Is this place for real? Where polar bears hunt beluga whales in Arctic Canada
I had already been living at sea for over a month aboard the Ocean Endeavour with Adventure Canada when I first heard whispers about a very special place. Deep in the heart of Nunavut in Canada, there is one of the best wildlife spots in the Arctic: Coningham Bay in the Northwest Passage. Never heard of it? Don’t worry, not many have. Coningham Bay might look like any other bay in the vast, sprawling tundra of the Arctic. Wide and desolate, it is special because it has a narrow, shallow entrance....
In defense of the bold and fearless weka: New Zealand’s most unruly bird
I can still remember the first time I saw a weka here in New Zealand. Traveling around the South Island, I was staying in a cute cabin in the forest on the West Coast. On a humid, warm day, I left the doors open, hoping for a breeze. First rookie mistake, guys: never leave anything open when visiting the West Coast in the bush. You will be annihilated by sandflies. Looking up from my book, I saw that a big, fat brown bird had wandered inside, poking around fearlessly. What is...
How the Heaphy Track become my new favorite Great Walk
There are so many walks and tramps in New Zealand on my list that I haven’t had a chance to check out. And no matter how much I get out and tackle them, the list only grows longer. Funny how that happens. But there is one track I’ve been wanting to do forever, the Heaphy Track. New Zealand has ten Great Walks, including the Heaphy, and I’ve basically done them all, some even a few times. Great Walks have better infrastructure than our normal backcountry tramps – they also come with...
Takaka: a golden getaway to Golden Bay
There aren’t many places in New Zealand that make me question my choice to live in Wānaka, but Golden Bay definitely did. Warm, sunny, and most importantly, cheap, Golden Bay piqued my interest as somewhere I could easily live comfortably. I’m just not sure I’m hippie enough to fit the local criteria, but more on that in a minute. After finishing the Heaphy Track outside of Takaka, I caught the shuttle from Golden Bay Air to the airport, where I rented a car. These are the guys who organize the logistics...
A big life update: join me in the Arctic
lotI’ve made it no secret; over the years, I’ve become obsessed with polar travel. In fact, I’ve become so obsessed that I am now an expedition guide, spending roughly half the year at sea in Antarctica and the Arctic. And I’m not slowing down anytime soon. I’ve already started a three-month season with Adventure Canada in the Arctic for this summer in Canada and Greenland. These polar places are almost inaccessible. The easiest and most efficient way to visit is by expedition ship. Most of the year, sea ice locks the Arctic...
22 Ways To Experience Downtown San Diego Like A Local
San Diego is so much more than laid-back vibes, sun, and surf. Sure, that’s the postcard version, but the real San Diego is also a mix of incredible food, a massive craft beer scene, lively nightlife, and a surprisingly rich arts and culture lineup. For me, the city became almost a second home. My best friend went to UCSD and stayed in the area after graduation, so I was down here nearly every other month. We’d hit the annual county fair, hop between concerts and club nights, wander the weekend farmers...
45 Fun Things To Do In San Diego (Other Than Theme Parks And Museums)
San Diego is so much more than the zoo, Legoland, SeaWorld, or another beach day. Those are great, yes, but if you stop your exploring there, you’re missing the real heartbeat of the city. After years of tagging along on random weekend trips to visit my best friend at UCSD (and later, through her entire 20s living all over the city), I learned quickly that San Diego shines brightest outside the stereotypical tourist list. We often filled our time exploring all the eclectic neighborhoods and their massive weekend farmers markets, discovering...
A wellness and Yoga retreat in Bali
Visiting Bali for a Wellness and Yoga Retreat Spa at Hotel Tugu Bali Though my travel blog has often been compared to Eat, Pray, Love, since 2009 when it was launched, I never visited Bali until November 2023 when I went for about 16 days. My plan was to visit Bali for a wellness and Yoga retreat. I didn’t join an organized Bali wellness retreat or a Bali Yoga retreat, I created my own by staying in two places: first, a private pool villa in Penestanan, near Ubud, and then the...
Guide to 7 most famous temples in Bali
Complete guide to the top 7 temples in Bali Generations. Photo credit: Unsplash. In Bali, “the island of Gods,” spirituality plays a crucial role in the daily lives of the local people. Ancient temples are present in every village and town and they lie at the heart of the community in Bali. There are rumoured to be at least 20,000 temples in Bali, and the most famous are the seven listed in this post. These temples in Bali are known both for their architecture and historical significance. Some temples like Tanah Lot...
Best Philippines Islands: The perfect island for you?
Islands in the Philippines. Photo credit: iStock. Best Philippines Islands: Which is the perfect island getaway for you? Philippines islands are famous for white sandy beaches and clear, jewel-toned water. But there is much more than just beaches and turquoise water. The Philippines islands also offer amazing opportunities for diving and surfing adventures, jungle and cultural experiences, island hopping, authentic, local experiences, and meeting friendly local people. But we want to let you know about the best Philippines islands. The larger Philippines islands have better infrastructure and more amenities suited for couples and...