The Sandy Papers
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🐉 Your attention please🐉 I am now entering the Kingdom of Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon 🐉

🐉 Instead of flying into Paro, I thought it would be super extra to do a land border crossing at the newly-reopened Jaigon-Phuentsholing gate via private off-road vehicle. I was not wrong 🐉

🐉 If you’re interested in attempting this yourself, I’ll post more on that later on the blog. Suffice it to say there was never a dull moment. From here, I’ll be road-tripping around the country 🐉

🐉 Furthermore, Imma use the hell outta this dragon emoji on all of my Bhutan posts. 🐉 You’re welcome 🐉.
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#bhutan #bhutantravel #bhutandiaries #bhutantourism #travelblogger #travelblog #travelersnotebook #thesandypapers #traveler #travelingram #roadtrip #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #bordercrossing #travelphotography #travelasia #asia #wanderlust #wander #wanderfolk #wanderout #wandermore #wanderer #traveladdict #womenwhowrite #travelpics #travellife #momentsofmine

40 7
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🐉 Your attention please🐉 I am now entering the Kingdom of Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon 🐉

🐉 Instead of flying into Paro, I thought it would be super extra to do a land border crossing at the newly-reopened Jaigon-Phuentsholing gate via private off-road vehicle.  I was not wrong 🐉 

🐉 If you’re interested in attempting this yourself, I’ll post more on that later on the blog.  Suffice it to say there was never a dull moment. From here, I’ll be road-tripping around the country 🐉

🐉 Furthermore, Imma use the hell outta this dragon emoji on all of my Bhutan posts. 🐉 You’re welcome 🐉.
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#bhutan #bhutantravel #bhutandiaries #bhutantourism #travelblogger #travelblog #travelersnotebook #thesandypapers #traveler #travelingram #roadtrip #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #bordercrossing #travelphotography #travelasia #asia #wanderlust #wander #wanderfolk #wanderout #wandermore #wanderer #traveladdict  #womenwhowrite #travelpics #travellife #momentsofmine

🛞 Notes from the road, West Bengal, India, 10 March 23, 9:01 p.m.

🚂 Straddling a west-facing ridge and surrounded by tea plantations, Darjeeling town spills down jagged cliffs in a complicated series of skinny roads and steep flights of stairs. Like many places in the Himalayas, half the fun is getting there and Darjeeling is no exception.

🚂 Famous for its mini railway, Darjeeling’s Toy Train isn’t the quickest way to get here, but it is a must. Built between 1879 and 1881, the DHR covers 50 miles, including five switchbacks and four complete loops, and takes nine hours to complete. If nine hours sounds extra, try traveling only the last stretch of the journey from Ghoom to Darjeeling. That’s what I did today. Fair warning: The steam locomotives are notoriously unreliable. Mercifully, my train was only delayed a half hour; and, once underway, the entire journey only took 60 minutes.

🚂 When the steam engine did arrive, I was assigned to the first carriage in seat 18, a window seat. Yay! Until we rounded the last bend. The sparks generated by the coal being shoveled into the engine started flying through the windows and burned a tiny hole in my very new, very beautiful pashmina purchased only two days before while in Jaipur for Holi.

🚂 Breaking news: Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Sometimes, trains are late. Sometimes, clothing gets banged up. Sometimes, the street food lady sold the last samosa to the customer right before you! Still, there’s no need to lose your head. Take a deep breath, acknowledge what’s happened and make a new plan.

🚂 Yes, getting here was half the fun. The other half was finding a tailor to repair my pashmina. Guess what? It turned out splendidly! Of course, it’s not exactly the way it was before, but I believe there is beauty in broken things. Like my scarf. Each time I wear it, it’ll remind me of the memories I‘ve made here. All aboard, y’all! Next stop, Bhutan!
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#darjeeling #toytrain #train #india #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #travelawesome #travelpics #thesandypapers #travelindia #womenwhoexplore #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveladdict #travelbug #wanderer #traveler #travellife

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🛞 Notes from the road, West Bengal, India, 10 March 23, 9:01 p.m.

🚂 Straddling a west-facing ridge and surrounded by tea plantations, Darjeeling town spills down jagged cliffs in a complicated series of skinny roads and steep flights of stairs.  Like many places in the Himalayas, half the fun is getting there and Darjeeling is no exception.

🚂 Famous for its mini railway, Darjeeling’s Toy Train isn’t the quickest way to get here, but it is a must.  Built between 1879 and 1881, the DHR covers 50 miles, including five switchbacks and four complete loops, and takes nine hours to complete.  If nine hours sounds extra, try traveling only the last stretch of the journey from Ghoom to Darjeeling.  That’s what I did today.  Fair warning:  The steam locomotives are notoriously unreliable.  Mercifully, my train was only delayed a half hour; and, once underway, the entire journey only took 60 minutes.

🚂 When the steam engine did arrive, I was assigned to the first carriage in seat 18, a window seat.  Yay!  Until we rounded the last bend.  The sparks generated by the coal being shoveled into the engine started flying through the windows and burned a tiny hole in my very new, very beautiful pashmina purchased only two days before while in Jaipur for Holi.

🚂 Breaking news:  Sometimes, things don’t go as planned.  Sometimes, trains are late. Sometimes, clothing gets banged up.  Sometimes, the street food lady sold the last samosa to the customer right before you!  Still, there’s no need to lose your head.  Take a deep breath, acknowledge what’s happened and make a new plan. 

🚂 Yes, getting here was half the fun.  The other half was finding a tailor to repair my pashmina.  Guess what?  It turned out splendidly!  Of course, it’s not exactly the way it was before, but I believe there is beauty in broken things.  Like my scarf.  Each time I wear it, it’ll remind me of the memories I‘ve made here.  All aboard, y’all!  Next stop, Bhutan!
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#darjeeling #toytrain #train #india #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #travelawesome #travelpics #thesandypapers #travelindia #womenwhoexplore #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveladdict #travelbug #wanderer #traveler #travellife

🪬 Spiritual, enlightening and fabulously photogenic, Varanasi is a city full of life — and death. Pilgrims flock here to worship, to take a holy dip in Mother Ganges, to cremate their loved ones and to die themselves. So, take a deep breath and allow yourself to be swept up in its dizzying spiritual whirlwind. Welcome to Varanasi, y’all, the oldest living city on Earth 🪬.
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#varanasi #varanasidiaries #varanasiindia #india #travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelawesome #travelholic #traveladdict #travellife #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #thesandypapers #ghatsofvaranasi #traveldiaries #travelguide #traveltheworld #travelcommunity #explorepage #explore @greaves_tours @imdeevya @forbestravelguide #forbesindia @natgeotravel @natgeoyourshot #travelbloggerlife #travelmore #wanderlust #wander #wanderer

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🪬 Spiritual, enlightening and fabulously photogenic, Varanasi is a city full of life — and death.  Pilgrims flock here to worship, to take a holy dip in Mother Ganges, to cremate their loved ones and to die themselves.  So, take a deep breath and allow yourself to be swept up in its dizzying spiritual whirlwind.  Welcome to Varanasi, y’all, the oldest living city on Earth 🪬.
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#varanasi #varanasidiaries #varanasiindia #india #travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelawesome #travelholic #traveladdict #travellife #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #thesandypapers #ghatsofvaranasi #traveldiaries #travelguide #traveltheworld #travelcommunity #explorepage #explore @greaves_tours @imdeevya @forbestravelguide #forbesindia @natgeotravel @natgeoyourshot #travelbloggerlife #travelmore #wanderlust #wander #wanderer

🧐 Questions, questions, questions. For the most part, I don’t mind people asking me questions, but I do wish some of those people would get a life or, in many cases, a firm grip. Most every day of my life, someone asks me if I’m traveling alone. YES, I AM TRAVELING ALONE.

💪🏻 Friday, 13 January 23, I woke up in Saigon. I grabbed some coffee. I grabbed some books on Book Street. I grabbed some lunch. I grabbed my stuff. At 3:30, I grabbed a cab. By nightfall, I had grabbed Delhi, India by the balls.

💪🏻 I did all of these things — you guessed it — alone. Actually, I have questions of my own. Like… why is this news? Traveling alone is deeply empowering. You gain confidence. You learn patience. You gain physical and mental strength. You become super-adaptive. Traveling solo builds a skill set you can’t possibly get any other way. That’s one of the things I love about it, the constant challenge.

💪🏻 Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a very powerful person. Read that twice. Namaste, y’all. x Sandy.
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#travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #traveling #traveler #travelawesome #travelblog #momentsofmine #traveldiaries #traveldiary #deepthoughts #solotravel #delhi #delhidiaries #delhigram @greaves_tours #redfort #thesandypapers #traveltheworld #exploreindia #india #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel

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🧐 Questions, questions, questions.  For the most part, I don’t mind people asking me questions, but I do wish some of those people would get a life or, in many cases, a firm grip.  Most every day of my life, someone asks me if I’m traveling alone.  YES, I AM TRAVELING ALONE.

💪🏻 Friday, 13 January 23, I woke up in Saigon.  I grabbed some coffee.  I grabbed some books on Book Street.  I grabbed some lunch.  I grabbed my stuff.  At 3:30, I grabbed a cab.  By nightfall, I had grabbed Delhi, India by the balls.

💪🏻 I did all of these things — you guessed it — alone.  Actually, I have questions of my own. Like… why is this news?  Traveling alone is deeply empowering.  You gain confidence.  You learn patience.  You gain physical and mental strength.  You become super-adaptive. Traveling solo builds a skill set you can’t possibly get any other way.  That’s one of the things I love about it, the constant challenge.

💪🏻 Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a very powerful person.  Read that twice.  Namaste, y’all.  x Sandy.
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#travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #traveling #traveler #travelawesome #travelblog #momentsofmine #traveldiaries #traveldiary #deepthoughts #solotravel #delhi #delhidiaries #delhigram @greaves_tours #redfort #thesandypapers #traveltheworld #exploreindia #india #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel

💥 The Most Epic New Year’s Ever 💥 More in Stories 💥 x Sandy 💥.
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#hanoi #vietnam #hanoivietnam #newyear #2023 #travelblogger #travelphotography #travel #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelinspiration #travelawesome #travelblog #traveladdict #traveladdicted #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #explore #exploreeverything #explorevietnam #exploreasia #traveldiaries #traveldiary #coffeetime #travelgoals #thesandypapers #travelbloggerlife

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💥 The Most Epic New Year’s Ever 💥 More in Stories 💥 x Sandy 💥.
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#hanoi #vietnam #hanoivietnam #newyear #2023 #travelblogger #travelphotography #travel #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelinspiration #travelawesome #travelblog #traveladdict #traveladdicted #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #explore #exploreeverything #explorevietnam #exploreasia #traveldiaries #traveldiary #coffeetime #travelgoals #thesandypapers #travelbloggerlife
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  • Home
  • About
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Eastern Europe
    • North America
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Travel Awesome
    • Travel Hacks
      • Travel Tips
    • Travel Style
    • UNESCO
    • Urban Legends
  • Contact
The Sandy Papers

A personal travel blog written by a travel-obsessed girl, featuring tons of tips, stories, guides, videos and photography from around the world. Ninety-nine countries and counting! I’m so happy you’re here! Welcome.

Drowned, Decapitated and Drop-Dead Crazy: The Island of the Dolls

October 29, 2022 0 comment

Hungry Like the Wolf: My Search for the Best Black Forest Cake in the Black Forest!

September 1, 2022 0 comment

Beethoven’s Bewitching Bonn!

August 20, 2022 0 comment

Castles in the Sky: Your Fairytale Guide to Portugal!

June 7, 2022 0 comment

The Art of the Stroll: Coyoacan Edition!

May 11, 2022 0 comment

Red Hot, Right Now: Iceland!

January 31, 2022 0 comment
BoatCentral AmericaCustoms, Traditions and SuperstitionsHaunted HistoryMexicoMexico CityTrajinerasTravel AwesomeUrban Legends

Drowned, Decapitated and Drop-Dead Crazy: The Island of the Dolls

by Sandy October 29, 2022
written by Sandy

Deep in the heart of the canals of Xochimilco lies an island.  An island with a tragic and terrifying history.  An island that will send shivers up and down your spine.  Over the years, rumors have run rampant about this tiny island being cursed or inhabited by something (or some things?) darker.

If you are easily frightened by the supernatural or the unexplained, you may want to read this post with the lights on because I’m about to share with you the tragic, true story of one of the most haunted places on the planet:  The Island of the Dolls.

I first heard about the island a few years ago when researching a trip to Mexico City.  While

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October 29, 2022 0 comment
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Black ForestCakeEatFairy Tale RouteFoodieGermanyRoad TrippingWestern Europe

Hungry Like the Wolf: My Search for the Best Black Forest Cake in the Black Forest!

by Sandy September 1, 2022
written by Sandy

Exploring the Black Forest requires stamina, y’all!  You have to park the car, get out of the car, walk through insanely picturesque villages and towns, sometimes strolling beside — gasp! — spectacular riverbeds, get back in the car and then drive to the next dazzling destination. Nightmarish indeed!

How’s a girl supposed to find the staying power to manage such Herculean feats?  By eating Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte of course! That’s right, y’all.   While driving the famed Fairy Tale Route, I began a crusade to find the best Black Forest Cake in the Black Forest!

At this point, you might be asking yourself, Sandy, why do they call it Black Forest Cake?  Excellent question!  So, before I reveal the results of my

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September 1, 2022 0 comment
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BeethovenBonnComposersDrinkEatGermanyIconsRoad TrippingWestern Europe

Beethoven’s Bewitching Bonn!

by Sandy August 20, 2022
written by Sandy

Germany is celebrated for many things.  From fairy tales and fast cars to castles and classical music, you’re spoiled for choice on where to begin your German adventure and what to include. So spoiled, in fact, that designing an itinerary that covers everything you want to see, taste and experience can be a serious dilemma.

The solution?  A kick-ass road trip!

Late summer and early fall are my favorite times of the year to visit Europe. The crowds are leaving, the temperatures are cooler and, historically, the rates are a bit more favorable. Unsurprisingly, I want to cram as much as humanly possible into the two months I’ve allotted for my latest German adventure, chronicling my antics all along the

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August 20, 2022 0 comment
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CastlesIconic LandmarksLisbonPortoSintraWestern Europe

Castles in the Sky: Your Fairytale Guide to Portugal!

by Sandy June 7, 2022
written by Sandy

Castle, castle, fortress, castle. Swoon!   Hopping from castle to castle is enough to get any traveler excited.  Throw in mind-blowing medieval villages bolstered by staggering cliffs wrapped up by spectacular, sweeping views in every direction and I👏🏻am👏🏻 all👏🏻in👏🏻!

Scattered across lush grasslands, jaw-dropping seascapes and dramatic limestone outcrops, Portuguese castles comprise a small but important part of the historical heritage of the country. Did you know that there are more than 150 castles in Portugal? Well, there are.  And to visit even a handful of them takes a bit of planning.  By now, you might be asking yourself, “Which ones are ‘worth’ it?”

The answer to this question, of course, is that it depends.   How much time are you

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June 7, 2022 0 comment
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Central AmericaIconic LandmarksMexicoMexico CityTravel StyleTravel TipsWalking

The Art of the Stroll: Coyoacan Edition!

by Sandy May 11, 2022
written by Sandy

Mexico City is having a moment.  Sure, the sunny Central American country has been luring tourists for ages with its sandy beaches and all-inclusive resorts.  But for travelers seeking mind-blowing food, amazing art and architecture, history and religion, adventure-packed excursions and exciting nightlife, you are spoiled for choice in this colorful capital!   Street life is buzzy and fun and there is something new and different happening around every corner.  When deciding where to base myself this past February, a few neighborhoods sounded like a good fit.  But Coyoacan caught my attention.

Exploring a new city can seem intimidating, especially for new globetrotters — Is it safe?  What if I get lost?   I don’t speak the language!  — but it

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May 11, 2022 0 comment
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About Me

About Me

Hi!  I’m Sandy, a fierce Virgo with a serious case of wanderlust that is rivaled only by an equally spectacular case of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I’m Native Texan to the bone, although I was actually born in the Black Forest under a gibbous moon. Speaking of black, I love black licorice, black crystals and black humor.

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🐉 Your attention please🐉 I am now entering the Kingdom of Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon 🐉

🐉 Instead of flying into Paro, I thought it would be super extra to do a land border crossing at the newly-reopened Jaigon-Phuentsholing gate via private off-road vehicle. I was not wrong 🐉

🐉 If you’re interested in attempting this yourself, I’ll post more on that later on the blog. Suffice it to say there was never a dull moment. From here, I’ll be road-tripping around the country 🐉

🐉 Furthermore, Imma use the hell outta this dragon emoji on all of my Bhutan posts. 🐉 You’re welcome 🐉.
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#bhutan #bhutantravel #bhutandiaries #bhutantourism #travelblogger #travelblog #travelersnotebook #thesandypapers #traveler #travelingram #roadtrip #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #bordercrossing #travelphotography #travelasia #asia #wanderlust #wander #wanderfolk #wanderout #wandermore #wanderer #traveladdict #womenwhowrite #travelpics #travellife #momentsofmine

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🐉 Your attention please🐉 I am now entering the Kingdom of Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon 🐉

🐉 Instead of flying into Paro, I thought it would be super extra to do a land border crossing at the newly-reopened Jaigon-Phuentsholing gate via private off-road vehicle.  I was not wrong 🐉 

🐉 If you’re interested in attempting this yourself, I’ll post more on that later on the blog.  Suffice it to say there was never a dull moment. From here, I’ll be road-tripping around the country 🐉

🐉 Furthermore, Imma use the hell outta this dragon emoji on all of my Bhutan posts. 🐉 You’re welcome 🐉.
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.
#bhutan #bhutantravel #bhutandiaries #bhutantourism #travelblogger #travelblog #travelersnotebook #thesandypapers #traveler #travelingram #roadtrip #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #bordercrossing #travelphotography #travelasia #asia #wanderlust #wander #wanderfolk #wanderout #wandermore #wanderer #traveladdict  #womenwhowrite #travelpics #travellife #momentsofmine

🛞 Notes from the road, West Bengal, India, 10 March 23, 9:01 p.m.

🚂 Straddling a west-facing ridge and surrounded by tea plantations, Darjeeling town spills down jagged cliffs in a complicated series of skinny roads and steep flights of stairs. Like many places in the Himalayas, half the fun is getting there and Darjeeling is no exception.

🚂 Famous for its mini railway, Darjeeling’s Toy Train isn’t the quickest way to get here, but it is a must. Built between 1879 and 1881, the DHR covers 50 miles, including five switchbacks and four complete loops, and takes nine hours to complete. If nine hours sounds extra, try traveling only the last stretch of the journey from Ghoom to Darjeeling. That’s what I did today. Fair warning: The steam locomotives are notoriously unreliable. Mercifully, my train was only delayed a half hour; and, once underway, the entire journey only took 60 minutes.

🚂 When the steam engine did arrive, I was assigned to the first carriage in seat 18, a window seat. Yay! Until we rounded the last bend. The sparks generated by the coal being shoveled into the engine started flying through the windows and burned a tiny hole in my very new, very beautiful pashmina purchased only two days before while in Jaipur for Holi.

🚂 Breaking news: Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Sometimes, trains are late. Sometimes, clothing gets banged up. Sometimes, the street food lady sold the last samosa to the customer right before you! Still, there’s no need to lose your head. Take a deep breath, acknowledge what’s happened and make a new plan.

🚂 Yes, getting here was half the fun. The other half was finding a tailor to repair my pashmina. Guess what? It turned out splendidly! Of course, it’s not exactly the way it was before, but I believe there is beauty in broken things. Like my scarf. Each time I wear it, it’ll remind me of the memories I‘ve made here. All aboard, y’all! Next stop, Bhutan!
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#darjeeling #toytrain #train #india #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #travelawesome #travelpics #thesandypapers #travelindia #womenwhoexplore #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveladdict #travelbug #wanderer #traveler #travellife

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🛞 Notes from the road, West Bengal, India, 10 March 23, 9:01 p.m.

🚂 Straddling a west-facing ridge and surrounded by tea plantations, Darjeeling town spills down jagged cliffs in a complicated series of skinny roads and steep flights of stairs.  Like many places in the Himalayas, half the fun is getting there and Darjeeling is no exception.

🚂 Famous for its mini railway, Darjeeling’s Toy Train isn’t the quickest way to get here, but it is a must.  Built between 1879 and 1881, the DHR covers 50 miles, including five switchbacks and four complete loops, and takes nine hours to complete.  If nine hours sounds extra, try traveling only the last stretch of the journey from Ghoom to Darjeeling.  That’s what I did today.  Fair warning:  The steam locomotives are notoriously unreliable.  Mercifully, my train was only delayed a half hour; and, once underway, the entire journey only took 60 minutes.

🚂 When the steam engine did arrive, I was assigned to the first carriage in seat 18, a window seat.  Yay!  Until we rounded the last bend.  The sparks generated by the coal being shoveled into the engine started flying through the windows and burned a tiny hole in my very new, very beautiful pashmina purchased only two days before while in Jaipur for Holi.

🚂 Breaking news:  Sometimes, things don’t go as planned.  Sometimes, trains are late. Sometimes, clothing gets banged up.  Sometimes, the street food lady sold the last samosa to the customer right before you!  Still, there’s no need to lose your head.  Take a deep breath, acknowledge what’s happened and make a new plan. 

🚂 Yes, getting here was half the fun.  The other half was finding a tailor to repair my pashmina.  Guess what?  It turned out splendidly!  Of course, it’s not exactly the way it was before, but I believe there is beauty in broken things.  Like my scarf.  Each time I wear it, it’ll remind me of the memories I‘ve made here.  All aboard, y’all!  Next stop, Bhutan!
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#darjeeling #toytrain #train #india #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #travelawesome #travelpics #thesandypapers #travelindia #womenwhoexplore #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveladdict #travelbug #wanderer #traveler #travellife

🪬 Spiritual, enlightening and fabulously photogenic, Varanasi is a city full of life — and death. Pilgrims flock here to worship, to take a holy dip in Mother Ganges, to cremate their loved ones and to die themselves. So, take a deep breath and allow yourself to be swept up in its dizzying spiritual whirlwind. Welcome to Varanasi, y’all, the oldest living city on Earth 🪬.
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#varanasi #varanasidiaries #varanasiindia #india #travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelawesome #travelholic #traveladdict #travellife #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #thesandypapers #ghatsofvaranasi #traveldiaries #travelguide #traveltheworld #travelcommunity #explorepage #explore @greaves_tours @imdeevya @forbestravelguide #forbesindia @natgeotravel @natgeoyourshot #travelbloggerlife #travelmore #wanderlust #wander #wanderer

47 4
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🪬 Spiritual, enlightening and fabulously photogenic, Varanasi is a city full of life — and death.  Pilgrims flock here to worship, to take a holy dip in Mother Ganges, to cremate their loved ones and to die themselves.  So, take a deep breath and allow yourself to be swept up in its dizzying spiritual whirlwind.  Welcome to Varanasi, y’all, the oldest living city on Earth 🪬.
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#varanasi #varanasidiaries #varanasiindia #india #travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelawesome #travelholic #traveladdict #travellife #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #thesandypapers #ghatsofvaranasi #traveldiaries #travelguide #traveltheworld #travelcommunity #explorepage #explore @greaves_tours @imdeevya @forbestravelguide #forbesindia @natgeotravel @natgeoyourshot #travelbloggerlife #travelmore #wanderlust #wander #wanderer

🧐 Questions, questions, questions. For the most part, I don’t mind people asking me questions, but I do wish some of those people would get a life or, in many cases, a firm grip. Most every day of my life, someone asks me if I’m traveling alone. YES, I AM TRAVELING ALONE.

💪🏻 Friday, 13 January 23, I woke up in Saigon. I grabbed some coffee. I grabbed some books on Book Street. I grabbed some lunch. I grabbed my stuff. At 3:30, I grabbed a cab. By nightfall, I had grabbed Delhi, India by the balls.

💪🏻 I did all of these things — you guessed it — alone. Actually, I have questions of my own. Like… why is this news? Traveling alone is deeply empowering. You gain confidence. You learn patience. You gain physical and mental strength. You become super-adaptive. Traveling solo builds a skill set you can’t possibly get any other way. That’s one of the things I love about it, the constant challenge.

💪🏻 Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a very powerful person. Read that twice. Namaste, y’all. x Sandy.
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#travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #traveling #traveler #travelawesome #travelblog #momentsofmine #traveldiaries #traveldiary #deepthoughts #solotravel #delhi #delhidiaries #delhigram @greaves_tours #redfort #thesandypapers #traveltheworld #exploreindia #india #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel

54 11
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🧐 Questions, questions, questions.  For the most part, I don’t mind people asking me questions, but I do wish some of those people would get a life or, in many cases, a firm grip.  Most every day of my life, someone asks me if I’m traveling alone.  YES, I AM TRAVELING ALONE.

💪🏻 Friday, 13 January 23, I woke up in Saigon.  I grabbed some coffee.  I grabbed some books on Book Street.  I grabbed some lunch.  I grabbed my stuff.  At 3:30, I grabbed a cab.  By nightfall, I had grabbed Delhi, India by the balls.

💪🏻 I did all of these things — you guessed it — alone.  Actually, I have questions of my own. Like… why is this news?  Traveling alone is deeply empowering.  You gain confidence.  You learn patience.  You gain physical and mental strength.  You become super-adaptive. Traveling solo builds a skill set you can’t possibly get any other way.  That’s one of the things I love about it, the constant challenge.

💪🏻 Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a very powerful person.  Read that twice.  Namaste, y’all.  x Sandy.
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#travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #traveling #traveler #travelawesome #travelblog #momentsofmine #traveldiaries #traveldiary #deepthoughts #solotravel #delhi #delhidiaries #delhigram @greaves_tours #redfort #thesandypapers #traveltheworld #exploreindia #india #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel

💥 The Most Epic New Year’s Ever 💥 More in Stories 💥 x Sandy 💥.
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#hanoi #vietnam #hanoivietnam #newyear #2023 #travelblogger #travelphotography #travel #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelinspiration #travelawesome #travelblog #traveladdict #traveladdicted #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #explore #exploreeverything #explorevietnam #exploreasia #traveldiaries #traveldiary #coffeetime #travelgoals #thesandypapers #travelbloggerlife

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💥 The Most Epic New Year’s Ever 💥 More in Stories 💥 x Sandy 💥.
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#hanoi #vietnam #hanoivietnam #newyear #2023 #travelblogger #travelphotography #travel #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelinspiration #travelawesome #travelblog #traveladdict #traveladdicted #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #explore #exploreeverything #explorevietnam #exploreasia #traveldiaries #traveldiary #coffeetime #travelgoals #thesandypapers #travelbloggerlife

🧘🏻‍♂️ Buddhism continues to be a deeply influential religion in Asia and its presence here is unmistakable. In fact, most of your photo albums from Southeast Asia will be packed with pictures of monks, especially in Cambodia. Orange robes against ancient ruins backlit with sunrises and sunsets all conspire to provide some seriously jaw-dropping photo opportunities.

🧘🏻‍♂️ Inevitably, you’re bound to see many a monk up close and personal, making it very important to know how to interact with them — or rather how not to interact with them.

🧘🏻‍♂️ But don’t panic! I’ve prepared a short cheat sheet on monk etiquette. While monks are usually friendly with tourists, it’s still necessary to know some basics.

🧘🏻‍♂️ Monk Rules For Dummies:
🔥 Do not point at a monk.
🔥 Do not touch a monk’s head (or anyone else’s, for that matter). It is a sign of disrespect.
🔥 Women especially should never touch a monk. It’s generally forbidden for Buddhist monks to come into physical contact with women. Even touching a monk on accident (for example, brushing up against his robes) requires the monk to perform a lengthy cleansing process.
🔥 Do not ask monks to pose with you or for you.
🔥 Do not take selfies with monks.
🔥 Do not disturb monks while they are in worship.
🔥 Do not photograph monks while they are in worship.

🧘🏻‍♂️ So, there you have it. Being a good traveler means being able to adapt to different cultures and customs, regardless of how unusual they may seem to us. But being a nice human should always be a thing, no matter where you are in the world. Cheers to an adventure-filled 2023, y’all! Namaste, Sandy.
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#monk #monks #buddhism #cambodia #siemreap #angkorwat #asia #travelblogger #travelphotography #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveladdict #travellife #travelpics #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #orange #unesco @natgeoyourshot #traveler #traveling #traveldiaries #traveldeeper #travelcambodia #travelasia #thesandypapers #travelbug #wanderlust #wander #wanderer #explore

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🧘🏻‍♂️ Buddhism continues to be a deeply influential religion in Asia and its presence here is unmistakable.  In fact, most of your photo albums from Southeast Asia will be packed with pictures of monks, especially in Cambodia.  Orange robes against ancient ruins backlit with sunrises and sunsets all conspire to provide some seriously jaw-dropping photo opportunities.

🧘🏻‍♂️ Inevitably, you’re bound to see many a monk up close and personal, making it very important to know how to interact with them — or rather how not to interact with them.

🧘🏻‍♂️ But don’t panic!  I’ve prepared a short cheat sheet on monk etiquette.  While monks are usually friendly with tourists, it’s still necessary to know some basics.

🧘🏻‍♂️ Monk Rules For Dummies:
🔥 Do not point at a monk.
🔥 Do not touch a monk’s head (or anyone else’s, for that matter). It is a sign of disrespect.
🔥 Women especially should never touch a monk.  It’s generally forbidden for Buddhist monks to come into physical contact with women.  Even touching a monk on accident (for example, brushing up against his robes) requires the monk to perform a lengthy cleansing process.
🔥 Do not ask monks to pose with you or for you.
🔥 Do not take selfies with monks.
🔥 Do not disturb monks while they are in worship.
🔥 Do not photograph monks while they are in worship.

🧘🏻‍♂️ So, there you have it.  Being a good traveler means being able to adapt to different cultures and customs, regardless of how unusual they may seem to us.  But being a nice human should always be a thing, no matter where you are in the world.  Cheers to an adventure-filled 2023, y’all!  Namaste, Sandy.
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#monk #monks #buddhism #cambodia #siemreap #angkorwat #asia #travelblogger #travelphotography #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveladdict #travellife #travelpics #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #orange #unesco @natgeoyourshot #traveler #traveling #traveldiaries #traveldeeper #travelcambodia #travelasia #thesandypapers #travelbug #wanderlust #wander #wanderer #explore

🛞 Notes from the road, Ban Ka Long Train Station, 24 Dec 22, 4:14 p.m.

🚂 Christmas Eve finds me on the outskirts of Bangkok. Broadly speaking, I’m about 50 miles outside Bangkok’s city center. Specifically speaking, I’m standing at the Ban Ka Long train station on my way to the so-called Life-Risking Market. Yes, you read that correctly. Life-Risking Market. Naturally, I have to investigate 🧐

🚂 Considered to be one of the most dangerous markets in the world, the Maeklong Railway Market has been around since 1905. Fishing was and still is a primary means of support for the people who live here and the market is a wonderful way for them to sell their merch. But Thailand officials decided to construct a railway to bring in customers from other provinces around Thailand, including the capital. Miraculously, in spite of the tracks cutting a path smack through the middle of it, the market remained.

🚂 Traveling at a whopping 19 miles an hour, you’ll hear the train long before you actually see it. Vendors and merchants calmly begin moving their wares away from the tracks, along with their umbrellas and awnings, as the train barrels forward. The precision with which this is accomplished is nothing short of shocking. Blasting its horn every now and again to warn people of its approach, the train cuts its way through the chaos. Truly a sight to behold! With barely an inch to spare, it (somehow?!) manages to pass through without damaging property or killing me. Yay for small victories!

🚂 Open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the market is a great place for buying seafood, fruits, vegetables, meats and other miscellaneous goods. From the Ban Ka Long station, it only took about 25 minutes to arrive. Definitely one for the bucket list, a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market is mandatory when visiting Thailand. All aboard — and Merry Christmas, y’all! x Sandy.
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#travelblogger #bangkok #bangkokthailand #maeklong #travelling #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #traveladdict #thesandypapers #travel #travelphotography #travelblog #travelbloggers #womenwhotravel #traveldiaries #traveldiary

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🛞 Notes from the road, Ban Ka Long Train Station, 24 Dec 22, 4:14 p.m.

🚂 Christmas Eve finds me on the outskirts of Bangkok.  Broadly speaking, I’m about 50 miles outside Bangkok’s city center.  Specifically speaking, I’m standing at the Ban Ka Long train station on my way to the so-called Life-Risking Market.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Life-Risking Market.  Naturally, I have to investigate 🧐

🚂 Considered to be one of the most dangerous markets in the world, the Maeklong Railway Market has been around since 1905.  Fishing was and still is a primary means of support for the people who live here and the market is a wonderful way for them to sell their merch.  But Thailand officials decided to construct a railway to bring in customers from other provinces around Thailand, including the capital.  Miraculously, in spite of the tracks cutting a path smack through the middle of it, the market remained.

🚂 Traveling at a whopping 19 miles an hour, you’ll hear the train long before you actually see it.  Vendors and merchants calmly begin moving their wares away from the tracks, along with their umbrellas and awnings, as the train barrels forward.  The precision with which this is accomplished is nothing short of shocking.  Blasting its horn every now and again to warn people of its approach, the train cuts its way through the chaos.  Truly a sight to behold!  With barely an inch to spare, it (somehow?!) manages to pass through without damaging property or killing me.  Yay for small victories!

🚂 Open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the market is a great place for buying seafood, fruits, vegetables, meats and other miscellaneous goods.  From the Ban Ka Long station, it only took about 25 minutes to arrive.  Definitely one for the bucket list, a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market is mandatory when visiting Thailand.  All aboard — and Merry Christmas, y’all!  x Sandy.
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#travelblogger #bangkok #bangkokthailand #maeklong #travelling #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveler #traveladdict #thesandypapers #travel #travelphotography #travelblog #travelbloggers #womenwhotravel #traveldiaries #traveldiary

🛞 Notes from the road, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 17 Dec 23, 3:04 p.m.

🐇 Crossing the border from Vietnam into Cambodia isn’t difficult, but it is disorganized. Today, I crossed via private transportation. Moc Bai to Bavet is the main route from Saigon and, mercifully, it’s only a two-hour drive. After reaching the border station, I hopped out of the car and, apparently, into the rabbit hole.

First, border control checkpoint for Vietnam. Heading inside, bags in tow, the first step was to present them for x-ray, which took a minute. Next up, passport check. Easy enough, as long as you’re willing to pay a random bribe. After agreeing to give the agent exactly $1, I found myself smack in the middle of two countries on a very busy road, backpack and all. I had exited Vietnam but hadn’t quite made it to Cambodia. No Man’s Land.

This is some weird shit, y’all. Cars, bikes, trucks, tuk-tuks and pedestrians. Everyone is wandering around willy-nilly, seeking entry into one country and exit from the other. Making quick work of the half-mile walk, I arrived at the second (and final) building, border control for Cambodia. Again, not hard to do, but it was very humid and it kind of sucked.

Once inside, I again presented my bags for x-ray. Immediately after that, an extremely large giant approached me with an immigration slip to complete. So, I did that. Next, visa check. Easy enough, only this time I did not agree to pay the bribe. Stop asking me for money please! Thank you! Finally, the last passport check. Here, my fingerprints were taken and my eyeballs, too, were x-rayed.

All in, it only took about 45 minutes to do all the things. After locating my driver, we hopped back into the van and drove off into our future. A pleasant two-hour drive later, I’ve just arrived in Phnom Penh. Prepare thyself, people. This will be amazing! #travel #travelasia #cambodia #phnompenh #temple #travelling #travelphotography #travelersnotebook #travelawesome #traveladdict #travel #travellife #roadtrip #temple #traveladdict #thesandypapers #travelpics #traveldiaries #travelblog #travelblogger #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveldeeper #womenwhotravel #destinations

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🛞 Notes from the road, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 17 Dec 23, 3:04 p.m.

🐇 Crossing the border from Vietnam into Cambodia isn’t difficult, but it is disorganized.  Today, I crossed via private transportation.  Moc Bai to Bavet is the main route from Saigon and, mercifully, it’s only a two-hour drive.  After reaching the border station, I hopped out of the car and, apparently, into the rabbit hole.

First, border control checkpoint for Vietnam. Heading inside, bags in tow, the first step was to present them for x-ray, which took a minute. Next up, passport check.  Easy enough, as long as you’re willing to pay a random bribe. After agreeing to give the agent exactly $1, I found myself smack in the middle of two countries on a very busy road, backpack and all.  I had exited Vietnam but hadn’t quite made it to Cambodia.  No Man’s Land.

This is some weird shit, y’all.  Cars, bikes, trucks, tuk-tuks and pedestrians. Everyone is wandering around willy-nilly, seeking entry into one country and exit from the other.  Making quick work of the half-mile walk, I arrived at the second (and final) building, border control for Cambodia.  Again, not hard to do, but it was very humid and it kind of sucked.

Once inside, I again presented my bags for x-ray.  Immediately after that, an extremely large giant approached me with an immigration slip to complete.  So, I did that.  Next, visa check.  Easy enough, only this time I did not agree to pay the bribe.  Stop asking me for money please!  Thank you!  Finally, the last passport check.  Here, my fingerprints were taken and my eyeballs, too, were x-rayed.

All in, it only took about 45 minutes to do all the things.  After locating my driver, we hopped back into the van and drove off into our future.  A pleasant two-hour drive later, I’ve just arrived in Phnom Penh.  Prepare thyself, people.  This will be amazing!  #travel #travelasia #cambodia #phnompenh #temple #travelling #travelphotography #travelersnotebook #travelawesome #traveladdict #travel #travellife #roadtrip #temple #traveladdict #thesandypapers #travelpics #traveldiaries #travelblog #travelblogger #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveldeeper #womenwhotravel #destinations

🚨 A casual, non-urgent reminder of what’s on tap this weekend and beyond 🚨

🇻🇳 After spending a super-fun week in Saigon, I’m heading to Cambodia today, y’all! Don’t worry, tho. On New Year’s Eve, I’ll land in Hanoi and treat you to a proper two-week tour around Vietnam.

🇻🇳 Beginning with Hanoi, we’ll hike around Mai Chau Valley, cruise Ha Long Bay, wander around Hue and Hoi An and, ultimately, return to Saigon. So, kick back, relax and enjoy the views.

🚨Today, Saigon 🔜 Phnom Penh 🚨
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#vietnam #saigon #hochiminh #travelphotography #travelblogger #travelblog #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveling #traveler #travelling #travellife #travelawesome #traveladdict #traveladdicted #travelasia #traveldiaries #travelbug #travelpics #travellers #travelphoto #traveltheworld #travelcommunity #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #travelbloggers #traveldiary #travelguide #travelinspiration #thesandypapers

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🚨 A casual, non-urgent reminder of what’s on tap this weekend and beyond 🚨 

🇻🇳 After spending a super-fun week in Saigon, I’m heading to Cambodia today, y’all!  Don’t worry, tho.  On New Year’s Eve, I’ll land in Hanoi and treat you to a proper two-week tour around Vietnam.

🇻🇳 Beginning with Hanoi, we’ll hike around Mai Chau Valley, cruise Ha Long Bay, wander around Hue and Hoi An and, ultimately, return to Saigon. So, kick back, relax and enjoy the views.

🚨Today, Saigon 🔜 Phnom Penh 🚨 
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#vietnam #saigon #hochiminh #travelphotography #travelblogger #travelblog #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveling #traveler #travelling #travellife #travelawesome #traveladdict #traveladdicted #travelasia #traveldiaries #travelbug #travelpics #travellers #travelphoto #traveltheworld #travelcommunity #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #travelbloggers #traveldiary #travelguide #travelinspiration #thesandypapers
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