Erika Bisbocci
Erika is an avid traveler and explorer of over ninety countries on six different continents. Since 2011, she has spent time studying Arabic in the Middle East, teaching English in Namibia and working as a flight attendant for a major US airline. When not traveling overseas, she loves exploring her own backyard in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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Ran Tong Elephant Sanctuary near Chiang Mai
For most travelers to Thailand, riding an elephant is a top priority. There is something about the notion of lumbering through the rolling tropical hills atop a five ton gentle giant, that elicits imagery of exotic and faraway lands. I’m not going to lie. Like many others, I’ve thought about it too. Riding elephants has been marketed as a uniquely “Thai” experience. And elephant rides remain top bucket list priorities for many. But the ethics around elephant riding are murky at best. Thailand’s elephant tourism industry is mired in animal…
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Pooh Eco-Trekking: Off-the-Beaten Path in Thailand
Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Thailand and a place that many travelers visit in order to discover the country’s rich heritage. The region is chalk-full of dazzling temples, breathtaking scenery and tantalizing cuisine. An ever-popular destination for backpackers and culture-lovers, Chiang Mai is a popular staple on itineraries to Thailand. I spent nearly a week in Chiang Mai–visiting temples, escaping into nature and reveling in the city’s incredible yearly lantern festival. Like many travelers to Chiang Mai, I wanted to join an overnight hiking tour in the mountains…
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Three Day Krabi Itinerary: Beaches, Temples, and Paradise Islands
When travelers talk dreamily about the amazing Thai islands, they’re often referring to the string of white sand beaches near Krabi. With towering karst formations that shelter idyllic sandy shores, the islands of southern Thailand are some of the prettiest in the world. They are the feature of glossy travel brochures, the backdrop to Hollywood films, and the first place that many travelers think of visiting when they begin planning a trip to Southeast Asia. Travelers heading to the islands of southern Thailand have no shortage of choices. From the…
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Day Trip to Koh Phi Phi
I have never seen the movie The Beach, but I have heard people refer to it thousands of times. I know the premise goes something like this: a young man (Leonardo DiCaprio) escapes to Southeast Asia on a life-defining journey. Along the way, he meets someone who tells him myths about a secluded and beautiful beach that lies on a secret paradise island. I never heard much about the plot of the movie, though. For nearly all discussions of the travel book turned hit drama focuses on the beauty of…
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Exploring Bangkok: An Introduction to Solo Travel in Thailand
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the forward boarding door is now closed….” I heard the lead flight attendant call out over the PA. I let the reality of his words sink in. The door was closed, the plane was about to push back and I had no choice now but to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. I was going to Thailand. I’ve traveled a lot in my life. Studying abroad in the Middle East, living in Africa and now working for the airlines has given me a window to the…
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Tel Aviv Layover
I first visited Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the Spring of 2011, during my semester abroad in Amman, Jordan. Though I didn’t spend long in the Holy Land, my three day stay was both rewarding and memorable. I remember being at once struck by the incredible history of the country and saddened by the palpable tensions that I witnessed firsthand. I remember feeling a sense of wonder as I visited some of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. And I remember the lack of words I could muster…
