“Working from the beach” is a lie. Sand gets in your keyboard, the sun glare makes code unreadable, and the WiFi is usually terrible. After 4 months of remote work in Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand, here is my actual setup that prioritizes verified connectivity over Instagram aesthetics.
The Connectivity Stack
Internet is oxygen. Without it, I’m unemployed. I never rely on hotel WiFi alone.
- Primary: Local eSIM (Airalo or Holafly). I buy unlimited data plans. Cost: ~$30/month.
- Backup: GL.iNet Travel Router. I use this to repeat hotel WiFi or tether my phone. It creates a private, secure subnet for all my devices.
- VPN: Tailscale. I use it to route my traffic through an exit node in my home country to access banking apps and avoid geoblocking.
The Hardware (One-Bag Philosophy)
I travel with a 35L backpack (Aer Travel Pack 3). Every ounce matters.
The Laptop: MacBook Air M3 (15-inch)
I switched from the Pro to the Air. Why? It’s lighter, and the M3 chip handles my Docker containers just fine. The lack of fans means one less point of failure in dusty environments.
The Monitor: iPad Pro + Sidecar
I can’t code on a single screen. The iPad Pro serves as my second monitor via Apple Sidecar. It’s seamless and doubles as my entertainment device on planes.
Peripherals
- Roost Laptop Stand: Essential for posture. Neck pain is the career killer of nomads.
- Keychron K3 Low Profile: A mechanical keyboard that is slim enough to pack.
- Logitech MX Anywhere 3: Works on glass tables, which are surprisingly common in Airbnbs.
The Software Stack for Sync
Timezones are the enemy. I work asynchronously as much as possible.
- Loom: I record 5-minute video updates instead of scheduling meetings. “Here is what I did, here is where I’m stuck.”
- Linear: For tracking tasks. It works offline, which is crucial when the internet cuts out on a train.
- Notion: My second brain. Every flight number, hotel confirmation, and code snippet lives here.
The Reality Checks
Loneliness: It gets lonely. Co-working spaces are worth the membership fee not just for the desk, but for the human interaction.
Routine: You need one. I work 8 AM to 4 PM local time, regardless of where I am. Treating it like a 9-5 job helps separate “work” from “travel”.
Health: It’s easy to eat street food every day. I make it a rule to join a local gym for a month, even if I’m only there for 3 weeks.
Conclusion
This lifestyle isn’t for everyone. It requires discipline and a high tolerance for uncertainty. But coding from a coffee shop in Hanoi while waiting for your egg coffee? It beats a cubicle any day.