Travel Newsletter: 9 June 2023

The lost cities of the Nigerien Sahara, David Bowie’s train travels through 1970s-era Soviet Union, remote offices of a digital nomad, and more travel read

Greetings from Chiang Mai! I was in Phitsanulok last week to have a look at the roads of the proposed light rail/auto tram system in this small city. It’s not a big tourist city, but it rewards you if you go looking for things to see. I was walking to a night market which was about 30 minutes from the city centre, and I saw this amazing temple.

I got the day train from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai, which I have previously done at night (and thus missing the view). It’s a spectacular journey, and I would like to go back and stop at other places along the way. I will post about that later, but here are some photos of the trip.

This week I am continuing my “where to stay” series for Vietnam. My Bangkok article I was working on got delayed, but I now have two unique travel articles in the draft folder, so I hope to publish them next week while I am off the road for the next two weeks.

Latest posts at Nomadic Notes

• Where to stay in Hue: The best hotels and areas for visitors in this historic city of Vietnam

Travel reads

• Koh Samui evolves to cater for Gen Z, digital nomads

• How to experience Myanmar without going there: Thai border town of Sangkhlaburi has mix of country’s ethnic groups, their food, culture and religions

• Remote offices of a digital nomad

• Mystery of the desert: The lost cities of the Nigerien Sahara

• 'Lucky' Uni completes 3,500km scooter journey across Australia with help from new friends

He made it! I posted in a previous newsletter about the Japanese backpacker using a scooter to travel 3,000km from Melbourne to Cairns

• Rare photos of David Bowie’s train travels through 1970s-era Soviet Union are now on view

Some great photos here from an exhibition in LA until October 22.

• In defense of tourist traps

“Being a cool traveler all the time can be exhausting.”

• The big trip: how to plan the ultimate Silk Road adventure through Central Asia

• The 15 best small towns to visit in 2023 (in the USA)

• High rolling: The world's best scenic train journeys

• Take a look at the upcoming US high-speed rail projects that could bring the country up to speed with the rest of the world

• Singapore Airlines to roll out free Wi-fi for all passengers in rare move