Thai-Lao Travel Magic
These books illustrate my travel adventures throughout Thailand and Laos to inspire your wanderlust. They combine on-the-road photography with a running narrative to recount the journey in a click-through visual storyline. They offer an insight into my zeal for international backpacking, from accepting exotic cultures and eating new dishes to overnight train rides and being comfortably lost.
Pro Tip: If you are planning a trip to SE Asia, I highly recommend touring Thailand by combining overnight trains and buses with day-rental motorcycles. The traffic in the capital of Bangkok is insane, but shorter day tours on a scooter in the countryside are a rewarding way to see the land of smiles. From mountain temples and sandy beaches to crowded markets and delicious food, Thailand has an exotic landscape and unique culture just waiting to be explored.
Thailand Travel Magic
Hiking Chiang Mai
Are you dreaming about a trip to Thailand? Here’s your motivation to pack!
In this travel adventure story, we will be taking a night train from Bangkok up into the mountains of northern Thailand. From the historic city of Chiang Mai, we will follow the Monk’s Trail up Mount Doi Suthep to find an ancient Buddhist temple filled with mythological guardian sculptures and fluttering butterflies. We’ll continue uphill on the narrow jungle path until we reach the famous shrine at the summit with panoramic views.
Back in the Old City, we have dinner with some new friends, visit the night market, and get a relaxing foot massage. Extra side trips are offered, from visiting elephants to joining a monk chat and touring a world-class botanical garden. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what adventurous travelers luck into when they step away from the typical tourist route while discovering the uniquely tropical Thai culture in the land of smiles.
Get your copy today – you’re one click away from a fantastic adventure!
Extract: Following vague directions from a fellow traveler, I walked five klicks west from the city center to find the old Monk’s Trail up Mount Doi Suthep, used by monks before the modern paved road. As I trekked uphill along the narrow jungle trail, I noticed bands of orange fabric wrapped around the tree trunks to indicate the correct path at intersections. The fabric appeared to have some stitching, and it occurred to me that these were old cloth from a monk’s robe. They had been placed as signposts years ago as they were sun-bleached and weather-worn from age.
Ready to turn your dream into a reality? Start planning your adventure today!
Inspired? Purchase the 72-page Print Book or Kindle eBook from Amazon!
Amazon Reviewer Wrote:
“I ” – Jeff
Here is a 15-page Book Preview!Thailand Travel Magic: Hiking Chiang Mai
“This book is a perfect fit for travel to Thailand. Highly recommend this book.” – Steven
“It was fun to read the travels from the viewpoint of a young traveler. The description of the train ride to Chiang Mai was fun and gives a flavor of what it might be like for a young tourist to immerse himself in a new culture without speaking the language. The descriptions of the hikes to the Temple and other areas, enhances the desire to visit this beautiful and friendly area.” – Janice
“.” – Phil
Thailand Travel Magic
Fasting Pai Canyon
Are you seeking a paradise in exotic lands? Here’s your incentive to pack!
In this travel adventure story, we’re going farther up into the Thai mountains from Chiang Mai to discover the hidden paradise of Pai. We will be touring the valley on scooters to swim under jungle waterfalls and sip green tea while watching vivid rainbows over the canyon from Chinatown. We’ll encounter red-winged dragonflies at the natural hot springs, and be amazed by the colorful flowers and fluttering butterflies of Thailand.
Later, we’ll rumble down red dirt roads past verdant rice paddies to visit a massive Buddha statue with panoramic views. Along the way, you can follow my water fast to experience the rejuvenating effects. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to step away from the typical tourist route while gaining insight into the uniquely tropical Thai culture in the land of smiles.
Get your copy today – you’re one click away from a fantastic adventure!
Extract: After wandering uphill along a series of switchbacks, I arrived at the famed Yun Lai viewpoint, greeted by an opulent vista across the valley with iridescent rainbows descending from distant rain clouds. The dropping air pressure brought down the ozone layer, filling my nose with the uniquely rich, earthy smell of petrichor, and I could feel a slight tingle of static electricity in the air. I got a pot of sweet jasmine tea for 20 baht ($0.8) and sat on the outer balcony to marvel at the impressive scenery over the Pai Canyon. It’s a sublime feeling to watch the rain without getting wet, and awe-inspiring to observe the rain clouds drift across the horizon with vivid rainbows bursting out from the everchanging cloud formations.
Ready to turn your dream into a reality? Start planning your adventure today!
Inspired? Purchase the 74-page Print Book or Kindle eBook from Amazon!
Amazon Reviewer Wrote:
“” – Shirley
Here is a 15-page Book Preview!Thailand Travel Magic: Fasting Pai Canyon
Amazon Reviewers Wrote:
“” – Janice
“A fabulous read!” – Angie
Laos Travel Magic
Luang Prabang
Are you daydreaming about Southeast Asia? Here’s your motivation to pack!
In this travel adventure story, we’re crossing into Laos and floating down the Mekong River to discover the ancient capital of Luang Prabang. This unique city has been a major trade hub for centuries, then remodeled as a French colonial outpost, and is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the break of dawn, orange-robed monks collect their daily alms of sticky rice from the locals, and every evening, the night market takes over the streets to offer local handicrafts and delicious food. Outside of town, we’ll climb up a 60-meter waterfall to peek over the edge, visit a rescue center for Asiatic Moon bears, and wander through a butterfly park. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining insight into the Lao culture with a pinch of European charm.
Get your copy today – you’re one click away from a fantastic adventure!
Extract: Luang Prabang is a sleepy town with a laid-back tropical vibe where dogs nap on the road and tuk-tuk drivers snooze in their hammocks. This ancient city was the capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom during the 13th to 16th centuries and sits at the crossroads of commerce between the Nam Khang and Mekong Rivers. In the late 19th century, it was remodeled as a French colonial outpost, which left an indelible mark on the town’s architecture, cuisine, and culture. Now, it’s protected as a UNESCO site for its well-preserved French colonial architecture. The European infusion is undeniable as we wander past the white-washed stucco houses with wraparound balconies and steeply pitched roofs. Swiss chocolate shops sit next to quaint cafés while the distinctly delicious aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air.
Ready to turn your dream into a reality? Start planning your adventure today!
Inspired? Purchase the 72-page Print Book or Kindle eBook from Amazon!
Amazon Reviewer Wrote:
“Scott has done it again! Taken us to an unparalleled journey of incredible sights few have been adventurous enough to attempt. His irrepressible joy and keen curiosity coupled with his athletic prowess leads us through worlds unimaginable to the armchair traveler, while also providing a guidebook for those irrepressible spirits and seekers like himself.” – Jeanella
Here is a 15-page Book Preview!Laos Travel Magic: Luang Prabang
Amazon Reviewers Wrote:
“” – Carys
Laos Travel Magic
Vang Vieng
Are you planning a trip to Southeast Asia? Here’s your inspiration to pack
In this travel adventure story, we’re wandering farther into the wilderness of Laos to explore the outdoor adventure capital of Vang Vieng. We will seek out hidden caves within the limestone karst mountains and wade through jungle rivers to discover ruby-red dragonflies and translucent damselflies. Later, we’ll go tubing down the Nam Song River with a gaggle of hilarious backpackers, visit a few rowdy taverns, and attempt to play pool on a warped billiard table. On a blue-bird day, we’ll tour the countryside on a motorcycle to meet some locals, go swimming in the Blue Lagoon, and descend into a mystical cavern. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining a deeper insight into the tropical Lao culture.
Get your copy today – you’re one click away from a fantastic adventure!
Extract: Back in the saddle, I cruised down the trail, rocking out to the music in my headphones to drown out the squeaky suspension along the rough road. I continued forward until the power lines ended in a paddy field, and the track became a clay slurry pit with a thin strip of cycle path along the edge. The vertical karst mountains stood tall like soldiers at attention, guarding over the emerald-green rice fields. I randomly stopped to take photos, and the quiet isolation of this picturesque land felt as if the hands of time had been turned back to a simpler era. I breathed in the clean air with a hint of musky agricultural tones as my inner child wondered if I could travel far enough to see a dinosaur – grin.
Ready to turn your dream into a reality? Start planning your adventure today!
Inspired? Purchase the 72-page Print Book or Kindle eBook from Amazon!
Goodreads Reviewer Wrote:
“Beautiful pictures. Well articulated. The author makes you feel like you are right there with him. Enjoying the journey as he guides you at his side. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone!.” – Le
Here is a 15-page Book Preview!Laos Travel Magic: Vang Vieng
Amazon Reviewers Wrote:
“I r” – Shirley
Laos Travel Magic
Thakhek Loop
Are you seeking a dynamic quest in Southeast Asia? Here’s your motivation to pack!
In this travel adventure story, we’re touring central Laos by motorcycle along a 500km loop from Thakhek with some European friends. We will roll up to dazzling viewpoints and cruise down switchbacks into lush jungle valleys with towering karst peaks overlooking terraced rice fields. Along the way, we’ll explore hidden caves by taking a powerboat through a mountain on an underground river. Later, we’ll rumble down red dirt roads and descend into a sacred cavern to meditate with Buddhist monks and savor the bliss of mental serenity. Join us on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining a deeper insight into the tropical Lao culture.
Get your copy today – you’re one click away from a fantastic adventure!
Extract: The entrance was mysterious and beautiful, with a sheer white limestone face, which appeared to have a singular eye watching over the stray dogs that greeted the guests. Inside the cave were a series of concrete staircases that led up and around the massive stalagmites rising up into the air, which were wrapped with sacred ribbons. The stairways had been positioned at wildly random angles as if inspired by an M. C. Escher print. As I wandered deeper into the cave system, the lighting became more eccentric, with green, purple, yellow, and pink hues that combined into a psychedelic disco effect. Despite the garish colors, the 30-meter-tall (100′) cavern was impressive, with massive icicle-shaped formations gradually created by millennia of dripping minerals.
Ready to turn your dream into a reality? Start planning your adventure today!
Inspired? Purchase the 72-page Print Book or Kindle eBook from Amazon!
Amazon Reviewers Wrote:
“” – Jeff
Goodreads Reviewer Wrote:
“” – Shirley
Laos Travel Magic
Pakse Plateau
Are you yearning to explore Southeast Asia? Here is your inspiration to pack
In this travel adventure story, we’re exploring southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls and historic Hindu palaces hidden in the jungle from the city of Pakse. We will be touring the Bolaven Plateau to swim under thunderous cascades, feed bananas to an elephant, and be enthralled by tropical flowers and fluttering butterflies. Later, we’ll rumble down the blacktop to visit an ancient Khmer archeological site, hike up to a colossal golden Buddha, and then float down the Mekong to the notorious backpacker’s paradise of Don Det for a few days of sheer laziness. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining a deeper insight into the timeless Lao culture.
Get your copy today – you’re one click away from a fantastic adventure!
Extract: The waterfall is much more impressive at this angle, as I would estimate it’s 30m (90′) tall and 40m (130′) wide, producing a fine mist in the air. The open area on the right bank of the river was teaming with fluttering butterflies and unique flowers that thrive in this perpetually wet environment. Psyched up for a dip, I changed into shorts and waded into the cool water under a blazing sun. I swam toward the towering falls, but the current was too strong to get under the spray. When I was about to give up, I felt a rope under the water, which allowed me to pull myself closer to the rushing water. I tried to get under the cascade, but the pressure was too great, and the torrent felt like pebbles falling on my head. Finally, I let go of the rope and rushed backward, floating on my back with a huge grin and deep appreciation for the incredible power of nature.
Ready to turn your dream into a reality? Start planning your adventure today!
Inspired? Purchase the 72-page Print Book or Kindle eBook from Amazon!
Goodreads Reviewer Wrote:
“I enjoyed this travel adventure very much!! The waterfalls are spectacular! Imagine hand feeding a giant elephant!! The ancient temples and giant Buddha statues were wonderful!! I encourage everyone to read this book!!” – Shirley
More Travel Magic
Lighting The Path
I developed this site to inspire you to go explore this big blue marble and discover the transformative magic of personal empowerment. Guiding your wanderlust, there are regional maps of the world that illustrate some Magical Places among the multitude of tourist traps.
To help you succeed, I created Travel Advice pages divided into:
1) Before You Go: Basics, Documents, and Medical;
2) What To Take: Luggage, Clothing, and Technology;
3) On The Road: Immersion, Philosophy, and Books.
Lighting the path, the Travel Magic eBook series shares my personal experiences and takes you away to exciting locations; joining me to go cycling across New Zealand and backpacking throughout Vietnam.
I sell these adventure stories as digital eBooks exclusively on Amazon. Click on any book cover image to visit my Amazon Author Page.