Beyond the beach clubs and crowds, Bali still breathes.  Along the north coast, coral gardens stretch quietly beneath the surface; in the hills, temples and rice terraces hold centuries of rhythm and ritual.  This is the side of Bali we love — slow, grounded, and deeply connected to the island’s people and sea.

Tourism has the power to heal—or to harm. From Spain’s protests to Southeast Asia’s closed beaches, we’ve seen what happens when travel isn’t managed well. But there’s another way. This post explores how we got here, what COVID revealed, and how Chicken Feet Travels helps you experience the world with care, connection, and curiosity.

What if healing the planet starts with healing ourselves? Discover how self-worth, everyday habits, and conscious travel can shift the future—without shame, guilt, or burnout.

In a remote corner of Laos, I met a farmer who lost five of his children before tourism gave him a second chance. This isn’t just a travel story—it’s a reminder that where you go, and how you spend, can change everything.

Tourism in Southeast Asia isn’t always the paradise it’s marketed to be. From overcrowded beaches and plastic pollution to cultural erosion and tourism leakage, let’s explore the real problems—and discover what positive impact travel can do to change them.

What if the most sustainable choice isn’t veganism, but eating with intention? This isn’t a takedown—just an invitation to rethink what respect, roots, and responsibility really mean.

What does “doing the right thing” in travel actually look like? Often, it’s not as simple as boycotting a place or only choosing what looks perfect. Sustainability, like healing, requires nuance, commitment, and the courage to stay in the relationship—even when it’s messy.

Most travellers don’t realise how much of their money leaks out of the places they visit. At Chicken Feet Travels, we work to change that. This post unpacks tourism leakage—what it is, why it matters, and how small shifts in spending can create a big impact for local people, ecosystems, and cultures.

Good travel doesn’t have to cost more — it just has to mean more. From choosing local guides to booking outside peak season, we break down how thoughtful planning saves money, reduces stress, and creates richer experiences.

From statistics to scuba tanks, Jin shares how a love for sharks and a disillusionment with science shaped the soul of ChickenFeet Travels.

A personal look at how the Banana Pancake Trail and travel blogs helped fuel a culture of sameness, surface-level experiences, and performative travel. And why we must write—and travel—with more care.

Scuba diving in Southeast Asia is beautiful and budget-friendly—but there’s a vost to cheap dives, crowded sites, and shortcuts. Here’s what to know and how to dive better.

Ditch the plastic. This is how we pack for rubbish-free travel: with intention, preparation, and a little creativity. What you bring matters — and so does what you leave behind.