About Travel Stained
MEET THE BLOGGER
Hi, I’m Shelley!
I officially retired from cubicle life in Canada in my 30s, to live life on my own terms. I planned to NEVER work in such a limiting way again. It just wasn’t for me.
Since the happiest day of my life (you know, the one where I stopped working in any traditional sense), I moved halfway around the world to Seoul, South Korea, and welcomed an adorable little half-Korean baby globetrotter into my life at the ripe, old age of 42.
Now, we’re happily traveling all over South Korea together – searching out the absolute best hidden gems and authentic experiences to share with you.
My Bucket List
I’ve traveled a lot, but there’s still a lot I’d like to do, not just in Korea, but all over the world. This is my personal list of destinations and travel adventures to get to before I kick the bucket.
| Hike the Inca Trail in Peru |
| Swim with jellyfish in Palau |
| Stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora |
| Be properly awed by the spectacular Northern lights |
| Go on safari in the Serengeti |
| See the Nakhwa Nori falling fireworks in Haman, Korea |
| Marvel at penguins in Antarctica |
| Walk the Camino de Santiago |
| See the whirling dervishes in Konya, Turkey |
| Explore the world on a 6 month RTW trip with my daughter |
Along the way
… I saw a cheetah kill in Tanzania, trekked the 42km Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, fearfully tried ayahuasca in Bogota, released baby turtles into the sea in Borneo, gawked at the fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia from high up in a hot air balloon, and yelled MUSH at a team of huskies in Norway.
I’ve stayed in a favela in Rio, floating raft houses in Thailand, completely off the grid at a coconut plantation by the sea in Colombia, camped under the stars in the Thar Desert, slept in a capsule hotel, and in a tent surrounded by the sound of elephants, lions and zebra all around me in the Serengeti.
I’ve traveled by plane, hydrofoil, camel, 4×4 jeep, in a motorcade surrounded by armed drivers, taxi, classic Royal Enfield motorcycle, longtail boat, tuk tuk, high speed train, low speed sleeper bus, Arabian horse, and of course, by foot … usually accompanied by just a carry-on.
This is what we strive for most in our travels – to allow our lives and perceptions to be touched, marked and stained by the world.
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable… But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”
-Anthony Bourdain
Why is the Blog Called Travel-Stained?
I called the blog “Travel-Stained” because I believe there’s a big difference between traveling and being on vacation.
Being on vacation usually involves a comfortable bubble that’s not so different from home. It often includes chain hotels where service is very familiar, ‘safe’ dining experiences, guided tours to the most well-known tourist destinations and very little contact with locals outside of a service environment.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with this, and I’ve very giddily taken all-inclusive vacation packages to Cuba and Ibiza myself, and been very, very happy about it… but, at it’s best, I believe travel has the capacity to mark you, to change the way you look at the world, and to question your place in it.
It’s when you stray from the well-known tourist trail, risk eating at street side food stands that don’t necessarily look ‘clean,’ and throw yourself into the local experience as much as possible, that travel truly becomes magical.
While this blog is mostly Korea based, I’ve been lucky enough to travel independently to 61 countries around the world, with repeat visits to many, including Italy, Japan, Thailand, and Albania. You’ll find travel guides for these places on the Destinations page, under Beyond Korea.
Wherever possible, I’ve tried to impart as much local knowledge as possible – especially for places like Albania or Korea – where language can cause difficulties in accessing the most authentic travel experiences.
Be sure to get in touch if you have questions, via the Connect page.
This or That
Here’s my take on the big issues. Your thoughts?
| TEA | |
| BUSAN | |
| CALL | |
| BUS | |
| BULGOGI | |
| AIRBNB | |
| SPRING |
