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As we sit in the Singapore airport during a long layover waiting for a flight back to the U.S., it’s hard to believe that just under three months ago we were wandering through our very first shrine in Tokyo.  That beginning feels like it could have been a year ago—or a lifetime. Since then, we’ve […]

It’s impossible to pick a single favorite from our three-month journey—but our three-day cruise through the islands around Komodo will most certainly be at the top of the list. Choosing where to go in Indonesia is no easy task. With over 17,000 islands spread across a country that stretches wider than the continental United States,

While technically part of Indonesia, Komodo National Park feels like a world away from the beaches and bustle of Bali. Rugged, remote, and untamed, this is the only place on Earth where you can encounter Komodo dragons in the wild—giant, prehistoric lizards that seem pulled from another era. Visiting the park isn’t just about sightseeing;

When most people picture Bali, they imagine sun-drenched beaches, palm-lined shores, and turquoise waves. But tucked into the island’s lush interior — about an hour and a half to two hours from the coast — is Ubud, a place that feels like the true heart of Bali.  There’s nothing you have to see here. No

When you think of Singapore, towering skyscrapers and cool architecture come to mind. But what surprised me most was how deeply this modern city is also rooted in flowers and nature. And not in a wild, overgrown way—but in a beautifully planned and almost artistic way!   There have been flowers throughout our journey—lining temples

In spite of having almost three months for our journey,  we have had to make some choices to pass on a few of the big hitters—like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Siagon).  But one tiny (or not so tiny) place kept coming up in conversations…Singapore. We’d heard it’s spotless, it’s  futuristic, it’s expensive, and

I’d heard the warnings—Batu Caves gets crowded—so I set my alarm and headed out by 7:30 AM, hoping to beat the rush. And I’m so glad I did. Not only did I get a peaceful, cooler start to the day, but I also had the unexpected privilege of witnessing locals arriving for their Sunday morning

When people think of towering skylines, cities like New York, Dubai, or Shanghai usually steal the spotlight. But here’s the twist—I’d be willing to bet a lot of people couldn’t point out Kuala Lumpur on a map, or even name the country it’s in. (It’s Malaysia, by the way…I didn’t know either before this trip). 

One of the most fun—and delicious—parts of traveling through Southeast Asia has been exploring its vibrant street food scenes. While I haven’t highlighted it much yet, street food has been a constant thread in our journey, offering everything from quick bites on busy corners to full dinner experiences steeped in local tradition. In this part

Since we started our journey in early April we have pretty much been on the go, so it was  nice to base ourselves for six nights at a beautiful beach resort on the coast of south Thailand.   We literally had several days without having anything scheduled!  When you hear about the beaches of Thailand  it’s

If you spend even a little time exploring northern Thailand you’ll quickly realize something: temples are everywhere. And not just little roadside shrines—though there are plenty of those —but jaw-dropping, intricately adorned, golden-topped, dragon-guarded temples.  They are stunning. Peaceful. Majestic. And after your fifteenth one in two days, you might just find yourself getting templed

In Thailand, elephants aren’t just animals—they’re national icons, deeply tied to the country’s history, culture, and spirit. But behind the beauty and symbolism lies a complex and often troubling reality. Elephant tourism has come under growing scrutiny, and with good reason: many so-called sanctuaries still allow riding, chains, and performing. So I did my research

While my blog posts haven’t focused much on food, make no mistake—our meals have been one of the absolute highlights of this journey. Every country has offered something memorable, but I’ve been especially looking forward to the food in Thailand. Thai cuisine has always been high on my must-eat list… and now here we are,

Let’s be honest—Laos isn’t exactly topping most people’s bucket list. In fact, it’s safe to say a lot of folks couldn’t find it on a map if their travel plans depended on it…not long ago I may have been included.  So when we rolled into Luang Prabang—a charming little city of just 32,000 people tucked

One of the most eye-opening and memorable experiences during our short time in Cambodia was a half-day sunset tour to Kampong Phluk, a traditional stilted village of about 3,000 people located on the edge of Tonlé Sap Lake. I’ll admit— I was feeling pretty tired on the 45-minute, bumpy ride down dusty backroads to get there.

We knew visiting Angkor Wat would be a highlight of our Southeast Asia journey—but nothing quite prepares you for the scale, mystery and overall wow factor.  Before planning this trip, I had definitely heard of Angkor Wat—but honestly, I couldn’t have told you exactly what it was or where it was. It was one of

Hoi An is one of those places that immediately feels special!  With its glowing lanterns, riverside walks and allies, and centuries-old architecture, this tourist destination in central Vietnam feels a little suspended in time. One of the things that makes Hoi An famous is it’s long history with laterns that were brought to Vietnam in

The Magic of Ha Long Bay When most travelers think of northern Vietnam’s iconic views, Ha Long Bay likely comes to mind — and for good reason. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone karsts and islets. But what many don’t know is that just a

Stepping into Hanoi felt like stepping into another world — one bursting with color, noise, motion, and energy. The moment we arrived in the Old Quarter, we were hit with a wave of life: tangled alleyways glowing with lantern light, the constant hum of scooters zipping past in all directions, the sizzling sound of street

Just an hour north of Seoul lies one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world — the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea. Despite its name, the DMZ is anything but demilitarized. It represents the ongoing tension from a war that never truly ended.  Though we typically prefer exploring on our

On my second day in Seoul, I joined a fascinating Airbnb Experience called “Gangnam Tour on Youth and Society.” It wasn’t your typical guided tour,  instead it was a deep dive into the complex, high-pressure world of South Korean education and priorities — one that left me thinking about the true cost of success (hope

What is Expo 2025? When I was mapping out Osaka, Japan plans I wasn’t aware of Expo 2025, but my brother mentioned it to us right before leaving for our trip. Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan was a must-visit! We had never been to anything like this so we had no idea what to expect

A Day Trip from Osaka to Nara: Bowing Deer, Ancient Temples & Parks Just under an hour from Osaka by train lies one of Japan’s most fun (and  touristy) escapes—Nara. It was the perfect day trip  to leave the big city behind.  When you step into Nara Park,  you are greeted by over 1,000 free-roaming

Hiroshima:  A Story the World Must Not Forget  Visiting Hiroshima will be unlike any other travel experience on our trip. It’s not just about seeing a place—it’s about feeling it. This city, forever marked by the events of August 6, 1945, has turned unimaginable tragedy into a powerful message of peace. Our day began at

A Shrine Steeped in Centuries of Spirit If there’s one place in Kyoto that feels straight out of a dream, it’s Fushimi Inari Taisha—home to those iconic orange torii gates that seem to go on forever. Nestled at the base of Mount Inari, this Shinto shrine is one of Japan’s most photogenic and spiritual destinations.

1. Slurp Like You Mean It  Forget everything your parents taught you about polite eating—in Japan, slurping is not only accepted, it’s encouraged. And we’re not talking delicate, shy slurps. We mean full-volume kind of slurping. It’s considered a sincere compliment to the chef, a sign you’re enjoying the meal, and honestly… it’s kind of

Mount Fuji is one of the most iconic and beloved symbols of Japan — a nearly perfect cone rising 12,389 feet into the sky. But what many people don’t realize until they arrive is that seeing Fuji is a bit of a gift. Because it’s so often shrouded in clouds or haze, catching a clear

Bowing, Fortunes, and Colorful Sake at Meiji Shrine Tucked right in the middle of Tokyo’s organized chaos and it’s 81 million population —is Meiji Shrine.  One minute you’re dodging teen fashionistas and anime, the next you’re strolling beneath towering torii gates into a peaceful forest that feels like it’s politely ignoring the rest of the

Why Cherry Blossoms Are So Special in Japan? 🌸 Cherry blossoms—sakura—aren’t just beautiful, they’re deeply woven into the heart of Japanese culture. The tradition of hanami (flower viewing) goes all the way back to the Heian period (over 1,000 years ago!), when poets and nobles would gather under the blossoms to reflect on life’s fleeting

After months of daydreaming, planning, research (and a few library overdue fines), we’re finally setting off on a nearly three-month adventure through Asia! That’s right—nine countries, one backpack each (hopefully…), and a whole lot of curiosity. Our journey begins in Japan and winds its way through South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore,