If Singapore is on your radar to visit, it’s probably because of the futuristic landscape you’ve seen in pictures. The city-state got serious about creating more green space for its residents, with the stated goal to be a model for other cities and transform the urban space into a “City in a Garden.” In other words, less concrete jungle and … Read More
Finding Tranquility at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces
There’s something magical about the terraced rice paddy landscapes of Bali. They follow the ancient practice of subak, a harmonious and communal irrigation system that defined “sustainable” a millenia before it became fashionable in the West. Due to its proximity to Ubud, the Tegallalang rice terraces are a good choice for those wanting an up-close look at the verdant landscape. Where: 20 minutes north of … Read More
Up Close and Personal at the Sacred Monkey Forest
No Ubud itinerary would be complete without a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The preserve is home to three Hindu Temples built in the 1300s, and more than 600 Balinese long-tailed monkeys (Crab-eating macaque) who are completely comfortable with human interaction. As you can imagine, 600 monkeys climbing over ancient temples makes for some incredible photo opportunities in a Jungle … Read More
The Mysterious Stone Spheres of Costa Rica
If you poke around our site a bit, you might realize that we really love ancient stuff. From Petra in Jordan, to Machu Picchu in Peru, several of our trips have been planned with the expressed desire to see these ancient sites and their monumental constructions. When thinking of Costa Rica, ancient sites don’t typically come to mind, but when … Read More
Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
For nature lovers, Costa Rica is a premier destination. The country boasts one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world with more than a quarter of its landmass reserved as protected areas. Visitors have ample options for getting close to nature, with one of the most well-regarded being Manuel Antonio National Park, located in the southwestern corner of the … Read More
A Guide to Hiking Cerro Chato Volcano
One of the prime reasons for visiting the Arenal Volcano National Park area of Costa Rica is to participate in the many outdoor activities offered. If you’re looking for a challenging yet rewarding hike, consider heading to the summit of Cerro Chato, Arenal’s dormant next door neighbor. Sitting at 1,140m (3740 ft) tall, you won’t feel the affects of altitude … Read More
Things to Do Near Arenal Volcano
Arenal National Park is one of the most popular Costa Rican destinations for nature-seekers. The conservation area is home to many of Costa Rica’s wildlife, its most beautiful waterfalls, and its biggest volcano. From backpacker hostels and zip-lines to luxurious resorts and hot springs, the little town of La Fortuna that has sprung up around the park caters to every type of tourist looking … Read More
Royal Retreats of East Jordan’s Desert Castle Loop
The eastern arm of Jordan is a large, nearly desolate desert that few tourists venture into. What they’re missing out on is a handful of hunting lodges and retreats built by the Umayyad rulers in the late 600’s, that together with the Azraq Fort have come to be known collectively as the “desert castles”. A few of these structures are situated … Read More
A Day in Jerash, Pompeii of the East
If Petra is to Jordan what the Coliseum is to Italy, then Jerash is Jordan’s Pompeii, which, as it so happens, is a nickname for the ruined Roman city. While never buried under volcanic ash, Jerash is known as the “Pompeii of the East” because of how well-preserved it is, owing its state to the dry climate of the region (no … Read More
Exploring the Crusader Castle at Shobak
The hand of history touches every corner of Jordan; there’s simply too much to see in a short trip! When we made our itinerary for our journey from Aqaba to Amman, there was plenty had to skip, but one notable omission stood out: the crusader castles of Kerak and Shobak. We didn’t allot a specific time to visit, hoping that we’d find … Read More