Have you ever wondered how globetrotters fell in love with traveling in the first place? For me, I think back to one specific life-changing experience that sparked my love affair with traveling the world. This first experience eventually led me to quit my 9-5 job to move across the world and ultimately led me to … Continue Reading
Solo travel is not easy. Things not only can, but will go wrong, and it’s up to you to decide how you’re going to handle it. Here’s a story about a perfect plan gone awry during my last trip to Southeast Asia as a solo traveler and what I learned about myself in the process. … Continue Reading
Parque Tayrona is a nationally protected park in Northern Colombia sandwiched between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains and the Carribean Sea. It’s known for its lush jungle and wild coastline of virtually untouched beaches. Although many of the beaches between the park entrance and Cabo San Juan are frequented by tourists, they are only accessible … Continue Reading
Although Salento is the golden child of Colombia’s coffee region, there’s a little-underrated town about 45 minutes away that deserves more attention. This quaint pueblo is called Filandia, and is a must for anyone looking for an authentic experience in the Zona Cafetera region. It’s also much less frequented by foreigners than other areas of the region, … Continue Reading
Although Cartagena is the most popular seaside destination in Colombia, those looking for a quieter beach getaway head further north to Costeño Beach & Palomino. These relatively underdeveloped beach towns are home to stretches of rugged coastline, most of it completely untouched. You won’t find any resorts or big name hotels here, just small locally run … Continue Reading
I went on The Lost City Trek with Expotur and it was 4 days jam packed with adventure. Expotur promises adventure, and adventure you shall receive! From intense jungle trekking in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, raging rapid river crossings, and 1,200 steep stone steps to get to Cuidad Perdida, it’s exhilarating, challenging … Continue Reading
I was under the impression that Cartagena was lined with gorgeous white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise water – it’s not. However, just an hour boat ride away is the paradise of Isla Grande, which is part of the Rosario Islands. Here you will surely find that Caribbean paradise you were searching for. Although the … Continue Reading
Are you planning a trip to Peru and need to figure out where to stay during your epic adventure? I can’t speak for all of Peru, but I can speak for four of the marvelous cities I visited during my three weeks exploring Southern Peru, and in this post I have rounded up all the … Continue Reading
Since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved roller coasters. So when I heard about an oasis in the middle of the Peruvian desert where dune buggies fly over sand dunes up to 700 feet tall, you better believe I immediately added it to my itinerary. That desert oasis is called Huacachina, and when … Continue Reading
Paracas is a small fishing village turned beach resort town that is actually known as Peru’s best wild-life watching destination. Often referred to as “The Poor Man’s Galapagos,” this coastal desert region is home to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve, both of which are teeming with wildlife, from sea lions, seabirds, and … Continue Reading
After 6 days and over 30 miles of trekking both Rainbow Mountain, Lares, and Machu Picchu, I was in dire need of some serious relaxation. You can count on sore legs from all the walking, tight shoulders from schlepping a backpack full of gear around, and overall exhaustion from the altitude (over 17,000ft at Rainbow … Continue Reading
When you think of Peru, what comes to mind? If I had to guess, it would probably be hiking the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu. But what if I told you there was an alternative trek you could take without the hundreds of other tourists you’d find on the over-trekked Inca Trail, that offers a perfect mix … Continue Reading
Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain or Montaña de Siete Colores, is a stunning geological marvel of the Peruvian Andes located at a whopping 5,200 meters above sea level, and is gaining some serious popularity within the Cusco tourism industry. Located about a 4 hour drive from Cusco, it’s advertised as something that can be … Continue Reading
Medellín is up there for top favorite cities, but after three weeks I was ready to trade the harsh fumes and hectic nature of the city for the fresh air and tranquility of nearby Guatapé. The ride into Guatapé is reason enough to visit, with beautiful farmland and rolling green hills spotted with cows & horses … Continue Reading
For most, the thought of traveling anywhere alone can be a little uncomfortable and quite a bit scary. Thoughts of what could go wrong start swirling around in your head and you start to question whether you can do it all on your own. Luckily, discomfort is absolutely crucial for personal growth. As said by Margie … Continue Reading
Just 30 min north of the surf-side, backpacker’s heaven town of Canggu by car, the famed (and rightfully so) Pura Tanah Lot is there, seemingly floating in the ocean for all to see. Pura Tanah Lot is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the gods of the sea with origins back to the fifteenth century, that … Continue Reading
Made uber famous by Julia Roberts where she did the majority of her loving from “Eat Pray Love,” Ubud is a gorgeous part of central Bali that can’t be missed. Besides it being the greenest place I’ve ever been, it also boasts elements of relaxation and peace that are seldom found elsewhere. Watch the monkeys … Continue Reading
There’s something magical in traveling, and a lot of that magic lives in the people you meet along your journey. Maybe it’s the open-mindedness you get from experiencing different cultures and ways of life, or the soul cleansing power of seeing the breathtaking natural beauty of this world. Whatever it is, I was blown away … Continue Reading
Ho Chi Minh City, or more commonly known as Saigon, was hands down my favorite city in Vietnam. Not only was it my first ever experience in this country, but I had a good friend living there that hosted me and was able to show me the true local experience. To me there’s this chaotic … Continue Reading
Thanks to the amazing overnight bus system in Vietnam, I didn’t lose a single day traveling during my 20-day trip, which enabled non-stop adventuring each and everyday. As you can imagine, by the time I made it to Hanoi from Ho Chi Minh City, I was exhausted. (The best kind of exhausted, of course.) I … Continue Reading
Whenever there’s a conversation about Vietnam, it is pretty much expected that you’ll be visiting Ha Long Bay. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, it’s Vietnam’s star attraction. However, I had heard mixed reviews from multiple different people: That Ha Long Bay is overcrowded, … Continue Reading
Just two hours from Hanoi is the Ninh Binh region of Vietnam that is home to stunning landscapes, historical monuments and is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also home to Tam Coc which is known as the Ha Long Bay on Land. Tam Coc is a must-see while visiting Hanoi and can easily … Continue Reading
Similar to Hue, I only had one day in Da Nang, so I wanted to make it count. I heard that this was a city that most people skipped on their way from Hoi An to Hanoi, but I wanted to see what was going on in the fourth largest city in Vietnam. … Continue Reading
From Hoi An, I headed North to check out Hue, a city that was once the nation’s capital. Known as one of the top spots for sampling some of the best food that Vietnam has to offer, there was no way I was skipping out on Hue. With only a day and a night designated to … Continue Reading
Although Bali and its neighbor Lombok are predominantly known for their beaches, I headed inland to check out a few of the gorgeous active volcanoes. There’s three on Bali (Batur, Bratan & Agung) and one on Lombok (Rinjani).
If you read my last post, then you already know that Southern California has a very special place in my heart. I grew up taking trips over to the sunshine state to visit my Aunt Janice in Hermosa Beach and Aunt Sandy in Morrow Bay. Although I have flown into LA multiple times, I had never really done … Continue Reading
Last week I got my first tattoo. It is a concept I have contemplated for the past four years, and decided now was a better time than ever to finally follow through with it. And what better place to get it done than in Hermosa Beach; a place that holds the memory of a very special … Continue Reading
Sometimes the best trips are the ones you don’t plan at all. Sometimes the best trips are had with people you barely know or don’t even know at all. My latest trip to Colorado would fall under both of these categories. Here’s how it all started:
