay

3. Paradise Caves of Phong Nha ke Bang

4. Ancient World Heritage Site Hoi An

About Me

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