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About Me

Nicole L

Nicole L

Hiya! I'm a 35 year-old native Arizonan, who started traveling around the US and Mexico as a child, and haven't stopped. I've been to 23 countries in a wide range of travel styles, writing about my personal experiences and sharing travel guides and tips (including teaching abroad in Thailand), with a little history thrown in. Hope you enjoy!

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  • Kampot Header
    Cambodia,  Travel

    How to Spend One Day in Kampot Cambodia

    November 13, 2019 / 7 Comments

    After two solid nights out in Phnom Penh, my friends and I decided to keep moving through Cambodia. We talked to several other travelers who recommended spending one day in Kampot. Neither of us knew much about Kampot so we did a little research. We learned that it’s a quite town along the south coast of Cambodia. It sounded like exactly what we wanted and needed. It was easy find a bus that was leaving mid-day, which would make our arrival into Kampot just past dinner time. We thought it was the perfect timing for a bus. However, like most things in Southeast Asia, it took WAY LONGER than expected. What…

    Read More
    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Living the Island Life on Koh Rong Samloem

    November 20, 2019

    First Time Experiencing Angkor Wat | Pros and Cons

    July 19, 2019

    Experiencing Both Sides of Siem Reap: History & Nightlife

    August 9, 2019
  • Cambodia,  Travel

    Party Mixed with History in Phnom Penh Cambodia

    October 23, 2019 / No Comments

    Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links. This means that I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and companies I use personally. Following a relaxing day in Siem Reap, my friends and I decided it was time for a change of scenery. We talked it over and choose our next location, Phnom Penh, which is the capital of Cambodia. One thing that I love about staying at hostels is how easy it is to make a change of scenery. You simply walk up to the reception desk, ask them about transportation to a…

    Read More
    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Things to do in Siem Reap Outside of Angkor Wat

    August 2, 2019

    A Day on the Grand Circuit at Angkor Wat

    July 26, 2019
    Kampot Header

    How to Spend One Day in Kampot Cambodia

    November 13, 2019
  • Cambodia,  Travel

    Experiencing Both Sides of Siem Reap: History & Nightlife

    August 9, 2019 / No Comments

    Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links. This means that I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and companies I use personally. While in Siem Reap, I found out that twice a year, the sun rises directly behind the middle tower at Angkor Wat. This sunrise occurs in March and September, which corresponds with the Spring Equinox and Fall Equinox. I just happened to be exploring Angkor Wat around this time in March. Talk a truly special yet totally unexpected sunrise. The rumor was that this event was going to occur Friday, March…

    Read More
    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    A Day on the Grand Circuit at Angkor Wat

    July 26, 2019
    Kampot Header

    How to Spend One Day in Kampot Cambodia

    November 13, 2019

    First Time Experiencing Angkor Wat | Pros and Cons

    July 19, 2019
  • Cambodia,  Travel

    Things to do in Siem Reap Outside of Angkor Wat

    August 2, 2019 / No Comments

    After two days of super early mornings and temples, I knew I needed a break. I wasn’t done exploring Angkor Wat, but I needed a break. There was more to Siem Reap than just the temples. I was excited and ready to go sightseeing around the town. If you know me, then you know I love being active. Whether it’s playing volleyball, hiking, kayaking, or bicycling, I want to be outside, enjoying nature and sightseeing. When researching “Things to Do in Siem Reap,” I was looking for something non-temple related. Thanks to the knowledge from a travel facebook group I am in, South East Asia Backpacker Community, I found a…

    Read More
    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Koh Rong Samloem

    Living the Island Life on Koh Rong Samloem

    November 20, 2019

    First Time Experiencing Angkor Wat | Pros and Cons

    July 19, 2019
    Kampot Header

    How to Spend One Day in Kampot Cambodia

    November 13, 2019
  • Cambodia,  Travel

    A Day on the Grand Circuit at Angkor Wat

    July 26, 2019 / 15 Comments

    Several people told me that one day is enough time for Angkor Wat, especially if you are on a budget. But, Angkor Wat has so many temples divided into two route; small circuit and grand circuit. Wouldn’t I miss a bunch temples if I only went for one day? Although I was on a budget, I knew that I was me going to want to go back so I purchased the $62 3-day pass ticket in advance. I can tell you now, with a high level of certainty, that ONE DAY is not enough. Tuk-Tuk vs. Group Tour My first experience at Angkor Wat was far from perfect with the…

    Read More
    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    Party Mixed with History in Phnom Penh Cambodia

    October 23, 2019

    First Time Experiencing Angkor Wat | Pros and Cons

    July 19, 2019

    Experiencing Both Sides of Siem Reap: History & Nightlife

    August 9, 2019
  • Cambodia,  Travel

    First Time Experiencing Angkor Wat | Pros and Cons

    July 19, 2019 / 28 Comments

    I don’t even know where to start when I think back to my week in Siem Reap, Cambodia. During the initial planning phase of my adventure, I only intended in staying three full days with Angkor Wat as a top priority. Instead, I ended up staying for six days and LOVED every second of it! It was plenty of days to see both sides of the city, without one spoiling the other! I knew I wanted to visit Siem Reap because I really wanted to see Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several travelers said that it’s effortless to cross the border between Thailand and Cambodia. It was a…

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    How to Spend One Day in Kampot Cambodia

    November 13, 2019

    Party Mixed with History in Phnom Penh Cambodia

    October 23, 2019
    Koh Rong Samloem

    Living the Island Life on Koh Rong Samloem

    November 20, 2019
  • Thailand,  Travel

    Traveling Phuket to Bangkok

    July 4, 2019 / No Comments

    It’s hard to believe how quickly a week vacation went with my friend Chris, but all good thing must come to an end, right? (okay, maybe not always) Thankfully, it wasn’t quite over. We were all set to fly from Phuket to Bangkok in the afternoon. Chris’s return flight to America, however, was not until Sunday afternoon. So, technically, we had another day and a half, which between the two of us, was plenty of time to do a few more things!We did allow ourselves to sleep-in Saturday morning, which was much needed before we wandered Patong Beach to find breakfast. After breakfast, we ended up finding smoothies and a…

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    May 29, 2020

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    October 5, 2018

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    January 14, 2020
  • Featured,  Thailand,  Travel

    One Day Around the Phi Phi Islands

    June 26, 2019 / No Comments

    Today was one of those days where we had no plans on what we wanted to do. I had a semi-rough idea of what we could do, but I didn’t want to set anything in stone, unti I was with Chris. Together, after a few options were discussed, we decided on another boat day. Except, instead of a sunset cruise, we decided on a sunrise speed boat tour to the Phi Phi Islands. The particular tour we decided on was called The Beach Sea Trips. I’m pretty sure we found it at the stand where we rented our motor scooters. The Beach Sea Trips Tour The Phi Phi Islands are…

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    June 26, 2020
    What to Eat in Thailand

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    May 29, 2020
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    Ha Giang Loop with Flipside Hostel (now Flipside Adventures Vietnam)

    January 3, 2023
  • Thailand,  Travel

    Phuket: Visit Big Buddha and Phang Nga Bay in One Day

    June 24, 2019 / No Comments

    We knew we were going to have a long afternoon and evening in Phang Nga Bay, but we didn’t want to waste our morning. We had a few more hours left with our scooters and wanted to do more exploring. We decided to start our morning watching sunrise at the famous Phuket landmark, The Great Buddha of Phuket, or Big Buddha. Big Buddha Big Buddha is a beautifully built, 18-meter tall statue located high on a mountain facing east, towards Ao Chalong Bay. Although it is still under construction, it was easy to see why Big Buddha is a popular tourist destination. We left Bearpackers Hostel and started heading towards…

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    June 26, 2020
    Koh Tao Thailand

    Scuba Diving in Koh Tao…and a list of things to do

    January 26, 2020
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    My Parents Visit Lampang, Thailand

    June 16, 2020
  • Thailand,  Travel

    Renting Scooters in Phuket

    June 17, 2019 / No Comments

    Our morning started a little later than our normal day, but we didn’t mind. We didn’t have set plans but knew we wanted to explore. Thanks to our hostel, Bearpacker Hostel, we ultimately made the decision of renting scooters in Phuket for the day. They assisted with locating a motor scooter rental place right near the hostel, which made the process seamless. Renting Scooters in Phuket When renting scooters in Phuket the prices range anywhere from 250-400 depending on the rental company. Most places require some form of written document with a select amount of personal details. They also require a deposit. I have found that in Thailand, companies require…

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    March 17, 2019

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    June 26, 2020
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About Me

Nicole L

Nicole L

Hiya! I'm a 35 year-old native Arizonan, who started traveling around the US and Mexico as a child, and haven't stopped. I've been to 23 countries in a wide range of travel styles, writing about my personal experiences and sharing travel guides and tips (including teaching abroad in Thailand), with a little history thrown in. Hope you enjoy!

View Full Profile →

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No Map. No Plan. Just Life. | Stories, Guides and Tips from a Solo-Female Traveler exploring the world through Mapless Adventures

Nicole | Travel Blogger
Not being able to travel all the time is rough, bu Not being able to travel all the time is rough, but having a group of friends like mine makes staying put a little easier!!!
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#rockingthe80s #borninthe80s #80sfashion #80sparty #nottraveling #friendships #weekendparty
Cycling has been my outlet and my escape from the Cycling has been my outlet and my escape from the busyness of life! Since October 2022, I’m down 18 pounds! I’m hoping for another 30 and know I can do it! 2023 is my year I stop messing around and actually accomplish what I say I’m going to accomplish!
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So what’s my phrase this year:
FOLLOW THROUGH
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I’m the person who starts a project and never finishes, or gives up because I don’t want to put the necessary energy into it anymore. Enough is enough. I need to follow through with what I start, whether it’s my fitness journey, my saving money goal, my house projects, or my work goals, I need to be better at completing all the things I start. 
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#newyearnewme #itsabouttime #theyearofme #myword #followthrough #letsgo #cycling #ifit #finallygoingtodoit #weightloss #weightwatchers #qsciences #iwillfinishwhatistart
Extra thankful this year! 3 countries and counting Extra thankful this year! 3 countries and counting babe! Next up…to be determined but you are my favorite travel partner!
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#happythanksgiving #travelpartners #travellife #travelblogger #thankful #thankfulfortravel #wheretonext #nextdestinationplease #nextdestination #maplessadventures #travelbloggerlife #travelvibes
Jerome, Arizona is a beautiful hillside town locat Jerome, Arizona is a beautiful hillside town located along highway 89A between Sedona and Prescott. It takes about 2 hours from Phoenix and is a good location for a day trip adventure!
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Jerome was established in 1876 as a copper mining camp and at its peak in the 1920s, was the fourth largest town in Arizona with around 15,000 people.
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The mine closed in 1953 and the population dwindled to less than 100 people, promoting the town to a ghost town. In 1967, the federal government designated Jerome as a National Historic District.
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#jerome #jeromeaz #jeromearizona #smalltownarizona #ghosttown #historictowns #explorearizona #arizona #arizonaliving #azlife #arizonalife #daytrips #arizonagirl #jeromeghosttown
Day trip to Jerome, Arizona was a success! • We Day trip to Jerome, Arizona was a success!
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We wandered Haynes, a small ghost town with lots of old equipment and trucks, at lunch at the Huanted Hamburger, went wine tasting @caduceuscellars and the Original Jerome Winery, and ended the day with a Ghost Tour learning about some of the history of the mine and mining industry!
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I highly recommend visiting Jerome if you need a fun and unique day trip from Phoenix!
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If you like haunted hotels, you might want to stay the night at Jerome Grand Hotel, which is the old hospital and still has the original elevator!
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#jerome #jeromeaz #jeromearizona #daytrip #arizonasmalltowns #ghosttown #miningtown #arizonatowns #explorearizona #arizonaadventures #wanderarizona #arizonagirl #arizonalife #arizonaliving #arizonalifestyle
Another non-traveling weekend even though I’m on Another non-traveling weekend even though I’m on fall break from work! Instead we are doing a staycation at my parents condo and are enjoying the day in true German fashion… at Four Peaks Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake!
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#fourpeaks #fourpeaksbrewery #fourpeaksoktoberfest #oktoberfestArizona #tempetownlake #tempearizona #fourpeaksbrewing #weekendadventures #saturdayvibes #saturday #maplessadventures #notcurrentlytraveling
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