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Through The Bamboo

Honolulu, HI
Based out of Honolulu, HI

Solo female backpackeR. Living life on the wild side.

Through The Bamboo

  • About
  • Blog
  • Confessions
  • Destinations
  • Dreams
  • Contact
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Featured
The Beautiful Slow Boat Journey to Luang Prabang Laos
The Beautiful Slow Boat Journey to Luang Prabang Laos

A 3D/2N journey down one of the world’s most untamed waterways, the almighty Mekong River. Situated between Thailand and Laos, I cruised down the Mekong on a slow boat going no more than 8mph. Little did I know that I would be completely blown away by what my eyes were about to see.

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Life on Kauai
Life on Kauai

It's def different here. But, it's a simple life. A simple life in paradise. It's the DREAM. What more do you need?…

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Champagne and Her Elephant Friends
Champagne and Her Elephant Friends

So there we were walking through the open field as elephants kept passing by to say hello. They seemed to really enjoy the rain. We just watched as they interacted with each other. It was so nice to see them play around in the mud; the freedom to be the elephants that they are...

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Where to stay & what to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Where to stay & what to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand

When I was deciding where to stay in Chiang Mai, it was kind of hard to decide. Old quarter covers a lot of space so I didn’t really know where the most economically friendly area to stay in was. I always like to stay within walking distance of street food and the “it spot” of where I would be spending most of my time; otherwise, I’d be...

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The Good and the Bad of Life Without Instagram
The Good and the Bad of Life Without Instagram

Sup y’all! It’s been half a year since I deleted Instagram from my life. Yep, I’m still here. Still alive! Just been living more “in the moment” rather than “capturing moments”. Not that I’m not taking any pictures at all; I’m just significantly less obsessed with it than I was before. I’ve found that I am able to...

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The Mass Murder by the Khmer Rouge
The Mass Murder by the Khmer Rouge

How did I not know a thing about the Khmer Rouge before going to Cambodia in 2017? How did I not know that millions of Cambodians were tortured and killed during a communist genocide just 40 years ago?!

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The PNW in the summertime!
The PNW in the summertime!

Before I continue sharing more of my journey through SE Asia, I wanted to share some pics from my most recent travels: Portland, OR. The PNW (Pacific Northwest for those of you who don't know) is beautifulllll in the summer time!

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Da Lat, Vietnam: Is It Worth It?
Da Lat, Vietnam: Is It Worth It?

I went on a landscape tour where we saw a weasel coffee farm, silk worm factory, elephant waterfall, strawberry garden, a temple on top of a mountain, and even saw how rice wine is made. I went to the night market, I went to Maze bar, I walked nearly...

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The Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, Vietnam
The Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, Vietnam

At first glance, I’d say the white dunes are better. The red sand dunes one had a lot more tourists here. But when you walk deeper into the dunes, past where all the tourists stop, it’s beautiful! The untouched sand with the lighting of the sunset in the ripples, freaking gorg...

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10 Things I Learned About the World
10 Things I Learned About the World

You want to know the secret to happiness? Knowing that you already have everything you need. So many people wish to have proper health care, an opportunity for education, a roof over their head in the cold winter nights, AC during the hot summer nights, two legs, two arms, both parents active in their lives. It’s the simple things.

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The Mama Mu Experience
The Mama Mu Experience

Whenever I go somewhere new, I want to experience that place like a local. I want to cook with them, I want to eat what they eat, I want to know what it's like to wake up to the sound of roosters on a typical Wednesday morning. Let me show you the Mama Mu Experience.

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The Mission to Ban Gioc Waterfall
The Mission to Ban Gioc Waterfall

I would have to take multiple local buses through the remote of mountains northern Vietnam where nearly nobody spoke english. In that moment I knew it was going to be an adventure. Fuck it. I had a week. Bring it!

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Ninh Binh, Vietnam: Is it Worth it?
Ninh Binh, Vietnam: Is it Worth it?

Ninh Binh is in Northern Vietnam, about two hours south of Hanoi. Tall, plunging limestone cliffs bulging out of the ground like natural skyscrapers. So, is it worth it to pay a visit?

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No Booze, No Meat, No Wifi. WTF?
No Booze, No Meat, No Wifi. WTF?

After spending the next three hours in the Uber, it hit me. It wasn’t about being physically lost, I was emotionally lost. I just felt like I’ve lost sight of the important things in life. Or that I put too much time and energy into the unimportant things. I needed guidance. Redirection. Purpose.

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The Dark Side of Traveling Solo
The Dark Side of Traveling Solo

I recently wrote a blog post about all the amazing reasons why traveling solo is the best thing ever. But for every good thing, there are also not-so-good things...

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Angkor Wat & All Her Glory
Angkor Wat & All Her Glory

Built in the 12th century by the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world. My visit to this massive historical site was nothing short of...

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Why traveling solo is the best thing ever!
Why traveling solo is the best thing ever!

Before my first ever solo trip, I was nervous. I mean, being in a foreign country, by myself, let alone being a female. A solo female traveler somewhere I've never been to. Sounds scary. Yeah, I thought so too. But actually, it's...

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Why I deleted Instagram from my life
Why I deleted Instagram from my life

Oh, Instagram. Where do I even begin with you? It’s an on/off love/hate thing. You’ve connected me with some of my bestests of friends, yet you’ve manage to rob me of living the very life that I display. You’re probably the most...

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Hoi An: My Favorite Town in Vietnam
Hoi An: My Favorite Town in Vietnam

Oh Hoi An, such a beautiful little town. Quaint, romantic, full of genuine charm & authentic Vietnamese hospitality. Hoi an is in central Vietnam; a cute little town with tons of activities to enjoy. You can...

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Cat Ba National Park: Ngu Lam Peak
Cat Ba National Park: Ngu Lam Peak

A small island off the northeast coast of Vietnam lies Cat Ba, the less touristy side of Ha Long Bay. This Bay is full of sky high karst’s that hold dramatic backdrops for your selfie of the day. With an elevation of 3,280 feet high and a mere 30 minute hike to the top, Ngu Lam Peak is the...

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Nusa Penida: The Most Incredible Underwater World
Nusa Penida: The Most Incredible Underwater World

The most incredible underwater world I ever laid my eyes on lie in the sea between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida! Here's why.

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Gili T x Gili Meno x Gili Air: Which one?
Gili T x Gili Meno x Gili Air: Which one?

Just off the northwest coast of Lombok Indonesia lies three teeny tiny islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, & Gili Air. So which one should you visit? I heard a lot of he said she said but I wanted to know the real difference between all of them so I decided to visited all three!

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Six Must-do's While in Bali!
Six Must-do's While in Bali!

Ahhhh, Bali. One of the beautiful tropical islands that make up Indonesia. Full of rich culture, a lit nightlife, and gorgeous scenery all over the damn place. So much to see in so little time. Here are my top six must-do's while in Bali!

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What is it like to volunteer with kids in Cambodia?
What is it like to volunteer with kids in Cambodia?

As I began planning my travels, I knew I wanted to do three things: grow as a person, explore the unknown, and give back to the world. I knew I wanted to volunteer; I just didn’t know what or where. So how did I decide?

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Featured
Accommodation Review: K-Heights Inn (Coron, Philippines)
Accommodation Review: K-Heights Inn (Coron, Philippines)

I booked a private room at K-heights via the AirBNB app for $30/night. The location was not too far from tons of shops, restaurants, and bars.

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Accommodation Review: BKNY (El Nido)
Accommodation Review: BKNY (El Nido)

I booked a private room at BKNY via AirBNB app for $41/night. It was a bit pricey, a lot more than I’d rather spend, but I happened to come during a busy time and 84% of accommodations in El Nido seemed to have been booked up so this was...

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Accommodation Review: Just Inn
Accommodation Review: Just Inn

I booked a private room at Just Inn via the AirBNB app for $23/night. A nice, clean inn just outside of the main streets of El Nido. The location was not the closest; however, it was just a quick 3-minute tricycle ride to the main street.

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2GO Travel boat review: Coron to Manila
2GO Travel boat review: Coron to Manila

Manila to Puerto Princesa to El Nido to Coron, now it’s time to go back to Manila. But how? A quick 15-hour overnight ship ride with 2GO Travel!

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Bunso boat ride review: El Nido to Coron
Bunso boat ride review: El Nido to Coron

Most people who visit Palawan go to El Nido. Why not? It’s beautiful! But I found Coron to be more charismatic and far less commercialized. Lucky for you, Coron is just a boat ride away!

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The Ultimate Itinerary: Palawan Edition
The Ultimate Itinerary: Palawan Edition

So you waited forever to make your way to Palawan and now you finally made it. HORRAY! In this blog post I'll talk about what I did, where I stayed, & how much I spent during my nine days in this beautiful tropical paradise.

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Accommodation Review: Sharky Hostel
Accommodation Review: Sharky Hostel

Sharky Hostel was known to be the closest accommodation to the whale sharks (and it was!). At $6/night for a mixed room, sooo in! The office isn't open 24/7, so if you plan to arrive later than 9/10pm, you must call them and let them know. We arrived...

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Canyoneering in Cebu!
Canyoneering in Cebu!

While visiting Cebu, most have Kawasan Falls on their list of places to visit. It's gorgeous! But why not pair it with the adventure of a lifetime? Canyoneering!

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Accommodation Review: Le Village Hostel
Accommodation Review: Le Village Hostel

While in Moalboal, I decided to spend two nights at Le Village Hostel. With a rating of 7.2 out of 10 and a cost of $6.76/night, I was in. After a long 12 hour journey from Manila to Moalboal, we arrived around 8pm. It was rainy and dark and we we're starving. Our tricycle ride...

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The Ultimate 4-day Itinerary: Cebu Edition!
The Ultimate 4-day Itinerary: Cebu Edition!

When visiting the Philippines, be sure to have the island of Cebu on your itinerary! I spent four days in Cebu and had plenty of time for adventure. I'll share a bit of information of what I explored, details & tips on how to get around, reviews on where I stayed, and how much money I spent overall!

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25 miles of Ifugao Rice Terraces
25 miles of Ifugao Rice Terraces

It all started with a nine hour overnight bus ride from Manila to Banaue. Yes, nine hours! I was hesitant to do this mode of transportation to get to the Banaue Rice Terrace bc, let's be real, nine hours is way too long. However, I quickly learned that...

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Kalinga: The Amazing Journey to see Legendary Tattoo Artist Whang Od
Kalinga: The Amazing Journey to see Legendary Tattoo Artist Whang Od

I hadn't planned to visit Kalinga. It was only after I had the 10th local tell me that I really should go see Whang Od (the oldest traditional Filipino tribal tattoo artist) in Kalinga that I decided to make it happen. I had no idea where that was or what kind of journey I was in for. Little did I know that it was going to be my favorite part of...

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How I prepared for my journey overseas
How I prepared for my journey overseas

Tomorrow, I leave on a 13 hour journey from Hawaii to Southeast Asia. My first ever overseas trip; solo, just me and my backpack. My first stop is The Philippines for about a month, then Bali, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Although I am aiming for about six months or so, it really depends on...

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Ultimate 7-day itinerary to explore Oahu like a local!
Ultimate 7-day itinerary to explore Oahu like a local!

I get tons of first time visitors asking what they should see/do while here on Oahu. I've already posted my top 10 must-do's, but if you don't know the area well enough to know what can/can't be done in one day it's hard to plan. So I thought I'd put together a detailed itinerary to make the most of your visit to Oahu! My itinerary includes

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Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Manoa Falls
Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Manoa Falls

Every now and then, a friend or family member want me to take them on a hike but not everyone is as daring as me. So when I need a hike that is easy enough for a child to do yet still has...

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Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Lulumahu Falls
Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Lulumahu Falls

Do you want to go through the bamboo? Well, you're in luck! A short 10 minute drive from...

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Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Maunawili Falls
Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Maunawili Falls

If you're looking for a fun hike to a gorgeous waterfall that is... 

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Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Makaua Falls
Best hikes on Oahu! Waterfall edition: Makaua Falls

Soo many people ask me about my hikes so I decided to share a series of posts that reveal... 

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Three steps you needed to hear to FINALLY start chasing your dreams
Three steps you needed to hear to FINALLY start chasing your dreams

step 1: watch...

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48-hour guide to exploring Yosemite
48-hour guide to exploring Yosemite

Yosemite National Park. Have you ever been? OMG. Yosemite is seriously the...

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48-hour guide to exploring Northern Arizona
48-hour guide to exploring Northern Arizona

Have you found yourself wandering through the canyons of Northern Arizona with 48-hours to...

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How to ball out in Vegas, the right way!
How to ball out in Vegas, the right way!

It's no secret that Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world. Las Vegas, AKA Sin City, is a...

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How Instagram played a big part in my move to Hawaii
How Instagram played a big part in my move to Hawaii

Like I said in my 'about me' page (you read that, right?), I moved to Hawaii not knowing a...

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Three reasons you must visit Havasupai
Three reasons you must visit Havasupai

Have you ever been to a place that truly feels like a figment of your imagination? A place that...

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Top 10 must-do's while in Oahu
Top 10 must-do's while in Oahu

From cliff jumping at Waimea Bay to shopping the quaint little town of Haleiwa; the north shore is...

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Back in Bali! Some of my favorite days include staying home and doing absolutely nothing 😄
Peace out Vietnam! You've been real good to me. I will never forget the insane bus rides through hell and the mouth-watering moisty noodles I consumed every morning for breakfast. You've earned the spot as my second favorite country in the world! 😝😉✌🏽🇻🇳
Try saying yes to the things you would normally say no to. I bet you'll be in for the adventure you've been waiting for. #bangioc #caobang #vietnam
One of my favorite things about traveling is the people I meet along the way. Thanks for showing me around Cambodia, Mana. Siem Reap wouldn't have been the same without you. 💕💕
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