Laurel is a Southeast Asia-based writer, who has also lived in Mexico City. Her favourite stories focus on weird and wonderful travel, culture and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Vice, BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, South China Morning Post, The Culture Trip and more.

What does a journey mean to you?
What separates a trip from a journey is that the latter teaches you something profound about yourself or the world and you complete it a changed person.

Which country or location most inspires you?
Living in India remains my most profound journey and inspiring time.

Where would you go back to and why?
I’d like to live in Tokyo again. The energy is almost enough to keep you going without sleep. And who needs it there anyway with so many things open around the clock?

Top insider tip for Bangkok?
Embrace the heat. You’ll miss it once you’re gone!

What journey would you most like to go on?
I’d love to spend a year living on a houseboat.

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