Can’t say I have read everything on your Substack, but what I have read has always been thoughtful and entertaining. I’ll catch up on everything I’ve missed when your book comes out!
I’ve travelled a lot through SEA and completely agree with your take on mopeds - crazy but organised, efficient but not sustainable.
I think e-bikes and e-scooters are part of the answer. As cities become more populated our streets just can’t cope with the sheer number of cars (let alone the fact that the trend of those cars getting larger rather than smaller).
I live in Sydney and driving across the city can be a nightmare and then finding a park can be an even bigger nightmare. If even half of the population undertook their >5km trip on two wheels or walked it would be a better experience for everyone. Making active forms of transport viable for local communities in cities whilst adopting e-bike and scooters would be great.
Also loved Koh-Tao, I spent a week there learning to free dive and it was incredible!
This was the best. Both because I love Koh Tao and I love that you had your first edible.
Can’t say I have read everything on your Substack, but what I have read has always been thoughtful and entertaining. I’ll catch up on everything I’ve missed when your book comes out!
I LOVE this! I'm glad you are able to be yourself while enjoying the moment. I'll take this with me when I travel.
"You’re a tourist. Be fine with doing touristy things.
Or more accurately, do the things that interest you, with plenty of curiousity while accepting the limits of your understanding of a place."
I’ve travelled a lot through SEA and completely agree with your take on mopeds - crazy but organised, efficient but not sustainable.
I think e-bikes and e-scooters are part of the answer. As cities become more populated our streets just can’t cope with the sheer number of cars (let alone the fact that the trend of those cars getting larger rather than smaller).
I live in Sydney and driving across the city can be a nightmare and then finding a park can be an even bigger nightmare. If even half of the population undertook their >5km trip on two wheels or walked it would be a better experience for everyone. Making active forms of transport viable for local communities in cities whilst adopting e-bike and scooters would be great.
Also loved Koh-Tao, I spent a week there learning to free dive and it was incredible!
Thanks for your articulation of the tourist vs traveller conundrum in Southeast Asia. I feel much better about our "bamboo" boat ride in Ninh Binh.
Justin, I hope you seek out a publisher upon your return and turn this wonderful journey into a book.
Contract already signed with Harbour and coming out in the first half of next year!