Topics - Ashley Abroad Travel Blog

Authentic Thai: Learning How to Cook Thai Food in Bangkok

February 14, 2014November 7, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

In stride with my goal to take a cooking class in every Asian country I visit, I knew I would have to find a cooking class in Bangkok. And after spotting their rave reviews on Trip Advisor as well as an enthusiastic review from a close friend, I settled on Silom Thai Cooking School for my introduction … Read more

How a Scaredy-Cat Learned to Dive on Koh Tao

September 5, 2019October 10, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Let me start this by confessing something- I’m a giant scaredy-cat. I think my parents are honestly just surprised that I’ve survived this long traveling the world because I’m scared of… well, everything. My greatest childhood fear was sharks (which I was convinced were lurking in the country club pool), but deep water, rats and the … Read more

Thoughts on My First Time in Asia

February 14, 2014September 21, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

This post is a little departure from my normal posts-I wanted to record what I felt on my first night in Asia, as well as reflect on the difference between what I had expected and what it was actually like. It’s dark and I’m sitting in the passenger seat on the wrong side of the … Read more

Embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle in Krabi, Thailand

August 28, 2019September 14, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

While our first stop in Thailand was Phuket, my travel buddy and I were not enticed by the built-up and pricey peninsula. So 14 hours after arriving in Phuket we headed for nearby Krabi- and wow, am I so glad we left. The Ao Nang hostel we chose was among the best hostels of my life. From … Read more

Capture the Colour: France Edition

May 18, 2018September 12, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

As y’all might have noticed, the Capture the Colour contest is making its way around the blogosphere again this year! So I knew I had to participate, as well as use this as an excuse to reminisce on my time in France. Sigh. Am I allowed to go back yet? White When I came across this beautiful … Read more

Happy Birthday To My Blog! You’re 1!

February 14, 2014August 22, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Hey, everyone! Ashley Abroad is one year old! So many amazing things have happened in the past year because of this blog. Dare I say? Starting a blog was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I couldn’t think of a relevant picture for this post so I put up a picture of a penguin cake … Read more

When Coming Back Home After a Year Abroad Doesn’t Feel Weird At All

February 14, 2014August 13, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

In my short 23 years, I’ve spent a decent amount of time abroad. There was the summer I spent in Ecuador at 15, the five, choripán-filled months studying in Argentina, the three blissful summers in college I spent au pairing in France, the many trips down to Chile to see my then-boyfriend. But no stay abroad was as … Read more

Packing for Asia: Inside My Tech Bag

August 6, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

As my Asian backpacking adventure draws near, I’ve been worrying more and more about the eternal question: “What am I going to pack?” So I thought I’d break down my packing list for you into several sections, starting with my mobile office.

Turning Twenty-Three: A Home-Cooked Birthday Dinner in Paris

February 15, 2014July 30, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

So as y’all may have read I’m now 23! But I did want to tell you about the wonderful birthday party I had last week in Paris. After a year of living with a host-family in France, I was seriously missing being able to host dinner parties. (I love dinner parties.) So when my good … Read more

Happy 23rd Birthday to Me!

January 18, 2018July 21, 2013 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Hey everyone! Today is my 23rd birthday. Isn’t that exciting? The 22nd year of my life took me to so many places: I moved to France on a whim, stayed at a 200-year old French apple farm, visited my lovely cousin in Istanbul, drank lots of frothy brews in Germany (twice), shopped for my dream neighborhood in … Read more