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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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  • Ha Giang Loop Flipside Header
    Featured,  Mapless Adventures,  Southeast Asia,  Travel,  Vietnam

    Ha Giang Loop with Flipside Hostel (now Flipside Adventures Vietnam)

    January 3, 2023 / No Comments

    Original Travel Date: March 1-5th, 2020 (pre-pandemic) Getting There Leaving Thailand was one of the hardest decision, but I was ready for my next adventure. I was about to embark on a 3-week Vietnam adventure. My first stop was Hanoi, Vietnam, where I decided to go on a 5-day Ha Giang Loop motor scooter adventure with Flipside Hostel. I left the morning of my flight to get to the airport. This was one of the most difficult car rides to date as I wasn’t alone. My volleyball coach, Kru B, 11 of my players and our team mom drove me all the way to Chiang Mai for one final goodbye.…

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    Nicole | Mapless Adventures

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    May 29, 2020
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    4 Days in Chiang Mai with the Parents

    June 23, 2020
  • one week solo Luang Prabang
    Featured,  Laos,  Mapless Adventures,  Southeast Asia,  Travel

    One Week in Luang Prabang, Laos

    January 30, 2022 / No Comments

    Saying Goodbye After an amazing 18 days with my parents traveling around Thailand and Siem Reap, Cambodia, it was finally time to part ways. However, this wasn’t the end of my traveling. I still had one week left to my school break. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to head to a new country and a city that I was eager to explore; Luang Prabang, Laos. Here is how I spent one week solo in Luang Prabang, Laos Why Luang Prabang? To be honest, prior to arriving to Southeast Asia back in 2018, I didn’t really know much about Laos. Fact is, I probably couldn’t have pointed it out on…

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    Ha Giang Loop with Flipside Hostel (now Flipside Adventures Vietnam)

    January 3, 2023
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    June 23, 2020
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    What to Eat in Thailand

    May 29, 2020
  • itinerary for krabi
    Family,  Resources,  Thailand,  Travel

    5 Day Itinerary for Krabi with Parents

    June 30, 2020 / 7 Comments

    After Chiang Mai, my parents and I were ready for a more relaxed itinerary in Krabi. We planned five days for relaxing and exploring the coastal town of Krabi. As there are a number of non-stop flights between Chiang Mai and Krabi, it was an easy choice as our next stop. There are several airlines to choose from, but ultimately I chose Bangkok Airways as the flight was $65 per person. At the airport, the baggage check line and the security line were both moderately busy, but moved quickly and the flight was uneventful. To say we were ready for our 5 days in Krabi, would be an understatement. Accommodation…

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    My Parents Visit Lampang, Thailand

    June 16, 2020
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    Planning My Parents Trip to Thailand

    April 30, 2020

    My Family Visits the USVIs

    May 13, 2017
  • Featured,  Teaching Abroad,  Thailand

    5 Questions to Ask Yourself if Teaching English in Thailand is Right for You

    June 26, 2020 / 7 Comments

    So, you might be thinking about teaching English in Thailand. Awesome, I’m super happy for you! But, have you thought about what it might actually take to become a teacher? Have you asked yourself the difficult questions if teaching English in Thailand is right for you?Teaching English in Thailand sounds like a pretty sweet gig. And I’m not going to sit here and tell you anything less, because IT WAS AMAZING! But it wasn’t all fun and games, travel and freedom. Many people have these misconceptions about teaching English in a foreign country. And honestly, I was once one of those people. I didn’t know any different. I never really…

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    May 29, 2020
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    One Week in Luang Prabang, Laos

    January 30, 2022
  • 4 Days in Chiang Mai Header
    Family,  Featured,  Resources,  Thailand,  Travel

    4 Days in Chiang Mai with the Parents

    June 23, 2020 / 12 Comments

    Leaving Lampang was hard. I felt like we didn’t have enough time to see everything and I really wanted them to see more of my beautiful home. But, it was time to see more of what Thailand has to offer and I knew 4 days in Chiang Mai was the perfect next destination.  Thankfully, we weren’t leaving till mid-morning so we were able enjoyed breakfast at one of my favorite locations. I like this particular location because it is a cafeteria style restaurant with many options. Then, we enjoyed a cup of coffee from one of the many, MANY cafes nearby my apartment. This particular cafe, Flat White, offered a true latte,…

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    April 30, 2020
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    Family,  Thailand,  Travel

    My Parents Visit Lampang, Thailand

    June 16, 2020 / No Comments

    Before I knew it, the day was finally here. All the planning my parents and I had completed over the course of 6 months was starting to unfold. Getting that text from my parents that they are boarding their first flight from Phoenix to Minneapolis brought tears to my eyes. I just wanted to hug them but I knew the next three days were going to take forever. As I mentioned early, my parents port of entry was Bangkok. Since my school was still in session, I wasn’t able to greet them. Thankfully, my dad had a colleague’s father who lived in Bangkok and who graciously offered to be their…

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    May 13, 2017
  • What to Eat in Thailand
    Featured,  Resources,  Thailand,  Travel

    What to Eat in Thailand

    May 29, 2020 / 15 Comments

    Everyone knows the true way to anyone’s heart is through food. Living in Thailand for the past 16 months has filled my heart with so much joy surrounding food. I feel like I could eat the same dish everyday and, yet, something would be different about it. Many restaurants have their own spin on the traditional dishes, like Pad Thai. While other dishes have multiple ways to order the same dish, take Som Tam for example. This country has such a range of foods that vary from region to region, but typically you can find these unique cuisines throughout the country. If you’re traveling to Thailand soon, then be ready…

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    January 3, 2023

    5 Questions to Ask Yourself if Teaching English in Thailand is Right for You

    June 26, 2020
  • Parents in Laos
    Family,  Resources,  Southeast Asia

    Planning My Parents Trip to Thailand

    April 30, 2020 / 10 Comments

    One thing I have learned about during all my travels, is that my parents are always right behind me. When I move to a new country it only takes a few weeks, sometimes months, before we are planning their trip to visit. They did it when I studied abroad in Italy, and when I lived in the Caribbean and again, when I lived in Thailand. Planning Their Trip to Thailand Planning my parents trip to Thailand wasn’t very challenging. I’m blessed with parents who are up for anything and gave me a lot of freedom with the itinerary. I had been in Thailand for several months when we started planning their…

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  • Story Time,  Thailand,  Travel

    Unexpected Adventures in Nan, Thailand

    February 24, 2020 / 20 Comments

    Working in a Thai school as an English Teacher and volleyball coach has its perks. One of these perks just happens to be opportunities to explore the neighboring provinces during school events. This past year, I was blessed with the chance to go on adventures in Nan, Thailand. My volleyball team was heading there for a week long tournament and my school asked me to join. I didn’t hesitate, even though I knew it was going to be volleyball 24-7, but it wasn’t all volleyball. There were several unique experiences and adventures in Nan; none of which I knew anything about. Nan is the capital city in its namesake province,…

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    March 18, 2020
  • Resources,  Thailand,  Travel

    Ultimate Guide to Lampang, Thailand

    February 17, 2020 / 17 Comments

    Lampang is the capital of its name-shared province in northern Thailand. It borders several provinces including Chiang Mai province and is the second to third largest city in the North; right next to Chiang Rai. Lampang is located about 60 km south of Chiang Mai and is home to the Thailand Elephant Conservation Center. This ultimate guide to Lampang,  will detail everything you need to know; from getting there to nightlife. For a complete list about What to Eat in Thailand, Click Here Getting There From Chiang Mai Because of its size and relativity to Chiang Mai, there is an abundance of transportation options, including the train, buses, and taxis.…

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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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