Experiencing Scuba Diving in the Maldives [dropcap]A[/dropcap]s we descend into the depths of the Indian Ocean, the strong waves and whipping winds are replaced by clear-as-glass water and a kaleidoscope of colors. Marine life of all sizes and characteristics surround us. My dive instructor and I[...]
Singapore is a special place for me. It's where I was born and raised, and where I spent almost 20 years of my life. Regardless of how much time I've been away, Singapore is and always will be my home. Every time I go back, there's always something new to explore -- be it a new museum, park or h[...]
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ittle atolls rise from the dark blue water like droplets of turquoise pearls, in different shapes and sizes. There are hundreds, if not thousands of them, scattered randomly all over the Indian Ocean. It's as if Mother Earth had sprinkled a handful of sapphire gems into the s[...]
Are you traveling with your baby soon? I've compiled all my baby travel essentials into this comprehensive baby travel packing list. Hope it helps you on your trip! Baby Travel Essentials What to Pack when Traveling with Baby Let’s face it — Traveling with a baby isn’t easy, but as long[...]
Dreaming of staying in an Airstream? Here's our experience renting an Airstream camper in Malaga, Spain. It’s true what they say: It’s the people that make travel so enriching. Over the past decade or so, I've met many inspiring people on my travels who have interesting stories to tell. Trevor[...]
From Nomad to Mother Six months ago, my life was very different as what it is today. I was a full-time traveler, hitting the road at least once a month, to places far and wide — from Papua New Guinea and Antarctica to Iran and Mongolia. Last year alone, I went to 16 countries on four differe[...]
A story about my experience meeting nomadic Mongolians and how they lead a nomadic life in Mongolia. “Tolooo!” Cheers! We clink glasses, and gulp down yet another round of airag, local Mongolian firewater prepared by our host. It’s barely 10am and we’re downing alcohol strong enough to knock[...]
A photo essay of the Gobi Desert Mongolia and its tumultuous sand dunes dotted with yurts and camels. As the wind blows, I hear faint music in the air. The whistling tune is a hypnotic and eerie one, and it seems to echo out of nowhere. I’m standing on the top of the highest sand dune in the[...]
It’s a glorious Saturday morning and the sun is beaming through the window. Birds are chirping outside and the air is thick with the scent of pine trees and sunflowers. I look out to see rolling green hills dotted with yellow meadows and red poppies, framed by vast olive groves and imposing grey m[...]
Exactly a month ago, on Pi Day 3/14/15, our baby came into this world. We named the little explorer Kaleya, meaning "filled with joy" in Hawaiian, and indeed she's already filled our lives with so much happiness. Motherhood is challenging and I'm still struggling to learn the ropes but she mak[...]
I'm sharing my experience to show you why it's ok to travel during pregnancy. As a full-time travel writer, I spend quite a fair bit of time on the road. And because of my hectic schedule and lifestyle, I somehow missed the signs that the universe was throwing at me and only found out I was pregnan[...]
Traveling North Korea was nothing like what I imagined. Here are the 10 things that surprised me. North Korea has earned itself quite a few names: Axis of Evil, Hermit Kingdom, and the Iron Walls. Better known as the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), it is one of the most isolated nations in the[...]
Atop an open-roofed jeep, we bounced across the muddy floodplains like a group of explorers out on a mission. Indeed, we were on a mission: to find Asian elephants in the wild. I had seen wild elephants many times but never in Asia — and being a wildlife buff, it was about time to s[...]
In the very center of Sri Lanka stands one of the country’s most iconic historical sites, Sigiriya Rock (Sinhalese for “Lion Rock”) — a massive column of rock that doubles as an ancient palace and historical site. From afar, it looks like a simple rock mount jutting out from a sea of greener[...]
Now that 2015 is almost here, it’s that time of the year again for to look back and reflect. 2014 has indeed been a fulfilling and meaningful year — I reprioritized my travels and made it my number one mission to tick off items on my bucket list. Places like Brazil, Papua New Guinea and Iran ha[...]
Here's a comprehensive, detailed Silk Road Travel Guide I wrote, based on my overland journey through Central Asia. The Silk Road is the greatest travel route of all time, spanning 8,000km across continents, weaving through deserts, mountains and grasslands and bringing traders from East to W[...]
I traveled Central Asia overland for two months and it turned out to be an epic once-in-a-lifetime journey. Here's all you need to know about overland travel in Central Asia. If you'd like to join me on the road, check out my new Tajikistan Pamir Mountains tour. Overland Travel in Central Asia T[...]
[box] While in Kyrgyzstan, I met up with a writer friend of mine, Stephen Lioy, who's an expert in all things Central Asian having traveled and lived in the region for several years now. Recently, he had the grand opportunity of photographing the first ever World Nomad Games, also known as the nomad[...]
From my own personal experience traveling Iran, here are my tips on solo female travel in Iran, including how to dress and keep safe. As a curious traveler, I believe traveling is the best way to learn on-the-ground knowledge and to see a place beyond the headlines. My solo trip to Iran �[...]
Ever heard of the Darvaza gas craters in Turkmenistan? I visited as part of a Silk Road overland trip. Here's my experience. In the middle of the Karakum Desert, a roaring fire burns from deep beneath us, its flames dancing in the darkness taunting and teasing us. The walls of the oval crater drop[...]
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was one of the highlights of my 3-month Silk Road journey. This is my recommended list of the best things to do in Samarkand. We travel not for trafficking alone, by hotter winds our fiery hearts are fanned. For lust of knowing what should not be known. We take the[...]
Prior to this Silk Road trip, I had seen photos of Uzbekistan’s monuments and I knew they were beautiful — but I had no idea of the extent and the sheer scale of it all. As my trip unveiled, Uzbekistan is home to some of the Muslim world’s best display of architecture, featuring grandiose[...]
Traditional gers dot the vast steppes while sand dunes rise from empty deserts and snowcapped mountains loom over lush green grasslands: Mongolia is packed with so much pristine natural beauty that few other countries can rival. Every turn on the road reveals a different landscape, be it a hill of c[...]
Walking the Camino de Santiago was one of the best experiences of my life. I've compiled a detailed Camino de Santiago guide for those planning for an adventure of a lifetime. As a well-known long-distance trek, the Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrimage routes running across Europ[...]
“Are you ready?” David, my skydive master from Gold Coast Skydive, shouts from behind me amidst the strong winds and the roaring engine. I’m sitting at the ledge of the plane’s opened door, about to jump from 12,000 feet above the ground. Looking down at the ea[...]
My Experience on the Shotover Canyon Swing “1…2….3….” Counting to three, I mentally brace myself for the jump and slowly push myself backwards with my toes. But just as I’m pivoted on the ledge, the jump master pulls me back up. He laughs at the expression on my face, but[...]
My recent visit to Germany reminded me of just how much we enjoy the country every time we’re there. We’ve traveled to Germany almost five times now, visiting different cities and during different seasons on each occasion. Germany never failed to surprise us with its historical sites, baroque ca[...]
Having been to over 140 countries, I've had the fortune of meeting numerous interesting tribes who live in isolated, remote corners of the world and have truly preserved their cultures and traditions. For certain places like Papua New Guinea, the intriguing tribal culture was what drew me to visit.[...]
Terracotta-roofed pagodas tower over the squares and courtyards. Narrow cobblestone streets weave their way between the houses, red-brick temples, stone statues and cisterns. Artisans are drying their pottery out in the open, while women weave cloth and knead clay by the roadside. This is Bhaktap[...]
The pointy snow-slathered peaks of the Himalayan Ranges stretch across my horizon like an endless sea of mountains. A blue haze covers the lower portion of the mountains, giving the illusion that they are floating in the air. Where I’m standing is almost 5,250 feet (1,600m) above sea level —[...]