Sapa is a magical place. The landscape itself is reason enough to make the 7-hour trek from Hanoi, but this place is much more than just a beautiful landscape. This mountainous town is home to five ethnic minority hill tribes who still dress in traditional garb and speak in their own dialects. The coolest part? … 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
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
Hoi An is a tourists dream, as it offers the picturesque Ancient City where every street is strung with colorful lanterns, as well as beautiful An Bang Beach only a 25 minute bike ride away. I really enjoyed my two days in Hoi An, but was a bit surprised to find it as touristy as … Continue Reading
Set in the Southern Central Highlands of Vietnam, Da Lat is a beautiful mountain town known for its flowers, coffee, strawberries, and fresh air. Da Lat has so much to offer by the way of food, culture, scenery, and adventure, that it would be a shame if overlooked. I spent three days exploring this gorgeous part … Continue Reading
If you’re looking for a less touristy, less developed, more authentic version of Bali, then head to its neighbor, Lombok (mentioned in the last post). Lombok is an island east of Bali with the Gili Islands just off of the coast. If you’re coming from the Gilis, it’s an easy 10-15 minute boat ride 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).
I usually have some sort of itinerary or list of what I want to do or see in each place I visit, but for The Gili Islands, the only thing on my list was to kick back, relax, and enjoy the sun. The Gili Islands are made up of three small islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili … Continue Reading
Over the years a lot of people have asked me how in God’s name I am able to afford to travel so much. A lot has to do with finding good deals on flights and staying with friends in many destinations, but the majority of the saving portion comes from making small financial decisions that … Continue Reading
Have you dreamed of finding Nemo in The Great Barrier Reef, taking a selfie with a kangaroo, or adopting “g’day mate” and “no worries mate” as part of your everyday vocabulary? Are you under 31 and ready for the best year of your life? Looks like you are the perfect candidate for a one-year work … Continue Reading
Fraser Island is one of the top destinations on Australia’s east coast, known for its hundreds of freshwater lakes, 75 miles of beach highway, and of course their wild dingoes. It is the largest sand island in the entire world, and the only place on earth where a lush rainforest grows in sand.
It’s not that I hated my 9-5, in fact it was an awesome job in e-commerce fashion working with some really great people. But after three years working over 60 hours a week at my office job plus waitressing at night, I realized that I was working so that I could travel. Every bit of money … Continue Reading
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:
