Today is a bland, boring day of transit and that’s okay by us! It's nearly 9 hours to fly from Istanbul to Bangkok, plus several hours hanging around airports, combined with a big time change – it’s going to be a long day!

The Plan:

We leave Istanbul at 1:00 am and we land in Bangkok at 3:00 pm.  We’re only in Bangkok for the night, as we depart for Myanmar bright and early the next day.  We’ll be flying into one Bangkok airport and out of another, so as soon as we land we’ll be making our way across town for the glamour the second airport’s hotel. We’re anticipating some serious exhaustion and want to make the next morning’s departure as smooth as possible.

When you think about Sydney, what do you picture? The beautiful harbour and the famous opera house? The fantastic zoos and unique animals? Or do you just picture price tags, dollar signs, and credit cards? While Sydney may be one of the most expensive places in the world, but there's no need to spend a fortune on accommodations. 

No need, of course, if you're willing to stay at a hostel! It's a challenge we were eager to take on at Sydney's BIG hostel on Elizabeth Street.

Few countries are changing as rapidly as Myanmar. This gorgeous nation, with its warm citizens and spectacular temples, is popping up on every list of must-see destinations. After so many decades of seclusion, travelers are flocking to Myanmar's beautiful countryside, vibrant cities, and moving spiritual sites. But first you have to get from the airport to your main destination! As we flew in to Mandalay, we thought it would be helpful to share all our best tips for getting from Mandalay Airport to city center Mandalay.

It's important to note that this information is always evolving. By the time you read this, you may find that prices have changed significantly, transportation routes have altered, new hotels and restaurants have emerged seemingly overnight. I'm happy to share my experiences from our recent trip in hopes that I can help with practical information, as well as inspire others to visit this incredibly special country.

PS - If you're interested in learning more about the Air Asia shuttle bus, read on to see our latest update towards the bottom of the post. 

When we land in Istanbul, I’ll officially be entering my first hybrid country. Am I in Europe or Asia? Does this count as visiting the Middle East? It’s hard to say in this multi-cultural, cosmopolitan city and I can’t wait to embrace it all – assuming we can squeeze it all in!  We’re in Istanbul for just 12 hours, as this is just considered a ‘stopover’ on route from Brussels to Bangkok. Taking into account time spent in the airport, we’ll have about 8 hours to discover the city. No problem, right?

Finally, we've made it to Brussels! Considering that Brussels was the original destination of this stopover it’s a good thing we've made it into town. In early 2013, Brussels was featured on my list of top ten destinations for first time, solo female travelers. I love its beautiful architecture, multi-lingual and friendly residents, and the clean streets and smooth public transportation. I’m thrilled to make a return visit and immerse myself in the city’s culture once more.