Everyone has a different grasp on what constitutes as having really “seen” or “been to” a place. While I never had stringent rules, I always said as long as you buy something, eat something, converse with someone, and leave the area of transport (i.e. a train or bus station, or an airport), then who’s to …
I always assumed people who went on African safaris had a lot of money. When you google safaris, whether in Tanzania, Botswana, or South Africa, the price seems to always be a minimum of $3000 (and that’s on the low-end). African safaris also seem to be a time-consuming venture, and since I had just finished …
In a country as large as India, Jaipur is one of the most unique and magical places. The entire city is pink. In 1876, Prince Albert was to take a tour of India. To prepare for his arrival, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II had the whole city painted pink, as it was considered the color …
When on a round-the-world backpacking trip, I really said f*ck it after running out of space on my passport (forcing me to travel slow), and rented an apartment in Tokyo for 6 weeks. The apartment was located just outside of the city in a neighborhood called Katsushika, and nearly everyday for 6 weeks, I went …
I had heard Beijing is a stressful city to travel through. Someone had described it to me as “the general population having no regard for human life,” as in, get out of the way or you’re going to get hit by a car, be prepared to be cut in line often, be prepared for people …
Read more “Finding Peace in Chaotic Beijing: My Experience Staying With a Family in China”
Transiting through China can be a real pain in the butt. Most layovers will be in Shanghai or Beijing, and though I’ve never been to the Shanghai airport, I can confirm the Beijing one is a bit chaotic. If you’re flying to or throughout Asia, you’re likely to see an option to fly with AirChina, …
Read more “World Wonder in a Hunch: How to See The Great Wall of China on a Long Layover”
I met a nice man from Korea while I was traveling through the Philippines, and he told me if I ever made it to his homeland, I would be a fool to skip Jeju. I saved a little note in my phone, “Jeju Island, South Korea.” A few weeks later, I was in Ha Long …
Read more “Exploring Jeju Island: A Natural Wonder of The World”
South Korea was a place that was never too high on my radar, but I felt like it kept popping up (a good friend had just visited, I had been hearing a lot of incredible things about Jeju), so when I found a cheap flight, well … you know the rest. I arrived in Seoul …
Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa’s highest point. The highest freestanding mountain in the world. 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) above sea level. If you crave both adventure and a challenge, hiking Kilimanjaro has most likely crossed your mind. I had been dreaming of doing the trek for four years before finally booking it, and after completing it, I …
Read more “Everything You Need To Know About Hiking Kilimanjaro”
Hiking Kilimanjaro is a notoriously difficult feat, so you’ll want to increase your chances of success any way you can. One of the best ways to ensure you reach the Uhuru Summit is by choosing the route that’s best for you. I’ve put together this handy list for those planning to tackle this major hike, …