Although I spent 5 whole days in the capital city of Slovakia, I didn’t think I could write a post on 20 best things to do in Bratislava, Slovakia. After all, it’s a very small city. However, that’s not the main … Read More
Doha, the capital city of Qatar, has become a popular layover hub for travelers making their way to destinations around the world. With its modern skyline, luxury shopping malls, and traditional souks, Doha offers a unique blend of old and … Read More
Cuba is a country known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning architecture. From the colorful streets of Havana to the pristine beaches of Varadero, there is no shortage of beauty to be found in this Caribbean island nation. … Read More
Chiang Rai certainly doesn’t have the frenetic vibe of Bangkok nor the allure of Chiang Mai but what it does have is Wat Rong Khun. At the same time Buddhist temple and art exhibit, you should definitely make some time to … Read More
Singapore is a vibrant and bustling city that offers a perfect mix of culture, food, and attractions. With just two days to explore this dynamic destination, it’s important to make the most of your time. From iconic landmarks to delicious … Read More
Want to know where to find the best street art in Singapore? Well, you’ve come to the right place! I only spent two days in Singapore but I was shocked by the diversity of street art I came across. … Read More
I think most people would agree that Sidi Bou Said is the prettiest town in Tunisia. The village is set on a hill less than 20 km from Tunis. Its proximity to the capital city makes Sidi Bou Said a … Read More
You might wonder why anyone would want to visit a temple riddled with rats. The answer is quite simple: because Shri Karni Mata Temple is the only one of its kind in the whole world. That was reason enough for … Read More
Visiting the charming Old Town of Semarang will offer loads of photo ops. I, for one, couldn’t stop clicking away. Click, click, click. There’s something about old, crumbling buildings that render them infinitely photogenic. I think what makes them … Read More
Who knew there was a thriving street art scene in Semarang? Prior to going, I didn’t even know Semarang existed. Where exactly is Semarang? It’s located in the north of Central Java in Indonesia. What brought me to this small … Read More
Have you ever wondered what it felt like to walk through a rainbow? Well, welcome to Kampung Pelangi – the Rainbow Village of Semarang. Kampung Pelangi in Bahasa Indonesia literally translates as ‘Rainbow Village’. As you’ll see, the colorful village … Read More
You might think I wrote an ode to the felines of Kuching dubbed “The City of Cats: because I’m a Crazy Cat Lady. Well, I’m not. In fact, I’m allergic to cats but I need not worry in Kuching. My … Read More
Where is Kuching? Kuching is the capital of the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. It’s mostly known as a jumping off point to see endangered species in the wild. Oftentimes, travellers will skip visiting Kuching and will go straight to the … Read More
I certainly didn’t equate discovering amazing street art in Kuching to anything remotely related to Borneo. In my mind, Borneo was a land of dense jungles and endangered species. Little did I know Kuching, the capital of the state of … Read More
While I was in Peninsular Malaysia, I found a cheap flight to Malaysian Borneo. I hadn’t planned on going but who can resist visiting Borneo? As soon as I clicked ‘purchase’, I was excited at the prospect of seeing orangutans … Read More
Is Brunei Darussalam worth visiting? Judging by what I’ve read online, most people would answer with a resounding ‘No’. Although I believe every country has something to offer, I do agree that you shouldn’t go out of your way to … Read More
Little did I know, my quick jaunt in the Sultanate would have me unveiling the many contradictions of Brunei Darussalam. The first encounter I had when I arrived in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan was with a very … Read More
I visited Antigua Guatemala on a day trip while vacationing in El Salvador by joining a tour offered by the hotel I was staying at. As is often the case with organized tours, we were rushed through some of the … Read More
Jamaica is a small Caribbean island in the West Indies. English is the official language but Jamaican Patwah is the primary spoken language. Locals refer to Jamaica as Jamrock in Patwah giving the impression the whole island is jammin’ all … Read More
I could’t help it. Each time I saw yet another hollowed out construction site snuggled between two buildings, my step grew faster. I was on the look-out for telescopic cranes rising above the roofs, my ears on alert for their … Read More
I came face to face with him. His plump belly dripping with sweat protruding forth. The whites of his eyes were bright, his irises deep brown like shiny pennies. Strands of yellow and magenta marigolds hung around his neck. I … Read More
It’s almost impossible when mentioning certain places to not think of their most famous landmarks. Take Rome, for instance, and the Colosseum instantly pops into one’s mind like a comic strip thought balloon. Paris is exhaustively represented by its iconic … Read More
In more recent years, I’ve become a bonafide street art enthusiast. I find myself avidly seeking out artwork when visiting a new place (and in my hometown of Montreal). Hunting for street art is now on par with seeing the … Read More
After leaving Budapest feeling somewhat deflated, I had high hopes for the second city on our tour of the Balkans. The bus turned into the station as dusk fell over the city. I already knew my lack of research on Belgrade … Read More
From my hotel, I made my way by foot to the main hub where all the boats were docked. The daunting task of negotiating began. It was the Thingyan Festival so I already knew prices would be double – at … Read More
A few years ago, my friend and I rented a 4×4 to go on a pura vida road trip in Costa Rica. We drove from the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica to the Caribbean Coast and back again. Pura vida … Read More
Sapa was the most picturesque region I had the pleasure of visiting in Vietnam. When I thought of Vietnam the image that came to mind was intricately dressed H’Mong tribeswomen, lush mountains and rice paddies, of course! That’s exactly what Sapa delivered … Read More
What stands out while traveling in Myanmar is how many sacred Buddha images and pagodas are gilded in shiny gold leaves Yes, it’s real gold! The most prominent of these shimmering relics is Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon cloaked in an … Read More
After visiting the Sacred Golden Rock, we hopped on the last bus to Yangon. As expected in a country where infrastructure is subpar, the bus ride was longer than expected. The bus was what I had grown accustomed to during … Read More
The ancient city of Bagan dating back to the 9th century is the most coveted site in Myanmar attracting not only foreigners but also thousands of Burmese pilgrims every year. Originally, nearly 10,000 monuments were erected between the 9th and … Read More
Although I usually try to find something good about every place I visit keeping in mind that simply being there is a privilege in itself, there’s the odd time when I’m more likely looking forward to leaving than to exploring. … Read More
The biggest reclining Buddha in the world is a pretty ambitious claim. Measuring nearly 600 feet / 180 meters, this reclining Buddha is truly deserving of its unofficial world-record holding title! Win Sein Taw Ya is the proper name … Read More
Squeezed in like tiny sardines in a tin can, knees tightly pressed against the bench in front of us, I braced myself for the ride up to Mount Kyaikhtiyo. The driver started the roaring motor and the open-air truck jutted … Read More
With the Thanlwin River flowing like a ribbon through the lush land and towering karst mountains outlining the landscape all around, Hpa-An was like no other place in Myanmar. The only thing I knew about this laidback town was the presence … Read More
I arrived in Yangon with high hopes and a ponytail but the stifling heat, rising to temperatures in the mid-40’s Celsius, made it difficult to enjoy. I was there in April, just before monsoon season. A swell of heat had … Read More
I hope this guide to the fruits of Cambodia will encourage you to try some exotic fruits next time you’re in Southeast Asia. I found the fruits in Cambodia to be not only the tastiest but also the cheapest. I … Read More
Gazing at towering limestone pillars in Halong Bay should be on everyone’s list when visiting Vietnam. I won’t sugarcoat the less attractive aspects of Halong Bay, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It’s riddled with hundreds of junk boats (ruining its … Read More
Each year thousands, if not millions, of Hindu pilgrims make their way to the Holy City of Varanasi for the privilege of bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges river to purify their souls. The iconic ghats (steps) along … Read More
When I went to El Salvador, I stayed at the Royal Decameron Salinitas Resort and I can’t say enough good things about it. The large room was impeccable, the grounds were finely manicured and the variety of international food at the … Read More
Following the picturesque Ruta de las Flores (Flower Route) will have you meandering through quaint pueblitos each with its very own unique flare. Join me on a tour of three of the best cultural towns of El Salvdaor. RUTA … Read More
There was something fishy about La Libertad. This small coastal town bore a dreamy name, Freedom, but what made it so appealing was anything but. The air was hot and heavy and clung stubbornly to my clothes. My … Read More
El Salvador’s topography will have its visitors straining their necks trying to take in its magnificent mountainous regions splattered with a few volcanoes – 23 to be exact. That is, twenty-three active volcanoes. That’s an astonishing amount for such a … Read More
Egypt has some of the oldest and most significant historical monuments in the world, many of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. This is the land of pharaohs and queens with eyes the color of coal, ancient … Read More
Anyone who’s been to any ‘developing’ country in Southeast Asia will agree that recycling of any kind isn’t widely, if at all, practiced. The extent of recycling in this part of the world might consist of someone painstakingly carrying bundles … Read More
Si Phan Don or 4000 Islands, is where the Mekong river is split into smaller waterways. Numerous islets create a stunning archipelago. After nearly one month of traveling through Laos, I chose to end my adventures on the island of … Read More
I’ve already written about the day Luang Prabng cast a spell on me. Now it’s time to write about monks, wats, shopping, eating and sweating. In other words, things to do in the former royal capital of Laos. Although Luang … Read More
Nestled in a lush valley reminiscent of a masterpiece painting, the ancient town of Luang Prabang is located in Northern Laos at the confluence of the Mekong river and the less imposing Nam Kahn river. The cobbled sidewalks embellished with … Read More
Quintana who? Yuca-what? Both of these peculiar names are states in Mexico – mostly attracting vacationers, sunbathers and party-makers to the beach resort towns of Cancun, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen. But there’s more to these Caribbean destinations than just farniente on the powdery-white beaches. If you’re keen … Read More
Cruising along the backwaters of Alleppey in Kerala is on most travelers’ wish list including mine. The backwaters refer to an extensive network of canals and lakes covering almost half of the state of Kerala. Taking a few days … Read More
In today’s world of perfect Instagram photos, it’s easy to believe that travelling is always carefree. But, the reality is that traveling isn’t always pretty. It can get dirty, messy and uncomfortable. It’s also been known to induce a few tears as … Read More
Are you wondering what do to on an 8-hour layover in Tokyo? I had the same dilemma on my way home from Vietnam. I had an 8-hour layover and was trying to find ways to keep me busy. The good … Read More
The Vietnam War stretched out from 1955 to 1975. The war entailed millions of fatalities including some in the neighboring (non-participating) countries of Laos and Cambodia. It was a war waged between the United States and two opposing parties in … Read More
While I was in Ho Chi Minh City, I booked a tour to visit the Cai Rang floating market. Many agencies in the backpacker district offer such tours. I picked a random one. The tour included transportation, one night accommodation, … Read More
Luang Namtha is located in Northern Laos and was once part of the infamous opium route known as the Golden Triangle (Laos, Thailand and Myanmar). Nowadays it’s mostly known as an eco-tourism destination offering travelers a variety of low-impact adventure activities … Read More
I hesitated going to Vang Vieng. All I had heard and read about this tiny town was that it was a haven for young, carefree travelers looking to party, drink and tube down the river. I was never into heavy … Read More
There’s an unofficial debate as to which city is better – Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Of course, one’s answer depends on many factors but when it comes to charm, Hanoi wins hands down. Its tree-lined streets, … Read More
The day finally came for us to explore outside of lovely Luang Prabang. We rented a motorbike at one of several shops scattered in and around the town center. Note that motorbike rentals in Luang Prabang are not cheap. We … Read More
How I blended in without really wanting to was funny even to me. I don’t consider myself a fashionista nor a fashion victim (the 80’s don’t count). I don’t have a distinct style but I do have a personal style … Read More
Xieng Khuan is the weird and wonderful Buddha Park of Laos. It’s located about 25 km from the capital city of Vientiane. Set along the mystical Mekong River, Buddha Park is home to several eyebrow-raising sculptures. Xieng Khuan was founded in … Read More
Kuang Si Waterfalls are, without a doubt, the most beautiful in Laos. Laos is mostly known for its natural beauty of verdant rolling hills, vast mountainous regions and a crazy amount of waterfalls (like hundreds). None even come close to the … Read More
Vientiane is the largest city in Laos but quite possibly the least hectic capital city in South East Asia. Its population is well under one million, its wide avenues aren’t bursting with bottleneck traffic and there aren’t any mega malls. … Read More
UPDATE 2018: I went back to the Thai Blind Massage and was really disappointed with the masseuse who was assigned to me (the man that lovingly tortured me in this post didn’t seem to be there). I enjoy rigorous massages … Read More
One of my favorite places in Vietnam was Suôi Tiên or more commonly known as The Fairy Stream. Located just a few minutes from the center of the small resort town of Mui Ne, we had rented a motorbike for … Read More
If you’re like me and love the buzzing atmosphere of local markets then you’re going to enjoy this post. Bac Ha Market is located in Northwestern Vietnam (near Sa Pa). It’s the biggest market frequented by ethnic minority groups living … Read More
We rented a motorbike to get to Ngu Hanh Son better known as the Marble Mountains. In fact, this isn’t just a nickname – the mountains are truly made of marble. The village at the foot of the mountains is … Read More
Exhausted, overwhelmed, wide-eyed and mouth agape, I stepped off the bus into a night frothed with an abundance of noises, flashing lights, speeding vehicles and a flood of pedestrians crowding the sidewalks and streets. We had arrived in Ho Chi … Read More
Hue is the gastronomical capital of Vietnam known for its diversity of mouth-watering regional foods. Okay – it’s also known for a little thing called The Imperial City. Both excellent reasons to visit don’t you think? With the Perfume … Read More
Paksong is a tranquil town untouched by the deafening buzz of the present world. It’s huddled away almost unnoticed by drivers whizzing by on the smartly paved main road. Its streets remain mostly covered in amber-colored dust which lifts and … Read More
I know I’m far from being one in a million when I say that Hoi An was hands down my favorite city in Vietnam. Most people who have visited Hoi An will proclaim the same thing. It’s one of those … Read More
Tad Lo is a small village with big waterfalls. Located in Salavan province in Laos, Tad Lo is a popular stop for those doing a motorbike tour around the Bolaven Plateau. Its call to fame is its namesake waterfalls which … Read More
On our last day in Mumbai, we were debating going to Dharavi – one of the biggest slums in Asia. The slums were made famous by the movie Slumdog Millionaire (which, by the way, had an excellent soundtrack). As we … Read More
The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh located in the White Thar Desert of Gujarat. Inundated with water most of the year, this area becomes a dry landscape in winter. The desert consists of blinding white salt. It was … Read More
When people think of India, an image of its most famous iconic monument certainly comes to mind: The Taj Mahal. It’s been photographed hundreds of thousands of times while being featured on magazine covers, uploaded on social media feeds and … Read More
In all honesty, I admit I knew very little about the struggle Tibet has been going through for the past 50 plus years. I didn’t know how China relentlessly took over this region inhabited by peaceful Tibetans and other ethnic … Read More
A celebration at the border of India and Pakistan seems highly unlikely given the complex history of these two countries. But, I assure you, a celebration does take place every evening. Right before sunset, hundreds of visitors (mostly locals) rush … Read More
Sacred cows and holy crap of India, what’s this all about? The ‘holy crap’ part is a play on words but sacred cows of India shouldn’t be messed with. It’s widely known that cows are sacred in Hinduism but … Read More
Most travelers will include on their to-do list the climb up Lion Rock to see the ancient city of Sigiriya but I thought differently. The main reason why I chose to climb Pidurangala Rock instead of Sigiriya was the entrance … Read More
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking on the link at no extra cost to you Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Sri Lanka lies Adam’s Peak, a … Read More
Anuradhapura, the ancient sacred city of Sri Lanka, thrived as the political and religious capital of Sri Lanka over the course of 1300 years. A sudden invasion abruptly ended its reign in 993. With its dagobas (stupas) and temples dating … Read More
The prettiest train rides I’ve ever taken thus far were in Sri Lank. Traveling by train is one of my favorite modes of transportation (far surpassing planes). Train travel allows me to have unique experiences with locals I otherwise wouldn’t … Read More
Have you ever thought about boarding down an active volcano in Nicaragua? Yes, you read that right – an active volcano. This justifiably elicits a whole slew of one-syllable questions and possibly an acronym: Huh? What? Where? Why? and WTF? … Read More
San Juan de Oriente is a small pottery village nestled in the region of Masaya. It’s located about 45 km from Managua but holds a very different feel than the capital city. At first sight, it looks like any other … Read More
This is one of those stories that is really funny – after the fact. Read on for a few laughs at my expense. During our one-week vacation in Nicaragua, we stayed at the all-inclusive resort Barcelo Montelimar Beach … Read More