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Welcome to Notes on Traveling!
My name is Carola and I travel solo and full-time. Sometimes I stay in a place for just a few days; often I will explore regions in depth for a few months. Why fly when you can take buses, trains, and boats?
This blog is my digital travel brain — part diary but mostly a collection of comprehensive guides on destinations I have visited and travel know-how I have acquired in years of traveling on and off the beaten path.
Happy reading & even happier travels!
Greetings from the road,
C.
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Travel Tips & Journeys
East Timor
East Timor is one of the World's youngest countries and offers a Southeast Asia destination off the beaten track with a wealth of nature & history and some of the best diving.
Myanmar
Read all about my travels in the Land of Smiles: from Mandalay and surroundings down the river to Bagan and on to Inle Lake by train...
Thailand
Read all about my travels in the #1 Southeast Asian destination: Bangkok, Ayutthaya,…
Montenegro
Read all about my travels in tiny but mighty Montenegro: Kotor, Budva, Durmitor NP…
Brunei-Darussalam
Brunei-Darussalam on the island of Borneo is one of Asia's smallest countries but it boasts some of the continent's most pristine jungles.
Laos
One of the lesser known countries in Southeast Asia, Laos offers ancient Buddhist culture in Luang Prabang, cruises on the Mekong, jungle treks & much more.
Israel + Palestine
Read all about my travels in the Holy Land: Bethlehem, Hebron, the coast, the desert, Dead Sea,…
Croatia
Read my travel guides for Balkan classic Croatia: Pula, Klis Fortress, public transport…
Malaysia
From the beaches and jungles of Langkawi to street food paradise Penang and the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's mix of cultures from all over the continent is *truly* Asia.
Vietnam
Vietnam, aka the Land of Dragons, is a fast-growing Southeast Asia destination. My comprehensive guides cover Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, remote waterfalls, caves & more.
France
Look back at some of my adventure in La Grande Nation, France: walking, oysters, Paris,…
Latest Posts
My Choice Of Hotels In Jordan
Are you planning your once-in-a-lifetime Petra trip and are wondering where to stay in Jordan? Accommodation between Amman and Aqaba covers everything from hostels in Amman over Bedouin tents in Wadi Rum to exclusive Petra hotels. Prices for hotels in
Backpacking East Timor — All The Info You Need Before Your Trip
Traveling and even more so backpacking East Timor is more challenging than you’ll find it in most other destinations in Southeast Asia. Information is scarce. So is local transport. And to boot things are constantly changing. This travel/backpacking guide for
Oecusse, A Bit Of East Timor in The West
Oecusse (or Oecussi or Okusi or Oe-Cusse or Oecussi-Ambeno) is an East Timorese enclave on Indonesian West Timor with a population of about 70,000 on 814 km². It seems surprising that through the centuries it has remained part of Timor-Leste rather
Balibo And East Timor’s Western Border Region
The border region in the West of East Timor is one of the most remote areas of the country. The one main road is hard to navigate, narrow, and full of potholes as soon you turn left from the northern
East Timor’s Northwest Coast – Liquica, Maubara, Atabae, Batugade
The coast West of the capital offers East Timor favorite must-sees: uncrowded beaches, cliffs, colonial history. Thanks to solid minibus coverage, the stretch between Tasi Tolu, Liquica, and Maubara Fort lends itself to one or several day trips from Dili. Tasi
East Timor Coffee Country – How To Visit Gleno, Ermera & Letefoho
One of the best-kept secrets about Timor Leste is her distinction as a producer of some of the world’s best coffee. East Timor coffee might only account for 1% of the global coffee production but I loved the smooth, slightly
Suai – East Timor’s South Coast
If you’re using the Southern border crossing with West Timor, Suai is the first city you’ll get to, 30 km into East Timor. At first glance, the largest city on East Timor’s Southern coast offers more of the same as the
How To Climb Mount Ramelau & What To Do Around Maubisse
As you set out from Taibissi bus station and make your way along the road from Dili into the mountains, you’ll notice motorcycles and anggunas proudly decorated with the red/black/yellow Timor-Leste flags pass you by. Those vehicles are most likely
How To Visit East Timor’s Sacred Jaco Island (Plus: Nino Konis Santana NP)
Jaco is a sacred island in the far East of Timor Leste. Along with East Timor’s largest lake, Ila Lalaro, it is part of the country’s first conservation area, Nino Konis Santana National Park. Beyond the remote island off Valu Sere
The Northeast Timor Leste Coast – Baucau, Lautem & Com
Explore East Timor's Northeastern coast along a stunning coastal road that runs right along uncrowded beaches, rice fields, and bushland. Visit the country's second city, Baucau, and beach resort Com with a quick stop at the Lautem Fort. Baucau Baucau is East
How To Visit Atauro Island, East Timor
After Dili, Pulau Atauro is the second most visited region of East Timor. The island sits just off the coast of Dili and offers prime diving plus off the grid hiking. Diving on Atauro The main reason why people visit East Timor
Things To Do In Dili, East Timor
Dili, East Timor’s capital at the Northern coast is without a doubt the most-visited part of the country. It’s a great place for diving and to explore the country’s history, as well as a hub for travel into all the
Southeast Asia Off The Beaten Path — Why You Should Travel East Timor
Is there any backpacking in Southeast Asia off the beaten path left? Yes! Travel East Timor, a destination full of gems that few backpackers have explored!
Backpacking Brunei – How to Travel Borneo’s Green Heart (On A Budget)
So you are planning on backpacking Brunei, the small kingdom with more than 600 years of history on the island of Borneo, East of the Malay peninsula and Singapore, and Southwest of the Philippines? Let's adjust our expectations, shall we: Brunei-Darussalam
#discoverbrunei: Cheap or Free Things To Do In Brunei
The official Brunei tourism logo sports the slogan “The Green Heart of Borneo.” That pretty much sums up the main draw of the country. As I laid out in my post on backpacking Brunei, it’s never going to be a
How To Do The Ulu Temburong National Park Tour, Incl. The Canopy Walk
If you google “Things to do in Brunei” one of the top results is bound to be the Ulu Temburong National Park and its Belalong Canopy Walk. So when my friend Gabriela and I visited the tiny Asian nation during our short
10 things you didn’t know about accommodation booking with Booking.com
For years, I had been booking my accommodation strictly via hostel websites (directly via links I found on Google maps and via the portals hostelbookers, hostelworld, and Hostelling International's own hihostels.com). Then, I was approached by Booking.com to write about their
Backpacking Basics: Booking & Staying In A Hostel (Even If You’re Not A Backpacker)
Whether it’s your first backpacking trip during a gap year or you’re a seasoned solo traveler - staying in a hostel is not just a way to save money while traveling but also an opportunity to meet people and get local
Malaysia Guide – All The Info You Need To Help With Your Trip Planning
Malaysia is a rising star in the traveling scene: From bustling metropolis to quaint old towns, endless sandy beaches to impenetrable jungles, action & adventure to exquisite culture - Malaysia has it all. Add to that great food, an efficient
3 Essential Traveler Faces (Travel Safety 101)
The most extensive and versatile toolset any traveler has at their disposition, which also happens to be free, is their behavior. In this post, I am going to introduce you to the in my experience three most important facial expressions