One of the things that drew me to West Africa was its slave history. Here's my experience learning about history and retracing slavery in Ghana. Crumbling colonial buildings and half-built concrete blocks jostle for space alongside congested and pockmarked sidewalks. Corrugated-roofed slums and hun[...]
Voodoo culture is still very much alive today in West Africa, specifically Benin, where the religion was born. Here's a look at how voodoo culture is practised these days. Voodoo Culture in Benin Mention the word ‘voodoo’ and most people conjure images of dolls riddled with nails, and spoo[...]
For a long time, travel to West Africa was restricted — due to civil wars, tribal conflicts, terrorism and the ebola outbreak. Today, this is the world's poorest region, with many countries here occupying the lowest positions in the UN Human Development Index. A large percentage of p[...]
Last month, we celebrated the momentous event of Kaleya turning one year old. (I know! How did one year pass just like that???) In the past month, Baby Kaleya has blossomed into a toddler. Having taken her first steps at 10 months old, she’s now waddling her way all over the place and loving this[...]
Spring had just arrived and it was Easter in Poland. With the sun coyly poking through thick clouds, Poland was slowly awakening from a long winter slumber. The Easter markets were in full swing, oozing an infectious atmosphere with its lively beer gardens, bratwurst stands, and colourful arts and[...]
10 Best Winter Experiences While writing my previous post on polar travel, memories of my epic winter trips came flooding in. I recall the time I sat on the snow in Antarctica and watched one penguin after another waddle past me. That time I looked a polar bear in the eye when it was just[...]
There is complete silence except for the occasional mountain wind blowing or ravens circling overhead. It's like Narnia out here! Frozen icicles hang from granite rock cliffs, the light bouncing off the snow is blinding me, and the sounds of ravens flying above are echoing through the ensemble of t[...]
From fairy tale castles to magic mountains, Transylvania is a region in Europe that's often overlooked by travelers. Here are some 0f the coolest things to do in Transylvania. It all began when I was a little girl. As a child, my favourite book was Bram Stoker's Dracula; I must have been read it a[...]
40 Photos of Cape Verde that will make you want to go there now Not many people have heard of Cape Verde. Since reading about it in a magazine a few years ago, I've been absolutely intrigued by it. How did a small archipelago nation with so little natural resources become one of the most econo[...]
As you can tell from this blog, we love taking photos when we travel. We've shot photos from all over the world - from Antarctica to Zimbabwe - but we're embarrassed to admit that there are barely any decent photos of us together. Since Baby Kaleya came into our lives, it's become even more im[...]
Hip and free-spirited, Palm Springs is a quirky oasis in the desert of California. Here's a look at some of the awesome things to do in Palm Springs - for all types of traveler. On our recent trip to California, we made quirky Palm Springs our first stop. We were eager to explore the desert and b[...]
It comes as a surprise to many that winter might just be the best time to visit the Norwegian capital, Oslo. Here are just some of the awesome things to do in Oslo on your winter break. My first visit to Oslo was almost eight years ago. I fell in love with the edgy yet down-to-earth capital of Norw[...]
Winter In Cyprus: What It's Like When planning our recent trip to Cyprus, we were a bit hesitant about traveling in winter. We knew winter in Cyprus would be warmer than elsewhere in Europe, but we weren't quite sure if it would be the best time to visit. Would it be cold and gloomy? Or would r[...]
At the end of each year, I always make it a point to write a post about the places I've been to over the year as a way to look back at the miles I've traveled and reflect on the lessons I've learned. 2015 has been a very special year for me: Alberto and I welcomed Baby Kaleya into our lives and[...]
My Best Photos of Cyprus from Ancient Ruins to Stunning Beaches. Cyprus is known to many as a sun-kissed beach destination — but few of us know its history or culture. Armed with a curiosity to learn about this island, we headed to Cyprus last week to find out what this country is all about.[...]
How Will Cuba Change? With the recent strengthening of ties between the US and Cuba, many are questioning if the time-warped nation will ultimately lose its charm. We check in with the Cubans to find out. Since the US trade embargo was implemented almost 50 years ago, Cuba has been kept in a 1950s[...]
One of the best places to visit in Cuba is the colonial town of Trinidad. But don't trust me on that, ask anyone and they'll surely tell you the same. Trinidad is the Cuba that many people imagine: rambling cobbled streets replete with cigar-smoking men playing dominos, hat-wearing guitar-wielding[...]
Photos of Havana Havana has an old soul. It's reminiscent of an old gentleman who loves his cigar and rum, who's suave and dashing, and have plenty of stories to tell. It’s charming and charismatic – and no lady can resist it. Despite 50 years of withering neglect, it's still achingly handsome.[...]
My Best Photos of Maldives Maldives is the stuff of dreams: spearmint blue water, powdery sand, swaying palm trees and ridiculously dreamy resorts. Perfect for a Maldives Photo Gallery. Having visited many island nations - Fiji, Hawaii, Mauritius, the Philippines, and more - I'm pretty hard[...]
Have you always dreamt of staying in an overwater bungalow in Maldives? Here's our experience. Hint: It was just as amazing as we imagined! With clear skies overhead and the shimmering aqua mint water beneath my feet, I'm sitting on the deck of our overwater bungalow, looking out to the sea tha[...]
A Weekend in Latvia One of the best things about living in Europe is that you can easily hop to another country and explore a new place in just one weekend. Back when we first moved to London, we would spend every other weekend visiting a new city: Prague, Berlin, Paris, Venice and so on.&nb[...]
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[...]