In ancient times, travelers from different directions would converge at caravanserais for rest. As evening fell, they shared tales of their journeys past and sought wisdom about their destinations ahead. We carry on this tradition via our Caravanserai meets across South East Asia and online.

Our conversations span travels, cultures, and countless other topics. We gather monthly at Singapore’s National Library, bimonthly in Saigon, and several times yearly in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh. We also connect through monthly virtual meets. All conversations are free and we have no commercial affiliations. Caravanserai aims to be a space where we can all learn from each other by sharing stories and insights.

On July 16, 2025 via Google Meet: Danang with Ska, Ladakh with Rani and Indi

1. Danang has a river, the ocean, and a slower pace of life compared to Saigon or Hanoi. It’s also a favorite destination for people looking to spend more time in Vietnam. We’re inviting Ska to recall her experience of living in Da Nang. We’ll talk about what makes the city appealing, its relaxed vibe, and nearby places worth exploring. Ska is from Korea and she currently lives in Malaysia.
2. Ladakh is often referred to as “the Third Pole” due to its frigid temperatures and glaciers. It boasts some of the highest roads and the most remote monasteries in the world. Join Indi and Rani to hear about their travels in this fascinating place, nestled between some of the world’s most contentious borders. Indi and Rani are from Indonesia and they are always somewhere in SouthEast Asia.

(Thought I had died and gone to heaven, Danang, Vietnam)

For full list of meets, see https://www.meetup.com/sgtravelmeet/

Accessibility and privacy

We do not collect personal information at the meets. In some regions we use meetup,com or other social media to post information about the gatherings, but an email is always provided. You do not need to sign up for these, just send us an email so that we have a count of the participants. We will delete the emails at the end of the gathering. Ditto for the photos you send for show and tell sessions.

To be accessible to all, we try to live stream wherever possible. There is always an off-camera zone.. Participants can choose to move here if they don’t want to appear on the live feed. For online meets, you are welcome to mute the camera. We avoid posting event photos unless the participants are agreeable.

Contact

Volunteers in various cities host Caravanserai conversations. You can reach us at smarterbysharing@gmail.com.

Armenia, Georgia and Jakarta

Part 1:  We had Rebekah joining us to talk about her trip to Georgia and Armenia.

Rebekah shared her experiences traveling through Armenia and Georgia in 2019, a trip facilitated by flying into Yerevan via Dubai and renting cars in both countries. In Armenia, she visited Yerevan, saw Mount Ararat, explored monasteries like Khor Virap and Noravank, visited the Tatev monastery complex via the Wings of Tatev cable car, and saw the ancient Zorats Karer stone circle. She highlighted the local food, particularly the bread and stews, and the affordability of Armenian wine.

Rebekah also touched upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and the sensitivity surrounding the region. She described the driving as challenging due to winding mountain roads, occasional sheep and cow crossings, and even recounted an accident near Kazbegi in Georgia where they lost their car’s number plate.

In Georgia, she found more varied scenery, including the Caucasus Mountains, and visited cities like Tbilisi, Kutaisi (experiencing a water shortage), the beautiful mountain region of Mestia, the remote village of Ushkuli, and the coastal city of Batumi. She particularly enjoyed the Svaneti region near Mestia for its hiking and home-cooked meals, noting the friendliness of locals despite language barriers sometimes requiring Google Translate. The trip concluded with seeing a political demonstration in Tbilisi.

Recording of Rebekah presentation on her travels in Armenia and Georgia

Part 2: Shirley, a long-time resident, offered insights into visiting Jakarta.

She emphasised the vibrant cafe culture, recommending spots like Copy Tagram (open 24 hours), Tuku, and Common Grounds, mostly found in South Jakarta. While South Jakarta is a popular area, she noted Block M is known for Japanese influences and hipster cafes, Cikini offers colonial architecture, and Tebet provides more affordable options.

Beyond cafes and food, Shirley suggested visiting the PIK area for its modern development and seaside activities, exploring museums like Museum MACAN, checking out independent bookstores such as Post Bookshop or Transit Bookstore, or experiencing the local art and music scene.

She mentioned Jakarta’s extensive and affordable public transport (MRT, LRT, BRT) and the high-speed train connecting to Bandung as good ways to get around. Shirley described Jakartans as very friendly, sometimes even asking tourists for photos, and noted that a week is likely more than enough time to explore the city and its surroundings.

Japan, South America and Oman

We had a Zoom meet with three travelers sharing their recent adventures. First, Pat—who previously shared her round-the-world trip at one of our meetups— discussed her post-retirement extended stay as a student in Akita, Japan.

Next, Sierra from Taiwan shared highlights from her journey across several South American countries. She has stunning photos from remote destinations like the Galápagos and Easter Island.

Next, Huynh from Vietnam talked about her solo trip to Oman. While most travelers heading to the Middle East opt for Dubai, Qatar, or Bahrain, Oman remains less visited—yet it may be the friendliest country in the region. We let Huynh make the case for adding Oman to our itinerary.

Below is a summary, made with ChatGPT and some additional editing.

Pat’s Experience in Akita, Japan

Pat started the meeting by sharing her experience studying in Akita, Japan. After retiring at the age of 57, she decided to fulfill her long-held wish of attending university. She enrolled as a freshman at Akita International University (AIU) in northern Japan. Pat explained that she had visited Japan many times before with her family, and loved the country’s natural beauty, safety, and culture. However, she wanted to experience Japan in a deeper way than just being a tourist, so studying there seemed like the perfect choice.

Akita is known for its beautiful seasons, especially its heavy snowfall in winter. Pat enjoyed experiencing these seasons up close, from the autumn colors to the snowy landscapes. At AIU, she studied liberal arts in English. The small university allowed her to have a personal learning experience. She found it surprising that university life in Japan was more affordable than she had expected, especially compared to other countries like the US or the UK.

While adjusting to life as an older student among younger classmates was challenging at first, Pat appreciated the international community at AIU. Her professors were around her age, which helped her feel more at ease. She also mentioned how different the culture was in Japan, like the expectations around cleanliness and the way food is prepared. She shared how at first she was surprised by the messiness of the shared kitchens but soon adapted by bringing her own cooking equipment.

Pat also spoke about the challenges Akita faces, especially the aging population. In many small towns in the region, people are moving to the cities, and the elderly are left behind. This has led to an increase in wildlife sightings, especially bears, which Pat found both fascinating and a little alarming.

Pat is online at

https://www.threads.net/@ajumma_traveler

https://bigontrips.com/

Sierra’s South American Adventure

Sierra shared her travels through Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands, Peru, and Chile. She began her journey in Ecuador, despite the political crisis that had been happening earlier in the year. She visited Quito, the capital, and described how the altitude there made her feel ill upon arrival. However, she enjoyed exploring Quito’s colonial architecture and historical sites like La Mitad del Mundo, where visitors can stand on the equator line.

Next, Sierra traveled to the Galápagos Islands, known for their unique wildlife. She highlighted the importance of preserving the natural environment, mentioning that visitors are required to stay at least two meters away from the animals. Sierra showed pictures of sea lions lounging on the beaches and blue-footed boobies, which are unique to the islands. She emphasized how important it is to minimize human impact on the environment in places like the Galápagos.

Sierra continued her journey in Peru, where she visited Machu Picchu, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. She spoke about the difficulty of adjusting to the high altitude in Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, and suggested drinking coca leaf tea to help with altitude sickness. She also visited other ancient Incan sites like Pisac and Moray, which amazed her with their advanced agricultural techniques and impressive stone structures.

Her last stop was in Chile, where she visited the city of Valparaíso, known for its colorful street art and vibrant culture. She also traveled to Santiago, the capital, and even visited Easter Island, where she saw the Moai statues. Sierra explained that the statues were restored with the help of the Japanese government after they had been knocked down during tribal conflicts.

Sierra is on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/zrctr/

Huynh’s Solo Trip to Oman

Huynh shared her solo trip to Oman, a country that is less popular among tourists compared to neighboring destinations like Dubai or Qatar. She had never visited the Middle East before, but she chose Oman after researching its safety and quiet atmosphere. Oman is known for its deserts, mountains, and coastline, and Huynh found it to be a peaceful and welcoming place.

To visit Oman, Huynh had to apply for an e-visa.

She mentioned how she found traveling in Oman to be a bit challenging due to its vast desert landscape, where getting around without a car can be difficult. However, she was lucky enough to meet locals and fellow travelers  who already had a car and were able to drive her into the desert.

One of the highlights of her trip was visiting the Wahiba Sands desert. Huynh described the experience of riding a camel through the desert as exciting. She also visited Wadi Khalid, a clear blue water oasis surrounded by dry desert land and palm trees. Oman’s coastline, with its many beaches and seagulls, was another memorable part of her trip.

Huynh stayed in Muscat, Oman’s capital, for a few days. She found the city to be friendly and welcoming, with locals often stopping to offer rides to travelers. Huynh was impressed by how much more peaceful Oman was compared to the busy cities in the region.

Huynh’s post on her Oman trip (in Vietnamese): https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02PBouD1kwLaUvSRAKiZBjmvb67sZn6RGFRTbm24LRC5nFwrcFzsnRrB3n72pxucE1l&id=100086215947131

We try to run Readcamp in Phnom Penh a couple of times a year. Email smarterbysharing@gmail.com for the schedule.

Our guest this time is Wendy, a creativity and arts educator from Hanoi. Wendy has spent the last decade working with youth and working professionals across Vietnam.

1. What workshops does Wendy hold for students? What is the focus of these workshops?
   Wendy conducts workshops that help students learn about themselves, their values, talents, and passions. These workshops often include interactive activities, vision boards, and prioritization exercises to help students reflect on what is important to them and set personal goals. Wendy works primarily with the students in Hanoi and the North of Vietnam but she has also worked with some schools in the South.

2. What differences has Wendy noticed between students in the North and the South of Vietnam?
   Wendy observed that students in North Vietnam tend to be more introverted, preferring interactive activities that allow time for reflection. In contrast, students in South Vietnam are generally more outgoing and enthusiastic about fun, crazy activities.

3. How have career choices and opportunities changed for students over the last decade, according to Wendy?
   Over the last decade, Wendy has noticed that students now have a wider variety of career choices compared to the past. Previously, common career paths included banking, teaching, and software engineering. Now, students are exploring diverse fields such as owning a cafe, opening a photography studio, or becoming influencers on Instagram and TikTok.

4. What role do parents play in Vietnamese students’ career choices?
   Parents in Vietnam have a significant influence on their children’s career choices, especially since many high schools lack career orientation programs. Most students depend on their parents to gather information and help them make informed decisions about their future careers.

5. How do students in Hanoi balance staying in their hometown versus moving to other cities for work?
   Most students prefer to stay in Hanoi after graduation due to better job opportunities and income potential. However, after working for a few years, some may return to their hometowns if their families have businesses there or if they feel they’ve exhausted career opportunities in Hanoi. Additionally, those in creative fields might move to Saigon for more freedom and diversity in their work environment.

6. Are there any cultural or creative hubs in Hanoi similar to the erstwhile Zone 9 (that ran around 2013 and they abruptly closed down)?
   Yes, Complex 01 is a new cultural and creative hub in Hanoi. It is an old factory that has been renovated into a space for exhibitions, screenings, and local designer stores. It provides various activities and events for young people to enjoy and participate in.

7. What has been the impact of mental health awareness on Hanoi students, as Wendy observed?
   Wendy has observed an increased interest in mental health among students over the past decade. Students are now more aware of mental health issues, openly discussing them, and seeking knowledge about self-care. This generation is often labeled as the “snowflake generation,” but Wendy believes they are not weaker; rather, they are more knowledgeable and vocal about mental health.

8. What kinds of food and dining trends are popular among young people in Hanoi?Street food remains very popular among young people in Hanoi, often considered better than restaurant food. TikTok and other social media platforms provide reviews and recommendations for hidden street food spots. Young people also enjoy trying new food trends from abroad, like Korean food, which has become increasingly popular.

10. Has Wendy worked with working adults?
    Wendy collaborated with a NGO to help female factory workers in Thanh Hoa develop self-confidence. This enabled them to communicate more effectively with their managers about labor rights. She also worked with minority groups to help them tell their own stories, reducing misunderstandings and promoting a better understanding of their rich cultures.

11. How has Wendy’s experience been with the rise of digital and social media influences on young people in Hanoi?
    Wendy has noticed that Hanoi youth are heavily influenced by digital and social media. They often use platforms like TikTok for reviews and recommendations. There is risk of misinformation and people following unqualified mentors especially when it comes to wellness and mental health. There is also a positive side, as social media raises awareness about mental health and other important issues.

12. What trends are emerging due to uncertainty about the future?
    One significant trend arising from uncertainty about the future is the increased interest in tarot reading, horoscopes, and astrology among young people. Many students turn to these practices to gain insights and reassurance about their future. This interest extends to classes and workshops on spiritual topics, and a proliferation of related books and content in bookstores and online platforms.

Thanks to Wendy for joining us. Thanks to all attendees for joining us and asking the questions.

Sophie joined us to share her travels, work, and experiences living in Saigon and Hanoi.

She worked with a child care and education non-profit, which took her to places like Mongolia, China, and other countries where she worked closely with locals. Before that, she worked with a Singapore-based education business that runs schools in Vietnam.

Sophie talked about growing up in a Hanoi neighborhood considered a red-light district by some. She said it was safe and taught her to empathize with all kinds of people. This helped her in her work, especially with marginalized families, like migrant families in Mongolia.

Recently, Sophie traveled to Morocco and enjoyed connecting with locals. With the rise in Chinese tourism, many Moroccans in the tourism industry now speak some Chinese. Sophie became friends with a street vendor there.

India is one of Sophie’s favorite destinations. She traveled there with her family and fondly remembers being invited into homes and even to a wedding. She spent time in Bodh Gaya, Rajasthan, and Dharamshala, and also visited Nepal.

Sophie also loves Denmark. She enjoyed talking to people there and in other Nordic countries because many speak good English. She is interested in the Danish concept of Lykke, which emphasizes happiness through contentment, connection, and simple pleasures. She liked how Danish people are community-spirited, with many homes having gardens and chairs for neighbors to chat.

Sophie lived in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) for a few years. We asked her to compare life there with Hanoi. She said it’s easier to talk to people in Saigon, while people in Hanoi can be reserved at first. She also mentioned that places stay open later in Saigon, giving more opportunities to connect with people.

For a unique sight in Hanoi, Sophie recommended the Hanoi dykes: Hanoi dykes.

Thanks to Sophie for sharing her stories, and thanks to everyone who participated and asked questions.