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An Alternative to Bali: Lombok Island
Lombok is practically foreign to the average tourist in Indonesia despite being minutes away from Bali. This island is essentially an alternative to Bali with fewer tourists. Not being ones that like to be surrounded by tourists, Jamarcus and I opted for Lombok instead of Bali. We stayed at Idoop hotel for about $25 a night total for the both…
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Lombok off the Beaten Track: A Day Trip to Tetebatu
Tetebatu is a hidden gem for those looking for a place in Lombok off the beaten track. This small village located in the central part of the island gives you the opportunity to see real everyday village life. After a few days on the beach, my friend Jamarcus and I wanted a change of scenery, and I discovered Tetebatu through…
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A Backpacker’s Guide to Visiting the Gobi Desert
If you’re visiting Mongolia, it is likely that you’ll want to visit the Gobi Desert and rightfully so. Getting to the Gobi can simply be broken down into two methods: Organizing a trip through a tour guide and going by yourself. Unless you have your own vehicle, are permitted to drive in Mongolia, and are a master of navigation, you’ll…
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Malaysia’s Indigenous Black People
Taman Negara is home to the world’s oldest rainforest, and unknown to many, home to a large number of Malaysia’s indigenous Black people. Months before my trip to Malaysia, I watched a documentary about the black presence in Asia. I was captivated by the natives of Malaysia. Their short statue, dark pigment, and Afro-textured hair was certainly far from the…
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Terelj National Park Day Trip
Gorkhi Terelj National Park is an excellent place if you’re looking for a day trip from Ulaanbaatar.You can take the local bus here or book a tour through your hotel, but the best option in my opinion is through taxi ($50 round trip) and I’ll explain why. The local bus and most tour groups will not stop at the Genghis…
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Best Time to Visit Bagan
Bagan is one of the most iconic places in Southeast Asia and the heart and soul of Myanmar. Recently, Myanmar has seen a huge surge in tourism as a result of its relaxed visa policies and proximity to Thailand. The days of being the sole tourist in Bagan are over, but if you travel during the right time, you can…
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Is Mandalay Worth Visiting?
Mandalay is usually the 2nd or 3rd stop for foreign travelers after Yangon or Bagan. Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar and former capital, is an ethnically diverse city with a long history. It is also the financial hub of the country, but many travelers often wonder “Is Mandalay worth visiting?” I visited several places in Myanmar, but truthfully…
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Day Hike in Inle Lake
Inle Lake is one of the most scenic places in Myanmar and those that have been would beg to differ. The lake tour is the highlight of your trip here and probably the main reason why anyone would come visit. The lake tour can be done in either half or a full day so, anything else longer would just seem…
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Visiting the Taj Mahal
Coming to India, visiting the Taj Mahal was number 1 on my bucket list. I booked a tour from my hotel the previous day for about $70. The next morning I was told to wait at the corner for the bus at 7:00 AM. I arrived at 6:40 and by 7:00 there was no bus. 30 minutes later, there was…
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Ganges River From Delhi: Garhmukteshwar
I was a bit short on time in India and did not have time to fly to Varanasi to see the Ganges River. I was upset I wasn’t able to see it, but after a little bit of research, I found that it was possible to see the Ganges River from Delhi in the city of Garhmukteshwar, which is two…
