Before my sister, Stormy, began college at UCSD, I thought it imperative that she have an adventure. So for the summer, I flew her to Antalya, Turkey, where I had been living. For her 18th …
November 5, 2012
Asia: travel reviews
Demre, Turkey: The Sea is Free
Trying to Fit In at the Củ Chi Tunnels
Vietnam is a unique country in many ways. First, it’s Southeast Asia’s “skinniest” country. Second, the country is still divided over geographical, political and cultural lines. The North and South divide is an active component …
Adventure (via Scooter) in Ubud, Bali
When my cousin Natalie and I left the Monkey Forest Inn villas in Ubud to stay in a different villa for her birthday, I had no idea the adventure I was in for – as …
October 18, 2012
Giving Face in Kashgar
It was my final day in Kashgar, China. I had all the photos I needed and was ready for a good meal before catching my flight out, when I noticed a tiny man sitting outside, …
October 9, 2012
Aboriginal Taiwan
Recently, I traveled to Taiwan to learn about its food. I sampled a range of delicacies, but was most struck by a culture completely unknown to me: the aborigines of Taiwan. The original settlers of …
September 27, 2012
Tonlé Sap, Cambodia: What's in a Word?
Winston Churchill once said the Americans and British are two peoples separated by a common language. The more countries I visit, the more this seems to be true around the globe. For better or worse, …
Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia: The Untold Story
On a recent vagabonding extravaganza, I took a recess from Western society for 10 months to explore the world. During this rebellion, I found myself enticed by the Indonesian archipelago, and of course, the ever-alluring …
September 17, 2012
Istanbul is Cheap(er)
A cosmopolitan blend of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a more exotic, less-pricey alternative to Paris or London, especially during the off-season winter months of January, February and March. The city is compact and walkable, …
September 10, 2012
Singapore: A "Fine" City
The city-state of Singapore is known for being a "fine city," a title imbued with two very different meanings: one is that it's a fine city to live in, while the second refers to its …
Have You Eaten Rice Yet?
As I watched my favorite street vendor whip up the usual thirty baht (approximately $1 USD) shrimp pad thai, I noticed that she added more love into it than usual on this particular evening. Devouring …
August 24, 2012
Cultural Feast in Old Delhi
Delhi, India, is all about culture, heritage and food. If you only have limited time here, the Old Delhi Bazaar walking tours are a must-see. Knowledgeable local guides lead you down the neighborhood’s winding streets …
I Am a Superhero in Kon Tum, Vietnam
While the rest of the world was going gaga (not Lady Gaga) over the movie The Avengers, I was busy playing the part of superhero for some kids in a village in Vietnam. The town …
August 14, 2012
Go Hiking in Hong Kong
The breathtaking skyline of Hong Kong ranks in the top five of the world's most stunning cityscapes. Hop onto a 23-minute train ride from the airport to Hong Kong station, and from there take a …
A Different Kind of Honeymoon
After spending a week running around the island of Borneo, including stops in traditional villages of Sabah, Malaysia, and the primary rainforests of Brunei, we arrived in the capital of Indonesia at 3 a.m. Waking, …
August 7, 2012
Rolling the Dice in Laos
I found myself in a unique situation 8,000 miles away in remote Laos. After taking a leap of faith, which involved quitting my cushy consultant job here in San Diego, I bought a one-way ticket …
July 28, 2012