Wanderlust

Walt J

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

DSC_0608

You know when someone shows up to Vietnam in cowboy boots, blue jeans, a leather hat and button down shirt, they are a Republican…I mean a character and are going to have great stories. That first impression remained true as I got to know Grandpa Walt the last two weeks traveling through Vietnam with him, his daughter and granddaughter who is adopted from Vietnam. Grandpa Walt is the kind of person that wakes up at six in the morning every day to go walking just because he can and would feel to stagnant if he wasn’t moving. Everyday he carried his go pro with him while photographing every moment with his other fancy camera. He sees life through a lense, literally and figuratively that is his own unique brand of Grandpa Walt.

Continue reading →

Xia A.D.R.

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

DSC_0453

The first thing you should know about Xia (Chi-a) that you would never know unless you were fortunate enough to spend time in her enlightening presence is that this girl has style and pizazz beyond your wildest dreams. She is a cluster of energy, intelligence and whimsical fun that we often think we have to lose as we stop playing in the leaves and dressing up as princesses. Somehow she has bypassed this false ideology in the world that we have to grow up in order to show as an intelligent being and has merged all sides.

Continue reading →

Movin’ to Moab…Really Just College Roadtrippin’

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

CSC_0922

I went to Moab, Utah for four days with four friends and had an absolute blast hiking through Arches National Park. I had been to Moab when I was in eighth grade on a school trip where we camped in the park and learned about the ecosystem and have been yearning to go back ever since. Sometimes I forget how beautiful the USA is and this trip did more than a sufficient job of reminding me what a blessing it is to grow up and live in this country. What is particularly great about Moab (and the National Park system in general) is that you can do a lot with a limited budget and adventurous spirit.

Continue reading →

Cruising Through History in Cambodia

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

CSC_0392

After some of the best days in Laos, we flew from Vientiane to  Phnom Penh, Cambodia where we immediately visited the Aspara Arts Association  for a traditional dance performance before going to our hotel for the evening. The next morning we were privileged to have Bou Meng, only one of two living survivors from the prison SJ31 where tens of thousands of people were tortured before being set to the killing fields. It was an honor to hear his story and candid remarks about his experience and how he moved on from it is educating the next generations. This man is my forever hero for overcoming the absolute worst of humanity and coming through to the other side of joy and compassion. I also purchased a few of his books for friends to read as his story completely moved me and shook me to my core. Humanity can be so cruel to each other. Bou Meng is also an artist, and this talent helped him survive in the prison until it was shut down, as he was commissioned to make paintings of the leaders.

Continue reading →

Rowdy and Lao-d: Laos is Amazing

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

CSC_0643

I can officially say that my favorite country in Southeast Asia besides Malaysia is Laos! This completely surprised me as I knew very little about the country and had no idea that it would blow me away as much as it did. We also had another awesome in country guide, Chermoua, to accompany our other guide Ray which added infinitely to the experience. Chermoua from the beginning, picking us up at the airport in Luang Prabang, was nothing but phenomenal.

Continue reading →

Tongue Thaid in Thailand

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

DSC_0143

We arrived safely in Bangkok and were picked up at the airport by some staff members of the tour company we had signed up to do Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam with. When we had decided that we were going back to Malaysia, my mother concluded that she wanted to go to Cambodia as well as a life long goal and after the advice of several friends, we decided to go with a tour. A tour group has its pros and cons like anything, but we had an absolutely amazing time and loved getting to travel with a small group of fellow adventure and travel lovers. We also had an amazing guide and great in country guides as well that made the experience that much more beautiful. While I was the youngest on the trip, there was another young adult who had just graduated college and was with her grandma on the trip. I find that traveling with “older” people is way more fun and something that I would absolutely do again in a heartbeat.

Continue reading →

Twenty-Four Hours in Singapore with my Best Friend

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

DSC_0464

I had never had intended to go to Singapore during this trip in Southeast Asia, but ended up booking a one-way plane ticket to this wonderful country the night before to visit a friend who also happened to be one of my first year college roommates. Before I proceed, I just want to say how much I value my friends and how fortunate I feel to have close friends to share all my secrets with and experience life with. We truly would never get anywhere in life without friends and I am grateful for everyone, you know who you are! After being dropped off at the airport, I navigated myself through the airport with just a medium sized purse carrying a change of clothes and my camera and made my way to the gate. This trip was so unplanned and spontaneous and I had adrenaline running through me the whole time; it was magical, mysterious, mystical and the best time.

Continue reading →

Travel blog from Malaysia: Langkawi, Melacca and Kuala Lumpur

/ kailaolson / Leave a comment

CSC_1218

LANGKAWI

After concluding my first year of college in early May and seeing friends off to the airport, I packed my bags and headed off to Malaysia with my dear Mother. Before entering college I had taken a gap year in Malaysia as a youth ambassador under the State Department and was ready to go back to visit friends and (host) families, while bringing my mother along for the ride. This trip was long waited and someday I will elaborate more on my experience in Malaysia before college.

Continue reading →