Japan

We had about 12 hours in Tokyo to eat as much sushi as possible. We took a bus from the airport to the city center for about $10. It took a little over an hour with morning rush hour. Our first stop was the Tsukiji Market. It used to be an old fish market, but now it is more or less an outdoor marketplace that serves up fish, sushi, snacks, etc.

We just kept walking and eating…

We had lunch at Tsukiji Sushiko (located in the middle of the marketplace). The fish was of course very fresh and one thing to note, they put the wasabi inside the roll.

We walked over to the Shibuya crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world.

Next stop, Cat Street. You will not find any actual cats here, it is just a trendy area filled with hipster shops and cafes.

We opted for the train back to the airpot since we were cutting it close to our flight time. Of course our ride wouldn’t be complete without bread.

Takeaways

• Amazing sushi

• High tech bathrooms with toilets that have noise machines and music

• Private transportation is very $$ (walk or take the subway)

• Very busy and efficient city

• Feels a bit like NYC

Malaysia

Langkawi

We stayed at the beautiful family run Fox Hill resort located towards the center of the island. For about $30/night, this tree top house had picturesque views and was nestled in the mountains (with monkeys)! They had a pool, an outdoor gym and Ezani (the owner who lives at Fox Hill) would make you homemade breakfast if you requested it the night before. The breakfast mainly consisted of roti, sesame balls and rose jelly - yum! We also ended up renting his car for about $17 a day. Although they have grab throughout the island, there is a lot to see and it was nice to explore on our own.

The stairs (or should I say ladder) up to the tree top house were quite fun (especially waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom while there is an ongoing rain storm and having to wear a poncho, hold a flashlight and hope the lizard on the ground doesn’t make any sudden moves while you are peeing). It reminded me of Costa Rica - and I loved it!

Ezani brought us to the night market down the street for some cheap eats. There were night markets hosted at varies locations throughout the island. We tried to hit as many as possible. Prices ranged from .25 to $2 and you had endless choices: noodles, roti, satay, red bean pancakes, sweat corn, fresh juices and so much more. We got one of everything previously mentioned for $4.90.

The Cenang beach area was a bit more expensive and touristy than the center of the island. There was the main shopping street similar to any small beach town. Adam and I did get a couples massage for only $45 w/ tip. The massage was more like a traditional Thai massage and certainly was an … experience.

Of course Adam needed to grab some fresh seafood at Talaga seafood. A whole fish was in order!

A must do on the island is the Langkawi Skybridge cable car. It is the steepest cable car in the world and it sure feels like it (especially on a windy day)! The views on the way up are amazing and they only get better the higher you ascend.

…and it was a VERY windy day!

The skybridge is a separate ticket and is open weather pending. There was actually a sign on the ground that mentioned it was closed (and you could only do the cable car) but when we got to the top, it was open…and still very windy, so who knows! If you’re already up that high, the skybridge is a must do! It is the longest free span and curved bridge in the world and like the cable car, it is not for those afraid of heights.

Our next stop was the waterfall, which, since it was the dry season, was just a fall.. Although it was still gorgeous to observe the exotic flora and fauna.

Next stop was the Tanjung Rhu beach for a quick swim!

Penang

Cameron Highlands 

Singapore

We stayed at the Lyf, an “affordable” modern hotel inside the Funan SG (a mall). It was very simple and felt more like a hostel with it’s co-living vibes and activities. At around $100 a night, it was one of the cheapest places we could find in Singapore.

You can also opt for a cheaper room that does not have a window. The rooms were SMALL, but perfectly sized for a short stay.

Our first stop was the Chinatown Hawker stall for some cheap eats and fresh juice.

Next stop, but of course, another Hawker stall. This one was called Maxwell. More food!

The beautiful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple was located in the Chinatown district of Singapore. Due to COVID, only the main areas were open to the public and you had to have your temperature taken before entering (this was the case at many places in Singapore).

So we could make room for more food, we kept on walking. Running into murals along the way.

I have been wanting to go to the Gardens by the Bay for as long as I can remember (well, at least since they opened back in 2012). This giant nature park will keep you busy for quite some time and is FREE (if you do not add on any paid attractions).

I would definitely suggest coming here at night. Seeing everything all lit up is part of the magic.

Meanwhile, the next morning at our Airbnb we ventured to the rooftop. There we found a pretty well established garden (with a view)!

For brunch we went to the Tiong Bahru Market for some carrot cake (aka Chai tow kway) which is stir fried cubes of radish.

More murals….

After brunch we took an uber to the Singapore Botanic Gardens - a 161 year old topical garden that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is well worth the drive!

You can walk around for free, but to see the Orchid gardens there is a fee of about $5 (absolutely worth it).

The lush garden vibes continue at the airport in Singapore!

Takeaways

• Very hot and humid

• Extremely clean city

• Modern sleek architecture

• Very expensive city (NYC prices)

• Affordable to eat in food halls (few dollars for a meal)

• A lot of restaurants/hall are closed on Sunday and Monday

• Took your temperature everywhere (for COVID) and had to fill out forms

The Philippines

I arrived in Adam’s second home - The Philippines! I had 12 hours in Manila to see (and eat) as much as possible.

I could see why Adam always traveled here for work. The Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila was only $150 a night and included an amazing buffet with cuisines from all over the world. It also had a wild two floor gym, spa and yoga studio that was open 24/7. Speaking of 24/7, the city itself is open around the clock since many people work at BPO centers.

For dinner we stopped at Locavore for traditional Filipino cuisine (with a twist).

BGC is a nice area to walk around — there is a pedestrian only shopping street and also pop up (and stationary) art exhibits.

The next morning we stopped at WildFlour for a quick treat before heading to the airport. It was a hipster spot that had your typical fresh fruit juices, chia bowls and a luxury car show right outside!

Detroit, Michigan

Adam and I took a long weekend trip to visit friends and family in Detroit. First stop, Kira and Hanson’s new place in Royal Oak. Kira spoiled us with homemade Shakshuka and many five star charcuterie boards.

On Saturday we popped into Eastern Market—a local market held every Saturday from 8am-2pm. You can typically find a variety of vendors-produce, chocolates, tea, personal care products, etc. Since there was a snow storm the weekend we were there, not everything was open.

After visiting the sheds we headed over to Devries & Co 1887, a gourmet grocery store, for a plethora of cheese samples. One of the coolest features in the store was the hand operated elevator that takes you to the third floor gift shop.

Without a doubt, the BEST part of heading into DeVries & Co. was meeting Howard. Howard runs The Coffeehouse, a small coffee counter located inside the grocery store. We spent nearly a half hour chatting with Howard as he showed us the proper way to froth milk.

The Robolights exhibit, which was part of the MOCAD, was interesting to say the least. The pictures cannot capture the level of ingenuity that went into putting some of these pieces together.

Our final stop of the journey was spending some quality time with Steve, Craig, Daniel, Elyse and Elijah before baby Ezra makes his debut! We got to see both of their beautiful new homes and Elijah is teaching Adam how to read ;)

Washington, D.C.

Long weekend road trip to DC (with Braun)! We drove from Boston to DC (stopping overnight in Jersey) to visit our friends Kate and George and see their beautiful new place!

Our monumental trip wouldn't be complete without stopping at the National Mall!

National Museum of Natural History

We rented (electric) bikes. Adam quickly found out that his was not working properly.

We met up with our old roommate, Ugur, in Georgetown. It was great to have the crew back together again and catch up over a delicious latte.

I can’t help myself when I see macarons, especially from Laduree :)

Homeward-bound!

Georgia

Savannah 

It is almost impossible to miss the oak trees and Spanish moss that fill many of Savannah’s beautiful parks.

The historic waterfront is a great place to walk around and pop in and out of shops (many of the shop have an abundance of free samples). Be sure to mind your step on the centuries old staircases and the cobble stone walkways.

Be sure to grab some BBQ and Mac and Cheese at Sandfly BBQ.

We grabbed lunch at Zunzi’s—a South African spot with awesome pita wraps. Zunzi’s is a tiny counter-serve eatery with a great patio (with plenty of seating). The South African tea is a must try—and free refills!

Since it was Easter, we did pop into church for a beautiful service at the First African Baptiste Church which was constituted in 1777.

We took an Uber to the historical site of Wormsloe. It was $10 per person and you will surely get your fill of Spanish moss. There are also historical grave sites, nature trails and a picturesque marsh.

Back to food, we stopped for a slice of delicious thin crust pizza at Vinnie Van GoGo’s. They have a great outdoor patio and HUGE slices of pizza. Be mindful they are cash only!

Post pizza, we of course needed some dessert. What better place than Better Than Sex Dessert Restaurant.

Time to head to the Guest Ranch in Madison, GA. We stopped at Maebob’s Diner for some delicious biscuit and grits on the way!

Southern Cross Guest Ranch

Madison, GA

Southern Cross Guest Ranch is truly magical. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. You can ride the horses twice a day and they allow you a ton of freedom. You can either keep the same horse the entire time or switch it up. You are responsible for dressing your own horse (they of course teach you).

The house and rooms were very cozy and felt like we were staying at a relatives house! There were three homemade meals a day (buffet style) and also snacks and tea available in between meals. The iced tea was SO good.

I kept my same horse the whole time-Troy. We really formed a bond (at least I thought so)!

On the morning before we drove to the airport, we stopped in Downtown Madison for a slice of yummy pecan pie at a local coffee shop. Yes, pecan pie for breakfast :)

Southern Spain--Andalusia

Granada

We landed in Malaga and picked up our rental car (a Fiat!)—first stop, Granada! We wasted no time and stopped at a local place for lunch, Meson El Pipos, for our first round of tapas. Adam dove right into the mussels and octopus, and I had my favorite—bread, cheese, and flan.

Homemade flan

The Alhambra

Loja

After departing from Granada, we made our way to a small town, Loja, to find dinner and a hotel for the night. Hotel Rural Llano Piña was a quant mountainside family run hotel that boasted affordable prices and a cozy, bed and breakfast feel. The room came complete with a terrace overlooking an olive grove and chocolates…on the nightstand, for only $50.00.

We ate dinner at a local place, Restaurante Flati, with the highlight being the locally sourced olive oil from neighboring groves.

In the morning we departed from Loja (cafe con leche in hand) to journey towards El Chorro!

El Chorro-El Caminito del Rey

Once the “world’s most dangerous hiking path”, is now an amazing experience that brings a new meaning to a 5k. You start off by walking a little over a mile to the ticket booth to see if they even have tickets available (luckily they did—or it’s another 1.3 walk back to the tunnel entrance). They give you a helmet and a quick chat about safety, then you are off on your own to go explore.

The old path that people used to walk on!

Something to note if you are visiting Caminito del Rey, although the online website said the tickets were sold out, we figured we would still try and go, and they had plenty of availability when we went to the ticket booth. Also make sure you check their website to see if they are in fact even open as after we finished hiking, there was a sign that the path was closed due to wind conditions.

Cuevas Del Becerro

Super small town on the way from El Chorro to Rhonda. We stopped here for lunch…and flan.

We ate at Bar Pescaero, a small restaurant with 3 tables and an even bigger bar. The tab for 7 tapas, bread, 2 coffees, and wine, was about $15.

The dirt road out of Cuevas Del Becerro was filled with more olive groves, farm land, and a donkey!

Ronda

Ronda was a mountaintop city that had a beautiful stone bridge spanning the gorge below. We stopped at Bar La Lechera for a quick cafe latte and rice pudding—yum!

Estepona

Affordable beachside town that is filled with dogs, expats, and delicious local seafood. Surrounded by the water on one side and the mountains on the other, there seems to be something for everyone here.

We ate dinner at La Palma (a recommendation from the owner of our hotel). The restaurant had fresh, local seafood and homemade dessert. I had ordered (too much) dessert and the waiter asked if I had diabetes…

Malaga

Malaga was the biggest out of all the cities we visited. Home of the Picasso museum, moorish castles, and local tapas joints—there is a lot to soak in here.

Fried queso <3

Our final dinner was in Malaga at Restaurante los Marfiles. Adam had a whole octopus (and was VERY happy).

The trip wouldn’t be complete without a quick stop at the local butcher to get some Jamón ibérico for the plane!

Takeaways

• This was the first time we truly just “played everything by ear” and booked dinners/accommodations in the moment

• Restaurants do not get busy for dinner until about 9/10pm

• Everyone has a dog

• The scenery is absolutely stunning as you are driving through the country and mountainside

• We were able to stretch our dollar by staying at budget hotels (that were actually fantastic) and dining at local places where wine and tapas were around a couple dollars

• During siesta (usually 2-5ish) many shops are closed

• Very friendly culture and we got to meet a lot of great people (even some expats from London)

• Love TAP Portugal— free meals, blankets, TV’s, and great customer service

Mexico

Mexico City

Four days in Mexico City—GO! We stayed at a condo in Roma Norte through Airbnb. It was right above a local coffee shop and near an adorable dog filled park. There were so many cute neighborhoods in Mexico City. Even though our Airbnb was pretty walkable, we did have to take a few Ubers to check out some restaurants (Ubers were easy to get).

There were free street art exhibits going on while we were there (November).

The historic center of Mexico City hosts the Museo del Temple Mayor. At only about 4 USD, this is a must see. There is an indoor museum and also archaeological grounds with excavated pyramid ruins. Be sure to check it out!

La Bodega

Pujol—Click right for for pics!

Street Eats—as you can imagine, we ate every chance we could. For Adam, that was every street corner.

Of course our trip would not be complete without Lucha Libre! We went to the main ticket office when they opened (11am) to purchase our seats (definitely buy the tickets ahead of time if you can). The event is super crowded and they sell everything from popcorn to masks. If you are into wrestling, you don’t want to miss this!

Quintonil

One of my favorite things to do in Mexico City was to visit the local markets. They had a variety of street markets selling local goods, handcrafted items, food and so much more (food).

Animal adoption event—if we could only bring home another dog!

Mexico City has a plethora of stunning parks. They were beautifully manicured and some even had adorable well trained puppies in puppy school!

Although I may have had enough guac to last a lifetime, Nicos by far had the best chips and guac. The Lavender pepitas and homemade flan was also a must try on the dessert menu.

We ran into bakeries on every corner—and of course we stopped in EVERY ONE. One thing we ate quite a few of, conchas. Conchas are Mexican sweet rolls—they are simple and delicious.

Coffee Class through Airbnb experience— I finally learned how to properly use our Chemex!

Greece

Athens

Our Airbnb was located in a non touristy area but rather a small neighborhood that Adam actually lived in when he studied abroad. The Airbnb was perfectly sized and had a bakery right below - perfect!

Panathenaic Stadium (above)- hosted the first modern Olympic Games.

Temple of Olympian Zeus. Since we were there during off season, the entry tickets were half price.

Just your average olive tree on the side of the road.

Acropolis of Athens

We hiked up Mount Lycabettus - the highest point in the city - to take in the beautiful views. There is also an option to take a R/T cable car for 15 euro.

The Food. Where do I begin. The reason we walked up Mount Lycabettus was to be able to eat everything below (for under $30)!

We took a ferry to the Island of Aegina. It was a short 45 minutes and they have assigned seats onboard. Aegina is known for it’s honey and pistachios. Since it was off season, the island was practically empty.

We rented an ATV to travel around the island and it was peaceful (unlike Adam’s last ATV experience!). We of course found more ruins.

For dinner we went to Aleria Restaurant in Athens. It was a delicious four hour tasting menu that was very affordable (only 60 Euro PP).

Click below for more photos!

We stumbled upon a street market with fresh fruit, veggies and olives!

We visited the Acropolis Museum that had a free guided tour at 6pm. The floors are glass so you can see though the ruins.

We went to dinner at I Kriti- a traditional Crete Restaurant (click below for more pictures).

Takeaways

• Very affordable

• Entrance fees are 1/2 price during the winter months

• A lot of stray cats

• No tipping required

• Always get a small dessert type thing at the end of the meal (for free)

Israel

Jerusalem

We made it to Israel! We stayed with Nathan and Iris in Rishon LeZion (outside of Tel Aviv). It was a great little neighborhood (seemed similar to Brookline) where you could walk about the Main Street and their were cute shops/restaurants.

We went to the Jerusalem Museum where they had an Ai Weiwei exhibit and also the old scrolls.

We stopped at a local joint to grab some lunch in Abu Gosh- o.m.g. it was so good. I could eat this for every meal.

We drove through the Negev Desert on our way to the Dead Sea. The road we were originally going to take was closed due to flooding as the weather changed by the minute.

The Dead Sea was VERY blue and it’s true, you float instantly with zero effort. The water was heavy, milky, and your skin feels silky and dry at the same time. The salt scrub sea floor was great as an exfoliant.

You can see the country of Jordan from across the water.

We drove a little further to Masada. Instead of taking the cable car up, we decided to hike up al the stairs. Well, the weather changed very quickly.

By the time we reached the top, it had been pouring for half of the hike up and we were covered in muddy water. We were not able to get to the plateau as they closed the park due to inclement weather. Luckily we caught the last cable car down. We had to hurry back to Rishon as the roads were starting to close again!

The next day we made our way to Caesarea Beach. Here you can go for a swim and also see some ancient ruins!

Next up, Haifa and the Bahá'í Gardens. They are sacred grounds with beautifully symmetrical gardens. Not to mention over 700 steps. They do tours throughout the day, so we sure to look up the times before you come.

Afterwards we explored the town of Acre (Akko). It was an old port town with beautifully preserved old city walls.

We went to bakeries and had Kanafeh and baklava. We also visited a street market to view the abundant selection of spices.

Our last stop for the day was Rosh HaNikra to catch the beautiful sunset. The border to Lebanon was also right there.

Our last stop of the journey was Jerusalem.

Takeaways

• Very healthy lifestyle

• Everything closed Friday to Saturday at sunset for Shabbat

Italy

Rome

Magical Rome! Of course we hit all the quintessential sites - the Pantheon (above and below).

The Trevi Fountain (below).

Last but not least, the Colosseum and the Palatino.

We bought our tickets online and got there first thing. If you do not purchase your tickets online, be mindful that there is one line you would have to wait in to purchase tickets, then another line to physically get in.

You must stop at Pasticceria Regoli - they have been there for over a hundred years and although the shop is VERY small, the pastry flavors are too good to just get one!

We had lunch at Pizzeria Florida. All the pizza below (about ten slices) was only 9 euros.

Pastificio was a great place to grab a “snack”. Aka more pasta. They only make two kinds of pasta a day (one is typically meat, one vegetarian) and it is only 4 euro.

Gelato, Gelato, Gelato. We typically grabbed gelato on our way back to our Airbnb each night. The place below, Giolitti, was my favorite. You have the option to add fresh cream on top. Who does not want free fresh cream? Also the flavors were quite complex and plentiful.

Finally, Adam’s favorite place was Beppe and his Cheeses. We tried a cheese from 1987 and it was so sharp that it numbed the tongue. To wash it down, they gave us 50 year old brandy.

Our Airbnb

Our AirBnb was a quant LITTLE loft that came complete with a spiral staircase and a literal crawl space. It’s central location near the Trevi Fountain made up for it’s size as it allowed us to walk to many destinations (and eat more, repeat).

Pompeii and Naples

We took a 4 euro train from Rome to Naples, and then another train from Naples to Pompeii. Tours typically charge around $60PP, so the local train ride was great (and took about an hour). We also ordered our Pompeii entry tickets online. Words cannot describe how magical Pompeii is. To be able to stand in a city from 79 AD - WOW.

On our train ride back from Pompeii, we of course spent some time in Naples so we could eat as many pizzas as possible (to count, we collectively had 5). When in Rome, or Naples :). Naples seemed to be edgier than Rome - graffiti, art, etc. Like the Melbourne to Sydney.

The pizza was so so so so so good. The dough, the cheese, oh my. The pizza above was from Di Matteo. We ate dinner (below) at Donna Sofia. My pizza was only $3.50.

Cooking Class with Giuseppe

Where do I begin. We booked this through an Airbnb experience and it was absolutely worth it. We made different kinds of dough, pizza, pasta. We had unlimited wine and homemade tiramisu. He has a beautiful wood cabin and an amazing pizza oven. Oh, and his impeccable sense of humor. It was a great day or learning, eating and meeting people from all over the world.

Takeaways

• No coffee, all espresso drinks

• Get ready to walk (on beautiful cobble stone roads)

• If you stay by the Trevi Fountain, you are about one mile in each direction to the main sites

• Trains are often delayed by 15 plus minutes

• Street food is everywhere. Pizza is folded into a pita pocket so you can eat it and walk

• Food, Food, Food, and Gelato, Gelato, Gelato

Belize

Hopkins 

Jaguar Reef Lodge

Nestled right in the heart of Hopkins, The Jaguar Reef Lodge was the perfect trip to relax after our wedding. The room was right on the beach, had a private deck and we were just a quick bike ride from town! Since it was off season (in late October), the resort and town were pretty empty.

Not to mention the views and sounds of the ocean were absolutely breath taking.

The resort had plenty of beach rentals: Kayak, SUP and snorkeling gear to enjoy.

We rode our bikes into town and came across this really cool hemp bus. The woman that lives there sells homemade lotions and bug repellent out of her home (the school bus!) She moved from Oregon and has a cool little dig here in Hopkins!

Most days we just lounged in hammocks on the dock and relaxed :)

We took a private boat ride with Saldo that led us to this beautiful lagoon. Everything stood still.

The restaurant was nestled right on the beach so you can enjoy gorgeous views as you eat delicious locally sourced food.

Like these yummy shrimp tostadas with fresh made guacamole!

The Lodge also offered daily tours so we took advantage of the organic cacao farm excursion at Che’il. You got to see where the farm grows their cacao and also learn the process of bean to bar!

We were fortunate enough to partake in the bean to bar journey and make our own!

The chocolate was delicious and we were able to bring some cocoa powder home to bake with!

Belmopan

Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge

The Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge is anything but sleepy. The resort is filled with beautiful birds, exotic plants, rows of citrus groves, hiking trails and a stellar view from the top!

Our home away from home.

Our room was an HGTV dream. Big windows, beautiful tile work and a HUGE outdoor soaking tub. You can leave your noise machine at home with the natural sounds of the rain, waterfalls and peepers —they will easily put you to sleep.

The amenities at the lodge were easy to enjoy with these beautiful pools and hammocks. You could also easily walk down to the river and rent a kayak (if it did not just rain for MANY days—the water rose to cover the whole staircase)!

The food at the resort was farm to table, even all the desserts! For breakfast we had papaya, pineapple and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Although we are not big drinkers, the eanab’s were right up our alley. I frequently had the hibiscus mint seltzer and Adam had the nonalcoholic rumchatas!

Our excursion into the cave was anything but “intermediate”. It started as a bumpy tractor ride through the citrus groves, then a 45 minute hike in the pouring rain to the cave!

It was so worth it! We were able to experience total darkness when our guide had us all turn our headlamps off. All you could hear was dripping water and the sound of your own breath.

I found Buddha in limestone form.

On our hike back down our guide (an Army Vet) was able to point out poisonous snakes by smelling their urine, and also spot herbs like Jackass bitter (said to cure Malaria).

We were able to visit ancient Mayan ruins that are still being excavated today! It was amazing to soak up all the history from these sites.

Where Adam is (above) used to be sleeping quarters.

It may not look it in the photo, but the stairs to the top were practically a ladder. Incredibly steep and not for those who are afraid of heights!

Takeaways

• As soon as you arrive you will find yourself enjoying Belizean time (aka island time).

• Going through Viva Belize was great because we got the best of both worlds (Lush Rainforest and Beach Vibes, all in one). The resort picks you up at the airport and also transfers you between different resort locations.

• All the food and drink were farm to table.

Mainland Portugal

Porto

Spain

Madrid

Toledo, Spain

India

Agra

I met up with Jen, a friend since high school! She was over in Thailand and we spent the day together before we went our separate ways!

We went on a full day tour from New Delhi to Agra, and saw everything in between. 

The baby Taj! We got to explore inside and met up with our tour guide that stuck with us throughout the whole day! 

The marble, gems, and ornate architecture is just as beautiful as the Taj Mahal! 

We drove through the busy side streets of Agra before making it to our next stop.

We arrived at the Taj! You have to go through a lot of security to get in... and if you are on a tour, they usually let you skip to the front of the line. The line was also separated, one line for men, one for women. 

I really can't believe I had the opportunity to see the Taj. It seems so small and as you walk closer and closer, it continues to grow in size.

Pit stop along the way - we ate lunch at the Trident Hotel. I just love my paneer and rice. 

Our next stop, they showed us the work that goes into building something as spectacular as the Taj Mahal. 

They are very persuasive salesmen, as this is the "only place" you can buy this handmade art. I did end up buying a smaller piece like the one below.

The Agra Fort ! 

You could see the Taj from here!

Jaipur -The Pink City!

I stayed at the Pearl Palace in Jaipur! The room was so clean, colorful and only $20 a night! 

I had no toilet paper my whole stay (truly thinking that I had to bring my own--thank god I did)..but during checkout I discovered they do in fact give you toilet paper, housekeeping just forgot to restock mine! Just in case you were wondering! 

One of my favorite parts of the hotel was the rooftop Peacock restaurant! I went up for many meals and had my fair share of paneer and naan bread. 

Not to mention the views were spectacular! 

The restaurant was often packed--it seemed even the locals came here...for pizza!

Just your average camel walking down the street. 

Elefantastic!

For starters- You get picked up at your hotel, then you first get dropped off to eat at Rahul's moms house! It was amazing. She made us Dal, chapati, and jasmine rice. Then we drove over to the sanctuary. 

The first thing we got to do was get to know our elephant by language, touch, and most importantly feeding them. They want to make sure you're not going to eat their food before they will trust you. My elephant was named Meena. 

Meena ate everything in sight and she loved when you scratched behind her ears! Elephants are shy until they trust you, then they can become very social.

I would highly recommend visiting the elephant sanctuary. Rahul is amazing, greeted us with cold drinks, they take your pictures, help you every step of the way, no tipping...they truly care about your experience and the well being of the elephants. 

It just so happened to be World Tourism Day on my city wide tour of Jaipur! First stop, the Palace Hawa Mahal. 

I was also interviewed on what I like about Jaipur to help promote tourism and it aired on Indian TV. 

Since it was World Tourism Day, I lucked out and got into many places for free!

I ran into a couple other Libras :) 

The great wall of India--the second longest continuous wall on the planet... 

Water Palace 

Monkey Temple! 

Takeaways

• When someone is trying to sell you something at a market (that you don’t want to buy) you have to learn to say "no"! Not "maybe later". If you do want to buy something at a market, always bargain at least 50%. 

• The customer service in India is the best I have ever seen!

• Be careful of people trying to offer you their services/tours, saying they do it better, cheaper. 

• There is security to enter the airport. In order to enter, you will need some sort of paper confirmation that you have a ticket...like a print out of your Expedia confirmation, or they won't let you in. 

• Everything is on time and you can book tours way in advance with no deposit. They are very trusting. You always pay at the end...If you're "happy".

• Traffic in India is hands down the most insane thing you will ever see! Accidents left and right, people going to the bathroom on the side of road, animals roaming the street, and people hanging off the sides of cars and buses because there is not enough room inside! 

Australia

Sydney 

Here it is in all it's glory, the Sydney Opera House!

After a long flight from India, I finally made it to Sydney! I hopped in an uber to Surry Hills and immediately fell in love with the beautiful tree lined streets that I would call home for a few days. 

I stayed by Bourke Street at an airbnb. It was conveniently located parallel to Crowne Street, which was hopping with cafes, pubs, and cute independent boutiques. 

The little backyard area was my favorite place to chill!

Cup Half Full was my morning spot to grab coffee, a treat and just relax. The staff were super friendly and made me feel at home (not to mention they made a killer flat white)!

DASH! Dash was the adorable dog who lived at the airbnb. We hung out quite a bit and I fell in love with him! 

My first day in Sydney I made the trek to to the Opera House. The walk from Surry Hills was just about 40 minutes, but I found it easier than figuring out the public transit. Spring had just begun so I found myself dodging pollen the size of golf balls!

The Royal Botanic Garden was unlike anything I had ever seen. The bamboo in the botanic garden sounded like a wind chime, creaking and hitting together. The smell of fresh flowers, the sound of bees buzzing, it was the most beautiful place, right in the heart of Sydney. 

Not to mention, the Sydney Opera was right in the center of all the beauty!

If you're wondering, I did purchase a selfie stick for my solo trip!

View from the Taronga Zoo! The coolest part was taking the ferry over and then the lift up to the zoo! The views were out of this world, and we even saw seals! 

Melbourne

I took the overnight train to Melbourne which cost around $75. It took about 10 hours so that was my “accommodation” for the night.

Of course there is the ongoing feud of whether Sydney or Melbourne is better, and that may be up to you. While Sydney has the iconic tourist spots (that are amazing), Melbourne has a bustling art vibe and better culture (in my opinion).

It seemed every street I turned onto there was another amazing piece of art to discover.

Okay, I had to try Vegemite. It is not for me - way too salty.

Phillip's Island

I did the Phillip Island one day tour (which costs around $120) to maximize my few days in Melbourne. The tour is a chock full ten hours that starts at the Koala reserve.

The drive was absolutely beautiful and I was able to snap a few photos while we were on the go!

The Nobbies, below, is an island known for the largest colony of fur seals. We made a stop here and there is a very pretty boardwalk/beach you can explore.

The Penguin Parade! The final stop was at Summerland beach to watch these magical little penguins make their nightly trek. There are no actual pictures of the penguins as this is very distracting as they journey from sea to land.

Great Ocean Road

Another full day experiencing this 12 hour Great Ocean Road tour. It cost about $100 and you were able to see quite a bit in a short amount of time. The road itself is gorgeous - you can gaze out at the coastal scenery and potentially spot wild koalas!

The Loch Ard Gorge (above and below) is one of that stops and is part of the Port Campbell National Park. It is home to one of the most famous shipwrecks.

The Twelve Apostles (above and below) are beautiful limestone rock formations that, even on a cloudy day, are incredible to gaze at.

We stopped in Apollo Bay for lunch (I had some pad Thai at a small family run place) to walk around. It was a cute little town that had amazing panoramic views of the ocean.

We saw some wild koalas along the way - sleeping, of course.

Poland

Krakow 

I LOVED Krakow. Where do I begin....we stayed in a private room at the Greg and Tom Hostel. It was only $120 for three nights with Breakfast and Dinner included! The room was really nice--minus the curtains, it was a room out of the Ikea catalogue.  There are three different Greg and Tom hostels, all walking distance to the train/downtown, but they have very different vibes... so be sure to double check which one will suite you best. 

Small deck off the kitchen.

Pierogis...so many pierogis. The food is so affordable and there is a 24 hour Pierogi and kebab place.. which led to us eating.. A LOT. 

In the square there was a HUGE festival with crafts, art, music and food. We went there everyday and I had my fill of sweet waffles and Adam devoured the savory meat plates. 

Meat for days....

The city of Krakow is relatively small, making it easy to walk around and soak up the culture.  From castles, to amazing food, market squares, gardens, and more, you will enjoy every second. 

Salt Mines--A Must Do while in Poland

We booked the tour same day, so no need to book far in advance. It is the only museum where you can lick the walls...and it is SO cool. First, you do have to walk down a lot of stairs.. so have your Fitbit on. You will be 450 feet underground. 

The oldest part of the mine was from 1280. It was a huge underground city filled with cathedrals, cafes, a spa, and even a venue for parties! Everything is made out of salt! 

Warsaw

We took the train from Krakow to Warsaw. The trains here make the commuter rail in Boston look like a joke! The seats recline, have trays, individual lights and they come around to serve you coffee. Our first stop was downtown. 

Warsaw was quite a bit larger than Krakow and we did have to take an Uber to get to the park and Museum area. 

It was well worth it. The parks were so beautiful. Filled with tulip gardens, fountains, colorful ducks and hidden art museums.

Not to mention, amazing views...

Funky tree branches...

and people dressed just like you and I. 

We stopped to eat at a local bar, and the decor was quite odd, there must have been hundreds of watches all over the walls. Nevertheless, the locals were very hospitable. Everyone we encountered was genuinely helpful and kind, and not to mention, look what $15 can get you. 

If you're wondering how many pierogis I ate over the course of the trip, probably around 50. It is safe to say I turned into a PierYOGI. ;) 

Our last stop of the day was this Art Museum. Besides the awesome cafe, the museum was quite...imaginative. I can't even put to words the exhibits that I saw and heard. I guess you will just have to go for yourself! 

TakeAways

• Stay at the Greg and Tom Hostel--free breakfast and Dinner

• You will overload on Pierogis

• Beautiful and lively City Squares

• Festival of food, arts, and crafts

• Everything, including fancy dinners, are VERY affordable

• Make reservations if you want to go out to one of those fancy dinners

• Visit the salt mine with a tour group--no need to book far in advance

• Visit Auschwitz either with a tour group, or you can book tickets for free on the website and go on your own. Do this far in advance as you can only enter on your own before 10am. That is what we did and to get there, you just book a bus ticket from Krakow station.

• Be present and soak up the what the cities have to offer

• Norwegian Air was surprisingly very comfortable and they have 8 bathrooms on board-yay. They also have adjustable dim settings on the windows--it was pretty neat. We did not pick seats in advance nor did we check a bag, so the tickets were VERY cheap.

Latvia

Riga

The beautiful Riga! We stayed in Old Town at the Forums hotel. The room came with free daily breakfast and had a perfect view of the cobble stone streets below. It was such a welcoming city with old world culture and hip vibes. 

The narrow streets were filled with medieval-era architectural gems and various styles of colorful buildings. 

O. M. G. The food. Or should I say dessert.

The food really was out of this world. Every meal looked like a work of art... that you could eat!

"House of Blackheads" in town hall square. 

We visited Europe's largest open air market that is housed in old German hangars. There were halls with seafoods, meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts and more. It made Haymarket in Boston look like a corner store!

Love is in the air at the lock bridge in Riga. 

There was almost no space to put our lock with all the love birds that visited the bridge!

The parks in Riga are magnificent, filed with funky trees and yoga statues. 

Speaking of yoga... a pose I like to call "rainbow dancer" ;)

Jurmala 

Beach town of Jurmala is just a $2, 45 minute train ride from Riga. 

We (of course) had our fill of desserts. 

Cute little bakeries and cafes line the beach town. 

Cesis 

The city in the forest! A beautiful mix of medieval history and modern culture. Complete with a 13th century castle! 

Naturally I had to do some yoga.

I can't say enough about the food. That right there is a THREE dollar work of art that you can eat...minus the birds nest.

Untouched nature makes up HALF of Latvia. Perfect for exploring. 

These are the doors to someone's home! The lay out of Old Town Cesis has been preserved since the middle ages. 

13th Century castle ruins! 

I was too scared to go down into the dungeon, but Adam went down to check it out! They literally let you roam the whole castle with just a candle lit lantern. 

Although cold to sit on, this was a perfect spot to get a quick meditation in. 

Takeaways 

• Medieval-era architecture 

• Amazing, artistic, and affordable food

• Colorful cobble stone streets in old town

• Friendly, trusting, and welcoming culture

• Beaches, parks, and untouched forests

• Rich culture and castles

• Eco-Friendly Tourism 

• Largest European market and bazaar

• You should make reservations at most of the restaurants 

• Restaurants Muusu and Domini Canes are absolute musts in Riga, and Izsalkusais Janis in Cesis

Yoga on an Airplane

Yoga on a Plane

Start by: Sitting up tall, close your eyes, relax your face and shoulders, letting go of any tension you may be holding onto. 

Shoulder Shrugs

Take a deep inhale as you shrug your shoulders up, squeeze the shoulder blades together, creating an opening across the chest. Exhale as you drag your shoulder blades down your back, releasing the shrug, and relaxing through your shoulders. Do this 5 times. 

Benefits:

We hold a great amount of our tension in our neck and shoulders, and after the stress of waiting in the airport can add to our stress. Doing these exercises reduces the pain caused by stress, creates flexibility and makes our muscles stronger. 

Wrist Stretches

Placing your hands in front of you, palms open, in a position like you are stopping traffic. Actively spread all five fingers and slowly one by one curl your fingers into your palm and make a fist. Then curl your wrist down and make small circles to the right, then left. Connect your breath to the movement.

Benefits: 

Most of use our hands all day on a computer, phone, or tablet--and after carrying all your luggage, your hands need to stretch! 

Arm Raises 

Inhale the arms up and overhead, reaching through active fingertips. Exhale the arms down into cactus arms, opening across the chest, squeezing the shoulder blades together and dragging them down the back. 

Benefits:

Energizing-- think the first stretch we do when we wake up. So after a Red Eye, this stretch will waken you up and get your blood flowing.