Looking for unique places to visit in Japan for nature? Known as Japan’s “Lemon Island,” Setoda is a small, charmingly rural town on the island of Ikuchijima off of Hiroshima. It’s a refreshing escape from Japan’s crowded cities, with its citrus-scented breezes, scenic cycling paths, lemon groves, mom-and-pop cafes, coastal hiking, ryokans, and friendly locals. […]

Borneo- you’ve seen it on Animal Planet and National Geographic on repeat for its famously silly, hairy, and rare primate: the Bornean orangutan. (If you’re looking for the best Borneo travel guide, you’re in the right place!). As 1 of just 2 impossibly remote places left in the world where you can see a wild orangutan […]

Scuba diving with thresher sharks. You might think I’m crazy, or you might be a fellow “lunatic” going thresher shark diving in Malapascua. Either way, this was a RARE shark encounter that I’m dying to share! From crying into my mask out of pure joy when a thresher shark swam comfortably within 2 meters of […]

If you’re a diver and a shark lover, diving with thresher sharks is probably at the top of your scuba diving bucket list! But how much is it to dive with thresher sharks in Malapascua? Here’s EXACTLY what I paid, extra costs to expect, and the breakdown of Malapascua dive pricing. I went diving with […]

Chichijima. This little island chain, a world away from Tokyo, is more than just a dot on the map—it’s a place with history seared into its cliffs and jungles, where WWII ruins mingle with tropical beauty and world class scuba diving. If it sounds familiar, you might be thinking of Iwo Jima– different islands, both […]

Like with many popular travel destinations, the unique things to do in Tulum are rarely what you see on Instagram (aside from tacos and tequila- that’s all true). Have you even heard of Sian Ka’an Biosphere? I can tell you that I hadn’t before I went! After spending 4 weeks there, I can tell you […]

Do you have 1 day in Bangkok? When most people think of Thailand, they think of: Full moon parties in the Phi Phi islands Bathing with elephants in the faux “jungle.” Spicy pad thai noodles But if you’re interested in a vibrant city that blends tradition and religion with modernity, Bangkok is a great place […]

Trip itinerary planning— some people love it and some people hate it. But if you’re the one making the travel plans, you may be wondering how to make a trip itinerary, and the best tools to do it! (If you hate it, check out some of my expert travel itineraries and guides curated just for […]

Scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui is a bucket list activity! The Cathedrals site is situated between the islands of Maui and Lanai, and has a dive depth of 35-75 feet. It’s an ethereal dive experience with striking lava rock formations, really fun swim-throughs, and vibrant, healthy marine life. Humpback whales singing? Check. Hawaiian […]

Two words: Authentic travel. Travel can be a form of escapism, but it’s also a way to feed our curiosity and make meaningful connections. It’s the best education anyone can get because traveling expands the dimensions of the mind – changing the context in which we see the world. So what does that have to […]