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How to Get from Istanbul to Bulgaria
Getting from Istanbul to Bulgaria is quite simple, cheap, and convenient. From Otagar international coach terminal (Aksaray metro stop) in Istanbul you can purchase your ticket. There are several companies, but I went with Metro, which is probably your best bet. A one way ticket costs 75 Turkish Lira ($21 as of 2016) and leaves several times a day. I opted…
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Is Singapore Worth Visiting?
Many ask, “Is Singapore worth visiting?” Well, that depends on whom you ask. Your hardcore backpacker will emphatically say no, while your casual traveler might say otherwise. As one with aspirations to see every country on earth, my visit to Singapore was inevitable, but truth be told, it was not high on my list of places to see. However, I…
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The Indigenous Black Filipinos
Growing up in the U.S, I often heard East Asians refer to Southeast Asians, more so Filipinos, as the “Blacks of Asia”, but never really thought much of it. I thought it had more to do with many Filipino-Americans affinity towards Black culture rather than their physical appearance, but after visiting the Philippines and seeing the indigenous people, it made…
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How to Spend a Layover in Macau
Dubbed the Las Vegas of Asia, Macau is one of the world’s top tourist destinations and just a short boat ride away from Hong Kong. This small and compact autonomous Chinese territory is the world’s most densely populated place and a great place to spend a layover given the small size and relative easy of getting around. This is how…
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How to Spend a Layover in Qatar
Doha, Qatar is a popular layover destination for many flights, and many often find themselves here for periods longer than 5 hours, depending on their flight. Despite claims of being one of the premier cities in the Gulf, Qatar is a small country with very little to see. Many travelers complain that it is boring and too hot. I had…
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Visiting Zhangjiajie (Avatar Mountains) in November
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the place that served as the inspiration for the setting of the movie Avatar, is one of the most popular places in China and for good reason. If you’re in China and have time, take a flight over to Zhangjiajie (airport code DYG). From the airport, take a taxi for about an hour to the park.…
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Two Days in Kuala Lumpur
My friend MJ and I rode the plane from Busan to Kuala Lumpur excited to take our first real vacation outside of South Korea. For me, Malaysia was the 5thcountry I visited, but it felt like the first official for me. Up until this point, I had taken trips to Japan, The Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea, all either with…
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My 4 Favorite Travel Resources
When planning for my next trip, there are four websites I absolutely cannot live without. If you’re a traveler you should definitely save these sites to your favorites on your web browser. 1) Skyscanner.com This is my go to site when I’m looking to book tickets, I don’t use any other site. The user interface is simple and easy to…
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Hiking the Rice Terraces of Banaue
When you think of the Philippines, most people envision beautiful beaches, and while the Philippines does have those, many are unaware of the incredible rice terraces of Banaue. These terraces, which are often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, are hands down my favorite place in the Philippines. These terraces were carved into the mountains by the indigenous…
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Backpacking Hopkins, Belize: A Hidden Gem
Most people have never heard of Hopkins, Belize, and for those that have, it’s likely not on your to-do list in Belize. Hopkins isn’t heavily promoted like other destinations in the country, but I’d argue that it is Belize’s greatest hidden gem. Short History on the Garifuna of Hopkins Hopkins is a unique small town populated by the Garifuna…
