About Me

I have a passion for exploring the world's wonders. With almost 3 decades of travel experience, I have experienced unforgettable journeys individually and with fellow travelers.

Ashley is a seasoned travel advisor with J & A Travel Adventures. With her extensive knowledge of destinations and a passion for crafting unforgettable journeys, she excels in providing personalized travel experiences for clients. Ashley's attention to detail, creativity, and dedication ensure that each trip is meticulously planned and tailored to meet the unique preferences and desires of travelers. Her expertise and commitment to exceptional service make her a trusted advisor for anyone seeking a memorable and hassle-free travel experience with J & A Travel Adventures.

My mission is to inspire wanderlust and create bespoke travel experiences tailored to their client's interests and preferences. By leveraging my extensive networks and insider knowledge to craft authentic experiences that immerse travelers in the cultures, landscapes, and histories of destinations around the globe.

Me Ashley & my husband

What to pack?

I'll help you plan for the weather, location and activities.

Important Papers.

I'll you know if you need a hard copy of travel information before you leave and any important documents you made need.

Why are my travel experiences important?

Because I’ve been a continuous traveler for almost three decades, and I’ve learned to look for the fine details that can add stressors to a trip, such as where the good bathrooms are, what the immigration and customs process is like, or does the hotel rooms have hairdryers.


Because I have actually been there, I know which countries are better to visit with drivers and guides and where you are okay traveling on your own.


Because I have compiled my extensive knowledge of countries for such a long time, I am the perfect person to help you plan your trips and make sure that you do not have the extra stress that comes from traveling to an unknown country.

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Trusted Relationships with Local Guides, Drivers and Hoteliers.

I have a knack for continuing relationships and communicating with guides, drivers, and hoteliers that I have used before. Those long-term relationships mean that I can produce a more personalized itinerary for you than a travel agent who is just clicking on a computer and finding a hotel or driver that they’ve never spoken to and probably never will.

Attention to Details

Finally, I’m also an over-planner. This means when I plan a trip for you, I research to make sure everything is as I remember. I reconfirm the details when I book. Then right before you travel, I triple-confirm your details. Therefore, when I tell you that the guide will be in your hotel lobby at a certain time, he is going to be there. These experiences are meant to be new and wonderful, and my diligence helps to ensure that your travels will be all you imagined.

When you are a client of mine, you are part of my family.

I want you to have an amazing experience and to make once in a lifetime memory. Therefore, I will take as much care planning your trips as I do for my own kids and parents.

Click below to schedule a consultation directly with me.

See My Latest Blogs

My Latest Travel Adventures

fish sauce

Eating Fish is Yucky but Vietnamese Fish Sauce is Yummy. Let me explain.

August 11, 20234 min read

Fish sauce is to the Vietnamese what ketchup is to Americans.

Let me begin this blog with a hate fish, and I was a little nervous at our first meal in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam when Linh with Saigon Food Tours placed this bowl in front of me. She explained it was fish sauce, the official seasoning of Vietnam, and it would be served with every meal.  Linh wasn’t joking. Fish sauce is more than ketchup to the Vietnamese. It is their way to flavor everything, and I mean everything. Its thick form is used during cooking, and its more water-like dipping sauce can be found on every table.  

vietnamese fish sauce, how to use fish sauce, what is fish sauce, fish sauce recipe

 History of Fish Sauce in Vietnam 

The production of fish sauce in Vietnam dates back to at least the 2nd century BC, during the time of the Funan Kingdom, an ancient Southeast Asian civilization. The early Vietnamese people discovered the technique of fermenting fish with salt to create a flavorful sauce.  Influenced by neighboring regions of modern-day China and Cambodia, Vietnamese fishermen and merchants learned different techniques and methods of fish sauce production from these cultures.   

The traditional method of making fish sauce involves combining fresh fish and sea salt in large wooden barrels or earthenware jars. The fishermen utilized various fish species, such as anchovies, mackerel, and scads, to produce the sauce. This mixture was then left to ferment for several months to a year, allowing the fish to break down and release liquid. The liquid is then collected and strained to obtain the fish sauce.   

 The region of central Vietnam, particularly the coastal cities of Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue, became known for its high-quality fish sauce production during the 17th and 18th centuries. Even today, they still produce the most sought-after fish sauce. 

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 How Fish Dipping Sauce is Made in Vietnam 

After talking to many of our guides, I found that there are two distinct recipes for fish dipping sauce.  One is the 4 x 4 method. This means using whatever spoon device you choose, you mix four spoons of water, and then the other four are one spoonful of fish sauce, garlic, peppers sauce, and sugar.  The other recipe is the 2 x 2 method.  The recipe is two spoons of water, two spoons of fish sauce, and two spoons of the seasoning of your choice, either sugar, garlic, or pepper sauce. These are the basic recipes of how fish sauce is served to you in a bowl at the table.  Then you can personally modify your own bowl of fish sauce with sliced peppers, pepper sauce, minced peppers, garlic, and lime. 

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When Do You Eat Fish Sauce? 

Now, what do you dip in this fish sauce? Absolutely everything. Whether it’s grilled meats, spring rolls (fried or fresh), Vietnamese pancakes, or stir-fried vegetables, you will dip every bite into fish sauce. Your personalized bowl of fish sauce is how you add salt, pepper, or any other flavoring to your food.  Thus, every meal is personalized by each individual at the table based on how they flavor their bowl.  


I know writing a whole blog about the use of fish sauce is kind of out of left field.  For me, fish sauce is an example of how travel changes people.  In the US, I absolutely do not buy or use fish sauce since I hate fish.  But coming to Vietnam with an open mind to experience everything I could, I was willing to try something I would never eat at home.  I found that I like fish sauce and enjoy personalizing my own bowl for different meals.   

The moral here is travel provides an opportunity to experience life in a totally different way than you would at home. Get on a plane, go to a new place, experience new things, and add joy to your life. 

 Hanoi Vietnam: Wonder If It's Worth Your Travel Time to Visit?


I love sending postcards home. During my Travels I send a post card home every day to one lucky person. Click the link above, and you might receive a post card from my next adventure

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The material and information contained in this blog is for general information purposes only. You should not rely on the information provided as a basis for making any business, legal, and any other decisions. Opinions, reviews, analysis, and reviews are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of the entities. J & A Travel Adventures makes no representations or warranties of any kind. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore at your own risk.

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