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 * TMD: A Memoir
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 * TMD: A Memoir
   * Amazon
   * Barnes&Noble
   * Books-A-Million
   * Bookshop.org
   * Indiebound
   * AppleBooks
   * GooglePlay
   * Kobo
 * Upcoming Trips
   * Easter Island
   * Central Africa
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   * All Trips
   * Volunteer
 * Past Trips
   * Itineraries
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THE MONSOON DIARIES

Join the international community of thousands Traveling Far, Together.

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OUR MISSION

“Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.”

We’re a collective of students and everyday people all with full-time jobs,
united by a love for adventure. Over the past 10 years, we’ve visited 190
countries in 10 years — without skipping class, quitting jobs, missing shifts,
or breaking our budgets. We mastered the art of turning “I don’t have time or
money” into “I’ll make it work,” coming home with too many stories to tell,
filled with setsunai, saudade, and maktoub. And then, we’ll head out again

We don’t vacation; we monsoon.

Join the countless others who’ve experienced our unique style of travel, where
we bring the freedom of solo travel experience into a group dynamic — what we
call “group travel for people who hate group travel.”

You no longer have to choose between a normal life and living a life of travel:
You can have both. So let the trade winds catch your sails. Explore. Dream.
Discover. Monsoon.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

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UNTIL OUR NEXT ADVENTURE!

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EASTER ISLAND

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CENTRAL AFRICA


CHAD, NIGER, ETHIOPIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO,
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, BURUNDI

WINTER 2024-2025

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THE MONSOON DIARIES: A MEMOIR

 

Our experiences from a decade of “monsooning” around the world—curtailed by the
global shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic — have now been captured in a book,
The Monsoon Diaries: A Memoir, published by HarperCollins with a foreword by the
renowned Lisa Ling.

Drawing from the lessons learned while traveling to over 190 countries, and from
the profound grief Dr. Sun faced as a teenager after his father’s passing, this
memoir chronicles his journey as a young Asian American growing up in New York,
finding his calling first in medical school, and then on the open road.

Through these experiences, we’ve discovered that the fight for a better world
brings meaning to life, even in the most uncertain times. We hope this story
helps readers transform their own tragedies into possibilities, fostering a more
empathetic and connected society.

 

Order a copy!


WHERE WE’VE BEEN



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RECENT BLOGPOSTS








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« Older Entries








PAST TRIPS






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MEET SOME OF OUR TRAVELERS:


 







Despite considering myself a decently travelled solo traveller to a number of
off the beaten track destinations, having met Calvin in a chance encounter in
Sydney I originally signed up with him to his recently organised trip to Armenia
for the specific reasons that:

 1. It was very cost effective, compared to solo travel in that country
 2. The itinerary and approach to travel appeared to be well aligned with my
    own, in that it was hard and fast, adventurous and hitting all the sights
    whilst still keeping flexibility to change plans, and
 3. Overall he seemed like a pretty decent guy.

What I encountered surpassed these expectations. On top of delivering on the
above, I encountered a trip with like minded individuals sharing what was to
prove a remarkable experience in a remarkable country. For many a traveller who
prefers solo travel, there are times when you would prefer to give the sometimes
rigorous amounts of organisation a break, whilst avoiding the cookie cutter
approach of a tour or sometimes having to acquiesce to an itinerary planned out
by friends that might not match your preferences.

That is where for me Calvin’s approach really excels. We saw all of the key
sights of the country, pushed the boundaries in our venture to the disputed
region of Nagorno Karabakh, in an informal, flexible setting, and all the while
making some personal friends whom I will no doubt retain for a long time.

Nishant Anandan

Armenia, Afghanistan

Altruistic realism: to meet the urgent need for people throughout the world to
see each other and reality fairly.

I just figured you should define it: I think you’re creating a home everywhere
you go in your monsoons. You’re making a global home through the connections of
the people on each trip. I was thinking the song [To Build a Home] says it all –
and that you’re connecting the globe – showing people home is a feeling shared
together. And we find ourselves in the insecurities of the unfamiliar…and so the
people become the familiar.

And the bond becomes home. Security through partnership.

Evie Joy

The USA Road Trip, Sardinia, Corsica, Lampedusa, Sicily, Wales

Perhaps the most remarkable consideration concerning Calvin’s compelling
argument to travel is that there is no compelling argument from Calvin. He does
not push unwilling souls to take the plunge. Instead he inspires by example,
moving along his (loosely) planned route on his own accord and, much like the
force of nature for which his travel approach is named, leaves you to (re)act as
you see fit. . . .

[Calvin], you have created something really special – it is likely that I never
would have seen Poland/Ukraine/Cuba had your vision not been the impetus to
booking those trips, not to mention the invaluable friendships that form from
sharing such a wonderfully intense period of time together. Case in point, all
the different configurations of reunions you guys have had in the month since
Cuba, Maria extending her family’s hospitality, etc. . . . yep, truly something
special.

Jan Ferrer

Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Cuba

What would be traveling without the people you meet along the way, without the
conversations you share and the memories you make. I am lucky enough that I have
met up and travelled with the Monsooners a couple of times already. It will not
be just an ordinary experience where you tick of the sights of each city. You
will get part of the Monsoon family, create lasting relationships and get out of
your comfort zone. These trips always had an inspiring effect on me. You get
asked questions that you have to answer yourself, you will gain perspectives and
be immersed in thoughtful conversations. The cities and sights will get a
personal touch. A memory full of adventure. All you need is to bring the right
attitude – ‘cause in the end it is still up to you to make the best out of the
trip 🙂



Daniela Zarzer

Austria, Slovakia, Prague, Budapest, North Pakistan

Today as I was watching a movie and they talking about the Cape of Good Hope and
I got goosebumps knowing that I was there. This feeling has happened many time
to me since I have been traveling with Monsoon Diaries and YOU. I also saw Table
Top Mountain and Denmark in recent movies among others. It’s so amazing to have
this personal point of reference when I read and see places that I have been.
It’s especially MAGNIFICENT when I get to share my pictures, videos and
experiences with my students. I use my experience to encourage them to think
about the world as more them their three block radius.

Without Monsoon and You I don’t think I would have broaden my horizons when it
comes to traveling.







Michelle Duncan

The Baltic Crescent (7 countries), Southern Africa (11 countries)

Let’s get something straight first. I kind of hate group travel. The nature of
my career has made me the type of person to prefer serendipity (and some level
of chaos) over the structured comfort that group travel usually offers.

But Monsoon Diaries is not your usual group travel. Monsoon Diaries is more like
– a friend corraling a bunch of his friends onto the Magic School Bus. Adventure
and serendipity are a key part of it all, but you’re free to explore and vibe
with everyone else *because* your friend is handling the logistics. By the end
of it all, you find yourself on the plane texting about life with people you
didn’t know the week before. Who wouldn’t love that?

Cathy Richards

Tanzania

Calvin reminded me that NO ONE, not even my future husband, will ever understand
or have shared the moments I shared with you all — my first trip outside of the
U.S.A. and discovering myself through backpacking.

I’m so blessed to have met each and every one of you. It’s amazing how 17
different personalities managed to get along; there was not one person on this
trip that I did not enjoy spending time with.

Continue to travel the world, get to know yourselves even more, and thank you
for sharing your stories with me and allowing me to share parts of myself with
you too. You ladies and gents are beautiful people!

Maria Villa

Ukraine, Poland, Germany

…click here to read more testimonials!


















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MD and are copyright protected by The Monsoon Diaries™️ Download and use of any
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competent jurisdiction deems just and proper. Dr. Sun also hereby disclaims any
and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive,
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without warranties. Copyright Notice: Copyright © 2020 The Monsoon Diaries™️,
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