To be honest, I just started taking these photos as a way to annoy my friends on Facebook. Now it’s turned into a bit of a quest to find the perfect office, that rare combination of beautiful surroundings, usability, and internet access. Here are my six favorite ‘offices’ so far.

Long Beach, Koh Chang Island, Thailand (above)
Pros: Amazing view, with cool sand to dig your toes into as you work, mango lassis or cold beer available.
Cons: No power or wifi, so you won’t work long. I didn’t really get much work done, anyway, because I was too busy IM’ing my friends, saying “Guess where I am!”

Practicality: 2 out of 5 | Gloat Factor: 5 out of 5

Lonely Beach, Koh Chang Island, Thailand
Pros: Power and wifi available, cheap beer, waves quietly lapping the shore just beneath your feet.
Cons: Glare on laptop screen, annoying Trance music blaring in the background, strong smell of patchouli.

Practicality: 3 out of 5 | Gloat Factor: 3 out of 5

Utopia Guesthouse, Kampot, Cambodia
Pros: Cold beer, power, wifi is only $1 per day, quiet and peaceful.
Cons: Temptation to say ‘to Hell with it” and just go swimming in the river is hard to resist. 7 km out of town, so transport is needed.
Practicality: 4 out of 5 | Gloat Factor: 4 out of 5

Beach cafe 15km from Mui Ne, Vietnam
Pros: In the middle of nowhere, quiet, peaceful, owned by a friendly family.
Cons: No electricity, Net access only via tethered phone, commute is rather difficult
Practicality: 2 out of 5 | Gloat Factor: 4 out of 5

Hotel room in Sapa, Vietnam
Pros: One of my favorite spots, real desk and chair, fast and free wifi, cool mountain breezes, incredible view.
Cons: At the top of a steep hill, workers began noisily demolishing a building across the street on the third day.
Practicality: 4 out of 5 | Gloat Factor: 4 out of 5

Riverside cafe in Luang Prabang, Laos
Pros: Great sunset views over the Mekong River, amazing food, cheap beer, very quiet.
Cons: No wifi available, mosquitoes in the evening.
Practicality: 2 out of 5 | Gloat Factor: 3 out of 5

Where have you found your favorite work space while traveling?

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