Traveler Feedback

. . . . Although the vigorous tempo seems intrinsic to [my friend] Tiger, he attributed this style of travel to his friend Calvin, who had inspired the itinerary for his trip…“Buffet style,” he drew the picture: just a quick sampling of places because, as Calvin reasons, you can always go back after you see what you’re drawn to. Calvin had already taken groups to Iran and North Korea, Tiger informed us. He was planning to do Cuba over Thanksgiving weekend. And he scheduled all of this on breaks from med school. Even as I was undertaking my own adventures, I remember feeling envious of such an intrepid and enterprising spirit.

. . . . Perhaps the most remarkable consideration concerning Calvin’s compelling argument to travel is that there is no compelling argument from Calvin. He does not push unwilling souls to take the plunge. Instead he inspires by example, moving along his (loosely) planned route on his own accord and, much like the force of nature for which his travel approach is named, leaves you to (re)act as you see fit.

Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Cuba

Thank you for an incredible Cyrpus monsoon. A birthday trip that easily takes the cake for being the best birthday ever. This experience challenged my love for “vacations” and proliferated my desire to explore off the beaten path. It’s amazing how the universe gave me signs to request specific dates off from work, that magically fit into the exact dates of this trip.

Over the years, I’ve read dozens of Monsoon Diaries blog posts, listened to your speeches, interviews, and (currently listening to the recent Lucky Boys podcast on this flight to Athens) – building my interest to see more, learn more, be more, live more, and travel more. To be part of the journey visiting your last EU country, to be part of the first post-pandemic international monsoon, to finally having the courage to becoming a Monsooner – this was special.

Embarking on a journey to Cyprus with you and 10 other incredible Monsooners, was a dream come true. I have never traveled with a group of such genuine, adventurous, beautiful people who all down to share a journey with each other. The extensive planning, itinerary, and adapting to ever-changing situations really shined through, and contributed to the success of this trip. Since you don’t accept tips, the least I could do is sign up for more monsoons in the future.

While “Nicosia later” is bittersweet and y’all almost made me cry on multiple occasions, I am so grateful to have joined this monsoon; a monsoon that felt like a celebration of life, new friendships, and revitalization of traveling the world to our hearts’ desires again. It was such a privilege to be part of the journey, and thank you for making the monsoon magic happen.

Cheers to more adventures! Safe travels.

Cyprus

Despite considering myself a decently travelled solo traveller to a number of off the beaten track destinations, having met Calvin in a chance encounter in Sydney i originally signed up with him to his recently organised trip to Armenia for the specific reasons that 1) it was very cost effective, compared to solo travel in that country 2) the itinerary and approach to travel appeared to be well aligned with my own, in that it was hard and fast, adventurous and hitting all thesights whilst still keeping flexibility to change plans, and 3) overall he seemed like a pretty decent guy.

Armenia, Afghanistan

No goodbyes please lol. I’m still hungover from all of you.

The Great USA Roadtrip

This trip doesn’t feel real. Feels like it was a long dream.

I felt like we were in an alternate dimension; one where the pandemic is real but also distant — we traveled within the confines of the pandemic yet there were so many moments of what felt like freedom or some type of liberation from the confines of the virus even though the type of travel was because of the virus. I feel like the closest thing I could relate to is it felt like I was in a comic book and we would sometimes break the 4th wall. And now I’m crying again.

The Great USA Road Trip

I am feeling pretty much better. And I take the illness after I travel as part and parcel of every journey. I’ve learned to use it as time to reflect on everything I’ve learned. It may sound strange, but I’m grateful for the pain and illness – I’ve learned far more from it than I have lost. At least, that’s what I believe.

And Calvin- truly, it was wonderful. Thinking about it now, I’m so glad. For all of it.

The Great USA Road Trip

“I just wanted to say thank you again for everything. Was truly a phenomenal trip and I was serious when I said I can’t get over the amount of planning and detail you put into this and I’m assuming all other trips. It doesn’t go unnoticed. . . . I prefer making the most of a country with different city’s and activities daily. Thank you for the work you put into the trip and especially the repeat Cairo day and changing your plans to stay with us that extra time. So lucky to have linked up with you and gone on this trip and it really just made me want to join all others. You ignite something in people with your passion and excitement for it.

Not gonna lie at one point looking at all the countries I have been to I felt a bit empty because of realizing how much more there is to see, but I’m excited to do so. White desert and yesterday am were some of the best things I have ever done. That silence in the desert is something that centers you and makes you stop and think about what you value and what you have.

Thank you again for every pre planned detail, every well thought out day, every surprise, everything! You crushed it and it was so thoroughly enjoyed. And moving forward I’ll see you in NYC ASAP.

Have to, I want to be your therapist – get you out of the ‘it’s just luck’ headspace. You deserve the good things that come your way 💜

Egypt

Beyond the pharaohs and the pyramids, this journey along the Nile River was truly exceptional. I’ve been looking forward to visiting Egypt for a long long time, and I’m finally satisfied. I have had the distinct pleasure of escaping the conveyor belt of Egyptian tours and experiencing more of this diverse country. Thank you Calvin for trodding off the beaten path, and making us a part of this awesome trip.
And for all those who travelled along, thanks for the wonderful memories.. it wouldn’t have been nearly as amazing without you all. Cheers to all the new friends I’ve made, and looking forward to more Monsoons with you all. #MonsoonDiaries

Egypt

Friends, before I do a proper recap of my journey with Monsoon Diaries I have to tell you that I ended the trip early. That, had I gone along as planned, I would be in San Francisco today, along with the rest of them. But, by the end of our ten-day journey across the USA by RV, I was exhausted beyond measure. I thought that a couple nights of recovery with my Godmother in Seattle would be enough rest to last me the rest of the trip.

But I woke up that second morning still tired. And when I got into the car to begin the trip down the Pacific Coast Highway, I barely had the energy to take pleasure in the beauty I was witnessing outside my window, let alone hold a conversation. So, after driving to the lookout in the Olympic Mountains National Park, I told Calvin I had decided to go home. After he asked what was on my mind, I just told him that very simply I was exhausted.

After a quiet pause, he just simply said “you have no more spoons”.

I can’t tell you what a relief it was to hear him say that — it is rare to have someone bring up the spoon analogy. I didn’t have to explain myself any further, because he got it.

The spoon theory was an article written several years ago by Christine Misanderino. In it, she tries to explain to a friend what it is like to live day-to-day with chronic illness. If you’ve never read it, you can check out the link in my profile. The spoon theory basically serves as a metaphor for fatigue and the mental or physical energy a person has available to perform everyday tasks of living. People with chronic illness just generally have less spoons.

Enter in the things that I don’t talk about here. I have lived with several auto-immune disorders for about a decade now. Many of my health problems served as a huge inspiration for me to go back to school. I don’t talk about them because I never wanted them to be an excuse. And to an outsider, it would be extremely difficult to perceive. I put myself through nursing school while working several jobs, become an ICU nurse, competed in triathlons and bike races, and traveled the world alone. I’ve climbed mountains in Morocco and gotten altitude sickness, had my first seizure on the streets of Mexico and, four years later had three of them my senior year of nursing school.

I diligently take 3 pills a day, every day, and have done so for years. I reign myself in, knowing that the energy I expend in one evening could prevent me from being clear-headed at work the next day. I have chronic infections that pop up when I’m stressed and overtired.

But I don’t talk about it. It’s not shame or fear of stigma, although I do pause to decide whether or not I want to check off the disability box on a job application. Because I don’t think of myself that way. Even when I kept getting new diagnoses, it was just a new thing I tucked under my belt. A new mystery for me to learn about myself, a new biology I had to learn, and, when looked at from that perspective, something to add to my medical book of knowledge. And when my patients look at me with fear or uncertainty and ask me how they will go on with whatever new illness that they have, I can press their hand and tell them, “I know that it’s scary, but it doesn’t have to run your life.”

Because I do know. And I ran myself right up against that wall and, once so got there, completely depleted, with no spoons left, there isn’t anything left to do but sit down and rest until they come back again. It’s with gratitude that I know my body so well and can say what I need.

Do I wish I could have finished the trip? Absolutely.

But never have I felt like I’ve been held back and I don’t feel that now. I got to see more of this beautiful country than I ever have before. I’ve met incredible people. I was joyously reunited with others. And I do believe, to the depths of my being, that I did finish the journey that I was meant to go on. That I poured everything I could into the experience and that I have received far more than I even realize now, in this moment.

The Great USA Road Trip

Thank you for letting a stranger crash your trip! I won’t forget this trip for a long long time. It opened my eyes to a new world I’d never known.

Egypt

Thanks for organizing this trip and giving me the nudge to commit to it. I feel very lucky to be a part of your return to Egypt and where you started your traveling.

Central Asia, Egypt

When I turned 25 I didn’t think there were going to be any more birthdays to look forward to, but this past year has been an amazing journey of self development and actualization. If you’ve been a part of this, thank you. Here’s to hoping 26 is just as much of an adventure!

Off The Eastern Coast of Africa

Hey thanks man I had a great trip!  I feel like I was able to grow and I learned from you.

Off The Coast of Tanzania

Thank you to our guides and our entire Monsoon family for encouraging me to continue and complete the adventure, to never give up and for cheering me on the entire time. #forevergrateful #aarp #thisis60

Off The Eastern Coast of Africa

Off The Coast of Tanzania

As I reflect back on this amazing awesome trip I’ve had exploring Africa and some really amazing places (The Monsoon Diaries Goes Off The Coast Of Tanzania!) I realize that I am incredibly lucky and privileged to be able to go on these adventures.

Throughout the trip I saw two extremes of the affects of the climate crisis and the preservation of our natural landscape. In many countries we visited plastic bags were banned, water and electric was conserved and efforts were made to empower the local populations to find work in land and animal preservation. On the flip side, we visited places like Madagascar, Mauritius and Comoros where they are literally tossing all their garbage by the side of the road and burning rainforest in order to create viable farmland.

Off The Eastern Coast of Tanzania (8 countries), Southern Africa (7 countries), Bulgaria

Thanks for the trip Calvin, it was a blasty blast.




Antigua & Barbuda

Prague & Budapest

Prague & Budapest

Prague

Prague

Prague & Budapest



I want to take a brief moment to write about my recent spring vacation to Cuba. I only had a week, and couldn’t lose days flying over multiple time zones, so Europe and Asia were out, and it had to be Central America or the Caribbean (South America flight times too long.) So I chose the Caribbean, and I wanted to choose an island to which I have never been, and “off the beaten path.”

I spoke to my good friend from college Dr. Calvin Sun of The Monsoon Diaries and he suggested Cuba. And he put me in touch with his colleague Alistair Riddell of Young Pioneer Tours, who does Cuban tours.

And that was that–I arranged for my own airline ticket, and they took care of lodging, activities, guides, etc–the only thing I was responsible for on my own while down there was my food (except for breakfast–breakfast is included) and of course drinks and cigars. This saved me a lot of $$. Previously when I had been booking vacations, I would simply go on Priceline and book a package including flight & hotel so as to simplify it as much as possible. Or go on there for the flight, and AirBnB for the lodging. But I saved a lot of $$ going through Monsoon/YPT as they provided me prime locations WITH English speaking tour guides every day of my trip (in fact Alistair, the head of Cuban YPT, did 3/4 days of my Cuban tours in Havana–and it was great 1×1 tours–and he knows a lot about and is passionate about Havana and Cuba in general).

In Varadero, the beach resort town, the accommodations . . . was a ~5 minutes walk from the beach. And I very much enjoyed Varadero–some of the most beautiful crystal-clear blue waters and fine sands I have seen not only of any beaches in the Caribbean, but the world–and trust me, I’ve been some places.



So that’s it–you book your ticket–and they take care of the rest, and you will not only save $$, but you will get yourself the cultural immersion you will just not get if you go to one of these places blind not knowing what to do. So I recommend them wholeheartedly, and in fact maybe joining Cal for his September Japan trip and End of the World trip at year’s end. If you need any further info please feel free to ask me, or reach out to Cal directly via his website below or for Young Pioneer Tours, visit their website.



Cuba

. . . They even planned a trip to tour Central Asia together. Tan would later reflect that this two-week trip through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan was the culmination point in which he realized he found his life-long partner. Six months later, Tan proposed to Helen in a quiet tea house in the hills of southern Taipei. . . .

Central Asia (5 countries)

Thank you again for a wonderful experience. I’m at the gate waiting to board the plane. May God continue to bless you and strengthen you as you make people’s dreams and exploration a reality! 🙂 It was a blast . . .  I had a great time and met some decent people.

Central Europe

Thank you so much to everyone that donated and made my trip to Haiti possible. I’m still processing all that I saw and experienced, but the trip was incredible, and I can honestly say that we made a difference.

We learned from the staff of Hospital Bernard Mevs and we shared with them our knowledge and experience as well. We worked on patients with spinal injuries, gunshot wounds, electrocutions, and congenital illnesses. We treated babies that were so malnourished, they required intensive care. We gave our blood, sweat and tears, and will be sure to return one day and do it all again.

Thank you again to Calvin D. Sun for organizing the trip, to the staff of Bernard Mevs . . . thank you so much.

Project Medishare, Haiti

I had a lot of fun on this trip. Thanks brotha.

Luxembourg, Malta, Tunisia

Calvin, just wanted to say thank you so much for another amazing trip. I just read your latest post, it’s beautiful.

I’m thankful to be part of these experiences with you and really appreciate all that you do. Mad love bro.

Route 66, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus

Great trip in Azerbaijan 🔥

Azerbaijan & Nakhchivan

Sorry for the delayed response. You asked a very simple question but I have a lot to say. Wanted to give you a heartfelt reply cause I’ve been reflecting since the plane ride back to NY: It feels great.

While I was getting ready to board Thursday night at JFK, a huge billboard near the gate read “People don’t take trips. Trips take people.” Sounded pretty catchy and all. After I landed back in JFK yesterday night, the message took a deeper meaning. I’ve traveled before, but for once…I feel like this trip took me. Trips always seemed high maintenance for me. From packing a shit-ton and planning every little thing to being cautious of everything that comes with being in a new and foreign place. Was always busy asking myself, “What could go wrong?” But this time, I found myself asking, “What can go right?”

It felt more effortless and low-maintenance this time. The company was great. And I feel great, most importantly. I realized a lot about myself. A lot I’ve been suppressing or telling myself not to think or feel because it’d upset the opinions and thoughts of everyone else around me. Never stopped to really think for myself and feel for myself; but for my parents, my best friends, my friends, and boyfriend.

Since I didn’t know how to not burn myself on fire to keep others warm..I grew comfortable and accustomed to the idea of the warmth I was giving off and receiving…even if it meant I was doing it in an unhealthy way by sacrificing a part of myself and my own happiness. Felt super nice letting go of all the baggage (literally and figuratively). . . . when everyone wanted to go chill and drink, I wanted to bike so I did just that. . . .

. . . . And I guess that’s what self-love does for you. It allows you to give others so much love without expecting anything in return from others because you are already receiving sufficient love from yourself. You don’t need anyone but yourself. You can want them, but you don’t need them. You can live without them, but you choose not to. You are the one giving love to yourself. . . .

. . . . I’m so glad I didn’t shy away from this. I’m so glad I didn’t say no to you and this trip. I’m grateful for the nudge. And I’m grateful for you, and everyone else that opened my eyes and made my vision a little clearer. I’m most grateful for myself because I feel like I just took 100 leaps forward from all the steps I’ve been taking back. There’s a liberation that comes with loving yourself, and I got to taste and feel a tiny, tiny part of it from this trip this past weekend. All of this self-realization and self-confrontation was step 1. . . . Thanks for giving me the chance to see the part of myself I tried to not see for a long time.

Luxembourg

The Monsoon Diaries is an experience unlike any other. Anything can happen and you are encouraged out of your comfort zone. When you get out of that zone, you find new experiences and opportunities at any moment. Following through with them makes you realize that it was actually a really cool thing you just did. You also get to meet and hang out with many different people from different places and backgrounds. You might end up making some really close friends for life. Thank you Calvin, for all the planning you put into your trips and being a supportive presence (whether you were there physically or not) in those moments when I was taking a leap out of my comfort zone. Those are the experiences I treasure the most.

Australia & New Zealand, and Japan…so far

Australia, New Zealand, Japan

Made it back! Thanks again for everything. It was an amazing time.

Luxembourg, Malta, Tunisia

Safe travels. It’s been real ✌🏼. Thanks again for putting this together and bringing us on the trip of a lifetime 🌎. Will miss you all, my family of strangers 👨‍👩‍👧👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👨‍👧👩‍👩‍👧‍👧👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👩‍👦‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👧❤❤❤❤❤.

Australia & New Zealand

No matter how many times I say it, I can’t say enough how much fun I had traveling with you guys. You guys are amazing people! I miss you all a bunch. Hope you guys enjoy the rest of the trip. Stay safe and have fun! Watch out for those holes!

Southern Africa (7 countries)

I would like to recommend the Monsoon Diaries. I am a repeat client, and will likely repeat again the next time I get the chance to take a holiday. My first trip with them was Cuba in April 2018, where Alistair Riddell, the director of Young Pioneer Tours in Cuba, was my personal tour guide. This was definitely a good trip to take and Alistair is the man to see if you want to have a great time in Cuba.

My review however is for my most recent trip with them, the “Least VisitedCountries” tour, which took place from late December 2018 through mid-January 2019, and covered 5 of the least visited countries in the world (#1 Nauru, #3 Tuvalu, #4 Kiribati, #7 The Marshall Islands, & #15 The Solomon Islands) as well as Vanuatu & Fiji. This was one of the best trips/cultural immersions on which I have ever personally been, and I’ve been some places.

Least Visited (7 countries)

Thank you for these weekend trips. And for showing me they are possible.

Luxembourg

Hiya Calvin! I just wanted to say that your latest post is gold. It’s such a beautiful expression of your truths, which I’m sure so many monsooners resonate with.

Even though we’ve only known each other for a little while, I’m so proud of you for doing what you do and touching so many lives around you! You continue to be an inspiration, and I truly feel honored to connect with you as a friend. Sending love, always!!

Australia & New Zealand

When you’re back to reality and suffering from PTD (post travel depression), so you’re looking through your pictures reminiscing… at 12 AM. I feel so blessed and grateful of the beautiful moments I got to experience during the last 3 weeks. I met and made friends with so many wonderful people on this journey.

I never got to experience the dorm life in college but our trip in Australia gave me a little taste of it and it was great. I’m so thankful I got to share these moments with you all and I will cherish them for the rest of my life.

Australia & New Zealand

This past weekend, I embarked on another insane weekend trip abroad – this time to BULGARIA! In a day and a half, we backpacked through Sophia and Plovidv with The Monsoon Diaries!

Ireland, Bulgaria

Today as I was watching a movie and they talking about the Cape of Good Hope and I got goosebumps knowing that I was there. This feeling has happened many time to me since I have been traveling with Monsoon Diaries and YOU. I also saw Table Top Mountain and Denmark in recent movies among others. It’s so amazing to have this personal point of reference when I read and see places that I have been. It’s especially MAGNIFICENT when I get to share my pictures, videos and experiences with my students. I use my experience to encourage them to think about the world as more them their three block radius. Without Monsoon and You I don’t think I would have broaden my horizons when it comes to traveling.

AGAIN A BILLION THANKS and continue to do this important work. Now I’m thinking about my first solo trip and I SOOOOOOOO excited. Can’t wait for the BALKINS! YOU’RE A SPECIAL PERSON!

The Baltic Crescent (7 countries), Southern Africa (11 countries)

I’m sitting in the airport lowkey crying because I’m missing everyone already and looking back on these three weeks is giving me the feels. So bare with me as I get sappy for a sec.

I’ve been traveling for 5.5 months now, and I’ve had some truly incredible experiences but I don’t think any of them standout as much as this group of people that started out as strangers but quickly became family (I think it was the mafia and ridding each other off that really solidified our bonding). I learned so much from each of you, and a lot about myself as a result of the connections we created and experiences we had. So thank you all for being part of this experience with me and helping me wrap up my travels with a bang.

Australia & NZ

Hey man, just wanted to thank you again for your talk last ECAASU! I have taken your words to heart and am going to Madrid and back packing around Europe for spring break! My flight through Skyscanner was only $380!! Thank you again for all of the help and motivational talking because i was at a time in my life where I really needed it . . . You helped me out so much with everything just by that talk!

Western Europe

I just want to say that despite all my jabs, Calvin is one of the best people to travel with. I feel our personalities mesh really well in the stress and joy that travel situations can bring, and even if I am in a crappy mood or tired or feeling snippy, he balances it out with shared frustration or humor and lightness. This is one of those moments…

The Silk Road, The Trans-Mongolian, Tibet

My monsooning started with an aggressive road trip down the historic Route 66 in 3 RVs from Chicago to California, connected with those old songs and movies about Route 66, learned lots of history, made many new friends, had new adventures, listened to all these travel stories from our fellow travelers, got into trouble, got out of trouble, and in general, made memories that last a lifetime. I highly recommend going on a trip with the Monsoon Diaries, if you haven’t already!

Route 66

Hnnngggg…Having major withdrawals while editing the photos . . . UGHUGHUGHGUGHG, I’M HAVING SO MUCH [WITHDRAWAL] RELIVING THROUGH YOUR POST. I’ll go to you for all my travel questions, and you answer them like a coach. I loved traveling with you and you take care of me since I’m a newbie!

Ireland

Nope, not crying. I’m just allergic to clean air after Ulaanbaatar and Beijing: You’re Gonna Miss…The Trans-Mongolian & Tibet.

The Trans-Mongolian, Tibet

I just want to thank all of you for one of the most memorable traveling experiences of my life! This trip has really been an experience of a lifetime and I’m already looking forward to the next monsoon I can join you guys on. Everything that has happened on this trip, both good and bad, has really opened my eyes to how much this world really has to offer. I wish we were with the group a little bit more during the second week but there will most definitely be more monsoons and future visits to New York to visit you guys!

Calvin, I seriously can’t thank you enough for giving me such an incredible first traveling experience! I’m already looking forward to seeing you guys again. Until next time friends – Cheers!

Southern Africa (7 countries)

On my way home :). This was a once in a life time trip! Thank you to The Monsoon Diaries for planning an amazing African adventure.

Southern Africa (7 countries)

Safely back home! Thanks guys for the great trip! Let me know if any of you happen to pass by Singapore and we can have a drink  Continue to rock for the rest of the trip!

Uzbekistan

When I first looked into spending three weeks with The Monsoon Diaries backpacking through Russia, Mongolia, China and Tibet, I couldn’t be more excited at the possibility. But I was also terrified. It’s not like those are places that are known for being LGBT-friendly but rather the exact opposite. I mean who doesn’t remember the controversy from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi? I kept questioning whether or not the experience would be worth the fear, discomfort and risk.

Let me go ahead and say it was absolutely worth it. . . .

I found that, for me, merging my trans identity with travel can be a radical act of self-love by saying “fuck you” to the system that is designed to hold us down and doing something for me simply because I deserve it even though we live in a world that teaches trans people that we aren’t worthy. Traveling while trans has taught me that I am worthy and has inspired me to take on the world as an out trans person, carving out a space for my existence to be seen and validated. . . . (more)

The Trans-Mongolian, Tibet

We’re more than blessed to have such a memorable journey with a fun, crazy bunch of travelers that you all are! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and keep us updated & KEEP IN TOUCH! Miss you all!!!!!

Uzbekistan

I just wanted to reach out and say thank you so much for planning out such an awesome trip! [Our guide and friend] Aaron really did an amazing job and we were sure to give him the nicest bed at all the hostels as a minor thank you.

I also wanted to let you know that I appreciate you booking everything. This was one of the best experiences of my life, and without a doubt the best travel experience! I definitely plan on going on more trips and will keep an eye out for The Monsoon Diaries.

Southern Africa

I can’t believe it’s the last day of an amazing journey with these goof balls (and of course everyone else who isn’t pictured). Tonight we say our goodbyes as they fly home tomorrow while I board a 40 hour train back to Beijing where I’ll then spend 2 more days exploring and hiking the Great Wall. Thanks for an amazing 3 weeks. ❤️

The Trans-Mongolian, Tibet

I had a lot of fun. Definitely a memorable trip. Taylan is fantastic and awww… so responsible and detail oriented!

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

I’ve completed my full-length video from my Silk Road/Central Asia trip that I completed with the Monsoon Diaries back in January, and after editing it for several months, it’s brought me some bittersweet memories. . . .

. . . Just reading about a person and reading the way they type their thoughts is so different than the real thing. A cackling laugh, a familiar musky cologne, or the movement in the way a friend fake-grimaces at your awful joke is just so powerful to the human connection. It can’t be replaced. . . .

. . . It’s interesting to see how, as I grew comfortable with the strangers-to-become-friends, the footage becomes goofier and less inhibited, and better expresses the true emotion and feel of the trip. The first clips in Tashkent are of strangers on the first day, the last clips in Almaty are of international family. . . .

. . . So take a deep breath, sit back, and enjoy the 4-country, 14-day journey of the Silk Road 2016 in one digestible video. This video isn’t a replacement for the panoramic views of the Hissar Fort, the unique smells of a street bazaar, and the touch of Tajik silk. But it’s as close as you may get.

Central Asia (5 countries)

Holy shit! That about sums it up….just wanted to spell it out on behalf of me and Joyce: awesome job. Calvin for being the cool big bro I’ve always wanted.

Traveling may be a hobby but what you two do is truly a public service. Keep it up (gig) and hope to see you around NY.

The Baltic States (3 countries)

I want to thank you so much for planning and helping so much with this trip. I had a great time and plan on going on another trip with The Monsoon Diaries . . . again, thanks for helping to rekindle my vagabond spirit.

Southern Africa

. . . The group met back up to head to a hookah bar (a trip with Calvin is not complete without some hookah) which had a balcony overlooking the city. We sat enjoying the view, chatting about life and all things social justice related (one of the many reasons why I loved traveling with the Monsoon Diaries the first time and decided to come back), and I some how managed to not get a photo.

That seemed to be a theme for the day compared to a lot of my recent trips. I was focused on just enjoying the moment instead of capturing every single moment which was a nice change of pace. Don’t get me wrong, I still took photos, it just wasn’t as obsessively as I tend to be.

Scotland

Thank you both so much for organizing the Scandinavia trip! I really appreciate all of your hard work and effort…Enjoy the rest of your trip and again, thank you! Katy

The Baltic Crescent (7 countries)

Thanks for everything during this insane, hilarious, awesome and memorable trip.

Scandinavia (4 countries)

I will miss you folks. Thank you so much for your kindness and making me immediately feel like a part of the framily. I hope we keep in touch and wish you all safe and wonderful continued travels. Looking forward to sharing photos and more.

The thanks are to you [Calvin] for all you have and continue to do with leading us.

Finland

It was great to meet everyone, thank you so much for making this trip incredible! Of course, biggest thanks to Calvin for putting this together and making it all possible! Keep in touch everyone and see you in NYC soon for a reunion!

The Baltic Crescent (7 countries)

You have created something really special – it is likely that I never would have seen Poland/Ukraine/Cuba had your vision not been the impetus to booking those trips, not to mention the invaluable friendships that form from sharing such a wonderfully intense period of time together. Case in point, all the different configurations of reunions you guys have had in the month since Cuba, Maria extending her family’s hospitality, etc. . . . yep, truly something special.

Cuba

It’s been one hell of an adventure. From Chicago to San Francisco, wouldn’t have it any other way.

Route 66 (7 states)

My feet are tired, my stomach is satisfied, my mind is joyful, my soul is captivated and my heart is heavy as I bid farewell to this incredible journey that, for me, has been about giving myself room to breath and second chances. The places I’ve seen, people I’ve met and conversations I’ve had over the past 3 weeks and 9,000+ miles will forever be ingrained in my memory.

I’m not yet ready to go back to the familiar, but rather yearning to continue exploring the world, learning about others and growing as a person all while living out of a backpack. But alas, the term beckons so until the next adventure I bid you adieu.

The Trans-Mongolian, Tibet









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thank you Calvin D. Sun! life changed forever in the winter of 2012! Thank you to you and all of the Ukraine/Poland monsooners for inspiring me to NEVER stop . What a wonderful group of people to start my world adventures with ❤.

Ukraine, Poland, Germany

My Route 66 Family of Road Warriors It’s been real and unreal.

Route 66 (7 States)

This was really out of my comfort zone. Which I needed!

Route 66 (7 states)

For the first few days since coming back from SE Asia, I was suffering from a case of the post-vacation blues.  I probably wasn’t ready to leave sunny SE Asia and return to the drudgery of my day-to-day ‘real’ life.  But what I’ve come to believe is that a big reason why the trip was so fantastic was because everyday I was hanging with fantastic people like you.  I am reminded that there are also fantastic people in my ‘real’ life, and they too are making my life great.  Now, I am past my post-vacation blues, and things are generally swell.  I have great memories from the trip, and I hope I can remember this trip’s lesson of surrounding myself with fantastic people in the real world.

It has been a true privilege to meet and travel with you all, and I hope to see you again in any part of the world.

The Palawan, Indonesia, East Timor-Leste

Australia & New Zealand

Flawless weekend…yes, I said flawless…don’t let that get to your head.

The Palawan, Indonesia, East Timor-Leste, Map&Move

Thanks for the trip. I’ve meet some incredible people and had some unforgettable experiences during our travels.

The Palawan, Indonesia, East Timor-Leste

It’s been an amazing journey together over the last two weeks…Homebound after an amazing trip.

The Palawan, Indonesia, East Timor-Leste

Thanks for letting me monsoon with you, Calvin! I definitely had a great experience seeing Southeast Asia with you. . . . Hope the rest of your trip is going well, and maybe we’ll be able to monsoon again in the future.

The Palawan, Indonesia, East Timor-Leste

Made it out of Cuba [and] had an incredible time! Refreshing to be disconnected from all the distractions, phone, email, social media; I appreciated things so much more. I spoke to so many locals gained a lot of perspective; Cubans are beautiful people.

Cuba is misunderstood by America; safest I have ever felt on any vacation this far. And shout out to my new lifetime friends Christine and Sam — my roomies my girls. . . . Lol the experience was incredible, and humbling, got to see the Cuban clinic! Plus I have no voice but had an epic time. Oh and that didn’t stop me from walking and marching in the Labor Day parade. My home stay mom gave me a wooden cane…!

Cuba

When I first looked into spending three weeks with The Monsoon Diaries backpacking through Russia, Mongolia, China and Tibet, I couldn’t be more excited at the possibility. But I was also terrified. It’s not like those are places that are known for being LGBT-friendly but rather the exact opposite. I mean who doesn’t remember the controversy from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi? I kept questioning whether or not the experience would be worth the fear, discomfort and risk.

Let me go ahead and say it was absolutely worth it. . . .

I found that, for me, merging my trans identity with travel can be a radical act of self-love by saying “fuck you” to the system that is designed to hold us down and doing something for me simply because I deserve it even though we live in a world that teaches trans people that we aren’t worthy. Traveling while trans has taught me that I am worthy and has inspired me to take on the world as an out trans person, carving out a space for my existence to be seen and validated. . . . (more)

The Trans-Mongolian, Tibet

Alana and I always say that Ukraine was the best, most well rounded, trip.

Ukraine, Poland, Germany

Hey! Just wanted to say thanks for letting me discover the Palawan trip. It was an awesome trip and I had a great time!

Also, I don’t know if I ever mentioned it, but thanks for giving your talk on traveling at MAASU a couple years ago. It definitely sparked the wanderlust in me, and also played a role in my decision to take a semester off and come to Singapore. I know we only talked for a couple minutes, but I think it’s fair to say that it’s made a big impact on me.

So thanks again, and hopefully I’ll be able to join you on [another] trip sometime!

The Palawan

Thanks to everyone part of the Monsoon Diaries/YPT Antarctica trip for making the experience even more memorable and fun. Keep striving!

Antarctica

My trip was amazing. What an incredible end to the year with an expedition to Antarctica and a floating party. Can’t imagine a more perfect mix of friends to experience Antarctica with.

Antarctica

Unforgettable trip to the white desert!

Antarctica

We had wonderful days in Antarctica with lovely and stinky penguins. – Arti

Ice and penguins and more ice and snow and glaciers and a perfect honeymoon. – Dennis

Antarctica

I wanted to thank everyone for sharing this experience with me. Calvin reminded me the night of Ruchika’s birthday that NO ONE, not even my future husband, will ever understand or have shared the moments I shared with you all — my first trip outside of the U.S.A. and discovering myself through backpacking.

I’m so blessed to have met each and every one of you. I made a comment to some of you that it’s amazing how 17 different personalities managed to get along; there was not one person on this trip that I did not enjoy spending time with. Continue to travel the world, get to know yourselves even more, and thank you for sharing your stories with me and allowing me to share parts of myself with you too. You ladies and gents are beautiful people!

Ukraine, Poland, Germany

I left the country for the first time ever spring break. As people know, West Point doesn’t have many opportunities to have big travel plans, but thanks to Calvin D. Sun I was able to work (through the magic he taught me) a trip overseas for the first time in my life! Thank you so much Calvin! . . . . You all have been so kind and generous to me and I owe you all next time you’re in NYC!

I was able to travel to Madrid, Ibiza, Tangiers, Meknes, Casa Blanca, and Rabat! In total for traveling expenses I spent less than $500! I am so lucky to have people like you in my life and have the experience of a new culture as well! And on top of that: I made friends with a world famous Egyptian Opera Singer!! My spring break is going down in the books as the best one yet! I love you guys!

Morocco

A trip to Antarctica is the reason why I started flight club for you!

Have you felt exhausted after work and just burnt out by the daily grind ?

Thats how I felt in 2012 when I had spent 3 years starting my company TeliportMe and building P360. I was out of money and burnt out with the 18 hour work shifts, I was sleeping on my friends floor and eating ramen, feeling frustrated with my situation and I wanted to get out.

One day while I was going through my Facebook feed and I came across my friend Calvins’ post about a 15 day trip to Antarctica at the end of the year; it cost 4000 USD for the trip excluding the airfare. I don’t know what possessed me and I decided that I wanted to do it, I had to pay 500 USD to reserve my spot and I could pay the remaining one month before departure of the trip i.e 8 months later. I spent 500 USD out of my 650 USD bank balance and booked the trip. Just like that I had something amazing to look forward to and my life seemed just a little bit more hopeful, those 8 months were possibly my most productive 8 months of the previous 30 months and I had a spring in my step, I worked as a freelancer to pay for my trip while working as a full time Founder & CEO at TeliportMe.

For me, booking the trip itself made my life a little brighter and I went from being burnt out; to rejuvenated. It cost me 500 USD upfront but being someone who is not into material things the travel experience seemed like the perfect way to get me motivated to wake up everyday to work and get through some otherwise mind numbing work because I knew I had this amazing trip to look forward to.

Since that trip in 2013, I have travelled to 44 countries (not a single ticket more than 500 USD roundtrip) in the last 4 years and I have become a better person learnt some empathy towards different cultures and learnt a few more languages.

I want everyone to be able to experience this for themselves and if you are someone that needs a change or just wants to destress yourself you should be able to find a great place to travel to. That’s a huge part of why I started this Flight Club and I shall be sending you more and more deals in the coming weeks based on the location you have selected as your departure region.

If you have not selected a region yet please click on this link -> https://teliportme.com/flightclub-select-region

I hope you can find a deal you love and do send me a note if you use it to travel or if there are any specific places you would like to travel to 🙂

Vineet Devaiah

Founder P360 & TeliportMe.com

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Antarctica

Easily one of the best and most forbidden trips I have ever been on. Being without Internet and phone was a struggle at first, but the disconnect quickly gave way to an amazing appreciation of the local people and culture as well as the formation of everlasting bonds of friendship.

Cuba

Just got back from vacationing in Cuba. This one is going down in the record books. What an incredible experience and I couldn’t have asked for better people to share it with. I encourage everyone to experience it for themselves!

Cuba

I just wanted to say what a pleasure it was to travel with you all. It was a trip in every sense of the word, and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to share the unique experience with such a diverse group. I hope that our paths cross again whether it be a visit to each others’ home cities or serendipitously abroad. If you are ever in the Southern California area, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or give me a ring.

Lastly, here is a quote that I wanted to recite over a toast at our last dinner in Krakow (thanks again, Calvin!) since I thought it fit our adventure well, but I did not want to butcher it: “The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” – G. K. Chesterton

Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Cuba

I must admit you are quite committed. I am impressed. Will definitely travel again. Thanks for everything (our fearless leader)!

. . . . Had an incredible time with these guys. If you love to travel definitely check out monsoondiaries.com . . . Amazing time. Great peoples to travel with. Go check it out.

Iceland

Had an awesome time in Iceland, thanks so much for organizing everything. I will definitely stay tuned for future Monsoon adventures!

Iceland

Had a blast in Iceland!

Iceland

It has been a great privilege to travel with the Monsoon Diaries.  They live, breathe, and thrive by “taking the road less traveled”.  In other words, they travel without maximal comfort, and with ever-fluid and constantly tinkered itineraries.  If we can take that leap of faith away from the “resort” experience, what we experience with the Monsoon Diaries is invaluable: the chance to witness wildly beautiful landscapes, to make human connections with our global neighbors, and to learn exactly what we ourselves are made of.  It is absolutely worth not having constant 3G network, or even having a flush toilet.

. . . Calvin Sun is the heart and soul of the Monsoon Diaries.  All these trips are possible only with his vision and enthusiasm, and the strength of his personality draws together all sorts of people who share that willingness to see what’s out there.  “Taking the road less traveled” is never easy, but with Calvin, it’ll never be lonely or boring. . . .

The Palawan, Indonesia, East Timor-Leste

Thanks for the great trip as well. Tell everyone it was great meeting them!

La Hispaniola (2 countries)

[Since my first trip with The Monsoon Diaries], I’ve been to more places in the last year than I have been in my entire life. And in another seven days, I will board a plane for my fourth Monsoon in the last year, this time to Eastern Europe, as a third-time veteran of The Monsoon Diaries’ family. . . .

Guatemala, Austria, Iran, Switzerland, Ukraine, Poland, Germany

It really has been an incredible experience and like I said before, I don’t even see how you are human. You do so much and still find time to give people like me, experiences of a lifetime like this. So, as much as I can’t thank you enough, thank you, thank you, thank you!! Haha it’s been the craziest, most awesome experience of my entire life so I appreciate everything.

Southern Africa (7 countries)

We all have our different travel styles and you’ve developed a culture that’s awesome. Having said that, I would totally still go for another monsoon trip, given the chance.

Cuba

Thanks for doing all the planning, teaching us all the survival tips and being a fun and reliable leader for all of us. I got a lot out of this trip.

Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Gibraltar

You toughened us up man.

Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Gibraltar